Czech Culture

Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas

Česká Část

ROČNÍK 109 ČISLO 4 1.březen.2021 Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

BENEVOLENCE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD

Uředni orgán SPJST ★ Založené roku 1897

Saving Czech language teaching in Texas

The teaching of Czech language in Texas at the community college level is about to come to an end, unless at least 10 students register for dual credit Czech in the Blinn College service area. The area includes all or portions of Milam, Robertson, Brazos, Burleson, Lee, Fayette, Washington, Austin, Waller, Grimes, Madison, Walker, and Montgomery counties. Any and all are welcome to sign up for the community ed version - live in the morning or on your schedule by viewing the recordings of the morning class.

If the Czech class does not materialize, Czech will be removed from the list of classes that can be offered at community colleges, and Czech language teaching for credit will end at community colleges. This would be a great loss to Texas after more than 150 years of Czech presence in Texas.

Surprisingly, the total and only solution to this challenge is directly in the hands of local individual students, their families, and individual Texas school districts.

This article will provide complete details on the easily available, cost free solution for Czech language high school dual credit study starting this fall. The advantages to students for their college careers, money saved on tuition, along with the benefits for educational diversity and excellence for the State of Texas, are described here. Czech Distance Learning Class for Fall 2021 is Available Now

All the pieces of the puzzle for this Czech class and for a robust continuation of the Czech language are already in place, waiting only for the minimum of 10 high school students or 20. These students must be identified, be encouraged, and register for the 2021 fall Czech class.

This class is now accepting high school students from freshman to senior for the Czech class beginning the fall of 2021.

The course will be taught by a master educator who has statewide recognition for his expertise in technology and distance learning. The teacher’s qualifications and background will be described further later in this piece.

What is Required to Access this Unique Opportunity to Study Czech?

All that is required is for an interested student and his/her parents or grandparents to approach their local school administration, particularly the local high school principal (but also school board members and the superintendent), stating their desire to take advantage of this unique, cost free, dual credit educational opportunity.

Not only will this course provide one year of high school foreign language credit taken in high school, but also, at the same time while taking the same study course, it also provides college level transferable credit for a two-semester year (eight hours if studied in fall and spring) of college first year language transferable credit when the student reaches college.

Due to generous donations, the Czech class is free because, full tuition scholarships are available currently for the first 10 students. If more than 10 high school students register, more funding will be available. For funding purposes, we request that students register by the end of March or April 2021 so that Czech Ex-Students Association of Texas (CESAT) will know how much more funding is needed.

CESAT has been working for the preservation of Czech teaching at the community college level. CESAT has been in existence, under various names, since about 1909 as an organization of Czech students, former students, and individuals whose focus is the promotion and preservation of Czech language and culture in Texas.

Repeating, if the class does not make this fall, Czech will be removed from the list of classes that can be taught at community colleges.

What is the benefit of studying Czech?

The study of Czech helps students to a truly higher level of scholarship, by “learning how to learn” truly new material under a master teacher. Let us explain.

The teacher of this Czech class is one of best language teachers in the state, an expert in distance language learning, an expert in learning by technology, and he has more than 40 years of teaching experience. The teacher is a childhood native speaker of Texas Czech and is fully fluent in the standard Czech of the Czech Republic, as well as deeply versed in Czech literature.

The classes are live and online. Also the classes are recorded for those who cannot attend class at the scheduled time. Recording the class gives the students an opportunity to review the material covered at a convenient time.

A diligent student can succeed, because the teacher teaches every part of the language thoroughly and checks for mastery of language concepts, with close personal attention paid to each student’s mastery of the language. This teacher monitors the progress of each student extremely closely. No student is left behind or allowed to flounder. It would be worth noting that this teacher also successfully teaches Czech to five to 10-year-olds by distance learning.

In learning Czech, no more effort is required than one would need for any foreign language. All language learning for a beginning student of a foreign language is roughly the same across various languages: nouns for who does the actions, verbs for what is done and when, and all vocabulary is necessarily new for any language not previously known.

Advantages of Czech Study for High School Students and for Texas

Czech grammar teaches English grammar very thoroughly to the English speaking student. Learning Czech grammar requires the knowledge of English grammar concepts and makes better English writers and readers. English grammar is well taught as part of the course.

Czech study provides identified gifted students an early exposure to college

Czech Cultural Calendar

Tuesday through Saturday Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center, 119 West French Avenue, Temple. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To arrange a private small group tour, contact the Museum at czechheritagemuseum@gmail.com or leave a message at 254-899-2935.

