Volume 96 Number 28
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
Humanity
ISSN —07458800
Brotherhood
July 9, 2008
Lodge 38, Kovar Given Important Part of History
The community of Kovar, home of SPJST Lodge 38, was named for the Martin Kovar family, who settled in this area of southeast Bastrop County sometime in the late 1870s. Deed records show that Martin Kovar, Joseph Kovar, Martin Stasney, Sr., and Martin Stasney, Jr. purchased 505 acres for $2,020 gold dollars. It was on this 505 acres that the original community of Kovar was founded. The Kovars and Stasneys each had 200 acres. The Mikolas Kubicek family owned 100 acres. Mikolas’ wife was Katarina Kovar, sister of Martin Kovar. About the same time, other Czech families were moving into the area as well. Soon this area of Bastrop County was a bustling Czech community. There never was an incorporated town named Kovar. Until February
By Donna Zimmerhanzel, FAC/Treasurer
The Martin Kovar family is pictured above. They are, seated, left to right, Martin Kovar, Sr., Mary Ann, Edwin, and Anna Kalina Kovar. Back: Paul, Joseph, John, Martin, Jr., Johanna Blazek, unknown, and Anna. This picture was probably taken in early 1900, as Edwin is listed in the census as being 14 in 1910.
4, 1903, when the post office was
established, the name referred to the
area when the Czech farmers and their families gathered. After the coming of the post office, the community officially became known as Kovar, Texas. After the early settlers cleared their land for farming and built homes, they turned their attention to improving their religious, social, educational, and business affairs. Soon there was a school called the Stasney School for the Martin Stasney family. There were churches, both Catholic and Czech Moravian, general store, dance platform, saloon, cotton gin, and SPJST. The present SPJST hall was built in the 1920s. The lodge played an important part in the community, providing a gathering place for dances,
Continued on Page 3.
2008 - 2009 District Seven Royalty
2008 - 2009 District Five Royalty
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 District Seven Royalty. They were crowned on Sunday, June 29 at Youth Achievement Day in New Braunfels. They are, left to right, King Stephen Mazur of Lodge 202, Jourdanton and Duke Ryan Henke of Lodge 107, Floresville.
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 District Five Royalty Court. They were crowned on Sunday, June 29 at Youth Achievement Day at Lodge 88, Houston. They are, left to right, Duchess Alyssa Moyle, Queen Jodi Malovets, King Devon Zwahr, and Duke Collin Zwahr, all of Lodge 162, Iowa Colony.
Inside This Week’ s Vestnik
Interest Rates ......................................3 Family Fun Dates ................................3 End-of-Summer Getaway....................3 Lodge Section ....................................4 Reunions ............................................11 In Memoriam ......................................11
Youth...................................................15 Vestnik Project ..................................16 Czech Culture ....................................20 Czech Calendar .................................20 Advertisements .................................21 Activities Calendar............................22
Page 5
Lodge 18 Elgin members ride float in western parade
Page 7
Lodge 91 Crosby members ride float in patriotic parade
Page 8
Lodge 191 Lufkin Join Hands Day activities