EVENTS-MUSIC-SPORTS

Adam S. Eterovich

Croatian Mariners off the Coast of California

1565 California: Croatian mariners were in the Pacific Fleets of Spain in the 1500’s and participated in the colonization and discovery of the Philippines. Miguel de Aragoces or de Ragusa (Dubrovnik) was a mariner in South America, 1535, New Spain in 1537, and in the Philippines in 1565; Lucas Aragoces was a Marine Guardian to the Capitana de Legazpi a Filipinas in 1565; Nicola Aragoces was a mariner with Villalobos a Filipinas in 1542. All galleons leaving the west coast of Mexico would travel along the California coast and at times stop for water on their way, coming and going, in trade and commerce with the Philippines.

Indian Chief Hahamovic

1775 Pasadina: A History of Pasadina, California mentions an Indian chief Hahamovic at the San Gabriel Catholic Mission in 1775. Could he have said “Dobro Nam Dosli” to the Spanish explorers?

Founded San Francisco

1775 San Francisco: Alfred F. Malovos was member of a pioneer Alviso family. He was born in Alviso on the family ranch, known at the time as Lighthouse Farm. His mother was the late Maria J. Malovos, who was a granddaughter of Ignacio Alviso, and infant member of the historic DeAnza Party which came to California in 1775 to found the City of San Francisco. His father was the late Andrew J. Malovos, a ship captain from Island of Sipan, Dalmatia.

Mariners in Mexican California

1800-1847 Mariners Blas Limcank and Blas Yame were put ashore off the ship Peacock in California in 1806 as prisoners. Blas or Vlaho is a common Croatian name. In 1822 an Austrian named Juan Bonifacio landed from the ship John Begg as indicated by the historian Bancroft. He married Carmen Pinto in 1827 and had three children and died in Santa Cruz, California in 1834. In 1845 three foreigners were put ashore at Santa Cruz: William Franec, Chris Vich and William Wanec. Francisco Rodenich, mariner on the bark John Guipuzcoana, was charged with refusal to do duty at San Francisco in 1847. He was also in Hawaii.

Captains and Ships in Mexican California

1800-1848: Captain Livorich on the Schooner Margarita and Captain Carlos Baric on the brig Primavera flying the Mexican flag in Los Angeles in the 1830’s, could be Croatians. Austrian ships were trading and visiting Pacific ports such as the Imperial Eagle of the Austrian East India Company. This fur trader stopped at Hawaii in 1787. Captain Jakov Levi out of Dubrovnik rounded Cape Horn in 1834 on the brig Re de Ungeria; captains Ivan Kopatich, Stephan Splivalo, C. Constantine, C. Jurkovich, Antonio Milatovich and Ivan Visin were in San Francisco in 1849-1850. Captain Visin’s crew of Dalmatians deserted and went to seek gold. The ships Themis, Novara, and Dandolo of Austria were in the Mexican trade during Maximilian’s rule in Mexico during the 1860’s.

First Croatian in Los Angeles

1834 Los Angeles: The first Croatian pioneer was Mattias Sabich, coming from Mexico to Los Angeles in 1834. He had a son, Matias, in 1841 and a son, Francisco, in 1842 in Los Angeles. Matias was a trader and merchant. He planted the first orange groves.

Discovery of Gold

1848 Coloma: John Ivankovich landed at San Francisco in 1842 with a broken leg and his brother Mathew, also a mariner, came in 1847. They worked for John Sutter on ship repairs in San Francisco. Mathew was called the “Sailor Man” by John Sutter and was at the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill.

First and Oldest Restaurant in San Francisco

1849 San Francisco: “Tadich Grill,” There are still landmarks in San Francisco, in spite of the fire of 1906, but they are mostly human landmarks, instead of buildings and monuments, and very few are left at that. Such a one is John V. Tadich, of the original ‘Cold Day Restaurant,’ at 545 Clay Street. A talk with Mr. Tadich is like turning back the leaves of historical San Francisco; he can tell you of the little tent operating on the northwest corner of Leidesdorff and Commercial Streets, prior to 1849, where coffee was served to goldminers, sailors and their kind; of the small coffee house tent being transformed into a corrugated iron house, which stood in this spot until Mr. Tadich turned it into a real restaurant.

Croatian Prince Consort

1849 San Francisco: John Dominis, son of Captain Dominis-Gospodnetich, grew up in Hawaii in the 1840's and I850's. His father John Dominis is from the village of Pucisce, Island of Brac, in Dalmatia, or to have originated from there. Upon hearing of the discovery of gold in California, young John traveled to San Francisco and became an original "Forty Niner". He returned to Honolulu in 1850. On September 16, 1862 he married Miss Lydia K. P. who became the last Queen of Hawaii, Queen Liluiokalani. John Dominis of Croatian origin became the Prince Consort.

Shooting at Hotel Deville

1851 San Francisco: A shooting was reported by the San Francisco Daily Alta on May 4, 1851 at the Hotel De Ville owned by Antonio Milatovich.

Slavonic Illyric and Benevolent Society of 1857

1857 San Francisco: On November 17, 1857, at 56 Government House, near the present waterfront of San Francisco, a group of Dalmatians and Istrians organized the Slavonic Illyric & Benevolent Society. Without their knowing, they became the first Croatian organization in the world to be established overseas. In 1874, the Slavonic Illyric Mutual & Benevolent Society of San Francisco built the first Croatian building to be found in America at Sutter Creek, Amador County. They organized the first Croatian cemetery called the "Slavonic Terra" in 1861 in San Francisco. This Society was incorporated in 1873 with the assistance of a well known member and lawyer, Augustus D. Splivalo, from Viganj, Dalmatia. The Society is still in existence and recently celebrated their 143rd continuous "Slavenska Vecera" in San Francisco with the help of proud members and descendents from Croatia.

Virginia City’s First Saloon

1859 Virginia City: Martin Grossetta from Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia was proprietor of the Virginia Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada in 1860. This was the first saloon and one of the first of approximately fifty businesses in Virginia City at the time. The Virginia Saloon was included in a prominent panorama of Virginia City. Martin had been in Mobile, Alabama in 1849 and had voted in that city prior to coming to the Pacific Coast to seek his fortune. In 1859 Martin had a coffee saloon in San Francisco at the corner of Sacramento and East Streets. Martin was a citizen in 1849 at Mobile, Alabama.

Croatian Flag in Sacramento

1859 Sacramento: On November 26, 1860, a delegation consisting of Nikola Barovich born in Janjina, Peljesac; John Ucovich born in Dubrovnik; and President Dr. Vincent Gelcich born on the Island of Hvar arrived on the morning barge from San Francisco to present to their Croatian brothers in Sacramento the Croatian Red, White and Blue Flag and Banner to celebrate their first anniversary as the Croatian Slavonic Illyric Society of Sacramento organized in 1859. This being the second oldest Croatian organization in the Americas.

Union Navy

1860 San Francisco: Jakov Mikulich, better known as Charlie from Senjska Rijeka, Croatia was an employee of Nicholas Buja. He was a young boy when he came to America on a sailing vessel, and as a young man he enlisted in the United States Navy, year 1860, during the Civil War. He was real American. He enjoyed life to the utmost, was a stylish dresser and a great lover of race horses.

Union Army

1863 San Jose: Dionicio Covacevich enlisted in the Union Army in 1863 and was mustered out as a Corporal at Drumm Barracks in 1866.

1864 San Francisco: Doctor Vincent Gelcich enlisted in the 4th Infantry California Volunteers as a surgeon and mustered out as a Colonel in 1865.

1865 Oroville: John Marcovich enlisted in the Union Army as a Private in the Union Army. He was mustered out at Presidio of San Francisco in 1866.

Hanging

1866 San Francisco: Basilio Vlahovich, age 29, was killed by Antonio Sassovich, age 26. Antonio was hanged after a fair and quick trial for murder; both were buried in the Croatian Cemetery by the Slavonian Society. They were mariners from Dalmatia and not members of the Slavonian Society.

Life in San Francisco

1867 San Francisco: The people are mostly Americans by birth, but there are also many English, Irish, French, Germans, Italians, Spanish-Americans, Scandinavians, Dalmatians and Chinese as reported in a book about San Francisco by Neville.

Taxes

1868 San Francisco: John Herzo was taxed $30,500. on his buildings for the year in San Francisco. A Croatian millionaire.

Grand Opera House-Bella Union Theatre

1868 San Francisco: The Mazzanovich family were musicians upon coming to San Francisco in 1868. Lorenzo and Lena Mazzanovich listed on the United States Census of population in 1870 in Los Angeles with four children. Anton,1860; John,1856; Paul, 1858; and Lena, 1869. All were born on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia except Lena. One son John, was employed at the Grand Opera House and the famed Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco. They were members of the Slavonic Illyric Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco, organized for less than a year, the family moved to Los Angeles. They are considered Croatian Pioneers of that city and amongst its earliest residents. The Mazzanovich family was the first Dalmatian family to settle in Los Angeles, although other Croatian pioneers did come earlier with families, having married women other than Croatian nationality. L. Mazzanovich was a volunteer musician in the Slavonian Rifles, 1st Company, Louisiana Volunteers, Confederate Army of 1861. The name is Macanovich.

Slavonian Library

1869 San Francisco: The Slavenska Citaonica or the Slavonian LIbrary was incorporated in the State of California with the objects to establish a Library and Reading Room for the use of persons belonging to the Slavonic Race, and others who may be permitted to enjoy the benefits of the same. Number of members twenty. Rooms, 619 Montgomery Street. Officers were S. Martinovich, S. Milich, John Franeta, John Ivankovich, N. Dabovich.

Austrian Benevolent Society Picnic

1873 Alameda: First Annual Picnic of the Austrian Benevolent Society was held at Schuetzen Park, Alameda on April 20, 1873 as reported in the Figaro Newspaper of San Francisco on April 19, 1873.

Selling Whiskey to Indians

1873 Amador: George Dujmovich up in the Amador goldmining region was arrested by the sheriff for selling whiskey to Indians at his saloon. This was reported in the Amador Independent News in 1873. George was from the Island of Brac. George stated “business is business”.

Opera Singer-The Croatian Canary

1875 San Francisco: Then there was the eccentric Ilma de Murska, who when she came to town in the 1870’s was hailed as the Croatian Canary. This cookie traveled with a veritable menagerie, including parrots, cockatoos and magpies (to which she gave singing lessons) plus a monkey or two and Pluto, a mannerly, if mammoth, Newfoundland. The latter always dined with his mistress at the table!

Ilma De Murska, maiden name Ema Puksec, was born in Ogulin, Croatia in 1834. She studied singing in Zagreb under Ruzicka who was a member of the orchestra, and afterwards at the music institute under Lichtenegger. She married Eder in 1851, but she left him with two children and went to the Music Academy in Vienna. In 1861 she went with Matilda Marchesi in Paris and by 1862 she had triumphs in Florence, Sicily and Spain. She never came back to her husband. In 1863 she had a tremendous success singing in the Royal Opera in Vienna, then in Budapest, Prague, Paris, Hamburg, London, Dublin, Berlin. She was nicknamed the "Croatian Nightingale". In St. Petersburg she was singing at the Court and the Russian Czarina crowned her with a brilliant diadem. In 1874 she had a guest performance in New York and other cities in America.

Platts Hall,1875, San Francisco: Mlle. Ilma de Murska’s first concert of the series may be pronounced a perfect success. The attendance represented the beauty and fashion of the city, and the hall was crowded in every part. At the first glimpse the programme did not seem to promise much; but the execution of the different numbers was sufficient to stir the audience to the wildest enthusiasm. The prima donna of the night was, of course, the centre of attraction. On her every eye was bent and when she opened her mouth in Benedict’s “Carnival of Venice,” the cast assembly became like Louchard, “all ears.” It was a magnificent rendering, and the applause that followed was of such an impressive and significant character as to show that the qualifications of the cantatrice had not been overrated but her usually sanguine entrepreneur. She was compelled to an encore, when she gave a Hungarian (Croatian!) melody, exquisitely sweet and at the same time powerful. Mlle. de Murska’s great strength lies in her superb trills of variations, showing the great compass and extreme flexibility of her voice.

