District News

District One Annual Meeting Sunday, April 10 at Lodge 9, Snook

The District One Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Lodge 9, Snook. Lodge 9 will host the meeting with registration starting at 12:30 p.m. Lodge 9 hall is located at 457 County Road 269W in Snook, Texas.

A meal will be served from 12 to 1 p.m. The meeting will start at 1:30 p.m. This is also the time for election of officers and the directors of the 501(c)(3) organizations.

Youth members are encouraged to participate in a decorated rock contest. Contest rules can be found in the youth handbook.

We hope to have a large turnout for our meeting. I hope to see you there. Fraternally, Randy Gaas District One President —SPJST—

District One Annual Meeting Agenda

Sunday, April 10, 2022 • Lodge 9, Snook Hall 457 County Road 269W • Snook, Texas

12:30 p.m. - Registration 12 to 1 p.m. - Meal Served 1:30 pm. - Meeting Begins

501(c)(3) Directors’ Reports

Camp Kubena.........................................................................................Sharon Russell

Czech Heritage Museum.............................................................................Betty Suehs

S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living/Senior Living Centers..............................Donnie Victorick

Appoint Audit Committee...............................................................................Randy Gaas

Call Meeting to Order......................................................................................Randy Gaas Pledge of Allegiance.............................................................District One King and Queen Welcome by Lodge 9 President.......................................................................Donnie Hejl Roll Call of Officers, Lodges.........................................................................Sandra Stone Recognition of Guests......................................................................................Randy Gaas Reading of Minutes........................................................................................Sandra Stone Tribute to Departed Members (Reading of Deceased Members)..............Kyle Skrabanek Reading of 50- and 75-Year and Age 96 Members..............Randy Gaas/Kyle Skrabanek Treasurer Report...........................................................................................Sharon Kovar District Youth Counselor Report.................................................................Hannah Kovar Governance Committee Report..........................................................................Bill Orsak Executive Committee Report.................SPJST Chief Financial Officer Leonard Mikeska State Fraternal Director Report.......................................................................Frank Horak District Director Report...........................................................................Donnie Victorick Old Business Audit Committee Report New Business Election of District Officers for 2022 and 501(c)(3) Directors Selection of Site, Time, Date of Fall Fun Day and 2023 Annual Meeting Adjournment

District Two Annual Meeting at Lodge 24, Cyclone on May 22

The District Two Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Lodge 24, Cyclone, located at 411 FM 964, Cyclone. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the meeting starts at 2 p.m. We are planning a great meeting. District officers will be elected. If anyone is interested in serving, please let us know.

We are asking all youth and adults to decorate a rock for the contest. Use your imagination in decorating. I know you can come up with a great idea! Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place winners. Come on everyone . . . let’s have a bunch of you enter decorated rocks.

District Two Youth Counselor Patsy Koslovsky is planning a silent auction for the youth club. She is asking for members to bring an item for this auction. Let’s help the youth raise some money for their fund.

Lodge 24 is planning a great meal for the meeting which consists of chicken spaghetti, salad, drink, and fruit. All of this will only be $3! Where else can you get a great plate of food for $3!

Please mark your calendar for May 22, and come on out to Lodge 24, Cyclone. Join members and friends for a great day together. Thank you and see you on then! Fraternally, Ruth Hanusch District Two Vice President/FAC —SPJST—

District Four Annual Meeting set for Saturday, April 2 in Lubbock

Dear District Four Members,

The District Four Annual Meeting will be hosted by Lodge 157, Lubbock. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Conference Center at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, located at 2315 Broadway on the corner of Broadway and Avenue X in Lubbock, Texas.

Please RSVP to Cyndy Kristinek by calling 806-632-2432 or sending an email to cyndynjerome@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 2 in Lubbock! Fraternally, Cyndy Kristinek —SPJST—

District Six Annual Meeting, Sunday, April 10 at Taiton Community Center

Dear Members,

Lodge 30, Taiton invites District Six members and their families to the District Six Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Taiton Community Center, located at 14221 FM 961 in El Campo, Texas 77437.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a catered meal served at 12 noon. The business meeting will follow the meal.

All lodges are asked to bring a door prize and two desserts. Desserts and refreshments will be served throughout the day.

The youth will be having a rock contest; see youth handbook for details.

All District Six members and their families are encouraged to attend. Door prizes will be awarded, and delicious food will be served.

Your attendance and support will be appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there. Bring a friend! Fraternally, Elizabeth Holub District Six Secretary

District Six Annual Meeting Sunday, April 10, 2022 • Hosted by Lodge 30, Taiton Taiton Community Center 14221 FM 961 • El Campo, Texas

10:30 a.m. - Audit and Nominating Committees Meet Audit Committee - David Bucek, Johnnie Hoffman, Debbie Krpec Nominating Committee - Elaine Berkovsky, Janie Bucek 11 a.m. - Registration 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon - Youth Decorated Rock Contest Registration 12 noon - Catered Meal Served All lodges are asked to bring two desserts and a door prize.

