VESTNIK 2025.11.24

A

History of Hospodár and the Vaculik Family

by Jana Vaculik Riley SPJST Lodge 54, West

Reprinted with permission. Article originally appeared in the Fall 2025 - Volume 39, No. 3 issue Český Hlas - The Czech Voice Newsletter of the Czech Heritage Society of Texas

The Czech language newspaper Hospodář was founded in 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Jan Rosicky for newly arrived immigrants from Europe. For more than 120 years Hospodář adjusted the content of articles to reader’s interests. Hospodář’s goal was to be an informative and instructive newspaper. Some of the articles included historical articles from the past and present, different nations,

memoirs, youthful recollections from the old and new country, spiritual and religious discussions, philosophical meditations, short and long descriptions from various festivals. The last year of publication was in 2011, and the last owner and publisher was my father, Jan Vaculik. These are my recollections and history of growing up in a newspaper publishing family and publishing a newspaper which was founded in 1890. I am the first generation of my family to be born in the United States, with my parents and paternal grandparents emigrating during communism. My brother and I were taught the Czech language at home, and we spoke only Czech in our family, and due to the political situation we were not able

Continued on page 35.

Lodge 172, Pasadena Announces Memorial Fund OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO SPJST LODGES STATEWIDE

This fall, the remaining active members of Lodge 172, Pasadenawhich closed its physical doors in 2022 - met to create something meaningful: a memorial fund to help other SPJST lodges meet urgent financial needs and keep their own doors open.

Beginning in early 2026, the Lodge 172 J.C. and Vicki Dressler Memorial Fund will provide SPJST lodges statewide the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $5,000. Funds may be used for repairs, expansion, equipment, lodge projects, events, member services, and community outreach.

Multiple grants may be awarded each year, and lodges are welcome to apply—or reapply—in future years.

The application process will be simple and straightforward. Details—including requirements, deadlines, and where to submit applications—will be emailed to lodges. All applications will be reviewed by the SPJST Home Office before being forwarded to the Lodge 172 Grants Committee for final selection. Decisions will be based on need, urgency, and feasibility.

Additional information will be printed in the December 8, 2025, Vestnik and included in the monthly SPJST newsletter that goes out to all lodge officers from Director of Member Engagement Frank Horak. Lodge 172 extends thanks to President/ CEO Brian Vanicek, District 5 Director Bradley Stavinoha, and the SPJST Executive Committee for their support of this initiative.

J.C. and Vicki Dressler of Lodge 172, Pasadena.

We also thank President/CEO Vanicek for his recent invitation encouraging lodges to share their stories and histories—an invitation that inspired Lodge 172’s own reflection, “Bring Your Ticket,” and reminded members not only of Lodge 172’s meaningful past, but what it might still give to the future.

Continued on page 7.

VESTNIK

S P J S T H E R A L D

SPJST HOME OFFICE

PO Box 100 • Temple, Texas 76503 254-773-1575 www.spjst.org

V

ĚSTNÍK EDITOR: MELANIE ZAVODNY, FIC 254-773-1575 (ext. 122) Mobile/Text: 254-534-0807 vestnik@spjst.org melaniez@spjst.com melaniez@usa.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BRIAN VANICEK, FIC 254-773-1575 (ext. 139) Mobile: 254-534-2902 vanicek@spjst.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING DELISLE DOHERTY 254-773-1575 (ext. 240) Mobile: 832-232-2049 delisled@spjst.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

MELANIE ZAVODNY, FIC 254-773-1575 (ext. 122) Mobile: 254-534-0807 melaniez@spjst.com

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

LEONARD D. MIKESKA, FIC 254-773-1575 (ext. 149) Mobile: 254-721-4739 leonardm@spjst.com

INTERIM CONTROLLER BRETT WHEELER 254-773-1575 (ext. 128) brettw@spjst.com

DISTRICT ONE DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR

DONNIE VICTORICK, FIC, CFFM PO Box 85, Snook, TX 77878-0085 979-224-3125 dv.aggie71@gmail.com

DISTRICT TWO DIRECTOR JESSE POSPISIL 4710 FM 1331, Taylor, TX 76574-2164 512-826-7371 jlpospisil@yahoo.com

DISTRICT THREE DIRECTOR/CHAIR JOHN ENGELKE 6475 Gholson Rd, Waco, TX 76705-5330 254-717-7534 john.engelke@hotmail.com

DISTRICT FOUR DIRECTOR

BOBBY DAVIS, FICF, CFFM 1886 Pecos St, Ste 3, San Angelo, TX 76901-3268 Mobile: 325-450-3748 • Fax: 325-657-2003 bgdsr2428@aol.com

DISTRICT FIVE DIRECTOR

BRADLEY STAVINOHA, FIC 10522 Will Lehmann Rd, Needville, TX 77461-9164 Mobile: 979-739-2386 • Office: 979-793-7411 spjst@earthlink.net

DISTRICT SIX DIRECTOR ANNIE VAHALIK

413 Beechwood Dr, Victoria, TX 77901-4516 361-649-4888 amvahalik@gmail.com

DISTRICT SEVEN DIRECTOR

REGINA HOUSE

176 County Road 343, Charlotte, TX 78011-3663 830-570-2046 spjst202youth@gmail.com

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

District One - Bill Orsak, Vice Chair 979-324-0056 • billorsak@gmail.com

District Two - Rita Spinn 254-760-6427 • rita@hot.rr.com

District Three - Michael Galler 254-744-8973 • mlgaller54@gmail.com

District Four - Brad Teplicek 325-442-2001 • bptep@aol.com

District Five - Dorothy Pflughaupt, Chair 713-859-8976 • dotpflugh@yahoo.com

District Six - Lisa Bubela, Secretary 979-543-7120 • lisa_bubela@yahoo.com

District Seven - Oscar Korus 830-391-4169 • oscarkorus@gmail.com

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

FRANK HORAK

Office: 254-773-1575 (ext. 177) Mobile: 254-534-0681 frankh@spjst.com

TERRITORY MANAGERS

EAST TERRITORY KERRY HERRINGTON 281-704-5737 • kerryh@spjst.com

NORTH TERRITORY SABINO GARCIA 817-909-8899 • sabinog@spjst.com

WEST TERRITORY RALPH JUAREZ, FIC, FICF 361-537-5506 • ralphj@spjst.com

DISTRICT COUNCILS

District 1

Chair Randy Gaas

Secretary Sandra Stone

Youth Chair Hannah Kovar

District 2

Chair Cory Miksch

Secretary Jvonne Elwood

Youth Chair Amber Bartek

District 3

Chair Douglas Galler

Secretary/Youth Chair Dana McAdams

District 4

Chair Janice Stevens

Secretary Beverly Teplicek

Youth Chair Tonya Wales District 5

Chair Dorothy Pflughaupt

Secretary Krystle Peterson

Youth Chair Kristen Jones

District 6

Chair Yvonne Marcaurele

Secretary Crystal Bacak

Youth Chair Lisa Bubela

District 7

Chair James House

Secretary Wendy Pruski

Youth Chair April Adkins

CZECH HERITAGE MUSEUM

AND GENEALOGY CENTER 119 W French Avenue • Temple, TX

Kenny Lange, Curator 254-899-2935 • klange@spjst.com

TA Thanksgiving Worth Noticing

hanksgiving isn’t just a date on a calendar—it’s a moment to pause, breathe, and remember what truly matters. Gratitude isn’t found in perfection. It’s found in presence.

As we gather around tables—big or small, simple or full—we are invited to notice what we might normally pass by: a shared conversation, a familiar recipe, a story told again, the comfort of being together, even the memory of someone who once filled a chair that now sits empty.

Thankfulness doesn’t require life to be easy. It simply asks us to notice what is still good.

At SPJST, we are grateful for blessings that don’t make headlines but make a difference. We’re thankful for members who serve their communities, care for one another, support our youth, and keep traditions alive. For lodges that open their doors, volunteers who show up early and stay late, and families who believe service still matters.

Because of you, SPJST thrives.

As we head into Thanksgiving, may we slow down, notice the gift of being here, and appreciate the people and moments that make life meaningful. Gratitude doesn’t make life perfect—but it reminds us how beautiful it still is.

From our SPJST family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. May your heart be full, your blessings noticed, and your day rich with grace.

Czech Heritage Month Drawing Coming Soon!

We are excited to share that we received a wonderful number of entries for our Czech Heritage Month activities. Prize drawings will take place soon, and winners will be announced in the December 8 Vestnik. Thank you to everyone who participated and proudly celebrated our heritage!

Membership Drive Incentives

Congratulations to our October Lodge Incentive leaders: Lodge 88, Houston - 26 points - $250; Lodge 9, Snook - 12 points - $100; Lodge 219, El Paso - 11 points - $100; and Lodge 92, Fort Worth - 9 points - $100. These incentives will be awarded at the end of the quarter. We appreciate the effort to welcome new members into SPJST. Thank you!

Vestnik Moves to Monthly Schedule

Beginning soon, the Vestnik will transition to monthly publication. This change means deadlines will shift and planning ahead will be essential. If your lodge submits meeting reports, photos, or announcements, please send them early to ensure timely publication.

December 8 Vestnik

deadline is Mon., Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.

January 2026 Vestnik

deadline is Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.

February 2026 Vestnik deadline is Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. —SPJST—

VĚSTNÍK, (USPS 658480) is published on the second and fourth Mondays of each month by SPJST, PO Box 100, Temple, TX 76503-0100. Subscription rates are $25 per year for non-members. Members’ fees are paid as part of the insurance fee collected by SPJST, 520 North Main, Temple, TX 76501. Second-class postage paid at Temple, TX and additional mailing offices. The exchange of opinions, ideas and information is a vital aspect of our fraternal Society and enables us to make more informed decisions. The views expressed by writers in the Věstník do not necessarily represent the views of the Editor or SPJST management. Please sign all correspondence intended for publication. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VĚSTNÍK c/o Controller Roy Vajdak, P.O. Box 100, Temple, TX 76503-0100.

SPJST FAMILY FUN IMPORTANT DATES &

(Number in parentheses denotes SPJST district location.)

Nov. 26

Thanksgiving Holiday: SPJST Home Office Closes at 12

Nov. 27-28 Thanksgiving Holidays: SPJST Home Office Closed

Nov. 30 Lodge 185, New Braunfels Friendsgiving

Zorn Bowling Club, Seguin (7)

Dec. 1 SPJST Float/State Royalty: Temple Christmas Parade (2)

Dec. 4 Lodge 35, Elk Christmas Party (3)

Dec. 4 Lodge 67, Schulenburg-Weimar Christmas Party

Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant (1)

Dec. 6 Lodge 97, Placedo Christmas Brunch

Golden Corral, Victoria (6)

Dec. 7 Lodge 6, Cottonwood Christmas Party (3)

Dec. 7 Lodge 24, Cyclone Christmas Party (2)

Dec. 7 Lodge 47, Seaton Memorial Service/Christmas Party (2)

Dec. 7 Lodge 49, Rowena Christmas Party (4)

Dec. 8 Lodge 151, Wharton-East Bernard Christmas Social

Hungerford Community Center (6)

Dec. 12 Lodge 39, Bryan Christmas Caroling

Lampstand Nursing Home (1)

Dec. 13 Lodge 91, San Jacinto Christmas Party

Pesco’s Mexican Restaurant, Crosby (5)

Dec. 13 Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point Christmas Party

Dec. 14

Clem Mikeska’s Barbecue, Belton (2)

Lodge 4, Hallettsville Christmas Party

Vsetin Educational Building (6)

Dec. 14 Lodge 9, Snook Christmas Program/Memorial Service (1)

Dec. 14

Lodge 23, Moravia Christmas Social (6)

Dec. 14 Lodge 81, Needville Christmas Meeting (5)

Dec. 14

Lodge 84, Dallas Christmas Party • Sokol Dallas (3)

Dec. 14 Lodge 92, Fort Worth Annual Member

Christmas Party/Dance: The Moravian’s (3)

Dec. 14 Lodge 142, Houston Annual Meeting (5)

Dec. 14 Lodge 258, Seguin Annual Meeting/Social El Patron Bar and Grill (7)

Dec. 15 Lodge 94, Wheelock Annual Meeting Wilson Cattle Company, Bryan (1)

Dec. 24-26 Christmas Holidays: SPJST Home Office Closed

Dec. 31 SPJST Home Office Closes at Noon

Dec. 31 Lodge 24, Cyclone New Year’s Eve Dance: Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5 (2)

Dec. 31 Lodge 35, Elk New Year’s Eve Dance: Joe Wood Band (3)

Dec. 31 Lodge 47, Seaton New Year’s Eve Dance: Billy Holt Band (2)

Dec. 31 Lodge 88, Houston New Year’s Eve Dance: Fab 5 (5)

Dec. 31 Lodge 107, Floresville New Year, New Roof Dance (7)

2026

Jan. 1 New Year’s Holiday: SPJST Home Office Closed

Jan. 4 Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station Christmas Party (1)

Jan. 23-25 SPJST Car Show at TABA Home & Garden Show

Cadence Bank Center, Belton (2)

SPJST INTEREST RATES rates as of Sept. 1, 2025

Universal Life

Family Value Universal Life

2.00% Guaranteed Rate

Credited Rate: 3.00%

Annuities

1-Year Annuity**

Credited Rate: 4.00%

2-Year Annuity**

Credited Rate: 4.00%

3-Year Annuity**

Credited Rate: 4.00%

5-Year Annuity**

Credited Rate: 4.00%

Flexible Premium Deferred

Annuity Non-IRA*

2.90% Guaranteed Rate

Credited Rate: 4.25%

Traditional and Roth IRAs*

2.90% Guaranteed Rate

Credited Rate: 4.25%

*$1,250 minimum deposit **$10,000 minimum deposit

Reader appreciates Czech Heritage Month puzzle

This Czech Heritage Month puzzle in the Vestnik brought memories of when I was a little girl and visiting our Czech family graves at St. Mary’s . . . You brought that memory to life for me — thank you! I could remember seeing that cemetery fully aglow with lit candles on the graves and saying prayers for our dearly beloved deceased . . . wonder why we aren’t that reverent today, and why these beautiful ceremonies have been placed to the wayside? Truly was a Czech tradition then! Thanks for the memories!

Shirley Moczygemba

Lodge 32, Victoria SPJST

Learn Czech Christmas Carols

CESAT (Czech Ex-Student Association of Texas) and the Schulenburg Public Library are pleased to announce free Czech Christmas carol lessons each Friday at 8 p.m. beginning on the first Friday of November continuing through the last Friday of December.

The lessons are online so you can learn from the comfort of your home. To receive your lesson link, please send an email to Thadious Polasek at polasek29@gmail.com.

Fraternally, Thadious Polasek

Lodge 67

Schulenburg-Weimar —SPJST—

From the Desk of Delisle

L. Doherty SPJST Vice President of Sales and Marketing

You Matter

(Excerpt from ‘God’s Purpose for Your Life’ by Charles Stanley)

This is one of my go-to books whenever life brings challenges. In today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lost in the noise around us. It seems like no one is allowed to be “on the fence” anymore—you must choose a side. You’re either with one group or against another. But God’s purpose is not determined by public opinion or the pressures of society. His purpose is not just for the masses—it’s for you.

Here’s an excerpt from this powerful book:

God’s determined will is what He’s going to do. What you and I must understand is that He doesn’t make such plans exclusively for world events or nations. Rather, He also makes plans for individuals. He makes them for you.

“My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

—Psalm 139:15–16 (NIV)

We can be sure there are aspects of our lives that are part of God’s determined will. Today’s Scripture tells us that God chose where, when, and to whom we would be born. He actively shapes our personalities, talents, and abilities. God creates and equips us with His purpose in mind.

So take heart—you are not a mistake. There are parts of your life that are woven into God’s sovereign, unchangeable plan. Yes, we all face hardships, and we all make decisions we regret. But even so, God planned your existence, and your life matters immensely to Him. Look for His purpose in every part of your journey.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.

If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

— Corrie Ten Boom

My door is always open, figuratively, and literally.

Have a safe and blessed life, Delisle L. Doherty

Vice President

of Sales and Marketing

832-232-2049 —SPJST—

Discover how to grow your savings with guaranteed interest, tax-deferred growth, and lifetime income options—all backed by SPJST’s long-standing financial strength.

See how the bonus offer can increase your returns on deposits of $25,000 or more—through August 31, 2026. This offer ends on December 31, 2025.

Dec. 3 • 6 PM

For anyone who wants to learn more about annuities, whether you’re planning for retirement or simply want a safe place for your savings.

Member Engagement News

Gathering Together in Joy — December Updates

Howdy, SPJST Members!

�� A Season of Joy, Warmth, and Togetherness

December brings a special kind of magic — twinkling lights, cherished traditions, and moments shared with the people who matter most. As we wrap up 2025, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the friendships, fellowship, and fraternal spirit that make SPJST feel like family. Across the fall season and throughout the year, members have shown extraordinary dedication through service, gatherings, festivals, and Caring Challenges. Your commitment keeps our lodges vibrant and our mission strong.

And personally, this season feels even brighter thanks to my growing granddaughter who fills our days with joy, laughter, and a little extra energy as she explores everything around her!

�� Holiday Spotlight: Giving from the Heart

The Christmas season is all about generosity and kindness. If your lodge is looking to spread some cheer, consider:

• Hosting a toy or coat drive

• Collecting blankets or warm clothing

• Sending cards to seniors or veterans

• Delivering treats or essentials to families in need

Don’t forget to record your lodge’s holiday service projects at spjst.org/gives and share your photos using #SPJSTGives. Your giving spirit lights the way for others!

�� Lodge Officer Elections

If your lodge did not elect officers in November, please be sure to hold your 2026 officer elections during your December meeting.

✔ Officer lists must be submitted online by January 15, 2026 at spjst.org/gives

Completing this ensures your lodge remains qualified for the 2025 Lodge Incentive Program.

�� Planning Your 2026 Lodge Calendar

As we wrap up the year and look forward to a fresh start, take this time to gather your lodge members to plan socials, fundraisers, youth events, and service projects for the coming year. Once your calendar is finalized, please send it to the Home Office so we can support and share your activities.

��

100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive

As you spread holiday cheer, consider supporting the bright future of our youth through the 100 Pennies Scholarship Drive. Donations are accepted through March 31, 2026:

• Online: spjst.org/scholarships

• By mail:

SPJST

Attn: 100 Pennies PO Box 100 • Temple, TX 76503

Your generosity helps create meaningful opportunities for SPJST youth — thank you!

✨ 2026 SPJST Theme:

“United We Shine”

As we look forward to the new year, our 2026 theme, United We Shine, celebrates connection, community, and pride in our shared heritage. It also marks our nation’s 250th birthday — a milestone that reminds us of the strength that comes from unity.

Throughout 2026, lodges will enjoy special programs, Caring Challenges, and events that encourage fellowship and service. Let’s enter the new year ready to shine together!

�� 2026 SPJST State Tournaments

All tournaments will be held at the SPJST Home Office in Temple. Registration is $30 per person, and lunch, and snacks will be provided.

January 10 - Progressive 42 Dominoes February 7 - Tarok

March 7 - Regular 42 Dominoes

Come out, play hard, and enjoy the fellowship that makes these events so special!

�� Youth Club News

�� Summer Camp: June 28 to July 2, 2026 — One More Day Added!

Mark your calendars! Camp will be Sunday, June 28 to Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Comfort, Texas. It promises to be another summer of friendship, fun, and adventure. Thanks to our District Directors for approving the additional day. We appreciate it. Registration details will be shared soon.

SPJST Youth Showcase 2026

The Youth Showcase is set for July 24 and 25, 2026! The Guidebook will be released soon, first on the SPJST Youth Program and SPJST Youth Leadership Facebook pages.

�� Announcing the 2026 Caring Challenges

Across Texas, SPJST members of all ages will join hearts and hands in 2026 to brighten lives through quarterly Caring Challenges. Each quarter offers three ways to make a difference:

�� Make It — Create something from the heart.

�� Collect It — Gather items that make a difference.

�� Give It — Donate or contribute to brighten someone’s day.

Whether your group meets monthly or quarterly, these activities are designed to be flexible, fun, and impactful — proving that when we act with heart, United We Shine!

January to March Fresh Starts, Warm Hearts Make It — “Notes & Rays of Hope” - Host a Coffee & Cocoa Hour to write encouraging notes or assemble small sunshine packets (card + peppermint + teabag or tissue) for seniors, shut-ins, or anyone battling illness.

Collect It — “Baby Bundle Drive”Gather diapers, wipes, and baby essentials for local crisis or family-resource centers.

Give It — “Share the Warmth” - Donate coats, socks, and gloves to local shelters.

April to June

Service in Full Bloom

Make It — “Kindness Bookmarks & Blessing Tags” - Create hand-decorated bookmarks or inspirational tags with short uplifting quotes (“Keep Shining!” “You Matter!”). Deliver them with books or magazines to nursing-home residents, teachers, or individuals undergoing treatment.

Collect It — “Blooms of Kindness”Make or collect small paper or artificial flower arrangements with cheerful notes and deliver them to seniors, hospital staff, or teachers.

Give It — “Serving Those Who Served” - Assemble care packages with snacks, toiletries, and gratitude notes for veterans or local VA homes.

July to September United in Learning and Love

Make It — “Light-the-Way Lanterns” - Decorate simple paper or mason-jar lanterns with stars and encouraging words. Deliver them to veterans, cancer patients, or shut-ins as reminders they’re not alone.

Collect It — “Back-to-School Boost” - Collect backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and art supplies for children in need.

Give It — “Paws of Love” - Donate pet food, toys, or blankets to local animal shelters.

October to December Shining Together in Thanks and Joy

Mark It — “Baked Blessings & Caring Cookies” - Bake cookies or muffins and deliver them — with a short note of encouragement — to first responders, teachers, seniors, or anyone facing illness or loss.

Collect It — “Socktober & Stockings” - Collect new socks in October and festive stockings in December for shelters, seniors, or children in need.

Give It — “Holiday Cheer for All”Adopt a family, sponsor a child or senior, or donate food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas meal kits or baskets.

�� Member Spotlight Honoring Our Veterans

This month, we proudly shine a spotlight on the lodges that planned programs, ceremonies, and acts of service to honor U.S. veterans for Veterans Day. Your efforts—whether placing flags, hosting commemorations, inviting guest speakers, or supporting local veterans’ groups—reflect the true spirit of gratitude and community that strengthens our organization.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the men and women who have served our country. By continuing these meaningful traditions, you help ensure that our veterans are honored, remembered, and celebrated not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year.