In 1875 she performed in thirteen well attended concerts in the Melbourne, Australia Town Hall". In the following year she gave eleven performances at the Melbourne Opera House"'. Her tours were a great success, though they were also surrounded by scandal. She apparently married twice during the tour (once in Sydney and once in New Zealand) while still being married in Europe. In 1876 the Argus described her performance in the opera "Faust" as this: "she is exceptionally gifted as a singer, we find in Mademoiselle Ilma de Murska such a grand union of powers, both natural and acquired, that their application to the interpretation of this famous part is an event in a lifetime to have witnessed, and having been once seen is never to be forgotten". The Australasian Sketcher's complements on De Murska's performances were even greater, "Of her success since she has been in Victoria there is but one opinion, namely, that great as it may be, it is only the recognition of her talents which is her just due, and no more, and that she is the greatest singer who has ever visited us, so ought her success here be the greatest on record" . "De Murska" Street, in Prahran, was named in her honor. In 1889 she was invited in America again, to take the professorship at the conservatoire. There she became very ill and never healed again. She returned to Germany and died in poverty in Munich, 1889.

Exempt Firemen Funeral

1877 San Francisco: Sam Zlarin, better known as Sam Marion, from Trogir, married a San Francisco girl and had a family of children. A son is an actor on the American stage, and a daughter joined the Sisters of Mercy order. Sam Zlarin was a typical Dalmatian Sokol (I like to apply the name Sokol to him as it expresses my keen admiration of him). The Croatians apply the name Sokol (Falcon) to persons of athletic and sporting activities, to courageous and brave men, and without any exaggeration on my part, Sam Zarin was all that. He was very popular among his friends and a leader among leaders in the old Slavonic Society, as well as among the Exempt Firemen of early days in San Francisco, of which he was a member. He passed away about 1877; the funeral being conducted by the Exempt Firemen’s organization from their historical hall in Brenham Place above Portsmouth Square, in front of the then City Hall.  The Slavonic Society attended in a body. I recall it as being one of the largest funerals of any of our people.  The streets were crowded with spectators, as it was a beautiful sight to see the firemen in full unifrom, and hear the solemn music of the band. John Tadich.

Austrian Jaeger Company

1878 San Francisco: The “Austrian Jaeger Company” as it appeared in the California publication The Wasp, August 10, 1878. Composed of Croatians from Dalmatia under the leadership of Captain Nikola Sturica. Groups such as these were and outgrouth of the Civil War, when the Federal Government approved of volunteer organizations- many of which formed along ethnic lines. With the passage of time, these companies became little more than social organizations, whose members donned fancy uniforms, drilled, and marched in patriotic parades.

Austrian Festival

1878 San Francisco: the Fifth Annual Festival of the Austrian Benevolent Society was held at South San Francisco Park, Sunday August 11, 1878. Tickets 50 cents, children free. All were Croatians.

Colonization

1878 Mexico: The Daily Morning Call on March 13, 1878 in San Francisco reported that Antonio Milatovich of this city intends colonizing a portion of his land in Lower California, Mexico. Mr, Milatovich is one of the largest land grabbers on the peninsula, claiming upward of three hundred thousand acres.

Croatian-Slavic Day at the Mid Winter International Exposition

1894 San Francisco: Not only the Croatian newspapers Dalmatinska Zora and Slavenska Sloga, which were being published at that time in San Francisco, but the American press as well agreed that Slavic Day-- celebrated in the city on July 21, 1894-- was an overwhelming success. It was, they felt, the best celebration staged by an ethnic group during the city’s Mid Winter-International Exposition that year. After offering brief, but glowing quotes from the Examiner, Chronicle and Daily Report, Skrivanic turned to Dalmatinska Zora for a detailed description of the day’s activities. With slight editing by the translator (RLM) the description is as follows:

At 9 a.m. our countrymen began to assemble at the intersection of New Montgomery and Market Streets-- the starting point for the parade. The various Slavic flags, including our Croatian tricolor, fluttered in the breeze and our language was being spoken as if we were in ancient Zagreb. The musical groups were playing our marches, most often “Napred zasdrave slave” and Zivela Hrvatska.” And then the band music burst from on Market Street. These were our people from Oakland. Lined up with them were various dignitaries on horseback, our man Ivan Klecak being among them, Then came the contingent from San Jose, 300 strong and complete with band. Led by parade deputy marshal L.V. Slavich, the San Jose group had traveled to San Francisco by special train.

The parade got underway at 11 a.m. in the following order: A large group of police officers led the way, followed by the grand marshal, H. Giara, with a swath of Croatian tricolor across his chest. Seated with him were assistant P Szakalski, S. Kucich and A. Tadich. Then came the first of the parade’s three sections-- a Slavic band followed by another of the parade’s deputy marshals, C. Prosek, and his assistants-- Dalmatians N. Marich and R. Radich. The panslavic flag was carried by our patriot, V.N. Bakulich, while the American flag was handled by G. Arnerich. Then came the float “American Freedom” and 18 young women representing 18 different Slavic nations.  Each was dressed in white and adorned with flowers. Next were 20 coaches with the following: (Dignitaries) A.E. Barbich, Ivan Ivankovich, N. Barovich, J. Klecak, I. Slavich, Marko Rabasa, M. Malovoz, Dr. J. Prosak, Jos. Korbel, F. Lastufka, Captain Bjelavski, L. Jankovich, J. Kucich, F. Antunovich, M. Ljubetich, B. Radovich, N. Miklo, Dr. Pavlicki, A Truhlar, A Gecan, and N. Plancich. (Speakers) F. Zaninovich, Dr. G. Vecki, F. Snajder, J. Vostrovsky and L. Svetnich. (Newsmen) V. Snajder (from Ohio), Z.V. Muzina (editor of Danica visiting from Alleghany), V. Piskulic and reporters form the San Francisco papers.

The Slavonic Illyrian Mutual Benefit Society, flying the red-white-blue tricolor, came next with a large contingent. They were followed by marchers and a beautiful float representing the “Veselo-zabavno” club. This float also proudly displayed the Croatian tricolor. Miss M. Zaro, dressed in with with a wreath on her head, was seated in the center of the float surrounded by several little girls. We tip our hat to club president, Mr. Bradasich, for his wonderful float.

Section two of the parade led off with a marching bad followed by deputy marshal V. Komery and his assistants M. Vodjanski and S. Adamko. The society “Sasinek” Lodge 33 of the National Slovak Society came next-- with 200 marchers led by a flagbearer displaying the Slovak national flag. Then came a large group representing the Slovenian Catholic Society followed by our brothers, the Czechs, represented by their society “Zlatna Brana.” After them came four horses pulling a float that was decorated with flowers, flags and heraldic coats of arms bearing such names as Strossmayer, Starcevic, B Biankini, Preradovic, Klaic, etc.-- all heroes to us. A beautiful young woman representing Slavdom stood in the middle of the float. She was surrounded by young men who represented our various national heroes. Outstanding among these were the personifications of Bishop Strossmayer, Nikola Zrinski, King Zvonimir and Ivan Gundulic. Our brother Slavs from the north had their heroes as well. This float was the best of all.

The Croatian-Dalmatian Club “Zvonimir” came next with 82 marchers and 50 carriages filled with the club’s members. This huge contingent was also represented by its president, Mr. Gecan, and parade deputy marshal, Mr. Glavich.

Part three of this grand parade led off with the San Jose contingent-- its band, its parade deputy marshal, L.V. Slavich, his lieutenants, S. Zaro and J. Chirgin, and 300 marching members of the Slavic-American Society. This was truly something to see-- All these brave, young Dalmatians marching with our tricolor proudly waving overhead. The Slavs from Santa Clara followed the San Jose group, marching and riding in coaches. This brought the parade to an end.

To the above description from Dalmatinska Zora, Skrivanic appended the following summary: The parade was 12 blocks long and lasted two hours.  It culminated at the Exposition Grounds where, at a special forum, lengthy speeches were delivered by A.E. Barbich, F. Zaninovich,. Dr. G. Vecki and others. Barbic and Zan spoke in English, while Dr. Vecki delivered his address in Croatian. This day contributed to a great deal to the Croatian movement in California and will be denoted with golden letters in the history of the 19th century.

Slavonian Band

1890’s San Francisco: The Slavonian N.S. Club Band made up of Croatians Dr. Kucich, Peter Tornich, Dominic Fabris, Nick Zaninovich, Steve Perkovich and Vincent Fabris is the oldest Croatian Band in California and probably in America. The band was organized by Geralomo Fabris from the Island of Hvar.

Austrian Military Band

1900 San Francisco: The Austrian Military Band under the direction of G.A. Fabris has performed at many picnics and events within the Croatian community.

Slavonian Picnic

1901 San Francisco: Slavonic Society holds annual picnic in April 1902 at Fernbrook Park, Niles.

Croatian Tamburitza Club Zvonimir

1902 San Francisco: llar Spiletak. Along with thousands of others at the turn of the century, a large number of people migrated from “Hrvatskog Primorja” (Croatia by the sea) and Dalmatia, looking for work and fortune in the new world. Among this group was a young cabinet maker, Ilar Spiletak, born December 19, 1876. Spiletak journeyed to America in the year 1901, settling in San Francisco, California. When other young men moved to San Francisco from Dubrovnik and surrounding places, Spiletak had within the year, on August 28, 1902, organized one of the first tamburitza groups among the immigrants in America. This group was called the Hrvatsko Tamburitza Drustvo “ZVONIMIR” (Croatian Tambura Club “ZVONIMIR”). The club “ZVONIMIR” ordered its first tambura instruments from the then well-known firm of T. Kovacic, in Zagreb.  The group used these instruments until they were destroyed in the big earthquake of April, 1906.  New tambure were ordered from the immigrant manufacturer Marohnic, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. At this time, the group changed its name to “GUNDULIC” under which title the group worked until 1934 when it changed its name to the “Hrvatsko-Americki Tamburaski Zbor” (Croatian-American Tambura Group). The group used the Farkas system of tambura with two bisernica’s, two kontrasica’s, three brac’s, two bugarija’s and a berde. Beside this early group, Spiletak is reputed to have organized at least ten other tamburitza groups.

Austrian Military Banquet and Ball

1904 San Francisco: The Austrian Military and Benevolent Association Celebrated their 25th anniversary at Eintracht Hall in San Francisco with entertainment, ball and banquet. Officers were M. Sabadin, M.J. Rasol, M.L. Milkovich, C. Petrusich, N. J. Sambrailo, J. M. Sambrailo, M. Miladin, Spiro Raicevich, John Turato, Jasper Tosich, M. P. Christovich and L. Vezelich. They were all Croatians.

Slavonian Picnic

1905 San Rafael: Slavonic Society holds annual picnic on April 30, 1905 at Shutzen Park in San Rafael.

Sullivan the Strong Man

1906 San Francisco: Ivan Mladinich, also known as “Sullivan the Strong Man” left his native Island of Brac for San Francisco before the turn of the century. A member of the Slavonic-Illyric Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Fracisco, Mladinich performed many feats of strength, including the bending of horse shoes.

Slavonic Illyric Society 50th Year Banquet

1907 San Fracisco: The Slavonic Illyric M.B. Society of San Francisco celebrates 50 years as a Golden Jubilee on November 17, 1907 at Lyric Hall. Committee of Arrangements included J. Sambuck, P. Tornich, N. Marisich, J. Vicin, S. Bonacich, S. Hamovich, F. Berticevich, S. Negodich, J. Bilafer, R. Baresin and J. Karuza. The Reception Comittee included G. Santich, J. Bojanich, J. Jurach, A. Vrancovich, G. Bencich, J. Mosich, P. Marisich, G. Arnerich, G. Balovich, G. Slavich, J. Kovacich, D. Bencich and J. Vicin.

California Baseball Champions

1909 Watsonville: Championship Baseball won by Watsonville in 1909. The twelve members of the California Conference Champions included a few Dalmatians. Two John Novakovich’s, Steve Nemanich, and Louis Kalich.

Croatian Sokol Band

1910 Oakland: The Croatian Sokol Band of Oakland, California awaits the arrival of Croatian dignitaries at the Oakland train station in the early 1900s. The Oakland Sokol Club was the first to be organized on the Pacific Coast in 1910. For many years it maintained an office at 810 Chester Street.

