LETTERS

JUNIOR CLUB OF POKROK HOUSTON No. 88

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last meeting of the Junior Club was held Thursday, April 29.

New membership and stationery were ready Saturday, May 1.

Our committee went through the boOks and found approximately eighty prospects whom we shall visit or contact in the near future.

Annette Rezek, Barbara Osterhouse and Judy Hoesel are new members of the Junior Club.

Mrs. Hilsher, Mrs. Hanka, and Mrs. Della Kadlecek were three distinguished visitors.

The door prize was a box of stationery, won by Marvin Schiller.

We are cordially inviting anyone over thirteen and unmarried to attend any of our meetings. For further information concerning the Junior Club contact president at VA-4551, vice president at MU-3164, or secretary at VA-5291.

Next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 13 at eight o'clock.

Fraternally yours, Louise Warchesik

STEFANIK NO 142

Cood Morning, All!

After rain •omes', sunshine! What beautiful weather we're having this week! I just know all of you are taking advantage of it, one way or another. I think that's just grand! Why! I even got the courage to go berry picking for the first time in years. My old bones creaked and groaned, but I just kept on anyway and picked so many, that for three days everything in sight looked like a berry; and my muscles were stiff a s a board. The fresh air and sunshine did wonders to me though.

Now,a just listen to me go, will you! Trn supposed to give you a report on our Planning Committee meeting of District Five for May 30 at Danbury and I start in on this berry business.

Anyway, the Planning Committee held its meeting last night May 5 at 8 p. m.. Present at the meeting were: Bro. and Sister Skrabanek, Bro. Rudy Sefcik, F:ro. Blinka of Needville, Bro. Frank 0lexa, Bro. Ed. Kadlecek Sr. and yours truly. As the meeting adjourned Bro. Alfred Hilsher arrived; late due to a previous engagement which he could not leave earlier.

We missed Bro. Vaja who is still convalescing and we hope he gets as strong as Hercules so he can attend the Danbury meeting with us. Bro. Lostak was also missed, but was excused for Bro.

VgSTNIK — WEST, TEXAS

Joe Skrabanek brought an excuse for him. We hope to see you at the District 5 meeting, too, sir.

Now, here is the schedule of the May 30th Danbury Meeting:

I. Business Meeting-10:30 a. in.

II. Dinner-12:30 Noon.

III. Ball games and contests-2 p. m.

1. Girl's Volley ball—ages 9 to 1313 to 19.

2. Baseball (Soft Ball)—ages 9-13— 13 to 19.

3 Various contests for all children under 9.

It was unamiously agreed that all Volley Ball and Baseball contestants register with me—Amelia Sturm, 5430 Larkin St. or 5508 Nolda St. Houston 7, Texas, or phbne at the Stefanik Lodge VA-0079 after 2 p. m., any day except Monday—so we can arrange a definite schedule for the games and announce your lodge in the Vestnik. So PLEASE all of the youth directors who have ball games in your lodge; and belong to District 5 notify me immediately.

Thus far we have:

I. Boy's Baseball—Danbury No. 139. Softball—,-Pokrok No. 88 and Stefanik No. 142—ages 9 to 13

II. Stefanik—Girl's Volleyball Team ages 13 to 18.

II Stefanik—Boy's Baseball (Sof t)— ages 14 to 20.

So come on folks, we need some challengers and I know you have them. Please all of you lodges of District 5 enter at least one group of Contestants so we can have a perfect attendance. It just takes 6 girls and 2 substitutes for girl's professional Volleyball and nine boys and a couple of substitutes for a god baseball team: Let's all work hard to make this an unforgettable outing as well as meeting. You can wear anything practical to play in. That's up to you only be sure to have the number of your lodge on your arm sleeve or the back of your shirt so you can be distinguished from other lodges contest entrants. Deadline will be noon May 30th.

