This Association is founded on democratic principles disregarding religious/ political and partisan beliefs

and opinions. ~

r motto to which we pledge ourse is Brotherhood, Liberty and Progress.

Excerpts from the original resolution ··

adopted at the First Western Slavonic

Association Convention july 5, 1908

Spring 2009 60,60, 70,80 Yr M.embers4-5

Honoring this year's 50, 60,70 & 80 Year Members

2009 Scholarships 6 The qualifications for this year's scholarships.

2009 Convention Information on the 28th WSA Convention.

Letters Welcome mail from our members and friends.

Spotlight Lodges and Jr. Members report on their activities.

Puzzles 81.. Fun Welcome mail from our members and friends.

Jr.~embers Check out the list of activities for April , May and June

F'manclal Report 2008 Annual Statement Report.

Fraternal Pipeline Upcoming events at WSA- Don't miss out!

7

8-15 16-21

25-27 28-30

24

31

Annuity Interest Rates Existing Deferred Annuities 4.5°/o

This is the renewal rate for owners of I year guaranteed WSA Deferred Annuities with anniversary dates in April, May and June.

New Five Year Deferred Annuities 4.5°/o This interest rate is guaranteed for five years.

New Immediate Annuities Annuitize Existing Certificates

Surrender charges are waived.

These rates are subject to change at any time. Please call the Home Office for current rates. WSA reserves the right to refuse new or additional deposits at any time. ·

Please call the Home Office prior to sending deposits.

PubUsbed quirtedy of and for the progress, JOOd ad welfare of WSA Fraternal Life. Also to promote and maintain a

mutual and fraternal understanding between all members, to unite our whole membership, and to develop

a fraternity, brotherhood and cooperation to the highest degree.

Subscriptions by membership only.

Shannon McCauley Managing Editor

, HONORARY DIRECTORS:

Tony Mehelich Ann Mobilia

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: John J. Kogovsek Chairman Diana Bartolo Vice-Chairman Gary Moore Director Lisa Povich Director Cynthia Conte Director Roger P. Lewis Director Rocco Santangelo Director Micheal R. Osborn Director Randy R. Fuss Director/President/CEO

ARTICLE AND LETTER SUBMISSIONS

All articles and letters submitted for publication must be legible or

typewritten and must reach the Editor no later than the first day

of the month prior to publication .

Postmaster Send address changes to:

WSA Fraternal Life Fraternal Voice Editor

P. 0 . Box 351920 Westminster, CO 80035-1920

Periodicals Postage Paid At Thornton, Colorado

-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

• March of Dimes • The Salvation Army - Pueblo • Family Crisis Center

• Chapter of Epsiloa Sigma Alpha Omep

Manage Your Accoun~ • Do You Need to Change Your Beneficiary?

• Request a Certificate Loan? • Add Funds to Your Annuity?

• Do You Have Questions About, Your Certificate? • Or Have Any Other Concerns About Your Account?

Check out our website at: www.wsalife.com OR

Email us at: Info@wsalife.com OR

MaU: P.O. Box 351920, Westminster, CO 80035-1920 OR

Give us a call at: 303-451-1494- Toll Free: 1-800-451-7528

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU! In order to provide the best service possible. we do request that you first

make an appointment before stopping by our office. '

These youngsters have been adult Members 50 years:

Lodge #1 Lodge #5 Gertrude Alicia Sharon Grady

DeFries Mission Viejo, California

Pueblo, Colorado -Donna Marie Flaherty

Fred Peashka CasaGrande, Arizona

Wheat Ridge, Colorado --Richard Grupp . Lodge #7

Wheat Ridge, Colorado Terrence Joseph Johnson

Lloyd A. Norton Denver, Colorado

Pueblo, Colorado

·- Lodge #9 Wanda Catherine Henry J. Adamic

Norton Canon City, Colorado Pueblo, Colorado

Tirso Oliver Lodge #14 Denver, Colorado Louis F. Gorishek

Tempe, Arizona

Wendelin Scheier Denver, Colorado Irene Evelyn Lopez

Novato, California

Rosie Tozer Lodge #16 Denver, Colorado Victor Wayne

Zupancic · Helen R. Verretta Pueblo, Colorado Wheat Ridge , Colorado

.Lodge #17 Thom~s Nelson

Greene Grass Valley, California

Ruth Micklich Rock Springs, Wyoming

Lodge #29

Andrew Kubasky Painesville, Ohio

Mary Jean Rochon Eastlake, Ohio

Lodge #55

Lodge #41 Cont. Anita D. Sant' Angelo Los Angeles, Californica -. Robert Charles Shaw

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Colleen Rose Thompson

Avada, Colorado

Vernon Leroy Wolf Arvada, Colorado

Dianne Younkerman Arvada, Colorado

Robert John Mazat • • • Lac Du Flambeau, • ·

Wisconsin • . Lodge #44

Donna Mae Spock Pueblo, Colorado

' .

Lodge #41 Betty Lou Arko Arvada, Colorado

Jules J. DeSalvo Wheat Ridge , Colorado -t •

Margte A. Dean Denver, Colorado

Josephine Jersin Lakewood, Colorado

Nancy Plase Flagler Beach, Florida

Theda Lorine Rangel Denver, Colorado

Lodge #59

David G. Bonus Central City, Pennsylvania

Lodge #67 Donald Victor Peterson Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Lodge #68 Judy Ann Corey

Parker, Colorado

Year J\\embers Honored · Congratulations: The following Members have been enrolled as adults for 60 years:

Lodge #1

Geraldine ale Mramor Pueblo, Colorado

June Ann Mramor Pueblo, Colorado

Phyllis R. Strah Pueblo, Colorado

Lodge #5

Joseph A. Groden Leadville, Colorado

Lodge #7

Virginia Mae Dertina Scottsdale, Arizona

Kambich o, Colorado

hirley Keen Pueblo, Colorado

Lodge #17

Marietta P. Rudolph • : Fort Collins, Colorado

Lodge #29 James F. Yartz

Euclid, Ohio

Lodge #'!>'!> Raymond Glavan ~ •

Crest Hill , lllinois •

Bernice M. Jarkovich • .~ Oaklawn, Illinois

Jerome I. Malburg Barrington, lllinois

Lodge #?>8

Edith Mary Bertot Krernrnerer, Wyoming

Lodge #41

Dorothy Marie Grant Centennial, Colorado

Jean Lorraine Malone Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Juanita B. Orris Federal Heights, Colorado

Dolores Slatz Osburn, Idaho

Josephine M. Volosin Great Bend, Kansas

Lodge #52

Rosemary Topolovec Helper, Utah

Lodge #59

Eleanore J . Filokoskie Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania

Lodge #60

Mary Lemich Ruth, Nevada

Ann Paras Draper, Utah

Lodge #67

Delia Bridget Novak Hastings, Minnesota

The Real Pioneers -Our 70 Year Members Lodge #1

Frank Charles Grebenc Denver, Colorado

Tina Nelson Rio Vista, California

Lodge #9

Frank Joseph Konte Canon City, Colorado

Josephine Pohl\ Canon City, Colorado • •

e #14

, Texas ge #16

V. Dolgan eblo, Colorado

Pueblo , Colorado

•

•

Lodge #'!>'!>

Helen Christine Brown Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Marie D. Kaiser Arlington Heights , Illinois

John Strus Chicago, Illinois

. • Lodge #41 • e Vuksinich We minster, Colorado

Thank You All for Making WSA The Great Organization We Arel

Congratulations to our

80Year Members

6oth Mem i7ere of Lodge #32

Josephine Allen Palm Desert, California -

Albina Bittenc Euclid,, Ohio

'::-~_ ~-~-~,_~::.:- . FRATERNAL. VOICE

To qualify you m at: · • Currently be a member of WSA Fraternal Life, and • Have been a member for e last four years co tin ously, and

• Provide: -A copy of your High Se ool transcript reflectin a 'nim:um '2.5 cumulative GPA

(based on a 4.0 scoring system) and verifying our graduation in the year 2009.

- A letter of acc-eptance from an accredited co lege or university for the ensuing year.

-Three letters of recommendation from teachers and/or school administrqtion personnel.

- A recent ph to graph suitable for publication.

-An official rpplication (available on the internet from www.wsa-life.com, or from the .Home Office), completed and signed by project leaders and/or coordinators documenti g 40 hours of community service during your Senior Year.

All S holarship applicadons mast be rec:Jenreo by Rome Ollice on or before lane &o, 2009

2009 o~ Education Pro cholarship Recipients in 2006, 2007 and 2008 may a p. y o tinuing Education funds for the year 2009 awarded at

100i'o of their lnitia s n lar&nip award.

must: • Continuously maintain your WSA Fraterna Life membership in go9d standing

during your el!ltire educational assistance e i_gibility period, and • Complete and ubmit the application ( from the Home Office,

or on the inte et at www.wsa-life.co ), • Provide: ·

- A minimum .5 grade point average on a 4.0 g - A student co rse load equivalent, on an annual

Mark Your Calendar NOW!

And Join Us.

Per Board mo . resofutio flon, any Pres ns to be

28th w~nted at the must be sj, C?nvention

Home Ott;~ltte~ to the May 11 Pnor to

J 2009.

July 11, 2009 Vall Cascade .Resort

Vall, Colorado Members may attend the convention as either a Delegate (elected by his/her respective lodge) or as a guest (at their own expense) .

Notice to members attending as guests: If a member is attending as a guest they must contact the hotel no later than June 1, 2009. Members should contact the hotel reservation line at 800-282-4183 (be sure to reference WSA when making reservations to receive the group rate) prior to June 1, 2009. Additionally, members attending as guests must notify the Home Office of their intent to attend the conve11tion using the appropriate form. The Home Office must receive this form no later than May 11, 2009. Due to meeting planning needs and as per Section 2D of the WSA Bylaws all prospective attendees MUST RSVP to the Home Office by this date - walk-in attendees will not be admitted to the Convention. Please contact the Home Office if you wish to receive the form needed to RSVP.

Thank you so much for the check.

I'm very pleased with WSA Fraternal Life. It has always been there for all of us: It helped put my children and grandchil­dren through college.

I'm retired and my husband Tom and I love ·to fish and camp. We also enjoy our great-grandchil­dren.

It is a great insurance company and I appreciate all you have done for me and my family

Ruth Mlcklich

60 7

Dear W5A: Thank you so much for the check. It

has come at a great time. I am a retired school teacher of over 45

years and now am able to spend time reading and quilting. I enjoy doing both. I have made many quilts so all of the family can

keep warm. Thanks again for the much appreciated check.

