ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 96 Number 11
Benevolence
H E R A L D
Humanity
Brotherhood
March 12, 2008
ISSN —07458800
SPJST Cemetery in Holland Honored with Historical Marker
Lodge 32 Victoria: Polka and Kolaches
By Darwin “Monk” Ivicic of Lodge 80, Holland The Czech National Cemetery, located one-half mile south of Holland on State Highway 95, now has a historical marker. A big thanks to the many who have donated to the marker fund. A small amount of remaining funds from the project will be used to upgrade fences, etc. as per the original agreement. The inscription on the marker is: Czech National Cemetery Est. 1910 This land purchased and this cemetery established August 8, 1910 by Holland SPJST Tyrs Lodge No. 80 Volume 209 Page 470 Bell County Inscribed 2007
SPJST Organized in Texas In the mid 1800s, many Czechs were members of CSPS, a national life insurance organization founded by people of Czech descent. The first initial C is from the word “Czech.” By the latter 1800s, Czechs in Texas decided to organize a “Texas” Czech life insurance organization due to the high cost of national CSPS life insurance. In 1897, this organization occurred. Prior to the official organizational meeting, the initials SPJST appeared in print. These initials are very different in appearance (deliberately?) compared to the national CSPS initials. The first initial S is from Slavonic (1896-25 Cechoslovanu “met”). The P and J are initials of Czech words which
Lodge 32, Victoria members, left to right, Doris Elsik, Mary Raska, and Lois Elles get ready to sell kolaches at the lodge’s Polka Fest held February 24 at Inez Hall. More pictures on page 14.
SPJST Easter Eggstravaganza Saturday, March 22 Lions Park in Temple 10 a.m. Egg Hunt and Fun Activities Everyone invited!
Continued on Page 22.
LEFT PHOTO: Lodge 80, Holland member Monk Ivicic, left, and Edwin Balusek mark the location of a granite historical marker at Czech National Cemetery, one half mile south of Holland, Texas. Ivicic started a donation fund to finance the marker and has collected donations over the past year. He has researched the history of the cemetery and recently ordered the marker and its placement. RIGHT PHOTO: The new marker is placed. Photos by Freelance Photographer Terri Crum.
To contribute to this year’s 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive, please send your check by March 31 to: 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive, c/o SPJST Home Office, P.O. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503. Please contact the Fraternal Department at (800) 727-7578 for printed solicitation forms, like the one pictured above. Thank you for your generous support.
Inside This Week’s Vestnik Family Fun Dates ................................3 Interest Rates ......................................3 Convention Book Info.........................3 Supreme Lodge Minutes .................4-7 State FAC’s Update .............................8 From the Districts ........................10-12
Lodge Section....................................13 Youth...................................................23 In Memoriam ......................................26 Czech Culture ....................................28 Advertisements ............................27-28 Activities Calendar............................30
Lodge 1 recognizes State Fraternalist Mr. Ronnie
SPJST State Straight Domino Tournament results Page 9
Page 15
Lodge 29 Youth Club Easter activities Page 25