Društvo Slovenski Dom - Toronto - Slovenian Home Association

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IN THIS ISSUE

1. President's Message
2. Applefest Bus Tour
3. Slovenski Dom Scholarships
4. Poetry Contest Winner
5. Service Award Winners
6. Triglav

1. President's Message

Hitro je minilo leto 2007. Skozi leto smo imeli živahen in pester program, in pa tudi nekaj žalosti, ob izgubi dolgoletnega člana in odbornika Slov. Doma G. Jožeta Turk, umrl 26. novembra 2007 v 97. letu starosti. Zapustil nas je tudi član Peter Golobic ki je bil vedno pripravljen pomagati ko je bilo treba. Obema smo poslali venec in sožalje družinam v imenu Slov. Doma. Mnogi člani so ju spremljali na njihovi zadnji poti. Naj počivata v miru.

V preteklem letu je Vaš odbor vložil veliko truda in dela za Slovenski dom. Poleg rednih sej odbora, smo tudi organizirali več kulturnih in društvenih prireditev, na primer:

* V začetku maja - Environmental Day skupaj z Slovensko Telovadno Zvezo (STZ) in posadili nekaj čez 500 hrastov (red oaks).
* V začetku julija - kulturno razstavo na Slovenskem dnevu in razstavili različne predmete iz Slovenije. Hvala vsem ki ste posodili te predmete za razstavo.
* V septembru smo organizirali avtobusni izlet na AppleFest v Meaford.
*Med letom smo sodelovali z društvom Simon Gregorčič, Dom Lipa in z Slovensko Šolo pri projektu, “Bridging the Intergenerational Gap between Seniors and Youth” in organizirali lepo število prireditev.
*Objavili smo tudi knjigo ‘Zgodovina Slovenskega Doma’. Člani ki še niso prejeli knjige, jo dobijo brezplačno od gospe Muc.
*Nadaljujemo z zbiranjem knjig Slovenskih pisateljev v Kanadi da ohranimo našo kulturno dediščino.

V tem letu smo pridobili pet novih članov, - Mateya Bajec, Albin Skodic, Branko Kavcic, Bertold Kepnik in Giuliana Giacomini. Dobrodošli k Slovenskemu domu. Prosimo vse člane da vključite svoje potomce v Slovenski Dom, saj to je naša bodočnost.

V začetku decembra smo imeli božični banket v dvorani Marije Pomagaj na Manning Ave. Med gosti, ki jih je bilo nekaj čez 200, so bili člani in članice društva Slovenski Dom kakor tudi predstavniki organizacij: Slovensko Kanadski Svet, Slovenska šola, Dom Lipa, Slovenska Telovadna Zveza, Slovensko Letovišče, Holiday Gardens in VSKO. Igral je orkester Brajda. Program je vodila Majda Resnik in se je pričel po večerji z nastopom plesne skupine Otroški Kotiček pod vodstvom Janeza Smrekarja. Po kulturnem programu smo razdelili priznanja in nagrade. Priznanje Slovenskega doma za izredno prostovoljno, požrtvovalno delo pri Slovenskem domu sta dobila Frank Gormek in Oscar Koren.

Kot vsako leto je bil tudi letošnji dohodek banketa in srečolova namenjen podpori Dom Lipa, Slovenski šoli in štipendijam za slovenske študente. Obilna hvala vsem ki ste se udeležili banketa, še posebna hvala pa našim sponsorjem ki so pripomogli da je banket tako lepo uspel.

Letos zopet planiramo več prireditev in aktivnosti. In Vas prisrčno vabimo da se udeležite teh prireditev in s tem podprete medsebojno povezovanje in ohranitev naše kulturne identitete. Ako imate kakšne ideje za bodoče prireditve vas prosimo da jih predstavite odboru.

Prilagamo Vam formular za nominacijo v odbor. Radi bi dobili nekaj novih odbornikov zato prosimo da nominirate nekaj novih.

Velika dvorana na Pape Ave je v najemu Grkov ki pridno plačujejo najemnino. V mali dvorani imamo redne sestanke odbora in pa našo pisarno.