Sokols of the Pacific

1910 Oakland: is the home of the Sokols on the Pacific. The Oakland branch was organized in 1910 and has had a steady growth to the present in 1939.

Mayes Oyster House

1911 San Francisco: Sunny Jim Rolph, Mayor of San Francisco, a Tory bohemian in the Edwardian style: A lover of lavish lunches at Maye's Oyster House (Dalmatians) on Polk Street, or, if he were too busy, gourmet spreads sent over to his office by taxicab from, the Paclfic Union Club. He smoked. expensive cigars. He once opened the Policeman’s Ball by escorting in the grand arcade The City's leading madam, Tessie Wall. Marriage vows and Rolph's sincere Episcopalianism now and then crumbled before the vagrant urges of the flesh. For a long time, in fact, he was rumored to be keeping, a mistress. But those were both better-behaved, and more tolerant days, in the matter of sexual conduct. Discretion covered. a multitude of sins.

Sokols of the Pacific

1911 San Francisco: Organized in 1911, the Croatian-American Sokols of San Francisco were organized as a second branch of the Grand Lodge of the Pacific. Sokol headquarters in San Francisco are at the society’s club rooms, 86 Golden Gate Avenue.  Composed of 75 members the Sokols have contributed much to the athletic, educational and social life of Croatians in San Francisco. Under the leadership of President Vladimir Budinski and Secretary Anton Petrovich, the San Francisco Sokols are in the midst of a very eventful and successful 1939 year.

Island of Brac Reunion

1914 Los Angeles: A “Postirski izlet” or outing of immigrants from the village of Postira on the Island of Brac, on July 16, 1914. For many years the immigrants from Postira staged an annual reunion-picnic (July 16) celebrating the Feast Day of the Lady of Mt. Carmel (Gospe od Karmela), a great day of celebration on the island of Brac. Family names include Hranueli, Gospodnetich, Jelincich, Matulich, Salamunovich, Santich, Skarich, Biocina, Restovich, Bisazza. Most lived in the Croatian neighborhood around St. Anthony’s Croatian Church in Los Angeles. Later some of these immigrants moved to San Pedro.

Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand Mass

1914 San Francisco: San Francisco Examiner July 29, 1914. An imposing high requiem and sacrifice mass was celebrated yesterday at the Croatian Church of Nativity for the assassinated Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and the Duchess of Hohenburgh. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father Turk, assisted by father Hughes as subdeacon, the sermon being held by Father Footo of St. Ignatius Church. The church and altar were profusely decorated with flowers and mourning. Two beautiful bronze caskets, covered with wreaths and flowers, stood in front of the altar,being symbolic of the commemorial nature of the mass, and on either side were displayed portraits of the late Archduke and Duchess, surrounded with red and white colors of the dual monarchy. The church was filled to overflowing with a congregation of Austrians and Germans. A marital aspect was given to the gathering by the presence of reserve officers of the Austrian Imperial army in full uniform, their swords girded on. Amongst the prominent Austrian-Hungarian residents attending were the Austrian Consul General, Dr. Joseph Goricar, with his staff; Captain of Reserves M. Rasol-Russel, First Lieutenant F. Beck, Second Lieutenant J. Cristich, John Radovich, M. Ranzulo, Martin Perich, C. Petrusich, I. W. Alison, past president of the Austrian Military and Benevolent Society, and many others. The preacher said that the service was strictly a religious service and high mass for the souls of the martyred royal couple, and had no political tendency whatever. All statements attributing a political intention to the service were consequently without foundation. At the conclusion to the sermon the solemn blessing of the caskets was given, the choir singing the “Kyrie Eleison” afterward. The Austrian national anthem, “Got Erhalte Franz den Kaiser” (God Have Our Emperor Francis), and the singing of “Nearer My God, to Thee” concluded the ceremonies. The choir consisted of Mrs. R. W. Gillogley, Miss C. Guntz, Miss Etta O’Brien, Miss J. Donnelly and Miss Bertha Radovich.

Slavonic Day Ball

1915 San Francisco: Slavonic Day Ball held at the Sokol Hall in San Francisco on August 28, 1915.

Austrian Military Dance

1915 Oakland: The Austrian Military Society of Oakland announce their Annual Dance on April 17, 1915.

Slavonic Illyric Society Banquet

1915 San Francisco: The 59th Annual Banquet of the Slavonic Illyric Society was held on November, 1915 at Milan and Dan Restaurant.

Slavonic Alliance Annual Ball

1915 San Francisco: The Slavonic Alliance of San Francisco held their Grand Annual Ball on Sunday, February 14, 1915 at the Golden Gate Commandary Hall.

Slavonic Day-Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915

1915 San Francisco: Staged to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, the Exposition stretched over 635 acres- from Fort Point to Van Ness Avenue and from Chestnut Street to the Bay. San Francisco was going to show the world how proudly it had risen from the ashes of the Great Fire and Earthquake of 1906.

The greater San Francisco Bay Area, including Northern California, boasted of approximately 20,000 Slavs, with the majority being Slavs from Croatia-Dalmatia, Hercegovina, and Slovenia. The Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society, along with fellow Croatians organized Slavonic Day to express their ethnic pride and loyalty to America.

The San Francisco Chronicle, on September 21, 1915, described the Slavonic parade in detail as follows: Slavonic Day is Celebrated by Thousands. Assembled Slavs Show Their Loyalty to U.S. by Issuing Patriotic Proclamation

Gala Doings at Exposition close with Ball in the California Building. Queen Margaret I of United Slavonia, acclaimed by 20,000 Slavs, ruled over the exposition yesterday. No one knew that they were so many SLavs in Central California until they marched into the exposition yesterday morning to celebrate Slavonic day. They came from every city around the bay, from Sacramento, Stockton, Watsonville and San Jose, representing all the Slavic groups from Russia to Croatia. They filled Festival Hall for their formal exercises and overflowed all over the grounds. No less that thirty-four Slavonic societies, besides long lines of men and women unattached, were represented in the big parade that escorted Queen Margaret and her train from the Civic Center to the exposition.  With the sokols and societies in bright national constumes, the parade was the most colorful taht has passed through the exposition gates.

Queen Margaret rode in a triumphal car symbolizing United Slavonia and attended by her maids of honor and nine little girls representing the Slavic Division.  Grand Marshal J. A. Chargin, with his chief of staff, Frank Hospodarsky, and his aides, Anton Zec, V. D. Jugovich and M. Waniorek, led the parade. After the queen came Mayor Rolph, the official high priest at the coronation.

While employing the day to emphasize their love of race, the California Slavs made it also the occasion of a demonstration of thier patriotic regard for the United States.  Their speakers declared their allegiance to their adopted country, resolutions were passed expressing their willingess to serve in the defense of the Nation, and the general committee issued a proclamaiton declaring that the Slavs of this country stand for the United States first of all.

Proud of adopted country: The printed address said in part “The Slavonic citizens of California and of all the other part ot he the United States always have been, are and always will be, ready to do everything in therir power to be of use and help in their adopted country in any emergency.  no matter what foreign governments, their ambassadors or agents may say or do, the Slavs throughout America are ready and eager to offer their belongings, their strong arms and healthy bodies and if necesary, their last drop of blood, for the integrity and safety of these glorious United States, anywhere and at any time.”

They further wish to emphasize that one Slavonic race loves the others, and that if the Austrian and German Government have offered the world the revolting spectacle in arraying brother against brother in revolting combats, the world must know that the poor, downtrodden Slavonic peoples, under the unjust and tyrannic governments of the Kaisers and Hapsburgs, have no other choice, and that prisons and gallows stifle at once any protesting voice. “The American people will have an opportunity to witness on this day that unity and harmony of the Slav residing in the United States, and view the falseness of the statements spread by the enemies of truth, who maintain that the Slavs, pressed into the uniforms of their opressors, are not fighting by choice, but because they are forced to do so by those same criminal goverments.” E. L. Chlopek, one of the orators of the day, declared that a Teutonic victory would leave the Slavs of Europe a people without a country. Samuel M. Shortridge called upon all the Slavs present, as loyal Americans by adoption, to exert effort to preserve the Nation’s neutrality.

Queen Margaret I, otherwise Miss M. Krsak, was crowned by Mayor Rolph on the stage of Festival Hall.  The Mayor was the first to salute the monarch, and then the audience cheered and sang “Oj Slaveni.” They sang “America” at the close.  Piano and violin solos were redered by Zdenka Euben, Josephine Holub, Helen Engelman and Julius Lister, and a recitation by Frances G. Chargin. Antone Pilcovich officiated as president of the day. In the afternoon a series of exhibition drills were staged in the court of the Universe, under the direction of Victor Vojvodich, who arganized the Southern Slavs into one body.  The teams were from the Croatian Sokols of Sacramento, the Bohemian and Croatian Sokols, both men and women, and the United Sokols.  In the evening the united slavonians gave a ball in the California building.

Salvonic Day-Panama Pacific Exposition 1915 with Croatian Arms

Croatian Sokols Annual Dance

1915 Oakland: CroatianSokols of Oakland hold their Annual Sokol Dance on January 17, 1915.

Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra

1918 San Francisco: Pavao Agich was born in Djakovo, Croatia in 1873. He was a barber and founder of Croatian Singing Club "Preradovich" in Djakovo, Croatia. He had traveled with tamburitza orchestra’s all over Germany in the period from 1902-1903. He has worked for several years as a barber in London, British Columbia, Canada and in Portland, Oregon. He lived in San Francisco since 1914 and was a member and manager of the Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra in San Francisco. He is also an active member of Knights of Columbus organization.

Slavonic Annual Banquet

1920 San Francisco: President M. Radonich of the Slavonic Society to see the Head of Liquor Prohibition Dept. to “see if Society could have wine at their Annual Banquet.”

Beban Movie Stock Company

1920 San Francisco: The Tivoli has scheduled a show for next week that should equal if not eclipse anything it has yet offered theatere goers of San Francisco. There are two big numbers on the program. In both of them George Beban is the star.  One of the features will be presented on the screen. It is Beban’s first photodramaa made by his own producing company. It is called, “Hearts of Men,” and is said to be the star’s best effort. The other will be presented on the stage. It is the famous vaudaville classic, “The Sign of the Rose,” which has caused Beban’s name to be writted high on the role of stage celebrities. E. M. Asher, manager of the Tivoli, is responsible for the bringing of Beban here in the act that has entertained thousands of his fellow townspeople- for Beban is a San Francisco man. It is this fact that caused Asher’s efforts to be crowned with success. Beban wanted his picture to go big in his home city and because the local showings precede those of New York. Much is claimed for “Hearts of Men.” It is said to be a big Italian drama typical of Beban, with a compelling heart interest and that quaint humor which so marks his work.  Beban has had the picture in the making for a year. In the cast will be his small son, George Jr., already known to film fans as “Bob White.” The Distinguished Character Actor George Beban And His Associate Players, Present

“THE SIGN OF THE ROSE”

A Play in One Act by Mr. Beban

Cast

The Detective.......Samuel J. Murphy

The Wardman......Frank Lynch

The Mother..........Pearl Cook

The Father...........RIchard Batlett

The Cashier.........Edith MacBride

The Customer......Florence Daniels

The Italian...........Mr. Beban

Time-Noon, on a summer day.

Scenery painted by Dodge & Castle. Scenery built by T. B. McDonald Company. Properties by John Burton. All floral decorations used in this production from Art Floral Company. 1910-20

Croatian Sokol Flag Dedication

1920 Oakland: The 10th Anniversary and Flag Dedication of the Croatian Sokol was held at the Oakland Civic Auditorium on January 11, 1920.

Orange Festival

1925 Oakland: The Orange Festivals were held in Nick Shegedin’s Victorian Fraternity Hall, still standing on the corner of Seventh and Peralta streets.  In the center of the hall would be a freshly cut orange tree, with large juicy fruit still attached to its branches. But more fruit had to be added for the expected crowd, and after school on the day of the festival we boys and girls were given the responsibility of tying on more oranges. On entering the hall in the evening, the sight was dazzling. The great tree in the center, now resplendent with spotlights and reflected light, under its boughs a tamburitza (mandolin) and accordion group poised for overture, and several of the Dalmatian lady signers (a few well-modulated male voices were included) presented a scene that, for us children at least, would linger in our memories forever.

