FLAG DAYJUNE 14

FATHER'SDAYJUNE 21

2015

We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; May they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.

We pray for our own Fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; May they know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.

We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.

We remember fathers, grandfather, and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.

~Amen

HappyFather's Day!

ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA

JUNE 2015VOL. 101, NO. 9

2 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA

Fraternally Yours™

5 23 1 ISSN 0897-2958

Fraternally Yours,ZENSKA JEDNOTA,

is a monthly magazine published by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.

National Headquarters at 24950 Chagrin Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44122EDITOR: Carolyn Bazik

P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603E-mail: zjbazik@comcast.net

Phone (610) 373-2743 • Fax (610) 375-8333

Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, OH 44101 and additional entries

Subscription Rate, Non-Members: $6.00 — 1 Yr.

Printed at Triangle Press6720 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112

Postmaster: Send address changes to Zenska Jednota,

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44122

Deadline for all articles is the 15th of the month, 1½ months prior to the issue date.

OFFICE HOURS — HOME OFFICEMonday through Friday — 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Phone: (216) 464-8015 • Toll Free: 800-464-4642Fax: (216) 464-9260 • Website: www.fcsla.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCHAPLAIN:

Very Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando, The Cathedral of Saint Columba, 154 West Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503. Residence: (330) 744-5233. Email ppolando@youngstowndiocese.orgPRESIDENT:

Cynthia M. Maleski, Esq., 24950 Chagrin Bou-levard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1011. Email: Cynthia@fcsla.com.VICE-PRESIDENTS:

Irene J. Drotleff, 17807 Nottingham Road, Cleveland, OH 44122. (216) 486-6950. Email: rene@apk.net.

Larry M. Golofski, 1114 Surrey Lane, Vandergrift, PA 15690. Residence: (724) 845-8078. Email: Lar-ryGolofski@windstream.net.

Barbara Novotny Waller, 24950 Chagrin Bou-levard, Beachwood, OH 44122. Residence: (610) 207-0747. Email: bnwaller@comcast.net.SECRETARY:

Sue Ann M. Seich, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1012. Email: sueann@fcsla.com.TREASURER:

Stephen C. Hudak, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1016. Email: steve@fcsla.com. TRUSTEES:

John M. Janovec, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642.

Virginia A. Holmes, 1625 Vermont Avenue, White Oak, PA 15131. Residence: (412) 672-1565.AUDITORS:

Katie A. Esterle, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. Residence: (262) 720-7190. Email: katie.esterle@gmail.com.

Barbara A. Sekerak, 6312 Elmdale Road, Brook Park, OH 44142. (216) 676-9332. Email: bas7535@gmail.com.

Dorothy L. Urbanowicz, 27 Crescent Drive, Mones-sen, PA 15062. Residence: (724) 684-8243. Email: doty8613@gmail.com.EDITOR:

Carolyn M. Bazik, P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603 (610) 373-2743.

COURT OF APPEALS:Mary Angeloff Jeanette PalancaBarb Shedlock Ralph SzubskiJoseph L. Szumski Carol YurechkoRon Sestak Joyce KellyRonald Paseka Ann SedlockBernard Drahozal Dawn LaBuda

The BrickA young and successful executive was traveling down a

neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Mercedes.He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars

and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Mercedes side door!

He slammed on the brakes and backed his damaged car back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, “What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That’s a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?”

The young boy was apologetic.“Please, mister... please, I’m sorry but I didn’t know what else to

do,” He pleaded. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop... “ With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.

“It’s my brother,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.”

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.”

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts.

A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. “Thank you and may God bless you,” the grateful child told the

stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his

wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Mercedes.

The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of the lesson he had learned.

Dear Friends,Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at

you to get your attention! God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don’t have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It’s our choice to listen or not. I hope this month you will take some time to listen!

Until next month, Warmly, Carolyn

JUNE2015 3

Very Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando, D. Min., J.C.L., National Chaplain

REACHING THE MILE POSTS TO EVERLASTING LIFE

Last month, there was a several day spree of unusually warmer days of spring. How welcomed they were after the harsh, cold days of winter that we experienced here in northeastern Ohio. They were days, however, of getting a few weeks ahead of the planting season and in the week to follow, we had to cover some of the plants because of predicted frost. But I did not care! I am looking forward so much to a hot summer. What I always say to people, “You do not have to shovel the heat and humidity”!

Also during the month of May, I started the annual “reaching the mile posts of life” of the yearly cycle. For me, once we get out of the depths of winter and enter into spring, the season invigorates me to jump into the newness of life goals and experience them in the lives of other people, both spiritually and socially. The initial event for me is the celebration of First Holy Communion.

I love First Holy Communion Sunday. The young people have been in preparation for this day for what seems to be an eternity to them. No longer will they remain seated in the pews while the rest of their family goes up for communion or will they go forward not able to receive but receive a blessing from the priest or deacon. Finally, they will be able to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus and continue to do so with their family and parish family as well. Here at the Cathedral in Youngstown, we had seven young people make their First Holy Communion – six boys and one girl. In my homily with the children, I told the young lady that she was a privileged person – not only to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus for the first time, but to do so surrounded not only by her family and friends but also with six handsome men. “Enjoy the moment” I told her!

Another mile post that we celebrate in this late part of the spring season is graduation. When I was growing up, I experienced graduation from high school. Today there are graduations from kindergarten, eighth grade, and high school not to mention also college and graduate schools. I graduated from high school in 1972 and from college in 1976.

From whatever school the young person is being graduated, it is a mile post not only for the young person but for all who are involved in that person’s formation – parents, family members, friends, classmates, teachers, administrators, etc. The graduate has reached a goal, spending years of life in obtaining the goal, and once the goal has been met, there starts a new beginning.

The season of spring and the month of June bring about a new chapter for me through the celebrations of the Sacrament of Marriage. Here at the Cathedral, there will be thirty plus weddings celebrated from this month through December. I will not be the presider at all of the weddings but I will be for most of them. For the ones I am not, I will still have to assist in doing the preparation for marriage sessions and be there to make sure all is in place for the celebrations themselves. The couple preparing for the wedding ritual is reaching another mile post in their individual and soon to be wedded lives. The couple is excited about the wedding day. There are many preparations that take place: all that is necessary for the sacramental ritual, the place of the reception, the menus, the honeymoon, the bridal shower, the groom’s party, the bridal dress and tuxedos, etc. The rehearsal for the wedding is important to me but I attempt to keep it as short as possible. After thirty-five years of celebrating weddings, I believe I have the ceremony down pat. Usually I have them practice coming down the aisle, then have them taking their places in the sanctuary for the marriage rite and finally practice them leaving the cathedral. One may ask, “Why only these elements of the wedding?” I usually respond, “You will be nervous tomorrow and forget everything we have done tonight. All you have to do tomorrow is listen to me and I will get you through the ceremony. What you (the bride and the groom) have to be nervous about is the next twenty-five years!” After months and also years of preparation for “the big day”, this mile post comes and goes quickly.

Ah, the mile posts that begin in this spring season! Planting the garden,

sprucing up the yard and house, the above celebrations, the picnics, the vacations and I can go on and on. Think of those mile posts that you have accomplished in the past. Even after all these years, I remember quite vividly my First Confession, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, graduation from high school and college, ordination day (in this month!) and other particular events that have made me grow, be nurtured, and obtain a better knowledge of life with family, friends, and those who may not have a good relationship with me. These mile posts, once accomplished, have given me the ability to work towards the other challenges that lie ahead of me, the next mile posts.

No matter how many mile posts we have passed in this life and no matter how many more yet have to be passed, it is important that every one of us has the mile post ahead of us, especially the constant and most important mile post, Life in Jesus Christ. And His Mile Post is what He tells us in the Gospel of Saint John, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love. You will live in my love if you keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and live in his love. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer speak of you as slaves, for a slave does not know what the master is about. Instead, I call you friends, since I have made known to you all that I heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear much fruit. Your fruit must endure so that all you ask the Father in my name he will give you. The command I give you is this, that you love one another” [15:9-17].

Hopefully, we will pass many more mile posts in this life. And when we pass the last one, may it be the one we have passed each day of our lives as disciples of the Master, that we have loved one another!

Message from our National President Cynthia M. Maleski

4 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

DearfellowMembers,I have many good things to

sharewithyou in thisJune issueof our magazine. OnApril 30,2015,wehosted the14thAnnualDistrictPresidents’meetinginthehome office, where our districtpresidentsortheirrepresentativesfrommany parts of our nationgatheredtogethertohearaboutour2015salescampaign,ourfinancialhealth,ourfraternalprogramsandto share ideas for our upcoming

QuadrennialCampaignscheduledforOctober5-8,2015inLouisville,Kentucky.

Upon the opening of themeeting,we held a dedica-tionceremony foranewU.S.Flagweacquired,and re-cited the PledgeofAllegiance.OurNationalChaplainMsgr. Peter Po-lando celebratedMassforusandforhome office em-ployees,andafterlunchinour lunchroom, we held aMayCrowning ofourBlessedMoth-erandhermother,St.Ann, afterwerecitedtheLitanyofLoretoandsangaMarianhymn.Wearealwayssofortunatetohaveaspiritualdimensiontoourmeetings!

AfterreportsoftheManagingOfficers,morningpresen-tations includeda report of our incomingNationalSalesManager,Mr.AlbertHeilesandemployeeswhohavenewroles,includingMaryAnnRuben,Marketing/RegionalSalesManager;MelodyBoston,AgentAdministrator;GeralynRadevich,Promotions andCommunications’CoordinatorandRuthAnnHavasi,Annuities.

OurafternoonsessionsincludedanexcellentpresentationbyKellyShedlock,NationalFraternalandYouthDirector,aboutournationalfraternalactivities,suchasopeningsofnewbranches,branchactivityreports,therecordnumberofMatchingFundsprojectsheldaroundthecountry,andournewfraternalpageonFacebook.

Magdalen Iskra, President of theMagdalen I. IskraDistrict,presidedovertheDistrictPresidents’Roundtable,wheresheledalivelydiscussionoftimelytopicsandques-tionsfromthoseassembled.

I enthusiastically thanked everyone for the excellentresponsethatwereceivedfromdistricts,branchesandindi-vidualsforour2014NationalPresident’sAnnualAppeal“To

ProtecttheChildren”andtoremindeveryoneofourAppealthisyear“FCSLAUnitestoFightHungerOneDayataTime”.

WeareinthemiddleofourQuadrennialConventionSalesCampaign.WeinviteyoutocallyourbranchofficersortheNewBusinessDepartmentoftheHomeOfficetopurchaseadditional life insurance for yourself ormembers of yourfamily.Weareproudthatwearea123year-oldfraternalbenefitsocietydoingbusinessacrosstheUnitedStatesof-feringuniqueandcompetitiveproductsandanentirearrayof rich fraternalbenefits, includingscholarships,newborninfantbenefits,postmortembenefitsandvaluablefellowshipopportunitiesinbranchesacrossourcountry.

MyhusbandandItravelledtoMcAdoo,Pennsylvania,onabeautifulspringweekendforaproductivedistrictmeetingandluncheonsponsoredbytheFrancesJakabcinDistrict(thankyou,Mrs.VeronicaBazikandalldistrictofficers!).ThefollowingweekendNationalSecretarySueAnnSeich

and I traveled toWashington,D.C.,for special U.S.CapitolHill visits.We reported onthevaluable,long-standing servicesourmembersandsociety provide inmanycommunitiesacrossthenation.As a constituentmember of theAmerican Frater-

nalAlliance,ourassignmentwastovisitseveralmembersof theOhio delegation.Wewere positively received byU.S.SenatorsSherrodBrownandRonPortmanandU.S.MemberofCongressTibori(Columbus,Ohio)andothers.WewerehonoredtoserveasambassadorsforFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationinthehallowedhallsoftheU.S.Capitol.

