1. society
2. unrest and war

VOL. XII No. III & IV
Museum • Library • Archives
Fall/Winter 2007
C z e c h C u l t u r a l C e n t e r H o u s t o n , T e x a s ( K U L T U R N I C E N T R U M C E S K E )
Hope is a state of mine, not of the world. Hope, in this deep
and powerful sense is not the same as joy that things
are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are
obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for
Vaclav Havel
something because it is good.
Milada Horakova
In Prague on December 25, 2007, a ceremony of laying the founda- to death on the basis of fabrition stone of the monument of Milada Horakova who was executed by cated charges of treason and
the communist regime in the 1950s was held on the anniversary of her espionage and was executed on
birthday. The monument is to be erected not far from Prague-Pankrac June 27, 1950, at the age of 49,
prison where many political prisoners, including Horakova, were ex- despite a wave of protests from
ecuted. Miloslav Ransdorf, a MEP from the Communist Party (KSCM), around the world. The sentence
also attended the ceremony. The building of the monument was initiated was annulled in 1968, but she
by the Czech National Socialist Party as Horakova was a member of its was not fully rehabilitated until
predecessor party, along with the Masaryk Democratic Party and the 1990, after the collapse of comMilada Horakova Club. “Everyone can come here and this should be munism.
viewed as an expression of democracy, as a possibility to offer people She was born in Prague, where
an opportunity to re-assess their positions and deeds and as forgiveness she studied law at the city’s
in the Christian sense,” National Socialist Party chairman Jiri Stanislav Charles University. She gradutold CTK regarding Ransdorf’s participation in the ceremony. Rans- ated in 1926 before taking a job
dorf, who donated 20,000 crowns for the building of the monument, at the Prague City Council. She
told journalists that in his view, it was high time to stop playing the joined the Czechoslovak Nacard of the division of the Czech nation. He said Horakova was a great tional Socialist Party the year
patriot and a socialist. Ransdorf traditionally attends ceremonies mark- she graduated. After the occuing birthdays of Klement Gottwald, former Czechoslovak communist pation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany in 1939, she joined the unpresident who had Horakova executed regardless of international com- derground resistance movement. Horakova was arrested by the Gestapo
munity’s protests. Ransdorf wrote in the KSCM’s Halo noviny news- in 1940 and was initially sentenced to death; however, her punishment
paper before Gottwald’s 110th birthday last year that Gottwald contrib- was later reduced to life imprisonment, and she was sent to the Terezín
uted to a “national and democratic revolution.” The initiators of the concentration camp and then to various prisons in Germany.
monument say it will be a monument to Horakova and 234 victims “of
After the liberation in May 1945, she returned to Prague, rejoining the
the Czechoslovak regime of the 1950s,” without naming the communist Communists. She was elected a member of parliament, a position she
regime. Czechoslovak democratic politician Milada Horakova was the held until the Communist coup of February 1948, when she resigned.
only woman whom the Communists executed in a show trial in Czecho- Even though she was urged by her friends to leave Czechoslovakia, she
slovakia in the 1950s. Horakova, a lawyer by profession, took active remained in the country and was still politically active. On September
part in the anti-Nazi resistence movement during World War Two. She 27, 1949 she was arrested and eventually accused of being the leader of
was arrested in 1940 and spent the rest of the war in Nazi concentration a supposed plot to overthrow the Communist regime. The StB secret
camps. After the war she was elected a deputy of the Czechoslovak police, infamous for their brutal interrogation methods, tried to break
parliament. When the Com- the group of alleged plotters and forced them to confess to treason and
munists seized power in conspiracy using both physical and psychological torture.
Czechoslovakia in FebruThe trial of Horakova and twelve others began on May 31, 1950. It
ary 1948, she gave up her was intended to be a show trial like those of the Soviet Great Purges in
mandate in protest against the 1930s, broadcast on the radio and even supervised by Soviet adviit. Later she unsuccessfully sors. The trial had a screenplay which the accused had to follow, but on
initiated concerted efforts several occasions they managed to get out of their role. Horakova, in
of non-Communist parties.
Horakova was sentenced
(Continued on page 2)
Celebrating the Culture, Language, Scholarship and the Arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Silesia.
1
From the Chairman
Effie M. Rosene
The News of The Czech Center
Czech Center Museum Houston
In the Museum District
4920 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77004
Telephone: 713-528-2060
Fax: 713-528-2017
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Webpage: http://www.czechcenter.org
www.houstonreceptions.org.
Vol. Xll, No. III & IV– Fall/Winter 2007
From the Chairman, Member Updates,
Czech History, Letters to the Editor,
Briefs, Outstanding People Profiles and
Happenings.
Quote on the Cover
Former Czech President Vaclav Havel
Effie M. Rosene, Editor/Contributor
Publication Committee:
W. G. Bill Rosene, Sherry Pierce, Cathy
Anderson, Christie Johnson
Website & Computer Consultant:
Frank Smith
The News of the Czech Center is published by the
Czech Center Museum Houston to inform members,
donors and interested parties of the Center’s activities. Editing, Design and Production is accomplished
in-house by the Center’s Development Board.
Send articles and activities well in advance to the
above address, attention Editor.
The opinions expressed in The News of the Czech
Center are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Czech Center Museum
Houston.
Please make note of the Czech Center’s new address
and telephone number:
Czech Center Museum Houston
4920 San Jacinto
Houston, Texas 77004
Telephone: 713 528 2060
Our Mission
The Purpose of the Czech Center Museum
Houston is to unify the Czech/Slovak American
Community around issues of importance and provide
a central focus for all things Czech related, serving as
a clearing house for informa­tion useful for members,
visitors, individuals, organizations, and the media.
The CCCH will:
Promote the Czech Culture and Heritage by
preserving, recording and celebrating the language,
scholarship, and the arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia
and Silesia;
Sponsor activities and events to accent special
persons, places and provide a forum for lectures,
concerts, exhibits and interaction with citizens visiting
from the Czech and Slovak republics; Provide Czech
language instruction, a museum, archives, genealogy
research facilities, and a library for history and
contemporary research of the Czech peoples;
Perform works of charity and mutual aid which
include granting scholarships to promote the
continuation of our cultural heritage.
T h e
“Building the future...remembering the past...leaving a legacy.”
“May the work I’ve done speak for me!”
We are continually amazed at the generosity of our members. Several took advantage of the one-time
provision to contribute from their IRAs, many made significant donations at year’s end, Wesley and Janell
Pustejovsky offered to underwrite two more stained glass windows in the Presidents
room; Bob Dlouhy offered to underwrite a cove ceiling painting in the Wenceslas
chapel representative of those fabulous painted ceilings in palaces and castles in the
Czech Republic. In fact he will send the artist to Prague to research those there and
present us with a proposal. Bob Forrest underwrote the cleaning and rewiring of the
antique Czech crystal chandelier to hang in the chapel. Several members who we
have only seen briefly that live afar continue to send us museum items unsolicited.
Sometime there is too little time to keep up with all of it, however it is a heartwarming part of this volunteer’s duties. Many of our friends and members have invested quite a stake in this
endeavor.
Bill and I celebrated our fifty-fourth wedding anniversary on December 1st
at our home with Robert Dvorak, who presented us with a beautiful bouquet
of flowers and then on December 23, 2007 we celebrated Bill’s eightieth
birthday at the Center with a group of friends. His birthday is really the 31st
however our granddaughter Sarah was to leave for a study abroad semester at
the University of London on that date so we wanted to celebrate early.
We made our fall trip to the Czech Republic, visited with our many friends
there, drove to Liberec to attend a Lost and Looted Art Conference and to
conduct some business for one of our members. Our August Gala was deemed
a success. More about this later on other pages herein.
54th Anniversary
I do want to advise you of a significant change in the name of our organization
December 1, 2007
only and not any change of the mission, but a name change to take advantage
of our position as now being one of Houston’s eighteen museums in the Museum District of Houston.
By being invited to join this prestigious group, we will be recognized publicly by the Museum District
Association, be able to call on them for help in presenting cultural events and the most valuable thing about
being a member is the great net-working opportunities presented us to work with some very significant
persons in the community. Our Board of Directors at its last meeting agreed to begin doing business as the
Czech Center Museum Houston and we will carry this designation on our letterhead. Again our mission
remains the same as when we started thirteen years ago meanwhile we have a great deal to gain from this
association.
Another issue addressed was that the state of Texas does not allow a 501[c][3] status organization to hold
the title of Chairman and President. I recommended to the Board of Directors to designate James Ermis as
President and then the Board acted to appoint Effie Rosene as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. I can
assure you we appreciated the Board’s support and vote of confidence and do all we can to keep moving
this organization forward.
As in my last greeting, please let me remind you we are actively soliciting membership in the elite group
of individuals to join our Club 200 who have given a minimum of five thousand dollars to this organization. Please consider joining with the now eighty-two individuals or families that have made this a lifetime
commitment. (Easy payment plans are available!) An endowment needs establishing for this organization.
The Center is grateful for any and all gifts.
Na Schledanou and S panem Bohem.
Milada Horakova (continued from page 1)
particular, stood firm and defended herself and her ideals even though she knew that such a fight could only
worsen her conditions and the final outcome. The state procurator was the infamous Josef Urvalek. She was
sentenced to death along with three of her co-defendants on June 8, 1950. Many great figures, including Albert
Einstein, Winston Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt, petitioned for her life. But their protests were to no avail
and her sentence was confirmed. Milada Horakova was hanged in Pankrác Prison on June 27, 1950.
Ed: The prosecutor in the 1950 show trial of Milada Horakova has been given a sentence of eight years
in prison for her part in the prosecution of Ms. Horakova. Evidence introduced at the trial showed that she
witnessed the cruel execution of Ms. Horakova and reveled in her painful execution. At her trial the prosecutor defended her action by speaking out against her own prosecution on charges of judicial murder. Ludmila
Brozova-Polednova told Lidove noviny that she had done no wrong by pressing charges against Horakova,
who was falsely charged with treason and espionage. The woman insisted that Milada Horakova, who was
exonerated after the fall of communism, had in fact been guilty. Ms Brozova-Polednova, who is 86, is one of
only two surviving actors in what was one of Czechoslovakia’s most notorious show-trials; Milada Horakova
was the only woman to be executed for political reasons under the Communists
N e w s
o f
T h e
2
C z e c h
C e n t e r
New Memberships
Founder
Elizabeth O. Eicher
Cindy & Greg Gentry
Kim & Paul Hlavinka
Pat & Charles Kubin
Friend
Delphine Darling
Brian Emr
Jerry & Peggy Krampota
Lynn & John McKemie
Lenore Psencik
Carole Riha Steele &
Stan Steele
Family
Margaret & Wayne Deats
Christopher & Jaclyn Bell
Joe Lamer
Regina Lederman &
Dr. Larry Russell
Penny & Bob Lezak
Daniel & Karol Musher
George & Harriet Sellnau
John & Ludmilla Stehlik
Burnham & Joan Terrell
Individual
Ronald Adams
Dale Dlouhy
Donna Johnson
Ann Kness
Dawn Orsak
Daryl Pawlak
Simon Sikora
Liane Soukup
Jessica Vargas
Lyle Woita
Member Renewals
Mary Ann Akers
Betsy Anderson
Patricia & Geoffrey Arms
Helen A. Baine
Dara Bartak
Helen Black
Ann & George Broze
Margie Ann Bubenik
& Robert Suttie
Pamela & Charles Butler
Captain Eugene A. Cernan
Joan & Bob Connor
Marilyn DeMarco
Drs. Mary & Joseph Dervay
Julie & John Dujka
Lillian Horak Dulaney
Father Vincent Dulock
Peggy & John Dybala
Mary Jo & Hutch Dvorak
Patsy Faltisek
Mary Dornak Florez &
William D. Florez
Betty Fragoso
Eugene Eschenburg &
Filothea Eschenburg
Rosemary Mladenka
Gendusa
Adelma Chernosky Graham
Derek & Kelley Grayson
Virginia Grossman &
Robert Grossman
Henrietta & John Haessly
Frederick Hanzalek
William Hanzalek
Zdenky & Charles Harman
Stephen Hlavinka
Member Update (May 1, 2007 to January 6, 2008)
Beryl Komjathy Hogshead
Janet & Dwight Holub
Patricia Horner
Dorothy Howard
Hope C. Hruska
Jean & Duane Humlicek
Evelyn & Frank Jez
Vesna & Matthew Jurick
Sharon Kempf
Al Kercho
Margie Kneblik
Victoria Kolaja
Jerry & Palma Koudelka
Ernest Koval
Emil & Evelyn Kovalcik
Raymond Krampota &
Dolores Krampota
Leona Kristek
Larry Lambertz
Judith and John Lanik
Georgia Kasper Harvey Lee
Eugene A. Lichnovsky
Edward Lukasek
Clarice Marek
Pati & Gene Marik
Mary Isabel Matusek
Teresa Matlock
Vickie Vydrzal Matocha
Helen Trnovsky Mikus
Betty & Walter Nass
Marie A. Neuman
Sister Alberta Novosad
Ann & Charles Orasak
Elizabeth Orsak
John Pederson
Laura & Billy Pilgrim
Sister Roseanne Plagens
Jeanice Pokorny &
Alex D. Pokorny, M.D.
Gloriana Poole
Jo Ann Pospisil
Violet and Robert Pratka
Glenn & Janet Rawlinson
Ed & Michelle Raz
Frank Sacky
Kenneth Schwenke
Wayne Shandera, M.D.
Nancy & Tom Sofka
Carol & Robert Stankovsky
Emil Stavinoha
Mary Stepan
Margaret Sunderman
Cora Veselka Taylor
Margie Toman
Dan Urbanek
Marie Vavrik
Sandra & Kenneth Voytek
Eve Watson
Pat Wheeler
Susan Zapletal Wheeler
Rose Marie White &
Nikolas White
Gloria Whiteley
Loretta & G.D. Whittington
Fran Wilcox
Rita & Roger Willhite
Maxine Wilson
Angelina Yordanoff
Carol Zabcik-DeWitt,M.D.
Carolyn Zaskoda
Nelda Zbranek
M/M L. Gene Zellmer
Charlese C. Zilar &
Steven H. Novotny
Robert Zurik
T h e
N e w s
Grateful Appreciation to...
Briggs & Veselka Co.
Accountants for their pro bono
work on the organization’s IRS
990 submission.
Chris Hlavinka, AIA
For his pro bono work with the
City of Houston permit section.
Memorial/Honor Wall
Carolyn Filipp Beseda &
Rev. Henry Beseda
Dorothy Tichavsky
Honor Donations
Effie & Bill Rosene
Cora Sue & Harry Mach
Betti & Charles Saunders
Virginia G. Hodge
Christiana Marie Gentry
Greg & Cindy Gentry
Marion M. Freeman
Robert & Henrietta Freeman
Memorial Donations
Tina Schneider Kubin &
Charlie F. Kubin
Pat & Charles Kubin
Katherine Jennifer Nail
Mildred Dziadek Borden &
Joseph Borden
Milly Elzner
Jerry Elzner
Charles J. Heyda
Agness Shimanek
Stanley J. Hradecky
Allen C. Hradecky
John & Silvie Kelarek
Jannie Kelarek
In memory of parents and
sister. Silvie Gaventa
Bill Miley
Marcella Miley
Czech Center Houston
Supporters
Platinum Benefactor
Julie Halek Kloess
Marta R. Latsch
Diamond Benefactor
Braus Family Fund
Joyce & Jim Braus
Lorraine Rod Green
Ann & Bert Link
Effie & Bill Rosene
Betti & Charles Saunders
Special Benefactor
Clarence J. Ehlers
Cecilia Pingenot Forrest
Patricia & Charles Kubin
Betty & Mark Kubala, MD
Woody K. Lesikar
Marek Family Companies
Donation
Melissa Brinkmeyer
Captain Eugene Cernan
Robert Dvorak
Clarence J. Ehlers
Jerry & Victor Holy
Rev. Joseph Hybner
Phillip Kasik
R.V.O.S. Lodge # 113
Jamie & J. Scott McLain
Johnelle & Edwin Moudry
Perry & Sara Schwierzke
o f
T h e
3
Gala 2007
Grand Patrons
Julie Kloess
Gabriela & Daniel Dror
Special Patrons
Table Contributors
Garnet
Father Paul Chovanec
Ralph Marek,
Marek Family Foundation
Wes & Janell Pustejovsky
Lorraine Rod Green
Sally & David Miller
Chris Hlavinka
Clarice Snokhous &
Raymond Snokhous
Dorothy Pflughaupt &
Larry Pflughaupt
Nancy Chernosky Sheffield
& Don Sheffield
Gabriela Dror &
Daniel Dror (2x)
Effie & Bill Rosene
Patron
Carol & Herman Vacca
Gala Contributers
Betti & Charles Saunders
Treena & Tom Rowan
Sandra & Edward Pickett
Gerald Opatrny, Eva Vankova
& Juhan Robberts, Frank
Smith
Victoria Castleberry, Cindi &
Dr. Franklin Rose, Kenneth
Dusek, Suzanne Hornbuckle
Doug Sandage, Ted LaPesh
Paul and Judy Pasemann
Donald Kokas & Denise
Mansfield, Charles Waligura
Marvin & Judy Marek
Marilyn & Charles Sikora
Cynthia Gdula, Charles
Westervelt, Marta Latsch
Jan Dura, Robert Dvorak
Vesna Stavel Jurick
Matthew Jurick, Joanne
Kucera
Mike Kucera, Donna Johnson
Anthony & Mary Pavlik
Dan Urbanek, Jr., Linda &
Johnny Veselka, Cecilia & Bob
Forrest, James Ermis, Elsie
Pecana, Elizabeth Bily
Robert & Lillian Kokas
Cassandra Martin, Helena
Gijsbers VanWijk
Tom & Nancy Sofka, Joan &
Bob Connor, Donyail Hubbard
Marie Zinnante, Steve Vrana
Lynn Chernosky Swaffar
Dorothy Chernosky, Evelyn
Anderson, Cliff & Barbara
Malek, Frank & Mary Pokluda
Earl & Lovie Beard, Paul
& Annette Sofka, Nina &
Ray Vitek, Wes & Janell
Pustejovsky
Unable to Attend Contributors
Chris Divin Cosgrove
Barbara Fosdick
Wayne Dear, M.D.
Clarence J. Ehlers
Sister Rosanne Plagens
C z e c h
C e n t e r
Zahava Haenosh
Betty & Jesse Tutor
C. John Zabcik
Elaine Odom Zabcik
Richard & Traci Dvorak
Joy Balderach
Kenneth Dusek
Gladys & Les Kahanek
Jerrydene & Rudolf Kovar
Andrew Stephens
Martin & Brooks Lobkowicz
Adelma Graham
Cora Sue & Harry Mach
Betty Joyce Sikora
Czech Consul General
Peter Rafaeli and American
Friends of the Czech
Republic
William Samohyl
Frank & Mary Pokluda
Vlasta & Ervin Adam
Jaroslav & Blazena Belik
Father Joseph Hybner
Carol & Brian Williams
Jean-Michel Barrette
Silent Auction Grand
Contributors
Betti Saunders
Marta Latsch
Larry & Dorothy Pflughaupt
S.P.J.S. T., Lodge No. 88
Sally & David Miller
Effie & Bill Rosene
Prize Drawing Contributors
Liz Zemanek, Johnny & Linda
Veselka, Jerry Elzner, Patricia
Arms, Gene Zellmer, Ronald
Masek, Carol Vacca, Sandra
Pickett, Janet & David
Piwonka, Wes & Janell
Pustejovsky ,Lorraine Rod
Green, Gerald Opatrny, David
Kvapil, Helen Kopecky
Layman, Frank Smith
Victoria Castleberry, Rita
Willhite, Madelyn & Allen
Dusek, Beatrice MladenkaFowler & Jesse C. Fowler
Julie Kloess, Deborah &
William Shortner, Barbara
Mikulik, Vicki & Tomas Suchy
Marta Latsch, David Killen
Father Stephen Nesrsta
Henrietta Haessly, Lorrayne
Piwetz Mosher, Mildred
Grahmann, Jerry Horacek
Joseph Pavelka, Lynn
McKemie, Tracey Zetka
Cheryl Fee, Jerry Krampota
Clarice & Raymond Snokhous
Anthony Pavlik, Dan Urbanek,
Jr., Cecilia & Bob Forrest
Ruby Kocurek Jackson
Cora Sue & Harry Mach
Effie & Bill Rosene, Betty
Joyce Sikora, Joan C. Meluch
Joe Hegar, Gladys & Willie
Gavranovic, Dorothy Christ
Cliff & Barbara Malek
Kathleen Moore, Frank &
Mary Pokluda, Felicia Zbranek
Sharon Frank, Marie Zinnante
Paul & Annette Sofka
Father Joseph Hybner, Nina
& Ray Vitek, Guillermo
Leguizamon
Dvorak Concert
Contributors
Danny Billingsley
Unable to Attend Contributors
Father Joseph Hybner
Dan Urbanek
Marta Latsch
St. Nicholas Celebration
Contributors
Lovie & Earl Beard
Cora Sue & Harry Mach
Mary & Frank Pokluda
Unable to Attend Contributors
Wayne Dear
Elizabeth & Dennis Hermis
Joseph Kocab
Marta Latsch
Helen Layman
Robert Petter
Dan Urbanek
Christmas Remembrance Gift
Greg & Cindy Gentry
Ed & Sandra Pickett
Our Members
In memoriam since last publication!
Kermet Clayton
Milo Jarolim
Edwin Jurecka
Bill Miley
Joe A. Novak
Alex Pokorney, MD
Honorary Board
Dorothy Chernosky
Julie Halek Kloess
Leslie & Gladys Kahanek
The Mareks – Marek
Family of Companies
Marta R. Latsch
Frank & Mary Pokluda
Grace Skrivanek
John R. Vacek
In memoriam
Allen Chernosky
Bernice Cernosek Havelka
Tim & Rosa Lee Kostom
Oleta & Louis Hanus
Thelma Burnett Maresh
William E. Souchek
Naomi Kostom Spencer
CLUB 200 Members
Norma Ashmore
Martha & Earl Austin
Stephen & Mary Birch
Foundation
Mildred Dziadek Borden &
Joseph Borden
Burnette Jurica Boyett &
Thomas Boyett
Joyce & Jim Braus
Briggs & Veselka Co.
Victoria Castleberry
CHS of Texas
Reverend Paul Chovanec
Dorothy Chernosky
Jean & Marvin Chernosky, MD
Joan & Robert Connor
Roy & Mary Cullen
John & Rose Hrncir Deathe
Madelyn & Allen Dusek
Robert J. Dvorak
Danna & James Ermis
Cecilia & Bob Forrest
Silvie & Lawrence Gaventa
Cynthia Gdula
Lorraine Rod Green
Zahava Haenosh
Lynn & Purvis Harper, MD
Virginia & Henry Harper
Barbara Hermis &
Henry Hermis, AIA
Chris Hlavinka, AIA
Anna Hornak
Roberta Howell &
Member Update continued
Jimmy Howell, MD
Houston Endowment
Roy M. Huffington
Rev. Joseph M. Hybner
Delores & Arthur M Jansa, MD
Gladys & Leslie Kahanek
Jerrie & Frank Kalenda
Tomas Klima, MD &
Marcella Klima, MD
Julie Halek Kloess
Louis J. Kocurek, Jr.
Lillian & Robert Kokas
Betty & Mark Kubala, MD
Marta R. Latsch
Helen Kopecky Layman
Elbert & Ann Bordovsky Link
Cora Sue & Harry Mach
Marek Family Companies
Jacqueline & Bennie Marek
Martha & Ralph Marek
MBC Foundation
John P. McGovern, MD
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler
& Jesse Fowler
Judy & Paul Pasemann
Charlie Pavlicek
Tony & Mary Grace Pavlik
Sandra & Edward Pickett
Lindsey, Sarah, &
Sherry Rosene Pierce
Mary & Frank Pokluda,Jr.
Frank Pokluda, III
Janell & Wesley Pustejovsky
Justine Jurica Rivoire
Melissa & Charles W. Rod
Bill & Effie Sojak Rosene
Betti Friedel Saunders &
Charles Saunders
Nancy Chernosky Sheffield &
Don Sheffield
Grace Skrivanek
Clarice Marik Snokhous
Raymond J. Snokhous
Lilian Hornak Sorrels &
H.M. Sorrels, DDS
Julianne Souchek
SPJST Corporate
Edie Stavinoha &
John Stavinoha, Jr., MD
Dan Urbanek, Jr.
John R. Vacek
Marie Koranek Zinnante
In Memoriam
Keith Ashmore
Allen Chernosky
Velma Chernosky Fordtran
Oleta & Louis Hanus
Bernice Cernosek Havelka
Edwin Jurecka
Thelma Burnett Maresh
Tim & Rosa Lee Kostom
Randall Leland Rod
Memorial Gift Lorraine Rod
William E. Souchek
Naomi Kostom Spencer
Board of Directors
Effie M. Rosene, Chairman
James E. Ermis, Vice Chair
Rev. Paul Chovanec
Robert J. Dvorak
Chris Hlavinka
Harry E. Mach
Sally Miller, PhD
Wesley Pustejovsky
Betti Friedel Saunders
Officers
Effie M. Rosene, CEO
W. G. Bill Rosene,
VP, Administration, Secretary
James E. Ermis, President
Anthony E. Pavlik,
Treasurer
Honorary Czech Consuls
Raymond J. Snokhous,
(Texas)
Kenneth H. Zezulka
T h e
N e w s
(Louisiana)
CLUB 200 Members
Please join with 82 individuals
or families that have contributed
$5,000 or more, or have pledged
that amount, to become a member of this prestigious group.
These members will be recognized on the donor wall in the
entry foyer of the Czech Center.
118 more needed to be a Club
200 member!
Czech Center Honor Roll of
Lifetime Members
Alice Adam
Ervin Adam, MD
Vlasta Adam, MD
Karolina Adam, MD
John G. Dickerson
Larry & Cathy Rosene Anderson
Norma Paine Ashmore
Anna Ashmore
Keith Ashmore, Jr.
EarlAustin, Martha Austin
Joy Koym BalderachMarion
Bell
Alma Mazoch Berger
Elizabeth Bily
Melinda & John Bily
Helen Dornak Blankenburg
Lynn Blankenburg
Joseph Borden &
Mildred Dziadek Borden
Thomas Boyett &
Burnette Jurica Boyettt
Jerry & Anna Berger Brannen
Jim & Joyce Drapela Braus
David & Darlene Kolaja Brooks
Bradley & Cindy Saunders
Buggs
Victoria Lysek Castleberry
Captain Eugene A. Cernan
Jan Cernan
Dorothy Chernosky
Jean Chernosky&
Marvin E. Chernosky, MD
Norma E. Chernosky
Rev. Paul Chovanec
Mary & Richard Conroy
Edna Petters Cox, Bill Cox
Robert Cunningham &
Esther Fojt Cunningham
Elizabeth Eisen Cupitt
Czech-American Priests Assoc.
Jeanette & Daniel J.Darilek, Jr.
John & Rose Hrncir Deathe
Vicki Dressler
Gabriela & Daniel Dror
Dror Foundation for the Arts
Lillian Horak Dulany
Allen & Madelyn Rod Dusek
Robert J. Dvorak
Jeff & Shelley Saunders Eatherly
Keith & Janet Pertl Edwards
Elizabeth O. Eicher
Ted C.Emr, Elizabeth Meyer
Emr
Danna & James E. Ermis
Carolyn F. Filipp Beseda
Francine Mikulik Fleming
Velma Chernosky Fordtran
Robert Forrest &
Cecilia Pingenot Forrest
J.H. & Marion Merseburger
Caroline Freeman
Peter Fucik
Lawrence Gaventa &
Silvie Kelarek Gaventa
Cynthia Gdula &
L. Charles Westervelt
Cindy & Greg Gentry
Len Green &
Lorraine Strnadel Rod Green
Zahava Haenosh
Oleta Hanus
o f
T h e
4
Virginia Ermis Harper &
Henry Harper
Purvis E. Harper, MD &
Lynn A. Harper
CHS Harris County
Kathy Pertl Hart, Gary Hart
Leroy Hermes, Barbara Hermes
Barbara & Henry R. Hermis, Jr.
Pam Hemphill
Marietta Hetmaniak
Charles J. Heyda
Chris J. Hlavinka
Paul & Kim Hlavinka
Edward A. Holik, Anne Holik
Victor E. Holy, Jerry S. Holy
Anna Hornak
Dr. Jerry Hosek, Shirley Hosek
Roberta & Jimmy Howell, MD
Kathleen & Daniel J. Hrna, Esq.
Roy M. Huffington
Alan Husak, Glen Husak
Rev. Joseph M. Hybner
Bobbie & Ruby Kocurek Jackson
Robert Janak
Doris & Edward A. Janek, Sr.
Cathy & Joseph Jankovic, M.D.
Delores & Arthur M. Jansa, MD
Eric & Christie Rosene Johnson
Edwin Jurecka
Edward J. Kadlecek
Marlene Kadlecek
Leslie Kahanek
Gladys Froehlich Kahanek
John Kahanek III, Sonia
Kahanek
Frank J. Kalenda, Jerrie Kalenda
Robert Kercho, Sandra Kercho
David Killen
Joe E. Klecka, Margaret Klecka
Henrietta Klecka, Rudolph
Klecka
John Klesel, Georgia Klesel
Eva Klima, MD
Tomas Klima, MD
Marcella Klima, MD
Julie Halek Kloess
Audrey Klump
Thomas M Kocurek
Louis J. Kocurek, Jr.
Robert Kokas, Lillian Kokas
W. C. Kolinek, Barbara Kolinek
Agnes Kosarek
Jerrydene Pavlik Kovar
Rudolf Kovar
Edward Krpec, Anna Krpec
Joe J. Krupa, Jr., Alyce V. Krupa
John Albert Kuba
Mark Kubala, MD, Betty Kubala
Pat & Charles Kubin
Michael Kucera
Marta R. Latsch
Helen Kopecky Layman
Woody K. Lesikar, Shelly,
Woodrow Lesikar
Elbert & Ann Bordovsky Link
Marek Family of Companies
Foundation
Harry Mach, Cora Sue Mach
Melanie Saunders Mahoney
Tim Mahoney
Clifford Malek, Barbara Malek
Marvin J. & Judith M Marek
Stan Marek
Bennie & Jacqueline Marek
Ralph Marek, Martha Marek
Thelma Burnett Maresh
Jeff Masek
Charlotte Matula
John P. McGovern Foundation
McLennan-Hill CHS
Kenneth A. Meek
Barbara Mikulik
Marcella Miley, W. C. Miley
Sally Eisen Miller PhD
David H. Miller, MD
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler
Jesse Fowler
C z e c h
C e n t e r
Edwin Moudry &
Johnelle Thoede Moudry
Laverne Huml Nash
John Nau, Bobbie Nau
Phillip Nevlud, Kelli Nevlud
Gerald Opatrny
Betty & John W. Orsag
Patricia Parma
Paul Pasemann
Judy Tallas Pasemann
Stanley L. Pavlas
Charlie E. Pavlicek
Anthony E. Pavlik &
Mary Grace Sikorski Pavlik
W. F. & Alice Strzinek Pearson
Henry Pekar, Dortha Pekar
Michael Pertl, Rebecca Pertl
Clarence Pertl, Bobbie Pertl
Minnie M. Petrusek
Dorothy & Larry Pflughaupt
Sandra Jircik Pickett, Ed Pickett
Lindsey & Sherry Rosene Pierce
Frank J. Pokluda III
Mary & Frank Pokluda, Jr.
Mike Prasek
Janell Gilmore Pustejovsky &
Wesley Pustejovsky
Charles Pustejovsky, Sr
Georgana Repal
Justine Jurica Rivoire,
Nita Bagley
Hugh J. Roff, Jr., Ann Roff
Melissa & Charles W. Rod
Effie M. & W. G. Bill Rosene
Charles & Betti Friedel Saunders
Pat & C. Stephen Saunders
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, MD
Nancy Chernosky Sheffield
Don Sheffield
Jennifer Davis Sibille
Paul Sibille, MD
Charles & Marilyn Sikora
Walter M. Skripka
Grace A. Skrivanek
Raymond J. Snokhous
Clarice Marik Snokhous
Edward W. Socha, Debby Socha
Sokol Houston
Lil Hornak Sorrels
Dr. H. M. (Mit) Sorrels
Julianne Souchek
Naomi Kostom Spencer
SPJST Lodge #88 Pokrok
Susan Stasney &
C. Richard Stasney, MD
Colleen Stavinoha &
Michael Stavinoha, MD
Edie & John Stavinoha, MD
Yvonne & Glenn F. Sternes, PhD
Dan Urbanek, Jr.
John R. Vacek
SPJST Texas
Johnny J. Veselka, Linda Veselka
Briggs & Veselka Company CPA
Ray Vitek, Nina Vitek
Jerry Vojacek, JoAnn Vojacek
Stephen Vrana,
Charles Waligura
Patsy Veselka Wells, John Wells
Wayne Wendt, Sallie Wendt
Dorothy A. Wheeler
Norman J. Zetka, Tracey P. Zetka
Dollye & Kenneth H. Zezulka
Marie Koranek Zinnante
Nelda Zbranek
If you are not on this list you need
to be here! We invite you to join
this distinguished group of members that have made a lifetime
commitment to the Czech Center
Houston.
