Volume 100 Number 13
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
March 28, 2012
Lodge 15, Buckholts Member Hilda Burtis Achieves Grand Age of 96
he heart and soul of SPJST and its lodges are our devoted members. As with friendship and marriage, good conditions prevail when the partners are motivated by love and respect to protect, to preserve and to build. Lodges preserve their spirit and their vitality when members care enough to take action and make things happen. That’s the way it is at Lodge 15, Buckholts, Texas, where members have worked for generations to make good things happen. Sister Hilda Anna Burtis, who observed her 96th birthday on February 6, 2012, is one of those members. A strong work ethic, nimble mind, and the desire to make a positive difference are characteristics that define Sister Burtis, who was honored by the SPJST Supreme Lodge and Lodge 15,
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Buckholts on March 12 with the presentation of her SPJST Age 96 Certificate. As such, Sister Burtis is entitled to all SPJST member benefits with no further dues or assessments required. In making the presentation, Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek said that Hilda and other senior members “comprised the backbone of the lodge and the community.” “So much has changed over the past several decades that we tend to lose track of how longtime and de-
And on his 6th day, he visited SPJST!
Six-day-old Mathieu Mason McCarthy attended his first SPJST event — District Two Spring Meeting held at Lodge 48, Beyersville on March 18. Pictured with him are parents Greg and Jennifer McCarthy and big brother Luke McCarthy. They are members of Lodge 187, Round Rock.
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Convention Corner..............................4 Statement of Financial Condition ......6 Lodge Section....................................10
voted SPJST members like Sister Burtis lived and the contributions they made to our lodges and communities throughout the state,” said President Vanicek. District Two Director Bobby Wuensche echoed these sentiments, stating that, “Hilda has been able to make a difference because she is strong in her beliefs and is very good at communicating them.” Sister Burtis’ outspoken determination and willingness to share her opinions and observances of life and the
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Last Call for Advertisements, Greetings in 31st Convention Book Monday, April 2 is the deadline to place an advertisement in the SPJST Official Convention Souvenir Book. The 31st SPJST Convention will be held June 11 to 13, 2012, at Killeen Civic and Conference Center in Killeen, Texas, and the souvenir book will commemorate this quadrennial event. Lodges, members, businesses, individuals, and friends are invited to place advertisements in the book. The souvenir book will be distributed to approximately 350 delegates and visitors at the convention. All advertisers will also receive a book. After the convention, the souvenir book will be available at www.spjst.org. Prices
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Reunions ............................................17 In Memoriam ......................................20 Youth Section ....................................21 Czech Culture ....................................27 Advertisements..................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
SPJST in the Vestnik and other local newspapers has firmly established her position as one of SPJST’s “most unforgettable characters,” said President Vanicek. He went on to cite from some of Hilda’s memorable, humorous and thought-provoking articles, including Hilda’s letters to rally Blackland farmers and ranchers in opposition to the Texas Transcorridor project, observing that the groundswell of public opposition to the bullet train kept the project at bay. Elsewhere in this week’s Vestnik appears an article, “Bringing in the Thistle,” by Sister Burtis, exemplifying her journalistic skills. (See page 18). Sister Burtis, who joined SPJST in 1928, is a lifelong resident of the Buckholts community. Her parents,
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Scenes from District Two Spring Meeting
for advertisements in the souvenir book are: Full Page Ad — $100 One-Half Page Ad — $60 One-Quarter Page Ad — $35 One-Eighth Page Ad — $20 In Memoriam — $10 (photos can be included) Well Wish Greeting — $5 (one line of text)
All advertisements will be printed in full color. The SPJST Vestnik/Communication Department is available to
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Page 11
Lodge 29 Taylor hosts successful benefit fundraiser
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Lodge 87 Temple youth designs Angry Bird