The Twin Cities Slovenians was formed in 2005 as Branch 109 of the Slovenian Union of America (“SUA”, formerly known as the “SWUA” or Slovenian Women’s Union of America).
TWIN CITIES SLOVENIANS DEDICATION PAGE
THE MEDVED FAMILY
YYul Yost
YuYul Yost’s back yard, scene of early TCS picnics
AAndy Percic and Al McComber at early TCS celebration
ana
TCS members gather with Slovenian swimmer Martin Strel
KKaren Medved hosting amazing Slovenian dinners at Medved home
Dr. Seth Hawkins recites Preseren at the annual Slovenian culture day at Sleeper House
TTCS gathering with Amy Klobucher at Yul Yost’s home
TCS members celebrate Baraga paintings on Yul Yost’s garage
Karen Medved and Shelby Setnikar
TCS kids serve dinner under Mary Bernard’s direction
2018 Pilgrims from Polhov Gradec at the Baraga Cross at Lake Superior.
Annual Lepa Slovenija Calendars
Najlepša hvala to
Rick Pisa!
Rick organized photo contests and published a beautiful calendar of our best Slovenia photos every year from 2010 to 2025. Here’s a few of the cover pages.
Winter weaves its magic in the hamlet of Stara Oselica (literally "Old Donkey" in English) near Idrija in Upper Carniola. Photo by Chuck Podominick
Snow blankets the church of Saint George in Praproče, Slovenia, a small village west of Polhov Gradec in Upper Carniola. The name derives from the Slovene word praprot (fern) originally referring to the local vegetation.Photo by Mirjam Gremes.
Near Vršič Pass from the top of Sleme, one can see the incredible mountains of Triglav National Park. Hiking in the park and across Slovenia is a very popular activity. By Cece Watkins.
Lake Bled is the number 1 tourist destination in Slovenia. A magical lake; a castle perched high above; an island church with wishes to bestow, surrounded by moun-
tains. Photo by Marjan Bradeško.
You feel as if you are in a fairytale land. Take a Pletna ride out to the island and climb the 99 steps and ring the bell in the tower as you make your wish come true. Photo by Chuck Podominick.
Bled castle is perched on a cliff 130 meters above Lake Bled. It is the oldest Slovenian castle, dating back to the early 11th century. Of Lake Bled, Slovenia's greatest poet France Prešeren wrote, “No, Carniola has no prettier scene, than this, resembling paradise serene.” Photo by Mirjam Gremes.
Lake Jasna is the name of two interconnected artificial lakes located south of Kranjska Gora along the "Russian Road" to the Vršič Pass. Photo by Dipu Rahman.
Days of National Costumes and Clothing Heritage Festival at Kamnik. Taking place on the second weekend of September, the costumes take centre stage, showcasing the colourful wares worn by people through the centuries. All the regions of the country are featured, as well the traditional attire of other nations. Photo by Jeanne Jakel.
Festival of Nations
The Twin Cities Slovenians participated in the Festival of Nations, held at the St Paul RiverCentre, from 2008 until it was cancelled due to Covid in 2020. This was the largest multi-cultural event in Minnesota during this time. Najlepša hvala to Sue Rademacher and all her volunteers for creating and staffing our exhibits!
Membership Meetings and Special Events: 2015 - 2025
The Twin Cities Slovenians held membership meetings with guest presenters every month from September through May.
We learn about Slovenian culture from our presenters.
2016 Mirjam Gremes of Chisholm, Minnesota, demonstrates Slovenian lace making.
2016 Chuck Podominick
Marge Pryately explains the Slovenian Immigration to MN panels.
Myro Medved, Sue Rademacher, and Norm Setnicker.
Miro Medved captured everyone’s attention.
Norm Setnicker and his brother David.
March 2025 Michael Hlebaen and Paula Schaefer.
Mary Jo Verschay and Mike Cardinal talked about their trip to Slovenia and gave us travel information.
Luke Novak gave us more Slovenian travel ideas.
Clara Costello from the Bee Lab at the U of M taught us about bees.
Dunja Antunovic from the U of M taught us about Slovenian sports media.
We always learn something from Rick Pisa.
Tombola is a new kind of bingo that was fun and informative.
We’ll play Christmas Tombola again at our December meeting.
2022 Classy Ladies with current SUA president Joe Valencic.
2020 Our first Zoom meeting.
We were masked when we met during COVID.
December 2017 Angels, devils, Sveti Miklavž and company.
December 2017 More cuties with their bags of goodies.
We always have treats at our meetings and Marsha Banovetz brought some great ones.
Mary Ann Palmer and Hank Thunander lead the singing for years.
Patrice Pakiz and John Zakelj are good song leaders too.
December 2018 We had fun with a Christmas Conga line.
April 2023 Tea Rozman’s parents visited from Ljubljana.
2025 Our first meeting at Applewood Point.
Mary Jo Verschay and her crew served us well.
September 2025 Story Stitch led by Tea Rozman.
Story Stitch discussions were intense.
Participants were focused.
It was a powerful and new way to connect.
Members of the Year
2016-2025
Each year we honor a member who goes above and beyond for Twin Cities Slovenians.
2016 John Zakelj with Member of the Year Rick Pisa
2017 Member of the Year Chuck Debevec
2018 Member of the Year Mary Ann Setnicker.
2019 Member of the Year John Zakelj and family.
2020 Member of the Year Liz Miller with her dad in 1989.
2021 Member of the Year, John Perhay.
2022 Member of the Year, Jean Podomonick.
2023 Member of the Year, Chuck Podomonick.
2024 Member of the Year, Ruth Pechauer
2025 Elaine Barthelemy in Whistler, BC with her two sons and her plaque.
Special Events: 2015 - 2025
We also celebrated Martinovanje, had picnics and enjoyed special programs, including concerts by singing groups Navihanke and Krila.
Martinovanje hosts Miro and Karen Medved
Cindy Gauthier, Denise Perhay and Karen Medved organize the potlucks.
Bob Grahek, Raph Kraljic and Sue Rademacher
Miro, Frank and Al Medved
Patrice is an excellent cookie baker and decorator.
Note the Slovenian wine theme for Martinovanje.
Some of our song leaders
Hank Thunander provided more entertainment.
2019 Twin Cities Slovenians group at Mike Koski's
Summer 2020 Our gathering at the Medved’s.
Summer 2020 Note the bocce ball players in the background.
Summer 2017 Tournament organizers Bob Grahek and Rick Pisa, first place winners Sig and Karna Brewer and Bina and Al Medved
2019 Krila a cappella group from Slovenia came to town.
Summer 2023 We marched in the New Brighton Stockyard Days parade.
August 2023 We had a booth at the Slavic Experience.
August 2025 Our third year at the Slavic Experience.
We had many volunteers.
For the past two years we have sponsored a table at the Green Card Voices fundraiser.
Mary Jo Verschay with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar in Cleveland.
TCS Presidents
Mary Vidas – 2005 – 2006
Norm Setnicker – 2006 – 2011
John Zakelj – 2011 – 2016
Mike Koski – 2017 –
Mary Vidas, Norm Setnicker, John Zakelj, Mike Koski and Miro Medved
A great time was had by all at our 20th Anniversary Party.
First Slovenian classes with Ksenija
2018 Slovenian class participants celebrate another year of learning.
In Memoriam
Always cherished and never forgotten, we remember our late members.
Marsha Banovetz
Don Pizzella
Karna & Siegfred Brewer
Jim Smrekar
David Rademacher
Bill Erchul
Jim Klobuchar
Chuck Podomonick
Robert “Bob” Grahek
Joe Lobe
John Perhay
Mary (Perčič) Bernard
Tom Moren
Arlene (Espland) Branwall
Kristna (Medved) Nelson
Jim Brobin
Donald Palkovich
Karl Grahek
Marlene Palkovich
John Medved
Jean Rolstad
John Korosec
Al Siftar
Elaine Zimmerman
Jim Kotchevar
Al and Yvonne McComber
Yul Yost