AswecelebrateFlagDayonJune14,letusnotforgettodisplay“OldGlory”inaspecialplaceinyouryardorhall.OnJune21st,wewillhavetheopportunitytospeciallyhonorandrememberourfathersandthosewhoactedasfatherstousinaspecialway!

WithGod’sBlessingstoyouandyours, Cynthia M. Maleski NationalPresident

Attendees of the 14th Annual District Presidents’ Meeting

FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION

JUNE2015 5

FCSLA Connects . . .

Albert Heiles

Albert E. Heiles Jr., CLU, ChFC, AEP, CRC, LUTCFNational Sales Manager

FCSLA: Life Insurance and Annuity Contracts That Offer Many Choices

FCSLAAnnuity RatesRatesforourEliteAnnuities:

SILver eLITe (5 YeAr)

3.00% APY*GOLD eLITe (7 YeAr)

3.25% APY*PLATInuM eLITe (10 YeAr)

3.50% APY**Thisrateisineffect1/1/2015thru12/31/2015.AdditionallytheguaranteedminimumrateforEliteSilverandGoldcontractsissuedin2015willbeincreasedto2%.

Insurancecompaniescomeinmanysizesandshapes.Somearelargeinter-nationalcompaniesthatofferinsuranceproductsalongwithahostofothernon-insuranceproducts.Some companiesspecialize incertainmarkets thatoffervery limited and defined insuranceproducts.Somecompaniesare repre-sentedbyfulltimeemployedinsurancesales associateswhile othersmarketproducts through independent agents.

Manyinsurancecompaniesarenewlyestablishedorrecentlyreorganizedorrenamed.

FCSLAisdifferentfrommostcompaniesinthemarkettodayformanyreasons.

FCSLAisfirstandforemostafraternalbenefitsociety.We aremade up of ourmembership.Our benefits aremembershipdrivenandourobjectivesareclear.Wewanttoprovideexcellentinsuranceandannuityproductstoourmembers.Ournamehasremainedthesameforover123years.Ourhistoryislongandourreputationisunquestioned.

Our life insuranceproducts includea very attractiveSinglePremiumWholeLifepolicythathasoffereddividendsformanyyears.Weoffera10PayLife,a20PayLife,andaLifePaidUpat85policies.Wealsooffera20YearlevelTermpolicy thatcanbepurchasedbymembersaged16to 80 (very unique in the term insurancemarket). LastlywehavetheSuperYouthTermpolicythatofferscoveragerangingfrom$10,000to$50,000oftermcoverageforaverycompetitivepremiumformembersaged0to24.

Ourdeferredannuityproductsarealsoexcellentandprovideachoiceofdurationandinterestrates.TheSilverEliteannuityhasa5yearearlywithdrawalpenalty,theGoldElitehasa7yearearlywithdrawalpenalty,andthePlatinumElitehasa10yearwithdrawalpenalty.Alloftheannuitiesareverygoodtaxdeferredoptions.FCSLA’screditingratesarereviewedquarterlybytheBoardofDirectors.

FCSLAhasoneofthemostattractiveSinglePremiumImmediateAnnuity(SPIA)productsofferedtoday.Forthoseindividualswho are looking for certainty in an uncertainworld,thisimmediateannuityisanoptiontoconsider.TheSPIAprovidesa returnofbothprincipaland interestandseven(7)differentsettlementoptions.

ThebenefitsofbeingamemberofFCSLAdonotendwithour insuranceproducts.Membershipofferssomuchmore.Ourfraternalbenefitsandcommitmenttoourvalues,community,andmembersareallreasonstolooktoFCSLA.

Wewelcomeyourquestionsandinterest.Formoreinformationonanyoftheproductsofferedby

FCSLA,pleasefeelfreetocontacttheHomeOfficeSalesDepartmentorafullylicensedFCSLAagentinyourarea.

Fraternally,Albert e. Heiles,CLU,ChFC,CRC,AEP,LUTCFNationalSalesManagerFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociation

Patrick Braun Honored at Retirement Dinner

national President Cynthia Maleski and members of the Board of Directors honored Patrick Braun on his retirement as FCSLA national Sales Manager at a March 19th Dinner held at the Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse in Beachwood, OH.

6 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

41st NATIONAL CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENTS

CAnDIDATeS FOr nATIOnAL OFFICe: Anyonewishing to aspire toNationalOfficemust return anintent form,available fromSueAnnSeich,NationalSecretary,alongwithresumeandnon-refundablereg-istrationfeetotheHomeOffice.Allmaterialsmustbepostmarked,deliveryserviceorelectronicmediadatedbyAugust2,2015.PleasereviewtherequirementsforNationalOffice,includingCourtofAppeals,containedinthenewlyrevisedbylaws,SectionIII,Leadership&GovernanceStructure,startingonpage9ofthenewBylawbook.

GueSTS:Pleasenotethatguestsareallowedtoat-tendtheconvention,butareresponsibleforalltheirexpenses(travel,room,andfood).Moreinformationwillbeforthcoming.

ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL IN DANVILLE

The42ndannualSummerFestival,sponsoredbytheSistersofSaintsCyrilandMethodiusinDanville,PAwillbeheldonSaturday,July11.Activitieswillbeginat10:30a.m.

The festivalwill featurea largeFleaMarket, a silentauction, home-madebakedgoods, handcrafted items, abookstore,andReligiousandSlovakarticles.TherewillbeavarietyofethnicfoodssuchasHolubkyandHalusky,aswellashotdogs,hamburgers,sausage,icecreamandmuchmore.Therewillbeavarietyofgamesforchildrenandadultsplusspecialattractionslikeponies,a“BounceHouse”,raffles,andbingo.

TheSummerFestivalhasbeenablessedopportunityfortheSisterstokeepintouchwithformerstudents,theirparents, and familymembers; to reconnectwith friendsthey’vemadeover the years, and tomakenew friends.Thedayneverseemslongenoughforvisitingwithfriendsoldandnew.

Busparkingisavailable.TheFestivalwilltakeplacerainorshine,andwillclosewithaMassat5:00p.m.

Formoreinformation,pleasecallSisterBarbaraSableat570-275-3581,Ext.302.

L-r: Sisters Kate Morris, Madonna, a volunteer and John vian-ney greet friends and prepare tickets for the Festival.

L-r: Sisters Brigid, Joanne Marie, Carol Ann and Denise Marie pack homemade kolacky for sale at the Festival.

USE THIS FORM FOR CHANgE OF ADDRESS AND MAgAzINE CANCELLATIONS

CHANGE THE ADDRESS ON ALL FCSLAPOLICIES AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR:

INDIVIDUAL — NAME

________________________________________________

ENTIRE FAMILY — LIST NAMES

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Old Mailing Address ___________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

State _______________________ Zip __________________

New Mailing Address____________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

State _______________________ Zip __________________

Phone # ___________________________________________

____________________________________________________Signature Required (Insured, Annuitant, Owner)

Date of Birth _______________________________________(for ID purposes)

____________________________________________________Today’s Date

CANCEL MAGAZINEMAIL OR FAx TO:

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association24950 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122

FAx: (216) 464-9260

JUNE2015 7

Approximately 50members of theFrances JakabcinEasternPADistrictgatheredtogetheronSunday,April12th,2015atCapriottis’ inMcAdoo,PA for theirSpringMeet-inghostedbyHazletonSr.Branch45.Inadditiontotheirregularmeeting,thegroupalsoreceivedbranchleadershiptrainingpresentedbyNationalTrusteeVirginiaHolmesandNationalAuditorBarbSekerak.ThedistrictwashonoredtohaveNationalPresidentCynthiaMaleskiandherhusbandAndrzejalsoinattendance.DistrictPresidentVeronicaBazikconductedanabbreviatedmeetingandthenturnedthepro-gramovertotheNationalofficersforthebranchleadershiptrainingwhichwaswell-receivedbythoseinattendance.

Members listening to the branch training.

Frances Jakabcin Eastern PA District Spring Meeting

District vice-President and national vice-President Barbara Waller (right)along with District Auditor Karen Ku-kol manning the raffle ticket table prior to the meeting.

Officers of host Branch S045, Hazleton, PA along with National President Cynthia Maleski.

Seated, L-R: Karen Kukol, District Auditor; Veronica Bazik, District President. Standing, L-r: Monica Anthony, former na-tional Auditor; Carolyn Bazik, National Editor and District Au-ditor; Louise Dunstan, District Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Cynthia Maleski, national President; Barb Sekerak, national Auditor; Barbara Waller, District vice-President/national vice-President; and virginia Holmes, national Trustee.

District President Veronica Bazik giving a brief report to mem-bers in attendance.

TheDistrictwillhaveadelegatemeetinginJune,hostedbyBranch319inAllentown,PAandtheFallMeetingwillbehostedbyBranch417ofCoaldale,PAonOctober25thaftertheQuadrennialConventioninLouisville,KY.

2015 Slovakia Heritage TourSeptember 11-20, 2015

ExperienceSlovak culture, history, and life inSlovakia today,up closeandpersonal on the2015SlovakiaHeritage ten-day, small group tour. FromSeptember11-20,we’ll explore importantcitiesandhistoricsitesaswellasfolk-lifemuseums,mountainresort towns, beautiful countryside, and themix ofmedievaltownstoSoviet-eraremnantsthatmakeSlo-vakiasuchaninterestingsmallcountrytovisittoday.Optionalgenealogicalresearchandancestralvillagevisitsavailable.Formoreinformationvisitwww.slovakiaheritage.com

orcontactJudithNorthup-Bennett, SlovakiaHeritageTours,978-544-5144 orconnectionswork4u@hotmail.com

Always June 14th Flag Day, is a day

for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag,

its designers and makers. Our flag is

representative of our independence and our

unity as a nation . . . Happy Flag Day . . .

8 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

BranchW045,CedarRapids,IA,awardedeightscholar-shipsforthe2014-2015schoolyear.Eachrecipientreceived$300.Thewinnersforthisyearare:

Mikayla Cummings,FreshmanattendingIowaStateUniversity,Ames,IA.

Jordan Hoffman,JuniorattendingSt.AmbroseUniver-sity,Davenport,IA.

Meagan Hoffman,SophomoreattendingUniversityofNorthernIowa,CedarFalls,IA.

Jade Johnston,SeniorattendingMaharishiUniversityofManagement,Fairfield,IA.

Shane Herder,SophomoreattendingKirkwoodCom-munityCollege,CedarRapids,IA.

McKenna Kilburg, FreshmanattendingCentralCol-lege,Pella,IA.

Andrew Holladay,FreshmanattendingCoeCollege,CedarRapids,IA.

Austin Himes, FreshmanattendingKirkwoodCom-munityCollegeCedarRapids,IA.