Virginia Dertina

Last January 2008, I received a check. What a surprise and a won­derful gift, for being a 50 Year Adult Member. This belated thank you, even though late, is most sincerely meant. My husband got sick January 2008, needed several hospital visits, and finally had extensive open heart surgery the end of June. He is recovering nicely.

In 1957 or '58, I attended a convention in Canon City with my par­ents Frank & Mary Spelich. My Dad was a delegate and we took the train to Colorado. I remember having a nice time. We had dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jersin and were treated so well. We took a side trip touring a prison, which I remember I found different but interesting. My senior prom dress (a beautiful salmon color) was bought in Denver. What a thrill! It's funny the things I remember. Not a whole lot really, but bits and pieces that stay with me to this day. Nice and kind people, good food, great polka music (which I love still) a chance to visit a beautiful part of the country.

I have been married for over 46 years to my husband Richard, retired from Ameritech Telephone Company. We have three children: Mary Lee (Robert) Strahansoki, a nurse in Joliet; Richard Jr. (Debby) Lieutenant for the Joliet Police Department; Mark (Jenny) Patrolman for the · t Police Department. And we have five grandchildren: Ga e . y Demick, Bobby & Grace Strahanoski and Erik Dplriick. I ha belonged to St. Joseph Church in Joliet my entire life. ltm Vice- dent for St. Genievieve Lodge #108 KSKJ and was an

1cer of Sl enian Women's Union Br#20 in Joliet for many years. I very proud of my Slovenian roots. (Both my parents were

ovenian). ishing you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Sincerely, Mary Kay Demick

ers DearW5A:

I want to thank you for the most generous gift on the occasion of my 70 years of member­ship in this great organi­zation.

My wife, Charlene, and I have been married for 61 years . We met in the first grade in Annunciation Catholic

School in Denver and graduated from Annunciation High School in 1940.

Charlene attended St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas and received a BA in Dietetic Studies. She worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. I enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served for 2 years 1944-'45 in New Guinea and the Phillipines.

Mter my discharge I went to work for the U.S. Post Office for 30 years, retiring in 1978.

We have three children and 11 grandchildren. All

live in the Denver area, and we see all of them 1

·

regularly. ', We have lived at Windsor Gardens, a retirement

community in East Denver for 20 years and enjoy it very much.

I have enjoyed the 100 year anniversary book. It brings back many fond memories. ·

Once again thank you for the anniversary gift.

known Tenor. and on call for a local Funeral Home, weddings. etc.

I studied the pipe organ witfi an accom­plished organist from Gennany who lived in Ptlebld.

I traveled to many places in my younger days to include a three month tour of ten coun­tries in Europe.

My life has been very active and still is. Full

Sincerely¥

Frank Grebenc; ·

of ups and downs. but always very interesting. I have loved every minute of it.

Dear W5A: I want to thank you for

the check and certificate commemorating my 60 years of membership.

I am 82 years old and I have lived on a farm all of my life.

I am a widow for 16 years now. My children are two sons and a daugh­ter. I have seven grand­children and five great­~dchildren.

I enjoy volunteering at a hospital, which I have done for 15 years now.

Sincerely, Helen Centa

60 70 Dear WSA:

Thank you for the check I received for being a 70 year member.

We have moved back to Canon City. After living in Alaska for 54 years we are enjoying a milder winter.

Sincerely, Frank Joseph Konte

I received my certificate and check honoring my 50 years mem­bership in the WSA. Thank you very much.

I retired from the White Motor Co. in 1971, having worked there for 10 years . We then started a family. I have been married for 44 years and we have two children. Our son

and his family live in Pennsylvania, we have three grandchildren. Our daughter and son-in-law live in Lakewood, Ohio.

I co-owned a craft store for 10 years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. My husband is semi-retired so we enjoy our time together.

We enjoy working in the yard, planting tomato plants and the flow­ers that bloom and give us color to brighten every day.

Again, thank you for the 50 year certificate and check. I wish you all good health and God bless.

Sincerely, Mary Jean Rochon

DearW5A: I would like to thank you for the very nice

check and certificate commemorating my 70 years of membership in WSA. What a won­derful surprise.

My grandparents, mother, sister and sever­al others in our family have also been long time members in WSA.

I was born in Canon City, Colorado. We eventually moved to Pueblo, CO. After high school, I made a trip to the Chicago area for a visit. While there, I married and had two sons. I now have two great-grandchildren.

After my youngest son finished school, I went to work in banking. I retired from there after 17 years.

The activities that I enjoyed, then, skating, dancing, reading and being with friends and family. At this time in my life I just enjoy being with family, reading and TV.

Thank you again, for my award. Sincerely, Helen Christine 5rown

( l

ers Dear WSA:

Thank you for the check you sent me. It was a very nice surprise and appreciated very much.

Many blessings always.

DearW6A:

Sincerely, Rosemary Topolovec

Thank you for the cheek I received. I was the secre­tary of the Lodge for a few years, however, I don't remember the exact years. I truly enjoyed being the secretary. My mother and my uncle more or less start­ed thiS Lodge. in Cleveland. However, my mother had hiaf1. blood ~ssure and wa,s rejected. My uncle still kept pre~ much involved with it. I was elected the secretary for a few years and loved the job, and the ~Wenf\'ety friendly and ltind. I was sorry to heat tb'at member$ were dropping out and the Lodge j died~ NOone wanted to be active or be elected, but ev~ was happy and friendly. I believe it was their age th3t kept most Qf them· from being active any lonaer. In tbe past we would hold a dinner dance once a y~ and fill tbct hall on Waterloo Road. I had a fam-ily tem and eventually had to give up the job. I evelifiiall)t divOrted but the stress caused me to beconrt .I alsO had to find a means to support m~aod.lllX young son. •

lllftt''-l DQW in hi$; 70's and he and his wife have bee~ fot 54 years. They presented me with tbtei(.~dreli. S great-grandchildren and also o ..,._great-.grandchild. I have a nice family. .

belOnged to the Tadran Singing club and we went to Yugoslavia in 1977, where we put on a concert. We we~ met with a warm welcome. They really showed us a nice.time and in tum, we enjoyed being with them. Prijublani, Yugoslavia is a very nice town and that is where my mother was hom.