Our honored guest of the Planning Committee meeting was Bro. Edward Kadlecek Jr., president of the Teenage Club of Pokrok No. 88. This .fine young man has a brilliant mind and very good ideas concerning the combined co-operation of youth and adult members of SPJST. In my estimation all officers of SPJST Teenage Clubs of our organization should be invited often to preside with the officer of each local lodge at the monthly meetings and to give them voice to let them know that they are being recognized.

All youth of District Five will be asked to participate in various things that have to be done on May 30th on the

Wednesday, M'ay 12, 1959

Danbury Ground. This particular work will be under the supervision of Bro. Edward Kadlecek Jr. to whom all Teenage presidents will report before noon on May 30th and work out the daily routine which will include registration of guests, identification tags, parking cars, etc. We think this is a grand gesture on the part of the youth and certainly lots of help to the adult Members.

Certain members of all of District 5 Lodge will be asked to help serve 'the barbecue dinner and refreshments, as we want all Lodges of District 5 participate.

To you, dear Fraternal Sisters, who are so talented in your baking we wish to ask you to please contribute any kind cf pastries that you wish to go with a good hot cup of coffee at this special function.

„

Hoping we have a:hundred percent attendance at Danbury, May 30th, District Five Meeting, I wish for all Of 'you the best of everything.

Amelia (Vaja) Sturm, P. S. I will write a report 'on our open meeting and anniversary' program of May 2nd next week. My time is liniited today and I must get this to Bro. Val!ik within the hour. Stefanik Lodge sincerely thanks all of you fine finks who attended our program and the 'children who played on the stage, to the mothers who so patiently helped to make the -iostumes and dress the children for their parts. To Sister Ann Ward for teaching the Tulip Dance, sincere appreciation go to Bro. Steve Valcik, his charming wife and to Sister Birdie Hilsher, we were delighted by your presence.

Thanks a million Amelia ) • (

To Our Reporters

When you write the report about your meeting, observe some of the rules Used by all good reporters:

1. If you don't have a typewriter, use ben and ink.

2. Print all proper names to avoid embarrasment.

3. Use white paper, and all your sheets should be of the same size. -

4. Write on one side only. Sometimes the editor may wish to paste up your report on copy paper.

5. Don't crowd your writing. Leave plenty of margin at the top, to the left, to the right, at the bottom.

6. Keep sentences short. Your report will be easy to read. The Reader's Digest averages 15 words per sentence.

7. Mail your reports soon as you can.

Mrs. Frances Sonia Passed Away

Picking up the Fort Bend Reporter, the issue of Thursday, April 29, 1954, your editor learned that one of our old SPJST members died in the Sugar Land hospital and was buried in the W. 0. W. Cemetery in Rosenberg recently.

Sister Frances Sontag became a member of the SPJST in 1904 and would have received her 50-year-membership emblem this year. Most of her children and grandchildren are members of the SPJST, some of them belonging to the local lodges at Orchard, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, and Houston.

For the information of many of the friends of the Sontag family, I reprint the article from the Fort Bend Reporter, as follows:

FUNERAL SERVICES

MRS. F. SONTAG IN SUGAR LAND

Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Sontag, age 78 years, were held from the family residence in Sugar Land, Texas, on April 21, at 2 p. m. with Rev. Don. Davidson and Rev. Henry Beseda, Sr. of fciating.

Mrs. Sontag was born in Wesley, Austin County, Texas, on May 1, 1875, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kcvar. On June 18, 1895 she married Mr. Frank Sontag in Caldwell, Texas, and they then made their home in Snook, Texas. In 1906 they moved to College Station, Texas and in 1908 they moved to Fort Bend County, settling near Wallis. It was in 1923 that they moved to Sugar Land where she resided until the time of her death which came on April 20, in the Sugar Land hospital. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Wallis and a member of the SPJST Lodge since 1904.

