Czech Culture

Slovanská Podporující Jednota Státu Texas

Česká Část

ROČNÍK 110 ZÁŘÍ 6 28.březen.2022 Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

BENEVOLENCE HUMANITY BROTHERHOOD

Uředni orgán SPJST ★ Založené roku 1897

Učme se česky Let Us Study Czech

Lekce dvacet čtyři Lesson 24

Review of Lessons 21, 22, 23

Read the following out loud. Get your parents, grandparents, relatives, or friends to help you with the pronunciation. Clip and save each lesson and compile into a notebook. Before we take up numerals and continue with the other parts of speech, it would be good to look back over the last three lessons and review them by listing a rather lengthy vocabulary. Note the assignment after the vocabulary.

Vocabulary člověk – person dítě – child pták – bird růže – rose vítr – wind zima – winter léto – summer jaro – spring podzim – fall stávka – strike (from work) uhlí – coal vlna – wave láska – love přání – desire píle – industriousness spravedlnost – justice, honesty bohatství – wealth práce – work boj – battle pád – falling zdraví – health nemoc – illness smrt – death mír – peace spánek – sleep Alpy – Alps (mts.) Američan – (an) American Čech – (a) Czech životný – animate neživotný – inanimate ženský rod – feminine gender střední rod – neuter gender předseda – chairman strop – ceiling hrad – castle mládež – youth čest – honor kuře – chicken nádraží – train station umění – talent (ability) všechen cukr – all the sugar všechna káva – all the coffee všechno pivo – all the beer oni – they ony – they (fem.) jejich – their onen – that one kdokoli – anybody cokoli – anything samý kvét – all flowers sami cizinci – only foreigners pýcha – pride hrdinný – heroic viditelný – visible pracující – (hard) working zdejší – local mořský – of the ocean velcí vojáci – big soldiers drází přátelé – dear friends krásní psi – beautiful dogs nemocen – sick, ill schopen – capable št’asten – happy svoboden – single Janův klobouk – John’s hat matčiné srdce – (a) mother’s heart vstupné – admission (price) Refer to the last three lessons, and you will find all of these words and expressions. Notice how they were used. They are listed here in the order they appear in Lessons 21, 22, and 23.

S S S

Assignment Write some sentences using all of the above listed words and terms. Compose your work with some other member of the family then read out loud.

—SPJST—

TCGS sets April 2 “Relaunching to New Horizons” event

Each year in January, Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) begins the new year by hosting its annual membership meeting. This year, because of Covid, the event was moved to Saturday, April 2, 2022. It will be held at Caldwell Civic Center, 103 Presidential Corridor (Highway 21) in Caldwell, Texas.

You are invited to join us for an exciting day of learning a number of ways Czechs journeyed, beginning in the 1800s, from our Fatherland to Texas. Presentations by Leo Baca (Saved by An Angel), Richard Lesikar (By Land by Sea - Texas the Czech Dream), Patrick Janis (From Moravia to the Moon, by Way of Texas), and Luba Ruzicka (From Socialism to American Freedom) will bring a clear picture of strength, faith, dreams, and determination which will clearly give you extra pride in your Czech heritage.

The warm smile of the current Miss Czech-Slovak US Queen 2021-2022 will greet you and bring a brief presentation as well.

Our silent auction table is always an area of interest. At this event, additional homemade baked goodies will also be available. Monies raised from the silent auction table will benefit our building fund.

The event begins at 9 a.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.) with morning refreshments of kolaches, coffee, and juice. Lunch will include roast beef with gravy, smashed potatoes, buttered corn, green beans, rolls, tea, and cake for dessert. As the day’s program draws to a close, each attendee will have received the enjoyment of Czech fellowship, as well as learning about valuable Czech strength as dreams became reality. With the coronavirus still impacting our lives, as many safety precautions as possible will be in place. We encourage those attending to have been fully vaccinated with facial masks, optional, but encouraged. Registration for the entire day is currently being accepted.

Registration at the door is $60 for all members and non-members. You can also register and pay by credit card by going to: https://txczgs.square.site/

We invite you to join us as we greet you with a Czech welcome at the door of the Caldwell Civic Center on April 2! For further information, contact Charlene Hurta at cmhurta@earthlink.net or by phone at 979-848-6517. Fraternally, Charlene Hurta Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy —SPJST—

CEFT members get onboard for Deanville

by Diane Sulak Wilson

At its January 22, 2022, general membership meeting held at the SPJST Home Office in Temple, Texas, members of the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas (CEFT) heard from members of the Deanville Heritage Foundation about the upcoming April 30, 2022, dedication of the newly restored train depot which will serve as a museum to honor the several orphan train children who arrived there in the early 1900s.