My. voice is no longer what it used to be, but I enjoy hearing the tapes we made when we were in the height of our singing days. My second husband Frank, played the button box and I sang. We had a lot of good times together and I enjoy remembering. I espe­cially remember we were at one of the dinn r dances ancl ~club closed, but the crowd wanted us to stay,

play and sing, so we went to the bar room. My hus­band, Frank. Klavora, was well known for his expertise on the button box. He was a good man and we bad a happy life. We also bad many parties at our home where people ate, danced and had a very good time.

I did marry again at age 80 to Lee Allen. We only had a few years together before Lee passed on.

I will be 96 in March and don't get around as much as I used to but I am much happier now. I'm a happy old lady with warm memories. I live in a retirement complex that provides for all my needs. I have two rooms and a patio overlooking a waterfall. The weath­er in California, especially in Palm springs, is almost always perfect. The area is beautiful and there are always flowers in bloom. I go to Sacred Heart Church and we have a wonderful priest, Father Lincoln, as pastor. The Senior Center is across the street from where I live, so I try to help them at times. My health is fairly good and I manage to take care of myself. My · family is close and I enjoy when the younger mem­bers are in town for the holidays and we are all at my son's. It is good to see them in the pool at Thanksgiving, all having a good time. It brings back memories of when I was young.

Thank you again for sending me the 80 year certifi­cate. I really enjoyed getting that milestone.

Sincerely, Joseehlne Allen

Thank you very much for the check and certifi­cate, it was such a nice surprise.

I live in a Gateway Retirement Apartment in Euclid. There are 40 apartments and it's so nice because most of the people here are Slovenian , so it's nice when we have parties, there's always accordion music and we sing and dance to it.

It's a very nice place and I'm happy to be here.

Thanks again for the check and certificate.

Sincerely,

Albina 6ittem

DearWSA: Thank you for the generous check, and the certificate for being a

member of WSA for 60 years. During these tough times the check was a pleasant surprise and greatly appreciated. My parents Jim and Mary Pugel initially started my membership in this wonderful organization. It is very thoughtful of the WSA Fraternal Life organization to reward those who have been members for many years.

Sixty years sure did go by fast. I was born in Pueblo, Colorado and have lived here all my life. I graduated from Central High School

in 1949, and in that same year I married Charlie Keen, a switchman for the C&W Railroad. We were married

over 50 years when he passed in 2000. My greatest joy is my family, especially my four children.

My wish is for everyone to stay as healthy as they can. It is true that if you have your health you have

everything.

TH/IN!Q!

DearWSA: Thank you so much for your

certificate and check. It is hard to believe that I have been a WSA member for 50 years. My parents were WSA members and enrolled me at an early age.

Los Angeles has been my home for many years. I originally came here to attend chiropractic college.

Sincerely, Shirley Keen

After completing my studies, I became interested in' post graduate classes and spent several years attending classes in various speciali­ties within the chiropractic profession. By that time I was hooked on living in Los Angeles and the weather in particular.

I have had a long career as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and thor­oughly enjoy my work. I also enjoy dancing Argentine tango and salsa, rollerblading near the beach, yoga and weight training.

I do miss my family in Denver and visit as often as possible. I look forward to being a WSA member for many more years to come.

Best wishes, Anita Sant 'Angelo

DearW5A: I was born in

Eugene, Oregon in December of 1921. I was raised on a large farm during the depression. I left home at the age of 17, and joined the Army during World War II where I was stationed in Alaska. After serving in the Army I moved to Denver, Colorado, where I met my wife of 62 years, Francis Mary Gerze.

We lived in the Denver area where

ers

we raised four children. We have nine grandchil­dren and three great grandchildren. Most of my working years were spent working for the meat packing plants in the Globeville area. After 30 years there, I went to work for the Jefferson County School District until my retirement.

I have always enjoyed being in the great out­doors, taking part in my favorite hobbies: fishing, hunting and gardening. I enjoy drawing when the weather keeps me in.

Richard Harrieon Grupp

'!!}J;; cfeCl/~t 6 ~tt t!te {j?J)ril"cf

%d defY J a/the JJWnl:

~ni1'1j J at Jettml,:

~ ltill&de 6 clew --Jea,rlerl,·

Dear WSA: I wish to thank you for the certificate of 50 years of

membership as well as the money I received. It has been rewarding being part of WSA for all of these years.

I retired as a registered nurse from Exempla Medical Center after 27 years.

John and I have three children and 6 grandchildren that we love to spend time with whenever possible.

Af~er retirement John and I have taken many trips both m the USA and abroad, really enjoying our trav­els.

