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Official Publication of the SPJST, originally chartered as the Slovanksa Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas, in 1897
nsurin Enriching Lives BROTHERHOOD
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Postmaster. Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503
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Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates
That's the First Place photo in the Ages 6-8 Category from this year's State Youth Achievement Day competition. The photo, by Shiloh Perry of Lodge 13, Dime Box, was shot during a drive through a safari zoo near Kerrville, Texas. The photography contest was a real hit and a first for State YAD. Watch coming issues of the Vestnik for other winning photos.
SPJST Mortgage Interest Rates Rates subject to change without notice
Universal Life 7.25% for Annualized*
Roth IRA
Home or Farm Mortgages:
6.50% for Annualized*
6.75% for 1 to 7 years 6.75% for 8 to 15 years 7.00% for 16 to 20 years 7.25% for 21 to 30 years
6.50% for Annualized* Certificates issued 4-1-93 and after
Qualified Business Real Estate Mortgages 8.00% for 10 years 8.25°/e for 11 to 15 years
Lodge
September 5, 2001
ISSN-07458800
VOLUME 89 NUMBER 34
Annuity II Annuity I 5.50% for Annualized* Certificatesissued prior to 4-1-93 *Rates effective 8-1-2001 through 10-31-2001
September 8 Caldwell Kolache Festival September 9 District Seven Family Fun Day at the Longhorn Museum, hosted by Lodge 202, Jourdanton District Six Barbecue Cook-Off Sept. 14-15 Lodge 92, Fort Worth Czech Heritage Day Sept. 15 and 91st Lodge Anniversary Celebration District Two Family Fun Day at Lodge 177, Academy Sept. 16 District Five Family Fun Day at Lodge 172, Pasadena Sept. 16 Czech Fest at Lodge 84, Dallas Sept. 16 Barbecue Cook-Off at Lodge 29, Taylor Sept. 28-29 Czech Heritage Month October SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive Begins October 1 District Four Family Fun Day at St. Ambrose Hall, October 6 hosted by Lodge 160,'San Angelo SPJST Home Office Closed October 8 October 9-11 SPJST Supreme Lodge Meeting at the SPJST Home Office Peanut Festival - Lodge 107, Floresville October 13 October 20 Czech Heritage Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone Free Dance by Melodian Band from Czech Republic October 20 at Lodge 183, Arlington October 21 District One Fall Meeting at Lodge 17, New Tabor, hosted by Lodge 39, Bryan Turkey and Dressing Dinner at Lodge 35, Elk October 21 October 27 Make a Difference Day October 28 District Three Fall Meeting at Lodge 25, Ennis District Six Fall Meeting at Lodge 40, El Campo-Hillje October 28 October 28 Lodge 88, Houston Czech Heritage Day
—SPJST-
15, Buckholts brothers to receive music award
SPJST Lodge 15, Buckholts brothers Alfred and Anton Vrazel of the Yarreliton-Marak communities near Cameron, Texas have been named as the recipients of the 2001 World Of Music Hall of Fame Award. The Vrazels have been making music for nearly half a century as Vrazels' Polka Band, playing their unique style of polka and entertaining audiences all over the United States. Joseph Cerveny, a director of the World of Music Hall of Fame, made the announcement of the award last month. "We feel that Alfred and Anton Vrazel are one of the finest in polka music entertainment. They are lifelong musicians with a love of polka and a deep appreciation for their fans. The Vrazels are the epitome of what this award is all about—an honest love of polka and of polka fans. And they reward their loyal fans with the best of old-world polka music." Alfred Vrazel was just ten years old when he talked his parents into buying
him his first accordion. Shortly thereafter, Anton started playing the piano accordion and Alfred switched to playing the tenor and alto saxophones and guitar. Soon, a polka band was born. It's A Long Story The band was originally known as "Vrazels' Playboys" and consisted of Alfred, Anton and their three cousins, Leo, Louis and Ladis Vrazel They began playing at small stores and halls such as: The Oscar Store near Temple; Three Oaks near Cameron; Country Bar & Grocery Store in Marak; Otto's Place in Taylor; The Wagon Wheel Inn in Beyersville; Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton and SPJST Hall in Buckholts. Some of their first engagements generated no regular salary, just small donations from appreciative listeners and dancers. Only two years after the band was formed, Radio Station KMIL 1330 AM in Cameron, Texas was established and the Vrazels were hired for
Sunday afternoon programs, which were done live and unrehearsed. Initially, only 30 minutes long, the program was increased to one hour, 45 minutes. Now in its 46th year of continuous brOadcasting, the show can still be heard every Sunday afternoon on KMIL 1330 AM radio. Throughout the years, the band has recorded twenty 45 rpm records, 13 albums, two videos, six cassettes and two compact disks. Their Czech music repertoire is very extensive. "Alfred and Anton share their gift with their fans in any and all media they can. They realize that some fans may not have access to one form o their music,so they have made it available in several ways," says Cerveny. The Vrazel Polka Band motto, "Playing for our Friends," is fitting for this group of musicians. The men feel very close to their audience when they play, playing for the people who are listening and not for themselves. (Continued on page 2.)
Alfred and Anton Vrazel will be awarded the 2001 World of Music Hall of Fame Award at the 2001 Grand Polka Festival which takes place in Las Vegas Septemer 9 and 10.