Ryan Holzman Statewide Essay Winner

RyanHolzman(S150),asophomoreatBoyertownHigh School, Boyertown,PA,submittedanessaytoThe Mercury,inPottstown,PAwhichhosted the localcontestincollaborationwiththePennsylvaniaNewsMe-diaAssociationandAT&T.The contest asked highschool students to writeeditorials thatencouraged readers to takeapledgetonevertextwhiledriving.Holzman’sessaywasse-lectedtorepresentThe Mercury’scoverageareainthestatewidecompetitionandraninasaguesteditorialintheMarch2editionofThe Mercury.ItwasrecentlyannouncedthatHolzmanwasthestatewidewinnerofthecontest.Alongwithacashprizeof$500,hewasrecognizedattheApril1PNAStudentKeystonePressAwardsluncheoninHershey.RyanplanstousethemoneytowardsahighschoolorchestraandchoirtriptotheCzechRepublicthisspring.Whilealltheentriesreceivedwereimpressiveandoftenimpassioned,Holz-manmosteffectivelypersuadedthereadertoactandtakethepledge.CongratulationsRyan!

Inadditiontheyawardedthreeelementaryschoolwin-nersfor$200eachinthenameofWayneKrotzadepartedlong-timebranchsecretary.Thewinnersare:

Charles Herder,6thGradeattendingOurLadyoftheLakeinMound,MN.

Kevin Trcka, 7thGrade attending ChaskaMiddleSchool,Chaska,MN.

Paighton Zemola, 3rdGradeattendingNotreDameinCresco,IA.

Jade JohnstonMikayla Cummings Shane Herder

McKenna Kilburg Andrew Holladay Austin Himes

Charles Herder Kevin Trcka Paighton Zemola

Branch W045 Awards Scholarships for 2014-15 School Year

St. Ann’s Sr. Branch 114 Annual Luncheon and Meeting

St.Ann’sSr.Branch 114will hold their annualluncheonandmeetingtohonorourscholarshipwin-nersonSunday,July19.Itwillstartat1:00p.m.attheAmericanSlovakClub,2915BroadwayinLorain,OH.PleasemakeyourreservationsnolaterthanTuesday,July14bycallingBernieDanevichat440-960-2605orMargeThomasat440-288-1492.Allmembersareinvitedtoattend.

JUNE2015 9

Branches 408 & 141 – Cleveland, OHOnSaturday,April 25, 2015, for the seventh straight

year,asa“JoinHandsDay”project,theClevelandOkresBranch408andBranch141“joinedhands”withTheCleve-landCatholicWorkerCommunityandprovidedabreakfastforabout80homelessandneedypeople.

The breakfast consisted of cereal,milk, toast, juice,fruit,donutsandhardboiledeggs.Inadditiontothebreak-fastitems,toothbrushes,toothpaste,showersoap,laundryanddishdetergent,bleach,toiletpaper,papertowelsandnapkins,andtrashbagswereprovided.AlocalMcDonaldsRestaurantdonatedplasticproductsandcondiments.

Also,$605waspresentedtotheCommunitytoassistthemintheirministry.Thesmilesandwordsofappreciationbytherecipientsweremostrewarding.Thisexperienceisanexampleofwhatwecanaccomplishby“JoiningHands”.

L-r: The happy smiling faces belong to Mike Phillips, Jr., Helen Gebura, Cindy Bacisin, Dan Phillips, Barb Phillips, Pat Phillips and Mike Phillips.

L-r: Mike Phillips, Dan Phillips and Helen Gebura presenting the check to Peter Quilligan of The Cleveland Catholic Work-ers Community.

Members of Monessen Sr. Branch 88 and Jr. Branch 157 re-cently participated in a car wash with the Leo Club of Mones-sen High School.

Branches 88 & 157 – Monessen, PA

FCSLA CELEBRATES PALM SUNDAY

Anicecrowdof63membersenjoyedtheannualFCSLAPalmSundayBrunchthatwasheldattheClu-tierLegionHallonSunday,March29.Picturedbelowarefamiliesenjoyingtheirbreakfastofeggcasserole,fruitcups,kolaches,andcinnamonrolls.PreparingthebreakfastweretheFCSLAofficers.ThelodgewillbehostingatriptotheAmana’sforlunchandthetheateronSunday,June14.Forreservations,pleasecontactBevColvin.

10 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

VISIT SLOVAKIARememberhowyourparentsandgrandparents

referredtotheirbirthplaceas“TheOldCountry?”Nowis thetimeforyoutovisit theirancestralhomeland.Youngstown-SpisskaNova Ves Sister Cities hasscheduledits18thannualtourforJuly13-27,2015.Tourguides,JimandKaybench,haveagainscheduledinterestingeventswhichincludemusicalfolkgroups,dinneratkoliba(shepherds’hut),raftingontheDunajecRiver,viewingdecoratedhomesatCicmany,visitingTichyPotec, (theSlovakWilliamsburgwith townsreplicatinganoldSlovakvillage),andrelaxinginthethermalwatersofthespainSliac.YoucanvisityourrelativesandyouwillalsoenjoyaluncheonreceptionwiththeMayorofourSisterCity,JanVolny.

For more information contact:JimBench(cellphone)724-858-5843;

email:jbench@yahoo.comKayBench(cellphone)724-771-7900

Travel arrangements through Adventure International Travel(PaulHudak)1-800-542-2487

Email:Paul@adventuretravel.com

42nd Annual Slovak Day Celebration in Merrillville, INCome and celebrate the

42ndAnnual Slovak Day onSunday,July19,2015.Thecele-brationstartswitha10:30a.m.Catholicmass atOur Lady ofCzestochowaShrine,Merrillville,IN.Themasswillbefollowedbyethnic food,drink,acashraffleanddancing.ThisyeartraditionalSlovakdancesareshow-cased.Cashraffleticketswillbeavailable.

Our LadyofCzestochowaShrine is locatedat 5755PennsylvaniaSt.(Broadway),Merrillville,IN.Formorein-formation visitwww.facebook.com/SlovakDayCelebration orcontactBettyYurechkoat219-795-1518.

The42yearhistorystartedin1973attheSevenDoloresShrineinValparaisowhichtheSlovakFranciscanFatherscalledhome.Father JosephViater, alongwithBettyandCarlYurechko(whochaireditfor39years),startedagrouptogetSlovakpeopletogetherforadayofSlovakculture.

Volunteer committeeswere from the variousSlovakChurches:AssumptionoftheBlessedVirginMaryfromIn-dianaHarbor,SacredHeartfromEastChicago,HolyTrinityfromGary,ImmaculateConceptionandSt.JohntheBaptist,bothfromWhiting.

FormanyyearsBishopAndrewG.Grutka,BishopoftheGaryDiocese,wasthemaincelebrantfortheSlovakMass.DinnerswerepreparedandsoldbytheSlovakwomen.Overtheyears,SlovakdancersfromMilwaukee,WI,Chicago,IL,andSterling,MI,entertaineduswithethnicdances.

Duetotheincreaseinattendance,theeventwasmovedtoMerrillville,attheSalvatorianFathers,OurLadyofCzesto-chowaShrine.ThisyearduringSlovakDay,theSalvatorianFatherswillbeshowingthePANORAMAonChristianitytotheSlavicNation.During theyears,manybishopscametoconcelebrate,suchasBishopSokol fromSlovakia, lo-calbishops:BishopAndrewG.GrutkaandBishopDaleJ.Melczek,aswellas,BishopAdamecofPennsylvaniaandlocalSlovakpriests.

SlovakDaywasmeanttobeadayofSlovakculture,startingwithMass,goodethnicfoods,Slovakdancers,aswellas,musicfordancing.

Donation Financed by Community College Class

Omaha,NEBranchW018PresidentBobHladikhasenjoyed a long career in pre-school through junior highCatholiceducation.However, forthepastdecadehehasbeenteachingcommunicationclassesattwoOmahaareacommunitycolleges.

ArecentroundofspeechesatMetropolitanCommunityCollegepromptedtheclasstodigdeepandreachout tohospitalizedkidsatChildren’sHospital.

StudentD.J.Smith,anofficerintheSonsoftheAmeri-canLegion,aswellas,aconstructionsuperintendant,toldtheclassofavoluntaryprogramtoprovidepatientswithalargestuffedtoyLabpuppynamedJoshandabookwrittentomaketheyoungpatients’hospitalstaymoreenjoyable.

SmithaskedthegrouptofinanceaJoshKitandhelphimdeliver it toChildren’sHospital.Amazingly, theclassrespondedandfinancedFOur kits.

Hladiksaidheheardmanystudents’appealsincludingblooddonations,STOP textingwhile driving, andearnaCPRcertificate,butneveraJoshDogtalk.

A giving class at Metro Community College’s (MCC) Sarpy County Campus, D.J. Smith is on the far left and Professor Hladik is on the far right.

Sr. Branch 88 Food Bank DonationFr. Micah E. Kozoil, Chaplain of Branch 88, is shown presenting a check to Mary nagy, director of St. vincent De Paul Society

at Saint Aloysius Church for the food bank from Sr. Branch 88, Monessen, PA at Sunday Mass in March, 2015. The donation was given to provide assis-tance to Food Banks and Food Pantries in the Branch 88 area. Fr. Kozoil is pastor of Saint Aloysius Parish Church, Dunbar, PA, Diocese of Greensburg.

JUNE2015 11

Matching Funds activities

OnMarch21,2015,McKeesportBranch77wasaproudsponsorofSerraCatholicHighSchool’sCabaretShow.ThecabaretshowwasheldbymembersofSerraCatholic’sTri-MMusicHonorSociety.Tri-M,orModernMusicMasters,isanationalhonorsocietywithspecificcriteriaformembership.Tri-Mmembersplannedtheevent,workedbackstage,andtookcareofsnacksanddesserts.Alloftheproceedsfromthe cabaret showwent toward theSerraCatholicMusicDepartmenttohelptheMarchingBand,ConcertBandandEagleChoirobtainnewequipmentandmusic.

Weweretreatedtoaneveningoffineentertainment,includingrockandroll,instrumentals,danceandsongsfrompopularmusicals.

CassandraLynnFedor,memberofBranch77(grand-daughter of IreneFedor, Branch 77VicePresident andnieceofJudyFedor,Branch77RecordingSecretaryandPittsburghDistrictPresident)isSerraCatholic’sTri-MPresi-dent.TheTri-MofficerswereinstrumentalinplanningtheprogramalongwithMs.ElizabethHazlett,ChapterAdvisorandheadoftheMusicDepartment.CassierecognizedtheFCSLAforoursponsorshipandprovidedaspecialtableforourofficersandmembers.Weareproudtosponsorsuchafinegroupoftalentedstudents.

Ms. Hazlett, Tri-M Members, FCSLA Officers and Branch Members.

Serra Catholic Tri-M officers: Jazmine Kennedy, Vice Presi-dent; Alexandra Astle, Historian; Cassie Fedor, President; Clarissa Moore, Secretary; Lydia Fennesy, Treasurer; Ms. Elizabeth Hazlett, Chapter Advisor.

Cassie Fedor

St. Anne’s Day Celebration in IllinoisChicago/IN-Joliet/WIMembers–St.Anne’sDay

CelebrationonMonday,July27,2015atSt.CatherineofAlexandriaParish,10621S.Kedvale,OakLawn,IL.

Coffeeandrollswillbeservedat10:00a.m.intheparishhallwithMassat11:00a.m.andtheluncheonatGardenChaletat12:30p.m.at11000S.Ridgeland,ChicagoRidge,IL.

Thecostis$25perperson.Contactyourrespec-tiveBranchOfficer formoredetails.RSVPsduenolaterthanMonday,July17,2015toBranchOfficers.

