Czech Heritage Society of Texas

Bexar County Chapter

Dedicated to Preservation of our Czech Heritage

October 12, 1998

We are pleased to announce that our display at the Folklife Festival this year won the first place blue ribbon for best over-all ethnic presentation. Many, many " thank-yous" to Susie & Noreen Tolman and their fantastic painted egg display, the wine maker and everyone who helped make our booth the attraction it was. We had a large number of visitors, and many favorable comments. Some "discovered" us for the first time.

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK: November brings elections of all kinds: national, state, and local. Our CHAPTER ELECTIONS are also coming up at the next General Meeting, NOVEMBER 15th. This year we need to elect a new Secretary and two members of the Board of Directors. If you would be interested in serving our organization in this way, please contact me at (210) 826-8645, or Mike Vajdos at (210) 657-4001. Messages may be left on the answering machines, if we are not there, and we will return your call. Any member of the Chapter is eligible to serve, and nominations will be taken at the General Meeting. Voting will take place at that time, and we urge all members to be on hand for this important meeting. My special thanks to the out-going Secretary, and members of the Board. Your time and dedication to our organization is sincerely appreciated. It has been a pleasure to work with you.

A Project Manager has been named to oversee the work of upgrading the Czech display at the ITC. It is he who will direct the construction and set-up of the display. I have seen the stand-alone touch screen unit, and it is very impressive. There will be tapes covering various subjects from which to select. We are still asking all members to be a part of this project, by donating to the fund set up for this purpose at the ITC. Those who donate will have their names displayed on a plaque for all to see.

A tour of the Czech Republic has been arranged for May 27 - June 9 , 1999, by the State organization of the CHS. An optional extension is offered, and it is possible to arrange for other return dates, but all arrangements MUST be made prior to departing the U.S. An initial deposit ($75.00 per person), is required by OCTOBER 30, 1998. Particulars may be had by calling me at (210) 826-8645, or Anna Krpec at (713) 726-0282.

Ladislav Zezula

MORE ON THE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL: We were especially excited about receiving the blue ribbon award this year. It was a great tribute to all those members who worked so hard with paint and paper to give our booth a fresh, new look. The artwork was done by Kay Vajdos, Bea Jarzombek, and Joan Meluch. Booth set-up and clean-up was handled by Bob Biskup, Mike Vajdos, Jerry Jurena, Don Muzny, Laddie Zezula, John Kuba, Todd Condel, Alan Condel and his son. Louis Buchta volunteered his time and pick-up truck to pull the trailer used to transport our booth and electrical equipment. What would our display be like without Kolaches? It would be like a day without sunshine in Texas! And so we are most appreciative of those who drove to Schulenberg on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to pick-up these tasty, fresh-baked treats, namely, Ken Houdek, Jerry & Pat Jurena, Bill Jarzombek, and Frank Jasek. By the way, we sold out of all food and drink items. Many of those already mentioned also generously donated their time to work in the food and drink booths. They were ably assisted by other members: Trudy & Bill Pavliska, Diana Schiller, Irene Mazoch, Ernest Hawley, Libor & Cindy Cejka, Lupe Jasek, Mary Ann Kleffner, Mary Jo & Richard DiFilippo, Jerry & Ann Janecka, Frank Cernosek, Emily Newman, Sr. Anna Marie Vrazel, Sr. Casilda, Sr. Agnes Marie Marusak, Sr. Julianna Kozuch, Ron Anderson, John & Doris Gaines, JoAnn Biskup, Clyde Cantrell, Bernice Hubbert, Gene & Katherine Labay. As you can see, it takes many hands to make this four-day event the success it always is, and we certainly couldn't do it without such willing VOLUNTEERS. We thank our Co-chairmen Irene Mazoch & Bob Biskup for the great job they did again this year.

THE PRAGUE SINGERS: At the invitation of our member Rev. Balty Janacek, the Prague Singers performed a concert on Sept. 15th at San Francesco DePaolo Church.The Singers are a mixed chamber choir founded in Prague in 1992. They were awarded the prize for best Czech choir in the 1997 International competition in the Czech Republic. Members of our Chapter of the CHS hosted the singers during their time in San Antonio. The membership turnout for this concert was exceptional and those who attended were enthusiastic in their applause. Special thanks to Mary Popp and the telephone committee who were able to reach so many. Irene Mazoch and many other members contributed baked items for a short reception immediately following the concert. We were able to socialize with the singers and commend them on their brilliant performance. We had a most successful event due to everyone's team-work.

