THE SLOVAK GARDEN

A HOME FOR AMERICAN SLOVAKS, INC.

3110 Howell Branch Rd. #100

Winter Park, Florida 32792

Spring in Donovaly, Slovakia

www.slovak-garden.com

Word of President of Slovak Garden

Slovak Day 2015 in Slovak Garden

Introducing members of BOD of Slovak Garden

Financial Report of Slovak Garden

Slovak Garden Annual Scholarship Award

Winning Essay 2015

News from Slovakia

Slovak Recipes , Healthy Tips, Sport

FLORIDIAN SLOVAK

FLORIDSKÝ SLOVÁK Established in March 1952 www.slovak-garden.com Spring issue 2015

Spring 2016

Slovak Day 2015, Lučina from

Cleveland performed

Floridian Slovak

President’s Corner

Greetings at Spring-

time in Slovak Gar-

den. We survived a

rather mild winter

and look forward to

the mild tempera-

tures

of our short spring

before the hot sum-

mer begins.

March marks one year of my office as president of Slovak

Garden and the 63d year of the presence of the Garden in

Florida.

We were saddened by the deaths of three of our tenants,

John Tirpak, Frank Havlicek and Frank Hruz. They left

a void in our community and are truly missed.

Slovak Day was held on March 7 and although the

attendance was slightly lower this year, those attending

had a great time. the Lucina Folk dancers from Cleveland

Ohio put on a great show and were rewarded with much

applause. The young dancers are to be applauded for their

hard work and dedication in advancing their Slovak

Heritage in such a fine manner.

The Slovak Garden Convention was held on Sunday March

8th. As with the Slovak day, attendance was lower than in

the past, but the business of the garden was conducted and

as is usually the case, lively and spirited discussions were

held.

The front of the large hall/church underwent a renewal.

With the suggestions of the Pastor of the Praise Place

Church, Thomas Cook, the front was painted and all of the

overgrown shrubbery was removed and a professional

landscape firm designed and installed an excellent diversity

of palms and plants to give the entrance of the building

a beautiful appearance. They also installed a"state of the

art' irrigation system. This project was a cooperate deal

between the Church and Slovak Garden.

Earlier this year, we also replaced the carpeting in the

church.

Still to be completed is the asphalt coating and striping of

the driveways.

Again we invite all Slovaks traveling to Florida to stop in to

say hello and take a look at our Museum

Dr. Thomas F. Kravets/ President

Introducing Members of

Board of Directors of Slovak Garden

Director Milan Dvorecky

My name is Milan Dvorecky,

born in 1950 in then Czecho-

slovakia and lived in Bratisla-

va. As a performer- musician

I travel through Europe until

1982 when I decided to take

my family out of uncertain

life in communist country and

start a new in the freedom. It

was tough. We came to the

USA after waiting 6 months in Austria for legalization

of our status and hoping to achieve the American

dream. We did not speak English at all. We worked

hard and it paid off. I am married to Eva, have two

grown children Nikola and Adam and the most im-

portant – live our lives in the freedom. Now I am semi-

retired from Disney World and Sea world and most

people know me as a member of the Europa band,

which performs in Florida and throughout the United

States. I was already once a director of the Slovak Gar-

den few years ago and lately took interest in the Slovak

Garden functions.

Volám sa Milan Dvorecký, narodil som sa v roku

1950 v bývalom Československu, vyrástal a žil som v

Bratislave. Ako hudobník cestoval som po Europe až

do roku 1982 kedy som sa rozhodol, že zoberiem moju

rodinu z neistého života v komunistickej krajine a

začneme nový život na slobode. Bolo to veľmi ťažké.

Do Spojených štátov sme prišli po šiestich mesiacoch

strávených v Rakúsku, kde sme čakali kvoli

legalizácii našich dokumentov a dúfali, že sa nám

splní Americký sen.. Nerozprávali sme vôbec

anglicky. Tvrdo sme pracovali a vyplatilo sa nám to.

Spolu s manželkou Evou máme dospelé deti Nikolu a

Adama, ale čo je najdôležitejšie žijeme náš život v

slobodnom svete. Momentálne som na polodôchodku

z Disney World a Sea World, väčšina ľudí ma pozná

ako člena hudobnej skupiny Europa band, ktorá

vystupuje na Floride a po celých Spojených štátoch.

Bol som už raz pred niekoľkými rokmi direktorom v

Slovenskej záhrade a neskôr som sa aktívne zapájal

pri usporiadaní rôznych spoločenských podujatí v

Slovenskej záhrade.

Floridian Slovak

Floridský Slovák — Floridian Slovak

Established in March of 1952

Official Publication of the Slovak Garden, Inc.

Annual subscription included in membership.

Proprietor and Publisher

The Slovak Garden, Inc.

3110 Howell Branch Road #100

Winter Park, Florida 32792 USA

www.theslovakgarden.org our official Slovak Garden web page

slovakgarden@centurylink.net official email address of

the Slovak Garden, Inc.

Tel: 407 677 6894 Fax: 407 677 8442

President: Thomas Kravets Editor: Marcel Pechan

Newspaper committee: Jerry Krupa, Maria Krupa corrector

Slovak recipes

Cream Chicken

(Kurča na smotane)

Ingredients: one whole chicken, 1 onion, 1 table-

spoon paprika, one bay leaf, 1 pint heavy cream,

flour, salt, oil, pasta (shells or macaroni)

Prep Time: about one hour

Here are the ingredients you will need. Besides the

chicken and cream, you will also need an onion,

spices and some pasta for the side. Chop up the on-

ion pretty fine and stir on a medium-hot oil until it

turns golden and tranparent. In the mean time, wash

the chicken and cut it into major pieces, such as legs,

wings, and few cuts of the breast meat. Add to the

pot. Also add one teaspoon of paprika, salt, and one

bay leaf. Cover with water. I used approximately

12 oz. Stir and mix well and then cover. Reduce heat

once the water comes to a boil. Continue stewing for

about 45 minutes. In the mean time, I used the lefto-

ver bones and the giblets to make a delicious chick-

en soup. I also fried few pieces of the chicken skin

for a tasty snack. When the chicken is ready (after

about 45 minutes), boil salted water and cook the

noodles. Then remove the meat and set aside. This is

optional, but if you have a blender, carefully blend

the hot liquid for a smoother sauce. Then dissolve a

heaping tablespoon of flour into the cream. Stir into

the sauce. Bring the sauce back to a boil and then

add the chicken back to warm it up. If the sauce is

too thin, you can thicken it by adding more flour or

Wondra. And if it is too thick, you can thin the sauce

by adding milk. Serve over pasta. Enjoy!