At the appointed hour, usually 10 o’clock in the evening, all would gather for the grand march- and married couples, engaged couples, and young people with dates formed a double column. At its head was the oldest (barba) man and his wife, then in descending chronological order, all the others. Everyone had to be in the proper place, just as when the diplomas were handed out, because serenaders had a song uniquely composed for every couple.

As long as the couples marched past the orange tree, one of us boys or girls would pluck an orange high up in the branches, and toss it down to the master of ceremonies, who in turn presented it to the lady of the couple marching by the tree, the tamburitzas tinkling at the choristers signing at the tops of their voices:

Dodje Barba Radovan...

Here comes honored Stephen Radovnin,

oldest of our set,

And on his arm the wife he brought

from Lumbarda,

Kata, when both were youngsters yet.

Their hearts and hearths still beckon

children to come and play,

And nourish their souls with the figs

and cookies they gave away.

Zagrlimo naseg Ivu Batistica...

We embrace our John Batisich and his beautiful Mary,

Daughter of Gridley’s farmer Stuke.

Johns worked, and studied and preserved,

and this year he’ll have his diploma from Berkeley;

We all know John didn’t get his degree just luckily.

Kinship was important to those early immigrants, but kinship encompassed common descent from a village, an island, a province. The Lumbarda Club, formed in 1911 by newly-arrived immigrants from Dalmatian village of Lumbarda (Island of Korcula) as a mutual-benefit society to provide funds to bury their dead, still exists. Although the original purpose no longer applies, the club meets monthly to plan picnics and orange festivals.

Croatian Sokol Festival

1927 San Francisco: Anyone who wishes to know the basic physical and mental characteristics of the Croatian nation, must acquaint himself with the Sokol movement, for in the Sokol organzation is clearly reflected the entire soul of these people, with all the aspirations, which it has formed in the course of many centuries. Called to the life in Czechoslovakia, during the period of the great emancipation movement in the seventies of the last century the Sokol Organization took over the task of training the Croatian Nation in the cultivation of the qualities necessary for the struggle for progress and freedom. Employing methods calculated to draw the inborn good qualities and capacities of the people, the Sokol organization has, suceeeded in producing new, healthy and strong generations, capable of carrying out the tasks of an emancipated nation. Imbuing the whole life of the nation with its democratic and noble spirit, looking after the harmonious development of all classes in, its gigantic organization, the Sokol Movement has become one of the most important factors in the national life, the source of the nation's soundness, energy and general evolution, and the basis of all the efforts, directed toward the welfare of the nation. An eloquent proof of this will be made manifest, in this Sokol Festival, first of its kind on the western bounds of the great American continent.

Saint Vlaho Day in California

1927 San Francisco: One of the most impressive celebrations among the Croatians of California is the observation of the Saint Blaise Day, which was initiated in San Francisco. Saint Blaise (Sveti Vlaho), as all our older people know, is the patron saint of the ancient Republic of Dubrovnik-Ragusa. It has become in a short pace of time one of the outstanding events among the Croatians of California. People from all over the State, including Los Angeles, San Pedro, Fresno, Watsonville, Sacramento and other towns in California come to San Francisco to take part in this celebration.

Ragusa and its vicinity; namely, Rijeka Dubrovacka, Zupa Dubrovacka, Konavlje, and other immediate communities, celebrate Saint Vlaho. The powerful city of Ragusa, better known today as Dubrovnik. Due to its favorable location and the business ability of its inhabitants this city had gradually become a dangerous commercial rival of another famous city on the Adriatic Sea, the city of Venice. In the rivalry which followed, the little republic developed a tremendous commerce and wealth, which were the basis of its greatness. The fifteenth century marks the golden are of the Republic of Ragusa. She was commanding a navy consisting of three hundred ships, coined her own money and had several million ducats in her treasury. The city proper has 30,000 inhabitants. “In every city of the Peninsula,” writes the scion of the ruling house of the ancient republic, Knez (Duke) Lujo Vojnovic, “the language of Ragusa was spoken, settlements were established, and the Catholic churches and chapels were built.” This indicates that the Republic of Ragusa had become a great maritime power, which commanded the respect of the leading powers of Europe. The republic survived until1808, when Napoleon took possession of the city and abolished its government.

It was customary with all European cities of the Middle Ages to have their patron saints, to protect them form misfortunes and enemies. About 971 A.D., Ragusa chose Saint Blaise, the one-time bishop of the city, as its protector. During the period of its greatest development and the establishment of a free state, which took place during the twelfth century, the emblem of Saint Blaise was adopted as the official emblem of the republic. Under the flag of Saint Blaise, inscribed with the word, “Libertas,” the vessels of the merchants of Ragusa were sailing all over the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and around the coast of Africa to India.

The first celebration of the Saint Blaise day took place in the year 1312, and from that year on, this celebration has become a regular annual event in the city of Dubrovnik. In respect to these celebrations, the aforementioned Knez Lujo Vojnovic writes as follows:

“The celebration of the Saint Blaise Day, which occurs on February 3, is a solemn event, accompanied with the discharge of cannons and rifles, waving of flags, religious performances, and the shouting of enthused citizens. During the stormy history of the city, her patron saint has seen her rise from a small community to a wealthy state, and has witnessed all her joys and sorrows. He protected her from misfortunes and followed her glory form the shores of the Adriatic to the far-off India. Recalling her history, your immagination pictures the shadow of the old Ragusa, moving before your eyes. The spectacle which the city presents during the celebration is full of magic colors and profoundly touching scenes. At the dawning of the day, in the morning breeze, you will witness the procession of the pilgrims from Zupa and Brgat approaching the city, flying their flags and accompanied by the discharge of guns. The scene reminds you of some celebrated painting by Rubens. At Pile the pilgrims from Zupa meet the multitudes arriving from Rijeka and the coast towns as far west as Ston, and having saluted in unison with their flags the ancient walls of the city, they enter the richly decorated capital of the ancient republic. The next performance is the flag salute in front of the church of Saint Blaise are carried, reciting the history of Dubrovnik, blessing the pilgrims, conducting folk dances and discharging the cannons. In the days of the republic this occasion was used for pardoning the criminals, holding the patriotic parades and reviews, celebrating peace and reviving the old Croatian customs.  This was the day of the glory for the chief magistrate of the city, a moment when its citizens took stock of their navy, and thier wealth, of their great history and the future prospects.” This description gives us a general view of the manner in which the Saint Blaise Day is celebrated in Dubrovnik.

Five years ago some of the older members of our colony decided to give an entertainment with a short program for the benefit of our indigent citizens both in San Francisco and in the old country. Since most of those who took interest in this matter came either from Dubrovnik of its immediate vicinity, it was agreed to hold this affair on the Sunday following Saint Blaise Day. Since no one anticipated a very large attendance, we hired a small hall and did not do much advertising. We did announce, however, that we would have the old-country folk dances and a lottery, as customary in Dubrovnik. We urged our guests to attend, if possible, in national costumes. To our great surprise, we had so many people that the hall was not large enough to accommodate them all.

The news of this celebration spread all over the State, and the following year we had an even larger attendance that the year before. Since that time, the popularity of the Saint Blaise Day has grown from year to year, so that today all our people in California look upon it as an important national affair. Gradually this celebration is assuming the attributes of the performances as given in the ancient hometown of Saint Blaise.

The clear proceeds for this affair are now being distributed among the destitute Croatian families in the San Francisco Bay cities. On the committee for 1932 were the following: Anton Vukota, Vlaho Mortigia, John Tomicich, Luka Bogdan, Anton Petrusich, John Zec, Rade Dumarac, Steve Cvietusa, Nick Vojovich, Peter Bogdan, Matte Sriensich, Andrew Butrica, Angelo Cantone, Bernard Markoncich, Jabob Kurtela, Anton Simatovich, Ilar Spiletak, Jack Markovich, John Skance Jr., Nick Medo, Nick Sambrailo, John Skance Sr., Marko Lucich, Paul Misich, Matt Kurtela, Luka Buich, Charles Micich, Chris Petrusich and Peter V. Knego. I have endeavored in these few lines to give the history of the Saint Blaise Day celebration, which is now annually conducted by our people on the Pacific Coast, far away form our beloved Dubrovnik.  May I hope that this brief description will serve to create the interest in our American-born generation for the homeland of their parents, and especially for the glorious history of the ancient Republic of Ragusa.

Hazdovac’s Bet

1927 Monterey: Dalmatians in California liked to make bets. One of the biggest bets was made in 1927 between Petar Hazdovac from the Island of Mljet and an American of Monterey. That year the world champion Jack Dempsey was due to meet his challenger Gene Tunney to decide which of them would be the future world champion. Petar Hazdovac bet on J. Dempsey and American on Tunney. P. Hazdovac bet his half of the restaurant "J-P Waffle Kitchen" which he owned together with John Nodilo in Monterey. Before the match between Dempsey and Tunney there was much talk among the Mljetans in Monterey about that bet and every one looked foward impatiently to the day and hour of the big boxing match. In that match the winner was Gene Tunney so Petar Hazdovac lost his half of the restaurant which became the property of said American. A couple of days later P. Hazdovac managed to collect the needed amount of dollars and redeemed his half of the restaurant. This event was published by a Monterey newspaper.

Croatian Athletic Club of Los Angeles

1930 Los Angeles-San Pedro: The Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club baseball team played at Navy Field in San Pedro, California near Fort MacArthur in the 1930’s.  The CAC often played against the Chicago Cubs on Catalina Island off the California coastline during the Spring training in the 1930s. Both the Cubs and Catalina Island were owned by Phillip K. Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate.Players were Bernie Roselli (the batboy). John Badovinac, Evo Pusich (long time scout for the Cubs organization), Jim Roselli, Tom Guich, J. Cargona, John Vallazo, Mickey Roth, John Beradino, Matt Stankovich, Bill Seinsoth, Marin Kristovich, George Rusich, Nick Vusich, and Matt Pendo.

Hajduk Athletic Club

1930 San Francisco: This popular and very active social and athletic organization for young men was organized in 1930 and at present has a membership of 61 of the most active young men in San Francisco and vicinity. Under the capable leadershiop of Larry Miailovich, 1939 President, and secretary Tony Markovich. The Hajduks have excellent soccer, basketball, and baseball teams which in recent years have placed the boys on high sporting plan. The soccer team has placed second in the California Cup competition.

Sokols of the Pacific

1930 San Pedro: Organized and incorporated in 1930, the twenty-five young men who are members of this organization meet regularly in San Pedro and carry on their valuable work. John Boro is the current president, and Mehl Gablich is secretary.

Jadran Athletic Club

1930 San Pedro: The Jadran or Adriatic Baseball Club played various service teams and also played against the Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club.

Sokol Excursion

1932 San Pedro: Croatian Sokols took an excursion on a Dalmatian fishing boat out of San Pedro on August 1, 1932. Over fifty members and friends participated with their Croatian musical instruments, food and red Dalmatian wine.

Croatian American Baseball Team

1934 Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club baseball team at Navy Field in San Pedro, California near Fort MacArthur in 1934. The CAC often played against the Chicago Cubs on Catalina Island off the California Coastline during Spring training in the 1930s. Both the Cubs and Catalina Island were owned by Phillip K. Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate.

Lumbarda Club has Old-Timers Dance

1935 Oakland: Folk dances of the Dalmatian Coast are featured-amid all the native color of the little islands that dot the Dalmatian archipelago, members of Lumbarda Club (Island of Korcula) had very interesting evening with their friends of the East Bay Area. It all took place last Saturday evening, February 19 at the Fraternity Hall in West Oakland. Members and their friends arrived early at the scene and the strains of one single accordion was all the accompaniment they had for the beautiful dances that the member love to do. Without doubt it was all the music it was necessary, because when a dance is so graceful one forgets the music of a large 15 piece band and devotes his entire attention on the rythmic movements of the "kolo" and the "zarucicu" and "poskocicu." Mr. Tony Milina, president of Lumbarda Club, promised everyone a good time, and with the aid of his committee composed of Roy Lipanovich, and John Markovina, it was a great affair. Similar affairs by Lumbarda Club are promised for the near future. Watch for the date of their next dance and be prepared for a good time with your old friends. If a larger crowd intends to be there, however, a much larger hall will have to be engaged.