12 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

Clarkson Branch W080 Honors 50-Year Members

BranchW080,Clarkson,NEheldabreakfastmeetingatSt. JohnNeumannSchool andhonored their 50-yearmembers.Doorprizesweregivenawayandmembersspenttimesocializingwithoneanother.

Members, guests and others enjoying breakfast.

50 year member renee C. Brabec, center, was honored at the breakfast. To her left is Sharon M. Bos, W080 Secretary and to her right, Don vrbicky, W080 President.

Annual Spring Sausage SupperBranchW006,

located at HolyTrinityParishHeunin rural Clarkson,NE, held their an-nual spring sau-sagesupperfollow-ingthe5p.m.Masscelebrated by Fr.LeoRigatuso.Fol-lowingthedeliciousmeal prepared bytheHolyTrinityAl-tarSociety,BranchPresident GeneSobatareviewedthepastyearafterwhichBranchSecre-taryRolandSvecpresentedachecktoDelwinHegemann,presidentoftheHowellsCommunityCatholicSchoolsBoardofEducation inappreciationforthecommunity’sCatholiceducation.Mr.Hegemann,inhisremarkswhileacceptingthe check, said that the donation is greatly appreciatedandthankedBranchW006fortheircontinuedsupportandstatedthatthemoneywillgotowardupgradingtheschoolstechnologycapability.LizFaltysandDavidYostenweretherecipientsoftwofruitbasketsgivenasdoorprizescourtesyofthebranch.

roland Svec, Branch W006 Secretary presenting Howells Community Catho-lic Schools President Delvin Hegemann a monetary donation.

W006 Spring attendees enjoying the sausage supper.

JUNE2015 13

Strikes All Around!MattandBillyHibbard,thirdandfourthgenerationmem-

bersofBranch376inMilwaukee,WIrecentlyeachbowledan800seriesinathree-weekwindow.Mattrolledan814atJay’sLanesinMukwonagoonDecember20,2014.ThenbrotherBillyrecordedhisfirst800series,an821onJanuary10,2015andbecamethefirstofthebrotherstorecorda300game.Theirfather,MukwonagoHighSchoolbowlingcoachRalphHibbard,shota300ofhisownonDecember10,oneof12inhiscareertoaccompanyfive800series.Theirmom,Danielle, is in theMilwaukeeCityWomen’sBowlingHallofFameandisthedaughterofDaroldDobs,theformerexecutivedirectoroftheAmericanBowlingCon-gress.Anywayyousliceit,theFirstFamilyofBowlinginMukwonagohasbeenonahotstreak.BillyandMattfollowedintheirparents’footstepsrightintothebowlingalley.TheirgrandmotherCarolHibbardisalsoamemberofBranch376.Congratulationstoall!

National Honor Society InductionCharlene JoyWestfall

(J1,Cleveland,OH),daugh-ter of Bryan and DonnaWestfall (S522), was in-ducted into the NationalHonor Society atAuroraHighSchoolinAurora,OH.Shealso recently receivedthe title ofMissTeenOhiofor Captivating Pageants.Charlenewillattendthena-tionalMissTeenCaptivatingpageant inColumbus,OHin September.A 5th gen-erationmember,she is thegranddaughter of Joseph(S522)andCharmaine(S1)Mandula. CongratulationsCharlene!

Billy (left) and Matt Hibbard (right), members of the Mukwo-nago High School bowling team, both rolled an 800 series in a three-week window. Their dad, ralph (center), is the coach of the MHS bowling team.

Brothers Perform in Living Stations of the CrossAlex(13),Ryan(10)andKyle(6)Grabowskimembers

ofJ202allrecentlyperformedintheLivingStationsoftheCrossatOurLadyofGraceChurch,Greensburg,PAwiththeirUnclePatsyZello.

FCSLA is Made PROUD!IrvingBerlinwrote “Sisters,Sisters therewerenever

such devoted sisters.”What betterway to describe the‘service’providedbytheMiklovicsistersofSt.LouisBranchS101.Ann,VicePresidentofS101,wasmarriedlastfallandpresentlyworksasateacher’saidfortheSt.LouisPublicSchoolDistrict.LeahwhoearnedherPostGraduateDegreelastfallinEnvironmentalManagementispresentlymarriedtoasailorintheUSNavyaboardtheUSSGarypatrollinginCentralAmerica.Margaret,TreasurerofS101,wasinductedlastfallintotheMissouriSouthernCollegeUniversityAthleticHall of Fame.Margaretworks for theKirkwoodMissouriSchoolDistrict.EachdaughterofJosephMiklovic,SecretaryofS101,hasbeenamulti-recipientofaFSCLAscholarship!

14 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

ElizabEth NEri, S281ElizabethA.“Betty”Neri,88,ofTorrington,CT,diedDecember

26,2014.ShewasthebelovedwifeofthelateAmerico“Ted”Neri.Mrs.NeriwasborninTorringtononJune11,1926,daughterofthelateAndrewandAnna(Koval)TomalaandhadbeenalifelongTor-ringtonresident.ShewasanactivelifelongcommunicantofSacredHeartChurch,servingasatrusteeoftheChurch,amemberoftheAltarSociety,choir,andvolunteeratmanyChurchfunctions.Shealsoenjoyedcookingandbakingforfamilyandfriends.Survivorsincludethreesons,PhilipJ.Neriandhiswife,HelenTyczenskiofHopkinton,MA,MarkD.Neriandhiswife,Karen,andBarryF.Neri,allofTorrington;asister,MaryT.TomalaofTorrington;twogranddaughters, two step-granddaughters; and several niecesandnephews.Memorial contributionsmaybemade toSacredHeartChurch,c/oThePastoralCenter,160MainSt.,Torrington,CT06790.

robErt F. McardlE, SzJ0RobertF.McArdle,age93,ofColfaxTwp.

nearElkton,MI,diedFebruary2,2015.HewasbornDecember 20, 1921 at the homeof hisparents,thelateJosephandLouise(Roestel)McArdleinChandlerTwp.Bobgrewuponthefamily farmand graduated from theMaxwellCountrySchool.HeworkedasamechanicatseveralgaragesandthentookajobatActiveIndustries,Elktonasa truck driver, retiring in1982.OnFebruary8,1947,hewasunited in

marriagetoDorothyLeckenbyatSacredHeartCatholicChurchandtheymadetheirhomeonafarminColfaxTwp.WhileatActiveIndustries,Bobcontinuedfarmingandalwaysconsideredhimselfafarmer.HewasamemberofSacredHeartCatholicChurchandtheBadAxeKnightsofColumbus.Survivingarehiswifeof68years,Dorothy;adaughter,Linda(Dale)OeschgerofBayPort;daughter-in-law,MarlaMcArdleofHolt; fourgrandchildren; twogreat-grandchildren,andthreesisters.Precedinghimindeathwashisson,Dennis;fourbrothersandtwosisters.MemorialgiftsmaybedirectedtohischurchorRelayforLife.

aNN F. SulEk, W500AnnF.Sulek,95,passedawayonFebruary

7,2015inOwosso,MI.AnnwasbornAugust11,1919inOwossotoAntonandMarie(Janicek)Ozvalda.Annwas amember ofMary of theImmaculateConceptionChurchinSt.Charles,theAltarSocietyandSaginawCountyLeagueofCatholicWomen.SheworkedatRedmond’sinOwossoinheryoungeryearsandretiredfromSaginawSteeringGear.ShemarriedEugene

A.SulekonJuly3,1943.HewaskilledinWorldWarII.ShethenmarriedLeonardB.SulekonMay1,1948atSt.JosephChurchinOwosso.LeonardprecededherinApril2005.Survivingareadaughter,CandaceL.SulekofCorunna;asister,MariePanikofEastLansing,abrother,Joseph(Kathleen)OzwaldaofCorunna;severallovingnieces,nephews,theirfamiliesandseveralfriends.Shewasalsoprecededby threesistersand twobrothers,andtwin infant sons,Robert andRichard in 1949.Memorialsmay

bemadetoMaryoftheImmaculateConceptionChurch,HartleyOutdoorEducationCenter,ThePolkaPalace-WOESRadiooryourfavoritecharity.

ShirlEy W. tkach, S414Mrs.ShirleyW.Tkach,80,formerlyofLehighton,PApassed

awayFebruary8.ShewasthewidowofGeorgeF.TkachJr.,whopassedawayonAugust 27, 2014.Prior to retiring, shewasacafeteriaworkerforover25yearsfortheLehightonAreaSchoolDistrict.BorninLehighton,shewasadaughterofthelateHarryandIrene(Brown)Walck.ShewasamemberofSS.PeterandPaulCatholicChurch,Lehighton.Inhersparetime,sheenjoyed,baking,crosswordpuzzles,readingandtripstotheshore.Shecherishedherlovingfamilyandgrandchildrenandenjoyedattendingmanyoftheirsportingevents.Survivingaretwosons,BernardM.,andhiswife,DeborahG.,andTimothyM.,andhiswife,JaneS.,bothofLehighton;sixgrandchildren,fivegreat-grandchildren;andniecesandnephews.Shewasalsopredeceasedbytwosistersandthreebrothers.ContributionsinhernamemaybemadetotheAlzheimer’sFoundationofAmerica,Dept.3,322EighthAve.,SeventhFloor,NewYork,NY10001,ortoacharityofone’schoice.

Victor krEhlik, W121VictorR.Krehlik,Sr., 81, diedFebruary 8, 2015, inMinot,

ND.HewasbornDecember18,1933,asonofJosephandVic-toria(Kostelecky)KrehlikonthefamilyfarmnearSouthHeart.In1954,VictorenlistedintotheUnitedStatesArmyandservedhiscountryinStuttgart,Germany,priortohishonorabledischargein1956.OnOctober5,1959,Victorwasunitedinmarriagetotheloveofhislife,StephanieAnnSchwindt,Killdeer.ThecouplelivedinFargo,NewEnglandandDickinson, beforemoving toMinotin1966.HeworkedattheMinotAirForceBaseretiringin1998.VictorwasamemberofOurLadyofGrace,whereheservedasanusher,moneycounterandwasactivewiththefoodpantry.HewasalsoaFourthDegreeKnight.Victor issurvivedbyhisson,Victor(Sandra)KrehlikJr.,Riverdale;twodaughters,Karen(Jim)Johnson,Minot,andCindyBader,Minot;his7grandchildrenand3great-grandchildren.Victorwasprecededindeathbyhisparents;andhiswife,Stephanie.MemorialsmaybegiveninVictor’shonortotheOurLadyofGraceFoodPantry.

MargarEt boroWSki, S283MargaretVoytkoBorowski,94,formerlyof

Taylor,PA,diedFebruary13,2015.ShewasthewidowofJosephJ.Borowski,whodiedFebru-ary23,1998.BorninTayloronApril25,1920,shewasthedaughterofthelateStephenandSusanMigashVoytko.Beforeretiring,shewasemployedatHy-GradePants,Taylor.MargaretwasaparishionerofDivineMercyParishandSt.JohntheBaptistChurch,Taylor,beforeitsclosing,AmalgamatedClothingWorkersUnion,

theFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationandtheYMSClubofTaylor.Survivingareason,JosephP.anddaughter-in-law,Donna,Dupont;cousins,nieces,nephews,grandniecesandgrandneph-ews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.MemorialcontributionsmaybemadetoDivineMercyParish,312DavisSt.,Scranton,PA18505.