Easter Bowties

(Fanky)

Dough: 2 cups (250g) flour , 1/2 teaspoon baking powder ,

1/2 teaspoon salt, 1-2 yolks, 2 tablespoons (60g) powdered

sugar, half a stick (50g) unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons cream, 2

tablespoons white wine (or rum), 1/2 cup of milk

Prep Time: 2 hours

Start by combining flour,

butter, sugar, yolks,

cream, milk, baking pow-

der, salt, and the wine (or

rum if you prefer). Mix to-

gether for 10 minutes until

you get smooth elastic

dough. Add more milk if

needed. Form into a ball,

dust with flour, and let rest

in the fridge for an hour.

Roll the dough out to thickness of about 1/6th of an inch. It

may help to cut the dough into two halves, especially if your

board is on the smaller side. Using a dough cutting wheel or a

knife, cut the dough into rectangles about 2×3 inches. Then cut

two slots in each rectangle in direction parallel to the shorter

edges. Loop one end piece through the slot closest to it. Then

repeat with the other end to make a dough bowtie. You can also

just cut the dough into thin strips which you roll around your

finger. Fry all this goodness in oil that is not too hot – I kept

mine just a tiny turn past low. Fry on both sides until the dough

gets pinkish light brown. Scoop the fried fánky with spatula

onto a plate covered with paper towels. Use another paper tow-

el to pat dry off the oil from the top. Then coat the fried dough

in powdered sugar (I also mixed in half packet of vanilla sug-

ar), just like funnel cakes.

Happy Easter!

Floridian Slovak

FRANK HRUZ

3-15-1924 – 12-20-2014

Another Slovak Garden member and tenant passed away.

Frank’s sec-

ond wife Ire-

na, his son

and daughter

and his

friends visited

him and

prayed for

him at Winter

Park Hospital

hoping he

will over-

come his illness. God called him Home on Dec. 20th 2014.

Frank was 90 years old.

Frantisek was born in Tekov, Slovakia. He studied in his

native Tekov and Bratislava Technical University. When

the communists in 1948 took over Slovakia, Frantisek de-

cided to run for freedom to the West. After staying several

months in the Camp for Refugees, he ended in Australia.

For several years he worked as electrical engineer. In Aus-

tralia, beside work and studying, he organized a Slovak

soccer team, which participated in a league of the Central

European soccer teams. He said he was a good manager, his

Slovak team won the first place.

Because some members of his family lived in the USA,

after a few years Frantisek decided to move to America. He

got married and had three children. Most of his life he lived

in New York. He moved to Florida to enjoy his retirement.

First he lived in the Villages and later he moved to the Slo-

vak Garden. He liked living in Slovak Garden very much.

He participated in Tatran, SG singing group. Frank was a

member of few committees, and he painted few wooden

benches around the lake. He liked to feel useful.

Frank was a private man, he was interested in politics, fi-

nances, and he liked to read Slovak and English history

books and the newspapers. He followed the political and

economic situation in Slovakia and USA as much as he

could. He enjoyed singing Slovak songs with his wife

Irenka every morning.

Frank, may God Almighty take good care of you!

Jerry J. Krupa

Easter in Slovak Garden

Floridian Slovak

Veľkonočné sviatky

Termín Veľkej noci nie je stály, každoročne sa mení.

Veľká noc pripadá na prvú nedeľu po prvom jarnom

splne mesiaca - po 21. marci. Má však ustálený deň na

oslavu - nedeľu - pretože Ježiš Kristus vstal z mŕtvych

podľa svedectva apoštolov prvý deň po sobote (Matúš

28,1 Marek 16,1 Lukáš 24,1 Ján 20,1). Veľkonočný -

tichý týždeň trvá od Kvetnej nedele po Bielu sobotu,

počas ktorého si cirkev zvlášť intenzívne pripomína

pamätné dni utrpenia a smrti Ježiša Krista. Ich vážnosť

pripomína čierne chrámové rúcho.

Na Veľkonočnú nedeľu založili dospievajúcim die-

včatám po prvý raz na hlavu partu. Pri prekročení

kostolného prahu každá prehodila cez seba peniaz pre

šťastie. Veľkonočná nedeľa sa považovala za najväčší

sviatok roka, preto sa nesmelo variť, dokonca ani krá-

jať nožom. Preto sa všetko pripravilo na Bielu sobotu.

Obradové veľkonočné jedlá sa pripravili do košíka

a zobrali sa na svätú omšu. Cez omšu sa svätili tieto

jedlá. Z kostola sa každý ponáhľal domov, pretože ako

rýchlo prišiel, taký šikovný mal byť pri žatve. Stolo-

vanie v tento deň pripomínalo Štedrú večeru. Prvým

chodom bolo vajíčko, ktoré gazda rozdelil medzi

všetkých prítomných. Hlavný chod bolo mäso z

hydiny. Všetci sa mali dobre najesť, aby boli sýti po

celý rok. Požehnané jedlo sa muselo skonzumovať tak,

aby z neho nič nevyšlo nazmar. Jedli sa aj omrvinky,

lebo keby sa tak nestalo, bola by aj úroda ohrozená. Čo

sa neskonzumovalo, to sa hodilo do pece a spálilo.

