Preserving the history of our heritage and passing it on to the next generation is becoming increasingly difficult.

Today's teens find texting friends and attending sports practices far more important than learning why their grandparents or great-grandparents fled the "Old Country" for a life in America.

Milan and Rosalyn Opacich are doing their best to preserve the history of both their Serbian heritage and that of their church, St. Sava, originally built in Gary, and make it available to everyone at least, for now, during festival time.

For the second year, a museum featuring the history of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbs' flight to the United States and, eventually Northwest Indiana, will be part of the 2007 Serb Fest Aug. 3, 4, and 5 at the St. Sava Serbian Hall, 4101 West 49th Ave., Hobart.

Last year when Milan Opacich came up with the idea of a museum, most of the articles and artifacts were from his personal collection. His wife Rosalyn assembled them with the help of three other church members.

"Last year it was a great hit," Opacich said.

"Dorothy's (Paunovich) son (Mike A. Paunovich) came here from California and did a video of the festival."

This year's temporary museum will feature a new Wall of Fame that will illustrate the achievements of St. Sava's most famous parishioners, including the following:

Gary-born Bishop Varnava, who was venerated to sainthood in the Eastern Orthodox church; Diana (Chirich) Henery, who became the leading soprano for the Volksopera in Vienna, Austria; Nicholas "Jumbo" Strincevich, a retired American Major League baseball player; Walter Bogdanich, who won Pulitzer Prizes for national reporting in 1998 and 2005; and Milo Komenich, a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Probably the most famous parishioner in the Wall of Fame is Mladen George Sekulovich, better known as Karl Malden, who won the 1952 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "A Streetcar Named Desire," and was nominated in 1954 for his supporting role in "On the Waterfront."

A past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Malden was named the 40th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.

"Karl has never forgotten his roots," Opacich said.

"He has made many donations to St. Sava's."

A section will be posted to show the Halyard Mission, where during World War II, 400 American flyers were rescued by the forces of Yugoslav Gen. Draza Mihajlovich, as well as recognition for others who served during the first and second wars fighting for America.

There also will be a pictorial review of Matt Leach, of the Indiana State Police, who was the John Dillinger Gang's arch enemy.

"We are also honoring the Kum, or Godfather, for the original church on 13th Avenue -- electrical genius Nikola Tesla."

The museum will have many Tesla artifacts as well as photos of the new prototype of the American-made electric automobile named in his honor.

"Dorothy (Paunovich) tried to get them to send us a model of the car to have on display," Opacich said.

"But they turned her down, so we have to be happy with photos."

Church members hope eventually to have a library for the church and, in the long run, to create a permanent museum housing historic photos, publications, documents, costumes and other memorabilia about Serbs, Gary, Northwest Indiana and more.

BREAKOUTS

Wanted:

St. Sava Serb Fest museum organizers ask Northwest Indiana residents of Serbian descent to consider donating their old photos and paper, or copies of these items, for the planned permanent library and museum.

They are seeking historic photos, publications, books, documents, costumes, music recordings, films, artifacts, and memorabilia about St. Sava, Serbs, Gary, Yugoslavia and Serbian culture.

They also are asking for the public's help in gathering historical items for this year's mini-museum at Serb Fest.

For photos and miscellaneous publication, call Dorothy Paunovich at (219) 462-0286 or (219) 613-613,3 or Paul or Xenia Jancarich at (219) 465-1795.

For artifacts and memorabilia, call Milan or Roz Opacich at (219) 322-2663.

Visit the St. Sava Church Blog at localbizblogs.com

If you go:

St. Sava Serb Fest, the annual church festival featuring BBQ lamb, pig, cevaps (spicy grilled sausage), sarma (stuffed cabbage) chicken, strudels, baked goods and much more. Live music and entertainment all weekend.

When: Noon to midnight Aug. 3, 4 and 5

Where: St. Sava Serbian Hall, 4101 W. 49th Ave., Hobart

FYI: (219) 736-9191