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VE STNtK SPJST Herald Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 86 NUMBER 22
District One Director Andrew Vavra resigns; Donnie Victorick to fill unexpired term District One Director Andrew Vavra announced his resignation from the SPJST Supreme Lodge, effective May 31, 1998, citing "health concerns" as his reason for leaving. "For eleven Andrew Vavra years, I have had the honor and privilege to serve the members of District One as a member of the SPJST Supreme Lodge," Director Vavra stated. "It has been both a memorable and rewarding experience. My wife, Lola, and I will always treasure the friends and memories we made during this special time," he said. Director Vavra, who lives in Bryan, is a member of Lodge 17, New Tabor. He has been a member of the Supreme Lodge since 1987. A cross-country truck driver for 36 years, Mr. Vavra is retired from Schanadig Corporation. He and his wife, Lola, have four children and five grandchildren. During his tenure as a director, Society assests increased significantly, from $54 million as of December 31, 1987 to $124 million as of April 30, 1997. "You can be sure, we're going to miss Andrew," said District Six Director and Supreme Lodge Chairman Matt Vanek of Lodge 32, Victoria. "All of us have known and worked with him for a long time. Mr. Vavra's always been sincere about doing his best for the SPJST. We wish him and Lola all the best." In accordance with Article 45 (h) of the SPJST By-Laws, Alternate District One Director Donnie Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook will complete Director Vavra's unexpired term which Donnie Victorick runs through the year 2000. Mr. Victorick, who serves as principal of Snook Middle School, is a lifelong member of the SPJST and is well-acquainted with its procedures, having attended six SPJST conventions and having served as the chairman of the previous three conventions. He has also served on the By-
SPJST Invites You to Honor the Flag at Home Office Assembly In honor of National Flag Day, SPJST invites the lodge members and the public to join in a ceremony honoring "Old Glory" at the SPJST Home Office, located at 520 North Main Street in Temple, on Friday, June 12, 1998. The following program is planned:
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Assemblage at the Flag Pole Call to Order at 9 a.m. Presentation of Colors by 13 Corp Support Command, Fort Hood Singing of the National Anthem by Lisa Heitman, KCEN TV News Anchor Reading of Flag Day Proclamation by Temple Mayor Keifer Marshall, Jr Introduction of Dignitaries Guest Speaker District Judge Martha J. Trudo Winning Flag Day Youth Essay read by Lynn Woolley, KTEM Newsradio talk show host
Law Committee for the past 18 years. "I'm sure that Donnie will make a tine District One Director and be an effective working partner with the SPJST Supreme Lodge," says Director Vavra. "We're going to miss Brother Vavra as director," Mr. Victorick responded,
June 3, 1998
District Two Flag Day concert to commemorate memory of Czech village A free concert commemorating the anniversary of the destruction of the Czech village of Lidice during World War 11 takes place in Temple on Sunday, June 14, 1998 at the Cultural Activities Center. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by SPJST District Two. Pianist and composer Richard Urbis will perform works by Czech composers Jan Dusik, Bedrich Smetana, Jan Vorisek, Leos Janacek
and Antonin Dvorak. Mr. Urbis will also perform two original works, "Czech-American Fantasy" and "The Ghosts of Lidice." In Memory of Lidice
• Patriotic Songs • AdjournIKolachesIDoor Prizes Tours of the SPJST Museum will
be available after the program. The SPJST encourages the public to come join in this special celebration of the American flag. —SPJSTadding that he would be calling on him from time to time for advice. "I'm going to do the best job I can. Working together, we can increase insurance sales, activities and work to keep SPJST moving in the right direction." —SPJST-
On June 10, 1942, in retaliation for the assassination of a Nazi officer, Hitler
ordered the annihilation of the inhabitants and buildings of Lidice, a small mining town, located northwest of Prague. As a result, the Nazis killed or deported the town's 500 inhabitants and burned and bulldozed the buildings. In a single day, the town ceased to exist. The destruction of Lidice triggered a worldwide campaign to preserve the memory of the village and its inhabitants. Today, a green field, eloquent in its silence, marks the site. Visitors to the SPJST Museum in Temple can view a special section devoted to preserving the memory of the men, women and children who died there. Concert Notes
Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates June 3 June 7 June 7 June 5 - 7 June 10 June 12 June 14 June 14 July 4 July 11 August 3 November 1
Deadline to Enter SPJST Flag Day Essay Contest Lodge 47, Seaton 95th Anniversary Lodge Picnic Lodge 88, Houston Homecoming (Free Member Dinner) Leaders in Training (LIT) Workshop at Camp Lone Star in La Grange Cookout for Lodge 32, Victoria Members, DuPont Park SPJST Home Office Flag Ceremony Public Flag Day Ceremony., SPJST Home Office District Two Presents An Evening of Classical Czech Music at the Temp/e Cultural Activities Center 100th Anniversary Celebration at Lodge 49, Rowena Tarok Tournament, hosted by Lodge 17, New Tabor Deadline to post your major lodge events on the 1999 SPJST Calendar District Seven Fall. Meeting, hosted by Lodge 202, Jourdanton --SPJST--
Pianist Richard Urbis is -a member of SPJST Lodge 117, Robstown and is working with the SPJST in a project to help promote the 1998 SPJST Statewide Charities (see page 4). He is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music and has performed widely in the United States and abroad, including the 1980 International Competition in Moscow. In 1987, he was a finalist in the International New York Chopin Association Competition. Last November, he performed three concerts at the Festival Palafoxiano de Puebla in Mexico City. He has also been invited to lecture and to perform in Bratislva this summer and at the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. this fall. Admission to the June 14 concert is free. The program will be preceded by a Flag Day ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Cultural Activities Center. Information about the SPJST's 1998 Statewide Charities will be available at the event. —SPJST-