Taktiež sa omrvinky zo stola odkladali na liečenie, do

siatin, alebo ich dali sliepkam - mali lepšie niesť.

Na Veľkonočnú nedeľu bola aj zábava pre mládež.

Milan Dvorecký

Director John Volosin

My name is John Volosin.

I am originally

from Pennsylvania but now

reside in Florida since 1985.

I became affiliated

with Slovak Garden in 1985

because my mother was the

Treasurer for the Garden. I

liked Garden from the first

moment. I remember the

time when Mr. Andrew

Hudak was the President.

The tenants, all Slovaks,

they used to live here like one big family, they cook

together, they sing together. As well I used to work

here as a maintenance man. In 2013 members of an-

nual convention elected me as a Director of BOD of

Slovak Garden. I would like to see our Garden in

better shape I can see a lot of things to be improved

and I am willing to help.

My grandparents were from a small town Lozin

in Eastern Slovakia near Michalovce. I have been

self employed for 25 years.

Volám sa John Volosin. Pôvodne pochádzam zo

štátu Pennsylvania, ale tu na Floride žijem od roku

1985. V tom istom roku som sa prvykrát dostal do

styku so Slovenskou Záhradou, v ktorej dlhé roky

moja mama pracovala ako pokladníčka. Slovenskú

Záhradu som si obľúbil hneď od prvého momentu.

Veľmi rád si spomínam na časy keď prezidentom

bol pán Andrew Hudák. Obyvatelia, všetci Slováci

tu žili ako jedna veľká rodina. Počas krátkej doby

som pracoval v Záhrade ako údržbár. V roku 2013

som bol na členskej schôdzi zvolený do výboru ako

director. Rád by som videl Slovenskú záhradu v

lepšom stave, vidím veľa možností aby sa situácia

tu zlepšila a som ochotný pomôcť kde budem

môcť.

Moji starí rodičia pochádzajú z východného Slov-

enska z malej dediny pri Michalovciach, Ložín. 25

rokov som samozamestnancom.

Floridian Slovak

Slovenská Záhrada oslávila svoje 63. narodeniny

Marcel Pechan, tajomník a redaktor

Slovenská Záhrada bola hostiteľom už 63. Slovenského

dňa a výročnej schôdze. Oslava Slovenského dňa sa

uskutočnila v sobotu 7. marca vo veľkej sale Slovenskej

Záhrady. Ako sa očakávalo, účasť nebola veľká nakoľko

Slovenský Národný Spolok oslavoval v Pensylvanii svoje

150. výročie založenia organizácie. Okolo 100 najbližších

priateľov, členov a niekoľko obyvateľov Slovenskej Zá-

hrady sa zišlo osláviť tento sviatok Slovákov žijúcich na

Floride.

Braňo Bujňák Viceprezident Záhrady, bol predsedom

komisie na prípravu tohto úspešného podujatia a jeho

premiéra mu vyšla na výbornú.

Prezident Tom Kravets pozdravil všetkých prítomných a

poďakoval im za účasť. Privítal čestných hostí, v prvom

rade nášho dobre známeho Slováka kongresmana Johna

Micu, ktorý nechýba na žiadnom našom výročnom

stretnutí. Tohto roku žiaľ nemohla prísť jeho manželka

Pat, ktorá musela zostať pri nemocnej dcére.

Taktiež zavítala medzi nás Dr. Cecilia Rokousek,

Generálna konzulka Slovenska v Miami. Prezident Kra-

vets privítal aj kňaza Rev.

Jozefa Krajňáka, ktorý prišiel z

New Jersey a v nedeľu slúžil

omšu.

Kongresman John Mica vo

svojom príhovore poďakoval

všetkým, ktorí sa aktívne za-

pájajú pri skrášľovaní a

udržiavaní Slovenskej záhrady,

uchovávaní slovenských

tradícii a slovenského jazyka.

Prítomní si pochutnali na

kvalitne pripravenom slov-

enskom tradičnom jedle, o ktoré sa postaral výborný

šefkuchár, director Slovenskej záhrady Nick Badida spo-

lu s manželkou Milkou. Podávala sa veľmi dobra slepačia

polievka s domácimi rezancami, plnená kapustová rolka

alebo holúbok, pirohy plnené zemiakmi, špeciálne pri-

pravená klobása spolu so zemiakmi a ako dezert slov-

enské makové a orechové záviny. Každému veľmi

chutilo a tiež pochvala patrí členom folklórného súboru

Lučina, ktorí ochotne pomáhali pri roznášaní jedla na

stoly prítomných hostí.

Po obede potom Braňo

Bujňák predstavil folk-

lórny súbor Lučina z

Clevelandu, ktorý sa

prezentoval veľmi

peknými slovenskými ľu-

dovými tancami. Mladí

členovia súboru skutočne

pobavili všetkých prítomných a niektorým bolo vidieť na

tvárach aj slzy dojatia. Za tento program si všetci

tanečníci a tanečníčky zaslúžili dlhotrvjúci potlesk.

Peknou kultúrnou tradíciou Slovenského dňa sa už stáva

aj vystúpenie nášho doživotného člena a kontrolora

Slovenskej záhrady Petra Sallinga a jeho milej dcéry

Bianky, ktorí nám vždy pekne zahrajú Peter na fujare

a Bianka na píšťale ktorú na Slovensku volajú srnec.

Na dobrú zábavu , do tanca a počúvania potom hral až do

konca programu Štefan Matuška. Prítomní si zatančili,

niektorí dokonca aj zaspievali slovenské pesničky. Kto

chcel dobre sa zabavil. Bol to prvý Slovenský deň, ktorý

Floridian Slovak

Health tips

5 heart healthy superfoods.

Here are five delicious superfoods that can help cut your

risk for cardiovascular disease:

Beets

This jewel-colored root is jam-packed with nutrients that

can help lower blood pressure and increase blood flow by

opening up your blood vessels. Beets are also rich in sol-

uble fiber, vitamins A, B6, C and folic acid, as well as the

minerals potassium, magnesium and iron.

