CGSI Symposium

I am lucky to have a family who has kept pretty good records of our history but there is always more to learn. I joined the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI for short.) My mom and I both decided to attend the symposium to learn more about researching and finding information about where our ancestors came from and how they lived in previous years.

I had a great time meeting people from all over the US and getting to know more about them and their ancestors and the awesome things they found in their research. I am so excited to apply some of the secrets I learned at the symposium to my work.

It was great to see one of the judges from the state pageant last year and tell him about all that I have done as the state queen. I felt proud to show him that I was doing everything I could with the honor that he had a part in giving me, my title, 2009-10 Nebraska Czech-Slovak queen.

Do you know where your family came from? What ship brought them to the U.S.? What port they entered into? Where they applied for homestead? For more info about joining CGSI and learning about these things and more visit their website!! http://www.cgsi.org/

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

Nebraska Czech Slovak Queen Orientation Meeting

Wow...I can't believe it had been a whole year since I was sitting in a chair at the Southwest Fire Station as a new Nebraska Czech-Slovak Chapter Queen and Pageant Contestant. Since my mom joined the pageant committee and my younger brother is a volunteer firefighter at the fire station we went there and helped clean up the night before orientation. We had everything set up but when my mom got there they had moved everything for a neighborhood cleanup. After getting all of that straightened out it all worked out in the end. The girls and some parents were there and we talked through the schedule of the weekend, what to expect, and answered any questions. There were a few big changes this year. First of all they drew numbers during orientation for pageant order. I thought this was a great idea because the girls still go in a random order but it's a lot easier for the audience to follow along if the order is printed in their programs. The 2nd big change this year is that we will be having a fishbowl question. I'm not sure how the girls felt about this but I think it is an AWESOME preparation for the national pageant for our to be crowned Nebraska queen. I know this is what I am most nervous about at nationals and I'm sure that previous queens have felt the same. They decided to pick one topic and let the girls know what it would be and actually give them each of the questions to research ahead of time so they can feel prepared. I am so excited for all of these girls and the opportunities they have as queens. I am having such a wonderful time getting to know them and look forward to the state pageant and getting to spend more time with each of them! :) GOOD LUCK GIRLIES I'M SO PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!!

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

Omaha Czech Cultural Club Czech Folklore Festival

Well as I said in my previous post...8am cam VERY early to get up and get dressed again for the day. I was asked a few weeks back to MC the entire Omaha Czech-Slovak Folklore festival. I was very excited to have the opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience through the whole day. It is always great practice when I'm working with groups I don't speak in front of often. We got there early for the accordion jam but I didn't play much because I wanted to explore all the festival had to offer before my duties as MC started. It was a great festival and they had a great turnout! I had a blast watching queens and princesses compete in the kolace eating contest. I also got to be a judge in the cake decorating contest. I did find a break in the day to sneak downstairs and have their wonderful Czech meal.

It was a wonderful day of celebrating our Czech and Slovak heritage in Nebraska! :) After the day was over we went to visit a friend who was in the hospital. Of course I stayed in full kroj. I love seeing people trying to figure out why I'm dressed the way I am when I'm in kroj. He was really surprised and loved having us there to visit. I wish I had time to go to more nursing homes and hospitals to brighten peoples day. Well I'm sure I'll be writing again soon!


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

Minnesota Czech Slovak Queen Pageant

Well...it's been a while since my last CRAZY road trip so we thought we were about due for another! HAHA!

We left for Minnesota at 3:30am to make it there for a lunch with the contestants. We got there even earlier than planned and went up to New Prague to see the sights there. I found an awesome wallet with a crown on it in one of the shops there along with wine wafers made in the Czech Republic for hundreds of years. Lunch with the girls was great and all of the contestants were so much fun. I had a blast getting to know them and knew the pageant would be great! After lunch the girls had to go to their dress rehearsal so I decided to tour the town of Montgomery, MN. We first went to their kroj display. It was awesome because they had a collection of kroj from past MN queens. I remembered seeing a lot of them in Wilber at the national pageant in years past. They had Becky's dolls there too. (Becky was the MN queen in 2004 when I first ran as a chapter queen and we have kept in touch since.) Then we found a Czech imports shop where I bought a painted glass and some honey for my roommate (who has her own honey bees.) I ran into Leah (another past MN queen) and surprised her because she didn't know I was coming for the pageant. After killing a bit of time I went back to the David's house to get ready for the evening. They were so kind to open their house up to the visiting queens.

