Czech Culture

derful dancer. When he had the polka music playing, his hand would be extended for an impromptu dance. He enjoyed socializing and telling stories of his experiences while making you laugh with a twist to the story. His array of stories ranged from being sick from eating chocolate in a submarine to the infamous days of playing football for Rice University, and so many more in between.

If you came for a visit, he would offer up a soda or a beer, but the beer was usually only somewhat cold. Theresa was the love of his life, and he was the love of hers. He was so proud of all his children, and in turn, they were just as proud of him.

He attended Rice University. He was a member of the United States Army, where he served two years in Germany. His job as an electrical engineer took him to places such as Jordan and Italy. He was a member of KJT and SPJST. Lodge 25, Ennis Of all of his accomplishments, he would tell you that his family was the greatest. Betty Macalik, Secretary Lodge 25, Ennis —SPJST—

Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas

Česká Část

ROČNÍK 109 ČISLO 16 23.srpen.2021 Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

BENEVOLENCE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD

Uředni orgán SPJST ★ Založené roku 1897

Učme se česky Let Us Study Czech

Lekce jedenáctá Lesson 11

Read the following out loud. Get family or friends help with the pronunciation; do them together. Clip and save each lesson, and compile them into notebook

míti hlad - to be hungry míti žíveň - to be thirsty míti rád nékoho - to like someone míti rad něco - to like something Kolik je hodin? - What time is it?

S S S

Čtení - Reading

Kolik je hodin? Mám už hlad. Proč nemáme co jíst? Protože matka není doma. Karel a Helena též mají hlad. Karel má rád maso a Helena má ráda sýr. Když oni mají žízeň, tak pijí mléko. Rádi se učíme česky. Babička mluví česky. Mám rád babičku.

S S S

Slovníček - Vocabulary

hodina - hour proč - why protože - because mléko - milk sýr - cheese babička - grandmother česky - Czech (adv.) mluviti - to speak učiti se - to study píti - to drink kolik - How much? How many? něco - something tak - so jísti - to eat Mluvnice - Grammar

1. The verb míti is used in Czech to form idioms. It was conjugated in the first lesson. To say one is hungry, the proper form of the verb míti plus hlad is used. To say one is thirsty, use míti plus žízeň. To say one likes someone, or something, míti plus rád is used. However, if the speaker is feminine, ráda is used and for the plural, use rádi or rády.

2. Conjugation of the verbs of the second conjugation: that is, verbs that end in iti:

Mluviti - to speak

Singular 1st person - mluvím - I speak 2nd person - mluvíš - you speak 3rd person - mluví - he, she, or it speaks

Plural 1st person - mluvíme - we speak 2nd person - mluvíte - you speak 3rd person - mluví - they speak

S S S

3. The verb učiti se to study, is a reflexive verb. Whenever it is conjugated, it must be followed by the reflexive pronoun se in all persons of the verb. Example: Učím se - I study; učíš se - you study, etc.

S S S

Homework

1. Memorize the expressions and the vocabulary.

2. Translate the reading exercise into English.

3. Conjugate the following verbs:

bydliti - to live, dwell chváliti - to praise

—SPJST—

Early Czech Schools: TCGS’ August Book of the Month

With the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year just around the corner, Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) has chosen Early Czech Schools as its August Book of the Month to coincide with that most important time of the year.

Early Czech Schools was selected as the Texas State Genealogical Society’s first place winner at the statewide conference in 2014 from a number of entries in the Category VII Division: Books Published by Partner Society Members.

This offering is a two volume, soft bound set containing 597 pages of stories, more than 600 photos, and over 2,900 surnames. The book is indexed for easy navigation.

Features include early Czech educators in the Fatherland, early Texas educators in public as well as private schools in Texas, plus photos and articles about Czech Clubs at Texas A&M, The University of Texas, and The University of Houston.

Included is a section on more than 100 Czech schools from the 1800s, which were built in numerous small towns and in the countryside where the families lived. This section contains so much more than a photo of the school and a class photo with many of the students identified. You will enjoy viewing various newspaper articles, documents, awards, and other types of special recognition that the students received. The last chapter contains articles about the individual students.