Pomegranates Pomegranates are gorgeous, delicious, rich in antioxi-

dants, and heart-healthy because they contain nutrients

that help improve blood flow, lower cholesterol and even

promote weight loss. Pomegranates have a balanced nu-

trient profile of essential vitamins and minerals, dietary

fiber, plus they are very low in fat and contain no choles-

terol.

Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are super flavorful and loaded with nutri-

ents that are good for your heart. These spuds are rich in

vitamin B6, which lowers chemical homocysteine -- a

factor in degenerative heart disease. Sweet potatoes are

also rich in fiber, potassium, and the ‘anti-stress’ mineral

magnesium.

Swiss Chard This delicious leafy green contains B6 vitamins and po-

tassium, which can lower blood pressure. Swiss chard is

also a good source of iron and copper, minerals that help

improve blood circulation.

Avocados True, avocados contain fat and that’s okay. Avocado is

the only fruit that contains heart-healthy monounsaturated

fats, which help lower cholesterol and improve blood li-

pid profile. Avocados are also rich in potassium, which

helps lower blood pressure.

Why apple cider vinegar needs to be a mainstay

in your life

If it's not there already, apple cider vinegar deserves a

home in your kitchen cupboard. It's rich in vitamins E, A,

and P and magnesium, iron, calcium — the list goes on

and on. If the vitamins and minerals alone are not enough

reason to have you hooked, here are five reasons you

should always have apple cider vinegar on hand.

Support weight loss: If you' re looking to shed a few

pounds, it's time to start using apple cider vinegar. Stud-

ies have shown that vinegar may help keep you from feel-

ing hungry by slowing stomach emptying; it also lowers

the glycemic index of high-carb foods like pasta, mean-

ing it can help you feel fuller longer by slowing the re-

lease of glucose into your bloodstream.

Improve digestion: The pectin in apple cider vinegar

has been known to move things along when bellies get

backed up. Up your fiber intake with a green salad with

plenty of roughage topped off with this honey apple cider

vinaigrette to improve your digestion situation.

Zap warts: This may come as a surpr ise, but soaking

a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and securing it on a

pesky wart with medical tape can get rid of it quickly and

naturally. Keep this in mind before you immediately call

your dermatologist next time!

Add a pep to your step: Apple cider vinegar is also

credited with improving energy levels. If you're cutting

out caffeine at work, just a few tablespoons of ACV

mixed with a full glass of water can keep you from feel-

ing cloudy and get you back to work.

Boost immunity: When you' re adding that many

healthy vitamins and minerals to your system, it's going

to help your immune system ward off illness. If you're

already sick and in need of a little help, drink hot apple

cider vinegar brew that combines cayenne, lemon, and

honey, which will help open up your sinuses and replen-

ish your body with the minerals it needs to recoup.

Lizie Fuhr

Sport

Floridian Slovak

Skvele! Slovenska Juniorka Mihalíková vyhrala

vo finále Australian Open

Slovenská tenistka Tereza Mihalíková získala titul vo dvojhre

junioriek na úvodnom grandslamovom podujatí sezóny

Australian Open na tvrdom povrchu v Melbourne. Vo finále

zvíťazila nad Britkou Katie Swanovou nasadenou ako štrnástou

za 89 minút 6:1, 6:4. V prvom sete prišla o gem až za stavu

5:0, v druhom predviedla obrat z 0:3.

„Som veľmi šťastná. Ešte si to ani neuvedomujem, vždy som

snívala držať veľkú trofej na krásnom štadióne. Bol to skvelý

týždeň, ťažké prvé kolá a dnes v druhom sete napínavé finále.

Prvý set som hrala fantasticky, dosť rýchlo som ho vyhrala,

v druhom som otáčala z 0:3, ale počas prestávky, keď Swanovú

ošetrovali, som si na lavičke povedala, že sa to stále dá vyhrať

v dvoch setoch. Ďakujem rodičom, trénerovi a sesternici Alici,

ktorá sem pricestovala ma povzbudiť a teším sa, že budem

môcť čoskoro hrať aj o body do profesionálnej WTA,“

povedala Mihalíková. „Tereza sa na finále dokonale pripravila.

V prvom sete zahrala bezchybne. Po tom, čo so Swanovou

v druhom dejstve prehrávala 0:3, urobila perfektný obrat na 5:3

a už zápas bez zaváhania doservovala,“ cituje oficiálna stránka

Slovenského tenisového zväzu (STZ) slová Mihalíkovej

trénera Jána Studeniča Šestnásťročná rodáčka z Topoľčian sa

postarala o šiestu mládežnícku trofej na veľkej štvorke pre SR

v ére samostatnosti, tretiu v singli po Martinovi Kližanovi

(Roland Garros 2006) a Kristíne Kučovej (US Open 2007). Už

v roku 1991 sa v New Yorku radovala Karina Habšudová.

Na južnej pologuli triumfovali vo štvorhre v roku 2010 Jana

Čepelová so Chantal Škamlovou a v sezóne 2011 Filip

Horanský po boku Čecha Jiřího Veselého. Už na ročníku

1991 sa na AO presadila Habšudová s Nemkou Barbarou

Rittnerovou. V období po zániku federácie uspela aj Henrieta

Nagyová so Švajčiarkou Martinou Hingisovou na RG 1994.

Mihalíková „odkliala“ pre slovenských juniorov Majors po

piatich neúspešných finálových pokusoch za sebou vrátane

piatkovej tesnej prehry Alexa Molčana a Poliaka Huberta

Hurkacza vo štvorhre chlapcov. Vo finále dvojhry dievčat na

Australian Open dosiaľ zo Sloveniek bola len Katarína

Bašternáková, ktorá v roku 1999 prehrala s Francúzkou

Virginie Razzanovou.