Linda Fulmer of East Texas, whose grandfather was a passenger on one of the several orphan trains, brought together Deanville representatives Tommy Ryan, Beverly Blinka, and Patsy Simek and made it possible for them to address CEFT members virtually and in person. Over the years, Linda has amassed a wealth of information about this important time in history which she shares in regular addresses to community and genealogy groups.

Linda introduced Tommy Ryan, president of the Deanville Heritage Foundation, who attended in person. He gave

The train track into Deanville.

a brief accounting of how the Deanville Depot came to be restored. He referred to an interview with BCC Magazine (2021/22) in which he gave a detailed account about acquiring the land, moving the decaying old depot, and finding the right people to restore it. He reported that the building was built in 1913 and was “the last remaining of 10 such de-

pots in Burleson County.” In my personal December 2021, visit to the town of Deanville, I was told by Mr. Ryan that the land was donated by Bennie and Tammie Jones. He said how interesting it was to work with Texas A&M students in the seven-year-long restoration project. And he also told of plans to have a bronze status for each child for which much financial aid will be needed.

In a virtual appearance, Beverly Blinka of Deanville told CEFT members that her mother, Mary Elizabeth Maresh, arrived in Deanville as an infant. She was born in New York on April 28, 1909, and was the daughter of Mary Delaney and Charles Doyle. Aclarge mural of Prague Castle which is installed in the entryway of SPJST Lodge 88, Houston. She brought a portrait of Mr. Dvorak wearing a uniform that the family could not identify. Susan recognized it as a Czech Legion uniform, French division. Susanne Dvorak said that her grandfather would talk about being in the French Foreign Legion, fighting for the Czechs, but it was hard to understand the connection. We are very grateful for these important and unique artifacts!

Bell County Retired School Employees Association

On Monday, March 7, 2022 the Bell County Retired School Employees Association came for a scheduled tour led by Susan. The group was a delight to have in the museum and as one would expect, asked excellent questions!

Tommy Ryan, president of Deanville Heritage Foundation, left, is pictured with Diane and Dr. Eric Wilson of West. Dr. Wilson is a member of SPJST Lodge 54, West. cording to Beverly, her mother’s obituary stated that Mary Maresh was indentured to Bohumil and Mary Charanza Prazak of Frenstat, Texas, who later adopted her along with another child, Hannah Shady. Mary Elizabeth married Vince Maresh and lived in Deanville where they raised four children—one of them (Beverly) who married Donnie Blinka. Mary Elizabeth Maresh passed away on January 11, 2015, at the age of 105.

Patsy Simek of Deanville Heritage Foundation, who has been collecting and compiling information about the Orphan Train Movement for years, addressed the audience with more information and photos. She later told me, “It is a true blessing that my husband Tom and I were asked to help with the depot restoration.” She showed me a lovely photo of Alice E. Matula (Deegan) who was given up for adoption in 1909. Alice and her brother, William John Martin, were adopted by Pete and Louise Matula near Frenstat. Alice is buried in Mansfield.

Tommy Ryan announced that the dedication of the Orphan Train Museum in Deanville is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 with many activities planned. The public is invited to attend.

—SPJST—

Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center shares happenings

The Frank Dvořák Collection

Suzanne Dvorak of Austin met Susan Chandler in the Museum on Sunday, March 6 in order to donate artifacts belonging to her grandfather, Frank Dvorak. Frank Dvorak painted the

Prague Castle mural in the entryway at Lodge 88, Houston. The mural was painted by Frank Dvořák.

Bell County Retired School Employees Association visit CHM.

Czech Film Night and Matinee at The Beltonian Theatre

Tuesday, March 8 was Czech Film Night and Matinee, our monthly outreach program held at the historic Beltonian Theatre, about 10 minutes away from the Museum, on the

The Beltonian Theatre, in downtown Belton, Texas. courthouse square in Belton. Each month, Susan leads a short discussion about the film, including contextual information and personal ex- Recently shown on periences of Czech Film Night at audience The Beltonian - The members. This Power of the Powermonth, the less. film was Power of the Powerless, a documentary on Václav Havel’s famous essay warning of “post-totalitarianism,” a term he coined. Written in 1978, still under communism, he was concerned that people were so adapted to communism that they could eventually create a kind of totalitarianism that was not overt, but self-imposed and subtle. John Hillman

On Wednesday, March 9, John Hillman of Waco donated a new book to our library, Czech Songs in Texas by Frances Barton and John K. Novak. In this image, left to right are John Hillman and Kenny Lange. John is a great friend of the Museum. We were thrilled to be mentioned on the acknowledgment page! A few years ago, when the authors were conducting research for this book, Frances Barton spent a day in the Czech Heritage Museum. Susan helped her find old, Czech, English, and out-of-print books in our library that she found helpful. What an excellent finished product! Downtown Temple Main Street Advisory Board

The Main Street Organizational Committee meets monthly in the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center on the second Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Anyone interested in improving the Temple downtown central business district is welcome. Susan chairs this com-

John Hillman, left, presents the book Czech Songs in Texas to Kenny Lange for CHM’s library.

