Czech Heritage Society of Texas

Bexar County Chapter

Dedicated to Preservation of our Czech Heritage

June 26, 1997

Vítáme Vás!!!!

Hope you're enjoying your summer and are keeping your heads above water. Last summer we were anxious for rain and this summer, we're ready for the sun!.

From your President, Laddie Zezula - We've made a lot of new additions to our organization. These include taking part in the Battle of Flowers Parade, the Freedom Fest Parade July 5th, Czech Day at the Institute of Texas Cultures March 1st, and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Milam Park December 2. Some of the old, but wonderful activities in which we are involved are the Folklife Festival July 31-August 3, the Outreach Program with the Institute of Texan Cultures, Christmas singing on the river barges in December, and the Christmas Potluck Party December 7, Czech Heritage Day October 26, Czech Heritage Dance at Martinez Hall March 1, and the continuing project to upgrade the Czech display at the Institute of Texan Cultures (to date we have collected over $6,000 toward our goal of $40,000, so keep the support coming in). So you can see that we have a lot going for our organization to showcase our culture to the people of San Antonio. These activities require much planning, and, in order to maintain this level, we need more of our members to be involved. Don't be afraid that we will throw you into the lion's den and just let you die there--call the committee persons you would like to work with so we can get you on board. You'll be surprised at the joy you will have working with the public and how interested they are in the Czech culture. The Czech Republic now draws much attention. It is not just a little country trying to survive in the present world--it is doing a fine job recovering from 50 years of Socialism and Communism, and is close to being accepted into NATO.

The SVU Conference will be held at the Bell County Exposition Center in Belton, TX July 12-13, 1997, beginning at 11:00 AM on July 12. It will be held in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the SPJST. The program will include presentations on preservation of language and culture, Czech American archives and libraries and their future, relationship between Czech American and Czech Republic music, and also will have folk singing, dance performers, folk costume display and cooking demonstrations. I will talk on the upgrade of the Institute of Texas Cultures Czech display. Call Laddie Zezula for information (210-826-8645 or 210-239-4250).

Don't forget the Czech Genealogy Symposium July 19-20 at the George Memorial Library in Richmond, TX. An application form was in the last issue of Cesky Hlas; registration fees range from $10- $25 plus $6 meals. Information available from Steve Dornak, 4122 Deerfield Village Drive, Houston, TX 77084-3207. December 21, 1997 is the deadline for submission of article on your family history for the CHS Anniversary Book. Articles should be camera ready, fit on one page with 1" margins on all sides, type should be clean and dark (no dot matrix print), if photos are used, they should be attached (no Xerox copies) and cannot be returned, include name of author at bottom ("submitted by John Doe"), and accompanied by a check for $50 payable to Czech Heritage Society for each article submitted, send submissions to Robert Janak, 545 Threadneedle, Beaumont, TX 77705.

Our Czech language school was a big success again. We now have a conversation class using Modern Czech #1. We have students that need the use of this book. If anyone wants to sell a copy to some of the new students, please bring it to the general membership meeting in July or come to one of the class meeting on Monday evenings at Our Lady of Grace Church, 7:00 PM (classes are suspended for the summer and will resume September 8, 1997). We are having a lot of fun.

From your 2nd Vice President, Irene Mazoch - Folks, we're growing in number, but we have a long way to go considering all the Czech in San Antonio. A total of 129 members are enrolled for 1997 with the following new members: Louis Buchta, Alan Condel, Arnold Dubcak, Jo Ann Fluker, Olga Janacek, Stephanie Janda, John, Michael and Paul Labay, Alice Machacek, Sister Agnes Marie Marusak, William Meluch, Donald Muzny, Katherine Koenig Oliver, Paul Rusnak, Dennis Schramek, William Thompson, and Frankie Twardowski. Special thanks to our members who did some recruiting: Bob Biskup, Mike and Kay Vajdos, Eugene and Katherine Labay, Charles Machack, Sister Casilda Hyzak, Joan Meluch and Margot Thompson. Keep up the good work!!!

Did you watch the Battle of Flowers Parade?? If not, you missed our group--Bob Biskup, John Kuba, Irene Mazoch, Donna Petru and Laddie Zezula--serving as Honor Guard for the Grand Marshal, Ross Davis. Let's give them a big hand!!! We are being heard since an invitation has been extended to us by the Battle of Flowers Association.

Get out your red, white and blue! Our Society has accepted an invitation to march in the Freedom Fest '97 Parade on July 5, 1997 at 10:00 am. C. J. Trenda will provide his truck and trailer for our float. We need folks to participate, so let's get with it. Our theme will be "Czech kolaches." Join us for some fun. We'll need folks to decorate the float at 8:00 am. We're asking ladies and men to come forward with mixing bowls, cookie sheets, rolling pins, etc. to support the theme. We'll have chairs on the trailer and wear a plain red, white or blue T-shirt or blouse. This is not a fancy parade. Please call Irene Mazoch, 699-8251 (home) or 567-5385 (office) for more information or to sign up.

Trips have been made to the Czech Republic during May by John Kuba, Irene Mazoch, Laddie Zezula, and Helen Hyzak. They will be happy to inform you of their wonderful experiences with friends and family members once again.

Help!!!! Help!!! Irene Mazoch is looking for co-chairman assistance for the following annual activities: Christmas Potluck Dinner and Christmas Caroling on the river barges. Please call her at 699-8251 (home) or 567-5385 (office) if you can help. These are both fun activities.

MARK YOUR CALANDARS: