Kolaches are a large part of the St. Wenceslaus Goulash Day, requiring a whole crew of volunteers for a day of baking, while preparing the annual festival's namesake goulash is a large-scale production in itself. For more than 30 years, Marge and Leonard Jansa have hosted a crew of volunteers at their farm in rural Cedar Rapids for a morning of cleaning, peeling and chopping potatoes, onions and other vegetables that are used in the goulash. The day is as much about fellowship and community as it is about preparing for the festival -- held this year on Sunday, Sept. 24 -- as longtime friends come together to reminisce, discuss current events, family life and more. Marge and Leonard provide snacks and lunch to add to the festive feel.
Cimbálová Muzika Vojara visits Cedar Rapids
Cimbálová Muzika Vojara from Moravia, Czech Republic, performed a free concert at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, July 30. The visit was part of the band's trip to the United States, sponsored by the Czech Slavnosti newspaper.Czech Prince Branden Knight and Czech Princess Victoria Knight, were able to meet the musicians after their performance. (photos/Cindy Hadish)
New Czech Royal Court announced
Families are making their mark on the Czech Heritage Foundation’s new Czech Royal Court. Three brother-sister duos, and one family trio, were among the members announced during Houby Days in Czech Village.A new Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa also was named after the state pageant at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which included modeling kroje (ethnic Czech costumes,) a talent competition and private and on-stage interviews. Saddah Hadish of Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Steve and Mari Hadish, was crowned queen for 2017-2018.
Members of the Czech Royal Court serve as young ambassadors for the Czech Heritage Foundation in festivals and other events throughout the year, with their award-winning floats well-recognized in area parades.Two years ago, a new title of Little Brother was added to the Czech Royal Court, opening up the program to boys ages 6-12, in addition to Little Sisters of the same age. That underlies the driving force behind this year’s influx of families.Little Brothers and Little Sisters for the coming year are: Lars and Ingrid Landa, son and daughter of Craig and Christine Landa; Davis and Danika Robe, son and daughter of John and Holly Robe; Alexander and Grace Sherman, son and daughter of Peter and Radka Sherman; as well as Myah Morgan, the daughter of J.C. and Tiffany Morgan; Allyanna Pokorny, daughter of Michael and Angel Pokorny; and Natalie Hopkins, daughter of Emily Zimmerman and Seth Hopkins.Czech Princes and Princesses are between the ages of 12 and 18. Branden and Victoria Knight, the son and daughter of Tom and Karen Knight, will serve as Czech Prince and Princess, along with Drake Hromidko Ainesworth, the son of Heidi Hromidko and Mike Ainesworth; and Rachael Brandon, the daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Wills and Jason and Andrea Brandon. Isabel Sherman, whose brother and sister also joined the Czech Royal Court, will be Mladší Princezna, meaning “younger princess” and Jonathan Carrick, son of Laurie and David Carrick, will serve this year as Mladší Princ, meaning “younger prince.”
The next event for the Czech Royal Court will be the Czech National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the St. Wenceslaus Church gym, 1230 Fifth St. SE.
Houby Days Parade Entry Form
Registration for the annual Cedar Rapids Houby Days parade is open! This year's parade will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 10:00 am. The parade will travel along 16th Avenue in Czech Village.Participants are asked to complete a registration form. Registration forms can be submitted via mail or e-mail. Any required registration fees should be paid using a check made out to "Straight Arrow" and should be submitted via mail.Straight ArrowP.O. Box 13Cedar Rapids, IA 52406straighta@mchsi.com
Change underway for Czech Royal Court as application period opens
Applications for the Czech Heritage Foundation's Royal Court are being accepted now through March 1, and new guidelines for the program will open the door for more participants.The Czech Heritage Foundation board approved expanding the criteria for new members at its November meeting. The change will allow aspiring prince, princess, little brother and little sister candidates to apply for the Royal Court if they are active members of a Czech organization, regardless of whether or not they can prove they have Czech ancestry.Adding the Czech organizations opens up the pool of candidates to Czech School students, members of Sokol or others who demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for Czech culture, but are not of Czech descent.Guidelines now state that prince and princess applicants must be 12 through 18 years of age, reside in Iowa and be able to attend events in the Cedar Rapids area. They must either be at least partially of Czech descent or be active participants in Czech organizations.The same rules apply to little brother and little sister applicants, who range in age from 6 to 12.All candidates need to detail their involvement and why they appreciate Czech heritage in their application. Boys and girls compete for the title of Czech Prince or Princess by researching Czech customs and culture, writing an essay and being interviewed by a panel of judges. The winners serve as young ambassadors for the Czech Heritage Foundation in parades, festivals and other events throughout the year, along with their younger counterparts and Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa.
This year's Czech Royal Court has been busy with activities in Czech Village and at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. They participated in the Svatý Mikuláš celebration at the Artisan's Sanctuary and Czech Village Association's tree-lighting ceremony. Members also sold raffle tickets for wreaths at the Old World Christmas Market at the museum and were invited to greet guests at the Three Nuts for Cinderella movie, also at the museum.Applications for next year's Royal Court are due March 1. Crowning will be during Houby Days in May. Find more details at CzechHeritageFoundation.com. For questions, send an email to: royalty@czechheritagefoundation.com.