the Jour March 2018 - CSA Fraternal Life

the

Jour nal

March 2018

Cub Scout Breakfast Page 20

Collecting Medicine Bottles Page 23 In this issue...

Gymnast Michaelina Spano Page 28

On the Cover...

Miss National CSA, Sydney Rieckhoff, poses with the CSA quilt in the Home Office. This magazine issue features articles pertaining to sewing and quilting. 2 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

3 4 5 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 18 19 25 28 30 32 34 35

President’s Piece Calendar of Events Today’s Fraternal CSA Scholarship Requirements Message from the Secretary Miss CSA Get-Together Photo Contest Fraternal Calendar Bowling Social Entry Form Bowling Congress Entry Form District Council Lodge Happenings Fraternal Well Wishes Scholarship Report Scholarship Donation Form In Memoriam Annuity Ad Just Kids

President’s Piece Kudos to CSA Fraternal Life

Brothers and Sisters,

Here we are in March…and what does that mean?

It means that it’s time to celebrate CSA Fraternal Life, and the anniversary of our founding, of course.

Yep, we’re now at 164 years old! Yes, I’ve written something similar in previous years for my March Journal article. And yes, I’ll be writing something similar in the years ahead. Being a viable, vibrant, and wonderful Society for that amount of time is something that I’m proud to be a part of, so anytime I get to brag on CSA, I will.

Times have changed over the years. Our founders strolled down to lodge meetings, many of which were held at the local watering hole back in the day, to meet with their friends and other recent immigrants. Being decades before the automobile was even invented, they had to get there the old fashioned way. Nowadays, we are able to get to a meeting a little quicker. But the evolution of CSA Fraternal Life continues. In the years ahead, occasional virtual meetings are likely not that far away!

tier Life Insurance and Annuity products, just as it has for nearly two centuries.

So, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Good Going, Thumbs Up, and Kudos (you get the picture)….to good ole’ CSA Fraternal Life.

Thank you again for your support. The honor of being President of CSA is never lost on me, and I’ll continue to work daily on improving us even further. Until next month… Fraternally, John J. Kielczewski, CLU, FLMI President, CSA Fraternal Life

John J. Kielczewski CLU, FLMI, President

Much of America’s history has happened all while CSA Fraternal Life has been chugging along. From the Civil War era, through two World Wars, to conflicts of recent years, we’ve been here. We’ve withstood The Great Depression, a number of recessions, and our fair share of ups and downs in the economy. CSA Fraternal Life has been solid, secure, and reliable all the while. And, yes, our story is still going strong. We continue to have the same qualities that our founders did. Our motto of Equality, Harmony, and Fraternity still holds true to this day. The financial portfolio that we offer consists of high

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MARCH 2018 — CSA JOURNAL — 3

Calendar of Events

Saturday, March 24, 2018 Bunny Brunch – District Council No. 13 American-Czech Educational Center 4690 Lansdowne Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116 Includes light breakfast, games, egg hunt, and Easter Bunny. www.acecstl.org Sunday, April 1 – Monday, April 30, 2018 Junior Bowl-o-Rama Month Various locations. See back cover.

Sunday, April 29, 2018 Tour of the Tombstones Guided by Albert Walavich Friends of Bohemian National Cemetery 5255 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60630 Tours are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Members: $10; Non-members: $15 Includes refreshments in the historic gatehouse after the tour.

CSA Journal

Volume 129 No. 3 March, 2018

A Dynamic Magazine “Dedicated to Our Membership” o /

UREDNI ORGÁN JEDNOTY CESKOSLOVENSKYCH SPOLKU V AMERICE o

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Phone: 800-543-3272 FAX: 630-472-1100 Email CSA: [email protected] Website: www.csalife.com Editor-in-Chief, Amanda Lovell Editor: Cynthia Hall, [email protected] Contributing Staff: Helen Gaydusek

CSA MISSION STATEMENT CSA Fraternal Life is a fraternal benefit Society that provides families with financial security while promoting community involvement with volunteerism.

CSA Leadership

Saturday, May 5, 2018 Join Hands Day Various locations. More details to come.

Saturday, May 5 - Sunday, May 6, 2018 71st National Bowling Congress Saturday Start, 11 a.m. Sunday Start, 9 a.m. Plaza Lanes, Plymouth, Michigan See entry form on pages 16 and 17.

Sunday, July 29, 2018 Czechoslovak American Congress Picnic 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ehlert Park, 4400 Elm Ave., Brookfield, IL Polka band, dance group, arts, crafts, and food. Bring chairs. Free admission. Contact Richard Grosser at 708-485-3357 for details. Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 5, 2018 82nd Annual CSA Get-Together Holiday Inn, 6201 Joliet Road, Countryside, Illinois 60525

Sunday, August 5, 2018 – Monday, August 6, 2018 41st Quadrennial CSA Convention Holiday Inn, 6201 Joliet Road, Countryside, Illinois 60525

CSA Privacy Policy

You can access our Privacy Policy at www.csalife.com on the right side of our Home page. Hard copies are available upon request. 4 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

National Officers John J. Kielczewski, President Matthew Koski, Secretary James Kovac, Treasurer

National Directors Tom Ledvina Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota Ken Dvorsky and Adam Wilt Northern Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin Irma Farrell California, Colorado, Kansas and Texas Diane DiBianca Northern Ohio and Michigan Connie Wolf Missouri and Southern Illinois Terry Placek Southeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania Carol Tranter Florida, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey Paul Vavrasek New York State and Connecticut Home Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

CSA Journal (ISSN 0195-9050) Published monthly—except bimonthly July/August by CSA Fraternal Life, 2050 Finley Rd., Suite 70, Lombard, IL 60148. Periodical Postage paid at Lombard, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. Subscription Rate: $12 per year, U.S. only. Postmaster: send address changes to: CSA Journal, P.O. Box 249, Lombard, IL 60148.

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Today’s Fraternal The Importance of Family

Dearest Members, It goes without saying that fraternal benefit societies are part of a unique industry, quite different from most mainstream businesses. Home Office employees and staff are quite experienced in this when having to explain to family, friends, and the general public what it is that we truly do around here. “Do you know what a fraternal is? You’ve heard of the Elks, the Moose Order, or the Freemasons, right? We’re similar, though we are Czechoslovakbased, and we also sell life insurance. However we are a non-profit, due to our membership’s monetary donations and countless hours spent volunteering at charitable organizations. Oh, and we’re older than the Civil War.” Are you out of breath yet? It’s always a treat when someone asks, “What do you do for work,” because our elevator pitch is much, much longer than the standard. Though, more often than not, I am met with curiosity, and people usually want to know more. I was recently reminded of this after travelling home to Ohio for my paternal grandmother ’s funeral in February. I had a lot of catching up to do. Time spent with family and close friends – especially during these trying times – is invaluable. When going through a family member’s belongings, you’re certain to find some treasures. I know we did. Old documents, books, heirlooms, photos… all of these items paint a colorful picture of your family member’s past. In general, American families are primarily a melting pot of various heritage, backgrounds, and ethnicities. In ours, we are a mixture of Czech, Polish, Hungarian, German, Italian, a little French, and more. Although each of us has different tastes in music, clothing, and hobbies, we do share a few common bonds, such as our interest in musical instruments and our high respect for education. In February, I was preparing articles for this month’s magazine issue, which focus on sewing and quilting. I began to view our family tree as I viewed a quilt, with each family member symbolizing a different piece of fabric. Each piece is unique by itself, showcasing

a different color, size, and pattern, but when placed together, a beautiful, unified piece of art is created. While spending time with your own family, consider planning to attend a fraternal event. Details can be found throughout the Journal. March 23 – Photo Contest Entry Deadline April – Jr. Bowl-o-Rama Month, nationwide May 5 – Join Hands Day, nationwide May 5-6 – 71st National Bowling Congress, Plymouth, MI August 3-5 – 82nd Annual Get-Together August 5-6 – 41st Quadrennial Convention

