Volume 100 Number 46
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
November 21, 2012
A Bountiful Thanksgiving
Here we are – ready to eat turkey – seems like we just did that! This year has gone by so fast we have hardly had time to stop and think of every day since last Thanksgiving. Busy with “life” – so are we busy just being busy – or are we taking time to thank God for each day for the gifts He has blessed us with? Whenever I hear the word “bounty” or “bountiful,” I seem to always think of plenty – or an abundance of. I decided to look up the correct definition in the dictionary. I was on the right track – these definitions are listed . . . “bountiful” – abundant . . . “bounty” – generous gift or generosity in giving. Will you be bountiful in thanking God for all blessings and gifts? And, what about thanking your family for what they have done for you and what they mean to you. Don’t stop there – so many people we are in contact with daily, weekly, monthly . . . they have an impact on you – and you have an impact on them. We should be thankful – and because we’re thankful for what we have been given – we should want to give to others. Does that thought sound like fraternalism to you? It does to me. Bountiful also makes me think of a cornucopia. Most homes have one on their Thanksgiving table – just totally overflowing. It can be filled with anything – usually vegetables, fruit, candy, nuts – even colored ornaments during the Christmas season. If only
our hearts could become a giant cornucopia – overflowing with thanksgiving and love. I actually started thinking about “bounty” when we were in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, during the middle of O c t o b e r. Mike and I were on a bay cruise where they were catching lobster – and yes – we had lobster for dinner – and yes – we did give thanks! On that cruise, we saw the tall ship HMS Bounty . . . she was the “star” of Mutiny on the Bounty and Pirates of the Caribbean. All of us were in awe of seeing the “real” ship from these movies – as well as many other movies. Little did we know that would be the last time most people would see her. Just a few days later, she was going to set sail for Galveston to be moored alongside the tall ship Elissa. She never made it to Galveston. If you keep up with the news you know the ship sailed with 16 . . . there were 14 survivors when the storm Sandy caused the horrible disaster off the North Carolina coast. Later, they recovered the body of the 15th person – the captain has not been found, and the ship sank. I will always think of this tall ship when I hear the word “bounty.” We never know when the last time to see someone or something might be. Regrets are not good – rarely do we get “do-overs.” I saw the 14 survivors giving an in-
Kathy Ahlstrom • Lodge 32, Victoria Reporter
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Supreme Lodge Meeting Minutes ......4 Financial Statement ..........................10 Sales Agents Message......................10 Lodge Section....................................12
Continued on Page 9.
Thanks to Lodge 49, Rowena Youth Club members, under the direction of Youth Leader Beverly Teplicek, for sending this very thoughtful Thanksgiving greeting to the Home Office last week.
Members Participate in TCGS Tribute
Texas Czech Genealogical Society President Charlene Hurta, who is a member of SPJST Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy, addresses attendees at TCGS’ event — “Czech Veterans, This Parade’s For You” — held November 9 and 10 in Caldwell, Texas. The event recognized and celebrated Texas Czech Veterans. Article and photos on page 21.
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................22 Cookbook Order Form ......................23 Youth Section.....................................24 Czech Culture ....................................28 Advertisements..................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
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Lodge 88 Houston couple celebrates 70 years of marriage
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Lodge 139 Danbury supports city’s flag display
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Lodge 202 Jourdanton youth: “Those Hoggard boys!”