Volume 96 Number 43
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
Humanity ISSN —07458800
Brotherhood
October 29, 2008
SPJST Supreme Lodge to assist ENC in securing $1.5 million loan
Happy Halloween!
Riley Kaluza of Lodge 54, West Youth Club smiles after bobbing an apple at the Halloween party. More photos on page 18.
Czech Cultural Awards
Meeting in Temple last week, the SPJST Supreme Lodge voted unanimously to assist the SPJST Education and Nature Center (ENC) in its efforts to secure a $1.5 million loan and/or line of credit for the SPJST ENC at Cooper Farm. Final loan approval will be subject to various internal processes as well as compliance with applicable state regulations. The action was preceded by an ENC presentation delivered by SPJST ENC Board Member Ronnie Pflughaupt of Lodge 1, Fayetteville. Preliminary ENC plans provide for the construction of six large cabins with a maximum capacity of 180 people, director’s house, staff housing, kitchen extension, high ropes course, low ropes course, archery course, riflery course, and swimming pool. “We’re very pleased with the progress that the ENC Board of Directors has made since the Convention,” says Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek. “I envision our partnership in the Cooper Farm project bringing new vitality and depth to our entire fraternal program. As Walt Disney said, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’”
Existing facilities at Cooper Farm include a large, fully furnished meeting hall, three large activity buildings, maintenance building, business office, green house, and drip irrigation system. Two ponds at Cooper Farms allow for research of waterfowl and fish. Plants grown at the on-site greenhouse have been used to improve area habitat and test sites at Cooper Farm. Twentythree acres of 182acre Cooper Farm are woodlands. Delegates to the 30th SPJST Convention in June voted for the SPJST Supreme Lodge to lend its support to the SPJST ENC in developing the SPJST Education and Nature Center project. Located approximately 70 miles east of Austin, near Fayetteville and La Grange, Cooper Farm will serve as the base of operations for the SPJST Education and Nature Center. The SPJST ENC is in the process of acquiring the property through a longterm lease agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Cooper Farm previously served as a site for research and education where
Continued on Page 15.
Congratulations to Larry Laznovsky, second from left, of Lodge 135, Ennis and Bob Podhrasky, far right. They both received awards from the American Czech Cultural Society at the Heritage Festival at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on October 5 for their support of the festival and promoting Czech culture and heritage. Presenting the awards were Ray Lenart, left, of Lodge 6, Cottonwood and Ben Jarma of Lodge 84, Dallas.
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Interest Rates ......................................3 Family Fun Dates ................................3 Czech Contest Winners ......................4 Sales Agentsʼ Class Dates..................6 Readers Write ......................................6 District News........................................6
Lodge Section......................................7 In Memoriam ......................................16 Youth...................................................17 Czech Culture ....................................20 Advertisements .................................21 Activities Calendar ............................22
Page 12
Lodge 133 San Antonio celebrates events
Page 14
District Seven King earns award
Page 17
Past State Queen shares exciting reign