Volume 101 Number 45
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
1960 Lodge 66, Waco Queen Lanell Ceska Brem and escort James Holacka visit at Lodge 66’s appreciation dinner on November 2. More on page 14.
ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
Our Trip Across the Ocean in 1905
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Glenn Kaminsky of Lodge 28, East Bernard for sharing this very interesting letter/diary that tells of Czech ancestors traveling to America. The article was given to Brother Glenn by Henry Hlavinka, age 82. The article was written in 1967 by Henry’s grandfather Rehor F. Hlavinka and appeared in the Czech language in the Czech newspaper “Hospodar.” The article was translated in 1992 by Rehor’s son James R. Hlavinka.
Lodge 97, Placedo youth Audrey Coleman, left, and Emily Mayer-Bain ride the SPJST Float in the Victoria Veterans Day parade on November 11. More on page 16.
91 Years of Service to Their Lodges
Lodge 39, Bryan honored Sister Lillie Matejka O’Shields, second from left, for 52 years of service to the lodge. She was recognized on November 10 and presented a gift by Lodge 39 President Wade O’Shields, left, Vice President Omer Everett, and Treasurer Dianna Everett. RIGHT PHOTO: Congratulations to Brother Joseph D. Nezval of Lodge 28, East Bernard for serving 39 years as president of his lodge. District Six Director Karen Kaspar recognizes Brother Joe, who will serve as vice president in 2014, at the lodge’s meeting on November 10. Both Sister Lillie and Brother Joe are “walking SPJST encyclopedias” on the history of the organization. We extend sincere appreciation to these two dedicated members.
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Christmas Open House Info ...............3 Lodge Section......................................7 In Memoriam ......................................21 Youth Section.....................................22
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
Maze Craze.........................................25 Czech Culture ....................................26 Letters to Bibbie ................................27 Advertisements ............................28-29 Lodge Calendar .................................30 Cookbook Order Form ......................32
November 20, 2013
Page 4
West: Stronger now and even more beautiful
At the beginning of the 20th century when our family moved to America, our Czech lands were under the rule of the Austrian-Hungarian empire. Conditions as I remember and as my parents related were varied, and opportunities to improve one’s standard of living were greatly limited. America, at that time, was known as the land of opportunity for anyone who was not afraid to work. With this thought in mind, Moravian people began their movement to America. Mainly, they came to Texas. In many instances, the people leaving were single or the husband left his wife and children at home because they feared that the beginning in a foreign land for people, who do not know the conditions and the language, could be very difficult. They surmised that if there were only one of them in this foreign land, it would be easier to exist, and in the worst of cases, they could return home. I remember several instances in which newly-arrived men came to
Continued on Page 19.
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Lodge 107 Floresville cooks, serves cajun meal to FVFD
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Lodge 25 Ennis Youth Club cousins meet in football