Zverenkyňa Studeniča Mihalíková proti Swanovej v ich

premiérovom súboji vynikla na „winnery“ 25:11, zároveň

urobila menej nevynútených chýb – 23:30. Získala 81 %

fiftínov rozohraných svojím prvým podaním v porovnaní

s 54 %. Zvládla 17 z 22 zákrokov pri sieti. Premenila štyri

z tucta brejkbalov, súperka zužitkovala svoju jedinú šancu na

returne.

Členka TK Slávia SPU Nitra Mihalíková figuruje na 56. mieste

v tzv. kombinovanom juniorskom renkingu ITF, najvyššie bola

na 49. pozícii. Pätnásťročnej bristolskej rodáčke Swanovej

patrí 31. priečka.

New York City FC Sign Slovakian International

soccer player Adam Nemec

The 29 year old striker most recently played for German

side Union Berlin in the 2nd division of the German

Bundesliga, scoring 14 goals in 64 appearances. Nemec

has represented his national team 14 times, scoring 2

goals including a crucial goal in Euro 2016 qualifying

this past November and will be added to NYCFC's roster

for the 2015 season pending receipt of his International

Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.

New York City FC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna

said: “Adam is a different type of striker than we have on

the roster so far which gives us a different dimension up

front and options on how our forward line can play.”

“It’s important to have players with a range of strengths

and attributes, he’s a strong and powerful athlete and will

add a real goal scoring threat to our team. We’re

delighted to add Adam to an already strong group of

strikers” New York City FC Head Coach Jason Kreis

added:

“We’re pleased to be getting a European International

player that immediately strengthens the squad and adds

further goal scoring threat to our team.”

Speaking to NYCFC.com, Adam Nemec said: “Joining

New York City FC is a fantastic opportunity for me. I

hope to make an immediate impact and help the team get

off to a great start as we begin our historic inaugural

season. “I know that being part of an ambitious club like

New York City FC will give me the chance to show what

I am capable of and maintain my place on the Slovakian

National Team as we look to qualify for the Euro 2016

Finals.”

NYCFC

Slovakian Adam Nemec (left) with couch Jason Kreis

Slovak Garden Celebrated 63rd Anniversary

By Marcel Pechan Secretary and Editor

The Slovak Garden was hosting its 63rdAnnual Slovak

Day and Annual Board Meeting in the main Social Hall

on March 7th, 2015. We missed our dear friends and

members from Northeast who were celebrating 150thAn-

niversary of the National Slovak Society in Pennsylvania.

Around 100 people came to celebrate the Slovak Day.

Branislav Bujnak, the vice-president of the Slovak Gar-

den who was in charge of the Slovak Day had a success-

ful launch of his first Slovak Day, job well done.

The formal program began with the singing of the Ameri-

can and Slovak National Anthems by the dance group

Lucina and their director Tom Ivanec.

President Tom Kravets welcomed everyone and thanked

all for their support and attendance. Tom also welcomed

our special guests: Our famous Slovak, US Congressman

John Mica, an active participant for the past several dec-

ades. Unfortunately, his wife Pat had to stay home with

their sick daughter. We wish her speedy recovery. Anoth-

er special guest who participated was Dr. Cecilia Ro-

kousek, the Hononary Counsel of the Slovak Republic

from Miami.

Pres-

ident Tom

Kra- vets

also wel-

comed priest Rev. Jozef Krajnak who came all the way

from New Jersey, celebrant for our Sunday Slovak Cath-

olic Mass. Guests were greeted with warm applause, es-

pecially when Congressman John Mica in his speech

thanked everyone who is actively engaged in helping to

make the Slovak Garden a better place for its members

and the future generations. He also thanked the members

for maintaining the Slovak traditions, culture and Slovak

language. Everyone enjoyed the traditional Slovak food

prepared by our Chef de Cuisine/Director of the Slovak

Garden Nick Badida, his wife Milka and their crew. They

prepared delicious Chicken Noodle Soup, staffed cabbage

with potato pierogis, specially

made sausage for the Slovak

Day and side of potatoes. For

dessert guests were served Slo-

vak almond and poppy seed

cake. People were pleased with

the quality of the food. Our

special thank go to all mem-

bers of the dance group Lucina

who offered their help with

serving the meals.

After lunch, Branislav Bujnak

introduced the folklore dance group Lucina from Cleve-

land who put together an amazing program and per-

formed variety of dances from different parts of Slovakia.

Young members of the dance group entertained everyone

and brought few members into tears. For their wonderful

performance all members and their leaders deserve ever-

lasting ovations. It’s becoming a nice tradition for our life

member, Peter Salling and his daughter Bianca to play

Fujara (Slovak Flute). This

year we also had a special

Fujara player from Boston,

Jan Trnovsky who was trav-

elling with his wife to the

West Coast of Florida and

who contacted us and offered

to stop by and perform few

songs on Fujara. Afternoon

entertainment was provided

by Stefan Matuska who sang

and played Slovak songs on

his accordion.

Many thanks from the President, Vice-President and

BOD to everzone for their support and attendance.

Floridian Slovak

Floridian Slovak

Slovak Garden Inc, Profit and Loss, January through December 2014

Income

3100 · Hall Rent 42,450,00

3200 · Rent 112,672.43 3205 · Social Hall Rent 2,071.00

3210 · Maintenance Fee 2,200.00

3220 · Late Fees 120,00

3300 · Electric 9,331.66

3310 · Membership Dues (Membership Dues) 1,445.00

3320 · Donation Income 875.00

3330 · Slovak Day 3,464.00

3350 · Water 3,795.00

3400 · Laundry Rm 1,872.00

3900 · Socials 1,032,00

9010 · Interest 5,874.08

9020 · Miscellaneous 1 086,73

Total Income 188,288.90

Gross Profit 188,288.90

Expense

5001 · Tax & Licenses expense 9,125.33

5002 · Manager's Fee 16,400.00

5003 · Manager's Expense (Manager's Expense) 0,00

5045. · Bank Charges (Bank Charges) 156.42

5080 · Director's Fee 7,500.00

5081 · Committee's Fee 1,300.00

5085 · Donation Expense 150,00

5145 · Garbage 1,909.50

5150 · Insurance 15,282.43

5180 · Accounting Fee 3 274,75

5185. · Fuel 300,00

5190 · Building Maintenance 20,143.25

5195 · Ground Maintenance 6,943.40

5196 · Maintenance salary 20,619.50

5210 · Floridsky Slovak 3,625.00

5220 · Office Expense 196.03

5225 · Office Expense - Supplies & Mis 1,268.35

5240 · Payroll Taxes Fica 1,577.26

5245 · Maintenance Services 273.12

5250 · Postage 252.62

5280 · Office Assistant 896,50

5290 · Social Functions 1,441.42

5291 · Slovak Day Expense 8 054,98

5300 · Scholarship Fund 500,00

5310 · Computer Service 187,50

5320 · Phone 3,244.69

5330 · Storage 2,173.47

5345 · Memberships 125.00

5350 · Utilities- Electricity 17,290.48

5351 · Utilities - Water 3,848.18

6560 · Payroll Expenses - SUTA 507,00

9052 · Other Expenses 340.00

Total Expense 153,822.18

Net Income 34,466.72

Floridian Slovak

Vláda USA schválila predaj helikoptér Slovensku

Americké ministerstvo zahraničia dalo zelenú predaju

deviatich vrtuľníkov typu Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Slovensku. Vyplýva to z piatkového oznámenia Úradu

pre obranno-bezpečnostnú spoluprácu (DSCA), ktoré

citoval server DefenceNews. Predaj vojenskej techniky

do zahraničia musí schváliť Kongres Spojených štátov a

po jeho súhlase môžu začať rokovania oboch vlád.

Slovensko dostalo začiatkom januára od USA ponuku na

nákup spomínaných vrtuľníkov prostredníctvom

programu Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Za prvých

deväť vrtuľníkov by podľa ministra obrany Martina

Glváča malo zaplatiť najviac 300 miliónov dolárov,

DSCA však zverejnil odhadovanú cenu vo výške

450 miliónov dolárov. DefenceNews v tejto súvislosti

podotýka, že takýto cenový rozdiel by mohol prípadný

kontrakt skomplikovať. Server dodáva, že okrem

samotných vrtuľníkov by mal kontrakt zahŕňať aj

náhradné motory, 20 globálnych navigačných systémov,

dva systémy na plánovanie leteckých misií a ďalšie

moderné technické vybavenie. Podľa Glváča by obmena

vzdušných síl mala dve fázy. Počas prvej fázy by

Slovensko postupne obstaralo deväť vrtuľníkov, celkovo

by sa v priebehu šiestich rokov mali vymeniť teraz

používané Mi 17 tak, že každý rok by sa kúpili dva až tri

nové vrtuľníky, definitívna cena bude závisieť od

konkrétnej špecifikácie a vybavenia strojov. V cene je

zahrnutý aj výcvik pilotov, školenia a údržba. Definitívne

o spôsobe nákupu vrtuľníkov musí rozhodnúť vláda a

Bezpečnostná rada, podľa Glváča sú zatiaľ v hre aj ďalší

výrobcovia a krajiny. Podľa náčelníka Generálneho štábu

OS SR Milana Maxima je vrtuľník Sikorsky UH-

60 Black Hawk univerzálny, stredne ťažký vrtuľník

vyhovujúci úlohám, ktoré plnia slovenské ozbrojené sily.

Pravda.sk

News from Slovakia

Fly Niki to Launch Shortest International

Flight in World; Bratislava-Vienna

Austrian airline Fly Niki will be launching new

flights from Bratislava from April 2015, including

the shortest international commercial flight on the

planet, between Bratislava and Vienna.

The trip, which should only take about ten minutes

of flight, will be operated six times a week and will

be used mostly as a transfer service accompanying

other Fly Niki flights. Even though the journey be-

tween the Slovak and Austrian capitals takes just 40

minutes or so by car or bus, and so is quicker than

taking the flight, some people will still welcome the

connection, for the shear curiosity at least.

The idea will help Fly Niki offer flights from Brati-

slava to elsewhere in the world. Head of Fly Niki

Christian Lesjak explained that passengers will buy

one ticket but be given two boarding passes.

The company also plans to introduce direct flights

from Bratislava to Brussels (6 days a week) and Ma-

jorca (3 days a week), for instance, with the planned

launch of the new routes set for April 2015.

Bratislava Airport

Floridian Slovak

Koľko Slovák minie za dovolenku?

Cestovateľské správanie Slovákov sa z roka na rok

mení. Ako to bolo v roku 2014?

Pohľad do cestovateľského správania Slovákov:

Slovák z roka na rok minie viac peňazí na

dovolenku, pričom suma, ktorú v roku

2014 zaplatil predstavuje 646 eur, v ostatnej

sezóne roku 2013 bola táto hodnota na úrovni

581 eur.

Priemerná dĺžka pobytu sa za posledné roky

skracuje, pričom v súčasnosti je to cca. 7 dní.

Najkratší čas na dovolenke strávia cestujúci vo

veku nad 55 rokov (7 dní) a najdlhšie

dovolenkujú naopak deti do 10 rokov (8 dní).

Dominantnú pozíciu v spôsobe dopravy na

dovolenku má letecká doprava, pretože až

60% cestujúcich cestuje letecky.

Pri letných pobytových dovolenkách je to až 75%

v prospech leteckej dopravy a 19% v prospech

autobusovej dopravy.

Len 6% cestujúcich využíva individuálnu

dopravu.

Pri letných leteckých dovolenkách sú medzi

Slovákmi najobľúbenejšie predovšetkým 4 a

5 hviezdičkové hotely, o čom svedčí fakt, že

až 90% cestujúcich preferuje tento typ

ubytovania, samozrejme aj s all inclusive

službami.

