January - Western Fraternal Life

Transcription

Vol. 115, No. 1 • Established 1897 • January 15, 2012
Lodge
Hopkins No. 11
Hopkins, MN
Recharged{
WFLA Home Office
1900 1 st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Toll-free 1-877-wflains (935-2467)
(319) 363-2653 Fax: (319) 363-8806
Rebuilding A Lodge
Mon. - Thurs., 7:45 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (CST)
Friday, 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (CST)
Management Team
Earlier this year, Lodge No. 11, Hopkins, MN officers alerted the Home Office
that its active membership was dwindling. No one was interested in taking over any
Howard J. Wolfe, President
e-mail: [email protected]
lack of participation and wanted to relinquish their responsibilities and merge with
another lodge.
However, MN Director Duane Jirik and Fraternal Manager Kitty Chadima
Craig Van Dyke
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Donald Nieland
Vice President of Information Technology and
Secretary
were willing to step into leadership roles and get the lodge going again. A date was
set for a social gathering to explain to inactive members what the lodge was about
and how they could ban together to help their community. So Kitty went through
the current lodge roster, targeting members who were within a 60-mile (one-hour)
radius of the lodge. She sent letters and had help from Duane and Lodge 11 member/
State Secretary Pamela Kotval in following up with phone calls to many of those
Ann Day Freeman, Vice President and Chief
Underwriter
the lodge.
Ten members and six guests attended the first gathering, where they met with
Director Jirik, new agent Greg Konerza, and Kitty. Several members expressed
Jack Minder, Controller
Daniel Anderegg, Manager of Sales and Marketing
been active in other lodges, those who remembered their parents being active in
Board of Directors
discussed several potential new activities to serve the community, then planned
one for National Fire Prevention Week. A couple of weeks later, members set up
a display table at the Bloomington Fire Department’s Community Open House,
handing out fire safety coloring books, pencils, and brochures to families who
visited the fire station.
A second outreach session was held in November. Duane, Pamela, and Kitty
again called the individuals who had expressed interest in the lodge. At the second
meeting, Kitty, Duane, and Greg met with the lodge members in a private dining
room at a buffet restaurant. As Pamela Kotval wrote in her December lodge article,
Howard J. Wolfe
120 N 19th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233
District 1, Terry Hynek
2375 County Rd. Q, Wilber, NE 68465
(402) 821-3167 • [email protected]
District 2, Brenda Osterman
18803 Ibsen Rd, Sparta, WI 54656
District 3, Donald R. Krall
2324 25th St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
We had a good, positive, forward-thinking discussion about the future of
our lodge in the community and the important role that lodges fulfill for
our fraternal association.
District 4, Duane J. Jirik
Chairman of the Board
1006 3rd St. NE, New Prague, MN 56071
District 5, Mary Bradley
200 W. Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879
collection projects and decided to hold their meetings on the second Sunday of
District 6, Bonita Fillmore
10803 Lancaster Ave, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
2012 by using the lodge model for ideas and requirements.
To help revitalize your lodge, consider having a social gathering with snacks or
a meal in an easily accessible area. Send an invitation to your members and, most
importantly, follow it up with a personal phone call. Sample letters and phone scripts
can be found in the Lodge Officers Handbook. At the meeting, with the help of your
Director, explain a few of your successful projects, find out members' interests, and
District 7, Brad Evans
3345 East Hwy 34, Ennis, TX 75119
FraternalHerald
Official Organization of
Western Fraternal Life Association.
Published monthly by the Home Office of Western
Fraternal Life Association: No commercial advertis
ing accepted. Periodical Postage Paid at Cedar
Rapids, IA and additional Mailing Office. Post-Master:
Send change of address to: Western Fraternal Life
Association, 1900 1 st Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA
52402. Printed by Automatic Printing Co. in Omaha,
NE (ISSN 0006-9256).
Fraternal Manager
Kathryn Chadima
2
Publications Coordinators
Linda Grove
Darcy Kelley
Kristi Kidd
-
activity where they are already involved, and in which the lodge can also participate.
Make sure everyone who attends receives the yearly schedule and a list of officers’
names and contact information. Keep in contact with these individuals now and
then; if they do not get involved immediately, a project may come up later where
they have an interest. Call and ask them to help at the event and perhaps bring
other family members or friends. Begin to rebuild your lodge slowly, keeping an
open mind to new projects, activities, and making new friends!
For more ideas, check out your Lodge Officers Handbook, and call Fraternal
Manager Kitty Chadima.
January 2012
President Howard J. Wolfe
Annual Letter To The Members
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Management Team, the agents, managers, and the
Home Office staff, I would like to wish all of you a happy and healthy 2012. The following is a
brief summary of the past year.
The highlight of 2011 certainly was the 27th National Convention. There were 235 delegates
that met at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, MI. There were a couple bylaw changes that were
approved. The most significant one was the bylaw that authorizes each lodge to be granted one
additional delegate, if that additional delegate is age 40 or under at the time of the election. I
hope that at the next Convention, all 120 lodges elect an additional delegate. This is an opportunity for us to get younger people
involved in our lodges.
We had three Directors retire at the Convention. They were District 2 Director, Joseph Kuzma; District 5 Director, Thomas
Bradley; and District 6 Director, Alois Ruman. We want to thank them all for their service to the Association. There were four
new Directors elected at the National Convention. District 2 Director was Brenda Osterman; District 5 Director was Mary
Bradley; District 6 Director was Bonita Fillmore; and District 7 Director was Bradley Evans.
The obituary of former President Ray Miller was in the September issue of the Fraternal Herald. Ray served the Association
in several capacities in his tenure at wfla, the last of which was President. He retired October 1, 1999. Ray was active in his lodge
up until the end and he was elected to serve as a delegate at the 27th National Convention. Ray will be missed.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Daniel Stursa as the 2011 wfla Fraternalist of the Year. I was honored to make
the presentation of the award at the National Convention to Dan. Dan is extremely active in his lodge and the Association and
is an excellent example to all of us as a true fraternalist. Congratulations to Dan for this well deserved honor.
On September 30, 2011, the quarterly statement reflected assets of $249,229,807, an increase of $8,595,260 over the 2010
year end. The quarterly statement also reflects a gain from operations of $1,443,152, with an addition to surplus of $664,167.
You will be able to read the reports from the administration, investment, and sales and marketing departments in future issues
of the Fraternal Herald.
In the December issue of the Fraternal Herald, Youth Director Kelsey Wegner was introduced to you. Kelsey’s job is to get
younger members involved in the Association, and as you know, this will not be an easy task. So please cooperate with her and
help her in any way you can when she calls to help get younger people involved in the Association.
In this issue of the Fraternal Herald, we are recognizing all those members who will be celebrating their 75th and 50th year
anniversary with wfla in 2012. I want to thank all of the 50 and 75 year members for their continued support of wfla throughout
the years.
My wife Judy and I greatly appreciate the hospitality that you’ve shown us in our travels throughout the years. And again, I
want to thank you all for the opportunity to serve you as your President.
Happy New Year!
Howard J. Wolfe
inside this issue
Features
Rebuilding a Lodge...................................... 2
Annual President's Letter to Members...3
Facebook Contest............................................3
75 & 50-Year member list..........................4-9
Lodge Anniversaries.......................................9
Home Office Holiday Projects.................. 8
Kelsey's Korner.............................................14
Frozen Bubbles............................................14
Vaclav Havel..................................................35
NCSML Upadate...........................................35
January 2012
Departments
Referral Update...............................................9
Producers Page............................................ 10
Financial Planning........................................11
Calendar......................................................... 12
Spotlight......................................................... 13
Kitchen Talk................................................... 15
Fraternal Focus.......................................16-32
In Memoriam..........................................32-34
September Claims....................................... 34
Access your certificate information through our Member
Access at: wflains.org
Facebook
Contest for
Members
Count the Facebook logos ( ) throughout
the magazine, then go to the WFLA - Western
Fraternal Life Association Facebook page and
"like" us to enter your answer to win a small
prize and be eligible for one of two $25 gift
cards.
3
Celebrating 2012's
75 And 50-Year Memberships
W
estern Fraternal
Life Association
congratulates the men
and women reaching this
milestone. Their belief
in our motto; truth,
love, and loyalty has
strengthened our society
over the years.
Each of our honored members are entitled to receive a pin and may receive it by calling
the Home Office at 1-877-wflains (935-2467). We will be happy to send them out. Many of
the lodges will have a special ceremony or dinner to recognize these members. Any officer
in the lodge can request the pins to present to these members as well. Thank you for your
many years of dedicated service.
If you feel you should be a 75 or 50-year member, but have not seen your name listed,
please call the Home Office and ask for the Fraternal Department. Originally, juveniles were not counted as members until they
reached adulthood. As a result some certificates that had already been converted to an adult status may indicate that you joined
the Association at age 18 and may not include the original juvenile start date. We can check your file to determine the accurate
issue date of your first certificate.
75-Year Members
Frank Dietz............................ 2
Marcella Stepka.................... 2
Norma Anderson................... 3
Kenneth Fridrich.................... 3
Velma Gilmore....................... 3
Rosalie Keller........................ 3
Irene Kovarik......................... 3
Sylvia Pecka.......................... 3
Shirley Robb.......................... 3
Marcella Tennant................... 3
Gene Wanek......................... 3
Lillian Ganz............................ 5
Shirley Thompson................. 5
Betty Bice.............................. 7
Anna Bonsall......................... 7
Emil Christle.......................... 7
Annalou Johnson.................. 7
Marianne Klinsky................... 7
Charles Koudelka.................. 7
Libbie Kroupa........................ 7
Joseph Maly.......................... 7
Clara Pospisil........................ 7
Barbara Uthoff....................... 7
Lumir Vondracek................... 7
Viola Zahradnik..................... 7
Walter Filip............................ 8
Laura Lind............................. 9
Evelyn Lynch......................... 9
Shirley Moerker..................... 9
Arlene Plasek........................ 9
Henrietta Reilly...................... 9
Margaret Wielgus.................. 9
Mary Lindquist..................... 10
Shirley Nelson..................... 10
Edwin Bren Jr...................... 11
Helen Eisenman.................. 11
4
William Jersak..................... 11
Georgia Peterson................ 11
Arnold Ryba........................ 11
Earl Sima............................. 11
Virginia Swanson................ 11
Evelyn Vraspir..................... 11
Dolores Horak..................... 13
Olga Huston........................ 13
Elsie Kramer........................ 13
Emily Norden....................... 13
Lillian Peterka...................... 13
Lillian Rhebb....................... 13
Walter Tucker...................... 13
Leo Vittengle....................... 13
Darlene Betke...................... 14
Eldene Norseen.................. 14
Mary Pearce........................ 14
Loren Dolezal...................... 19
Marcella Dolezal.................. 19
Frank Krob........................... 19
Ella Moravek........................ 19
Darlene Novotny.................. 19
Ruth Obrist.......................... 19
Gladys Smith....................... 19
Donald Dvorak....................20
Mildred Hynek.....................20
Charlotte Kutil......................20
Irene Larson........................20
Darlene Lyons.....................20
Virginia Marquardt...............20
Marcella Straka...................20
Marvin Tuschl......................20
Marcella Bornholdt..............28
Mary Keown........................28
Irene Kroeger......................28
Norrine Parris......................28
Elaine Roggenstein............. 28
Helen Schroeter..................28
James Svajgl Jr...................45
Emil Mach............................29
Dorothy Warfield.................29
Kathryn Blocker...................46
Jo Ann Carpenter................46
Ruby Holik...........................46
Cyrus Kahanek....................46
Jim Kubicek.........................46
James Ladra.......................46
Mary Mc Gee.......................46
Wayne Opela.......................46
Walter Pantlik......................46
Mary Pritchett......................46
Irene Pryor..........................46
Kathryn Williamson.............46
Ronald Butler......................32
William Butler......................32
Charlotte Getter................... 32
George Dostal.....................34
Donald Friauf.......................34
Irene Handzus.....................38
Marlene Hillson...................38
Joann Lee............................38
Roger Svejkovsky...............38
Lois Ball...............................39
Floyd Barta..........................39
Leona Bauman....................39
Clarence Bunda..................39
Betty Campidilli...................39
Lois Freeman......................39
Gary Jondle.........................39
Josephine Jondle................39
Nancy Joslin........................39
Lavonne Linn.......................39
Wilma Mccurdy....................39
Clarence Pessica................39
Gilbert Stanek.....................39
Marcella Stanek..................39
Dixie Trusty.........................39
Carl Vondra.........................39
Darlene Wood.....................39
Robert Lukes.......................44
Doris Van House.................44
Lois Doggett........................45
James Pochop....................45
Stanley Pochop...................45
Richard Soukup...................45
Donald Svajgl......................45
Irene Beres..........................48
Louis Heard.........................48
James Hoida.......................48
Edward Houdek...................48
Darinka Kohl........................48
Gary Kupec.........................48
Mary Matuszewski...............48
Margaret Melotik.................48
Phillip Micuda......................48
Joseph Pohorsky Sr............48
John Rapant........................48
Robert Tonar.......................48
Donald Wachuta..................48
Mary Bankead.....................54
Ronald Hoffman..................54
Joseph Horacek..................54
Carol Morgan......................54
Wayne Pesek......................54
Irene Stolz...........................54
Orin Svarc...........................54
Evelyn Tyser........................54
Violette Holmes................... 67
Albert Beran........................68
Leonard Divis......................68
January 2012
75-YEAR MEMBERS
Ludmila Honvlez..................68
Elaine Secher......................68
Stanley Sedlacek................68
Betty Tarr.............................68
Alice Zydek..........................68
Emilie Ellingboe...................69
Joan Ericson.......................69
Frank Mosner Jr..................69
Marguerite Nelson...............69
Anna Neubauer...................69
Gerald Svoboda..................69
Clifford Dvoracek................ 71
Melvin Kralicek.................... 71
Marcella Ludens.................. 71
Gladys Miller....................... 71
Anna Novak......................... 71
Victor Novak........................ 71
Clarence Sykora.................. 71
Agnes Behrendt.................. 73
Dale Grady.......................... 73
Loryce Heisel...................... 73
Marion Kama....................... 73
Carol Murphy....................... 73
Marcella Oelberg................. 73
Charles Stauber.................. 73
Rose Zemba........................ 73
Olga Bruha.......................... 74
Lorraine Hawkins................ 74
Albie Hoffman...................... 74
Shirley Kohout..................... 74
Harold Krivohlavek.............. 74
Dorene Schneider............... 74
Norma Swett....................... 74
Olga Vokoun........................ 74
Mary Weber......................... 74
Arlene Zajic......................... 74
Emily Betka......................... 76
Betty Brown......................... 76
Melva Green........................ 76
Norma Hopkins................... 76
Rose Hulse.......................... 76
Arnold Nadherny................. 76
Emilye Nadherny................. 76
Luree Schrock..................... 76
Leo Soukup......................... 76
Bernard Zeleny.................... 76
Harvey Beck........................80
Howard Hajek......................80
Evelyn Misar........................80
Arlene Nelles.......................80
Arlo Schuurmans.................80
Milada Spry.........................80
Elmer Svanda......................80
Irma Wynia..........................80
Georgiana Bonnie............... 81
January 2012
Rose Cable.......................... 81
Darrell Dvorak..................... 81
Kenneth Dvorak................... 81
Lillian Hall............................ 81
Geraldine Krsnak................ 81
Charles Thaler..................... 81
Ramona Thaler................... 81
Erma Vesely........................82
Virginia Karas......................84
Edward Prebyl.....................84
Arthur Vanek.......................84
Donald Pirnik.......................89
Louis Pirnik..........................89
Mildred Sheker....................89
Jack Sudik...........................89
Miles Bednasek...................95
William Vsetecka.................95
James Mlejnek.................. 100
James Cech...................... 104
Stanley Chvojka................ 104
Ellsworth Cizek.................. 104
Myrna Dostal..................... 104
Barbara Engel................... 104
Darlene Folkestad............. 104
Wilbert Hach...................... 104
Richard Linhart.................. 104
Wesley Linhart.................. 104
Gladys Peters.................... 104
Marjorie Severin................ 104
Helen Soper...................... 104
Jaroslav Velky................... 104
James Herda..................... 106
Daniel Kouba..................... 106
Mildred Matejcek............... 106
Joseph Otmar.................... 106
Jean Shirek....................... 106
Ronald Skalicky................ 106
Dorothy Stenerson............ 106
Leatrice Moore.................. 107
Harry Olsen....................... 107
Robert Richardson............ 107
Gladys Ross...................... 107
Phyllis Stauffenecker......... 107
Marian Cherney................. 108
Anthony Hamernik............. 108
Allen Kosnar...................... 108
Victor Kozlovsky................ 108
Donald Krajnik................... 108
Ann Schreiber................... 108
Harlan Suchan.................. 108
Victor Suster...................... 108
Doris Gale......................... 109
Wilbur Kolar....................... 109
Raymond Kunc.................. 109
Robert Stavinoha.............. 109
Lee Sudik.......................... 109
Harriet Beckenhauer......... 112
Alice Elder......................... 112
Frank Eret.......................... 112
Joyce Fafeita..................... 112
Dorothy Kulas.................... 112
Donald Rejda.................... 112
Lillian Baker....................... 121
George Buresh.................. 121
Otto Hula........................... 121
Helen Jenista.................... 121
Libby Wolffing.................... 121
Jack Boris.......................... 126
Carole Jurkovic................. 126
Elmer Kertz....................... 126
John Nemec...................... 126
Joseph Nemec.................. 126
Marvin Nemec................... 126
Frances Sharron............... 126