Read the Journal online at: www.csalife.com

To our young adult CSA members out there: remember to send me your CSA Scholarship applications and transcripts! All detailed information and qualifications can be found at www.csalife.com. To our young women: come participate in our Miss National CSA Contest in Chicagoland this year! I look forward to meeting you. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit downtown Chicago, and maybe you’ll take home the big prize! Fraternally, Amanda S. Lovell Fraternal Director

[email protected]


Message from the Secretary Stitching Together Our Bond

Matthew Koski Executive Secretary/COO/CRO

Dear Brothers and Sisters: I don’t know about you, but it seems that when I get used to seeing something every day, I start to take its presence for granted, or it seems to melt into the background, slowly disappearing from view. One such item here at the office is a very large quilt, hung in our Home Office’s Heritage Room, that was assembled by our lodges. Many of you who have attended an event here know the quilt. It offers a reflection of the cul-

6 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

ture of CSA and its Lodges in that moment. Some of the Lodges represented on the quilt are no longer active, often victims of their core members aging or relocating. Some current active lodges are not represented, because they did not exist at the time. As I think about CSA and the many members who I have had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with over several years, I can’t help but consider what that quilt represents. We gather at Lodge meetings, volunteer events, ethnic festivals, and the Get-Together each year. We bring pieces of our experience and heritage to the group, and as a whole, we stitch together a diverse but cohesive fabric. Together we share our heritage with others by helping those less fortunate with our example of Equality, Fraternity, and Harmony. Let us not forget that as we stitch together our bond, we can share our legacy by inviting others to attend our gatherings. The bond grows tighter as we introduce new persons and new generations to membership. On a day-to-day operations note, we

are very pleased to announce the ability to accept your one-time premium payments using one of the major card issuers. Visit www.csalife.com. Then click the green link, front and center. From there, you will be given further payment instructions and you may make your payment. Let us strengthen our bond this year. Please consider joining your fellow members in Countryside, Illinois this August for the fun of the Get-Together that will immediately be followed by the business of the Convention. Join us as a delegate or as an observer in the gallery. The Committee has been hard at work preparing for your arrival. In closing, I would like to take just a word or two and acknowledge our appreciation to each of you who are or have been an Officer in your lodge. You are truly the thread that holds our CSA quilt together. Fraternally, Matthew Koski Secretary, COO, CRO

Happy March

Miss CSA

I hope you are all doing well. As you can see from the pictures, I had a great month of February. I even had the opportunity to go to the beach! I suppose this is one of the perks of attending school in California—it’s summer all year long! While I was busy soaking up the Los Angeles sun, my parents were snowed in back in Iowa. However, my trip to the beach wasn’t all fun and games. I traveled to Southern California to attend a leadership conference for my sorority. We spent three action-packed days learning tips for recruitment, philanthropy, and more. It wasn’t until the last day of the conference that we had the opportunity to go to the beach. Along with this excursion, I traveled back home for a weekend to attend T-Fest in Vining, Iowa. The historic CSA hall where the event was hosted is absolutely stunning, and I had a great time catching up with Tom and Loretta Ledvina who I met at the CSA Get-Together in Austin this past summer. Additionally, I was able to greet attendees at the door upon their arrival, which proved to be an excellent way to meet new people! Apart from these travels, my February was mainly spent on campus studying, and working at my new job in Santa Clara, California. I am lucky to have received the opportunity to return to the company I worked with this past summer as a

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“CEO for One Month”. Now, I am working as a “Disrupter,” designing and implementing plans to improve efficiency and morale within the company. I am absolutely loving the challenge, and I can’t wait to see the results of my initial projects! As March begins, I am looking forward to spending time with my friends. Soon, my best friend, Kayleen, will be visiting me from Iowa State. I am so excited to show her around campus and to venture to San Francisco for a day or two. Additionally, my friends Maggie and Kaitlyn have agreed to accompany me on a spring break trip at the end of the month. While we don’t know exactly where we are going, our goal is some place warm, preferably another beach! With this in mind, I hope the March weather treats you all well, and that you have a fabulous month! Best, Sydney Rieckhoff Miss National CSA


82ND ANNUAL CSA GET-TOGETHER COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS AUGUST 3-5, 2018

The 82nd Annual Get-Together will be held prior to the 41st Quadrennial Convention on August 3, 4, and 5, 2018, in Countryside, Illinois.

Over the last 30 years when coming to the Chicago area, the Get-Together and Convention have taken you further west. Remember Oakbrook, Lisle, and four years ago in Lombard? This year, members of District Council No. 12 and the Home Office have selected a location 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, located near I-55 and I-294.

The Holiday Inn/William Tell is an established venue with a definite old world atmosphere. There is plenty of parking around the hotel. The hotel shuttle can pick you up if you are coming into Midway Airport. Should you wish to explore the area around the hotel, the shuttle will take you to Downtown La Grange. 8 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

Hotel amenities include a large pool, exercise room, a whirlpool to relax in, and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi. A first class restaurant and lounge are conveniently located in the hotel. For Saturday, plans are in the works to travel downtown and take a ‘boat ride.’ Watch for more information next month.

As always, remember to bring your blue volunteer T-shirt to wear on the Saturday trip and also to wear while working on the volunteer service project.

If you have never attended a GTG, why not join us this year. It might become an anticipated annual event for you! Fraternally, Kenneth Dvorsky, GTG Chairman

Once you start quilting, you just can’t stop! If your friends, family, and loved ones are tired of receiving your “gifts,” who are you going to give your creations to? Your local homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and hospitals are a great place to start, but if they are unable to take your quilts, below are some charitable organizations that would appreciate your donations. Give Quilts to Veterans and Active Military •Quilts of Valor – Donate a quilt or your long arm quilting services. You can even choose a specific person to give your quilt to, if you like. Just make sure to check on size requirements before you start! (Ideal size: 60” x 80”) Review their guidelines at www.qovf.org. •Quilts of Honor – This organization was created to “honor members of our active military and veterans by showing them how much we appreciate their sacrifice and service with our ‘Quilted

Hugs of Gratitude.’” You can contribute by donating finished quilts, fabric, and other quilting supplies, or you may donate monetarily. For more information, visit www.quiltsofhonor.org. Give Quilts to Children in Need •Project Linus – Donate blankets (not just quilts) to children in need… there are chapters in all 50 states. You can donate money online, but if you want to donate finished blankets and quilts, you can contact your nearest Project Linus Chapter by visiting: www.projectlinus.org. •Snuggled in Hope Quilts – This is a group that provides quilts to Flying Horse Farms in Ohio, a camp for kids with serious illness. They provide a quilt to each member of the camp, which is over 400 quilts each summer. Donate finished quilts (ideal size 55 x 65”), complete quilt tops, fabric, and other supplies. Find their wish list at: www.snuggledinhopequilts.com.


•Wrap Them in Love – Their mission is to collect donated quilts and distribute them to children around the world, so they can be wrapped in love and comfort. This group accepts donated quilts, fabric, batting, or other quilting supplies. So, if you don’t have time to make a quilt, but want to share your stash, this is a good one for you. Find the details on how you can help by visiting www.wraptheminlove.com. •Quilts for Kids – Quilts are given to children who suffer from abuse or lifethreatening illnesses. Send in a completed quilt (ideal size: Approximately 38″40″ x 45″- 46″) or request a kit that contains pre-cut fabric for the enclosed pattern, backing, and a QFK label; you supply the thread, batting and the love. Visit www.quiltsforkids.org. They also accept monetary donations, which helps them ship quilts to the children in need.


From Thrift Store to Homeless Shelter: A Teen’s Creative Journey

The teenage years are an impactful, transitional time in everyone’s life. These young adults are busy piecing together their schedules, whether it be with sports, music, their evolving friendships and contacts, their studies, and more. Yet, for Dillon Eisman, his life has one common thread: his sewing machine.

