2003 SVU Conference

"The Czech and Slovak Presence in North America: Retrospective Look and Future Perspectives "

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 26-27, 2003

The plans for our 2003 conference are well underway, thanks to the splendid cooperation with the Nebraska chapter which took charge of this activity, and particularly their President, Kacenka Oslzly. The Chapter has been meeting every two weeks the past 4 months and will continue to do so until everything is done. Most of the logistical arrangements have been made in Cedar Rapids, with Coe College, the Visitor's Bureau, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and the Clarion Hotel. The tours have also been lined up. A schedule of major events is given below. Current work is now focusing on making contacts with local ethnic groups to get them involved and to cosponsor the Conference, to solicit corporate donors and finally to start organizing various academic sessions. The details are given in the Information sheet which follows.

We urge all our members and their friends to attend. It is imperative that all interested persons fill out the registration forms below and return them as soon as possible. It will be a great event which will include highly interesting lectures, arranged into symposia and discussion panels, an exciting social and cultural program, touring and sightseeing of the old Czech settlements, etc., and renewing old friendships, as well as making new ones. And don't forget bring your dancing shoes for Thursday evening Polka Dance.

The State of Iowa more than any other state was a place which reminded the early settlers from the Czechlands of their home country. That's why they came here! It is of note that the Matice VyssihoVzdelani - which initiated the first scholarship program for Czech American students and still active today - had its beginnings in Cedar Rapids, as did Jonas' periodical Pokrok and Jan Barta Letovsky's Slovan Americky. Among other Iowan personalities of note was a drug manufacturer Vaclav F. Severa, journalist L. J. Palda, and Professor Bohumil Shimek. This was also the place where Frantisek B. Zdrubek founded his Freethinkers' movement. In the close-by village of Ely, Rev. F. Kun from Moravia established the first Czech Protestant church in the US. Czech Catholics built, in turn, a new church dedicated to St. Wenceslaus. Many of the churches built by the Czech settlers have been preserved to date and are on the National Register because of their unique architecture and the role they played. Not too far from Cedar Rapids is an old Czech settlement Spillville where the famed Czech composer Antonin Dvorak spent one summer and composed some of his most important compositions. You will be able to see it all and more. The history abounds here and the pioneering spirit of the early settlers is in the air.

We have made a call for speakers and would welcome anybody who could contribute to the subject under discussion. Under the general theme, "The Czech and Slovak Presence in North America" almost any topic bearing on Czechs and Slovaks in the US and Canada, and even Mexico, would fit. We are especially seeking speakers in the following areas: immigration to North America from the Czechlands and Slovakia, history of and life in the early settlements, establishment and the role of fraternal organizations, the journalistic and other literary endeavors of Czech/Slovaks, contributions of selected Czech and Slovak American personalities, Czech and Slovak American historic sites, monuments and memorials, Czech and Slovak archival material in America and their future, preservation of Czech and Slovak cultural heritage abroad, teaching of Czech and Slovak languages in America, studies in American universities bearing on Czechs and Slovaks, Czech and music and other cultural contributions of Czech and Slovak Americans, their contributions in medicine, business, law, sports and other endeavors, Czech and Slovak ethnic programs for and involving young people, academic exchange programs between the US and the Czech and Slovak Republics, relations of Czech and Slovak Americans with their homeland, attitude of Czech and Slovak governments toward Czechs and Slovaks abroad, business and cultural opportunities for Czech and Slovak Americans in Czech and Slovak Republic, etc.

If you would like to present a paper, please fill out the Speaker's Form and return it right away. We welcome any suggestions for possible speakers.

I look forward to seeing you at the Conference.

Miloslav Rechcigl SVU President

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2003 SVU Conference Schedule of Major Events

June 25, Wednesday 7-9:30 pm Reception at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

June 26, Thursday 8:30am-5:30pm SVU Conference Begins; Opening Ceremony; Paper Sessions

5:30 - 7:30 pm Chuckwagon Barbeque, Coe College 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Polka Dance, Coe College

June 27, Friday 9 am-5 pm Paper Sessions 5-6 pm SVU Annual Meeting

6:30 - 9:30 pm SVU Banquet, Coe College

June 28, Saturday Spillville, Protivin, Ft. Atkinson Tour - all day

June 29, Sunday Cedar Rapids, Ely, Solon Tour - all day

Tentative times; subject to change depending on the number of paper sessions we will have.

