The 2025 Slovenian Grape Harvest Festival was a celebration to remember! Hosted outdoors by the Joliet Area Historical Society at the Croatian Cultural Club in Joliet, Illinois, the event brought together over 500 people for a day filled with food, fellowship, and fun.
From the moment guests arrived, the energy was high—people danced, laughed, and shared stories while enjoying outstanding smokies, refreshing beverages, and sweet favorites like potica and strudel. The entertainment lineup kept the crowd smiling all afternoon and into the evening, with performances from Ray Koncar and the Boys, the Marela Slovenian Folk Dancers, Bobby Mutz, and The Singing Slovenes with special guest Gasper Krek. In fact, the Singing Slovenes brought a full tour bus of members from Minnesota, adding to the excitement and spirit of the day.
As the “Mayor” of the festival, Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, a long-time Joliet resident with Slovenian roots, brought warmth and pride to the program. Dignitaries, members, and families all came together to celebrate heritage, culture, and community ties that span generations.
KSKJ Life was proud to be a main sponsor of this special event, connecting with members at our booth, handing out goodies, and sharing how we continue to protect what matters most. The day truly embodied the heart of KSKJ Life: family, tradition, and community.
Want to be part of it all?
Events like the Grape Harvest Festival are just one of the many ways KSKJ Life brings members together. If you’re not already a member, we invite you to join our community and experience the benefits of membership for yourself.
The Steady Savings Option You’ve Been Looking For
Many consumers know about bank CDs - but fewer know there’s another option that works in a similar way, often with extra benefits. It’s called a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA)* - but think of it as a “steady growth plan” for a set period of time.
Here’s what it means in simple terms:
You put money in for a chosen term - like 2, 5, or 7 years (KSKJ Life has options from 2-10 years). You then get a guaranteed rate of growth for the entire time.
Your money grows tax-deferred - unlike CDs that are taxed every year.
There’s no stock market risk - your growth is steady and predictable. Whether you’re rolling out of a CD or just want a safe place for your savings, a KSKJ Life MYGA makes it simple.
If you have a CD maturing this fall, don’t just let it roll over automatically. With rates slipping after the Fed’s recent cut, it could be the right time to explore alternatives. A KSKJ Life Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) is a safe, tax-deferred option that works a lot like a CD — but with advantages that could make your money work harder.
Read the full article to learn the simple differences between CDs and annuities — and why it matters now.
National Protect Your Hearing Month was created to help counter our instinct to take our hearing for granted. It’s an entire month dedicated to increasing public awareness about the importance of hearing and good hearing protection practices.
And to be sure, hearing is important. Hearing connects us and helps us feel included and independent. It can tighten relationships with friends and family, enhance music, TV and movies, and can make partaking in nature, activities and events more immersive and enjoyable.
Protect your hearing every month, not just October
Hearing loss doesn’t have to happen and doesn’t take a ton of work to help prevent. Today, more than ever, we know what causes noise-induced hearing loss, have tips to help prevent hearing loss, and have access to hearing protection products that are portable, convenient and amazingly efficient.
And as a KSKJ Life member, you have access to discounts on hearing aids and free hearing consultations through our partner Start Hearing.
To learn more, contact Start Hearing at 844-339-4152 or click the button below.
November 30th: Joliet, Lodge #2 Annual Meeting & Christmas Luncheon We will conduct our annual meeting to nominate, elect and install officers for 2026. The meeting will be followed by a Christmas Luncheon.
November 1st: Applications open for The Slovenian Union of America's "Slovenian Literary Award" Click HERE for more information
KSKJ Life (Life Insurance and Annuities) is an Illinois fraternal benefit society located at, 2439 Glenwood Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435, 800-843-5755 (in CA: "KSKJ Life, A Fraternal Benefit Society")
*Product refers to KSKJ Life MYGAs (Multi Year Guaranteed Annuities) which are multi-year, single deposit deferred contracts with a guaranteed interest rate for the term of the contract (ranging from 2 to 10 years), after which the current renewal rate will apply. Minimum and maximum deposit limits exist. Issue ages vary. Surrender charges may apply. Market Value Adjustments (MVA) apply to the full amount of surrender that is in excess of any free withdrawal during the multi-year guarantee period. Not FDIC Insured. Products may not be approved or offered in all states. KSKJ Life annuity products not available in California. Guarantees rely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of KSKJ Life. Early withdrawals and those made prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to IRS penalty. We are not tax or legal advisors – Please contact a tax or legal professional regarding the law concerning tax and retirement plans. By contacting us, you may be offered information by an agent about purchasing life insurance or annuity products. KSKJ Life MYGA form ILCC24-SPDA 0324.
CONFIDENTIAL NOTICE: This message is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is prohibited. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete or destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments. By contacting us, you may be offered information by an agent about purchasing life insurance or annuity products.