This 17 year old from Malibu, California is busy designing clothing, but not for himself or his friends. Dillon takes gently used clothing from thrift stores and recreates them into attractive, stylish pieces that are on trend. From there, they are given to those in need, who are homeless or just barely getting by.

Dillon was inspired to pursue this project after visiting a youth homeless shelter in Los Angeles with his parents a few years back. There, he saw the limited clothing options the homeless kids had available to them. Dillon has since taught himself how to sew, turning to the internet for help. He practiced on clothing that his mom was going to donate to Goodwill and was able to turn the garments into something that people, especially teens, would actually want to wear.

Truth be told, the confidence and mood of kids, especially those in high school, is directly affected by what they are wearing. Everyone wants to look good, especially when attending a job interview. It’s not a shallow concept; clothes can really impact how people feel about themselves. His upcycled designs caught the attention of Ms. Caitlin Adler, Founder and CEO of Project Ropa (formerly Project Narnia), a non-profit organization that provides clothing, shoes, and hygiene products to people in need in the Los Angeles area. Every couple of weeks, Ms. Adler looks to Dillon to take someone’s trash and turn it into someone’s special treasure.


Dillon has since started a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called, fittingly enough, Sew Swag. The teen hopes to one day take his mission worldwide, ensuring no one who receives secondhand clothing ever feels second rate.

Dillon states, “What you wear really makes a difference in how you feel inside, and I think that’s kind of what sparked my interest in designing.” Adler, Caitlin. “Caitlin Adler.” LinkedIn. LinkedIn Corporation, Web. 14 Feb 2018.

Eisman, Dillon. “The Founder.” Sew Swag. Sew Swag Inc., Web. 14 Feb 2018.

“Malibu Teen Turns Thrift Store Finds Into Trendy Clothing For Homeless.” CBS Local. CBS Interactive Inc., 15 Oct 2017. Web. 14 Feb 2018.

Young, Susan. “California High Schooler Helps Clothe Homeless Teens With His Own Designs: ‘My Primary Goal is for Them to Feel Confident.’”PEOPLE.com. 16 Mar 2017. Web. 14 Feb 2018.

Handicapped Student Reinvents the Sewing Machine

sors and a 3D printing machine on campus, he was able to create this invention.

Kelvin Henry, a 31 year old Engineering Technology student in Queens, New York, was always into fashion. He used to spend a lot of money on clothing, but stopped after suffering from a gunshot wound as a teenager that left him paralyzed in 2004. His clothing options instantly became limited.

Kelvin dreamed of making his own clothing that could accommodate his newfound disability, though he now could not use the foot petal on most industrial sewing machines. Kelvin hates hearing the word “no,” so he had an idea for a special part that would shift the control of the motor to the weight of his arms as opposed to his foot. With a little help from his profes-

This design won Kelvin $7,500, the top prize of the CUNY & Capital One Community College Innovation Challenge Finals, a nine-month program that helps student entrepreneurs. He plans to use the funds to grow his clothing company, Kmatikz. The clothes he creates make it easier for people with limited mobility to get dressed, such as integrating intricately-placed zippers, Velcro, and magnets. He is focused on making his designs functional and stylish, too! For Kelvin, it’s more than just the clothing; it’s about improving the lives of those who feel limited.

“When [people] wear my clothes I want them to feel like they can do anything. Just, whatever life throws at you, bounce back from it,” Kelvin said. We all have hobbies and passions, whether it be music, sports, or even

fashion. It is so inspiring to see Kelvin pursue his, regardless of physical setbacks! Blank, Steve and Harry Smith. “Queensborough Students selected as finalists in the CUNYCapOne Innovation Challenge for Student Entrepreneurship Program.” Queensborough Community College | CUNY. 20 Jan 2016. Web. 14 Feb 2018. Honan, Katie. “CUNY Student Paralyzed by Gunshot Wins $7K for Sewing Machine Invention.” DNAinfo | New York. 7 Jun 2016. Web. 14 Feb 2018.

McGowan, Clodagh. “Queensborough Community College Student Hopes Fashion Statement Makes a Difference.” Spectrum News NY1 | New York City. 21 May 2016. Web. 14 Feb 2018.

Ross, A.J. “Paralyzed college student wins innovation challenge and creates clothing line for people with mobility issues.” ABC7 NY | Eyewitness News. 9 Jun 2016. Web. 14 Feb 2018.

Quilting Tips

Quilting Tip #1 Unless fabric care instructions say otherwise, always prewash your fabric. Quilting Tip #2 Choose an easy pattern.

Quilting Tip #3 Always buy enough fabric. Quilting Tip #4 Press fabrics carefully.

Quilting Tip #5 Stick to one type of fabric, preferably 100% cotton.

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Quilting Tip # 6 Always use a consistent seam allowance. See more tips on page 26.


Recipe for Mazanec – Czech Easter Bread Thank you to CSA member, Bro. Joseph Kocab, for this recipe.

“Mazanec” is a Czech butter bread. As the name suggests, this isn’t part of your diet meals, as it is high in fat and cholesterol. However, if you do choose to make this bread, take comfort in knowing you are continuing a tradition that is at least six centuries old! This bread is typically baked on New Year’s or Easter. The New Year’s tradition is slightly more

Mazanec

Ingredients: •5 cups of all-purpose flour •½ cup of granulated sugar •1 cup of milk •1 tsp. of vanilla extract •1 package of dry yeast •4 eggs - 3 yolks and 1 whole egg to brush the loaf •7 tbs. of unsalted butter •¼ tsp. of salt •1 cup of raisins •1 cup of sliced almonds •sliced almonds for sprinkling •sugar Optional: 1 penny


interesting. You get to mix an actual coin into the dough before baking. The tradition says that whoever gets the slice with the coin in it will be rich for the rest of the year. Tanja. “Dalsi klasicky CS recept: Mazanec.” Czechmate Diary.6 Jan 2013. Web. 5 Feb 2018.

Instructions: 1. Mix the yeast with a little bit of milk and a little bit of sugar. Let them rise for about 10 minutes. 2. In another bowl, mix in all of the dry ingredients first (including the penny, raisins, and almonds), then make a hole in the middle and slowly add in the rest of milk, egg yolks, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix it in with a little bit of flour and then slowly add the yeast mixture and mix it in. 3. Make a dough with your hands. 4. Let it stand in a warm place until the dough rises (for about 45 minutes) and when you press on it, it bounces back. 5. Work the dough again with your hands, make a small ball out of it, and make a cross in the middle of the top part. 6. Let it rise in a warm place one more time. 7. Brush the whole loaf with egg and sprinkle it with some sliced almonds. 8. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then continue for an additional 25 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.




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District Council Forward “March!”