The Czech Orthodox Church
Although the Orthodox Church has a relatively
small congregation in the Czech Republic, it has
a long and colorful history in the Czech lands.
It was the Orthodox Saints Cyril and Methodius
who first brought Christianity to this part of the
world when they converted Great
Moravia in the ninth century, and
Moravia was actually the place from
where Orthodox Christianity later
spread eastwards to Ukraine and
Russia.
Although the Czech Lands subsequently aligned themselves with
Rome, their links with the Eastern
Church were revived in the fifteenth
century, when the reformist Hussite
movement initially sought to join
the Greek Orthodox Church before this plan
was eventually thwarted when Constantinople
was conquered by the Turks in 1453. Centuries
later, when democratic Czechoslovakia was
founded after the First World War, many Czechs
were attracted by the pan-Slavic
nature of the Eastern Church and
took advantage of new religious
freedoms to convert to Orthodox
Christianity. Many churches were
built and the congregation swelled
to around 145,000 people before
the outbreak of World War II.
The Church suffered greatly
during the Nazi occupation, primarily because Bishop Gorazd,
the head of the Orthodox Church
in Czechoslovakia, allowed those
who assassinated Reichsprotektor
Reinhard Heydrich to shelter in
the Orthodox chapel on Resslova Street in
Prague. When these resistance fighters died
after being discovered by the Nazis, the occupants quickly set about taking reprisals against
the Orthodox Church. Altogether, 256 priests
and laymen were rounded up and executed,
including Bishop Gorazd, who
has since been declared a saint.
Church life did not recover from
this crippling blow until after
the war, when it began to revive
slowly. Moscow made the Czech
Lands and Slovakia an autonomous patriarchate in 1951 and
this was formally recognized by
Constantinople in 1998.
Today, the Orthodox congregations in the Czech Republic and
Slovakia still remain canonically
unified even though the countries have gone their separate ways politically.
Although today’s congregation in the Czech
Republic is relatively small and only numbers
around 30,000 to 50,000 people, masses are
well attended and the church is attracting new
members. The Czech and Slovak branch of the
Orthodox Church is currently headed by the
Czech-born Archbishop Krystof. He says that
many people have become interested in religion
T h e
- a community with a long and rich history in Bohemia and Moravia
here since the fall of communism and that quite
a few have been attracted by the very traditional
nature of the Orthodox liturgy: “A lot of new
people are looking for a new connection with
Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Orthodox way is
mystical and traditional. For this
reason a lot of people are coming
to the Orthodox Churches to pray
and to seek the ‘old Christianity’ in
our country. They are looking for a
church with the old traditions and
with some mystery.”
Igor Strelec is one Czech who has
converted to Orthodox Christianity.
He says that the church’s historical
links to this country - stretching back to the time of the Great
Moravian Archbishop Methodius in the ninth
century - was one of the things that appealed to
him. “I feel like I am continuing the tradition
of Methodius and of our Hussite movement
and Bishop Gorazd. I am proud that I come
from the Czech Republic, where
the Orthodox Church began in
Great Moravia and then spread
eastwards to Ukraine, Russia
and other countries. It’s a proud
part of our history.” Archbishop
Krystof says that the church has
also been making inroads in the
Czech Roma community, “We
have a lot of projects with gypsies in the Czech Republic. We
have built a Roma community
with a Roma priest. It is the
first time a member of the Roma
community became a priest in
the whole Czech Republic. For this reason it
is very auspicious for us. The Roma priest is
very active and the Roma [Orthodox] community has a future here.” Besides new Czech
converts, the Czech Orthodox Church’s congregation has been boosted by new arrivals
from other
countries. These include a number of Greeks who have moved
here to conduct business since
the Czech Republic joined the
EU, but they mostly comprise
guest workers from the states
of the former Soviet Union.
Archbishop Krystof says that
although this increase in numbers
is welcome, the fact that new
arrivals come from different traditions also poses a challenge in
terms of maintaining unity in the
Czech and Slovak Orthodox church, “There
are more new Orthodox believers coming from
the former Soviet Union - from Russia and
Ukraine. For this reason we have more and
more members. This is very nice for us but we
have to create some sort of solidarity between
them, not just for the original Czech believers
but to try and ensure spiritual care for all our
believers.”
N e w s
o f
T h e
5
C z e c h
Another challenge for members of the
Orthodox Church is that its calendar is out of
synch with the Catholic Christian calendar that
prevails here. As a result Orthodox churchgoers
have to adapt to public Christian-based holidays
like Christmas and Easter being celebrated here
on different days to those of their own church.
Igor Strelec, however, says that instead of this
being a problem, he and his fellow Czech coreligionists can enjoy the best of both worlds:
“For me and my family - and I think for most
Orthodox families in the Czech Republic - this
is not a problem because we have twice as many
celebrations. We celebrate both Christmases. I
must say that we celebrate Christmas according
to the Czech calendar like every family here
because we love this celebration. And then we
celebrate according to our Orthodox calendar in
a more religious manner.”
Any religion in this country also has to face
up to the highly secular nature of Czech society,
which means that most faiths have to contend
with a lot of indifference in this country or even
suspicion. Archbishop Krystof, however, says
that this issue has been overstated. He maintains
that many Czechs are in fact open to the idea of
religion and that the Orthodox Church has an
opportunity to prosper in their midst, “I have to
say that Czechs are a people without a church
but they are not without faith. Everybody from
the Czech population has some faith, but it is
not connected with any church, regardless of
whether it is Western, Eastern or Protestant.
We have our own kind of faith but we are not
people without faith. The Czechs are a people
without a church. We just have to find the right
church. That’s the main issue.”
Matt Anderson, pitcher for the Bellaire High
School Baseball team in a championship playoff
at Reliant Stadium
Do not always expect good to happen, but do
not let evil take you by surprise!
Czech Proverb
C e n t e r
Saint Wenceslas
The medieval Czech ruler of the duchy of
Bohemia, Wenceslas (ca. 903-935) is best
known to the English-speaking world as
the pious and kind leader immortalized in
the English Christmas carol “Good King
Wenceslas.” He is one of the Slavic peoples’
fabled early Christian rulers, and remains the
patron saint of Bohemia.
Wenceslas was barely out of his teens when
he ruled Bohemia and fought bitter opposition
from within his own family because of his
pro-Christian policies. He was murdered by his
brother on September 28, 935, now the day on
which the Roman Catholic Church celebrates
his feast day. The memory of Wenceslas has
been immortalized in modern times by his
famous statue, which stands in the heart of
Prague. It has become a historic rallying spot
for citizens protesting a foreign presence in
their land.
Wencelsas (also known as Wenceslaus,
Vaclav, Vaceslav, and, in German, Wenzel) was
a descendant of the Premsyl family that rose to
power in Bohemia as the first Christian King.
This part of Europe lies in the western area of
the present-day Czech Republic. Its contemporary borders are Austria, Poland, Germany, and
on the east, what was the Czech kingdom of
Moravia. Bohemia’s name derives from its first
settlers, a Celtic tribe known as the Boii, who
were replaced by Slavic tribes from the east
who likely arrived here in the sixth century CE.
Neighboring Moravia became a kingdom first.
Christianity was introduced there beginning in
the 860s with the arrival of two Greek missionaries, Cyril and Methodius. During their most
active years, the two men converted many of
the Slavic tribes to Christianity, and were the
first to transcribe the Slavonic language. From
the pope in Rome they received approval to
use this language for the liturgical mass, and
ordained local priests. The Cyrillic alphabet,
which Russian and a number of other Slavic
languages still use in modern times, is attributed to the efforts of Cyril.
The work of the missionaries ignited several
decades of religious and political controversy in
the area, a battle into which Wenceslas would
be fatally drawn. From Moravia, Methodius
headed westward to the land of Bohemia,
where his talents as a proselytizer convinced
many, but not all, of the Slavic tribes to abandon their traditional pagan belief system. His
most important ally was the prince of the
Premsyl dynasty, Borivoy, the first historically
documented ruler of Bohemia; Methodius baptized both him and his wife, Ludmilla. Their
son Wratislaw (also spelled as Vrachislav or
Ratislav) became the duke of Bohemia, and
was a committed Christian. His wife, Dragomir
(Drahomira), was descended from a Slavic
tribe in the north called the Veletians, and had
accepted Christianity in name only. In the line
of succession was their first son, Wenceslas.
Wenceslas was born in the early years of
the tenth century, likely between 903 and 907.
and was raised by his grandmother, Ludmilla,
arranged with the parents to raise him at her
T h e
castle at Tetin. There her personal chaplain, a
follower of Methodius, baptized Wenceslas. In
addition to ensuring that her grandson received
instruction in Christian catechism, Ludmilla
also made certain that he was educated in other
subjects, including literacy in both the Slavonic
and Latin languages. Some of this schooling took place at a forerunner of a collegiate
institution in Budweis. Bohemia was thrown
into turmoil by a 906 CE invasion by invading Magyars, a nomadic people from beyond
the Ural Mountains. They would later settle in
what is present-day Hungary, but did not fully
adopt Christianity until nearly a century later,
in the early decades of the eleventh century.
Wenceslas’s father Wratislaw died in this conflict that evolved into a Bohemian civil war,
and his mother Dragomir then became regent of
the duchy. She attempted to regress to a more
secular political rule. Her advisors, culled from
Bohemian nobles who still adhered to tradition
always–particularly the Slavs’ former nonChristian religion–fomented discord between
her and her mother-in-law. They suggested that
her pious son was better suited for the priesthood than the duties of a duke. In response, the
grandmother Ludmilla and pro-Christian factions convinced Wenceslas to attempt to usurp
his mother’s power. When Dragomir learned of
this, Ludmilla was strangled by nobles at her
castle, allegedly upon orders of her daughterin-law. Rather than advance her own cause,
this act of treachery backfired on Dragomir, for
it helped rally support around Wenceslas. By
922, he had taken control of the duchy and proclaimed Christian law in Bohemia. His mother,
exiled at Budech, was recalled to his court and
their relations were unaffected by past tensions.
To help maintain peace in the land, Wenceslas
asked neighboring Germany for protection.
These lands to the west of Bohemia were ruled
by another Christian leader, Emperor Henry
I (the Fowler) of Germany, the first of the
Saxon line of kings. Such German rulers, after
consolidating power, would eventually become
Holy Roman Emperors. This alliance with the
Germans later clouded historic assessments
of Wenceslas, since Czechs and Bohemians
would have a tenuous, sometimes troublesome
relationship with one another in subsequent
centuries. But Wenceslas was eager to ally
with the West and the rest of Christian Europe,
and considered Henry the direct successor to
Charlemagne, the late eighth century French
king who united large parts of western Europe
under his rule and became the first emperor of
the Holy Roman Empire.
History, and particular Slavic Catholic history,
have placed much emphasis upon Wenceslas,
his piety, and his determination to implement
Christian laws and principles during his brief
rule. It is said that Henry was similarly devout,
and was greatly impressed by Wenceslas when
they first met. The German emperor offered to
grant the duke whatever he would like, and so
Wenceslas asked for the arm of Saint Vitus, one
of the oldest of Christian saints, whose remains
were in Germany. In Prague, Wenceslas began
N e w s
o f
T h e
6
C z e c h
building a church in honor of the relic. He
issued an edict that replaced the Slavonic
mass with the standard Latin mass, which was
used in the rest of Christian Europe. This was
unpopular with the people. It was also unwise,
since there were not enough priests in this
area of Europe trained in the Latin language.
Wenceslas also created advisory counsels and
invited clerics to sit on them. This decision further alienated the nobles, who saw their rightful
political role as being supplanted by priests.
At some point in the 920s Wenceslas married
and became the father of a son. This effectively shut out his younger brother Boleslaw
(also Boleslav, Boleslaus, sometimes called
Boleslav the Cruel) from the line of succession.
Dragomir, the mother of both, allegedly urged
Boleslaw to murder his own brother. Though
the year of his death is vague, the circumstances
surrounding the deed are better known. In the
year 929 or 935, Boleslaw invited Wenceslas to
join him at a site outside Prague (in what later
became known as Stara Boleslav) to celebrate
the feast day of saints Cosmas and Damian.
While there, Wenceslas was advised that his
life was in danger, but ignored the warning. On
his way to mass in the morning of the second
day, he met Boleslaw outside the church and
thanked him for his hospitality. Boleslaw purportedly replied, “Yesterday, I did my best to
serve you fittingly, but this must be my service
today,” and struck him. A struggle ensued, and
a group of nobles loyal to Boleslaw finished the
task. Legend has it that Wenceslas’s final words
were, “May God forgive you, brother.”
The body of Wenceslas was then dismembered
and buried at the site of the crime, to which
the faithful began making pilgrimages. The
reported incidents of miracles there were said
to have greatly unnerved Boleslaw, now duke
of Bohemia. He made a genuine repentance.
Three years after the murder, he ordered the
removal of his brother’s remains to the church
of St. Vitus. Boleslaw later consolidated his
power by having much of a rival clan murdered.
The Premsyl dynasty ruled Bohemia for four
centuries. In the twelfth century, the successors
to Wenceslas–now quite firmly on the side of
Rome and the Christian church–were elevated
to the position of electors of the Holy Roman
Empire. Some of these leaders, hoping to spur
economic development in the area, invited
German craftsmen to settle in Bohemia. Their
descendants, who still spoke German, became
known as Sudeten Germans, and provided Nazi
German chancellor Adolf Hitler with a spurious
reason to invade the country in 1938.
By the year 984, the feast of Wenceslas was
being celebrated in Bohemia as a venerated
hero. A third church on the site of the original
St. Vitus was began in the 1340s as a cathedral
under orders of Charles IV. The church, site
of religious and coronation ceremonies for
centuries and untouched by the destruction of
World War II, contains an ornate chapel for the
(continued on page 7)
C e n t e r
Wenceslas continued from page 6
Benefits of Volunteering
resting place of Wenceslas. Charles ordered
that its walls be made from jasper, amethyst,
and chalcedony. The saint’s skull was girded
in pure gold.
The English Christmas carol “Good King
Wenceslas” dates from the nineteenth century,
though the melody itself is much older. Its
verses recount the journey of the duke and a
servant of his, who take food and pine logs to a
peasant home on Saint Stephen’s Day, the day
after Christmas. It is a cold and arduous forest
trek, and the page fears he will not make it.
Wenceslas tells him to follow in his footsteps,
which miraculously warm him.
Wenceslas Square in Prague is home to a
statue of the revered leader and is a symbol of
Czech pride. The square is one of the city’s most
famous landmarks both for Czech citizens and
visitors alike. It has become a gathering spot for
successive generations of Czechs and Slovaks
protesting foreign domination. Most recently,
those opposed to the presence of Soviet troops
on Czechoslovak soil. Enervated by the rise to
power of a reform-minded communist leader,
It has been proven an active lifestyle will help
slow your brain ageing. While not identifying
specifically in this study volunteering as an
activity, volunteering would certainly qualify
as Social Engagement. Volunteers at the
Czech Center Museum Houston are “socially
engaged” from the moment they begin their
day here at the Center! We guarantee to give
a volunteer an immune system boost, produce
more “T” cells to help them fight off infections! What more can you ask for? Call us to
volunteer and be more healthy!
For the last decade, Dr. Gene Cohen has
been a pioneer in studying the link between
creativity and its effect on the way the human
brain ages. In 2000, he wrote the first book
on the subject called The Creative Age:
Awakening Human Potential in the Second
Half of Life.
“The staff at the National Endowment for
the Arts read it and realized that, with all
of the projects that they had supported in
terms of community-based art programs for
such things as health measures,” says Cohen,
who serves as director of the Center on
Aging, Health and Humanities at The George
Washington University in Washington, D.C.
“So they asked me if I would design a multisite national study looking at the impact of
these programs through broader measures.”
It was the first study of its kind evaluating
the effect that creative activity had on physical and mental health. It involved two groups
of participants, all between the ages of 65 &
103, in Washington, D.C., New York and San
Francisco.
As Cohen explains, both groups were completely comparable in just about every way,
matched in terms of age range and overall
health at the beginning of the study. Only one
group, however would engage in creative pursuits that included everything from painting
and writing to music and storytelling.
And just one year into the study, differences
between the two groups became apparent.
“With an average age of 80, most people
would be happy to see less of a decline than
ordinarily expected, but in fact, we noticed
several areas of actual improvements for those
participating in the art programs,” Cohen
says.
For one Cohen and his research team
noticed a marked improvement in the overall
health of those engaged in intensive creative
activities. For example, both groups increased
doctor visits during the two year study, but it
was significantly less so for those in the arts
programs.
Similarly, there was a smaller increase in
medication usage for those engaged in the
arts. While this has physical benefits for the
individual, Cohen also points out that there
are fiscal ones as well.