CZECH LANGUAGE CLASSES are once again in session at Our Lady of Grace Church on Monday nights at 7PM. Libor Cejka, native of the Czech Republic, has returned as instructor. As you know, teaching of the Czech language is one of the main purposes of the CHS. Here is your opportunity to refresh your memory and/or take another look at learning the language of your ancestors. For those who are interested in conversation, Laddie Zezula and Irene Mazoch are available at the same place and time.

!!!!CZECH HERITAGE DAY IS ALMOST HERE!!!!

This annual October event will take place on Sunday, October 25th, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Rigsby Ave, San Antonio. The hours will be 10 AM to 5PM. Be sure to mark your calendars, as this is one event you won't want to miss.

We will begin serving meals at about 11:30 AM. Noodle soup, pork, sausage, potatoes, etc. are on the menu. Save room for Kolaches, and homemade pies and cakes. (see attached flyer for more details)

Our featured entertainer is CHRIS RYBAK of Halletsville. He did such a great job last year that we invited him back to play polka, C&W, and Cajun music for your listening and/or dancing pleasure. He will play for us from 1 PM until 4PM.

There will be exhibits featuring genealogy (including Videotapes), clothing, books, Czech imports, and visual displays. Students from the Czech and Slovak Republics currently attending the Language School at Lackland AFB will be in attendance to talk to you about the Old Country. It is a great way to reconnect with the land of our forefathers. Please make the students welcome!

George Hruby is again in charge of obtaining the door prizes. All members are asked to contribute items . Call George at 684-3554 for details.

NEW this year will be Bea Jarzombek doing a children's reading of selected Czech-Folk stories. Bring your children for this one!

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED by IRENE MAZOCH (567-5395 or 699-8251) to help on SATURDAY, Oct. 24th, cutting onions and peeling potatoes. The Sisters at OLL have again offered their kitchen for food preparation. Also needed are SERVERS for the food line (Sunday). DRIVERS are needed to pick-up the Kolaches in Schulenberg before 2PM on SATURDAY, Oct. 24th. If you can help, please call.

ALL MEMBERS attending are asked to bring desserts for us to sell. Pies or cakes are especially requested.

TRUDY & BILL PAVLISKA (337-4443) need helpers at the Registration Table on Sunday. Taroks, dominoes, etc. will be available for your playing enjoyment.

For any additional information call Mike Vajdos (657-4001)

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT CZECH HERITAGE DAY & WE'LL SEE YOU THERE!

YOU ARE INVITED to attend the fall STATE MEETING of CHS on Saturday, November 14, 1998, hosted by the Victoria County Chapter, at DaCosta Sons of Hermann Hall, Hwy 87 at FM 1686 (7 mi. south of Victoria). The meeting will consist of exhibits, music, visiting, and items for sale, in addition to the scheduled business meeting. Registration is at 9 AM, with a catered lunch (advance reservations necessary) to be served at 11 AM. Guest speaker, Henry Wolff, Jr., president of the So. Texas Historical Ass'n, will speak at 12 Noon about the early Czechs in this area. Additional information is available from Joe Pustka (512)578-2507 ( after 6 PM). Deadline for luncheon reservations is November 1st, and should be made with Bernice Kurtz at (512)578-8585, leave a message if no answer.

OUR CZECH OUTREACH group, in coordination with the ITC, has presented programs about Czech culture to seven elementary and middle schools, two retirement centers, a local university, and employees of a computer firm, all during this calendar year. Those working on this project are Bob Biskup, C.J. Trenda, Jerry Jurena, and Laddie Zezula.

CHRISTMAS POT LUCK DINNER & PARTY: It seems too early to be thinking about the holiday season (it's not even Hallowe'en, yet), but please do put the date on your calendar. The annual event will be held on Sunday, December 6, 1998, at the Madonna Room, Our Lady of Grace Church, from 2PM to 7PM. Dinner will be served at 5 PM. A good time is guaranteed.

CONDOLENCES on behalf of all our members are extended to JOHN KUBA, on the loss of his father Edward Rudolf Kuba, Sr. The late Mr. Kuba was extensively involved with many Czech organizations in the Cedar Rapids, IA, area, and on the state and national levels as well. We also note the passing of DON MUZNY's mother; the mother of FRANKIE TWARDOWSKI; and the brother of MIKE and CECELIA VAJDOS. Our thoughts and prayers are with our members, all of their families and friends, at this most difficult time.

GENERAL MEETING - Sunday, 15 November 1998, 2 PM ELECTIONS!

Location: Our Lady of Grace Church, McCollough & Summit, south of Hildebrandand north of Mulberry.

We meet in the classroom building behind the Church.

Parking on site.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Newsletter Editor: Joan C. Meluch (210) 945-0765