VESTNfK Official Publication of the SPJST, originally chartered as the Slovanska Podporujici 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
VOLUME 92 NUMBER 46
ISSN-07458800
December 1, 2004
-41
Celebrate the Season!
Monday, December 6 520 North Main Street - Temple, Texas Following the Temple Christmas Parade Come by and meet
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Special guest performance by MISS Texas Jamie Story Special Attractions SPJST State Royalty Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Temple High School Polyfoniks Temple Fire Department Dalmations Living SPJST Museum Displays Temple Police DARE Program Children's Activities Refreshments
Dear Members, You are cordially invited to attend and celebrate the chartering of SPJST Lodge 246, Morgan's Point on Tuesday, December 7, 2004. Activities will take place at Frank's Lakeview and Anchor Club, located at 2207 Lake Road on the Belton Dam. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the lodge chartering ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The chartering of a new SPJST lodge is always a momentous and joyous occasion. The fact that Lodge 246 is chartering in thi holiday season makes it all the more special. I look forward to seeing you there. Fraternally, Brian Vanicek Supreme Lodge President —SPJSTg
Thanks, George! SPJST proudly salutes Brother George Pauling for his service to America. Brother Pauling joined the National Guard in 1947. He then enlisted in the Navy for one year, followed by four years in the Air Force, finishing with 21 and one-half years in the National Guard and retiring as a major. Brother Pauling is president of Lodge 66, Waco and the District Three FAC.
Recently completed for the Christmas parades, the SPJST Float debuted at the Christmas in God's Country Parade in Hondo on a foggy, damp November 20 evening. The float received two awards—"First Place in Clubs and Organizations" and the overall "Best Lighting" award. Pictured above, from left to right, are Lodge 239, Hondo members Xavier Guedea, Geneve Suarez: Camille Hernandez, Brandon Hernandez, Jr. and Tereso Hernandez.
Lodge 17, New Tabor Member Ella Beseda Achieves Grand Age of 96 e_ The SPJST congratulates Sister Ella Beseda, a member of Lodge 17, New Tabor, who celebrated her 96th birthday on November 14, 2004. Sister Ella is now entitled to all SPJST member benefits with no further dues or assessments required. Ella Frances Machan Beseda was born on November 14, 1908, in New Tabor near Caldwell, Texas, to John J. Machan and Frances Sefcik Machan, both of New Tabor. Ella married John Charles Beseda on December 28, 1927, in New Tabor. Ella and John owned and operated the New Tabor Store three miles east of Caldwell from 1928 to 1968. Along with operating the store and raising two children, life in general in those days was interesting enough with the changes in the community. The store provided entertainment for the community such as playing dominos, cards, and other adult games. The children played their games outdoors. Ella's siblings included sisters, Milady Machan Rychlik and Gladys B Manning, both deceased, and brother, Henry John Machan, who died during World War II in France. Ella used to tell stories of going to
dances at SPJST halls and having house parties. She also told how washing was done without a washing machine. As a girl, she had to help with the cotton and corn harvests and helped tend to the animals on the farm. As a young girl of 15 years, Ella lost her mother. She and her sister, Milady, had to take over the household. They eventually did get some outside help. As a married lady, after a year of marriage, husband John was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis and after years, several handibecame capped as a result. Ella ran and merchandised the store, raised her children and was very interested in their schooling, and tended to the farm animals, large garden, and orchard. Ella had a kerosene stove in the back of the store. She canned all the fruits and vegetables that they did not sell or give away. She also sewed for many in the community. When she moved to McAllen, quilting was almost a lost art. Ella made quilts for many people. She won many awards for her work. She designed (Continued on page 2.)