Just a sampling of Milan's collection of rare tamburas were a very important part of this year's Serb Fest themed exhibit "Immigrants, Serbs of Steel".  Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the display of musical instruments: tamburas, flutes, a gusle, rare sheet music, and records. Adam Popovich's sketches were also a reminder of Milan's friendship with a legend who had multiple talents. Milan is founding member of the Serbian Historical Society.

My first introduction to Karl Malden  occured when I was a grade school student at Franklin School on Glen Park's east side in Gary, Indiana. Every week at school, the Visual Arts Director, a gentleman named Herbert Jones, would bring a movie to show to the entire school in the auditorium. On one occasion, he brought us a film with Karl Malden portraying a Trojan Guard. Following the movie, our auditorium teacher, Mrs. Sara Thompson, alerted the class to the young Gary actor called Karl Malden - Mladen Sekulovich. She told us to follow his career, for he would some day be one of America's greatest actors; and so it came to be.

Years later, our Zora Tamburitza Orchestra would be hired to play for a Sekulovich wedding reception at the lakeside restaurant called The Red Lantern. It was there that I would first meet Karl. More time elapsed and I would occasionally see him at other weddings and funerals. Years later, our Drina Orchestra was engaged to play for Karl's mother's 100th birthday party at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Crown Point. It was there that Drina and Karl were photographed together. Karl posed holding the prima as if he was actually playing it.

Another chance meeting happened one night at the Country Lounge Restaurant while Drina was playing, and Karl, his brother Milo, and sister - in - law Betty came in to hear us play. Karl truly enjoyed tamburitza music. I desperately wanted to dedicate a song to him, but I knew that if I used his stage name I would ruin his night and privacy. I chose to dedicate the song to Mladen Sekulovich instead, believing no one there would know who that was. How wrong I was, pandemonium broke out at his table, as it was besieged by admirers.  Realizing what I had done, I called for an orchestra break and broke out in a hurry to the west wing of the establishment. While there, I ran into another Hollywood celebrity, a Gary-ite who became an outstanding makeup artist in Tinsel Town. He was the famous Rudy Horvatich. I informed him that Karl was on the premises, and he immediately bolted toward Karl's table. What an evening, it was a memorable evening.

At yet another event I chided Karl about his California neighbor, basketball star Vlade Divac, having a street named after him in my subdivision in Schererville. That night I was convinced that we at St. Sava should name the street bordering the church after Karl for all he had done for our St. Sava membership. This too came to be.

My last visit with Karl would be when he received a Honorary Degree from Valparaiso University. Following the ceremony, a group of church members met with Karl at Bronko's Restaurant for food and refreshments. These are now cherished moments spent with a gentleman who never forgot his roots nor his love for our Orthodox religion.

Come join me at this year's Serb Fest. You'll have plenty of food and drink choices, so come hungry and plan on dancing the night away. I am a founding member of the Serbian Historical Society. Be sure to attend our program Sunday, August 2nd at 4:30 p.m. in the music tent. The presentation will be of interest to many, titled "Immigrants, Serbs of Steel".

Read both articles from local newspapers, The Times and Post Tribune, Thursday July 2nd. Milan is St. Sava Church's chief historian and has performed several times for Karl Malden, Gary's own Mladen Sekulovich.

NWI TIMES: Actor Karl Malden Dies at 97

POST TRIBUNE: Karl Malden Never Left His Gary, Region Roots

Milan Opacich spoke about Karl Malden's remarkable career and generosity to St. Sava Church. MISMO Tamburitza Orchestra performed at the end of the program as everyone enjoyed refreshments and seasonal displays. There are 7 short movie clips on  YouTube from this event. Sample 3 videos below: