Czech Heritage Society of Texas

October 12, 2000

On her retirement from the position of librarian at St. Martin Hall Elementary School, on the campus of Our Lady of the Lake University, Sister CASILDA HYZAK, a Sister of Divine Providence, was given special recognition. In addition to accolades given her, the school has named its library The Hyzak Library Media Center. On behalf of the Bexar County Chapter of the CHS, we also extend to her our heartiest congratulations.

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK: Congratulations are also extended to BEA JARZOMBEK and her hard-working committees for the outstanding display we had at the Texas Folklife Festival in June. The beautiful, cooler weather brought out the largest number of visitors and participants in recent years. Our new location brought numerous patrons to our tent, and we heard many favorable comments.

Featured demonstrations included bread making, sauerkraut cookies, egg decoration, and puppetry. LIBOR CEJKA played Czech music on his guitar. A prize ribbon was awarded for our food display. We had a wonderful turnout by our membership, and all who came had a most enjoyable time. Come, celebrate, and be a part of San Antonio's Czech cultural heritage at the 2001 Festival.

Czech language classes are again in session at Our Lady of Grace classrooms on

Monday evenings. This year there are three classes, all of which are at full capacity. We are pleased to have as instructors members of the Defense Language School who are here from the Czech Republic. They, in turn, are interested to see that San Antonians want to learn to speak and read Czech.

Some members may not be aware of our Outreach Committee. Working closely

with the Institute of Texan Cultures, our members make presentations about Czech

life and culture. In recent weeks, at the request of the Kerrville Music Association, we participated in a demonstration of Czech life in Texas, as it was lived in the 1800's. This heritage event also featured displays of items in daily use, in addition to music and art, and was held in the city park in Kerrville. It was attended by home-schooled groups and students from schools in Kerrville, Sonora, Junction, and other outlying areas. Requests for presentations are received from nursing homes, senior citizen groups, and schools. New members are always welcome. If you are interested, please contact BOB BISKUP at 659-8158.

Ladislav Zezula

This year's celebration will take place on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29th, at the K. of C. Hall on Rigsby, in San Antonio, from 10AM to 5PM. EXTRA HELP is needed to set-up at the hall beginning at 9AM. We will begin serving the meal at 11:30 AM. A home-cooked meal of pork, sausage, potatoes, and sauerkraut will be served. Noodle soup will also be available. Kolaches, and homemade pies and cakes will please your sweet-tooth.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for a "potato peeling party" at Our Lady of the Lake facilities on SATURDAY (Oct. 28). If you can help out, please call IRENE MAZOCH at 699-8251 evenings, or during the day at 567-5395. Irene would also like to hear from you if you are able to help SERVE food on Sunday. Last year we sold over 350 meals.

Members are asked to bring homemade pies and cakes for the dessert table.

A new feature this year will be a silent auction. We invite you to bring items suitable for bidding. Wine, beer, sodas, etc. will be welcome. Bring something, buy something, you and the Chapter will both be winners.

CHRIS RYBAK will be on hand to provide live music (your favorite polkas, waltzes, country, etc.) for your listening and/or dancing pleasure. He will play for us from 1PM to 4PM.

Tarok and domino games will also be available for your enjoyment

SUSIE and NOREEN TOLMAN will have their beautiful kraslice (egg art) display.

If you want to know more about this old-world art, they will be happy to tell you about the history, meaning of designs, colors, etc.

There will be exhibits of books, clothing, Czech imports (some for purchase), genealogy materials, and visual displays. Our special guests will be the students from the Czech and Slovak Republics currently studying English at Lackland AFB. Please welcome them, and find out the latest "news" from the Old Country.

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND! For any additional information, call FRANK JASEK at 732-3043.

Display items are needed for the heritage tables. If you have any informational brochures, books, or genealogical materials that we might display for the day, we would be pleased to hear from you. We are also in need of a dressmaker's form on which to display kroj. Please call JOAN MELUCH at 945-0765 if you can help with any of these items.

BOB and JO ANN BISKUP were presented The United States Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award by Colonel Miller, Deputy Commander, 37th Training Wing, for their outstanding volunteer efforts in support of the Defense Language Institute AMIGO Program at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. The Biskups have sponsored over 325 Czech and Slovak students at the Defense Language Institute through the AMIGO Program which promotes democracy, basic human rights, and international friendships. Colonel Miller also presented the Biskups the Lackland Air Force Base Volunteer Excellence Award for their exceptionally meritorious voluntary service to the United States Air Force community.

The members of the Bexar Co. Chapter of the CHS also wish to extend Congratuations and best wishes to Bob and Jo Ann on their outstanding record.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR 2001: It is time to renew your membership in the CHS for the year 2001. Renewal forms have been included with this newsletter. Pleasecomplete them, and return to our San Antonio address before DECEMBER 15, 2000. Please note that dues remain at $14.50 per person ($29 per couple). Renewals may also be paid at the Czech Heritage Day, October 29th, the General Meeting, November 5th, and the Christmas Pot Luck, December 3rd.

The next General Meeting will be held Sunday, November 5, 2000, at 2 PM at Our Lady of Grace meeting rooms. All members are urged to attend general meetings, this is when Chapter decisions are made and voted on by those present. If there is something you would like to see included in our activity schedule, come and tell us about it . Our Lady of Grace is located at the corner of Summit and McCollough (between Hildebrand and Mulberry). On site parking is available. The meetings are held in the classroom building behind the Church.

CHS STATE FALL MEETING: This year's Fall Meeting will be hosted by the Harris County Chapter, at SPJST Lodge #88 Main Hall (1435 Beall Street at 15th Street),Houston, TX. The meeting will be Saturday, November 18th. Registration and Coffee at 9:30 AM. If you desire luncheon, advance notice must be given so that sufficient meals may be provided. Contact: Ladislav Zezula at 826-8645

CHRISTMAS POT LUCK DINNER & PARTY: Holiday party time begins SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2000, for our members and their guests. It is our annual celebration of thejoyful Christmas season. It will be held at the Madonna Room of Our Lady of Grace Church, from 2PM to 6PM, with dinner being served at 4PM. Please bring a favorite salad, vegetable dish or dessert to share (enough to serve at least 6 people). Meat will be provided by the Chapter. We are asking that our members invite only one guest per person, to ensure that everyone has a complete dinner.

We will be hosting students from the Czech and Slovak Republics, studying at theDefense Language Institute. We hope you will welcome them and make this a happy time for those so far from their own homes and families.

Members are also asked to bring a small gift as a door prize, but no canned goods please.

BOOK NOTES: For those of you seeking genealogy informational books, some if which have been "out of print" for a while, we direct your attention to the August, 2000 issue of Cesky hlas, Page 30. Thirteen books are currently available for purchase from the State CHS Society. If you do not have this issue, and want to know which books are on the list, contact JOAN MELUCH at 945-0765, and we will mail you a copy of this page.

NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS: Some of those travelling in the Czech and Slovak Republics this summer included: BOB and JO ANN BISKUP, Sister BERNADETTE HAJOVSKY, JOHN KUBA, and JOAN and BILL MELUCH.

CONDOLENCES: The Chapter and its members extend sympathies to MIROSLAV SYNEK and his family on the loss of his mother, Anna, on June 12, 2000.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

October 29 - Czech Heritage Day, K of C Hall, Rigsby, San Antonio

November 5 - General Meeting, Our Lady of Grace

December 3 - Christmas Party, Madonna Room, Our Lady of Grace

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

Chapter Website: http:\\www.czechs.org

Folklife Festival, San Antonio, June, 2000 - Dancing Puppet