St. Martin Day Wine Festival Dance

Saturday, November 9, 2019

St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Parish Hall

Annual Folklore Group “Soča” Reunion

celebrating

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In Flanders Fields

by

John McCrae

Guelph, Ontario

1872-1918

Program

5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Gregory

6:30 p.m. Hall Doors Open

Supper and krofe available for purchase

Cultural displays, folklore photos, video

7:00 p.m. Band “Europa” starts to play live music

Performance by MLADI GLAS

Traditional Dances from the Gorenjska Region

Zabavni plesi

“Europa” plays live music

Contest Homemade Wine

“Europa” plays live music

Raffle tickets for sale

Winners of Wine Making Contest

Raffle Winners announced

“Europa” plays live music

Thank You To Performers

Introduction

Heidy Novak

Parish Council President

Band

Ansambel EUROPA

Steve Cafuta - Vocals, accordion, guitar, programming

Guy Cayen - Vocals, guitar

Monika Mavec - Vocals, bass guitar, percussion

Louie Mavec - Accordion, keyboards

John Žižek - Drums

MLADI GLAS Senior Slovenian Dance Group

Nancy Kajin, Diana Blas, Magda Razpotnik - Instructors

A Martinovanje Smile My Slovenian grandmother told me: “ To aid digestion, I drink beer, To improve my appetite, I drink white wine When I have low blood pressure, I drink red wine When I have the flu, I drink cognac When I have a cold, I drink plum moonshine”

I asked her:

“Great, but when do you drink water?”

She replied:

“Oh my dear – up until now, I have never been that sick.”

Wine List Red Wines

Slovenian Modra Frankinja Blaufränkisch $ 28 Plum & pepper, hint of chocolate -- Dry

Niagara East Dell Gamay Noir VQA $ 28 Medium-bodied, fruity, tart finish -- Dry

Niagara Jackson Triggs Merlot $ 25 Blackberry, mocha & ripe plums -- Dry

Niagara Bodacious Cabernet Sauvignon $ 25 Sweet red berry fruit & vanilla -- Off dry

Niagara Magnotta French Blend $ 25 Fresh & friendly -- Dry

Niagara Magnotta Maison Rouge * $ 25 Black cherry & ripe plum -- Off dry

White Wines

Slovenian Janž evec Riesling /Sauvignon Blanc $ 28 Apples & Lemons -- Semi-dry

Niagara Strewn Two Vines Riesling/Gewurztraminer VQA $ 28 Tropical fruit & citrus -- Off dry

Niagara Henry of Pelham Chardonnay VQA $ 28 Grapefruit & Pears -- Extra dry

Niagara XOXO Pinot Grigio/Chardonnay $ 25 Light, crisp & friendly -- Dry

Niagara Magnotta Chardonnay $ 25 Fresh pears & apples -- Dry

Niagara Magnotta French Blend * $ 25 Floral & fruity -- Off dry

* AVAILABLE BY THE GLASS $ 5

Kitchen Menu

Pork Schnitzel, Cole slaw, Potatoes, Bread $ 12 Svinjski zrezek, zeljna solata, krompir, kruh

Slovenian Donut (one) $ 1 Krof (1)

Martinovanje, Folklore and Hamilton Event History

Saint Martin's Day, also known as the Feast of St. Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas, as well as Old Halloween and Old Hallowmas Eve, is the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours (Martin le Mise ricordieux) and is celebrated on November 11 each year.

Saint Martin of Tours started out as a Roman soldier then was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The best known legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying from the cold.

The goose became a symbol of St. Martin of Tours because of a legend. When trying to avoid being ordained bishop, as he wished to remained a regular priest, he was hiding in a goose pen but was betrayed by the cackling of the geese. St. Martin's feast day falls in November, when geese are ready for the butcher.

In Slovenia, it is also known as the day that the grape juice turns to wine and is ready to be tasted for the first time.

In Hamilton, the Slovenian community has been celebrating this feast day for decades. Written records indicate the church building committee organized an event in 1963 however there are no further details.

In 1964, Martinovanje was organized at St. Michael’s Hall on James Street North in Hamilton. Music was provided by the band “Slavc ek” from Toronto and there was a live goose as the raffle prize. Admission cost only $1.00.

Since the new hall/church opened in 1965, Martinovanje has been a permanent celebration at St. Gregory the Great Parish. By 1968, the event had become a major success with the band “Veseli Pomurci” under the direction of Tony Ferko providing entertainment for 300 people and generating a profit of $900. (That’s over $7,500 in 2019 dollars!)

