Volume 95 Number 4
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
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H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
January 24, 2007
ISSN —07458800
Lodge 88, Houston member Joe Novak: “I challenge you to give to the SPJST Library, Archives and Museum.” Victory means celebration, and Texas native Joe Novak of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is celebrating by giving $10,000 to the SPJST Library, Archives and Museum. Joe recently fought—and won—the battle to keep his cedar-shake, single story home of 52 years after the Virginia Beach School Board pursued building a $54.6 million school, enveloping five houses and nine lots. Joe learned in October, 2006, that the battle was over. “They are not going to take my house, and they are not going to buy it,” Joe told the
~ Inside ~
Vestnik last October. Joe served the United States of America in three wars—World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. “I spent 31 years for my country protecting freedom and personal rights,” Joe says. Joe’s house is stuffed with memories of his life in the Army and his 30-year marriage to the woman who instigated their move to Virginia Beach. Back in 1953, Joe was transferred from Germany to Fort Eustis. But Ursula, whom he married in Germany, disliked the Army base. “I tried to get back to Texas, but I was given only one other option—and that was Fort Story in Virginia,”
Joe says. “I hadn’t even heard of it. I didn’t like the sand at first, but then I fell in love with the place.” He retired in 1973 after 31 years as an Army mechanic. His wife was then diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He cared for her in their home until shortly before she died in 1983. Brother Novak is challenging SPJST members from everywhere to give to the LAM. “Even though I’m in Virginia Beach, my heart is still in Texas with SPJST,” Joe says. “The LAM is a good cause.” The SPJST LAM is currently housed in the basement of the SPJST Home Office building in Temple, Texas.
Publication Committee meets Page 6 Lodge 84 Christmas activities
Artist’s rendering of the future SPJST LAM building.
Page 11
Lodge 88, Houston member Joe Novak of Virginia Beach, Virginia, reviews the Vestnik with SPJST Library, Archives and Museum Curator Dorothy Pechal when he visited the SPJST Home Office in 2006.
Through artifacts, photos and texts, the SPJST LAM provides a close look into the family life of Texans of Czech descent in the last century. The SPJST LAM will
Lodge 133 honors members Page 12 Lodge 48 youth club pizza and bowling party Page 17
Interest Rates .....................3 Family Fun Dates ...............3 Lodge Chartering...............3 Valentine Form ...................3 It’s IRA Season...................4 Lodge Letters .....................5 Reunions...........................14 In Memoriam.....................14 Youth .................................16 Vestnik Fun.......................18 Czech Culture...................19 Activities Calendar...........22
On May 5, 2007, (in 100 days!) , fraternalists and nonfraternalists alike will come together for JOIN HANDS DAY—to make a difference in their communities through helpful projects that connect youths and adults. JOIN HANDS DAY gives fraternal benefit societies and volunteer organizations the opportunity to reach out to people they don’t know, to connect generations, and develop new relationships. Start planning your lodge/youth club project today. See page 5 for more information on a $100 incentive available for SPJST lodges from the SPJST Home Office.
receive a $200,000 challenge grant — provided that it is able to raise $400,000 through its own efforts. “The foundation offering the challenge grant has generously extended the deadline,” Museum Administrator Sandi Wicker says. “We have a long way to go, and we need all the help we can get. Thanks to Joe, we are a little closer to meeting our goal.” The monies raised will go towards the renovation of a historic 6,900 square-foot building on the corner of North Third and French Streets in Temple to serve as the hub of operations for the LAM’s growing program. The building was purchased by the LAM in 2001 thanks largely to a gift from the late District Five Director Louis Hanus and wife Oleta, who resides in Houston. If you are interested in Please see LAM on page 2