The cost of the two volume set is $55 with free shipping and handling during the month of August, which is a $17 savings. Don’t delay. Send your check, payable to TCGS, in the amount of $55 for each set to Nancy Machu, 3337 Bianco Terrace, Round Rock, Texas 78665. Checks must be postmarked on or before August 31. For questions or to pay by credit card, please call Nancy at 512-971-4284. Nancy Machu Lodge 29, Taylor —SPJST—

Czech Center Museum Houston offers vaccine, free museum visit on August 26

Visit the Czech Center Museum Houston on Thursday, August 26, 2021, between 8 a.m. and 12 noon to get your vaccine and enjoy a free museum visit! CCMH is located at 4920 San Jacinto in Houston.

No photo ID is required at HCPH vaccine sites. Walk-ups are welcomed, but we strongly encourage everyone to register on the sign-up sheet to ensure vaccine doses are allocated accordingly. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. Moderna can be provided to individuals 18-plus years of age. A second vaccine appointment will be established during initial contact. There is no charge for the vaccine or administration. The vaccine is free of charge.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines or possible concerns, visit the Harris County Public Health website.

For more information about Czech Center Museum Houston, call 713-5282060 or visit czechcenter.org. —SPJST—

CCMH lecture set for August 26 on Bohemian lands, Czech migration

Czechs, Germans, Austrians?

Czech Center Museum Houston will host a complimentary lecture on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 12 noon on the Bohemian lands in the 19th century and Czech migration to the United States. Czech Center Museum Houston is located at 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston. The lecture discusses the hurdles Czechs and Slovaks were facing when migrating to the USA.

What did it mean to be a Czech, German, or Austrian in the 19th century? Who exactly lived in the Bohemian lands at this time? The population of today’s Czech Republic is a mixture of various ethnicities, languages, and denominations. Most individuals stayed within Central East Europe for their entire life, while some people traveled or migrated to other parts of Europe and North America prior to World War I. Thousands of migrants came to the United States from Central East Europe for social, political, and educational reasons. Amongst these were writer Karl Anton Postl (i.e. Charles Sealsfield), politicians Vojtěch Náprstek, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Antonín Čermák, and composers Hans Balatka and Bohuslav Martinů. Of course, every Czech who migrated over left their distinct trace in their new homes and communities.

Mgr. Ivan Puš, Ph.D. (*1987) is an Assistant Professor at the Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. He graduated from this University with two Master of Arts degrees in history and German respectively (2014) and earned a Ph.D. in Czech history (2018). He has studied the Czech-German relationship in the 19th and 20th centuries for many

C z e c h C u l t u r a l C a l e n d a r

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: czechheritagemuseum@gmail.com; or leave a message 254-899-2935. The Museum hosts Czech Films on the second Tuesdays of the month - at Beltonian Theatre, 219 East Central Avenue, Belton: Matinee at 3 p.m.; Night - 6 p.m. Free admission. Donations accepted online or through a donation box at the concession window. Imported Czech beer, wine available. Please note: There will be no matinée in August.

Every First and Third Tuesday Evenings Tarok Parties—at Czech Heritage Museum, Temple, 119 West French. All ages and anyone interested are welcome. No admission or fee. Jimmie and Carolyn Coufal are award-winning tournament champions who not only teach beginners, but also help experienced players increase their skill. For information, call CHMGC 254-899-2935; find them on Facebook; or on the web at https://czechheritagemuseum.org.

Monday through Saturday Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston, Texas 77004-5719, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit revamped exhibits. Experience the culture, art, music, and stories of many Czechs, Slovaks, and people of all cultures who left their country to seek liberty and democracy in America. For info, call 713-528-2060; or visit czechcenter.org.

Through November 15 Exhibit: Texas-Czech Wedding Apparel and Tradition—at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC), 250 West Fairgrounds Road on US Highway 77, La Grange: exhibit includes 10 dresses that have been donated by our members and are from weddings that occurred from 1883 to 1946; view fragile mementos; and leave with an understanding of Czech culture and traditions that are still alive today.

