Calling all Youth Roundup campers! The SNPJ Fraternal Department is hard at working planning Youth Roundup 2013. This camp is open to all 7- to 12-year-old SNPJ members. Held at the SNPJ Recreation Center, Youth Roundup begins Sunday, June 16, and runs until Friday, June 21.

The registration fee for SNPJ youth members is $175. This fee covers all meals, lodging, activities and fun for the week. The Youth Roundup schedule is packed with arts and crafts, sports, fun in the pool, evening activities, and many other surprises.

The 2013 Youth Roundup registration form is now available for download. Register today and I’ll see you in June!

Want to take a peek at a day in the life of an SNPJ Youth Roundup camper? Check out this video from last year’s camp.
 

Someone had to do it. I knew all along that it was just a matter of time. After 52 years of manned space flights (that’s over a half century), someone had to relate his/her voyage to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,” a classic Bowie tune that’s been an FM radio staple since its release in November 1969. I just didn’t figure that a Canadian would be the first human in space to croon David Bowie. That was unexpected, but really cool all the same.

I saw the video clip of Commander Chris Hadfield on the news this morning. It was probably 5:30 or so as I was singing along to “Space Oddity” and admiring the novelty of the commander’s farewell to the International Space Station. Pausing temporarily as the music faded and the morning news anchors resumed their discussion, I learned that Commander Hadfield had performed “Is Somebody Singing?” (sometimes appropriately abbreviated “I.S.S.”) back in February. This is a talented individual! Not only can he do justice to David Bowie (which is no easy feat, mind you), he has recorded original music while in orbit aboard the ISS. Hadfield has an estimated 860,000 Twitter followers, many of whom, I’m sure, are now fans of his music.

Please allow me to reiterate, with added emphasis: It had to be done. “Space Oddity,” the iconic David Bowie classic, had to be performed in space and the recording transmitted back home so we mere Earthlings could fully appreciate what music sounds like when it’s recorded in the vacuum of outer space. Commander Hadfield is Elton John’s “Rocket Man” of today. And who knows? Maybe in the not too distant future we can all do some “Space Truckin’” (a nod to Deep Purple there) as Kim Gonzalez explained in an earlier post. Until that time, let’s just be content to sing along with Commander Hadfield (the lyrics to “Space Oddity,” if you need them).

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I decided to do a little digging into the historical aspects dealing with this annual celebration of motherhood. I started online, Googling “history of Mother’s Day,” then searched through a few past issues of The Voice of Youth and realized we’d said all there was to say about the history of Mother’s Day – which wasn’t very interesting in the first place. Strike one...

So I thought I’d be a little more creative and post a cutesy little Mother’s Day-themed video. I discovered a couple funny clips after scrolling through several pages of YouTube files, but none seemed quite appropriate enough for this forum. Strike two. Rats!

Undaunted, I continued searching for that perfect tidbit of information that would truly express the scope of this annual holiday when I ran across the following: “[President] Hayes has first phone installed in White House.” Perfect!

At the time when President Rutherford B. Hayes had the first telephone installed in the White House telegraph room – on May 10, 1877, to be exact – there were very few telephones in operation. In fact, the phone number for the White House was “1.” So who exactly was President Hayes hoping to speak with via this new technology? Why, the Treasury Department, of course! (They had the only direct line to the White House back then.) Gee, it seems some things in Washington never change.

When I learned that the White House received its first telephone on a day that quite possibly may have been Mother’s Day, or at least in close proximity to Mother’s Day, I thought perhaps the POTUS may have been preparing to surprise his mother with a phone call. Let’s face it, EVERYONE calls his or her mother on Mother’s Day.

Then it dawned on me that there was no Mother’s Day back in 1877. According to The Voice of Youth, Mother’s Day wasn’t celebrated until 1907, and then only in a little church in Grafton, West Virginia, that Mother’s Day founder Anna Reese Jarvis attended. By 1911 every state was celebrating Mother’s Day, and in 1914 Congress passed a joint resolution calling for Mother’s Day to be celebrated each second Sunday in May.

OK, so President Hayes probably wasn’t thinking of dear old mom as he dialed up that first telephone call from the White House, but it is a fact that Mother’s Day is the peak day of the year for long-distance phone calls. And for dining out. (Ever tried to make a short-notice brunch reservation on Mother’s Day? Good luck with that!) I would assume that even with the introduction of new technology such as Facebook, YouTube and Skype, Ma Bell continues to be plenty busy on Mother’s Day. Isn’t that ironic: “Ma” Bell busy on Mother’s Day, the one day of the entire year devoted to mothers everywhere. But that’s OK, make that call to mom anyway this Sunday.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Facebook has changed quite a bit since it was launched nine years ago. In 2004, the social media site was exclusively for students of Harvard College. Before long the site expand its availability to other colleges in the area, then to universities nationwide and eventually to high school students. Today, it’s not just our classmates “friending” us. It seems everyone and their mother is on Facebook. Literally. I’m Facebook friends with my mother… and my father… and my grandmother. Who would have thought?

Not only has the site’s user-base evolved, but so too has the content. Status updates have gone from posting homework assignments, campus happenings and other relevant information to sharing the same silly photos, pop culture jokes and viral videos over and over again. Another “common practice” of today’s Facebook users is sharing quotes – inspirational, motivational, consoling or otherwise. A quick Google search can provide hundreds of quotes on just about any topic. But as you know, you can’t always believe what you read. Here are a few misquotes that you may have seen them floating around Facebook …

"I am thankful to all those who said NO to me. It’s because of them I did it myself." Albert Einstein
Although a bright and brilliant man, Albert Einstein did not share these words of wisdom. It seems the confusion came about through a book by motivational speaker Wayne Dyer. Dyer writes, “In my office I have two framed posters. One is a picture of Albert Einstein, beneath which are the words ‘Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.’ The other poster is made up solely of words: ‘I am grateful to all those people who said no. It is because of them I did it myself.’ Great thoughts!” In truth, Einstein never uttered this phrase; he just hung next to it on an office wall. (Debunked by Mike Rothschild)

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us." Nelson Mandela
This quote has been attributed to Nelson Mandela, who was believed to have said it during his 1994 inaugural address. However, this phrase originated from Marianne Williamson in her 1992 novel, “A Return to Love.” Not only is Mr. Mandela not the author, but he never quoted Williamson in his inaugural address… or any other speech. (Debunked by Renee Michael)

“It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln
An inspirational quote, no doubt, but not one originally made by Abraham Lincoln. The earliest evidence of this quote is long after Lincoln’s time. A 1947 advertisement for a book about aging included the tagline “The important thing to you is not how many years in your life, but how much life in your years!” The book’s author, Dr. Edward J. Stieglitz, is credited with the quote two years later in another ad for the book. It’s believed this quote eventually gained its association with Lincoln because he was much more well known than Dr. Stieglitz. (Debunked by Quote Investigator)

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, marks the first day of competition in the SNPJ National Bowling Tournament, which, by the way, is being hosted by the Recreation Center. There’s lots of great “stuff” planned throughout the weekend, both on and off the lanes, including entertainment in the Rec Center’s Gostilna that will feature Dueling Pianos the evening of Friday, May 3, and the Johnny Koenig Band on Saturday, May 4. Add the Heritage Center’s Wine & Cheese Welcome Reception to the mix on Friday evening, and you’ve got a full schedule of events to attend and enjoy.