Since 1984, a homemade wine contest has been featured. The winners received certificates posted in the bar and bragging rights for one year. A complete list of past winners is shown on the page opposite.

Homemade WINE

Year 1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize

2018 Sonja Podrebarac Sonja Podrebarac Stanko Petek

2017 Ivan Miketic Karol Ferko Frank Novak

2016 Frank Novak Elizabeth Petek S tefan Gas par

2015 Stanko Petek S tefan Gas par Gizela Hauzar- Ivan Miketic

2014 Ivan Miketic Sidonia Drvaric Gizela Hauzar

2013 Sidonia Drvaric Karl Ferko Karol Ferko

2012 Sidonia Drvaric Stan Petek Sidonia Drvaric

2011 Ludvik Hull Stane Novak Ivan Miketic

2010 Family Hull Janko Dems ar Ignac Prs a

2009 Karol Ferko Ignac Prs a Franc Pelcar

2008 Zoltan Gergyek Janko Dems ar Joz e Groznik

2007 Franc Pelcar Ludvik Hull Sidonia Drvaric

2006 Sidonia Drvaric S tefan Gonza Sidonia Drvaric

2005 Matija Vlas ic Ludvik Hull Janko Dems ar

2004 Sidonia Drvaric Sidonia Drvaric Franc Pelcar

2003 Rudi Setej Ignac Prs a Ludvik Hull

2002 Joz ef Jeric Zoltan Gergyek Franc Pelcar

2001 Franc Pelcar Ludvik Hull Stane Novak

2000 Ignac Prs a Ignac Horvat Zoltan Gergyek/Stanko Novak

1999 Ignac Koros ec Florjan Miklavc ic Ivan Vegelj

1998 Slavko Slobodnik Florjan Miklavc ic Zoltan Gergyek

1997 Ludvik Hull Daniel Harrington Angie Harrington

1996 Bryan Cogan Annie Jeraj Vince DiFrancesco

1995 Daniel Miklavc ic Franc Virag Florjan Miklavc ic

1994 Ernest Zrim Angela Gric nik Zoltan Gergyek

1993 Ivan Vegelj Karl Ferko Ludvik Hull

1992 Daniel Miklavc ic Ludvik Hull Bob Patchett

1991 G. Franc Slobodnik Zoltan Gergyek Frank Jeraj

1990 Joz ef Jeric Vinko Cestnik Tom Himski

1989 Ernest Zrim Franc Majzelj Zoltan Gergyek

1988 Franc Drvaric Franc Drvaric Janez Stevanc ec

1987 S tefan Antolin Tone Ferko Martin Malevic

1986 Tone Ferko Ludvik Hull S tefan Raj

1985 S tefan Antolin Frank Lehner S tefan Antolin

1984 S tefan Raj Ivan Vegelj Frank Lenarc ic

Past Winners of Wine-Making Contest

F. S. Soča Past Dancers - Please provide us with any missing names or spelling corrections.

1 Andolšek Stephanie

2 Antolin David

3 Antolin John

4 Antolin Adam

5 Antolin Joel

6 Antolin Margarette

7 Antolin Valerie

8 Babič John

9 Babič Kathy

10 Babič Stan

11 Bečaj Alenka

12 Bembenek Barbara

13 Bembenek Mark

14 Benko Brian

15 Benko Renata

16 Berkovič Lily

17 Booth Sarah

18 Booth Steven

19 Božnar Allan

20 Božnar Monika

21 Brancelj Sonya

22 Brancelj Tania

23 Brest Simon

24 Bukvič Andrew

25 Bukvič Tony

26 Cestnik John

27 Cestnik Mary

28 Cestnik Frank

29 Čule Diana

30 Čule Kathy

31 Čule Robert

32 Čulig Janet

33 Demšar Dan

34 Demšar Frances

35 Demšar Mary Ann

36 Dorenčec Elvis

37 Drvarič Joe

38 Drvarič Sidonia

39 Drvarič Theresa

40 Erzar Adriana

41 Erzar Damian

42 Erzar Frank

43 Erzar Natalie

44 Erzar Sebastian

45 Eržen Veronica

46 Erzetič Karla

47 Erzetič Simona

48 Ferenčak Diana

49 Ferenčak Lily

50 Ferenčak Sylvia

51 Ferko Betty

52 Ferko Frank

53 Ferko Tania

54 Ferko Tina

55 Ferletič Sandy

56 Fields Theresa

57 Filipčič Jasna

58 Franc Tony

59 Franc Victor

60 Gašpar Jim

61 Gauthier Eric

62 Gerič Joe

63 Gerič Joseph

64 Gerič Mirko

65 Ghio Patrick

66 Ghio Tito

67 Gimpelj Frank

68 Gimpelj Nancy

69 Gimpelj Sylvia

70 Glavač Marjan

71 Glavač Matej

72 Grebenc Mary

73 Grebenc Tom

74 Gričnik Erica

75 Gričnik Marija

76 Gričnik Max

77 Gričnik Tatjana

78 Groznik Tilen

79 Habjan Maya

80 Habjan Olivia

81 Hader Tricia

82 Halas Elizabeth

83 Hanc Kathy

84 Hočevar Helen

85 Hočevar Jason

86 Hočevar Joey

87 Hočevar Mary

88 Hočevar Tony

89 Hode Carmen

90 Hode Kristina

91 Horvat Bobbz

92 Horvat Danielle

93 Horvat Drago

94 Horvat Eric

95 Horvat Ivan

96 Horvat Jason

97 Horvat Joe

98 Horvat John

99 Horvat Natasha

100 Horvat Olga

101 Horvat Slavica

102 Horvat Steven

103 Horvat Tony

104 Hozjan Dan

105 Hull Zora

106 Jarc David

107 Jarc Michael

108 Jeraj Anne

109 Jerič Marija

110 Jerman Joe

111 Jerman Joshua

112 Jerman Julian

113 Kanc Andrej

114 Kanc Mark

115 Kanc Natasha

116 Kapušin Joe

117 Kapušin Sonja

118 Kline Millie

119 Kline Poldika

120 Klobučar Majda

121 Knaus Angie

122 Knaus David

123 Knaus Stanley

124 Kobe Andy

125 Kobe Darlene

126 Kobe Ivan

127 Kobe Veronica

128 Kobetič Betty

129 Kobetič Robert

130 Kodarin Aleš

131 Kodarin Igor

132 Kolenc Neža

133 Kolenko Frank

134 Kolenko Joe

135 Koller Cynthia

136 Koller Dana

137 Kopač Melanie

138 Kosednar John

139 Kosednar Lydia

140 Košir John

141 Košir Peter

142 Košir Veronika

143 Krampač Angela

144 Krenos David

145 Krminac Bojana

146 Krušič Andreja

147 Krušič Ivan

148 Krušič Renata

149 Lackovič Ann

150 Langenfus Mojca

151 Langenfus Tom

152 Langenfus Valentina

153 Lenarčič Irene

154 Lenarčič Kathy

155 Les Žiga

156 Letnik Frank

157 Letnik John

158 Letnik Robert

159 Letnik Tony

160 Lukežič Amalia

161 Lukežič Nicola

162 Magdič Darinka

163 Magdič Elizabeth

164 Magdič John

165 Magdič Mark

166 Magdič Mary

167 Majzelj Denis

168 Majzelj Mary Ann

169 Malevich Martina

170 Malevich Maryanne

171 McLeod Elizabeth

172 McSkimming Amanda

Antolin David

Dems ar Marianne

Eržar Natalie

Horvat Marianne

Horvat Tony

Jeraj Frank

Jeraj Ann

Kline Leo

Miketic Marianne

Pavlakovic Frank

Pavlakovic Sonya

Puscher Sandy

S piler Tina

Z upanc ic Christina

Past instructors and assistants - alphabetical

173 Mertuk Ivan

174 Mertuk Kathy

175 Mes Hannah

176 Mes Matej

177 Mihelčič Maja

178 Mihelčič Mateja

179 Mihelčič Mihela

180 Mihelčič Mirijam

181 Miketič Marianne

182 Miklavčič Dan

183 Miklavčič Joseph

184 Miklavčič Julia

185 Miklavčič Kevin

186 Miklavčič Marcus

187 Miklavčič Nadia

188 Miklavčič Sonja

189 Miklavčič Tom

190 Miklavčič Tonya

191 Milosavljevič Kim

192 Milutinovič Emma

193 Milutinovič Mark

194 Milutinovič Nicholas

195 Mozetič Dejan

196 Mozetič Igor

197 Mramor Frank

198 Mramor Thomas

199 Mramor Matjaž

200 Nardin David

201 Nedeljko Matthew

202 Novak Adam

203 Novak Amanda

204 Novak Brock

205 Novak Clark

206 Novak David

207 Novak Emily

208 Novak Helen

209 Novak Jessica

210 Novak Peter

211 Novak Tony

212 Obal Frank

213 Pavlakovič Frances

214 Pavlakovič Marianne

215 Pavlakovič Sonya

302 Volčanšek Mark

303 Volčanšek Susan

304 Volčanšek Tony

305 Volf Fred

306 Volf Linda

307 Volf Ryan

308 Vučko Steve

309 Vuk Gloria

310 Vuk Michelle

311 Zabukovec Joe

312 Zidar Ludvig

313 Zorko Andrew

314 Zorko David

315 Zorko Mirko

316 Žigon Dan

317 Žigon Sonja

318 Žižek Casey

319 Žižek Darinka

320 Žižek Erica

321 Žižek Mark

