Volume 95 Number 45
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
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H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
November 14, 2007
SPJST Sponsors First-Ever Czech Feszt in Temple ISSN —07458800
Celebration of Czech heritage. Food. Music. Activities for all ages. Friends. Fraternal fun. Those elements combined created a successful first-ever Czech Feszt in Temple, Texas, on Saturday, November 3, 2007. More than 5,000 people attended the event held in downtown Temple at the Community Market and Santa Fe Depot grounds. The event was a partnership between the City of Temple and the Czech Heritage Museum (formerly
the SPJST Library, Archives and Museum). The city’s Parks and Leisure Services Department hoped to create a fall festival to promote tourism in the area, while the Czech Heritage Museum hoped to raise awareness for Czech heritage and funding for the museum. SPJST sponsored Czech Feszt and coordinated and conducted several of the activities. The day kicked off at 10 a.m. with the Czech Feszt Pageant and Kolache Baking Contest. A Progressive 42
Judges sample entries in the Kolache Baking Contest at Czech Feszt on November 3 in Temple. Judges are, left to right, Margaret Mikeska of Lodge 24, Cyclone; Diane Troy of Lodge 87, Temple; and Dolores Skrabanek and Gladys Marek, both of Lodge 47, Seaton. See contest results on page 5.
Domino Tournament was held later in the Santa Fe Depot. The Pig Scramble began at 1 p.m. Bands performing included Fritz Hodde and the Fabulous Six; Vrazels Polka Band; Texas Polka Authority; Harry Czarnek and the Texas Dutchmen; and The Bobby Flores Band. The gazebo also featured cultural entertainment throughout the day including the SPJST District Two Beseda Dancers, St. Mary’s Czech Choir, and Dr. Michael Middleton, awardwinning accordionist. Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) set up displays and books, and members were available to assist with genealogical research throughout the day in the Santa Fe Depot. A parade of Czech costumes was held at 3 p.m. Vendors offered food and arts and crafts throughout the day. The 2008 Czech Feszt is planned for Saturday, October 18 in downtown Temple. Contest results and photos appear on pages 4 and 5. Stay tuned to next week’s Vestnik for more photos from the event. —SPJST—
~ Inside This Week’s Vestnik ~ Lodge 49 Makes a Difference
Lodge 87 celebrates Czech heritage Page 12
Page 10 Lodge 88 couple celebrates 65 years Page 13
Lodge 246 Makes a Difference Page 16
Family Fun Dates ...............3 Interest Rates .....................3 Premium Refund Info.........3 Sales Agents Seminars .....6 100 Pennies Update...........6 District Activities ...............7 Lodge Section ....................7 Youth .................................17 In Memoriam.....................19 Czech Culture...................20 Activities Calendar...........22
Czech Feszt Pageant judges, left to right, Kathy Podsednik of Lodge 54, West; 2006-2007 Miss CzechSlovak USA Sarah Middlebrook of West; and 2007 Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Marianne Beran of Caldwell are pictured in their krojs.
New historical novel tells story of intrepid Czech-Moravian immigrants to Texas
Mary Frances Chupick Bennett pens “From European Tyranny to Freedom to Civic War”
In her new historical novel, “Invitation to Cat Spring: From European Tyranny to Freedom to Civil War” (published by Author House), Lodge 164, Rio Hondo member Mary Frances Chupick Bennett tells the largely unknown story of the intrepid Czech-Moravian people who left their ancestral home amid the turmoil of the midnineteenth century only to arrive in an equally tumultuous Texas on the brink of civil war. Of Czech-Moravian heritage herself, Bennett draws on written and oral stories, doc- Mary Frances Chupick Bennett of Lodge 164, Rio Hondo uments, legends, traditions, and customs to craft this inspiring story, which has been praised by reviewers: (Please see Invitation on page 21.)