Nif Changing to meet the needs f fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
VESTNIK SIIST Herald Official Publication of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897
BENEVOLENCE
VOLUME 87 NUMBER 31
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800
August 11,1999
Lodge 172, Pasadena couple eonates gallons of lifecaving blood very day so many people donate blood in efforts to save lives and among those people is a Texas City couple who have given more than plenty-15 gallons of it. "It is my contribution to people who need blood" Emilie Sefcik said. "If I can give it, I will give it." Mrs. Sefcik who is 67 years old, said she has even been turned down a couple of times from donating blood. "There are times the doctors said I didn't have enough iron or high blood pressure and they wouldn't take it," she said. Mrs. Sefcik and her husband, Arnold, who have resided in Texas City for 46 years, try to donate blood every 56 days as allowed. "We donate a pint each time," Mrs. Sefcik stated. "And it never bothered me (to donate that much)." Mrs. Sefcik has donated five gallons so far over a period of around five years, and Mr. Sefcik has donated 15 gallons over a period of about 30 years. "I've donated 86 pints already," Mr. Sefcik said. "And I'm going on my 11th gallon." Mr. Sefcik, who is 71 years old, takes pride in the gift he has given to the community. "I'm proud of myself," he said. "I enjoy helping other people and I'm glad I can help." (Continued on page 3.)
vacancy
PPriP
' Lcie
President ailnotinced :last k reassignments for the state's:. :E ps4Orice:': field force. fhe riepts:::„-fill the Vacan.i.;ies in Dktriets:::::::: One and T.,-i1,0:::Cteated:::with::::them Gepd!olte...;: ,:ci State Field Repres Gatewood in May "We feli.:.that::::.We could till tfle vacancy ssUh existing: personnel." said Vice :::: : President Mikesk i. '14ecause 'e're workin g with exit any training period:ifiVolved and they can 'hit the ground running State Field Re p resentative jerry hue ru previuuly assigned to Oistn1:!.lree. . Distr i ct For ,oyer.,i4.)istricts Iwo and: Three. St' L icd Representati Larry. :INN.T.agner, addition to :coveDisttet Seven, Was assianed:thei addit/Onal respcinsi bill of with Sales 7.-e-„-.T..,'sent,.tivi-s. in Dist:: 'IOne. d Rep-reseritati-1::i: to provide a.„-isistance : tq:Saies representatives :in and Six::: liegreassi.gniitents;:efedte. vacancy in the : Dhot FoUriService ateaswitliCh L 4..ip as s e West Texas counties. Vice_ PresidetAgNilii<eSka said that,i'iiapartti.tneindOiduarwould be hired to fill the vacancy. He noted that job qualifaciions wouk be posted in a future editiort;:of th&Vestnik. SL
SPJST Supports Sokol Southern District Sokol President Larry Loznovsky, right, aco-pts a S1,500 check from SPJST District Three Director Johnnie Krizan. The pin its! presentation, de n beticTh' of the SPJST, v.ra t the Sokol 'Center in Ennis du their recent Nationo Polk ,* Festivai. Sokoi and its emphasis on gymnastic exercise riginated in Prague in 1862 and is based on the concept that physical fitness produces mental and moral fitness.
AGE 96 PRESENTATION
State fie reps
"Hard work never hurt anyone," says Lodge 24, Cyclone Age 96 member The SPJST congratulates Sister Theresa Bedrich who celebrated her 96th birthday on April 12, 1999. As such, Sister Bedrich is entitled to all SPJST member benefits with no further dues or assessments required.
Theresa Bedrich, a member of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone, was born April 12, 1903 in Zichovice in what is today the Czech Republic. She immigrated to the United States in 1905, the oldest child of Jan and Rozina Gerza. Two brothers — Anton and Ed — and three sisters — Albina (Mekush), Bessie (Sakewitz) and Olga (George) — were born here in Texas. Her brothers are deceased. Growing up on the farm, Sister Bedrich developed a strong work ethic and lifelong appreciation of rural life. Her father died when she was only 12, demanding that Theresa accept much of the responsiblity for raising her brothers and sisters. In 1921, Theresa married Frank Joseph Bedrich. The Bedrichs had two sons, Jerry and Frankie, and continued to farm in the Red Ranger, Meeks and
Rural images of times past are a common theme in the oil paintings of SPJST Age 96 honoree Sister Theresa Bedrich ot Temple. Little Flock communities until Frank Sr. passed away in 1980. Family members attest to Theresa's perseverance, good humor and generosity. "There's very little that mamma couldn't or wouldn't do for her family — or anyone else," says son Jerry. "She was blessed with many talents and used them all to bring joy to those around her." In addition to her sons, who live in the Temple area, Theresa also has five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. (Continued on page 3.)
i-
(--
cni
i '•0,
Family Fun and . Important SPJST Dates
August 14 Tarok Tournament at Lodge 92, Fort Worth ,I AllUSt 21 Lod.„<r.e 84, Dallas Princess Ball li A LiglISt 22 I:odge 161, La Parita-Jourclatiton Membership Rally II August 22Lod ,._,,le 9, Snook Firemen's Barbecue 1 tkiust 25 No Vestnik Published Au.'gust 27 Deadline to post iocai.,', lo lodge +-vents on the Year 2000 11 SPJST Calendar. Contact Editors office for details. August 29 Famiiv Dav Lodge 4, Hallettsville September 12 Lod ge 38,:iCoYar Fund Raiser septen-ther 18 Ail day Czech rierttage Day Celebration at:Li..)d...!.:; 92; For Worth September i 9 District TwOr:Fall: Meeting,: hosted by :Lodge 24, Sept.rriber 19 27th AnnualCzech:Fest at LOdge84,:Dailas September 19 District Five Fait Meeting, Houston-West indst- d b 641 DtstrAct-:, 18,B'cirbecue:CoOk-Offin ::N{iettiria:(Jaycee Hall) 1k1DF-T October District Six taU Meeting at Victoria EIecnic co-Oi October 23 National Make a Difference Day October 24 Lodge 88,:Flou,ston: Czech Day October 31 Fund Raiser at .1.: i)dge . 79, Corpus Christi 1
1
I 14r
•
•
II
1:.1,1 !4' ii
ii