Czech Heritage Society of Texas

It's June, June, June, 7 to 10 that is, and time again to wear your kroj, and join in the fun and festivity of the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio. If you don't have a kroj, don't let that stop you from joining us at the Institute of Texan Culture grounds on any (or all) of the above dates. This festival is a major event in San Antonio, and one that brings thousands of visitors to the area.

The purpose of this event is to help all of us to know and learn about this great and fascinating State. Texas has a unique personality due to the variety of people who have helped settle this great land. Each culture has something special to offer in the way of customs, food, and history. If you think this is for Museum Types...WRONG!!! Have you heard the music? You can't get any more varied than what you'll hear in June. Of course, as far as the Bexar Co. Czech Heritage Society is concerned, you need to have a polka or waltz to get your blood going and your feet tapping. Watch for the dance group from West, Tx. for all the musical inspiration you need.

The group we most want to see at the Festival is YOU and YOUR FAMILY. Come and enjoy; visit with friends; sit in the shade of our tent; have a kolache or two, and be a part of it all.

Bea Jarzombek, 

Chairperson Folklife Festival

At this time I wish to particularly thank all the students from the Defense Language Institute at Lackland AFB who have contributed greatly to our Czech language program here in Bexar Co. These students, from both the Czech and Slovak Republics, have been our volunteer classroom instructors this year. We have benefitted greatly by hearing them speak the Czech language, as well as learning more about life in the Czech Republic today. We believe that we have the best Czech language class instructors in this area. Dekujeme!

The latest word from the ITC is that work on the Czech project will begin in late summer. If you wish to make a contribution to this project there is still time to do so. Regardless of the amount contributed, all donors will have their names listed on the donor plaque. Any contributions sent to the ITC for this purpose should include the notation "for the Czech Exhibit" on the check and also on the envelope.

Our next General Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 24th, at 2 PM in the Conference Center at Incarnate Word University. I wish to remind all old and new members that the General Meeting is where all the Chapter business is conducted. Items brought up for discussion and voted on here determine which direction this organization will take. We urge one and all to participate and become an ACTIVE and VOTING member. We have 150 members, and only 40 usually attend general meetings, Come and be a part of what this organization will be. YOUR voice and YOUR vote really do count!!

This year we will again be located near the international flagpoles at the entrance to the ITC. (See map) This is a highly visible spot on the main grounds, which gives us a wonderful opportunity to be seen by the many thousands of visitors who attend each year. The ground has been reworked and it is hoped the rainwater (should there be any) will pass by leaving us all high and dry.

Our booth is centered around kolaches. We know how g-r-e-a-t kolaches taste, but many of our fellow explorers in life have never had the chance to try them. We want to be sure that these tasty pastries are known everywhere. Last year we won a ribbon for our food display. (Czech soul food?)

Food is aways a great ice-breaker, but we have much more to offer. Come to the festival and tour the gallery of Czech talent throughout history...some from long ago, and others from the present day...Larry Bird, Eugene Cernan, Martina Navratilova, and our own John Blaha amongothers. See Susie Toman's egg (kraslice) display, and kolache-making demos, under C. J. Trenda's watchful eye.

Every year the members of the Bexar County Czech Heritage Society give us their full support at this event. Because it runs for 4 days we need all the volunteers we can get. There is always a need for help in setting-up  our display prior to the Festival, and likewise in taking it down. This year many of our "regulars" will be out-of-town traveling and/or attending family functions. Therefore, we are in NEED of 3 or 4 men to help with the setting up (June 2-3 weekend) and the tearing down of displays on Monday, JUNE 11. If you, or a member of your family (over 18, please) are available, please call IRENE MAZOCH (699-8251) or BEA JARZOMBEK (659-9132) and they will give you all the details: time, place, etc.

GENEALOGY FAIR, S.A. CENTRAL LIBRARY: This year we were invited to be one of the organizations represented at the genealogy fair held at the Central Library on Saturday, May 12. We spoke with people looking for their Czech roots in Texas, providing them with free information about Czech genealogy and ancestral research in general. It is always a pleasure to hear about successful searches and how the "missing link" was found. Thanks to those members who helped: T. J. SLANSKY, IRENE MAZOCH, DOLORESB BUECHE, KAY VAJDOS, GENE LABAY, JOAN and BILL MELUCH, we all had a very enjoyable day, and look forward to next year's fair.

FALL LIBRARY DISPLAY: This year our display will be during the months of September and October. It will feature kitchen items that were in our grandparents homes. If you have something you wish to put in this display, such as water dipper, rolling pin, bowls, cooking utensils, etc., please call JOAN MELUCH (945-0765) and let me know. We will need to collect things during August, in order to place them in the showcase in early September. It is a pleasure to note that the library appreciates our visual displays each year. For those who are concerned with the safety of their loaned items, be assured that they are behind glass and under lock and key at all times.

Hamburg Passenger Lists: These lists are slowly being put on line at www.hamburg.de/Link To Your Roots/english/welcome.htm Eventually this site will contain the data of all 5 million people who emigrated to the US through Hamburg. The years 1890 and 1891 are complete. Some others are only partially done, and the 1880's are yet to come.