Tudi letos smo debatirali kako se usmerimo v prihodnost. Ustanovili smo “Building Fund” ki bo služil našim željam po novem Slovenskem Domu. Dr. David Strmole nam je naredil demografsko analizo naših članov in ugotovil da glavna koncentracija članov je v Willowdale in manjša koncentracija je v okolici cerkve na Browns Line. Tako da če vzamemo najmanjšo oddaljenost vseh članov od ene točke “center of gravity”, je ta točka blizu York University. Po tej analizi bi naj bil nov Slovenski dom v okolici York University. Na tej univerzi je precej slovenskih študentov ki bi verjetno prihajali v Slovenski Dom in se tam spoznavali z starejšimi člani. Za sedaj so to samo ideje. Če se pa pojavi kdo ki meni kaj graditi v tej okolici bi Slovenski Dom bil zainteresiran sodelovati in si ustvariti prostor za kulturne dejavnosti kot smo jih imeli pred leti preden smo izgubili parkirni prostor.

Končno se lepo zahvalim vsem članom ki ste sodelovali pri raznih prireditvah in s tem poživeli našo skupnost in slovensko kulturo. Bodimo ponosni da smo Slovenci in da imamo Slovenski Dom ki nas povezuje in nudi priliko da ohranimo našo kulturno skupnost.

2. Applefest Bus Tour

Our first stop on the way to Meaford was the Shelburne Wind Farm to have a look at the enormous windmills that have blades about as long as three or four tour buses. Dr. Tony Muc, Slovenski Dom Director gave a very interesting and informative explanation about the contribution that the operation of these windmills is making towards satisfying the electricity demands in Ontario.

Our second stop was a guided tour of Jolley’s Toy Museum, also a toy store, where antique bicycles, wagons, etc. brought back many childhood memories. Lunch was next on the agenda at the “Meaford Castle Restaurant” where we enjoyed a delicious buffet complete with yummy desserts!

Our fourth stop was Christ Church Anglican where a guide gave us a history of the church and then we had time to take a good look at the very special stained glass War Memorial Windows for which the small town church has become famous. These windows were a well kept secret from 1946 until an article in the November 1998 issue of Reader’s Digest revealed their significance and since then, visitors come specially to see them. Four of these War Memorial Windows are made of broken stained glass from bombed out churches from the south coast of England, France Belgium, Holland, Ireland and Wales. These windows were dedicated on Sunday August 11, 1946 to the men and women who served overseas.

Lastly, it was off to Grandma Lambe’s Orchards where Grandma Lambe’s daughter-in-law (the new Grandma Lambe) welcomed us each with a glass of apple cider. We purchased apples, apple pies, apple cider, maple syrup, fruit, gifts and handcrafted items.

On the way home, three lucky participants won bus tour door draw prizes purchased by Slovenski Dom from Grandma Lambe’s Orchards. The weather was perfect and a good time was had by all.

For information on Slovenski Dom Bus Tour plans for 2008 please contact Bus Tour Director Nora Burnett.

3. Slovenski Dom Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

5. Service Award Winners

SERVICE AWARDS

This year Oscar Koren and Frank Gormek were granted special recognition for providing “exceptional service to Slovenski Dom as a volunteer… over an extended period”.

President of Slovenski Dom for 13 years Oscar has meticulous attention to detail and ensures that Board members stay on track and accountable to the membership. Oscar is a creative thinker who finds ways to access government resources…. I don’t know if he has ever missed a board meeting… !

Frank Gormek has shown leadership in Slovenski Dom since its inception, when he worked on the building plans and organization of its sports and cultural activities and events. Twice president, he wrote the History of Slovenski Dom and is actively involved in board activities. Frank is a prolific writer, an intellectual thinker and an avid sportsman. He is currently working on a strategic plan for Slovenski Dom and coordinates the annual Environmental Day.

Thank you to Oscar and Frank for your dedication to the work of Slovenski Dom!

Robert Frankovic was honoured for completing his CMA designation. He is now fully licensed as a Certified Management Accountant. Robi is meticulous with financial details and as Slovenski Dom treasurer, keeps the books in good order. We are also grateful to him for accepting a volunteer position to act as treasurer for the project, “Bridging the Intergenerational Gap Between Seniors and Youth.”

CONGRATULATIONS, Robi, on your personal achievement.

6. Triglav

Izgubljeni Kanadski Fantje na Triglavu