September 10, 2007
Slovenian Women’s Union of America, Branch #39 of Biwabik, hosted the annual SWUA Minnesota State Convention at St. John’s Church in Biwabik on Sunday, September 9th. Representatives from seven (7) out of eight (8) Minnesota branches arrived at 9:00 AM for registration and coffee ‘an with the meetings beginning at 10:00. Along with Biwabik, members from Ely, Duluth, Chisholm, Soudan, Aurora and the Twin Cities attended. An election of SWUA Minnesota officers was held naming Rosemary Ribich, Biwabik as Minnesota President, Anita Vovk, Aurora as Minnesota Vice President and Mary Spehar White, Duluth as Minnesota Secretary-Treasurer. Biwabik native, Norm Setnicker, President of the Twin Cities branch, gave a presentation about the activities of Minnesota’s newest Branch #109. Many of the members of that branch are off-spring from the Iron Range and now residents in or around the Twin Cities. SWUA thanks Norm and his members for truly LIVING OUR LEGACY.
Minnesota Vice-President, Jean Korsman chaired the meeting in the absence of Lisa McDonell, MN President. After a very constructive agenda, the members assembled in the church for the celebration of the Mass officiated by Fr. Bill Skarich, pastor of the East Range Catholic Parishes. Eleanor Indihar, Gilbert, was the reader and Barb Urick of Aurora served as the Eucharistic Minister. The choir was comprised of several members of SWUA with Mary Veronick, Gilbert as the organist.
A complete and delicious turkey dinner was catered by Francine Gunderson and her staff and served to seventy-five (75) members and guests. A program by Mary Lou Deyak Voelk, Iron River, WI and formerly of Ely representing the SWUA Heritage Museum as Roaming Ambassador, was presented and enjoyed by all the attendees. The convention inspired four (4) new members for Branch #39. There were three (3) members of Branch #39 that were honored with fifty (50) year membership pins. They are Vida Lanari, Branch #39 Secretary-Treasurer, Marija Ferkul and Martina Michals. These three members are sisters and an important part of the branch activities. Congratulation members for your longevity in our beloved SWUA.
Aurora Branch # 35 will host the 2008 SWUA Convention in conjunction with their 80th Anniversary celebration. The planning has already begun and if anyone is interested in membership, please contact Rosemary at 218-865-6600 or Anita at 218-229-3202. The benefits of membership includes learning and preserving Slovenian heritage, genealogical searches, participation in events across the country, scholarship opportunities and enjoying the bi-monthly magazine ZARJA, The Dawn.
Rosemary (Sertich) Ribich, President
Branch #39, Biwabik, MN
Regional Convention photos
