Czech Culture

Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas

Česká Část

ROČNÍK 111 ČISLO 2 23.leden.2023 Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

BENEVOLENCE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD

Uředni orgán SPJST ★ Založené roku 1897

The Facets of TCGS set for January 28 in Caldwell

Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS), as diamonds, has many facets. While they cannot all be featured at one event, we are pleased to invite everyone to join us at Caldwell Civic Center, located at 103 Presidential Corridor (Highway 21) in Caldwell, Texas, on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Doors will open at 8 a.m. with morning refreshments being offered. The program will open at 9 a.m. After a brief opening, The Taylor Czech Chorus will begin the day with their musical talents. What better way to begin a day than with Czech music!

The day’s program is filled with excitement from opening to end, as three outstanding speakers with awesome presentations will follow the Taylor Czech Chorus. They are:

Michael Morris whose presentation, “From International Espionage to the SPJST Supreme Lodge” is sure to have many saying; “Oh, my gosh!”

Have you ever thought it would be really neat to have a family blog but had no idea of what or how to tackle such a project - so it has just been a wish! Terry Loessin’s presentation, “A Simple and Easy Way to Set-up a Family Blog” will be your answer. Terry’s easy to understand, step-by-step instruction and illustrations will give you the “I can do this know-how.”

How many times have you heard your parents, grandparents, or maybe even found yourself talking about dragging a cotton sack through the field. TCGS President Patrick Janis will share a “True Story of the Cotton Pickin’ Czech Texan Who Kept Him From Totin; A Cotton Sack.” Memories and smiles are guaranteed throughout the presentation.

As with all TCGS events, lunch of barbecue beef brisket, potato salad, pinto beans, coleslaw, bread, tea, and cake will be included in the registration fee. Early bird registration postmarked on or before Thursday, January 12, 2023, is $55 for TCGS members and $60 for nonmembers. Early registration postmarked on or before Thursday, January 19 will be $60 for TCGS members and $65 for non-members. Registration of $70 will be charged at the door for members and non-members alike.

A colorful event flyer as well as a registration form is available on the TCGS website at: txczgs.org. To register by credit card, go to https://txczgs.square.site. To register by check, make check payable to TCGS, fill out the registration form and mail to: Susan Crutchfield, 507 West Street, Sealy, Texas 77474. For further information, Susan can be reached by email at scrutch3@att.net.

We look forward to seeing you at Caldwell Civic Center on Saturday, January 28 as we look at four facets of TCGS: The Texas Czech Veterans’ Museum and Wall of Honor, educational opportunities, Czech Pioneer Room, and special entertainment. Charlene Hurta Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy

Editor’s Note: Michael Morris is a member of Lodge 47, Seaton and the 1987 SPJST State King and 1992 Mr. SPJST. Terry Loessin is a member of Lodge 20, Granger and the 1979 SPJST State King.

—SPJST—

Brazos Valley CHS offers Czech language class that begins January 30

Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society (BVCHS) will be offering Czech language classes which will begin Monday, January 30, 2023, and continue until April 24, 2023. The class will address basic Czech and Czech culture and is open to anyone who is interested.

Classes will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Activity Center, located at 600 East 26th Street in Bryan, Texas, and will meet each Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost will be $35 per person for the semester.

The instructor for the course will be BVCHS member Stanislav (Stan) Vitha, who is from Olšovice in the Southern Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic and now a resident of Bryan.

For information regarding the class contact Marie Dulak at 979-324-7871 or mdulak52@gmail.com. Kelly J. Sandhop, ADN, RN —SPJST—

Czech Center Museum Houston presents Harmonia Stellarum: Haydn and His Czech Colleagues

A program featuring music by Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), Josef Antonín Štěpán (1726–1797), and Leopold Koželuh (1747–1818), performed by Harmonia Stellarum Houston is Monday, January 30, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Czech Center Museum Houston. Doors open at 6 p.m. with light refreshments. Czech Center Museum Houston is located at 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston. Complimentary valet parking will be available.

Harmonia Stellarum Houston is an ensemble of vocal and instrumental virtuosos who seek to inspire, entertain, and enlighten audiences with meaningful, historically informed performances of well-known as well as newly discovered musical masterworks.

General admission tickets are $50, CCMH members are $30, and students are $20 (valid ID required upon entry). Tickets can be purchased at https://www.czechcenter.org/tickets.

About

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) Arianna a Naxos Cantata for soprano and fortepiano

Josef Antonín Štěpán (1726–1797) Sonata for violin and fortepiano Allegro vivace – Andantino – Tempo di Menuetto

Leopold (bapt. Jan Antonín) Koželuh (1747–1818) Quanto è mai tormentosa Cantata for Soprano, Violin, and Fortepiano.

Meet the Artists

Dutch soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg is best known for her dazzling vocal agility and her passionate and insightful interpretations. Stoppelenburg has performed all over the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America as a Baroque and oratorio specialist, and as a concert singer. She has performed most major oratorio works by Handel, Haydn, Bach, and Mozart. Stoppelenburg has performed for the Dutch royal family on several occasions.

New York born Manami Mizumoto, started her lifelong relationship with music at age 3 on the violin. Manami is a graduate of the Juilliard School where she earned a bachelor’s with Catherine

Cho and Joel Smirnoff, a masters in historical performance, and graduated with the Norman Benzaquen Career Advancement Grant. In 2022, she was selected as the newest member of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and continues to be a Fellow of The English Concert in America, elected in 2021.