September 10, 11 36th Annual Kolache Festival—on the square, downtown Caldwell, Texas “The Kolache Capital of Texas”: Friday, September 10—pre-festival Czech dinner 5:30 to 7 p.m.; dance 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Burleson County Expo Center sponsored by Burleson County CHM. Tickets pre-sold only at Burleson County CofC, 301 North Main Street, Caldwell. Call 979-567-0000. Saturday, September 11—Kolache Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Event includes opening prayer; flag ceremony; National Anthem; local, state, national dignitaries; Miss Kolache Festival Burleson County; crowning; patriotic salute to America in honor of Patriots Day; SPJST Youth Beseda Dancers and Beseda Alumni Dancers; State of Texas Kolache Bake Show; a block of kolache vendors on Main Street; Kraitchar House Museum; Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum; Czech lead crystal, china, porcelains; street rod and classic car show; Czech Adventure Land; quilt show (Friday, Saturday); more than 200 arts/crafts vendors; more than 40 food vendors; all day shuttle bus; no pets allowed at the festival. Visit burlesoncountytx.com/kolachefestival. Submitted by Lillian Beasley, Lodge 17, New Tabor.

September 19 Holy Trinity Church Bazaar, Corn Hill— held on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 8626 FM 1105, Jarrell: Holy Mass - 10:30 a.m. BBQ and Corn Hill fried chicken dinner with all the trimmings - 11 a.m. in the parish activity center. Live auction - 1:30 p.m. Hamburgers - 2:30 p.m. Full day of family activities - polka music, kolache sale, homemade ice cream, children’s games, silent auction, cake walk, bingo, and prize drawing (held after live auction). For questions, email holytrinitycc@yahoo.com or call 512-863-3020. Visit www.holytrinityofcornhill.org. Submitted by Monica Snook, Admin Assistant, Holy Trinity of Corn Hill.

October 17 Celebrating Heritage Day—at Sokol Dallas, 7448 Greenville Avenue in Dallas, Texas 75231, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stay tuned for more information. Event is presented by the American Czech Culture Societies and its member societies Sokol Dallas, SPJST, WFLA, KJT, KJZT, VH Czech School of Dallas, and RVOS. You may contact Bob Podhrasky at pod@att.net; Nina Marcussen at czechschoolofdallas@yahoo.com; or Lynda Novak at magiclady_46@hotmail.com for information. —SPJST—

years. His interests lie in the studies of Cisleithanian law and the Czech (oslovak) exile. He has been accepted into the Fulbright Program and is an appointed Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Houston since January 2021. There, he teaches courses in the History Department on Jewish studies.

For more information, call 713-5282060 or visit czechcenter.org. —SPJST—

Kolache Festival September 11 in Caldwell

Burleson County Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Annual Kolache Festival will be Saturday, September 11, 2021, in Caldwell, Texas. The festival will be downtown “on the square,” and Caldwell is known as “The Kolache Capital of Texas.” Admission is free of charge. The Kolache Festival is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Stage Polka Pavilion, 202 West Fox Street, in Caldwell.

The Kolache Festival is a celebration of the revitalization of Czech heritage . . . a county that was basically a Czech settlement realized their precious identity was slipping away. New generations knew not the language, the music, or the art of their ancestors. Not only do we grasp at the past, but we hurry to share the history . . . to bring into today’s focus the beauty, talent, and delight of the Czech people.

Come to the Kolache Festival and learn the wonderful Czech philosophy. Dance to the polka, and sing the songs of the musician. Taste the true ethnic food, and lend your soul to the fulfillment of the Czech cultural heritage.

Festival events include State of Texas Kolache Bake Show; The Kolache Bake Shoppe featuring “Ceske Kolace” - a block of kolache vendors on Main Street; The Kraitchar House Museum; Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum; U.S. Texas Czech Flag Ceremony; “Kde Domov Muj” Czech National Anthem; Czechoslovakian Lead Crystal, China, and Porcelains; Creative Memories Guild Quilt Show; Street Rod and Classic Car Show at Davidson Creek Park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Czech Adventure Land; quilt show (Friday and Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and arts and crafts who with more than 200 vendors and more than 40 food vendors. All day shuttle bus will run from Kraitchar House to Davidson Creek Park. No pets are allowed at the festival.

