Serbian History 101
with Baba Mim....
PA
Pittsburgh area history and songs...
"Ko pjeva, zlo ne misli!"
(He who sings, thinks no evil!")
From a shirt made by Chee-Chee Czubek of Johnstown, PA! It looks like our girl wants to direct the songs shown below!
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Banquet for the delegates of the Convention for the Serbian Federation "Slobode" ("Freedom") held on March 20, 1918 in McKees Rocks, PA, forerunner for the Serb National Federation.
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Some posters from Holy Trinity S.O.Cathedral Serbs celebrating their 100th Anniversary in Pittsburgh:
No One Has What the Serb Has!
Note the Banner at the bottom- "Happy Birthday Uncle Simo," (UNCLE SAM!) from the Serbs of America! from 1976.
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"Come to your Census, Serbs!"
So many Serbian Americans weren't counted in the older census counts as they were listed as being "Hungarians, Austrians, or Croatians" because they came from the Srpska Krajina part of the Serbian Militaire Kordun or Serbian Miliary Frontier in what was the former Austro-Hungarian Empire or afterwards, the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes." Because they were always being squeezed to religiously convert to Catholicism, the Serbs held fast to their Serbian Orthodox heritage, jealously guarding it down through the ages.
Many of the Pittsburgh area Serbian pioneer families came from the Lika and Kordun areas in what is now called Croatia.
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The CHURCH, the Serb National Federation and the Serbian Singing Federation played a very important role in keeping the Serbs together through the various Church holidays and fraternal activities. There are many other worthy organizations also, like the Serb National Defense, the Serbian Unity Congress, the International Organization of Christian Charities, etc.
Andja is seen far right, back row in this 1930 photo. These ladies loved America, but they also loved and PROTECTED their Serbian heritage, as witnessed by the name of their lodge: "Majka Jugovica," the Mothers of the Jugovichs, (Jug Bogdan and his 9 sons who fought with Czar Lazar on the Battlefield in 1389!)
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This is the middle of a scene from the 1st National Youth Conference sponsored by the Serb National Federation. Recognize any people you know?
Most of them are long gone, but oh, the memories we have of them!
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A tribute to King Alexander and all those who have gone before. Famous print on display at SNF headquarters in Pittsburgh.
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+Nick / +Jenny M., beloved members of Holy Trinity!
+Teta Boya was probably 102 or 103 here. She was only a few days shy of her 105th birthday when she passed. EVERYBODY loved her!
Here's the Czar Lazar Chorus singing in Aliquippa. The choir is made up mostly of members from various Pittsburgh Serbian Orthodox Church Choirs. Their director is Marco Doncic, a very gifted tenor too!
....and below, we have the Kosovo Men's Choir from Ohio singing on the Boat Ride during Pittsburgh's 3 Day, 2007! Their director is Dr. Rick Zivic. The Choir will be touring all of Serbia in August, 2008!
Here's a song that brings backs memories of a lost one.... "Na Te Mislim" or.... "I think of you when the dawn breaks through, I think of you when the day is finished...." Serbs are VERY romantically poetic in their writings.
Many choirs opening up the Sunday program at Aliquippa's St. Elijah's for the 67th SSF Festival!
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You can't go wrong with learning this song about King Peter's Royal Guardsmen! Sing it, and I GUARANTEE you, your Babas and Djedos will love you! It's an old Mamula family favorite!
Mamula Crest from Emanuel Mamula, Major of the Military Frontier, by King Leopold II.
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The old-timers love to sing this one.........
Vinka (Cleveland) and Popovich Brothers (Chicago) on Stage at an outdoor picnic.
They were always a hit when they visited Pittsburgh
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Talk about ROMANTIC! Wow! The cold dawn is blowing through the fields while night is falling on the land.... and a tear is coming from my eye, because you have to leave me. Don't go... don't go, stay here with me...the one blessing of my heart....
These songs were frequently played on the Serbian Radio Hours in Pittsburgh. One of the most famous hosts was George (Bozic) Bowes. Here's a story about his family in the SRBOBRAN.
What a family! Always working for the Serbs!
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Some Pittsburgh "3-Day" highlights from 1995. we always have a good time of fellowship young & old!
Pgh. Serb meets Windsor Serb-Instant Friends!
It's a great time! So many of these have already passed on in such a short time, like Laura and Unki, but they'll be forever immortalized here. 8.17.05 Srbobran of Pittsburgh's 3-Day!
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His Royal Highness Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katherine are greeted outside the steps of the American Serbian Club on the South Side, Pgh., PA.
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Past Presidents of Holy Trinity Church are honored.
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I remember all these wonderful Babas like I could feel their warmth today, and yet all of them are long gone. Here they are, working for WWII relief for the Serbian war orphans. These ladies were so KIND and wonderful. They'd do ANYTHING for you. They were ALL your Babas and Tetas. Teta Mileva, Teta Boya, Teta Mary, etc. Oh, they were good!
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It's so great being Serbian!
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Simo Verlinich, President, Mile Trbovich, Secretary--
Authorized by the Congregational Committee of the S. George Servian orthodox Church to solicit subscriptions for the erection and purchase of a Church Building on the corner of Sixteenth and Roland Streets, on the South Side, Pittsburgh, PA.
And here are the ladies of that same St. George Church in 1944, for Mother's Day......
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Dr. Natalie Pavlovich, former Nursing Professor from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, holds a wedding photo of her parents. All of Pittsburgh was proud of Natalie's and her late sister Martha's educational accomplishments in the medical field.
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Hail, hail, the gang's all here! Ready to board!
Dancing away....
Beautiful folks all around! Paul, Jana & Anthony
Good times after the boat ride too! Wedding soon!
Pittsburgh, Monroeville, and Steelton!
More good Steelton-Oberlin folks! Great people!
The Balach family was out in full force to support their father when he was awarded his "Distinguished Service Award 2008" from the SNF!
Great shirt seen at Pgh 3-Day
The Serb National Federation printed Song Books for the enjoyment of their members.
The Serbian Singing Federation, established by Vlajko Lugonja, was a way for all of the Serbian choirs from throughout the country to get together for Festivals and other happy occasions. Many a time the singers could be heard singing, "Kazi Leno, Koga Volis," --- tell me Lena, who do you love?
Our Serbian get-togethers are alive with music and song,
uplifted joy and happiness.
Steelton-Oberlin, PA Choir!
"Sedi Mara" was another popular favorite. Danny Kukich worked tirelessly to include these songs in the SRBOBRAN every week for the "Song of the Week" column, as attested to by the photo below!
SRBOBRAN readers faithfully cut the songs out of the paper each week in the 1970's. Thank you, Danny, this way we ALL learned the words!
Milana Capuzzi & Baba Ann Kukich
MORE SONGS to stimulate your memory!
And another. When son Nick was two or three years old, he used to melt his mother's heart with this song! "Ka-zi, Len-o, ko-ga-vol-is?"
Remember this one? My Aunt Marty always sang this one to me when I was young, and then, to my son. I can still hear her beautiful voice now, even though she's singing in Heaven! "Ja Nekoga Volim! Ja Nekoga ljubim!"
Niko Nema, & it's the TRUTH!
Do you know these ladies?
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These people from Kitchener, Ontario, enjoyed the singing at Sunday's church services in Aliquippa, PA while here for the 67th Annual Serbian Singing Federation Festival:
Detroit -75th Anniversary SSF
The Pupin Cup
They all came to Pittsburgh at one time and wowed their audiences!
We start 'em YOUNG!
Cleveland was host here in this 1941 Concert!
Board history of Sloboda
Recognize the incredible art by Adam Popovich?
The Maestro himself! Ladies & gentlemen: Adam Popovich!
These three VERY TALENTED young Aliquippa singers help insure our future SSF concerts will continue!
Always a good time is had with Sokoli Orchestra from Lackawanna! They know all the songs shown here, and everybody loves to sing along!
Aren't THESE ladies lucky?
Philip Visnich Choir & Father Velimir Kovacevich, now Metropolitan Christopher.
Fr. Vel made the front page Dec. 28, 1958, for this Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph story about Pittsburgh-a community enriched by many heritages.
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Church President Rudley Mrvos & V. Rev. Fr. Filipovich at Pittsburgh Holy Trinity's (St. George's & St. Sava's) 100th Celebration.
His Grace, Dr. Bishop Mitrofan officiating
And the Responders! Holy Trinity Choir directed by Bob Topich.
Here are the Noodle Ladies who raised money for their church by unselfishly giving of the time, talents & treasures. We are reaping what they have sown, and we want to keep it going! Forever!
Mike Milan always worked VERY hard for his Holy Trinity Church, including many years as President.
+Nick Stone & + Eli Popovich at Kennywood
Sally Stone and Robbie at his first "3-Day" in Pittsburgh.
These 3 young SNF ladies were raising money for USA War Bonds in 1942! Veda Jorkich, Ana Pekich, and Martha Stone. They're holding a photo of Cica Draza Mihailovich, who was acclaimed by the whole world as Hitler's #1 headache!
+Stipanovich-+Karlo-Mamula
We were always proud of our
"Baba, did you tell how Dane was the General Manager of KDKA too?"
"I need 5 tickets, please!"
Mamulas all! Bobiks/Beloshs
Incredible Mileva Bozic Medin, at age 88, came all the way from Louisiana via plane by herself, to be part of Kennywood's 91st Serbian Day! She also donated $100 to the SNF Fraternal Fund!
Kolo dancing with Teti Mim xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox
The Czar Lazar Chorus sings "Mnogaja Ljeta!" to Steve Balach, recipient of the SNF Distinguished Service Award for 2008!
PA