322 Župančič John

323 Župančič Christina

324 Župančič Majda

325 Župančič Olga

326 Župančič Sonya

259 Scarcelli Nicholas

260 Scarcelli Vanessa

261 Scott Jackie

262 Selšek Helen

263 Selšek John

264 Selšek Kristina

265 Selšek Mary

266 Šemen Lidija

267 Šemen Thomas

268 Setej John

269 Setej Maryanne

270 Škerl Eric

271 Škerl Leah

272 Škrban Simona

273 Škrban Tom

274 Slobodnik Joe

275 Slobodnik Mary

276 Sobočan John

277 Špiler Carmen

278 Špiler Kristina

279 Špiler Tina

280 Štadler Andrew

281 Štern Sonya

282 Staniša Uršula

283 Stegne Kathy

284 Stegne Robert

285 Šušteršič Heidy

286 Šušteršič John

287 Tougher Britaanny

288 Truden Anna

289 Truden Ed

290 Truden Helen

291 Truden Marija

292 Uduč Lydia

293 Uduč Nada

294 Urek Ann Marie

295 Vegelj Carl

296 Vegelj Ed

297 Vegelj Monica

298 Vengar Rose Marie

299 Verdinšek Nancy

300 Virag Maryanne

301 Volčanšek Greg

216 Pavlič Brian

217 Pavlič Melissa

218 Pelcar Stan

219 Pelcar Josie

220 Peršin Nicole

221 Peršin Thomas

222 Petek Darinka

223 Petek Robert

224 Peternel Irene

225 Peternel Sylvia

226 Pinter Kathy

227 Pinter Lori

228 Prebil Joanna

229 Prebil Patricia

230 Prša Diana

231 Prša Jim

232 Prša Joe

233 Prša Rosemary

234 Prša Sandra

235 Puscher Sandy

236 Ray Mary

237 Ray Regina

238 Razpotnik Christian

239 Razpotnik Joseph

240 Rev Peter

241 Rev Robert

242 Rev Rosemary

243 Rihar Mark

244 Rihar Tania

245 Robačer Nancy

246 Rosmus Sydney

247 Rožič Roberta

248 Rožman Helen

249 Rožman Martha

250 Sagadin Josie

251 Saje Andy

252 Sampl Frank

253 Sampl Lori

254 Sampl Monica

255 Sampl Tom

256 Sarjaš Darinka

257 Sarjaš Peter

258 Sarjaš Theresa

327 Župančič Teresa

Folklorna Skupina Soča - History

Folklorna Skupina Soča – the Soča Slovenian Folkloric Dance Company — was established to help our youth

retain and present the rich culture, dances, traditions and songs of Slovenia in Canada. Moreover, the group was

created to foster a sense of fun and community belonging.

Soča is named after one of Slovenia’s major rivers which originates high in the Julian Alps. This breathtakingly

beautiful river begins in a spring-fed pool and cascades through alpine valleys to the Adriatic Sea.

Leo Kline began folklore instruction as an extension of the Slovenian language school. According to our rec-

ords, the first performance by this group of 10-12 year olds was on Sunday March 27, 1966, shortly after the newly

-constructed St. Gregory the Great Hall was opened. At that show, dancers, singers and guest gymnasts from

Cleveland performed to an enthusiastic full house. The event was reported in Slovenian newspapers in Toronto

and Cleveland. It is this date, 52 years ago, that we consider the start of Soča. After a couple of years, Frank Jeraj

took over instructing Slovenian School students to perform for events like Mothers Day.

In 1971, a group of teenagers, separate from the school, started rehearsing and performing under the direc-

tion of Mr. Kline. They had been attending monthly dances in the hall with their parents who taught them to

waltz and polka. In September 1972, they selected the name “Soča”. “Gorenjska noša” costumes were created.

The enthusiasm of these dancers over four years proved a great inspiration to over 300 future dancers.

