In the Summer of 2008, shortly after the Ameriška Domovina ceased publication, a handful of concerned members of the Slovenian community gathered at the Slovenska Pristava to lament the fact that our community, particularly that of Cleveland, OH and surrounding areas, no longer had a newspaper to call our own.  There was no convenient way, particularly for those not so internet savvy, to stay in touch with the community in any readable form.  There was no access to news relevant to Slovenians, from outside the U.S. There was no place to publish Obituaries for the broader Slovenian audience. No way to share traditional customs and recipes with others.  There was no centralized calendar of events where the various Slovenian parishes and cultural organizations could post news concerning their upcoming or past events and readers could follow along.  The only medium for such exchange were the various Slovenian radio programs, that did an admirable job but were limited by time and the information that could be exchanged.

After a number of meetings and a great deal of discussion, the first edition of the Slovenian American Times/ Slovenski Ameriški Časi, went out to the Slovenian community in October, 2008.  In the 17+ years since that first edition, no person was more passionately committed to the SAT’s success than Breda Loncar, our founding Board President and Senior Editor.  Breda, with the help and support of numerous contributors, volunteers and the Slovenian community at large, went on to be the driving force behind 204 monthly editions of the SAT.  Breda and team worked feverishly, each month, to engage with the community, gather relevant and interesting articles, announcements and news from all over the U.S. and Europe.  Then, carefully assembled all that content into a paper that was informative, visually appealing and well-received by our patrons. 

Breda’s passing this past October left an enormous void within the SAT organization. To add to the challenge, at the same time as losing Breda, a number of our volunteers, who for many years graciously gave their time for the benefit of the Slovenian community, resigned, for various, personal reasons.  With no Captain and only a few remaining volunteers, the SAT has come to a Crossroad.

So much has changed in the 17 years since the SAT first went to print.  So many of our early supporters, subscribers and volunteers have passed away.  This leaves a new generation of Slovenian Americans becoming the new leadership of the Slovenian Community, many of whom may have thoughts on how the SAT could move forward.  With quick reaction and effort from a few loyal supporters, the November and December editions were successfully published.  However, the future of the SAT is yet to be determined. 

We now call upon the Slovenian community, young and old, to step-up now and help, much like the SAT Founders and supporters did in 2008, and help navigate the future of the SAT.  We ask you, our readers, subscribers, advertisers and patrons, to consider how you may be of help to The Slovenian American Times.

This is how you can help:

• We need the continued support of our Subscribers.  Please remember to pay your subscriptions when they are due.  Subscribers please note, your subscription End Date is noted, beside your name, in the print label of your paper.
• We need your continued submission of interesting and relevant articles and feature stories that engage our readers.
• We need to increase our base of subscribers, bolstering our circulation, particularly outside of Cleveland, OH.
• We need fresh energy from young volunteers that have modern-day insights on Social Media and Technology that may offer more tech-savvy delivery of the SAT.  
• We need a few, social people engaging the SAT with the various Slovenian cultural organizations, helping them promote themselves and be represented in the Slovenian Community through the SAT.
• We need a conscientious salesperson engaging with our loyal advertisers and helping to identify new ones.  
• We need help processing our inbound mail, processing submissions and payments from SAT patrons for ads and articles.

Please consider getting involved by giving a few hours each month to any of these areas of need.  A temporary Steering Committee has been assembled to facilitate.  If you would like to learn more about the SAT or engage in any way, or perhaps be part of the Steering Committee, please call any of the Committee Members listed below: Please note, we would welcome the addition of men and women, of all ages, to the Steering Committee.

• Peter Osenar (440) 487-3377 
• John Srsen (440) 463-8402
• Stan Kuhar (216) 314-9403
• Tom Hocevar (216) 346-9248
• John Hocevar (440) 785-9166
• Frank Vidmar (440) 259-5455

You may also email us at editor@slovenianamericantimes.com or call (440) 833-0020 and leave a message that includes your name, your contact information and anything specific about how you may want to help.  If you’ve ever had interest in the SAT and contributing to its future, here’s your chance to step up. 

At this time, we are not certain of the timing of the next edition of the SAT. But we are working hard to keep it going. We ask that during this transition all Patrons remain patient as we seek out a new Senior Editor, and the Steering Committee engages new volunteers and new ideas.  Please visit our website: slovenianamericantimes.com to see updated news, events and obituaries relevant to our Slovenian community and announcements concerning our progress and future editions of the SAT.  With the help and support of this amazing, community of Slovenians, there is no doubt the Slovenian American Times will continue on, to inform, and teach future generations of Slovenian Americans of the faith, customs and traditions that were brought over from Slovenia over numerous decades.  

As we enter the Christmas Season, let’s all reflect on those things that are most important, the blessing of family, friends and ultimately the birth and the blessings of the King of Kings & Lord of Lords, that we celebrate during this wonderful season.  From all those involved with the SAT and its publisher, The Slovenian American Cultural Association, we wish, for all our community, a Merry and Blessed Christmas and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.