We went to the SNPJ Lodge 5 Naprej Valentine dinner-dance at the St. Clair Slovene Home and we had a helluva nice time. It was a very happy crowd and most of us danced to closing time.
We started off with a real good eatin' put together by Mrs. Zaller and many aides. The meals were set up in the lower hall as the upper hall was cleared mainly for dancing. A few tables were set up off to the side but there was lots of space for dancing and all that space was being used up.
The idea of using upper and lower halls for an occasion like a Valentine dance initiated by Lodge 5 is a good one, and when any group expects a big turnout that's how it ought to be done.
Though that Saturday evening the popular and large membership of the Euclid Pensioners had a dinner and dance at the Euclid Slovene home, our affair on St. Clair had a very nice crowd, too. This is quite a bit due to the energetic promotion of the secretary, Doris Sadar, and the lodge officers.
Bob Timko's band gave us some happy music to dance to and the band was quite obliging to play novelty numbers. In one instance, we got very big group on the floor doing Hokey Pokey.
To honor the presence of Mrs. MacCormack, our State Senator's mother, the band played an Irish number and there was an Irish lass who went and did an Irish jig for a show. Betty and I wouldn't be outdone and we went and did the tarantella when the band did the tune. Oh yes, there at one time most all dancers got into a polka line dance kickin' up and making merry.
Present at this happy time was our National Secretary Joe Umeck and his wife Maggie. I couldn't help asking how his students are doing learning to play the button box accordion. He felt that they had much promise and I requested that he bring his band to the Campsite and play polka music so that I can dance to their new happy expression of fun.
Should anyone ask what students I'm mentioning, it's about the picture in the Prosveta which showed Joe Culkar, Cuck Rak and a bunch of other guys adorned even with a former Miss SNPJ all posing with accordions extended.
Now these are my kind of people. I like those who, approaching the autumn of their lives, still hold to some zest for life and go out and try something they never did before. I'm proud for these up and coming musicians.
People as a rule are hard to figure out. They're uncomfortable and complaining in the harness, and once they're relieved to go to pasture they are still unhappy. They're distressed because they ain't got a boss to gripe about.
One guy from the shop I retired from asked me how I like being retired. I said that I never had it so good. I go to bed when I choose and wake up when I an rested. I don't need any clock to regulate my life anymore. If I feel that some work needs my attention, I go about it: but then I'm just as likely to say to hell with it and chase some other whim.
Well, this guy says to me that he wishes that his father-in-law had that attitude. He says that his dad just mopes around and sits and does nothing. He still misses his job and fears his replacement can't do as good as he used to.
Well, I don't feel that indispensable and for that matter neither is anyone else irreplaceable. And besides, most of our tasks we attach so much importance to would be better undone.
Lodge 5 not only can put up a fancy Valentine diner-dance but they also arranged a fun-night for the residents of the Slovene Home for the Aged. Presented for the enjoyment of the oldsters some evenings ago were songs and polka band music by our youngsters and John Medvesek Jr., little Charlie Jr. Sumrada and his little brother Eddie played the piano, and even Betty and I did some Swiss dancing.
It was a sweet evening, ending up with the kids presenting valentines to the oldsters, and after that we partook of the many delicacies baked by the ladies of the lodge.
Right now that the nursing homes are under investigation by the U.S. Senate, it is comforting to know that our local Old Age Home operates with first class approval by the state. It stands to reason why. It is still operating in the red somewhat, but the generous gifts it gets from the community helps it to maintain envious service.
Under investigation by the Senate Committee is an operator of a nursing home who started with $30, 000 and now is worth twenty millions. It's easy to see that the oldsters were shortchanged. Ain't nobody getting rich at the Slovene Home for the Aged as the trustees and officers do their work for free.
It's only fitting that there ought to be some recognition who perform that kind of a community service.
So there's going to be a great big appreciation dinner and dance at the Slovene Auditorium on St. Clair on Saturday, March 8, and here's hoping there will be a nice crowd to cheer these nice people on with their great job.