Volume 93 Number 42
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H
H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
October 26, 2005
ISSN —07458800
SPJST and Czech Heritage Come Together at the State Fair of Texas
Bessie Petr of Lodge 84, Dallas serves sausage and sauerkraut to Rose Steinman of Lodge 154, Fort Worth during the Heritage Festival at the State Fair of Texas on Sunday, October 9. CENTER PHOTO: Orel the SPJST Mascot meets Big Tex, the mascot of the State Fair. RIGHT
PHOTO: Kelly Tucker of Lodge 84, Dallas assists the Junior Youth Club Dancers with “The Little Red Handkerchief” dance during the Czech part of the cultural program. Heritage Festival 2005 was sponsored by the Texas Cultural Partnership. More pictures on page 4.
Lodge 39, Bryan member achieves Grand Age of 96 Tony says. “Pop Habarta was a The SPJST congratulates Sister farmer—it is not known exactly what all
Bettie Marie Hajek, a member of Lodge 39, Bryan, who celebrated her 96th birthday on August 11, 2005. Sister Bettie is now entitled to all SPJST member benefits with no further dues or assessments required. Bettie Marie Hajek was born August 11, 1909, in Brazos County to Mr. and Mrs. Kucera. They passed away one month apart when she was about four and one-half years old. Bettie was raised by John and Josephine Habarta. Her three brothers and two sisters were raised by families in the Bryan area, and all are now deceased. Bettie married Anton F. Hajek on October 20, 1930, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas. Anton passed away on March 29, 1994. They had two children, Elizabeth Stasny (Billy) of Bryan and Anton Hajek of Bryan. Bettie’s mom was a housewife, and her dad was an auto mechanic then an aircraft mechanic. Bettie’s son Tony says his mom and her brothers and sisters did get to visit each other once in a while. “Since Mom
Bettie Marie Hajek
spent more time with the Habarta family, she talks about them more than her real family—the Kucera family,” he states. Bettie used to tell about having to go to town in a wagon when the roads were too muddy for a car. “Of course, they only went when they absolutely had to for groceries or supplies for the farm,”
he raised, but I do know he raised corn.” Tony recalls that when he and his sister were children, they visited the Habartas at Smetana once in a while. “They lived in what we thought was a big house, but actually it was not by today’s standards,” he states. Bettie talks about going to dances, and the boys coming to dance with her. One thing that she often laughs about is the way one boy would offer her chewing gum. “He did not pass the entire package to her, he would only stick one piece out—I guess in fear that she would take more,” Tony says. The boy’s name was Joe and he would say, “Bettie, you are so pretty.” And to that, she would say, “Thank you, Joe.” Tony says that today, if you tell Bettie, “You are so pretty,” she answers, “Thank you, Joe,” and laughs. Bettie has a wonderful sense of humor and a very good appetite for which her family is so thankful. After having some strokes, Bettie can no (Continued on page 3.)
Inside
Districts One and Six Fall Fun Days Pages 5 - 6
Lodge 24 Czech Fest Page 8
Lodge 234 organizes Page 12
Lodge 204 bowling tournament Page 13
Interest Rates .....................3 Family Fun Dates ...............3 District News ......................3 Lodge Letters .....................5 SPJST Float ......................14 In Memoriam.....................15 Death Claims ....................17 Youth .................................18 Czech Culture...................20 Activities Calendar...........22