March | 2018

A social and cultural club for those

who appreciate Czech and

Slovak culture and traditions

csclubkc.wordpress.com

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Please mark the date for our club’s annual meeting on Sunday, March 18, 2018. The meeting will take place beginning at 2 p.m. at the Sylvester Powell Community Center, Mission KS.

It’s a potluck, and we ask that members and guests bring food based on the guidelines mentioned to the left.

The business part of the meeting will include the current financial status of the club, upcoming programs and activities, and election of officers.

For the election of officers, you can mail your ballot to Stan Salva at 4026 N. River Blvd. Sugar Creek, MO 64050-1031or bring it to the meeting.

Please RSVP to Stan Salva if you are planning to attend the meeting. Stan can be contacted at stansalva10@gmail.com or by calling 816-805-5585.

Sunday, March 18, 2018 2-5:00 p.m.

2:00 Social time

2:30 Meal and entertainment

3:00 Business meeting/program

4:20 p.m. Cleanup/Adjourn

Sylvester Powell Community Center

6200 MartwayMission, KS 66202

Potluck:

A-F meat/main course

G-L salad/vegetable

M-Z appetizer/dessert

The club will provide soft drinks, plates, and other utensils.

Annual Club Meeting - Join us on Sunday, March 18

President ................................................................ Stan SalvaImmediate past president .............................. Terry Smitka1st Vice President (Membership) ..................Emily Hooker2nd Vice President (Social/Programs) ............. Hana Buric3rd Vice President (EEC Commissioner) Barry Magnuson3rd Vice President (EEC Commissioner) .......... Mike KalnyRecording Secretary ....................................... Sharon Short

Assistant Secretary ...........................................Ross MarineTreasurer ............................................................ Terry SmitkaMarketing .................................................... Jana MagnusonHistorian .............................................................. Sarah Nord Board Emeritus ......................................................Joyce CoxBoard Emeritus ................................................. Linda VlasakBoard Emeritus ..................................................Gene Simon

❐ Check box for entire above slate, or enter write-ins for specific office exceptions:

Your signature and date

Officer Candidates for 2018Candidates listed below are the recommendations of the nominating committee. Other nominations are appropriate and can be submitted with your ballot. Please bring your ballots to the annual meeting or mail them to Stan Salva at 4026 N. River Blvd. Sugar Creek, MO 64050-1031. Ballots must be mailed by March 11, 2018 if not brought to the meeting.

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Centennnial Events 2018 Major centennial events for 2018 are listed below. Dates and times are subject to change. Please check our website (http://csclubkc.wordpress.com) or our Facebook page for latest information.

Event Descripton

Prague Spring 50

April 3-7, 2018

Lincoln, NEFor additional information, please visit: https://praguespring50unl.edu/

The Department of History of the University of Nebraska will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the invasion of Czechoslovakia (CSSR) by the Warsaw Pact armies of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries of East Germany, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary. This was the result of Alexander Dubček, head of the CSSR Communist Party who initiated in the Spring of 1968 a series of reforms that centered on increased expression, public debate, and intellectual freedom (with less censorship). Dubček called this “Socialism with a Human Face.” The reform program won mass support in CSSR, but the USSR and its Warsaw Allies felt it dangerous and invaded the country to put down the reforms to reinforce a controlled, orthodox Communist State.

Pittsburgh Agreement Centennial Anniversary Commemorative Luncheon

May 16, 2018, 11:30 a.m.

Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board Room

30 W. Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108Further information about the event:http://www.irckc.org/https://csclubkc.wordpress.com/

Join us for a public luncheon forum in which dignitaries from the Czech and Slovak embassies in Washington, D.C. will offer their insights on the historic signing of the Pittsburgh Agreement and educate the Kansas City region on the history of Czechoslovakia, the valuable role of the modern states of the Czech and Slovak Republics, and the important economic, social, and cultural ties between the Czech and Slovak Republics and the U.S., with particular emphasis on the Midwestern United States.

The Pittsburgh Agreement, signed May 31, 1918, is a document agreed upon by American representatives of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Czech Silesia declaring the intent to create an independent European state to be known as Czechoslovakia.

The Great War Centennial Military History Exhibition

September 07, 2018, 6:00 p.m.

Buttonwood ARTspace

3013 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64108

(The exhibit will be on view until September 23)

For further information, please visit:www.ButtonwoodArtSpace.com https://csclubkc.wordpress.com/

The Great War Centennial Military History Exhibition features World War I military history of the regions of Europe that became Czechoslovakia in 1918. The lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia (part of the then collapsing Austro-Hungarian empire) originally sent troops to fight as members of the empire. Large numbers of Czechs and Slovaks defected on the Russian front and formed the Czechoslovak Legion. The Legion fought during the war on the allied side in pursuit of an independent Czechoslovakia.The exhibit is comprised of 20 art panels that relate to the formation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The panels were prepared by historians from the Czech Military History Institute and the Slovak Academy of Science Historic Department.