March 9 “Chuck Norris vs Communism.” (Romanian audio, English subtitles.) Czech film screenings are held at The Beltonian Theatre in downtown Belton, 219 East Central Avenue, 3 and 6 p.m. For a complete list of films, visit the Museum’s website https://czechheritagemuseum.org/ and click on the link at the top; or click the Event tab.

April 15 “The Pagan Queen.” (English. Adult nature. Not for children.) Czech film screenings are held at The Beltonian Theatre in downtown Belton, 219 East Central Avenue, 3 and 6 p.m. For a complete list of films, visit the Museum’s website https://czechheritagemuseum.org/ and click on the link at the top; or click the Event tab.

May 11 “Miloš Forman, What Doesn’t Kill You.” (English and Czech audio, English subtitles.) Czech film screenings are held at The Beltonian Theatre in downtown Belton, 219 East Central Avenue, 3 and 6 p.m. For a complete list of films, visit the Museum’s website https://czechheritagemuseum.org/ and click on the link at the top; or click the Event tab.

August 13-15 SPJST Convention—at Killeen Civic and Convention Center. —SPJST—

style learning. Even strongly gifted students are less prepared for college because so much material in high school is super easy for them. Czech language study starts the process of actually learning how to learn something exciting and novel, not just repeating previously known and unchallenging material.

For the State of Texas, Czech is a mother heritage language of the descendants of a large swath of Texan settlers from 1856 to 1924, when immigration laws changed. There are many descendants who love their culture. Most Czech settlers were farmers and their families now are salt-of-the-earth, patriotic Americans who still have a strong and proud presence, especially in rural Texas, exemplified by their many festivals, fraternal halls with bands and dances, native costumes, and foods like kolaches. But without knowing how to speak Czech, the beautiful folk costumes are only something of a bit of dress up and lacks the beautiful embroidery that the language gives a Texas Czech.

A Czech song says, “When the language dies, everything changes.”

Why would we let our Texas Czech heritage die?

For many native Texas Czechs, Czech is and was their first language. The idea of English-only caused them to not teach their children. Our respect for our Czech/Moravian speaking grandparents should be shown by not letting their language die in Texas and changing the Texas Czech culture forever.

Why would Texas Czechs stand by and watch their heritage die, when we can work to revive and continue our rich cultural heritage?

To preserve our Czech heritage, act now!

Now is the time individual students and their parents can make a difference, by contacting their local schools and insisting on the option for Czech language study to be preserved and utilized. You do that by going to your public school as a local taxpayer, talking to the principal and the school board, and explaining this opportunity.

CESAT has the program in place right now and only awaits your action. There is the old saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” The teacher has already appeared. We wait to hear from students and their families.

For further information, contact Thadious Polasek at 979-562-2207. Mr. Polasek has travelled to the Czech Republic more than 30 times over 40 years and has completed post-graduate studies in Czech language, literature, and history studies by distance learning at Charles University in Praha (Prague).

This article, which may be modified, reprinted, and is not copyrighted, was written February 8, 2021 by George H. Pazdral, graduate of Somerville High School in Burleson County in 1971. His father and aunt, G.V. Pazdral (19051987) and Olga Pazdral (1907-1965,) graduated respectively from West High School in 1923 and 1925. Ms. Pazdral was the principal of West High School at the time of her death in 1965, teaching Czech, English, and Spanish. In 1942, she authored Czech Folklore in Texas.

Dr. Pazdral can be reached by email at gpmj01@startmail.com. —SPJST—

Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center offers memberships

The Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center has resumed its regular hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. All local Covid-19 mandates are being followed. Masks are required, and social distancing will be followed. For private, small group tours, please email CzechHeritageMuseum@gmail.com or call 254-899-2935.

Interactive virtual private tours are available with the purchase of a Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center annual membership. These are available at czechheritagemuseum.org; by calling 254-899-2935; sending an email to CzechHeritageMuseum@ gmail.com; or by writing to us at Memberships, Czech Heritage Museum, 119 West French Avenue, Temple, Texas 76501.