JUNE2015 15

StEphEN EugENE durSa, S141StephenEugeneDursa,age67,beloved

sonofVictoria(neeUhlik)andMichaelDursa(bothdeceased)diedonDecember24,2014underHospice at theBroadviewMulti-CareFacility inParma,OH,where hewas a tenyearresident.

He is survived by his brotherRaymond(Bernice).HewasadearuncleofChristopher

(Nicole) and LynnBandsuh (James).Hewas a loving great-uncleofDonovan,JakeandLukeBandsuh.StephenwasalifememberofKnightofColumbusGarfieldHeightsCouncilandamemberoftheHolyNameChurch,Cleveland,OH.Previouslyhewasalong-timememberoftheBVMChurchonAetnaRoadinCleveland,OH.Inlieuofflowers,thefamilyprefersmemorialcontributionstoContinuumCareHospice,12380PlazaDr.,Suite102,Parma,OH.

ErNESt brodEcky, W006ErnestBrodecky,91,ofHowells,NE,died

December30,2014.HeattendedHowellsHighSchool.ErnieenlistedintheUnitedStatesArmy,servinginthePacificTheaterduringWorldWarIIwiththeRedStarDivisioninthePhilippines,ChinaandKorea.OnAugust27,1947,heandMargueriteCaseywereunitedinmarriageatSt.Augustine’sCatholicChurchinSchuyler.They

livedandfarmedtheBrodeckyHomestead,whichwastheonlyplaceErnieeverlived.

ErniewasalifetimememberofHolyTrinityCatholicChurchofHeunwhereheusheredformanyyearsandservedasatrustee.Heissurvivedbyhiswifeof67years,MargueriteBrodeckyofHowells;threedaughters,MaryClaire (Larry)CernyofClarkson, Janice(Jerry)WaltonofLincolnandMargueriteAnn“Marty”(Rich)CoufalJr.ofHowells;daughter-in-law,Ann(Lonnie)Brodecky-SeyboldofNorthBend;13grandchildren;21great-grandchildren.Hewaspre-cededindeathbyhisparents;son,ErnieFrancisBrodecky(2002);andthreesisters,BlancheBacal,AliceTullyandHelenBrodecky.

aNNa M. gaNtErt, SzJ0AnnaM.Gantert,87,ofSandyHook,CTcherishedwifeof64

yearstothelateHaroldE.Gantert,diedpeacefullyonJanuary29,2015.ShewasborninDanburyonOctober1,1927,daughterofthelatePeterJ.andAnna(Travoska)Burns.ShewasagraduateofDanburyHighSchool,andbecameaRegisteredNursethroughSt.Vincent’sHospital.AnnaretiredfromPediatricAssociatesandalsoenjoyedworkingintheDanburyHospitalORandforGlenHill.Alov-inghomemaker,Annawashappiestspendingtimewithherfamily,andbeingactivewithhergrandchildrenandgreat-grandchildren.

Annawillbesadlymissedbyhertwosons,JosephE.Gantertandhiswife,PatriciaofSandyHook,andHaroldD.Gantertandhiswife,AmyofNewMilford;her threegrandchildren,AmandaBeers and her husband,Tim, Lianne Jacob and her husband,Scott,JosephE.Gantert,Jr.andhiswife,Stacy;hertwogreat-grandchildren,MorganandAlexa.She is also survivedby herbrother,JosephJ.Burnsandhiswife,Midge.

patricia aNN ourS, S278PatriciaAnnOurs,59,ofBuckhannon,WV

diedJanuary4,2015,inSt.Joseph’sHospitalinBuckhannon.ShewasbornNovember19,1955,inPittsburgh,PA,adaughterofthelateJohna-thanandPaulineKonkolStibrik.OnOctober6,2001,shemarriedRonaldE.Ours,whosurvives.Inaddition toherhusband,shewassurvivedbythreesons,BradOursofElkins,ChristopherTatraiofMunhall,PA,andKevinOursandwife,

Ashley,ofFrenchCreek;sevendaughters,KerriOursofElkins,MelissaBayatiandhusband,Mike,andHollyTatrai,allofMunhall,PA,AmandaWalshofBuckhannon,StephanieWalterandhusband,Denver,ofSnowshoe,JessicaCrowellandhusband,Anthony,ofBuckhannonandCaraBelgradeofSnowshoe;ninegrandchildren;twobrothers, JohnathanandJimmy;and threesisters,Franny,MarieandJeanne.

bErNard blaSko, S111Bernard “Ben”Blaskodiedpeacefullyon

January6,2015,attheageof63.Benissur-vivedbyhisdaughter,Keely(Kasey)McIntyre;sister,BerniceBlasko(WilliamSchmidt);broth-er,Robert(Barb)BlaskoJr.;andthreegrand-sons.Hewasprecededindeathbyhisparents,Robert Sr. andEllen (Yetsconish) Blasko ofCharleroi.BenwasbornonNovember14,1951,

inCharleroitoBobandEllenBlasko.HegraduatedfromCharleroiAreaHighSchoolin1969andCaliforniaUniversityofPennsylvaniain1973.Hetaughtindustrialartsforseveralyearsbeforepursuinghiscareerasakitchendesignerandsalesmanager.LovedonesrememberBenasakindheartedinspirationwhoradiatedloveandindomitableoptimism.Heencouragedotherstolivelifefully,andheledbyexample.BenwasanavidfanofPittsburghPenguinshockey,PennStatefootball,andhisgrandsons’soccerendeavors.

dElorES ricE, S376Delores“Toni”Rice,age84,ofClintonville,

WI passed away on January 11, 2015.TheformerDeloresEleanor Blazekwas born onOctober7,1930toAntoneandLucille(Phillips)Blazek.ShegraduatedfromOcontoFallsHighSchoolandthenwentontoTeacher’sCollegeinMarinette.Toniwas united inmarriage onNovember10,1950toEugeneJ.RiceinMilwau-kee.ThecouplesettledinClintonville in1964wheretheyraisedeightchildren.Shedrovebus

fortheClintonvilleSchoolDistrictfor17years,butshewasmostproudofbeingahomemaker.ShewasamemberofSt.RoseCath-olicChurchandtheClintonvilleCommunityPlayers.HerbiggestrolewasstarringasAuntEllerinthemusicalOklahoma.Survivorsincludeherhusbandof64years,Gene,andeightchildren,Sue(Dale)StoltmanofCamdenton,MO,Bill(Debra)RiceofAppleton,Patrick(Connie)RiceofShiocton,Yvonne(Joel)RiesenbergofSymco,Michael (Linda)RiceofWaukesha,Dion(Sharon)RiceofTwinLakes,Kathy(Dave)YoungofNewLondon,andDorothy

Continued on Page 16

16 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

(Kevin)YoungofBlackCreek.Thereare21grandchildrenand26great-grandchildren.Toniisprecededindeathbyherparents,ateenagedaughter,Colleen,asister,ShirleyOleck,andonegreatgranddaughter.

hElEN a. lakota, S53HelenA.Lakota(neeTrizna),age97,passedawayonDecem-

ber16,2014.HelenwasbornonNovember12,1917,inJoliet,ILtothelateJosephandAnnaTrizna.Adoredbyherfourchildren,Lou (Mary Fran), Jerry (Marge), Barb (Mike) Ludwick, Karen(Paul)McDermott;sadlymissedby16grandchildren;23preciousgreat-grandchildren;onegreat-great-grandchild.Waiting joyfullyforherinheavenisherbelovedhusband,LouisJ.Lakota(1984);parents,JosephandAnna(neeSmego)Trizna;onedaughterininfancy,Mary;brothers,Joseph(Cecilia)Trizna,Anton(Josephine)Trizna,Rudolph(Helen)(Rose)Trizna,RaymondTrizna;onegrand-daughter,CherylThomas;andonegreat-granddaughter,HannahLudwick.Shesupportedherhusband inhisbusinessatLakotaJewelersfor35years.Helenwasamemberofthechoir,AltarandRosarySociety,MedicalMission,Joanites,andMothersClubatSt.MaryNativity;aswellasamemberoftheSeniorsClubofJoliet,anAuxiliaryatNorthwestRecreationClubandanAuxiliaryatOurLadyofAngelsNursingHome.

cathEriNE koVal VaSko, SzJ0CatherineKovalVasko, 97, passedawayatEllisHospital,

onJanuary7,2015.Born inNorthTarrytown,NY,shewas thedaughterofthelateCharlesandAnnaVargaKoval.AgraduateofNorthTarrytownHighSchool,shewasemployedasasecretaryatSchenectadyCountyCommunityCollege.ShewasamemberofOurLadyofMountCarmelChurchandapastmemberofSts.CyrilandMethodiousChurchwheresheservedontheAltarRo-sarySociety.Shewaspredeceasedbyherhusband,FerdinandP.Vasko,of40years,whomshemarriedonJuly20,1946;brothers,Michael,Joseph,Charles,John,George,William,Edward,Walter,andJosephKoval;sisters,AnnaandAgnesKoval,MaryHandzo,HelenDeMilia,andDorothyCapossela.Catherineissurvivedbyher sons,William (PhyllisDiMeo)VaskoofRotterdam,Robert(Nadine)VaskoofNiskayuna;anddaughter,KathleenVaskoofNiskayuna; grandchildren, Sara andKatherineVasko; specialfriends,CarrieandKaren;andseveralniecesandnephews.ThosewhowishtorememberCatherineinaspecialwaymaymakeacontributiontoOurLadyofMountCarmelChurch,1255PleasantSt.,Schenectady,NY12303.

SaMaNtha “SaMMiE” ENglErt, S90Samantha “Sammie” Englert, age 23,

passed away on January 12, 2015, at herresidence.LovingdaughterofJosephandAmy(Staats)Englert;dearsisterofKyleandDrewEnglert;granddaughterofWayneM.Staats,andthelateJudyStaats,CarlandPatriciaEnglert;

sheisalsosurvivedbymanyotherlovingfamilymembers.Sam-miewasamemberofTrinityTowersUnitedMethodistChurchinPennHillsandenjoyedworkingatMilestoneCentersInc.,whereshewillbedeeplymissedbyhermanyfriendsshemadeatwork.Inlieuofflowers,donationsmaybemadetoMilestoneCenters,Inc.,600RossAve.,Pittsburgh,PA15221.

ElMa garbiEr, SzJ0ElmaGarbier,95ofCarroll,IAdiedJanuary

19,2015.BornonJune11,1919atAlcester,SD,ElmawasthedaughterofArloandLenna(Young)Swanson.ShegraduatedfromAlcesterHighSchoolandlaterfromYanktonCollegeinYankton,SD.OnMay27,1942shewasunitedinmarriagetoStephenAndrewGarbieratYank-ton,SD.BothElmaandStevewereemployed

atKuemperCatholicHighSchoolformanyyears,retiringtogetherin1980.Duringherretirementyears,Mrs.GarbierwasinvolvedinmanyorganizationsvolunteeringandalsoactivewithSt.LawrenceParishasaEucharisticMinisterandLadiesGuild.