Florence Wedlund............. 126
Margery Langford.............. 127
Darlene Linge.................... 127
Donald Resler................... 127
Elenor Simon..................... 127
Audrey Strawmatt.............. 127
Melvin Wavrin.................... 127
Irene Collett....................... 128
Emily Dodge...................... 128
Helen Donly....................... 128
Eddie Mares...................... 128
Henry Smatla.................... 128
Lillian Bergeron................. 141
Mavis Dresel...................... 141
Paul Kral............................ 141
Waldimer Moucha............. 141
Mabel Dufek...................... 142
Anna Poplawski................. 142
Jerome Wanek.................. 142
Caroll Ahles....................... 144
Lorraine Barthels............... 144
Harry Bina......................... 144
Virginia Bruce.................... 144
William Cahak................... 144
Judith Jahnke.................... 144
Donald Kakes.................... 144
Delores Kopchinski........... 144
Lyle Koppa........................ 144
Joann Lahti........................ 144
Mary Lemmer.................... 144
Fred Maly.......................... 144
Leonard Maly.................... 144
Lydia Panacek................... 144
Anna Pecha....................... 144
George Prihoda................. 144
Lydia Seehafer.................. 144
Dorothy Tylinski................. 144
Evelyn Wildman................. 144
Geraldine Wiles................. 144
Elsie Wirkus...................... 144
Esther Auld........................ 146
Lawrence Cibula............... 146
Elsie Hansen..................... 146
Maxine Kutchanek............ 146
Darlene Meeks.................. 146
Delores Shaw.................... 146
Vernon Sikir....................... 146
Richard Upah.................... 146
Roy Tomanek.................... 147
Liddie Ubben..................... 147
Virginia Svoboda............... 152
Frances Bader................... 153
MiloFlaska......................... 153
Lou Ella Gustafson............ 155
Alvin Nasinec.................... 155
Evelyn Vlasak.................... 155
Louis Brozik....................... 162
Marie Johnson................... 162
Robert Kortan.................... 162
Jane Risse........................ 162
Lois Sinclair....................... 162
Donald Vedral.................... 162
Harlan Vedral.................... 162
Ada Ehli............................. 181
Herbert Hnilica.................. 181
Leonard Trinka.................. 181
Rose Aaberg..................... 188
Mary Soltis........................ 188
Leonard Hejtmanek........... 192
Ruth Novotny..................... 192
Elizabeth Wacha............... 192
Ellen Zwieg........................ 192
Margaret Hayna................. 193
Mary Kopchinski................ 193
Jean Moran....................... 193
Samuel Svarny.................. 193
Helen Taylor...................... 193
Donald Havlicek................ 196
Elaine Denman.................. 201
Mary Krol........................... 201
Lily Osmun........................ 201
Mildred Wray..................... 201
EllaLibal............................203
Josephine Svaty................203
Donald Kobetsky............... 218
Charlotte Brunner.............. 221
Marjorie Fogeltanz............ 221
5
75-YEAR MEMBERS
Jane Lorenz....................... 221
Richard Benson.................222
Agnes Moyle......................222
Ann Musgrave...................222
Marie Bernath....................225
Mildred Blackburn.............225
Rose Chapko.....................225
Mary Egres........................225
Waunetta Goldman...........225
Martha Maddix..................225
Dorothy Martinka...............225
Annie Smalec....................225
Helen Hammond...............234
Norman Herzinger.............234
Stanley Herzinger..............234
Gertrude Jarolimek...........234
Slava Kalisek.....................234
Arlene Kyles......................234
Emma Linschoten.............234
Edward Prilucik.................234
Martha Rairigh...................234
Audrey Randall..................234
OttoSvancara....................234
Helen Wright......................234
Anton Nezval.....................236
Joseph Padour..................236
Adeline Toudt....................236
Alma Brunet......................237
Edna Hedlund...................237
Harold Krizan....................237
Connie Mc Cammon.........237
Joe Prochaska..................237
Ethel Vavra........................237
Betty Watson.....................237
Gary Watzel.......................237
Josephine Hain................. 242
Frances Hoyt..................... 242
Josephine Hudecek.......... 242
Anne Kent.......................... 242
Frank Krhovsky................. 242
George Matousek.............. 242
Edward Minarik................. 242
Edward Prchlik.................. 242
Roberta Przybylowicz....... 242
Amy Schwab..................... 242
Frank Svarc....................... 242
Frank Tomcala................... 242
Jerry Volek........................ 242
Josephine Weisenberger.. 242
Jerry Zelenka.................... 242
Anna Zvonek..................... 242
Louis Kadera.....................243
Lydia Kasik........................243
William Kasik Jr.................243
Elvyn Slavik....................... 246
6
Joseph Bill......................... 247
Helen Birmingham............. 247
Joseph Cmejrek Jr............ 247
Marie Davidek................... 247
Helen Dlabal...................... 247
Marion Horak..................... 247
Frank Ivan......................... 247
Henry Jurasek................... 247
Joseph Kolder................... 247
Helen Leroux..................... 247
Richard Lotarski................ 247
Joan Mc Closkey............... 247
Irene Meyer....................... 247
Adeline Ryznar.................. 247
Frank Sukany.................... 247
Franklin Sukany................. 247
Sonya Summerfield........... 247
Pauline Weber................... 247
Ernest Babek..................... 248
Ernest Tatyrek................... 248
Georgie Zett...................... 248
Bernice Berg.....................253
Eleanor Hanig...................253
Libbie Hecht......................253
Donald Orel.......................253
Melvin Orel........................253
Mabel Schweigert.............253
Shirley Schwinler...............253
Dolores Smith....................253
Charlie Kohoutek...............260
Emily Nelson.....................260
Charles Vasut....................260
Helen Vasut.......................260
Bernice Veuleman.............260
Belva Butcher....................262
Leonard Chmelicek...........262
Lumir Dostal......................262
Jean Elliott.........................262
Virginia Etscheidt..............262
Sharon Jeffery...................262
Bernice Jekerle.................262
Lillian Kirchmann...............262
John Kosek........................262
Everett Kubik.....................262
Donald Mc Leod................262
Elroy Novak.......................262
Betty Perkins.....................262
Helen Pickart.....................262
Agnes Prusek....................262
Evelyn Rutledge................262
Georgia Ryan....................262
Marquerite Sindelar...........262
Barbara Smejkal................262
Helen Valenta....................262
Helen Coleman.................280
Anna Grafton.....................280
Anna Hanline.....................280
Ruth Krivanek....................280
Joanne Scobie..................280
Dorothy Sowa....................280
Anna Irish..........................284
Loraine Kincaide...............289
Rogette Shannon..............292
Robert Slavick...................292
Gazella Mucy....................295
Jo Ann Benjamin...............296
Marie Cihal........................296
Rosemary Cwirko..............296
Donald Dworak..................296
Edward Dworak.................296
Ileana Heathman...............296
Robert Horak.....................296
Albert Hynek......................296
Richard Jirak.....................296
Joseph Langpaul...............296
Edward Lastovica..............296
Frank Lastovica.................296
Milton Lastovica................296
Norman Lastovica.............296
Charles Madison...............296
Paul Matejka......................296
Walter Mattern...................296
Irma Molacek.....................296
Virginia Mulcahy................296
Tony Novacek....................296
Evelyn Peterson................296
Roger Prihoda...................296
Helen Prochaska...............296
Louis Sevek.......................296
John Stirek........................296
Mayme Teply.....................296
Georgina Thune................296
Helen Volenec...................296
Julie Volenec.....................296
Zdenka Zaloudek..............296
Matilda Bakalik..................330
Charles Bercik Jr...............330
Paul Borik..........................330
Irene Brunclik....................330
Betty Buffa........................330
Patricia Coulson................330
Rose Davis........................330
Charles Dolezal.................330
Jarmila Domansky............330
Charles Dragisic................330
Anton Faikus.....................330
Glenn Feifarek...................330
Libbie Feltner....................330
Irving Fencka.....................330
James Fencka...................330
Anna Gajewski..................330
Anne Gavac.......................330
Jarmila Giuntini.................330
Marcella Gregory..............330
Clara Hardt........................330
Mildred Henning................330
Geraldine Homola.............330
Ronald Hromadka.............330
Martha Hurst.....................330
Georgiana Jones...............330
Lorraine Klescich..............330
George Knotek..................330
Robert Kolenda.................330
Bernice Kostolansky.........330
Vlasta Kotrba.....................330
Jerry Koutsky....................330
Georgiana Kral..................330
Anna Linder.......................330
John Mednansky...............330
Stefan Mednansky............330
John Mikulasek.................330
Helena Mrizek...................330
Frances Nohavica.............330
Martin Nuzik......................330
Frances Pacovsky.............330
Gladys Palach...................330
Betty Pietrzyk....................330
Anna Podolsky..................330
Richard Ptacek..................330
Charlotte Puppel...............330
Mildred Riban....................330
Frank Smetana..................330
Henry Stanislav.................330
Christine Swan..................330
Marie Trachsler.................330
Rose Vytlacil.....................330
Mildred Zygutis..................330
Rollin Janota.....................332
Stanley Mares...................332
Donald Cizek.....................342
George Witter....................342
Darlene Christensen.........346
Delores Karulak.................346
Donald Lundberg...............346
Gordon Pavek...................346
Raymond Pavek................346
Gerald Sostak...................346
Joe Koditek.......................355
Shirley Leech....................355
Margaret Farnsworth.........357
James Fetek......................357
Mary Grno.........................357
Rose Kandl........................357
Georgia Soens..................357
Norma Suchy.....................357
Frank Kovar.......................360
Allen Mahloch....................360
Le Roy Zill.........................360
January 2012
75/50-YEAR MEMBERS
Lillian Ploetz...................... 361
Jo Ann Sramek.................. 361
Lorraine Cotter..................365
Marion Filliez.....................365
Mildred Halada..................365
Richard Kinstetter.............365
Blanche Benisek...............377
Henry Chott Jr...................377
Juanita Girard....................377
Joseph Hajek Jr................377
Vlasta Jaques....................377
Zita Kalivoda.....................377
Elsie Kelly..........................377
William Lisec.....................377
Barney Pelant....................377
Gordon Pirkl......................377
Virginia Rouleau................377
Charles Tonar....................377
Eugenie Van Schoten........377
Victor Vasut.......................377
Blanche Weaver................377
Francis Biba......................389
Betty Burklund...................389
Leroy Duchek....................389
Laverne Hayek..................389
Bernard Kobes..................389
Jeanette Krupicka.............389
Mary Likens.......................389
Margie Schneider..............389
Joseph Vosoba Jr.............389
Martha Kudick................... 391
Jean Brutsman..................400
Betty Dvorsky....................400
Raymond Olson................400
Edward Mensik..................402
Arlene Edelman.................426
Lloyd Lehecka...................426
Richard Prasek..................426
Lauren Chalupa.................427
Joseph Kos.......................427
Robert Wachal..................427
Rosie Mikeska...................428
George Albrecht Jr............ 431
Helen Conrad.................... 431
Sylvia Fischer.................... 431
Arden Flaska..................... 431
Dorothy Greb..................... 431
Mary Jensen...................... 431
Anna Kaspar..................... 431
Myrna Lacina..................... 431
Elizabeth Mobley............... 431
Sherrill Morgan.................. 431
Rosemary Mulder..............446
January 2012
Marjeanne Jungjohann.....500
Jerry Stych........................500
Roger Radoush...................34
Roy Vorlicek........................34
50-Year Members
James Soucek.....................38
Jeanette Garvey.................... 2
Theresa Hruby...................... 2
Marilyn Detwiler..................39
Kent Fors.............................39
Patrick Halligan...................39
Paula Jurgensen.................39
Lorna Kozel.........................39
Alan Kruse...........................39
Jerry Kruse..........................39
Patricia Nielson...................39
Renee Peterson..................39
Lisa Schwendemann...........39
Alvin Sedlacek.....................39
Mary Trimble.......................39
Gary Wesley........................39
Donna Clapper...................... 3
Donald Clapper..................... 3
Greg Stipek........................... 3
Donita Erickson..................... 5
Peter Ganz............................ 5
Robert Ganz.......................... 5
Janelle Hassett..................... 5
Susan Simoni........................ 5
Mary Upshaw........................ 5
Rodger Sams........................ 7
Curtis Boham........................ 8
Douglas Boham..................... 8
Walter Boham........................ 8
David Ruzicka....................... 8
Ernest Ruzicka...................... 8
Kelly Lingenfelter................... 9
Patricia Bell......................... 11
Michael Anthony.................. 13
Kenneth Miller Sr................. 13
Carol Upah.......................... 13
Craig Lammers.................... 14
Gwendolyn Maly.................. 14
Geoffrey Pesek................... 14
Daniel Psota........................ 14
Ronald Psota....................... 14
Arlan Benyshek................... 19
Wayne Benyshek................ 19
Debra Hadachek................. 19
Ronald Kauer...................... 19
James Armstrong................20
Pat Barbarossa...................20
David Ruzek........................20
Martin Ruzek.......................20
Leroy Schamburek..............20
Lisa Thompson....................20
Debra Wittmann..................20
Susan Eschenko.................28
Karen Karel.........................28
Theresa Lange....................28
Cynthia Lewallen.................28
Lawrence Stuchl..................28
Leroy Svatora......................28
Linda Svatora......................28
Kaye Vrbicky.......................28
Ruth Waters........................28
Ernie Fanta..........................32
Thomas Subera................... 32
Vicki Walker.........................44
Phillip Cahoy.......................45
Jeanne Cermak...................45
James Svajgl Jr...................45
James Brunken...................46
Timmy Holik.........................46
Michelle Fischer..................48
Karen Hager........................48
Catherine Hoppe.................48
Keith Jones..........................48
Cecelia Kimberly.................48
Marie Mioduszewski............48
Patricia Waldoch.................48
Ann Corporan......................53
Calvin Krupicka...................53
Troy Krupicka......................53
Catherine Scott...................53
Kenneth Bolte......................54
Roger Rejcha......................54
Laurie Schaal......................54
Nancy Cox........................... 67
Carolyn Miller...................... 67
Sheryl Whybark................... 67
Elsie Houser........................68
Sharon Svoboda Hinnant....68
Christopher Zetocha...........68
Ernest Zetocha....................68
Marjorie Zetocha.................68
Kathleen Ferry.....................69
Vicky Lorenz........................69
Kevin Dvoracek................... 71
Robert Pechous.................. 71
Steven Pechous.................. 71
Kenneth Vanecek................ 71
Fern Brabender................... 73
Helen Christophersen......... 73
Howard De Lorme............... 73
Charles Drees..................... 73
John Geniesse.................... 73
Mark Hanna......................... 73
LeoJorasz........................... 73
Louis Kleiman...................... 73
KitKoesling....................... 73
Jacquelyn Koutnik............... 73
Delbert Martin..................... 73
Gail Methner........................ 73
Francis Nemetz Jr............... 73
Carol Nordquist................... 73
Richard Nordquist............... 73
Brenda Plosczynski............. 73
Brenda Plosczynski............. 73
Donald Schneider............... 73
Olga Schneider................... 73
Victoria Sigley..................... 73
Lynette Sweere................... 73
Jacqueline Trombley........... 73
Eileen Wolff......................... 73
Elaine Christensen.............. 74
John Cochnar...................... 74
Karen Foral.......................... 74
Jo Anne Jirsa-Myers........... 74
Marlene Lentfer................... 74
Elaine Vlasin....................... 74
Debra Zajic.......................... 74
Thomas Vossler.................. 76
Harold Votipka..................... 76
Gary Kriz.............................80
Joyce Svanda......................80
Donald Knorr....................... 81
Wanda Swanson................. 81
Larry Varilek........................ 81
Lawrence Meyer.................. 82
Mary Hasenohr...................84
Diane Lewis.........................84
David Prebyl........................84
John Schulze.......................84
Duane Weiner.....................84
Julie Doubek.......................85
Janelle Guertin....................85
Grace Hubka.......................85
Julie Walter..........................85
Elizabeth Drabek.................89
Lillian Nesbitt.......................89
Mark Zumpfe.......................89
Carol Camen..................... 100
Robert Holub..................... 100
Steven Mlejnek.................. 100
Harvey Stodola.................. 100
Gerald White..................... 100
Douglas Blecha................. 101
Ronald Pettinger............... 101
7
50-YEAR MEMBERS
Ross Pettinger................... 101
Charles Hrnicek................. 104
Bonnie Kopriva.................. 104
Joanna Melsa.................... 104
Ruth Melsa........................ 104
Delores Ryan..................... 104
Kristin Ryan....................... 104
Betty Koenig...................... 106
Michael Rysavy................. 106
Le Ann Haviland................ 107
Esther Homister................ 107
Bradley Hoseck................. 107
Dera Klanecky................... 152
Jim Klanecky..................... 152
Merlin Nesiba.................... 152
Patrick Herl........................ 153
Donna Ginter..................... 155
Robert Janovsky............... 155
Lenore Peterson................ 155
Debora Vlasak................... 155
Anita Beck......................... 162
Diane Walz........................ 168
Jan Vafa............................ 181
Richard Kozlovsky............. 108
Mary Pech......................... 108
Cheryl Vanden Langenberg.108
William Wachal.................. 108
Bonnie Haman.................. 188
Kevin Korgel...................... 188
Justin Lochthowe.............. 188
Steven Pierson.................. 188
Gary Hollinrake................. 112
Renee Kollars.................... 112
Andrew Birchem................ 192
Shirley Heley..................... 192
Randall Kotval................... 192
Dale Krause...................... 192
Rudolph Zeithamer Jr....... 192
Todd Schuetze.................. 121
Leah Shuck....................... 121
Alan Clark.......................... 126
KimHoglund...................... 126
Virginia Huber................... 126
Mary Peterson................... 126
Douglas Pechacek............ 127
Kay Capek......................... 141
Gene Moucha.................... 141
Marlene Moucha............... 141
Karen Decker.................... 142
Brenda Ellingboe............... 142
Marian Gilbert................... 142
Barbara Nelson................. 142
Gary Paider....................... 142
Kathleen Theiss................ 142
Charlotte Wanek............... 142
Debra Yanda..................... 142
Donna Arnette................... 144
Dennis Bartyczak.............. 144
Marilyn Bundy................... 144
Marie Cincera.................... 144
Teresa Devore................... 144
Martha Eberle.................... 144
Carmen Ganter.................. 144
