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SPJST Lodge Section

The deadline for all Věstník items is 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. Send your news and photos directly to:

SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503 Fax: 254-773-8087 Email: vestnik@spjst.org Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo Questions? Call 800-727-7578

Lodge 25, Ennis discusses fundraiser

Lodge 25, Ennis met on Thursday, August 12, 2021, beginning with a meal consisting of fried chicken, corn salad, and the trimmings. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Margaret Krajca. A moment of silence was held for deceased member Kenneth Vavra.

All officer reports were presented and approved as read. We discussed the current fundraiser - 30 Guns In 30 Days. Renovation of the floor will be complete before the anniversary party on November 13. Another agenda item was the roof damage that needs to be addressed and repaired, but it was decided to wait till next year to make final decisions on it.

New member introduced was Michael Van Fowler, III, grandson of Pat (and the late Van) Fowler.

Meeting adjourned, and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on September 9. Margaret Krajca, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 29, Taylor readies for 20th annual barbecue cook-off

Lodge 29, Taylor will host its 20th Annual Barbecue Cook-Off on Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Taylor SPJST Hall, located at 5025 FM 619 in Taylor.

Friday Night Dance

Sterling Country will play for a free dance on Friday, September 24 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Old-fashioned hamburgers will also be available beginning at 6 p.m.

Cook-Off Entries and Awards

The entry fee for barbecue cookers is $100 (chicken, pork ribs, and brisket). Other entry fees are $10 for jackpot pinto beans, $10 for jackpot cook’s choice, and $10 for jackpot pork butt.

We are looking forward to awarding $4,000 in prize money at this year’s cookoff. Cash and trophies will be presented to first through 10th places in all meat categories (chicken, pork ribs, and brisket). Cash and unique trophies will be awarded for first, second, and third place master cook and best rig. Jackpot pinto beans, cook’s choice, and pork butt are 80 percent payback; cash prizes will be awarded for first through fifth places, and trophies will be awarded for first through 10th places.

Judges Needed

Anyone is welcome to judge on Saturday. Contact Jesse Pospisil at 512826-7371 or send an email to jlpospisil@yahoo.com.

Silent Auction on Saturday

The lodge will host a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. inside the hall with a variety of items on display. If you’d like to donate an item, please contact Jesse.

Lodge 29, Taylor invites you to this fun weekend event! We hope to see you there! See the ad on page 25 of this week’s Vestnik for more information. Fraternally, Jesse Pospisil Barbecue Cook-Off Chair —SPJST—

Happy Retirement, Susan Schofner!

Thursday September 2, 2021 • SPJST Home Office

Congratulations to Susan Schofner, who served as Field Support/Store Promotional Specialist in the Insurance Department. Susan retired on September 3, after 21 years of service with SPJST Home Office. She was honored with a reception at the SPJST Home Office. Best wishes, Susan! We will miss you.

Lodge 35, Elk appreciates hall signs

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, President Randy Pavelka called the Lodge 35, Elk meeting to order at 7:18 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by officers, members, and guest. Present were 10 members and one guest.

Carla Price read the July meeting report. With no corrections, it was approved as read. Due to our treasurer’s absence, Tammy Pavelka gave the reports. There was a correction made; the reports were then approved.

Everyone surely does like the new hall signs. We have gotten compliments and passersby now know what is here and has been here for so many years. Thanks again!

Floor Chair Gene Pavelka was not present so there was no report from him. Bar Chair Randy Pavelka gave his report.

Happy anniversary to Johnnie and Carla Price, and happy birthday to Barbara Pavelka.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

I hope everyone tries to stay cool in the last few weeks of summer. Fraternally yours, Janie Brewer, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton Outdoor Extravaganza Saturday, Sept. 18

We are looking forward to seeing members, friends, and family at SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton Star Hall on Saturday, September 18, 2021, for the 16th Annual Outdoor Extravaganza fundraiser. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with the meal served at 6:30 p.m. The event is for the entire family; children are welcome.