Survivors are her husband, Br. Frank Sontag of Sugar Land; four daughters, Mrs. Julia Hand of Houston, Mrs. Fannie Brock, Mrs. Lottie Pausewang and Mrs. Stacy Myska of Sugar Land; five sons, John, Willie and Louis of Houston, Adolph of Stafford, Frank of Sugar Land; 15 grandchildren; and 6 greatgrandchildren.

Pallbearers were her sons and sonin-law, John, Willie, Adolph, Frank, Jr. and Louis Sontag and John Pausewang. Interment was made in the W. 0. W. Cemetery with the Triska Funeral Home directing.

To Brother Frank Sontag, Sr., a member of Rosenberg Lodge No. 108, for the loss of his wife after almost 60 years of happy marriage, and to the entire Sontag family, we extend cur deepest sympathies.

MOTHER'S DAY PROGRAM LODGE 73 Seymour, Texas

Do you know what day is May 9?

David Hajek, yes, of course, "Mother's Day." The youth of SPJST presented the following program to the members and few visitors. Franklin Coufal was the narrator.

Gift To Mother

Characters:

Ann — Patsy Prikryl

Leslie -- Edward Hairier

Betty -- Evelyn Hejl

Ruth — Geraldine Hajek

Bobbie — Robert Hejl

Mother — Betty Coufal

Poems were given by Joan Hejl, Eddie Joe Pavliska, Arlene Hajek, Peggy Simaichl, and Evelyn Heil.

Helen Macha played and sang 3 piano solos.

"You, You, You," was sung by Coufal, Evelyn Hejl, and Patsy Prikryl. Horn Solos — Ernest Orsag, Wesley Ermis, Frankie Simaichl and James Hairier.

The whole group sang "So Long." A lovely corsage was given as a door prize. Mrs. Joe Kocurek was the lucky mother. Imediately after the , program the business meeting was held. At 5 o'clock, barbecue supper was served, which included potato salad, red beans, pickles, apricots and tea, which was enjoyed by all. The members wish to thank Ernest Orsag who did such a splendid job preparing the barbecue.

Mrs. Mary Iiaisler, Chairman of Youth Program • *To •

SPJST LODGE POKROK NO. 84

Dear Members,

Dallas, Texas

I may be late with this bit of news, but better late than never.

At cur last metting, it was ruled to donate $25.00 to the KJZT Old Age 11.: me.

June 6, we are going to celebrate the 13th anniversary of our building. Like every year, we are having dinner starting at 12:30 and after dinner, a program. As you all know, Lodge Pokrok 84 is noted for its good food with generous helpings that no one can resist So husbands, plan on this day to relieve your wife of cooking and bring the whole family. The full dinner is $1.00 for adults and 50c for children.

No admission will be charged for the program following the dinner. At night there will be a dance. The Sisters in charge of the kitchen kindly ask you other members to please bring some of that gcod pastry.

On Saturday, May 29, we will have a softball benefit dance. This dance, which is the first of its kind in our lodge, is sponsored by some of the younger members. We would like all of you to come and suport this project. To tempt you, there will be a door prize of a ham.

Notice to you baseball fans: Now is your opportunity to see our boys play ball. At the last game, they had quite a turnout so why not plan to come and see these games and support our team. The games are played every Wednesday on Diamond 2 at Samuels Park. It is located across the street from the Major Theatre, and the .,time is 8:45 p. m.

The District 3 meeting was very well attended. All the lodges of the District were represented. There were even visitors from as far as Oklahoma. The oldest member present was 88 years young and the youngest, 16 months old.

When it came time to elect new officials, we members voted unanimously for the same officers. By the way, we wish to thank our officers of District 3 for their hard work. We do believe that they really accomplished a lot the first year of these District meetings and we know they will do so in the future.

The 'subject was brought up as to which is the best: Selling smaller policies for more members or having fewer members and larger policies. If any of you have opinions concerning this, let us hear from you. As you all may know, District 3 gained more members, while District 5 had fewer Members but more insurance.

