Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

CCMH Annual Spring Festival April 29

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of food, community, culture, and fun!

Join the Czech Center Museum Houston on Saturday, April 29, 2023, to celebrate community and Czech culture with performances, arts and crafts, Czech cuisine, and so much more! Admission is free of charge.

Experience Czech sausages, mustards, beers, and live music featuring Czech Folk Singers. Enjoy a special dance and music program for kids. Take part in our competitive kolache eating contest! Meet the Texas Czech/Slovak queens. Feast on strudel, pernik, cookies, and other baked goods. Get creative with face painting and chalk art. Try your hand at lawn games. Learn, dance, play, and explore with friends, family, and neighbors.

We hope to have you join us! Czech Center Museum Houston is located at 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston, Texas. For information, call 713-5282060. Visit www.czechcenter.org.

—SPJST—

“Czechs in Chicago” film airing on Chicago PBS April 30

Tune in to the upcoming PBS airing of our feature documentary film Czechs in Chicago: A Home in the Heartland on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 4 p.m. CDT Chicago PBS WTTW, Channel 11.

Our film tells the stories of the Czech immigrant experience in Chicago, past and present. Spanning nearly two centuries of turbulent times, it shows how the Czech immigrants helped build and shape the city, and what Chicago did, in turn, to empower them to thrive in a new land and help establish a free and sovereign Czechoslovakia.

We highlight the courageous, though little known Czech American women in Chicago who made their mark as important international figures. We feature the stories of Josefa Humpal Zeman, journalist and publisher; Alice Garrigue Masaryk, sociologist and president of the reformed Czechoslovak Red Cross; and Vlasta Vraz, journalist and foreign correspondent.

Here’s what our viewers are saying about the film:

“As a native Chicagoan who grew up in an immigrant family, the movie resonated with me on so many levels, especially the importance of sharing stories! I was surprised by many of the revelations regarding my hometown history, details I never knew.” —P. Wagner

“I learned so much and all of it new. My grandparents were Free Thinkers from Warsaw and so I was astonished to discover how far back this movement went . . . Bravo to a beautiful film!”

—P. Sandgrund

“This film makes me very proud to be Czech.” —J. Zbiral

“I recommend this film to all, whether or not of Czech ancestry. Its message helps the viewer understand the phenomena of immigration and cultural identity in the USA.”

—S. Novacek

TCHCC hosts SlavnostMay Fest on May 21

The 22nd Annual Slavnost - May Fest is Sunday, May 21, 2023. The Tribute to the Czech Immigrants to Texas ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by a catered meal in the Hanslik Hall beginning at 11:30 a.m. Concessions will be available all afternoon. Come and enjoy great music by Donnie Wavra and Friends Orchestra from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A dance floor will be added for all our dancing patrons to enjoy, and the May pole dance will be at 1:30 p.m.

The Czech Village restored buildings and museums will be open for touring and the newspaper museum and saw mill will be operating. The Texas Czech founded organizations will also have booths for you to visit and learn about their great services.

The Czech Heritage Society of Texas will have fun activities for the children and the family. If the weather is not favorable, the Fest will be moved to the spacious Pavilion Hall on the grounds. Slavnost is a family fun, indoor/outdoor event!

To commemorate the past 25 years at our celebration last year, we began selling granite paving stones to add to our walk to the main building. Some stones are still available. Contact us if you are interested in purchasing a stone as a memorial/honor or to recognize this special Come

A Spirited Open House in Temple’s Historic District

Czech Heritage Museum • 19 West French Avenue by Artist Lisa Chase

Thursday, ay 1 • 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Admission Free

The SPJSTFoundation and Night at the Museum proudly present The Kolache Digest

—E. Kubikova

“It was too short, I didn’t want it to end!”

“Just watched ‘Czechs in Chicago.’ A true masterpiece!” —B. Rega —SPJST—

If you’re passionate about kolaches, Night at the Museum – Thursday, May 11 – at the Czech Heritage Museum in Temple is the place to be! Kolaches are now super trendy. You can find 'em across the state and even in some places where they’re called “kolaches” but have strayed from their origins in the Czech lands generations ago. Come on out for an insightful presentation that covers the kolache from its inception to its evolution. Special guest presenters include Carol White, kolache baker extraordinaire and proprietor of Temple own’s Kolache Kitchen, and Steven Beseda, CEO of the amazing Waco Pivovar. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with the presentation starting at 6:30 p.m.

Until then, Dobrou chut’! Happy Eating!

To showcase your group or business at Night at the Museum, including sponsorships, please contact Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com occasion. Stones can be purchased for a donation of $1,000 each and will be engraved with the wording of your choice. Make a weekend out of your trip to La Grange! Also on Saturday, May 20, the Kreische Brewery State Park will host the Bluff SchuetzenFest and Texas History on Tap. This makes for a great weekend at our venue and gives time to visit the many sites in the La Grange area. There are rooms available at the Best Western Hotel just around the corner. Call for reservations 979-968-6800 and be sure to ask for the TCHCC discount.

