Delicious Slovak food including klobasa, halusky, schnitzel, pirohy, and halupky was prepared onsite by members of the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club, many of whom also are FCSU members. Radio Club President Henry Horvath is an FCSU National Supreme Court Member and Branch 855 Auditor; Radio Club Vice President and Program Director Milan Kobulsky is a member of Branch 450; Karin Scally is the Radio Club Treasurer and also Branch 855 Vice President; Radio Club Trustees Vlad Cvicela and Dana Glova are members of Branch 24; and Radio Club Trustee Martin Kulik is a member of Branch 1. Other members of both organizations who worked at or contributed to the event included: Tim Scally, Joe Elias, Jana Horvath, Jana Chuba, Jessica Chuba, Susie Halley, Lily Halley, Maria Cvicela, Milka Anderko, Joe Oros, Terri Ivanec, and Tom Ivanec. In addition, four local-area FCSU Branches offered their members food and beverage tickets. Seventy-two members of Branches 1, 24, 450, and 855 attended. Thanks to the FCSU Home Office for helping to sponsor the event as well as to all our members who came to the festival. A very special round of applause to the Cleveland Slovak Radio Club for working so hard to put together a wonderful event that brought us together after such a long time apart and helped to keep our great Slovak traditions alive.

– Submitted by Thomas Ivanec, Region 6 Director

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The 29^th annual Slovak Ball was held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at The Royal Manor in Garfield, New Jersey, thanks to the Slovak-American Cultural Center (S-ACC)! This year, a unique tribute to contemporary folk music was held in honor of Slovakia’s 30th anniversary of independence. The 480 guests were mesmerized by both contemporary and traditional performances of Slovak and Rusyn folk music by the charismatic Slovak singer, choreographer, and “folklorista” Štefan Štec. Stefan released his debut album, “Poletiv by’m na kraj svita,” in 2018, and was awarded a double platinum record for it. We felt privileged to host this distinctive and captivating young performer! Famed Slovak drummer and and percussionist Martin Valihora complimented the outstanding Express Band, led by Marek Soltis!  Slovak Ball attendees traveled from near and far – Alaska, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts and of course – NJ, NY, PA, and CT!  A dozen or more guests joined all the way from Slovakia!

​During cocktail hour guests were serenaded by the soulful performance of Ester Wiesnerová who recently released her debut album, Blue Journal.  The evening was filled with a very sweet and special sense of beauty, celebration, friendship, and return to our roots invoking the Return to Folklore theme of the evening!

Upon entering The Grand Ball attendees felt like they were transported to the homeland – Slovakia as it was decorated with ornate traditional Slovak headpieces called “party” and men’s hats from Zemplin and Tatry region representing Gorals.The Slovak Ball kicked off at 7pm with a cocktail hour featuring a Slovak classic “Slivovica” which announced the evening’s folklore and was served from an ice sculpture which looked like the Slovak flag. Slovak chefs working in the kitchen at the Royal Manor provided a variety of Slovak specialties, including open-faced sandwiches made in the Slovak style (“obložené chlebíčky”), “bryndzové halušky” (the Slovak national dish) topped with bacon and served in smart cocktail glasses, and mini breaded cutlets (“vyprážané rezne”).

​​ Dignitaries in attendance included H.E. Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the U.S. Radovan Javorcik; Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations Michal Mlynár, his wife Dr. Andrea Mlynárova and daughter Michaela (Branch 746); Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenča; Vice-Consul of the Czech Republic in Chicago, Dr. Monika Bokšová; and Viktor Dvořák– Minister Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the United Nations  and his lovely wife Katarina.  It was a delight to have many Slovak organizations represented at The Slovak Ball which including: Kevin Collins, Executive Secretary at First Catholic Slovak Union  and many Region 1 members; Paul Smithers and wife Lesley representing First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association;  Rick Martin, Development Coordinator of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library; Miroslav Konvalina, Director of the Czech Center in NY; Broadway star and recording artist, Luba Mason (Branch 746); Dr. Zuzana Palovic of Global Slovakia; Dr. Martina Hrvolova, Vice Chairman of Friends of Slovakia; Board of Directors of Czech and Slovak Association of Boston; and Slovak Professionals in NY!

The Slovak Ball was opened by a greeting by President of the Slovak-American Cultural Center, Sabina Sabados (FCSU Region 1 Director, Branch 746) with a reflection on the first Slovak Ball which was held in 1993 and title “The Independence Ball” celebrating the formation of Slovakia.  The Slovak-American Cultural Center which hosts annually The Slovak was founded in 1967 – and for almost 60 years we have been working toward fulfilling our mission – promoting and recognizing achievements of Slovaks in the United States through cultural, scientific, sports and philanthropic events.  After the welcomes by Ambassador Javorcik and Ambassador Mlynar, Father Stefan Chanas of St. John Nepomucene Slovak Church in NYC offered the benediction.  In attendance were also Fr. Peter Bujdos (Branch 746), and Fr. Martin Vavrak and wife Anka from Perth Amboy.  Parishioners from Slovak parishes in Linden, Clifton and Trenton were also in attendance.

​          After midnight, the famous Slovak Ball Raffle began with drawings for unique prizes donated by generous sponsors and donors. The proceeds of the raffle go to support the mission of S-ACC and the Scholarship Fund which gives scholarships to students eager to learn the Slovak language through the University of Pittsburgh’s Slovak Language Studies program.  There were 30 prizes as part of the raffle such as: a 750 euro gift certificate toward a handmade Slovak traditional kroj courtesy of Výroba Krojov (www.vyrobakrojov.sk); a 600 euro gift certificate toward homemade Slovak folklore products courtesy of Cipisek – Jozef Karahuta; a private tour of the White House; house seats to Moulin Rouge: The Musicial; tickets to the Metropolitan Opera, weekend trip to the Hamptons with a fishing excursion; Slovak products such as Nestville Slovak whiskey and Goral Vodka from Wesmont Liquors G4 located in Wood Ridge, NJ; basket of goodies from Jednota and so much more!

