Volume 94 Number 17
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
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H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
May 3, 2006
ISSN —07458800
SPJST Supreme Lodge approves 16,000-square foot Home Office expansion
Something Old and Something New For the SPJST Supreme Lodge, building for the future also means holding on to the past. At its regular quarterly meeting in Temple on April 18 to 20, the Supreme Lodge voted to proceed with the construction of a 16,000- square foot addition to the SPJST Home Office Building. With a bid of $2.2 million, Vanguard Contractors of Temple was selected as the low bidder for the project. Architect Charles Voelter, who designed the existing SPJST Home Office Building, worked with Supreme Lodge officers in designing the three-module addition that will complement the existing structure which consists of 22,000 square feet on the main floor and a basement of approximately 10,000 square feet. For more than 35 years,
Supreme Lodge members review plans for the 16,000 square foot addition to the Home Office building with Architect Charles Voelter, seated, second from left. Supreme Lodge Officers are, front, from left, Financial Secretary Jerry Mikulas, President Brian Vanicek, Vice President Gene McBride, Secretary-Treasurer Lanita Anglin, and Legal Advisor Drew Popelka. District directors are, back, from left, Donnie Victorick, Bobby Wuensche, Johnnie Krizan, Billy Rollwitz, Larry W. Pflughaupt, Mike Ahlstrom, and Bob Bayer.
the SPJST Home Office, located at 520 North Main Street in Temple, has provided the SPJST with a base of operations from which to serve its 116 lodges and
A Bloomin’ Show of Cars
Lodge 4, Hallettsville member Philip Vahalik looks over one of the 118 cars that were entered in the SPJST Car Show at the Bloomin’ Temple Festival on Saturday, April 8. Event photos and car show results on pages 14 to 16.
more than 50,000 members throughout Texas. The addition will offer expanded office space in addition to a state-of-the-art sales and fraternal training facility.
“The purpose of all these enhancements is to meet the member servicing needs of our growing fraternal order,” says Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek.
Robert Rides Again!
Congratulations to Lodge 196, HoustonWest member Robert Castillo for completing the MS150 Bike Tour on April 22 and 23. Robert went from Houston to Austin in 10 hours, 52 minutes, and 16 seconds. The riders spent Saturday night in La Grange. Robert stayed with Lodge 8, Weimar members Leo and JoAnn Jares. “The fraternalism and hospitality Leo and JoAnn showed me makes me love the members of SPJST even more,” Robert says. More on page 2.
The decision to build culminated a nine-month process during which time a number of options — including the purchase of land and new construction — were considered. “The most practical and cost-effective solution was to simply stay put and add on to the building,” says President Vanicek. The growth of SPJST in the past five years attributes to its current success and is a direct result to the building expansion. “Our applications written each year have more than tripled since year 2000,” says Supreme Lodge See Office Expansion on page 9.
~ Inside ~
World War II veteran gives to LAM Page 11 Lodge 67 supports fire department Page 13 Lodge 202 youth in parade Page 25 Lodge 88 Easter party Page 26
Interest Rates .....................3 Family Fun Dates ...............3 Financial Statement...........4 Longtime Members............5 Lodge Letters .....................9 Reunions ..........................20 In Memoriam.....................21 Youth .................................22 Czech Culture...................28 Activities Calendar...........30