“If you are saving just eight cents a day
on medication, extrapolate that against the
thirty-five million people who are Medicare
D eligible,
Alexander Dubcek who began instituting liberal
policies, demonstrators draped banners on the statue of Wenceslas statue. Overnight, Soviet troops
would take them down; a teenage boy was shot
and killed by Russian soldiers in front of the statue.
Pro-democracy crowds, whose numbers swelled
in Wenceslas Square every day, bedecked the site
with flowers and put a Czech flag in the hand
of Wenceslas. After Soviet tanks rolled into the
country and through the streets of Prague to quash
the rebellion, a black flag of mourning was placed
in the saint’s hand. In early 1969, a Czech student
set himself afire in front of the statue to protest the
totalitarian, Soviet-installed leadership.
The square became the site of a far more successful demonstration twenty years later, when a
half-million Czechs and Slovaks began gathering
in front of the likeness of Wenceslas in the first days
of November just after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Here they successfully agitated for freedom from
Soviet Communist domination. Fittingly, the leader
of the ad hoc group who became the country’s first
democratically elected president bears the Slavic
version of the name of Wenceslas as his given
name, Vaclav Havel.
“The best way to make your dreams come true
is to wake up.”
Muhammad Ali
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
7
C z e c h
Robert Dvorak demonstrating pump organ donated
by Fr. Paul Chovanec
Larry Pflughaupt, District 5 Director SPJST
presenting annual support check to the Center’s
Effie Rosene
Volunteering continued
Cohen says. “That’s a billion dollars a year.
A dollar savings a day is $12 billion dollars a year, so the potential cost savings
that the study pointed to were really quite
striking.”
The study also showed that those involved
in the arts programs experienced an immune
system boost. According to Cohen, this
stimulation sends signals to the brain which,
in turn, cause the immune system to produce
more T cells, which fight off infections.
Cohen attributes these positive health
outcomes to the sense of control and satisfaction that one derives from the mastering a new craft. Another area in which
Cohen noticed improvement was social
engagement. Those who participated in arts
programs with others in their age group
developed a stronger sense of social support. “Just one year into the study, those
in the art programs were involved in more
activities,” Cohen recalls. “It actually had
a spreading effect.” These results, which
are components of Cohen’s newest book,
The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of
the Aging Brain, are part of the parcel of
society’s changing attitude toward aging.
Rather than an unalterable negative change,
society more frequently sees aging as an
aspect of life through which people find
new opportunities for further development
and potential.
“In the past, if an older person did something outstanding or even just okay, people
would say “Wow, they did that despite
their age,” Cohen explains. “With the new
research that’s described in my book,
increasingly when we see an older person do
something that’s really incredible, we realize it’s because of their age, not despite it.”
Erickson Tribune, January 2008
C e n t e r
Czech Architecture — Our Grand Cultural Legacy! Part 2
Czech Architecture through the Ages clay roofing tiles, and used stucco to finish ogy, such as the flying buttress, allowed
Early Architecture. Archaeologists have over rough cut stone walls.
for slender buildings to be constructed at
unearthed evidence of human settlement Romanesque Style. The first true architec- heights never before seen. Roofs rose to
in the Czech Lands from many thousands ture style imported to the Czech Lands was ever greater heights, typically crowned
of years B.C. By the sixth century A.D. the round-arched, Christian style, referred with soaring spires. The greater wealth of
Slavic and Germanic tribes were thought to as “Romanesque.” Romanesque origi- the Church and of society in general during
to have arrived in diverse areas of what is nated between the Byzantine era and the the era allowed for extensive and highly
now Bohemia and Moravia. The earliest great Gothic explosion of the twelfth and detailed building ornamentation expressed
tribes constructed primitive
thirteenth centuries. The in elaborate, stone trim and stained glass
huts of timber and thatch,
style had great appeal in windows depicting Biblical scenes.
providing only basic shelter
Europe because of its abilThe Gothic style is considered to have
from the elements. Many
ity to assimilate Roman with arrived in Bohemia with the construction
were nomadic, in pursuit of
Byzantine, Lombard and of the convent, Na Frantisku, located in
migrating wildlife or seaIslamic elements so prevalent Prague and dating from 1234 through 1290.
sonal crop lands, but evenin the Mediterranean world The style was rather slow to catch-on in
tually joined other tribes
at the start of the second the Czech lands. By the thirteenth cenin communal villages. The
millennium. Romanesque tury major Gothic cathedrals had been well
larger population of a vilwas not a highly ornate style under construction in France, England and
lage provided the necessary
of architecture, as evidenced Germany. This pattern changed drastically
Mikulov Town Square
manpower to acquire, transin the illustrations of four in Bohemia, however, in the fourteenth
port and finish building materials, which churches constructed in Bohemia during the century during the reign of King Charles
were used to construct permanent shelters eleventh and twelfth centuries. The mass- IV. Charles, the heir-apparent son, and
and more importantly, fortifications. Since ing of Romanesque buildings was highly his father, King John, visited the pope in
invasion was a constant threat, villages simplistic, with the predominant features Avignon to negotiate the establishment
constructed fortified walls and moats for being the rotunda, or rounded wall and of an archbishop in Bohemia, which at
protection. Walled cities remained in exis- interior vaulting of structures. Openings the time was still subservient to Mainz.
tence for nearly a thousand years, often for windows and doors were minimal, and The pope ruled favorably for Bohemia,
reconstructed over time in the latest archi- typically featured rounded arches.
and Charles was installed as Roman king.
tectural style. Preserved relics of ancient
Duke Borivoj (Premyslid) is credited with When King John died three years later
city walls, as well as ruins remain in many building
the
first
in 1346, Charles accedCzech cities, often used as a ceremonial Christian church on
ed to the royal throne,
gateway or arch. One of the best preserved Bohemian soil at Levy
and thus became both
wall ruins is in the Southern Bohemian city Hradec during the tenth
Roman King and King
of Ceske Budjejovice, where the ancient century. As Christianity
of Bohemia at the same
city wall and moat have been converted grew in the Czech Lands,
time. Well before his
into ring of parkland around the ancient Romanesque became the
father’s death, Charles
city core. Those who attained wealth and dominant architectural
was making big plans
power in these times could afford the best style of churches being
for Prague and the
locations, and built castles on the most stra- constructed in the region.
Kingdom of Bohemia.
tegically located hillsides. Castles abound In fact, the original chaShortly after his desin all provinces of the Czech lands, which pel, basilica and rotunda Imposing Mikulov Castle in Moravia on the border ignation as Roman
with Austria
possess one of the largest collections of built by the Premyslids at
king, Charles laid the
preserved castles and castle ruins in all of Hradcany were Romanesque in style. They cornerstone for the construction of the
Europe. In the walled cities and castles of were later demolished during the reign of Cathedral of St. Vitus at Prague Castle.
the period we find the earliest beginnings King Charles IV to make way for the St. Vitus cathedral was designed by the
of what can be described as “architecture”, Gothic-styled St. Vitus’s cathedral built on French architect Matthias of Arras; and
or the formal ordering of structures with their foundations. The Romanesque style later by Peter Parlor and sons. Charles IV
regard to aesthetic effect.
also began to find its way also reconstructed the royal residence at
Buildings were mostly devoid
into the secular architecture Hradcany in the Gothic style. However,
of embellishment, shaped
of the time as well. The his greatest enterprise involved the buildmore by expediency than
walled fortifications for ing of The New Town of Prague beyond
any type of artistic vision.
Prague were originally built the Old Town ramparts. This undertaking
The few decorative elements
in the Romanesque style. consolidated the independent villages of
found arose out of a purely
Hrad Loket is an example of Prague that lay between the hilltop forfunctional need, such as the
typical Romanesque stylistic tresses of Hradcany and Vysehrad. Most
“crenellated” wall of a fort
elements, namely the rotunda of the buildings constructed in the New
or castle, as seen in the illusbeing incorporated into the Town were Gothic in style, two of the
tration of Hrad Krivoklat.
guard tower of a castle.
most famous are the Old Town City Hall
Detail on a building in Brno
Crenellation provided openGothic Style.
The Gothic and Horologue by the architect, Master
ings for weapons and protection for the period originated in the late twelfth century Hanus of Ruze and the Church of Our Lady
warrior. However, the form became a com- in France, and represented man’s greatest of Tyn. The Gothic style was also used
mon stylistic element in other buildings effort yet in subordinating matter to cre- extensively in the academic buildings contypes as well. Construction materials of ative will. The Gothic style was a soaring structed at Charles University, founded by
this period were limited to readily available expression of the spiritual, reflecting the King Charles IV. It is said the entire city of
natural materials such as stone and timber. triumphant rise of Christianity throughout Prague resembled a construction site during
Stone was used for walls and flooring; tim- Europe. The massive, static forms common the reign of King Charles IV. The urban
ber was used to roof buildings. As builders to Romanesque architecture were literally planning and widespread construction that
became wealthier and more technologically blown out of proportion during the Gothic occurred during the Carolingian era literally
sophisticated, kilns were constructed to fire era. New innovations in building technol(continued on page 9)
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
8
C z e c h
C e n t e r
Humor
Architecture (continued from page 8)
New Orleans residents are challenged
often with the task of tracing home titles back
potentially hundreds of years. With a community
rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through
several generations of families, making it quite
difficult to establish ownership. Here’s a great,
absolutely priceless letter an attorney wrote to
the FHA on behalf of a client.
A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for
a client. He was told the loan would be granted
if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel
of property being offered as collateral. The title
to the property dated back to 1803, which took
the lawyer three months to track down. After
sending the information to the FHA, he received
the following reply. “Upon review of your letter
adjoining your client’s loan application, we note
that the request is supported by an Abstract of
Title. While we compliment the able manner
in which you have prepared and presented the
application, we must point out that you have
only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be
accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title
back to its origin.”
Annoyed, the lawyer responded, “Your letter
regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been
received. I note that you wish to have title
extended further than the 194 years covered by
the present application. I was unaware that any
educated person in this country, particularly
those working in the property area, would not
know that Louisiana was purchased, by the
U.S., from France in 1803, the year of origin
identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title
to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained
from France, which had acquired it by Right of
Conquest from Spain. The land came into the
possession of Spain by Right of Discovery
made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named
Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India
by the Spanish monarch, Isabella. The good
queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost
as careful about titles as the FHA, took the
precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope
before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus’
expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may
know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created
this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that God also made that part of the world
called Louisiana.
God, therefore, would be the owner of origin
and His origins date back, to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the
FHA. I hope you find God’s original claim to be
satisfactory.” Ed: This reminds us of our quest to build a small
villa above a wine cellar in south Moravia on the
Austrian border immediately after the change in
government in the then Czechoslovakia back to
democracy circa 1990. Determining titles back
to the Austro-Hungarian reign then through the
first republic prior ownership was difficult made
more so by the Nazi occupation and then confiscation of land by the communist government.
The confusion was further confounded by
T h e
put Prague on the map, so to speak, both as a horizontality, so characteristic of Renaissance
European metropolis and seat of royal power, architecture.
The Baroque Period The Baroque Period is
fully adorned in the Gothic spirit.
The Renaissance As cultural ties between considered to begin with Michelangelo in the
late sixteenth century, and continue
Bohemia and Rome became firmly
through the seventeenth century and
established during Charles IV’s
beyond. Michelangelo, late in his
reign as Holy Roman Emperor,
career, began to move toward Baroque
Italy continued to play an important
sensibilities. It was, however, his comrole in influencing architecture in
patriot, Borromini, who developed the
the Czech lands. The Renaissance
style to its greatest expression in Italy.
Period, beginning in the fifteenth
Renaissance architects were able to
century was a time of great artistic
make the flat wall come alive with
innovation in Italy, underscored by
three-dimensionality. However, for
the discovery of a new spatial conall its animation, the style was basicept, perspective. Perspective is
cally static. What Baroque architects
visually correct means of expressachieved was to take the static decor
ing three-dimensional images Three Graces fronting
of a flat wall and introduce the sensaa
Lichtenstein
folly
in
on a flat surface.
Renaissance
tion of motion. This was achieved
Moravia
architects were able to use perprimarily through the use
spective to achieve a new
of undulating or wavelike
three-dimensional realism
lines and surfaces, and by
in the decoration of flat
spheres, ovals and spirals.
building walls, whether
These geometric shapes
through fresco painting or
suggested a mystical feeling
by adding plaster or elaboof endlessness or infinity.
rate, stone work. The new
In high Baroque fashion,
understanding of perspecthe sense of motion starts
Lichtenstein folly, Belvedere above Valtice
tive added a sense of vitaliat the building’s base, and
Castle on the border with Austria
ty never before seen on flat
carries through the walls
wall surfaces. Also during the Renaissance and roof, culminating finally, and spectacularly
architects made technological breakthroughs with a dome, cupola or spire.
in structural engineering allowing for high
Of all historic architectural styles in the
Czech lands, Baroque is, by far, the most
vaults and larger domes never before achieved.
Many fine examples of Renaissance architec- widely encountered. The style remained in
favor for a relatively long time, and
ture still exist in the Czech Lands,
during booming economic times.
although the style is not as comHistorians believe the Baroque style
mon as Gothic or Baroque archiarrived in Prague before the battle
tecture.
The tumultuous years
of White Mountain, but flourished
following the Hussite Revolution
well into the eighteenth century. The
through the reign of Rudolf II were
style was favored by the Hapsburgs
not a period of prolific building
and the religious orders of the day.
in the Czech lands. Renaissance
There are countless examples of fine
architecture made its debut in the
Baroque architecture in Czech cities
Czech lands during the reign of the
and countryside, including churches,
Polish Kings in the sixteenth cenfarm houses and barns built in the
tury, when a small southwest wing
Baroque style. In the second half
of Hradcany Castle was built in the
of the seventeenth century, nobleContemporary
archiRenaissance style. Ferdinand I, the
men
and their families joined the
first Hapsburg king was a pioneer tecture for a Church in
Baroque building boom underway in
Hustopece,
patron of Renaissance art and archiPrague, and constructed town houses
circa 1992
tecture, as well. He built a summer
in Prague, like those located in Mala
palace for Queen Anna on Letna
Strana. Probably the most important Baroque
Hill called the “Belvedere.” To Praguers the
building in Prague is the Loretto (Shrine of
Belvedere palace appeared strange on its hill
the Annunciation), attributed to the architect,
top, against a backdrop of the densely-settled,
Killian Ignatz Dietzenhofer. One of the most
Gothic city below. The palace in keeping with
beautiful, among many Baroque churches in
the Renaissance style was spacious and airy, Prague is the Church of Saint Nicholas, located
with loggias open to sun and sky. In contrast in Stare Mesto.
to the soaring height of Gothic buildings,
(Grand Cultural Legacy – to be continued next
the Belvedere palace expressed a strong and
issue)
noble
Compiled by Chris Hlavinka, AIA
Ed: Chris is a member of the Czech Center
Board of Directors and had a major part
Humor
in design of the Center’s beautiful Baroque
which units of government, region or village,
Palace in Houston’s Museum District. The
had authority over our plot of land. Our own- Center received Museum District Business
ership was finally settled but it sure would have Alliance award the year 2003 for its signifihelped to have a Stewart Title (who now has cance in the City.
offices in the Czech Republic) on the scene!
N e w s
o f
T h e
9
C z e c h
C e n t e r
August Gala – Celebrates the Thirteenth Anniversary and 2004 Opening of an Elegant Baroque Palace
The Czech Center Museum Houston Benefit
Gala took place August 18, 2007 with A Night
of Music, Dinner, Dance and Extravagant
Silent Auction in the Museum District of
Houston commencing at 5:30 p.m. at the
Czech Center, 4920 San Jacinto, Houston,
Texas, 77004. The festive evening featured
an elaborate dinner catered by Houston’s
legendary City View Catering, well known
television personality Bob Boudreaux’s passionate address about the incredible number
of cultural arts opportunities in the City of
Houston and Nancy Sofka provided song and
music. We all felt a part of something magical
that evening.
The Thirteenth Anniversary and 2004
opening of the elegant three-story Baroque
palace celebrated the evening including a
Silent Auction with Open Bar and Butler
passed hors d’oeuvres in Brno Gallery, champagne toast to benefactors in Prague Hall
and a Grande Finale Drawing for exciting
European Travel. The Center continues a
two-million dollar Capital Campaign goal
to build-out the third and fourth floor for
Comenius Library, Offices and additional
Exhibit space to enhance further outreach
programs to the community.
Founded in 1995 as a 501 [c][3] nonprofit educational cultural arts organization,
it provides community services to the public
for exhibits, educational programs, concerts,
meetings, lectures, luncheons, dinners, private, corporate, social and charitable events.
The Center exists to celebrate culture, language, scholarship and arts preserving history and heritage, espousing the significance
of knowing one’s ancestry, that all roots are
important to being a citizen of the world. It
is the Center’s belief that education and
charity is the cornerstone of enhancing civil
society in these challenging times.
