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Official Publication of the SPJST, originally chartered as the Slovanksa Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas, in 1897
l'.f Enriching Lives
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579to: SPJST Home Office, P. O. Box 100,Temple, Texas 76503
VOLUME 90 NUMBER 13
March 27, 2002
ISSN-07 458800
SPJST offering "85 percent loan" to qualified buyers
Recalling Czech Easter customs and folk traditions
Home loans and loans to purchase land are two of the popular member benefits offered by the SPJST to its members. As a result of recent Supreme Lodge actions, that program could become even more pop ular. The SPJST can now 'lend up to 85 percent of the purchase price the pur chase of a pri mary residence or homestead. "By reducing the down payment on new mortgage loans to 15 percent, the board felt this would be a very attractive program for our younger members and for the first time home buyer," says Supreme Lodge Secre tary-Treasurer Lanita Anglin. The maximum amount of any mortgage loan with SPJST is $250,000. (Continued on page 3.)
ln the years before 1989, when Czechoslovakia became a free country again, the meaning of Easter - Velikonoce - was limited to the welcoming of spring. Easter was a symbol of spring and its religious connotations were suppressed under the communist regime. Nowadays, people are again aware of the religious origin of Easter. but Easter has not become a serious religious holiday.Easter in the Czech Republic is a fun time. Many tradi tions are still observed and practiced. especially in villages, and different (Continued 011 page 3.)
Special Delivery That's the Second Place photo in the Ages 15-Senior Category from last year's State Youth Achievement Day photography competition. The photo, by Lisa Greger of Lodge 47, Seaton was shot at the end of her driveway. Last year's photo contest was a real hit and a first for State YAD. This year's YAO photo competition will focus on "sports." Taking that into consideration, there's no time like the present for our young photographers to get out there and start shooting.
presents -96 honorees Throughout the SPJST's history, many members have made important contributions at all levels. In the February 6 Vestnik, the SPJST recog nized its members who had achieved membership landmarks of 50- and 75years. A third group - members who have achieved the age of 96 are also recognized on an annual basis. At
that point, they are considered to have "outlived" the terms of their insurance certificate and are allowed to collect its proceeds. To date, 311 members have achieved this distinction. Members achieving the "Grand Age of 96" in 2002 are presented below: -SPJST-
2002 Age 96 Honorees District 4 5 2 2 3 6 7 1
3 2
7 6 5 1 7 2 5
Name Ernest Kristinek Louise Jes~e Frank J. Sevcik Anna Raska Marie Janecka Alfons Schwartz Emma Horak Albina R. Kachtik Agnes Janecka Alvin V. Dreyer Bessie Smith Tracy Sklar Rosie Mikulek Mary Canik Tillie E. Till Minnie Pokorny
Lodge 157, LaSalle 81, Needville 15, Buckholts 47, Seaton 66, Waco 23, Moravia 117, Robstown 17, New Tabor 84, Dallas 24, Cyclone 107, Floresville 28, East Bernard 65, Crosby 1, Fayetteville 133, San Antonio 29, Taylor
Born 1906 January 19 January 20 April 1 April 19 April 25 June 10 July 21 July 23 July 28 August 3 September 1 O October4 October 19 October24 November6 December4
2001 Honoree Not Previously Recognized A.A. Lesikar 88, Houston December 22, 1905 -SPJST-
Learn more about Czech heritage and culture on the Internet. This week's Easter feature appears on the Local Lingo website (http://www.locallingo.com). An excellent website, Local Lingo was established in March 1998 with the goal to create an online community to exchange information about countries and their cutlures, traditions, languages, etc. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think!
Lodge 81, Needville member Louise Jeske achieves the "Grand Age of 96" The SPJST congratulates Sister Louise Jeske, a member of Lodge 81, Needville, who celebrated her 96th birthday on January 20, 2002. As such, Sister Jeske is entitled to all SP]St member benefits with nofurther dues or assessments required. Louise Jeske was born January 20, 1906 in Needville, Texas. She joined SPJST Lodge 81, Needville on December 5, 1955. Her father, the late Henry Schwettmann, was a native of Wash ington County. Her mother, Minnie, immigrated to the United States from Germany when she was four years old. The Schwettmanns lived in Fort Bend County for over 60 years.
Louise Jeske
There were a total of 13 children in Schwettmann family. Louise has (Continued on page 3.)
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