District Council No. 12 of Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana - This is a really active month for everyone. In sports, there’s “March Madness” for college basketball playoffs and Spring Training for baseball’s preparation time. Daylight Savings Time begins on March 11, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be on March 17, St. Joseph’s Day is on March 19, the Vernal (Spring) Equinox is on March 20, Palm Sunday is on March 25, Good Friday is on March 30, and there will be two full moons to begin and end the month on March 1 and March 31. District Council No. 12 will be swinging into action at our March 22

meeting. The Installation of Officers will take place. Our best wishes go to current officers: President Ken Dvorsky, Vice President Ed Slavik, Secretary Helen Gaydusek, and Treasurer Gerri Romanelli. Why not come out to celebrate and enjoy refreshments with us? Preparations for the 2018 Convention and Get-Together are now being formulated. All of our Lodge Delegates to the Convention are asked to attend an important meeting on Saturday, April 7 in the Home Office Heritage Room at 1:00 p.m. The committees and various concerns will be addressed at this time, such as the Lodge sponsorship of a Chicago Riverboat Tour, Hospitality

District Council 9 Southeastern, Ohio - Nine members of D.C. No. 9 of Southeastern, Ohio met on Sunday, February 11 in the social room at Pizza Hut Restaurant in St. Clairsville, Ohio. In addition to our delegates, we had three guests in attendance, which included: Terry, Kathy, and Jean Placek. (Thanks for bringing our total up to 12!) Members and guests enjoyed pizza and beverages before the business meeting was conducted. After some consideration, April 15 was designated as the date for the 2018 Bowl-o-Rama for the youth of Lodges No. 121 (Kruh Osvojenych Zen a Panu),

No. 251 (Belmont), and No. 310 (Bellaire). Families can report to St. Clair Lanes in St. Clairsville, Ohio at 1:00 p.m. The bowling festivities will conclude with a pizza social at the alley for all to enjoy. Members can register by sending in the registration form located on the back cover of the Journal, or by calling Jean at (740) 6766897 or Wendy at (740) 769-7511. We encourage all of our young members to register for and attend this fun event! Heartfelt thanks go out to Director Terry Placek for installing our new and returning officers for the new year. We appreciate your time and enjoy visiting

...And Then There Were Twelve


Room details, and goodie bag items. These are just some of the items that need to be dealt with. Lodge Recognition Awards will be presented to our hardworking lodges at our April 26 meeting. Remember, Photo Contest entrees are due by March 23. Scholarship applications are also due at this time. April 15 is the day for the children’s Junior Bowl-o-Rama at Suburbanite Bowl on Ogden Avenue in Westmont, Illinois. Many lodges cover the $18 entry fee for their youngsters. The due date is March 17. Respectfully, Ed Slavik

with you and the members of your family. We hope to see everyone again for our May meeting. Fraternally, Sis. Wendy Kurtz Lovell

Lodge Happenings Pull Tab Palooza

Lodge Benjamin Franklin No. 02, Seven Hills, Ohio - President Scott Krecow opened the January meeting as our officers resumed their re-elected positions. Secretary Vicki Zidlicky read aloud a thank you letter from our national project recipient, the Parma Heights Food Pantry. They will also receive a 50% match from the Home Office. Director Ann George stated, although the economy is said to be greatly improved, the pantry need is as great as ever. A receipt of appreciation was also read from the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Both outlays were our

final donations for last year. May 18 will be the annual “Pull Tab Palooza” at the RMH. This is the date when pull-tab donors are encouraged to “fill the dumpster” during the yearly open house. Let’s keep ourselves hydrated and bring the tabs to meetings. We have big shoes to fill after last year’s donation! Rookie Jimmy Zidlicky participated in his first audit along with veteran Mike Cernosky. This committee declared the books for 2017 are “in good order!” Our Team Franklin Keglers went into the second, third of the season knockdowns, in a dead tie for first place. In a hard fought and very close contest, the good guys ended up on the wrong side of a 7-0 decision. Let’s regroup and come back strong in the final third! As the meeting concluded and all ventured upstairs to the lounge area for refreshments, to our surprise, it was trivia night once again. We had to put our collective smarts together for one more test. It is surprising that some of us knew there are 33 amendments to the US Constitution, but only 27 were actually ratified; a sygnet is a young swan;

Card-Making and Hot Dogs Coming

Lodge Yankee-Jungmann No. 77, North Riverside, Illinois - In my last article, I forgot to mention that members of our Lodge were presented their 50 or 75-Year pins at the District Council No. 12 Christmas party. Fifty-Year pins were presented to Chuck Michalek and Bill Hosna. Frank Michalek and Dan Michalek received their 75-Year Pins. Millie Calek received her 75-Year Pin at our Lodge’s Christmas Party. In January, at our meeting, we gathered to stuff envelopes with Valentine greetings and a monetary gift for each of our junior members. We had a total of 58 Valentines. Officers will be installed at our February meeting. We will be honored

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with Ken Dvorsky installing each officer. One of the upcoming events for our Lodge will be our annual card-making presented by Nancy Pohanka. Also ahead is our Bohemian Hot Dog Dinner. Everyone contributes something to complete the dinner, including desserts. Cindy Bueneman makes the greatest potato salad. Weather permitting, our Lodge always meets the second Friday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the MB Financial Bank, 7222 Cermak Road, North Riverside, Illinois. Fraternally, Mary Ellen Janda

or that “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” were the last words Nathan Hale spoke before he was hanged by British troops for spying during the American Revolution. “The Lodge” again won the night and received a gift card to the Inn. The trivia emcee suggested the balance of the partakers join forces next month to take on the lodge. Where’s Steve Harvey? This could be bigger than Family Feud! A grand reopening was recently held at a local bowling establishment which I attended. Our Treasurer, Ken Burdzinski, was there, too, with shears in hand. Had he graduated barber college and was giving complimentary haircuts? Nah, it was one of his final ribbon cuttings in his tenure as Chairman of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce. Ken has held this position for three years and has the longest run in the Chamber ’s history. Ken remains as a board member and will continue to be very active. We wish our best to him and are fortunate he is one of our officers! Fraternal regards, Jeff Zidlicky [email protected]

If you’re a CSA member who is 17 years old or younger, we want to hear from you! Did you join a new club at school, start playing for the basketball team, or maybe you received an A on a science project... we want you to tell us about it! Send an article with photos (we love to see them) to: Amanda at [email protected]. MARCH 2018 — CSA JOURNAL — 19

Lodge Happenings Cub Scout Breakfast – Display Case - Officer Installation

Laura (Vice President), Stephen (Treasurer), Kirsten (President), and Deacon Larry.

Lodge Laurel No. 452, Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut - On January 6, a group of us attended and supported Cub Scout Troop 35’s pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebee’s in Mansfield. Delicious! You can see friend Jeremiah enjoying his pancake in the picture! When we went to take down our December display at the Ashford Town Office Building, it was requested that we leave it for the month of January. Therefore, we did research into some traditional New Year’s activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. A summary was typed up, and along with a picture of New Year’s Eve fireworks in Prague, we did a little change up of our display. Of course, we changed the greeting to “Stastny Novy Rok” and “Happy New Year!” We held our January meeting at the home of Brother Robert Zaicek and his gracious wife and hostess, Gail. The meeting opened with the Pledge, led by youth member, Mason Varga. We then held our Installation of Officers ceremony, conducted by Deacon Lawrence Goodwin. We received our new password from Sister President Kirsten Varga. Our treasurer, Brother Stephen Varga, presented the Annual Financial report. CSA Serves and the Lodge Recognition Program were discussed. We came up with some ideas and made a few decisions. Copies of the Lodge Recognition requirements were distributed and members are to come back to next month’s meeting with more suggestions. We also discussed the Bowlo-Rama. We will confirm a date next month after everyone checks their calendars and we check with the bowling alley for any conflicts. Following the meeting, our auditors conducted their audit of Lodge Laurel’s finances and the Annual Report. Happy March! Fraternally, Marion Varga

Installation- Standing: Rachael (Auditor), Bob (Auditor and Membership Chair), Margaret (Youth Director), Agnes (Guide and Auditor), Laura (Vice President); Seated: Marion (Secretary); and Stephen (Treasurer).

Do you know a CSA member who deserves recognition? Are they active in the community; do they volunteer often or donate money to charitable organizations? Send us their photo, a brief description of who they are and what they do, and we will publish them in the Journal.

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Lodge members and two friends enjoying the pancake breakfast.


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Lodge Happenings Join Hands With Us... and Come for Lunch, Too

Lodge Woodrow Wilson No. 377, Lombard, Illinois - We hope that you will come out with us for our Spring Luncheon! Unfortunately, we had to adjust the plan, because Czech Plaza Restaurant has closed – which is very sad. But never fear! We have rescheduled the luncheon on the same date, Sunday, April 22, but now at McCook Bohemian Restaurant, located at

Officer installation at our February meeting. Thanks to all for serving our lodge!