As expected the pageant was awesome. :) I was excited that one of the Robitcek Scholars from UNL, Helena, came with the national queen Brianna. She was new to all of this queen stuff and loves to take photos so it was fun to sit with her and watch her reaction to how the queens represent the Czech heritage. They had 4 contestants this year and all of them deserved to be queen. In the end Debbie was crowned the new MN Czech-Slovak Queen and will compete with me in Wilber in August. We are gonna have a blast together. I wish we could have stayed longer for their dance after the pageant but could only stay for a few hours as we had to be back in Omaha at 9am the next morning.

Funny story...before we left the dance we were talking to a group of people from MN about polka bands. They had once played in a small town in Nebraska and while they were there everyone told them they had to go to the Clarkson Czech Festival as it was just a short drive. They drove up and watched part of the pageant and enjoyed the festivities. They said they had a blast watching this girl performing her talent at the pageant. She was singing Annie in the Cabbage patch and acting like the boy...then acting like the girl....ok those of you who know me....is this starting to sound familiar....IT WAS ME!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA! I was laughing so hard that of all the things and all of the people they remembered from the festival it was my performance.

We were back on the road for a long drive (although I slept almost the whole way.) We were hoping to drive all but an hour back but when I woke up we were in Omaha. We wanted to find a cheap hotel room as we would only be there for about 4 hours (as it was already 4am by the time we arrived) and thought it would be no problem....boy were we wrong! There must have been something going on in town that night because we stopped at 5 or 6 places and they were all booked full. We were about to head back to Lincoln when we made one more stop and FINALLY found a place to crash for the night. 8am would come pretty early to head to the Omaha festival the next day!

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

Czech and Slovak Americans Symposium at UNL

About a year ago I started about a Symposium that was to be held in April 2010. It was about Czech and Slovak Americans. I was really excited because I knew there was a lot to learn from this symposium. I was excited to attend the kick-off of the symposium where Czech queens from around the state were the hostesses. We got to visit with many people who were in town for the symposium. They also had an art display with photos of Czech buildings etc from around the state and display of kroje. The next day I spent learning all sorts of new things. It was great to have such great speakers from around the US there to talk to us about Czech and Slovak Americans. That evening I got to play in an accordion jam with a group made up of button accordion players from around the state. We then got to walk to the Sheldon art museum to listen to Czech Opera pieces. It was BEAUTIFUL! They had all of the singers dressed in kroje which made it EVEN BETTER! I was excited for another day of all things Czech and enjoyed more lectures on the 2nd day and learned more. It was so great to be surrounded with so many things to soak in. The final event was the CLF banquet. I have attended this several times in the past. UNL is lucky to have different sponsors donate to provide a scholarship to all of their Czech students. This banquet is in honor of them and the impact they have on the students education. I had fun sitting with several other queens from NE and beyond! :) I think I could have taken a few more days of this symposium so I was sad for it to be over but was very glad to have this experience! :)

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

Doane Heritage Celebration

Somehow after all of these years I still hadn't ever made it to the Doane Heritage Celebration (previously the Doane Concert.) I was excited to get to go but still a bit tired from the trip back from St Louis. When we got there I was excited to see so many people there. I was having fun trying to practice my Czech with their quizes (I did ok on the animal names but not so well on the others) and after a bit of time I was ready to join in with the accordion jam. I tried to sneak in during introductions but they saw me and I had to introduce myself. :) HEHE! It was great to get to see some family and friends in Wilber again because I don't make it down there as much as I would like to outside of Czech events with my busy schedule. I had some lunch and then went over to Sue's house to go over a few things for my new kroj. As soon as we got back to Sokol we had to run down to the Museum and I had a good time showing my Mom around down in the basement. Somehow after all these years of going there she had never been! I told her how scary the basement used to be when we were little. Thanks to Steve for letting us in to see it all. When I got back to Sokol I even got to polka a little with Jon Halama. (Someday I'll teach Brad how so he has no excuse! HEHE!) It was a great day but I was tired and ready to go home when we finally left (we were some of the last 6 there and ended up having a mini accordion jam by the time the night was over.) I look forwarad to going again next year. :)

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

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