And since it’s SNPJ National Bowling Tournament weekend, it must also be time for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, which will get underway sometime around 6 p.m. on May 4. In the event that you were looking to stake a wager, Orb, the slight favorite to win this year’s annual race at Churchill Downs, is currently on a four-race winning streak. Place your bets!

While many of us SNPJers will be enjoying the festivities at the Recreation Center this weekend, thousands of horse racing fans will be gathering in Louisville to revel in the Derby atmosphere. It’s a given that all the ladies will be adorned in their Derby hats (several of which will no doubt reach the atmosphere), a tradition that stretches back through several decades and is believed to bring good luck.

This really is the weekend for hats, regardless of whether it’s a bowler (pun intended there!) or one of the wide-brimmed, Southern-belle styles you’ll see sported in Louisville on Saturday afternoon. Just in case you’re looking to join in on the Mad-Hatter revelry this weekend, here’s a little clip that just might help to inspire your “crowning achievement.”

The bright, warm sunshine has been a welcome sight these past two days. It assures us that our cabin fever will soon be cured because before we know it, our schedules will be jam-packed with parties, picnics and weekend getaways. Although the official start of summer isn’t until June 21, the craziness usually begins once the weather finally breaks. For us SNPJers, however, summer officially arrives when we hear those four magic words: “The water is on!” No matter the date, that delightful phrase is all it takes to kick off the summer season in SNPJland.

As of April 6, the water started flowing and our SNPJ Trailer Court residents have slowly started to make their way back to their home away from home. The winter cleanup began as rakes and mowers came out of storage and our residents prepared their camps for another fun-filled season. As the Trailer Court starts to show signs of life once again, the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center and Gostilna are ready to follow suit. It’s time to start another SNPJ summer!

This weekend the SNPJ Recreation Center is hosting the SNPJ National Bowling Tournament, welcoming bowlers from around the area for a weekend of fun and fraternalism. To start the weekend off, the Heritage Center is hosting a wine and cheese welcome reception from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Although the museum’s official opening isn’t until Memorial Day weekend, the Heritage Center committee is offering a preview of what’s to come this season. A special clearance sale will also be offered on an assortment of last year’s gift shop items – the perfect opportunity to stock up on SNPJ and Slovenian essentials!

The Gostilna at the Rec Center will be rocking all weekend with entertainment for our SNPJ National Bowling Tournament participants. Following the Heritage Center’s welcome reception, the Gostilna is hosting a performance by Dueling Pianos from 8 to 10:30 p.m. You don’t want to miss this high-energy, entertaining show. Saturday evening will bring music by the Johnny Koenig Band from 8 p.m. until midnight. This young accordionist’s Americanized folk music appeals to a broad audience of all ages and is sure to get you “partying like a polka star.”

With temperatures in the 70s and all the fun mentioned above, it’s promising to be a great weekend at the SNPJ Recreation Center. Stop by Friday or Saturday evening, or rent a cabin for the weekend. The water is on so it’s time to get your SNPJ summer started!

To keep up with all SNPJ summer happenings, be sure to "Like" the Facebook pages of the SNPJ, the SNPJ Recreation Center and the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center.

Who’s ready for a vacation? It’s been a long winter, and the hustle and bustle of the everyday routine is getting old. Now is the perfect time to start planning a trip to get away from it all… and if you REALLY want to get away from it ALL, you should consider a trip to Mars.

No, seriously.

On April 22, the non-profit organization Mars One opened a world-wide invitation for a trip to Mars. The organization’s goal is to establish a permanent human settlement on the planet by the year 2023. Planning for this mission started in 2011 as a collaboration of experts from space agencies and private aerospace corporations around the world. With a game plan now in hand, the organization is on the hunt for four amateur astronauts willing to accept the one-way ticket to the fourth rock from the Sun.

So what kind of fun does this trip entail? According to the Mars Ones website, “each astronaut will be put through the required eight years of training. They will be isolated from the world for a few months every two years in groups of four in simulation facilities, to learn how they respond to living in close quarters while isolated from all humans except for the three crew members. In addition to the expertise and work experience they must already possess, they have to learn quite a few new skills: physical and electrical repairs to the settlement structures, cultivating crops in confined spaces, and addressing both routine and serious medical issues such as dental upkeep, muscle tears and bone fractures.”

Afraid such a trip may be out of your price range? Fear not! The application fee is only $38, and must be submitted along with a video explaining why you should be selected. Applicants must be 18 or over and in good general health. Throughout the four-round selections process, applicants will be judged on, among other things, their resiliency, adaptability, curiosity, ability to trust, and creativity/resourcefulness. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the cut; a new group of astronauts will land on Mars every two years to slowly increase the planet’s population.

And I haven’t even mentioned the best part. A majority of funding for the cost of this project – which is estimated at $6 billion – is slated to come from media royalties as the entire experience will be televised. Viewers will be able to tune in and follow along as the selected few complete the required training and make the seven- to eight-month flight to Mars. Once landed, cameras will be rolling 24/7/365 (Earth time), sending video feed to everyone on Earth. So, not only will you experience a one-of-a-kind vacation, you’ll be the next reality T.V. star!

Thousands of applications have already been submitted for consideration, and new applications are being submitted daily. Are you ready to leave your life behind and be among the first humans to step foot on Mars?

Tulips are my favorite sign of spring, and every year I anxiously search for them... even if it means brushing away a layer of snow. Watching the plants grow is the best part of gardening, which is why tulips can be both frustrating and rewarding. The bulbs are tucked lovingly into the ground in the fall, but the gardener must wait five long months before he sees the first tip of green poke through the dirt. During that time you just have to have faith in Mother Nature and believe in that tiny bulb nestled under the snow and frozen ground.

The tulip has a lot to do with why we feel so cheerful and optimistic in the spring. The little bulb has once again proven its resilience, perseverance and determination. Even though it seems to appear suddenly, the bulb has been hard at work throughout the long winter months. While the cold winds blew and the snow piled up, it was easy to forget the little bulb, resolutely preparing for its grand entrance in the spring. But when it finally bursts forth, it brings a smile to your face and puts a hop in your step.

Getting your annual statement for your SNPJ annuity can have the same effect. You placed your money into an SNPJ annuity, and as far as you know, it could have been buried in the ground all this time. But thankfully you have faith in the ability of SNPJ’s investments and our 109 years of experience. We’ve made sure that your money, like the tiny tulip bulb, has been growing all along. When you receive your statement and see the tax-deferred interest that it has been resolutely earning, it should bring a smile to your face and add a hop to your step.