8300 Joliet Road in McCook. The cost will be just a smidge higher than previously advertised, but that means the familystyle meal includes roast duck! We will gather at 12:30, with meal service at 1:00 p.m. Larry Ebenroth is taking reservations: call (708) 535-8852 or send, not later than April 18, to 15006 Parkside Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452. Checks in the amount of $20 per person are payable to Lodge Woodrow Wilson. That amount does not cover the total cost, but this social outing will be subsidized for our lodge members, due to this change in plans. Please join us! Speaking of joining…we also are working on plans for a Join Hands Day event this spring. Join Hands Day is nationally recognized as an opportunity to join efforts across generations, with the goal of helping others. Some of our youngest members in the area, who themselves are committed to helping others everywhere that they can, are guiding this project for our members – and I hope that many of you will join in! Watch this column for updates, check our Facebook page, or just contact me to stay “in the loop”! Fraternally, Jean Hemzáček Laukant [email protected] / 630-279-7894 Find us on Facebook: Lodge Woodrow Wilson #377 of CSA Fraternal Life

Great Meetings and Trips Ahead

Lodge Prokop Velky No. 137, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Our lodge met February 7 with a fun pizza party and lots of desserts enjoyed by 26 members and visitors who weathered the cold weather. Matt Koski, CSA’s Executive Secretary, attended our meeting. Installation of Prokop Velky’s officers for 2018 was conducted by Matt and we thank him for doing this. Congratulations to all of our officers and we are looking forward to a successful new year. Another guest at this February meeting was our National Director Tom Ledvina, who happened to be in Cedar Rapids. We are always happy to


have him attend our meetings when he is available. Prokop Velky will continue working with the Veteran’s Administration this year. They are so in need of help in many ways and appreciate all we have done in the past. Our members have been a great help and will continue to provide money and help keep their food pantry well supplied. Many suggestions were made as to what members would like to do for our spring and fall meetings. Please attend so you can be eligible to go on some wonderful trips. Our next meeting will be March 7, with a contest for the best soup brought to our potluck. Other food items will be brought also. The April meeting will be Wednesday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. Come and enjoy the fellowship and we hope better weather will be on its way. The February attendance award was won by Joe Konecny. He will give his winnings to the Czech National Cemetery and Camp Courageous. Thanks, Joe, for your donations. May 2018 bring good health to all of us and be a very prosperous new year. Fraternally, Barbara Edmunds


Lodge Happenings We Heart Birthdays!

Lodge Bratri od Sazavy No. 211, Little Ferry, New Jersey - Our January meeting was held in Sokol Hall. Sister Blanche Bidnik installed the Officers for 2018. Our new officers are Carol Tranter, President; Frank Zabransky, Vice President; Anne Shiring, Secretary; John Sadvary, Treasurer; Blanche Bidnik, Lodge Recognition Chair; and


Jasmin Russo, Hospitality. All our best wishes for a successful new year! Along with the regular lodge business, we took a look at the requirements for the 2018 Lodge Recognition Program. All members present are enthusiastic about participating. Everyone got a copy to take home so that we could all make suggestions at the February meeting about how

to fulfill the requirements and go for the Platinum! After the meeting, we celebrated Sister Anne Shiring’s birthday with pizza and a birthday cake. The February meeting was held on Valentine’s Day. Sister Bidnik led us through a thorough discussion of the LRP. There were plenty of good suggestions. We now have a plan for this year. Sister Tranter brought a game. Guess how many chocolate hearts in the jar? The winner was Brother John Sadvary, who won a heart shaped box of chocolate. After the meeting, we went to a restaurant where we celebrated two more birthdays – Brother Peter Kleskovic and Sister Carol Tranter. More cake! The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 7 in Sokol Hall. Fraternally, Carol Tranter

Lodge Happenings March Madness?... No, Just “March”-ing Onward

Lodge Kruh Osvojenych Zen A Panu No. 121 Dillonvale, Ohio - Well, it’s not really madness, but our members have sure been busy planning activities for the remainder of the year! Our February meeting proved to be a successful one as we chose a CSA Serves Project, installed officers, discussed the upcoming youth Bowl-o-Rama, and created hand-made Valentines. First of all, we will be donating time, money, and materials to the Maynard Methodist Church and the Dillonvale Presbyterian Church as our ongoing CSA Serves Project for the year. Both churches have small congregations, but are very active in their respective communities. Our goal is to assist them in their community outreach projects with our donations. We will also make contributions throughout the year to the Scholarship Fund and other causes dear to our hearts. Next, we wish to thank Brother Director Terry Placek for installing our officers for the 2018 calendar year. This meaningful ritual helps define and bond us as a fraternal organization. On behalf of our membership, Sister Mariann

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Ebright turned in medicine bottles to Brother Placek. The bottles will be combined with those from Lodge Groveton and further transported to the Home Office. Our youth members will be bowling with others from District Council No. 9 this year on Sunday, April 15. We will meet at St. Clair Lanes in St. Clairsville, Ohio at 1:00 p.m. and enjoy pizza and refreshments at the alley when finished. Lodge No. 121 youth will receive a special “added treat” this year for coming out to bowl! You may register by sending in the form located on the back cover of the Journal, or by calling Wendy at (740) 769-7511. Let’s make this year the best one yet! Lastly, to show our appreciation for the young members in our lodge, the adults created hand-made Valentines for them. It’s amazing what some construction paper, lace doilies, and cut-out hearts can do for the soul! As we crafted our special “cards,” the room suddenly got quiet as we were transported back to the days of our youth. Although we heard a little groaning from the men (wink, wink!), I think I can say, “We all

had fun!” We even managed to make cards to exchange with each other. By the time you read this, St. Patrick’s Day will probably be over and Easter will be days away! Time is surely marching on… “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.” (Irish Proverb) Happy, joyful celebrating everyone! Sister Wendy Kurtz Lovell


Lodge Happenings Paying Homage to Our Inspirational Members

Lodge Mile-Hi Czechs No. 432, Lakewood, Colorado - Alas! Due to Colorado’s freezing, fickle weather, our lodge had to cancel our planning meeting. However our intrepid president, Irma Farrell, made some phone calls and presto – we have our new 2018 schedule and time (1 p.m.). The planning meeting is always held on Martin Luther King Day, which was initiated in the ‘80s by Wilma Webb, wife of then Mayor Wellington. She was in the state legislature. It began as a “marade” (march and parade) on his birthday and eventually became a national holiday! This year, over 5,000 faithful citizens, in spite of the weather, bundled up and walked the 3 ½ miles from City Park on Colfax Avenue to the Civic Center for songs and speeches. Amazing! Our annual meeting at the Golden

Europe Restaurant was held on January 20. It was a lovely, sunny, sky-blue day. About 20 of us enjoyed a delicious Czech dinner. Jeanette Libal and husband Pat Flesher drove up from Buena Vista for the event and to see her cousin, 91 year old Polka Queen, Adeline Stafford. In spite of recently totaling her van, Adeline still manages to polka several times a week, thanks to friends and the Lakewood City Senior Ride Program. Way to go, Queenie! Our soon-to-be 94 year old artistic member, Barbara Tobiska, is still conducting her oil painting classes for almost 60 years! Those gals are an inspiration to us all. As for Pat, he proudly displayed a 40 year old photo sent to him on Facebook by an old Vietnam War buddy. It shows a wide-eyed 19 year old sailor manning the boilers on his ship. Of course, the

highlight of the day was the installation of our usual officers installed by a former president, Beth Egan. The 2018 officers are: President Irma Farrell, Vice President Anne Farrar, Secretary Pat Kenning, Treasurer MaryEllen Vialpando, and Sentry Sandy Doe. College book money was requested and granted to Beth’s niece, Sis. Megan Turner, a student at Montana State. She is majoring in Pre-Veterinary Studies. In closing, I must brag about my fantastic 20-day cruise on the Pacific Princess last spring with my grandson, Bro. Peter Campe. We traveled from Dubai to Venice, by way of Petra and the Suez Canal. Keep smiling. Be kind. Sis. Pat Matusek Kenning