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Event Descripton

Centennial Commemorative Concert: Remembering Czech, Slovak, and Croatian Contributions to the Great War

September 13, 2018, 5:30 p.m.

National World War I Museum & Memorial; 2 Memorial Dr, Kansas City, MO 64108

5:30 p.m. Reception | 6:30 p.m. Concert

FREE with RSVP | J.C. Nicholas Auditorium and LobbyFor additional information, please visit:https://www.theworldwar.org/visit/upcoming-events.

This centennial musical program associated with the Great War will feature works from Croatian, Czech, and Slovak lands performed by students from the University of Missouri KC Conservatory of Music and Dance with guest pianist Ivan Pernicki from Zagreb, Croatia, on September 13, at 6:30 p.m., with a preconcert reception at 5:30 p.m.

The program includes music for string quartet by the Czech composer Erwin Schulhoff, choral music by the Slovak composer Ján Levoslav Bella, and solo piano works by the Croatian composer Dora Pejacevic. The evening program will conclude with the rousing chorus “U Boj” (To arms) from the Croatian opera Nikola Subic Zrinjski by Ivan Zajc, a march that was extremely popular with Croatian, Czech and Slovak choirs and audiences.

Czech Centennial Gala

Friday, September 28, 2018

Followed by the Moravian Day weekend and other programswww.czechcentennialchicago.cz

The event will take place on Friday, September 28, 2018. The Czech Statehood Day is also dedicated to St. Wenceslas, famous Czech patron saint. Regular updates on the details of the event, as well as other Chicago and Midwest celebrations throughout 2018, will be posted at this special website www.czechcentennialchicago.cz as well as this Facebook page www.facebook.com/Borek-Lizec-730175033828121.

Club Events 2018Cusomary club/regional events for 2018 are listed below. Dates and times are subject to change. Please check our website (http://csclubkc.wordpress.com) or Facebook page for latest information.

Date Event Location Time

March 18, 2018 Annual Meeting Sylvester Powell Community Center

2:00 p.m.

April 28, 2018

Diplomatic Ball Sheraton Kansas City Hotel,

2345 McGee Street, KCMO

6:00 p.m.

June 8-9, 2018 Sugar Creek Slavic Festival, Missouri Queen Contest

Onka Hall, 11520 Putnam St, Sugar Creek, MO 64054

See www.slavicfest.com/, www.missczechslovakmo.org

TBD Club Picnic Parkville, MO TBD

July 27, 2018 Kansas Czech Festival, Kansas Queen Contest

Wilson, KS Visit: www.wilsonkansas.com

August 3-5, 2018 National Czech-Slovak Festival & Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. Pageant

Wilber, Nebraska See nebraskaczechsofwilber.com

August 17-19, 2018 Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival

Swope Park, Kansas City, MO See eeckc.org

Nov 2-8, 2018 Kansas International Film Festival Glenwood Arts Theater, Overland Park, KS

TBD. See www.kansasfilm.com

December 2, 2018 St. Mikuláš Celebration Sylvester Powell Community Center

2:00 p.m.

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2018 Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri

From: Leanne Manning - A Thankful and Proud MomTo: The Czech & Slovak parents of young women throughout MissouriFirst of all, I would like to say how happy I am that you share the same interest in cultivating the love for the Czech and/or Slovak heritage within your daughter as I do. If you are wondering if serving as the Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Queen is something your daughter should consider doing; I would urge you to consider all the benefits your daughter will reap from serving. For my daughter, Emily Manning, she was able to meet so many wonderful, sincere, and caring people during her reign. Her pride for her Czech heritage has grown tangibly from the beginning of her reign when she was rather reserved about her Czech heritage to now where she openly talks about it with others. Her self-confidence has flourished through the year, because of her involvement, and we have witnessed the growth of her verbal and written communication skills, her increase in knowledge of facts about the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and her personal understanding of her cultural heritage. As Emily will tell you, a person really does not know who she truly is until she discovers her roots, her cultural heritage. My husband and I feel we have also benefitted from this experience. It brought us closer together as a family as we spent many hours together researching and discussing our heritage and also traveling to Czech-Slovak events in Missouri and other states. This was precious time that we got to spend with our daughter who will soon begin