We also love to camp in the Colorado mountains.

m i1"?:

'!!}J;; 6nai/ 6 011/ tlw tA{)IPJ'b:

@od J Vl'b hi6 ~ttel'b-

Thanks again,

Betty Arko

!Jillj rf?At with tlw ~ttMid/ Brownjng- Pippa Passes

Friends

Thank you for the gift of money. Merry Christmas!

Love, David and Ryan

Thank you for the gift of money for Annikka for Christmas from the Lodge. She has put it in her savings account.

Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas

Annikka Mattson

Dear WSA: Thank you so much for your

recent donation to our organization. We greatly appreciate your gener­ous support of our programs.

Thank you! Jeffrey 5. Lyte

Northwoode Hoepic;e Respite Partners

Dear WSA: I wanted to wait until after Christmas to express my

thanks and appreciation for the generous donation you made to the Senior Hub Meals on Wheels program. I thought that you would be interested in knowing how your money was spent. Most was applied to our special program called "Adopt a Senior", which we offer to our Meals on Wheels clients who have no family or friends with whom to share Christmas. Your assistance was invaluable! Some of the

money purchased much of the food which I needed to cook Christmas dinner for 8 clients. They received both ham and turkey with all of the trimmings and two differ­

ent slices of pie for dessert. I also needed to purchase three grocery store gift cards and three pizza delivery coupons for gifts for clients , which I did.

The remaining provided a much needed daily hot meal for a client in Commerce City during the week of Christmas and the week of New Years.

This client is a non-sighted, retired veteran, who has been trying to survive, living in a basement which has no refriger­ator/freezer, no stove and no kitchen sink. We have been providing him with a nutritious free, hot meal each day. However, during the holidays, we eliminate daily delivery and provide these clients with frozen meals each holiday week. Thus we can offer our dedicated volunteers some holi­day time off with their own families. However, this Commerce City gentleman could not use frozen meals . He needed to have a daily hot meal delivered . We also had another group of clients who would continue to receive a daily warm meal, since they receive a daily restaurant meal . This veteran could not afford the $6.50 daily cost to receive the restaurant meal. Thus , your money enabled this gentle­man to receive the daily, hot restaurant meal he could not otherwise have afforded and solved the problem of how to obtain a free, nutritious meal each day during the holidays.

Thanks again to each of you for helping us express the real meaning of Christmas to our homebound Meals-on­Wheels clients .

Sincerely, Marita Hafner, Director

Senior Hub Meal5·on-Wheele "Adopt a Senior" Program

ers Dear W5A:

It is with a deep humility that I accept your kindness and gifts to the Slovenian Library, Museum and Genealogy Center to sustain and support the enhance­ment of our Slovenian heritage.

The valuable collection of the societies ribbons worn in the early days of your organization is so beautifully displayed and has found a place of special importance in our museum. Their presence tells a story of the fra­ternal dedication members felt as they wore the emblems at functions, funerals, etc. We are truly thank­ful to you for giving this gift to us.

The donation in support of our endeavors is so very welcome. We have recently put a booklet together of a large number of Slovenian and Croatian songs that included the words written in Slovenian and English, pronounced and sung on a CD that is included in the booklet. The idea was the brainstorm of Bob Blazich, our Genealogy Research Director.

Another endeavor that is new to the library is the purchase of seven bilingual children's books with the Slovenian story on one side and by turning the book over, the English translation is read. Many of the younger parents that are not too fluent in Slovenian are enjoying the opportunity for the exposure of the lan­guage for their youngsters as well as for themselves. The books are elementary school level, so with the translation it can be usable as a learning tool at any level.

Gen Prayer

Once again we are so appreciative of your organiza­tions dedicated support of our Slovenian Library and its existence. It is our wish that the fraternalism of WSA will always be blessed.

Nasvidenje,

Bernice Kraaovec, Curator

Last year we published our Celebration of the First 100 Years: 1908-2008

history of the WSA.

If you found that publication interesting and informative we su.ggest that you visit the Sloven ian Library, Museum and Genealogy Center in Pueblo, Colorado. This collection provides a rich compilation of

Slovenian historical information, as well as items which might prove valuable to those doing genealogical research.

Neena Maswlka and her grandma Joni Hussion get the ball lined up for a strike.

Greg Steel and Kim and Mike Holm seem to

he enjoying the company and the food.

ha1•ing a good time. bowling, clmvning around and

Trent Roberts gets the right

grip on the ball.

Austin , Aidan , Dale @-. -. and Misty Cmmp set down to a jim meal and presents.

Bob, Chad and Lisa Pavich get together for fun.

\ J

onWSA

Bemice Krasovec , Curator of the Gornick Slovenian Library and Museum , accepts a donation from Slovan Lodge members Irene and Albert Mishmash .

(Center) Slovan Lodge members Juanita Blatnick and Del Kogovsek present a check to Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen Board Members Carolyn Minley (left)

Celie Montgomery and Larry Higinbotham present a

check on behalf of Slovan Lodge to Christina Anderson,

Executive Director of the Pueblo Children's Chorale and Zola Hunyada.

'. • 'I' ~ ... ~

; . Friendship · · .·.:,. ·

Grasps at hand, eye lights eye in good friendship, And great hearts expand And grow one in the sense of this world's life.

Browning- Saul

Forsooth, brethren, fellowship is heaven and lack of fellowship is hell; fellowship is life and lack of fellowship is death; and the deeds that ye do upon the earth, it is for fellowship's sake that ye do them.

William Morris - Dream of john Ball

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

George Washington - in a letter, 1783

The highest compact we can make with our fellow is, - Let there be truth between us two forevermore.

Chance makes our parents, but choice makes our friends.

Emerson - Essays

Deli lie

7

Once again Lodge #41 blazed the trail to the Boulder Dinner Theater to celebrate Christmas with friends and good food. Forty-six participated in the great time.

Let's order! Bernice

Buzan-Ryder, Georgia

Tokar and Joyce Havens

study the

Tony Fedrizzi, Burt Rhodes and Frank Naccarato are ready! When does the play start?

onWSA A special trip to Albuquerque New Mexico for the Albuquerque Balloon;

Fiesta was a treat for 44 members of Lodge #41. Viewing the balloons '· made the long trek worth it, but balloons weren't the only thing on the agenda. The fun loving members stayed at the elegant Sandia Resort, played golf and watched the Bronco game.

Cheryl Santangelo, Arlene Seed, Mike Osborne and Carol and Mike Rondinelli are ready for a great round

of golf at the Sandia Resort Golf Course.

It's a long bus trip to Albuquerque. Members stopped at a park in Pueblo to enjoy a box lunch.

After getting up early to view the hot air balloons, the travelers take a break to watch the Bronco game

at the Sandia Resort Casino.

Nothing keeps these Bronco fans from their game . Lodge #41 members and guests gathered in the Sm1dia Resort Casino to watch the Denver Broncos battle the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Dad, Mike Thorfinson

makes sure his daughter is ready to go.

len, Brent and Roger Lewis

and friend take one last

picture before hitting the

slopes.

Once again the WSA Juniors pick the best day of the year to go skiing. And this February 21st was that day. Our Junior members and their families hit the slopes up at Eldora for a fun day of skiing and boarding.

The Thorfinson girls make sure Roger is ready for a fun day on the slopes.

'Juniors .Make a: Day of it at the National Wester ..

Bill Kremer and Roger get things organi-:.ed.

The WSA Juniors repeated their trip to the National Western Stock Show this year. And once again came away with some fun memo-

Reine Zadel enjoyed a front row seat with her children.

~J, . . ' - ~ { .

f·.. . · ·. :. WSA's~ Commitment to the Community· . ·. ,;·.

''All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own. This teaches us the lesson that a favor or good granted to others is

always returned to us in some way."

These are words from George Miroslavich, long-time President of WSA as well as long-time junior Department leader, when speaking to the junior members on the junior page

of the Fraternal Voice, as taken from the january 1951 issue.

011r Board Meets Summary Of The Meeting Of

The Board December 13, 2008 Chairman John Kogovsek called the meeting of the Board to order. All Directors were present. Guests Honorary Director Mehelich, Vice­President of Operations Tina Scribner, Controller Tammy Kanary and Asset Administrator Jack Hall were also present.

Reports were given by the following individuals:

• Chairman John Kogovsek • President/CEO Randy Fuss • Board Junior Department Advisor Roger Lewis • Controller Tammy Kanary • Asset Administrator Jack Hall • Vice President of Operations Tina Scribner

The Board performed the following actions:

• Approved the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held August 16, 2008.

• Approved the 2008 third Quarter Statement of WSA.

• Approved the minutes of the Finance Committee and ratified the actions of the Finance Committee since the prior Board meeting.

• Approved the 2008 budget as amended. • Approved the 2009 budget as presented.

• Approved, for the 2009 calendar year, that dividends on all non-1980 CSO life products shall be paid using the current scale of 3.5% of statutory reserves as of 12/31/08, and shall be calculated on the net certificate reserve value. For the post-1980 CSO whole life insurance products (with the exception of preneed/KK certificates) a dividend of $1.00 per $1 ,000 of original face amount shall be paid for the 2009 calendar year.

• Approved the 2009 LAFP allocation per lodge based on a $15 per member per month allocation based on the average attendance in 2008. (Additionally, subsidies for events shall not exceed $25/per member in any given month for any given lodge.)

• Approved the renewal of the LAIP for 2009, with a maximum budget of $6700 and with the qualifications and parameters as outlined in the lodge reference manual.

• Approved the creation of a scholarship budget allowing for $2000 per qualified applicant who meets the qualifications of a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average, 40 hours of community service during the applicant's senior year, and a minimum of 4 years continuous membership with WSA.

• Approved the 2009 allocation for the Junior Department.

• Re-appointed Ernest R. Foerster as WSA's illustration and valuation actuary for 2009 and reviewed and approved his compensation for 2009.

• Approved the continuation of the Lodge Secretary Retirement Compensation for 2009 for the individual named in 1988 at the funding amount set in 1988.

• Approved the continuation of the employee SEP plan . • Approved the list of authorized bond brokers.

• Approved the final submission date of resolutions to be presented at the July 2009 Convention shall

be May 11,2009.

• Approved the criteria for consideration for Board directorship

&. No further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Copies of the minutes are available upon request from the Home Office.

11

• • • and.M.eets Summary Of The Meeting Of

. . The Board March 7, 2009

• Chairman John Kogovsek called the meeting of the Board to order. All Directors were present. Guests Honorary Director

Mehelich and Vice-President of Operations Tina Scribner were present.

