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VESTNI SPJST Herald Official Publication of the SPJST, originally chartered as the Slovanska Podporujic Jednota Statu Texas, in 1897
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Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 92 NUMBER 15
April 14, 2004
eflections:
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t SPJST Ke.lns to Me
The SPJST observes its 107th anniversary in 2004. That's an achievement in itself! That speaks well to the timelessness of our fraternal mission; moreover, it speaks well to the dedication of our generations of devoted members. As a tribute to its members, the Vestnik is introducing a new periodic feature in 2004 entitled "Reflections." The long-term objective is to compile the articles in book form. Today's feature by William Elsik of Lodge 9, Snook is the first Reflections feature to appear in the Vestnik. Now, let's hear from you! Please see the details on page three. — she at various jobs on the campus — eventually working in the Dean of Engineering's office; and me, hitting the books and putting miles on the family car doing geological field work. We lived in Snook, next door to the in-laws, and across the street from By William Clinton Elsik Mary's grandfather, Pop (John T.) Lodge 9, Snook Skrabanek. He proudly signed up his great-grandsons, Bill and Curt. y name is William Clinton Watching those two boys waddle across street for an almost daily handout of Elsik. I was born October 8, 1935, the lemon drops brings a smile even today, in a sharecropper house (not a half a century later. shack - it had two rooms and a nearly The SPJST hall was woven into the porch and was on raised concrete of the community and family. blocks) on my Grandparents' fabric My father, Willie T. Elsik (drums), Elsik farm between the communi- Aunt Marguerite Elsik (piano), Uncle ties of Snook and Tunis in Mary's Burleson County. But the family Johnnie Elsik (saxophone), Uncle Henry activities were tied Skrabanek (slide to Snook: church, trombone) and a school, grocery couple of their stores, cotton gin friends organized and grist mill. And the Indian Camp the SPJST hall Band and played built and mainthe SPJST hall on tained by Lodge 9, at least one occaSnook. sion. But that was The SPJST before my time. memory — carried In my youth, the from that childwere barbecues hood through great occasions Texas A &M with food, drink, University and a music, dance, professional life in games and in an Houston back to election year — retirement in political oratory. Burleson County Of course, the — is one of comspeeches fell on the munity, weekend deaf ears of the and holiday barbe- Pictured above, from left, are youth, but our cues, afternoon the author, his brother, Gene attention was band recitals and and grandfather, John F. Elsik. nailed by the free nighttime dances. handout of gifts I don't remember being signed up from the politicians — especially memfor lodge membership, but I'm sure orable was the paddle and rubber ball, Grandfather John F. Elsik was responsible. I can see him standing proudly as and on one occasion, spinning tops! Without a doubt, the SPJST was a delegate to one of the state convenwoven into the fabric of the community! tions in a rolled-up photograph some—SPJSTwhere in my pile of dusty family Editor's Note: Please see page three to records. My spouse Mary Lynn (Mikeska) learn how you can submit your own bore two sons while we were at A&M Reflections feature.
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Spring Has Arrived! Attendees to the District Two Spring Meeting held on March 21 couldn't have asked for a nicer day! More than 240 members turned out for the get-together which included a Little Mister and Little Miss SPJST District Two pageant. Pageant participants, pictured from left, front, are B.J. Anderson (18), Troy Dobecka (221), Chase Alexander (47), and Colton Regan (47). BACK: Haley Capps (87), Amy Wuensche (48), Kayla Wuensche (48), Alyssa Popelka (47), Haley Popelka (47), Jacqui Wiest (221) and Katey Capps (87). See related District Two Spring Meeting photos on page four.
Family Fun and Important Dates April 13 - 15 April 14 April 18 April 18 April 21 April 24 April 25 April 25 April 25 April 25 May 1 May 1 May 2 May 9 May 11 May 15
SPJST Supreme Lodge Quarterly Meeting at SPJST Home Office, Temple Deadline to submit SPJST By-Law recommendations District One Spring Meeting at Lodge 9, Snook Lodge 84, Dallas 94th Anniversary Celebration: Dinner, Meeting, 50-Year Pin Presentation, Dance SPJST Lodge 79, Corpus Christi Awards Dinner Lodge 182, Falls County Membership Drive and "Farmers' Olympics - SPJST Style" Lodge 107, Floresville New Member and 50-Year Pin Banquet Lodge 38, Kovar Picnic District Three Spring Meeting at Lodge 84, Dallas District Four Spring Meeting hosted by Lodge 73, Seymour Join Hands Day Lodge 25, Ennis Anniversary Dance Lodge 88, Houston Spring Dance Mother's Day Barbecue at Lodge 24, Cyclone Lodge 87, Temple Member Appreciation Dinner SPJST State Horseshoe Tournament —SPJST-