Memberships Available

Memberships are available in various levels to fit most budgets and can be paid annually or quarterly. A senior membership is only $6 per quarter. A Czech Heritage Museum membership is a great value because the Museum participates in two nationwide museum reciprocal programs. This means free admission and gift shop discounts at most participating institutions. Plus, as stated above, an interactive virtual private tour is included with each membership. Staying in for the pandemic? You can still be a family member at the Czech Heritage Museum! If you would like a virtual tour to fit educational criteria for students, please send an email to CzechHeritageMuseum@gmail.com, and the Museum staff will do their best to tailor your tour to fit those needs.

Czech Film Night and Matinees

Czech Film Night and Matinee events have resumed at the historic Beltonian Theatre in Belton. Each event will include two screenings of Czech or Czech-related films. Matinees begin at 3 p.m., and evening shows start at 6 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Donations are accepted online or through a donation box at the concession window. Imported Czech beer and wine are available. Upcoming films are:

Tuesday, March 9

“Chuck Norris vs Communism.” A true story, often told by the actual persons who lived it. A story of ingenuity, survival and the importance of art. In the 1980s, the communist regime censured or banned foreign films. But, people found a way around it, even though VCRs were outlawed and cost the price of a car on the black market. It is said that the VCR brought down communism in Romania. (Romanian audio, English subtitles)

Tuesday, April 15

“The Pagan Queen” tells the legend of Libuse, queen of Moravia and wife of Premsyl, who envisioned then built Prague. A beautifully dark film. (English. Adult nature. Not for children.)

Tuesday, May 11

“Miloš Forman, What Doesn’t Kill You” follows award-winning Hollywood director Miloš Forman as he returns to his home in the Czech Republic and explains how his experiences there influenced his films. (English and Czech audio, English subtitles.)

Tuesday, June 8

“A Paul Fierlinger Film Fest.” A delightful look at the adult and children’s animated films of Paul Fierlinger, a Czech who escaped Czechoslovakia and made his career in the United States including work with PBS and Sesame Street. (English audio with occasional Czech audio.)

Tuesday, July 13

Czech Children’s Cartoons including Krtek – the Little Mole.

Tuesday, August 10

“Beyond the Wall” - A reprise of a film the Czech Heritage Museum screened in November 2017 at the Beltonian. Back by popular demand. A documentary looking at how the abrupt changes of the 1980s affected Central Europeans. Submitted by, Susan Chandler CHM Administrator —SPJST—

TCGS offers free webinar to public

Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS), in partnership with Texas State Genealogical Society, is offering a free webinar, “Underutilized Resources,” on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 10 to 11 a.m. to anyone interested in learning more about sources of information that might help with their family history. Birth, marriage, baptismal and marriage records, census lists, immigration information and other documents are often searched when beginning to research family history.

However, repositories of information around the country may have been recipients of special collections containing information about your ancestors as they migrated and settled in other areas. By broadening your search, you may uncover a wealth of information in unexpected places. In this webinar, often overlooked and underutilized resources, such as university archives and repositories, which may house records, will be discussed.

Pat Gordon, an accomplished speaker and genealogist, will conduct the seminar. She is also a former newspaper reporter and university journalism lecturer. She will discuss resources at: Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Arlington, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Commerce, and many

others, showing how to research those sites.

Although the Zoom webinar is free, advance registration is required. You may register by going to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcO2pqjgiGtHym2zZc7E4ElQGJ7LdNJH. You will receive a confirmation and will be able to log on to the webinar about 9:45 a.m. on March 20th. We hope you will join us in this opportunity to gather new research possibilities in a safe manner…no mask, social distancing, or washing hands required. Gladys Valchar SPJST Lodge 87, Temple —SPJST—

NCSML offers Czech virtual cooking classes

National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is pleased to announce registration for the third series of Chef Tom Slepicka’s Classic and Modern Czech Cuisine virtual cooking classes. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the following recipes from the comfort of their own kitchen: pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on March 6; bublanina from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on March 13; and Czech rolls from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on March 20.

Participants will need high-speed internet and a computer, tablet, or smartphone to access the course content. A webcam and microphone is needed to interact with Slepicka during class. After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to access the class. Shopping lists and recipes will be emailed at least a week before each class so participants can purchase the ingredients.

Slepicka graduated from culinary school in his hometown of Brno, located in the Czech Republic. While still in school, he established a successful full-service catering company which operated in the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Austria. During his years in the catering industry in Europe, he focused on providing a fine-dining experience utilizing world cuisine. He moved to the United States with his wife in 2014. He operated the Czech Deli at the NewBo City Market from 2015 to 2016. The goal of his courses is to make tasty and high-quality meals more accessible to everyone.