Anton Mundl...................... 144
Thomas Mundl.................. 144
Betty Onopa...................... 144
RitaSimon......................... 144
Richard Upah.................... 146
Eleanor Kottsick................ 147
Laura Lamiroy................... 147
Sandra Neidviecky............ 147
Timothy Tausend............... 147
8
Scott Davis........................ 193
Ronald Doyle..................... 193
Shelley Gurrola................. 193
Joan Jameson................... 193
Jacqueline Marti................ 193
Michael Pavelec................ 193
Jerald Simon..................... 193
Robert Heath..................... 196
Sharon Melichar................ 196
Kris Rossman.................... 196
Ann Treanor....................... 196
Debra Dunlap.................... 201
Robert Dunlap................... 201
Katherine Shaner.............. 201
Marilyn Engel....................203
Debra Larkin......................203
Dennis Mihm.....................203
Betty Miller........................203
Richard Prochaska............203
Jeffrey Olson..................... 219
James Svir......................... 219
Darel Biely......................... 221
Ellen Mc Kay.....................222
Dean Podrabsky................222
Barry Bernath....................225
Luann Clark.......................225
Marilyn Coon.....................225
Sharon Densmore.............225
Terry Hnetynka..................225
Michael Kusnier.................225
Lori Schlaack.....................225
Mark Slowinski..................225
Kenneth Stehlik.................225
Judy Vesterfelt..................225
Arlene Triplett....................234
Frank Dezort Iii..................236
Dorothy Holmes................236
Ernest Hrad.......................236
James Koci........................236
Daniel Marlenga................236
James Marlenga................236
Bernice Polacek................236
James Resudek................236
Antoinette Samuel.............236
Jolene Hanson..................237
Mark Sammons.................237
Troy Bodary....................... 242
Robert Fitnich.................... 242
Joseph Grombir................. 242
Michele Ivan...................... 242
Evelyn Judd....................... 242
James Krizan.................... 242
Denise Lawrence.............. 242
Roger Luick....................... 242
William Luick..................... 242
Lorie Porter....................... 242
Michael Ruzicka................ 242
Edward Salava Jr.............. 242
AdaSerbus........................ 242
Joseph Serbus.................. 242
Diane Toulouse................. 242
Sharon Van Loon.............. 242
Connie Van Manen............ 242
George Zelenka................ 242
Donnie Zvonek.................. 242
Joanne Jurasek.................243
Kip Kasik...........................243
Elaine Schriver..................243
John Semrad.....................243
Kirk Conway...................... 246
Dorothy Dvorak................. 247
Betty Larsen...................... 247
Diane Lueck...................... 247
Helen Mihalak................... 247
Edward Ryznar.................. 247
Martha Ryznar................... 247
Russell Babek................... 248
Shirley Atteberry...............253
Mary Dieter........................262
Evelyn Dunek....................262
Constance Filling..............262
Steven Filling.....................262
Peggy Petrzelka................262
Brian Vanous.....................262
Donna Bachna..................280
Patrick Coleman................280
Carolyn Golden.................280
Rebecca Kells...................280
Carolyn Kuharik.................280
Leo Kuhn Jr.......................280
Nora Patera.......................280
Brian Ratzel.......................280
Mable Clark.......................289
George Koudelka Iii...........289
Edwin Marek......................289
Jimmie Smallwood Jr........289
Victor Veselka...................289
Bruce Blanchard...............296
Russell Blanchard.............296
Robert Cadek....................296
Jodeen Elsasser...............296
David Kucirek....................296
Jo Leifert...........................296
Robert Matulka..................296
Kathleen Piksa..................296
Barbara Pyles....................296
Frank Riha.........................296
Judith Rischling.................296
Victory Sedlacek...............296
Richard Slaby Jr................296
George Vilim Jr.................296
Richard Weiner.................296
Sandra Bazata..................330
John Beran........................330
Roselyn Blahnik................330
Kenneth Brandt Jr.............330
Carmen Eisenhammer......330
Amy Hagedorn..................330
Lavere Hagedorn..............330
Jeananne Hauswald..........330
Ruth Holecek.....................330
Otto Kapes........................330
Marie Koudelik..................330
Elaine Kralovec.................330
Pavla Kurka.......................330
Jeffrey Marsiglio................330
Larry Olsiewicz..................330
Thomas Palka...................330
Pavla Peroutka..................330
Christine Pfeifer.................330
Robert Ptacek...................330
James Rajsl.......................330
Joseph Sana.....................330
Daniel Wyss......................330
Erwin Ziska........................330
Julie Amundson.................332
Lois North..........................332
Darlene Cizek....................342
Janice Flanders.................342
James Richter...................342
Caroline Lind.....................346
Larry Zalesky....................346
January 2012
50-YEAR MEMBERS
Curtiss Buchholz...............355
James Sarb.......................355
Vernon Sarb......................355
Susan Finlen.....................357
Jean Swendrowski............357
James Thomas..................357
Carolyn Steeno.................360
Geraldine Wicklund...........360
Jean Russell...................... 361
Lucille Ihlenfeldt................365
Gloria Kaminecki...............365
Judith Kuehl......................365
Kathleen Kuehl..................365
Vaughan Martin.................365
Norman Paplham..............365
Sandra Seidl......................365
Sheila Crockett..................377
Katherine Day....................377
Milous Pelc........................377
Tambra Prantner...............377
Margo Skerik.....................377
George Stehlik..................377
Vernon Duba.....................389
Darrel Hayek.....................389
Douglas Plachy.................389
Guy Shalla.........................389
Barbara Vlasin...................389
Larry Zumpfe.....................389
Benedict Estel................... 391
Michele Giese................... 391
Sharon Gorski................... 391
Terrence Ledvina.............. 391
Bruce Mahlik..................... 391
Barbara Moore.................. 391
Dennis Selner.................... 391
Lois Van Zeeland.............. 391
Jerry Cada.........................400
Lisa Dirks..........................423
Kenneth Fish.....................423
Sandra Hutchcroft.............423
Craig Hynek......................423
Donna Novak.....................423
Gregory Rasplicka............423
Mark Earsa........................400
Robin Nelson.....................400
Rose Pudil.........................400
Leslie Mach....................... 401
Judith Seiffert.................... 401
James Toupal.................... 401
Gregory Oliva....................426
Linda Pacula......................426
Ray Pallas.........................426
Johnnie Krajca..................402
Jenny Borek......................408
Gary Genteman.................408
Marian Genteman.............408
Kenneth Urban..................408
William Urban....................408
Ruth Grosfield................... 431
Christopher Johnson......... 431
Kathleen Sramek............... 431
Gary Vaughn..................... 431
Judith Vaughn................... 431
William Williams................ 431
Valerian Bayer Jr............... 416
Martha Dubcak.................. 416
Deborah Mc Queen........... 416
Jerrie Pomykal.................. 416
Calvin Skrabanek.............. 416
Alice Sulak........................ 416
Kenny Sulak...................... 416
Darlene Linder...................446
2012 Lodge Anniversaries
Lodge City, State
Charter Date
Anniversary
Trocnov No. 121
Caldwell, KS
03/02/1902
110 years
Ashland No. 126
Ashland, WI
08/31/1902
110 years
Owatonna No. 127
Owatonna, MN
10/05/1902
110 years
Saline Center No. 389
Western, NE
12/05/1937
75 years
2011 Lodge Referral Program
Congratulations to the members who submitted referrals between November 16, 2011—December 15, 2011.
Referrer Name
Kathryn Blocker
Dan Carey
Mildred Chapko
Shannon Daugherty
Sheila Fairchild
Cindy Fridrich
Pam Fuller
Linda Grove
Cleo Hendricksen
Stanley Johnsrud
Pamela Kotval
Carol Loss
Jeanette Marmolejo
Roger Miller
Rick Moravek
January 2012
ST
OK
NE
MI
IA
OK
OK
NE
IA
WI
MN
MN
MN
OK
KS
KS
Lodge 46
8
225
7
475
46
74
500
193
192
11
69
109
203
19
Referral
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
3
1
5
3
1
1
1
Referrer Name
Dorene Mozdzierz
Mildred Ortner
Ron Pecinovsky
Marvel Pesek
Lavern Potuzak
Lila Pribyl
Alois Ruman
Dan Stursa
Therese Trojak
Donald Trousil
Marjorie Van Dyke
Lenora Vana
Ron Voboril
Richard Winslow
Betty Zoubek
ST
WI
IA
IA
MN
KS
NE
SD
MN
WI
MN
OK
WI
NE
OK
NE
Lodge 408
262
85
219
246
74
71
127
236
192
46
332
426
109
389
Referral
1
1
1
3
2
5
1
4
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
9
P R O D U C E R S PA G E
Congratulations
WFLA Leaders for the Month of November
Region of the Month
Nebraska Agency
Top 5 Career Agents
Top 5 Commercial
Agents
Ryan Fowler, FICF
Fabian Seyller, LUTCF
Brad Gilson, FICF
Randy Kolarik, FICF, LUTCF
Rob Firchow
Frank Brincat
Delmer Wondercheck, FIC
Brian Lemieux, FIC, LUTCF
John Fowler
Don Gillett, FIC
TIE!
Matthew Schernikau, FIC
REGIONAL MANAGERS
most certificates
placed & MOST NEW
MEMBERS
most certificates
Placed
MI/OH Daniel J. Zeiger, FICF, LUTCF
(517) 202-2362
top commercial &
most annuity premium
top career
WI
Frank Brincat (MI)
IA
J. David Butler, FICF, LUTCF
(319) 358-2522
SD
James J. Neuhardt, FICF
(605) 554-2020
NE
Matthew K. Schernikau, FIC
(402) 464-2500 or
(877) 464-9352
Dalbert Steele (IL)
Brad Gilson, FICF (KS)
ND/MN Paul D. Vaagene, LUTCF
(701) 799-2150 or
(888) 898-8863
Steve A. Schultz, FICF, LUTCF
(920) 219-9047
We are sad to report that a very special agent of wfla has
passed away. Dan Olmstead was a very successful agent with
wfla since 2007. He will be greatly missed by many. To those
members who had Dan Olmstead as their agent, please contact
Manager Paul Vaagene with any questions or needs you might
have at 701.799.2150.
Ryan Fowler, FICF (IA)
most life premium
Fabian Seyller, LUTCF (IL)
10
January 2012
F I N A N C I A L P L A N N I N G M AT T E R S
"2012 New Year's Resolution"
Start Your Retirement Income Planning Now
By Julie Cole, CFP®, FLMI
Annuity Product Manager
In 2007, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging
asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report
on how American workers are fairing with their plans for
retirement. The GAO interviewed a wide variety of financial
planning professionals, Department of Labor officials, Social
Security administrators and actuaries, academic researchers,
and state insurance commissioners, asking for their input. The
results were published in a 2011 report titled Retirement Income:
Ensuring Income Throughout Retirement Requires Difficult
Choices. The report identified four critical mistakes that people
continue to make when planning for retirement:
1. People are not starting early enough to save for retirement.
2. People are choosing to start receiving social security
benefits before they reach full benefit age.
3. People are not planning for a 30-year retirement.
4. Most people are not seeking or getting advice from
qualified professionals about how to convert their retirement
savings into retirement income.
Individuals continue to delay saving for retirement. This
is evident by two things: 1) At year-end 2009, the average
401(k) balance for workers aged 60 to 70, with at least 30 years
of job tenure at their current employer is about $200,000.
2) Approximately 30% of individuals over the age of 65 are
dependent on full-time or part-time employment to maintain
their standard of living.
Current social security statistics indicate that 43% of eligible retirees start their SSI benefit within one month of their
62nd birthday. A total of 73% take their benefit before age 65.
Only 14% start their benefits when they reach full retirement
age. Three percent start their benefits after they reach full
retirement age, but before age 70 and 10% delay receiving SSI
until age 70. By delaying the start of benefits to age 70, these
recipients will receive approximately 75% greater monthly
benefits than their peers who start receiving their benefits at
age 62. This indicates that people reaching age 62 are not aware
of the actuarial statistic that they will live another 23.5 years.
Many boomers indicated that their parents did not anticipate
either the high costs of long-term care or that they would live
well into their 90’s.
Most people don’t have a plan for retirement income.
Financial Planners consistently recommend two strategies to
guarantee a higher retirement income: Delay the start of social
security benefits to age 70 (when health permits) and increase
“annuitized” income. Yet, only 10% of retirees delay the start
of SSI benefits to age 70 and less than 5% of retirees use income
annuities to provide a guaranteed income.
Following the release of the 2011 report, the U. S. Senate
Special Committee on Aging asked the Financial Planning
Association for help. They posed several important questions:
• How can financial advisors do a better job serving “middle
class America” in pre-retirement planning?
• What are planners doing to reach people and provide help
with a strategy for retirement income?
• How does long-term care financing fit into a retirement
income plan?
• How can advisors engage people to think about what
they need to do after they leave the job market (either from
layoffs or voluntary early retirement) to get re-employed?
The GAO report stresses that, “Solving the retirement
income planning problem is critical to the underlying financial
stability of our country. Poor personal financial management
will eventually affect everyone — not only the retiree — as the
effects of poor decisions potentially place a heavier burden on
public need-based assistance.”
Talk with your wfla advisor today about your retirement
plan. Western Fraternal Life Association IRAs are an excellent
retirement savings vehicle and wfla income annuities provide a
guaranteed monthly retirement income that you cannot outlive.
Put “See a wfla advisor and make a retirement plan” at the top
of your list of New Year’s resolutions.
In a 2008 survey of 10,000 baby boomers, 88% of them
indicated that they did not receive or do not expect to receive
any inheritance from their parents. This is because their parents
have used up or are likely to use up all of their savings and assets.
January 2012
11
CALENDAR
Jan. 5 — Lodge No. 112, Comstock, NE—Mtg., 7 p.m.; Ord Senior
Center.
Jan. 8 — Lodge No. 11, Hopkins, MN—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Resources
West, 915 Mainstreet, Hopkins; enter at back of Cobbleston
Court bldg from parking lot.
— Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Please
bring greeting cards for Gratiot Senior Center. Contact Ruth
Malek 989-838-4493.
Jan. 9 — Lodge No. 389, Western, NE—Mtg., 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon; City Point
Community Center; potluck, bingo.
Feb. 6 — Lodge No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA— WFLA Annex; 6 p.m.
dinner, with mtg to follow.
Feb. 12 — Lodge No. 11, Hopkins, MN—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Resource
West (Board Room), 915 Mainstreet, Hopkins; enter at back
of Cobbleston Court bldg from parking lot.
— Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon; City Point
Community Center; potluck, bingo.
— Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; used
clothing drive (clean and in good repair) and small working
appliances. Contact Alice Gavenda 989-838-4458.
Feb. 21 — Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6 p.m.; Sokol South
Omaha Hall; cookies potluck, beverages furnished.
Feb. 26 — Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg.; Mid-winter Jamboree;
potluck at noon. Contact Diane Bradley 989-862-5378.
Mar. 2 — Lodge No. 247, Flint, MI—Mtg., 4:30 p.m.; Walli's East on
Center Road, Flint.
Mar. 5 — Lodge No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA—WFLA Annex; 6 p.m.
Mar. 11 — Lodge No. 11, Hopkins, MN—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Resource
West (Board Room), 915 Mainstreet, Hopkins; enter at back
of Cobbleston Court bldg from parking lot.
— Lodge No. 225, Banniester, MI—Mtg., 1:30 p.m.; Women's
Aid Collection; contact S. Stoll at 847-2461.
Mar. 14 — Lodge No. 400, Swisher, IA—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; Clarion Inn,
Cedar Rapids, IA.
Mar. 18 — Lodge No. 141, Cadott, WI—Potato Pancake Breakfast, 8
a.m.-1 p.m.; mtg to follow at 1:30 p.m.
Mar. 20 — Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE—Mtg., 6: p.m.; Sokol South
Omaha Hall; potluck.
Apr. 1 — Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI—Mtg.; presentation of
50/75-year pins and initiation of new members; mtg at 10
a.m. with potluck at noon, followed by program; collection
for Veterans. Contact Sally Stoll 989-847-2461.
— Lodge No. 408, City Point, WI—Mtg., noon City Point
Community Center; Easter party-potluck.
Apr. 2 — Lodge No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA—WFLA Annex; 6 p.m.
Apr. 6 — Lodge No. 247, Flint, MI—Mtg., 4:30 p.m.; Walli's East on
Center Road, Flint.
Apr. 11 — Lodge No. 400, Cedar Rapids, IA—Mtg., 11:30 a.m.; Clarion
Inn, Cedar Rapids.
State Meetings 2012
Apr. 14
KS State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 128; Moravan Lodge Hall,
Rossville.
April 15
IA State Mtg, Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids; 10 a.m. registration
followed by 11 a.m. mtg; host Lodge No. 85.
April 28
TX State Mtg, Nors Sausage & Burger House, 128 North
Main St., West, TX; noon lunch, mtg 1 p.m.; host Lodge No.
430.
June 9/10 MN State Mtg, Shooting Star Casino Hotel & Event Center,
770 Casino Rd, Mahnomen, MN 56557.
Aug. 26
SD State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 80, Tyndall, SD.
12
Sept. 22
NE State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 101, Du Bois, NE, lodge hall;
10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. mtg.
MI State Mtg, Host Lodge No. 242, Owosso; Lodge Hall,
1775 E Owosso Ave, Owosso, MI 48867; 9:30 a.m. coffee,
mtg, 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 4
DISTRICT Meetings 2012
Mar. 31
WI/Upper MI Advisory Meeting, Host Lodge No. 144; 10
a.m.; at Central WI Airport, Mosinee, WI (downstairs).
Apr. 1
NE District No. 2, Host Lodge No. 84; 2 p.m.; Table Rock
Senior Center.
Apr. 8
NE District No. 1, Host Lodge No. 45; at Ed Svajgl home,
3926 X St., Omaha, NE 68107.
Apr. 15
MI District, Host Lodge No. 247; Wally's East, Flint; 9:30 a.m.
coffee; mtg. 10:30 a.m.
MN District No. 2, Host Lodge No. 107, VFW Hall, Canby,
MN; noon meal with meeting at 1 p.m.
NE District No. 5, Host Lodge No. 342, noon potluck/mtg.,
American Legion Hall (Main Street).
WI District No. 1, Host Lodge No. 48; noon, Grobschmidt
Senior Center.
Apr. 22
NE District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 426; WOW Hall, 7011
Webster St., Lincoln, NE (off 70th St.); noon p.m. lunch (meat,
drink, & table service provided), mtg., 1:30 p.m.
MN District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 155; American Legion
Hall, Lonsdale, MN.
Apr. 29
MN District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 38; Oakland Town Hall,
Oakland, MN.
WI District No. 5, Host Lodge No. 196; noon dinner; Black
River Falls, lodge hall.
NE District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 158, Dwight, NE.
May 6
WI District No. 2, Host Lodge No. 142; noon, Reindl's in
Menchalville, WI.
June 2
WI District No. 3, Host Lodge No. 73; noon, Tradewinds,
W3305 State Hwy 64, Marinette, WI.
June 3
WI District No. 4, Host Lodge No. 332; noon, Weyerhauser.
June 24
MI District, Host Lodge No. 225; Bannister lodge hall, 9:30
a.m. registration, 10:30 mtg.
Host lodges, please send us your 2012 District and State
Meeting information for this calendar page.
Board Meetings 2012
Feb. 17/19
May 10/11
July 13/14
Oct. 26/27
Board of Directors Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IA
May 5
May 19/20
May 25
June 14/16
OK, Prague Kolache Festival, Prague
IA, Houby Days, Cedar Rapids.
TX, 46th Annual National Polka Festival, Ennis.
SD, 64th Annual Czech Days Celebration, Tabor.
cz ech festivals
Check out these great wfla sponsored
organizations
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library: find out
upcoming events and special exhibits: www.ncsml.org
WOES FM: The Polka Palace, a non-commercial, educational radio
station broadcast from Ovid-Elsie High School, Elsie, MI: www.oe.k12.mi.us
Czech-American TV
PO Box 100001, Cape Coral, FL 33910
(708) 813-0028 www.catvusa.com
Czech Radio Programs Cleveland, OH
Joe Kocab, WHK Radio 1220 AM
Sundays from 3:03 to 5 p.m.
January 2012
SPOTLIGHT
Member Irene Nelson of Lodge No. 162,
Gregory, SD celebrated her 80th birthday.
Member Eldon Psota of Lodge No. 437,
Ord, NE married Sharleen Vonesdel
September 24, 2011.
