SPJST LODGE SECTION

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SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny

P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503

Email: vestnik@spjst.org

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Lodge 4, Hallettsville plans June 11 social with lunch and games

Dear Members, Lodge 4, Hallettsville will meet Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Hallettsville Chamber Meeting Room at 3 p.m.

Members are asked to participate in and bring animal supplies for the Paws for a Cause animal shelter drive.

Games will be played and lunch served as usual.

Hope to see you there!^

Fraternally,

Patsy Zabransky, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 6, Cottonwood sets 125th annual picnic for July 16

President Don Urbanovsky opened the Sunday, May 7, 2023, meeting with 26 people in attendance – 18 adult members, five youth, and three guests. All officers were present. Youth members Aubrianna Dobecka and Quinlan Dobecka led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance and the SPJST pledge. Brother Don recognized the guests by name and welcomed them to Lodge 6.

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Sister Barbara Hykel, and Sister Peggy Dobecka provided the treasurer’s report. Both reports were approved by the members present.

FAC report was given by Sister Jeanette Beseda. Paws for a Cause is this quarter’s focus for donations to be given to a local animal shelter. Sister Jeanette provided handouts of suggested supply items needed by shelters. Another lodge project discussed was appreciation letters written to Veterans for their service, with a projected July mailout. More SPJST activities were discussed. Keep checking your Vestnik for updates on fraternal activities.

Hall Manager Sister Peggy provided information on the lodge bookings for May and June. See page 38 of this Vestnik to review the upcoming events.

Youth Leader Sister Peggy provided an update on youth activities, Camp Kubena registration, and an upcoming summer trip to the coast for Lodge 6 youth members. The District Three Annual Meeting was hosted by Lodge 6 with 50 SPJST members from across the district attending. Thank you to Sister Irene Peterson and Sister Kim Seith for preparing a lovely lunch, and thank you to all members who donated desserts. During the district meeting, a rock painting contest was held, and two of our youth were awarded first and second place in two different age groups. Congrats to our youth - Quinlan and Aubrianna! Adult rock painting, judged the same day, had two Lodge 6 members awarded first and third places, Sister Barbara and Sister Patti, respectively.

Sister Barbara provided a report of correspondence mailed on behalf of the lodge. Sympathy cards were mailed to Beverly Williams, Steve Soukup, Mary Neckar, Eddie Ray Hrabal, and Irene Barber.

Annual Picnic—July 16

Prior to the lodge meeting, a trustee meeting was held to discuss our big fundraising event coming in July. Lodge 6 will hold its 125th annual lodge picnic on Sunday, July 16. Brother Don reported on the discussion about the picnic, raffle ticket donations, meal items to prepare, and the cost of the meal. Volunteers for the preparations and managing the activities of the picnic are a very important part of the fundraising success. Please contact one of the lodge members noted above to see how you can help. Also, members of Lodge 6 will have raffle tickets for sale. Thanks, in advance, for supporting Lodge 6, Cottonwood.

Birthdays for May were Sister Jeanette and Sister Lou Blahuta. Sister Lou celebrated her milestone birthday, turning 95 years young on May 6. Wishing her many more years of good health and happiness. “Happy Birthday” was sung to these young ladies.

For the progressive door prize, the name of Kelly Reynolds was drawn, and she was not present. Attendance door prizes were awarded to Sister Irene, Sister Lou, and Sister Barbara.

Next Meeting—June 4

Brother Don announced that the next lodge meeting will be Sunday, June 4. A noon lunch will be served in honor of Father’s Day, followed by the 2 p.m. meeting. Come hear all about the plans for the lodge picnic!

Patti Rosales, Reporter

Happy May Birthdays, Lou and Jeanette of Lodge 6, Cottonwood!

Lodge 9, Snook to honor Milestone Members at June 4 reception

The May 3, 2023, meeting of SPJST Lodge 9, Snook was called to order by Vice President Marie Shelfer at 7:24 p.m. Caleb See and William See led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was held for departed members Clifton Junek and Martha Royder. Roll of officers was called. Minutes from the April meeting were approved. Hall manager, communications, youth club, treasurer, and statewide reports were given. Motion was passed to accept new member Shanna McQuinn. We congratulated our scholarship recipients Caleb See and William See.

We will have a reception to honor our 50- and 75-year pin recipients on Sunday, June 4 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. – refreshments will be served.

Motion was passed to donate back the hall rental for Snook 4-H and the Masons.

The youth club will have a cemetery cleanup at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4 at Snook City Cemetery.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Next Meeting—June 4

The next meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 4.

Fraternally, Hannah Kovar, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 24, Cyclone reports on May meeting

Lodge 24, Cyclone met on Monday, May 8, 2023, amid corn fields that are tasseling and wheat fields turning amber. We are taking in nature every day.

SPJST Leaders Attend American Fraternal Alliance Spring Symposium

Lodge 6, Cottonwood members celebrated May birthdays. Lou Blahuta, left, had a milestone birthday, turning 95 years young on May 6. Jeanette Beseda’s birthday was on May 21. Happy birthday, ladies!

