Please join Romas Sparkis and the Illini Folkdancers for a reunion dance weekend in memory of Silvija Ann Traska Sparkis. Silvija, 45 years old, died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism on September 20, 1999.

Silvija was a native of Chicago but recently lived in Tallahassee where she was an instructor and advisor at Florida State University.  She was a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, the National Parks and Recreation Association, the Illini Folk Dance Society in Illinois and was a former troop leader of the Lithuanian Girl Scouts Association in Chicago. She is survived by: her husband, Romas Sparkis of Tallahassee; her father and stepmother, Aleksas and Jadvyga Lukauskas Traska of Oak Lawn, IL; two brothers, Algis Traska and Kestutis Traska, both of Lithuania; and a sister, R. Maria Traska of Chicago.

Come join the celebration of a life that touched many people in many corners of the world.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, March 17	8-10 p.m.	Request Dancing (Illini Union)
Saturday, March 18	12-1 p.m.	Culture session (Illini Union)
	1-3 p.m.	Dance Review by IFDS Alumni (Illini Union)
	4:30 p.m.	Pot Luck Dinner at the home of Rich Mazel & Sharon Collins
	7-11 p.m.	Dance Party (Illini Union)
Sunday, March 19	9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.	Potluck Brunch at Jennifer's
	3-5 p.m.	English Country Dance at the Springer Cultural Center

Dances Silvija taught, led or enjoyed will be incorporated into the dance party.  In addition, those who are willing are invited to present a quick review on Saturday afternoon.  Send your suggestions to David Code (at the address below) or by email to code@wmuch.edu.

Karin and David Code are organizing memorabilia and dance music for the dance weekend and hope that everyone will take time to contribute something meaningful. Items are being collected for a memory book which will be presented to Romas.  Please send a letter, photos (or color photocopies) and other memorabilia. Mary Cattell will also try to pull together a nostalgia videotape collage for viewing during the potluck on Saturday. Please send materials (8 1/2 x 11) to:

Karin Loberg Code
4123 Creston Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI  49001

or email to:
code@wmuch.edu

Memorial Contributions may be made to FSU Foundation, Account No. 1958, Attention Dr. Jean Mundy, 215 Stone Building, Florida State Univeristy, Tallahassee, FL  32306 in order to create a scholarship in the memory of Dr. Sparkis.  When this scholarship reaches $10,000, it will be established in Silvija's name.

Help us find other folk dancers who would like to know about this event.  Sherry DeWan (217-367-5250) is compiling a list locally or contact Karin Code by mail or email (see above) if you're outside Champaign-Urbana.

For more information on the Memorial Dance Weekend for Silvija or International or English Country Dancing in central Illinois, please contact:

Sherry DeWan (217-367-5250) or
Mary Cattell (217-359-3050; MDC@IPAT.COM).