Member Natalie Stejskal of Lodge No.
67, Yukon, OK married John Jasinski on
October 21, 2011.
The Home Office employees
participated in three projects this
holiday season. Each department
divided up a list of non-perishable
foods, personal care, and cleaning
items, and filled ten laundry baskets
for ten needy Wilson School families.
Several employees went to a nursing
home and sang Christmas carols and
handed out small gifts. Employees
also went to Wilson School and
wrapped books for students.
Member Seth Crenshaw of Lodge No.
121, Caldwell, KS graduated from South
Haven High School in May. He is currently
a Kansas State student at Salina studying
Electronic and Computer Engineering
Technology.
Our youth member, Parker Gower,
displays the trophy he won playing for
the Sunflower Soccer Association in
Topeka. His team, the Mustangs, placed
third in the Governor’s Cup tournament
October 23.
Czech Composers
(continued from December)
by Donald Ringler Jr., Lodge 222, Malin, OR
Julius Ernst Wilhelm Fučík
Ernst Fučík was born in Prague on July 18, 1872. In 1891,
he joined the Austro-Hungarian Regiment as a military musiDonald Ringler Jr. cian. In 1895, he left the military band to join the German
Theater in Prague as 2nd bassonist. Fučík became principle
conductor of the Prague City Orchestra.
In 1897, Fučík rejoined the army as a bandmast in Sarajevo. During this time,
he composed his most famous piece of music, Entrance of the Gladiators. Between
1900 and 1913, Fučík made several moves, first to Budapest, then to Bohemia, and
finally Berlin. He died in Berlin on September 15, 1916, from privations from World
War I. Ernst Fučík has been called the "John Philip Souza of the Czech people" for
his writing of military marches.
January 2012
13
an e-mail list) or telling family and friends by word-of-mouth.
Now, all this may take some time, but that’s ok! If it takes eight
months to get a really good turnout at an event then it is worth
it. If you have any questions about planning a youth activity,
I would be glad to give you some ideas.
Kelsey Wegner
Youth Director
1. A failure to plan…
We all know the old saying, “A failure to plan is a plan for
failure.” Truer words have never been spoken. This is especially
true for getting youth and families involved in the lodges.
Assuming that young adults don't care or are too busy often
ends with no communication between your active lodge members and the young members. Try this: at your next meeting,
plan one event (not a lodge meeting) that is youth and family
focused. You can think of it as a recruitment event. Be youth
focused, I mean getting the young members to come to and
participate in the event. The event should include something
fun for youth (think sledding, making cookies, sponsoring a
family game night) and an explanation of what wfla is and
WHY they should get involved (including information on
upcoming events). You’ll have to advertise this event, like
sending flyers to members, sending out e-mails (if you have
YOUTH IN THE NEWS
Member Baily Horak of Lodge
No. 389, Western, NE received
the A merican FFA Degree on
October 22, 2011. Earning the
degree means he is part of a select
group of individuals recognized for
years of academic and professional
excellence. The American Degree is
the highest award that the National
FFA can bestow upon a member.
The degree recognizes demonstrated
leadership and outstanding achievements in agricultural
business, production, processing, or service programs. Baily
is the son of Doug and Beth Horak.
2. Talking about our generations
You can often hear on the news how different each generation is from one another. Now that there are four generations in
the workplace, conflicts between them seem to be highlighted
daily. They say the traditionalists can’t accept change, the
boomers are workaholics, that generation X is cynical, and
generation Y can be needy and lazy. Yet, the four generations
have much more in common than what is separating them.
Each generation has seen triumphs and trials, each have their
defining moments. More than that however, each have been
through many of these events together, as families and communities. In the past, lodges were the glue that held families
and communities together- serving at a time when everyone
came together to serve their community, preserve traditions,
and visit friends. Many active lodge members have shared that
they became involved in the lodge because their parents were.
It’s not too late to make this a family affair again. The
benefits of joining the generations together under the lodge
umbrella are endless. It’s time to celebrate the differences that
each generation brings to the lodge and see just how much we
have in common.
Member Hannah Horak of Lodge
No. 389 Western, NE attended the
Washington Leadership Conference
in Washington, DC in June, sponsored by the National FFA. The main
idea of WLC is "Living to Serve."
She learned about leadership through
various sessions and visits to the
monuments in Washington, DC.
She also attended the Cornhuskers
Girls State Conference in June, in
Lincoln, NE. The American Legion sponsors this program to
provide young leaders with a first hand experience of forming
and governing in a democracy. Hannah is the daughter of Doug
and Beth Horak.
Make Frozen Bubbles
Brrr ... these bubbles are totally chill!
Blowing bubbles might typically be synonymous with summertime, but why not mix it up with some winter bubble-blowing fun? When
the temperature drops below zero, join your child in making frozen bubbles. They last a lot longer than the ones you can blow in July.
Bubble solution:
Buy it at the store
Several bubble wands:
Buy them or bend and shape them out of hangers.
Bubble blowers:
You and your child.
Sub-zero temperatures:
See, there's something positive about the weather
dipping below 32 degrees!
Gloves: Because frostbite blows (and not like a bubble).
Hat: Because frostbite on your ears blows even more!
14
1. Work with your child to make or buy bubble solution and wands.
If you opt to make your solution, note that the longer it sits, the better
the bubbles will be. So make it the day before.
2. Get your child to grab his gloves and hat and head outside.
3. Invite your child to blow bubbles (or blow 'em for your child if
their too small).
4. Help your child catch the bubbles on the wands before they hit
the ground and watch them freeze.
5. Have your child experiment with the frozen bubbles. Get him to
poke them to see if they pop. Breathe on them to see if they thaw.
Catch several on one wand and watch them crystallize together.
January 2012
K I T C H E N TA L K
Home-Made Czech-Slovak Kielbasa
Katherine Hucko, Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI
5 lbs pork-Boston butt
3
cloves garlic, minced
2T salt
1 tsppepper
2 tsp caraway seeds
1½ T paprika
casings cut into size of sausages desired
Use a food processor or a hand grinder to grind the meat. Mix meat
with seasonings and stuff into casings with a sausage funnel with a
¾" tip. Fit one open end of the casing over the tip of the funnel and
use a wooden spoon to push the meat mixture through and tie off
ends, or you can use the hand grinder to stuff them. Sausages can be
smoked, dried in a low oven temperature, or just fried in a skillet.
Breakfast Casserole
C. Jean Peck, Lodge No. 9, Morse Bluff, NE
8 frozen hash brown patties
4 eggs
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ can of milk
2 T melted margarine
1 lb sausage or 2 C
chopped ham
Use a 9x13 inch pan. Beat the eggs, add the soup can of milk and
the can of soup. Place the frozen hash browns in the pan. Brown
the sausage and drain. Place sausage over the hash browns. Pour egg
mixture over all. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Refrigerate
over night. Bake at 3750 for 40-45 minutes until knife inserted in
middle comes out clean.
Oven Beef Stew
2
2
6
¼
1
Carol Vargo, Lodge No. 330, Brookfield, IL
lbs beef
2 onions sliced
stalks celery chunks
3 potatoes quartered
carrots, chunks
2 tsp salt
tsp pepper
2 T tapioca
T sugar
1½ C tomato juice
Place meat in large casserole dish. Arrange vegetables on top in
order listed. Combine salt, pepper, tapioca, and sugar. Sprinkle evenly
over top of stew. Add tomato juice. Cover tightly.
Bake either at 2500 for 5 hours or 3000 for 4 hours. Don't peek!
Needs to remain sealed.
Marie's Goulash
2
1
1
1
Robyn Bahn, Lodge No. 71, Utica, SD
C dry macaroni
2 T catsup
lb lean hamburger
1 12 oz can tomato juice
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 15-16 oz can diced tomatoes
chopped onion & garlic (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
T yellow mustard
Cook macaroni in boiling water until tender. Drain off water and
set aside.
Brown hamburger in a large kettle. Fry onion and garlic at same
time if desired. Drain off fat.
Add tomato sauce, tomato juice, diced tomatoes, catsup, mustard,
and other seasonings. Stir in cooked macaroni and heat until the
goulash is heated through. Serves 8.
Pumpkin Bars
Lou Ann Laurin, Lodge No. 73, Menominee, MI
2 C sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¾ C butter
2 tsp baking soda
4 eggs
½ tsp cinnamon
2C pumpkin
2 C flour
20 Minute Meat Loaf
¾
½
⅛
1
lb
tsp
tsp
sm
Lorraine Janecek, Lodge No. 28, Clarkson, NE
ground beef
½ C soft bread crumbs
salt
½ C tomato sauce
pepper
1 T dehydrated onion flakes
egg, slightly beaten
Combine all ingredients. Shape into 4 loaves and bake at 4500 for
fifteen minutes.
Sauce:
Remaining portion of can of tomato sauce with 1 T brown sugar,
2 tsp parsley flakes, ½ tsp worcestershire sauce. Combine and spoon
excess grease off meat. Pour sauce over and bake 5 minutes longer.
Serves 4.
Anise Cookies
Eilyne Simon, Lodge No. 127, Owatonna, MN
1 C white sugar
1 C molasses
1 C lard
2 egg yolks
2 tsp soda
2 tsp ginger
5 drops anise oil
2 egg whites, beaten
5C flour
Bring to a boil the white sugar, molasses, and lard. Let cool to
lukewarm.
Add egg yolks, soda, ginger, anise oil, egg whites, and flour. Mix
well, chill, roll out, and cut with cookie cutters. Grease pan, if it isn't
a non-stick cookie sheet. Bake at 3750 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 3
dozen.
Sweet Potato Praline Swirl
Jane Johnson, Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI
2 med sweet potatoes, peeled, & cubed
½ tsp ground ginger
½ C heavy whipping cream
¼ C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
½ C shopped pecans
3 tsp vanilla extract
Praline Sauce:
⅓ C packed brown sugar
¼ C sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp ground ginger
½ T vanilla extract
Place sweet potatoes in microwave oven and microwave 5-6 minutes
or until done. Place sweet potatoes when done in a large bowl and mash
until smooth. Beat in cream, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon,
and ginger. Fold in pecans. Transfer to a greased 8" baking square
dish. Combine the sauce ingredients, spoon over sweet potatoes.
Cut through with a knife to swirl the sauce. Bake uncovered at 3250
40-45 minutes or until center is done. Serves 8.
Kelly's Meatball Soup
6 -8
1
1
1
1
1
Kelly Berghorst, Lodge No. 225, Bannister, MI
C beef broth
1 lg onion, diced
lb pkg meatballs
1 qt stewed tomatoes
15 oz northern beans
6 potatoes, cubed
C carrots - sliced
salt and pepper to taste
C celery, diced
1 lb fresh spinach
clove of garlic
1 T butter
In a dutch oven, saute carrots, celery, and onion in 1 T butter until
tender. Add 1 glove garlic minced. Add broth and stewed tomatoes.
Bring to a boil and add potatoes, northern beans, and meat balls,
simmer 45 minutes. Add 1 pkg fresh spinach the last few minutes of
cooking. Will wilt fast. Serve with dinner rolls. Serves 8-10.
Cream sugar, butter, and eggs. Mix in pumpkin, add dry ingredients,
mix well. Pour into a prepared sheet pan, approximately 12x16". Bake
at 3500 for 15-20 minutes.
Note: batter is thick and needs to be spread. Serves 24.
January 2012
15
F R AT E R N A L F O C U S
Illinois
Lodge Pilgrim No. 330, Brookfield, IL
Lodge Iowa No. 85, Protivin, IA
Cindy Kostohryz, Correspondent
Lois Zajicek and Cindy
Kostohryz man the
fishing pond at the
Christmas party.
Rosemary Davis, Secretary
Lodge members met on December 8 at Alexander’s
Restaurant. Members brought warm hats, gloves, and etc., to
distribute to a food pantry. Also, warm clothing was brought
to be distributed to needy people. Bill Strejc brought the cards
made by local Edison school children and Rosemary Davis
brought cards and treats. These were given to the residents
of the Pershing Convalescent Home. During the short meeting, members reported on absent
members, who all are doing well and hope to be with us next
year. We made plans for our next meeting, and the next year’s
activities were discussed. Afterwards, we walked to the care home and met with
the Director who took us around. He introduced us to the
residents, and we gave them the cards. The people seemed
very glad to see us and remembered us from our September
bingo party. Cards and ice cream will be provided for their
Christmas Ice Cream Social.
Iowa
Lodge Cedar No. 7, Cedar Rapids, IA
Melissa Clapp, Correspondent
Our elves were busy on December 3rd ringing the bells
for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive. We have collected
and delivered food and gifts for a local family so they may
have a nice holiday. Members are also preparing to bowl in
the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraiser
on January 29. We have invited all of the Cedar Rapids area
lodges to participate and have received commitments from
four other lodges. We also hope to have some Home Office
employees participating as well.
(l-r) Members Sally
Sawyer and Shannon
Daugherty ringing the
bells for the Salvation
Army Red Kettle Drive.
Balloon animals at the
Christmas party.
Lodge Cesti Bratri No. 104, Clutier, IA
Donna Banes, Correspondent
Our meeting was opened by President Marvin Ohrt.
Our lodge welcomes a new member, Jean Miller.
A motion was made to donate to the Clutier Fire
Department, the South Tama County Food Pantry, and
The Northeast Iowa Food Bank to be used for the back pack
program for children.
Our new officers for 2012 are: President Delane Cizek, Vice
President Arlene Schmidt, Secretary Donna Banes, Treasurer
Myrna Dostal, Trustees Arlene Wrage, Manetta Ohrt, and
Richard Wiebbeche.
A moment of silence was held for deceased member
Kenneth Sears. Our sympathy goes out to his family.
The hall will be closed until April 1, 2012. Our next
meeting will be March 20, at Myrna Dostal’s home.
Lodge Klas No. 160, Center Point, IA
Ramona Williams, Correspondent
Our lodge looks forward to seeing more of you in 2012.
If you, your organization, or someone you know has a need
we can fill, please contact us. If you have an idea for, or
would like to host a meeting, please call Jack or Don at
319-363-2653.
If you would like to be included in our email distribution
list for up-to-date information on events and meetings, please
send an email to [email protected], SUBJECT: Lodge 7
distro list.
16
Members met at Cooper’s Mill for our September 24
meeting and brunch.
School supplies were purchased for three local schools.
The lodge will donate to the Leukemia Walk. We voted
to purchase non-perishable items for a local food pantry.
We will bring these to our next meeting. Members brought
batteries and box tops.
Our lodge met on October 8, at Cooper’s Mill for our
meeting and brunch. President Don Williams called our
meeting to order and talked about the Leukemia Walk.
Members voted to purchase one case of Kleenex each for
our three local schools. Don will purchase and deliver these.
For a youth activity, we purchased movie tickets and snacks
for children at Systems Unlimited in Cedar Rapids. Ramona
delivered these in December.
Members brought pop tabs, batteries, and card fronts to
the meeting.
January 2012
Members met at Cooper’s Mill on November 19 for our
meeting and brunch.
Steve informed us that he delivered the canned goods to a
food pantry. We received a thank-you note from them.
Ramona informed members of a “Soldier Care” program
being held with the Alburnett High School class. We decided
to join them. Don will purchase the items and deliver them.
We will also make a monetary donation for the postage.
Members brought pop tabs, prescription bottles, and card
fronts.
We will hold our Christmas party at the Lone Star on
January 28 at 11 a.m. We hope to see you there.
Lodge Cedar Rapids No. 262, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lodge Four Hundred No. 400, Swisher, IA
Linda Evers, Correspondent
Members met December 14 at the Clarion Inn in Cedar
Rapids for lunch, followed by our business meeting. Jerry
Becicka installed the following lodge officers: President
Mary Ann Siems, Vice President Wayne Slezak, Secretary/
Correspondent Linda Evers, and Treasurer Judy Slezak.
A wreath was donated by the lodge for the Holiday Wreath
Silent Auction held at the Old Prague Christmas event in the
Czech Village.
Our newly installed
lodge officers.
Marge Petrzelka, Correspondent
Our December meeting was held at Hus Memorial Church.
Members and guests participated in honoring our 75-year
members. We had three members who were able to attend:
George Machacek, Hermina Rigel, and Charles Netolicky.
We started our meeting with wassail made by Kitty
Chadima, followed by a catered dinner. Delores Becicka
decorated all the tables and Blair Thornbloom kept us
entertained with Christmas music on his electric keyboard
throughout the evening.
Director Don Krall
and President Jim
Wolfe present 75-year
member pins at the
Christmas party.
Lodge Hawkeye No. 423, Cedar Rapids, IA
Dell Votroubek, Correspondent
President Kathy Valenta presents
holiday treats to members Miracle
and Josh Mason Jr.
Director Don Krall congratulated the honorees. Kathy
Valenta presented each with a
spray of red roses.
Kelsey Wegner, the new
youth activities director, was introduced and gave a short
presentation. Her aim is to help lodges improve youth
involvement.
Kitty and Kathy made and donated three wreaths to be
raffled off at Old Prague Christmas, which took place in the
Czech Village. This was a fundraiser for the Czech Heritage
youth projects and was the first time it had been offered.
We deliberately kept the meeting short because the whole
purpose was to honor our 75-year members and celebrate
the Christmas spirit. The children present were not left out.
Kathy made each child a Christmas basket filled with goodies
as part of our Christmas celebration.
Our next meeting will be February 7 at Hus Memorial
Church at 6 p.m.
January 2012
Congratulations
to member Tyler
Smith, who won
second prize in
the Youth Writing
Contest.
Members brought non-perishable food items, which were
donated to the Madge Phillips Center. Pill bottles were also
donated for recycling. Our March, April, and May, meetings
will be on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Clarion
Inn in Cedar Rapids at 11:30 a.m.
Our lodge is made up of a group of friends who enjoy
each other’s company. We have a good time doing whatever
activities we are doing together. Recently, we went grocery
shopping for Thanksgiving baskets for 13 needy families.
There were eight members doing the shopping, and then we
delivered the baskets to the families. After the deliveries, we
had dinner and visited.
We agreed to buy Christmas gifts again this year for a house
of eight boys at the Four Oaks Facility in Cedar Rapids. This
is a facility for troubled children. They serve many children
throughout Iowa and always appreciate the donations. Each
boy makes out a gift list, and we choose three items each
from their lists. We delivered those gifts on December 10.
Our last activity of the year was our December Christmas
party.
Lodge Oxford No. 427, Oxford, IA
Susan Rugger, Correspondent
Our lodge met for a dinner meeting on September 22 at
Slim’s Saloon in Tiffin, IA.
President Tom McAreavy called the meeting to order.
A report from the wf la National Convention held in
Frankenmuth, MI on August 24-26 was given. Those
delegates attending felt it was a great meeting and enjoyed
the beautiful scenery, hospitality, and meeting various lodge
members.