Downtown Temple Main Street Advisory Board.

mittee and reports monthly at the Downtown Temple Main Street Advisory Board meeting. She also attends the other committee meetings, including the Promotional Committee meeting when each downtown entity announces upcoming events and activities.

American Heritage Girls Troup 1274

A delightful group of girls and their two leaders visited the museum on Thursday, March 10. American Heritage Girls Troup 1274 were working on their world culture badge. These girls had a good depth of knowledge and great insights!

American Heritage Girls

Sharon Clements

Also on Thursday, March 10, Sharon Clements of Bryan came in to spend several hours researching her family history in our library. The extensive work of Albert Blaha, Leo Baca, and others who participated in those projects amaze us every time we use these excellent Sharon Clements genealogical resources! We are grateful to those who combed through public records to parse out Czech names. These were done in those Texas counties which have large enclaves of the descendants of Czech immigrants. What an astounding project. These reference books are the heart of our genealogical library here at the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center!

Michelle Skroch

On Friday, March 11, Michelle Skroch came in to help with collections management. She is a graduate student at Baylor University in museum studies. Michelle has been coming in most Fridays since last fall. She is working on cataloguing a collection of 80 pieces of Czech glass donated to the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center recently by Czech glass collector and expert Jean BlahaDavis.

Michaela Denazen

On Saturday, March 12, volunteer Michaela Denazen worked in the museum on translating World War I-era family letters between Moravia and Texas. Michaela grew up in the Czech Republic; her family still lives in eastern Bohemia. In 2018-2019, Michaela and Susan attended the language classes held at the S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living in Taylor. Michaela would bring her guitar and sing the old Czech songs with the attendees. She was delighted to find out these songs were sung here in Texas and enjoyed speaking in Czech with anyone who would. A few times, her mother came with us when she was visiting from Moravia and the party was even more lively! The Kadlecek-Hewitt Family

The Kadlecek-Hewitt family visited the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center on Thursday, March 17, visiting from north Texas. Sheri Kadlecek called her father in Missouri to ask about their family’s village of origin. He is the family genealogist and has compiled a large book from his extensive research. The Kadlecek family are from the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The children were excellent tourists, taking lots of photos and telling their grandparents all about the Museum.

Karl Kuykendall

Karl Kuykendall of Temple came to the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center library on Friday, March 18, needing an image of the old Frelsburg Catholic church. We were able to find one for him in the Naše Déjiny (Our History), the 1939 book published by Nasinec Publishing Company in Granger, Texas. Karl writes books for the Catholic Diocese of Austin. He is currently writing a history of Catholic churches in Central Texas. From the research findings he described to us, his book sounds like not only a thorough resource, but also an interesting page-turner!

Michelle Skroch

Mikaela Denazen The Kadlecek-Hewitt family visits CHM.

Karl Kuykendall

Czech Lullabies, Love Songs and Campfire Songs

On Saturday, March 19, Michaela Denazen sang a sampling of Czech lullabies and love songs at Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center. We’re looking for musicians willing to accompany her to record and perform this music. We need two violinists, one viola, and one upright base. Contact Susan by sending an email to CzechHeritageMuseum@gmail.com for the samplings that we recorded on Saturday if you are interested in this project. Michaela sang with a Czech folkloric group in Czech Republic and majored in music. She currently sings with the Temple College choir.

Mikaela Denazen

Tanglefoot Brewing

When brewer Andy Martinec visited the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center recently, he invited us to visit Tanglefoot Brewing located at 25th Street and Avenue M in Temple. The

Brewmaster Andy Martinec

cozy pub is carved out of one end of Al’s Bar-B-Q Barn. Why Al’s? Well, Al’s has been owned and operated by Andy’s family for generations. Andy is a professional brewer in Austin, but decided to brew Czech lagers, Pilsen-style and sell them here. He uses special Czech imported horizontal taps, which allow him to offer more ways to create beer foams. In the pub, look for the LP album cover pinned to the wall – that will tell you which polka band is playing on the

Czech craft beers offered at Tanglefoot Brewing in Temple, Texas.