Pri letných dovolenkách realizovaných autobusom

alebo individuálnou dopravou preferuje až

82% cestujúcich ubytovanie v 3 a

4 hviezdičkových hoteloch, pričom najviac

cestujúcich (62%) dovolenkuje v hoteloch

s polpenziou.

Prieskum urobila CK SATUR v spolupráci

s renomovanou prieskumnou agentúrou.

Slovakia Business Forecast

Prime Minister

Robert Fico will

continue to bene-

fit from his par-

ty´s outright ma-

jority in parlia-

ment, which has

eased the policy

formation and

implementation process. While this is positive for

political stability in the short term, it does not pro-

vide much space for consensus politics, with Fico´s

tax and welfare reforms likely to keep investors cau-

tious. The short-term economic picture has bright-

ened as export growth remained solid amid a slow-

down in regional growth, and household spending

showed the first signs of a recovery. The govern-

ment will continue with its fiscal consolidation plan,

with a shrinking deficit likely to buoy market senti-

ment. Creeping public debt will remain a concern for

the authorities, however. Major Forecast Changes

We have revised up our real GDP growth forecast

for 2014 and 2015 to 2.2% and 2.8% respectively,

from 2.0% and 2.6% previously. This is based on

strong industrial production and retails sales read-

ings in H213 that point to a more broad based eco-

nomic recovery taking hold. Our forecast for Slo-

vakia´s fiscal trajectory has been revised to reflect

the governments updated medium-term budget ob-

jectives, which include a slower pace of deficit con-

solidation. While we previously saw the budget defi-

cit falling to 2.1% of GDP by 2015, our forecast cur-

rently stands at 2.6%. Key Risks To Outlook The

risks to our short-term growth forecast are well bal-

anced, and largely based on ongoing uncertainty

over the regional economy. With exports in 2013

representing approximately 100.1% of GDP, Slo-

vakia´s economy is vulnerable to any shifts in exter-

nal demand. The emphasis on revenue-boosting

measures to achieve significant fiscal consolidation

leaves the deficit reduction program vulnerable to

weaker-than-expected growth while also threatening

investment inflows. Daily News

Apollo Bridge, Bratislava

Floridian Slovak

Slovak Garden Annual Scholarship Award

Winning Essay 2015

Slovak Immigration to the United States

By Caly Farrell

People living in the United States of America are often

generalized and stereotyped as simply Americans. How-

ever, about 790,000 American people share our heritage,

that of being of Slovak descent.

Immigration of Slovaks into the US has been ongoing

since the seventeenth century. The first known emigrant

from what we now know as Slovakia was Isaaccus Ferdi-

nand Sharoshi who served as a teacher and preacher be-

fore returning to his homeland. The numbers increased

slowly and then between 1880 and the mid 1920’s rough-

ly 500,00 Slovaks immigrated to America. This was

known as the Second Wave of Immigration, and consist-

ed mainly of eastern European people. More than half of

Slovaks settled in Pennsylvania. Other popular destina-

tions were Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.

Because of expanding industries and a growing demand

for labor, many of these Slovaks emigrated to large cities

in upper-eastern region of Pennsylvania. Those who trav-

eled to the western part of Pennsylvania found them-

selves working in mill town and/or coal mining districts.

Even today, almost half of all Slovak Americans reside in

Pennsylvania, 233,160, and Ohio, 137,343.

There were many reasons that the people of Slovakia em-

igrated to the United States of America. Slovakia was not

always prosperous land it is known to be today. Among

the reasons why the Slovaks were prompted to emigrate

to this land, known for freedom, were poverty end poli-

tics. The main reason for poverty was the overpopulation

and unemployment in Slovakia. The majority of land was

owned by rich land barons, leaving the rest of the popula-

tion to serve as peasant tenants. Not only was it because

of the poverty, but the Hungarians were forcing assimila-

tion on the Slovaks. Slovaks were a minority in the King-

dom of Hungary, what we know as Slovakia today. Many

Slovak people wanted to keep their ethnic identity and

sought a better and more prosperous life, a factor that

played greatly into the immigration of Slovaks into the

US.

During this Second Great Wave of Immigration when

500,000 Slovaks came to America, most Slovaks emi-

grated to cities where, due to expanding industrial ven-

tures, there was employment. The steel mills and coal

mines needed a lot of cheap, unskilled labor so jobs could

be found there. Most of the immigrants were males, who

hoped to make enough money to return to Slovakia and

have a better life with their hard earned wealth, or if they

had family back home they planned to bring them to

America to enjoy the good life here. Immigrants tended

to come to areas where friends and family were already

settled. Neighborhoods of Slovaks (and other ethnic

groups) were comfortable. They had common customs,

language and religion.

My favorite part of the story of Slovak immigration in-

volves my family. My great-great-grandfather on my

mother’s side, John Andrew, (Jan Andrez) was born Au-

gust 29, 1883 in Rozhanovce, a suburb of Kosice, to John

and Mary (Dorchak) Balaz. He was educated and then

apprenticed to a bootmaker. In 1904, at age 21, he emi-

grated to the United States, where the spelling of his

name was changed to Bolash, this “Americanization”

being a rather common occurrence at Ellis Island. He set-

tled in Youngstown, Ohio where he got a job in the steel

mill. He started out at the bottom, but his Slovak work

ethic was recognized and he eventually became a fore-

man.

My great-great grandmother, Mary Christina (Maria Jus-

tina) was born August 2, 1889 in Markusovce, a suburb

of Levoca, to John and Mary (Chuchran) Kluchar. Mary

had some schooling, but at the time under Hungarian rule

schooling was mainly for males. Mary wasn’t very happy

to leave her homeland at age 16 but she did as her parents

asked. She cried and was seasick for the whole three

weeks journey aboard the Kaiser Wilhelm. She found

work as a domestic in the Youngtown, OH area where

she lived with her aunt and uncle. She met the handsome

young Slovak lad, John, and they were married January

28, 1907. They had nine children and at last count had

over 300 direct descendants. I am number 225. Probably

none of this would have happened had they not both emi-

grated, because they likely would not have ever met had

they both stayed in Slovakia.

