The word “community” is extremely over-used these days in place of the simpler “village,” “town” or “city.” However, in the case of St. Stephen, that word perfectly defines that town and its people.
Genuine “community” was everywhere apparent during the 75th anniversary of the St. Stephen Fire & Rescue Department, which took place Oct. 12 in the city’s Lions Park.
One of the definitions of “community” is this: “To be part of a real community, you need to care about what it is you have in common; you not only have to care about the community, but you also need to care about and respect one another.”
That kind of caring for others took on a tone of sadness at the Oct. 12 event when an award was presented to the family of Jason Trobec, a long-time dedicated St. Stephen firefighter who died Sept. 21 at age 47 in an ATV accident. Trobec, one of so many Trobecs in the St. Stephen area, left behind a wife and four children.
When a Newsleaders reporter asked Fire Chief Jeff Drais how many members are on the fire department, he said “26,” then quickly catching himself, said with a sad look, “25,” recalling suddenly once again that Jason is gone.
Those virtues (especially deep-and-abiding bonds of caring for one another) were practically visible at the fire-department celebration: small groups of people standing together or sitting at tables socializing pleasantly; grinning children running around and having a ball; a feeling of kindness and bonding in the air as people, including the many firefighters, worked together and talked with visitors; excellent live music drifting through the park; officials like St. Stephen Mayor Lisa Marvin and Fire Chief Drais greeting and welcoming visitors with smiles, handshakes. In short, it was a wonderful sunny afternoon.
St. Stephen’s strong sense of “community” is rooted in the 1800s when Slovenian immigrants from Eastern Europe settled on the farmland in or near what is now St. Stephen. The city is the oldest Slovenian immigrant community in the nation. Slovenians are known for their hard work, their creativity and ingenuity, their sometimes stubborn stick-to-it determination, their good down-to-earth sense of humor and their utter lack of pretensions. Those qualities were so apparent at the Oct. 12 celebration.
Throughout the years, Newsleaders reporters have enjoyed covering so many St. Stephen events:
The annual Vouk Family Farm Show just north of town.
The annual plowing-demonstration social event at the Jim and Marilyn Schumer farm south of town.
The visit to St. Stephen by the ambassador from Slovenia.
Vintage car shows and other outside events (including street dances) at the local bars.
An incredibly creative, imaginative, enjoyable parade to honor the city’s Centennial celebration.
And last but not least, the festive, fun, lively annual Parish of St. Stephen celebration on the church grounds and at nearby businesses.
It’s always fun to visit St. Stephen because it and its people typify small-town America at its very best.