Croatian Day

1936 Los Angeles: The Croatian National Association since its inception in 1936 has celebrated Croatian Day in Southern California. In 1970 the following Croatian organizations participated in this grand event and picnic:

Adriatic American Benevolent Society, American Croatian Club, Croatian Americna Athletic Club, Croatian Cultural Club, Croatia Lodge Brnach 972 C.F.U., Croatian Republic Club C.R.P.L., Croatian-Slavonian Benevolent Society- Branch 177 C.F.U., Croatian Unity, Branch 60, Croatian Catholic Union, Crotian Women’s Club C.R.P.L., Hollywood Lodge Branch 865 C.F.U., Holy Name Society, Konavosko Benevolent Society, Los Angeles E.S. Lodge No. 677 C.F.U., Sacred Heart Benevolent Society- Branch 880 C.F.U., St. Ann ALtar Society, St. Anthony’s Women, St. Jerome Lodge 37, Croatian Catholic Union, S.N.P.J. Branch 743, United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society.

Officers for 1970 were: President...Ivo Metkovich, Vice President...VIncent Andrews, II. Vice President...Bozho Deranja, Secretary...Mario Forgiarini, Financial Secretary...Mary Brkich, Treasurer...Toni Wright, Board of Trustees...Milan Kirin, Luka Bradvica, Charles Kezman, Attorney...Vincent Arnerich

Croatian Day

1938 San Francisco: Croatians attending last Sunday’s Croatian Day in San Francisco have no need for such exaggeration, because there certainly was a packed house for the afternoon program, and twice as packed for the Grand Ball. A more enthusiastic crowd of both young and old people is hard to find at any affair- certainly it’s many a moon since such a crowd attended any Croatian Function here on the west coast.

The afternoon program opened by M.J. Tudja chairman of the committee, was excellent. Senator “Andy” Pierovich’s treatment of the job as Master of Ceremonies for the entire day deserves commendation. Starting off in the Croatian language, he showed he had as good a command of our language as any of our American born youngsters. Most of the Senator’s speaking, however, was in English. John D. Butkovich, National President of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, addressed the gathering in the Croatian language and Mr. Butkovich is certainly a master of the oratorical art. Milan M. Petrak, editor of the Croatian Fraternal Union official organ, also coming here with Mr. Butkovich from Pittsburgh, spoke on some of the work accomplished by the powerful organization of American Croatians.

Coming from Astoria, Oregon., Senator F. M. Franciscovich, presiding officer of the Oregon Senate, delivered the speech on “My Impression of the Croatian People” in the English language. After listening to Mr. Francisovich’s masterful control of the English language, we are not surprised that he has risen to such great heights in the political machinery of our neighboring state.

The appearance of Senator Culbert L. Olson, escorted to the stage by Math Kovacevich and other leading Croatian democrats, was the occasion for the noisiest demonstration of the afternoon. He was cheered and welcomed in many ways from the moment he entered the auditorium doors until he was seated on the stage. The Democratic gubernational nominee spoke on his political experiences with Croatian people in the south, the reports he had received of their activity here in the north and on his candidacy in general. The audience certainly left no doubt in the Senator’s mind as to their choice for governor.

Following the speeches an excellent musical program was presented by our leading local singers.  Vinko Karuza began by rendering two fine numbers, and he was followed with solos by Mate Culich Dragun and Miss Anna Fabian, and Later by a duet combining Mr. Dragun and Miss Fabian.

Crowded galleries, stuffed-up bar rooms, folk dancing in the lower hall, and a swaying swinging mass of dancing youth in the main dancing hall, marked the events of the colorful evening. The Queen of the Day, Miss Katherine Perusina, was crowned by John D. Butkovich at 11 o’clock and the most colorful and beautiful grand march ever seen here followed the coronation ceremony. The committee chosen from the forty participating organizations can never receive all the thanks they deserve nor could all the profits made on the celebration repay them for the fine job they have performed and brought to such a successful conclusion. The executive committee consisted of M.J. Tudjia, chairman; N.J. Nikolas, 1st vice president; R.N. Zec, 2nd vice president; J.L. Kerpan, secretary; Miss Katherine Knezovich, assistant secretary; P.P. Tornich, treasurer.

Croatian Catholic Union Dance

1938 Oakland: Velike Gospe Lodge 93 of The Croatian Catholic Union will hold their dance at Saint Patrick’s Hall in Oakland on August 13, 1938.

Slavonian Society Picnic

1938 San Jose: The Slavonian Benevolent Society of San Jose will hold a picnic and barbeque at Napredak Park on August 7, 1938.

Slavonian Picnic

1938 Sacramento: The United Slavonians of Sacramento will hold their picnic at Madrone Park in Contra Costa County on July 17, 1938.

Velike Gospe Picnic

1938 San Pedro: The Velike Gospe Society of San Pedro will hold their picnic at Royal Palm Park on August 21, 1938.

Slavic Rod and Gun Club

1938 San Francisco Bay Area: Convinced that a Slavic Rod and Gun club should be organized in the Bay Area, a group of our most prominent sportsmen are now in 1938 making plans for the formation of this much needed group. Outdoor life- hunting, fishing, hiking- are to be activities of the Rod and Gun Club, or whatever these interested it choose to call it. It is planned to affiliate with the large American Rod and Gun organizations and work as a unit therof. Very few meeting will be held, but instead a great deal of outdoor activity will be arranged. Week-end excursions during the various fishing and hunting seasons will be sponsored for the members. All Slav sportsman interested in joining an organization of this type should communicate with Mr. Paul Gialich, Oakland, California, and let him know what they think of the plan. Mr. Gialich is anxious to hear especially from fishing, hunting, an hiking enthusiasts.

Croatian American Tamburitza

1939 San Francisco: The Croatian American Tamburica Orchestra of 1939 included Joe Babich, John Eterovich, Bill Lonich, Nick Babich, Rudy Radosevich, Steve Sotur, Jim Kusich, Geroge Persha, Victor Spiletak, Nick Eterovich and Conductor Ilar Spiletak. All of the members were American born.

San Pedro Tamburitzans

1939 San Pedro: The San Pedro Tamburitzans under the dirction of Mr. Joseph Radich appeared at the world’s fair in San Francisco and performed at Festival Hall on Treasure Island.

Golden Gate International Exposition

1939 Treasure Island: Yugoslav Day at the 1939 World's Fair was sponsored by the United Yugoslav Societies of California. This was the largest gathering of Croatians ever to be held in the Western United States. The Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society was in the forefront of this expression of ethnic pride and contributed greatly to its organization and success. The United Yugoslav Societies Committee published a sixty page book on this occasion. The Queens of Yugoslav Day were Anka Vasilievich, Misses Katie Kordich, Dorothy Milosevich, Sophie Cosich, Elizabeth Talia, Winnie Eterovich and Helen Yugo. The 1930's was a period of understanding, cooperation and mutual respect amongst Yugoslavic groups in California. Slavonic societies were at their greatest organizational capacity and energy. Croatian Participating Organizations were: Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society, Mr. J. B. Bilafer, Mr. Ernest Aviani, Mr. Bob Ivelich, Mr. Marko Anticevich, Mr. John Buzolich;

Croatian Benevolent Society Zvonimir Dalmacia, No. 876 C.F.U. Mr. Conrad Petrucela, Mr. Anton Ivanetich; Dobrotvorno Drustvo Dalmacija, Mr. Mate Vranjos, Mr. Anton Jasprica, Mr. Vincent Cetinich. Lumbarda Club, Mr. Roy Sestanovich, Mr. Jerry Minina. Austrian American Benevolent Assn., Mr. Charles Petrusich, Mr. Marko Radulovich, Mr. Peter Kristovich. Hajduk Athletic Club , Mr. Alexander Radonich, Mr. L. Mialovich, Mr. Ted Kovacevich. Croatian Benevolent Society Tomislav, E.S.L. No. 121, Mr. Anton Milina, Mr. George Batinovich, Mr. Stephen E. Nietich. Slavonian American Benevolent Society San Jose, Mr. M. Kralj, Mr. Milton Bujak. Odsjek Napredak, No. 883, C.F.U., Mr. Paul Mariani, Mr. Nick Tikvica. Society Brac,San Jose, Mr. Andro Livacich. Strossmayer Council No. 460 Y.M.I., Mr. Antone Pilcovich. United Slavonian Society, Sacramento, Mr. A. Uzelac.

Hajduk Soccer Team

1939 San Francisco: The Hajduk Soccer Team played at the World’s Fair on Treasure Island. Team members were: George Biocina, Tony Biocina, Peter Biocina, Mark Radojevich, Al Radonich, Ted Kovacevich, Bob and Larry Mialovich, Bruno Farcich, Alex Miroff and Al Kraw.

Austrian American Benevolent Society Picnic

1940 San Jose: The Austrian American Benevolent Society of San Jose held its picnic on June 2, 1940 at napredak Hall in Cupertino. The Arrangments Committee included Edward Stojanovich, Joseph Chargin, Jack Bojto, Rudolph Gurich, George Gurkovich, Walter Bagar, Steve Kulish and Phil Bagar. The Frederic Howard Band of Gold will play for dancing.

Crab Cioppino

1941 San Francisco: In February 1929, Sunset Magazine adopted the editorial policy that still guides it: a magazine of Western living for people who live in the West. Over the years, the recipes that have appeared in its pages have become a history of Western tastes. Such factors as climate, geography, and ethnic mixtures have shaped its regional life style. Informality and a willingness to experiment are a large part of everyday experiences in the West. They first presented San Francisco’s famous Cioppino in 1941, crediting its invention to San Francisco fishermen from the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia) Dungeness crab is the star of this robust shellfish stew; clams and shrimp add their flavors, too. It’s traditional to sop up the thick tomato and garlic sauce with lots of extra-sour sourdough bread.

Pearl Harbor

1941 Hawaii: Navy Chief Peter Tomich killed in action on the battleship Utah on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Peter Tomich received America’s highest honor.. The Medal of Honor for saving his sailors from death in the engine room and upon going down the second time, he lost his life.

1941 Hawaii: Sailor John Hazdovac on the Battleship Arizona was killed in action during the Japanese sneak attack at Pearl harbor on December 7, 1941.

Croatian Picnic in Cupertino

1942 San Jose: The Croatian Committee of Central and Northern California has made all necessary preparations and final plans for its huge yearly Picnic to be held next Sunday, at the Napredak Park, Cupertino, California. Seventy-fivie per cent of the proceeds will got to the Allies’ war relief: Russian, Croatian Fraternal Union Fund, and to the American Red Cross. A Union Orchestra will play dance music all day, while the guests will be served a dinner, the main course of which will be shish kebab. The dinner will be served from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. This Picnic is given for The Great Cause- to help those who are out to destroy fascism. Because of this very reason every Slav in Northern and Central California should come to it, and, by having a good time, contribute his “bit” to our fighting brothers who are spilling thier blood, so that we may have the privilege to get together once in a while! Remember if the Axis wins this war, there will be no chance for us to get together freely in public affairs, whether picnics, shows, dances, or what not. We will see you all next Sunday in Cupertino.

Grand Ball For World War 11 Victims

1943 San Francisco: A gala 1943 new Year's Eve celebration centering around a grand ball at San Francisco's Civic Auditorium will be sponsored by seven Slavic groups, comprising some 32 Slavic organizations in the Bay area with a membership of 50,000. The event, a benefit for Russian, Yugoslav and Czechoslovakian war aid, will include among its participating nationalities Croatians, Serbians, Slovenes, Czechs, Slovaks, Russians and Ukrainians. Jacob M. Lomakin, consul general of the U.S.S.R., and Bohus Benes, consul general for Czechoslovakia, are honorary chairmen of the general arrangements committee of which Nick Boskovich is chairman. Girls in native costumes will be in attendance. Among them will be Helen Dulik (Czechoslovakia), Ann Pejovich (Yugoslavia), Olga Orloff (Russia), Zena Marshin (Russia) and Otilia Kurnick (Yugoslavia). The general arrangements committee, headed by Nick Boskovich, includes W.C. Storek, president of All Slavic Council of San Francisco; Peter Cengia, president of the Slavic American Council of the Eastbay and chairman of the publicity committee, and George Vukmanich, secretary of the All Slavic Council.

Slavulj Croatian Chorus

1946 Los Angeles: In the old country, song and dances were an essential part of the very day life of our Croatian people. Yesterday's Croatian extolled the joys of beauty with a stirring song in his heart as he exhibited a zest for living and a love for nature. Traditional songs of Croatian heroism were fortunately handed down form generation to generation by the "guslar", and today many of these themes survive in song, as well as songs of fellowship, honor, courage and of course, love. For the Croatians love love above all.

The early Croatian immigrants brought with them a deeply rooted love of their homeland which is being traditionally treasured. Singing their beloved songs on American soil, their heart were transported back to their native land, subsequently lifting their spirits for the great work to be done in the new world.

Perhaps this is why the original founder of "Slavulj", Thomas Fill, (Filkovich) was so eager to incorporate the "pjesme" into an active singing organization. He had a vision of perpetuating these colorful songs for the time immemorial. And it was quite natural that Tom was imbued with this desire, for his native village was Petrinja, a village in Croatia noted for excellence in song. The voices of Petrinja were said to be rivaled only by those of the nightingale (slavulj).

The Croatian tunes were deeply imprinted into the heart of Slavulj's founder where they naturally sought expression. So it is no wonder that Thomas Fill called on his best friend, Milan Kirin, on a fall day in 1946, when he arrived in Los Angeles from Detroit and said, "Milan, we should start a singing group in Los Angeles." He had already started "Slavulj" groups in Detroit, Michigan and Monessen, Pennsylvania, where true to their name, the members were singing like nightingales all the old songs of their homeland.

These songs were also planted in Milan Kirin's heart, as well as in the hearts of the local Croatian community who all joined into the plan of organizing a singing society. Milan Kirin, and his wonderful wife, Anna, were all acquainted with the friends and families of the Croatian groups who had settled in Los Angeles, and urged their support and hospitality, which they gave in true Croatian fashion.

After many discussions and meetings, Tom's vision became a reality and the club has lived up to its slogan, "Pjesmom za dom i narod svoj," as expressed by its founder. These songs belong to a race whose members, although scattered throughout America, are proud of their Croatian ancestry as well as their newly adopted country.

John Fill, the first director of "Slavulj", and also its present director, is the son of the founder. John has dedicated himself to keeping alive the traditional Croatian songs, just as his father before him. He has been assisted in the club's operation by its numerous members who help to carry on the dedication. Other Croatian groups also assist in preserving this "culture in song", particularly the Detroit "Slavulj" who are our guests today. Their participation in our 20th Anniversary is deeply appreciated by the Los Angeles Croatian community, and is indeed a tribute to "Slavulj's" founder. We all join in saying "Fala."

"Slavulj" was organized as a singing group to promote Croatian songs and love of friendship among Croatian people and their friends. On this 20th Anniversary of "Slavulj" Los Angeles, we wish to express our deep appreciation to all of you who have come together in observance of this anniversary, and to all of those who have helped to make it possible. The nightingales of Petrinja would be proud to know that the melodies are being preserved and we hope that the audience will also be pleased.

Aurora Kekich Croatian National Association1968.

Croatian Tamburitza

1946 San Francisco: Mr. Ilar Spiletak, Conductor, organized the Youth Group during the war years. They performed at many functions in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Group included Mike Rubcich, Katie Petkovich, Joe Sula, Joe Skitarelic, Theresa Erceg, Anthony Srok, Dolores Mestrovich, Robert Bozin, Millie Prskalo, Louis Rubcich, John Rubcich, Branko Pudarich, Vincenzia Petkovich, Dan Bozin and Bob Metrovich.

Blessing of the Fishing Fleet in San Pedro

1946 San Pedro: Begun in 1946, it grew so large that in the late 1960s it attracted up to 250,000 visitors. Draped in vestments of white and gold, Carl A. Fisher, auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, stood in Sunday's blistering heat and sprinkled holy water from the bow of the purse seiner St. Joseph, berthed at San Pedro. "We ask God's continued blessing upon our fishermen for their safety, for a bountiful harvest, because 'this is indeed so noble an enterprise'," Fisher prayed. "Be kind, Lord, and listen to our prayer."

"I remember from the old days-you couldn't walk here," said a fisherman whose 60 year old cooperative has 21 fishing boat owners down from a high of about 170 in the early 1950s. "You know how many boats there would be here years ago? Maybe 200. " And compared to the crowds of 200,000 or more that used to turn out for the blessing. Often when I was a kid, all the boats would parade with flags like this," he said, gesturing toward the St. Joseph, which was bedecked in red, white and blue nautical banners for the occasion. "They all used to go on a cruise of the harbor.

The blessing of the fleet is an Old World, tradition, brought to San Pedro by the immigrant fishermen, most Roman Catholic from Dalmatia in Croatia, Italy and Portugual. Here, the tradition is accompanied by a weeklend-long Fishermen's Fiesta, replete with carnival rides, ethnic food and a local beauty pageant-the crowning of the Junior Miss Skipperette. The parade of boats in which each purse seiner would put on frills and cruise the harbor was reportedly the second most photographed event in the nation, trailing only the Pasadena's Tourna ment of Roses Parade.

We pray in a very special way for the abundance of the fish of the sea, for the fishermen,, that they will.truly have a great catch."

Croatian Annual Bowling Tournament

1950 California Cities: Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 677 is hosting the 49th Annual California State Bowling Open Handicap Bowling Tournament. This event is to be held Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, 2000. The tournament will take place at Bowling Square, Arcadia, California. Bowling will include singles and doubles on Saturday and team events on Sunday. Juniors will bowl Saturday morning. The traditional tournament banquet will be held on Sunday at the Embassy Suites. A Saturday night get-together is being planned. More details on the social events of the weekend will be provided at a later date. Tournament Chairperson Richard Jordan is working very hard to make this a truly enjoyable bowling tournament and CFU social event. We hope that all bowlers, young and young at heart will plan to attend this 49th Memorial Day weekend "California" event. It would be great to see you all! Mary Ann Skoko Tournament Secretary Lodge 677, Los Angeles.

Saint Anthony Tamburica and Kolo Club Croatia

1960 Los Angeles: St. Anthony's Tamburica & Kolo Club "'Croatia" has been an active part of the Croatian Community in Los Angeles for the past 35 years. With the renowned musical director, Tom Yeseta, leading St. Anthony's Tamburica (stringed instrument) Orchestra, and artistic director of the Kolo Ensemble, an accomplished dancer, researcher and choreographer, Zeljko Jergan. The Tamburica and Kolo group performs elaborate dances showing the extensive training, effort and research of Croatian folklore, in our Croatian Community and beyond. We proudly promote cultural riches of our homeland through kolo dances, songs and tamburica music to people outside of our community as well. The group has successfully sponsored a Kolo Festival last year at St. Anthony"s Church and hosted groups from Canada and other parts of the USA.

Veseli Seljaci Tamburitza Orchestra

1965 Santa Clara Valley: It all begins with one woman.  Caroline Puskarich, a native of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, played in junior tamburitz groups as a child and then went on the play, dance, and sing in the well-known Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Moved to California, she married Afred Bahr in 1962 and settled in Mountain View to begin her married life.

But once a tamburitzan, always a tamburitzan, and she missed the dancing, playing, and singing that she was used to. The solution was to start up a tamburitza group of her own based upon her past experience in Pennsylvania. In 1965 Caroline gathered a group of some fifteen adults who were willing to work at this new experience, found some instruments, and began teaching in various homes and in the fruit-drying shed on the Sulaver ranch in Cupertino. Shortly after that beginning Caroline started several junior groups and the era of the Veseli Seljaci and its allied groups was launched. By the mid-1980’s the tamburitza and kolo groups numbered about a hundred participants. Veseli Seljaci played to enthusiastic crowds at nearly twnety national Extravaganzas and had presented yearly concerts to large audiences. There were invitations to play in Seattle, several cities in Nevada, and in southern California. During their most active period, the Veseli Seljaci recorded 4 LP records and 4 cassette tapes, and they performed at 15 Tamburitza Extravaganzas in various cities around the United States.

San Joaquin Valley Junior Tamburitzans

1965 Fresno: We are happy to clarion the formation and now the full function of another junior tamburitza ensemble within our vast fraternal jurisdiction. And, what's even more gratifying is the fact that this new cultural unit is based on the West Coast where such groups are nowhere near as numerous as out here in the East. This new gem in our cultural diadem is the San Joaquin Valley, California Tamburitzans which was organized on February 20, 1965. It operates under the auspices of our Croatian Fraternal Union Junior Order Nest 269 and Lodge 581 in Fresno, Calif. Bro. William S. Dolenec, the ever active President of the senior unit, has supplied us with the data on these junior tamburitza artists. He informs us that the group's premier performance was at the Lodge and Nest picnic on July 11. just a few days later, on, July 17, to be exact, they played at the St. Patrick's Catholic church in Kerman, Calif. and had an enthusiastic audience of over 500 people. They've already been invited for a repeat performance in Kerman in November. On December 12 they will play for the Nest 269 Christmas Party. So, they have a full schedule of events and are joyfully rehearsing for them. The front cover of this issue of your junior Magazine proudly featured these young artists. From left to right, standing, is Leo J. Smoljan the devoted director and instructor; Donald Dolenec. playing 2nd brac; W. "'Randy" Dolenec, on the 1 st brac; Wm. S. Dolenec, Pres. of the SVJ Tams, 1st prim. Seated, left to right . . Donna Morris, 2nd prim; Marie Smolian, bugaria; Joyce Morris, 1st prim and Barbara Smoljan, 2nd prim. We commend the Director -Instructor, Leo Smoljan, and bro. Dolenec, for all they have done, are doing and will continue to do with these fine young artists. We commend the youngsters themselves and we heap verbal orchids on every other individual who has, in any way, helped in this most worthy project . . in helping to revive and expand this popular facet of our proud cultural heritage in that area. SVJ Tams, may your future be rife with music and happiness as you make your notable contribution to the perpetuation of Croato -Americana!

Santa Clara Valley Junior Tamburitzans

1965 Santa Clara Valley: A children’s group, the Santa Clara Valley Jr. Tamburitzans, was also started by Caroline Bahr simultaneoulsy with the Veseli Seljaci. The group included from left to right: Tom Bahr, Anne Bahr, Joanne Pakech, Lisa Kalmeta, Christy Wood, Elaine Wood, Marie Brkljacich, Stacey Brown, Randy Ruzich, Sara Sulaver, Shelia, Pesut, Tammie Kosich, Melena Adzich, Michelle Pesut and George Adzich.

Croatian Soccer Club

1967 San Pedro: Under the direction of President Tony Blazevic and coaches Ante Sango and Valentin Hrboka, the team players consisted of Miljenko Gotovac, Bisero Lisica, Bozo Deranja, Davor Juravic, Dragan Fistonic, Nikola Ristovski, Dragan Govorcin, Jimmy Naumovski, Boris Antolos, Jovica Simic, Ivica Kovacevic, Jakov Buterin.

Croatian Kolo Dance Group

1967 Fresno: On September 10, 1967 history was made in Fresno. For the first time a Croatian "Kolo Dance" group was formed. They are sponsored by the Croatian Fraternal Union in Fresno. Members of the group included Donald Dolenec, Carol Igercich, Barbara Igercich and Gary Subotich. They were very fortunate in having Vera Jones, a Fresno Recreation teacher volunteer her services, free of charge and also obtaining the Romain Play ground hall for free of charge. A very large turnout for a first time was on hand. Vera Jones smiled and was just as thrilled as we were, as we went through our first steps. There were 14 adults and 12 juniors present with quite a few more stating they would make the next dance sessions, which are held every second Sunday at 2 P.M.