Know a member or group we should highlight? Send photos and a description to frankh@spjst.org.

SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive kicked off October 1; continues through March 31, 2026

SPJST members and friends are encouraged to support the 2025-2026 SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive. Donations are tax deductible, and 100 percent of the amount that is contributed is used for scholarships to SPJST members. Donations may be submitted online at spjst.org/scholarships. Mail contributions to:

SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive PO Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503-0100

Thank you for your kind support. For more information or printed donation solicitation forms, please contact the Member Engagement Department at 254-773-1575.

Guidelines for Giving

name in alphabetical order. 5. 100 pennies donations made as a memorial will be listed under memorial donations in a separate listing.

Note: Please print donor’s name(s) clearly.

Donations to date for the 2025-2026 drive are $1,478. SPJST Memorial donations and endowment donations to date are $32,078. Thank you for your generous donations to the SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund and Memorial Fund. Because of your generosity, many young SPJST members will be able to attend or continue with college. The 2025-2026 SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Drive goal is $50,000. Thank you!

�� Final Thoughts

As Christmas approaches and we gather with loved ones, may your homes be filled with peace, warmth, and joy. Thank you for helping make 2025 such a meaningful and inspiring year.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a joyful holiday season, and a bright start to 2026 — a year where United We Shine!

Fraternally, Frank Horak Director of Member Engagement

—SPJST—

1. Donations made by lodges out of lodge funds will be listed as a lodge donation.

2. Collected donations from a lodge meeting will be listed individually by member’s last name in alphabetical order. Individuals submitting a donation will also be listed by member’s last name alphabetically.

3. Gifts of $50 or more will be printed in bold.

4. Families or groups, which desire names listed under a particular last name or group name, should indicate this on the donation form or letter; otherwise, the names will be listed as individual donations by last

97 6 Revel, Gay 4 6 SPJST Lodge 4 Hallettsville 9 1 SPJST Lodge 9 Snook Youth Club 13 1 SPJST Lodge 13 Dime Box 24 2 SPJST Lodge 24 Cyclone 67 1 SPJST Lodge 67 Schulenburg-Weimar 151 6 SPJST Lodge 151 Wharton-East Bernard 183 3 The 183 ClubArlington

SPJST Memorial Scholarship Fund Donations April 2025 through October 2025

In Memory of Bessie Petr from SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas

In Memory of Douglas Sodek from Delores and Gene Odstrcil In Memory of Ervin “Curly” and Helen Ray Gustafson from Estate of Ervin “Curly” and Helen Ray Gustafson

In Memory of Johnnie Krizan from SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas

In Memory of Sid Pokladnik from SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas

In Memory of Weldon Zgarba from Lorenda Baldwin

In Memory of Departed Members of Lodge 151, Wharton-East Bernard from SPJST Lodge 151, Wharton-East Bernard —SPJST—

Lodge 172, Pasadena

Continued from Page 1.

Bring Your Ticket

I am Lodge 172, Pasadena. I have so many stories. I keep so many memories. I heard — and was home to — so much music, laughter, and fun. I saw, and I felt, so much generosity, charity, helpfulness, and love. So many wonderful people were a part of me, generation after generation, carrying me along, lifting me up, holding me steady. I lived in different times and in different buildings, and each of my homes was built, I know, by hands I loved — and that loved me in return. I am so grateful.

A while ago now, the door of my very last home closed. Still, in the magic of fraternal fellowship, every Saturday night somehow that door seems to open up again in my heart; and all the echoes come back – all the faces, and all the hands –busy, busy, busy, because there is so much to get ready before 9 o’clock.

All the lights must come on in the darkened hall. So they do. Click, click, click. They make a little hum and flicker before settling into their warm glow.

They shine across my grand, polished, parquet dance floor, already swept clean, but now given one more quick brush, for good measure.

Someone is letting the band in so they can set up on the big raised triangular stage in my far corner. “Testing, testing.” A guitar sends out a deep, practice chord, and it feels like my walls — my bones — are humming, all the way to my high metal roof.

Tonight’s kitchen crew has arrived and is getting things up and running in the back. “Go ahead and get that popcorn started, and are all the drinks cold? It’s gonna be a busy night.”

“Would someone get that nice police officer a coffee—who is it on duty this time?”

“Are the ticket-takers all set?”

“All right. Let’s go.”

Now people come streaming in. They smile and joke and make straight for the long, rectangular tables surrounding the parquet, claiming a good or favorite spot. Some folks head straight for the counter to get their ice colds and candy and treats. No time like the present. “You want some mustard on that?”

“You better save me a dance, Vicki.”

“Don’t I always, Theiss?”

“Helen, you lookin’ good.”

“Get outta here! And take your nachos with you!”

“That Jo and Robert over there?”

“Where’s Jake?”

“He’s cranking up the AC. We’re gonna need every bit of it tonight. It’s the River Road Boys playing. Everyone’s gonna turn out. You watch.”

Everyone does. Young and old. Skirts and jeans. Boots and heels and sandals and flats. Someone dims the lights now. The music heats up. My mirrored ball twinkles over everyone’s heads. My floor is filled with two-steppin’ legs. The line at the kitchen counter gets long. No one seems to mind.

I laugh when they all do that crazy chicken dance. I bounce along with the happy polkas. A young boy is dancing with his grandma, carefully. Married couples are gliding along, easy. Look at Harry and Dolores waltzing—they’ve had plenty of practice.

It goes on like this for hours, the band taking a break now and then, for a little breather.

“Say, those your kids over there, Vicki?”

“Yep.”

“They’re all grown. Man, time flies.”

“Sure does.”

“They members of the lodge?”

“Of course.”

“That’s nice. The generations. How ‘bout one more dance?”

The drinks start to run low, and the candy, eventually. No one seems to mind. The last of the popcorn gets shuffled into bags. Everyone understands.

Things are slowing down. Someone has started cleaning the kitchen. It’s a natural thing. You can’t go on all night. And tomorrow is Sunday.

Folks start shaking hands, leaving, disappearing.

Vanishing.

Until at last, at one o’clock in the morning: That’s it, last call, y’all, pick up after yourself, thanks for coming, drive safe, see you next week, wait, whose keys are these, there you go, appreciate you, officer, always a pleasure.

The tables are wiped. The floors are cleaned.

A handful of goodbyes are called out.

“Night Jerry.”

“Night Teenie.”

“Night Henrietta.”

“Alvin. Victor. Esther. Dottie. Leona.”

And the hall is quietly locked. Lodge 172—that’s me—that’s all of us—falls silent.

“Děkuju.”

“Aw, honey, you’re welcome. Any time.”

“Any time?”

“Sure. We’re here every weekend. Just show up at the door. With your heart.”

—with love from the members of Lodge 172, Pasadena —SPJST—

SPJST is gearing up for another exciting summer at camp—where youth from across Texas will make new friends, learn leadership skills, and create lifelong memories under the Texas stars. To ensure that every young person has the opportunity to attend, SPJST is launching a statewide Summer Camp Raffle, and we need your help to make it shine!

Every raffle ticket sold will directly support camper fees, helping families offset the cost of attending. This effort not only strengthens our youth programming, but also furthers SPJST’s mission of investing in the next generation of fraternal leaders.

How You Can Help

We are asking lodges, youth clubs, members, and supporters to donate:

• Gift cards or prizes valued at $75 or more

• Prizes must be non-perishable and not tied to one specific location

• Cash donations are also welcome

Prize donations will determine the number and value of raffle prizes offered, so the more we collect, the bigger the opportunity to encourage ticket sales and support our campers.

Deadline to Donate: December 31

Help us build an exciting raffle lineup before the New Year! Donations may be sent or dropped off at the SPJST Home Office or given to your District Director. Lodges and youth clubs are encouraged to contribute as part of their community service and support of our youth.

Together, let’s open the camp gates wide for our young members. Your support makes a difference—and helps create another unforgettable summer at SPJST Camp! —SPJST—

SPJST LODGE SECTION

Lodge 4, Hallettsville

Christmas party

Sunday,

Dec. 14

Dear Members,

The deadline for Věstník items is 10 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Send your news and photos to:

SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny PO Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503

Email: vestnik@spjst.org

Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo

Questions? Call 800-727-7578

located six miles northeast of Hallettsville on FM 2314.

Noon Meal

Merry Christmas! You and your family are cordially invited to the SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville Annual Christmas Party on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Vsetin Czech Moravian Brethren Church Educational Building,

The party begins at 11:30 a.m. The lodge will provide fried chicken for the noon meal, and we invite members to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share with everyone. Following lunch, there will be a Christmas program, door prizes, and Czech bingo games. Congratulations to our 2025 Milestone Members! We appreciate your

membership in our lodge and hope to see you and your family at the Christmas party.

Milestone Members - 25 Years

Katie Chudej • Allen J. Grones

Jackson Holy • Morgan Scott

Ethan Smotek • Claire Zak

Milestone Members - 50 Years

Dolores Elliott • Leon Koehne

Lori Matejek • Michael Mikeska Barbara Rainosek

Milestone Members - 75 Years

Gayenell Chudej • Allen R. Grones

Leon Grones • Marlyn Sevcik

George Spaniel

Welcome to our New Member!

Sarah Vahalik

2026 Meeting Dates

The 2026 Lodge 4, Hallettsville meeting dates are:

• Sunday, February 1

• Sunday, May 3

• Sunday, August 9

• Sunday, November 8

All meetings are scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. at Methodist Church Annex - behind Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville. Please check your Vestnik for any updates.

2026 Officers

The 2026 Lodge 4, Hallettsville officers are:

President Joe Siptak

Vice President/Fraternal Activities

Coordinator Nanci Hadash

Secretary Annie Vahalik

Treasurer/Reporter Patsy Zabransky

Join us for the Christmas party meal and a fun afternoon of visiting and games. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Joe Siptak at 979-479-0056 or Annie Vahalik at 361-649-4888.

May you and your family have a happy and healthy New Year 2026! Fraternally, Annie Vahalik, Secretary —SPJST—

SPJST members participated in the Caldwell Kolache Festival on September 13, 2025, celebrating Czech culture and tradition with food, music, and fellowship. The event featured lively Beseda performances by SPJST youth, homemade kolaches, and plenty of community spirit on the square in downtown Caldwell!

Lodge 6, Cottonwood welcomes the holiday season

The November 2, 2025, meeting of Lodge 6, Cottonwood was called to order by President Don Urbanovsky, with Reporter Rosales absent. Present were 12 adult members and five youth members. Minutes from the October meeting were read by Secretary Jeanette Beseda. The treasurer’s report was provided by Sister Peggy Dobecka. Both reports were accepted by the membership.

Sister Jeanette provided SPJST Home Office news. Caring Challenges for 2026 will involve the theme of “United We Shine,” celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday next year.

A sympathy card was mailed to the family of Edwin Husak.

Under old business, Brother Don pro-

vided a Westfest report for membership to review. Hall Manager Sister Peggy reported bids were received for hall improvements, and work will be started shortly.

Under new business, election of Lodge 6 officers was on the agenda. All officers expressed agreement to remain in their positions, and no other nominations were voiced. The current officers will remain the same for 2026, and they were elected by acclamation of members present.

Christmas Party—December 7

The Lodge 6 Christmas party will be Sunday, December 7. The lodge meeting will begin at 3 p.m., followed by fellowship and dinner shared at 4:30 p.m. Members are asked to bring a dessert. Santa will arrive for a visit after the meal. There will be a raffle of donated prizes, and your participation is appreciated. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to West Kiwanis toy drive for

local children.

Hall Manager Sister Peggy provided information on the lodge bookings for November and December. Check the last two pages of this Vestnik for details. A trustee meeting was held after the lodge meeting. Christmas dinner menu was decided. Changes to the charitable donation list were discussed. The annual appreciation dinner for all our volunteers will be Sunday, February 15, 2026. The next trustee meeting will be March 1, 2026.

Attendance door prize winners were Sisters Jeanette Beseda, Pam Urbanovsky, and Amber Perez.

Next Meeting—December 7

The next lodge meeting will be Sunday, December 7 at 3 p.m. Hope to see you all at Cottonwood Hall! Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings!

Patti Rosales, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 9, Snook participates in National Night Out

Lodge 9, Snook met October 7, 2025, at Snook City Park in conjunction with National Night Out. The community came out to visit the many organizations and churches that are in the area. Senator Lois Kolkhorst was the guest speaker for the evening. We enjoyed visiting and talking with community members about SPJST and encouraged them to come to our meetings – both youth and adult. The youth club performed for the crowd by dancing the beseda. It was a great night of food, fun, and fellowship.

Fraternally,

Sheila Orsak, Reporter —SPJST—

SPJST Home Office celebrates a spook-tacular Halloween

Lodge 13, Dime Box plans December toy drive

Lodge 13, Dime Box held its bimonthly meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Diamond I Venue. In attendance were nine members, two guests, and District 1 Director Donnie Victorick. President Ricky Ford called the meeting to order at 1 p.m., and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Donnie Victorick explained and updated everyone about the annuity procedures and deadlines and what a lodge must do to be in compliance for lodge incentives.

Members will also get together at the local bank to present our toy drive presents at a later date in December. Members were encouraged to support

Young’s Daughters Presents Special Gift to SPJST Home Office

Young’s Daughters Funeral Home appreciates SPJST and presented a beautiful personalized tapestry to the Home Office. “SPJST Home Office is easy to work with, and the organization is well-recognized across our community,” owner Sabrina N. Young said. “Our family signed up with SPJST back in 2019 and stayed active throughout the beseda dancing groups and daughter Kayla served as District 2 Queen and Valora Young was duchess for 2020. We have loved working with SPJST!” Pictured are, left to right, Insurance Department Manager Cynthia Hutka, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Delisle Doherty, Sabrina N. Young of Young’s Daughters, President/CEO Brian Vanicek, and Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny. SPJST also appreciates Sabrina and her family who are members of Lodge 47, Seaton.

the Blue Santa program that will be held at the Diamond I Venue on December 13. The lodge will also be donating an item for the event.

After the meeting, everyone enjoyed a lunch with a barbecue brisket that was purchased at Dime Box Lion’s Homecoming Picnic. Everyone brought sides and desserts for the meal.

Next Meeting—January 11

The next meeting will be January 11, 2026, at a location and time to be determined to have our Christmas party.

Floyd Kostelka, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 23, Moravia Christmas social December 14

Lodge 23, Moravia will host its annual meeting and Christmas social on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Moravia SPJST Lodge Hall, FM 957, Schulenburg, Texas.

Enjoy an afternoon of fellowship, prizes, fun, and holiday activities.

Members are asked to attend and donate a food item to the Christmas luncheon. Drinks will be provided, and door prizes will be given.

Please RSVP to Kathy Guenther 979-743-0369 or Wanda Kusy-Carpenter 281-217-2472.

During the meeting, we will discuss the event that will be held to preserve our hall. Our lodge hall is aging and in need of repairs. To support this effort, we will be hosting a ‘Save the Hall’ fundraiser on March 14. We hope to gather strong participation to help preserve our historic hall. During these challenging times, we kindly ask - if you are able - that you consider donating an item for the auction or raffle, or even donating your time to assist. Any contribution is truly appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m.!

Kathleen Guenther Secretary-Treasurer

—SPJST—

Lodge

13,

Dime Box Members assist at homecoming festival

Lodge 13, Dime Box members participated and joined together with Dime Box Lions Club to make this year’s Black Bridge Homecoming Festival a success. The festival was held October 3 and 4, 2025, in Dime Box, Texas.

Lodge 24, Cyclone New Year’s Eve dance Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5

Lodge 24, Cyclone will host a New Year’s Eve dance on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with music by Jerry Haisler and the Melody 5 from 8:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Get the table of your choice by calling Linda Wilde at 254-231-5348 or 254-913-3617. Black-eyed peas will be served at the last intermission.

—SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis elects officers for 2026

Dear Readers,

Lodge 25, Ennis met on November 4, 2025. A Thanksgiving meal was enjoyed by everyone prepared by Betty. Thank you so much!

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by Margaret and followed by Joann with a prayer for deceased and those ill. Reports were approved as read.

Due to the issue of property insurance premium increases throughout the state of Texas, an adequate amount of time was spent discussing this topic. The nominating committee submitted their recommended slate of officers for 2026 and elected are:

—Floyd Kostelka, Reporter

President Arlene Honza West

Secretary Pat Fowler

Treasurer Allis Droste

FAC/Youth Leader Rita Holland

Sergeant-at-Arms Margaret Krajca

Joann Jones was recognized for nine years of dedication to the role as president of Lodge 25 and the positive difference that she made during her tenure. Thank you so much, Joann!

Next Meeting—December 11

The next meeting will be Thursday, December 11, and due to the holidays, December birthday night is Tuesday, December 30 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a potluck dish!

Fraternally yours, Rita Holland FAC/Youth Leader —SPJST—

Lodge 35, Elk New Year’s Eve dance: Joe Wood Band

Join us at Elk Hall for a fun night and welcome in 2026!

Doors, bar, and grill open at 7 p.m. The cover change is $15 per person, and children 12 and under are free of charge with a parent. No reserved tables, come early. No outside food allowed. Liquor and wine can be brought in along with any mixers other than sodas. Joel Wood Band always brings fun and great music.

You won’t be disappointed celebrating at Elk Hall this year.

Tammy Pavelka, FAC —SPJST—

Lodge 39, Bryan to host Christmas singing and social

Dear Readers,

Here’s an update for Lodge 39, Bryan’s December meeting: Everything is set. First, we will be singing Christmas carols at Lampstand nursing home on 29th Street in Bryan on Friday, December 12. We will meet at 5 p.m. and start singing around 5:30 p.m.

After singing, we will go to CiCi’s Pizza for a Christmas social and a short meeting. Please come join us for a fun time.

Questions? Call Binnie 979-4060158.

Sincerely,

Binnie Roesler Secretary/Reporter

—SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton New Year’s Eve Dance: Billy Holt Band

Lodge 47, Seaton invites all to ring in the New Year at a dance with the Billy Holt Band on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Seaton Star Hall, located at 10842 State Highway 53, near Temple, Texas.

Doors open at 7 p.m. The dance is from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The kitchen will be open and sponsored by Seaton Youth Club. Cash bar with beer and malt beverages will be available. BYOB (bring your own bottle). Set-ups will be available. Cornbread and black-eyed peas will be served at midnight.

Pre-pay tickets are $20 per person, and $25 per person at the door. Reserved table of six is $125 and includes party favors. Children ages 10 and under are free of charge. For tickets, search NYE Dance @ Star Hall at eventbrite.com. Call or text 254-9852548 for more information. Seaton Star Hall is a non-smoking facility.

Season’s Greetings from Lodge 47, Seaton Star Hall! <>

Fraternally, Brenda Hoelscher

Secretary/Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 47, Seaton shares event schedule for Star Hall

Dear Members,

We would like to inform you about some of our upcoming events at Seaton Star Hall. The next lodge meeting will be Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. Following the meeting, we will decorate the hall for the Christmas party.

Lodge 47 invites you and your family to the memorial candlelight ceremony and Christmas party on Sunday, December 7. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. at Seaton Star Hall. Following the ceremony, we will have a potluck

Lodge 25, Ennis celebrates October birthdays

Lodge 18, Elgin presents scholarship to Isadora Estrada

Congratulations to Isadora (Dory) Estrada who received a scholarship from Lodge 18, Elgin. Presenting the scholarship are Lodge 18 President Darren Mogonye, left. Also pictured is Scholarship Committee Chair Kyle Mogonye. Dory was a 2025 graduate of Elgin High School and is currently attending University of Texas in Austin.

dinner. Meat will be provided by the hall. Please bring your favorite dish to share. We invite you to spend the afternoon with us. We have already received Santa’s RSVP for that day.

Membership dues of $6 can be paid at the December lodge meeting. Dues can also be mailed to Lodge 47, Seaton - 10842 State Hwy 53, Temple, TX 76501.

Upcoming events at Star Hall are:

December 7 - Lodge Christmas Party

December 31, 2025 - New Year’s Eve Dance

April 18 - Tarok Tournament

June 7 - Annual Picnic

July 17 and 18 - Barbecue Cook-off

August 14 and 15 - 42 Tournament

Lodge 47, Seaton elects officers; sets Dec. 7 Christmas memorial

Dear Vestnik Readers, Lodge 47, Seaton members gathered for the monthly meeting on Sunday, November 2, 2025. President Brandon Bartek called the meeting to order. Members on the sick list are Brayton White, Everhett Bartek, and District 2 Director Jesse Pospisil. A moment of silence was observed for member Monica Mikeska. President Bartek read the October lodge minutes and the October board minutes.

Fraternal Activities Coordinator Tammy Martinez announced the theme for 2026 as “United We Shine.” Danny Stepan gave the bar report for the October bookings and Friday night gatherings. Brandon read financials for October. Youth Leader Amber Bartek stated the youth club had 11 youth at their meeting.

Brandon discussed the fourth quarter family fun night dance will be cancelled. Follow Lodge 47 Seaton Star Hall Facebook page for updates for 2026 hall events. Christmas lodge party will be on Sunday, December 7. Billy Holt Band will provide music for the New Year’s Eve dance. Reserve your New Year’s Eve table at Eventbrite.com (Search NYE Star Hall) or call 254-985-2548 for more information

Officers for 2026 were elected. They are:

President Brandon Bartek

Vice President Danny Stepan

Secretary/Reporter Shelly McNeill

Treasurer Brenda Hoelscher

FAC/Parliamentarian Tammy Martinez

Youth Leader Amber Bartek

September 19 - Outdoor Extravaganza Fundraiser

We hope to see everyone soon. Please follow our Facebook page to keep up with latest updates and events: https://www.facebook.com/Lodge47Sea tonStarHall/

Thank you, Brenda Hoelscher, Secretary —SPJST—

Board Members Jason Beckendorf Heidi Holliman, Chris McNeill Judy Pechal

November birthdays, anniversaries, and door prize winners were recognized.

Next Meeting—December 6

The next meeting will be Saturday December 6 at 10 a.m. Membership dues of $6 will be collected at the December meeting. Come help decorate the hall for the holidays after the Saturday lodge meeting. We will also prepare the hall for Sunday’s Christmas lodge party and memorial. All members

are asked to bring sides and/or desserts for the December 7 lodge party. Lodge 47 continues to gather and provide a place for members, family, and friends in the surrounding community to enjoy.

