THE AMERICAN SLOVAK
CULTURAL ASSOCIATION
The American Slovak Cultural Association of the Mahoning Valley held its Annual
Vilija Dinner ( Traditional Slovak Christmas Eve Meal) on December 10, 2000.
This dinner is a tradition of our Slovak ancestors which we want to continue and pass on to
our children and grandchildren. The dinner's menu is fresh fish, oplatky, pirohy,
mushroom soup, peas, bolbalky, an apple, kolachi, wine and coffee, tea, or milk.
This beautiful Slovak tradition consists of the entire family partaking in
this meatless dinner. The mother with her daughters, if she has any,
prepares this dinner which consists of Bobalky or Opekance (American
dumplings) made of raised dough, soup, fish, peas and fruit--usually
prunes, nuts, apples or pears.
The father is the head of the family so he presides at the dinner with the
mother at his side. It is very festive, although poor, but rich in spirit,
prayer and singing. After the dinner, everyone goes to Holy Mass at midnight.
It is a beautiful custom--family oriented--and this is what we are trying
to preserve and carry on in America. So as a Slovak community, we gather
together to remember our grandparents, parents and relatives and to carry
on this beautiful tradition they had given us.
Do Videnia!
Vilija Dinner tradition was written by Mary Babnic, President ASCA.
Be sure to read Father George Franko's Christmas Wafer
history.
The first in a series of histories of the Slovak churches of the Mahoning
Valley is now on line. We invite you to learn more about
Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Church in
Youngstown, Ohio.
The American Slovak Cultural Association of the Mahoning Valley,
Youngstown, Ohio was formed on July 5, 1976 to participate in
America's Bi-centennial Celebration. This date coincided with
the Centennial anniversary of the arrival of Slovaks into the
Mahoning Valley. The association continued to meet and on June
27,1991, presented Articles of Incorporation to the Secretary
of State of Ohio. The incorporation was finalized on September
2, 1993.
The association's purpose is to display and nurture the cultivation
of Slovak cultural and to preserve and pass on the traditions
of their heritage. During the Bi-centennial "Grand Parade"
our float won the premier prize. It was entitled "From Slovakia
to the Moon" and on the float was Astronaut- Captain Eugene
Cernan who on three occasions commanded flights to the moon. He
is of Slovak descent, his grandparents were born in Vysaka, Slovakia.
The association's specific purposes are to promote and preserve
the Slovak language, heritage, cultural and civic activities through
the dissemination of literature, music, history ideals and to
implement scholarship grants.
In 1976 the association published a documentary entitled, "History
of Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley--1876 to 1976." It is
available on request by E-mail.
The association meets 4 times a year: February--May--August--November.
Membership dues must be paid by June 1 of each year and are valid
until the end of that year.
The Association has a Slovak Display Booth at the Canfield Fair
every year, has a Slovak Scholarship Picnic with all proceeds
going towards Scholarship grants to students of Slovak descent
and a Traditional Slovak Vilija Dinner every December.
We encourage all Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley to join us in
carrying on our Slovak Traditions and pass them on to our children
and grandchildren. As the first line of the Slovak National Anthem
states "Hej Slovaci! este nasa slovenska rec zije",
(Heh, Slovaks! our Slovak language still lives). So its up to
us to see that it continues to live.
The American Slovak Cultural Association of the Mahoning Valley is pleased to announce the
winners of its two $1,000.00, 1998 Scholarships, The Ervin J. Begalla Memorial Scholarship and
The American Slovak Cultural Association Executive Committee Scholarship. The Scholarship Funds
were raised through the Association's Annual Scholarship Fund Raising auction, picnic and bake sale.
The Association's Ervin J. Begalla Memorial Scholarship went to Douglas Lawrence, a 1998 graduate
of Ursuline High School, Youngstown, Ohio. Douglas is the son of Raymond and Beverly Hudak
Lawrence, 1103 N. Ward Avenue, Girard, Ohio. He is a member of Saint Rose Parish were he served
on the Liturgy Committee as a Eucharistic minister and lector. He has been a member of the Slovak
Catholic Sokol for 17 years.
Lawrence was a National Merit Commended Scholar and a Top Ten Student in grades 9-10-11-12
maintaining a 4.14 GPA. He earned varsity letters in football and track. Other school activities he
participated in were: National Honor Society, Mahoning Valley Ulster Project for Peace, Student
Council Treasurer, Ursuline Theatre, Student Assistance Team and Ohio Math League.
Continuing his Catholic Education is important to him and being accepted to the University of Notre
Dame was the realization of a dream
The American Slovak Cultural Association Executive Committee Scholarship went to Jennifer
Krapacs, daughter of Theresa M. Krapacs of 1303 Bedford Road SE, Apt. 12, Masury, Ohio. She is a
1998 graduate of Brookfield High School, Brookfield, Ohio and was the Class Salutatorian
graduating with a 3.955 GPA and 2nd in a class of 127. She is a member of Saint Bernadettes Church
and was active in it's Youth Ministry Program. She was active in The First Catholic Slovak Ladies
Association--Jednota.
Jennifer's academic honors include the Presidential Academic Excellence Award, Outstanding Student
of the Year for Civics and Geometry, and High Honor Roll. Her high school activities include Art
Club, Future Teachers of America, Students Against Drunk Driving and she is listed in Who's Who
Among American High School Students, Beta Club and National Honor Society. She also worked as
a volunteer at the Hillside Rehabilitation Center in Warren Ohio and volunteered her artistic talents at
the Center and Church.
She is attending Youngstown State University, Youngstown Ohio, in the Art and Technology
Division. She plans to earn a bachelors degree in animation and has taken classes with the Shenango
Valley Art Guild.
1997 scholarship winners were: Christine Jennifer
McCarthy and Steven Colaianni.
Back to Genealogical Research in Slovakia