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"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation'
Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800
VOLUME 85 NUMBER 14
Although most departed for the afternoon, a few teams stayed to watch the finalists-play it out. Congratulations to these winners:
"42" Champs
State Comptroller John Sharp to speak at SPJST celebration Texas State Comptroller John Sharp will be the principal speaker at the SPJST's 100th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, July 12, 1997 at 3 p.m. John Sharp Brother Sharp is a member of SPJST Lodge 97, Placedo. As State Comptroller, he has achieved the reputation as a man with a mission — to streamline government and make it more effective. Shortly after taking office in 1991, his team issued the massive Texas Performance Review (1PR), an audit of state operations that found more than $4 billion in immediate savings. To date, it is estimated that the TPR has saved taxpayers approximately $8 billion and helped Texas avoid a state income tax. "What we're doing is no different than what most families and businesses have had to do," said Brother Sharp in a June 1, 1994 Vestnik interview. "We're just trying to apply the same principles that most families and businesses would if they had the same job to do." Brother Sharp took his common sense approach a step further by introducing the Texas. Tomorrow Fund, a prepaid higher education tuition program in 1996. More recently, he spearheaded the state's innovative Lone Star card, a moneysaving switch from paper food stamp coupons to computerized bank-type cards that has dramatically reduced fraud and abuse in the federal program while boosting food sales for growers in every region of the state. "We're very happy that Mr. Sharp will be an active participant in our celebration," says Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar. "It will be a memorable event. "In addition to the musical entertainment that is planned, we've just added a golf tournament and barbecue cook-off. Details will be out soon. "The whole event is really beginning to snowball," he said. "It will be a lot of fun." —SPJST-
Pictured, from left, are Bill Smetanka and Johnny Chervenka, both of Lodge 24, Cyclone, first place winners in the SPJST 13th Annual State "42" Domino Tournament. The tournament, which attracted more than 80 players, was hosted by Lodge 29, Taylor.
(See related photos on page 5.)
Lodge 24, Cyclone team takes first place in SPJST State "42" Tournament by Barbara Rosenkranz State Fraternal Activities Coordinator On an overcast March 8th, eighty-plus SPJST members traveled to Taylor, Texas, to compete in the 13th annual SPJST State "42" Domino Tournament. The early arrivals were greeted with kolaches and coffee provided by the Supreme Lodge and Lodge 29, Taylor. Conversation and laughter filled the hall as the players greeted each other. Play began and it became clear that there were some teams which would lead for most of the day. As the players would say, "sometimes it's just the luck of the draw."
April 2, 1997
The rattle of dominoes across the tables signaled the start of yet another round. Some teams would win and some would lose. Still they played on. By the sixth round, the scores were showing nine teams with at least five wins, and three rounds left to go. It appeared the competition for the finals would be stiff, but surprise wins in the last couple of rounds knocked leading teams out of the final competition for first place. By six o'clock, most of the teams knew if they would be in the playoffs. Numbers and byes were pulled and the last few teams played on for placement in first, second, third, fourth and fifth places.
Still Going Strong
Past SPJST Supreme Lodge President Nick A. Morris instructs the Monday night Czech class at Lodge 177, Academy. The strong response to the informal classes, which conclude on April 7, reflect the resurging interest in Czech language and Czech heritage studies in Texas. See related photo on page 7.
First Place Bill Smetanka and Johnny Chervenka Lodge 24, Cyclone Second Place Glen Paul and Donnie Paul Lodge 17, New Tabor Third Place Ronnie Honza and Jim Holahan Lodge 25, Ennis Fourth Place Lydia Jansen and Lillie Krueger Lodge 29, Taylor Fifth Place Lee Roy Hanusch and Ron Culp Lodge 47, Seaton Lodge 24, Cyclone won the trophy for the lodge winning the most games. Special thanks to District Two Director Frank Klinkovsky and District Seven Director Bob Bayer. "Mister Ft-Pt*" ran the tournament with his usual gusto and flair. We are sorry to hear that his lovely wife, Irma, has been under the weather and send her "get-well wishes." Director Bayer was very helpful in assisting with the tournament and we appreciate his input. The Lodge 29 volunteers were super nice and provided a wonderful lunch of fried chicken, which I heard many, many compliments on. When the camera to take pictures of the winners gave out on us, Brother Michael Kaiser of Lodge 29 retrieved his Polaroid camera and plenty of film to get us through the day. Many thanks to him and our good luck that he had his camera with him. Bobby Wuensche was unable to attend the tournament this year, but he provided a very nice set of hand-tooled SPJST 100th Anniversary domino score keepers. The one-of-a-kind item was sold in a silent auction. Ronnie Honza of Lodge 25, Ennis was the high bidder for the score keepers. Brother Wuensche donated the proceeds to the SPJST Scholarship Fund. Many thanks to him and his lovely wife, Ruth, who attended the tournament. Door prizes were won by: Thomas Galler, Frances Tallas, EmmaCeska, Johnnie Svoboda, Johnny Kelarek, Thomas Novak, Gary Brogdon, Glen Paul and Jesse S. Bayer. Congratulations to all the winners of the day. Sister Jansen was saying how much she wanted a set of the 100th Anniversary dominoes. Her wish came true, as the fourth place team was each awarded with a set of dominoes. The day was a lot of fun. It was also nice to see so many younger couples interacting in such a positive way with older players. All in all, it was a very fraternal event! —SPJST-