Slovenian Workmen's Home-- 95 years of memories, Part 1

On November 10, 1916, in a building known as Stakich Hall, a group of Slovenians representing fourteen lodges and societies, met for the purpose of discussing the building of a “home” to accommodate the promotion of their social, fraternal, cultural, athletic and civic activities. The organizations involved were:

 Blejsko Jezero #27

                        CFU Sons of Zagrebacke Sloge & Hrvatska Sloboda #285

                        Carniola Tent #1288 Maccabees

                        Collinwood Hive #283 LOTM

                        Collinwood Slovenke #22

                        Jadran Singing Society

                        Slovenian Band Bled

                        Slovenska Godba Triblav

SNPJ Lodge #53 V Boj

                        SNPJ Lodge #142 MIR

                        SNPJ Lodge #312 Vipavski Raj

                        The Socialist Club #49

                        Waterloo Camp #281

                        Waterloo Grove #110 WC

Before the building was completed, the following organizations formed: Anton Verovsek Dramatic Club, Ladies Auxiliary, who to this day hold Friday Fish Fries, and Waterloo Club (United Cultural Society) who took on the task of raising funds for the Home.

After securing a bank loan, ground was broken and in 1926 the building was completed. Those having the distinction of being the first Board of Trustees were:

            John Rozanc                        Valentin Pirc                        Louis Pengi                        Frank Oblak

            John Gorjanc                        Vid Jancic                        Joseph Prestri                      Elizabeth Matko

            Anton Rupnik                      Mike Podboy                        John Hrovat                        Anton Dolgan

            J. F. Durn                           G. M. Kabay                        Frank Strehovec            Frank Mihelich

            John Lokar                        John Habe                        Frank Fende                        Jannie Lampe

            Rose Erjavec

A Slovenian school was organized in 1931.  Classes began on January 20, 1932. That same year saw the beginning of Sokols, a gymnastic group. The Slovenian junior chorus, Mladenski Penske Zbor was formed in 1934, The MPZ. 

The original building consisted of a recreation hall, auditorium, business offices, meeting rooms and a library.  In 1935 the public bar was completed and four years later eight bowling alleys, indoor balina courts and a party room opened.  These additions helped to produce added income. That same year the lower bar was built and the second parking lot was purchased.

During the 1940’s, many of the boys in the community were serving in the armed forces and the “Home” became a center for Red Cross, War Bond drives and many other wartime activities. The Progressive Slovene Women of America Circle 1 felt the patriotic urge and commenced to raise funds for the memorial monument (currently located next to the building) to commemorate the many boys who were in the service and many who lost their lives. In 1945, the memorial garden with its monument was dedicated and turned over to the “Home” and a tradition was born that was upheld for many years. The “Home” is most grateful to the Euclid Veterans Club who remembered their war buddies and paid tribute to their memory every year with traditional Memorial Day services in this garden.

The year of 1945 also saw the charter of the corporation changed to a non-profit status and all shares were exchanged for membership certificates. 

In 1948, additional office space and an apartment were added and this completed the building program.

In the political arena, the 32nd Ward Democratic and Republican Clubs made the Slovenian Workmen’s Home their headquarters. Another renter was the Waterloo Beach Association, which awakened the community with its pride of ownership and its neighborly attitude towards all newcomers.

In the sports groups which have met at Slovenian Workmen’s Home are the St. Clair Rifle Club, American Slovene Golf Club, Wildwood Yacht Club and their Skipperettes, Cleveland Athletic League of SNPJ, Balina Club and the North East Little League Ladies Auxiliary.

Since most of the pioneers of the Slovenian Workmen’s Home were in the working class, they became staunch supporters of unions and the working man. The facilities were available in the event of strike to all 23 local unions who met on the premises. Currently, only a few unions continue to meet at Slovenian Workmen’s Home.

COME TO OUR ANNIVERSARY BANQUET AND CELEBRATE!

The anniversary banquet celebrating 85 years will be held April 9th. This will be a "2011 Polka Tour Event" to celebrate 50 years of the Federation of National Homes and 50 years of Tony Petkovsek being in the polka business. Following is a listing of other events at the Slovenian Workmen's Home through May.   Fish Fry - Every Friday throughout the year from 3 PM until 8 PM.  During Lent hours are 12 noon until 8 PM.   POLKA DANCES -  Every Sunday 3 PM until 7 PM, held in the "Waterloo Ballroom" of the Slovenian Workmen's Home, $10 per person includes 1 sandwich and soft drink.  Cash Bar   April 3 - Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band April 3 - Jeff Pecon Band April 17 and 24 - NO DANCE May 1 - Al Battistelli Band May 8 - Del Sinchek Band May 15 - Fred Ziwich & the Internationsl Sound Machine May 22 - Don Wojtila Band.

Do you have pictures of some of the good times you and your family have shared at the Slovenian Workmen's Home?

Email them to the Collinwood Observer, or bring them to our office on E. 185th St.  We will publish them in our May issue to continue the celebration of the anniversary of the Slovenian Workmen's Home.