Wednesday, April 22, 1998—VESTNIK/9 for the night. "Sure," said the farmer. "Paint the porch in back of the house." A couple of hours later, the Hobo returned. "Done already?" asked the farmer. "Yup," replied the Hobo. "And by the way, that's not a Porsche. It's a Cadillac." I am sure you know your cars! I send "hello" to all my good readers! Fraternally yours, Carl W. Zich Reporter/Trustee —SPJST-
Lodge 139, Danbury announces scholarship recipient A brief meeting of Lodge 139, Danbury was held at E.J.'s Restaurant on April 1. Business included the announcement of the Lodge 139 scholarship. The recipient will be Kyle Ketler of Alvin. Kyle has a grade point average of 4.0 on the 4.0 grade point scale. On the weighted system, based on seven, his grade point average is 7.2277. He
East Bernard Czech Singers receive two Texas Polka Music Association awards Out of three finalists in each category, the East Bernard Czech Singers of East Bernard, Texas, received the "Best Vocal Group" and "Album of the Year" award for 1997 from the Texas Polka Music Association during the awards ceremony at the eighth annual Texas Polka Music Awards Festival held in El Campo, Texas, on March 15, 1998. This year, in order to ensure a fair and informed process, the choosing of the awards was accomplished by using a system of electors representing three polka constituencies—dancers, band leaders/musicians and polka disc jockeys. The TPMA Planning Team selected 50 electors in each category thereby including a diversity of musical tastes, cultures, and geographical areas. Including their previously won awards for Best Vocal Group of the Year for the years 1991, 1992 and 1995, this year's awards total five for the East Bernard Czech Singers. To have been elected by a group of their peers makes them especially proud of this year's awards. This is the twelfth year of existence for the Singers who officially began their group in 1986. They have produced a total of six cassettes, the newest of which is entitled "Around the Moon" which prompted the "Best Album of the Year" award. Two of their cassettes are of the Christmas and religious variety which include Czech hymns which were sung for many years in Holy Cross Parish in East Bernard. The other four cassettes are of the polka and waltz type. The musical background on all but one of the six cassettes was performed by John and
Mark Dujka, also of East Bernard. The musical accompaniment on their first cassette was performed by Georgie Losack. The Singers also appear on a video tape as special guests of Harry Czarnek and his Texas Dutchmen Band. It was filmed in Ennis, Texas, in February, 1992, by the Czech Polka and Waltz Video-Tape Production Company. The Singers perform on five of the 10 vocal selections featured on this one-hour video. Members of the group are Birdie Hlavinka, Marge Hlavinka, Martha Janik, Yvonne Krenek, Georgie Losack, Margie Vacek, and Martha Viktorin. The East Bernard Czech Singers are proud Czech Texans who take pleasure in being a part of the beautiful and colorful Czech ancestry and feel that they have contributed toward the preservation of their heritage through their musical cassettes. The Texas Polka Music Association is a Texas non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of bringing together the polka-loving community; to honor and ,reward Texas' polka pioneers; and to honor and reward the current musicians of the Texas Polka music industry for preserving and carrying on traditional muse and cultural heritage. This was the eighth year of the TPMA Awards and was the seventh appear-Once of the East Bernard Czech Singers to perform the Polka Mass at the festival. The next performance of the group will be at the Kolache Klobase Festival to be held at Riverside Hall in East Bernard on June 13, 1998. —SPJST-
MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER: Pictured above, from left, are: Georgie Losack, Yvonne Krenek, Birdie Hlavinka (sitting), Martha Viktorin, Margie Vacek, Marge Hlavinka and Martha Janik.