This event is the main spring fundraiser for TCHCC. You may donate a country store item and/or a baked item. Donations can also be given directly in honor of TCHCC.

We greatly appreciate your dedicated support in any form. The progress made to date became a reality through your sustained memberships, contributions, and hard work. We look forward to seeing you at Slavnost!

For information, call 979-968-9399 or 888-785-4500; email info@czechtexas.org; or visit www.czechtexas.org.

Sincerely,

Retta Slavik Chandler TCHCC President —SPJST—

Czech Cu l tural 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. Awardwinning 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 Center’s 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. Monthly Movie Night: CCMH has reinstated monthly movie nights. CCMH, 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston. For information, call 713-528-2060; or visit czechcenter.org

April 25

Texas Czech Genealogical Society

Website: txczgs.org

Promoting

For membership: Marie Dulak 979-324-7871

Czech That Film Texas: Nightsiren (Svètlonoc)—at Violet Crown Cinemas, 434 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 at 7 p.m. Directed by Tereza Nvotová. Film honors are Best Feature - Locarno IFF and 11 Czech Oscar Nominations. Film is in Czech with English subtitles. Tickets available at www.violetcrown.com.For information, visit www.czechthatfilmtexas.com.

April 29

Texas Czech Genealogy Society (TCGS) hosts Spring into Family Research—at Caldwell Civic Center 103 Presidential Corridor (Highway 21) in Caldwell: Doors open at 8 a.m. with morning refreshments. Program begins at 9 a.m. Lunch is included in the registration/fee. All early registration deadlines have passed; however, you’re still in luck! Registration at the door is $60 for members and non-members alike. For information, contact Susan Crutch field via email at scrutch3@att.net. Visit TCGS website at txczgs.org. Submitted by Charlene Hurta, TCGS Vice President / SPJST Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy.

May 3

Czech That Film Texas: Buko—at Violet Crown Cinemas, 434 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 at 7 p.m. Directed by Alice Nellis. Film awards are Czech Oscar Best Supporting Role - Martha Issová. Film is in Czech with English subtitles. Tickets available at www.violetcrown.com. For information, visit www.czechthatfilmtexas.com.

May 11

Night at the Museum—at Czech Heritage Museum, 119 West French Avenue, Temple, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Part of a spring / summer series to establish the museum as a community meeting / networkng place with regularly scheduled activities including performances, outdoor activities. Admission free. Public is invited. For information, contact organizer Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com.

May 11, 12

Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) hosts Preserving Czech Language around the World: Texas Legacy Project - by Professor Lida Cope—at TCHCC facility, 250 West Fairgrounds Road in La Grange on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 6 p.m. and Friday, May 12 at 2 p.m. Sessions will be in Hanslik Hall. Event is free of charge and open to the public. (Suggested donation is $5). For information, call 888-785-4500; or visit www.czechtexas.org.

May 21

Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) hosts Slavnost - May Fest—on the grounds of TCHCC, 250 West Fairgrounds Road in La Grange: $12 per person - includes meal and all events and fun for the whole family! Tribute to Czech Im- migrants to Texas ceremony - 10:30 a.m.; catered meal in Hanslik Hall - 11:30 a..m. concessions available all afternoon; music by Donnie Wavra and Friends Orchestra11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; May Pole Dance1:30 p.m.; tours - Czech Village, Newspaper Museum, and Saw Mill; classic car show; gift shop; prize drawing; country store; pastry shop. Czech Heritage Society of Texas will have fun activities for children and families; booths include Texas Czech founded organizations. For information, call 979-968-9399; 888-785-4500; email info@czechtexas.org; or visit www.czechtexas.org.

June 8

Night at the Museum—at Czech Heritage Museum, 119 West French Avenue, Temple, 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Part of a spring / summer series to establish the museum as a community meeting / networkng place with regularly scheduled activities including performances, outdoor activities. Admission free. Public is invited. For information, contact organizer Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com.

July 13

Night at the Museum—at Czech Heritage Museum, 119 West French Avenue, Temple, 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Part of a spring / summer series to establish the museum as a community meeting / networkng place with regularly scheduled activities including performances, outdoor activities. Admission free. Public is invited. For information, contact organizer Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com.

July 30

Save the Date! Vrazels’ Tribute Band—at SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone - Flag Hall, 411 FM 964, Burlington, Texas 76519. Take a trip down memory lane. Doors / kitchen open at noon. Dance 2 to 6 p.m. For advance tickets and reservations, call 254985-2258 or 254-231-5348.

August 10

Night at the Museum—at Czech Heritage Museum, 119 West French Avenue, Temple, 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Part of a spring / summer series to establish the museum as a community meeting / networkng place with regularly scheduled activities including performances, outdoor activities. Admission free. Public is invited. For information, contact organizer Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com.

—SPJST—