The Board performed the following actions:

• Approved the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors held December 13, 2008. • Approved the 2008 Annual Statement of WSA. • Approved the minutes of the Finance Committee and ratified the actions of the

Finance Committee since the prior Board meeting. • Approved a paper-only presentation of the independent audit of WSA's 2008 financials to the Board of Directors. • Approved the illustration certifications. • Set the delegate criteria as follows: one delegate for each lodge containing at least 50 membe ,

two delegates for each lodge containing at least 150 members, and one additional delegate foli each additional150 members thereafter. This criteria resulted in delegate allocation as follows

Lodge #1- 5

Lodge #3- 2

Lodge #7- 1

Lodge #16- 1

Lodge #41 - 3

Lodge #67- 1

• Appointed Chairman John K govsek as Chairman of the Convention to be held Saturday, July 11, 2009. • Approved allowing Honorary Delegates to attend the Convention as delegates,

affording them all rights as such, including a vote. • Approved allowing Ann Mobilia, an Honorary Director, to assign a proxy for her Honorary Director

delegate status at the 2009 Convention to a person of her choosing.

& No further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Copies of the minutes are available upon request/rom the Home Office.

. ,. r.

· Quarter Ending December 31, 2008

BONDS

MORTGAGE LOANS

REAL ESTATE

$13,677,587 20,974,825

CERTIFICATE LOANS 208,84 7 CASH & SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS 7 ,258, 762 OTHER INVESTED ASSETS 1 ,957,133 DEFERRED PREMIUMS 1 ,009 INVESTMENT INCOME DUE 394,360 INCOME TAX RECOVERABLE

FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT 2,209

I.JABIUI1ES CERTIFICATE RESERVES

AMOUNTS LEFT ON DEPOSIT

CLAIM RESERVES

$24,414,110 6,177,783

35,000 12 MONTH REFUNDS ESTIMATED 1 05,000 ADVANCE PREMIUMS

INTEREST MAINT. RESERVES

GENERAL EXPENSES PAYABLE

TAXES, FEES, LICENSES PAYABLE

TRUSTEE WITHHOLDINGS

ASSET VALUATION RESERVE

UNEARNED INCOME

PENDING ESCHEATMENT

-1:· --.. -·· --.. .... ..- .. -'t ·-1: 0-

......ec.t:t• -... -'t• ....... _..,._., _ .. ....... -.. - ·· -

60,237 97,618

143,568 15,912

309,256 561,641

-..... ._._._ __ fill

lUI ................ ...,._.._':-'_, ...........

~~ 1.1 ~ ~o _:S.o F-F-.,.4:+a _;:+;_~n 0::¥--~~ ~-~tfo !l;ja I .::~nu(oJn~cn:::ra. .. e:.nn:;,.

-·cocr-G:.-::r-.acn• -.oiJ •••C•o.o-o•~·-~n~~~~

-•-•~- -.cA~•v• eww

Wild Birds of the American Continents

Use the Wcxd Bank to help you unscramble the following list of wild birds. Then write them In the puzzle.

Across . 1. rkelhs 4. IIppi

5. nrew 6. alwolws

7. mumhgnldbrt

11 . cnauto

13. nloo 14. otoop

15. tnognrew

Down 2. bnlor 3. kocuco

4. npegnlu 6. ltlls

8. dbla geale

9. ttomom 10. nkalnam

12. repdpl

Answers to both puzzles on page24

',, 'J t .. -

Use the Word Bank to help you write the base word for each word below. Then find your answers In the wordsearch.

1. sweetness 2. dangerous 3. payment 4. cellon 5. adventurous 6. friendless 7. colorful 8. truthful 9. endless

10. powerful 11 . assignment 12. dependable 13. hoarsely 14. comical 15. national 16. useless

0 a h c

X d 0 e

a v y p

n e b J 0 n k d

e t c

u m X

X r b d

r e h b

0 I k a

f r e

r b w u

c s d n

e v a

y p m

m z r n a 0

b 0 n

adventure comic assign depend

w n a t q k d c

n d e h 0 a r s e

d p u r h b m d e v

s v w e s c e f n

a n g e r c X p g p

p g w a s d u e y a

s w e e h q z n t y

y c 0 m I c r d k u

z y r 0 u h e v n

c v s p c 0 0 r m

n d w q d n I p

c f z m g q u s e

X u a r g a I 0 r . v

e X h u y w b s p m

q n p 0 w e r k

n y g h q c v s d g

k p z 0 h r k w h e q s u a u I v X f

Word Bank

danger power act friend sweet end hoarse truth pay nation color use

·'

CoaClOrd ..,.._ By the rude bridge that arched

the flood, Their flag to April's breeze

unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers

stood, And fired the shot heard round

the world.

The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has

swept Down the dark stream which

seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,

We set to-day a votive stone; That memory may their deed

redeem, When, like our sires, our sons

are gone.

Spirit that made those heroes dare

To die, and leaves their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and

thee.

Poe IDS Hiawatha' Childhood

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Saw the rainbow in the heaven, In the easter sky the rainbow, Whispered, "What is that,

Nokomis?" And the good Nokomis

answered: " 'Tis the heaven of flowers

you see there; All the wild-flowers of the

forest, All the lilies of the

prairie, When on earth they

fade and perish, Blossom in that

heaven above us."

God, Give Us M.en! God, give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and

ready hands; Men whom the lust of office does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and a will ; Men who have honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue And damn his treacherous flatteries without

winking! Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and in private thinking; For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,

. Their large professions and their little deeds, Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps, Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.

Joshia Gilbert Holland (1819-1881)

.A\emorial Day Edgar A. Guest

The finest tribute we can pay Unto our hero dead to-day

not a rose wreath, white and red, In memory of the blood they shed;

~--~ It is to stand beside each mound, Each couch of consecrated

ground, --~ And pledge ourselves as

warriors true Unto the work they died to

do.

