To St Louis We Go!

A few weeks ago Valerie Smith, the 2008/2009 Missouri Czech Slovak Queen, told me about an event in St Louis. After a few short weeks of trying to coordinate I found out I was going to be able to go and Valerie's plans had fell through several times so she decided to hop in the car along with us. I was really excited to visit St Louis and see how they celebrate their Czech and Slovak heritage down there! St Louis is actually where my Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather worked and lived until he could make enough money to move the rest of the family here. Unfortunately I had to work until 5pm on Friday night so we started our trek after I got off work. We drove to Marshall so we could meet up with Valerie and continue on our trek right away in the morning. We got up early and off we went. :) Valerie and I had a great time girl talking while Brad tried his hardest to turn the music up a little more and a little more and a little more...HEHE! What a trooper! When we got there we met up with Dana who I had been talking with about our trip a bit. She showed us around and we went and got changed into our kroj for the day. About the time we got changed and out of the dressing room, Brianna, Eva, and Morgan had arrived. (Brianna is the current Miss Czech Slovak US, Eva is one of the Robitcek Scholars from the Czech Republic at UNL this year, and Morgan is the 2010 Missouri Czech Slovak Queen.) After they got dressed and ready we went and had a wonderful lunch. We got to choose between pork, duck, and goulash. I picked goulash because I only get it at the Bohemian Cafe and thought I would try it somewhere else. I was great. Brad and I then went up and performed a little for everyone while the next band was setting up. It was lots of fun and people were excited to see some younger people up there playing accordion. After a bit more looking around we took a quick Czech language course and then it was time for official introductions. We each did an introduction of ourselves. A bit later they had a "queen talent show." Brad and I played accordion and I sang for everyone, then Valerie sang with the band, and last but not least Brianna sang. They then did a modeling of kroje, we went first and explained a bit about our kroje, and then they had beautiful old kroje from all over the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It was really neat to see all the different regions represented there. I wanted to stay longer and really wanted to try to make it to the St Louis Botanical Gardens before we left but it was already getting dark and we had to make it back to Kansas City to drop Morgan off before we could crash for the night. We stopped and ate at Steak and Shake before we got too far down the road. (Morgan had already crashed and we had to wake her up when we got there.) I had a yummy burger, cheese fries, and a shake! MHHHH.....plus Czech food...all in one day...LUCKY ME! :) Thank goodness for Brad (as Dana called him the boyfriend of all queens that day) or we wouldn't have made it. All 3 of us girls were passed out and he just kept driving driving driving. We finally stopped for the night around 4am if I remember right. We got up around 9 to finish the trip back to Wilber for the Doane College Czech Heritage Celebration. Not an early morning compared to my normal mornings but it sure felt early...I can't imagine how Brad was feeling!

Spanem Bohem!
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen

York Crowns New Queen

I was excited to get to attend another crowning. It's just the beginning of an amazing journey for these girls. I was invited to attend the 2010 York Czech Slovak Queen crowning. I headed to York when I got off work. I haven't made many trips on my own but this one I was flying solo. I met Alex before the business meeting started and was given the run down on what would be happening during the crowning. It is always fun to attend meetings at the different clubs and see what they are up to between their festivals each year. The Nebraska Czechs of York was generous to donate to help me cover the cost of my Czech It Out festival. I wasn't expecting that and am more thankful to them than they know! After the meeting they had Missy Vavra, the 2009 York Czech Slovak Queen (and 2009 Nebraska Talent Winner and Miss Congeniality), come up and talk a bit about her year as queen. Next they had me come up and talk about my year so far, myself, and upcoming plans. Then they had Alex come up and talk about herself and her Czech heritage. We did the crowning and presented her with gifts from the club. Of course we had a photo session after crowning. We had a light snack of kolace and rosettes then got to watch Alex do a preview of her talent. It was a fun night and I hope to make it out to York again soon. :) CONGRATS ALEX! Hope you have a wonderful year as queen!

Na Shledanou,
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen

First Annual "Czech It Out" Children's Czech Festival

Well the time had come...it was sink or swim! This is an idea I've had for several years and it was FINALLY coming to life. I've never planned something like this on my own so I was REALLY scared. The list kept growing...and growing...and growing and by the start of the event we had over 70 registered. A few who were registered didn't show up but several who weren't registered did come. Final count was 75 who stopped at the sign in table but we are pretty sure there were even a few more than that. First the kids checked in and got their "Passport." This was their guide to the different activities they could do. Next they were able to travel to the different stations which included the following:

Apron/Vest Decorating: At this station each child received their apron (for girls) or vest (for boys) they were able to glue on felt shapes (hearts/flowers/leaves), sequins, ribbon, etc.