Keep an eye out for upcoming events and fundraisers. It is always a great time with SPJST. As always, follow Lodge 47 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lodge47SeatonStarHall/.

Thank you, everyone, for reading. I hope you all have a blessed day.

Fraternally, Brenda Hoelscher

Reporter/Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 49, Rowena Christmas party

December 7

Dear Members,

You are invited to the Lodge 49, Rowena Christmas Party on Sunday, December 7, 2025, beginning at 4 p.m. at SPJST Lodge 49, Rowena Hall, located at 609 South FM 2133 in Rowena, Texas.

A potluck meal will be served. Please bring appetizers, finger foods, or desserts. Spirits/beverages will also be served.

We will have games for all ages, and cornhole boards will be available for playing, too. If you have a favorite game you’d like to play, please bring it!

Make plans to bring your family. Come and enjoy food, fun, and fellowship. We are asking each person to bring a bath towel to be donated to the homeless.

Happy Holidays!

Becky Wood, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 54, West reports on August meeting

The meeting of Lodge 54, West was held at St. Joseph Hall on August 22, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Freddie Kaluza. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Kaluza, followed by a moment of silence in memory of all departed lodge members and for those who are ill or

Lodge 25, Ennis showcases local talent for Czech Heritage Month

Lodge 25, Ennis celebrated Czech Heritage Month in a big way by featuring local band members who came together to play on Wednesday nights. A big thanks to these talented performers who make Ennis proud! TOP LEFT: Rosie takes center stage singing her favorite Johnny Mensik tune “Looking for My Sweetheart” and “Olive, Olive,” reproduced by the Jak Se Do Band. Musicians Chris, Jerry, and Ron. TOP RIGHT: Front row listeners Linda, Jim, Debbie, James, Elaine, Betty, and Joann.

TOP LEFT: DeeDee, Rosie, Emil, Margaret, Amanda, Tate, and Linda enjoy the Czech music. TOP RIGHT: John, Chris, Jerry, and David.

—Rita Holland, FAC

have upcoming surgeries, especially Wilburn Willis, JayDean Willis, Mary Lou Mynar, and Pee Wee Zahirniak. All officers and sales agents were present, and there were 12 members in attendance.

Minutes of the last meeting were read by Janice Kaluza. Beulah Zahirniak made a motion to accept the minutes, and Mary Lou Mynar seconded the motion. Motion passed.

FAC Linda Kaluza reported that SPJST Scholarship applications will be available from November 2025 through January 31, 2026, with the deadline being February 1. Guidelines for applying are for high school graduates and undergraduates, and applicants must be SPJST members to receive a scholarship. Linda also shared information on upcoming events including the Kolache Festival in Caldwell and the County Czech Heritage Festival, noting these as great ways to celebrate our Czech heritage. Members were reminded to con-

Terry Sefcik seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. A general discussion was held about the future of Lodge 54, as many members and officers are aging and dealing with health challenges.

Our upcoming Christmas party will be on Sunday, December 7, at Tours Hall, beginning at 3 p.m. The lodge was organized on December 4, 1904, so this will be our 121st anniversary. Invitations will be printed and mailed to members. The Junior Historians will perform at 3:30 p.m., followed by a fried chicken dinner catered by Eddie Ray’s at 4:30 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his elf are expected to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to visit with the children, pass out goody bags, and take pictures. We will give away cash prizes totaling $1,000 for adults and $400 for children. Marvin Cepak will play accordion for the afternoon entertainment.

The audit committee was reminded to audit the books before the next meeting. Elections for 2026 officers and a vote on annual community donations will take place at the November meeting. A few donation ideas were tabled for that vote.

Terry Sefcik made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Beulah Zahirniak. Motion passed.

tribute to the 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive before the end of the year. Linda also challenged members to bring canned goods for the needy to the November meeting as a Lodge 54 project. Janice Kaluza made a motion to accept the FAC report, and Marvin Cepak seconded. Motion passed.

The treasurer’s report was presented by Mary Lou Mynar. Terry Sefcik made a motion to accept the report, and Linda Kaluza seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Old Business: Freddie and Janice reported they delivered the used eyeglasses to Waco as a Lodge 54 community service project. Linda Kaluza, Janice Kaluza, and Vicki Vochoska packed and delivered kolaches to West Rest Haven for their annual Farmer’s Market.

New Business: We welcomed new member Cecil Veselka, sold by Janice Kaluza. A motion was made by Beulah Zahirniak to accept him as a member;

Door prizes were awarded to Mary Lou Mynar and Brian Kaluza, each receiving $20. A cake was brought to celebrate birthdays; although there were no birthdays since the last meeting, everyone enjoyed the cake. Janice Kaluza led a prayer in English, and Jana Vaculik led a beautiful prayer in Czech. All then enjoyed food and fellowship.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on November 7, at St. Joseph Hall, where elections for 2026 officers will be held. We hope to see more members in attendance!

“Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.” —1 John 4:16

Fraternally, Janice Kaluza, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 54, West shares November meeting minutes

The meeting of Lodge 54, West was held at St. Joseph Hall on November 7, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Freddie Kaluza. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Kaluza, followed by a moment of silence for all departed lodge members since the last meeting, especially Barney Pustejovsky, Mary Ann Hutyra, Kevin Chupik, and Irene Wolf. Prayers were also offered for the health of Wilburn and JayDean Willis. All officers and sales agents were present, and there were 16 members and guests in attendance, including District 3 Director John Engelke and his wife, Diane.

The minutes of the August meeting were read by Janice Kaluza. Mary Lou Mynar made a correction to the minutes, noting that the door prizes to be given away at the Christmas party were 75 prizes of $20 for adults and 70 prizes of $10 for children. Jana Vaculik made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, and Beulah Zahirniak seconded the motion. Motion passed.

The FAC report was given by FAC Linda Kaluza. She announced that scholarship applications are online and must be submitted by February 1. Guidelines for the scholarship are for high school graduates and undergraduates, and applicants must be SPJST members. Freddie will send letters to eligible lodge members.

Linda announced three 2026 SPJST State Tournaments to be held at the SPJST Home Office in Temple:

Lodge 30, Taiton assists with Annual Turkey and Dressing Dinner

On October 5, 2025, Lodge 30, Taiton gathered at Taiton Community Center to offer our help with their annual turkey and dressing dinner. In preparation, each family made homemade cakes for the cakewalk and the youth then worked both the cakewalk and kid games that day. Myself and the older youth helped with packing plates to go and putting them in the cars. Overall, it was a fun day of fellowship for our Taiton community!

January 10 – Progressive 42 Dominoes

February 7 – Tarok Tournament

March 7 – Regular 42 Dominoes

Members interested in attending may contact the SPJST Home Office for details and registration.

The Home Office encourages lodges to share their 2026 events in the Vestnik.

The 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive is underway, with donations accepted through March 31, 2026. Youth camp will be held June 28 to July 2, 2026 in Comfort, Texas, and registration information will be shared soon. Youth are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Youth Showcase which is July 24 and 25.

Marvin Cepak made a motion to accept the FAC report, and Terry Sefcik seconded the motion. Motion passed.

President Kaluza thanked Linda for keeping the lodge in compliance and for her excellent work turning in reports.

Lodge 38, Kovar supports American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

On October 25, 2025, Kirby’s Krew (pictured) participated in the Austin Walk for suicide prevention. Four generations of Zimmerhanzels and many beloved friends walked in memory of Zachary Kirby. Lodge 38, Kovar donated $500 to support the team and AFSP.

—Dana Bunte Secretary

The treasurer’s report was presented by Mary Lou Mynar. Jacob Kaluza made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, and Linda Kaluza seconded. Motion passed.

Old Business: The officers made an executive decision since the August 22 quarterly meeting to cancel the Christmas Party due to unforeseen health issues among several officers who are core planners of the event. Volunteers could not be secured should any officer become unable to continue, so the hall and caterer were notified and canceled. A discussion was held regarding the future of Lodge 54 as many officers are aging and facing health challenges. A letter will be sent to all members explaining the cancellation and seeking new officers to keep the lodge active.

New Business: Ronnie Kaluza and Marvin Cepak completed the audit and reported the books are in order. Freddie will contact Norma at the church to reserve St. Joseph Hall for quarterly meetings in 2026 (March, June, September, and November).

Three new members were welcomed: Kai Alexander Chupik, Lincoln James Sefcik, and Dominic Cameron Sotelo, all signed by Freddie Kaluza. Beulah Zahirniak made a motion to accept the new members; Marvin Cepak seconded. Motion passed.

Annual donations were then discussed. A motion was made by Jacob Kaluza to donate $10,000 to the West Volunteer Ambulance Association to help defray the cost of a new Stryker stretcher to be placed in a new ambulance to replace a unit totaled in an accident. Marvin Cepak seconded. Motion

passed.

A second motion was made by Janice Kaluza to donate $500 to St. Mary’s Catholic Church for the use of St. Joseph Hall for quarterly meetings and $500 to the West Junior Historians for promoting Czech heritage through performances. Jana Vaculik seconded. Motion passed. District 3 Director John Engelke offered to match $250 for the West Junior Historians from his discretionary fund.

A discussion was held regarding starting a scholarship endowment in memory of Jan and Marcela Vaculik for their many years of service to Lodge 54, West, West Sokol, and their Czech heritage work. Linda Kaluza made a motion to start the endowment. Director Engelke explained that $25,000 must be placed into the fund to establish it. Janice Kaluza seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. President Kaluza will consult with President/CEO Brian Vanicek about how to begin this process.

Director Engelke shared that the SPJST Home Office secured a buyer for Camp Kubena and wished all members a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving and Christmas season. A photo was taken of all canned goods brought to the meeting, which will be donated to the church for holiday food support.

Election of Officers

President Kaluza turned the meeting over to Vice President Jon Vaculik. Mary Lou Mynar declined to continue as treasurer due to health issues after serving over 25 years. Jana Vaculik agreed to serve if no other volunteers

stepped forward. Marvin Cepak made a motion to keep all officers the same by acclamation and nominate Jana Vaculik as the new treasurer. Terry Sefcik seconded. Motion passed. Officers are:

President Freddie Kaluza

Vice President Jon Vaculik

Secretary/English Reporter

Janice Kaluza

Treasurer Jana Vaculik

FAC Linda Kaluza

Audit Committee

Brian Kaluza and Marvin Cepak

With no further business, Janice Kaluza made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Marvin Cepak. Motion passed. Members enjoyed food and fellowship following the meeting. Prayers were led by Janice Kaluza in English and Jana Vaculik in Czech. Birthdays since the last meeting were celebrated for Diane Engelke, Cindy Matus, and Beulah Zahirniak. Door prize winners were Brian Kaluza and Ronnie Kaluza, each receiving $20.

Next Meeting—March 6

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at St. Joseph Hall.

“Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him.” —1 John 4:16

Fraternally, Janice Kaluza, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 66, Waco reports on active fall season

The October meeting of Lodge 66, Waco was called to order by President Douglas Galler at 5:34 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bellmead on October 20, 2025. There was a moment of silence in honor of Janice Kaluza from Lodge 54, West who was recently diagnosed with cancer. In roll call of officers, all officers were present. There were nine members and one youth present.

Diana Engelke made a motion to accept the minutes from the September meeting as printed in the Vestnik. Ronald Neumann seconded the motion, and it

Lodge 80, Holland Honors Veterans with Cemetery Flag Tribute

Wednesday, November 5,

members: Sister Joyce Martinets, Sister Monica McDougall, Sister Rita

Brother Cliff Wohleb, Sister Melissa Vrabel, Brother Joe Liles, and Brother Frank Horak placed U.S. flags on the graves of past SPJST members and veterans of war at the Czech National Cemetery in Holland, Texas.

This special act of remembrance is a heartfelt way to honor those who served our country and to show appreciation for their sacrifices. The sight of the flags waving across the cemetery is a beautiful reminder of the courage and dedication of our local heroes.

Sister Spinn shared a special message and prayer before honoring the veterans. Brother Liles, a veteran of the Vietnam War, held a flag and led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brother Liles shared that during his time as the agriculture teacher at Holland High School, his students would place flags on the veterans’ graves each year. He said he was happy to see Lodge 80, Holland continue this meaningful tradition of honoring our veterans.

Lodge 80, Holland is proud of members who continue traditions like this—keeping the spirit of service, gratitude, and community alive for future generations.

Fraternally,

Frank Horak Director of Member Engagement

passed. In correspondence, Diana received a thank you for the September donation to Elm Mott Volunteer Fire Department. Diana then read a copy of the fond memory that Ron had sent to SPJST President/CEO Brian Vanicek for possible inclusion in the book that Brian is compiling. The story reminisced about our past Christmas parties at Linden Hall and was rich with nostalgia about days gone by.

FAC Jodie Sr. McAdams gave a report. He mentioned the Stamps for Veterans Caring Challenge, Food for

Lodge 66, Waco Youth Club met Sunday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. at McDonalds in Lacy Lakeview. There were 11 youth present, seven adults, and guest Kaden Thompson. The fundraising committee - Abby and Morgan - gave a report from the flea market fundraiser. They made $256! We also created a Christmas party committee to help plan the Christmas party for December. In old business, the youth brought food for the Food For Families Caring Challenge. We also planned to get together to fold and fill shoeboxes for our OCC Caring Challenge. In new business, we will meet at Buena Vista Park on Sunday, November 23 at 2 p.m. to fill shoeboxes and have our November meeting and social. We then talked about the upcoming elections in November. There are no youth birthdays in November, but Jodie Jr. was present at the meeting, and it was his birthday.

Families food drive, Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Shoeboxes, Czech National Day Texas Gala at Pivovar in Waco, 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive, our ongoing shoe drive fundraiser, and to continue collecting pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House.

Douglas gave an insurance report. If you want an annuity, John Engelke mentioned that you might want to get it soon before rates go down. Dana McAdams read the insurance report from the Home Office.

Dana then gave a youth club report.

Diana then gave the treasurer’s report. In old business, there was discussion about the lodge appreciation dinner for next year. We decided to look at locations and dates in November for the dinner. Dana then asked about the shipping cost for the OCC Shoeboxes. She said that the youth club would pay $150 if the adult lodge would pay $150. Diana made a motion to pay $150 for half the shipping cost of our lodge’s 30 boxes. Joan Shelton seconded the motion, and the motion was passed. Dana then mentioned that members need to make an effort to get shoes for the fundraiser. If anyone would like to donate shoes to our shoe drive, please call Dana at 254-715-6765, and we will come and pick them up. The deadline is December 15. John then made a motion to give $250 to Toys for Tots for our November donation. Ron seconded the motion, and it passed. Next, Ron asked about our Facebook page. Douglas answered questions and sent the link to everyone by text message. At this time, we have very little on our page, but if anyone wants to help, just let Douglas know.

In new business, Dana made a motion to use our October donation to make three online OCC Shoeboxes for closed countries. John amended Dana’s motion to make five boxes for a total of $150. Dana accepted John’s amendment then Ron seconded the motion. The motion was passed.

The November meeting was scheduled for Thursday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s in Bellmead. Everyone is invited to the OCC shoebox filling on

Sunday, November 23 at 2 p.m. at Buena Vista Park in Waco. We also set a date for the December meeting. We plan to get together on December 15.

There was discussion about moving money from the Lodge Management Account to the lodge account. Ron made a motion to move $1,500. Jodie Sr. amended the amount to $2,000. Ron accepted the amendment, and John seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Ron Neumann won October’s door prize and Douglas Galler won the 100 percent pot of $7.

The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

With appreciation and respect, Dana McAdams Secretary/Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 67

Schulenburg-Weimar

Christmas party

December 4

Lodge 67, Schulenburg-Weimar will host a Christmas party on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant, located at I-10 at Highway 77 in Schulenburg, Texas. Social hour with refreshments is at 6 p.m., and a meal will be served at 7 p.m.

Please RSVP by Monday, December 1 to Adrienne Kobza 979-743-5629.

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating the Christmas season with you!

Fraternally, Adrienne Kobza, President —SPJST—

Lodge 84, Dallas Christmas party

December 14

Dear Readers,

What is the best way to ring in the Christmas season?

By celebrating with a Christmas party, of course!

This holiday event is open to members and guests of SPJST Lodge 84, BetterLife - Dallas, KJT No. 111, and KJZT No. 108 at no cost and will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Sokol Dallas, 7448 Greenville Avenue in Dallas, Texas 75231.

The schedule is:

Doors open - 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Mass - 11 a.m.

Santa visits - 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Catered meal served - 1 to 2 p.m.

Lone Star Legends music/dance1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Social hour begins at 12:30 p.m. No drinks can be brought in, and there is no BYOB (bring your own bottle). A cash bar will be available. Guests will receive two tickets for alcoholic beverages, and sodas and water will be free of charge during the party.

There will also be a 50-50 raffle, and tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. You must be present to win!

Everyone is asked to bring canned goods for the food pantry drive collection. No cans with expired dates, please. Also, kindly bring your receipt or know the estimated cost of your donation.

Lodge 81, Needville Welcomes Special Guest Orel

the

Please contact Vicki Sims at 214763-0341 or send an email to Vicki at specialgran412@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 14! I hope to see you there! Fraternally, Anne Cowan, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 88, Houston announces holiday dances, badminton clinic, scholarships

Lodge 88, Houston will host the Red Ravens on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. Children’s tickets should be purchased at the door. Visit lodge88.org to purchase tickets.

At the conclusion of the October meeting of Lodge 81, Needville, Pavol Rojko from the Czech Republic gave a presentation about the Czech Republic that he also gave to the youth during their meeting. Everyone enjoyed hearing what he had to say. A big thanks goes to him for being very thorough and having copies of interesting facts about the Czech

Start the holiday season off with some good ol’ fashioned polka music performed by the Red Ravens. This band has been performing for over 50 years. Bring the whole family. The lodge is a great place to spend time with family and friends and celebrate special occasions.

Get Ready to Racket!

Free family badminton clinic is coming to Lodge 88 on Saturdays, December 13, 20, and 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Ready to get moving this December? Join Gary Eskelson (avid player and certified coach), for a Third Annual free skill-building badminton clinic designed for youth (ages 7 to 18) and adults! Learn better footwork, serving skills, and racket techniques in a playful, family-friendly environment. No experience necessary. Just bring your gym shoes and a desire for fun! Attend all

dates or simply select the ones that work for you.

To help prepare the best session for everyone, send an email to Gary@eskelson.net with the following details:

• Names of all attendees (youth and adults)

• Age of each participating youth

• Dates desired

Coach Gary Eskelson is an avid badminton player and longtime coach who first picked up a racket in grade school. Trained by the National Badminton Association, Gary has dedicated many years to sharing his love of the sport as a volunteer coach for the Houston Badminton Club.

He is passionate about helping players of all ages improve their skills while having fun on the court. Coach Gary is committed to making this clinic a joyful, skill-building experience for the entire family!

New Year’s Eve Dance Ring in the New Year at Lodge 88

with Fab 5 from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets will be online soon.

Alcohol of 750 ml or larger can be brought into the lodge for a $4 charge. Smaller bottles are not permitted. Also, no water, seltzers, or set-ups.

Lodge 88 Scholarship Application

The Lodge 88 scholarship application is now online at lodge88.org. If you are graduating in 2026 and plan to attend a college, vocational, or tech school, please apply by February 28, 2026.

If you are continuing your education beyond a bachelor’s degree or any certification, you may also apply for a scholarship.

Please call Carol Havemann at 713306-9963 with questions.

SPJST Lodge 88, Houston is located at 1435 Beall Street in Houston, Texas. Fraternally, Aaron Rigamonti President —SPJST—

Lucille Henley of Lodge 172, Pasadena achieves Grand Age of 96

SPJST proudly recognizes Lucille Marie Henley of Lodge 172, Pasadena as she celebrates her 96th birthday.

Sister Henley was born Lucille Marie Roznovak on October 8, 1929, in El Campo, Texas, to Annie and Charlie Roznovak. She grew up with two brothers, Ernest and Charles, and later married Carlos Henley in Pasadena. He passed away in 2001.

Henley and her husband raised two children, Jo Beth Goodrum and Donald Reeves, both now deceased.

Today, she is the proud matriarch of four generations that include two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her family remains the center of her life.

Henley is retired and enjoys attending her great-grandchildren’s football and basketball games. She also spends much of her time with family.

She often reflects on her childhood and remembers her father’s humor. She recalls his stories fondly.

“My dad told the most wonderful and funny stories,” Henley said. “I have always cherished those memories, and those stories. The ones I re-

Lodge 88, Houston announces scholarship

Lodge 88, Houston scholarship application is now online. If you are graduating in 2026 and plan to attend a college, vocational, or tech school, apply by February 28, 2026.

If you are continuing your education beyond a bachelor’s degree or any certification, you may also apply for a scholarship.

If you have any questions, please call Carol Havemann at 713-306-9963. Fraternally, Carol Havemann Scholarship Committee —SPJST—

Lodge 91, San Jacinto meets December 13 in Crosby

Lodge 94, Wheelock meets Dec. 15

Lodge 94, Wheelock will host its annual meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Wilson Cattle Company office, located at 7026 E OSR in Bryan, Texas 77808. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Linda Wilson 979-218-1801.

Thank you!

Linda Wilson, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 97, Placedo Christmas brunch

December 6

member continue to delight me to this day.”

When Henley considers her accomplishments, she points first to her family. She is proud to be the matriarch of four generations that honor their Czech heritage.

Her family roots being in Rybi, Czech Republic. Henley has traveled widely and has visited 20 countries. She feels fortunate to have seen so much of the world.

One of her most meaningful experiences was visiting the Czech Republic and traveling to Rybi. She calls the movement unforgettable.

“It was a dream come true,” Henley said.

Henley looks back on her life with gratitude. She speaks of a life shaped by family, culture, and travel.

“I am truly grateful for this life which was filled with wonderful experiences and love,” Henley said. “I have been blessed.”

SPJST celebrates Henley’s milestone and honors her remarkable life and legacy.

—SPJST—

Dear Members, Lodge 91, San Jacinto’s fourth quarter meeting will be Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Pesco’s Mexican Restaurant, 6512 FM 2100, Crosby, Texas 77532. Please RSVP no later than December 5 by calling or texting Malba Smesny 281-798-1092 or Kathleen Munsch 713-818-9028.

We look forward to seeing our members. Please bring a guest, too!