Austrian conductor, harpsichordist, and musicologist Mario Aschauer has made his life’s work the interface of music scholarship and performance. Mario holds degrees from the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, the University of Vienna, and the Linz Bruckner Conservatory. Upon completion of a postdoctoral fellowship at the Yale School of Music, he accepted a faculty position at Sam Houston State University where he is currently Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Early Music Research and Performance. He also teaches harpsichord and basso continuo at Rice University and serves as organist at First Lutheran Houston. —SPJST—

Travis-Williamson Counties CHS meets February 14

The Travis-Williamson Counties Czech Heritage Society will meet Tuesday February 14, 2023, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Springhill Catfish Restaurant, 2505 West Pecan Street in Pflugerville, Texas. The restaurant has a buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or order from the menu. Eating is optional.

Dawn Orsak will give a presentation about Texas Czech Food in a cookbook titled Kolache Culture Cooking in Texas Czech Kitchens to be published in early 2024.

Please consider joining our society to preserve our Czech heritage. Membership dues are $16 for 2023. (This is $10 Czech Heritage Society state dues and $6 local Society dues). Dues can be paid at the meeting or mailed to Frances Petter, 15604 Hebbe Lane, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.

Email any questions to President Dotty Davis at dottydavis@gmail.com. Janie Zbranek TWCCHS Reporter —SPJST—

Ennis Czech Music Festival welcomes four polka bands February 18 at Sokol Hall

Come join the polka bands of Ennis, Texas, at the 16th Annual Ennis Czech Music Festival - a day filled with great music, dancing, food, drinks, and much more!

Ennis Czech Music Festival will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Sokol Hall, 2622 East Highway 34 in Ennis. Doors open at 12 p.m. with music from 1 to 10:30 p.m. Adult admission is $10, and kids 12 and under are free of charge.

Dance to four fabulous polka bands: The Moravians - 1 to 3 p.m.; Ennis Czech Boys - 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Jodie Mikula Orchestra - 6 to 8 p.m.; and Czech & Then Some - 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Come hungry because the Sokol kitchen will be serving Czech classics all day including klobase and sauerkraut. Fried catfish dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. The festival will also have a kid zone for the smallest of attendees.

Platinum sponsor for the festival is Josh Zapletal, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent.

For information, call 972-878-4748; email ennisczechmusic@yahoo.com; or visit ennisczechmusicfestival.com

See advertisement on page 37. —SPJST—

Czech Cultural Calendar

Hours of Operation Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center (CHMGC), 119 West French Avenue, Temple. Hours: Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for those 60 or older, and $2 for kids, 12 and under. Every First and Third Tuesday Evenings: Tarok Parties—All ages and anyone interested are welcome. No admission or fee. Award-winning tournament champions Jimmie and Carolyn Coufal not only teach beginners, but also help experienced players increase their skill. For Museum information: tours, happenings, and activities, call: CHMGC 254-899-2935 (can leave a message); email czechheritagemuseum@gmail.com; find them on Facebook; or visit the website https://czechheritagemuseum.org.

Monday through Saturday Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibits. Experience the culture, art, music, and stories of many Czechs, Slovaks, and people of all cultures who left their country to seek liberty and democracy in America. Beginner Czech Lessons: Monday evenings, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Conversational Czech hour Saturdays, 1 to 2 p.m. Bring a friend or neighbor and come practice your Czech! Not a member? Join today for early access to concerts, movie nights, lectures, and events at CCMH as well as free Czech language lessons and monthly membership socials. For information, call 713-528-2060; or visit czechcenter.org.

February 4 CESAT (Czech Ex-Students Association of Texas) Membership Meeting—at 10 a.m. in the meeting room of Schulenburg Public Library in Schulenburg. Please email Thadious Polasek at polasek29@gmail.com to let us know that you are coming. We need a headcount for kolaches and coffee. Submitted by, Thadious Polasek, CESAT President / SPJST Lodge 67, Schulenburg member.

February 18 16th Annual Ennis Czech Music Festival—at Sokol Hall, 2622 East Highway 34 in Ennis. Doors open at 12 p.m. Adult Admission $10; kids 12 and under, free. Featured bands: The Moravians, Ennis Czech Boys, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, and Czech & Then Some. Klobase / sauerkraut available. Fried catfish dinner served 4 to 7 p.m. - $12. Kid zone. For information, call 972-878-4748; or visit ennisczechmusicfestival.com. See advertisement on page 37. —SPJST—

Embassy of the Czech Republic announces “Travels to Czechia!” photo competition

The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites all from around the United States to submit a photo of their travels to the Czech Republic! The deadline is March 31, 2023.

The photos should depict the beauty of Czechia, whether through its nature, architecture, culture, culinary delights, and/or modern marvels. They may feature the world-famous sights and historical wonders of Prague and other major cities or paths less traveled throughout the Czech countryside and villages. They may incorporate people and their joy, amazement, nostalgia, or other emotions felt during their travels.

The Czech Embassy will collect the photographs in honor of Czech automobile racer Eliška Junková and her love of travel, ahead of the Czech Embassy’s Mutual Inspirations Festival 2023 – Eliška Junková. Selected photographs will be exhibited at the Czech Embassy on May 13, 2023.

The Best Photos

The Embassy of the Czech Republic reserves the right to judge, select, and print the submitted photos, which it deems best within its discretion. The Embassy will display said best photos via an exhibition within its premises during the month of May 2023. The opening of the exhibition will be during the Embassy’s annual open house on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each year, nearly 4,000 people visit the Embassy’s open house. The Embassy will notify the authors of the photos of their selection to be in the exhibition.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic further reserves the right to publish and post any of the submitted photos on its website at www.mzv.cz/washington and www.mutualinspirations.org as well as the Embassy’s social media.

Photo credit will be duly accredited to each and every photo whenever it is published or displayed.

Mutual Inspirations Festival 2023 –Eliška Junková

The Mutual Inspirations Festival is an annual initiative spearheaded by the Embassy of the Czech Republic, focusing on the mutual inspirations between