—Patti Rosales, Reporter

President Brenda Maddux called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and a silent prayer for our deceased members. Cathy Bruggman read the minutes from the last meeting, and they were approved. Brenda gave the finance report as the Wildes were on a cruise. The fraternal report was presented by Cathy Bruggman. She reported on many items including a trip to the State Fair of Texas and the Tyler Rose Festival on October 19 to 21. She also mentioned a trip to the Czech Re-

Pictured, left to right, SPJST Vice President of Sales and Marketing Delisle Doherty, State Fraternal Director Frank Horak, Controller Roy Vajdak, and Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny attended the 2023 American Fraternal Alliance Spring Symposium in Oak Brook, Illinois, on May 8 to 10. The event, attended by more than 150 fraternal representatives from throughout the United States and Canada, featured fraternal, marketing, and operations workshops and networking opportunities. Controller Vajdak was a presented at one of the workshops, “Operations Overhaul - Workflow and Other Process Enhancements.” public from November 29 to December 11 for $3,615 per person, based on double occupancy. July 28 and 29 is the State Youth Showcase.

Old business was the roof, hall cleaning, water issues, basket raffles at the Vrazel tribute, and AED.

New business was kitchen help at the tribute as our members Cathy Bruggman and Kim Campbell will handle it. Toilets are to be installed. We are now accepting credit cards, and we set the charge for using them. Compliance reporting to TABC through AIMS.

The sick list includes Debbie Vrazel. Birthdays are Kim Campbell, Joseph Hoelscher, and Jennifer Hoelscher. Shirley and Jason Hoelscher have been married 17 years.

For the lodge, Bobby Hoelscher, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis invites all to enjoy Czech bands, dances, food on May 27 at hall

Dear Readers, SPJST Lodge 25, Ennis met Thursday, May 11, 2023. We honored Preston Sullivan and his parents, Bill and Lisa Sullivan. Preston is graduating from Ennis High School and will be attending Culinary Arts School in San Antonio. He received the Edward Marek scholarship from the SPJST Home Office in the amount of $1,000 and a $500 local SPJST Lodge 25 scholarship. Preston treated the members with a presentation of pictures pertaining to his involvement with the youth club. In keeping the tradition with mother Lisa, sister Paige, and brother Pierce, who all grew up in the youth program, Preston has been an active youth member his entire life. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments and have invited him to come back anytime to give us samples of foods he will be making and also to help out Betty!

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Betty prepared a meal for all of us con- sisting of beef enchiladas, beans, and rice, and everyone enjoyed her homemade banana cake. Thank you to Betty!

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Margaret. Prayers for those on the sick list including Adolph Novy and Freddie Livar. New member announced was Benjamin Slovak. All reports were accepted as given.

We discussed the upcoming National Polka Festival and the need for volunteers. If anyone can help, please give Arlene a call at 972-489-8274. Sponsored by SPJST Home Office is the King and Queen Dance Contest which will be held at KJT Hall on Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m. The dance contest was started in 1987 by Polka DJ Johnnie I. Krajca, and the Krajca family continues the tradition by facilitating the event that everyone looks forward to every year. Music will be provided by The Czechaholics.

SPJST Lodge 25’s doors will open Saturday, May 27 after the parade with Stribrnanka from Czechia playing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Praha Brothers are playing from 1 to 3 p.m. From 4 to 7:30 p.m., you will hear Fritz Hodde and the Fabulous Six. Ending the day will be Ennis Czech Boys from 8:30 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Lodge 6 Cottonwood welcomes new member

Lodge 6, Cottonwood welcomes new member Miller Jade Morrison. She is the daughter of Traci and Michael Morrison. Her grandparents are Bobby and Peggy Dobecka.

—SPJST—

SPJST Lodge 25 members look forward to welcoming you on Saturday, May 27 to our hall to also enjoy delicious Czech barbecue prepared by Frankie Svehlak and homemade, fresh kolache and strudel made by our famous baker - Betty Macalik!

Next Meeting—June 8

The next meeting will be Thursday, June 8.

Fraternally yours, Margaret Krajca, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge Karel Jonas, No. 28, East Bernard reports on March meeting

The next quarterly meeting of Lodge Karel Jonas, No. 28, East Bernard will be Sunday, June 4 at 12 noon at Riverside Hall in East Bernard. Attendees are asked to please bring animal food to be donated to the animal shelter for the Paws for a Cause community service project.^

Fraternally, Helen Kelner

Secretary/Reporter

—SPJST—

Lodge 29, Taylor partners with community on projects

Lodge 29, Taylor met on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, with President Ronnie Rieger leading the Pledge of Allegiance and having a moment of silence for our departed. All lodge officers were present. The April minutes were read and approved. Tammy Cannon gave the treasurer’s report.

We received a request from Friends of the Moody Museum for a donation to become a Friend of the Moody Museum. Adolph Grieger made a motion to donate $150, and Mikey Girod seconded. The motion passed. The state charity project for the second quarter is Paws for a Cause. We will donate to the Taylor Animal Shelter. Tammy Cannon made a motion to donate $200 to the shelter, and Scott Kaderka seconded. The motion passed. If members want to