It’s sometimes difficult to have patience and wait for things to grow, whether it’s your money or your flowers. But with an SNPJ annuity, your patience is guaranteed to be rewarded. SNPJ annuities are currently earning up to 3.25 percent, and they will definitely work hard at making your money grow. Speak to an agent today to find out more about our blooming annuities.

All winter long I eagerly awaited spring’s arrival. Now that it’s here, its unreliability has left me counting down the days until summer. I’ve made a laundry list of tasks I’d like to accomplish when the weather breaks, but it seems most of the warm and sunny days insist on making an appearance during the work week, leaving the weekends dreary, cool and wet.

My grass has finally grown in, full and green, and is ready to be cut. For most homeowners this wouldn’t cause much excitement, but for me it does. I had to have a sewage line installed the spring after I bought my house, turning my brand new yard into a mudslide. When the summer heat hit, my mudslide morphed into a dry, brown dust bowl. Cutting the grass was like playing connect-the-dots as I had to push my mower haphazardly from grass patch to grass patch. One false move and the mower’s blades would shower me in a cloud of dust. It’s nice to finally look out the window and see a healthy shade of green that promises to be slightly less of a headache.

My landscaping needs cleaned, big time. In an attempt to spruce-up the dust bowl at the end of last summer, I did some landscaping around the house, putting down fresh mulch lined with brick edging. I thought it looked pretty darn good for a novice job, but that was then. Fast forward seven months and you’ll find little weeds that have made their way to surface, somehow bypassing all the measures I took to make sure I wouldn’t see them again. Not to mention the assortment of pine cones, twigs and leaves that have blown their way into unwelcome territory.

The biggest project I’m hoping to complete this summer is to paint the house. It’s faded pale yellow exterior does absolutely nothing for its curb appeal, and I think a little bit of color will go a long way. I spent most of the winter staring at the houses I pass on my way to work, contemplating their color schemes and envisioning what my house would look like in a similar shade. I think I’ve finally decided on a color and I’m ready (dare I say, excited!) to bust out the paintbrushes and give my house a little face-lift.

Of course, most of these tasks require more than just a few hours of daylight after work. So hurry up, warm weekend weather; I’ve got a lot to get done before my motivation sneaks off on summer vacation.

Bernard Baruch, featured on the cover of Time magazine the week of June 28, 1943.

According to the period of time encompassed by the Cold War (the late 1940s through the late 1980s), I was born smack dab in the middle of the Cold War, in the mid-1960s. Sure, I remember some of the Cold War rhetoric that swirled during the late 1970s and throughout most of the ’80s, but I had no idea that the phrase “Cold War” had actually been coined by an American financier (a term that I suppose is used in this reference as a euphemism for millionaire) – and a southern financier, at that.

To be quite honest, I’d never heard of Bernard Baruch until yesterday, when I started composing this blog post, but I find his story fascinating. Bernard Baruch was the man who coined the term Cold War back in 1947 as he was addressing the South Carolina House of Representatives during the unveiling of his portrait. A native of South Carolina, Baruch made his fortune on Wall Street by speculating in the sugar trade in the early 1900s and used his earnings to purchase a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. He was a very wealthy man by the age of 30, and served as an adviser to President Woodrow Wilson during the First World War, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Second World War, and to President Harry S Truman following WWII.

Baruch was a staunch proponent of American industry, and with good reason since industry drives the economy. Speaking to the South Carolina representatives assembled for his portrait unveiling, Baruch launched a verbal attack on American industry relations which concluded with a resounding warning: “Let us not be deceived – we are today in the midst of a cold war. Our enemies are to be found abroad and at home. Let us never forget this: Our unrest is the heart of their success.” His terminology captured the essence of Cold War relations throughout the entire 40-plus-year period.

But more than simply a millionaire and trusted political adviser, Baruch was also a wary opponent of the oncoming “atomic age.” Appointed by President Truman as a U.S. representative to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC), he presented his Baruch Plan in June 1946, a program that called for international control of newly-developing atomic energy and an eventual worldwide nuclear disarmament. The Soviets didn’t approve of the plan, and the Cold War continued in stalemate fashion for the next 40 or so years.

I find Bernard Baruch interesting not so much in what he accomplished, as impressive as that was, but more so in how we’re repeating his Cold War-era rhetoric today, long after his death in 1965. I think it would be interesting to hear what Baruch has to say about the United States today, almost 70 years after the dawn of the Cold War, as America continues to struggle with its industrial identity. And then there’s the subject of nuclear armament. The new, self-proclaimed, “atomic powers” of Iran and North Korea are today stoking fires that should have flared out long ago – had the Baruch Plan been implemented.

Like the mythical phoenix that dies in fire only to be resurrected from its ashes (a shout-out to fellow Harry Potter fans!), it appears as though Bernard Baruch’s legacy lies in the fact that history is destined to repeat itself. Baruch made the cover of Time magazine the week of June 28, 1943, and in my estimation he should grace that very same cover again in the near future. Maybe then, after a not-so-subtle reminder, we’ll heed Baruch’s warnings and avoid slipping into a resurgent Cold War and the prospects of another 40-some-odd-year stalemate. Jimi Hendrix posed the question: “Are you experienced?” Only time will tell if we’ve learned a lesson from Bernard Baruch’s Cold War, or if our experience translates into simply having the opportunity to make the same mistakes over and over again.

While chatting with a friend a few days ago, she mentioned plans for her upcoming wedding anniversary. She and her husband will be celebrating 10 years of marriage with a trip to Europe, a new experience for them both. Although she was excited, she was beginning to stress about the logistics. As a full-time employee and mother of three, chances of another European excursion anytime soon were slim, so she wanted to see and do as much as possible. “Where do I start?” she asked. “What would you do?” Stumped, I couldn’t answer her question. With so many options in unfamiliar territory, I hadn’t the slightest idea where to even begin. And if I found myself lucky enough to be faced with the same predicament, I’m sure I’d be seeking the same advice as well.

If venturing into unfamiliar territory is the only thing holding you back from a visit to Slovenia, then start packing your bags! Roundabout Travel is a full-service Slovenian agency specializing in the planning of individual and group tours. They offer day tour packages for those just passing through, as well as multiple-day packages ranging in length from three to 10 days. Roundabout tours are completely customizable and offer a variety of optional activities that can be added to your itinerary. Package pricing varies, but generally includes things like hostel accommodations, select meals, tour admissions, and transportation to and from the airport. 

Roundabout boasts a comprehensive knowledge of Slovenia, its hotels, restaurants and venues. They’ve built a great reputation based on their past business; currently the agency ranks fourth on TripAdvisor's “Activities in Ljubljana” list with 15 Excellent-rated reviews. This proven track record, combined with Roundabout’s English-speaking guides and 24-hour assistance, can give even the most inexperienced traveler a little peace of mind when it comes to planning a Slovenian vacation.

I don’t enjoy calculating my income taxes, and as the years go by I find myself actually despising the tax filing deadline date. That date this year, in case you haven’t yet been notified, is April 15. So that leaves us procrastinators – what, five days to complete and file our Federal income taxes? Yuck! So much for those weekend plans...

