Volume 103 Number 45
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
November 18, 2015
Lodge 202, Jourdanton member Frances Kovar achieves Grand Age of 100
SPJST congratulates Sister Frances Emillia Kovar of Lodge 202, Jourdanton, who celebrates her 100th birthday on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Frances was born to Charles and Anna (Zetak) Belicek in Granger, Texas. She had four brothers Frank, Henry, Charlie, and Willie Belicek (all deceased) and two sisters Minnie Vrana and Annie Mann (both deceased). Frances married Joe Kovar, Sr. on November 29, 1938. They had two children, Frances L. Regner (spouse James E. Regner) of McCoy and Joe Kovar, Jr. (spouse Pat Kovar) of Victoria. Frances and Joe farmed in Charlotte for 34 years. Joe passed away in 1975. Frances worked in the fields with harvests during her entire life on the farm. Frances’ daughter Frances Regner visits her seven days a week. Daughter
Frances says her mother always talks about how grateful she is to have her workers. “Mom asks, ‘Who is coming tonight?’ and she talks about her morning and noon worker, what they talked about, and what she had to eat. Her workers are her second family, and every day is a great joy.” Frances has lived at St. Francis Villa since 1980. “She was the first tenant to live at the complex,” her daughter says. “Living alone and being 100 years of age with excellent health is a blessing.” Frances loves to do word search books, and she calls them her ‘puzzle books.’ Frances says, “TV is not for me.” She enjoys her plants and flowers. We salute Frances Emillia Kovar on attaining the Grand Age of 100, and we wish her much health and happiness! —SPJST—
• • • Thanksgiving Holidays • • • Early Vestnik Deadline Notice _____ Deadline for the December 2 Vestnik is Monday, November 23 at 5 p.m.
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Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Supreme Lodge Meeting Minutes ......5 Job Posting ........................................11 Lodge Section ...................................11 In Memoriam ......................................20
One year ago on November 20, 2014, ground was broken at the site of the new Sokol West Gym and Community Center. Exactly one year later - this Friday, November 20 - the dedication ceremony will take place at 1201 North Davis in West at 2 p.m. Members and friends are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony, program, and social.
SPJST members, friends invited to attend Sokol West Center Dedication Friday, November 20
Dear Members and Friends, Nazdar! Greetings! Consider this your invitation to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Sokol West Gym and Community Center on Friday, November 20 at 2 p.m. The event will take place on site at 1201 North Davis Street in West, Texas. The dedication marks a momentous milestone in the rebuilding efforts of the Central Texas town of West. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Czech Ambassador to the United States Petr Gandalovič are among the luminaries who are scheduled to participate in the November 20 dedication. I strongly encourage those who are planning to attend to arrive at least one-half hour ahead of the scheduled starting time as
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
Youth Section ....................................22 Czech Culture ....................................26 Czech Calendar .................................27 Advertisements ............................28-29 Lodge Calendar .................................30 Share Your SPJST Stories ...............32
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Lodge 24 Cyclone hosts appreciation dinner
a large crowd is anticipated. Please feel free to share this invitation with others in our SPJST family. It’s important to recap the events leading up to next Friday’s dedication ceremony. Two-and-a-half years have passed since a fire inside a storage building at the West Fertilizer Company triggered the April 17, 2013, explosion that killed 15 people, 12 of whom were emergency services firstresponders. More than 200 others received injuries. The toll on the city was devastating: The blast damaged buildings for blocks in every direction, including more than 150 homes, a 50-unit apartment complex, West Rest
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Lodge 202 Jourdanton honors veterans
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Lodge 25 Ennis Youth Club member visits Washington, D.C.