Czech Heritage Society Meets, Celebrates Czech Heritage Month

On Sunday, Oct. 8, the Fayette County Czech Heritage Society met for their fall meeting at Hanslik Hall at The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange. Members were reminded that October is Czech Heritage month.

Alfred Ermis and Dominik Woodworth celebrated their October birthdays. They each received a muffin and birthday wishes.

During the October meeting, the members shared personal stories of their own family history while presenting a meaningful relic. This special version of show-andtell included a member who elaborated on a bas-relief gold framed sculpture that her grandmother migrated with to America, another member displayed a notebook of Czech songs found in an old chest of drawer that people sang after the band stopped playing at local weddings, and a grandmother’s long lost books of plays written in Czech.

Family members proudly presented certificates written in Czech of their fathers’ Baptism, First Holy Communion, and marriage.Amember spoke fondly about an heirloom picture of her father with parents and siblings. In 1974, one person received her first Czech souvenir of Bohemian crystal beads from her brother who studied abroad in Prague. Her group, in 1975, was featured in a Czechoslovakian magazine while studying at Charles University in Prague. Another member’s grandfather brought back prints and vintage ambercut glass, in the 1980s. Lastly, a member showed musician dolls she brought back from the Czech Republic in 1981 and was sentimental since her father played the trombone. The members enjoyed this historical version of show and tell and happily recalled the memories.

Retta Chandler of TCHCC thanked CHS members for all the volunteering and support to help the Center. The volunteers have been helping since the beginning.

Reminders to members included the Heritage Festival and Muziky to be held on Oct. 20-21, at TCHCC in La Grange. On Dec. 5, the Fayette CHS Christmas party will be held. Invitations will be sent out early November for the Christmas party.