Sincerely, Kathleen Munsch, President —SPJST—

Lodge 92, Fort Worth Christmas party, dance

December 14

Lodge 92, Fort Worth is proud to host its annual member Christmas party and dance with music by the great Ennis band The Moravians on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Historic National Hall, 3316 Roberts Cut Off Road in Fort Worth, Texas. Admission is free of charge for Lodge 92 members! Admission for the public is $10 per person. Doors open at 1 p.m. Complimentary finger foods and Christmas goodie bags. For questions or more information, contact Jon at 817624-1361.

—SPJST—

Dear Lodge 97 Members, This is a reminder and invitation to our quarterly meeting, which is our Christmas brunch. It will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Golden Corral on North Navarro in Victoria.

Be sure to bring canned food for donation as well as your pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House. Also please bring plastic bottle caps.

We look forward to seeing everyone.

Judy Bellanger, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 107, Floresville: New Year, New Roof Dance set for December 31

Ring in the new year while helping preserve a Floresville landmark! Lodge 107, Floresville will host its “New Year, New Roof” dance fundraiser on Wednesday, December 31, at the SPJST Lodge 107 Hall, 1156 FM 1303. Doors open at 7 p.m., and dancing begins at 8 p.m. with music by DJ Lester Gutz. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks to share; tableware and ice will be provided. A 50/50 raffle will also be held.

Tickets are $25 per person (presale only) and available at the Floresville Flower Shop. Proceeds will help repair the lodge’s roof and preserve the historic hall for future generations.

“This lodge has served Floresville

families for more than 100 years,” said Wendy Pruski, Lodge 107 secretary. “As we welcome the new year, it’s the per fect time to celebrate our history and support our community.”

Founded in 1912, Lodge 107 has hosted weddings, dances, and com munity events for over a century. For tickets or more information, call 830393-2600. Cash or checks only. <>

—SPJST—

Lodge 139, Danbury

Christmas celebration

December 6

Lodge

92,

Lodge 139, Danbury will meet Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Filipp’s Cafe in Danbury. A meal and Christmas celebration will follow. All members invited.

Lorena Baldwin, FAC —SPJST—

Lodge 142, Houston members enjoy

Czech meal

Dear Readers,

Lodge 142, Houston met on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Lodge 88, Houston dining area. Lunch served at 1 p.m. was a Czech meal of sausage dogs, potatoes, sauerkraut, and delicious kolaches in observance of Czech Heritage Month.

President Dennis Hermis called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Aiden Hermis. A moment of silence was held for all departed members. We had 25 members present.

Secretary Elizabeth Hermis read the roll of officers which showed all present except Zoey Coleman and Mary E. Bird. The letter from the monthly meeting was reviewed in Vestnik. Minutes were approved and stand as read.

Territory Manager Kerry Herrington spoke on information of annuities and additional informative information.

Financial Secretary/Treasurer Keith Kieschnick read the financials and were all in good order.

Fort Worth Ladies Circle enjoys Halloween festivities

On October 14, 2025, Lodge 92, Fort Worth held the Ladies Circle meeting. It was Halloween- themed! There was a contest for best costume, guess the weight of the pumpkin, a monster mash dance contest and many more games! TOP LEFT: Hostesses for the month were Karen Smith, Glenda Irby, Jeanette Tesar, and Patti Williams.

Youth Leader Karole Coleman stated there will be eight children and 17 adults going to Santa’s Wonderland on December 7.

Fraternal Activities Coordinator Pat Schleider shared information regarding the Blue Santa Drive that continues for October and November.

Sick Committee reported Kenneth Malota and Steve Roznovsky feeling under the weather. Catherine and Jack Manchack are also feeling ill but better and attended the meeting. Get well soon!

The audit committee will meet October 15.

New members/insurance were Shari L. Fleming (sales agent - Margaret Norris-Guerrero). Deaths were noted as Catherine Adams, Bonnie Gutowski, and Joyce J. Novak.

Under old business, Pat Schleider was appointed as alternate for the rules and regulations committee.

Birthday celebrants for October were Denene Hooper on the 7th and Jean Herrington on the 3rd. “Happy Birthday” was sung to the celebrants!

Quarterly drawing lucky winners were J.R. Coleman, Barbra Linney-

Gonzalez, Keith Kieschnick, and Jack Manchack. Regular Door prizes also awarded.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m., and the next meeting was set for Sunday, November 16 at 2 p.m. with lunch served at 1 p.m.

We played dominoes as our social after the meeting.

Next Meeting—December 14

The December annual meeting will be Sunday, December 14. Please mark your calendars!

Fraternally, Elizabeth Hermis, Secretary —SPJST—

Lodge 151, WhartonEast Bernard meets Dec. 8

Lodge 151, Wharton-East Bernard will hold its quarterly meeting and social on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Hungerford Community Center.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. A catered meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. Members are invited to bring a dessert. Please RSVP by Sunday, November 30 to Edith Molberg at 979-332-1289 or Jeanette Kaminsky at 832-595-4232 if you plan to attend.

Our 25-, 50-, and 75-year Milestone Members will be honored. Officers for 2026 will be elected. The December fraternal activity is to donate new toys to a community toy drive. If you wish to donate, bring an unwrapped gift to the meeting. Members with birthdays in October, November, and December will be recognized. Door prizes will be awarded. We hope to see you there. <>

Fraternally, Janie Bucek

Secretary/FAC —SPJST—

Lodge 185. New Braunfels hosts Nov. 30

Friendsgiving

Lodge 185, New Braunfels invites its lodge members, youth club members, and guests to join us for our end of year social gathering and meeting.

The lodge is combining all the upcoming holidays into one big event entitled “Friendsgiving.” The event will take place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 3 till 7 at the Zorn Bowling Club, 9374 Highway 123, Seguin, Texas. Make plans to come out and enjoy an afternoon of bowling, dominoes, or socializing. A light meal will be served around 5 p.m. The lodge will provide cold cut trays. Members are asked to bring a side dish. Please let us know you will be attending and how many will attend by Wednesday, November 26, by texting or calling Theresa Haag at 830- 832-3664.

Our charity project for this occasion will be collecting food for the SOS Food Bank. Let’s fill those boxes!

Theresa Haag, Secretary/FAC —SPJST—

Lodge 97, Placedo Honors Longtime Member Aileen Lott

Lodge 187, Round Rock shares October meeting update

Hello. For our October meeting, we gathered at SpringHill Restaurant in Pflugerville, Texas. We welcomed Linda Johnson’s sister, Rose Henry, to the meeting. We were happy to see her. We discussed the final payments of bills of the lodge building. We had an open discussion about the moving and cleaning expenses and the involvement with the City of Round Rock. We talked about gathering food for our local food pantry along with continuing collecting Sauces for Troops for the next coming month/s.

Lodge 97 members

Judy Bellanger, Gay Revel, and Donna Vanek brought cookies and a gift of a sweater to Aileen Lott who will be moving to Cypress. Aileen joined SPJST in February 1965. She has lived in Victoria, Texas, for many years and was active in the lodge as well as several other organizations. She always helped with the lodge’s service activities. Lodge members will really miss our 92year-old sweetheart.

The youth received a treat of a ghost glass cup full of candy, bag of mini muffins, and a glow-in-the-dark yo-yo.

We will gather at GattiTown in Round Rock on November 9.

Happy October Birthdays!

Lodge 189 Bryan-College Station Christmas party January

4

Save the date for the Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station annual Christmas party which will be an after-New Year’s party on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Watch for more details in the next Vestnik. Fraternally, Henry Mayo, President —SPJST

Lodge 229, Abilene members hosts meal

Lodge 229, Abilene met November 13 at 6:30 p.m., and members enjoyed a meal at Hawley Church of Christ honoring the volunteer fire department.

—SPJST—

Lodge 177, Academy Enjoys

Lodge 177, Academy hosted Super Silly Saturday bingo on November 1, 2025. TOP LEFT: Winners of the super silly contest! TOP CENTER: Floor walkers Kim, Galley, and Caitlyn dressed up and added to the silliness! TOP RIGHT: Pictured are door prize winners. BOTTOM LEFT: All the prizes that were given away. —Penny Rowe, FAC

We send a special happy birthday wish to Janie Barron who celebrated her 90th birthday on October 23! October birthday celebrants were Karter Meyer, Xavier Salinas, Charles Parker, Dawn Orsak, Janiece Nelson, Barbara Toungate, Mason Stifflemire, Besse Simons, Emory Leschber, Karl David, Paula Knape, Daniel Huggett, Pauline Hoehn, Allison Heintze, Kelly Fuessel, Donald Franzen, Lexie Faris, Randall Ellis, Heather Delancey, Vadawn Orsak, Nessa Cox, Scott Burklund, George Bujnoch, Chelsea Brewster, and Xavier Beste.

Hope all have a safe and fun Halloween!

Blessings to all, Jennifer McCarthy, Reporter —SPJST—

Lodge 230, Midland elects officers

Lodge 230, Midland members met November 11, 2025, at Dos Compadres at 6 p.m. Officers were elected. The meal was enjoyed by the members. —SPJST—

Lodge 157, Lubbock members share cherished family moment

Cousins and fellow SPJST members of Lodge 157, Lubbock are pictured. Left to right are Grant, Brody, and Cooper Kristinekgrandchildren of Walter and Carla Kristinek, and William, Angeline, and Tristan Turner - grandchildren of Jerome and Cyndy Kristinek.

Lodge 142, Houston Shares Fellowship at November Meeting

Lodge 142 members gathered for a joyful and heartfelt November meeting filled with fellowship and celebration. LEFT: Dorothy Pflughaupt of Lodge 88, Houston started our day with a delicious meal of lasagna, salad, garlic bread, fruit salad, and peach cobbler. Thank you, Dorothy - it was delicious! PHOTO 2: Our flag bearer, Zoey Coleman, began by leading the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. PHOTO 3: We honored our Veterans. Pictured left to right are Jack Manchack - US Air Force, JR Coleman - US

Lodge 258, Seguin invites members to December social and food drive

Lodge 258, Seguin will hold its fourth quarter meeting/social on December 14, 2025, at El Patron Bar and Grill, located at 1003 Hwy 123 Bypass in Seguin. The event will begin at 1 p.m.

Following the meal, a brief meeting will be held to elect officers for the year 2026 and to select a charity in the community for the first quarter.

Following the meeting, members elected to have a Chinese gift exchange valued at $15.

The lodge is collecting non-perishable food items for The Christian Food Cupboard as the fourth quarter charity. Members are asked to bring their items to the meeting.

Please RSVP to President Chester Jenke at 210-413-3053, email cejenke@gmail.com or Secretary/Treasurer Carrie Origas at 210-415-8744 or email corigas@aol.com by December 7 so we’re able to let the restaurant know how many to prepare for.

Hoping to see all, Fraternally, Chester Jenke, President —SPJST—

America250 kicks off expanded “America’s Field Trip” Student Contest

America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, is kicking off its nationwide student contest, “America’s Field Trip,” for the 20252026 school year. Now in its third year, America’s Field Trip is expanding significantly as part of the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3 through 12 from across the United States to answer the question, “What does America mean to you?”

Army, Jack Dowling - US Navy, Jo Dein Roznovsky (accepting for husband Steve Roznovsky - US Army, who was unable to be in attendance). PHOTO 4: A challenge patch was given to each of the Veterans to honor their service. PHOTO 5: Favorite man of the day, Larry Weikel, called all the lucky numbers! RIGHT PHOTO: Braelyn Muzny celebrated her seventh birthday in November.

through original writing or artwork. For the first time, a total of 250 awardees will be selected—nearly double the 150 prizes awarded in the previous contest— giving even more students the opportunity to experience unforgettable field trips to some of the country’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks this summer. The 125 first-place awardees will enjoy an expanded slate of destinations, with several new and exciting sites added for 2026.

Each first-place awardee will select one of the following specially-curated experiences:

Explore the all-new National Medal of Honor Museum, plus a VIP experience at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and Library in Dallas, Texas.

Lodge 177, Academy hosts Halloween Night

Lodge 177, Academy hosted Halloween bingo night on October 31, 2025. TOP LEFT: Treats for the bingo players. TOP RIGHT: Winners of the Halloween costume contest. —Penny Rowe, FAC

—Pat Schleider, FAC

A captivating adventure through history, culture, and cuisine in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Visit the Coca-Cola Company’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Private guided tour and meet a retired astronaut at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Exclusive visits to two iconic Washington, DC, institutions: a special tour of the White House and a trip inside the vault of the National Archives on the National Mall.

Exclusive guided journey through Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming.

Exclusive visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, walking tour of historic Lower Manhattan, and a performance and opportunity to meet the company of HAMILTON in New York City.

Discover Boston’s Revolutionary War landmarks — from Bunker Hill to Dorchester Heights and the Boston Harbor.

Private tours of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the International African American Museum, and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina.

Beyond the ropes tour of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Storytelling, history, and commemoration under the stars at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

Behind the scenes tour of the brand new National Geographic Museum of Exploration and Smithsonian Sleepover at American History in Washington, DC Exclusive curator-led experiences at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC and George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia.

Immersive Revolutionary War experience at the American Village in Alabama.

The full list and descriptions of 2026 Field Trips are available at https://america250.org/.

“This is the moment we’ve been building toward,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “As we approach the nation’s 250th birthday, America’s Field

Trip offers students not just a way to reflect on our country’s history—but to be part of it. Expanding the contest to 250 award recipients makes that opportunity real for even more young people across the country.”

The 2025-2026 edition of the program will recognize 125 second-place awardees with a $500 cash award. The previous contest drew thousands of submissions from students in all 50 states, D.C., and five U.S. territories. One parent who accompanied their 11th grade student on a trip to Texas last summer shared, “[It] gave us the chance to see history come alive and connect with the values that shape our nation.”

America250 has partnered with Discovery Education, the creator of essential PreK through 12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world, to engage students in the 250th anniversary of the United States. Together, America250 and Discovery Education are providing teachers with free toolkits,

Lodge 180, Burleson Gives Back with

$22,000

in Donations

Lodge 180, Burleson members met at Spring Creek Barbecue for the November meeting. After the meeting, we completed donation donation checks for the year, and we are proud to announce Lodge 180 is donating $22,000 to 27 different charities.

Two of these charities were visited after our meeting - Burleson Animal Shelter and Harvest House - to deliver donation checks. The Harvest House provides food, clothing, etc. for families and people in need in Johnson County, and the Burleson Animal Shelter is always appreciative of the lodge’s donations.

More checks will be delivered to organizations by members, and the rest of the donations will be mailed.

Lodge 180 members are so happy to be able to give to these charities every year.

Many of the charities are in our own community. Lodge 180 loves to give, and we also contribute to Burleson Police Department and Burleson Fire Department to fund various activities for the youth in Burleson. We are allowed to hold our meetings in the conference rooms at both of these departments. We are so appreciative of their generosity and kindness.

Rhonda Hurtik FAC/Treasurer —SPJST—

lesson plans, and classroom resources in both English and Spanish that integrate the contest into the classroom. BNY returns as the program’s founding partner, helping power student access to the country’s most inspiring historical experiences.

“America’s Field Trip is about learning and connection for students across the country,” said Jayee Koffey, Chief Enablement & Global Affairs Officer, BNY. “BNY is proud to continue our support of this growing program and help make these transformative experiences possible for young people, as our nation celebrates this historic 250th birthday milestone.”

How to Participate in America’s Field Trip

Students must create their submissions independently, with entries submitted by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian. Each grade level will respond to the same question: “What does America mean to you?”

Students, families, and educators can find submission guidelines, contest rules, FAQs, and classroom resources at america250.org/FieldTrip.

The contest has different submission requirements for each grade band and is available to any student in elementary

school (third to fifth grade), middle school (sixth to eighth grade), and high school (ninth to twelfth grade). The contest begins accepting submissions on October 15, 2025, and will remain open until 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on March 30, 2026. First- and second-place award recipients will be announced in May 2026, and field trips will occur in July and August 2026.

Educators are also encouraged to help spread the word. The three teachers associated with the top-scoring student entries in each grade band will each receive a $1,000 cash award in recognition of their support.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest ends 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on March 30, 2026. Open to U.S. students (3rd through 12th grade); student’s parent/legal guardian or teacher with parental permission must submit entry on student’s behalf (unless student is the age of majority). Submission includes grant of license rights to entry’s content. First prize awardees must travel with parent/legal guardian on designated dates. See Official Rules for full details including how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize description/restrictions and judging procedure. Void where prohibited.

About America250

America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.

Lodge 189 Bryan-College Station welcomes new member

Lodge 189, Bryan-College Station welcomes new member Corbin Grimes He is the son of Tiffany Burkhalter Grimes and Corey Grimes. Grandparents are Laura and Michael Burkhalter and great-grandmother Shirley Ann Sebesta Proske Smith.

—SPJST—

100 Years Ago: Historical events from December 1925

The month of December has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in December 1925.

• The Farmer-Labour Party is dissolved just two hours after its formation in Japan on December 1. The dissolution was ordered by the Japanese government, which accused the party of harboring a secret communist agenda.

• The border delineating Northern Ireland and Ireland is established on December 3 when representatives of both countries sign the Northern Irish Border Agreement.

• The George Gershwin composition “Concerto in F” is performed for the first time on December 3. The performance in New York’s Carnegie Hall is conducted by Walter Damrosch and features Gershwin on piano.

• A counterfeiting scheme is uncovered by the Banco de Portugal on December 4. An alert bank teller tips off the bank, which ultimately discovers that wealthy entrepreneur Arthur Virgílio Alves Reis is the mastermind behind the scheme. Reis was eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison.

• The Pottsville Maroons defeat the Chicago Cardinals in front of 6,000 fans on December 6 in a game the press depicted as the championship of the National Football League.

• Russian Orthodox bishop Peter of Krutitsy is arrested on December 9. Peter is charged with conspiring with Russian emigres in the west. Peter is ultimately executed by shooting on October 10, 1937.

• George Bernard Shaw is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature on December 10.

• Karam Chand and Kartari Chand tie the knot in India on December 11. The Chand’s marriage lasts 90 years and 291 days, and is the longest marriage recorded. Karam Chand passed away in 2016 and Kartari in 2019.

• Communist politician Benjamin Gitlow is pardoned by New York Governor Al Smith on December 11. Gitlow was convicted for publishing a manifesto calling for the overthrow of the U.S. government, which Governor Smith characterized as a “political crime” upon issuing his pardon.

• The Qaja dynasty, which had ruled Iran since 1789, comes to an end on December 12 when the country’s Parliament declares General Reza Khan Pahlavi Prime Minister and installs him as Shah of Iran.

• The Fascist government in Italy signs a secret pact with Britain on December 14. The pact is designed to reinforce Italian dominance in Ethiopia.

• The national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega is founded at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania on December 16.

• U.S. Army Colonel Billy Mitchell is convicted on eight charges of insubordination on December 17. Mitchell was critical of military leaders for investing in battleships and had argued for greater investment in air-based defenses.

SPJST is pleased to welcome Sally Arreola, an independent health and life insurance agent with 34 years of experience in the insurance industry. Sally takes pride in building strong client relationships and providing a positive, personalized customer service experience for each of her clients.

Her business focuses on creating tailored solutions that align with her clients’ individual personal and financial goals—particularly in the areas of healthcare and life insurance. An agent for Lodge 219, El Paso, Sally specializes in serving the Greater El Paso region and is dedicated to helping families and individuals secure their financial futures. Se habla español.

—SPJST—

• Reichstag President Paul Löbe speaks out in favor of partial prohibition in Germany on December 19.

• George Edwin Taylor passes away on December 23 at the age of 68. Taylor was the first African American presidential candidate, running for the highest office in the United States as nominee of the National Negro Liberty Party in 1904.

• Law No. 2263 is passed by the Italian parliament on December 24. The law states that the decisions of Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and his government were not subject to legislative review and could only be overruled by order of King Victor Emmanuel III.

• A Christmas story published in the London newspaper The Evening News on December 24 identifies a children’s character as “Winnie-the-Pooh” for the first time. The character had previously been referred to as “Edward” in a poem published in Punch magazine in 1924.

• The Turkish government passes a law identifying the Gregorian calendar as the official calendar for all government affairs on December 26. The use of the Islamic calendar in government affairs also is banned.

• The Japan Sumo Association is founded on December 28.

• The first attempt at a global New Year’s celebration is made via international radio on December 31. Musical entertainment and greetings from various consuls general from an assortment of foreign countries are sent from New York. (MS)

—SPJST—

Pumpkin pie is the classic holiday dessert

Turkey might garner the bulk of the Thanksgiving feast fanfare, but a notable and wildly popular dessert also provides something to look forward to during a holiday when food is a focal point. After a couple of helpings of turkey and various side dishes, Thanksgiving celebrants know it’s time for pumpkin pie. It’s a testament to the flavor and popularity of pumpkin pie that overstuffed Thanksgiving celebrants still find a way to squeeze in this beloved dessert.

Hosts who want to truly impress can prepare a homemade pie that's sure to

Lodge 187, Round Rock holds festive October gathering

Lodge 187, Round Rock hosted its October meeting at Springhill Restaurant in Pflugerville. The youth received a treat of a ghost glass cup full of candy, bag of mini muffins, and a glow-in-the-dark yo-yo.

—Jennifer McCarthy, FAC/Reporter

please loved ones. This recipe for “Pumpkin Pie” from Lines+Angles can be just what guests are looking for as they seek to tie a bow on their Thanksgiving feast.

Pumpkin Pie

Serves 8 for one 9-inch pie

For the crust:

1 cup butter, cold and cubed 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour,

SPJST WELCOMES NEW SALES AGENT

ERICKA TERRAZAS

SPJST is pleased to welcome Ericka Diaz Terrazas as a new sales agent. Ericka is a proud mother of three who approaches life with energy and passion. She enjoys running, spending time with horses and dogs, and making the most of every moment—whether under the sun or by the beach.

Ericka believes deeply in perseverance and commitment and is excited to join SPJST to continue growing, learning, and making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.

She is an agent for SPJST Lodge 219, El Paso.

—SPJST—

plus extra as needed

1 1/2 tablespoons maple sugar

1 pinch salt

1 medium egg, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons white vinegar

2 to 3 tablespoons iced water

ERICKA TERRAZAS 915-274-2704

erickaterrazas1@gmail.com

For the filling:

1 small pumpkin, halved, seeded and cored

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/3 cup maple sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 pinch ground cloves

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 cup heavy cream

1. For the crust: Combine the butter, flour, maple sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs.

2. Add the egg, vinegar and 1 tablespoon iced water. Pulse until the dough starts to form around the blades; add more water as needed if too dry, or a little more flour if too wet.

3. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a disc. Wrap in parchment paper and chill for at least 1 hour.

SPJST WELCOMES NEW SALES AGENT

MARICELA MORA IRIGOYEN

SPJST welcomes Maricela Mora Irigoyen as a new sales agent. Maricela was born in Mexico City, where she earned her degree in communication sciences from Universidad Internacional. She later moved to El Paso, Texas, the city she now proudly calls home.

A devoted mother of two, Maricela finds her greatest joy and motivation in her children. Five years ago, she discovered her true calling in the insurance industry—a field that has become much more than a career. For Maricela, insurance represents a way to serve others, providing protection, peace of mind, and trust to families, friends, and her community.

Her professional journey is guided by dedication, gratitude, and faith in God, whom she credits for leading her on a path filled with purpose, growth, and blessings.

MARICELA MORA IRIGOYEN

915-850-4040

maricelamorairigoyen@ gmail.com

She is an agent for SPJST Lodge 219, El Paso.

—SPJST—

4. For the filling: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the pumpkin halves fleshside down on a large baking sheet.

5. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes until the flesh is tender to the tip of a knife. Remove from the oven and let cool to one side.

6. Once the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash well until smooth.

7. Beat the eggs with the flour, maple sugar and ground spices in a large mixing bowl until pale and thick, about 3 minutes.

8. Gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups of the pumpkin mash followed by maple syrup and cream until fully incorporated.

9. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface into a large round approximately 1/3-inch thick.

10. Drape into a 9-inch pie dish, pressing well into the base and sides. Cut away any excess pastry before crimping the edges with your fingers.

11. Gently prick the base all over with a fork before slowly pouring the filling into the lined pastry.

12. Bake for 20 minutes before reducing

the oven to 350 F. Bake for a further 40 to 50 minutes until the filling is set and starting to come away from the edges of the pastry; a knife should come out clean from the center.

13. When ready, remove from the oven to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before serving.

Tip: If preparing in advance before serving, let the pie cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and chilling. (MS)

—SPJST—

Ginger cookies fit right in during holiday baking sessions

Holiday baking sessions are a beloved tradition in many households. A family baking day during the holiday season is a great activity that appeals to loved ones of all ages, making a day spent in the kitchen an ideal way to bring multiple generations together under one roof.

There’s no shortage of options when baking together as a family, but no treat embodies this season of baking more

SPJST WELCOMES

NEW SALES AGENT

CECILIA RODRIGUEZ

SPJST welcomes Cecilia A. Rodriguez as a new sales agent. Cecilia brings a diverse professional background and a passion for helping others achieve their goals.

With 25 years of experience as a realtor and broker, Cecilia has worked with clients across several states—including Colorado, California, Nevada, and Texas—guiding them through important life decisions with care and expertise. She has been an insurance agent for the past two years, combining her real estate and financial experience to better serve her clients’ needs.

Cecilia enjoys helping people realize their goals in life and is committed to providing personal, reliable service to every client she assists. She is an agent for SPJST Lodge 219, El Paso. —SPJST—

than cookies. Whether you're baking cookies for Santa Claus, bringing them along to a holiday party or simply whipping them up for some extra energy when decorating the tree, these “Ginger Cookies” from Lines+Angles are sure to please this December.

Ginger Cookies

Makes 48 cookies

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup molasses

1 large egg

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Granulated sugar, for rolling

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses, and egg together until light and fluffy. Stir in all remaining ingredients, except granulated sugar.

CECILIA A. RODRIGUEZ

915-740-8906

ceciliaarodriugez5@gmail.com

Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point member Joe Munoz retires from CTVHCS

Congratulations to

from

Veterans Health Care System after 15 years of service. Best wishes to Joe in his retirement.

3. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. Dip tops into granulated sugar and place balls, sugar side up, on prepared baking sheet, about 3 inches apart.

4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until just set. Remove from cookie sheet immediately to wire rack to cool. Serve.

Tip: Before measuring molasses, spray the measuring cup with cooking spray; the molasses won’t stick to the sides of the cup. (MS)

—SPJST—

Prepare for Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday® occurs on the Saturday following American Thanksgiving. Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses on a weekend when national chains and online retailers tend to dominate shoppers’ itineraries.

Founded in 2010 by American Express and co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration, Small Business Saturday is now an international initiative that encourages consumers to visit local stores, restaurants and other independent establishments to help bolster local economies. Small businesses are essential to the country, and employ a significant percentage of the American and Canadian workforce.

Since 2010, the total reported U.S. spending at small businesses during the annual Small Business Saturday is an estimated $201 billion. Communities can prepare for the arrival of SBS this holiday season in the following ways.

Promote participation.

Participating businesses should alert the public that they will be involved in SBS through local outreach, social media posts, marketing emails, and other avenues to generate excitement and exposure. Businesses also can download free marketing materials from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/m erchant/shop-small/materials.html, including the Shop Small® logo.

Offer incentives and deals.

Small businesses can offer special discounts and incentives that are exclusive to SBS, which may include BOGO

deals or gift-with-purchase incentives to further entice shoppers.

Create specialized bundles.

Business owners can group complementary products or services together into holiday bundles to increase the perceived value and encourage shoppers to spend more. Beauty supply retailers, for example, can put together a specialized hair care bundle that may include shampoo, conditioner, heat protectant, and finishing spray.

Enhance the business atmosphere.

This is the time to make sure the business is inviting and in good repair. Decorating the storefront with festive items is only part of the package. It is key for business owners to ensure that the space is clean, welcoming and well-

Lock in

stocked. Investing in small event features, such as free snacks or live music, can engage customers and keep them in the business longer.

Prepare your business operations.

This is the time for businesses to have plenty of staff on hand to handle large crowds. Choosing customer service personnel who are outgoing and friendly can help drive sales and make a great first impression on new customers.

Small Business Saturday is an important time for local business owners to establish their footing in the community and drive sales at the start of the holiday season. (MS) —SPJST—

In Memory of Kevin Chupik

Kevin Wayne Chupik, age 58, of West, Texas, passed away Sunday morning, October 5, 2025, at his residence.

A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 8 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, October 10 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tours. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery near West.

and Dallas Cowboys, Kevin embraced all aspects of life with enthusiasm.

Kevin was preceded in death by father Buddy Chupik; parents-in-law Bennie and Sheila Nors; brothers-in-law Benji Nors Jr, David Nors, Charles Nors, and Dawin Nors; and niece Reagan Cook.

WITH A NEW WITH A NEW SPJST ANNUITY SPJST ANNUITY

Here’s how it works:

•New annuity contracts only — no conversions

•Initial deposit of $25,000 or more required

•After August 31, 2026, your rate will adjust to the current flexible annuity rate effective September 1, 2026

Kevin was born on January 22, 1967, in Hillsboro, the beloved son of Elizabeth (Pierce) Ball and Bohus “Buddy’ Chupik Jr. A proud graduate of West High School in 1985, Kevin furthered his education by obtaining an associate’s degree in auto mechanics from Hill Junior College.

On July 22, 1989, he united in marriage to the love of his life, Phillis Nors, in Abbott, forging a partnership built on love, laughter, and shared values. Kevin was a loved member of the community. He worked as a diesel mechanic at Rush Truck Center in Waco for more than 20 years and dedicated 27 years of service to West EMS. He also imparted his knowledge to future generations as a mechanics instructor at Hill Junior College.

Kevin was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption and participated in Knights of Columbus Council 2305. He also held the position of treasurer for Cottonwood Water Supply.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 54, West.

Kevin’s passions extended beyond his work. He loved working on cars and John Deere tractors, enjoyed playing dominos, relished making margaritas, and found joy in woodworking. Above all, he treasured family trips to Mexico, creating lasting memories with his loved ones. An avid fan of the Texas Rangers

Survivors include his beloved wife of 36 years, Phillis Chupik of West; mother Dianne Ball; daughter Brittany Chupik and son Nathan “Tiger” Chupik and wife Leia, all of West; grandchildren Finley and Kai Chupik; sister Doreen Cecil and husband Justin; brother Jason Chupik and significant other Skylar; sisters-in-law Lisa Renegar and husband Brian, Annette Cook, Patricia Schneider and husband Gary, and Laurie Brown and husband Billy; brothers-in-law Raymond Nors and wife Jana, Stephen Nors and wife Leslie, and Kenneth Nors and wife Jana; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Active pallbearers were Billy Sams, David Girard, Freddie Kaluza, Brad Wines, Kirk Wines, Bubba Sefcik, Scott Nelson, and Tim Kocian. Honorary pallbearers were past and present members of the West Volunteer Ambulance Association and his Godchildren.

Memorials may be made to the West Volunteer Ambulance Association or the charity of your choice.

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Kevin in the memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfh.com.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Larry Elzner

Larry James Elzner, 69, passed away on September 29, 2025, in Corpus Christi Texas.

A memorial service was held on October 29 at 10 a.m. at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi.

Born on September 2, 1956, in Pennsylvania, Larry lived a life marked by dedication, service, and unwavering loyalty to the things he held dear.

His journey took him from the quiet streets of his birth to the proud ranks of the United States Navy, where he served his country with honor for over two decades.

A very proud veteran, Larry found purpose and fulfillment in his military career. His commitment to service reflected a deep sense of duty and patriotism that remained with him throughout his life. Those who knew him recognized the pride he carried as a member of the Navy and the values it instilled in him – discipline, resilience, and camaradarie.

Outside of his military service, Larry was known for his passionate support of his favorite sports teams. He was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and a loyal follower of the University of Texas Longhorns, and he cheered them on with enthusiasm and pride. Whether watching games with a friends or wearing team colors during football seasons, Larry’s love for these teams was a defying part of who he was.

He was an active member of SPJST Lodge 79, Corpus Christi.

Larry’s memory will remain in the hearts of those who knew him. May his legacy of service and loyalty bring comfort to all those who mourn his passing. —SPJST—

In Memory of Edwin Husak

Edwin Joe Husak, age 91, of West, Texas, passed away Tuesday night, October 21, 2025, at Cornerstone Gardens Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Temple.

Funeral service was at 10 a.m. Monday, October 27 at West Brethren Church in West with Brother Terry Crawford officiating. Burial followed at West Brethren Cemetery. The family received visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 26 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel.

Edwin was born October 17, 1934, to John and Julia (Lastovica) Husak in West. Born and raised on the family farm near West, he attended the old Leggott School and lived in a two-room house in the country, and played football making the AllDistrict Team. After graduation from West High School in 1953, he went on to work at Sears Roebuck and Company in Waco. Then in 1956, he went to work for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco and worked there for 40 years until its official closure. Edwin stayed and worked with their distribution center for 10 more years.

On June 16, 1956, he married the love of his life, Erline Marek, at West Brethren Church. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage, two children - Cindy Sulak and Dan Husak; eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Edwin was a lifelong and faithful member of the West Brethren Church, serving on the Board of Elders for many years. He was a Mason since 1962, belonging to West Masonic Lodge 475. He had a strong sense of community service, through many memberships including the National Rifle Association and a director on the board of Hilltop Water Supply Corporation.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 6, Cottonwood.

Edwin loved working in his woodshop while building things for his family and friends. He enjoyed driving his Farmall Super C on his 6.5 acre farm, tending to his garden, and raising calves, chickens, hogs, and horses. Above all, his greatest pleasure was watching his

grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing sports. He tried to see every game, despite the struggle to be at multiple games at the same time.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son-in-law Ron Sulak; brother Leo Husak; sisters-in-law Kathy Husak and Jane Husak; and brother-inlaw Clyde Lancaster.

Survivors include children Cindy Sulak of Temple and Dan Husak and wife Stacie of Natchitoches, Louisiana; grandchildren Jason Sulak and wife Abigale, Kaylie Stroud and husband Matthew, Kacie Johnson and husband Seth, Jacob Sulak and wife Leah, Tyler Husak and wife Sueleeka, Taylor Husak, Stryder Husak, and Court Potts; greatgrandchildren Lylah, Carter, Annalee, Jonen, Eleanor, Jasen, Clara, Dakota, Colt, Kirstie, and baby Sulak on the way; brothers Johnny Husak and Fred Husak; sister Irene Lancaster; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers were Jason Sulak, Jacob Sulak, Matthew Stoud, Seth Johnson, Ron Borrenpohl, Nick Connor, Tyler Husak, Stryder Husak, Johnny Husak, and Gerry Davis.

Memorials may be made to West Brethren Church.

Fraternally submitted by, Peggy Dobecka —SPJST—

In Memory of Mary Ann Hutyra

Mary Ann (Marek) Hutyra of West, Texas, passed away late Monday afternoon, October 13, 2025, on her 91st birthday at West Rest Haven.

through life was marked by her dedication to her family and community. She was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Johnnie Hutyra, on May 15, 1954, in West. They shared a loving and devoted partnership until his passing on October 14, 2015.

As a homemaker, Mary Ann created a nurturing environment that welcomed all, while also contributing to her community through various occupations, including her time at Plantation Foods and Wolf Manufacturing in Waco, as well as providing childcare from her home.

A faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption and SPJST Lodge 54, West, Mary Ann found joy in her faith and community involvement. She had a special passion for gardening, nurturing her beautiful flowers, and finding peace in the outdoors. She loved tending to her garden, spending time fishing, watching soap operas, and listening to her favorite Czech music, all of which brought her joy. Above all, she treasured the moments spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; son David Hutyra; son-inlaw Samuel David Stewart; grandson Colby Hutyra; brothers Edmund Marek and Frankie Marek; and sisters Helen Smith, Aline Kaluza, and Leona Kral.

Survivors include children Doris Stewart and Johnny Hutyra and wife Michelle, all of West; daughter-in-law Joy Hutyra; grandchildren Heather and Jeremy Lightfoot, Nichole Andrews, Samantha Stewart, Chris Hutyra, Keith Hutyra, Derek Hutyra, and Brianna Hutyra; great-grandchildren Abigail and Landry Lightfoot, Avery Andrews, Addison Hutyra, and Colby Burton; brother Edwin Marek and wife Rosalie; sister Shirley Willenborg and husband Jackie; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A rosary was recited at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 19 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 4 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, October 20 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Reverend Melvin Dornak and Reverend Timothy Vaverek as celebrants. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West.

Mary Ann was born October 13, 1934, in West, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Dvorak) Marek. Her journey

Active pallbearers were Jeremy Lightfoot, Derek Hutyra, Keith Hutyra, Scott Willenborg, Landry Lightfoot, and Larry Marek. Honorary pallbearers were Heather Lightfoot, Nichole Andrews, Samantha Stewart, Brianna Hutyra, Chris Hutyra, and her great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to West Volunteer Ambulance Association.

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Mary Ann in the memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfh.com.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Holly Knecht

Holly Le Knecht, 67, of Little RiverAcademy, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025.

A celebration of life is Tuesday, November 25 at 11 a.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, 3110 Airport Road in Temple.

Resolution of Sympathy

Holly was born on October 15, 1958, to Harold and Wanda (Wilkins) Coleman. Holly dedicated much of her career to caring for others through her work in medical records/vital statistics at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. Following her time there, she continued serving her community through her work as the certificate service specialist at SPJST Home Office.

A talented and creative soul, Holly had a true gift for crafting. She loved giving new life to old quilts, transforming them into beautiful angels, hearts, and stars that she shared and sold at local shows and bazaars. Each piece she made carried her warmth and love.

Above all, Holly cherished her family—especially her beloved granddaughter, Harlow Le Knecht.

Holly adored her five dogs, who were constant companions and a source of joy.

She was preceded in death by daughter Wendy Le Knecht; parents Harold and Wanda Coleman; brothers-in-law Kevin Knecht, Rick Knecht, and Nick Knecht; and sister-in-law Cyndi Horton.

Holly is survived by her husband, Keith Knecht of Little River-Academy; granddaughter Harlow Le Knecht of Little River-Academy; sister Kathy and husband Geof Schwer of Waco; sisterin-law Nancy and husband Ernie Urbantke of Temple; sister-in-law Karen Robeson of Jewett; brother-in-law Kelly Knecht of Temple; and many nieces, nephews, a great-niece, great-nephew, and dear friends.

Holly will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, kindness, creativity, and lots of love that she shared so freely with all who knew her.

—SPJST—

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek, No. 4 Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincere and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed brother, GLENN WAYNE MICHALCIK, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

Glenn passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2025, at the age of 70.

Funeral service was held Sunday, August 10 at 5 p.m. at Faith Family Church of Hallettsville with visitation at 4 p.m. Officiant was Pastor Daren Hearnsberger. Burial was at Bila Hora Cemetery in Hallettsville.

Born on April 11, 1955, to Alfons and Lillie Michalcik, he was a lifelong resident of the Bila Hora area, where he cherished his family and friends.

Glenn met Barbara Rehm at the Sacred Heart Church picnic, and they dated for three years before getting married on September 13, 1975. Their bond was a testament to love and partnership, built through decades of shared experiences and mutual support.

Together, Glenn and Barbara raised four children - son Shane and daughters Shanna, Debbie and Devonne. He leaves behind a proud and loving legacy through his grandchildren, Dillon Moreno, Melody Moreno, Trenton Michalcik, Julie Michalcik, Blaine Bock, Blakely Bock, and Lucian Kelly, as well as great-grandchild Dean Moreno. His family was his pride and joy, and he dedicated his life to nurturing and cherishing them.

A graduate of Hallettsville High School in 1973, Glenn began his impressive 48-year career at Utex on July 9, 1973. His strong work ethic, loyalty, and quiet leadership earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues. He was known for his wisdom, wit, and a stubborn dedication to everything he put his mind to. He was a simple man who stood firm in his values, a trait that endeared him to all who knew him.

Glenn’s interests were as varied as his many talents. The self-proclaimed ‘Sheriff of Bila Hora’ found peace and

fulfillment in the great outdoors of hunting, fishing, and riding his Mule in the evenings. He enjoyed watching deer, working on woodworking projects, gardening, and spending time at family gatherings and events, which always filled his heart with joy.

Glenn was preceeded in death by his parents Alfons and Lillie Michalcik; brothers Alton and Ervin Michalcik; and beloved grandson Bowen Bock.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Barbara Rehm Michalcik; son Shane Michalcik and wife Christie; daughters Shanna Moreno, Debbie Kelly and husband Stephen, and Devonne Bock and husband Charlie; and grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Bila Hora Cemetery or family wishes.

May our departed brother rest in eternal peace.

Resolution Committee Gayenell Chudej

Susan Siptak —SPJST—

In Memory of Ronson Pechal

where he continued to serve until the spring of 2000. He returned to Temple, joining the Temple Fire Department, a role that allowed him to demonstrate his dedication to community safety and well-being. Later on, he made the heartfelt decision to become a caregiver for his beloved parents, a choice that showcased his deep love and respect for family.

Ronson was a man of many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, and camping, often finding joy in these activities while surrounded by his family. His participation in the men’s brotherhoods, Bible studies, and community events held at SPJST reflected his desire to connect and contribute to his community. A proud member of his Czech heritage, he held a special love for East Bell County and attended both Seaton Brethren Church and Ocker Brethren Church.

He was a 50-year member of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone.

Ronson Wayne Pechal, born on August 8, 1973, in Temple, Texas, ascended to his heavenly home on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at his residence in Temple. He was a man who touched the lives of many, known for his honesty, straightforward nature, and unwavering commitment to his family.

Visitation was Monday, November 3 from 12 to 2 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Young’s Daughters Funeral Home and Bereavement Center in Temple. Burial was at 3:30 p.m. at Ocker Brethren Church Cemetery in Zabcikville.

His education began at Rogers High School, where he graduated in 1991, having showcased his athletic capabilities on the football field. He furthered his skills with EMT and firefighting training, embracing his calling to aid and protect those around him.

Ronson dedicated his career to public service; he began with Belton EMS before making his way to South Texas,

As a father and grandfather, Ronson took immense pride in his family. He is survived by his parents, Larry Pechal and Darlene (Psencik) Pechal; daughter Megan (Cornelius) Chopin; and sons Justin (Beth) Pechal and Logan (Makaylea) Pechal. He was a cherished brother to Brandon (Sarah) Pechal and a devoted grandfather to five grandchildren. He is also remembered fondly by niece Allison and nephew Grayson along with his beloved cat, Bubs.

Ronson will be remembered not only for his steadfast character and love for his family but also for his sense of humor and genuine outlook on life. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate with those who knew and loved him.

Ronson leaves behind a rich legacy of love, family, and service that will be cherished and remembered by all fortunate enough to have known him.

Arrangements were under the direction of Sabrina Young at Young’s Daughters Funeral Home and Bereavement Center in Temple.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Patricia Patak

Loving mother, wife, and grandmother (Nana) Patricia Ann Adamcik Patak, affectionately known as “Pat,” passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on September 18, 2025, in Leander, Texas, surrounded by her family and loving caregivers, including hospice nurses.

Funeral service was at 9 a.m. Friday, October 3 at Calvary Hill Cemetery in the North Chapel in Dallas.

Pat was born in Dallas on July 14, 1945, to Charlie F. Adamick and Julie Jurecka Adamcik. A devout Catholic, she attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic Elementary School and Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Bishop Dunne). Pat graduated from the University of Dallas in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and began her teaching career with Dallas Independent School District.

As children and teenagers, Pat and her sister, Cathey Daboub, participated in many Czech functions as part of her father’s polka band, touring all over Texas and Oklahoma. Her future father-in-law, Stanley Patak, started the band, the Polka Dots, and her father, Charlie, continued the band known as Charlie Adamick and the Polka Tones. Pat and Cathey played the accordion and were known as the “Adamcik Sisters” throughout Texas. Their tours helped pay for their tuition at the University of Dallas.

In her teens, Pat met her future husband, Leonard S. Patak (recently deceased). They married at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in 1967 in a large traditional Czech wedding. Shortly after their wedding, in December 1967, they moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where Len served as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Army. Pat taught at the American Elementary School in Frankfurt for three years, and they cherished their time in Germany, traveling throughout the country and to the Netherlands, Paris, and Austria. Pat often reminisced about their adventures and the lifelong friendships they formed, many of which endured for more than 50 years.

After their time in Germany, Len and Pat settled in Richardson, Texas, where they welcomed their children, Jason and Kristin. In 1980, they relocated to Scotch Plains, New Jersey, for Len’s job, where

Pat continued her teaching career. They returned to Texas in the summer of 1984 and raised their children in Richardson. Pat was actively involved in the Richardson Newcomers and Neighbors Club and was a proud member of the Catholic Czech community in Dallas, including SPJST Lodge 84, WFLA lodge, and the Catholic Czech Club (KJT).

After leaving her teaching job in 1987, Pat worked in executive administration for multiple New York Life agents.

Many years later, Pat and Len enjoyed spending time at their lake chalet on Lake Cypress Springs in East Texas, which they affectionately called their “Happy Place.” Pat loved the lake, where family could gather to relax and enjoy quality time together, often engaging in competitive domino tournaments with cousins.

In 2000, at the age of 54, Pat was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor. It was a devastating diagnosis, but Pat’s resilience and tenacity carried her through. Although her golden years were not what she had anticipated, her loving husband and children provided unwavering care and support throughout the next 25 years.

In 2015, Pat moved to Leander to be closer to daughter Kristin and her family, living in a facility better suited for her needs. Pat lived in the community longer than any other resident and was well loved by everyone. Pat enjoyed the community gossip and cheering for her beloved Texas Longhorns, always eager to participate in happy hour activities and holiday festivities. For her 80th birthday, she was honored with a live concert featuring her favorite music, polka and Willie Nelson.

Pat fiercely loved her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.

She is survived by her sister, Cathey Daboub; brother-in-law Henry Daboub; sister-in-law Margie Williams; son Jason Patak and wife Maria of Southlake; daughter Kristin Barnebey and husband Robert of Leander; and grandchildren Rob Barnebey (21), Liam Barnebey (18), Charlie Marie (18), and Riley Ann (14). Memorials may be donated to National Brain Tumor Society - https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/PatriciaPatak; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospitalhttps://fundraising.stjude.org/ site/TR?px=8973693&fr_id=154020&pg =personal; or Texas Humane Heroeshttps://humaneheroes.org/donate/

May our departed sister rest in peace. Fraternally submitted by, Cheryl Petr Lodge 84, Dallas —SPJST—

In Memory of Bernard Pustejovsky

Bernard Anton Pustejovsky, age 81, of Abbott, Texas, passed away Tuesday evening, October 21, 2025, while tending to his farm in Abbott.

A rosary was recited at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 28 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, followed by visitation until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 29 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Reverend Thomas Jones as celebrant and Deacon Terry Timmons assisting. Burial followed at Fatima Cemetery.

Bernard was born on December 25, 1943, in Hillsboro, a beloved son to Anton and Helen (Hykel) Pustejovsky. A proud graduate of Abbott High School, Bernard furthered his education at Tarleton State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics from Texas A&M University.

On April 8, 1967, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lucy Hennig, in West. Together they cultivated a life full of love and shared values on their family farm. Barney proudly served in the United States Air Force as a medic.

Barney’s dedication to his community reached far beyond his military service. He was actively involved in many organizations, including SPJST Lodge 54, West; Knights of Columbus Council 2305; KJT Society 31, West; Hill County Tax Assessor’s Office; and Hill County Farm Bureau. He also served as past president of both Texas Pest Management and Blackland Income Growth and was honored to serve on the nationally recognized Cotton Board.

In addition, Barney was a member of the Prairie Lands Groundwater Conservation District-all reflecting his lifelong devotion to agriculture and the land he so deeply cherished. A proud third-generation farmer in Hill County, Barney worked tirelessly alongside his son, Matt, and grandson, Derek. He took immense pride in his work and found joy in gardening, fishing, and traveling with his agricultural friends to meetings and

events. Family was always at the center of Barney’s life, and he especially treasured time spent at family gatherings with his grandchildren. Beyond his love of farming and family, Barney was a devoted member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, where his faith guided and sustained him throughout his life.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; sister Helen Mach; infant brother James Pustejovsky; brother Michael Pustejovsky; and brothers-in-law Felix Picha, Ernest Mach, and Sam Hurst.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Lucy Pustejovsky of Abbott; children Matthew Pustejovsky and wife Kathleen of Abbott, Mark Pustejovsky and Elizabeth Wingo of Rockwall, and Denise Pustejovsky and Bill Grote of Lewisville; grandchildren Derek Pustejovsky and wife Jolee, Katelyn Pustejovsky, Cooper Grote, and Carter Grote; great-granddaughter Kinley Pustejovsky; brothers Joseph Pustejovsky and wife Carolyn and Anthony Pustejovsky and wife Beverly; sisters Bernice Picha and Janice Hurst; sister-in-law Elaine Brown and husband Robert; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and close friends.

Barney was also blessed to be part of the extended Hennig family, with whom he shared many cherished memories and lifelong bonds.

Active pallbearers were Richard Mach, James Picha, Jeff Hurst, Brad Pustejovsky, Eric Pustejovsky, Clifford Anderson, and Andrew Webre. Honorary pallbearers were all of his nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Blackland Cotton and Grain Producers Association, a donation-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing agricultural research. Barney proudly served as past president of the association. Donations can be sent to PO Box 108, Abbott, Texas 76621. Memorials may also be made to the Legacy Fund at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Abbott.

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Bernard in the memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfh.com.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Robert Vitek

Lodge 1, Fayetteville extends its sincere and loving condolences for our friend,

ROBERT VITEK.

Robert Frank Vitek, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at home on November 10, 2025, at the age of 78.

Memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, No vember 14 at Halam icek Family Cemetery in Roznov, Texas with a meal following at Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Violet Vitek; and his sister, Nancy Cannaday.

He is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; brother Raymond Vitek (Nina); sister Dolores Kingery; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a wide circle of friends who became like family.

Born on March 13, 1947, in Waller to Raymond and Violet (Minarcik) Vitek, Robert grew up on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work, integrity, and community — values that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from St. John’s Catholic School in Fayetteville before proudly serving his country in the United States Marine Corps.

From April 3, 1967, to December 8, 1970, Robert completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, earning the rank of sergeant and receiving the Cross of Gallantry for his courage and service. His time in the Marines shaped his lifelong dedication, discipline, and quiet strength.

After returning home, Robert built a successful career in construction, a trade that became both his livelihood and his legacy. He founded Vitek Construction, a respected cornerstone of the local building community, leaving his mark on countless homes between Fayetteville and Round Top. His craftsmanship and honesty earned him the respect of his clients and work crew.

Robert’s greatest joy, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband to Becky Vitek, whom he loved deeply (and, as he often joked, nearly as much as his beloved dog, Cookie). He was the proud father of Ashley Eidson (Mike), Joshua Vitek (Lacey), Robert J. Vitek, Shane Corn (Jessica), and Leo Corn (Lisa). His grandchildren - Parker Vitek, Tara Vitek, Karson Corn, Hudson Corn, John Eidson, Everett Corn, Chipper Vitek, and Decker Vitek - were the lights of his life.

Robert will be remembered for his humor, wit and sarcasm, his unwavering loyalty, his love of family and sports, and his ability to build not just homes, but strong relationships and a lasting legacy in his community. He was almost always whistling a tune — a reflection of his good mood and joyful outlook on life — bringing a bit of music and sunshine wherever he went. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Memorial donations can be made to the Fayetteville Baseball Alumni Association, 2726 Haw Creek Road, Fayetteville, Texas 78940.

Arrangements were entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home and Cremations in La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com .

Missed but never forgotten!

Sharon Fritsch Lodge 1, Fayetteville —SPJST—

In Memory of Irene Wolf

Irene (Kocian) Wolf, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by the love of her family.

On June 18, 1956, she united in marriage with her devoted husband, Floyd Wolf, in the very community she called home. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Irene was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption, where she actively participated in various church and community organizations, including Catholic Daughters of America Court 829, St. Anne’s Altar Society, West Women’s ACTS, and SPJST Lodge 54, West.

Irene dedicated her professional life as a medical assistant at West Medical and Surgical Clinic, where her caring nature and devotion to her patients were evident. Her journey began at Friendship Cafe, where she first met Floyd, setting the stage for a beautiful partnership and family life.

An avid quilter and crocheter, Irene found joy in creating handmade treasures for her loved ones. She had a green thumb, cultivating her yard and tending to her plants. Inspired by a passion for genealogy, she delighted in uncovering the stories of her ancestors. Thanksgiving dinners were made even more special by her and Floyd’s delicious dressing, while her homemade buchtas and pickles became family favorites. Irene’s unwavering faith in God was a guiding light in her life, and she diligently prayed her rosary and shared her Catholic faith with family. She cherished family gatherings, relishing every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Walter, Bernard, Albin,

and August Kocian; sisters Haddie Kocian, Willie Mae Volcik, Ruby Moncrief, and Tracie Schroeder; and an infant sister Annie and brother George Kocian; infant great-grandson Levi Machac; and infant great-granddaughter Gwyneth Glos.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 69 years, Floyd Wolf of West; children Pam Heitmiller and husband Kyle of Belton, Jana Wolf and Terry Ehrhardt of Clifton, Michelle “Mimi” Hutyra and husband Greg of Grapevine, and Floyd Wolf and wife Mary of West; grandchildren Brett Bagley and husband Rob, Blair Hodges and husband Clayton, Brooke Machac and husband A.J., Bailey Glos and husband Brady, Beau Heitmiller and wife Bayleigh, Cameron Wolf, Coleman Wolf, Dillon Hutyra, Tanner Hutyra, and Conner Hutyra; great-grandchildren Maggie Machac, Brewer Machac, Everett Machac, Bennett Bagley, Kyle Bagley, Graham Hodges, Blake Hodges, Elliot Hodges, Gracen Glos, Granger Glos, Gunnar Glos, and Gwen Glos; her “nutty buddy,” Lori Eisma; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Active pallbearers were grandsons Dillon Hutyra, Beau Heitmiller, Tanner Hutyra, Cameron Wolf, Coleman Wolf, and Conner Hutyra. Honorary pallbearers were her Godchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School Endowment Fund or West Volunteer Ambulance Association.

You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Irene in the memorial guest book found at www.aderholdfh.com.

—SPJST—

Bronze SPJST Cemetery Markers

A rosary was recited at 6 p.m. Sunday, October 5 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, October 6 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Reverend Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Irene was born February 23, 1938, in West, the daughter of August and Anna (Nors) Kocian. She was a graduate of West High School, Class of 1957.

Bronze SPJST cemetery markers are available for purchase through the Home Office for $20 a piece. Price includes shipping and handling. The markers measure three inches in diameter and include a fourinch threaded post for mounting. To purchase or for more information, call the Home Office at 800-727-7578

SPJST YOUTH SECTION

Lodge 88, Houston youth recap a fun and busy fall

The deadline for Věstník items is 10 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Send your news and photos to:

SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503

Email: vestnik@spjst.org

Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo

Questions? Call 800-727-7578

Hey, everyone from Lodge 88 Youth! We’ve had a super busy fall semester and did so many cool things!

We started with our annual Back to School Bash on August 23 in the Lodge 88 ballroom. Our theme was ‘Glow in the Dark,’ and it was awesome. The event included pizza, cupcakes, cookies, cotton candy, music, glow-in-the-dark candy and punch, and of course, glow sticks everywhere! Our youth group voted to donate 20 percent of the ticket sales to local schools, and we were able to give $586 to 16 different schools!

On September 6, we had two tables at the Steel Country dance where youth could hang out. We did a “Dance Card Challenge,” where everyone had to dance with five new people and get their names on a card. If you filled your card, you got a cookie from the bar. A lot of people loved it, and some even filled more than one card!

Later in September, we had our first ever lock-in in the Annex, and it was amazing! We had pizza, a popcorn bar, Nerf wars in the backyard, and movies until 3 a.m. (some people stayed up until 5 a.m.!). When everyone left the next morning after breakfast, everyone asked, “When are we doing this again?”

In October, we had Czechfest! We wore fun costumes again and sold des-

Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth plant seeds of friendship and

service

serts—our biggest fundraiser of the year—plus stein charms, slime, and personalized bead bracelets we made right there. Thanks to everyone being so generous, we raised over $1,200!

We also hosted a food drive from September 14 to November 9 to support Heights Interfaith Ministry Food Pantry, and we’re planning a toy drive in November, too.

We’re really excited for next semester—there are going to be lots of fun events and more chances to help our community and hang out together.

— Nancy Godwin Lodge 88 Youth Reporter

—SPJST—

Lodge 20, Granger Youth donate collected eyeglasses to Lions Club

At their October meeting, Lodge 20, Granger members brought eyeglasses they collected to donate to the Lions Club eyeglass drive. A fun time was had by all!

—Jvonne Lalla

Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club met in September to decorate flowerpots and plant chrysanthemums, combining creativity with fellowship and community spirit.

—Holly Narro, Youth Leader

On October 28, 2025, I spent the evening with other volunteers helping hand out boxes of food along with apples and an assortment of meats to families in need. As Miss SPJST, my community service project is helping my hometown food pantry. I enjoy doing this and hope to soon take on more service projects to help around not only my town but wherever I can.

—Miss SPJST Paetyn Beckendorf Lodge 47, Seaton

Lodge 48, Beyersville Youth member honored as CSA Athlete of the Month

Lodge 48, Beyersville youth member Alexa Ransom was recognized as the recreational athlete of the month at her gymnastics academy - Cheer Skillz Academy (CSA) - for November. Alexa started at CSA four years ago in the AstroTot program and has moved up all the way to our intermediate class! The social media posts that “Alexa is hardworking, kind, and has excelled in her classes! We are so proud of you, Alexa!”

�� More Than Turkey: 7-Day Gratitude Challenge

Thanksgiving is almost here! You’re probably already dreaming about mashed potatoes, watching the parade, and maybe a much-needed break from school. But the biggest, best part of this holiday isn’t the food—it’s the classic American tradition of pausing to be thankful.

But here’s the secret: waiting until the last Thursday of November to be grateful is like waiting all year to practice your favorite sport. If you only practice once, you won’t see huge results! That feeling of appreciation, known as gratitude, is actually one of the most powerful habits you can develop. Scientists have shown that actively noticing the good things in your life boosts your mood, lowers stress, and helps you appreciate the people around you more. Being thankful is a superpower for your own happiness. To help you build this habit, we’ve designed a 7-Day Gratitude Challenge to make thankfulness fun and active right now.

Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth serve smiles for Grandparents Day

Lodge 17, New Tabor Youth Club hosted a banquet on September 7, 2025, to recognize youth member’s achievements for 2024-2025 and to honor grandparent’s on Grandparent’s Day. A delicious meal was served and everyone enjoyed a nice evening of fellowship.

Giving a Genuine Lift

For the first two days of the challenge, focus your energy on delivering sincere compliments. Think of it as a small act of kindness that costs nothing but instantly brightens someone’s day. Your goal is to give at least two genuine compliments each day. One should go to a close-range target, like a family member or a best friend. Tell your younger brother his video game strategy is smart, or let your mom know you appreciate her driving you around. The second compliment should go to a surprise target—someone you don’t know very well, like the person who works at the library, the cashier at the market, or your bus driver. A quick, “Thanks for being so fast today!” or “That jacket has a cool color!” can make a massive difference.

The Power of the Note

On the third and fourth days, shift your focus to the power of the written word. We use texts and emojis for everything, but a handwritten note feels extra special because it took effort. For these two days, your mission is to write and deliver two quick, short thank you notes daily. They don’t have to be long, just a few sentences. Target the people who help you regularly but maybe don’t get thanked enough, such as the person who always does the laundry, the custodian at your school, or even a teammate who is always encouraging. Get creative with

the delivery—you could leave a note tucked into their lunch bag, taped to the bathroom mirror, or tucked inside their backpack to surprise them later.

The Five-Finger Daily Check

For the final three days of the challenge, it’s time for a personal, quiet check-in. At some point each day, you need to hold up one hand and name five different things you are truly thankful for. The rule is that you cannot repeat a single item for all three days. On the fifth day, focus on tangible items, like a favorite jacket or a warm house. On the sixth day, focus on experiences, such as a fun game you played or a joke you heard. On

the seventh day, focus on people and skills, like your best friend or your own ability to read and learn. This forces you to think deeply about all the good things that surround you.

Carrying the Habit Forward

Once the turkey is gone and the holiday weekend is over, don’t stop practicing! The habit of gratitude is one of the most valuable tools you can have in your life toolkit. It shifts your focus from what you feel you might be missing to all the amazing things you already have. You’ll be surprised at how much happier and more positive you feel, simply by taking a moment to notice.

—SPJST—

17, New

and SPJST pride

the

on September 20,

The 2025 Czech National Day Texas Gala brought together community members, cultural supporters, and friends of Czech heritage for an afternoon of celebration at Pivovar in Waco, Texas. Hosted by the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center in Temple in partnership with Pivovar, the gala featured dinner, music, and meaningful reflections on Czech history and tradition. Guests enjoyed a program highlighting the significance of Czech National Day, honoring the spirit of independence, resilience, and cultural pride. The event served as a beautiful reminder of the shared heritage that connects generations and continues to flourish within the Texas Czech community.

Texas Czech Genealogical Society announces 2025 Chris tmas Ornament Campaign

Mary, Mother of Jesus T-220 - $29

Mary was a Judean woman from Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. In the Catholic religion, the Blessed Virgin Mary is a reminder that salvation, given to man by God, was made possible by Mary.

The Symbol of the Honeycomb T-910 - $19

Bees are very industrious, and they must work together to produce honey that in- sures the hive’s survival. This glass ornament symbolizes the diligence of teamwork that is often necessary to achieve life’s great rewards.

The Symbol of the Lighthouse T-258 - $15

Just as the bright beacon of light guides ships along their route, directing them away from danger, the lighthouse symbolizes guidance through life, serving as a symbol of Christ, the light of the world.

The Tradition of the Holy Family T-906 - $23

The Holy Family is a central figure of Christmas for Christians everywhere. According to Matthew and Luke, Mary and Joseph had gone to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. After arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room at the Inn, the weary couple spent the night in a stable. Baby Jesus was born during the night and placed in a hay-

The new ornaments for Christmas 2025 are now available from the Texas Czech Genealogical Society. The ornaments make special gifts for family and special friends and they are greatly enjoyed by many who purchase them for their own trees year after year.

Shown below are the 2025 Christmas Ornaments that are available from the Texas Czech Genealogical Society. Each ornament represents a legend, a symbol or a tradition, and the complete story card associated with the ornament will be included in your shipment. Orders may be placed by contacting Nancy Machu –nbmachu@gmail.com or 512-971-4284. Some items are in short supply, so please order early! Shipping charges will depend on the number of ornaments ordered.

filled manger. A brightly shining star announced the blessed event while the Angels sang praises. This was the first Christmas.

Nancy

Machu Lodge 29, Taylor

The Legend of the Elf on the Shelf T-904 - $24

The tradition of the Elf on the Shelf is a new Christmas tradition, born in 2007. Its purpose is to reinforce good be havior, promote holiday excitement and to start a family tradition. Some of its positive symbolism includes bringing ex citement and anticipation to the holiday season. It teaches children to be kind and behave, insuring their name lands on Santa’s “good list”. The Elf on the Shelf can teach children many of life’s positive lessons.

The Legend of the Ox T-908 - $16

that first Christmas, and every Christmas thereafter, the Ox kneels down to honor the Lord.

The Symbol of the Bird Nest T-900 - $18

If you have traveled to the Czech Republic, you may be aware of the Czechs’ love of nature. Many Czech families make an early trip to a nearby forest to select their Christmas trees. They choose their trees not only for the shape, but for the number of bird nests it contains. The bird nest is a symbol of the home. It suggests that we should strive to make the house a place for all family members to come together as one unit, being showered with love, support and warmth.

The Symbol of the Dragonfly T-302 - $15

The Legend of the Christmas Spider T-907 - $21

The Legend of the Spider is one of the favorite and best-known Christmas legends. It tells of a Czech mother who was very poor. The night before Christmas she had no gifts for her children. She prayed all night, and the next morning, the children were thrilled to get the gift that they considered a great Christmas treat.

The entire story will be included with your ornament shipment.

Tradition of the Pretzel T-224 - $11

Pretzels had their beginning in the 6th century at an Italian monastery. A young monk was preparing unleavened bread for Lent and creatively twisted scraps of bread dough to resemble arms folded in prayer. He named his creation “Pretiola”, a Latin word meaning “little reward”, and gave it as a treat to children who recited their prayers. The pretzel is sometimes served during Lent to remind Christians of their faith.

The Tradition of Santa with Toys T-302 - $15

The Ox, as one of the “friendly beasts”, shared the stable with Baby Jesus. He did not eat in order to share his hay as a cushion in the manger. He warmed the Baby with his breath, and at midnight on

The colors of the dragonfly sparkle with iridescence in the sunlight. Their jewel-like tones take time to develop, reflecting the idea that our own true colors only come forth with maturity. The dragonfly is found worldwide and in some cultures, symbolizes new light and joy. Dragonflies are viewed as a representation of positive forces, renewal and the power of life.

The American Santa Claus originated from St. Nicholas, who was born about 280 in the country that is now known as Turkey. St. Nicholas was a kind person and children loved him! At one time, he was known as “Sinter Klass”, but Americans had a tough time with that

“Sinter Klass”, but Americans had a tough time with that name, so they began calling him “Santa Claus”, a name that lives on today. He continues to be loved and eagerly awaited by children of all ages.

Baby’s 1st Christmas Ornament T1111 - $17

If you have a new baby in your life, or expect to have one in the coming year, we have the perfect ornament for this new little bundle of joy. A sweet teddy bear, dressed in a red shirt and cap, sporting the words “ Baby’s First Christmas” will be a wonderful first ornament to commemorate his or her birth.

fore Christmas and to this day, Santa is known as the plump, jolly, bespectacled, redsuited elderly man, who rides a sleigh, driven by eight reindeer, delivering gifts to good girls and boys.

Dear Readers,

Ornaments from the Czech Republic

We are pleased to offer beautiful ornaments from the Czech Republic. (T868 thru T-874) Each ornament is mouth blown and hand decorated, resulting in the fact that no two ornaments are exactly alike.

Red, T-874; Blue, T-870; White, T872 - $23

The scenes are of a Czech village after a beautiful snowfall. These ornaments will remind us of our ancestors, who left this beautiful country to come to the United States to pave a way for us, their descendants, to live in a free country with many benefits that make our lives so comfortable.

The Tradition of Santa Claus T-868 - $16

Originally, St. Nicholas was a scary gift bringer, fiery, wiry, and a defiant defender of church doctrine during the “Great Persecution”. In 1821, the modern Santa began to take form. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote what became known as The Night be-

The Symbol of the Red Bird T-866 - $13

A wide variety of birds are red or predominately red in color. The birds carry a rich variety of symbolism. If one finds himself in a difficult or draining situation and feels as if he doesn’t have the strength or energy to carry on, he could remember the symbol of the red bird and tap into his faith. Red birds are sometimes thought of as being messengers from angels of a loved one who has passed away and may signify that the spirit of someone you love is nearby. Handcrafted in the Czech Republic.

Thank you to everyone who attended the 97th Czech/Slovak Heritage Day on October 12, 2025, at Sokol Dallas. This event was sponsored by SPJST, Better Life, KJT, KJZT, RVOS, Vaclav Havel Czech School, Sokol Dallas, Texas Honorary Czech Consulate Brian Vanicek, and Texas Honorary Slovak Consulate Martin Valko.

Each year, we honor a special person who has dedicated many years to preserving our Czech heritage. This year’s honoree was Bob G. Liska. Bob had a deep passion for music and helped organize and direct numerous Czech-language masses throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. His leadership and authentic Czech hymns brought beauty, meaning, and tradition to our community for many years. We sincerely thank him for his dedication.

lent and greatly appreciated.

Honorary Czech Consul Brian Vanicek hosted a stein-holding contest, which brought out plenty of friendly family cheering (and maybe a few sore arms afterward!).

Honorary Slovak Consul Martin Valko led a kolache-eating contest with four age divisions. The crowd chanted “Eat! Eat! Eat!” as the contestants battled for the win— such fun to watch and cheer along! The highlight of the afternoon was dancing to the music of the Ennis Czech Boys Band. Young and old filled the dance floor, tapped their toes, and sang along. It was a joyful afternoon spent with old and new friends.

This year’s event featured exciting new attractions, including face painting, a magician, Moravian ribbon painting, and a cultural exhibit by Jerry Milan. One of the most popular additions was free ice cream for all—sponsored by BetterLife (kids first, of course!).

We extend a big thank you to our talented performers: the Ennis Beseda Dancers, Vaclav Havel Czech School Dancers, Czech/Slovak Dancers from San Antonio, the UNT Dechovka Band, and the Laddie Gajdica Jam Session. Each performance was excel-

A heartfelt thank-you goes to the American Czech Culture Committee: Bob Podhrasky, Ray Lenart, Greg Thomisee, Ed and Diane Oats, Nina Marcussen, Sarah Martin, and Lynda Novak for their hard work and dedication in making this celebration possible. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year to celebrate the rich history and independence of the Czech and Slovak communities.

We hope you will continue to support and attend events like these as we approach a very special milestone— the 100th anniversary is just a few years away! Hope to see you again. Fraternally, Lynda Novak SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas —SPJST—

Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas

eská Část

Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

Nicholas Merrick begins service as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic

Nicholas Merrick has officially assumed his post as United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic, presenting his credentials to President Petr Pavel at Prague Castle. He pledged to strengthen security ties, support NATO initiatives, and expand economic cooperation between the two nations.

Nicholas Merrick officially took up his post as United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic on October 23, 2025, presenting his credentials to President Petr Pavel in a ceremony at Prague Castle.

In his first public remarks, Ambassador Merrick highlighted the enduring strength of the U.S.-Czech partnership. “One of my top priorities will be to strengthen our shared security. The Czech Republic is a steadfast NATO ally and a strong supporter of Ukraine. Together, we will continue to bolster our collective defense, modernize NATO’s capabilities, and progress towards meeting NATO’s five percent readiness goals,” he said.

Merrick also stressed the importance of economic cooperation, noting the Czech Republic’s “innovative economy and talented workforce” as a key opportunity for American businesses. “My goal is to expand opportunities for trade and investment that deliver real benefits for both of our countries,” he added.

A seasoned businessman, Merrick is the founder and president of Mt. Vernon Investments, an early investor in Truth Social and a key partner in the company’s 2024 public listing. His prior experience includes senior financial roles in the telecommunications

sector, where he played a pivotal role in the sale of Telco Communications Group to Excel Communications and the subsequent merger of Excel with Teleglobe, Inc.

Beyond finance, Merrick has held leadership positions in public service, including as chairman of the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System, where he worked to stabilize the fund and secure living-wage adjustments for first responders. He has also served as a part-time high school teacher at Cistercian Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas.

Ambassador Merrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia, earned on a full football scholarship, and an MBA from Harvard University. He is joined in Prague by his wife, Leslie, and looks forward to visits from their children and grandchildren.

Source: https://www.praguedaily.news/2025/10/24/nicholasmerrick-new-united-states-ambassador-to-the-czech-republic/

—SPJST—

Preserving Czech Flavor: Chef Evie Harbury releases My Bohemian Kitchen

Dear Vestnik Readers,

I am a Bohemian-British chef and author, and my debut cookbook, My Bohemian Kitchen, was published by Murdoch Books in September. My granny was from the Czech Republic, and I spent my childhood growing up between England and South Bohemia. After working for years as a chef and

recipe developer between London and the Czech Republic, I started writing this book, which is a modern guide to nostalgic Czech cooking, to open the doors of Czech cuisine to English speakers around the world. The book draws from my years spent in Bohemian kitchens with friends, family stories and brings it all together in a very modern and approachable way. I am so excited to have discovered the work the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center in Temple, Texas, does to preserve and celebrate Czech heritage in the United States and would be very honored if you might consider sharing the word of my cookbook with your fantastic Czech following. It is available for purchase from Barnes and Noble online and many other retailers.

Very best,

Evie Harbury

www.evieharbury.com

Home Economist, Food Stylist, and Recipe Writer

—SPJST—

CCMH presents ‘Bohuslav Martinů Celebrates’

We celebrate the 135th anniversary of Martinů’s birth with a program of compositions from two important periods of his life, his pre-World War II years in Paris and years in the United States. Characterized by an optimistic spirit and rhythmic vitality, Martinů’s chamber music is as fresh today as it was when it was first heard, almost a century ago. What a fun way to celebrate the maestro’s 135th birthday!

Presale tickets for the Friday, December 5, 2025, event from are available until November 30 at a price of $25 (CCMH member price - $20). On December 1 and at the door - $35 (CCMH member price - $30). Online ticket sales close at 4 p.m. on the day of the performance.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and music is from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Among the most prolific Czech composers, Bohuslav Martinů gained renown through his symphonic compositions during World War II after escaping Europe and fleeing to the United States. Throughout his life, he composed chamber music for a diverse

array of ensembles.

Performers on this program include members of the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Baton Rouge Symphony, and music faculty members from the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Sam Houston State.

Czech Center Museum Houston is located at 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston, Texas 77004. The event and ticket link is: https://www.czechcenter. org/calendar/2025/12/5/bohuslav-martin-celebrates

—SPJST—

Mikulas Holiday Market

Dec. 6 at CCMH in Houston

Celebrate the holidays at the Czech Center Museum Houston’s Mikuláš Holiday Market on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. at CCMH, 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston. It’s free to attend, but bring your wallet! There will be carolers and fun for the whole family.

The Mikuláš Holiday Market at Czech Center Museum Houston is a vibrant gathering of community, brimming with festive cheer. This holiday season, immerse yourself in the magic of Czech traditions and explore a world of unique treasures at Mikuláš Makers Market!

Shop Unique Gifts: The Mikuláš Holiday Market offers a curated shopping experience, where visitors can explore handcrafted holiday ornaments, unique high-end gifts, and seasonal delights. Browse beautiful items from the Czech Republic and beyond. Shop local artisans and discover one-of-a-kind treasures that bring the magic of the season to life. We’re thrilled to welcome local vendors offering handmade and international gifts—perfect for everyone on your list!

Savor the Season: The Mikuláš Holiday Market draws inspiration from the timeless Christmas Markets of Europe. Unwind with festive beverages and soak in the holiday magic. Indulge in Czech treats from our Country Store, featuring homemade favorites like kolache, strudels, poppy seed rolls, jams, and more!

Czech Magic: Immerse yourself in a world of twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine, and the joyful sounds of holiday music. Experience the warmth and wonder of Czech holiday traditions with Mikuláš, anděl (angel), and čert (devil). Watch as children delight in the festivities and receive special treats for good behavior!

Whether you’re a Houston resident or visiting from out of town, the CCMH is the perfect place to gather with family, friends, or colleagues. The Mikuláš Holiday Market is more than an event— it’s a place to create lasting memories and experience the warmth and wonder of the season. Don’t miss this festive and family-friendly holiday celebration featuring traditions, treasures, and fun for all ages!

Mark your calendars and join us for a magical holiday experience! The event admission is free of charge and open to the public. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

—SPJST—

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library receives award for preserving Slavic heritage worldwide

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library received international recognition for preserving cultural identity and heritage worldwide during a conference hosted in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Forum of Slavic Cultures, an international non-profit headquartered in Slovenia, promotes cultural dialog and cooperation among almost 250 museums and heritage sites across 13 Slavic countries. At the forum’s annual conference, several cultural organizations were recognized at the Živa Award ceremony, named after the Slavic goddess Živa who symbolizes life, vitality, and fertility. A special highlight of this year’s Živa edition was the introduction of the Živa Award for Best in Preserving Slavic Heritage Worldwide. This new award recognizes initiatives that preserve Slavic cultural heritage and identity worldwide. Four museums from Italy, Hungary, and the United States competed for this new award.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library was awarded the Diploma for Preserving Slavic Heritage Worldwide.

In May, the NCSML leadership team met with the Živa Award jury in a video conference and live-streamed tour of the galleries, library, and Museum Store. In the final portion of the award competition, all 32 Živa Award nominees presented at the international conference. Cecilia Rokusek, NCSML president and CEO, and Stefanie Kohn, curator, delivered a presentation detailing the mission, vision, history, and accomplishments of NCSML.

“These presentations showcased the vital roles these museums play in bringing cultural heritage to life,” the Forum of Slavic Cultures said in a press release.

“They have become living, inclusive spaces of memory, dialogue, and creativity. They are advocates of remembering the past in order to shape the future, time travelers who use technology, visual interpretation and storytelling to bring history to life, chroniclers who engage communities and record our present, and visionaries who embrace innovation and identify new trends to build a more resilient and responsible future.”

For a full list of winners, visit //fsk.si/the-winners-of-the-ziva-25award

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, engages the global community with unique Czech, Slovak and American stories to inspire individuals with universal themes of culture, freedom, democracy and immigration. For more information, visit NCSML.org or call 319-362-8500.

—SPJST—

A History of Hospodář and the Vaculik Family

Continued from page 1.

to attend school or go back to, at that time, Czechoslovakia until after 1989. The children of recent immigrants have the opportunity to take Czech language lessons at various Czech schools in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. I did not understand the importance of my father’s work when I was younger. When I was older, I helped with publicity, advertisement, etc.

Jan Vaculik was born March 22, 1945, in Miloslavov, Slovakia to Karol and Ludmila Simickova Vaculik just before the end of World War II. Due to the Communist coup in 1948 and his father’s political status with the Communist government, he moved to Hluk in Eastern Moravia at the age of three along with his mother and older brother Karel. His father eventually escaped across the border into Austria and stayed in a refugee camp until he was able to emigrate to Canada. My grandmother along with her two sons were not allowed to join by the communist government until her immigration 17 years later. My grandfather was a farmer and a politician, my grandmother was a homemaker and later a grocery clerk. During the Second World War, my grandparents smuggled Jews and other individuals across the border into Hungary and after the war, my grandfather was an individual who followed his convictions which was in conflict with the Communist politicians.

Jan grew up living with his maternal grandparents and helping his grandfather who was a butcher or helped his uncles with farming chores. Hluk was a small city, less than 5,000 people, so his free time was spent mushroom picking, swimming in the creek, fishing, and hiking. He attended primary and secondary schools in Hluk and Uherske Hradiste, but at each step the communist authorities attempted to deny him an education which continued when he attended Purkyne University in Brno, present day Masaryk University from 1965 to 1967. His previous work experience was one year working in a theater, elevator construction, brick and carpet factory, and he had no previous experience in newspaper publishing. After his mandatory two year service in the army and a month after the Prague Spring in 1968, Jan made the

decision that it would be better for him to come to America. On September 21, 1968, at the age of 23, Jan arrived in California and applied for political asylum and joined his parents who emigrated in 1948 and 1964. On February 15, 1974, he came to West Texas. While living in California he had never heard of Hospodář, but he came upon an issue of it at a gathering of expats, and it came at a crossroads moment for my father. He saw it as an opportunity to help people who were coming from Europe. If anyone is familiar with their own family history or the history of Czech immigration to the United States, you can recall several waves of immigration. One of those waves happened before World War I, the years after 1918 to 1938, and still another wave came after 1948 to 1968. Starting in 1890, the first editor Jan Rosicky, began with information on how to plant crops in the United States, how to take care of livestock, and advice from medical physicians. Later the newspaper had useful information such as how to buy groceries, how to open a bank account, basic everyday life experiences. In 1974, my father answered a request of the Czechoslovak Publishing Company in West, Texas, for a native speaker of Czech to assist with editing and proofreading a Czech language newspaper published in West. It was one of the few publications allowed to be sent to Communist Czechoslovakia and had frequent issues with the censors. In 1989, he had an opportunity to purchase the Hospodář and continued publication until June 2011 with assistance from his family. From his time in the 1970s, my father prepared articles sent in by readers and columnists, most were still agricultural in nature but other columnists wrote about activities or current events happening in the United States. My father proofread and corrected the articles, typed them up, and he made a copy for proofreading purposes then that was put into frames and printed out by the printing machine or the linotype. The newspaper was sent worldwide, but it was not sent to any Arab

countries, India, or Africa, but they had a large readership in South America, specifically Argentina and Brazil. The greatest number of readers would be concentrated in Canada, the United States, European countries, and Australia. The Hospodář experienced censorship during the Communist era which was from 1948 to 1989. Any newspaper articles which mentioned president Tomas Garrigue Masaryk or certain democratic ideas could not be debated at certain times of year or the paper could be fully confiscated by the communist government, which was typically three times a year: March, April, and September.

October 15, 1896

Sometimes family members would complain about articles or that they did not receive an issue which was due to censorship. At the time in 1974, the Hospodář was published monthly. Some columnists could not speak about the communist government, who would pay attention to how a column was written and what you were reading. Any columnist had to write it in a certain way for it to pass the censors. This is a topic that is difficult for some Americans to fully understand and grasp since we do live in a country with freedom of the press and have political freedoms. Under the editorship of Stepan/Stephen Valcik in the 1960s, the Hospodář had more political and immigration stories and family histories published, so it changed somewhat from an agricultural newspaper with farming, livestock, care of domestic animals and seeds which was the main subject matter until 1950s to 1960s. The newspaper did not change and followed the law and they understood not to work against the law. It was better for the newspaper since it was one of several in the country that were published in the Czech language. In 1974, there were 15,000 subscribers, in 1989 - 5,000, and 1,000 in 2012. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the newspaper continued to be sent in the same locations as before but adding Japan and South Africa. One unique aspect was that subscribers were

able to send Czech products or merchandise such as dolls, and they were sold to raise money for their subscriptions. For example, subscribers in Czechoslovakia would not have dollars they were not available, so either family members in the United States paid for their subscriptions or individuals would send products either books, dolls, decorated plates, glassware or any products available and the Hospodář would sell those products to raise money for the subscriptions. During my father’s tenure, years working as an employee and then taking ownership of the newspaper, he had seen changes in technology starting with the linotype, to use of computers such as IBM, but in relation to the subject matter of the articles there were no changes made and the same principle carried on until the last issue was printed in 2012. Everyone had the freedom of expressing their opinions, even if my father as editor did not agree with the opinion he would add an editor’s note with his opinions and remarks. Once the paper moved to Texas around in the 1960s, there were columnists from Texas as well as around the United States who were regular contributors. Some of the most popular articles in the 1990s and 2000s were travel articles such as my grandmother Ludmila’s descriptions of trips she made with me or by herself outside the United States. Contributors wrote what they wanted, sometimes my father had a suggestion on a topic, as editor my father did not care about the religion or political background of the writers and they had the freedom to write what they wanted. The most important aspect is writing the truth, writing and expressing your opinion. The paper was always published in the Czech language, and the paper was printed in the same building as the West News in West, Texas, starting from 1961 to 1989. It was in 1989 when my father had ownership that he worked from home, but it was still printed in West. He agreed with Tomas Garrigue Masaryk’s motto: Truth prevails. During the 1960s there was a publication which was founded by a communist agent as competition to the newspaper but it lasted for two years. The editor tried to spread communist propaganda and publish negative articles regarding America and immigrants.

During his time in Texas, Jan Vaculik became active in several organizations. He was a charter member of Sokol West, Czech reporter for SPJST Lodge 54, West, and Czech Publicity Officer for

Czech Education Foundation of Texas. He was a longtime member of the McLennan Hill Chapter of the Czech Heritage Society of Texas, giving them Czech language and genealogy assistance at Westfest. He has translated numerous genealogical resources, historical publications, and personal family genealogical histories from Czech to English to the benefit of Texas Czechs. His translations include: History of the City of Hovezi, Czechoslovak Legionnaires 1914-1920, Natives and Citizens of Vsetin County, Society for Reestablishment of Lidice Memorial to the Men of Lidice, Immigration from Ratiskovice to America, church records of Moravian Brethren congregations, and Roman Catholic parish records of Texas Czech settlements. Jan helped collect Czech related books for the libraries at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University in College Station.

In March 1980, he married his wife, Marcela, and they had two children - Jana Vaculik Riley (husband John) and son Jon Vaculik, all of West. His lasting legacy is that he taught both his children the Czech language, history, and culture and taught them the importance of preserving the identity of the Moravian immigrants to Texas. My personal recollections as a child and teenager growing up in newspaper publishing, I remember monthly my father putting together articles and then he would go to the printing shop and bring back stacks of newspapers. Our family would get together and ship out the newspapers together. We had no additional help or employees, it was all family run. In the beginning, during those days of shipping the newspapers, we would have sheets of paper in which we then rolled the newspapers and glued the sheets together. Address labels were then affixed. Later on, we would switch to envelopes for mailing outside of the United States. The newspapers would be slipped into those envelopes. As a child, I would be in the office stamping our addresses on white envelopes and I remember the many hours I spent with my grandmother or mother stamping envelopes. We would pass the time telling stories talking about current events, telling stories of what happened to my grandmother as a child, or

stories of my father as a child or any opinions I would ask of him on a specific topic. Once we had the envelope stamped, we would then insert the newspapers. The address labels would be affixed. The foreign locations and for United States would be sorted. Then when it was time for the United States, the newspapers would have to be bundled up by state and put in separate mailing bags. My brother and I knew it was time for the newspaper to be put together when my father came home with a trunk full of brown mailing bags from our local post office. We would take the bigger bags for bigger stacks and smaller bags for smaller stacks of newspapers. My mother or my father would be in charge as we were completing each state, putting them in the right bag and using the correct postal label. We would put the mail bags into the trunk of the car and give them to our local post office to mail out. I recall the changes of technology when I had to advise my father and troubleshoot within any computer programs. He would type up all of the articles, print them out, wax them with this sticky wax, then he would paste them onto large sheets of paper under a light so the margins of the paper would be seen and they would correspond to the pages of the newspaper. Then my father would take those sheets and go to the print shop. The individual sheets would be developed as a negative much like a picture negative, then those negatives would be burnt onto a metal plate. The metal plate would then be developed and inserted onto the printing rollers on the printers and then print out the newspaper.

The print shop was dark when it was developing the plates so they would not be ruined and the metal sheets were put through a machine with a chemical to be developed. I remember any time during the summer or after school we would go into the print shop and help put the pages together since it was in two sections, then we would go home and mail out the newspapers inserting them into envelopes and sorting them by states and countries.

The unique aspect of growing up with

a newspaper being put together under my nose was it gave me an appreciation of the written Czech language and how much of an impact someone can have by writing articles and doing that in a free and democratic way. Each time the newspaper was confiscated by the communist government it’s sort of helped kept democracy alive for individuals that did not have access to those freedoms. It was a constant reminder to those people that America is different, and it was unique and they did not have that option of living under communism. One of the reasons for the decline in readership was the lack of Czech language readership. The children of immigrants did not learn the language due to assimilation as not to stand out from the crowd. They wanted not to be seen as less American so they did not teach their children the Czech language. As a result, the readership aged and less people read the newspaper. Due to that reason, the newspaper ceased to function because there was not enough support and it was not financially feasible to carry on. So unfortunately my father made the decision to stop publishing. The Hospodář was not the only Czech language newspaper in Texas or in the United States, but it is a good example of how precarious the link to our culture can be. That link can be lost if someone does not have the vision to keep those traditions alive.

—SPJST—

Prague cathedral’s long-awaited

organ to pipe up in 2026

From MyTexasDaily November 12, 2025

Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral, a favorite feature of postcards from the Czech capital, is next year set to inaugurate a longawaited organ that befits its Gothic splendor.

Located at Prague Castle in the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, the landmark cathedral, whose construction spanned from 1344 to 1929, has already housed a dozen organs.

But the last one, installed in 1931, proved inadequate for the acoustics of the majestic cathedral, which drew 2.6 million visitors in 2024.

It was originally meant to be the largest instrument in the world, but as so often with big plans, it didn’t happen,” organologist Stepan Svoboda told AFP. “So we have been waiting for a large organ for almost a century.”

The new instrument on the western wall almost seems to float over the choir, its glass decorations reflecting the light that spills into the room through a large rose window.

The last organ installed in St. Vitus in 1931 proved inadequate for the acoustics of the majestic cathedral Photo: Michal Cizek

Made in the German organ builder Gerhard Grenzing’s workshop in Spain, it is currently being “voiced” — a process that involves adjusting its tones to the acoustics of the room — in time for its inauguration concert scheduled for June 15, 2026.

With over 6,000 pipes ranging from several millimeters to 11 meters (36 feet) in size, the organ was first assembled in Spain, then dismantled and transported to Prague in trucks.

‘Pipe by pipe’

Grenzing’s design aims to “offer a sound that is pleasant for the Czech listener,” said Vojtech Matl, head of the St. Vitus Organ Foundation.

“He made a tour of Czech churches and studied the local organs carefully,” according to Matl.

Grenzing made last-minute changes to his project after discovering that the Prague cathedral’s porous sandstone walls slowed down the sound.

After 11 years of painstaking preparations, installation in the cathedral began in March. The voicing currently underway is expected to take 900 hours.

The cathedral now closes at 4 p.m. every day - earlier than usual, as voicers require absolute silence and work from closing until midnight.

Hoping to finish the job by the year’s end, chief voicer Andre Lacroix said he adjusted the sound of each pipe for the new environment.

“We have to work on all the sound parameters, pipe by pipe,” Lacroix told AFP, squeezed inside the organ, surrounded by pipes and tapping on the metal pieces with a little hammer.

“You adjust the height of the bevel, the hole, (and) adjust the opening of the foot at the wind inlet. And then you adjust the length of the pipe, which gives you the pitch,” he said, describing the meticulous process.

Organ ‘donors’

Donors, including tens of thousands of ordinary Czechs, have so far contributed 114 million koruna ($5.4 million).

“The organ will cost 105 million koruna, the design will cost 25 million, and we also need money for all the tests,” said Matl.

He listed a variety of donors: a man sending five thousand dollars, an elderly woman selling a historic coin, and another with a plastic bag full of Australian dollars.

Some donors have chosen to ‘adopt’ a pipe of the new organ, literally buying it to have their name assigned to it forever.

The crowd funding drive resembles a collection to build Prague’s National Theatre in the late 19th century under the motto of “The Nation for Itself.”

“Grannies and grandpas adopted pipes to bear the names of their grandchildren. Some got it for baptism, some for Christmas,” said Matl.

Source:https://www.mytexasdaily.com/news/national/prag ue-cathedrals-long-awaited-organ-to-pipe-up-in-2026/article_ba94f536-d20f-5e04-8652-42cd2b5bc3bb.html

—SPJST—

SPJST Fraternal Activities and Entertainment

Post your lodge’s upcoming SPJST fraternal activities, entertainment dates, and information here. These listings are free. The deadline for submitting information for the Fraternal Activities and Entertainment Guide is the first and third Mondays of each month at 5 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Send updates to: VĚSTNÍK, c/o Editor Melanie Zavodny, PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503. Email to: vestnik@spjst.org. Advertising rates are $2 per column inch for lodge ads; $4 per column inch for nonprofit organization ads; and $6 per column inch for commercial ads. For advertising information, please call the Editor at 800-727-7578 or email vestnik@spjst.org.

LODGE 1, FAYETTEVILLE (1) Lodge Hall: 507 East Main Street, Fayetteville 78940. Hall Rental Information: 979-966-3795. Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the first Monday of March, June, September, and December at 5 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Sharon Fritsch 979-966-3515.

LODGE 4, HALLETTSVILLE (6) Lodge Meetings: Quarterly - Sundays - November 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. at First Methodist Church Annex, 206 South Dowling Street, Hallettsville 77964. For information, call President Joe Siptak 979-479-0056.

LODGE 6, COTTONWOOD (3) Sunday, Dec. 7—Meeting, 2 p.m./Annual Christmas Party Saturday, Dec. 13—Brennan Christmas Sunday, Dec. 14—Straten Christmas Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026—Meeting, 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1—Meeting, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8—Bridal Shower

Lodge Hall: 700 South Czech Hall Road, West 76691. Hall Rental Information: Peggy Dobecka 254-717-0383 or Jeanette Beseda 254-7177840. Lodge Meetings: First Sunday of each month at the hall at 2 p.m. For meeting information, call Irene Peterson 254-266-3810.

LODGE 9, SNOOK (1)

Lodge Hall: 457 CR 269, Snook 77878. Hall Rentals/Information: Call 979-272-3732. Lodge Meetings: First Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m. at the hall. For information, call 979-2723732. Youth Club Meetings: First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Youth Leader Loree Lewis 979-2204733; loreelewis91@gmail.com.

LODGE 13, DIME BOX (1)

Lodge Meetings: Held bi-monthly - the first Sunday of January, March, May, July, September, and November at Diamond I Venue (former SPJST Lodge 13 Hall), 1081 County Road 425, Dime Box 77853 at 7 p.m. For information, contact Doris Ford 979-777-5458.

LODGE 15, BUCKHOLTS (2)

Lodge Hall: 600 State Hwy 190/Hwy 36, Buckholts 76518 (historic hexagon-shaped building with a stone entrance.) Hall Rental Information: 254-217-2863. Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - Second Tuesdays in January, April, July, and October at 6 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Mary Helen Rodriguez 254-314-6548.

LODGE 17, NEW TABOR (1)

Lodge Hall: 2674 CR 225, Caldwell 77836. Hall Rental Information: 979-272-3440. Lodge Meetings: First Sunday of each month at the hall at 2 p.m. For information, call Susan Skrabanek 979-820-2218. Youth Club Meetings: First Sunday of each month, 3 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Youth Leader Holly Narro 979-218-4931.

LODGE 18, ELGIN (2)

Lodge Hall: 702 Hwy 95 North, Elgin 78621. Lodge 18 is a non-smoking facility. Hall phone: 512-285-3100. Email: elginspjstlodge18@outlook.com. Lodge Meetings: Held on the third Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December at 7 p.m. at the hall. For information, 512-285-3100.

LODGE 20, GRANGER (2)

Lodge Hall: 114 West Davilla, Granger 76530. Lodge Meetings: Held monthly. A light meal is served before each meeting. All members are invited. Meeting date/time/location varies; for information, call Jvonne Elwood 512-753-9119. Youth Club Meetings: Second Sunday of each month, 1:30 p.m. at the hall. Call Youth Leader Brita Bohac 254-541-5344.

LODGE 23, MORAVIA (6)

Lodge Hall: FM 957 North, Schulenburg 78956 (located 12 miles south of Schulenburg, in Moravia). Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Tuesday of March, June, September, and December at the hall at 6:30 p.m. For information, call Kathleen Guenther 979-562-2124.

LODGE 24, CYCLONE - FLAG HALL (2)

Lodge Hall: 411 FM 964, Burlington 76519. Hall Rental Information: Mark Maddux 254-7211774 or Brenda Maddux 254-721-1682. Lodge Meetings: Held monthly - the second Sunday, September through May at 5 p.m.; and the second Monday, June through August at 6:30 p.m. - at the hall. For information, call Brenda 254721-1682.

LODGE 25, ENNIS (3)

Lodge Hall: 1901 East Ennis Avenue, Ennis 75119. Hall Rental Information: 972-875-8381. Email: SPJSTennis@yahoo.com. Game Room: Open every Wednesday, 5 p.m. Lodge Meetings: Second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the lodge dining room with supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by a complimentary social in the game room. For meeting information, call 214837-9490/JoAnn Jones. Youth Club Meetings: For date, time, place, and more information, call Youth Leader Rita Holland 469-337-2284.

LODGE 29, TAYLOR (2)

Friday, Nov. 28—Closed for Thanksgiving Friday, Dec. 5—Second Hand Rose Friday, Dec. 12—Backroads Band Friday, Dec. 19—Gabriel River Band Friday, Dec. 26—The Other Band (Temple area)

● All Friday night dances 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. ● Free admission ● Hamburgers served at 6 p.m.

Lodge Hall: 5025 FM 619, Taylor 76574. Hall Rental Information/Hall Phone: 512-352-9139. Regular business hours: Hall is open Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 10 p.m. Lodge Meetings: Held bi-monthly - the second Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December at 6:30 p.m. at the hall For information, call Linda Pospisil 512-415-7225.

LODGE 30, TAITON (6)

Lodge Meetings: First Sunday of each month at 9:45 a.m. at Taiton Community Center, 14221 FM 961, El Campo 77437. For information, call President Yvonne Marcaurele 979-541-6108. Youth Club Meetings: First Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. at Taiton Community Center, 14221 FM 961, El Campo. For youth club information, call Youth Leader Lisa Bubela 979-5417450.

LODGE 32, VICTORIA (6)

Lodge Meetings: Held bi-monthly - the second Thursday in January, March, May, July, September, and November at 6:30 p.m. at Grapevine Cafe, 110 Medical Drive - Suite 102, Victoria 77904. For information, call Mark Lester 361-212-1143.

LODGE 35, ELK - ELK HALL (3) Saturday, Dec. 6—Elk Christmas Party

Lodge Hall: 9508 Elk Road, Axtell 76624. Hall Rentals/Bookings: Tammy Pavelka 254-7221454. Hall Phone: 254-863-9320. Lodge Meetings: July 16, August 6, September 10, and October 22, 7 p.m. at the hall. For meeting information, call Randy Pavelka 254-744-1426. Agents: Samantha Beene 903-644-1855/ sjbeene1241978@yahoo.com.

LODGE 38, KOVAR (1)

Lodge Hall: 278 Zimmerhanzel Road, Flatonia 78941. Hall Rental Information: Call Donna 512237-9099 or Dana 512-581-2672. Lodge Meetings: Second Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Alfred Hellinger 512-332-6758.

LODGE 39, BRYAN (1)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Sunday in March, May, September, and December. Social/lunch begins at 12:30 p.m., meeting starts at 1 p.m. at Mynde Kessler’s office, 2554 Villa Maria, Bryan 77802. For information, call Ronnie Roesler 979-406-0158.

LODGE 40, EL CAMPO-HILLJE (6)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Sunday in March, June, September, and December at 1 p.m. at Mikeska’s BBQ (off Highway 59), El Campo 77437. For information, contact President Linda Henderson 281-8045251; email hendersonlj@hotmail.com; Vice President/Reporter Ardis Bacak 832-247-6350; or Secretary/Treasurer Sharon Borak 940-3007151. Youth Club Meetings: Youth Leader Lisa Reck 512-844-0254 / lisaannie7@hotmail.com.

LODGE 47, SEATON - STAR HALL (2)

Lodge Hall: 10842 State Hwy 53, Temple 76501. Star Hall is a non-smoking facility. Hall Rental Information, call/text 254-985-2548. Visit www.seatonstarhall.com. Lodge Meetings: First Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Brandon Bartek 254-624-4119. Youth Club Meetings: First Sunday of each month, 1 p.m. at the hall. Call Youth Leader Amber Bartek for information 254-931-0295 / abartek002@yahoo.com.

Lodge 48, BEYERSVILLE (2) Lodge Hall: 10450 FM 619, Taylor 76574. Hall Bookings/Rentals: Call Lisa Jonse 512-7399324 / email SPJST48@gmail.com. Lodge Meetings: Held the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Jennifer Miksch 512-924-3669. Youth Club Meetings: Held at Taylor Animal Shelter on Saturday morning. For date/time and information, contact Youth Leader Michelle Newsom 512913-0226 / mrn81978@gmail.com.

LODGE 49, ROWENA (4)

Tuesday nights - Cornhole Game Night, 7 to 9 p.m. at the hall, 609 S FM 2133, Rowena 78675. Boards will be furnished. Bring your own bags, if you so chose. All ages welcome! For information, call Tony 325-977-0453 or Brad 325-656-0489.

Lodge Hall: 609 S FM 2133, Rowena 78675. Hall Rental Information: Beverly Teplicek 325365-6400. Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November at 7 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Tonya Wales 970-799-2782.

LODGE 54, WEST (3)

Lodge Meetings: First Friday in March, June, and November, and the second Friday in September at 7 p.m. St. Joseph Hall, 301 South Harrison Street, West 76691. For information, call Freddie Kaluza 254-709-2303.

LODGE 63, SWEET HOME (6)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the third Thursday of February, May, August, and November at 7 p.m. For meeting information, call Ann Moseley 361-781-2644.

LODGE 66, WACO (3)

Lodge Meetings: Fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1301 Hogan Lane in Bellmead 76705. For information, call Dana McAdams 254-715-6765 / danamcad@aol.com. Agents: Samantha Beene 903-644-1855 / sjbeene1241978@yahoo.com; Randy House 254-749-4636 / rhouse3407@gmail.com. Youth Club Meetings: Contact Youth Leader Dana McAdams 254-715-6765 / danamcad@aol.com for information.

LODGE 67, SCHULENBURG-WEIMAR (1)

Lodge Meetings: Fourth Friday of March, June, and September; and a December Christmas party at noon at Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant, 712 North US Highway 77, Schulenburg 78956. For information, call Adrienne Kobza 979-743-5629.

LODGE 76, WICHITA FALLS (4)

Lodge Meetings: Bi-monthly - the second Thursday of March, June, September, and December at 6:30 p.m. at Jason’s Deli, 2907 Garnett Avenue, Wichita Falls 76308. For information, call Dianna Ibarra 940-224-7383.

LODGE 79, CORPUS CHRISTI (7)

Lodge Meetings: Third Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. at Sokol Hall, 5502 Kostoryz Road, Corpus Christi 78415. Meal served; meeting follows. Visitors welcome. For information, call Mark Rebecek 361-816-2328. Youth Club Meetings: Third Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. at Sokol Hall, 5502 Kostoryz Road, Corpus Christi. Call Youth Leader Marcia Rew for information 361-232-9316.

LODGE 80, HOLLAND (2)

Lodge Meetings: Held Quarterly on the second Monday in February, May, August, and November at 6:30 p.m. at Restoration Fellowship, 12141 East FM 2268, Holland, Texas 76534. For information, call Rita Spinn 254-760-6427.

LODGE 81, NEEDVILLE (5)

● Community Dance with music by South Texas’s Finest: November 21 and a Christmas Party on December 19. September and October are to be decided.

Lodge Hall: 13609 Violet Street, Needville 77461. Hall Manager/Bookings/Rentals: Marion Morales 281-650-4466. Lodge Meetings: Third Sunday of each month at the hall at 1 p.m.; meal at 12 noon. For information, call Vincent Newman 281-633-1882. Youth Club Meetings: Third Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. at the hall. For information, contact Youth Leader Kristen Jones 936-556-3248 / joneskb06@hotmail.com.

LODGE 84, DALLAS (3)

Lodge Meetings: Third Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. Meeting location will be posted in the Věstník. For information, call Vicki Sims 214763-0341.

LODGE 87, TEMPLE (2)

Lodge Hall: 320 North 50th Street, Temple 76501. Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the third Sunday of January, April, July, and October at 2:30 p.m. For information, call Dan Kacir 254493-1307.

LODGE 88, HOUSTON (5) Standing Events:

● Bingo every Thursday evening

● Beer Garden every Friday

● Ladies Night - first Thursday of each month

● Guys Night - third Thursday of each month Visit www.lodge88.org/special-event for updates.

Lodge Hall: 1435 Beall Street at West 15th, Houston (the Heights) 77008. Hall Phone/Rental Information: 713-869-5767 / www.lodge88.org. Lodge Meetings: Second Sunday, 2 p.m. at the hall; lunch served at 1 p.m. For information, call Lucy Gilmore 713869-5767. Youth Club Meetings: Held second Sunday of each month at the hall at 1 p.m. (one hour prior to adult lodge meeting). For youth club information, contact Youth Leader Sarah Itz 713-303-8845. Dances held 8 to 11:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. For information, call Lucy 713-869-5767, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beer, set-ups, soda, and ice sold at bar. Please do not bring from outside. *Dress Code dances: evening attire for ladies and gentlemen. Bingo: Every Thursday evening; games start at 7 p.m. License No. 17407503501.

Wednesday, Dec. 31—New Year’s Eve Dance: Fab 5, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

LODGE 91, SAN JACINTO (5)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Saturday of March, June, September, and December at 11 a.m. at a location to be announced in the Věstník. For information, call Malba Smesny 281-798-1092 Watch the Věstník for change in dates, times, and locations.

LODGE 92, FORT WORTH

NATIONAL HALL (3)

● Randy Tatarevich Band, country/western: Every first Sunday of the month (unless otherwise noted): November 2, December 7.

Admission $10. Doors open at 1 p.m. Music, full bar, barbecue dinner $102 to 6 p.m. Best dance floor in Texas. Come on out for a great time!

Visit www.nationalhallfwtx.com. Lodge Hall: 3316 Roberts Cut Off Road, Fort Worth 76114

Lodge Meetings: Held at the hall on the second Sunday of each month, at 2 p.m. - unless otherwise noted. All members and guests welcome! For meeting information, call Frankie Tesar 817504-3632. Ladies Circle: Meets the second Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hall Event/Rental Information: Call National Hall Events Manager Jon Durham 817-624-1361. Dances: Some dances have presale tickets available. Dressy casual.

LODGE 97, PLACEDO (6)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Monday of March, June, September, and December at 5:30 p.m. at Victoria Mall Meeting Room, 7800 North Nararro, Victoria 77904. For information, call Secretary Judy Bellanger 361576-2935.

LODGE 107, FLORESVILLE (7)

Lodge Hall: 1156 FM 1303, Floresville 78114. Hall Rental Information: Call Roxy Bertrand 830-391-0919. Lodge Meetings: Second Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. at the hall. For information, call Wendy Pruski 210-535-4916. Youth Club Meetings: For meeting date/time/location, contact Youth Leader Lian Lynn 830480-2737.

LODGE 139, DANBURY (5)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the first Sunday of March, June, September, and December at 11:30 a.m. at Main Street Steakhouse, 1802 Main Street, Danbury 77534. Luncheon follows meeting. For information, call Lorenda Baldwin 979-864-9999.

LODGE 142, HOUSTON (5)

Lodge Meetings: Third Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. - except in December, meeting is held the second Sunday at 2 p.m. - unless otherwise noted; lunch served at 1 p.m. at SPJST Lodge 88, Houston, 1435 Beall Street at West 15th (the Heights) Houston 77008 - in the annex building - unless otherwise noted. For information, contact Lodge 142 President Dennis Hermis 713-826-2981 or Secretary Elizabeth Hermis 281-787-8717. Youth Club Meetings: Held the same date, time, location as adult lodge meetings - unless otherwise noted. For information, call Youth Leader Karole Coleman 346-497-0254 / karoleque@outlook.com.

LODGE 151

WHARTON-EAST BERNARD (6)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Monday of March, June, September, and December at 6:30 p.m. For information, call Edith Molberg 979-332-1289.

LODGE 154, FORT WORTH (3)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Sunday of February, May, August, and November at 3 p.m. at Sokol hall, 6500 Boat Club Road, Fort Worth, 76179. For information, call CarrieAnn Jones 817-371-1727. Youth Club Meetings: Third Sunday of each month, 5 p.m. For meeting location, contact Youth Leader Appa Burcie 817-614-2967, abburcie2015@gmail.com

LODGE 155, AUSTIN (2)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - in March, June, September, and December at 2 p.m. For date/location, call Albert Klinkovsky 512-6577783.

LODGE 157, LUBBOCK (4)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the third Sunday of March, June, September, and December at 2 p.m. at the Kristinek’s home, 2512 Mesa Road, Lubbock 79043. For information, contact Secretary Cynthia Kristinek 806-632-2432 / cyndynjerome@gmail.com.

LODGE 160, SAN ANGELO (4)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the third Thursday of February, May, August, and November at 5 p.m. For location information, contact Sandra Jansa 325-234-1339 / sandra.jansa@hotmail.com.

LODGE 172, PASADENA (5)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Wednesday in March, June, September, and November at 6 p.m. For location, contact Delores Hicks 281-476-9055.

LODGE 177, ACADEMY (2)

Lodge Hall: 711 East Rio Poco, Little RiverAcademy 76554. Hall Phone: 254-982-4434. Please leave a message with questions. Board of Trustees/Lodge Meetings: Held bi-monthlythe second Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Board Meeting, 6:15 p.m. Regular lodge meeting, 6:30 p.m. For information, call George Tomastik 254721-8717. Bingo: Every Tuesday and Friday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Kitchen open.

LODGE 180, BURLESON (3)

Lodge Meetings: First Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at Burleson Fire Station, 250 E Hidden Parkway, Burleson 76028. For information, call Rhonda Hurtik 972-268-0022.

LODGE 183, ARLINGTON (3)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the third Sunday of February, May, August, and November at 2 p.m. For meeting location, call Kay Weeks 817-896-5277.

LODGE 184, MOULTON (6)

Lodge Meetings: Second Tuesday of February, May, August, and November, 7 p.m. at Moulton Volunteer Fire Department meeting room, 205 Cockrill Street, Moulton 77975. For information, contact Secretary Terry Stevenson 361-7720046 / terrywstevenson@gmail.com.

LODGE 185, NEW BRAUNFELS (7)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the fourth Sunday of March, June, September, and December For information, contact Theresa Haag 830-832-3664 / theresa.haag686@gmail.com. Youth Club Meetings: Fourth Sunday of each month. For meeting time/location, contact Youth Leader Jessica McCoy 979-777-8215 / jmccoy@pta.com.

LODGE 187, ROUND ROCK (2)

Lodge Meeting Information: Contact Deborah Rohlack 512-290-4153 for meeting location.

Lodge Meetings: Second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Youth Club Meetings: Second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m.

LODGE 189, BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION (1)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the second Sunday of March, June, September, and December at 2 p.m. at Rudy’s BBQ, 504 Harvey Road, College Station 77840. For information, call Henry Mayo 979-777-1426.

LODGE 196, HOUSTON-WEST (5)

Lodge Hall: 17810 Huffmeister Road, Cypress 77429. Lodge Meetings: First Sunday of each month. Lunch at 1 p.m.; meeting at 2 p.m. For information, call 281-373-9482.

LODGE 202, JOURDANTON (7)

Adult Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the first Sunday of March, June, September, and December at 1 p.m. at Jourdanton Community Center, 1101 Campbell Avenue, Jourdanton 78026. A meal will be served at each meeting. For information, call Regina House 830-5702046. Youth Club Meetings: Youth attend quarterly adult lodge meetings and interim monthly meetings held the second Sunday of the month. Time and location TBD monthly. For information, contact Youth Leader Regina 830570-2046.

LODGE 219, EL PASO (4)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - the first Tuesday of March, June, September, and December at 6:30 p.m. at Carnitas Queretaro Mexican Restaurant, 9077 Gateway Boulevard West, El Paso 79938. For information, call President Aracely Quiz 915-999-2062.

LODGE 229, ABILENE (4)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly in January, April, July, and October at 11 a.m. - July 1; and October 7 - at Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant, Abilene. For information, call Janice Stevens 325669-7904.

LODGE 246, MORGAN’S POINT (2)

Lodge Meetings: Held bi-monthly - the second Tuesday in February, April, June, August, October, and December at 11:15 a.m. For meeting location, call David Nauert 254-534-0809.

LODGE 258, SEGUIN (7)

Lodge Meetings: Held quarterly - March, June, September, and December 14 at 1 p.m. Date, time, and location varies and is voted on by members at each meeting. For information, call Chester Jenke 210-413-3053.

—SPJST—