My wife has been completing and filing our taxes for the past several years (good thing – we’d be in jail otherwise!); I’m guessing ever since the IRS launched its e-filing mechanism to the general public and Turbo Tax became all the rage among self-filers. She completed the entire calculation process back in mid-March and filed everything just last weekend – and given the fact that the IRS sent us their notification of acceptance, I suppose we’re in compliance for another year.

After so many years of noting my disgust every time the word “taxes” comes up in conversation, my wife has given up on the idea of conveying any information regarding our personal income taxes. Until this year, that is. And to my surprise, her news was positive (as opposed to “taxing”) – we actually fared rather well in terms of our 2012 taxes, thanks in great part to our investment in an SNPJ annuity.

I’m not going to launch into some long-winded explanation of the tax benefits an SNPJ annuity (or SNPJ IRA) can offer (however, I will refer you to my related blog post from last March since that information is still valid – just change the year references from 2011 to 2012). Instead, I’ll leave you with this question: What are you waiting for? I learned about the benefits of an SNPJ annuity the hard way, suffering through years of heartbreak every April 15. Do yourself a huge favor and avoid my former misery: open an SNPJ annuity – now, today – and take advantage of the tax benefits it can offer.

Here, I’ll make it even easier for you... Contact the SNPJ Home Office and ask about an annuity or IRA. Why not share this information with family and friends? Should they decide to invest in an SNPJ annuity, your family member/friend will become an SNPJ member, and you can reap additional rewards by participating in the SNPJ Recommender Program. Now that’s a win-win scenario any way you look at it!

As winter turns to spring, March rolls along into April, and the weather makes its transition from bitterly cold to tolerably warm (which will happen soon, hopefully), SNPJ members across the country begin their annual countdown to Slovenefest. This year is no different than any of the past 31 years, yet even so, there’s a little more to love about Slovenefest than ever before.

If you haven’t visited the SNPJ website beyond the blog recently, do yourself a favor – hover over the Slovenian Culture link, scroll down the drop-down menu and click on the Slovenefest link (or scroll to the very bottom of any page on snpj.org and click the Slovenefest text link). If you haven’t done so in the past two months, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Once just a page on the SNPJ website, Slovenefest has become its very own website with its very own web address (or URL), www.slovenefest.com. The new version of Slovenefest online features expanded information on the weekend festivities (with even more to come in the future!), links to all Slovenefest sponsors, a photo gallery from Slovenefest 2012, information on where to stay during Slovenefest weekend (you’d better make those reservations quick if you haven’t done so yet), and links to the performers’ websites and/or Facebook pages.

No more scrolling through long lists of material in search of the information you’re looking for about Slovenefest, everything you’ll want to know is available through the site’s easy-to-use navigation. Bookmark www.slovenefest.com and you won’t even have to worry about finding the new site from snpj.org – you’ll be able to refer to the weekend schedule and check out the performers anytime you like.

And you thought Slovenefest couldn’t possibly get any better!

With three months already under our belt this year, there are five Lodges well on their way to earning the Super Star designation for 2013. This means these Lodges have enrolled at least one new member in both January and February. Of course, to earn Super Star designation, these Lodges must also meet their Gold Level new member goal, turn in their Activity Planners, and sponsor and report on at least five Lodge activities, one of which must be a community service or charitable benefit project.

The Lodges currently in the running for Super Star designation are:

Lodge 6, Sygan, PA
Lodge 106, Imperial, PA
Lodge 138, Strabane, PA
Lodge 584, Milwaukee, WI
Lodge 782, Glenshaw, PA

Lodge 89 in Midway, Pa., has already reached their Silver Level goal. Good job! I would also like to mention that an additional two Lodges, Lodge 138 in Strabane, Pa., and Lodge 158 in Euclid, Ohio, also achieved Silver Star Status in 2012 but were not listed in the announcement. I apologize for this oversight and extend congratulations on the achievement.

As of this writing, 15 Lodges have turned in a completed Activity Planner. Keep in mind that your completed Activity Planner is due into the Fraternal Department by May 1 in order to be considered for the Activity Reward. Once your Lodge completes an activity, you must submit a photo and brief article about the activity to the Fraternal Department. These must be turned in no later than Dec. 31. If you submit your article directly to PROSVETA, be sure that the Fraternal Department also receives a copy so that your Lodge receives credit.

It’s great to see our Lodges being creative while planning activities for their members. Along with the Easter egg hunts, Halloween parties and other holiday events, we’re also seeing numerous picnics, balina and horseshoes leagues, food drives, and field trips being planned. That’s great! I can’t wait to read the articles and see pictures from these very interesting activities.

To all SNPJ Lodges, keep up the great job enrolling new members and hosting activities. I’ll see you at a fraternal event soon…

Doesn’t it somehow seem strange that the special occasions you’re supposed to remember come in waves? In my case, this is particularly true at this time of the year, mid-March through mid-April. Let’s see... SNPJ Publications Associate Editor Kim Gonzalez has a March 10 birthday, my nephew celebrates his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, I have two brothers-in-law who share a March 26 birthday and a niece who celebrates on March 27, my wife’s birthday is April 5, my wedding anniversary is April 9, and my mother-in-law’s birthday is April 12. Toss Easter into that mix, and that’s a lot of reminders I have to set. Whoa! Celebration overload!

Now, I’m not a big fan of shopping, so fortunately (for me and the family!) my wife does all the special occasion gift buying – except in the case of her birthday and our anniversary, of course. But even if I was so inclined as to do some shopping on my own, I’m fairly confident I could come up with a pretty decent gift for everyone on my list, even as long as that list is during this festive stretch. And that got me to thinking about gifts for those who aren’t the easiest to buy for.

Actually, what really got me started thinking about gifts was a Google search for “popular blogs.” I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but sometimes – just sometimes – I get writer’s block. Well, not exactly writer’s block; something more like “tapped out” of material to write about. So when in doubt about what to write, go find something on Google!

Today’s Google search led me to a T-shirt website that had a fairly extensive blog and, based on what I’d read, an obviously disturbed following. Sure, it’s a T-shirt website and everybody loves a great T-shirt, but even so I was finding it hard to believe that this was among the more popular blogs. That is until I started reading up on some of the company’s inventory. Talk about something for everyone! And the item that really grabbed my attention: gifts for the phlebotomist.

I don’t know any phlebotomists personally, at least none that I’m aware of, but I’m assuming there’s a market for phlebotomists’ garb that was once devoid of T-shirts, sweatshirts and the like. Well rest assured, phlebotomists: someone out there is catering to your casual garment needs, and doing it in fine fashion (ahem). That may sound tongue-in-cheek, but I was really impressed with the blog post geared toward the style-conscious phlebotomist. I generally don’t promote commercial websites in this forum, but I just had to share that post. Do yourself a favor – click on the tote bag graphic to view the complete line of phlebotomist apparel.