On July 29, several lodge members donated their time at
Oxford’s Ragbrai stop. We helped at the information booth
serving pie, taking money, serving food, and cleaning up.
It was a great day to be an Iowan and show all the riders
17
what a great state we live in. On September 8, our lodge
members served a meal to the Ronald McDonald House
families as our 9/11 remembrance. The families appreciated
the home-cooked meal, and the thank-you note was read at
our meeting.
President McAreavy suggested we come up with ideas of
activities we can participate in for our next meeting. Our
meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
Madeline Trpkosh, and Marjeanne Jungjohann. We will
discuss more and finalize reports in February.
The entertainment committee asked everyone to bring
heart healthy dishes in February to celebrate Heart month.
Our next meeting will be February 6 at 6 p.m. Dates for
our 2012 meetings were also noted.
Lodge Five Hundred No. 500, Cedar Rapids, IA
Lodge Novy Tabor No. 19, Munden, KS
Trudy Plotz, Correspondent
Members met at 5:30 p.m. for our chili potluck on
December 5.
Thank-you notes were received from Emmy Turkington
for her 75-year membership and also from Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
President Lee Merta thanked Carl and Marjeanne for
organizing the Christmas party. Also, thanks to Mary
and Bill Utt and John and Trudy Plotz who were on the
decorating committee for making the room festive.
Emmy Turkington reported that the Free Health Clinic
does not need any plastic containers at this time, but they
will be taken to Camp Courageous for their art projects by
Don Krall.
Eighty volunteer hours were reported. Bowling for Big
Brothers/Big Sisters will be represented by Lee and Marilyn
Merta.
We wrapped gifts for the Homeless Children’s Trust Fund
on December 10 at K-mart west.
Members wrapping
presents for needy
children on December
10.
Kansas
Margaret Benyshek, Secretary
Members enjoyed a bountiful holiday meal prior to the
meeting on December 11.
President Franklin Rytych received a phone call from wfla
Youth Activities Director, Kelsey Wegner.
Eyeglasses and cell phones were recycled.
Members turned in 59 hours of community service by
working Home Town Christmas Appreciation night, Santa’s
Workshop, Santa Claus at Munden Community Christmas
Program, Veteran Wives Club party, Cuba Community
Christmas party, and community food distribution.
Members brought non-perishable food for the Republic
County food bank. Thanks, President Franklin Rytych for
delivering the food to the collection hall.
Maurene Rytych reported sending several get-well cards.
Lodge Hvezdnaty Prapor No. 95, Timken, KS
Jonea Horyna Hartshorn, Correspondent
Our October 8 meeting was held and activities were
discussed for the rest of the year.
For Halloween, the lodge handed out candy to Bison
trick-or-treaters. The lodge members also baked and provided
cookies for a fundraiser held in Timken on October 26 for
an individual who is fighting an illness.
Lodge member Vickie SmrckaTammen presented Timken Fire Chief,
Jim Holopirek, a $250 check through
the Community Matching Funds
program for the Timken Picnic in the
Park Fundraiser.
Youth Activities Director Kelsey Wegner
speaking at our lodge meeting.
We held our election of officers and they will all be retained
for the next year.
Youth Director Kelsey Wegner was introduced and gave a
brief speech about her role at wfla.
A sheet was passed around for members to sign up and
purchase a gift for a needy family who we received from
HACAP. Gifts were brought to the Home Office and Lee
Merta was in charge of taking them to the HACAP Office.
Other members, not purchasing gifts, were encouraged to
supply non-perishable food items for the family.
Secretary Linda Grove divided the entire group into three
committees to discuss activities for next year with a chairman
for each group. Committee Chairpersons were Deb Krall,
18
In December, lodge members placed ribbons on the
gates of the Timken National
Bohemian Cemetery. Members
also made cookies for the Bison Community Christmas party
held on December 11.
Lodge Moravan No. 128, Rossville, KS
Marjorie Hromada, Correspondent
Our lodge met at the Moravan Lodge Hall on October
19. Our treasurer reported the income from the annual
community dance and the income from the Czechland Polka
dance.
A list from the Home Office about how to attract members
to meetings was given to each officer.
President Olejnik advised members to become aware of the
changes in the bylaws published in the October Fraternal
Herald.
January 2012
Members of the
Czechland Polka Band.
A brief discussion was held concerning a search for
a band for the 2012
annual community
dance.
Memories were renewed of an occasion when a young man
from the Rossville community launched his dance band
career at our lodge hall. On October 15, his band returned
for a 40-year anniversary celebration, which was enjoyed by
many.
Sara Horak presented a receipt from the Helping Hands
Humane Society for shredded paper.
Lodge Western View No. 246, Alton, KS
Mary Lou Dugan, Correspondent
Members met at the Bull City Café on December 2.
President Emery Poore opened the meeting.
Mary Lou has mailed the APO Christmas package to
Major Anthony Cole. Christmas cards were mailed to the
college students, Katie Wolters, Michael Fiorelli, Matthew
Fiorelli, Megan McCall, and Bridget McCormick.
The election of officers was held, and all present officers
kept their positions: President Emery Poore, Vice President
Larry Lala, Correspondent/Secretary Mary Lou Dugan, and
Treasurer Beth McCormick. Trustees are George Dugan,
Larry Lala, and Emery Poore.
We decided to give to the Angels Care School Drive during
December. We will give a box of pencils to the grade school.
Mary Lou will order these from the Home Office.
More volunteer hours were reported.
Lower Michigan
Lower Michigan State Meeting
Joanne Ladiski, State Secretary
The Lower MI District No. 5 State Meeting was held
on November 6, with Bannister Lodge Michigan No. 225
hosting. The meeting convened at 10:30 a.m.
State President Sally Stoll called the meeting to order by
ritual. The colors were presented by members of Lodge No.
225.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by State Vice-President
Ann Van Deusen. The national anthems were led by Robert
Ladiski, and Thomas Bradley led a very moving memorial
service. He read the names of all deceased members of the
Lower MI District. Candles were lit in memory of all
deceased members since the last State Meeting. A moment
of silence was held.
A warm welcome was given by State President Sally Stoll,
President Robert Ladiski of Lodge No. 225, and District
President Edward Fornusek.
Lodge reports were given by Joanne Fornusek, Lodge No.
225; Sharon Bronson, Lodge No. 242, and Edward Rozsypal,
Lodge No. 247.
January 2012
A big round of applause was given to outgoing District No.
5 Director Thomas Bradley for all his hard work during his
time of service for the district. The new elected director, Mary
Bradley spoke to those present and gave her first report.
Controller Jack Minder gave his report, indicating that
wfla is financially sound. A youth director has been hired
by the Home Office. He thanked everyone for all the hard
work the district members did to make the 2011 National
Convention in Frankenmuth, MI a success.
Dates for the 2012 meetings were set: April 15, District
Meeting hosted by Lodge No. 247; June 24, District Meeting
hosted by Lodge No. 225; and November 12, State Meeting
hosted by Lodge No. 242. The State officers were sworn in
by Thomas Bradley. State Officers are President Joe Sovis,
Vice President Jerry Francis, and Secretary Sharon Bronson.
The District Meeting was honored to have Ales Pokorny,
an exchange student at Ovid-Elsie High School, from
Bedrichovice, Moravia Czech Republic. He spoke to the
gathering about his stay here in the U. S. and compared life
in the U.S. to life in the Czech Republic.
The Czech doll from the Home Office was won by Sharon
Bronson.
The gavel was passed to the new State President, Joe Sovis.
He closed the meeting according to ritual.
Lodge Michigan No. 225 served a very delicious meal and
was given a big round of applause.
Lodge Michigan No. 225, Bannister, MI
Joanne Fornusek, Correspondent
The December 4 meeting was called to order by President
Robert Ladiski. Correspondence included Christmas greetings, a donation from Owen and Mary Ellen Wingle, and a
thank-you note from Irene Chovance for her Christmas card
and calendar of events.
Members voted to make a monetary donation to the
Gratiot Senior Center to support their Christmas Food Basket
Program. Craig Zeese, Director of the Commission on Aging,
was present to accept the donation and food supplies brought
in by members and friends.
A special thank you was extended to the math students of
Ed Fornusek and Jamie Mallia at Alma High School who
donated over 200 cans of food to the project.
Members who were present for the 10 a.m. meeting each
received a beautiful poinsettia from the lodge.
A blood drive for the American Red Cross was held
December 29 at the lodge hall. There is often an urgent need
for blood products during the holiday season and the lodge
tried to help meet this need. The annual bowling party for
the youth (and the young at heart) took place on December
30 at Nic’s in Ovid. Bowling, shoes, pizza, and soft drinks
were provided.
Christmas cards and the lodge calendar were sent to all
senior members. Birthday wishes were extended to Josie
Chapin, Vlasta Kopta, Katherine Hucko, and Tom Bradley.
Plans were finalized for the New Year’s Eve dance. Music
was provided by the Stan Saylor Band.
Following the meeting, more than 100 children and
adults participated in the Christmas dinner and program.
The youngest children performed Christmas carols on their
rhythm band instruments and the Michigan State University
19
Russian Singers sang Christmas hymns in the Czech, Slovak,
and German languages. Svate Mikulas (Tom Pumford)
arrived to tell the story of Christmas, accompanied by an
angel and a devil (Meggan Andrews and Matthew Horak).
As the story was told through words and song, the older
children came together on the stage in a live nativity scene.
Mary (Amanda Malek) and Joseph (Dylan Kinnamon) were
joined by angels, shepherds, and kings. Then Svate Mikulas
and his helpers handed out apples to all the good children,
and the devil even had some coal just in case there were some
who hadn’t been so good.
Rhythm band
members.
The live Nativity
scene.
pancake breakfast and bake sale benefit, to the wfla MN
Scholarship fund.
Our lodge members met and prepared fruit and goodie
plates for our shut-ins and Marcella Nelson, Gail Rayman,
Barb Prantner, Don Kral, Alton Krikava, Jim Becker, Jim
Benesh, and Frances Kycek-Swenson volunteered to deliver
them on December 5. The visit is as nice as the goodies.
Evelyn Svenson donated a beautiful wreath, which she
placed on the Wooden Hall Monument. Thank you, Evelyn!
Members brought many lbs of food for the Salvation Army
Food Shelf and Dennis and Gail Rayman volunteered to
deliver it. Members also brought many bags of items for the
Ronald McDonald House wish list in Rochester and Evelyn
Svenson volunteered to deliver them. Can tabs, soup labels,
and eyeglasses were also brought for our various projects.
Emil Prantner, Dale Lukes, Jim Benesh, and Alton Krikava
installed the pump housing for our sump pump in the cellar
of our building. Emil is also building new steps into the cellar.
Thank you to our members for all the work they do to keep
our property in good shape.
Our lodge helps promote the “Loaves & Fishes Program”
with food donations and members helping with the dinners.
Dennis and Gail Rayman recently worked at one of their
dinners.
Lodge Orel No. 69, St. Paul, MN
Carol Loss, Correspondent
Jingling bells then announced the arrival of Santa Claus
(Roger Reha) who joined Svate to hand out gifts to all the
children present.
Minnesota
Members had a delicious potluck dinner prior to our
meeting on December 13. Correspondence from the Home
Office was read. Kathy Richardson delivered 22 wrapped
shoe boxes to the Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul. Thank
you to everyone who donated goods to pack in the boxes!
Food donations and a check were collected and taken to the
food shelf in White Bear Lake. To members who’ve attended
our meetings this year, we’ll have our “Old Faithful” night
on January 17 at Jimmy’s Food & Drink.
Turkey bingo winners
Pat Dedeker and
Richard Yapp pictured
with the Toys for Tots
collection.
Lodge Zare Zapadu No. 44, Hayward, MN
Marie Krikava, Correspondent
Members held their Christmas potluck dinner and annual
meeting on December 4 at the Glenville Legion. We gave out
special door prizes for Christmas and played dirty bingo.
President Jim Benesh welcomed everyone and opened the
meeting.
We held the election of officers, elected as follows: President
Jim Benesh, Vice President Georgia Jech, Secretary Marie
Krikava, Treasurer Jim Becker, Trustees Dennis Rayman,
Emil Prantner, Dale Lukes, and Evelyn Svenson.
What happened to Svaty Mikulas?
Members turned in their
hours of community and fraternal service needed for our
year-end reports.
Our lodge made a monetary
donation, from the fund of our
20
Pumpkins selected by
Katie and Joseph Yapp
and Tommy and Jaime
Loss
Plans were made
f or ne x t y e a r ’s
activities so they
can be included
in a newsletter to
be sent to loca l
members in February. We’d like to see some new faces to
help us with our events in 2012 and to get a lodge page created
January 2012
on Facebook. We’re open to new suggestions and ideas.
The elections were held for officers. It was easy to do
since we re-elected our current officers for next year. We’ll
continue to meet at the C.S.P.S. Hall the second Tuesday of
our meeting months. Our next meeting is March 13. Hope
to see you there.
was continued. After checking our slate of activities for a
lodge award, we are short by only two referrals. A raffle was
started with proceeds going to the MN scholarship fund. All
officers retained their positions for another year. Members who
attended our
Halloween party.
Lodge Canby No. 107, Canby MN
Deloris Schwartz, Treasurer
Members Mary Sik,
Deloris Schwartz, and
Marge Cole working
at the Bloodmobile in
Canby.
President Kevin Klimek making our
donation to the Pope County food
shelf.
A nice crowd gathered at
the lodge for our Christmas
potluck dinner on December
11. Our final collection for
the food shelf netted a big box of groceries and $320 in
cash. Mark Radil won the Czech crystal glasses from the
scholarship raffle.
President Ralph Ochocki doing his
part to help save lives at the local
Bloodmobile December 1 and 2 in
Canby.
Lodge Boleslav Jablonsky No. 219, Strathcona, MN
Lodge Owatonna No. 127, Owatonna, MN
Galen Spinler, Secretary
Members and guests
who attended the
benefit for Galen
Spinler.
(l-r) Members Galen Spinler, Jayna
Domeier, and Dana Standke.
Lodge Ledec No. 192, Alexandria, MN
Donald Trousil, Correspondent
Members held our Halloween party on October 28 with
about 25 children and 25 adults present. Numerous games
were available for the children. A potluck of stew and apple
chunks with caramel dip were enjoyed by all.
A large variety of food was eaten at our Thanksgiving
dinner on November 20. Eating and socializing was the order
of the day followed by our meeting. Our Angel Tree project
January 2012
Marvel Pesek, Secretary
Members held their annual appreciation dinner and
Christmas party on November 20 at the Dawg House
Restaurant in Thief River Falls.
After our meal was over, a short meeting was held. A
thank-you card from member Vivian Peterson was passed
around for the gift she received.
Congratulations went out to youth member Brooke
Fredrickson who won 3rd place in the Art Contest in the
Fraternal Herald, member Mariah Ellefson who won a special
memorial grant given in memory of Frank Loss from Lodge
No. 69.
A gift from the lodge will be given to Godfred Svir who is
in our local nursing home. Also, we have two local scholarship
winners: Jessica Forst and Lindsay Kraiter. We will send in
a donation for the State scholarship fund. Our lodge will
donate to the two local banks for their giving trees, and a
gift will be sent to the Salvation Army.
Since our last meeting, we’ve had members donate blood
to local blood drives, youth members entertained at nursing
homes, participated in Veteran’s Day programs, helped
with games at the Halloween party at the school, helped at
our local library with story time, and several of our youth
members helped raise money for our Roseau County 4-H
State-to-State Exchange Program, and also attended the State
Fair.
Youth and adult members took part in Heritage Days
at our local schools. Youth member Alyssa Kilen wrote a
story about her great-grandparents coming from the Czech
Republic. She even passed out candy bars to her classmates
from the Czech Republic.
21
Member Wesley Pesek
and granddaughter
Alyssa Kilen attended
Heritage Days at
Greenbush School.
A New Year’s Eve get-together was scheduled at the Manor
for members and their guests. A potluck meal began at 5 p.m.
We’d like to see some new faces as well as those familiar ones
join us at our meetings this year. We’d love to have you.
Nebraska
Lodge Nebraska No. 3, Crete, NE
Helen Cejka, Correspondent
Youth members Ken,
Brooke, and Rylie
Fredrickson enjoying
the Christmas party.
Adult and youth members from our local church made
school kits to be sent to Lutheran World Relief.
The meeting was adjourned. Afterwards some games were
played and Christmas gifts were passed out.
Lodge Meadowlands Jr. No. 361, Meadowlands, MN
Patricia Mathison, Correspondent
Our last meeting of the year was December 11 at the
Manor. Just a few days after our November meeting, we
were saddened by the death of Gerald Karasek. Our deepest
sympathy goes out to his family and a memorial was sent.
The election of officers resulted in everyone retaining their
positions for another year.
Items collected at this meeting for the Range Regional
Animal Rescue in Hibbing were delivered before Christmas
and used eyeglasses were taken to the Lions in Floodwood.
We will continue to collect eyeglasses as well as the labels
and box tops for education, bottle caps from specially marked
Kemps dairy products, can tabs, and cancelled postage
stamps. Your Christmas cards would be a good starting point
if you’d like to join us with this project.
Thank-you notes were received from Meadowlands VFD,
the area food shelf, and Gerald Karasek’s family.
The Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Festival will be February
17-19 at the Meadowlands Community Center. Several
members have already been busy with preparations.
Just a reminder to our graduates this spring, the deadline for
applying for the National Scholarship is March 1. You can get
an application by
calling the Home
Office at 1-877935-2467 or going
to t he website:
www.wflains.org.
Members and items
collected for the animal
shelter.
22
A group of 12 members and 2 guests celebrated the holiday
season by enjoying the noon meal at a local restaurant. We
then met at the Centennial Terrace where President Viola
Pracheil opened a short business meeting.
Viola gave a report on the assembly and delivery of six
fruit baskets to shut-in members. Cheryl Retherford and
Viola assembled the baskets. Cheryl, Viola, and Helen Cejka
talked about our activities we planned and carried out at the
Puddle Jumpers Daycare Center. We purchased books, read
them to the children, and each child received a book. We
also furnished a snack for them.
We scheduled a time to take stuffed animals to Blue
Valley Family Resource Center to be given to the children
for Christmas.
A large collection of empty pill bottles were brought and
will be donated to the local veterinarian.
Volunteers were secured to serve refreshments at Tabitha of
Crete on January 26, as well as help with bingo on January
30 at the Crete Manor.
Members were reminded to get the total of volunteer hours
to the secretary.
The afternoon ended by playing bingo followed by
refreshments.
Our next meeting will be February 5 at the Centennial
Terrace.
Lodge Plzen No. 9, Morse Bluff, Ne
Greg Spevak, Correspondent
Our lodge members met at the legion hall in Morse Bluff,
on December 15, 2011. We had 13 members and 3 guests
plus Rob Firchow from our Lincoln wfla office. The lodge
provided fried chicken and members brought potluck. Good
food and deserts were enjoyed by all.
Members at our
meeting.
Me e t i n g w a s
called to order by
president Keit h
Racek. A report by Elaine
Vech on the Halloween bicycle give away and the whole
Halloween evening was given. It seemed that we were very
successful in our lodge’s efforts to promote the bicycle
program and get the community more aware of Lodge No.
9 in our area.
We made a monetary donation to the Morse Bluff, NE
125 year celebration committee. The 125th celebration is next
January 2012
June 2012. We also made a monetary donation to the local
fire department.
A thank-you note was read from the American Red Cross.
The lodge had members volunteer for the recent blood drive
in North Bend, NE. Thank you to our members for their
volunteering.
Our stack of gift
exchange presents.
Our lodge provided a variety of food prizes and called
the bingo. We introduced our lodge and lodge members.
We talked a little about our lodge benefits and some of
the projects we take part in to benefit our community
and members. We noted that two residents of the Care center
are lodge members, Joan Kavan and Gustie Franta. Everyone
seemed to have a good time, and enjoyed the food prizes they
received. Lodge Hvezda Svobody No. 45, Omaha, NE
The next meeting will be January
20. The lodge’s
calendar of events
for the year 2012
will be addressed.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
Following the meeting we had a gift exchange. The group
played card game bingo. Many gifts were available, and the
group had a very good time. We all left wishing each other
merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Lodge Dennice No. 14, Ord, NE
Diane Spilinek, Correspondent
Our lodge met October 9 at the Ord Veteran’s Club.
The volunteer hour sheet was passed around. Letters from
the Home Office were read.
There was a discussion on completing our award qualifications for the year. Correspondent Diane Spilinek will contact
the Home Office about some issues that the members had
questions on and report back at the November meeting.
Correspondent Spilinek reported that she had recycled 38
milk jugs since the September meeting.
Lodge Zapadni Svornost No. 28, Clarkson, NE
Darlene Hrouda, Secretary
Members shown with
the cans that were
collected. Stanton
Hrouda took some to
the Contact Center
and Eldon and Darlene
Hrouda took some to
the Salvation Army
Soup Kitchen.
Lodge Vladislav I No. 29, Prague, NE
Ilene Divis, Correspondent
Our lodge held a meeting on December 4, prior to our annual wfla Christmas party at the Prague Kolache Korner. In
lieu of a gift exchange, our members brought non-perishable
food items to be donated to the Saunders County Food Pantry
in Wahoo. Seven members attended the party and all enjoyed
a wonderful duck dinner with the trimmings. The election of officers was held. Present officers were
retained for another year. On November 22, members gathered at the Saunders
County Care Center to host a bingo for the residents. January 2012
Jerri Underwood, Correspondent
Just a reminder that we have no meeting in January. Our
next meeting will be on Valentine’s Day – February 14. At
that time, we will collect gloves, scarves, hats, coats, sweaters,
and even used blankets for Sienna/Francis House. Supper
will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by a short meeting. Won’t you
plan to join us in the coming year?
Lodge Vysehrad No. 53, Niobrara, NE
Linda Wallick, Correspondent
Members held their regular meeting on December 13 at
8 p.m. at the WFLA Hall in Niobrara. We discussed future
repairs and maintenance.
We held our election of officers and they were elected
as follows: President Robert Skokan, Vice President
Blanche Skokan, Secretary Frank Skokan, and Treasurer/
Correspondent Linda Wallick.
Our next regular meeting will be February 14 at 8 p.m. in
the wfla hall.
Our meeting was adjourned and lunch was served.
Lodge Praha-Libuse No. 54, Wilber, NE
Doris Hynek, Correspondent
Members met for our monthly meeting on October 5 at the
Wilber Care Center with President Jerry Petracek presiding.
We read correspondence from the Home Office and the
District 3 secretary reminding members of the District No. 3
lunch/meeting. It is being hosted by Lincoln Lodge No. 426
on April 22. We received thank-you notes from the families
of Irma Ripa, Christine Janda, and Sheryl Kastanek.
Get-well cards were sent to a couple of members.
Richard Kasl reported on bingo held September 16 at the
Wilber Care Center with 12 residents in attendance. The
lodge furnished the prizes and treats for Halloween. Members
working were: Richard and Hilda Kasl, George and Doris
Hynek, and guest helper was Joan Kotas, member of Lodge
No. 389 in Western, NE.
We met for our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on November
9 at the Wilber Care Center.
A moment of silence was held for deceased member Lydia
Kobes, and a memorial has been sent to the family with a
sympathy card.
Richard Kasl reported on bingo held at the Wilber Care
Center on October 21 with 15 residents in attendance. Prizes
were donated by the lodge. Members working were Richard
and Hilda Kasl and George and Doris Hynek. Guest helper
was Joan Kotas of Lodge No. 389.
Bobbie Ripa, bloodmobile chairperson, asked the lodge
members to help with the Bloodmobile on November 29 at
the Wilber Sokol Hall. The lodge will furnish the cookies
23
for the Bloodmobile.
Christmas remembrance will be given to the members in
the Wilber Care Center and local 90-year old members.
At the Halloween party, our lodge members handed out
candy to the children: Pep Horacek, Jim Tenopir, Mavis
Houser, and Marguerite Mager. President Jerry Petracek
made signs that said the lodge was donating the candy.
The Gingerbread House children held a 10 a.m. brunch
on October 27 for parents, grandparents, and our lodge
members. A short musical program was presented by the
children. Members attending were George and Doris Hynek,
Richard and Hilda Kasl, and Debra Petracek. The lodge
gave each child a plastic pumpkin filled with M&M’s and a
pumpkin cookie.
Members decided to have a Christmas supper at the
December meeting.
We met for our monthly meeting on December 7 at the
Wilber Care Center for a 6:30 p.m. Christmas supper which
was catered by Wanda Rademacher. The meal was delicious
and enjoyed by members and guests.
A moment of silence was observed for deceased members
James Kohel and Robert Pecka. Memorials and sympathy
cards have been sent to the families.
A bingo report was given by Richard Kasl, which was held
on November 18 at the Wilber Care Center. There were ten
residents who played bingo. Prizes were donated by the lodge.
Members working were Richard and Hilda Kasl, George and
Doris Hynek, Irene Tenopir, and Merle Fikar.
Correspondence was read from the Home Office and a
thank-you note from Bobbi Ripa for working the lunch and
donating the cookies for the Bloodmobile at the Wilber Sokol
Hall on November 29.
Members Rachel and
Paige Petracek, Collin
Kohout, and President
Jerry Petracek
participated in the
Wilber Chamber of
Commerce Annual
Christmas Tree
celebration by entering
a wfla decorated tree.
Our next meeting will be on January 9 from 6-9 p.m. at
the Sunshine Court, David City.
Members and guest enjoyed a catered meal for the annual
Christmas party on December 5 at the Sunshine Court.
Doris Schultz treated the group to cake and ice cream for her
December birthday. Happy birthday wishes were extendeed
to Zoe Abramo, Georgia Pestal, Doris Schultz, Karen Zetoch,
Kelly Zetocha, and Stacie Zetocha.
The gift exchange was enjoyed and done to “Christmas
with the Wright Family.” Gifts were opened and displayed.
Card bingo was played with many nice prizes won by the
guests.
Lodge Tabor No. 74, Dorchester, NE
Marilyn Clark, Correspondent
President Marlene Stehlik opened our December 5 meeting
at 7 p.m.
On November 20, a concealed weapons class was held at
Tabor for members and non-members; many attended.
We received a very generous memorial check from the
family of Helen Slama. We appreciate it very much.
Scholarship forms are available for any lodge member who
will be graduating from high school with the class of 2012.
Please contact Marilyn Clark at 402-826-5312 for a form.
The form must be complete and returned by April 1.
The Christmas plates were delivered by Jim and Dona
Heeren, Lila Pribyl, and Wayne and Marilyn Clark to our
nursing home members.
On December 9, Wayne and Marilyn Clark delivered pill
bottles to the vet clinic on behalf of our lodge.
Get-wells cards were sent to members. We sent 31 cards to
our members who were hospitalized this year.
Our newest members are Ashley Rasplicka and Kylie
Rasplicka. Welcome to our lodge.
Celebrating a December birthday was Corrine Tyser,
among others. Pam and Larry Fuller celebrated their anniversary.
Everyone brought Christmas food to share for lunch after
the meeting.
Lodge Premysl Otakar II No. 84, Table Rock, NE
Dorothy Fritch, Secretary
President Jerry Petracek and his family members decorated
a Christmas tree for the Wilber Area Chamber of Commerce
Hometown Holiday event held on December 3 and 4 at the
Wilber Sokol Hall.
Bicycle winners Triston
Tackett and Emerson
Bredemeier at the
Table Rock Community
Christmas party on
December 3.
Lodge Cecho-Moravan No. 68, Brainard, NE
Dorothy Schultz, Correspondent
Members enjoyed a potluck supper on November 7 at
the Sunshine Court. Cake and ice cream were provided by
Dwayne Raskey for his November birthday.
A monetary donation and 65 lbs of clothing was donated
to Blue Valley by the lodge members.
WFLA Halloween bags were delivered to 30 pre-schoolers
in David City.
Happy Birthday was sung to Helen Jochim, Dwayne
Raskey, Mabel Pabian, and other members with November
birthdays.
24
Lodge Jan Kollar No. 101, Du Bois, NE
Ila Helms, Correspondent
Our lodge met for a special 90th celebration with members
and many guests. Agent Rob Firchow also joined in on the
festivities.
A covered dish meal was enjoyed with an immense amount
of tasty dishes. The lodge furnished beef, ham, drinks, and
January 2012
service. Greg’s Trio entertained with music and games for the
young and young at heart.
Members donated
these quilts for the
Farwell Firemen’s
fundraiser.
A glass case we made
for photos from the
beginning of rehab
and updates as we go
along. Ribbons are
from the lodge and
were worn during
meetings.
Some members having
fun at the Halloween
party.
Santa made his appearance to hand out bags of toys
and treats. Two bicycles were given to lucky winners Jake
Hunzeker from Du Bois and Jackie Schultheis. Jackie passed
her good fortune forward to a less fortunate girl who was to
celebrate her birthday the next day. Our lodge is so blessed
with young, generous members who are aware of others and
willing to share the care.
Treasurer Tammy Stephens and daughter Elli spent an
afternoon bell ringing in Pawnee City.
The award materials were discussed and items were
collected.
The meeting was adjourned with many satisfied members!
Our next activity will be February 12 for Family Sunday.
Lodge Slavin No. 112, Comstock, NE
Shirley Knapp, Secretary
President Richard Bilka called the December 1 meeting
to order, following a soup supper and gift exchange with
members and guests. Delmer and Cindy Wondercheck
attended.
We donated 27¾ lbs of food to the food pantry in
November. A donation was made to “Make Christmas
Happen” in Ord and “Tree of Hearts” in Burwell.
Virgil and Thelma Barnes brought fruit treats for their
birthdays.
Delmer Wondercheck updated us with news from the
Home Office.
Lodge Cech No. 152, Farwell, NE
Dorothy Bonczynski, Correspondent
Agent Delmer Wondercheck and wife, Cindy, attended
our meeting.
President Dorothy Platek opened the meeting. We held a
moment of silence and had a reading of the bylaws.
January 2012
(r-l) Members Daryl and
Marie Platek, Michael
Platek and his three
girls, and Dorothy
Platek attended the
fundraiser.
We held a discussion on referrals and the election of officers. Elected was
President Dorothy Platek, Vice President Emil Kment,
Secretary/Correspondent Dorothy Boncyznski, and Treasurer
Angie Obermiller.
Many duties were reported: donating quilts to the firemen
for their fundraisers, working at senior dinners, giving blood
at the bloodmobile, volunteering at the Veteran’s Hospital
five days a week, working at the Prairie Land food program,
working at the tour of homes, transferring people to the
doctor, and many can tabs were collected.
Milton Nesiba celebrated his birthday, and we sang Happy
Birthday to him. We also gave rolls and coffee to the firemen.
Lodge Zest No. 296, Omaha, NE
Doris Ettlin, Correspondent
Members and guests met November 15 for a potluck meal
before the meeting at Sokol South Omaha Hall. Guests
were Kim Lee and two US Marines, Sgt. Anthony Coates
and Sgt. Samuel Zeno. The marines spoke about the Toys
for Tots drive and joined us for our meal and drinks. They
were there to pick up our collected toys. The kitchen crew
was John and Marilyn Slezak, who made all the mini meat
loaves and potatoes. Martha Talmon helped in the kitchen as
well. Kim Lee and Debra Dugan made individual pumpkin
cakes and Al Divoky served beverages.
A moment of silence was observed for our deceased
members: Bess Smith, Joseph Ruzicka, and Linda Myers.
Sympathy cards and scholarship memorials were sent to their
families. Our members extend their sympathy to the families
of the deceased.
We received thank-you notes from the Veteran’s Home in
Bellevue for personal items and the Stephen Center for the 74
scarves. We received correspondence from Family Services.
Scholarship donations were received from Debra Dugan,
Ernie Wesolowski, and Frances Riha.
Collections this month were toys, can tabs, box tops, and
labels. We still collect eyeglasses and cases for the Lions
organization – bring them to meetings or drop off at the Zest
Hall. Omaha resident members recycle plastics 1, 2, 3, and 5,
25
clean paper egg cartons, cardboard, steel and aluminum cans,
paper take-out drink cups, newspapers, and junk mail paper
by curb side pick-up. The recycled items generate revenue for
the city.
US Marines Sgt. Samuel Zeno and
Sgt. Anthony Coates stand by the toys
collected by the lodge members for
Toys for Tots.
December 2 to honor our 50 and 75-year members. The meal
was catered by Tim Reichers, known as Lefty’s. Prizes were
awarded to the adults while the children played a guessing
game. Monica Zoubek was the winner, and others received
coloring books and crayons. (Back) Cindy Huber,
Janene Harris, Erma
Zumpfe, Charlotte
Hayek, and President
Darrell Kotas. Seated:
Leonard, Charles, and
Lambert Zoubek.
Our newly elected
officers for 2012.
Our 2012 officers
elected this month
were: Pre sident
L i l l i a n K omor,
Vice President Al
Divoky, Secretary/
Treasurer Ernie Wesolowski, Guide Martha Talmon,
Scholarship records Frances Riha, and Auditors Kristie Horn,
Elsie Snowdon, and Dorothy Mengehodt.
The next meeting is February 21 at 6 p.m. The cookies,
potluck, and beverages will be furnished. If the schools close
due to inclement weather, the hall will be closed, and the
make-up meeting will be February 28.
On May 5, we’ll have a bike drawing at Sokol Hall during
their mini competitions.
Lodge Karlin Junior No. 342, Spencer, NE
Darlene Cizek, Correspondent
Members hosted a Christmas potluck meal at noon on
December 4, at the Spencer American Legion Hall. After
the potluck, a short business meeting was held.
A thank-you note from the Boyd-Holt Right-to-Life was
read. Don thanked Cecil and Betty Mashino who purchased
the snow fence for the National Cemetery, which was put up
by Cecil, Frank, and Don. Also thanks to Hipke Welding
for the use of the post driver.
Christmas cards were signed by those in attendance for
Terry Hynek, Rosalie Mashek, Rose Kopecky, and Naomi
Nemec.
An invitation was extended to Jeff, Richelle, David, and
Darin Wendt who transferred to our lodge to attend our
Christmas potluck.
Donations to the National Cemetery were made by Ron
Cizek, Harold Klasna, Ken and LeAnne Hoffman, Randy
Havranek, Tom Blake, and Don Cizek. Don thanked all
those who helped at the National Cemetery with the mowing,
and Larry and Donita for doing the weed whipping.
Lodge Saline Center No. 389, Western, NE
Joan Kotas, Secretary
Mother Nature’s blustery winds did not keep the members
and invited guests from attending the annual social supper on
26
One of the magic
tricks was reading
minds, Leigh Chacich,
center Janene Harris,
and Darrell Kotas.
Darrell Kotas presented the pins to 50 and 75-year
members. For an added attraction to the evening, children
and adults were spellbound as Janene Harris entertained us
with an hour of magic tricks.
Newspapers were delivered to the Beatrice Humane Society
by Joan Kotas. Cookies and cereal were delivered to our youth
daycare.
The next event will be the January chili contest. The date
has not been set at this time. As the year ends, hopefully the New Year will be another
successful one for all of our lodges.
Lodge Lincoln No. 426, Lincoln, NE
Velma Kotas, Correspondent
December was a very busy, happy month. Our lodge held
a Christmas party on December 11 at Knolls Restaurant in
Lincoln. We had a private room and 44 adults and children
attended. A good and faithful lodge member, Milo Brchan, observed
his 90th birthday on December 16. Milo’s picture was on the
front page of the Celebrate Section, on December 11; this is
an addition to the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper. At our
Christmas party, we sang Happy Birthday and gave a Houska
to Milo. Milo and Helen have been faithful members of
our lodge by always contributing their time and energy, as
needed for activities and meetings. Milo and Helen have
been married 60 years, we are proud of them, and so glad
we know them. We thank the seven youth and young adults who attended
our Christmas party; it was so good to see you. We do hope
you enjoyed your time with us as much as we enjoyed having
you at our party. At this party, we explained how the wfla
lodges were started, and questions were answered by Mel
Svoboda, as he is very knowledgeable about wfla and its
lodges. January 2012
We recognized Ryan Bellinghausen for being the “Football
Kicker” for Norris High School. Erma Ruhl read a humorous article from a magazine. She
also informed our youth of the scholarships available through
our lodge and wfla. We informed them about the Czech
Festival held in Lincoln each year. We encouraged them to
inform us as to how we could help them. We explained we
are a fraternal organization that tries to make our community
a better place. A special welcome was made to Richard Pallas, Ron
Svoboda, Mark Ruhl, and Renee Spale. We also had Chris
Crawford and Ken Svoboda as guests, and new member
Kathryn Lloyd attended our party. We extend a very warm
welcome to the Bellinghausen family; it was great to see you.
We also received a “referral” at this party. There was exciting
interest shown in our organization. Each person who attended our party contributed socks,
caps, mittens, jackets, and scarves for the City Mission;
the basket was overflowing. Rich and Sandy Hosek are in
charge of doing inventory and making the contribution on
our behalf to the City Mission. Our lodge contributed $25 and 15 lbs of food to the Lincoln
Food Bank, which was collected at our November meeting. The officers and board members of our lodge most sincerely
thank our membership and the Home Office for anything
you have contributed to our success in 2011. We wish all of
the other lodges in our state and all other states much success
and happiness in 2012.
Senior Center. A bologna potluck meal was served, and at
1:30 p.m. the meeting followed.