Elmaissurvivedbyherchildren:ElmaHeidemannandherhusbandGusofOttawa,Ontario,Canada,AnneLofboomandherhusbandTomofStillwater,MN,MaryChapmanandherhus-bandArtofEagleGrove,NancyTrueandherhusbandSteveofWauwatosa,WI,andSteveGarbierandhiswifeJeanofBoston,MA;her14grandchildren;herthreestep-grandchildren;andhersixgreat-grandchildren.Herparents,andherhusbandStephen,precededherindeath.

lEroy horiNEk, W074LeRoyJosephHorinekwasbornonMay6,1934,inAtwood,

KS.HepassedawayonJanuary24,2015,inOberlin,KS.Hewasprecededindeathbyhisparents,AntonandHenrietta(Kacirek)Horinekandsister,DorettaSappenfield.Heleavesbehindhiswifeof35years,LaRue(Fikan)ofAtwoodandtwobrothers,RamonandAnthonyHorinek;fourchildren,DeborahHorinekKompusandhusband,Al,DouglasHorinekandwife,Deanna,DianneHorinekKuglerandhusband,MikeandDavid (Wiener)Horinek.LeRoyhad11grandchildrenand21great-grandchildren.MemorialsmaybemadetoSt.John’sChurchincareofBrianKoprivainLeRoy’sname.

patricia “patty” rEMiaS, S161Patricia“Patty”Remias,60,diedFebruary

1, 2015 following a brief battlewith pancre-atic cancer.Pattywasborn July18, 1954, inYoungstown,toEdwardandTheresa(Gombida)Oravec.ShewasagraduateofCardinalMooneyHighSchoolandbeganhercareerasamachineoperatorforGeneralElectric.PattyworkedfortheCityofCanfieldasapolicedispatcher for27 years until retiring inMay of 2014. Patty

wasamemberofSt.MichaelChurch,aEucharisticministerandasecretaryfortheCanfieldJuniorWomen’sLeague.

Pattyissurvivedbyherhusband,HowardRemias,whomshemarriedonDecember18,1980;herson,Jason(Sara)BennettofColumbus; a stepdaughter, Julie (John)RaadofOrlando; astepson,Mark(Jennifer)RemiasofDebary,FL;abrother,JeffreyE. (Terry)OravecofWoodstock,GA;abelovedaunt,FlorenceLuginbillofPoland;andthreegrandchildren.Shewasprecededindeathbyherparents.Material tributesmay take the formofdonationstoSt.MichaelChurch,350N.BroadSt.,Canfield,OH44406,ortothefamily.

JUNE2015 17

Eagle Scout Tyler Ray Bailey of Branch 56, glassport, PATyler ray Bailey,

of Branch 56,Glass-port,PA, received thehighest rank in BoyScouts and becameanEagleScoutonOc-tober 27, 2014. OnMarch29,2014,Tyler’sfamily and friendsas-sembledataNationalCourtofHonortopres-enthimwithhisEagleAward.TylerwasbornonDecember4,1996andbeganhisscoutingcareerwithCubScout Pack 316 sponsored by theRockBranch IndependentChurch inRockBranch,WV.He advanced fromTiger,Wolf, Bear, and 1stYearWebelos,whereheattendedmanyCamporeesalongtheway.He joinedPoca’sPack162,sponsoredbythePocaMethodistChurchwhereheadvancedtoa2ndYearWebelosandcrossedovertobecomeaBoyScoutwithTroop236,sponsoredbyForrestBurdetteUnitedMethodistChurchinHurricane,WV.TylerhasbeenwithTroop236since that timeandadvancedthroughtheranksofTenderfoot,FirstClass,SecondClass,Star,Life,andnowthehighestpositionofEagleScout.HeheldleadershippositionsasaTroopPatrolLeader,QuartermasterandJr.AssistantScoutmaster.Tyler’s EagleScout project consisted of planning,designing, and constructing amemorialwalkway inthefrontentranceofSt.Patrick’sCatholicChurch,inBancroft,WV.AsanEagleScout,TylerhasassumedasolemnobligationtodohisdutytoGod,tocountry,andtohisfellowScoutsforthecommongoodofsociety.

TylerisanactivememberofSt.Patrick’sCatholicChurch inBancroft,WV,where he has assisted tocompleteupgradeprojects for thechurchunder thedirectionofFatherJosephTuscan.TyleristhesonofTerryandLisaBailey,ofPoca,WV,andhisgrandpar-entsareEdwardandJoanMauritz,ofGlassport,PA.Tylertakesgreatprideinhistoys—histruckandJeep,andheenjoyshunting,fishing,ridinghisfourwheeler,playingguitar,andworkingwithhisdad in the lawnand landscapingbusinessduring thesummer.TylerisamemberoftheNationalHonorSociety,WVStateChampionshipShowChoir-StageCrewManager,andLinkCrewathisHighSchool.TylerplanstopursueacareerinCivilEngineeringthisFall.

Slovak Heritage Group Meetings Schedule for 2015

TheWPSCAwillpresenttheSlovakHeritageProgramsonthefirstMondayeveningofeachmonthfrom7-9p.m.attheMountLebanonPublicLibrary,16CastleShannonBlvd.,Mt.Lebanon,PA15228;phone(412)531-1912.It’sfreeforbothmembersandnon-members.Theagendaisasfollows:k October 5 — SuMMer SCHOOL In SLOvAKIA:

BethanyKaylor,the2014WPSCAScholarshipwinner,willtellusaboutherexperiencesattendingthesummerlanguageandcultureclassesatComeniusUniversity inBratislava.SinceBethanyisstillastudentattheUniversityofOregon,shehaspreparedavideoofherexperiences.k november 2 — SLOvAK MuSIC AnD SOnGS:

JerryJumba,thefamousSlovakmusician,willbebacktopresenthistranslationofSlovaksongs.Hispreviouspre-sentationinFebruary2013,wascutshortbyasnowstorm.

Easter Bunny Visits ResidentsBrittany Hickman,

memberofBranch111,Charleroi, PA as the“EasterBunny”madeavisit to the residents ofaMentalHealthHome.Theresidentswerehap-py to see the “EasterBunny” as they wereentertained and eachmemberreceivedaspe-cialEasterBagfilledwithgoodiesandgiftsmadeby Jan Hickman a Sr.Branch 111member.Agoodtimewashadbyall.

Attention!If you would like to receive Fraternally Yours by email instead of through the mail please return this form to the attention of Marie Golias at the Home Office.

name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: _______________ State_____ Zip _______

email Address: ___________________________

You will begin to receive Fraternally Yours by email as soon as the changes can be made.

18 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

WhatSlovakiacametobeknownforintheworldeveninthepastwasitsmineralspringsandthermalwater.Moreandmoreforeignguestsarecomingtoourhealingspasinsearchof health andbeauty.Theoffer of health-restoringandrecreationalstaysor“wellnesstreatment”isreallywide.

TheSlovakspatownbestknownintheworldisPiešťany.This,thesunniestspainSlovakiaissituatedinawidevalleyontheleftbankoftheRiverVáh,ontheSpaIsland.Thefirstwrittenmentionofwarmwatersbubblinguponthebankoftheriverandtheircurativeeffectsdatesfrom1549,butitissaid,andwebelieveittobetrue,thataslongastwothousandyearsagoRomansoldiersfromthenearbycampinTrenčíntookad-vantageofthebeneficialeffectsofPiešťany’swater.Severaldecadeslaterpeoplealreadyknewofthehealingeffectofmudonsciatica.Periodsofstayforthepurposeofcurativetreat-menttookplacehereonlyaftertheconstructionofthebrickClassicalbuildingwithtubbathsin1822.ThisisnowcalledNapoleonskékúpele.Piešťanyearneditsreputationasaninternationalspatownonlyinthe20thcentury,whenaluxuryArtNouveauhotelwasbuilt—ThermiaPalace,withtheIrmabathsandtheProPatriathermaltreatmentcomplex.Piešťanywasgrantedthestatuteofaspatownin1965.SubsequentlyamodernspacomplexknownastheBalneaCentrewasbuiltontheSpaIsland.Thesymbolofthespaisamanbreakingacrutch,whichindicatesthatthespafocusesonthetreatmentofmotorsystemdiseases,arthritis, inflammatorydiseasesof thecentralnervoussystem, treatmentafter injuriesandorthopaedicoperations.Thethermalwaterhereistakenfrom12springs.Itishot,hypotonicwaterwithamediummineralcontent,whichgushesupfromfaultsintheEarth’scrustatadepthofabout2000metres.Thetemperatureofthewaterinthespringis67-69degreesC.Piešťany’ssulphurmudisoneofthebestqualitypeloidsintheworld.

The oldest spa inSlovakia isBardejovskéKúpele.Awrittenrecordthathassurvivedfrom1247alreadymentionsBardejov’s curativewater and from1505we know that 6bathingcubicleswereerectedbeside themineralsprings.Theoldestspabuildingweknowofwasbuilt in1777andBardejov can pride itself on having the oldest spa park,covering 300 hectares,whose picturesque nooksmergeintowoodedparklandand forestsmainly of pine trees. In

spiteofthefactthatthespadidnothavehotsprings,itwasvisitedbymonarchsandmembersof thearistocracy.Theemperor’sdaughter,MáriaLuisa,washerefortreatmentin1821,alsotheRussiantsarAlexanderandempressEliza-beth,wifeofFrancisJosephI,whospentawholemonthinBardejovin1895.Weareremindedofhervisitnotonlybythespringnamedafterher,butalsobyastatueinfrontofthesanatoriumbearinghername.Inthesecondhalfofthe19thcenturyBardejovismentionedasthemostclimaticspawithmineralwater.Inthesameperiodtheyalsobuiltthelargestspahotel,theneo-ClassicalAstoriawithitsrichArtNouveaudecorationand60rooms.ModernizationandnewbuildingscametoBardejovspainthe1960s,whenthemonumentalcolonnade, balneotherapy centrewith a polyclinic andanindoorpool,newsanatoriumsandhotelsappeared.Tencoldhypotonichealingspringsareusedfordrinkingcures,inhala-tions,compressesandhydrotherapytocuredisordersofthedigestivesystem,metabolism,glandswithinternalsecretion,kidneysandurinarytract.

Theyoungestspa town inSlovakia isDudince. In thesouthernpartofcentralSlovakia,atthebottomoftheKru-pinská kotlinabasin, it is oneof thewarmest parts of thecountry.Althoughreportsfrom1549oftheamazingwatersin theHungarian kingdomalreadymentionDudince, andwrittendocumentsfromtheperioddescribetheplacewherethespringsaretobefoundasameadowquitecoveredwithmineralwaterrisingfromtravertineheaps,Dudince’sacidu-louswaterwasfirstusedmorefordrinkingthanforbathingcures.Thefirstsanatoriumwithtubbathswasbuiltherein1951.Since1983,whenDudincewasgranteditsstatuteasaspa,ithasbeguntooperateatfullcapacityintwocomplexbalneo-centres,RubínandSmaragd,whilethesewerelaterjoined byKrištáľ andDiamant and the reconstructed spaguesthouseAchát.Coldandlukewarmmineralwaterwithatemperatureofupto30degreesCisusedinDudinceforthetreatmentofdiseasesof themotorsystem, rheumaticdis-eases,Bekhterev’sdisease,nervousdisordersanddiseasesoftheheartandbloodvessels.ExpertscomparetheuniquechemicalcompositionofDudince’swateranditsbeneficialeffectsonpeople’shealthtothosetobefoundintheFrenchspaofVichy.