The next time I’m stumped for that just-right special occasion gift, I’ll be sure to remember this blog post and the accompanying website. Hey, you really can’t go wrong with the gift of a T-shirt to begin with, and seeing that even the world’s phlebotomists can be outfitted to the “T” (ahem, again), there must be a wearable gift out there for everyone and every occasion. Hmm... maybe next year I’ll treat myself to a sweatshirt that reads “I’m An Editor, Mark My Words,” perhaps distributed by the Just (Write) Right Apparel Company. On second thought, maybe I’ll save that gift for Kim.

Enough with the counting and wishful thinking; spring has finally arrived. Although you wouldn’t guess it based on the current state of the weather, winter is officially over and done with, so now it’s time to turn our attention away from winter to, well... spring.

Spring brings thoughts of Easter (which is just around the corner now), Major League Baseball season (which opens on Easter Sunday this year, by the way) and the IRS tax filing deadline (which may prompt you to reach for the aspirin bottle). Just in case your mind isn’t completely occupied with thoughts of the Easter Bunny, your income taxes and warmer, wetter weather, this is also the time to start thinking about your early-season lawn care routine and spring cleaning, which is everyone’s favorite chore.

Like it or not, spring cleaning is one of life’s necessary evils. The many non-essential items we seem to amass on a regular basis tend to pile up over the winter months, and along with the winter clutter come the grime and dust that collect on every square inch of flooring and each piece of furniture. Sure, it may take a little time – and sometimes a lot of effort – to rid our homes of the winter clutter and dirt, but the time and effort pay off in the end when the house is finally in tip-top order.

While you’re doing your best to get the house in shape for spring, don’t forget to take a look at your life insurance coverage and then take the proper steps to get that in order as well. After you’ve cleaned a few windows, take some time to peer over your insurance policies to ensure you’re properly covered. Be sure to utilize the Life Insurance Needs Calculator on the LIFE Foundation website; it really makes things a lot easier for us non-insurance types.

Tossing out some of the clutter that you’ve been saving up over the winter? Once you’ve completed that task, take a look at your current beneficiary designations to ensure they’re up to date. Proper beneficiary designations are extremely useful when it comes time for a claim to be made on a life insurance policy, and even more important, the policy proceeds (that’s cash, in lay terms) are distributed to your named beneficiaries with no delay.

As you work through the spring cleaning process on your life insurance coverage, you may discover that you need a little help – just as you likely will with those many household spring cleaning chores. If you do need some assistance updating your SNPJ policies, be sure to Contact the SNPJ Home Office online. You may need to complete and submit a form, and if so, you’ll find all the SNPJ Forms online too. We’ve made it easy for you, kinda like one-stop shopping – which is very nice, especially now that we’ll all be so busy thinking spring.

OK, we get it. Everyone is sick and tired of this year’s looong winter; the winter that wasn’t supposed to be quite so long according to Pennsylvania’s favorite weather prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil, who predicted an early spring this past February 2.

Noting that this year’s winter has stretched into the early days of spring, one prosecutor in Butler County, Ohio, has indicted dear Punxsutawney Phil on a count of “misrepresentation of spring.” The prosecutor, Mike Gmoser (the “G” is silent), alleges that Phil acted “with prior calculation and design” to cause people to believe that spring would arrive early, and cited “aggravating circumstances” in his call for “the death penalty” as Phil’s punishment. Here’s a more complete article.

As a point of reference, the indictment should indicate that Butler County, Ohio, lies just north of Cincinnati (home of the Bungles, oops... the Bengals), while Punxsutawney is located in reasonable proximity to Pittsburgh (aka: the very heart of Steelers Nation). Enough said. But the video’s rather amusing, and the CNN reporters are having a good time with it!

At SNPJ, we do a lot of bowling. In fact, one of our most popular tournaments – the annual Winter Classic – was rolled at the end of February. The scores were totaled and tallied just in time to welcome March and the month-long Youth Telegraphic Tournament. With no major SNPJ bowling events set for April, we’re hoping our dedicated bowlers will put their skills to use for a worthwhile cause by participating in Kidz Bowling 4 Kidz.

Kidz Bowling 4 Kidz is an event sponsored by the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh (FSGP) that benefits the Free Care Fund of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The Free Care Fund’s goal is to “ensure that every child gets the care they need and deserve regardless of their family’s insurance or ability to pay.” (Be sure to visit their website for additional information.)

This year, Kidz Bowling 4 Kidz is planned Sunday, April 14, at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Bowlers of all ages are welcome to collect sponsors and participate, and we’re hoping to have a great turnout of SNPJ members. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m., and activities for the children are planned prior to bowling. All bowlers must be registered by 12:30 p.m. since the bowling starts at 1. Bowlers will roll a three-game series and will be treated to food and prizes. Youth bowlers will also receive a commemorative T-shirt.

There’s no cost to enter; however, each bowler must submit a minimum of $25 in sponsorships or promised sponsorships by March 25. The Kidz Bowling 4 Kidz registration form and donation form are available online, or by contacting your Youth Circle director, Lodge secretary or the SNPJ Home Office. Completed forms should be returned to the Slovene National Benefit Society, 247 West Allegheny Road, Imperial, PA 15126, marked “Attn: Kidz Bowling 4 Kidz.” Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline is fast approaching, so gather your donations today!

If you aren’t much of a bowler, consider making a donation to help sponsor a child’s participation. For more information, contact me at 1-800-843-7675 ext. 144, or e-mail krichards@snpj.com.

The countdown continues... five, four, three, and now just two days until spring’s official arrival. So what was I doing with an ice scraper in my hand this morning? Easy explanation: if you live in Western Pennsylvania, chances are you were scraping and brushing away ice and snow this morning. Not that it’s unusual to wield an ice scraper in Western Pennsylvania in mid-March, but come on – spring starts on Wednesday. How ’bout a break from the winter mess already?

Since we are this close to spring now, everybody is getting their brackets in order for March Madness, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Have you made your selections yet? I have, but at this point my picks are subject to revision – after revision, after revision – since it’s only Monday morning and I have until Wednesday evening to fully complete my brackets and submit them for my annual bracket pool. I detailed my trials completing NCAA brackets in a blog post last March, so I think I’ll spare everyone the aggravation of reading them again. In the nutshell, nothing has changed.

Getting back to the ice scraper, I certainly was caught off guard this morning as I stepped out of the garage to retrieve my newspaper. (As a side note, I made my daily jaunt to the end of the driveway a little earlier than normal in anticipation of seeing the NCAA tournament brackets in their printed form.) While I did notice a white patch of slush just outside my garage door, I failed to take into account that the near-freezing temperature had turned the slush in the middle of the driveway into a thin sheet of ice. I have the feeling I looked rather comical walking my driveway the way one might scale an icy ledge: striding cautiously between slides, which were even more pronounced on my return descent to garage level.

Having managed the newspaper-retrieval maneuver with minimal bodily harm, I thought I’d pull the car from the garage into the driveway and allow the rain-snow mixture to wash away some of the winter grime that had been accumulating on my door panels over the course of the past week or so. Again failing to take into account the near-freezing temperature (which was actually sub-freezing as I would later discover), I found myself battling an ice-covered vehicle in the early morning hours. This wasn’t exactly the way I’d planned to start the day, but fortunately I had my ice scraper handy and didn’t have to tear the garage apart searching for an ice removal tool. I guess there’s always a bright side...