For information about Kolache Bake Show guidelines or entries, contact Texas AgriLife Extension Service Office 100 W. Buck Street, Ste. 105 Caldwell, Texas 77836; call 979-567-2308; or email burleson-tx@ag.tamu.edu. The 2021 Bake Show Committee members are Ann Sebesta, Bruno Shimek, Lillian Beasley, and Viki Lenz.

For more information about the festival, call 979-567-0000 or visit burlesoncountytx.com/kolachefestival. Submitted by, Lillian Beasley Lodge 17, New Tabor —SPJST—

Natalie See is the 2019 Miss Kolache Festival. She is a member of SPJST Lodge 9, Snook.

[ [ 3 \ \ Victoria Czech Heritage Festival . . . better than ever on Sept. 26

Covid-19 put a squelch on many events in 2020, but the Victoria County Czech Heritage Festival is returning better than ever!

The 2021 Victoria Czech Festival to be held Sunday, September 26 is returning for its 34th year with bigger and better events for the public to partake in. The festival and all its events will be held at the Victoria Community Center, 2905 East North Street in Victoria. Two events are new to this year’s festival plus a whole lot of new, fun and enlightening events for the entire family.

5Kolache Fun Run

The first new event kicking off the festival is our 5Kolache Fun Run. Come join us for this 5Kolache Fun Run. You can run or walk this 5K race/fun run! The race will take place starting at the Community Center with registration at 8 a.m. with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. Awards will be given to the first, second, and third place winners in 10-year age groups. T-shirts will be presented to the first 100 participants. A “kids fun run” is free of charge for under age of 15 (doesn’t include shirt). No need to register kids, just bring them along. Call 361-935-5823 for registration information.

Czech Polka Mass

The second new and major attraction to the festival this year is the addition of a Czech polka mass to the lineup. The polka mass originated in 1972 by Father George Balasko at Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville, Ohio, and has grown since, even being performed to Pope John Paul II in 1983 at the Vatican. Pope John Paul’s acceptance of the combination of the Czech-style music with the religious lyrics, led it to become popular throughout the United States.

The Czech Heritage Polka Mass starts the festival off in the Community Center Annex open to the public with free admission from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monsignor John C. Peters, pastor of Hallettsville Sacred Heart Church, St. Mary’s Church, Moravia Ascension Church, and St. John’s Church for 27 years will be celebrating the mass. John Dujka, noted polka band player, will lead other musicians and the congregation in singing the reverent Holy Mass tunes. Come participate in this first polka mass celebrated in Victoria!

Czech Bands

Immediately after mass, the public attending the festival can step into the Community Center Dome as the festival kicks off with the Czechaholics alternating with the Red Ravens throughout the day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. bringing lots of great music, dancing, and entertainment. Admission fee is $10 per person with youth under 15 years always free of charge.

Beer and Food

To whet your appetite, there will be plenty of five different draft beers available. Of course, the Czech stew and sausage noon meal is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for only $10; as well as kolaches and then homemade chicken noodle soup and sausage wraps.

Meet Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen

New this year, too, will be personal visits and greetings from 2021 Czech Heritage Society Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Queen Madison Murphy of Abbott and Little Sister Rachel Alexander from Ennis. Both will attend, and Madison will even present one of the festival event programs.

SPJST Czech Christmas Tree Ornament Contest

Six festival event programs are scheduled for the public to attend, gain and share knowledge, and even win awards. From 11 a.m. to 12 noon is the SPJST Czech Christmas Tree Ornament Contest. Four age groups can compete including men and women groups age 17 years and up, youth ages 10 to 16, and youth ages nine and below. The contest is open to anyone. Bring your homemade Christmas tree ornament (no larger than 6 inches). Judging is at 12 noon with adult and youth awards of $25 or $15 at 1 p.m.

Tarok Lessons

This festival has sponsored the First Texas Tarok Tournament starting in 1984 and for the following 30 years and is now teaching the tarok card game to those interested from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Come learn the card game that our ancestors played.