The Best Spas

JUNE2015 19

AsisnotedinthesummaryofourFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociation’shistory,ourorganizationwasstartedinthe1890’stomakeprovisionsforthefrequentdeathsandinjuriesresultingfromthehazardsandtollofindustriallaborespeciallyintheminesandsteelmillswheresomanyofthosefirstSlovakimmigrantslabored.Manyofouroldermembershaveworkedinthesteelmillsorhadfamilymemberswhodid.Butformanyofouryoungermembersthesearejuststo-riestheymighthaveheardfromtheirgrandparentsorevengreat-grandparents.ThatiswhyI,asBranch161’sauditorandpresidentoftheAmericanSlovakCulturalAssociationoftheMahoningValley,wantedtodosomethingtolettheyoungergenerationsseewhatthoseimmigrantgenerationsand theirdescendentswent through toprovide themwiththelifetheynowhave.In2008whilestudyingSlovakattheUniversityofPittsburgh’sSummerLanguageInstituteIhadtheopportunitytoseeaperformanceofAndyWolk’splay,Out of This Furnace,whichhadnotbeenperformedsinceitwaswritteninthe1970’s.

Theplay isbasedon thebookof thesamenamebyThomasBellwhichwaswrittenin1941.ItisthestoryofthreegenerationsofanimmigrantSlovakandRusynfamily,theDobrejčaksandspansalmost40yearsfrom1881tothemid1930s.Theplay’smainactioncentersontheirworkintheBraddockandHomesteadsteelmillsinPennsylvaniabutistrulythestoryofalltheimmigrantfamilieswhostruggledtosurviveintheoftendangerousandunforgivingsteelindustrybeforetherewereunionsorsafetymeasuresandwhentheworkweekcouldbe7daysand96hourslongforapayof13dollars.

IfeltlikeIwassittingatmygrandparent’skitchentablelisteningtothemtalkaboutthe“olddays”andwantedverymuchtoseethisplayproducedinYoungstown.Itwasalmost7yearsbeforethisdreamcametrue.FromFebruary26thtoMarch1stofthisyeartheTheaterDepartmentofYoungstownStateUniversitysawtheculminationofalmosttwoyearsofworktobringthisplaytothestage.WiththehardworkofDr.ScottIrelan,departmentchair,whojumpedintomakethisproductionareality,LoriFactor,AssistantDirectorofthePerformingArtSeries,NancyWolfgang,thedirector,somany

otherswhoworkedonsets, lighting,costuming,research,andmostespeciallythewonderfullytalentedY.S.U.studentswhoputtheirheartsandsoulsintothisproduction,Out of This Furnaceplayedtolargeandveryenthusiasticaudienceswhogavethecaststandingovationsaftereachperformance.

FCSLABranch161andBranch422alongwithotherSlovakgroupshelped tounderwrite theproductionof theplay.Branch161andtheAmericanSlovakCulturalAssocia-tionand theCarpathoRusynSocietyofYoungstownalsocreatedamarvelousdisplaythatgreetedtheatergoersastheyenteredBlissHallandthesethreegroupsprovidedtwodozennutkolačeforthetheaterstudentstosellwithcoffeeduring intermission to carry out theSlovak “flavor” of theperformances!Branch161alsohadthethrillofseeingTrea-surerMelanieLeonard’sdaughterTheresaplaytheroleofDortaDubik!TeresaisajunioratY.S.U.majoringinTheater.Theresa isalso thegreat-nieceofBranch161’sFinancialSecretaryBernieDemechko.TheplaywasdedicatedtothememoryofSusanJ.Summers,theco-authorofSlovaks of the Greater Mahoning Valleywhichalsohelpedunderwritethisproduction.

Watching Out of This FurnacetrulyremindedusofthekindofeventsthatledtothefoundingoftheFirstCatholicLadiesAssociationsomanyyearsago.

“Out of This Furnace” Our Immigrant StoryBy Loretta Ekoniak

20 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

OnabrightDecemberday,membersof Sr. Branch 88 ofMonessen gath-ered for their annualChristmasParty.PresidentDorothyUrbanowiczgreetedmembersastheyarrivedandcheckedinwithpartyco-chairpersonLindaOslick.Membersdepositeddonationsof non-

AnnuAl HolidAy CelebrAtion Held

Branch 88 Officers: Rev. Micah Kozoil, Chaplain; Tom Oslick, Party Chair; Linda Oslick, Co-chair; Dorothy Urbanowicz, President; Flora Funtal, Auditor; Alice Bialon, rec. Sec.; Cindy Pawelec, Audi-tor and Rosemary Betza, Jr. Fin. Sec.

perishablefooditemstobedistributedbytheHolyNameSocietyofEpiphanyofOurLordParishinHolidayfoodbaskets.

BrotherBonaventureofSt.Vincent’sgavetheinvocationwhichwasfollowedbyadeliciousdinner.Followingdinner,PresidentDorothyintroducedofficers,Rev.MicahKozoil,Chaplain;AliceBi-alon,RecordingSecretary;RosemaryBetza, Jr. Fin. Secretary and FloraFuntalandCindyPawelec,Auditors.Abriefmeeting followedandmemberswere updated on the recent bylawchangesandwere reminded tokeeptheirbeneficiariesandaddressesupto

date.Branchchaplain,Rev.MicahKo-zoilgaveabriefreminderoftheAdventSeason.Healsogavethebenediction,which followedwith the awarding ofnumerousdoorprizes.

OnbehalfoftheofficersofBranch88,DorothywishedallattendingandtheirfamiliesaBlessedChristmasandHappyNewYear.

Branch W080 Annual Buffet DinnerBranchW080,Clarkson,NEgatheredfortheirannual

ChristmasBuffetdinner.Thepastyearactivitieswere re-viewedandplansweremadeforthecomingyear.Judgingbythehappyfacesinthephotoeveryonehadawonderfultime.

11th Consular Tour to Slovakia August 23-September 2, 2015

TheSenkoshavecreatedacustomizedtourfor2015whichwilltakeparticipantsacrossSlovakiawithstaysinfirstclasshotelseachnight.InadditiontotouringmanyhistorictownsinSlovakia,famoushistoricsitesinneighboringVi-enna,AustriaandBudapest,Hungarywillalsobevisited.TheSenkos’tourofSlovakiawilltakeparticipantsfromwesttoeastthroughBratislava,theSlovakcapital;Trnava,knownasthe“LittleRome”ofthecountry;Modra,whereguestswillseeademonstrationataceramicsfactory;theworldfamousspatownofPiestany,historicBanskaBystrica,theHighTa-tras,thefamoustownofLevoca;Bardejov,whichisincludedonthelistofUNESCOWorldHeritagesites;Presov,andKosice,thesecondlargestcityinSlovakia.

Uniquetothistouris:receivingaspatreatment;attend-ingamockSlovakwedding;raftingontheDunajecRiver;severalwine tastings; andmeetingwith several Slovakdignitaries.Arrangementscanalsobemadeforparticipantstovisitrelativesorfamilytownsandvillages.(Thisisatanadditionalcost.)Foradetaileditineraryandpaymentsched-ule,contactJoeSenkoat412-956-6000or jtsenko@aol.com.AlsocontactJoeforalistofhotels,flightschedules,paymentschedule,andrestrictions.

JUNE2015 21

Historical sources state that in the past Slovakia had about 300 castles. Nowadays 168 are marked on modern maps of the country, of which 109 are registered as national cultural monuments. Our castles and castle ruins offer visitors not only forgotten, yet interesting history, but also attractive programs -- festivals, various games, competitions, knightly contests, fairs, night tours, theatre performances and concerts, as well as romantic wedding ceremonies.

One of the la rges t cas t le complexes in S l o v a k i a i s Trenčín Castle. It is the dominant landmark of the town of Trenčín and the whole of the River Váh Valley. It was built in the 11th century on the

site of a Great Moravian hill fort. It acquired its characteristic silhouette in the 13th century, during the reign of Matúš Čák, known as “the Lord of the Váh and the Tatras.” In 1790 a fire spread through the town, which also engulfed the castle. After the fire the buildings in the lower castle were partially rebuilt, but extensive reconstruction and conservation works were begun on the castle only at the end of the 1950s. The grounds of the castle contain a group of palaces (Zápoľský’s, Barbora’s, Ľudovít’s) and a striking tower 39 metres high, known as Matúšova veža, whose ground plan covers 12x12m and the thickness of the wall at the foundations is as much as 4 metres. An interesting feature of the castle is the Roman inscription from 179 AD, cut into the rock on which the castle stands. It states that the troops of the Ilnd Roman legion spent the winter here. The visitors’ attention is also drawn to the castle well, which according to the legend, was dug out by a young Turk, in order that the lord of Trenčín would free his beloved one. The castle houses exhibitions of Trenčín Museum and there is an interesting family gallery of the Illéházy family, former owners of the castle.

Gigantic underground spaces, their size and architecture making them unique in central Europe, are the attraction of one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortified buildings in Slovakia, Červený Kameň. The largest of them is 70m long and 9m high and it could be divided into several floors! Shaped like an irregular quadrangle, the castle stands out in the picturesque hills of the Little Carpathians beyond Častá and above the village of Píla (northeast of Bratislava). The most important period for the castle was in the 16th century, when it passed into the hands of the Thurzo family and later the Fuggers, who rebuilt it as a Renaissance fortress with gigantic underground storerooms. In 1588 it became the property of the Pálffy family. Thanks to them, Červený Kameň took on the form of a modern Renaissance and Baroque residence. A rarity to be found in the monumental castle is a 17th century pharmacy called Zlatý orol (Golden Eagle), which was in use until the 19th century, and a picture gallery with portraits of Maria Theresa, Francis of Lorraine and other members of renowned aristocratic families. What is untraditional is the positioning of a beautiful salla terrena dated 1656 facing the inner courtyard and not opening into the park. After demanding and costly repairs the castle is now once more open to the public. Its interiors house several interesting thematic exhibitions which belong to the Slovak National Museum, a rare collection of historical furniture, pictures, oriental carpets, ceramics, porcelain, faïence and arms.

The greatest tourist attraction in Orava is Orava Castle (Oravský

hrad). Overlooking the town of Oravský Podzámok, it is situated in north-west Slovakia on the important long-distance route from Poland through Slovakia to Austria and Hungary. This masterpiece by medieval builders is amazingly perched on a steep rocky limestone cliff rising almost verti-cally for 112 metres above the River Orava. The castle was built on the high terraces of the castle rock from the top downwards from the middle of the 13th to the beginning of the 17th century, but the main construc-tion work was begun in the mid-16th century by the Thurzo family. They reconstructed the neglected upper castle and built what is known as the Thurzo Renaissance palace onto the west bastion of the medieval castle. In 1800 the castle was gutted by fire. It took on its present appearance at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when Count Jozef Pálffy had it reconstructed in a romantic style. The extensive alterations to the castle that took place between 1953-1968 have partially continued to the pres-ent day. Orava Castle is visited by as many as 200 thousand tourists a year. Exhibitions of the Orava Museum, one of the oldest museums in Slovakia, established in 1868, guide visitors through the history of the castle and the Orava region.

The Slovak castle with the largest number of visitors is Bojnický zámok. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Slovak castles.

Every year 215 thousand people p a s s t h r o u g h the gates of this national cultural monument. The castle’s fairy tale silhouette of steep r o o f e d t o w e r s and palaces is the crown of the upper Nitra Valley. The present impressive romantic castle

stands on the site of a 12th century medieval castle. In 1889-1910 its last aristocratic owner, a great art lover and collector of antiques. Count Ján František Pálffy, had it reconstructed as a splendid romantic residence on the model of the French Gothic chateaux in the valley of the River Loire. He did not live to see the work completed.