A moment of silence was held for deceased member Barbara
Dille.
Donations were given to the Michigan and Park River
Ambulances. Also, donations were given to the Adams,
Fordville, Lankin, and Park River First Response Units,
Pregnancy Help Center, the Kosobud and Pecka Cemeteries,
and Park River Hospice Program.
The election of officers was held. The officers are as follows:
President Daniel Kouba, Treasurer Tom Shirek, Secretary/
Correspondent JoAnn Ryba, and Vice President Mildred
Machart. Cemetery treasurer will continue to be Marlene
Kovarik. The Cemetery Committee is Jim Ryba, Dennis
Kovarik, and Laddie Bata.
Lodge Cesky Zakopnik No. 147, Mandan, ND
Margie Muth, Correspondent
We met for our annual Christmas party and end-of-year
meeting. We enjoyed all the pizza we could eat, and for dessert
we had ice cream and dessert pizza.
The end-of-year reports were completed after the meeting
was adjourned. Youth members received a Christmas package
and coins to play the game machine.
There was discussion on the projects that have been
completed before the cold weather sets in. The paint job on
the north side of the lodge hall was completed. It was caused
by wind and hail damage that happened in July.
Oklahoma
Lodge Loup Valley No. 437, Ord, NE
Sandra Psota, Correspondent
A thank-you letter was read from the Crisis Center for
donations.
Taygan Psota and Robert Psota were featured in the Grand
Island Independence for National Adoption Day.
Congratulations to youth member Shannon Davenport for
receiving 1st place in the VFW Patriotism Essay Contest.
We sent 28 lbs of can tabs to the Ronald McDonald House.
Milk coupons were sent to Coupons for Troops and also
delivered to daycares. Pat Konkoleski donated a quilt for the
Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
The calendar for 2012 was completed and copies will be
distributed at the next meeting. Cards were enjoyed following
the meeting.
Members Kathryn
Ingerle and Agnes
Janda holding the
quilt Kathryn made
and donated to the NE
Veteran’s Home.
Lodge Jan Zizka No. 67, Yukon, OK
Marilyn Berousek, Correspondent
We held our 2012 election of officers during the November
meeting. Those elected were: President Elaine Benda, Vice
President Stacey Ratliff, Secretary Laverne Benda, Treasurer
Natalie Stejskal Jasinski, Guide Greg Seymour, Inner Guard
Bernice Kolar, Outer Guard Marilyn Berousek, and Trustee
Scott Shedeck.
It was also reported that the newest addition of name
bricks have been laid in the Yukon Czech Hall’s Walk of
Honor. Everyone should check them out on their next visit
to the hall. A dance is still being held every Saturday night.
Our two house bands play a wonderful selection of Polka
and Waltz music. A great family place at a very reasonable
$5 door admission for adults and children under 13 are free.
Come see us any Saturday night.
Oregon
Lodge Krasna Budoucnost No. 222, Malin, OR
Karen Rasmussen, Correspondent
Members enjoying
dinner at the Christmas
party.
North Dakota
Lodge Kosobud No. 106, Lankin, ND
JoAnn Ryba, Secretary
Our lodge held the December 4 meeting at the Lankin
January 2012
27
Texas
Members mingling at
the Christmas party.
Lodge Dallas No. 401, Dallas, TX
Sarah Martin, Correspondent
South Dakota
Lodge Pravda No. 80, Tyndall, SD
Margie Hovorka, Secretary
President George Broz
and Secretary Margie
Hovorka presented
Fire and Water Energy
coloring books and
crayons to the third
grade class at Tyndall
Elementary School. Lodge Vesmir No. 162, Gregory, SD
Irene Nelson, Secretary
Members met at the Burke Community Room on October
23. We sent a memorial for the family of Melvin Vedral.
Candy was delivered by lodge members to the Rosebud
Country Care Center for Halloween trick-or-treaters.
One hundred fifty-five volunteer hours and 77 deeds were
reported.
Members met on November 13 at the Burke Community
Room for an early Thanksgiving potluck.
We read thank-you cards from Melvin Vedral’s family and
the LaRosa family for the cards sent to service personnel.
Members brought individual Kleenex for the first five
grades of students in Gregory and the Burke schools for
Christmas giving.
We gave a memorial to Donald Sattler for his step mother
Janet Sattler.
We planned our Christmas get-together at the Corner Café.
We had 100 volunteer hours and 50 deeds reported this
month.
Lodge Cechu Vitezstvi No. 253, Hamill, SD
Our lodge had a busy October and November has started
off busy also. Many of our members helped with Czech
Heritage Day at the State Fair of Texas. We also attended
the Fraternal Council meeting at SPJST. At our meeting on November 1 we folded, stuffed, and
addressed invitations for the Christmas party. Thanks to
everyone who attended the meeting and helped with that
project. We had light refreshments for the meeting and
stuffing party. At the Fraternal Alliance of TX meeting in LaGrange,
Sarah Martin was elected and installed as President for the
2011-2012 year. Our January meeting will be the time for electing new
officers for our lodge. I do hope all our members will attend,
and accept a position. We do have great members, and I
appreciate all the help that they have been willing to give.
Thanks to all of you. December 2, Sarah Martin presented the Fisher House
with a Thank You poster to the Veterans signed by Governor
Rick Perry, as well as everyone who came to our Fraternal
Alliance of TX Legislative Day at the State Capitol.
On December 4, we had our Christmas party. We had
about 100 members and guests attending. After a good
BBQ lunch, we were entertained by the Czech Harvester
Band. There was a silent auction, raffle, and a visit from
Santa. The children and adults enjoyed the visit by Santa.
On December 11, many of the wfla members (also members
of KJT/KJZT) enjoyed another party at the Catholic Czech
Club. We had a wonderful lunchand then went back to the
Czech Club for the Fraternal Council Christmas meeting.
We enjoyed another good meal, meeting, and games of bingo.
Tim and Dorothy Prasifka do a wonderful job of getting our
bingo prizes. Thank You card to
Fisher House.
Linda Svoboda, President
Our lodge hosted Thanksgiving for 2011 at the Iona
Community Center. It was a success, with about 50 people
attending the noon potluck. Two turkeys, a large ham, and
potatoes were furnished by the lodge. The trimmings were
brought by members. The afternoon was spent socializing
and playing cards. About 25 people ate leftovers for supper
and resumed their activities until 8 p.m. when things finished
up. With about half attending nonmembers, we considered
it a success.
28
Santa and children
at the wfla lodge
Christmas party.
December 15,
Sarah Martin
helped pack and
deliver Christmas bags (340) to all the veterans at the VA
Medical Center, Dallas. January 2012
I want to thank all the members for a wonderful job this
year. Without all of you, our lodge would not be what it is.
We have very good cooperation from everyone, and I do
appreciate that. We are looking forward to another great year!
Lodge Texasska Libuse No. 402, Ennis, TX
Katrina Evans, Correspondent
Members decorated
and rode on the
Christmas float
through downtown
Ennis on December 1. It
was the town’s annual
Festival of Lights
Parade. Members sang
Christmas carols and
waved to onlookers as
the float drove by.
donated food, as well as volunteering time to the Historic
Seattle Bungalow Fair and Special Olympics Regional
Bowling Tournament. Donations were made to Everett Food
Bank & Tent City #4, Toys for Tots, and the Everett Gospel
Mission Winter Clothing Drive. Danielle Scheer, daughter of
Maxine and Jerry Scheer, donated several warm hats which
she made herself.
District 6 Director Bonita Fillmore presented Bob Lussier
with the past president’s pin. She commented on Bob’s
contributions and service to our lodge. Having our District
Director present the pin and attend our meeting was very
much appreciated.
An officer planning and review session is planned for
January 14, 2012. All members are welcome to attend.
Wisconsin/Upper Michigan
Lodge Perun No. 73, Menominee, MI
Kathy Johanning, Correspondent
Washington
Lodge Seattle No. 181, Seattle, WA
Paula Hughart, Correspondent
Our lodge met on November 19 to share a Thanksgiving
potluck with the Czech and Slovak Genealogy group in
Kirkland, WA. It was a wonderful opportunity to share Czech
and Slovak ethnic foods and stories. Our lodge President,
Rosie Bodien, heads up this annual event. Every year it
seems to grow bigger and better. District 6 Director, Bonita
Fillmore attended the potluck and the business meeting
which followed.
The business meeting included the election of officers for
2012. We shared memories about our departed member,
George Vanek. The lodge voted to contribute to a scholarship
in his name. Marjorie Bianco Vernon and Paula Hughart
attended the memorial for George as representatives of wfla.
Lodge members with
Czech and Slovak
Genealogy members
at November’s Giving
Thanks potluck.
We held our November lodge meeting at noon at the
Tradewinds Restaurant in Marinette, WI.
A thank-you letter was read from Pastor Fred’s Food Pantry
of Wausaukee for the donation we made.
Our members have collected numerous bags of clothing
and food items during the past month and brought them to
the meeting. They were sorted for distribution to St. Vincent
de Paul and the Salvation Army.
Our next meetings will be the second Saturday of every
month starting March 2012.
Lodge Zapadni Jednota No. 20, Whitelaw, WI
Joyce Cisler, Correspondent
Our lodge held the annual Christmas party December 4
at Reidl’s in Menchalville, WI. After the noon meal, Joyce
Cisler led the group with a Christmas trivia game. Pointsettias
and other gifts were given.
Our elected officers for 2012 are: President Stephen
Stransky, Vice President John Wagner, Secretary Joyce Cisler,
and Treasurer Wayne Cisler.
On January 22, we will plan on meeting for the dinner/
dance rally at Wertel’s in Green Bay beginning at noon for
dinner.
Lodge Samo No. 32, Hillsboro, WI
Brenda, Osterman, Correspondent
Director Bonita Fillmore presents the
past president’s pin to Robert Lussier.
A discussion of our charitable
and community activities was held. Lodge members participated with the Volunteers of America Project in sorting
January 2012
Lodge officers and President Brenda Osterman and
Secretary Ernie Novy visited the Sauk County Healthcare
Center and also donated a huge Christmas wreath for the
residents to enjoy. We also toured the facility and asked for
other ways that we can help them during the year, in addition
to suggestions for items that we can donate.
Lodge officers will be meeting in January to complete the
lodge forms to be submitted to the Home Office and will
also be determining our meeting dates for 2012.
For more updates or information about our lodge, don’t
forget to check out our website at
www.hillsborosamolodge32.shutterfly.com.
29
Lodge Verna Laska No. 108, Denmark, WI
Royal Cenefelt
Members held their annual Christmas party at the Coop
with Santa for all to enjoy. There were 51 children registered
for the bicycle giveaway.
Bicycle winners were
Genevieve Klieber and
Max Kruger.
The lodge meeting was held on December 1 at the Cadott
Color Center. Our next event will be March 18 - Potato
Pancake Breakfast – 8 am-1 pm
This winter, the Bohemian Hall Amateur Theatre will be
hosting a Christmas Activity for Cadott Youth combining
fairy tales, the Nativity, and Bohemian Legend.
Cade Sikora is also looking into means for restoration of
the historic stage area of the hall.
Any lodge members who will be graduating seniors please
let us know.
Also, if you want news placed in the Fraternal Herald or
the Spotlight section, please contact a lodge officer.
Check us out for more Lodge 141 information online at
www.cadottbohemianhall.com
Lodge Verni Bratri No. 142, Two Rivers, WI
Ruth Sleger, Correspondent
The Magician who put
on an hour show for all
to enjoy.
Lodge Bratri Novych Hradu No. 141, Cadott, WI
Cade Sikora, Correspondent
On December 1, another Mystery Tour from Abel Travel
was held at the Bohemian Hall. This was a very challenging,
but rewarding tour. Several on the tour were from a group
home and had disabilities. It was hard to know what to do
and say to make this a rewarding experience for them. We
found the video of Czech music and some kolachys did
the trick! Also, several people on the tour remembered the
ZCBJ lodges when they were a child and had no idea that
any were still around. We were able to share with them some
of the events being held by other lodges in our district and
information about wfla.
The Abel Trek Mystery
Tour at the Bohemian
Hall on December 1.
We welcome new member Hunter
Royce Parks.
The yearly lodge donation
will be $50 to Jim and Connie
Demulling, who provide us
with the Boyd Bears from the
Stuffed Animal Ministry and
$100 to Cadott Food Pantry.
30
It is with sadness that I write on November 13. I lost my
sister-in-law Dolores Biel. Sympathy goes out to the family.
Everyone brought treats to fill the Halloween bags for
children at St. Peter’s School. Items were brought to the
October meeting to donate to T.R.E.P. Mittens and hats
were given to children at Koenig and St. Peter’s School at
the November meeting. Baby hats were given to the local
hospitals. We will sponsor a dart ball team this year.
An appreciation dinner was held on November 20 at Silver
Valley. Money was donated for a Thanksgiving meal to a
needy family. We also made a monetary donation to the
Lights of Love Tree in honor of all deceased members. A
check was sent to St. Peter’s School for the lunch program.
Seems many students cannot afford lunch.
A potluck was held before the December meeting. A
suggestion was made to give a $500 scholarship in 2012 to
a graduating member.
Meetings in 2012 will be held at the Fire Station with the
first one on February 13 at 1 p.m., then March 12 and April 9.
Lodge RIP No. 144, Mosinee, WI
Martha Eberle, Correspondent
Members held the meeting and Christmas party on
December 4 at the Mosinee Town Hall. Members and guests
enjoyed a potluck dinner with roasted chicken and beverages
provided by the lodge.
An informal meeting of officers was held immediately
following the dinner to allow our guest speaker ample time
for his presentation. Mr. Jim Campbell, spokesperson for
the Veteran’s Never Forgotten Honor Flight, spoke on the
work they are doing and he showed many beautiful slides.
They honor WWII veterans by sponsoring a trip to visit the
memorials in Washington D.C. Our lodge is sponsoring a
Mosinee veteran, Mr. Edwin Stankowski. We were please to
honor him as our guest, along with a number of his family
members. Congratulations Ed, and thank you Mr. Campbell
for sharing your time and experiences with us.
A very successful silent auction and raffle will enable us to
award two deserving high school graduates a scholarship.
January 2012
Lodge Adams No. 193, Adams, WI
Cleo Hendricksen, Correspondent
Members, along with their families, celebrated Christmas
this year by gathering at Lake Aire Supper Club for the
Sunday buffet on December 4. Members enjoyed a good
meal and lots of socializing. After the meeting, members
were invited to President Otto’s home for games and more
socializing. Fun was had by all.
Other activities for the month included can tabs delivered
to Ronald McDonald House in Madison, Box Tops for
Education, and Campbell’s labels. Milk covers were donated
to the A-F Elementary School. Food pantry items were
delivered to the local food pantry. Cleo and two other
members worked and donated to the Red Cross Blood Drive
held on December 12.
Our next meeting is February 12; bring a valentine to
exchange.
Lodge Ratolest Wisconsin No. 196, Black River Falls, WI
Allyson Ullerich, Correspondent
Even though our lodge is dark at the moment, our members
are still busy helping out in the community.
On December 4, we were asked by our Community Band
if we would help serve up their goodies at their Holiday
Concert. The music was beautiful and got everyone in the
holiday spirit and the “goodies” were delicious. A big thankyou goes out to members Vivian Simons, Lucas McNulty,
and Ed and Allyson Ullerich. It really is not a difficult task
and takes only a few hours during the daytime. I am sure
they will be asking us again to serve. If you enjoy music and
visiting with people of the community- it’s a great way to
help out everyone!
Member Joan Hanson helped to serve holiday drinks at
the Chriskindl Downtown Celebration. She has so much fun
with this task! Thanks Joan.
During the week of December 12, Project Christmas is in
gear in our area. We have members every year volunteering
their time to wrap gifts, pack food, and deliver all the goodies.
I will have pictures of this next month. Members Barb McNulty, Joan Hanson, Tasha McNulty,
and Allyson Ullerich got together and gathered school
supplies that were much needed for our area schools. We
were able to donate to three of our area schools located in
Black River Falls, Alma Center, and Blair Taylor. With all
of the cutbacks happening and effecting our youth in their
schools, this was a much needed gift from us. Thanks!
School supplies
gathered to be
distributed to area
schools.
January 2012
Members serving
goodies at the
Community Band
Concert.
Lodge Pokrocilost No. 221, Menchalville, WI
Bernita Schenian, Correspondent
Our lodge had its annual Christmas party, dinner, and
meeting at noon on December 4 at Stadlers in Taus. A
chicken dinner was enjoyed by all. Members and officers
played bingo and prizes were awarded.
We welcomed a new member at our dinner, Paul Rameker
transferred into our lodge.
Our donations this year included Kellnersville First
Responders and Children’s Hospital.
In early January, officers will complete our award papers
and audit.
Lodge Nadeje Slovanu No. 236, Phillips, WI
Therese Trojak, Correspondent
Our Christmas meeting/party was held December 11 at
the Long Lake Lodge in Phillips.
Our special guest was WI/Upper MI Director Brenda
Osterman who was warmly welcomed and gave her presentation following the potluck meal and entertainment. Five
members from Ladysmith lodge also attended.
A thank-you note was read from the Marshfield Ronald
McDonald House for our recent donation to them.
Each member attending brought an item for the Trinity
Lutheran Church food pantry in Phillips. A cash donation
is being made to the St. Vincent de Paul Food pantry, also
in Phillips.
Therese Trojak explained her conversation with agent
Randy Kolarik regarding 2011 referrals.
Our lodge purchased ten cookbooks to be sold to members.
The election of officers for the 2012 year will take place
at the January meeting. This meeting will be hosted by the
Zellingers and will be held at the WI Concrete Park in the
Smith Studio. All year-end reports will be discussed at this
meeting.
(l-r) President Carole
Zellinger, Secretary/
Treasurer Therese
Trojak, Director
Brenda Osterman, and
President of Lodge No.
355 Don Dvorak.
31
Lodge Kewaunee No. 365, Kewaunee, WI
Far greater than we know,
For some the journey’s quicker
For some the journey’s slow.
Carolyn Kinstetter, Correspondent
We held our Christmas party on December 3 at Moxie’s;
it was well attended. There was plenty donated to the food
pantry in Kewaunee. After a large meal, everyone played
bingo until Santa came. Gifts were exchanged and shared.
And when the journey finally ends
We’ll claim the great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.
Sitting with Santa are
members Addison,
Aiden, and Arian
Schanilec.
Joseph Kvetensky
The “elves” helped clear
the tables for fun and
games.
Lodge No. 112, Comstock, NE
Brother Joseph Kvetensky was born
September 13, 1931 to Ladislav and
Martha (Janicek) Kvetensky and died
November 2, 2011 in Grand Island.
Funeral services were held November
19.
Joseph was a 50-year member.
