SAMSULA, Fla. — The welcome mat is out at SNPJ Lodge 603 in beautiful Samsula. Our Lodge will be hosting Florida Slovene Days Feb. 20-22, 2009. Good news! Joe Novak & Friends from Ohio will be joining in on our celebration this year. We are also happy to report that accordionist and band leader Bob Turcola will be with us, along with Tony Klepec and a few mystery guests as well. We’re starting to make plans and look forward to seeing all of you.

Marc Bouchard will be entertaining Saturday, Feb. 21, and has lined up some great talent for you. Frank Moravcik from Cleveland will be joining Marc, along with Will Shaff on banjo and Steve Bouchard on drums. Ted Perkovich will be performing with Ron Luznar and the Polka Pals, and will be jamming with a number of you talented musicians.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, we will open the doors to the Lodge 603 Hall for a bluegrass festival featuring the music of Salt Water Bluegrass along with other local talent. So plan on coming and enjoying yourselves all three days. I brought back some great taped music from Slovenia this summer, and if there is time I will play more music for you.

The Lodge 603 Annual Samsula Tractor Parade is set to leave the Lodge hall at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. A lasagna dinner will follow the parade, during which the parade winners will be announced and prizes distributed. The SNPJ Home Office will be providing gifts for children at the parade. This big Lodge event will be chaired by Nancy Bass.

Parade entries may start lining up at 1 p.m. at the Lodge hall. There is plenty of room on the Lodge grounds for horse riders to park their trailers. Everyone comes to help with the afternoon festivities, and the parade grows in number or participants each year.

The parade route starts at the Lodge 603 Hall and travels south on Samsula Dr. to State Road 44, then makes a turn at the Linda and Frank Luznar corner property before returning to the Lodge hall.

The donation for an adult lasagna dinner is $8; $4 for children through age 12. The dinner will include lasagna, green beans, salad, garlic bread and dessert.
Lodge 603 adult members will enjoy their annual Christmas party beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Those attending are asked to bring a snack to share. The Home Office is providing a gift from the Society.

Youth Circle 57 invites everyone to its annual Christmas program and party which will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Directors Teresa Clancy and Nancy Bass do an excellent job with the Youth Circle, and the families are all so cooperative and seem to love coming to entertain for an evening at the Lodge 603 Hall. Don’t forget that Santa will be stopping by for a visit from the North Pole to distribute goody bags provided by the Home Office. Lodge 603 will supply fresh citrus fruit, candy and apples for the bags. Bring a wrapped gift with your child’s name on it and place it under the tree for Santa to give out.

We’ll see you at the Lodge 603 Hall this holiday season!