is ranked sixth in his class of 584 students. Kyle is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Ketler of Alvin and the grandson of Bessie Krenek of Danbury. Madison Dickerson is doing well after having a cyst removed from near her eye. Sheldon Baldwin took second place in the Pine Wood Derby competition with the car he carved from a small block of wood. His car won the Best of Show award for being the best sculpted and finished car of the competition. "Happy Birthday" was sung to David and Monte Baldwin, both of whom celebrated birthdays in March. After the meeting adjourned, everyone enjoyed the meal following. Fraternally, Ora Faye Wilson, Reporter —SPJST-
161, LaParitaJourdanton invites members to April 27 dinner Lodge
Lodge 161, LaParita-Jourdanton cordially invites you and your family to an Awards Dinner honoring Lodge 161's 50-Year Members, Sales Representatives, New Members and Fraternalists. Meet us at Stage Stop Restaurant in Pleasanton, Texas, at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 1998. Please RSVP by Saturday, April 18 to Secretary Tillie Koch at (830) 569-5627. —SPJST-
177, Academy speaker addresses "Humor in Health" Lodge
President Bill Hutka called the meeting to order. Everyone stood for the pledge to the flag. A moment of silence was observed for our departed member, Robert Nault. All officers answered roll call with the exceptions of the treasurer and youth leader. Libby Bartek reported she had sent a get-well card to Rosa Lee Weadock who had eye surgery. Louis and I saw Rosa Lee after her surgery and she is doing great. A sympathy card was sent to the family of Robert Nault. Irene Johnson is back in the hospital. Walter Jezek is doing good. Bernice Hutka cracked the top of her foot. She will have to stay off it for a few days. Let's remember all of our friends and members who are having a tough time. We hope to see them back at our meetingget togethers soon. The minutes were approved. A thank-you card was read from Carrie Driska. We received a certificate of appreciation for Project Celebration from Academy High School. The committee chair reports were approved. Fraternal Activities Coordinator Joanne Hutka acknowledged Jesie Costello's birthday and anniversaries for Alex and Martha Garcia and Don and Shirley McCrea. Joanne reminded
everyone to be thinking about our next social. Diana Gail Lawrence was welcomed as a new member. Humor in Health
FAC Joanne Hutka introduced Kirsten Wagner who specializes in stress reduction. Her topic was "Humor in Health"—the difference between stress-producing humor and stress-reducing humor. "To laugh is to risk appearing the fool—but the person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing." It was a wonderful audience-participation program. Humor is good for self-esteem and is the best tool in the world for de-stressing. So get in touch with your childlike qualities, she said. Lodge 177's FAC Joanne Hutka has done a wonderful job every month of inspiring an uplift beat to our meetings. She periodically invites great guest speakers to visit with us; rarely, if never, forgets a birthday or anniversary; plans special events which we all have an opportunity to attend and participate in; but most importantly, her personality radiates through the beautiful smile she always has. Thank you, Joanne, for all the good work you do. Well, I am off to Washington, D.C., for a couple of weeks. I always enjoy going there in April to appreciate the beautiful spring foliage. All for this month. I will close this column with a quote from Christian Hegaseth III, M.D. from the Scott & White Options for Health. It is number 10 of "The Twelve Affirmations of Positive Humor." "I will be eternally vigilant for the jokes and absurdities of the universe, and I will share my observations with my companions in life." Ann Mason Reporter —SPJST-
187, Round Rock reports on April meeting Lodge
The April 5 meeting was called to order by President Claud Baumbach` Logan Bartz led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes from the previous monthly meeting were read by Secretary Deborah Rohlack. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as read. The motion carried. The treasurer's report was presented by Treasurer Rubie Bartz. President Baumbach recognized special guests at the meeting: Willie and Adeline Kohutek from Lodge 47, Seaton and Patsy Koslovsky, District Two Youth Counselor. He also recognized Lyman Larson, Logan and Rubie Bartz, Irene Weidner, Wilbert and Gladys Nelson, Marvin Heinz, Henry and Paula Wobus, Lucille Klaus, and Darlene Burkland for their time working at the new lodge hall. Youth Leader Julie Kiley gave a youth club report. The Easter egg hunt followed the meeting. We had a good number of children attending the meeting. The Phone Committee was set up for calling members to remind them