And speaking of bright sides, spring will soon arrive, bringing with it the promise of better weather – well, maybe not better weather, but at least different weather. With only two days to go, I’ll welcome spring with a new mantra: “Anything different is good!” Here’s wishing you a pleasant spring and the best of luck on your March Madness brackets!

Just the other day as I was scrolling through the analytical feedback generated from the SNPJ website, I became acutely aware of the fact that many, many people visit snpj.org for one specific purpose: to find a terrific, authentic, Slovenian potica recipe. And now, with the Easter holiday rapidly approaching, the number of hits on the SNPJ Potica Recipe page has really exploded, almost exponentially.

So, potica fans, here’s a little help in your quest to make that perfect potica. You can start by pulling up the potica recipe and then refer to the video below to see how some of the step-by-step instructions described in the recipe are actually performed. The video isn’t very long and it doesn’t contain any dialog or procedural explanations (just some annoying background music – you might want to mute that), but it just might help to explain what’s detailed in the recipe.

Good luck with your potica! Leave us a comment below to let us know how it turns out.

Care to share your favorite potica recipe? Drop us a copy using our Submit Content form. You’ll find the form under the Publications links.

(Bear with me; I promise I’m going somewhere with this.)

Just a few weeks ago, I was doing some image Googling for a project here at the office. I don’t remember what I typed in the search bar — or what I was even hoping to find, for that matter — but an image popped up that caught my eye. Among the random collection of search results was a clock radio, the same clock radio that I own. Big deal, right? Well, I was impressed because my clock radio is so old; it’s the last of my possessions that I’d expect to see anywhere outside my house or a thrift shop. With my curiosity piqued, I clicked on the image to see where the photo was posted. There, included in several Flickr albums, was my clock radio, grouped with other ancient items under the titles of “Old Stuff,” “The Forgotten,” “Vanishing America” and “Vintage Electronics.”

Most of the information I found dates this clock radio to the early 1980s. I can’t remember the exact year I received mine, but if I had to guess I’d go with the early ‘90s. Santa left it under our tree for me and it has been going strong ever since. In fact, it’s the only alarm clock I’ve ever had! Actually, I take that back — I bought a new one when I started college. It was a radio and a CD player that had a multitude of fancy features. It didn’t last, though. I could never figure out the settings and the alarm was nowhere near loud enough to wake me for my early classes. When I returned for my second year of school, the new clock stayed home and the old GE made the trip back with me.

Anyway, stumbling across my “vintage” treasure during my search got me thinking: my clock radio is probably the oldest item I own and still use on a daily basis. For argument’s sake, we’ll say the clock is 20 years old. Sure, I have some keepsakes that are that old, if not older, but nothing that is put to use each and every day. And even with two decades under its belt, my clock radio is in pretty great condition!

What’s the oldest item you own and continue to use on a regular basis? Let me know below or swing by the SNPJ Facebook page and leave us a comment on our wall.

Those of us who are diehard fans of college basketball are eagerly anticipating the upcoming weekend Division I conference tournament championships. More so than the annual 64-team NCAA tournament, the conference tourneys feature matchups of heated rivalries (assuming all goes as planned): Duke-North Carolina in the ACC, Louisville-Cincinnati in the Big East, Kentucky-Florida in the SEC, UCLA-California in the PAC 12, Indiana-The Ohio State University in the Big 10, and Kansas-Kansas State (or just about everyone else in the conference) in the Big 12. These pairings of conference foes offer a bounty of terrific games played in basketball’s most hallowed halls stretching from sea to shining sea. It’s a great weekend for college hoops, perhaps the best of the entire season!

Looking over the members of the various major Division I conferences, I got to wondering exactly what the story was behind the team mascot for the University of Kansas, the “Jayhawks.” It’s a nice name, I suppose... but then again, I’m not sure what a Jayhawk is. And what’s a Jayhawk got to do with Kansas anyway? So I did some research.

Turns out, most people, at least those outside the University of Kansas, probably wouldn’t want to be referred to – or even associated with – a Jayhawk (sometimes referred to as a “Jayhawker”). The definition of a Jayhawker, according to the folks at Wikipedia, is a “militant band affiliated with the free-state cause” in Bleeding Kansas prior to the American Civil War. Jayhawks were “guerrilla fighters who often clashed with pro-slavery groups from Missouri, known at the time as ‘Border Ruffians.’ After the Civil War, the word ‘Jayhawker’ became synonymous with the people of Kansas, [and] today the term is a nickname for a native-born Kansan.” There’s a lot more to the story of the Kansas Jayhawks, but for the sake of brevity, this will have to suffice.

Apparently, Kansas in the 1850s wasn’t the most hospitable place on earth. Violent political clashes erupted over Kansas’ admission to the Union – would the territory become a slave state or a free state? – leading to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which nullified the Missouri Compromise and introduced the concept of popular sovereignty, a process which allowed the inhabitants of each territory or state to decide whether it would be a free or slave state. For a time, Kansas even had two governments (each with its own constitution, but only one of which was officially recognized) before being admitted to the Union in January 1861 as a free state. The dispute over Kansas is often cited as the final division between North and South leading up to the Civil War, which started just three months after Kansas was granted statehood.

Okay, there’s one theory to explain the evolution of the term Jayhawk(er). After a little more research I discovered the following definition, again in reference to the Kansas territorial dispute: “In Ireland a bird, which is called the Jayhawk, flies about after dark, seeking the roosts and nests of smaller birds, and not only robs [the] nests of eggs, but frequently kills the birds.” Hmm... an Irish bird of prey and a St. Patrick’s Day NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday. Aside from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, maybe the Kansas Jayhawks are this year’s NCAA men’s basketball team of destiny. If not, at least they may qualify for a number one seed in the tournament brackets, and heading into the Big 12 Conference tournament ranked seventh in the nation, they may just play their way into one of those coveted top four seeds.

The University of Kansas is a perennial powerhouse among Division I basketball programs, and year after year Jayhawks fans delight in their team’s domination during NCAA bracket play. And why not? Those roguish, villainous, treacherous KU Jayhawks always seem destined to fulfill the legacy of their Kansan ancestry (on the hardwood, that is): those “Unionists who professed to rob, burn out and murder only rebels in arms against the government.” Is it any wonder that KU has built so many rivalries in the Big 12 Conference over the years?

Needless to say, I think I’ll be pulling for the University of Kansas in this weekend’s Big 12 Conference tournament. And depending on their play this weekend, I just might like those Jayhawks to win the NCAA title come April. Let me put it to you this way – I certainly wouldn’t want to incur the wrath of the oft’ feared Jayhawks, particularly when they’re on the offensive!

Chuck Norris. Sharon Stone. Carrie Underwood.

What do I have in common with these celebrities? It’s definitely not their fame and certainly not their fortunes. I’m sure there isn’t a whole lot that we have in common, but there is one very important thing we share: March 10. Although the years and locations vary, we all entered the world on the same day of the same month.