Croatian Chorus

1968 Los Angeles: Croatian Chorus “Slavlj” of Los Angeles, California celebrating 20th anniversary, 1948-1968. Anna Kovacich, Aurora Kekich, Toni Wright, Goldi Zrna, Director John Fil, Hellen Fill, Mary Aziz, Anna Kurtnaker, Jane March, Helen Sirota, Mary Ann Sego, Maria Kornich, Mary Pauls, Rose Hyatt, Annie Volkar, Mary Aziz, Violet Bachman, Mary Pickard, Mary Delach, Maria Lonengren, Pauline WIlliams, Helen Jones, Betty Biondich, Bessie Pavkovich, Frank Pavkovich, Frank Zrna, Robert Hyatt, Tom Goyack, Peter Vicic, Luka Kornich, Stephanie Cerepinko, Josef Bachman, Luka Biondich, George Orlich, Roy Williams, Lloyd Crosby, Joe Mardesich, Peter Radielovic, Dick Beovink, Barbara Szemeni, Zora Vidusich, Frank Politeo, Frank Bostian, Joe Celik, Tom Fill.

Tanac of San Francisco

1970 San Francisco: The Tanac tamburitza combo was organized by George Ruzich and his sons, Randy and Rob in 1970. Their first engagement was in June of 1971 when they were invited to perform for a kolo-dancing club of San Francisco Bay Area dancers who met monthly at Mandala Hall on Taraval in San Francisco. Thus, they became known as "Tanac" of San Francisco. Their first regular bass player was Dan Olson. Dan was capable of playing any stringed instrument from the violin, mandolin and guitar, to the bass and pianio. He also had an instrument repair shop in Berkeley for any of the above. From Mandala we graduated to conventions, weddings, picnics, dances, birthdays and anniversaries. In the early 1990's, our bass player was Tom Bahr.

Poklada Prelenten Festival

1970 San Francisco: The SMBS Poklanda Festival was celebrated Sunday, February 26th, at the Slavonic Cultural Center. The day started with Family Croatian Kolos for all ages. The dance floor was quickly packed with children, parents and grandparents, dancing the kolos and having a lot of fun. Many groups performed during the day to a capacity audience. Our own Dalmacijo Singers sang our songs in beautiful harmony. They were accompanied by caroline Bahr’s tamburitza group. Both groups retired to the bar after the performance and sang and played old favorites all evening. The rafter shook when the combined Westwind/Sacred and Profane Choirs, 50 voices strong, sang the famous choral work from Zagreb, "Landarke". The third choir the day, the Born to Drone singers, sang a special program of traditional Croatian and Slovenian songs. The day featured children’s groups performing right along with the adult groups. Everyone enjoyed watching the children dance, many of them performing for the first time! It was the debut of the "Feet First Festival Dancers", the group of children who have been attending the Monday afternoon dance classes at the Slavonic Center. Needless to say they stole the show!

The Slavonijo Kolo Ensemble from the Center performed the famous sword dance from Korcula with precision and vigor to the traditional music of the drum and bagpipe. In between the performances the Slavonian Traveling Band played kolos, waltzes and polkas for everybody’s dancing pleasure.

Samoborci Kolo Group

1970 Sacramento: The Samoborci Kolo Dancing Group were organized with 24 dancers and on the same date the Kolibrici Kolo dancers had 18 in their group. Ruth Cuthburt was their teacher for over 20 years.

Croatian Fraternal Union of America 13th Annual Convention

1971 San Francisco: Thousands of people with names like Bogisich, Cibilich, Ljubetich and Uzovich will converge on the Bay Area from all over the United States today for the start of the 13th convention of the Croatian Fraternal, Union of America. Some 5,000 delegates are expected for the convention, the first to be held in the western United States. A Mass will be held today at the Croatian Church of Nativity behind San Francisco City Hall in honor of the delegates. Governor R o n a I d Reagan is scheduled to attend a picnic, also to be held today, in San Jose at Napredak Park. The convention will gather for business tomorrow at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel, where a grand banquet will be held.

Tamburashi

1973 Sacramento: The Tamburashi of Sacramento were organzied in 1973 at the Croatian Cultural Center. The instructor was Zeljko Urban from Stockton, California and then Nick Segina taught the group. Sixteen people participated.

Croatian Joy Christmas Float

1975 San Pedro: "Croatian Joy" will, be among the floats in San Pedro's third annual Christmas parade, set for November 29, 1975 along Pacific Avenue. The entry sponsored by St. Jerome Lodge 17, Croatian Catholic Union will feature a Nativity scene. Croatian songs will be sung by children in native costumes. Steve Medak and Anna Yukovcic, spokesmen for the sponsoring organization, noted that Croatians celebrate Christmas "as a holy day." No gifts are exchanged, they explained.

Yeseta Brothers Tamburica Orchestra

1977 Los Angeles: The Yeseta Brothers Tamburica Orchestra was in business and has since become the most popular Croatian tamburica orchestra in Southern California. It is also one of the most highly regarded tamburica orchestra in the United States, achieving national exposure at the Tamburica Association of America's 1982 Tamburitza Extravaganza in San Jose, California. One of the most important things about Tom, besides his obvious musical talent, is that he is responsible, reliable and dependable, even making personal sacrifices to get to his musical engagements. He is also responsible for carrying on the Croatian cultural heritage here in this country by promoting Croatian music, both folk and church music for people of all ages to hear, learn and remember.

Croatian Folk Mass

1977 Los Angeles: Tom Yeseta is the organist at St. Anthony's Church and in 1977 composed the Croatian Folk Mass for choir and tamburica orchestra which was a great success. In 1979 he succeed Mr. Bachmann as musical director of the orchestra. Tom went to a parochial elementary school, Dominguez (Claretian) Jr. Seminary, and attended Loyola University, where he earned his BA in music in 1971. Music is Tom's life which he shares with his musician wife the former Annemarie Bullum, and his eight month old daughter, Katherine Rose, who at this early age shows delight in hearing music. For the last five years Tom and his brother Greg have played many professional engagements; this experience has provided them with a wealth of musical knowledge and entertainment experience.

Croatian Library

1978 San Francisco: Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 1007 established a Croatian Library which every year sponsors the Croatian Book Day.  In celebrating this event, the lodge invited lecturers from public life, or organizes a program from within its own membership. Main topics of the programs from 1978-1994 were: Father Cuvalo lectured on Zrinski and Frankopan; Ruza Bajuring recited- Croatian Regional lyric poetry; Tomislav Gabric showed a VCR tape on Ferdinand Konscak; Ruza Bajurin- The role of Ivan Aracalia in the Croatian literature; Stephen Schwartz Sarajevo, My love and Ruza Bajurin- 90th Anniversary of Death of Eugen Kumicic. In addition to these annual celebrations of Lodge 1007, Croatian films have been shown in the church hall: Tko Pjeva, Zlo ne misli (He who sings, thinks no evil); Svoga Tela Gospodar (The Master of His Own Body); Medjugorje; CFU Tamburitza Festival in the Homeland; Lijepa Nasa Domovina etc. The Croatian Library has published the songs of the Croatian emigrant Odranina in 1986; Croatian In Fifteen Lessons by Ruza Bajurin in 1998; and also that same year Astro-Lirika Jakova Basica, and in 1989 Croatian Christmas Cookies booklet.

Bogdanovich Park

1980 San Pedro: Bogdanovich donated a 20 acre park which bares his name, "Bogdanovich Park", before his death. Located at 1920 Cumbre Dr., it contains a picnic area, lighted playground, jogging trails, ball fields and community buildings which contain a full size gym. The city of Los Angeles named that park in honor of a man who made an indelible contribution to the economic and social development of the Harbor Area. He was a giant in the fishing industry. He was one of the founders and president of the Dalmatian-American Club in San Pedro. In both fields he made his mark.  Martin J. Bogdanovich justly deserved this honor. Martin J. Bogdanovich, an immigrant of Croatian descent, was born on the island of Vis, Dalmatia in 1882. He founded the French Sardine Company, one of the largest of its kind California, and later founded the Star-Kist Tuna Company. which is known worldwide.

Croatian Extraganza

1982 Sacramento: The glowing accomplishments of the Croatian American Cultural Center of Sacramento may certainly be attributed to each of its members who have delighted in the opportunity to promote our Croatian identity and culture through numerous activities. No doubt the most recognized and applauded venture of the Croatian American Cultural Center is the staging of its annual Croatian Extravaganza held each June, which brings together thousands of Croatian people, including their families, friends, neighbors and guests who enjoy this tribute to our Croatian heritage. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary year, the Croatain Extravaganzas has not only venerated the beautiful aspects of our Croatian culture in the Sacramento community but, over the years, has also focused upon the prominent Croatian professionals who have served the community well and who have earned the respect of their fellow Croatians. At the annual Extravaganzas, the members of the committee responsible for each year's event have sought to provide the finest in Croatian musical and cultural entertainment and have worked to extend Croatian hospitality to the fullest measure. Because of this determined effort, the Croatian Extravaganza grows larger with each passing year and continues to draw well-deserved attention from Croatians locally and nationally. The labors of the members of the Croatian American Cultural Center of Sacramento have been worth the time exerted. By taking into consideration every last detail, the annual Croatian Extravaganzas offer the best in Croatian music, culture, and cuisine and welcome notable Croatians to participate in these annual gatherings.

They Sing the Songs of the Old Country

1982 Watsonville: It’s amazing what you can do with one enthusiastic choir director and nearly a dozen eager voices. And it’s even more remarkable when the group is bent on singing in Croatian, when not everyone knows the language. Over the holidays, various groups heard such a group sing, and the verdict is, this is the start of something worth mention. “We don’t even have a name yet,” says organizer Marlene Matiasevich Radovich. “We heave been singing only a few months, and we’ve been too busy to think of a name.” We’ll call them the Croatian Singers, since their goal is to preserve and hand down the vocal music of their ancestral lands- most of them, that is. Mrs. Radovich confided to Watsonville Soroptimists (during their Christmas luncheon) that the singers have been called Herb’s Harem, in reference to their sole male, tenor Herb Stocking, who isn’t even Croatian. Stocking and his wife, Marjorie, became involved through their daughter Pat Gulermovich. “Many of the singers handle the language phonetically,” explained Mrs. Radovich, who graduated as a music major from College of Notre Dame at Belmont. They sing acappella- with no instrumental accompaniment- in three-part harmony. And they wear the festival costumes of Croatia. The white dresses, or white shirt worn with dark trousers for the men, come from the Konavle Valley, near Dubrovnik, and are still worn by women over 45. Three singers- Kay Butier, Helen Sarich Sirota and Mary Bronner- wear costumes from a metropolitan area, Zagreb, Croatia distinctive for the heavy embroidery and rich colors. Others in the choir are Stella Lucich, Mary Doane, Nadia Nicholas, Jenny Lamat, all born in this country, and Slavica Kusanovich, who came from the Isle of Brac, Dalmatia.

Martin-Mate Bogdanovich Medical Center

1982 San Pedro: On Jan. 9, 1982, the Komizanis of San Pedro celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of the Martin-Mate Bogdanovich Medical Center in Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia. After a delightful dinner prepared by Ivo Lusich, Joe Zaninovich emceed the program. According to Mr. Zaninovich, the clinic was named after the late founder of Star Kist Tuna of San Pedro and was officially opened in Croatia in November 1980. $350,000 so far has been raised by members of the San Pedro-Komiza Sister Cities Inc. for this clinic. Mr. Zaninovich introduced the board members of this group, whose chairman is Dr. Mirko Giaconni plus the Bogdanovich family who were well represented. Honoring the affair and a special guest from Croatia through Matica Hrvatska, was Poet Laureate Josko Bozanic, Professor of Literature in Vis, Croatia.

Harmonija Singers

1984: Harmonija from Watsonville, California thought you might be interested in getting acquainted with our very own musical ensemble. Besides some twenty voices in our choral group, we have a very talented group of musicians who accompany us. They are: Naomi Bivins, playing the Prima, which belongs to the family of Tambura string instruments and carries the melody, Sena Knornschild is our, accordianist, Steve Zalac strums the Bugarija, which is lower in pitch than the Prima, John Biskup brings out the rhythmic background on the Bass, Marge Stocking accompanies our soloists on the violin. Harmonija will be performing at YACO's 7th annual barbeque on July 6, 1986 .

