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Czech Pork, Dumpling and Kraut dinner Was a success!  Volunteer servers are ready for the diners to arrive |
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We had 24 people making dumplings - Thank you to Hannah! |
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Anne (Smisek) Jans will present her Kroje collection from different regions of the Czech Republic.  
 Anne is quite involved with her Czech heritage as well. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Miss Czech Slovak Mn Pageant. She is a member of Sokol Mn and enjoys traveling around Mn to various Czech and Slovak festivals. She was Miss Czech Slovak Mn Queen in 1999 and since that time has had a passion for learning about the kroje or ethnic dress of the culture and the wide variety of kroje in each region of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. The intricate details of each kroj are fascinating. Anne will be sharing some of her collection of kroje from a variety of regions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and sharing some of the details that go into the creation of these unique ethnic dresses. She will also share the traditional methods in which these kroje were made. Anne and her mother Susie Smisek have made numerous award winning kroje in the past 20 years. Recently they made a Blata, South Bohemian kroj complete with carp fish scales that Anne's niece wore in the 2019 Miss Czech Slovak Mn Pageant. She will have the costume with to showcase. Anne's daughter Alenka and sons Clayton and Wyatt also enjoy wearing kroje. Alenka currently serves as Miss Czech Slovak Mn Junior Ambassador. Anne Jans is also known as "The Hat Lady" and has been collecting antique women's hats, hat boxes and hat pins for 26 years and speaking about the history of women's hats and sharing her collection throughout Minnesota and surrounding states for 25 years. In that time she has acquired quite a collection of hats ( approximately 1,900 hats, 375 hat boxes and 500 hatpins) dating from the 1840's through the 1960's.. Although she dosen't collect dresses ahe has approximately 125 from the late 1800's through the 1960's as well. She thoroughly enjoys her collection and sharing it with others. Anne has always said "what is the oint of having a collection if you can't share it with others". She takes pride in the collection she has accumulated over the years and loves to share the many stories and knowledge she has learned about women's historic costumes with others. |
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Whether she is scouting out new and exciting places to take the people that will be with her on her next tour or just enjoying the majestic buildings in Prague and the mountains in the northern part of the country the views are interesting and exciting. If you have been to Czech, come and see how many you recognize. If you have never been to Czech, come and see what you are missing. Doris will also have a small display of some of the Czech made items she has purchased on her many trips.   Prague at night from the Charles Bridge Items made in the Czech Republic |
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 Speaker - Heather Vikla Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota and Miss Czech Slovak US second runnerup at the national competition in Wilbur, Nebraska |
 Monthly meeting at the New Prague City Hall |
 December Christmas Party at Pizza Ranch |
 Monthly meeting at the Montgomery Library |
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* Preserve Czech culture in our communities * Educate the public about our culture * Adopt customs not currently in use in our area * Support other communities in their efforts of preservation and education. * Instill pride in our heritage |
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