It was also announced that District 3 had more letters in the Vestnik, these numbering 83.

The next District meeting will be held at Sokol Hall in Ennis on July 25. We hope the attendance will be ever better than the last time. At thismeeting, the Youth Movement will also get together, so all you young members come and present your (pinions at this time.

I am sure we all wish to express our thanks and gratitude for the hospitality shown us by Jaromir Lodge No. 54, at the recent meeting. We all certainly enjoyed it.

Fraternally yours, Frances Baleja

4803 Parry Avenue

Dallas, Texas • ot* • (

V protivenstvich, ktera stihaji na.ge nejlep'Si prateie, bYva easto leccos, o eem tici nelze, Ze by se nom nelibilo.

Temple, Texas Dear Brothers and Sisters:

You are hereby advised that during the month of April, 1954, the Supreme Lodge, SPJST, has paid death benefits due by virtue- of certificates issued to the following deceased, brothers and sisters,

Death Claim No. 5592. issued to brother Ig. Vita, retired butcher, member of Lodge Pokrok Dallas, No. 84, died March 26, 1954, at age 67. Admitted Feb. 11, 1906. Cer. A-10978 for $500.00.

Death Claim No. 5593. Brother John Horelica, retired farmer, member of lodge Svojan, No. 11, died March 28, 1954, at age 75. Admitted Feb. 10, 1901. Cert. A925 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5594. Sister Rosie Schinder; housewife, member of Lodge Bratri Svobody, No. 67, died. March 27, 1954, at age 55. Admitted Dec. 16, 1935. Cert. B-1470 for $500.00.

Death Claim No. 5595. Brother John See, retired, member of Lodge Slovan, No. 9, died March 31, 1954, at age 84. Admitted Aug. 9. 1903. Cert. A -3771, for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5596. Sister Anna Belle Bunker, housewife, member of Lodge Svaz Cechoslovanu, No. '92, died died March 27, 1954; at age 54. Admitted Oct '7, 1936. Cert. B-1669 and B-3239 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5597. Sister Anna Kocurek, retired housewife, member of Lodge Vernost, No. 51, died March 19, 1954, at age 81. Admitted Oct. 5, 1913. Cert. Paid-up 514, for $147.00.

Death Claim No. 5598. Brother Frank Freytag, retired farmer, member of Lodge Osveta, No. 38, died Aug. 6, 1953, at age -90. Admitted Jan. 8, 1903. Cert. A-4234 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5599. Brother Josef Wasicek, farmer, member of Lodge Karel JonaS, No. 28, died April 6, 1954, at age 85. Admitted March 20, 1898. Cert. A-2018 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5600. Brother Charles Slovak, retired farmer, member of Lodge Ennis, No. 25, died March 27, 1954, at age 74. Admitted Nov. 2, 1902. Cert. A-1653 for, $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5601. Brother J. J. ifurta, farmer, member of Lodge livezda Texasu, No. 47, died April 5, 1954, at age 72. Admitted Nov. 11, 1906. Cert. A-2869 for 1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5602. Brother John Foltyn, retired, member of Lodge Ceehoslovan, No 40, died April 9, 1954, at age 78. Admitted Nov. 5, 1904. Cert. A-3308 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5603. Sister Anna Higgerson, retired, member of Lodge Slovan.iti No. 34, died March 25, 1954, at age 87. Admitted June 3, 1906. Cert. A10358 for, $500.00.

Death Claim No. 5604. Brother Joe H. Schiller, farmer, member of Lodge Cesky Prapor, No. 24, died April 13, 1954, at age 40. Admitted Dec. 14, 1945. Cert. C10772 and C-8262 for $4000.00.