I can’t speak for my fellow birthday buddies, but I’ve always enjoyed my birth date. Ten is a nice, even number – easy to remember for those who tend to forget – and March is full of promises that better weather is just around the corner. I have so many friends and acquaintances who celebrate birthdays in March; hardly a day goes by that I’m not sending someone happy birthday wishes. Not to mention, my best friend celebrates her wedding anniversary every St. Patrick’s Day (remember my “O’Green Day” Going Too Far? post from last year?) and a second anniversary is soon to be added when another friend says “I do” on the 23rd.

I’ve always celebrated well on my birthday. From roller skating and bowling bashes to sleep overs and surprise parties, not a March 10th has gone by that wasn’t celebrated in my honor. This year I’m planning to enjoy a night out on Saturday, celebrating with a cousin (whose special day is today, just 48 hours before mine) and our group of friends, followed by lunch at my parents on Sunday before heading to the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game that evening.

So what would I like for my birthday this year, you ask? Well, with all of the fun planned for this weekend I’d really like to keep the hour of sleep we’re scheduled to lose at 2 a.m. on Sunday when Daylight Saving Time begins. Maybe I’m already turning into a grumpy old lady, but I’ve learned that productive days can no longer be followed by late nights; I need a little more time to recuperate than I used to! Not to mention, I feel slightly cheated by losing an hour on my birthday. After all, this will be my last 20-something birthday to celebrate, something I’d rather not have rush by so quickly! Even if the time was spent sleeping off the fun from the night before, those lost 60 minutes would be my ideal birthday present this year.

Of course I’ll also accept gift cards, personal checks or cash.

I’m not a huge fan of the sport of tennis, but that much said, I had a good chuckle this morning when I saw the video of tennis pros Raphael Nadal and Juan Martīn del Potro, paired with comedian Ben Stiller and nine-year-old Rebecca Suarez, respectively, in a mock doubles match played during the BNP Paribas Showdown in New York City earlier this week.

The video tells the story: Nadal selects Stiller, quite randomly from among the crowd, as his playing partner, and del Potro responds by selecting Miss Suarez. Both amateurs stationed in the forecourt, Stiller clowns with the nine-year-old at the net, telling her “You’re going DOWN!,” and proceeds to win the first point of the match with a net return. But Suarez manages to get her shots in – all of her shots – which prompt accolades from the ESPN announcers along with roars from the NYC spectators. It’s priceless!

I saw an interview with young Rebecca Suarez on ABC’s “Good Morning America” just this morning, and when asked about the lift she received from del Potro at the conclusion of the “match,” she replied: “I got sweaty. He was really sweaty when he lifted me.” It was a terrific interview of a nine-year-old girl who somehow managed to maintain her composure during both the doubles match and throughout the GMA interview.

I think I’ve discovered a new respect for this game...

Slovenia’s professional athletes have been busy recently. Whether they are competing in their homeland or representing their country on an international level, Slovenia’s sports stars are often in the limelight. Recent newsmakers include:

Maze Clenches World Cup — At 29 years old, Tina Maze, an Alpine skier from Črna na Koroškem, Slovenia, won her first overall World Cup title Feb. 24. Maze is nearly 960 points ahead of the second place finisher in the overall standings, and she is one downhill race away from becoming only the third woman to win all five disciplines in one season.
 

Tina Maze article in New York Times
 

Udrih Moves to Magic — The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks send Celje, Slovenia, native Beno Udrih to the Orlando Magic in a Feb. 21 trade. Even with no time for team practice before his first game with the Magic, Udrih scored 10 points and had seven assists in 27 minutes of play. The 6’3” guard has two NBA championship titles under his belt with the San Antonio Spurs: in 2005 and 2007.
 

Beno Udrih article in Orlando Sentinel
 

Hockey Team to Make Olympics Debut — Slovenia will be represented for the first time ever in men’s hockey at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Ranked third in the four-team qualifying tournament held earlier this year, Slovenia beat out Belarus and Denmark to secure their spot. The team is coached by Matjaž Kopitar, father of NHL star Anže Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings.
 

Slovenian Men’s Hockey Team article in The Slovenia Times

Sometimes, just sometimes, you run across a piece of information that makes you shake your head and wonder (often aloud) “Gee, why didn’t I know that?” I’m not talking about climatology, astrophysics or medical procedures here, just some little tidbit of information that makes you doubt anything you think you may recall as fact. Take this bit of information, for example...

Mathew Brady’s 1860 photograph of then-presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln. The photograph, used on the cover of Harper's Bazaar just days after it was taken, helped Lincoln win the presidential election.

Today, February 27, marks the very date that Abraham Lincoln was first photographed by Mathew Brady – the very same Mathew Brady who famously captured the haunting images of the Civil War and helped make photography a household word. Lincoln was a presidential candidate at the time, and Brady’s photograph of Honest Abe was featured on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar days later. Lincoln acknowledged that Brady’s photograph contributed greatly to his successful campaign effort, and at this point I have to wonder if Lincoln had actually seen the photograph (let’s face it, Lincoln wasn’t the most photogenic man).

But that’s not the “Why didn’t I know that?” information I alluded to earlier. No, what amazed me most about that Mathew Brady photograph, taken on February 27, 1860, is the fact that it wasn’t the first photograph of a U.S. president (or presidential candidate). I was always under the impression that Lincoln was the first president to be photographed... oh, how wrong you can be. Supposedly, William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, was photographed by Justus E. Moore and his partner, who was known simply as “Captain” Ward. That photograph (“daguerreotype portrait” is the more formal description), the original of which seems to have disappeared (though a copy is archived in the Metropolitan Museum of Art), was taken just prior to President W.H. Harrison’s inauguration in March 1841.

President John Tyler took office just a month after the short-lived (ahem) presidency of W.H. Harrison, but there is no evidence that President Tyler was ever photographed while in office, though a few photographic portraits of Tyler were taken following his presidency. Tyler may have been camera-shy, but his successor, James K. Polk, the 11th POTUS, was far from it. Polk was photographed both as president-elect and as president (his photographic portraits have survived), with the members of his cabinet (in what are widely recognized as the very first photographs taken inside the White House), and even with Mrs. Polk for the very first “First Family” portrait. Presidents 12 through 15 – Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan – followed Polk, and each had his photograph (or several) taken as well.

Which brings me back to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Apparently, what I should have recalled was that Lincoln was the first of America’s chief executives to use photography to his political advantage – kinda like the way Daniel Day-Lewis used his portrayal in the 2012 “Lincoln” film to secure the Academy Award for best actor. Lincoln was photographed hundreds of times, and it’s quite likely that each sitting served a specific purpose in terms of Lincoln’s political career.

Even though I was quite mistaken in my initial estimate of presidential history, I can take comfort in the fact that at least I remembered something that has to do with the role photography played in Lincoln’s presidency. It’s just too bad I missed out on composing this in time for Presidents’ Day... guess I still have some work to do on my recall capacity.