The evening concluded with a midnight buffet featuring roast pig, potato pancakes and all the fixings. Dancing continued until 2am! A big thanks to the entire S-ACC Board for all the time and efforts dedicated to making the event a success. Thank you to First Catholic Slovak Union, our corporate sponsors, for helping to make The Slovak Ball a huge success!  A special thank you to all of the Jednota members from Region 1 who always come to support The Slovak Ball from Branches: 45 (New York City), 716 (New York City, and 746 (Linden, NJ).

Photos featured with this article are of Jednota members.  For more photos, videos, and the full concert, visit: SlovakAmericanCC.org.  What a night!

• Article written by: Sabina Sabados, S-ACC President, Branch 746
• Photo credits: Jozef Pavlik

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Apr 2, 2023 1:00 PM EST

Branch 746 Milada Kurucova has been doing this with her father every year and continues the tradition. She would like to share the joy of having this special skill that can be fun for all family. Materials are included. Requires a registration, since space is limited.

The attached list is a tool kit for those wishing to participate.

What you need:

White raw eggs size Large (no stamp) 5 per person

1. Coloring tablets from a Easter egg coloring kit including cup containers
2. White distilled vinegar
3. Wax (bees preferably), or candle or crayons
4. Tea candle container
5. Skewer
6. Pin
7. Paper towel, spoon
8. Hot plate or griddle
9. Big needle

If you’d like to blow out the eggs and keep them, I recommend One Hole Egg Blower from Amazon, cost $16.

The eventbrite link is for in person — which is also an option — this is in Brewster, NY.

Click here to sign up and attend IN PERSON.

Click here to join ONLINE.

Meeting ID: 868 2622 6139
Passcode: vajicko

We will se you there.

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At Mass, the Pittsburgh Slovakians served as a choir in leading the singing several English and Slovak hymns.   During Communion, the congregation sang the popular Advent hymn, Ježíš, Ježíš, príď ku mne (Jesus, Jesus, come to me) and Sladké srdce Ježíša (Sweet heart of Jesus).  The concluding hymn was dedicated to our Sorrowful Mother, the patroness of Slovakia – Ó Mária bolestivá (Oh Sorrowful Mary).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY

Following Mass, the Pittsburgh Slovakians treated attendees to several reenactments of traditional Slovak customs on St. Andrew’s Day (Ondrej), St. Nicholas Day (Mikuláš), and the Jasličkári (Bethlehem strollers).  On Ondrej, eligible young ladies would pour hot lead into water. Upon cooling, the shapes formed by the pieces of lead would foretell their future husbands, and the girls in the play showed joy or distress depending on the guy. Children in the group then reenacted the awaiting of St. Nick.  The event concluded with the Jasličkári play filled with song and dancing, and ending with humble offerings to Ježiško, the child Jesus.  Even the half-witted and ill-clad Kubo offered what little he has to the Christ child, jeho srdca (his heart).  The audience heartily applauded the stunning and memorable performance.

Following the play, Bishop Kulick led the prayer before the meal and attendees then enjoyed a traditional Slovak Christmas Eve vilija.   The meal consisted of oplatky s medom (blessed wafers with honey), cesnak (garlic), kaputsnica (sour mushroom soup), pečená ryba (baked fish), pirohy, hrachy (peas), bobalky (poppy seed rolls), sušené slivky (dried plums), and koláče (nut and fruit rolls) for dessert.  Three types of tasty local homemade wines added some flavor to the meal.

A big ďakujem (Thank you) goes out to the organizers and volunteers for the sold-out event, especially District 3’s Vice President Darlene Patty and President William Patty. District 3 is proud of the fact that the vilija which commences with the sacrifice of the Mass, and hopes to continue this tradition for years to come.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY

Michael J. Kopanic, Jr., Ph.D., editor

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To View more pictures from the Annual Toronto Slovak Open Golf Day click here.

Submitted by John Tokarsky, Fraternal Activities Director
Toronto Area District and Branch Jednota

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A great evening of fun and fraternalism was had by all!

Submitted by Thomas Ivanec, Region 6 Director

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The festivities began on Friday evening, September 16, and continued into Saturday.  The festival featured live music, ethnic Slavic foods, and three lecture presentations on Slavic themes.  Entertainment featured a performance by Pajtáši, a Slovak folk acoustic band from New York City, as well as those from other Slavic groups, including the talented Rusyn group, Gerdan.

Branch 23 hosted a booth at the festival and offered information about the FCSU.  Visitors could sign up to win a Giant Eagle Gift Card, so that attracted some attendees to check us out.

A thank you goes out to branch President Marian Hockycko and Financial and Recording Secretary, Theresa Cassat, who organized the table.  Some Jednota issues and souvenirs were given to interested visitors, and Professor Michael Kopanic brought along a picture book about Ľudový odev na Spiši (Folk dress in Špiš) which aroused great interest.  Ďakujeme to Želmíra Becková- Kucharovic, who gifted the book!

The post Br 23 Hosts Jednota Table at the Johnstown Slavic Fest appeared first on FCSU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING
       

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I personally want to thank all our 99 members and guests who attended this year’s Hockey Night in Cleveland. You made sure the event was another success!
Submitted by Tom Ivanec, Region 6 Director

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