Lodge Sionilli No. 170, Brookfield, Illinois - In February, we held our meeting at Skadarliya restaurant in Brookfield. After a recommendation from Vera Wilt, we decided to branch out and try this Balkan restaurant with traditional Macedonian and Serbian meals. We started off with drinks and many chose to try a Serbian beer called “Jelen”. We asked the server for a rec-

ommendation and he suggested we try the Skadarliya Mix for six people. There were eight of us and he said it would be plenty! We also started with stuffed mushrooms and the Shopska salad. The starters were delicious and we were floored when the giant tray of meats came out. Every single item was amazing, from the kabobs all the way to the french fries. Everyone loved the meal

and we laughed about wanting to come back for every meeting. We love to try out different restaurants from time to time and would love to have new faces join us. Please contact our president, Adam Wilt ([email protected]), if you want more information about our future meetings. Fraternally, Alix Wilt

A Delicious Meat-ing


Lodge Happenings Papugas Receive 50-Year Pins Fraternal Lodge Sokol Plzen No. 434, Oak Brook, Illinois - Our lodge met at Mary Lou Jaros’ home on January 18, 2018. We had already chosen our officers at the October ‘Well Wishes meeting along with our CSA SERVES projects, which are the same as last year –

the Bohemian National Cemetery, T.G. Masaryk Czech School, and Mistletoe Melody for Children. The reason our meeting was held so early is because our Treasurer, Stan Papuga, was going to be honored at the University of Miami, his Alma Mater. In December, some of our lodge members attended the District No. 12 Cultural Division Party at Crystal Sky Banquets where 50- and 75-year pins were given out. Two of our lodge members, Stan and Candy Papuga, received their 50-year pins. It was a great affair with good food, a bingo game, and a terrific raffle. Everyone had a great time. Miss National CSA, Sydney Rieckhoff, was also in attendance. It has been a very severe winter, however, our members are still actively volunteering and attending school as students and as teachers. Bro. Marco Malusa is still working at ABC Channel 7 Chicago, only now he is on the afternoon programs. We are all putting up with the weather, which goes from cold to hot and back again. One never knows what to expect. We are all wishing Candy Papuga well during all of her endeavors! Fraternally, Andy Bultas

Blanche Andrews Lodge Virginia No. 230 Helen Caldwell Lodge Harrison/Hus/Garfield No. 378

Enjoying Social Time

Lodge Virginia No. 230, Colonial Heights, Virginia - Our lodge met for our monthly meeting. At times when we have little business to discuss, we still enjoy our social time together each month.

President Anne Michalek in discussion with Secretary and Treasurer, Mary Zahradka.


We still use the 1940 version of the CSA lodge manual! Fraternally, Janet Zahradka Reiner MARCH 2018 — CSA JOURNAL — 25

Lodge Happenings Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry Packing

Lodge Pingree No. 366, Dearborn Heights, Michigan - Nazdar Sisters and Brothers! Hopefully by the time you read this, most of Southeast Michigan’s harsh weather will be subsiding. We’ve had quite a bit of snow, but so far it has been do-able and we’ll survive! The Detroit Tigers’ season started at the end of February; better days are ahead! As you have seen in past Journal

Quilting Tips Continued from page 11.

Quilting Tip # 7 Start with a small project.

Quilting Tip #8 “Measure twice, cut once.” Quilting Tip #9 Remember to backstitch.

Quilting Tip #10 Choose fabric colors wisely. Refer to the color wheel to identify complimentary colors.

Quilting Tip #11 Become familiar with quilting technology.

Quilting Tip #12 Learn how to sew a quarter-inch seam allowance.

Quilting Tip #13 Don't obsess over errors.


issues, Lodge Pingree is hosting the 45th Annual Bowling Social and the 71st National Bowling Congress. The dates and applications can be found on pages 15, 16 and 17. Now is the time to get your entries in! Contact Jeff Teichman for details at 734-522-7746 or 734-751-8013. We still need volunteers for our lodge’s food pantry packing and distribution services. This is a combined ven-

ture for both His Church Anglican and Trinity Church. You can reach me for the dates and details. Our monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the Sokol Cultural Center in Dearborn Heights at 12:30 p.m. Try it, you’ll like it! Be better! Fraternally yours, Jeff Teichman

Lodge Washington No. 30, St. Louis, Missouri - Spring isn’t here yet but we’re busy warming things up with plans for our activities this year. At our last meeting, it was decided that we will support local veterans as part of “CSA Serves.” A few possibilities include the local veterans’ food pantry and the Blue Star Mothers group, and we’ll be getting more information and making our selection soon. We’ll also hold our Bake Sales to help raise funds, and we’ll let our members know how they can get involved with our efforts. The District Council of Missouri and Southern Illinois held its annual Installation of Officers on February 2,

which included a memorial service in honor of those members we lost in 2017. Director Connie Wolf reported on behalf of CSA’s Home Office and listed some of the upcoming events for the year, before handling installation duties for Lodges Missouri, Washington, and Spirit of St. Louis. Everyone enjoyed the lasagna dinner beforehand and the rounds of “poker bingo” and desserts afterward. Thank you to the D.C. officers for making it all possible! Happy St. Joseph’s Day! Fraternally, Deborah Zeman

CSA Serves to Support Veterans

Lodge Happenings Join Us at the Bowl-o-Rama Lodge Cleveland Chapter No. 219, Cleveland, Ohio - We’re back! We had to cancel our January meeting due to inclement weather. Despite the cold and the icy parking lot, 13 members attended our February meeting. We received a letter of thanks from the Red Cross for our last donation. Our Junior Bowl-o-Rama will be held on Sunday, April 22 at the Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights at noon. The application is on the back cover of the Journal. Please contact Dusty Clark at [email protected] or 330-273-7316 for more information. CSA members are free and non-members are only $11.00. That fee covers shoe rental, three games of bowling, pop, hot dogs, chips and a drink. Parents pay only

$3.00 for lunch. Ages 5 to 17 can participate. Our Wednesday morning bowling league is doing well, despite some bowlers missing due to ill health or injury. Thank you to our new bowlers who have helped us fill in for the ones who can’t bowl. There will be a bowling tournament May 4, 5 and 6 in the Detroit area. Details are to come. There will also be another bowling tournament in October. Area is to be determined. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Kathy Gawrilow at February’s meeting. Here’s to many, many more birthdays, Kathy! Our new officers were installed by past President, Betty Svaty. Thank you, Betty. They are as follows: President Tony Genco, Vice President Kathy Gawrilow,

Treasurer June Karecki, half-year Secretary June Karecki, and Guide Elmer Soos. Thank you, all. Jan Russell will be installed as half-year Secretary when she returns from Florida. Again, please check your insurance and annuity policies to see if you are entitled to a 50-year or 75-year pin. Please let June Karecki know at 216-941-6969. Thank you! Judy Genco gave a presentation on the history of Sokol Ceska Sin Hall, where we hold our monthly meetings. It was a very informative presentation to all. Thank you to Carol Cirillo for a lovely lunch. It was delicious! Camille Shima and Freddie Shima won our 50/50 raffle. A big thank you goes out to Karen Buzek, Kathy Gawrilow, Freddie and Camille Shima for the Valentine’s Day goodies they handed out. Here’s to next month! Hope you all have a nice St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Spring is coming! Fraternally yours, Judy (Sevcik) Genco

Betty Svaty swearing in Elmer, Tony, Kathy, and June.

The four officers.