In light of the post office’s recent announcement of drastic cost-cutting measures, I find it interesting that today, February 20, marks the 221st anniversary of the United States Postal Service (the USPS, for short). It’s a fact: 221 years ago, on February 20, 1792, President George Washington (no less) signed the Postal Service Act, thus granting Congress the power to establish official mail routes throughout the United States of America.

Back in 1792, when it was originally based in Philadelphia (the USPS headquarters moved to Washington, D.C., in 1800), the U.S. Postal Service served some 4 million Americans along 2,400 miles of postal routes. According to information posted on the history.com website, “prior to the American Revolution, correspondence between parties depended largely upon hired private couriers, friends, and the help of merchants. Individual colonies set up informal post offices in taverns and shops where horse-drawn carriages or riders would pick up and drop off mail en route.”

So let’s take a look at that quote. Some 220 years later, these very same private couriers, friends and merchants have all been blamed for the reduction of postal services: private couriers (FedEx and UPS, in particular) have essentially cornered the market on package delivery, friends have turned to e-communication and social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to maintain contact, and merchants have been lured away from postal services as rates continue to rise while service dwindles. In essence, the entities that once helped the colonists keep in touch with one another now find themselves providing the same services nearly two-and-a-quarter centuries later. Does anyone else see the irony here? It’s just too bad you can’t send or pick up your mail at the local tavern any more, but that’s only my opinion...

In addition to letter mail, the Postal Service Act allowed for newspapers to be included in mail delivery. If you’re an SNPJ member, you’re well aware of the fact that our Society’s newspaper, PROSVETA, arrives in the mail every other week, so that portion of the act has been a blessing for fraternal benefit societies. In recent years, however, all newspapers have been forced to re-size their product to comply with ever-evolving USPS regulations and rate increases (the most recent effective in late January) in order to mail at the lowest possible postage rates. If you despise those sticky little tabs that secure the folds of your PROSVETA copy and wonder aloud why your PROSVETA seems a mere shadow of its former dimension, that’s the reason – we’re playing ball with the USPS in an attempt to save on postage costs.

And that brings me back to my former point of irony, particularly the “friends connected via e-communications and social networks” strategy. Yes, PROSVETA is a fraternal newspaper, and as such it is eligible for mailing under the Postal Service Act. But with postage rates escalating rapidly over the past decade or so, even fraternal benefit societies have begun shifting their attention from the USPS toward e-communication services like Facebook – and we’re not alone. How much junk e-mail do you receive from retailers on a daily basis? How many updates do you receive from retailers you’ve “Liked” on Facebook? Know why? Because it’s much more cost-effective (a euphemism for cheaper) to send e-circulars and e-coupons than it is to disseminate these types of materials via the USPS.

That much said, the USPS is facing a challenging and difficult future. Just the other day I read that the USPS budget deficit had slowed during the fourth quarter of 2012, to the tune of $2 billion less than the deficit generated in the fourth quarter of 2011. So there is a bright spot, which may become significantly brighter should Congress allow the USPS to drop its Saturday first-class mail delivery and restructure its pension accounting methods. And let’s face it – we still need the services offered by the USPS, if for no other reason than to protect some of our private, personal information. Ever heard of a letter being hacked? George Washington had the right idea back in 1792: by signing the Postal Service Act, he made it illegal for postal officials to open anyone’s mail. The same can’t be said of your e-mail, Facebook or Twitter accounts, nor any of your other password-protected accounts for that matter – including the direct deposit routing utilized for your banking activity.

So here we are, 221 years later, debating the pros and cons of the U.S. Postal Service. Congress will have its hands full entertaining this very same debate in the upcoming months (the USPS is hoping to cease Saturday mail delivery on August 1), and it should be interesting to hear what the powers-that-be have to say as they weigh in on the future of the USPS. In the meantime, you might want to stock up on those “Forever” stamps – in only a matter of a few years they may become the last vestige of the once-proud United States Postal Service.

All-night dance parties are common in college life. With music blaring and good friends by your side, it’s easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, the sun’s coming up and your first class of the day starts in just a few hours.

But each year, students at Penn State University take this typical college party scenario to the next level. This past weekend, the university’s basketball arena was filled to capacity (15,200) during a weekend-long dance party fund-raiser to help support the fight against pediatric cancer. Over 700 dancers participated in the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon, which was attended by thousands of volunteers as well as cancer patients and their families.

This annual event, known as THON, is the longest dance marathon in the country and the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Since 1977 and including this weekend’s record-breaking total, THON has raised over $100 million for pediatric cancer research through the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The Four Diamonds Fund assists in covering the cost of treatments that may not be covered by insurance; supports the hospital’s childcare staff; and funds start-up grants for pediatric cancer research.

In my opinion, the most exciting part of this weekend’s event is a single (albeit large) number: 1,687,110. It’s not the attendance count or number of donations, but the amount of dollars OVER last year’s total. How much money was raised for THON 2013? You might have to see it to believe it.

Today is Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the Mardi Gras celebration. Although not observed nationally, several U.S. cities rich with French culture and heritage mark the celebration. Most notably is Louisiana’s capital, New Orleans, which ranks among the top Mardi Gras celebrations in the world.

For those of us outside NOLA, Mardi Gras is only casually recognized, if at all. But just because we aren’t taking part in wild and crazy celebrations down in New Orleans doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some of that Cajun spirit. Let SNPJ help you find that Fat Tuesday feelin’ with a little Mardi Gras music — Slovenian-style.

And by this video's framing, we think the musician may have started his Mardi Gras celebration a little early...

It’s no big secret that February is the shortest month of the entire year. Just take a look at any calendar: February only has 28 days (29 days every four years during the leap year), which in a normal year makes February shorter than the other months by at least two days. But why 28 (or 29) days? Why not lop a day off a couple of months with 31 days and even the months out? February’s tale is a little stranger than you might think...

Way back in history when the Romans developed their calendar, their year was composed of 304 days divided into 10 months. This calendar followed the lunar cycle, and there was no month of February. But since the earth takes nearly 365¼ days to complete its orbit around the sun, Roman king Numa Pompilius revised this early calendar by adding two new months, January and February, which increased the total number of days in the year to 355. Numa Pompilius also added an extra month, called Mercedinus, which was tacked onto February every other year. Closer, but still not quite right – and much too confusing!

When Julius Caesar rose to power in the Roman Empire, he also revised the calendar by rearranging the number of days in the 12 months to add up to exactly 365¼. In this calendar, called the Julian calendar, February ended up with 29 days plus an extra day every fourth year. One final change to February was supposedly made by the Roman Emperor Augustus. The date of February 29 was moved to the month of August, which had been named in honor of Augustus, because August needed one extra day to be equal to July, which had been named in honor of Julius Caesar.

So February, with its 28 days, ended up being the shortest month of the calendar year – except for one year in Sweden, 1712, when the Swedes stretched February to 30 days to work their Julian calendar into the Gregorian calendar system that had been introduced across Europe in 1582. But that’s a tale best left for another date.