For more information, costs, and to sign up for classes, visit ncsml.org. —SPJST—

#EGL-2 $8 - approx. 3.15” Jeweled Golden

#EGL-8 $8 - approx. 3.15” Green/White Geometric

#EGL-3 $8 - approx. 2.5” Silver Flowered

#EGL-9 $8 - approx. 3.15” Gold/Rosebud Design

#EGL-4 $8 - approx. 3.15” Jeweled Pearl

#EGL-363 $15 - approx. 2.5” Pink Roses

TCGS presents its Easter egg collection

Colored eggs have been a part of the Easter celebration since before Christianity. Eggs in the 14th century were often decorated by staining or covering with gold leaf. These eggs were usually exchanged by royalty. The Macedonians are credited for being the first Christians to use eggs in connection with Easter. The early eggs used in Easter celebrations were real eggs, decorated in various ways. Pope Paul began a tradition of blessing Easter eggs in England, Scotland, and Ireland. For some reason, Protestant churches never took up this ritual, and it was discontinued by the Catholics in the 16th century.

As early as the 1800s, a new way of decorating eggs, called “scratch-carving.” was discovered. Using a needle, a design was scratched out on the shell of a dyed egg. This was a basic method used by the Moravians as they decorated eggs in the darker colors of red, white, and black. One of the eggs that we have in our 2021 collection is designed in this way. EGL-12 is an actual egg, decorated in the Moravian manner and comes to us from the Czech Republic.

Some of the most intricately decorated Easter eggs in the world originated in the Slavic nations of Ukraine, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. Eggs were exchanged by everyone for a new beginning, a symbol of love, friendship, and good things to come. Children would give their most beautiful eggs to their special, most-loved friend. When they were exchanged, the giver would say “Christ is risen.” The recipient would respond, “He is risen indeed.”

Eleven of the eggs in our Easter Egg Collection this year are handmade of glass in the Czech Republic, using some of the patterns that one can see on real eggs. The eggs are embellished with an assortment of sequins, glitter, ribbons, and jewels and have ribbon hangers to allow for hanging on your special Easter egg tree. The eggs will make a beautiful and lasting gift and can be used not only at Easter but at Christmas as well.

To place an order, please contact Nancy Machu at nbmachu@gmail.com or call 512-971-4284, leaving a short message for a callback. Shipping charges will be added, based on the number of eggs ordered. We are happy to take a personal check or a credit card for payment. Fraternally, Nancy Machu Lodge 29, Taylor —SPJST—

#EGL-5 $8 - approx. 3.15” Purple-Adorned

#EDM-263 $12 - approx. 2.5” Floral /Gold Design

#EGL-6 $8 - approx. 3.15” Ruby/Gold Design

#ESM-162 $10 - approx. 2.5” Floral Design #EGL-7 $8 - approx. 2.5” Powder Blue/Flowers

#EGL-12 $14 - approx. 2.5” Red/Black/White/Mosaic

24 Monday, March 1, 2021 Časopis Krajánek hledá ilustrátora/ grafika pro rubriku Krajánci na cestách (spěchá)

Milí krajané, urgentně hledáme posilu (dobrovolníka) z řad ilustrátorů/grafiků, kteří mají chuť a možnost pomoci pravidelně se zpracováním rubriky Krajánci na cestách. Ilustrátor/grafik zpracovává podkladový obrázek velikosti A3 na základě spolupráce s autorkou textu, nebo zapracovává/upravuje fotografie z lokalit. Příklady najdete v příloze, ale nebráníme se novému autorskému zpracování.

Časopis Krajánek má 36 stran a přispívají do něj jak členové krajanských komunit, tak profesionálové, a to všichni bez výjimky na dobrovolnické bázi zdarma. Vychází 11x ročně.

Krajánek ve světě z.s. je nezávislá, dobrovolná iniciativa, která vznikla za účelem realizace projektu časopis Krajánek. Krajánek je online měsíčník určený zejména multilingvním dětem věkové kategorie 5−12 let žijícím v zahraničí. Časopis se snaží přizpůsobit specifikům multilingvních dětí žijících mimo ČR, které jsou vystaveny češtině v omezené míře v rámci českých komunit či smíšených rodin v zahraničí.

Děkujeme za šíření. Ivana Kaçmaz šéfredaktorka —SPJST—

Polka/Czech Music Live. Online. 24/7.

continued from February 8, 2021, Vestnik Listen. Stream. Dance. Sing Along. Enjoy!