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Judy Genco’s presentation MARCH 2018 — CSA JOURNAL — 27

Lodge Happenings Activities in Store

Lodge Brookfield No. 475, Brookfield, Illinois - Lodge Brookfield was honored to have CSA President John Kielczewski officiate our installation of officers ceremony in January. Newly-elected officers for 2018 are President Barbara Dieg, Vice President Kevin Pileggi, Treasurer Dolores Chiappetta, Secretary Jerry Silhan, and Sentry/Guide Kimberly Silhan. At our last meeting, we discussed the upcoming CSA Quadrennial Convention in August, and we elected our delegates and alternates. We are all looking forward to reconnecting with our friends at the Get-Together. It should be fun! Last month, we congratulated our youth member, Michaelina Spano, for her achievements in a recent gymnastics competition. Her picture is below. Way to go, Michaelina! Lots of worthwhile and enjoyable activities are in store for Lodge Brookfield in the coming months. Why not join us at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the CSA Home Office in Lombard? You can find us on Facebook by searching for Lodge Brookfield #475. Fraternally, Kimberly Silhan

Scholarship Fund Report

January 10, 2017 through February 10, 2018

IN MEMORY OF OLGA LOYD Vera & George Sova

IN MEMORY OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF LODGE CENTRAL STAR No. 411 Lodge Central Star No. 411

IN MEMORY OF DECEASED MEMBER JOHN VEVERKA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY Barbara Kostka IN MEMORY OF JOAN A. ANDERLE Lodge Brookfield No. 475 IN MEMORY OF JERRY VESELY Lodge Virginia No. 230 IN MEMORY OF JOHN BARTA John Barta, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF FRANK J. HRABAK Anonymous Donor

IN MEMORY OF DECEASED MEMBERS Lodge Pingree No. 366 IN MEMORY OF JANE CIBULKA Barbara A. Lowe

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT FILIP Marie Filip Connie Heinrich

IN MEMORY OF ELEANOR BURKHAMMER Judith Doan

IN MEMORY OF THREE DEDICATED LIFELONG MEMBERS: ELSIE KORPECKI, SLAVIA SULA, WILLIAM HOSNA Kenneth Dvorsky, Director Region E IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM HOSNA Helen & Jerry Gaydusek

IN MEMORY OF MEMBERS OF D. C. No. 13 WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2017 District Council No. 13 TOTAL DONATIONS 28 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

$1,980.00

Lodge Happenings Easter Basket Competition Coming Up!

Lodge Paramount Southgate No. 372, Maple Heights, Ohio - Great news: Our lodge books were audited and everything was found in good order. We will be having our Easter Basket Competition again this year. Everyone enjoyed it last year, especially our seniors at the Center. Lodge members enjoyed making baskets and donating them. Mary Ann Toncar’s basket was our top winner last year. Our lodge’s annual bus trip is Wednesday, June 27. There will be more details in the coming Journal issues, but in the meantime, save the date! The Junior Bowl-o-Rama is coming up in the month of April, and Join Hands Day is on Saturday, May 5. The CSA Bowling Congress Tournament is located in Plymouth, Michigan on Saturday and Sunday, May 5-6. There will be a hospitality night on Friday, May 4 at the Comfort Inn on Ann Arbor Road. View the entry form on pages 16 and 17 for more information. Remember, our next meeting will be on March 22, 2018 at the Maple Heights Senior Center. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. and have lunch at noon. Bring your Easter baskets and join in on the fun. Hope to see you then. Happy Easter, everyone! Fraternally, Fran Weiss

Our lodge swore in our officers: Sentry John Weiss, Secretary Jan Dembowski, Treasurer Diane DiBianca, Vice President/Scribe Fran Weiss, and President Mary Ann Tocar.



Lodge Happenings Congratulations

Lodge Rovnost No. 53, Indian Head Park, Illinois - We held our Christmas Party in January at the Golden Wok, and we sure enjoyed the Chinese food. Chris Lanzel showed us her new project of crocheting hats and scarves, which is a good idea for us to do. We will be talking about future plans at our next meeting. Congratulations to our member Julie Woodman, who received her 50-year pin at the District Council No. 12 Cultural Division Dinner in December. She is the daughter of Caroline Johnston, sister of Kenneth Johnston, and wife of Matthew Woodman, who are all members of Lodge Rovnost. If you are interested in coming to a meeting, please contact me, Caroline Johnston, at 708-387-9423 and I will let you know details. Fraternally,

Delegates Selected

Caroline Johnston

Century of Progress Bila Hora No. 231 Cicero, Illinois - Our lodge meetings have a new starting time. We will now meet at 12:15 p.m. at the T.G. Masaryk School located at 5701 22nd Place, Cicero, Illinois. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month. Our lodge now has 509 members. During our latest meeting, we sent out 37 Valentine letters with a gift of $5.00 to the youth members of our lodge. This year for our CSA Serves project we will support the T.G. Masaryk School in Cicero, Illinois; St. Barbara’s Food Pantry in Brookfield, Illinois; and an Easter and Christmas Bingo at Tabor Hills in Naperville, Illinois. At our last meeting we started our CSA Serves project by donating a check for $750.00 to the T.G. Masaryk School. Also, after the last lodge meeting, we donated 10 bags of food to the St. Barbara’s Food Pantry. The following members will be our delegates at the 41st Quadrennial Convention on August 5-6 that will be held in Countryside, Illinois: Edward Slavik, Elaine Tjecek, and Loretta Paulus. Fraternally, Loretta Paulus


Lodge Happenings We’re In Good Shape Installation

Lodge Harrison Hus Garfield No. 378, Cicero, Illinois The snow is here in the Chicago area, and our meeting happened to fall on the one clear day with no snow. Talk about luck. We had good attendance, a hot lunch, and a short meeting so we could all get home before the bad weather that night. Our audit was completed by Bill Kostecki and Rosemary Tschura. Thank you for doing a great job. Bill stated we are in good financial shape. Our lodge’s donations for the past year were discussed and our members were in support. I passed out a copy of the completed 2017 Lodge Recognition Program that was submitted to the CSA Home Office. Thank you lodge members for your support. Below are photos from the luncheon. Fraternally, Ken Dvorsky

Lodge R.T. Crane, Jr. No. 7, North Riverside, Illinois - We were thrilled to host CSA President John Kielczewski at our January meeting. He performed our installation ceremony after we enjoyed a chili dinner. All of our 2017 lodge officers were re-elected for 2018 and we are excited to begin volunteering, and planning many activities in 2018. This month, we will enjoy a corned beef and cabbage dinner at our meeting, followed by Green River floats to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Come join us on March 28 at North Riverside library at 6 p.m.! The Wilt family will be participating in Sokol Spirit’s Annual Exhibition on March 24, held at Riverside Brookfield High School. Come see some CSA members in an exciting show and support another Czech organization! Fraternally, Alix Wilt

How many four leaf clovers can you find in this Journal? See page 35 for the answer.