Death Claim No. 5605. Brother John Husak, retired farmer, member of Lodge Dubovy Haj, No. 126, died April 12, 1954, at age 88. Admitted July 1, 1897. Cert. A-6780 for, $1000.00. -

Death Claim No. 5606. Sister Justina Lanca, housewife, member of Lodge San Antonio, No. 133, died April 9, 1954, at age 69.. Admitted April 16, 1922. Cert. At 3415 for, $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5607. Sister Lydia Dan3-y, housewife, member of Lodge Osveta, A°. 38, died April 9, 1954, at age 39. Admit.ed Jan. 1938. Cert. C-4293 and Paid-up 469, for $1089.00.

Death Claim No. 5608. Brother Joseph Zuclaa, farmer, member of Lodge 6esky Prapor, No. 24, died April 18, 1954, at age 80. Admitted June 11, 1905. Cert. A-2080 or $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5609. Brother Lukas S. Prihoda, farmer, member of Lodge El Campo, No. 50, died April 19, 1954, at age 67. Admitted Nov. 5, 1922. Cert. Paid-up No. 224, and B-4272 for $650.00.

Death Claim No. 5610. Sister Marie Kubitza., retired,- member of Lodge Nove Kvety, No. 35, died April 20, 1954, at age 81. Admitted Feb. 10. 1907. Cert. A-3457 for $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5611. Sister Frances Sontag, housewife, member of Lodge Rosenberg, No. 108, died April 21, 1954, at age 78. Admitted Sept. 11, 1904. Cert. A6170 for, $1000.00.

Death Claim No. 5612. Sister Sophie Rubesh, housewife, member of Lodge techoslovan, No. 40, died April 20, 1954, at age 55. Admitted Dec. 7, 1938. Cert. B2239 for $500.00.

Death Claim No. 5613. Brother J. W. Dolejsi, barber, member of Lodge Texasky Mir, No. 10, died April 20, 1954, at age 74. Admitted Aug. 5, 1900. Cert. A-2183 for, 1000.00.

To the bereaved relatives of our deceased brothers and sisters, the Supreme Lodge, SPJST, expresses its heartfelt sympathy.

J. F. Chupick, Secretary Supreme Lodge, SPJST

en. l Tian R. Stefanikb

Last week, on May 4, 1954, was the 35th anniversary of the tragic death if General Milan R. Stefanik, after whom )rie of cur SPJST Lodges, No. 142 in Houston, was named.

General Stefanik was the first minister if war in the early Czechoslovak state Ind helped to form and organize the inlependent Czechoslovak Army in World War I. Along with Benes and Masaryk, le was one of the outstanding leaders, in the Czechoelovak movement for inde3endence.

Stefanik came to. the United States in Tune 1917 to gain Czech and Slovak reItruits in this country for the Czecholoyak Legion which was then being ':ormed in France. His success in these -Jfforts was not marked but he did a tre.nendous amount Of good in securing the cooperation of the Czechs and Slovaks in h e Czechoelcarak movement. T h e American Slovaks agreed to cooperate .n this movement on the basis of a program of the Slovak League of America. rids was Stefanik's greatest success in the United States.

Milan Stefanik, a true Slovak patriot, was killed in an airplane crash on May 1, 1919. This day is celebrated everywhere by Czechoslovaks as Stefanik Day in honor of their beloved war here-. His death is especially tragic in view of the fact that he was so able to achieve Czechoslovak cooperation, 'while never losing sight of the true interests of his own Slovakia.

Let us hope that the example of General Stefanik will inspire all of the Slovak people, both in this country and abroad, 'to continue the fight for liberation of their homeland. I am confident that, when this liberation is finally achieved, the Czechoslovak people will then be given the opportunity freely to choose the type of government under which they wish to live in accordance with the policy of self-determination which this country advocates for all peoples throughout the world.

) • 4, LODGE POKROK HOUSTON 88 Houston, Texas Lodge Pokrok No. 88 will hold a dance the first Sunday of each month. All members will be admitted free. Nonmembers will pay an admission. Everyone is cordially invited so all you members bring your friends to your Lodge and show them a good time.

Fraternally,

Anette Rezek, Secretary of Board of Directors