her own adult life. We learned about our family heritage and also more about the Czech Republic and the history of that wonderful country. We also became a more effective and efficient family unit as we learned to problem solve, plan, and A communicate together to help Emily reach her goals and travel safely as a family to events throughout the country. Does it take lots of hours of preparation and energy from your daughter as well as yourself? Yes, undeniably, but you and your daughter will benefit greatly from this extraordinary experience as mentioned before. Additionally, if your daughter does serve as the Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Queen, she will have the guidance and support of the Pageant Board and the greater Missouri Czech-Slovak community. They provided Emily with many hours of assistance in preparation for the pageant with mock interviews, Czech language tutelage, and guidance from former successful pageant Queens. This definitely contributed greatly to her success of being selected as Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. 1st Runner Up 2017-2018 as it will with your own daughter.If you would like to discuss your concerns and the commitments involved more personally, I would be happy to speak with you.A thankful and proud mom,Leanne ManningQueen Mother of Emily Manning, Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri Queen 2016-2017, Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. 1st Runner Up 2017-2018

The board of directors of the Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri non-profit organization is finalizing its plans for 2018 to conduct a state-wide competition to select the next Miss Czech-Slovak Missouri state queen. Young women between the ages of 16 and 25, un-wed, possessing a Czech or Slovak lineage are invited to compete.

The board would like to share the following letter with all of the club members who are proud parents and grandparents of eligible young women.

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St. Mikuláš 2017 Our club held its traditional St. Mikuláš event on Sunday, December 3, 2017, at the Sylvester Powell Community Center in Mission, KS. This year’s event was attended by approximately 75 members and guests, including numerous children. Our own Mike Kalny shared the story and spirit of St. Mikuláš with the children in attendance.

Treasurer’s Report: Year-end 2017Terry Smitka, Treasurer

The closing 2017 balance for the Czech and Slovak Club was $20,958.16, which was $7,555.82 more than the January 2017 beginning balance. We received $1,695.00 from dues, netted $3,298.87 from the Ethnic and Slavic Festivals, and $5,500 from grants and donations. A $5,000 grant from CZ-USA is designated to support specific programs organized by the club. The major expenses were the Svatý Mikuláš party, the picnic, and other programs which totaled $1,715.11. Many thanks to all who have volunteered so diligently for our club this year. Please also remember that our club holds a membership in the National Czech and Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This membership gives us a number of free passes to the museum which are available on a first come, first served basis, for those who are current on their club dues. Send requests to the club president.

EEC 2018 Diplomatic BallSaturday April 28, 2018

Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center

2345 McGee Street

“Journey to the Lands of Spice” – India/Indonesia/Thailand

5:30 - Cocktail hour

6:30 – Seating and Grand Entry

7:00 – Dinner

8:00 – Entertainment

9:00 to midnight – Dancing

This is an exceptional opportunity to mingle with other cultures and celebrate our diverse ethnic backgrounds. Cost is $75 per person. For more information, contact the club at czechslovakclubofkc@gmail.com

EEC Scholarship for Graduating Seniors The KC Ethnic Enrichment Commission offers the John Thomas & Carol C. Duncan Scholarship, named after two of the founders of the Ethnic Enrichment Commission. The applicant must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college in the fall of 2018, must be recommended by a commissioner, and must be the only candidate from his or her country for this scholarship year. In addition to completing the application cover sheet, the applicant must compose an essay, enclose a letter from the applicant’s country’s commissioner, and include a transcript. Obtain the application and guidelines at eeckc.org.

Membership Update Dues are still coming in for 2018. A reminder was sent out which tweaked some memories. There are still 20+ members from 2017 who have not sent in their dues, or contacted me that they were no longer able to join for various reasons.

This year will be a busy year with many commemorative functions on the calendar. It is my hope that we have many members taking advantage of the opportunities this year to learn more about our heritage.

If you have not yet renewed your membership for 2018, please make your check payable to Czech & Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City ($20 for single, $25 for a family). Payments can be mailed to Terry Smitka, 8602 N Donnelly Ave., Kansas City, MO 64157.

Emily Kriz Hooker

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Slovak Consul MeetingRoss P. Marine, Slovak Honorary Consul attended the annual meeting of the honorary consuls of the Slovak Republic held at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic on January 19, 2018 in Washington DC. Embassy Staff, New York Consulate Staff and Honorary Consuls participated in the meeting. Consul General Ladislava Begec in New York and H.E. Peter Kmec Ambassador, of the Slovak Republic to the U.S. moderated the meeting (see center of photo). Early in the day a State reception was held at the U.S. Library of Congress hosted by Ambassador Kmec to celebrate the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Slovak Republic as a “Free and Independent Nation”. Over 300 people and dignitaries attended the reception.