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Claim 52520 52521 52522 52523 52524 52525 52527 52528 52529 52530 52531 52532 52533 52534 52535 52536 52537 52538 52539 52541 52542 52543 52544 52545 52546 52547 52548 52549 52550 52551 52552 52553 52555

Name Wayne A. Wieditz James G. Pecina Henrietta M. Borden Karen D. Hejlik Ann Sovis Ralph Surowiec Desley Zbehlik Marie T. Broach Dennis J. Vorba James R. Benes Joseph L. Blazek Lillian M. Houser Willie Allen Lillian M. Houser Loraine Vokracka Joseph Haynes Karen H. Haegele Stanley C. Chmelar Carol B. Cushing Howard L. Fullwood Norbert J. Wayer Georgia Kucharek Rose J. Kaiser Charlene A. Thomas Alma L. Dabney Cecil A. Skelton Henry Marcelus Ronald Hromadka Thomas C. Davis Jaroslavia Sula Jaroslavia Sula Dolores E. Kawiecki Milvoy E. Dvorak

In Memoriam

Lodge 137 211 4 219 459 231 211 428 388 277 170 137 388 137 30 484 481 463 452 310 378 13 392 151 450 211 463 7 372 378 151 219 279

Location GARRISON, IA ROSELLE, NJ CORAOPOLIS, PA LARGO, FL SWARTZ CREEK, MI PLAINFIELD, IL BOW, NH PARKTON, MD MUSCATINE, IA SAN ANGELO, TX ROMEOVILLE, IL CEDAR RAPIDS, IA ROCK ISLAND, IL CEDAR RAPIDS, IA SAINT LOUIS, MO PHILADELPHIA, PA KEANSBURG, NJ DOVER, FL HADDAN, CT STEUBENVILLE, OH CHICAGO, IL MILWAUKEE, WI VALPARAISO, IN CHICAGO, IL NEW YORK, NY NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ BOYNTON BEACH, FL EVANSTON, IL AUBURN TOWNSHIP, OH CAROL STREAM, IL CAROL STREAM, IL TAMPA, FL CHELSEA, IA

In Memoriam

Lodge Benjamin Franklin No. 02 extends condolences to the family of Eleanor Burkhammer, who passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2017. She was a wife to the late “Gene,” mother of Donna Nagel, Judith Doan, James Burkhammer, Joyce Fedarko and Connie Buchanan; grandmother of eleven and great-grandmother to 14. We at Lodge Franklin met Eleanor with the merger of Lodge BroadwaySion decades ago. She immediately became an active member, serving in offices as Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Scribe and as a Delegate to District Council No. 10. Eleanor also 32 — www.csalife.com - MARCH 2018

Date of Death 10/24/2017 09/10/2017 12/30/2017 12/19/2017 12/31/2017 05/10/2017 09/09/2017 01/16/2018 01/08/2018 12/22/2017 01/09/2018 12/31/2017 01/17/2018 12/31/2017 01/18/2018 12/31/2017 12/17/2017 11/23/2017 01/09/2018 12/11/2017 01/18/2018 08/26/2000 01/17/2018 04/22/2017 01/04/2018 01/30/2018 11/13/2017 01/14/2018 01/20/2018 01/08/2018 01/08/2018 07/01/2017 01/04/2018

Age 86 62 95 62 93 84 94 95 31 95 96 88 60 88 92 99 64 89 80 76 91 94 82 67 88 91 75 83 83 99 99 86 89

was a past Delegate to the National Convention as well as the GetTogethers. She could be found at the local bowling tournaments acting as cheerleader for Team Franklin as well as for the children at the Bowl-o-Rama. Due to a need to attend meetings closer to her home and during the daylight hours, Eleanor chose a transfer to Lodge Ohio Star, which subsequently merged with Lodge Cleveland Chapter in 2015. Our Cleveland area lodges owe Sister Burkhammer a debt of appreciation for her dedication and her many years of service to CSA! Jeff Zidlicky

Lodge Happenings Busy Year Ahead

Lodge DuPage Pioneers/Edison No. 409, Lombard, Illinois – Members took advantage of a snowless day in February to hold their meeting at Steven’s Restaurant. While enjoying a tasty lunch, members caught up on recent holiday gatherings and events as we did not have a January meeting due to the weather. President Jerry Gaydusek then called the meeting to order with all Officers present: Vice President Lyn Burton, Secretary John Nekolny, Treasurer Helen Gaydusek, and Sentry Dale Burton. After roll call, Secretary John read correspondence and Helen gave the Treasurer’s report. Lyn then called for a group discussion on what activities and events we should plan in order to earn the prestigious Lodge Recognition Platinum Award for 2018. Having won the award twice, we were eager to volunteer suggestions and recommendations. We voted to continue our charitable giving to the causes we support – The Fisher House at Hines Veterans Hospital, The West Suburban Food Pantry, and Honor Flights. Lodge members feel we can make a difference to these three organizations with our time and donations. Sis. Joann Nekolny mentioned that the Food Pantry is in need of cleaning products. Members promptly agreed to allocate $150 for these supplies. President Jerry volunteered to shop and deliver the goods to the pantry. Members also agreed to make blankets for a local children’s organization. A motion was made and passed that we will hold a fundraising raffle at each of our meetings. Proceeds assist the lodge with their charitable contributions and refreshments. We also discussed possible guest speakers, social outings, attendance at the Get-Together in Chicago this year, the possibility of a Miss CSA candidate representing the lodge, and our elected delegates’ participation in the Quadrennial Convention this summer. We have made plans for a game night, movie night, Memorial Service, and possible trip to Cantigny Park to visit

the gardens and the First Division (Military) Museum. Gerri will do some research to see if there is a play or show members would like to see this summer. 2018 promises to be a busy year for our Lodge! The Nekolny family has been very active! Grandson Jack Nekolny finished 1st and 3rd in recent wrestling tournaments. He will continue on to regionals and, if successful, to semi-finals and state finals. We wish him the best of luck! Granddaughter Kaley, attending the University of Indianapolis, will be traveling to Guatemala to perform works of fraternal service. Hopefully, we can convince Kaley to attend our meeting to tell us what her group accomplished. Kaley’s sister, Amanda,


will be traveling to New York City to sing at the St. John Devine Cathedral as part of the Downers Grove North High School choir. While in town the choir will be treated to a Broadway Show! Grandparents John and Joann will be attending the annual Autism Walk sometime in the Spring. Birthday cards and greetings were given to Scribe Gerri Romanelli, John Nekolny and Ed Cervenka. We meet next at our usual location, CSA’s Home Office in Lombard, on March 19. We will hold our formal Installation of Officers and serve refreshments. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending! Fraternally, Gerri Romanelli


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Březen………………………………………..March (bře-zen) prošívaná přikrívka….........................quilt (pro-ší-van-á při-krív-ka) peřina………………………………………...feather bed (pe-ři-na) peří………….................…………………………..……down (pe-ří) deka………….............……………………………….blanket (de-ka) polštář……………...........…………………………..pillow (pol-štář) vyšívat………………...…………………….to embroider (vy-ší-vat) přehoz……………….......………………………..coverlet (přre-hoz) postel…………………................………………………bed (po-stel) slátanina……………………………………..patchwork (slá-ta-nina)

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April 2018 This year, April has been designated as Jr. Bowl-o-Rama month. Schedule your event date at your convenience.

All CSA members between the ages of 5 and 17 are eligible. Many lodges or districts hold group events with scorekeepers and refreshments, but any eligible member can compete regardless if you live far from a lodge. The only requirement is that the child bowls three (3) games under the supervision of an adult who can verify the scores. Guests are welcome to attend. All bowlers receive a souvenir from the event, but only members are eligible for prizes. Each participant competes against members of the same sex and age group. This is a scratch tournament. If you have questions about bowling in your area, please contact your local lodge for information, or call the CSA Home Office at 1-800-LIFE-CSA.

APPLICATION FOR ENTRY IN THE CSA BOWL-O-RAMA Please print. Bowler’s Name

Date of Birth

/

/

Email Address Bowler’s Address City

State

Zip

Lodge Name

Lodge No. Alternative Phone No.

Check one box: Boy  Bowling with:

Girl 

Lodge 

Needs bumpers?

Yes 

No 

District 

Independently  Return completed form by March 23, 2018 to: CSA Fraternal Life 2050 Finley Road, Suite 70 Attn: Fraternal Department Lombard, IL 60148

Age Groups (age as of event) Ages 5-7 Ages 8-11 Ages 12-14 Ages 15-17

Division 1* Division 2 Division 3 Division 4

*Division 1 bowlers need only bowl 2 games

Deadline to submit bowling scores: June 15, 2018

CSABORAD01042018

Phone No.