Gabelich Park

1985 Long Beach: Born in San Pedro, racer Gabelich was a lover of high speeds and dangerous challenges. He set a world land speed record of 622.287 mph in the rocket-powered Blue Flame at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on October 23, 1970. The feat was listed in the Guinness Book of Records and stood for 13 years. As a teenager Gabelich won prizes in drag racing and later he was victorious in off road competitions. In 1975 at Turlock Lake, California, the drag boat piloted by Gabelich disintegrated at 180 mph. He suffered a crushed kidney, split liver and separated shoulder. A winner of numerous prizes and competitions in many types of racing and escaping death in dragster and boat accidents, Gabelich ironically died in an automobile accident in Long Beach, California in January, 1984. In 1985 the Long Beach City Council named Gabelich Park in his memory.

Dalmacijo Singers

1985 San Francisco: The “Dalmacijo Singers” of San Franicsco were organized a little over ten years ago in 1985 when several members of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society of San Francisco and the Croatian Fraternal Union decided they would like to perpetuate our Croatian culture by singing our songs as a performing group under formal tutelag and direction. There are currently 14 active members in “Dalmacijo” from various walks of life who are all Croatian-Americans with one exception-- and he is married to one.  The singing club has performed at many prestigious affairs over the past 10 years such as the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, the University of San Francisco, and the exclusive Sofitel Hotel on the Peninsula, to name a few. Several years ago the Club invited Caroline Bahr of Santa Clara Valley and her tamburitza ensemble, along with accordianist, Ed Gorzynski, to accompany them in their various performances.  Caroline and her “Novi-Stari Tamburasi” are well known in the Bay Area for their musical entertainment and “sing-a-long” festivities.

Croatian Marco Polo Festival

1985 San Francisco: The SMBS Marco Polo Festival was celebrated Sunday, September 11, 1994, at the Slavonic Cultural Center. This performing arts festival, unique to San Francisco, celebrates the Croatian origin of the world traveler, Marco Polo. Marco Polo maintained a home in Korcula island near Dubrovnik, Croatia. His home can still be visited today. The festival featured dance and music from Croatia, Asia Minor, and other lands along the route of Marco Polo’s travels. The performing artists included Slavonian Traveling Band and Dalmacijo. The large crowd attending enjoyed music and dance that followed Marco Polo’s travels from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia through Anatolia and Azerbaijan. Before the festivities there were kolo dancing lessons for those interested. Live music and performances followed starting at 4 p.m. The members of our singing group Dalmacijo put on an especially fine show. They looked stunning in their new costumes and sounded wonderful. Caroline Bahr and her tamburitza group accompanied the singers and later played for singing for all in the bar. The Slavonian Traveling band also played a lively set of traditional kolos for the dancers. Many SMBS members contributed to the success of the day by singing, playing, or helping out with the food or door. A partial list includes Mary Gervasio, Elsie Euing, Anka Cavrak, John Daley, Betsy Daley, Lillian Ruzich, George Ruzich, Norma Chambers, Danica Eterovich, Adam Eterovich, Nick Farac, Phil Vuljan, Marie Vuljan, Nick Pera and Teddy Vuljan. At our center in our programs, the culture of Croatia is preserved through the performing and teaching of the authentic songs, dances, language and instrumental music.

Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra

1988 San Jose: The Tamburiza Orchestra of the Croatian Catholic Church in San Jose performed at Saint Vlaho Day. Members of the group are Luka Gudelj, Emil Jakovcevic, Serge Barbir and Thomas Gudelj.

Kralj Tomislav Kolo Group

1988 San Jose: The Folk Group Kralj Tomislav of the Croatian Catholic Church in San Jose performed at Saint Vlaho Day in 1988.

Moreska Dance of Korcula

1993 San Francisco: Slavonijo Kolo Dancers and Dalmacijo Singers performed the "San Francisco Moreska" at the Poklada Pre Lenten Festival, February 21, 1993 , renewing an old San Francisco Tradition. This livcly version included Klapa singing, sword fighting, dancing to the Croatian bagpipe, and comic dialogue. The most famous dance in Korcula is the sword dance and pageant performed at Carnival time called "Moreska" or "Kumpanija". This dance has been also done in San Francisco over the years. Some San Francisco families have old costumes from turn of the century versions. This version of Moreska was created by the performing groups at the Slavonic Center, the Slavonijo Kolo Dancers and the Dalmacijo Singers, with the help of their friends, children and grandchildren. The performers included Helen O'Brien-Farac, Elsie Euing-Farac, Peter Bacich, John Daley, Betsy Daley, Mary Basich Anka Cavrak, Norma Chambers, George Ruzich, Lillian Ruzich, Danica Eterovich, Bob Kramerich, Loma Swain, and many others. The province of Dalmatia is well-known for the wealth and variety of cultural traditions and folklore forms which are preserved to this day. The island of Korcula occupies a special place in this picture. Despite the island's turbulent history, the people of Korcula are extremely proud of their Croatian heritage and cultural identity, which is well reflected in their folklore. These islanders have maintained some of the older folk customs associated with Carnival or Poklada festivities. The most significant and representative folklore form preserved on Korcula is the sword dance. It was once common throughout Dalmatia but is now done only on Korcula Island. The best known sword dance is the "Moreska", done exclusively in the city of Korcula. A second sword dance, called the "Kumpanija", is danced throughout the various towns of Korcula Island. The most famous version is from Blato. It is almost exclusively danced during Carnival celebrations. In spite of the impressive swordfighting, the dance is more than a stylized war dance. It stems from old pagan springtime fertility rites. The traditional Slavic figures of the "kolo" or circle symbolize the sun and new life. The king is sacrificed so winter will end and the crops will grow. The simple repetitive movement and the heterorhythmic music adds to the magical tension of the event. The music for the dance is played on a bagpipe ("mih") and drum. Our bagpipe is copied directly from an original in the community and is tuned in a scale that differs from our modern music. The "Klapa" singing in the performance is traditional throughout Dalmatia. Many towns have a Klapa group and have the tradition of singing informally at social gatherings in this style.

Novi Stari Tamburasi Orchestra

1993 Santa Clara Valley: In 1993 several members of the original Veseli Seljaci retired for the usual summer break and then in the fall regrouped as the Novi Stari Tamburasi with Caroline as their director.  Veseli Seljaci continued for some years longer, but as some members of that group retired of withdrew, the original Veseli Seljaci has become at least temporarily inactive. The Novi Stari Tamburasi continue as an orchestra with a membership of ten, mostly a nucleus of former members of the Veseli Seljaci. Rehearsals continue at the Bahr residence on tuesday evenings, and there are still dates to play at picnics, special programs, banquets, and private parties, although the major glamor dates and venues of the past appear less frequently on their schedule. In the mid-1990’s Novi Stari began palying occasional accompaniments for the Dalmacijo Singing Society of San Francisco and have formed a warm and close relationship with that group. Together the two groups ahve made joint appearances in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles.  Thus the Novi Stari Tamburasi continue to carry on the tamburitza traditions in thee Bay area and are still enjoying bringing tamburitza music to their audiences.

Bocce Ball Tournament

1995 San Jose: The first Croatian Scholarship Fund bocce tournament, held on September 23, 1995 at the grounds of the Assumption of Mary Croatian Catholic Church in San Jose, was a great success. While enjoying a traditional barbecue dinner, a crowd of 200 fans watched as sixteen teams of doubles vied for the honors. At the end of some outstanding performances, Zeljko Sola and Velimir Sulic were declared champions. In close pursuit were Luka Ukalovic and Jozo Rajic, followed by Vicko Beusan and Jozo Ivankovic.

The CSF realized a net profit equal to one-half of a scholarship. A great deal of enthusiasm was expressed about holding tournaments quarterly, and including players under 18 years of age.

CSF and all attendees are grateful to the volunteers who prepared and served dinner. Ana Barbir supervised an energetic and enthusiastic crew: Nina Jurjevic, Jasminka Puskaric, Roberta Dlaka, Kata Junic, Stela Saric, George Kumparak, Pete Vlastelica, Luka Gude1j, Mike Matusic, Zoran Bosnjak, Srecko Barbir, Ivo Dlaka, and Marko Juri.

CARD PLAYING

The Mljetan emigrants in America liked to play cards as they brought this practice from their native island. They often met on weekends and holidays, mostly in the evening and played, for pleasure, briscole, tressete, solo or bato (mouse). They mainly used the Italian cards they brought from Mljet. They played for five or ten cents so that no one could lose much money but they played intently and with interest as if it were for big money. Gradually they also learned how to play poker but they played for little money. However, some of them went, in their youth and before marriage, to the casinos and played for big money.

Mljetans in America liked to make bets. One of the biggest bets was made 1927 between Petar Hazdovac and an American of Monterey. That year the world champion Jack Dempsey was due to meet his challenger Gene Tunney to decide which of them would be the future world champion. Petar Hazdovac bet on J. Dempsey and American on Tunney. P. Hazdovac bet his half of the restaurant "J-P Waffle Kitchen" which he owned together with John Nodilo in Monterey. Before the match between Dempsey and Tunney there was much talk among the Mljetans in Monterey about that bet and every one looked foward impatiently to the day and hour of the big boxing match. In that match the winner was Gene Tunney so Petar Hazdovac lost his half of the restaurant which became the property of said American. A couple of days later P. Hazdovac managed to collect the needed amount of dollars and redeemed his half of the restaurant. This event was published by a Monterey newspaper.

Their interest in poker the Mljetan emigrants brought to Mljet. The first to teach them this game was Petar Djivanovich-Barisa who returned from America to live in Babino Polje in 1925. He and Ivan Dabelich-Jon, another returnee from America as well as Petar Dabelich-Seho made this game popular among the islanders by playing it almost every evening in the cafes of Babino Polje. This game absorbed some Mljetans so much that they sometimes kept on playing for two or three days without a break. This game is still very popular on Mljet, especially in Babino PoIje and this village is widely known for playing for big money. The pinokoc pinocle is also a game brought to Babino PoIje from America by Marin Srsen-Car when he returned during the sixties to live in Babino Polje. This game is now played quite often on the whole island.

THE TAMBURA

The musical instrument familiar to the Croatian people for their singing and dancing pleasure is the tamburitza. Without doubt, today, there are more tamburitza orchestras in America than in Croatia. A great deal of credit must be given to Mr. Walter Kolar, Director of the Internationally Famous Duquesne University Tamburitzans. His foresight into the preservation of the Croatian culture in music, song, and dance through junior tamburitza groups, will long be remembered. Prior to his coming on the scene at Duquesne, Mr. Matt Gouze was a leader in this field.

Folk songs usually resulted from an eventful happening in a village. Today, there have been many changes in the words which were handed down from the early generation though the melodies still remain. Festive occasions were known to be times when songs were sung at weddings, christenings, during the harvest seasons, stage performances, or for special days of the year such as Christmas or New Year. Religious songs have left a deep imprint on the Croatian people and hymns for every Church season are still found today all over the world.

Throughout the United States and Canada, many choral, dance, theater and musical troupes have been organized to keep alive the spirit of the Croatian people in the arts. In Croatia today, opera, concerts, and stage plays, are in great demand with the artists held in high esteem.

KOLO DANCE

The beauty of folk dances and the musical accompaniment is something which seems imbued in the lives of the Croatian people. Their most popular form of dance is the Kolo, which means a wheel or circle. The Croatian circle dances are usually found to have singing accompanied by an instrument or a tamburitza orchestra or both. In many households, the accordion accompanies the group. Many of the dances find the boys teasing the girls dancers or the entire group teasing a couple to be wed. An interesting characteristic in the folk dances are "Poskocice", a term used to describe singing jokes, mimicking or teasing songs or just plain remarks which are shouted back and forth to each other. In Croatia, one might see the Kolo performed outdoors on special occasions, such as, harvests, weddings, religious celebrations to honor a special Saint, or outside in the garden of the town tavern. More recently, the dances are performed in meeting halls or may be seen during concerts, festivals or ethnic celebrations. Probably the most famous folk dance group in America is the Duquesne University Tamburizans from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.