ESTNIK SPJST Herald
Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"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
VOLUME 87 NUMBER 37
BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800
SPJST mourns loss of Cyrill "Sid" Pokladnik Brother Cyrill "Sid" Pokladnik, who retired as Director of SPJST District Three and of the SPJST Supreme Lodge in January 1997, died Wednesday, September 22, 1999. He was 86 years old. He was born on October 21, 1912 in a small village outside of Brno in what is now the Czech Republic. For 32 years, Brother Pokladnik served as director of District Three, accumulating an extraordinary number of life expereinces along the way. "I enjoyed every minute of it," he reflected in a Vestn'k article following his retirement. During his tenure as director, Mr. Pokladnik saw SPJST assets increase eightfold, from $14 millin 1965 to $119 million at the end of 1996. During „„. the same period, Poklac:3..c insurance in force increased from $44 million in 1965 to more than $390 million at the end of 1996. "Brother Sid's death represents the end of an era in the SPJST," said Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska, a long-time friend and fellow Supreme Lodge member. "He cared very deeply about the SPJST and was a key player in building the bridge between our Society's first- and second-generation fraternalists and the leadership of today.
"He was so much part of the SPJST that it's hard to imagine what it would have been like without him." District Three Director Johnnie Krizan echoed these sentiments, "For me, as a youngster growing up in the SPJST to the present, Sid Pokladnik has been synonymous with SPJST. Every milestone or major innovation advanced by the Society within the last 40 years — Sid was there as a major player," he said. "His talent and love for the SPJST contributed immensely to our success as a fraternal. In this respect, he was a giant of a man who left us with a legacy to follow and preserve. "To be a great leader and make the tough decisions, people sometimes will disagree with you. But, in the long un, they will come to respect you for he character you have for doing what you thought was right rather than what was easy. This is what I admired about Brother Pokladnik because I knew him to be a fair and honorable man," said Brother Krizan.
Fraternal Commitment During his long association with the SPJST, Brother Pokladnik also served as one of the founding directors of the S.P.J.S.T. Rest Home in Taylor and Needville, Texas. In fact, he helped to underwrite the construction of the Needville facility. A member and past President of SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas, he was also a (Continued on page 3.)
The decision to build the first S.P.J.S.T. Rest Home /as initic:ed at the SPJST's 1956 convention in Temple. To make it :.c..ppen, delegates apportioned $100,000 and organized a self-governing and independent organization for the purpose. Pictured above are the first Board of Directors of the S.P.J.S.T. Rest Homes. They are, from left, front: Joe Skrabanek, Henry W. Marcak and Edwin Kovar. BACK: Fred Kveton, Cyrill "Sid" Pokladnik, Henry Schovajsa and E.P. Sralla.
September 29, 1999
ii person's loue for spouse and children and concern ouer their welfare are good reasons to L ep one's life insurance contract in good standing. Brit so y et es, even the most well-planned insurance Becomes outdated. For that reason, it's a good rogr idea to occasionally revie!'+ your certificate and see !f it still fits your changing needs. That's where an SPJST sales representative can help. When you're ready to review your present coverage, give your local lodge sales representative a call. If you're not sure about who to talk to, please contact the SPJST Insurance Department at 1 (800) 727-7578 and they can put you in touch with a sales representative in your area.
Reuiew your couerage during the SPJST Denim Roundup membership Driue, Rugust 1 through December 31 See backpage for details.
Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates September 30 Temple Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" at SPJST Home Office October 1- 31 Texas Czech Heritage Month October 2 District Six Barbecue Cook-Off in Victoria (Jaycee Hall) October 10 District Six Fall Meeting at Victoria Electric Co-Op October 10 Lodge 35, Elk Membership Rally October 12-14 Supreme Lodge Meeting October 16-17 Lickskillet Fest Days, Fayetteville October 17 Heritage Day at the State Fair of Texas (Marine Parade Grounds) October 17 District One Fall Meeting hosted by Lodge 17, New Tabor October 22 - 24 Texas Fraternal Congress, Houston October 23 Fund Raiser at SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton October 23 National Make a Difference Day October 23 Lodge 48, Beyersville Progressive "42" Tournament October 24 District Three Fall Meeting hosted by Lodge 180, Burleson October 24 - 30 Texas Czech Heritage Week October 30 District Four Czech Fest at St. Ambrose Parish Hall in Wall (Lodge 160, San Angelo co-hosting) October 30 Czech Heritage Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone October 30 Arts and Crafts Show and Sale at Lodge 66, Waco October 31 Fund Raiser at Lodge 79, Corpus Christi October 31 Lodge 88, Houston Czech Day November 6 Lodge 24, Cyclone Barbecue Cook-Off November 7 Lodge 161, La Parita-Jourdanton hosts District Seven Fall Meeting at Longhorn Museum, Pleasanton November 13 State Volleyball Tournament, Temple —SPJST-