Tickets are $50 in advance ($60 at the door) and include a steak dinner, beverages (must be over 21 years of age), and snacks. Kids tickets (18 years and younger) are $20 each and includes a steak dinner and their own prize drawings. Tickets are available from any lodge member, or you may contact:

Edwin Pechal • 254-721-2887 edwinpechal @yahoo.com Brandon Bartek • 254-624-4119 bbartek001@yahoo.com

Activities include live and silent auctions, bucket drawings, games, and top prize drawings. Multiple guns will be given away including shotguns, pistols, rifles, and kids’ guns. Top prizes are:

First Drawing - White tail deer hunt for one and non-hunting guest at Mustang Creek Ranch in Salado, Texas (mustangcreek.com)

Second Drawing - Cruise for up to four people through Mega Travel-Temple. Valued at $2,000. (www.megatravels.com)

Third Drawing - Three-person guided bay fishing trip with Backlash Fishing Charters in Corpus Christi, Texas. Valid from October to May and includes bait and tackle. (www.backlashcharters.com)

Fourth Drawing - Three-person, onehalf day pheasant and one-half day quail guided combination hunt in Santa Anna, Texas, which is west of Brownwood. Guide and dog are included. (www.sahainc.com)

Fifth Drawing - Four-person nighttime bowfishing trip with Slime Life Bowfishing Charters. Captain Seth Skinner will provide all gear needed for the trip. (slimelifebowfishing.com)

Sixth Drawing - Spa package (details to be determined)

Only 450 admission tickets will be sold for the six top prize drawings. So get yours fast! Contact Edwin, Brandon, or any lodge member for questions or to purchase tickets. Please join in the fun, and hopefully, walk away with a nice prize. You do not have to be present to win. See the advertisement on page 44 of this week’s Vestnik for more information. Sponsorships are also available. This is one of our biggest fundraisers, and your support is great appreciated! Please give me a call at 254-624-4119 if you have questions or need additional information. Fraternally, Brandon Bartek, Vice President —SPJST—

Lodge 79 Corpus Christi celebrates belated Fourth of July

Lodge 79, Corpus Christi celebrated a belated Fourth of July on Sunday, July 18, 2021, with hot dogs and sides. The meeting was called to order at 2:15 p.m. by President Mark Rebecek who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. All officers were present except for Treasurer Larry Elzner and Assistant Youth Leader Christina Rew. We had 16 members in attendance. On the sick list were Larry Elzner who is recovering from surgery. Secretary Virginia Rebecek read the June minutes, and they were approved. Secretary Virginia Rebecek also gave the financial report in the absence of Treasurer Larry Elzner, and it was approved.

FAC report was given by Vice President/FAC Jerry Sijansky. He asked all to read the Vestnik for upcoming events. Also the Supreme Lodge is taking up donations for Moravia in the Czech Republic which received damage from a tornado.

Under new business Vice President/FAC Jerry Sijansky made a motion that our monthly donation go to the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund, seconded by Lila Mae Hajek. Motion was approved. Secretary Virginia Rebecek has received donations as of July 18 from Mary Jo Rebecek, Stephen and

Lodge 8, Weimar August Meeting and Memorial Service

LEFT PHOTO: State Fraternal Director Frank Horak shared a delicious white chocolate raspberry bundt cake with the lodge’s July birthday celebrants. Pictured are, left to right, Lodge 8 President Henrietta Veselka celebrating a proud 90th birthday, Brother Horak, Carolyn Tobola, and Becky Jares. PHOTO 2: Assisting Brother Horak, center, with drawing for door prizes are Earline and Luther Lorfing. PHOTO 3: Becky Jares, left, and President Henrietta Veselka led a memorial service for deceased members from their lodge. A donation in memory of each was sent to the Czech Heritage Museum in Temple. RIGHT PHOTO: A memorial plaque made by Henrietta. Honored in the memorial for 2019: George Janik, Al Marshall, Sandy Woytek, and Michael Janik. For 2020: Evelyn Post, Betty Stepanek, Leo Jares, Paul Veselka, and Joseph Pesak, Jr.

Laura Rebecek, Mark and Virginia Rebecek, and Lodge 79. Thank you all for your donations.

President Rebecek stated the August 15 lodge meeting has been changed to August 22 due to several members who will be attending the convention in Killeen.

Under unfinished business, Secretary Virginia Rebecek handed out forms to the delegates.

Youth Leader Marcia Rew gave the youth report. They had four members in attendance. The youth made wind chimes and suncatchers. They also talked about camp.

Birthday for July was Virginia Rebecek on the 21st. “Happy Birthday” was sung to Virginia.