Survivors include daughter, Pam
Toxword of Omaha; brother, Anton Kvetensky of Grand
Island, and one grandson.
On December
6, we had lunch
at the Waterfront.
The last business
meeting of the year
was held at Rita Quistorffs. We announced 11 new members.
The election of officers was held.
A thank-you letter for the Life Line donation was received.
Lodge City Point No. 408, City Point, WI
Joan Rapp, Correspondent
We had a delicious potluck dinner. Then we had our business meeting to discuss our business at hand. Welcome Jon
and Betty Van Alstine back from Wyoming for the winter.
Santa came for all the children and gave out goodie bags.
We all brought can goods for the food pantry and took up a
money collection to give to the Neillsville food pantry. Also,
we sent a sympathy card to Brita Genteman’s family.
We played bingo to close out the night. We had a great
Christmas party.
In Memoriam
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
To sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay.
Our destination is a place
32
Leonard J. Moudry
Lodge No. 112, Comstock, NE
Brother Leonard Moudry was born November 9, 1926 to
William and Emma (Ptacnik) Moudry and died October 11,
2011 in Burwell. Funeral services were held October 15 with
interment at the Ord Bohemian Cemetery.
Leonard married Betty Hansen September 16, 1953. He
was a 50-year member.
Survivors include wife, Betty Moudry of Burwell; son,
Donald Moudry of Ord; daughters, Janice Shultz of Grand
Island and Sharon Brown of Columbus.
Donald Anthony Sattler
Lodge No. 162, Gregory, SD
Brother Donald Sattler was born August 5, 1936 in Gregory
to Emil and Elsie (Cerv) Sattler and died October 23, 2011
in Anderson, S.C. A memorial mass was held November 8,
2011.
Donald was married to Wanda Hefner for 51 years. He
was also a 50-year member.
Survivors include wife, Wanda of Anderson, S.C;
stepmother, Janet (Emil) Sattler of Gregory; daughter Jan
(Doug) Ballenger of Seneca, FL; brother, Art (Betty) Sattler
of Winner-Eastvale, CA; sister Mary (Bill) Curtis of Blue
Springs, MO and one granddaughter.
Irene Nelson, Secretary
Melvin Vedral
Lodge No. 162, Gregory, SD
Brother Melvin Vedral was born April 25, 1923 near
Dixon to James and Emma (Chocholousek) Vedral and died
October 10, 2011. Funeral services were held October 17, with
interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory.
Melvin married Caroline Katherine Hansen June 14, 1945.
He was a 50-year member.
Survivors include wife, Caroline Vedral; sons, James
January 2012
IN MEMORIAM
(Gwen) Vedral of Las Vegas, NV and
Dennis (Sandra) Vedral of Dixon;
brothers, Harlan Vedral of Dixon, Dr.
Don Vedral of Cedar Hill, TX; and 6
grandchildren.
Julia Kaiser
Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE
Sister Julia Kaiser was born on
September 3, 1919 and died November
16, 2011. Funeral services were held
November 18 w it h interment at
Graceland Park.
Julia married Lud Kaiser. She was a
50-year member.
Survivors include one sister, Lillian
Honvlez and many nieces and nephews.
Ernest Wesolowski, Secretary
Helen Van Dyke
Lodge No. 28,
Clarkson, NE
Sister Helen
Van Dyke was
born January 25,
1924 in Lindsay,
NE to Frank and
Anna (Pospisil)
Choutk a a nd
died November
23, 2011 in Fargo, ND. Funeral services were held November 29, 2011 with
entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery
Mausoleum.
Helen married Harold Van Dyke June
14, 1944. She was a 50-year member.
Survivors include daughters, Germaine
(William) Harbeke of Fargo, ND and
Lorraine (Robert) Satrom of Alexandria,
MN; and 3 grandchildren.
Beatrice (Aunt Bea) Clavin
Lodge No. 296, Omaha, NE
Sister Beatrice Clavin was born May
6, 1926 and died November 10, 2011.
Funeral services were held November 14
with interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Beatrice married John Clavin. She was
a 50-year member.
Survivors include one sister, Sophie
Dunn and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ernest Wesolowski, Secretary
Barbara A. Dille
Lodge No. 106, Lankin, ND
Sister Ba rba ra Di l le wa s born
December 5, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ to
Walter and Ruth (Reimschussel) Wells
and died November 5, 2011 in Mayville,
January 2012
ND. A memorial service will be held at
a later date.
Barbara married Victor Dille.
Survivors include daughters, Debbie
(Michael) Hooker of Peoria, AZ and
Patricia (Edward) Swenson of Monroe,
WI; sons, Victor (Elizabeth) Dille
of Manteca, CA and Gary Dille of
Monroe, WI; 10 grandchildren and 2
great-grandchildren.
JoAnn Ryba, Secretary
Gustav Mesaros
Lodge No. 247, Flint, MI
Brother Gustav Mesaros was born
April 20, 1923 in Horne Zelenice,
Czechoslovakia to Martin and Anna
(Galko) Mesaros and died October
17, 2011. Funeral services were held
October 20, with interment at Flushing
Cemetery.
Gustav married Joanne Tibbetts
September 16, 1950 in Flint, MI.
Sur vivors include sons, Da niel
(Donna) Mesaros and David (Brenda)
Mesaros; daughter Carla Carle; sister,
Mildred Kindle; and 8 grandchildren.
Joan Kolder, Secretary
Laura A. Kluzak
Lodge No. 218, Angus, MN
Sister Laura Kluzak was born April
30, 1924 in Warren, MN to Clarence
and Libby (Kliner) Johnson and died
November 9, 2011 in Grand Forks, MN.
Funeral services were held November 14,
with interment at Czech Cemetery in
Tabor.
Laura married Thoma s K luza k
November 4, 1946.
Survivors include daughter, Bonnie
(Wesley) Paulsen of Greenbush; son,
Gary (Julene) Kluzak of East Grand
Forks; brother, Leo Johnson of Euclid;
sister, Betty Jean (Marvin) Krabbenhoft
of Sabin; 4 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren.
Conrad Zak, Secretary
Elizabeth Anne Anderson
Lodge No. 11, Hopkins, MN
Sister Elizabeth Anderson was born
October 19, 1939 in Hopkins, MN
to Jaroslav (Jerry) and Anna (Smidek)
Strachota and died November 25, 2011.
A memorial was held December 10, with
cremation at Brooklyn Park Chapel.
Elizabeth was a 50-year member.
Survivors include husband, Emmett
Anderson; children, Brigitte (Dave)
Johnson, Jerome Anderson, Gretchen
(Rob) Frederking, Stephanie Richard,
Heather Anderson, Nicholas (Tonia)
Anderson, and Alex (Lisa) Anderson;
and many grandchildren.
Pamela Kotval, Correspondent
James John Kohel
Lodge No. 54, Wilber, NE
Brother James Kohel was born March
6, 1932 on the family farm east of
Wilber, NE to James and Mildred
(Vesely) Kohel and died November 18,
2011 in Wilber, NE. Funeral services
were held November 23, with interment
at Wilber Czech Cemetery.
James was a 50-year member.
Survivors include sister, Nancy (Frank)
Linhart; nephew, Kent (Chris) Linhart;
niece, Kelly (Joe) Gifford; and greatnephews and great-nieces.
Doris Hynek, Secretary
Robert L. Pecka
Lodge No. 54, Wilber, NE
Brother Robert Pecka was born August
17, 1928 on a farm near Wilber, NE to
Robert and Albie (Kubicek) Pecka and
died November 25, 2011 in Crete, NE.
Funeral services were held November
30, with interment at Wilber Czech
Cemetery.
Robert married Betty Jean. He was a
50-year member and served as a Marine
serviceman.
Survivors include wife, Betty Jean
Pecka of Wilber; daughters, Donna
(Gordon) Wemhoff of York, Janette
Pearson of Plymouth; son, Gerald
(Tracy) Pecka; brother, Allen (Shirley)
Pecka of Wilber; and 6 grandchildren.
Doris Hynek, Secretary
Velma D. Kasl
Lodge No. 389, Western, NE
Sister Velma Kasl was born January 27,
1928 on a family farm near Friend, NE
to Joseph and Anna (Vnoucel) Pavlik and
died November 17, 2011 in Crete, NE.
Funeral services were held November 22,
with interment at Andrew Cemetery in
Friend.
Velma married Harold Kasl June 1,
1946 in Phillipsburg, KS. She was a
50-year member.
Survivors include daughter, Shirley
(Larry) Lance; son, Harold Kasl, Jr both
of Crete; sisters, Darlene Pavlik of Crete
and Irma Schindler of Phoenix, AZ; 6
grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren,
and 1 great great-grandson.
Joan Kotas, Secretary
33
IN MEMORIAM
Dolores D. Biel
Lodge No. 142, Two Rivers, WI
Sister Dolores Biel was born January
26, 1937 in Franklin, Kewaunee County
to Martin and Clara (Miller) Sleger
and died November 13, 2011. Funeral
services were held November 17, with
interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Dolores married Gerald Biel May 4,
1957. She was a 50-year member.
Survivors include husband, Gerald
of Two Rivers; daughters, Kathy (Jeff)
Lesperance of Two Rivers, Lynn (Arlyn)
Steinbach of Kiel, and Sue (Roger) Basler
of Manitowoc; son, Joseph (Kim) Biel
of Manitowoc; brother, Donald (Ruth)
Sleger of Two Rivers; 10 grandchildren
and 11 great-grandchildren.
Ruth Sleger, Secretary
Helen L. Sauer
Lodge No. 20, Whitelaw, WI
Sister Helen Sauer was born March
16, 1923 in Kossuth, WI to Anton
and Kristina (Hercik) Steeber and
died December 1, 2011 in Manitowoc.
Funeral services were held December 6,
with interment at St. Joseph Catholic
Church Cemetery.
Helen ma rried L eona rd Sauer
November 12, 1947 in Kellnersville,
WI. She was a 50-year member.
Survivors include husband, Leonard
Sauer of Kellnersville; son, Gary (Jean)
Sauer of Kellnersville; and brother,
Joseph (Doris) Steeber of Mishicot.
Joyce Cisler, Secretary
Gerald J. Karasek
Lodge No. 361, Meadowlands, MN
Brother Gerald Karasek was born
March 4, 1952 in Duluth, MN to Charles
and Mary (Johanek) Karasek and died
November 19, 2011 in Duluth. A memorial service was held on November 28.
Gerald was a 50-year member.
Survivors include son, Matthew
(Jessica) Karasek; father, Charles both
of Meadowlands; sister, Carol (Eugene)
Anderson of Alborn; brother, Dick
(Elizabeth) Karasek of Meadowlands;
and 3 grandchildren.
Patricia Mathison, Secretary
Sylva Ann Spring
Lodge No. 101, Du Bois, NE
Sister Sylva Spring was born May
14, 1919 in Pawnee City, NE to Alvin
and Rose (Stepan) Hubka and died
November 4, 2011 in Bellevue. Funeral
services were held November 10, with
interment in Bellevue.
34
CLAIMS FOR november 2011
Name Place of Death
Archer, Bernetta................... Benedik, Elsie V................... Benesh, Irene....................... Biel, Dolores D.................... Bielecki, John....................... Bohac, Adolph..................... Brant, Vaclav........................ Cassaday, Betty M............... Chmelar, Josephine L........... Clark, Rose Ann.................. Dille, Barbara A................... Dodrill, Ronald E................ Garbers, Janice A................. Goodson, G La Vere............ Hoult, Daniel D.................. Iwanski, Marie A................. Jelinek, Dennis D................ Kluender, Mary A................ Kobes, Lydia B..................... Krivachek, Gary J................ Krocak, Alvin F................... Kucera, Gary L.................... Michalski, Evelyn E............. Moorehead, Emilie M.......... Norton, Cleda B.................. Packard, David G................ Pavich, Louise...................... Prochaska, Lydia.................. Ralph, Darlene M................ Roff, William C................... Rosploch, Roberta A............ Ruzicka, Joseph.................... Salava, Joseph G.................. Schritter, James A................ Smith, Brady N.................... Sostak, Albina C.................. Sovis, Katherine................... Stelmach, Theodore............. Steyskal, Richard J............... Strouf, Viola B..................... Tesar, Lloyd L...................... Vareka, Joseph J................... Vnoucek, Anna M................ Welch, Ada Lucille............... Elk Horn, IA
Belle Plaine, IA
Austin, MN
Two Rivers, WI
Milwaukee, WI
David City, NE
Luray, KS
Solon, IA
Tampa, FL
Omaha, NE
Mayville, ND
Marion, IA
St Paul, NE
Walker, IA
Omaha, NE
Ord, NE
Wilber, NE
Osage, IA
Oro Valley, AZ
Decorah, IA
Faribault, MN
Broken Bow, NE
Lincoln, NE
Corona, CA
Clio, MI
Cedar Rapids, IA
Skokie, IL
Wahoo, NE
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wauwatosa, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Omaha, NE
Owosso, MI
Oklahoma City, OK
Eugene, OR
Moose Lake, MN
Owosso, MI
Chisago City, MN
Klamath Falls, OR
Wilber, NE
Aurora, NE
Two Rivers, WI
Friend, NE
Hiawatha, IA
Sylva married Oreon Spring February
9, 1946 in Pawnee City. She was a
75-year member.
Survivors include son, Ted Spring of
Castle Rock, CO; daughter, Linda (Jim)
Jaxckson of Bellevue; 6 grandchildren
and 7 great-grandchildren.
Mary Barker, Secretary
Robert D. Liska
Lodge No. 53, Niobrara, NE
Brother Robert Liska was born August
30, 1923 on a family farm near Niobrara
to Adolph and Johanna (Tikalsky)
Liska and died October 31, 2011 in
Lodge
No.
Became
Member
81
146
44
142
48
158
203
500
242
45
106
160
152
262
45
437
389
243
54
85
155
426
112
3
242
262
330
29
48
365
100
296
242
67
400
346
242
346
222
3
74
357
389
500
1939
1940
1931
1946
1946
1944
1948
1974
1963
2007
1996
2002
1947
2000
1990
1995
1944
1937
1934
1989
1937
1947
1946
1936
1969
1951
1935
1951
1935
1947
1973
1942
1935
1948
1996
1937
1931
1952
1948
1937
2006
1933
1957
1963
Date of
Death
10/24/11
10/30/11
08/20/11
11/13/11
10/18/11
09/15/11
10/08/11
10/29/11
09/29/11
10/30/11
11/05/11
10/16/11
09/10/07
10/04/11
07/30/11
08/27/11
09/17/11
09/04/11
09/05/11
10/06/11
09/26/11
06/10/11
09/22/11
08/28/11
02/19/11
09/02/11
10/16/11
07/10/11
10/18/11
07/30/11
10/03/11
10/27/11
11/10/11
10/03/11
12/29/10
10/06/11
10/10/11
10/18/11
11/01/11
10/11/11
10/23/11
10/16/11
10/22/11
10/16/10
Verdigre, NE. Funeral services were held
November 5, with interment at Hillcrest
Cemetery.
Robert married Ida King October 28,
1947 in Creighton. He was a 50-year
member.
Survivors include children, Roger
Liska, Marcia (Dick) Potter, Phyllis
(Ken) Meier, Patricia Liska, and Duanne
(Peggy) Liska.
Linda Wallick, Secretary
January 2012
CzECH CONNECTION
Former Czech President and Playwright Dies
10/15/1936 - 12/18/2011
Former Czech President and dissident playwright Vaclav Havel died at his weekend house on
December 18, 2011. Vaclav played a major role in the 1989 Velvet Revolution which peacefully toppled
communism in the former Czechoslovakia. His motto, “Truth and love must prevail over lies and hate”
will always be remembered around the world. His commitment to non-violent resistance helped to
ensure the velvet revolution was bloodless and inspired generations to reach for autonomy and dignity
in all parts of the world.
Havel was born in 1936, the son of a rich building contractor, but was denied a good education
after the communists seized power in 1948 and stripped his family of its wealth. Despite having no higher degree, he began
writing literary criticism in 1955. He started working in theater as a stage hand but soon began to write and direct plays. The
Garden Party was his first international success. His plays disappeared in censors’ vaults and his stage career ended with the
1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. He was forced into menial labor jobs such as rolling beer barrels. Nevertheless, his
works circulated in the underground within a small circle of dissidents. He produced a series of underground essays that analyzed
what communism did to society and the individual. Vaclav was imprisoned and harassed by police and became the symbol of
resistance to the regime. He spent four years in communist jails.
In February 1990, Havel became the country’s first democratically elected president after the nonviolent Velvet Revolution.
He oversaw the countries transition from under communist rule to democracy and a free-market economy. Vaclav Havel opposed
the split of the Czech Republic and Slovakia and in 1992 stepped down from his position as president. Nonetheless, he was twice
re-elected President of the Czech Republic the following year and served until 2003. He was credited with laying the ground
work that brought his Czech Republic into the European Union, and was president when it joined NATO in 1999. By the end
of his presidency, Vaclav’s political popularity waned as he found it difficult to translate his moral message into political action.
Among his many honors were Sweden’s prestigious Olof Palme Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S.
civilian award, bestowed on him by President George W. Bush for being “one of liberty’s great heroes.” He was also nominated
several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Havel returned to his first love, the stage, in 2008. He published a new play, Leaving, about the struggles of a leader on his
way out of office. This work gained critical acclaim.
Havel had a history of chronic respiratory problems dating back to his years in communist jails and chain smoking. After
surviving operations for lung cancer and a burst intestine in the late 1990s, Havel was in poor health for more than a decade.
He died at his country home in Hradecek, north of Prague, of a long respiratory illness.
Grand Opening of the National Czech & Slovak
Museum & Library Slated for July 14, 2012
The expanded and relocated National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) will be open to the public on July 14,
2012. When completed, the building will have a 55-seat auditorium, three galleries, a classroom, a 5500 square foot library, a
reception hall seating up to 400, a river view terrace, catering kitchen, and an expanded store. Offices will be located on the
second level. Also, the building was changed to be environmentally friendly with geothermal heating and cooling, and solar
panels. One of the last pieces of the reconstruction
puzzle is the immigrant home. It has been
moved and is now in place. The home sat
alongside the museum and was inundated
with water and debris in the 2008 flood.
Measuring just 540 square feet, the home
housed five generations of the Sleger family
beginning in the 1880’s through 1984. On
November 29, the 22-ton wood framed
house made the journey and elevation next
to the expanded museum. It was placed on
a new foundation, which sits 11 feet higher
December 13, 2011 museum building and immigrant house (far right) in its new location.
than it original location to protect it from
future floods. Plans call for refurbishing the home, adding fresh paint, and new walkways in 2012. It will be ready for visitors
in July.
More information concerning the Grand Opening Ceremony will follow in future Fraternal Heralds as the details become
available.
January 2012
35
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January - Western Fraternal Life

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