Soča’s popularity led to the formation of different age groups. In the mid 70s, Mr. Jeraj became director of

the next group. Other instructors and assistants volunteered to assist. Over the years, these included

(alphabetically) David Antolin, Mary Ann Demšar, Natalie Erzar, Marianne Pavlakovič Horvat, Tony Horvat, Ann

Jeraj, Marianne Miketič, Frank Pavlakovič, Sonya Pavlakovič, Sandy Puscher, Tina Špiler, Carl Vegelj, and Christina

Zupančič.

Soča has been fortunate to have sponsored numerous teachers, musicians, and guests from Slovenia. The

wealth of knowledge obtained from these persons enabled the group to achieve increased historical accuracy in

dance, traditions and costumes from different regions of Slovenia.

Special thanks must be extended to the seamstresses and tailors who dedicated numerous hours to create

the numerous costumes. Among those doing major work over the years were (in alphabetical order) Marija Brest,

Marija Kolenc, John & Emma Kosednar, Terezija Prša, Angelca Škerl, and Jožica Vegelj.

Beginning in 1982, with a performance in Cleveland, Soča began to tour extensively in Ontario, Quebec and

the United States, including Chicago, Indianapolis and New York City, where they performed at the Lincoln Centre

at an International Slavic Festival. This peaked with a tour organized in 1993. Thirty-two dancers travelled to

Slovenia and presented ten 90-minute performances featuring dances from eight different regions over thirteen

days in ten different locations. The dancers were rewarded with great reviews in the Slovenian media and lifelong

memories .

Currently, Soča is dormant with costumes awaiting a new generation of dancers. Folklorna Skupina Venec ,

under the direction of David Antolin, is comprised of adult dancers from southern Ontario and is based here.

Soča veterans should consider joining. May we continue the rich Slovenian folklore tradition here at St. Gregory

the Great Parish.

Please note that, due to meagre documentation and fading memories, this account may contain incom-plete information. If you have contributions to make, such as documents, photos, film or video, particularly from the 1960s and 70s, we ask that you loan these to the Parish so that we may copy and add them to our archives.

2000 Hamilton Parade

2001 Pittbsurgh Slovenian Festival

2002 Club Bled

2002 St. Gregory the Great

2003 Ottawa

2003 Club Bled

2004 Slovenski Park

2005 St. Gregory

2006 St. Gregory

2006 Triglav Club, London

2009 Slovenski Park

2009 St. Gregory

2010 Lipa Park, St.Catharines

2010 Lipa Park

2011 Club Bled

2011 Club Bled 2012 Club Triglav, London (FS Venec)

2012 Club Triglav, London

2013 Sava Club, Breslau (FS Venec)

Thank You!

Pastor – Spiritual, Cultural and Social Leader Father Drago Gac nik, SDB

St. Gregory the Great Parish Council Heidy Novak, President

Elka Pers in, Clark Novak, Mary Ann Dems ar, Sidonia Poppa, Sonya Podrebarac, Tony Horvat, Eric S kerl, Steven Horvat

Event Organization Committee Janez Cestnik, Teresa Zupanc ic , Heidy Novak, Elka Pers in. Polly Persichini, Tony Horvat

Program, Displays & Hall Set-up Dave Antolin, Janez Cestnik, Fr Drago Gac nik, Tony Horvat, Sonja Langenfus, Elka Pers in,

Stan Pelcar, Mary Vuc ko, Steve Vuc ko, Derek Perc

Dress Forms for Costumes on loan from Angela S kerl, Hema Kosednar, Dragica Ferenc ak, David Antolin

Admission Teresa Zupanc ic

Kitchen - Supper Nancy Dundek-Taylor assisted by Dragica Ferenc ak, Aranka Dundek

Kitchen-Krofi Joz ica Vegelj assis. by Pamela Gosgnach, Niki Vegelj, Majda Lukez ic , Sonja Podrebarac, Sofi

Bar Polly Persichini, Peter Novak, Tony Horvat

Wine Contest Judges Janez Cestnik Convenor for the Judges

Frank Novak, Ferdinand Silic , Heidy Novak, Steve Vuc ko

Raffle Ticket Sales Mary Vuc ko, Eva Erzetic

Raffle Prizes Donated by St. Gregory the Great Parish Council, Francka Cestnik, Rozalija C ule, Teresa Zupanc ic ,

Milan Ferletic , Ferdinand Silic , Anonymous Donors

Hall Clean-up Lojze Ferenc ak, Dragica Ferenc ak, Mary Cestnik, Steve Vuc ko, Teresa Zupanc ic ,

Elka Pers in, Janez Cestnik, Tony Horvat

Thank you for your attendance. Nasvidenje.

See you next year at the Soča Reunion celebrating Martinovanje

Saturday, November 7, 2020

Featuring folklore, displays about a Region of Slovenia