SPRING 2018 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 1 TCHCC TOCA Recipients Waymond and Jean Blaha Davis Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center proudly honored Waymond and Jean Blaha Davis at the 2018 TOCA Awards ceremony. Waymond and Jean are tireless volunteers who are present on a weekly basis helping greet visitors, perform docent duties as well as any other tasks asked of them. Waymond spends many hours in helping maintain the grounds of our ever-growing facility. Pictured left to right: TOCA President Kevin Kana, Jean Blaha Davis, Waymond Davis, and TCHCC President Retta Chandler. Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history, language, culture and heritage of Texans of Czech ethnicity.. Náš Český Život OUR MISSION “Our Czech Life” The mission of the TEXAS CZECH HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CEN- TEXAS CZECH HERITAGE AND CULTURAL CENTER TER, INC. is to provide a central facility for the preservation and promo- 250 W. Fairgrounds Road/P. O. Box 6 tion of the history, language, culture and heritage of individuals of Czech La Grange, Texas 78945-0006 ethnicity who can trace their ancestry to the Czechs who immigrated (979) 968-9399 Toll Free (888) 785-4500 from the present day Czech Republic or former Austria-Hungary (in- FAX (979) 968-9249 cluding Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Silesia), to honor those immi- Web Page:www.czechtexas.org grants, and to operate exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and E-mail: [email protected] educational purposes. TCHCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS The goals of the TEXAS CZECH HERITAGE AND CULTURAL Retta Slavik Chandler, Chairman CENTER, INC. are: Joseph Bartosh To educate the public about the past and present contributions and Richard G. Cernosek status of persons of Czech descent J. G. Hrncir To encourage the study and preservation of the Czech language, fine Barbara Stratton Hruby arts, music and dance William H. Schovajsa To provide for the preservation and exhibition of artifacts that are Clarice Marik Snokhous historically significant to the Czech people of Texas Dennis Vanek To provide a library and archives for the collection and preser- Brian Vanicek vation of books, newspapers, periodicals, family histories, research HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS material, photographs and all printed data of historical significance to the Elo Goerig Czech people of Texas Daniel Marek To provide adequate space for gatherings, meetings and education- William Melnar al activities for the benefit of the Czech people of Texas OFFICERS To encourage and promote a cultural exchange program between President Retta Slavik Chandler the Czech people of Texas and the citizens of the Czech Republic First Vice President William H. Schovajsa To provide the public with updated information regarding Vice President/financial Joseph Bartosh Czech-related activities and historical sites in Texas, the United States Secretary Barbara Stratton Hruby and abroad. STAFF You are invited to continue receiving the newsletter Náš Český Život and Mark Hermes, Manager an annual calendar by sending in your ANNUAL SUSTAINING MEMBER- Cathleen Noska, Membership/Memorials SHIP. This journal will only be sent to members. Support your Center Georgia Vyvial, Food Services — JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY. Lorenda Polasek, Gift Shop Newsletter Policy: The purpose of Náš Český Život is to disseminate news of the development and activities of the FOLLOW US ON center, as well as to publish material on the history, culture, Twitter @TexasCzechHCC and accomplishments of Texas Czechs. Náš Český Život does not involve itself in matters of a political nature. and Instagram @czech.texas.lagrange Newsletter Address: All articles, photographs, adver- We are currently taking 2018 memberships tising and correspondence should be directed to Retta and donations online. Chandler or Janis Hrncir, co-editors, P. O. Box 6, La Grange, Texas 78945 (979) 968-9399. Articles: Anyone may submit articles, which will be ac- cepted for inclusion as space permits and subject to review and editing as necessary. All articles must be typewritten. The publication is not responsible for the return of unsolic- ited material not submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Ads: Contact the co-editors regarding advertising. Advertising Rates: We will accept limited advertising-only standard business card size (3 1/2” X 2”) - $20.00 per issue; Send camera-ready business cards to co-editors. The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Inc. does not FLAG SPONSORSHIP is available. Sponsorship can be made endorse or guarantee the products or services that are in Memory of or in Honor of an individual or group. advertised in this publication. $250.00. Contact TCHCC for details. 1 President’s Letter 2018 The first few months were filled with activities and it seems that things will not be any different for the rest of the year. Included in this newsletter are exciting and interesting events scheduled for the rest of the year. We hope that you will be able to join us for all of them. Some events recently were joyful such as the many visitors from around the US and Europe who have stopped in to tour the ever-expanding facilities of TCHCC. At the TOCA Awards dinner TCHCC recognized Way- mond and Jean Davis for their outstanding volunteerism. Waymond and Jean have been long-time dedicated volunteers that help in the preservation of Czech heritage. After successful careers and interesting special interests, they were able to continue to pursue those interests and also to spend time at TCHCC. They began to volunteer when we had open grounds with no buildings. During those days, Waymond loaded his tractor and brought it to La Grange to be used to clear the grounds. They both helped us design the landscape planting. They continue to come each week to help where help is needed and also contribute to annual events. We are grateful to them for their enduring service and numerous contributions. TCHCC President Some events brought sadness. We lost members who helped in many ways to make a difference in achieving Retta Slavik Chandler our success and who inspired us to continue our work. To most people, Sanford Quest Schmid was a very active member of the area communities. He was born on November 20, 1919 in the Schoeneau area of Austin County to parents Rudolph and Annie Dockal Schmid and was the grandson of John and Emilie Witte Schmid and John and Emilie Mertz Dockal. Sanford wore many hats as a store proprietor, a chicken raising operation, beekeeper, a State Representative in 1958-59 under Governor Price Daniels, a member of CCC at Buchanan Dam near Austin. The salary he earned there became the funds for his investments. He served the commu- nity as a philanthropist providing financial assistance gifts for college tuitions, Second Chance Emporium, the Area Livestock Shows, Arts of Rural Texas, The Blinn College Foundation, The Sanford Schmid Amphitheater at TCHCC, and many other worthy causes. To TCHCC, we came to know him and his wife Mannie Fritsch Schmid as the most welcoming, warm individuals anyone could know. Sanford and Mannie attended most of the events that we held and always had time to visit. We will also miss his frequent visits to the gift shop where he provided honey for sale to our customers. Sanford died on February 16, 2018. Sanford, Rest in Peace. Within the same week, Doris Sykora Koliba passed away on February 14, 2018. I knew Doris when she lived in the Dallas area and before she moved to Cuero. She was an officer and active member of the Dallas Czech Club and KJZT, where she dedicated her time to preserving Czech heritage. She helped to compile and publish the popular Czech cook book, “Generation to Generation”. She brought this enthusiasm with her when she married Ben Koliba. They were major contributors to the building fund of TCHCC where The Koliba Lobby is named in their honor. We will miss them all, but remember them as our dear friends. Retta Slavik Chandler Jimmy Holub, Sanford Schmid wearing his contagious smile, and Bob Heinsohn. Doris Sykora Koliba and Barbara Brauner. 2 TCHCC VISITORS (right) Dallas and Fort Worth Model A Clubs recently gathered at TCHCC providing a perfect photo op. Below: A print shop is the latest building to be added to TCHCC’s Texas Czech Village. The progress of this project will be reported on in the next newsletter. Above: OOPS. In the last newsletter we placed Verka and Mirek Faldyn in Frenstat, Czech Republic. They live in Roznov, Czech Republic and are TCHCC’s Tour Guides. Pictured above is Verka, daughter Veruska, Mirek, and Mirek’s mother in Buchlovice. SECOND BOOK COMING SOON. Cathleen Noska and Terry Brooks are teaming up on a second book about Texas farm animals! What began as a desire to create children’s books has become a fun way of entertaining the older crowd as well. Both children and adults love the imaginative, fun-on-the-farm stories written by Cathleen as well as the slightly whimsical yet true-to-life illustrations done by Terry. The first book featured farm animals on a drought-stricken Texas farm. The new book entitled “Míla Recalls the Easter Story” features a mother hen and her chick as well as other farm animals. For an interesting story pleasing to all generations, be sure to get a copy available at the TCHCC Gift Shop soon. 3 The American Czech Theatre Presents “The Stand-In” (Záskok) By Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák Sanford Schmid Amphitheater Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, La Grange Saturday, May 19, 2018 ---7-9 PM and Sokol-Dallas Sunday, May 20, 2018 For Advance tickets: The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, [email protected] or www.czechtexas.org $12.00/$15.00 at the door About the Play Záskok, written by Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák, premiered in the Czech Republic in March 1994.