Lift your spirits. Be happy. Here is a list of polka/Czech music programs broadcast on radio stations throughout Texas. Many programs can be accessed on the radio station’s website, podcast, or via TuneIn, Simple Radio, or other free internet radio apps, and some are on demand.

Alfred Vrazel’s Polka Show KMIL 105.1FM, Cameron Sundays, 12 to 2:30 p.m. kmil.com Host Alfred Vrazel

Czech Polka Time KAGC 1510AM/97.3FM, Bryan Saturday, 10:05 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, 4:05 to 6 p.m. kagc1510.com Host Ronnie Horčica

Frank’s Polka Show KULP 1390AM/106.7FM, El Campo Saturday, 6 to 10 a.m. kulpradio.com Host Frank Milder

Friday Afternoon Polka Show KMIL 105.1FM, Cameron Friday, 1:05 to 5 p.m. kmil.com Host Nonito Martinez

Larry’s Polka Time KVLG 1570AM, La Grange Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, 1 to 2 p.m. kvlgkbuk.com Host Larry Sodek

Polka Celebration KSEY 94.3FM/1230AM, Seymour Sunday, 12 to 7 p.m. kseyfm.com Host Alexander Fydryszewski

Polka Party KNAF 910AM, Fredericksburg Monday through Friday 8:30 to 9 a.m. texasrebelradio.com Host Jerry Sotello

Polka Show KRXT 98.5FM, Rockdale Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Sunday, 1:15 to 6 p.m. krxt985.com Host Michael Craig Polka Show KBEC 1390AM, Waxahachie Sunday, 9 to 11 a.m. kbec.com Host Danny Zapletal

Polka Time with Ole Clinto KULP 1390AM/106.7FM, El Campo Monday to Friday, 8 to 9 a.m. kulpradio.com Host Clint Robinson

Ricky Čaník Polka Show KULM 98.3FM, Columbus Monday through Friday, 5:15 to 7 p.m. Saturday, 7 to 9 a.m. kulmradio.com Host Ricky Čaník

Saturday Morning Dance Time KULP 1390AM/106.7FM, El Campo Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. kulpradio.com Host John Dujka

Sunday Afternoon Polka Show KMIL 105.1FM, Cameron 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. kmil.com Host Nonito Martinez

Texas Polka Time KWHI 1280AM/101.7FM, Brenham Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m. kwhi.com Host Craig Montana

Texas Thunder Radio Polka Show KTXM 99.9FM and KYKM 92.5FM, Shiner Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 1 p.m. texasthunderradio.com Host TKO

The American Czech Hour KHBR 1560AM, Hillsboro Sunday, 1:30 to 3 p.m. khbrhillsboro.com Host David Kolar

Online/Podcast Czech Classics - Then and Now https://www.czechpolka.com/radio/ index.html Host Dennis Svatek

Note: During Covid-19, some polka/Czech music programs may have been suspended temporarily. However, please let us know if there are any Texas radio stations currently broadcasting polka/Czech music that are not on the list. Thank you.

St. Patrick’s Day 2021

By The Editors January 14, 2021

almanac.com/content/st-patricks-day

This year, St. Patrick’s Day will be observed on Wednesday, March 17.

Although the holiday originally started as a Christian feast day celebrating the life of St. Patrick and the spreading of Christianity to Ireland, today, it is a day of revelry and a celebration of all things Irish. Don’t forget to wear green!

The significance of March 17 is that it’s said to be the date of St. Patrick’s death in the late 5th century (circa A.D. 493).

Who was St. Patrick? Was He a Real Person?

Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with successfully spreading Christianity throughout Ireland—hence the Christian celebration of his life and name.

Was There Really a St. Patrick?

Definitely. However, there are many legends about him that mix with the truth. Did he play a large role in spreading Christianity to Ireland? Yes, absolutely. Did he really drive all the snakes out of Ireland? Probably not, since snakes weren’t native to Ireland to begin with!

In any case, St. Patrick’s impact was significant enough to warrant our modern-day celebrations. Here’s a bit about St. Patrick himself.

A Young St. Patrick Finds God

The man who would eventually become St. Patrick was born in Britain (part of the Roman Empire at the time) as Maewyn Succat in the late 4th century. His family was Christian, but it’s said that Maewyn himself was an atheist throughout his childhood.

That would change at age 16 (around A.D. 400), when Maewyn was kidnapped from his home on the west coast