Hat/Headpiece Decorating: At this station the boys received a felt hat and were able to decorate it with feathers and ribbon. Girls received a plastic ring that they could have flowers glued onto and added ribbons in the back.

Bracelet Making: At this station each child could make a bracelet to go with their kroj.

Dough Ornament Making: At this station each child got to make an old fashioned dough ornament like families use to make for their Christmas trees. Before they made their ornament they got to practice rolling out dumplings and kolace.

Gingerbread Decorating: At this station each child got to decorate a Czech gingerbread cookie with colored icing.

Coloring Contest: At this station each child got to color a picture and enter it into the coloring contest. They could color a boy and girl in kroj from several different regions or Czech designs page with hearts etc.

Heritage Station: At this station I had an OLD trunk set up to show what a family might bring when they traveled to the United States back in the late 1800s or early 1900s. It included items like quilts, books, seeds, a kettle, etc.

Storytelling: At this station children got to listen to an old Czech folk tale.

Photo Booth: At this station children got to take a picture with their faces in the Czech Dancers cut out. It was then printed for the child to take with them.

Dancing: At this station children got to learn how to polka dance.

Czech Language: At this station children got to learn how to count to 5 in Czech and how to say animal names.

After the kids got to participate in all of the stations for a while we did the Chicken Dance. The kids had a blast and didn't want it to end. Next was the parade of kroje. We had everyone who wore kroj to the event come across stage and show off the beautiful costumes. Some of the children who just made parts of their kroj that day walked across also to show off the starting pieces of their new kroj. For the last hour of the event we had a polka dance. Children continued to finish at each of the stations and there were lots of children dancing also. I can't say I could have asked for it to go any better. :)

A special thanks to:
-Andrew and Tricia Vocasek for helping clean up
-Bob Bowen(Grandpa) for fixing our old family rocking chair to use for storytelling
-Brad Husak for playing in the band for the polka dance
-Deb Douthit for cutting out felt shapes, helping set up and cleanup, and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Deb Vocasek(Mom)for sewing all of the vests and aprons, helping with setup and cleanup, and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Donna Aschwege for baking gingerbread cookies
-Donna Gruntorad for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Erma Ruhl for baking kolace
-Harleena Douthit and Mike Vocasek for cutting out felt shapes and making dough
-James Vocasek for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Jeanette Prybil-Smith for cutting out felt shapes
-Joan Svoboda for cutting out felt shapes
-Jon Halama for playing in the band for the polka dance
-Kelsey Homolka for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Kim and Kaylee Znamenacek for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Laura Shestak for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Missy Vavra for making icing and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Pam Hromodka for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Randy Korbelik for playing in the band for the polka dance
-Roper Elementary School for allowing us to use the multipurpose room for the event
-Russ Market for donating popcorn, juice and water for snacks that day
-Sandy Schnakenberg for baking gingerbread cookies and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Shandra Korbelik for making icing and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Shayla Miller for volunteering your time at a station that day.
-Shelly Manson for helping at the last minute with cutting vests when we didn't think we could get them all finished and volunteering your time at a station that day
-Steve and Julia Ourecky for volunteering your time at a station that day
-UNL Heath Center Clinic for cutting out felt shapes
-Val, Natalie, and Claire Frahm for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Valerie Smith for volunteering your time at a station that day
-Donations by many to help cover the expenses of the event

It was an amazing day and I couldn't have done it all without each and every one of you!!! :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I'll be in contact with you next year! ;)

Spanem Bohem!
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen

Wilber Kick-Off and Royalty Crowning

I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about Wilber Czech Days! I wasn't able to go to the Lincoln Czechs meeting this month so I could make it to the Wilber Kick-Off. I was excited to meet the 2010 Wilber Czech Slovak Royalty. They announced the 2010 Wilber Czech Festival Theme - "Czech Tales of the Past Years."

We got there and enjoyed the alumni band playing a few songs and Acid Polka played. It was lots of fun. Then they had Laura, Sheyenne, and Layne (the 2009 Wilber Czech Royalty) come up on stage first and give their farewells. It is always so sad to see someone give up their titles but it's not the crown that makes the queen! In my eyes they'll be royalty as long as they help to represent our wonderful heritage! They have done such a wonderful job representing Wilber the past year I know there are lots of people who are very proud including myself. After they finished speaking I went on stage to help with the crownings. (Since they have crowns, sashes, trophies, and money to give to the queen and princess and all but the flowers and crown for the prince.)