Czech Songs

A first in many respects is the presentation of the new book Czech Songs In Texas, co-authored by Frances Barton. She will present information about this brand-new book on sale at our festival from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Ms. Barton, an accomplished accordion player with the Czech Melody Masters of Taylor/Austin, will also play several selections from the book. The book features 61 Texas Czech songs printed with Czech lyrics, English translation, musical notation - plus an essay analyzing each song. Written by Frances Barton of Austin, and John K. Novak of DeKalb, Illinois (formally from Fayette County, Texas), each essay explores the song’s European roots, its American evolution, and the meaning of its lyrics and lists notable performances and recordings. (Also see her in her booth.)

Kolache Eating Contest

A KJT Kolache Eating Contest is open to all in the same age groups and awards as listed previously for the Christmas tree ornament contest. Held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., contestants can see who wins eating the kolache the fastest. Adults must eat two kolaches.

Accordion Classes

And, for a first-time festival feature, youth and adults (8 years to 99-plus) can learn from the best - how to play the accordion! Chris Rybak of Hallettsville, who is known as the “Accordion Cowboy” and plays throughout the state and the world, will teach two classes - from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 to 4 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your kids and grandkids interested in Czech music and the accordion! Call 361-6492243 to schedule a time.

Quilting and Czech Kroj Display

Another first-time feature at the festival will be “Generations of Quilting and Czech Kroj Creation” from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Join 2021 Miss Texas CzechSlovak Queen Madison Murphy as she shares her love for the art of quilting that was inspired by her ancestors. She will demonstrate the process of quilting and display her handmade pieces. Madison will also have on display her kroje (Czech costumes) that she has designed and sewn, including her own authentic Bohemian kroj made with materials from the Czech Republic. Plan to attend!

With all the music, fun, fellowship, entertainment, and knowledge presented, the 2021 Victoria Czech Heritage Festival is truly better than ever, offering a lot of programs for youth and young-at-heart! Don’t miss it! Plan on attending! Submitted by, Joe Janak Victoria County Czech Heritage Festival —SPJST—

New book Czech Songs in Texas now available

Czech Songs in Texas is a new book by Czech Texans Frances Barton and John K. Novak. It contains 61 songs that are still played and danced to by the Texas Czech community. They are beloved heirlooms ranging from ceremonial music with origins in Moravian wedding traditions to exuberant polkas celebrating the pleasures of life. For each song, the book provides music notation with Czech lyrics and English translation. An essay explores the song’s European roots, its American evolution, and the meaning of its lyrics and lists notable performances and recordings. In addition to the songs and essays, Frances Barton provides a chapter on the role of music in the Texas Czech ethnic community, and John K. Novak surveys Czech folk and popular music in its European home.

The music, words, and part of the essay for the song “Louka zelená” are reprinted below with permission from the book’s publisher, University of Oklahoma Press.

“Louka zelená” begins with a simple image, an uncut meadow where the flowers grow. Fairy tales, like folk songs, use this kind of straight-forward description. There are few details, and the reader, or listener, is invited into an unexplained world. On top of this spare image comes a pronouncement: if a boy wants a girl, he must go to her when the moon is shining. Our young boy does as he is told. He goes to his girl when the moon comes out and finds that she is waiting for him. The supernatural spell wanes, however, when she refuses his offer of kisses. Things come back to earth when she tells him that he is too short, that when they are a couple they will have “time for that.”

The words to the first verse were published in a Czech folk song collection in 1877. They were collected in the Proseč region of Bohemia, about 100 miles east of Prague, by members of Slavia, a literary society. Years later, in 1940, in Rosebud, Texas, the folklorist William Owens collected another version of the song. The version Owens found in Texas had been arranged by Louis Vitak and published in 1917 by Georgi and Vitak of Chicago. Texans usually sing the first two verses only, and many singers substitute the words in parentheses for the original Vitak text.

Czech Songs in Texas can be ordered from the University of Oklahoma Press through its website: https://www.oupress.com/books/16488566/czechsongs-in-texas. It is also available in some book stores and online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (700 words, 1 image) Submitted by, Frances Barton frances.barton@gmail.com —SPJST—