The Center is also committed to the regeneration of the community at large. College
scholarships and opportunities for docent and
other volunteer experiences for high school,
college students and others are available. One
of Houston’s eighteen museums, the Center
donates a percentage of these events to
charities and local schools and collaborates
with other museums and cultural institutions.
A percentage of this event’s proceeds
were dedicated to the visually impaired
talented musical students of Jan Deyl
Conservatory in Prague as well as to
Archives Restoration from the Flood of
2002 in Prague.
Volunteers setting up Silent Auction
Effie Rosene acknowledges attendees and recognizes
evening’s honorees, Marta Latsch, who was present and
Julie Halek Kloess who was unable to attend.
Silent Auction Brno Gallery
Gala Honoree, Marta Latsch
with friend Alice Bily
Dinner in Prague Ballroom
Ray & Nina Vitek
The Rosene Family Gala Reception Committee.
(back) Chris Anderson, Sarah Pierce, Cathy
Anderson. (front) Lindsey Pierce, Christie Johnson,
Sherry Pierce
Rosene Grandchildren escort service
Chris &
Rory and E.J.
Matt Anderson,
Johnson
Sarah Pierce
Board emeritus Sandra
and Ed Pickett
T h e
N e w s
Bill Rosene with daughter Christie Johnson and
grandson, Christopher Anderson
Gabriela and Daniel Dror with
the evening’s guest speaker former
television personality, Bob Boudreaux
Right: Fr. Paul Chovanec,
cousin Danelle Cornelius,
Treena & Tom Rowan
Beverly Maurice with
Robert Hindman
o f
T h e
10
C z e c h
Elizabeth Cupitt and David
Miller, MD
C e n t e r
Gala 2007
Marie Zinnante and
Evelyn Anderson
Charles Westervelt and Cynthia
Gdula
Allen and Delores Livanec
Frank Smith and Board
emeritus Vicki Castleberry
Marvin and Judith Marek
Shayna & Mark Melchoir
Gala Drawing winner Sharon &
Stephen Frank
Madelyn Rod Dusek and
Allen Dusek
Board emeritus Larry & Dorothy Pflughaupt,
Susan & John Broz
Carolyn Love and
Donyial Hubbard
Jan and Marianne Gudas
Dura
Sr. Mary Zachary Bertrand, Liz
Whitley (with Fr. Paul’s group)
Vicki Pustejovsky Suchy and
husband Tomas
Gala Reception and Silent Auction and that’s Catherine Anspon of
Paper City - front and center
Paul and Annette Sofka,
Barbara and Cliff Malek
Tony & Mary Grace Pavlik with daughters
Sharon Buckle and Catherine Short
Lillian Kokas, son Donald and wife
Denise Mansfield
Jenny, Hermann and Carol Vacca
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
11
C z e c h
Sisters Nancy, Valerie and Aimee Kerschen and
aunt Suzi Hornbuckle
Peter Lotz, Francis Cordelle,
Boardmember Chris Hlavinka
C e n t e r
Gala 2007
Dan Pustejovsky &
Terry Pustejovsky Kloos
Bob Forrest
Board emeritus Paul & JudyTallas
Pasemann
Bruce & Jan Marek, Ted & Cathy Hajdik
Boardmember Robert Dvorak, Janell &
Boardmember Wes Pustejovsky
Marilyn & Charles Sikora
Dr. Earl & Lovie Beard, Joanne & Cyprus Consul Bill Crassas
Nancy & Tom Sofka
Jacob Pustejovsky,
Andrea Liptak
Robert Dvorak accompanies Vocalist Julia Foster to sing
the national anthems opening Gala 2007
Board emeritus Don Sheffield and
Nancy Chernosky Sheffield
Paul Sofka, Jr. and
Christine Sofka
The Pierces, Sherry, Sarah & Lindsey
Boardmember Betti &
Charles Saunders
Dr. David Miller &
Boardmember Dr. Sally Miller
Linda & Johnny Veselka
Czech Consul Ray and Board emeritus Clarice Snokhous, Swedish
Consul Jan Dryselius, Miss Czech Slovak Texas 2007 Marianne
Beran, Dollie and Czech Consul Ken Zezulka
Maria & Alex DiGenin
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
12
C z e c h
C e n t e r
Invocation by Boardmember
Rev. Paul Chovanec
American Ballet Debut
Gala 2007 Attendees
Three of the four Andersons, Larry,
Matt & Cathy
Ruth Monks,
Gerald Opatrny
Larry Hokanson, Effie Rosene, Michael
Siller
Gala Audience standing for national anthems
The Czech Center Museum Houston is
proud to announce the participation of
the National Theatre Ballet of Prague in a
Dance Festival for three days March 20th
through March 22nd at the Wortham Center.
The Houston appearance by the National
Theatre Ballet will be their first for a
American visit.
Now celebrating the 13th anniversary season in Houston and 16th season since its
inception in Brussels, Belgium, Dance Salad
Festival showcases world-class performers
from the far corners of the globe. Modern,
contemporary and classical dance merge
on stage to form a magnificent mélange of
styles and music. Dance Salad has presented
dancers, choreographers and companies from
the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. The
Festival includes a full week of education
Bob & Joan Connor
Cynthia O’Donnell, Ann
Agness, Minnie Petrusek
Jennie Moroney, Matthew Carter, Rhonda Farr
and outreach activities culminating in three
Members of The National Theatre Ballet,
Prague, The Czech Republic, Národní
divadlo Balet performing Maria's Dream.
Choreography by Petr Zuska.
nights of performance. Each night’s produc-
Edward, Bernadette and Marianne
Beran, Miss Texas Czech Slovak
Queen and Rev. David Noble
Kelly & Charles Knupp, Pat Clark, Len & Lorraine
Green
In the Czech Republic
Party in the Vlasic’s Wine Cellar in Hlohovec, Bill & Effie Rosene,
Karel & Katherine Vlasic, and Cathy Anderson
Left. Cathy Rosene
Anderson at an lunch
meeting with Frenstat
Mayor and former mayor
of Trojanovice, Drahomir
Strnadel, not shown Bill
& Effie Rosene
Cathy enjoys Matilda’s Bazaar &
Antiques in Mikulov
Effie Rosene visiting with Mayor Stanya
Hrabovsky of Frenstat
At Seminar in Liberec with owner of art returned
to family 72 years later
Effie with antique shop
owner Andelin Worek
T h e
N e w s
Coffee at Hotel Slavia Cathy with
member Laura Bunt in Brno
o f
T h e
13
C z e c h
tion is different yet is choreographed as a
coherent, expressive performance designed
to interweave – a “salad” of pieces—creating
a compelling whole. Many of the pieces are
performed twice in the three-day format.
Mark your calendars for the 2008 Dance
Salad Festival season: March 20, 21 & 22
at the Wortham Center, Cullen Theater.
This year will include dancers from: The
National Theatre Ballet, Prague (Narodni
divadlo, Czech Republic), Japan, and much
more!
Tickets $19 – $47 - Order Tickets by
Phone: 1-877-772-5425 (877-77CLICK) Available 7 Days a Week 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Seniors (65 and over) and Students – $3 off
the ticket price (for all price levels)
Information: Nancy Henderek
832-526-0569 - [email protected]
C e n t e r
Saints Cyril and Methodius Slavic Festival
On September 22,
2007, the Czech
Center
Museum
Houston participated
in the Annual Saint
Cyril and Methodius
Slavic
Heritage
Festival
Slavic Festival, which
was held in the SPJST
Lodge 88 Ballroom.
The leadership of each
festival held for the
past forty-four years
is rotated between the
participating groups
of Czech, Polish,
Ukrainians, Croatians
and Slovenians. This
year the Czechs held
Sts Cyril & Methodius
the leadership of this
event which is and has been presented to highlight and keep in the public’s mind the unique
traditions and heritage of each of the group’s
colorful heritage.
Initiated by Bishop John Morkovsky, it
continues today under the leadership of the
Czech Center’s Board Member Reverend Paul
Chovanec.
Many meetings of the steering committee were held to
plan the festival’s
organization, booth
arrangement and
festival program.
The Czech Center
rented a booth and
sent out letters and
e-mails to members
and friends telling
them to visit the
Valerie Kerschen & niece
Festival where the
Victoria Kerschen-Albero
Czech Center would
volunteer at the food booth have delicious food
at Houston’s Best
Little Czech Restaurant for the Day (the
only one!). Served was an authentic traditional plated dinner; delicate Kolaches, of many
flavors; apple,
cinnamon, nut
strudel and
cream cheese
rolls.
The
Czech Center
employed
City
View
Catering to
prepare and
City View Chef and Jerrydene Kovar serve
the
dish up food before city inspector meal assisted
required hair covering!
by volunteers
At the Dvorak Festval
Jerrydene Kovar,
Barbara Hermis
and
Henry
Hermis, Valerie
Kerschen with
niece Victoria,
James Ermis, Bill
and Effie Rosene,
who sold the
Typical costumes (kroj)
delicious pastries
from Prasek’s Hillje Country Smokehouse
and their genuine authentic beloved Texas
Klobasnik-sausage
rolls. Long lines
of customers were
served.
Similar
delicacies were to
be obtained in each
heritage
booth.
The
traditional
Slavic Mass honoring Sts. Cyril
and
Methodius
was followed by
the moving Grand
Lorraine Rod Green and
March of Slavic
Len Green
Countries bearing
their nation’s flags
with a welcome by
Festival Chairman
Marvin
Marek.
The
National
anthems
were
sung, the Queen
and Princesses and
then the Czech
Heritage Singers
and
Dancers.
Bill Rosene sporting sack head
Our
Lady
of covering after the city inspector
Czestochowa Parish came, which was the only thing
School featured ethhandy!
nic Polish Singing
and Dances, then Juravili Ukrainian Dancers
of Houston, Croatian dances performed
by Houston International Dancers, Sokol
Houston Gymnastics and Kovanda’s Czech
Band providing dance music along with a
Polka contest. Intermittent Slovenian Music
by Jim Golick and Cliff Gaddis.
When the Festival closed, all the volunteers although
enlivened by the
day’s events, were
ready to sit down
and relax. Heroine
of our day was former Board Member,
Lorraine Rod Green
(shown above with
husband Len) who
drove very early
Volunteer Henry Hermis,
on the morning to
Miss Czech Slovak Queen
Hillje to bring back
the hundreds of fresh baked pastries from
Prasek’s
T h e
N e w s
14
o f
T h e
Vanita & Bob Dlouhy
Charles Pustejovsky,
Charlie Pavlicek
Frank & Mary
Pokluda
Helen Black &
Robert Dvorak
Effie Rosene with
proud bidwinners
of Moravian
Treasures, Rajmon
David (lt) & Larry
Janak
Charity–Aaah Sweet Charity!!
The Czech Center Museum Houston is a
(501)(c)(3) non-profit educational cultural arts
organization – a Museum, Library, and much
more. It is why you contribute to it. The CCMH
is a charity.
At the same time Our Mission indicates the
CCMH will perform works of charity and give
mutual aid. This includes granting scholarships,
within the community aiding schools, churches,
museums, other arts organizations and other
organizations related to or associated with our
Mission. In view of this it is important that you
know the Czech Center Museum does indeed
participate with numerous appropriate causes
and organizations.
From our August 18, 2007 Benefit Gala the
organization gave a portion of its proceeds to
the Jan Deyl Conservatory in Prague for talented visually impaired music students (they
had performed here at the Members Dinner in
March) and a portion to a Museum for Archives
restoration damaged in the devastating 2002
flood.
Other contributions are: To the new SPJST
Czech Heritage Museum - Temple, P.O. Box
100, Temple, Texas 76507, a great project from
many years acquisition of Czech Heritage treasures; To the Texas Czech Physician Exchange
Program c/o Houston Academy of Medicine
Memorial Education and Research Foundation,
1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004,
an organization which since 1991 has had 143
physicians from Charles University in Prague
rotate through three month’s orientation in
Texas Medical Center Houston. (Currently two
specialists in Nephrology and Pathology who
we hope will be hosted to our March 8 Members
Dinner); To American Friends of the Czech
Republic (AFoCR), 4410 Massachusetts Ave.
NW #391, Washington DC 20016-5572, toward
a restoration project of American President
Woodrow Wilson’s sculpture monument in
Prague.
Obviously many of us have other personal
projects we might support. Please give thought
C z e c h
C e n t e r
The Frenstat Muzeum
The night we arrived in Frenštát Richard and the beer tent. There were thirteen of us travelZdenka met us at the station, walked us to the ing together after Michael and Jitka’s wedding,
Přerov Hotel on the town square, saw to it that so we practically filled up the place.
we were well-settled, and then insisted that we
After we drank and ate we walked to the Kalus
come over for drinks and dessert after dinner. cottage, the house Richard grew up in. The cotWe’d had a long
tage is about a fifday on the train
teen-minute walk
from Budapešt,
from the center of
Hungary, switchtown. We walked
ing trains in Brno
past the small garand then to a bus
den with the bust
outside of Frenštát
of Josef Kalus,
because the tracks
before reaching a
were under repair.
pretty channeled
We’d hauled our
river, with walk18 suitcases and
ing paths on both
My mother, Filipka Judith Kallus, born April 30, 1910
23 carry-ons up
sides and occaand down, on and off for 8 hours, and we were
sional footbridges across. The cottage is small
bushed.
with a tiny fenced flower garden in front, but
Richard Kalus is my cousin. Richard’s grand- a beautiful large garden with fruit trees in the
father, also Richard, and my grandfather, Alois, back. Richard and Zdenka were waiting for us
were brothers. From the 1850’s to the end of
with set-ups for Slivovice and Jablkovice, plum
the century (with an interruption during the and apple liquors, and a pink and white wedding
American Civil War) there was a mass emigra- cake for Michael and Jitka. The Jablkovice was
tion of Czechs to America. Too much rain led to
made from apples grown by Richard in his back
poor harvests all over Europe, and the invention
yard. It was yummy.
of the mechanical loom put home weavers out
I had never seen a
of jobs. Individuals and families who settled
cake quite like it, but
in Texas in the 1850’s soon wrote back to their
it was beautiful – and
Czech relatives about their prosperity. In 1880,
delicious. We at and
at age 12, my grandfather sailed alone to join
drank and talked, or
his “Uncle Pastušek,” who had a farm in Texas.
tried to talk. Richard
A few months afterwards his older brother,
speaks no English, so
Bohdan, followed him to Texas, and several everything has to be translated for us. Between
years later another brother, František, joined Jitka and Michael’s translations, and Zdenka’s
them. Grandpa’s brothers, Richard and Filip, rudimentary English, we got along. Richard
and two sisters, Anna and Marie, remained in showed us pictures of our Kallus family, and
Frenštát. One other brother, Anton, had moved
pulled out the family tree for Jerry. He can
to Hungary.
date the Kaluses back to Jan III, 1683 – 1750.
The Kalus members who stayed in
This was Jerry’s first trip to Frenštát so Richard
Czechoslovakia spell their name with one “l”. wanted to explain and show him everything.
My grandfather Kallus and the others in Texas
Jerry was pleased to learn that his name,
spell it with two. The story I heard was that
Jaroslav, was also a family name – Richard’s
the Czech Kaluses dropped dad’s name. The interesting thing was the
the extra “l” sometime
strong family resemblance of the Kalus/Kallus
after my grandfather had descendants.
left Czechoslovakia. Josef
As we were preparing to say goodnight,
Kalus, who in 1855 was Richard insisted that we meet in the morning
Poet Laureate of Moravia,
to visit the museum. He wanted us to see the
changed his name because
new exhibit about the emigration of Czechs to
“Kallus” looked German,
Texas. Richard’s conand the country was at that
Son Michael Fowler, who
time still under the Austroresembles Josef Kalus and
Hungarian empire. Proud
my brother Jerry Mladenka,
to be associated with the famous poet, the
who looks a bit like Richard,
remaining relatives in Czechoslovakia also
(center)
changed to Kalus. Josef Kalus was Richard’s
and my great-great-Uncle. Just outside the
cern that we specify
Frenštát town square there is a bust of Josef in time and place to meet because, as he put it,
a small public garden.
“takovy velke náměsti (it is such a large square)
Every village and city in the Czech Republic
was charming. In comparison with the squares
has a “náměsti” – a large cobble-stoned square in Ceske Budejovice or Prague, Frenštát’s is
or open space in the center of town. Some of
tiny.
the larger squares have fountains in the middle.
When we met in the morning, Richard
The Frenštát square was very pleasant, with a
was clearly excited and eager to get started.
few statues and some seating on one end, and a The museum was a ten-minute walk from the
beer tent set up outside the Radhost restaurant. square. Along the way to the museum we
The square was empty the night we arrived in passed the home where Josef Kalus was born.