First was the prince...John. They had him come on stage....he was super excited. Next was the princess...Julia, his older sister. Last but certainly not least was the queen...Kelsey. CONGRATS KELSEY, JULIA, AND JOHN! It's going to be a great year but it is going to fly by...take it all in had most of all HAVE FUN!!! :)

After they were all crowned we danced and had a bit of fun but had to leave before it got too late because I had a VERY BUSY day ahead of me. We had to finish preparing for my Czech It Out Festival that was the next day. Mom had to go home to continue sewing vests and aprons and I had to finalize a few things. I was really nervous because I was still getting a lot of calls to sign kids up for the event. I knew it just needed to be here so I would stop stressing so much and JUST HAVE SOME FUN!

Na Shledanou,
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen

My Current Projects = Always Busy!!!!!

Well I'm not sure if you've noticed but I have LOTS of ideas. :) I love my Czech Heritage and sometimes just want to shout it off the rooftops. I've tried to think of ways of spreading this and have come up with several ideas. 2 of them will be coming to life...very soon!

"Czech It Out" Children's Czech Festival
I've had a vision to get our youth involved and interested in their Czech heritage and was finally ready for it to come to life. I will be hosting this event on March 13, 2010 at Roper Elementary. Children will have the opportunity to explore the Czech heritage by decorating pieces of a kroj, learning Czech language, dancing the polka, making dough ornaments, decorating gingerbread cookies, and more. I am so excited to share the wonderful Czech heritage with elementary aged children and hope this is just the first step in getting the next generation involved. :) If you would like to register your child please contact me via email at stefanievocasek@hotmail.com or call me at (402) 261-6971.

Polka Music CDs
I started thinking about polka music and how much harder it is to find it these days. I know a lot of people enjoy the music but don't have a way to get ahold of it without having to call each of the band leaders. I thought it would be great to have a booth at the Czech Festivals around Nebraska with Polka Music CDs so people could get a variety of music in one place. I told Brad about this and he agreed to help me as he knows a lot of the band leaders in Nebraska. We are working on collecting these CDs and will have our booth available for the first time at the Lincoln Czech Festival on May 2nd.

I have a few more ideas brewing in my head but I guess you'll have to wait and see what they are in the future! :)

Spanem Bohem!
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen

Clarkson Crowns 2010 Queen

Well it's the exciting time of year when new queens begin to start their journey. Soon they'll be competing for my title. I am excited for them but already afraid for this year to be over. This has truly been one of the best years of my life and I hope that our next group of queens has this great experience also.

I had to work in the morning but headed up to the Starlight Ballroom to meet Sandy from the Omaha Czech Club and also the State Pageant Committee. Then...off to Clarkson we went. It scared me to hear Annie give her farewell speech and talk about what she had done as queen this year. If I haven't mentioned this in previous blog entries...one of the FIRST things I said after I was crowned was "Oh my gosh...I have to give a farewell speech." I was so scared to have to do this and now it's flying up on me. I have a million thank yous to give, a million experiences to share, and a million words of wisdom to our new queen. How on earth can I limit this to a few mins and how will I be able to talk through the tears? As much as I say I won't...I KNOW I'm going to cry.

Anyways...we got to Clarkson and I got a plate of FRESH OUT OF THE OVEN kolace! I still say there is NOTHING better. :) Thanks to Annie and her mom for baking for me. They were super good (and lucky to make it home!) They had Annie and I speak a little bit and then it was time. Their new queen was crowned! Beth is from Clarkson and is very involved in high school. They put her on the spot and asked a few questions and then had her perform her talent. Although it wasn't finalized she did a great job. They had a small polka dance in celebration of their new queen and then we headed back to Starlight. I know that Beth will do a wonderful job representing the Clarkson Czech Community and I look forward to seeing her at events in the near future!

When we got back to Starlight I had to pick up from CDs and thought it would be silly to be in the parking lot and not go in. I went in and said hello and got to dance a few with some new friends. I knew I wouldn't be lonely for long going in there on my own...if one thing is true about polka lovers...it's that they are friendly! :) (Plus in my kroj...I kinda stood out. HEHE!) I had a good time dancing and meeting new people and even officially meeting some that I'm sure I've crossed paths with in the past. I look forward to attending another event there in the future.

CONGRATS AGAIN TO BETH THE 2010 CLARKSON CZECH SLOVAK QUEEN!!

Na Shledanou,
Stefanie Vocasek
2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen