ˇ ´ VESTNIK SPJST HERALD
Volume 114 Number 9
Benevolence ★ Humanity ★ Brotherhood
September 1, 2026
ISSN —07458800
Forty Years Later: Returning to Wilber
Where Youth SHINE! View the event recap on pages 22 - 33.
never forget Texas and SPJST friends are pictured in the Cultural Center in Wilber, Nebraska, during the annual Czech Days weekend in early August. From left to right are Jim Piburn and Donna Kaspar of Lodge 29, Taylor; SPJST President/CEO Brian and Joan Vanicek of Lodge 24, Cyclone; and Sara and Ray Lenert. More on page 12.
AUGUST Top SPJST Agents
Certificates Issued and Annualized Premium 1st - Certificates Issued 1st - Annualized Premium 2nd - Certificates Issued 3rd - Certificates Issued 5th - Certificates Issued 2nd - Annualized Premium 4th - Certificates Issued 3rd - Annualized Premium 4th - Annualized Premium $300 Award $300 Award $100 Award $100 Award $50 Award
Congratulations to the 2026 - 2027 SPJST Legacy Leaders! From left, Tiny Mr. SPJST Thomas Zajicek of Lodge 80, Holland; Little Mr. SPJST Jameson Trickett-Collins of Lodge 66, Waco; Junior Mr. SPJST Tripp Hargraves of Lodge 81, Needville; Mr. SPJST Shane Kienow of Lodge 9, Snook; Miss SPJST Simone Riha of Lodge 30, Taiton; Junior Miss SPJST Abigail Parmer of Lodge 81, Needville; Little Miss SPJST Reese Marcaurele of Lodge 30, Taiton; and Tiny Miss SPJST Ivey Lewis of Lodge 9, Snook.
★ ✪ ★ ✪ ★ ✪ ★ Interest Rates ........................................3 Important Dates ....................................3 Readers Write .......................................3 Insurance Department Updates..........4 District Rally...........................................6 Referendum Results .............................7
Linda Eureste
Lodge 38, Kovar District 1
Hector Castellanos Lodge 88, Houston District 5
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Lodge Section .......................................8 Youth Section.......................................34 In Memoriam .......................................36 Czech Culture......................................41 Advertisements..............................41-45 Lodge Calendar...................................46
Chris Liebum, LUTCF
Jennifer Kirk Lodge 88, Houston District 5
★ ✪ ★ ✪ ★ ✪ ★
SPJST welcomes Rita Spinn to Board of Directors Page 7
Lydia Talamantez
Lodge 196, Houston-West Lodge 160, San Angelo District 5 District 4
Czech Heritage Museum to host October 31 event
Czech Heritage Activity - enter to possibly win a prize! Page 40
Page 48