The Czech Heritage Foundation Homestay Program funds student “Ambassadors” to live with a host family for three weeks in or near Prague, and host a Czech student from that family later in the same summer.More than one hundred high school students have received scholarships since the educational program began in 1983. The Homestay Committee is now accepting applications for summer 2017 participants. For more information, and to apply, click here.
Scholarship winners announced at annual picnic
The Czech Heritage Foundation awarded three $1,300 scholarships during the annual picnic on August 9 at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.Erika Serbousek of Iowa State University, Ashley Pudil of Loras College and Elijah Wolter of the University of Chicago were all deserving recipients, said Lee Thornbloom, who chairs the scholarship committee.During the picnic, Bonnie Rohlena and Donna Gruntorad paid special recognition to Marj Nejdl, who so generously volunteered her time and talent to provide the exquisite artwork for the new Czech Heritage Foundation logo and the new Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant logo. Members of the Czech Royal Court were introduced at the picnic, as well. The picnic is an annual get-together for members of the Czech Heritage Foundation, their families and friends.
Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa earns top three at national pageant
Ashley Pudil, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa, was awarded second runner-up during the 30th Annual Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. pageant on August 7 in Wilber, Nebraska. She also took home the Sokol Award for her Moravian folk dance in the talent portion of the event. Ashley is the daughter of Kevin and Denise Pudil, and is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Creative Writing, and Spanish at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Her Czech heritage comes from both sides of her family, who originally lived in Brumov, a village in Southern Moravia and Southern Bohemia.
Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa is sponsored by the Czech Heritage Foundation. See more photos from the pageant and the Wilber Czech Festival here.
Celebrating the 4th of July with the Royal Court
The Czech Royal Court participated in the July 2 Freedom Festival Parade, where the Czech Heritage Foundation float won an award, and in the Belle Plaine parade on July 4, where Bonnie (Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Co-Director) and Marvin Rohlena's red wagon was well-received. Our thanks to float-maker Tim Pfeifer for another great entry at the Freedom Festival! (photos/Cindy Hadish)
Houby Days Festival 2016
Celebrate the coming of spring at the annual Houby Days Festival May 20-22 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Check out the schedule so you don't miss your favorite band, the parade, or any of the weekend's events!
Friday, May 20, 2016
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
5-7pm | Taste of Czech & Slovak | NCSML |
5-6pm | Sheila Stevens | Street Stage |
5-10pm | Artisan & Food Vendors | 16th Avenue |
5-10pm | Carnival | 16th Avenue |
5-10pm | Evan Stock Band | Kosek Bandstand |
6-7pm | The Distractions w/ Ben Holey | Street Stage |
7-8pm | Sheila Stevens | Street Stage |
8-9pm | The Distractions w/ Ben Holey | Street Stage |
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8-11am | Egg & Houby Breakfast withRon Johnson Accordionist | The Red Frog |
8,9,10,&11am | Rides to Mt. Trashmore | Information Table |
8-12:15am | Czech Plus Band & Czech Heritage Singers | Kosek Bandstand |
9am-8pm | One Day Artisans in the Park | Sokol Park |
9am-10pm | Artisan & Food Vendors | 16th Avenue |
9am-10pm | Carnival | 16th Avenue |
9am-10:15pm | Joshua Payne | Street Stage |
10-11am | Houby Days Parade | 16th Avenue |
10am-5pm | Plant Sale | 16th Avenue |
11-11:30am | Domaci Czech Folk Dancers | 16th Avenue |
11am-12pm | Reagan & Gracie | Street Stage |
11am-2pm | Sparkles/Sprinkles the Clown | 16th Avenue |
11am-2pm | Mark Brown/Busker | Sykol Park |
12-1pm | The Distractions | Street Stage |
12-3pm | Houby Contest Registration | Information Tent |
12-4pm | Kids Make and Take | The Create Exchange |
1-1:30pm | Domaci Czech Folk Dancers | Kosek Bandstand |
1:30-2:45pm | Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant | NCSML |
1:30-4:30pm | Riverbottom Ramblers Band | Street Stage |
2-3pm | Accordian Club | Kosek Bandstand |
3-3:30pm | Maypole Dance | Kosek Bandstand |
3:30pm | Introduction of Royalty | Kosek Park |
3:30pm | Mushroom Contest Winners | |
3:30-4:30pm | Mushroom Entries Display | Lion Bridge Brewery |
4-7pm | Silbertaler Musikanren | Kosek Bandstand |
5-8pm | Mockingbirds | Street Stage |
7-8pm | Summertown | Kosek Bandstand |
8-9pm | Abby Hayward | Kosek Bandstand |
9-10pm | Witness | Kosek Bandstand |
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
8-11am | Egg & Houby Breakfast withRon Johnson Accordionist | The Red Frog |
9-11am | Czech Heritage Band | Kosek Bandstand |
9-11am | Dan Johnson & Company | Street Stage |
9am-4pm | Artisan & Food Vendors | 16th Avenue |
10am-4pm | Plant Sale | 16th Avenue |
11am-12pm | Crown Prince & Princess | Kosek Bandstand |
11am-12pm | Joshuah Payne | Street Stage |
11am-12pm | Cabbage Roll | Sykora Bakery |
11:30am-1:30pm | Childrens Games | 16th Avenue |
12-1pm | Svetlusky Youth Ensemble | 16th Avenue |
12-2pm | Polka Kings of Walford | Kosek Bandstand |
12-3pm | Cedar County Cobras | Street Stage |
12-3pm | Sparkles/Sprinkles the Clown | 16th Avenue |
12-4pm | Kids Make and Take | The Create Exchange |
12-4pm | Carnival | Inspiration Place |
12-4pm | Houby Photo Boards | 16th Avenue |
2-3pm | Rockwell Collins Ensemble | Kosek Bandstand |
2-3pm | Eulenspiegel Puppet Show | 16th Avenue |
3-4pm | Heritage of the March Bunny Band | Street Stage |
3-4pm | Witness | Kosek Bandstand |
3:15pm | All Ages Costume Walk | 16th Avenue |