ˇ ´ VESTNIK
Volume 101 Number 18
S P J S T
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
★ Brotherhood
ISSN —07458800
Milady Blaha Hejl Celebrates 100th Birthday
Milady Blaha Hejl celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at her residence in an assisted living facility in Keene, Texas. So far, she
his 100th birthday on December 13th, 2013. A large number of persons gathered to honor Milady. Attendees included representatives from both her Blaha family and from her husband’s Hejl family, along with many of her long-time friends from a class at University United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Milady’s physical health is still reasonably good. On good days, can she respond reasonably well during conversations. At times, she is still able to converse in Czech, the only language she spoke until she was about seven years old. Milady will likely live many more years because of her good physical health. 100-year-old Milady is seated next to her In 1996, Milady completed brother-in-law James L. (Jim) Hejl of Acad“The Story of My Life, 1913emy, Texas. Jim will achieve the age of 100 in December. “Try as hard as I can, I can’t 1994,” which has been distribseem to be able to catch up with Milady!” uted to many family members Jim jokes. and friends. Part of that story details her early life growing up is the longest-lived descendant of her on a Moravian-style farm located beBlaha and Hejtmančik grandparents, tween the community of what is now who immigrated to Texas before 1883 known as Old Dime Box and the Hranfrom Moravia in what is now the ice settlement in Lee County. Milady Czech Republic. Milady had a long ca- left farm life behind in 1932 when she reer as a public health nurse (RN) and traveled to the “big city” of Temple, is the widow of Edmond H. Hejl Texas to attend nursing school. Milady (1912-1991), a noted Texas Czech ge- was the eldest of 11 children and has nealogical researcher. Edmond’s only outlived all of them except her brother, James L. (Jim) Hejl of Acad- youngest sibling, Jean Blaha Davis of emy, Texas, is also a noted Texas Czech Dime Box, Texas. genealogical researcher. At age 99, Jim Milady is a longtime member of is only a few months behind his sisterContinued on Page 6. in-law Milady in age. Jim will achieve
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 District News........................................4 Model Lodge Program ........................5 Lodge Section......................................6
Join your friends in downtown Temple
Saturday, May 11 for the Eighth Annual
Bloomin’ Temple Festival
SPJST Car Show & Czech Heritage Celebration Many Czech items available at TCGS booth
Car Show* 10-4 p.m. *For car show entry information, please visit www.spjst.org or call 254.534.0809 or 254.534.0807
Proceeds benefit the Temple Czech Heritage Museum Folklife Demonstrations Courtesy of the Temple Czech Heritage Museum Car Show Entertainment by Chris Rybak, Mike Middleton and Amya Rodriguez Meet Miss Texas Da’Nae Couch at the Car Show from 2-5 p.m. Courtesy of Ratibor Country Grill
Beseda Dancers • Arts • Crafts • Food Vendors • Carnival • Kids Zone All Activities Downtown • Vicinity of Fourth and Central $7 Admission • Kids 12 and Under Free Saturday Night Entertainment by Brian Gowan, Lee Roy Parnell and Randy Rogers Band
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................14 Death Claims......................................16 Youth Section.....................................17 Czech Culture ....................................20 Advertisements .................................21 Lodge Calendar .................................22
May 8, 2013
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District Five agents assist Lodge 172 Pasadena members with updates
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Lodge 66 Waco gives $2,000 to West Benevolence Fund
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District Two Royalty participates in Georgetown parade