VESTNIK "Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
Official Publication of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503
VOLUME 87 NUMBER 47
ISSN-07458800
All ornaments on the SPJST Youth Christmas L.C3S 6-8 Tree, at right, were Kristina Skrabanek created and Lodge 17, New Tabor designed by SPJST Ages 9 to 11 youth club members Kyle Skrabanek from across Texas. Lodge 17, New Tabor Ages 12 to 14 The tree will be on Travis Schoppe display in the Lodge 9, Snook lobby of the Ages 15 to Senior . SPJST Home Jill Malazzo Office through Lodge 17, New Tabor the Holiday Season. Ages 5 to 'Stephanie Vanicek Lodge 24, Cyclone Ages 9 to 11 Lindsey Green Lodge 29, Taylor Ages 12 to 14 Kristen Bartek Lodge 177, Academy Ages 15 to Senior Tracy Betak Lodge 29, Taylor
Ages 6 to 8 Nolan Schwartz Lodge 160, San Angelo Ages 9 to 11 Austin Miller Lodge 160, San Angelo Ages 12 to 14 Nathan Block _odge 160, San Angelo Ages 15 to Senior Neil Block Lodge 160, San Angelo Ages 6 to 8 Rachel Anderson Lodge 88, Houston Ages 9 to 11 Erica Grayam Lodge 196, Houston-West Ages 12 to 14 Dustin Anderson Lodge 88, Houston Ages 15 to Senior Rachel Mohr Lodge 88, Houston Ages 6 to 8 Kenna Bubela Lodge 30, Talton Ages 9 to 11 Travis Krpec Lodge 30, Talton Ages 12 to 14 Nicholas Vahalik Lodge 4, Hallettsville b‘, Ages 15 to Senior Krista Thompson Lodge 97, Placedo
Ages ° 6 to Dakota Yates Lodge 66, Waco Ages 9 to 11 Kevin Galler Lodge 66, Waco Ages 12 to 14 Jarod Olds Lodge 84, Dallas Ages 15 to Senior Celia Dobecka Lodge 6, Cottonwood
!str Ages 6 to 8 Travis Purchis Lodge 107, Floresville Ages 9 to 11 Ashley Anderson Lodge 107, Floresville Ages 15 to Senior Kara Morrisey Lodge 107, Floresville
Applications available for SPJST scholarships, leadership grants O ne of the benefits that the SPJST makes available to its members is a competetive scholarship program. The Schloarship/ Grant Program is meant to encourage
Planning for the future? Take a closer look at SPJST Mortgages, Universal Life, Roth IRAs and Annuities.
and assist younger members to further their education and to help them achieve career goals. The SPJST Supreme Lodge will be accepting applications for the year 2000 SPJST Scholarships until December 31, 1999.
SPJST Mortgage Interest Rates Rates subject to change without notice
Home or Farm Mortgages: 6.75% for 1 to 7 years 7.25% for 8 to 15 years 7.50% for 16 to 20 years 7.75% for 21 to 30 years Qualified Owner-Operated Business Real Estate Mortgages 8.50% for 10 years 8.75% for 11 to 15 years
Universal Life 6.75% for Annualized Effective 11-1-99 through 1-31-2000
Roth IRA 6.00% for Annualized Effective 11-1-99 through 1-31-2000
Annuity II 6.00% for Annualized Certificates Issued 4-1-93 and after Effective 11-1-99 through 1-31-2000
Annuity I 5.00% for Annualized Certificates issued prior to 4-1-93 Effective 11-1-99 through 1-31-2000
An applicant must be a qualified member of the SPJST to apply. To be a qualified member, the applicant must hold a valid SPJST insurance policy for at least one year prior to the date of the application. If you wish to apply, you may request an application by writing to:
SPJST Home Office Scholarship Department P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503 or by calling (254) 773-1575 or 1-800727-7578. Likewise, if you would like to offer your support to the 1999-2000 SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive, please refer to the page four for more information. -SPJST-
December 8, 1999
Czech and Slovak Christmas customs, folklore remembered By Willa Mae Cervenka Lodge 54, West
_he comin o Christmas season will pass swiftly s into history, leaving footprints for future generations to see and read about, just as now, we remember some of the ways the Czechs and Slovaks celebrated Christmas long ago. I wish to share what I have learned about how some of our ancestors celebrated Christmas in the Czech Republic. Much of what I learned about these traditions came from my papa, Will J. Cervenka, who was horn in Kasava, Moravia. He kept us in awe, telling us how Christmas was celebrated in his beloved homeland all the while mama was in the kitchen baking Christmas goodies and waiting for him to finish, so we could wash the dishes. Since 1972, I have made 12 trips to the Czech Republic and had the opportunity to hear my aunts and uncles tell about the Christmas traditions they knew. From them, I !earned how papa used to be the "ring leader" and would sneak into the cookies hidden in boxes and stored high in hard to reach cabinets. That was, of course, to make sure that not no one started eating them too soon!
* * * St. Barbara's Day Saint Barbara's Day is on December 4 and it comes just two days before Saint Mikulas (Nicholas) Day, December 6. Traditionally, the day was observed by g roups of "Barbara's Girls," dressed all in white with their faces covered by veils. In their arms, they carried bells, rods and bundles of dried or fresh apples. It was their duty to go from house to house giving children the apples and reminding them to be good. (Continued on page 4.)