VESTNIK 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
"OLUME 88 NUMBER 41
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October 25, 2C-10
ISSN-07458800
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Supreme Lodge Meeting, SPJST home. Otii3e Tamp National Make a Difference Day Czech Heritage Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone "42" Tournament at Lodge 48, Beyersville Czech Fest at Lodge 49, Rowena, hosted by District Four and Concho Valley CHS October 29 District Three Fall Meeting at Lodge 84, Dallas October 29 Czech Day at Lodge 88, Houston November 3 - 5 Texas Fraternal Congress in Bryan November 4 Barbecue Cookoff and Sale Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone November 4 Czech Youth Symphony at Temple College; 6 p.m sponsored by SPJST and Temple College. Free admission. November 4 Melodion Band at Lodge 183, Arlington November 5 Lodge 6, Cottonwood Work Appreciation Dinner November 11 President's Ball at Lodge 191, Lufkin November 18 SPJST State Volleyball Tournament November 18 Tarock Tournament at Lodge 29, Taylor November 19 District Six Fall Meeting at Inez Community Center, hosted by Lodge 97, Placedo October 25-27 October 28 October 28 October 28 October 28
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Let's Show 'Em How It's Done! Mary Ann Krivanek and Bill Adami of Lodge 92, Fort Worth demonstrate the meaning of what it means to polka at Lodge 92, Fort Worth's recent Czech Heritage Day Celebration. (See related photos on page 8.)
Promote your business in the 2001 SPJST Member Services Directory. This free listing reaches members statewide and gives them all your basic business information, contact information. To get your free listing, write or call the Editor's office at 1 (800) 727-7578 or send via Email to bvanicek@vvm.com . Deadline: December 1. Thank you!
Like the old saying goes, "Every Czech is by Margaret Klecka
A Family Traditioi
Like a great many Americans of Czech-Moravian ancestry, Ezidor Klecka (1899-1988) lent credence to the old saying, "Co Cech, to muzikant" —"Every Czech is a musician". He was the son of Frank Klecka (18731973), a talented musician who was born in Katerinice, a village in northern Moravia, a few kilometers from Hukvaldy, birthplace of Czech composer, Leos Janacek.
Music was Frank Klecka's passion. He saw to his children's musical education and organized a brass band, which he ouffitted in smart John Philip Sousa-style uniforms. Pictured here, Ezidor is seated with his cornet in the front row at left next to his little brother, Florin; Fred is third from the left in the back row; and Frank, proud father and director, stands with cornet in hand at far right.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for Brother Joe and Sister Margaret Klecka of Lodge 84, Dallas for sharing their story with Vestnik readers. The story, which originally appeared in the Ennis Daily News, reflects the rich and colorful cultural heritage shared by so many SPJST members.)
Frank immigrated to Texas in 1890 with his parents, Valentin and Anna Klecka, and five siblings. Five years later, he married Frances Krpec. They would have four children, a daughter, Marie, and three sons, Ezidor, Fred and (Continued on page 3.)
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