Volume 103 Number 4
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
★ Brotherhood
ISSN —07458800
January 28, 2015
Learning the Czech Language . . . Generation to Generation
Youth Earn UIL Play Awards
Congratulations to two District Two youth members! Amya Rodriguez of Lodge 24, Cyclone was awarded the “Best Actress Award” and Ryan Festa of Lodge 87, Temple was awarded the “Best Actor Award” at UIL One Act Play Competition held at the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College in Temple on Friday, January 9. Amya and Ryan both attend Holland Middle School in Holland, Texas. The play titled “When Dorothy Meets Alice” also took first place honors and had numerous cast awards. This is the seventh year in a row that Holland Middle School has received first place honors.
As a young man growing up, Lodge 54, West President Freddie Kaluza’s parents spoke Czech all the time. And, thankfully, Freddie learned some of the language. Now, every morning, Freddie drives grandchildren Tyler, Riley, and Kera Kaluza to school. And, every morning on that 15-minute trip, they have a Czech lesson. “I tell them an English word then give them the Czech translation of the word,” Freddie explains. “We try to add a new word each day.” And, each day, Freddie says the English word and waits for his grandchildren to tell him the Czech translation. “We do this every day— going over the words . . . so after awhile they got pretty good at remembering the Czech words.” Riley has developed a real interest in learning the Czech language, Freddie says. To help her remember the Czech words, she composed a list. On this list, she wrote down the English word and the Czech word in her own vocabulary. “Now, I have looked at
Let the good times roll!
this list and how she gets the Czech word from her spelling and pronounces it so well still puzzles me,” Freddie shares.
LAST CALL: Deadline is February 2! Send Your Special Someone a Valentine in the February 11 Vestnik. Greetings are free of charge.
Happy Valentine’s Day 2015 Membership Program
1,500 New Issued Certificates
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SPJST Awards Banquet this Saturday in Temple See page 4 for details.
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Important Dates ...................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Memorial Fund Donor Listing ............4 Lodge Section......................................5 In Memoriam ......................................15
Lodge 54, West President Freddie Kaluza holds the microphone for nine-year-old granddaughter Riley Kaluza at the lodge’s Christmas party on December 7, 2014, as Riley translates English words into Czech. Her presentation amazed the audience and was enjoyed by all.
Freddie says that Tyler is able to say the Czech words from memory. “They compete against each other on who can say the Czech word first.” Riley brought her list to the Lodge 54, West Christmas party. As proud granddad Freddie held the microphone, Riley stood on stage reading the English words and translating them into Czech to let everyone know what she has learned. “With close to 100 words on the list, Riley got them all correct without any help,” Freddie reveals. “Needless to say, I was very proud of her!” Freddie thinks the Czech language is being forgotten to future generations and it is important to preserve the Czech culture. “I am very happy that I was able to learn at least some of the Czech language from my parents while at home,” Freddie says. “And, I try to pass this down to my children and grandchildren.” —SPJST—
from the Vestnik!
Send your valentine greeting in today. See back page for details.
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Youth Section ....................................17 Czech Culture ....................................19 Czech Calendar .................................19 Advertisements.............................20-21 Lodge Calendar .................................22 Vestnik Valentines .............................24
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TPPM releases new Czech CD
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Lodge 219 El Paso shares Christmas party scenes
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Lodge 88 Houston youth mourn loss of State Duchess’ grandfather