July 2007, and there were no other patrons in Richard told us that Josef’s mother and father
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
15
C z e c h
had twelve children in that house. On the
birth of the twelfth child Josef’s father, Filip,
declared that this
would be the
last child. Their
house could not
hold any more.
But God had his
own plans and
another child was
born, the thirteenth, and that was Josef. On the wall of the
building is a brass plaque with a picture of
Josef. At the Frenstat museum with Polasek
statue “Man Fighting Evil, 1914 - 1918 at
last, we first admired a statue by the famous
American sculptor Albin Polášek. The building
was recently renovated and very beautiful.
The first time we had ever met Richard and
Zdenka Kalus in Frenštát in 2003 they were
horrified to learn that I did not know who Albin
Polášek was. Before this trip I read about Mr.
Polášek so that I would be at least a little bit
acquainted with his work.
Albin Polášek was born
in Frenštát but moved to the
United States as a young man
and studied art in Pennsylvania.
He ultimately became a very
well known sculptor and was
commissioned to make statA brass wall plate ues of some famous people,
reads, "Basnik including a president of the
(poet) Josef
United States. He was the head
Kalus
of the Sculpture Department of
16-11-1855
the Art Institute in Chicago for
over thirty years, and later in
life he established a museum and garden at his
home in Florida.
On the first floor of the Frenštát museum
was a tribute to Albin Polášek. The exhibit
was very informative, and later I was happy
to see some of his original sculptures, including the touching Mother Crying Over the
World, “Aspiration” and “Kiss” on the third
floor. The second floor of the museum had a
charming exhibit of local crafts and historical
artifacts. I would have enjoyed spending more
time examining weaving and dying machinery,
as well as viewing the fine Moravian arts and
crafts, but Richard kept urging us to move on,
not to linger. I wondered idly what his hurry
was. The third floor was an incredible collection of famous Czech paintings and sculptures,
including the Polášeks. There were Bartoš and
Knězek, and others whom I cannot recall, and
I was interested in learning about all of them.
But we had no time to dawdle. Up we must
go. So we climbed the final flight of stairs of
the museum.
By the time we got to the fourth floor, Richard
was trembling with excitement. The exhibit
was called “Tam za mořem – Over the Sea”,
and was curated in Czech and English. At the
entrance on the wall was an explanation of the
importance of the emigration exposition.
Not only are there about 750,000 people in
Texas of Czech origin, but 80% of these are of
(continued on page 16)
C e n t e r
Frenstat (Continued from page 15)
Archives in the Czech Republic
Moravian origin. Even more striking, the greatest number of the Moravian immigrants came
from Frenštát!
The first room of the exhibit contained
glass cases of letters and postcards, photos and
documents. These were records obtained from
Czech-Texas families with familiar names such
as Polanský and Jalůfka, Haidušek, Muras and
Bača.
But again, Richard didn’t linger. We
followed him as he turned to the right and led us
over a board bridge, like a gangplank onto a ship,
into the second room.
Stepping off the board bridge I saw first that
the wall opposite me was plastered with photos,
some large, some small. What caught my attention though, was a huge blow-up, maybe 15 feet
long, of the 1924 Migl family reunion held at
Grandpa Kallus’ house in Wied, Texas, where I
grew up. It was one of those long photos where
the camera moves from left to right and everyone
has to sit very still or they will be blurred. There
must be a hundred people in the photo, with
mother’s family, Grandma and Grandpa Kallus
and all their children toward the far right side. I
recognized the photo immediately because it was
a copy of Richard’s on which he had marked the
Kallus family members with numbers.
Richard was standing beside me, beaming.
Zdenka was holding my arm and pointing out
the credits.
“Look, “she said. “It says here
‘donated by Ing. R. Kalus.’” I did not respond.
“And look here, this is Bohdan Kallus’ daughter’s wedding. Richard also donated this one.” It
was another large photograph, and I recognized
Bohdan, Grandpa’s brother, in the photo. But I
could not concentrate on that photograph. Nor
could I speak. “What’s wrong?” Zdenka asked
me, peering into my face. “Is everything okay?”
Everything was more than okay. Everything was
wonderful. My pretty Mother was in the top row
marked number 8. She was only fourteen years
old when the photo was taken. And there she
was, a part of the history of Frenštát, the Czech
Republic, for all visitors to see. I was filled with
joy and pride and a powerful feeling of being
home. For once in my life, I had no words. I
don’t remember anything else from that exhibit.
I just kept going back to stare at the photo of
my mother.
When we left the museum we walked around
the village some more. Richard showed us the
house where our grandfathers and their brothers and sisters had been born and raised. He
also took us into the city hall where the original
“Radigast” by Albin Polášek is on permanent
display
That night we went again to Richard and
Zdenka’s for drinks and treats. Richard made
klobasníki and babuchta. Again we drank that
delicious Jablkovice. And we sang old Texas
songs that Zdenka had on tape from my oldest
brother, Alois.
Richard and Zdenka have a love affair with all
things Texan. And I am in love with everything
Czech and Moravian, especially the Village of
Frenštát with its wonderful little “Muzeum.”
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler
Ed: Beatrice is a Club 200 Member, former Board
Member of the Czech Center Museum Houston
T h e
For the amateur genealogist the listed archives
are a treasure trove of information on tracing
your family history. Be forewarned that there
are strict procedures on requesting the volumes
of records. Understanding of the language and
the style of writing are desirable and as you dig
deeper in to earlier volumes you will encounter
a language that most of us are not familiar with.
You would probably be better served to hire
a professional researcher to help you in your
quest. Please have at hand the name, birth date
and village of origin for the person you wish to
research.
Administrivia: Requests to borrow archival
materials (e.g. parish books) must be submitted
well before closing time; the cutoff is typically
two or three hours prior to closing. Requests
submitted after the cutoff time won’t be retrieved
until the following morning.
Copying services vary widely between regional
archives. The archive in Opava, for example,
forbids the copying of any documents in it’s
care. The archive in Brno, on the other hand,
offers an extensive selection of high-quality
reproduction options, including: black & white
and color photocopies, microfilm, black & white
and color photographs, and black & white and
color diapositives. A special form for requesting
the reproduction of archival materials (in the
archives which allow document reproduction)
must be filled out each time you want to have
copies made. The copies are usually ready within
about 14 days and must be paid for when you
pick them up.
Each regional archive has approximately 20 to
30 desks for use by researchers. In some archives
(e.g. Opava) this is not a problem and a researcher
can safely assume that an unoccupied desk will
be available at any time during normal business
hours. Other archives (e.g. Zamrsk, Brno, Prague,
Trebon) are almost always full and you will most
likely be turned away at the door if you have not
made reservations well in advance.
The archive personnel are generally overworked and grossly underpaid, so don’t expect
them to do your genealogy research for you.
Their main task is to help you locate the appropriate parish books (and other documents).
If you need help deciphering a particularly
illegible entry, ask the person seated next to you
for help. Genealogists are usually eager to lend
a hand.
The Central Bohemian Region is served by the
State Regional Archive in Prague comprises the
following districts: Benešov, Beroun, Kladno,
Kolín, Kutná Hora, Mělník, Mladá Boleslav,
Nymburk, Prague-east, Prague-west, Příbram,
and Rakovník
Open Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00am to 3:30pm,
Thursday 9:00am to 6:00pm.
State Regional Archive in Prague
Archivni 4/2257, 149 00 Prague 4 - Chodovec
The Southern Bohemian Region is served by
the State Regional Archive in Třeboň comprises
the following districts: České Budějovice, Český
Krumlov, Jindřichův Hradec, Pelhřimov, Písek,
Prachatice, Strakonice, and Tábor
Open Monday & Wednesday, 7:30am to 5:00pm;
Tuesday & Thursday, 7:30am to 3:00pm.
N e w s
o f
T h e
16
C z e c h
State Regional Archive in Třeboň, Třeboň
Zámek, 379 11 Treboň
The Western Bohemian Region is served
by the State Regional Archive in Plzeň comprises the following districts: Domažlice, Cheb,
Karlovy Vary, Klatovy, Plzeň-north, Plzeň-south,
Rokycany, Sokolov, and Tachov
Open Monday through Wednesday, 8:30am to
6:00pm; Thursday & Friday, 8:30 to 3:30pm.
State Regional Archive in Plzeň, Sedláčkova
44, p.p.312, 306 12 Plzeň
The Northern Bohemian Region is served
by the State Regional Archive in Litoměřice
comprises the following districts: Česká Lípa,
Děčín, Chomutov, Jablonec nad Nisou, Liberec,
Litoměřice, Louny, Most, and Teplice
Open Monday & Tuesday, 8:00am to 3:30pm;
Wednesday & Thursday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
State Regional Archive in Litoměřice, Krajská
1, 412 74 Litoměřice
The Eastern Bohemian Region is served
by the State Regional Archive in Zámrsk
comprises the following districts: Havlíčkův
Brod, Hradec Králové, Chrudim, Jičín, Náchod,
Pardubice, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Semily,
Svitavy, Trutnov, and Ústí nad Orlicí
Open Monday & Wednesday, 7:30am to 5:30pm;
Tuesday & Thursday, 7:30am to 3:00pm.
State Regional Archive in Zámrsk, Zámek,
565 43 Zámrsk
The Southern Moravian Region is served by
the Moravian Land Archive in Brno
Comprises the following districts: Blansko,
Brno-venkov, Břeclav, Hodonín, Jihlava,
Kroměříz, Prostějov, Třebíč, Uherské Hradiště,
Vyškov, Zlín, Znojmo, and Žďár nad Sázavou
Open Monday & Wednesday - 8:00am to
5:00pm; Tuesday & Thursday - 9:00am to
6:00pm. Closed during the month of July.
Moravian Land Archive in Brno
Žerotínovo náměstí 3/5, p.p.1, 656 01 Brno
The Northern Moravian Region is served
by the Land Archive in Opava comprises the
following districts: Bruntál, Frýdek-Místek,
Jeseník, Karviná, Nový Jičín, Olomouc, Opava,
Přerov, Šumperk, and Vsetín
Open Monday & Wednesday, 7:30am to 5:30pm;
Tuesday & Thursday, 7:30am to 3:00pm.
Land Archive in Opava, Sněmovní 1, 746 22
Opava
Land Archive in Opava, Olomouc Branch
(has records for the Olomouc district and parts
of the surrounding districts) u Husova Sboru
10, 771 11 Olomouc
C e n t e r
Head
Letters
The Kocab Family Remembers their Visit!
Several members (of several generations)
of our family (St. Joseph #156) recently spent
two weeks in Bohemia. Joe Kocab traveled
with two nieces, two grandnieces, and a grandnephew, along with Sokol Greater Cleveland to
the 2006 Slet in Prague.
We spent two amazing weeks in the Czech
Republic, staying at the delightful Hotel Kampa
in Mala Strana. Regardless of the heat, we
attended several Sokol events, including the
slet Gala, parade, and performances (including
Sokol sumo).
We gorged ourselves on most excellent Czech
soul food in elegant restaurants, charming pubs,
and delightful breweries. We’re missing our
daily dose of schnitzel and dumplings.
We traversed the Charles Bridge too many
times to count at all hours of the day and night
(and made many wishes on John Nepomucne’s
stars), and marveled at Old Town and the
Astronomical Clock. We explored breathtaking towns, castles and churches – in Tudor,
Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque,
and Beaux Arts styles – in Prague, Cesky
Krumlov, Kutna Hora, and Konopiste. We saw
bears in the moat. Really.
We fell in love with Karlovy Vary (and
Oplatky), and toured the bucolic countryside
dotted with tiny towns, acres and acres of
poppy, rye, hops, and potatoes. We visited to
the village of our Kocab forebears, Pechova
Lhota, near Milevsko.
We gained a more
than nodding acquaintance with Becharovka
and Slivovice, and the many, many local beers
(including the REAL Budweiser). We learned
about folklore and pottery in Klenci, where
it seemed like the whole town turned out to
entertain us. We explored Turnov and the local
garnet industry, and journeyed to Nizbor and
Crystal Ruckl, the home of excellent Czech
cut glass.
We visited the truly moving memorial at Lidice,
and paid our respects to the Infant Jesus of Prague.
We made new friends and met new-to-us
family. Will we do it again? Absolutely!
The Kocab nieces
Ed: Joe Kocab is another one of the Czech
Center’s Gems! He lives in Cleveland, Ohio, is
a 6th generation Czech American, is on radio,
does tons of Volunteer work with numerous
Czech organizations and regularly supports us
here in Texas! We have never met him but we
are grateful to know people like he exist who
care even from a distance. Thank you Joe!
Thanks to Posel, the official organ of the
Czech Catholic Union for sharing this with us.
Visit their website: www.czechccu.org
T h e
Al and Dorothy Mladenka write:
My Czech heritage provided many interesting and meaningful relationships with both
American Czechs relatives, neighbors and
friends in the community including church,
dance halls, Domino Halls and Czechs abroad;
One family of relatives, Richard and Zdenka
Kalus and daughter Jana in Frenstat; Jana now
in Ostrava; Poruba, first cousins of my mother
Filipka; officials; former students and their
families in Praha and Slovakia.
It also encouraged me to pursue the studies
of languages Czech but Spanish, Russian and a
little French very little of German. These studies greatly enhanced my interest and knowledge
in the history, culture and geography of the
countries. They also encouraged me to travel
throughout Europe and Latin America, which
was quite an enjoyable meaningful helpful education and bank of memories.
I appreciate my Czech heritage, especially
when I’ve met and known so many Americans
who don’t have any interest in their heritage.
What a hamba a skoda. Some don’t even
know what heritage is or what heritage they
have even though it may indeed be impacting
their lives without their knowledge. Ne, je to
skoda, ze jo. Tak uz dost, ne? Nazdar a vsehno
lepsiho.
Al Mladenka
Growing up in the Czech culture gave me a
very strong sense of family and a strong work
ethic. As a young child I was surrounded by the
Czech language. Consequently, I spoke Czech
when I started to school and had to work to
learn English. I still remember that so well.
I have many fond memories of visiting with
aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents and
not only enjoying their company but also the
wonderful Czech foods that we had. As a result
I’ve learned to prepare many of the foods for
my family and friends. It has also been a factor
in my collecting numerous Czech cookbooks
and Czech American books from various parts
of this country.
I have learned to appreciate the Czech language as well, especially in my travels to the
Czech Republic. Even though my language
skills are quite rusty, my speaking Czech is
appreciated by the people I encounter.
Dorothy Chumchal Mladenka
Dear Effie & Bill
Thank you so much for the beautiful Czech
bell you have given me. I’ve decided to tie
it onto my wedding bouquet. I also want
to thank you for your talent, foresight and
constant intelligent efforts that have built the
delightful, beautiful, and impressive Czech
Cultural Center.
Fondly regards, Beverly
Ed: It’s great to have a fan to hear from
occasionally. Beverly Maurice is a long time
Fashion and Society reporter for Houston
newspapers. An Honorary Czech with great
spirit!
N e w s
o f
T h e
17
C z e c h
Dearest Effinka and Bill
Anything I can do to help?
We enjoyed the Slavic Festival and the kolaches were “veborne” ‘yummy” in English. Was
glad we could help out.
Love to you both S’panem Bohem, Lorraine
Ed: Board Member emeritus Lorraine Rod
Green writes “Anything I can do to help?” She
always does!
The following was a message sent out to our
email addressees:
To Friends, Members, Board and Honorary
Board: Today, September 1, 2007 is the
third anniversary of the Czech Center
Museum Houston’s occupancy of our beautiful Baroque style building in Houston’s
Museum District. The few of us that were on
duty raised a glass of Champagne to the occasion pledging to continue our very best for the
continuing success of the Czech Center. We
appreciate all those who took part in our 13th
annual Benefit Gala celebration on August 18th.
It was a beautiful event and it is always great
to hear accolades. Come see us, join up, get a
newsjournal, volunteer.
Regards, Bill
A Slovak’s Night Before Christmas!
Twas the night before Vianoce, and all
through the house,
The Slovaks had gathered to eat sauerkraut.
The kolachi were nestled all snug in their
dish.
Bobalki was cooking and so was some fish.
Babushkaed women and men in their caps.
Had all settled down with food in their laps.
When out in the lawn there arose such a
clatter
We all went to see what was the matter.
Away to the window Baba flew like a flash,
Screaming, “Lock all the doors and hide
all the cash.”
When what to our wondering eyes should
appear but a pagach shaped sleigh complete
with reindeer.
With a little old Slovak so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it was Janosik.
Faster than Novenas his reindeer all came
As he shouted “On Stefan” and each reindeer’s name. “On Stefan, on Boris,
on Janos, and Olga, then out to the smokehouse the reindeer all flew with a sleigh full
of Kolbasa and Janosik too.
Into the smoke vent he leapt with a bound,
Dancing the czardas and twirling around.
He did a quick polka, then turned with a
jerk.
We gave him Kapusta and Dzedo’s old
clothes, then sang Ticha Noc as up the vent
he rose.
But we heard him exclaim as we took off
our coats, Vesele Vianoce to all and to all
dobre noc.”
Ed: Anonymous author poem
Submitted by Treena Rowan
C e n t e r
For the Love of Volunteering: Great Genes to Have!
Cora Sue Mach
As we gather around and Luncheon. Other organizations benefiting
from their collaboration since include: Crohn’s
our Thanksgiving tables this November, we
and Colitis Foundation, Greater Houston
will most likely think of everything for which
Preservation Alliance, Shepherd
we are thankful. In the count,
School of Music and the Houston
always, are our friends.
Ballet, just to name a few. “Hard
Two friends for whom Houston
work, but we enjoyed it,” Sidney
is very grateful are Cora Sue
says of their charity work. “We
Mach and Sidney Faust. Together,
have lots of laughs and never
they are making our city’s reputaone misunderstanding. We have a
tion for charitable generosity and
genuine love and respect for one
volunteerism sparkle. “Not too
Sidney Faust and
another.”
long ago, driving to an eventCora Sue Mach
Cora Sue is a native Houstonian.
planning meeting,” Sidney said,
Right
out of high school, she
“We are not volunteering for anyworked during the day and went
thing else. Nothing!” Cora Sue
to the University of Houston at
firmly agreed, “Nothing!”
night. She credits “the great eduWhen a call came stating,
cation from the sisters at Incarnate
“We need someone to chair the
Word Academy” for helping her
Champagne reception,” Sidney’s
rise quickly from the steno pool
hand shot up instantly, “Oh, Cora
at Southwestern Bell to engiSue and I can do that!” They
Cora Sue and Harry Mach
neering assistant. She met
are both still laughing and
Harry Mach, a St. Thomas
still volunteering each other.
High School graduate, at a
In fact, as this magazine
Catholic Young Adults funcrolls off the presses, this
tion in 1963. Harry worked
dynamic duo will be hostwith his family’s business,
ing its annual outlandish
started by his father in 1953.
Halloween party, “The Trick
Cora Sue volunteered at
or Treat Toy Party” for Texas
her children’s schools, the
Children’s Cancer Center
Mach Family Reunion at the Czech Center
March of Dimes and Inner
and the Cancer League.
Museum Houston
City
Catholic Schools, but
Admission is a toy for a
really got going in the volyoung cancer patient.
unteer/charity world after
Teaming up on November
meeting Sidney. Part of
1st Cora Sue and Sidney
what makes it all work is
will serve as speaker liaithe fact “that Harry and
sons for the Huffington
Don bonded early on,”
Center on Aging Women’s
Cora Sue shares, describHealth Summit, a luncheon
ing their husbands as the
they chaired together in
“unsung heroes” of the
2004. Later that month, they
ladies’ charity work.
will be dinner chairs for The Cystic
The Mach’s joy centers on their
Fibrosis Gala.
family:
sons, Butch and Steve; daughThese two confident and engagters-in-law, Carmen and Joella; and
ing ladies have taken on quite a lot
their five grandchildren. “My greatsince they first met in the late ‘90s as
est reward is in watching our chilfounding members of BRASS, Baylor
dren reach out to the community and
Research Advocates for Student
assume leadership roles in worthwhile
Scientists, which raises
community activities,” Cora
scholarship funds for young
Sue explains. Yet, observascientists.
tion shows that her greatSidney and her husest joy might well be grand
band, Don, were honored
motherhood! Cora Sue and
as BRASS Angels in 1997,
Sidney’s grandchildren are
while Cora Sue served as
the same ages and love to
president of the organizaplay together. In December
tion from 1998-2000. The
found them playing at
BRASS Christmas party will
the Symphony League’s
be held at Don and Sidney’s
Magical Musical Morning “Penguin Parade
home, as usual. Additionally, they are all active
with the Baylor Partnership for Baylor College Fiesta,” which Cora Sue is chairing.
Sidney Faust is a native of Longview, Texas.
of Medicine.
The first event Cora Sue and Sidney chaired Her mother, a librarian, was concerned about
Sidney’s stage fright so, “my mother made me
together was the 1999 Houston Symphony
take speech in high school,” she says. “I would
League’s Maestro Collection Fashion Show
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
18
C z e c h
have taken anything but speech. I studied voice
for nine years and was frequently asked to
sing solos around town, but it was always an
ordeal. I more or less got over stage fright,
but was never comfortable singing -- dancing
was fine.”
At Kilgore Junior College, Sidney was a
member of the famous Rangerettes. After
graduating from North Texas University in
speech and drama, and doing graduate work
at the University of Colorado, Sidney taught
in several Texas school districts. She settled
in Baytown, where she was active in the community, before marrying Don Faust, owner of
Faust Distributing, and moving to Houston.
This year, Sidney is chaplain for the Salvation
Army Women’s Auxiliary and president of
the River Oaks Rose Club, among many other
charitable commitments. “My husband’s love
and constant support make all my endeavors
possible,” she says. Her family is all-encompassing, as she includes, “three stepchildren,
grandchildren, two bearded collies and treasured friends.”
“Treasured friends,” accurately describes
Sidney Faust and Cora Sue Mach. Where such
friendship exists, everyone is blessed – so let
us all be thankful!
Fran Fawcett Peterson
Ed: Thanks to H Texas Magazine, which
published this article in their November 2006
Magazine
And Harry Mach
The Machs were honored as 2003 Family
of the Year by Family Services of Greater
Houston. They support the Hobby Center
for Performing Arts, Houston Grand Opera,
Houston Symphony Orchestra, Incarnate Word
Academy, St. Thomas High School, Trinity
University et cetera, including the Czech Center
Museum Houston, BRASS (Baylor Research
Advocates for Student Scientists), organizations too numerous to write in this space. They
not only give financially, but serve as President
or Vice President leadership as needed.
“We are grateful to the Houston
Community for all of the blessings we
have received,” Cora Sue and Harry said.
“Volunteerism is the avenue we have chosen to give back to the community.” Harry,
Board Member of the Czech Center Museum
Houston is President and Chief Executive
Officer and Cora Sue is the Vice President
of Mach Industrial Group. Their sons will
continue the tradition of the business. Butch
is Vice President of Production, Steve is Vice
President of Finance and Butch’s wife Carmen
is Purchasing Manager.
Effie M. Rosene
C e n t e r
Moravian Cimbalom Music
Micka Cimbalom Orchestra from Hodonin, Czech Republic
entertaining the audience
to produce the instrument’s unique sounds.
These young men have dedicated their talents
to preserving the music of their heritage,
which is the folk music most of our Czech
ancestors from Moravia knew when they were
young.
The evening started with introductions by Czech Center Museum Houston
Chair Effie Rosene and Marvin Marek, Chair
of the Czech Education Foundation of Texas
and a lively opening instrumental tune, Ked
sem išeĺ okoĺo, which sounded part gypsy, part
Irish jig. Petr Mička then led the group in a
spirited vocal number which demonstrated
group, was a beautifully harmonized a cappella piece. In another song one member of
the group demonstrated the dance associated
with the music, twirling a woman behind him,
and then coming forward together, same foot
up, something like our western swing. One
of my favorites of the evening, Rakúský císar
pán, changed from a vocal event into what
I imagine Romanian Gypsy music to sound
like, quick changes and strong violin. In fact,
many of the arrangements followed that pattern so they were pretty much all my favorites.
At the end of the second set the band informed
On October 7, 2007 a packed audience at
the Czech Center Museum Houston enjoyed
a musical series of the unique sounds of the
Barbara Hermis with Petr Micka
Effie Rosene introducing the group, the Czech Education
Foundation for underwriting the group's appearance and
recognizing Professor Tom Sovik
Petr Mička Cimbalom Orchestra, a group of
young musicians from the Horňácko region
of Southern Moravia, which provided great
music for the Moravian soul. This particular
folk music style, known as “wine-cellar”
that the talents of all the members of the
band extend to singing as well as instrument
playing. Their voices were hearty and joyful,
and filled the room with a feeling of fun and
excitement. Za dubinú, za zelenú, started out
full of soulful story-telling and lovely violin,
but quickly turned into a rousing multi-voiced
barroom song about vino and pivo. Then Styri
kone ve dvore, ve dvore
Cimbal (dulcimer) platform showing hammer for use in
playing and other instruments resting there during a break
in the performance
us that they wanted to pay a tribute to us by
playing a song we knew, so they gave us their
stirring version of “The Entertainer” by Scott
Joplin. But the highlight of the evening was
a song of the band’s own arrangement about
Moravians leaving their country and moving
to America. It was a sad song. The group
was sponsored here in the United States
by Professor Tom Sovik of the University
of North Texas in Denton and their trip to
Houston was paid for by the Czech Education
Foundation of Texas. The evening was
filmed by the National Czech Film Crew, also
visiting on a grant from their country.
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler
In the course of exploring the gentle friendly
The audience being entertained
by the spirited music
Picture showing intricate embroidery on
performers costume
music, was popular two centuries ago and is
unfamiliar to most of us in this country. If
you missed the night of music in Prague Hall,
you missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to hear real wine-cellar music you won’t find
at a typical tourist bar in the Czech Republic.
The orchestra consists of six young men playing violin, clarinet, viola, bass and cimbalom,
a stringed instrument similar to a piano, but
played like a xylophone.
The cimbalom sticks are wooden dowels
with wool strips wrapped around the ends
followed with a lot of shouts, yeehahs and
hand clapping that got the crowd supercharged. In no time the audience was clapping and stomping with the music. Those of
us who still don’t speak the language had to be
satisfied with enjoying the sound and rhythm,
but scattered throughout the audience were
folks who chuckled and nodded with the lyrics – apparently many were funny, mostly folk
stories about love and life in the village. One
number, Zaspala Anička, sung by the entire
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
19
C z e c h
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler & Jesse Fowler
atmosphere of southern Moravia, tourists
often go to visit the exhibition in the chateau
at Moravsky Krumlov, where they discover
something of a rather more serious nature – a
monumental undertaking by the world famous
artist Alfons Mucha, who set out to express on
canvas his philosophical and historical interpretation of the history of Slavic peoples.
C e n t e r
A Musical Series Treat
Composer Petr Eben Dies
“Delightfully Dvorak”
On November 15, 2007, Prague Hall - 7:00
p.m. the Czech Center Museum Houston under
the auspices of the Prague Arts Council proudly
presented the Noel Martin Ensemble performing works of Antonin Dvorak, master of Czech
classical music! Widely regarded as the most
distinguished of Czech composers, Antonin
Dvorak (1841 - 1904)
produced attractive
and vigorous music possessed of clear formal
outlines, melodies that
are both memorable and
spontaneous-sounding,
and a colorful, effective instrumental sense.
Dvorak is considered
one of the major figures of Czech nationalism;
his symphonies are among his most widely
appreciated works. He was notable for making use of folk influences, which he expertly
combined with classical forms in works of all
genres.
The Noel Martin
Ensemble consisting of
two violins, two violas
and two celli presented
an evening of chamber music for strings
performing two of his
rarely performed gems
four movements from
String Sextet in A
Major, Opus 48 and movements four from
Cypresses originally composed as a song-cycle
titled Cypress Trees.
The audience felt it was an opportunity not to
be missed as these kinds of musical treats do not
happen often enough. A Benefit Donation Wine
and hors d’oeuvres reception followed. Noel
Martin is professor of Violin at University of St.
Thomas Houston and Baylor University Waco.
Ed: The Czech Center Museum Houston’s
Prague Arts Council regularly presents these
musical series.
T h e
Petr Eben (born on 22 Jan 1929 in Zamberk, died
on 25 Oct 2007 in Prague) was one of the most
distinguished Czech composers in the second
half of the 20th century.
He spent his youth in the
medieval South-Bohemian
town Cesky Krumlov. He
learned to play the piano,
and later the cello and
organ. Because his father
was a Jew he had to leave
school in 1943 and spent
the rest of the war years in concentration camp
in Buchenwald. In the camp he saw many terrible things, including graves into which the
Nazis were throwing many murdered Jews.
These terrible memories influenced his music
in later years. He had a strong faith and this
helped him to survive during forty years of living in Czechoslovakia under communist rule.
After the war he went to Prague Academy
for Music where he studied the piano and composition. In 1955 he was a lecturer at Charles
University, staying until 1990. He was the
country’s best composer, and he should have
had promotion, but the communist politicians
did not allow this. He went to church every
Sunday with his family and this did not help his
career in a communist state. After the Velvet
Revolution in 1989, when his country became
free from the Soviet Union and the communist
state, he was proclaimed a national hero.
Throughout his career, he composed some
200 pieces, including works for organ and
piano, orchestral and chamber compositions,
masses, cantatas and music for children. Among
them: the organ cycle “Job,” the oratorio
“Sacred Symbols” for the Salzburg Cathedral,
“Windows” (4 movements according to Marc
Chagall for trumpet and organ), and “Prague
Te Deum.” He performed his music around the
world, giving improvisational organ and piano
concerts in such venues as Paris’ Notre Dame,
London’s Royal Festival Hall and the Crystal
Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif.
He was made a Chevalier des Arts et des
Lettres by France in 1991, received a high
Czech decoration, the Medal of Merit, in 2002,
Professor of Composition and president of the
Prague Spring Music Festival. Many music
festivals performed his compositions, and he
travelled to hear the concerts in spite of the
fact that he was starting to become ill. His
music was often played in England, where
he had spent two years as professor of composition at the Royal Northern College of
Music in Manchester. In March 2007, the BBC
Symphony Orchestra under Czech conductor
Jiří Bělohlávek performed his Vox Clamantis, a
work he had written in 1968 which shows the
Czech people’s longing to be free.
Ed: The Center appreciates this information
from friends, Dr. David Yeomns, Professor
Emeritus of Music at Texas Womans University
and wife, Dr. Sheila Allen of Texas Christian
University who worked intimately with Petr
Eben’s music and enjoyed the friendship of
Professor Eben and wife Sarka in Prague.
N e w s
o f
T h e
20
C z e c h
The Gingham Dress
A lady in a faded gingham dress and
her husband, dressed in homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and
walked timidly without an appointment into
the Harvard University President’s outer office.
The secretary could tell in a moment that such
backwoods, country hicks had no business at
Harvard and probably didn’t even deserve to be
in Cambridge. “We’d like to see the president,”
the man said softly. “He’ll be busy all day,”
the secretary snapped. “We’ll wait,” the lady
replied.
For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn’t, and the
secretary grew frustrated and finally decided
to disturb the president, even though it was a
chore she always regretted. “Maybe if you
see them for a few minutes, they’ll leave,” she
said to him! He sighed in exasperation and
nodded. Someone of his importance obviously
didn’t have the time to spend with them, and he
detested gingham dresses and homespun suits
cluttering up his outer office.
The president, stern faced and with dignity,
strutted toward the couple. The lady told him,
“We had a son who attended Harvard for one
year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here.
But about a year ago, he was accidentally
killed. My husband and I would like to erect
a memorial to him, somewhere on campus.”
The president wasn’t touched. He was shocked.
“Madam,” he said, gruffly, “we can’t put up a
statue for every person who attended Harvard
and died. If we did, this place would look like a
cemetery.” “Oh, no,” the lady explained quickly. “We don’t want to erect a statue. We thought
we would like to give a building to Harvard.”
The president rolled his eyes. He glanced
at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then
exclaimed, “A building! Do you have any
earthly idea how much a building costs? We
have over seven and a half million dollars in the
physical buildings here at Harvard.”
For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of
them now. The lady turned to her husband and
said quietly, “Is that all it costs to start a university? Why don’t we just start our own? Her
husband nodded. The president’s face wilted in
confusion and bewilderment.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and
walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California
where they established the university that bears
their name, Stanford University, a memorial to
a son that Harvard no longer cared about. You
can easily judge the character of others by how
they treat those who they think can do nothing
for them. This is what is meant by an old saying, “You can never tell a book by its cover.” Malcolm Forbes
Better a lie that soothes, than a truth that
hurts!
Czech Proverb
C e n t e r
The Czech Center Celebrates St. Nicholas Eve
The evening was thoroughly enjoyable and
a special treat was meeting Father Paul’s
guests, the beautiful family of Tom and Tracy
Zizka, he of Czech heritage, the Channel 26
Fox news anchor.
Ed: Remember the legendary Ziska, he of
military strategy fame?
The invitation read,
The Czech Center
Museum
Houston
in keeping with its
twelve year tradition
of celebrating the
Christmas
Season
together with friends
and members and
their families invites
you to a Slavic
Holiday get together!
Christmas Tree Welcomes
Saint
Nicholas
Visitors
Day
Wednesday,
December 6, 2007, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s
the season for giving Thanks and we extend
those to all our
Friends, Members and
Supporters and Friends to be! While wishing
you all the Blessings of the Christmas
Season! Come Celebrate Saint Nicholas
Day in Brno Gallery and Prague Hall with
St. Nicholas interviewing the boys
Doug & Virginia Stoner and James Ermis enjoy
watching St. Nicholas and party interviewing some
special guests.
Cora Taylor (center) and daughter (right)
enjoying the St. Nicholas celebration
Festive Table Setting
was born in Czechoslovakia, studied chemistry
and philosophy at Charles University of Prague
and holds a PhD degree
in quantum mechanics.
Murder after Death is
her first book.
Now living in
Brussels,
Belgium
she lived in Houston
with her husband, two
children and one dog.
She wrote to us:
Dear Mrs. Rosene, let
me wish you beautiful
Christmas days and a New Year 2008 filled with
energy, optimism, and good wishes.
We are more or less settled in Brussels now.
The children are very happy at the international
school, but I still miss Houston. We visited
Prague in October (the city I was born and
studied in) and it was a beautiful experience.
I have not been in Prague since I left in 1984.
At those days it was a dark and scary town.
Today, Prague is shining, bright and happy.
I am so very thankful for meeting you, because
you made me believe that it is important to know
where my roots are, where I came from. Without
you I would have never gone to Prague. I really
hope that the health of you and your husband
is fine and the energy at 100% as always. My
parents-in-law also send their best regards and
wishes.
With love, Eva Roberts-Vankova
Ed: It makes us proud to make a difference.
Should you wish a copy of her book contact us
at 713-528-2060 or [email protected]
Lynn Chernosky Swaffar, Effie Rosene,
Honorary Board member, Dorothy Chernosky
at the St Nicholas Event
St. Nicholas (Fr. Paul Chovanec), Angel (Valerie
Kerschen),
Devil (Victoria Kerschen-Albero)
a dinner repast of delicious foods, a seasonal
punch, a beverage Bar of Wines and Beers,
Music and singing of Czech, Polish, Croatian
and Ukrainian Christmas Carols and a
visit by the Intrepid Svaty Mikulas, perhaps
his Sidekicks, the Sweet Angel (andel) and
incorrigible Devil (cert). Don your Holiday
Finery and come enjoy this evening at the
Czech Center Museum Houston decorated
in Moravian Stars and twinkling lights of the
magnificent Bohemian chandeliers.
T h e
Patten’s DeLuxe Catering served the delicious
dinner and desserts. Robert Ermis entertained
at the piano with music and song often assisted
by the audience. Father Paul Chovanec as the
Bishop engaged the crowd with enlightening
conversation about Nicholas the Saint until
he was joined by a really cute contemporary
angel in white, Valerie Kerschen and the
most cherubic little devil, niece Victoria, you
ever saw. Interaction between this trio was
hilarious with young guests Zachary Werlla,
Nicholas, James and Travis Zetka, Lane and
Page Zizka all who managed the interchange
well but most poignantly Allison Wagner who
stated, “Yes she was good, she was making
Christmas Cards for the Military in Iraq.”
N e w s
o f
T h e
21
C z e c h
Member Rory Johnson
was awarded with his
team the Texas State
Championship title for
F.F.A Junior Skills project
on Electrical
Generation
The greatest defeat, in anything, is to forget, and
above all to forget what it is that has demoralized
you, and to let yourself be demoralized without
ever realizing how thoroughly devilish men
can be…that is enough of a job for a whole
lifetime.
from the book Journey into the End of Night
C e n t e r
Rut Kolinska
A Mover and Shaker in the Czech Republic
Founder of The Network of Mother Centers in
the Czech Republic is Rut Kolinska, a non-profit
organization organized as a professional civic
association in 2001 that seeks to help
women with small children to maintain their professional orientation and
develop their self-confidence. It provides fellowship, solidarity, and education by means of 135 Mother Centres
throughout the Czech Republic, the
organization offers a meeting ground
and help to more than 10,000 families
directly, and all families in the Czech Republic
indirectly, thanks to its political lobby. Kolínska
admits that she drew inspiration for founding
the MC in Germany; however the Czech MC
network that she put into practice is a brand
new phenomenon in the Czech Republic. The
first MC was opened early in 1992, shortly
after Kolínska witnessing the model of Mother
Centers in Germany. Over the years she was
helping establishing new centers, then she led
them methodically and popularized the idea
of the MC in the Czech Republic. The biggest
problem she faced at the beginning was a lack
of understanding, financial insecurity, and insufficient staff. The turning point was when she
attended international seminars and conferences
related to MC and family problems. After being
awarded the title “Woman of Europe 2003,” she
gained the attention of the media, which consequently helped with fundraising.
Rut (52) is a daughter of a Evangelic priest.
The devoted Christian is very socially and family
oriented. The mother of five, who spent 18 years
on maternity leave, has a university degree in
ethnography. Her interest in family issues originated in 1988, when she co-founded the ecological group “Prague Mothers.” She is
highly respected by all members of the
Mother Centers, and she has become
a natural authority in society generally, due to her indisputable results and
exemplary personal life. She serves as
a role model that thousands of Czech
women wish to follow.
Family politics is not a priority in the
Czech Republic. The maternity leave can take
3 to 4 years, but the state financial allowances
for women on maternity leave are very low and
often leave the mothers in an uncertain financial situation. The solution would be a larger
offer of part-time jobs and equal opportunities
for mothers and men. Now women with small
children are discriminated against in the labor
market. MC prevents women from professional
and social stagnation when they are on maternity
leave. As a member of the Government Council
for Women’s and Men’s Equal Opportunities,
Kolínská does a great deal of lobbying for the
benefit of mothers. Her future task is not only
establishing equal opportunities for men and
women in the workplace, but also the possibility
of day care at work.
The Mother Centers are places where mothers and children can meet with other mothers
and children and learn how to use their free
time. The Centers are opened to all including
minorities, refugees, the handicapped. The open
atmosphere teaches respect and tolerance and at
the same time prevents xenophobia or racism.
The benefits of MC are: escaping isolation;
keeping or upgrading the women’s professional
standard; exchange of information and experience; new friendships; building self-confidence;
and interest in public matters. It also helps to
prevent criminality and boost the maternity rate.
According to Rut Kolínska, the MC’s biggest
contribution is that women learn how a civil
society works, and what can be achieved when
they take up the initiative instead of just waiting to see what the state will do for them. It is a
“help by self-help” model. Establishing an MC
requires close cooperation with the local authorities, fundraising, and orientation regarding the
laws and political situation. All that is a great
teaching point for women on maternity leave,
who undergo the entire process. They learn
self-confidence and often become active in local
politics.
Now, there are 135 Mother Centres in the
Czech Republic. Each MC is an independent
entity that is built and governed by the local
people of each respective town. Kolínská is
the “guru,” co-ordinator, and provider of the
know-how. The activities of Mother Centres are
numerous and are meant for mothers, parents
with children, and all families. They include, but
are not limited to: craft-making; educational and
requalification programs; sports activities; and
short and long-term projects.
Ed: Since 1989 and the Velvet revolution the
Czech Republic is developing a strong nonprofit sector.
Honor and Memorial Courtyard
We are now in the third phase of the installation of
Honor and Memorial Tiles. The first phase was completed in time for the Grand Opening Festivities. The
gold inscribed tiles, numbering 387 in all sizes, is a
magnificent tribute to those honored and those honoring their friends or loved ones. The contributions
made to etch these tiles has been a significant factor in
our fundraising along with a major gift by Keith and
Norma Ashmore applied to the construction of the
Bill and Effie Rosene and the authentic Czech
courtyard and the contribution to underwrite the beauSto Listy (100 leaves) Rose
tiful “Mary’s Gate,” by Mrs. Frank Pokluda. The courtyard has been furnished with a Bronze Little Mermaid
sculpture fountain, a gift of Marta Latsch, wrought iron tables and chairs, a gift of Bessie Pekar and family proves to be a
restful area to view the tiles. A second phase added fifty-four etched tiles with the contributions being applied to the finishing of the third floor of the building, which is vitally needed. A third phase is now underway, so it is
not too late to honor a friend or loved one. Celebrate your contribution to the Czech Center by honoring someone important in your life or your association with this organization. Inscribe your name or
your honoree’s name on a tile as a lasting and meaningful memento of thoughtfulness and support of
the mission to provide a unique new site to celebrate the culture, language,
scholarship and the arts of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Silesia.
The tile sizes and contribution levels are as follows: 4” x 12” - $250.00; 6” x
12” - $500.00; 8” x 12” - $750.00; 12” x 12” - $1,000.00; 12” x 12” - $5,000.00 and up
framed in gold leaf and enjoys a prominent position on the top row.
Prospective purchasers may request a form which displays the number of
letters that may be used for each denomination tile and can be found on the
Czech Center’s website at www.czechcenter.org by pointing to Support your center, point to Honor
Wall and mail the form to us. If you do not have Internet access we would be happy to mail a
form to you, or if you need assistance, please call 713-528-2060.
A Place for Meditation
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
22
C z e c h
C e n t e r
Christiana’s Story
Christiana Marie Gentry is the daughter of Greg and Cindy Gentry of Kingwood, Texas. She is
a junior at Kingwood High School. Christiana is a 3rd generation Texas-Czech-American. On
December 1, 2007 she was honored with the Harris County Chapter, Czech Heritage Society
(CHS) announcement of her reign as Miss Harris
County Czech-Slovak Queen, 2008.
Christiana has been a part of Houston Czech
Community activities all of her life. She made her debut
in kroj at the age of three and attended her first Czech
class at the age of five. Early childhood memories from
Czech Cultural Center Houston, SPJST Lodge #88 and
Sokol Houston have all taught Christiana to love her
heritage.
In 1996, a visit from a lovely young cousin living
in Plzen, greatly affected Christiana’s life. Christiana would not soon forget her cousin, Katka.
Every summer Christiana dreamed of going to the Czech Republic. Finally, Christiana’s dream
came true in 2003. She spent a month visiting family in Bohemia. She learned much about her
family history, and the Czech language and culture.
At the age of 12, Christiana had the honor of representing the Houston Czech Community at
Bishop Fiorenza’s Anniversary Mass at Reliant Arena. She marched in her authentic Chodsko
kroj during the internationally represented entry processional. She was honored that same year
with the title Czech Princess of the 2004 Sts. Cyril & Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival.
Over the past five years, Christiana has participated as a volunteer at numerous annual CHS
activities. She has also assisted in maintaining the data base for the CHS Library and Archives.
In 2006, Christiana won first place in the High School Level CHS Essay Contest for her essay
entitled: My Czech Family’s Immigration to the U.S.
After falling in love with Bohemia in 2003, Christiana made a return visit this summer and
toured much of Moravia and Slovakia. Christiana looks forward to continuing to share the Czech
heritage which she has grown to love. She will be competing in the Czech Heritage Society of
Texas State Pageant April 19, 2008 in West, Texas. She greatly appreciates all of the support
which she is receiving from the Houston Czech Community.
Cindy Gentry (CCMH member since 1998))
Wilber Festival
The 46th annual Wilber Czech Festival celebrating Czech Heritage was held in Wilber, Nebraska,
August 3 - 5, 2007. The town’s population of 1,700 swelled to nearly 50,000 during the weekend
festivities as guests flocked to “Czech Capital of the USA” to celebrate their Czech heritage and
enjoy Czech culture, food, and drink. “The people here
are more aware of their roots, and more aware of the
beauty of their traditions,” said Nora Jurkovicova who
represented the Czech Embassy at the Wilber festival
this year, “Sometimes you have to travel very far from
your homeland to learn more about yourself, your
country, and your culture.”This year’s festival theme
“Say it in Czech” or “Rekni to Česky” celebrated the
100th year that the Czech language has been taught
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to
the Czech language, the festival also celebrated the 1,000-year history of the Czech lands with
the Historical Pageant of the Czech People, a theatrical multimedia reenactment of Czech history.
Another festival focus was the annual Miss Czech-Slovak USA pageant, which Ms. Jurkovicova
described as “something extremely unique. There were competitors from 10 States, the State
queens were from all over the United States. They were wearing kroje, or Czech national costumes,
and were just beautiful. Of course they had to prove their intelligence, their knowledge, and their
knowledge of Czech history as well.” Nebraskan State Senator Russ Karpisek, one of the festival
co-organizers and a member of the alumni band that marches in the festival parade each year summarized the festival saying, “There are lots of polkas, and fun and dancing. Just everything that
you could want to do, there’s everything going on.” Sheryl Kastanek, also a co-organizer and the
secretary of the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber, was ready to plan the next festival before the dust from
this year’s had settled. “When Monday morning comes, when the festival is over, we start taking
new notes for the next year and try to decide how to make the next festival better,” she said. The
47th Wilber Czech Festival will take place August 1 - 3, 2008. For more information, go to www.
ci.wilber.ne.us.
Ed: Former Nebraskan, Volunteer Carol Williams makes sure we know about those Czechs in
Nebraska!
T h e
N e w s
o f
T h e
23
C z e c h
Prague Hall
Brno Gallery
Beautiful, Versatile, Affordable and Newest Venue in
Houston! Your event may be held in the first floor Brno
Gallery or spacious Prague Hall. Come see this charming
very affordable site for all special occasions: Weddings,
Receptions, Corporate Events, Birthdays, Private Parties,
Galas, Reunions, Lectures, Seminars, Meeting Rooms and
Private Dining Room.
Prague Hall and Brno Gallery offer elegance and
warmth to make yours an unforgettable event!
Call to reserve your venue in our
beautiful Baroque building reminiscent of European castles and palaces.
In the Heart of the Museum District,
south of downtown, five blocks north
of the Museum of Fine Arts. In renting the facility you will be surrounded
with unique antiques and objects
d’art from around the world based
on 2000 years of European culture.
This award winning Baroque
Palace is a proud addition to
Houston’s Museum District.
A spacious facility, it is
fast becoming known for
its accommodating staff to
arrange your affair from a
simple reception to a full
dinner service with DJ or
orchestra for dancing. We
can provide all the accoutrements and amenities to
support your function.
Prague Hall will seat up to 250 for a plated or buffet dinner
with a dance floor. Ecumenical Wenceslas Chapel may be
used for wedding vows and the first floor Brno Gallery will
seat 125 for a dinner, 200 for a reception.
We can provide you with a list of licensed and approved
caterers or your own is welcome with prior approval.
Open for tours 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M – Sat.
The Czech Center Museum Houston
4920 San Jacinto Street at Wichita
Houston, Texas 77004
Telephone: 713-528-2060 - Fax: 713-528-2017
[email protected] Web: www.czechcenter.org
Please call to arrange a visit for we look forward to
seeing you!
C e n t e r
Calendar of Events
Twelve weekly sessions on Mondays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning January 8,
2008. Enjoy the challenge and have fun! Members donation of $30.00 and Nonmembers $70.00. Comenius Library and Presidents Room.
Eight weekly sessions Saturday mornings 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call for information. Donation $30.00.
are requested to pre register by calling 713-528-2060. For information contact
instructors Glenn Sternes, 713-516-7721, [email protected] or Marie
Mann, 713-246-6099, [email protected].
. Come, enjoy dinner and wine and catch up with happenings in the convivial
atmosphere of your fellow members and friends in Prague Hall.Prague HallBrno
Gallery.
The Grand Prize Drawing, a delectable dinner and champagne toast will crown a
festive and rewarding evening. 5:30 p.m. Prague Hall
Watch for notice of musical events presented throughout the year.
– Members and Donors Family Traditions Christmas Party. Appearance by Svaty
Mikulas and retinue, Slavic Christmas Carols featuring, Czech, Polish, Ukraine
and Croatian groups. A sumptuous holiday meal will be served. Come, enjoy
Christmas Fun.
The Czech Center Museum Houston
“When we build let us think that we build forever. Let it not be such for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such
work as our descendants will think of us for. And Let us think, as we lay stone upon stone, that a time is to come when these
stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought
sibstance of them, ‘See this our father did for us’.”
John Ruskin
VOL. XII No. III & IV
Museum • Library • Archives
Fall/Winter 2007
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 10259
C z e c h C u l t u r a l C e n t e r H o u s t o n , T e x a s ( K U L T U R N I C E N T R U M C E S K E )
The News of The Czech Center
Czech Center Museum Houston
In the Museum District
4920 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77004
Tel: 713-528-2060
Prague International Gifts: 713-528-2060
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: http://www.czechcenter.org
www.houstonreceptions.org.
“The Czech Center Museum Houston
belongs to all of Czech heritage, not just a
few of us and everyone needs to be reminded
of that. We know no one who can not give
something. Everyone can give to the level of
their capacity so that the Center represents
all of Czech heritage.”
John R. Vacek