The ceiling in the castle’s Golden Salon (a copy of the ceiling in the Academia di Belle Ate in Venice) is magnificent, as are the Turkish leather wall coverings in the Oriental Salon and the castle chapel with its beautiful stucco vaulting and frescoes from 1662. There are also an attractive underground cave and a mysterious sarcophagus of the last count. One of the most precious items at the castle is the Bojnice altar by the Italian master Nardo di Cione from the mid 14th century, which has only recently been returned from abroad to its original site.

One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Slovakia is to be found above the village of Krásnohorské Podhradie. A noble family, the Bebeks, began to build it around 1320. In the 16th century it took on the appearance of a Renaissance fortress. After a devastating fire in 1817 it was partially repaired by the Andrássy family and a family museum was installed here, which was opened to the public in 1906. The restoration of the castle was completed in 1992. In 1961 Krásna Hôrka was classified as part of Slovakia’s national cultural heritage. Interesting features of the museum are the interior of the castle’s kitchens, a collection of arms and above all the glass coffin of mummified Žofia Serédy, the wife of one of those who inherited the castle. The large bronze cannons in front of the castle gateway also belong to the original inventory.

The Best . . . Castles and Manors

22 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

BALAnCe SHeeT AS OF JAnuArY 31, 2015ASSeTS Cash&ShortTermInvestments $ 21,593,096 Bonds 734,956,863 PreferredStock 2,105,553 CommonStock 5,418,333 InvestmentIncomeDue&Accrued 11,724,510 PropertyPlant&Equipment,Net 5,815,630 CertificateLoans&AccruedInterest 3,131,741 OtherAssets 161,938 TOTALASSETS $ 784,907,665LIABILITIeS LifeReserves $ 250,792,658 AnnuityReserves 419,645,020 DeathClaimsPayable 2,259,507 UnearnedPremiums 530,757 MaturedEndowments 337,909 ProvisionforDividendsPayable 2,599,151 AccumulatedDividends&Interest 4,185,334 AccruedConventionDonations 744,917 ProvisionforFutureConventions 512,568 AssetValuationReserve 7,390,284 InterestMaintenanceReserve 1,009,478 OtherLiabilities 1,678,521 TOTALLIABILITIES $ 691,686,103 Surplus $ 93,221,562 TOTALLIABILITIESANDSURPLUS $ 784,907,665

InCOMe STATeMenT For the One Month ending January 31, 2015

revenue InsurancePremiums $ 544,736 AnnuityPremiums 3,623,893 InvestmentIncome 3,257,513 AmortizationofInterestMaintenanceReserve 7,508 RentalIncome 28,542 OtherRevenue 1,644 TOTALREVENUE $ 7,463,837eXPenSe IncreaseinReserves—Life $ (82,342) IncreaseinReserves—Annuity 3,394,583 InsuranceBenefits 643,485 AnnuityBenefits 1,551,145 CommissionExpense 80,165 SurrenderBenefits 487,094 PostMortemBenefits 161,575 MiscellaneousMemberBenefits 505 MaturedEndowments 1,756 DonationExpenses 300 ChangeinAccruedConventionDonations 20,372 ConventionExpenses 13,000 DataProcessingServiceFees 5,652 ConsultingFees 12,398 BonustoBranches 70,833 FraternalActivities 196 OfficialPublications 34,380 ScholarshipAwards 21,667 MiscellaneousEmployeeBenefits 32,689 Fees—Directors 11,158 Salaries—Employees 112,673 Salaries—Officers 38,712 InterestExpense 23,756 TaxExpense 23,481 DepreciationExpense 21,411 UtilityExpense 5,781 PostageandPrinting 10,862 Advertising 430 TravelExpense 4,662 InsuranceDepartmentFees 2,973 SalesPromotion 33,666 RentalExpense 28,542 OtherExpense 18,928 TOTALEXPENSE $ 6,786,488

Income (Loss) from Operations $ 677,349 DividendstoMembers 234,765 NETINCOME(Loss) $ 442,584

Sr. Branch 153 Holds Holiday Celebration

Sr.Branch153ofFarrell,PAheldtheirannualbranchChristmaspartyonSunday,November9,2014,heldearlytobeat“OldManWinter”.Allmemberspresentenjoyedasitdowndinner.Bingowithprizesfollowedalongwithindi-vidualbranchgiftstoeachmember.DoorprizesandgiftsfromtheHomeOfficewerealsogivenout.ToconcludetheafternoonEnglishandSlovakChristmascarolsweresungandeveryoneleftlookingforwardtonextyear.

Sr. Branch 156 Holds Annual Party

BranchS156,Struthers,OHheldtheirannualbranchChristmaspartyatBruno’sonDecember13,2014.BranchPresidentPatGranchaywelcomedeveryoneandthankedthemfortheirparticipation.

JUNE2015 23

PaP’s ChiCken-RanCh Monkey BRead

1½cupsshreddedcookedchicken1package(1oz.)ranchdressingand seasoningmix(milkrecipe)2cans(7.5oz.each)CountryStyle refrigeratedbiscuits¹/3cupcubedmozzarellacheese4slicesbacon,cooked,crumbled¼cupbutter,melted1cupshreddedmozzarellacheese(4oz.)½cupranchdressingfordipping

Heatovento375°F.Lightlyspray12-cupflutedtubecakepanwithcookingspray.

Inmedium bowl, toss chickenwith 2tablespoons of the dry ranch seasoningmix;setaside.

Separate each can of dough into 10biscuits.Cut4biscuitsintoquarterstomakeatotalof16pieces.Withhands,pressandstretcheachpieceslightlytomakedoughround.Place1 cheese cube in center ofeachround;bringsidesupandover,pinch-ingdoughtoenclosecheese.

Pressandstretchremaining16biscuitsintolargerrounds.Place1heapingtable-spoon chicken in center of each biscuit;bringsidesupandover,pinchingdoughtoenclosechicken.

Sprinklehalfof thecrumbledbacon inbottomoftubecakepan.Insmallbowl,mixremaining dry ranch seasoningmixwithmeltedbutter.Dipeachdoughballintobut-termixture,rollingballaroundtocoat.Layerhalfofthedoughballsinpan;sprinklewithshreddedcheeseandremainingbacon.Topwithremainingdoughballs.

Bake20to25minutesoruntiltopsaregoldenbrownandbiscuit dough is com-pletelybaked.Coolslightly.Placeservingplateupsidedownoverpan;carefullyturnplate and pan over.Removepan.Servebreadwithranchdressingfordipping.

GRand dad’s VeGGie and sausaGe skillet

Pizza½lb.bulkItalianturkeysausage1½cupsslicedfreshmushrooms2mediumplum(Roma)tomatoes,chopped½cuppizzasauce1can(13.8oz.)refrigeratedpizzacrust2cupsshreddedreduced-fatmozzarella cheese(8oz.)Choppedgreenonions,ifdesired

Heatovento400°F.In6-inchnonstickskillet, cook sausage overmedium-highheat4to6minutes,stirringfrequently,untilnolongerpink.Stirinmushrooms,tomatoesandpizzasauce.Removefromheat;covertokeepwarm.

Spraybottomandsideof12-inchcast-ironskilletorotherovenproofskilletwithcookingspray.Unrolldoughinskillet;pressinbottom

andatleasthalfwayupside.Bake5minutes.Sprinkle1¾cupsofthecheeseoverdough.Spoonsausageandvegetablemixtureovercheese;topwithremaining¼cupcheese.

Bake15to18minutesoruntilcrustisgoldenbrown.Sprinklewithgreenonions.Let stand 10minutes before cutting.Toserve,cutinto6wedges.

GRaMPs slow-CookeR CRanBeRRy-oRanGe

PoRk Roast2Tbsp.oil1flatbonelessporkloinroast(4lb.)1can(14oz.)wholeberrycranberrysauce½cupclassicCatalinadressing1Tbsp.less-sodiumsoysauce1Tbsp.cornstarch1tsp.zestand¼cupjuicefrom1orange

Heatoilinlargeskilletonmedium-highheat.Addmeat;cook4to5min.oneachsideoruntilbrownedonbothsides.Transfermeattoslowcooker.

Mixcranberrysauce,dressingandsoysauce;pourovermeat.Coverwithlid.

Cookon low for 4 to 5 hours.Removemeat from slow cooker, reserving liquid inslowcooker.Covermeattokeepwarm.Whiskremaining ingredients in small bowl untilblended;stirintoliquidinslowcooker.Cook,covered,onhigh10min.oruntilthickened.Slicemeat;placeonplatter.Drizzlelightlywithsauce.Servewithremainingsauce.

FatheR’s #1 FRozen Peanut ButteR/oReo desseRt

20oreocookies,divided2tablespoonsbutter,melted1package(8oz.)creamcheese,softened½cuppeanutbutter1½cupspowderedsugar,divided1carton(16oz.)frozenwhippedtopping, thawed,divided15miniaturepeanutbuttercups,chopped1cupcoldmilk1package(3.9oz.)instantchocolatefudge puddingmix

Crush16oreocookiesuntilcoarse.Addthemeltedbutterandpressintothebottomofa9x9inchpan.

Inalargebowl,beatthecreamcheese,peanut butter and 1 cup powdered sugaruntil smooth. Fold in half of thewhippedtoppingandspreadovertheoreocrustlayer.Sprinklewiththechoppedpeanutbuttercupsbutreservingsometosprinkleonthetop.

Inanotherbowl,beatthemilk,puddingmix,andremaining½cuppowderedsugaron lowforabout2minutes.Letstand fortwominutes.Foldintheremainingwhippedtopping.Spreadontopofthepeanutbut-ter cups.Sprinkle the topwith remainingcrushed oreos and peanut butter cups.Coverandchillfor3hoursbeforeserving.

Father’s Day Favoritesdad’s FaVoRite

ChoColate-oRanGe PanCakes

2cupsflour¾cupSemi-SweetChocolateChunks2Tbsp.sugar1Tbsp.bakingpowder½tsp.salt2eggs2cupsbuttermilk2tsp.butterormargarine,meltedzestfrom1orange½tsp.oil

Combine first 5 ingredients in largebowl.Whisk remaining ingredients untilwellblended.Addtoflourmixture;mixwell.

Ladlebatterontohotgriddleorintohotskillet sprayedwith cooking spray, using¼cupbatterforeachpancake;cookuntilbubbles formontops, then turn tobrownothersides.

PoP-PoP’s old-Fashioned

MaCaRoni and Cheese3Tbsp.butterormargarine2Tbsp.flour2cupsmilk1package(8oz.)ShreddedSharpCheddar Cheese,divided2cupselbowmacaroni,cooked

Heatovento350°F.Meltbutterinlargesaucepanonlowheat.Stirinflour;cookandstir2min.oruntilbubbly.Graduallystirinmilk;bringtoboilonmediumheat,stirringconstantly.Simmeronlowheat3to5min-utesoruntilthickened,stirringconstantly.Add1½cupscheese;cookandstir2to3minutesoruntilmelted.Stirinmacaroni.

Spoon into 1½-qt. casserole sprayedwith cooking spray; sprinklewith the re-mainingcheese.Bake20minutesoruntilheatedthrough.

6/15

pEriodical

The FCSLA Mission StatementWe provide financial security to our members

while embracing our Catholic values and Slavic traditions.

The FCSLA Vision is to:Be a Premier Fraternal Benefit Society

that offers quality financial products and benefits.