Special Reports (immediately following the meal)

Czech Heritage Museum...............................................................Philip Vahalik

Camp Kubena.....................................................................................Lisa Bubela

S.P.J.ST. Senior Living Centers...........................................................Joe Siptak

Cemetery..........................................................................................David Bucek

Business Meeting

Call to Order.........................................................................President Joe Siptak

Posting of Colors......................................................................District Six Youth

Welcome...............................................Lodge 30 President Yvonne Marcaurele

Response/Introduction of Guests.................Second Vice President Susan Siptak

Roll Call of Officers/Lodges......................................Secretary Elizabeth Holub

Treasurer’s Report.......................................................Treasurer Marjorie Treumer

Youth Report and Contest Awards...............District Youth Counselor Lisa Bubela

Easter Egg Hunt for Youth

Committee and Executive Reports

Governance Committee.....................................................................Lisa Bubela

Executive Committee.......Vice President of Sales and Marketing Delisle Doherty

District Six Regional General Agent ..................................Carolina Covarrubia

District Six Director.......................................................................Annie Vahalik

Old Business

Minutes from 2021 District Six Meeting New Business Announcements Report of Nominating Committee and Election of Officers Report of Audit Committee Memorial Service.......................................First Vice President Yvonne Marcaurele Recognition of 50- and 75- Year Members, Age 96 Honorees, and Fraternalists of the Year Installation of Officers Adjournment Door Prizes

—SPJST—

Sefcik scholarship

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the Supreme Lodge officers would change but there was real consistency in the editor’s seat.

“Those of us who knew Brother Sefcik know that he didn’t mince words. He believed in the freedom of the press, the spirit of fraternalism, and the importance of the membership to be thoroughly informed on all matters of the Society.

“‘I was brought up to say what I thought,’ Brother Rudy once said to me. Upon coming aboard as the new editor, I asked Brother Rudy if he had any regrets regarding his tenure as editor. He said to me, ‘Well if I wanted to be a good boy about it, I could say that I wish that I had been easier on the fellows in the Home Office. But, if you want the truth, I don’t have any regrets. If I had to do it over again, I would do it all the same,’ he said, and then he smiled.”

Throughout his tenure as Vestnik Editor, Rudy’s wife Maxine remained his faithful assistant, providing backup support in the newspaper’s composition and the moral support necessary to keep the Sefcik household – including sons Edwin J. (Bubba) and Terry – running smoothly.

In addition to their longtime support of SPJST, Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine were also members of Texas Czech Heritage Society, Sokol West Gymnastic Association, Sons of Hermann Magnolia Lodge in Houston, Czechoslovak Society of America, and Western Fraternal Life Association (now known as BetterLife). Brother Sefcik was also a co-founder and lifetime member of Czech Educational Foundation of Texas as well as a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

KHBR Radio in Hillsboro celebrated the 50th anniversary of its “American Czech Hour” in 2020, broadcasting polkas and waltzes every Sunday afternoon for an hour-and-a-half. The first host of the program was Brother Rudy. Sister Maxine was there, too, behind the scenes lining up the records. She went on to serve as the show’s co-producer alongside David Kolar for many years thereafter.

Perpetual community boosters, Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine also served as masters of ceremonies for the Westfest Cultural Entertainment program from its inception. After Brother Rudy’s passing in 1993, Sister Maxine continued to serve as event co-emcee until health reasons prompted her to step down in 2007. She was also an associate director of Westfest. As a lasting testament to Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine’s commitment to all things Czech, the Sefcik Amphitheatre on the Westfest fairgrounds is named in their honor. Sister Maxine continues to reside in West.

SPJST lodges, members, or friends wishing to contribute and provide additional support to help grow the Rudy and Maxine Benevolent Scholarship and help a deserving student through continuing education can do so by visiting the giving link at www.spjst.org. —SPJST—

District Seven Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 13, 2022 • SPJST Lodge 79, Corpus Christi/Sokol Hall • Corpus Christi, Texas

LEFT PHOTO: District Seven Director Regina House lights a candle in memory of deceased members. PHOTO 2: Kathleen Polasek (202) helps at the raffle table. PHOTO 3: Judy Majek (79), left, Gerilyn Donnell (79), and Lela M. Hayek (79). PHOTO 4: Welcoming guests are Virginia Rebecek, left, with daughter-in-law Laura Rebecek and grandsons Jacob and Marcus Rebecek, all of Lodge 79, Corpus Christi. RIGHT PHOTO: Auditing the books are, from left, Val Barta (202), Trey Bielefeld (107), and Larry Elzner (79).

LEFT PHOTO: Chester Jenke (258), left, and Melvin Strey (258). PHOTO 2: Judy Majek (79), left, and Marcia L. Rew (79). PHOTO 3: Christina Rew (79) with sons Luke Garcia (79) and Zachery Rew (79). PHOTO 4: Larry Elzner (79), left, and Jerry Sijansky (79). PHOTO 5: Polly Bayer (107) and Trey Bielefeld (107). RIGHT PHOTO: District Seven Director Regina House (202) and daughter 2018 State Queen Kelly House (202).

LEFT PHOTO: From left are Oscar Korus (107), Mark Rebecek (79), and James House (202). PHOTO 2: Youth Leaders - left to right are Regina House (202), State Fraternal Director Frank Horak, Marcia L. Rew (79), and District Seven Youth Counselor April Howard (185). PHOTO 3: Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny, center, presents a $2,000 check to District Seven President James House and Treasurer Sandra Hoggard for general expenses. RIGHT PHOTO: Honorary District Seven Director Bob Bayer, left, with daughter Roxy and son-in-law Larry Bertrand, all of Lodge 107, Floresville.

LEFT PHOTO: Colt Pruski (107) is pictured with Mulim of Kazakhstan and Bruno of Latvia. PHOTO 2: From left are Joy Strey (258), Colleen Jenke (258), and Sandra Hoggard (202). PHOTO 3: Director House, far right, installs the 2022 District Seven Officers. RIGHT PHOTO: District Seven Regional General Agent Ralph Juarez recognizes sales agents in attendance and encourages lodges to recruit new agents.