Into God's valleys where they lie · At rest, beneath the open sky, Triumphant now, o'er every foe, As living tributes let us go. No wreath of rose or immortelles Or spoken word or tolling bells Will do to-day, unless we give Our pledge that liberty shall live.

Our hearts must be the roses red We place above our hero dead; To-day beside their graves we must Renew allegiance to their trust; Must bare out heads and humbly say We hold the Flag as dear as they, And stand, as once they stood, to die To keep the Stars and Stripes on high.

The finest tribute we can pay Unto our hero dead to-day Is not of speech or roses red, But living, throbbing hearts instead That shall renew the pledge they sealed With death upon the battlefield; That freedom's flag shall bear no stain And free men wear no tyrant's chain.

Indoor Trampoline Park and Family Sports Fun Center

Featuring: Trampolines Trampoline Dodge 6all

I nflata blea Batting Tunnels

Indoor Infield Here you can Jump

on a trampoline

and then bounce off a

WALL of trampolines.

Yes, bounce off the walls with­

out driving your par­

ents crazy!

You will get 2 houra of jumping time and a pizza lunch!

Parent Muat Attend to Sign Waiver for Any Child Under 18 Yeara of

When: Saturday, May 16th

9:00-10:30 AM

Where: Rock'n & Jam'n

9499 N. Washington St. Unit C,. Thornton

Cost: Kids 18 & under - $8

FREE with 2 Community Service Events

Adults 19 and up - $10 Non-Members - $16

RSVP Deadline May 6 No Reservations will be accepted

after the deadline -NO EXCEPTIONS RESERVE ASAP!

• Parents Must Be Present to

Sign Waiver Form

•Indoor Climbing Walla

for all agee and experienc;e levela

• Climb with the , . aasiatanc;e of

harneaa and ropea·

• Gym staff available to asaiat all c;limbera

RSVP by May 6 to ROGER LEVVIS at: 970-663-0533

or RSVP on the web at: www.wsa-life.com

• $20- Jr. FREE ·wt2 C()mmunity

$30 - dult Me era $46 - N W5A Mem era

~icket & food voucher

80 Tickete Available ...

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!

MAIL YOUR RESERVATION

FORM& PAYMENT

ASAP!

Please fill out and return the following by .June 12, 2009: Child's Name Aee Co5t

Adult's Name Co5t

1ota! Co5t ..

MAIL this form & your check (payable to WSA) to: NO LATE RESERVATIONS Roger Lewis, 2862 Kiowa Dr., Loveland, co 80538

ACCEPTED! l.l..U.J!l&.LLUL.~.U'.JW.L.n::uLilJLI/.I&l:JJ&..«, please include your address: Name ____________ _

Tickets will be mailed to you/ Address -------------City ______ State __ .Zip __ _

'I

April 6 6:30PM

14 5:30PM

8 5:30PM 21 6:30PM 15 5:30PM 16 5:30PM 18 !O:OOAM 19 5:30PM

4 6:30PM 12 5:30PM 13 5:30PM 2 1 5:30PM

16 9:00AM 17 5:30PM 19 6:30PM 20 5:30PM 25

June 1 6:30PM 9 5:30PM

10 5:30PM 21 5:30PM 16 6:30PM 17 5:30PM 18 5:30PM 20 6:10PM 30

er a

Denver Lodge #7 will meet*

Pueblo Lodges #3 & #16 will hold a joint meeting at the S.R.D.A.*

Denver Lodge #41 will meet*

Denver Lodge #6 will meet*

Denver Lodge #I will meet*

Loveland Lodge #17 will hold a meeting*

WSA Tomorrow Members . ]ztmpStreet Event.

Minnesota Lodge #67 , and Chicago Lodge #33 will meet*.

Denver Lodge #7 will meet

Pueblo Lodges #3 & #16 will ho·ld a joint meeting at the S.R.D.A.*

Denver Lodge #41 will meet*

Loveland Lodge #17 will hold a meeting*

WSA Tomorrow Members . Rock'n & ]am'n Eve11t.

Minnesota Lodge #67, and Chicago Lodge #33 will meet*

Denver Lodge #6 will meet*

Denver Lodge #I will meet*

HOME OFFICE CLOSED. Memorial Day.

Denver Lodge #7 will meet*

Pueblo Lodges #3 & #16 will hold a joint meeting at the S.R.D.A.*

Denver Lodge #41 will meet*

Minnesota Lodge #67, and Chicago Lodge #33 will meet*

Denver Lodge #6 will meet*

Denver Lodge #I will meet*

Loveland Lodge #17 will hold a meeting*

WSA Tomorrow Members . WSA Family Night at the Colorado Rockies.

Scholarship Application Deadline and Continuing Education Application Deadline.

*These meetings are tentative. Please call the Home Office for correct place and time.

9 10 3 4 5 8 6\ ~ Meeting Denver: Lodeoll7 V·E DAY, 1945

12 10 15 Mania's DAY LMrt~~vm •

8 9 10 11 12 6\ 6\

Meeting Denver : Lodgts #41

14 16 17 18 19 Tomorrow 20 FLAG DAY 6\ 6\ Meml7ers:

COLORADO Meeting Loveland: ROCKIES GAME Denver : Lodgts #1 Lodge #17

24 26

5T. JEAN-BAPTISTE DAY

28