Ross Marine, Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic, received recognition for his consular service during the meeting of US Slovak consuls, held January 2018 in Washington, DC. In his letter to Ross, Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, congratulated Ross on his birthday and also wrote:

“I would also like to use this opportunity to thank you for your outstanding representation of the Slovak Republic in the United States of America in the capacity of Honorary Consul in Kansas City. We appreciate very much your valuable contribution and support to the Slovak communities and compatriots in your consular district, help and advise you provide to our diplomatic missions in the United States, as well as your personal assistance to Slovaks who visit, work, travel or happen to find themselves in need or difficult situation. Your personal engagement in cultivating and strengthening important anniversaries in our history – the 25th anniversary of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak-US diplomatic relations and the 100th anniversary of founding of Czecho-Slovakia.”

Annual Kansas International Film FestivalNovember 2-8, 2018

Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual 2018 Kansas International Film Festival, Glenwood Arts Theater: Overland Park, Kansas.

The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington DC is co-sponsoring the Slovak produced film “The Line” (‘Ciara’) with the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City at the 18th Annual 2018 Kansas International Film Festival www.kansasfilm.com.

The movie director is Peter Bebjak. The film is a crime-themed thriller featuring a universal human story set in the environment in which cultures, habits and lives are blended. The story takes place in the period before Slovakia’s entry into the European Union and follows the struggle of Adam Krajnak, head of the smuggling border group; as well maintaining the dignified life of his family. After the new border crossing at the border with Ukraine, they also have events that force Adam to challenge his own borders as well.

“The Line” was awarded the Best Director Award at the 52nd Karlovy International Film Festival in 2017, Silver Plaque for the Best Art Director at the Chicago International Film Festival in 2017, Tallin Black Night Festival in 2017. Nomination of film for an Oscar in Best Foreign Language Film category! For more information contact Ross P. Marine, Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic, 816-305-8520, rossmarine@earthlink.net; or visit www.kansasfilm.com

Tour of Slovakia & NeighborsAugust 13-26, 2018

Recognition for Ross Marine

The Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Pittsburgh, Mr. Joe Senko, has prepared a 15-day tour of Slovakia, Vienna, Poland and Hungary. Total price is $4,300 per person (double occupancy). For more information, contact Joe Senko at itsenko@aol.com or 412-956-6000.

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Sugar Creek Slavic FestivalMake your way to Sugar Creek and experience the rich history of the Slavic people – feasting on great food, dancing to high-energy polkas, and watching traditional Slavic musicians and dancers. Join us June 8-9 to help celebrate our history. We need volunteers to help at our booth to sell souvenirs and ice cream.

Henry was a good friend of the Czech-Slovak Club and to individuals in the club. (Read full obit at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?pid=188106068)

Henry James Fortunato, 62, died at home in Overland Park, KS, on February 5, 2018 of lung cancer. Public historian, walker, editor, communicator, Henry brought a unerring eye for story to produce a remarkable body of work spanning print and online journalism, innovative programing at the Kansas City Public Library, and historical trail interpretation. Born Jan. 8, 1956, Henry was the son of the late Dolph and Mary (Padula) Fortunato of Wantagh, NY. An Eagle Scout and Empire State School Press Association Journalist of the Year in 1974, his mission from an early age combined respect for civic life with rigorously researched and balanced reporting. A graduate of the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, Henry began his career in university relations. He brought the story of Jan Karski, then a little-known Georgetown professor, to the Washington Post on the 40th anniversary of the 1939 German invasion of Poland. Thanks to Henry, audiences learned of Karski’s role as a Polish underground fighter who brought news of Nazi atrocities to American and Allied leaders, after which Karski was made an honorary citizen of Israel and awarded the distinction “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem.

Henry exuberantly shared his passions with his beloved family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Eileen O’Hara; children, Alexander, Peter and Victoria Fortunato; and sister, Lisa Fortunato, Basking Ridge, NJ. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Ann Marie O’Hara, Scranton, PA; brothers-in-law Michael, Jim, Don (Nancy), Tim, Tom and Rich (Angie) O’Hara; nephews Adam Craver, Kevin and Ryan O’Hara and niece Kate O’Hara. He leaves behind his cherished extended family, above all his uncle and aunt, Dr. William and Yolanda Padula, Freeport, NY. His friendships span the country and he treasured them deeply, most especially in recent years his bonds with Ken and Katie Armitage of Lawrence, KS, and with Tom and Margaret Clark of Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the InterUrban ArtHouse, 8001 Newton St. Overland Park, KS 66204. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Shrine of Saint Joseph, 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas City Public Library-Missouri Valley Special Collections, 14 W. 10th St. Kansas City, MO 64105; the InterUrban ArtHouse (see above address); or Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, PO Box 526, Lawrence, KS 66044. Finally, to celebrate Henry’s personal hike through history: take a walk with your family and friends.

Henry Fortunato, Who ‘Revolutionized’ Kansas City Library Events and Area Walking Trails, Dies At 62