Our ancestors faced trial and great struggle in order to

emigrate to the United States like they did. We must not

let their efforts be in vain. We have to support organiza-

tions like the National Slovak Society and Slovak Gar-

den, for the simple reason that they keep alive our great

culture and heritage. Personally, I consider it a great priv-

ilege to be able to take part in such organizations. In addi-

tion, I take pride in my heritage as a Slovak. I have Slo-

vak ancestors on both my mother’s and my father’s side.

I feel that it is important to keep our heritage alive, not

burying it, not becoming assimilated with the United

States, not losing track of who we are as Slovak people.

While our human nature compels us to keep moving for-

ward, we must not forget where we come from, and the

great history that accompanies it.

Floridian Slovak

The Slovak Garden

A HOME FOR AMERICAN SLOVAKS

3110 Howell Branch Rd. # 100

Winter Park, FL 32792

* For regular and life membership Phone: (407) 677-6894 Receipt #____________

proof of Slovak descent required

** For life membership, 2 consecutive years of regular membership required Card #____________

Please enroll me as a _________________member. My check for $ ______________________is enclosed.

*[] Regular member - $ 15.00 [] Associate member - $ 15.00

[] Corporate member - $ 20.00 **[] Life member - $150.00

[] Corporate life $120.00 [] Youth member - $ 1.00

My name is : ____________________________ Maiden name :_____________ Age :_____

Address _______________________________________________________________________________ STREET AND NUMBER CITY STATE ZIP CODE

Home phone:___________________________Name of Slovak parent/grandparent: ________________

Occupation:________________________________ Knowledge of Slovak language in %______________

Date:______________________ ___________________________________________ SIGNATURE

Slovak Garden Annual Scholarship Award

A scholarship fund of $1,000 will be distributed among three winning candidates. Those eligible for

participation must be high school or college students. The applicants must be members of the Slovak

Garden or have parent (s) that are members of the Slovak Garden. To be eligible, the applicant must

submit a four page, double-spaced, type-written (8-1/2” –11”) essay on one of the following subjects:

1. The History of Slovak Garden

2. Slovaks living in Florida

3. Slovak Immigration to the US

The essay should be submitted no later than February 15, 2016 to the Slovak Garden Scholarship

Committee. The first place prize is $500.00, second place $300.00, and third place $200.00.

Send applications to:

The Slovak Garden, Inc.

Scholarship committee

3110 Howell Branch Rd. #100

Winter Park, Fl 32792

Floridian Slovak

Learn Slovak

2015 Slovak Garden’s Social Events

March 7, 2015 (Saturday), 12A.M.

63th. Annual Slovak Day at The Slovak Gar-

den Good Slovak home made food: Chicken noodle

soup, Stuffed cabbage (holubky), Sausage and pota-

toes Cultural program, live music by Admission

$30.00

March 8, 2015 (Saturday), 11:00A.M.

Membership meeting starting with Slovak Mass

May 16, 2015 (Saturday), 1-4 P.M

Mother’s and Father’s Day Lunch

We celebrate our Mothers and Fathers Slovak-American Food. Sodas, beer, wine available

All members and friends are invited

July 4, 2015 (Saturday), 2-5 P.M.

Independence Day BBQ All tenants and members are invited. Hamburgers,

sodas, beer, available

October 17, 2015 (Saturday) 4-9 P.M.

Slovakfest Let us celebrate friendship

Zbojnícka pečienka (traditional Slovak pork chops)

potatoes with parsley, sauerkraut, sausages, bread,

mustard, $10.00 per person. Wine, beer, soda.

For reservation call 4076776894 or

email: slovakgarden@centurylink.net

All members and their friends are invited

December 12, 2015 (Saturday) 2-6 P.M.

Christmas Dinner Let us celebrate Christmas. Traditional Slovak

Christmas food. Sauerkraut soup, fried fish, bobalky.

$15.00 per person. For reservation call 4076776894

or email to:

slovakgarden@centurylink.net

Learn Slovak/ Učme sa po slovensky

Questions/ Answers Otázky /Odpovede

What is your name? = Ako sa voláš?

My name is John. = Ja sa volám Ján.

Where were you born? = Kde si sa narodil? (female form

narodila)

I was born in Nitra =Narodil som sa v Nitre.

How long do you live in USA? = Ako dlho žiješ v USA?

I live in USA for about 10 years = V USA žijem asi 10

rokov.

Are you married? = Si ženatý? (female form:si vydatá?)

Yes, I am, and I have two grown children. = Áno, som

ženatý a mám dve dospelé deti.

Where did you learn English? = Kde si sa naučil po an-

glicky? (female naučila)

I learned English at school and later at work= Po anglicky

som sa naučil v škole a neskôr v práci.

Which is your favorite season? = Ktorú časť roka

( sezónu) máš najradšej?

I like spring best = Najradšej mám jar.

What is your favorite US state? = Ktorý štát v USA sa ti

najvia cpáči?

I love Florida best because it is green year round and

warm even in wintertime. = Mne sa najviac páči vo Flo-

ride lebo je celý rok zelená a teplá aj cez zimné mesiace.

Do you like swimming in the pool? = Chodíš rád ( fe-

male rada) plávať do bazénu?

Yes, it is refreshing during the hot Florida summers. =

Áno, rád (female rada) plávem , je to osviežujúce najmä v

lete, keď je vo Floride veľmi horúco.

Do you like to grow some vegetables in your garden? =

Pestuješ nejakú zeleninu v záhradke?

Yes, I grow many vegetables. = Áno, pestujem veľa

zelenín.

What is your favorite TV show? = Ktorá je Tvoja

obľúbená TV relácia?

Mostly I watch old cowboy movies= Väčšinou pozerám

stare kovbojky.

Prepared by Maria Krupa