MARIJA! A Film in Progress

From Ina Bertulyte-Bray

A gala fund raising dinner and auction was held for a film in progress on the life of Lithuanian archaeologist Marija Gimbutas on November 20th, 1998 at UBC Grad Centre Ballroom, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

MARIJA is a film about the life of the controversial archaeologist, Lithuanian born Marija Gimbutas, one of the most extraordinary women of our times, whose excavations and interpretations of Neolithic European settlements forever changed our vision of the past.

Born in prewar Lithuania, Marija Gimbutas spent her youth resisting foreign occupation and fleeing from Soviet and Nazi rule. Her love of the rich culture of her country and its myths and symbols played an important role in everything she did her whole life. She developed a theoretical picture of the origins of Western civilization in peaceful, Goddess-centered, woman-honoring culture that spanned the continents of Europe and the Middle East, and had broad ties to other areas around the world. Her controversial theories, while severely critiqued by many archaeologists, have inspired feminists, critics of culture, writers, artists and theologians.

Academy-award winning actress Olympia Dukakis, a long-time friend of Marija, has agreed to narrate the film. The producers are Starhawk and Donna Read. Starhawk is one of the foremost voices of ecofeminism, is a peace activist, lecturer and author of six books. Starhawk is a founder of the "Reclaiming Collective", an organization offering classes and training in the Goddess tradition.

Donna Read, one of the original team of women who formed and shaped the National Film Board of Canada’s Studio D, is director of the Women and Spirituality series at the NFB and producer of the award winning (8 awards) for Trilogy: Goddess Remembered, The Burning Times, and Full Circle. In addition to her work as Associate Director and Editor on several NFB films, as a free-lance filmmaker, Donna has made a number of films including the acclaimed "Mask and Drum" which won several international awards including first prize at the London International Film Festival.

In 1995, Donna and Starhawk formed Belili Production. Their first project together since the Trilogy is MARIJA.

In addition to a night of good food and friends, there was great entertainment and prizes to bid on. Members of the Lithuanian community in Vancouver came in native dress. There was also poetry reading from Lithuania, both in English and in the native tongue. All money raised went to the film's production.

The Lithuanian Citizens’ Society Remembers

From The Lithuanian Citizens’ Society of Western Pennsylvania Newsletter, by Mildred Sukys

The older members of The Lithuanian Citizens’ Society of Western Pennsylvania stroll down memory lane and fondly remember their beginnings. When a recent member, Frank Yankovic, passed away, their November 1998 newsletter brought up highlights of the Society’s active past.

In 1911, there were three Lithuanian clubs located in the South Side of Pittsburgh. They were Feodura Narbuto, Lietuvis Pilieciui, and Auksciausias Prieglaudas. All three clubs decided to organize into one club. The charter was drawn up on January 31, 1912, and started at 2025 Jane Street in Pittsburgh. In 1927, it was organized into one club and moved to 2226 Jane Street. Members bought the club from the German Club called Birmingham Turner Hall in 1928 for $32,000. They named the club "Lithuanian Citizens' Society of Western Pennsylvania".

The steward maintained the Club, ordered the liquor, and took care of everything. Seven stewards oversaw the operations of the Club. They were:

Pete Margal (1928 - 1934);
William Burdulis (1934 - 1939);
Mary Burdulis took over after William's death until 1940;
Benny Russlan (1941 - 1942);
Mr. Johnson (1942);
Benny Russlan (1942 - 1966);
Tom Unitas (1966 - 1973).

The Club had over 1,000 members -- all men. About 100 members attended the monthly meetings that were conducted in Lithuanian, and the minutes recorded in Lithuanian. The Club was opened every day and on Sunday until 2 a.m. There were Lithuanian bartenders to serve club members during special events and regular evening hours. Weddings were held every month. There were two bowling alleys and a Lithuanian bowling league. The Club was also home to a Lithuanian Radio Program whose announcers were George Zilinskas and Eddie Navitskas.

The big nights were Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In the Crystal Ballroom many orchestras played entertaining the Club members. Among the ones who played here was Frank Yankovic and other orchestras, as Porky Chadwick, Bobby Vinton, 4 Freshmen, McGuire Sisters, and Johnny Jones.

Every Christmas, the Club had a big Christmas party for the children, giving our gifts and donations. As Mildred Sukys said, "Yes, the South Side was the most popular in Pittsburgh."

A Mystery for the Holidays

From The Lithuanian Citizens’ Society of Western Pennsylvania Newsletter, by John McCloskey

Do you like to read? How about a mystery by a Lithuanian-American author -- Jo Dereske based in Bellingham, Washington! Her books are light-hearted and quick reading. It's fun to see Lithuanian names in print, such as Helma Zukas (main character), Durbas, Gimbutas, Petronas; and words as kugelis, lugan, vilkas, and Lithuanian.

Ms. Dereske's books, "Miss Zukas and the Library Murders", "Miss Zukas and the Island Murders", "Miss Zukas and the Raven's Dance", and "Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death" can be found in major bookstores.

THE LITHUANIAN OPEN

By Ed Shakalis

The annual Lithuanian Open Golf Tournament was played at the Squirrel Run Country Club in West Plymouth, Massachusetts on September 26, 1998. The Lithuanian Open was not only a fun time but, it help support the Lithuanian Children’s Relief, Inc. (LRC), based in Boston, Massachusetts. The LRC earmarked the money raised for the purchase and delivery of medicine for children in Lithuanian suffering with tuberculosis.

When I drove into the golf course parking lot, the first thing I saw was the Lithuanian flag flying on the flagpole. Charlie Caranci, Squirrel Run owner, bought the flag for our tournament as a surprise. Ninety-five players, young and old, men and women of all nationalities participated in the tournament.

The format was Florida Scramble best ball; which, allows all team members to contribute. It was a 9:00 a.m. shot gun start that signaled that all foursomes would start at the same time from different holes, thus finishing for lunch.

This year’s Lithuanian Open winners were Peter Van Wagenen, Steve Kelley, Jack Basile, and Steve Nickerson with a score of 12 under par. Their trophy was made in Lithuania from Lithuanian oak. Bernie and Irena Zilaitis had the trophy made in Lithuania and personally delivered it to the Open.

Second place team was John and Jerald Blaze, Chris and Bill Tillo. Third place team was Tomas Kiliulis, Keith Girovard, Kevin Blanchette and Steve Blake.

I had met the Lithuanian Ambassador, Stasys Sakalauskas, at the Baltic 80 Ball and he informed me that a golf course will be built next year in Trakai, Lithuania. Maybe the next Lithuanian Open Golf Tournament could be played there. For now, next year’s tournament is scheduled on September 25, 1999.

A BRIDGES SALUTE TO ITS SUPPORTERS

It’s been a long and interesting year for BRIDGES. We’ve been working hard to bring you the latest news, human interest stories, and a variety of articles. We’re already starting to work on 1999 BRIDGES issues.

Before 1998 slips by, we’d like to thank those readers who have gone above and beyond their subscription renewals or first time payments. The following people have sent also a contribution enabling us to look for better ways to serve all of your readers. A heartfelt thanks and best wishes for a terrific holiday season!

BRIDGES
would like to extend their sincere
gratitude to the

Lithuanian Foundation, Inc.
for their continual support.

For more information about the Lithuanian Foundation,
contact them at:

The Lithuanian Foundation, Inc.
14911 W. 127th Street
Lemont IL 60439
Tel: (630)257-1616 Fax: (630)257-1647
admin@lithfund.org

May the blessings and joy of this Christmas remain with you throughout the coming New Year of 1999.

Sesele Margarita Bareikaite
LAC Religious Council