Twenty-five dollar prizes were won by Virginia Rebecek and Becky Urbanovsky.

Our next meeting will be August 22 with President Rebecek preparing beef and chicken fajitas. Members are asked to bring a side dish. Judy Majek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Becky Urbanovsky, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Fraternally, Virginia Rebecek, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 79 Corpus Christi members participate in SPJST Convention

Lodge 79, Corpus Christi held its monthly meeting on Sunday, August 22, 2021. President Mark Rebecek led us in the Pledge of Allegiance at 2:15 p.m. All officers were present. We had 16 members and guests in attendance. The lodge welcomed back Treasurer Larry Elzner who had been recovering from surgery.

Secretary Virginia Rebecek read the July minutes, and Treasurer Larry Elzner gave the July financial report. They were both approved.

Vice President/FAC Jerry Sijansky handed out referral cards to the attendees for signing up new members.

Under new business, President Rebecek read a letter about renewing our general liability insurance policy for Lodge 79 meetings. The renewal was approved. President Rebecek also stated the District Seven meeting in Jourdanton was nice. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Our lodge had a good turnout. President Rebecek gave a report on the convention which was a success. Attending as delegates were Mark and Virginia Rebecek and Michael Urbanovsky. Sarah Urbanovsky, daughter of Michael, also attended the convention and sang The Star-Spangled Banner, Czech National Anthem, and God Bless America.

Donations to the Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund were made by Jerry and Jill Sijansky and the Elzner Brothers - Larry, James, Tim, and Rick. Thank you all who have been donating.

Birthday for August was Mark Rebecek on the 3rd. “Happy Birthday” was sung to Mark.

Twenty-five dollar door prizes were won by Jerry Sijansky and Leona Grant.

Judy Majek made a motion to adjourn our meeting, seconded by Christina Rew, at 3:05 p.m.

Next Meeting—September 19

The next meeting will be Sunday, September 19. We will be honoring our 50- and 75-year members with a meal of chicken fried steak. Fraternally, Virginia Rebecek, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 80, Holland meets Sept. 21

SPJST Lodge 80, Holland will meet Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the lodge building. Agenda items will include financial statements, minutes, and discussion of future lodge activities. Lodge 80 plans to meet on the third Tuesday on a bimonthly basis. Please check future Vestniks for the dates. Social time will follow the meeting. Rita Spinn President —SPJST—

Helping the Joe Joe Bear Foundation

SPJST agents, members and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Delisle Doherty braved the hot temperatures on the golf course to help raise money for the Joe Joe Bear Foundation. Joe Joe Bear gives teddy bears and support to families of children with life threatening illnesses in Texas and around the country. The organization has handed out almost 40,000 bears, and the tournament helped raise enough to purchase more than 4,000 bears. If you are interested in donating to Joe Joe Bear Foundation or know a child that could use the comfort of a loving bear while in the hospital, please visit www.joejoebear.org.

LEFT PHOTO: Working the SPJST booth are, left to right, volunteer Charlie Davis, Joe Joe Bear with Mary Bird (232), and Linda Bratina (196). CENTER PHOTO: SPJST booth team, left to right, are Kerry Herrington (142), SPJST Vice President of Sales and Marketing Delisle Doherty, Joe Joe Bear (196), Bill Graff (196), and Dennis Silva. RIGHT PHOTO: Mary Bird (232) poses for a photo.

Lodge 25, Ennis welcomes new member

Lodge 25, Ennis and Sales Agent Margaret Krajca are proud to announce new member Michael Van Fowler III!

Michael was born on January 26, 2021, the son of Michael and Kimberly Fowler of Tyler, Texas. Welcoming him are big sister Kaylee and grandparents Pat (and the late Van Fowler of Ennis) and Johnny and JoNell Blankeship, also of Tyler.

Michael is a fifth generation SPJST Lodge 25 member! His greatgreat parents Anton and Barbara Trojacek were active members in the early days of the lodge. Anton served as president of the lodge in 1922. Michael’s great-grandparents George and Mildred Trojacek were also very involved with SPJST. Mildred served as youth leader in the 1950s. Michael’s grandpa Van served as president and grandma Pat (Trojacek) Fowler is the lodge’s current recording secretary, serving in that role for many years.

Welcome, baby Michael, to Lodge 25, Ennis! —SPJST—