2003 SVU CONFERENCE SPEAKER'S FORM

Deadline February 28, 2003

Name: ___________________________________________

Institutional Affiliation (if applicable): ______________________________________

Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________

Telephone and/or FAX: _______________________ e-mail: _____________________

Title of the proposed talk: _________________________________________

_____________________________________________ Additional comments and /or suggestions including recommendations for speakers:

Speakers are required to send a short abstract (summary) of their paper, not to exceed one page, including the title of their paper, their name and institutional affiliation (if any), with abbreviated address (exclude the street and number). We would prefer either a 3.5 inch disk or via email to Cathy Oslzly (coslzly1@unl.edu). All speakers and panel chairs need to be registered.

Please return this form along with your registration form to Cathy Oslzly, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308.

2003 SVU CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Deadline February 28, 2003

Each Individual Needs to fill out one of these forms:(type or print): Feel free to photocopy this form!

Name: ___________________________________________ email:____________________

Address:_____________________________________________

__________________ phone: ______________________

1. Pre-Registration Fee (After February 28, 2003, add an additional $10.00) All participants, including speakers and panel chairs, need to be registered.

$ 35.00 (SVU Member) $ 30.00 (Spouse) $ 45.00 (NonMember of SVU) $ 20.00 (Students)

2. Housing accommodations in the dorm or apartments: Nights of (please check): Tuesday, June 24 ___ Friday, June 27 ___ Wednesday, June 25 ___ Saturday, June 28 ___ Thursday, June 26 ___ Sunday, June 29 ___

___ Nights x $17.00 per person (dormitories) = $_________ or ___ Nights x $27.00 per person (campus apartments) = $_________

Single Dorm room, if available: Yes _____ No _____

Name of your Roommate(s): _________________________________________

1. Meals: Circle Days # of Days

Breakfast = $5.00 per day T W Th F Sat Sun M ____ x $5.00 = $__________

Lunch= $ 6.00 per day T W Th F Sat Sun M ____ x $6.00 = $__________

Dinner= $10.00 per day T W Sat Sun ____ x $10.00 = $_________ Thursday Night Chuckwagon BBQ + Polka Dance - $16.50 per person $16.50 =$__________ Dance only $5.00 Friday Night Banquet: Czech Dinner - $21.50 per person $21.50 =$__________

Total For Meals: $__________ Total Conference Costs:

1. Registration fee: $_________________

2. Dorms or Apartments: $_________________

3. Meals: $_________________

4. Bus Tours - Transportation And Admission to Museum per person:

___ Sat. $30.00 Spillville $_________________

___ Sun. $20.00 Cedar Rapids $_________________

5. Total: $_________________

Checks are payable to SVU Nebraska. Mail all forms to: Cathy Oslzly, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308.

Information Sheet for the 2003 SVU Conference

Flying into Cedar Rapids - Eastern Iowa Airport: There is excellent air service into Eastern Iowa Airport with direct service available to 6 cities and serviced by the following airlines: American/American Eagle, Delta, Northwest, United, and US Air/US Air Express. There is Airport Shuttle Service available (319-365-0655).

Registration Fee: Your Registration Fee covers the Reception at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library on Wednesday evening, entrance into the Opening Session, two days of academic sessions, and all costs associated with putting on the conference.

Housing at Coe College: Coe College has two types of housing available for conference participants. Voorhees Hall is a typical dorm setting which was totally renovated the summer of 2000. It is a beautiful facility with 35 single rooms and 50 double rooms available. Bedding and towels are furnished; please bring your own hangers. There are three floors and two wings per floor, with bathrooms/showers on each wing. There will be bathrooms/showers designated for men or women on each floor. An elevator is available. $17.00 per person, per night.

The two apartment buildings are relatively new and contain four single bedrooms, two baths, a full kitchen and living area with a table and 4 chairs. They are very nice and spacious. We will have access to 12 apartments; up to 48 people can stay there. Bedding and towels are furnished; please bring your own hangers. One of the buildings contains an elevator. $27.00 per person, per night. If you are coming alone, we will match you with same sex roommate(s) because there are only 12 units available and space is limited.

If you wish to stay on campus and want a single room in the DORM, be sure to indicate it on your Registration Form. Every attempt will be made to give you a single DORM room and this will be based on a first come, first served policy. If you plan to have a roommate, please let us know the name of your roommate as well.. www.coe.edu/CampusTour/VoorheesHall

Recreation Center at Coe: The Clark Racquet Center will be available to on-campus residents. It has racquetball courts, fitness equipment (stair climbers, stationary bicycles, etc.), universal weights and outdoor tennis courts. The hours are M-F 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 am-5pm. The swimming pool will also be available for lap swimming, usually at noon M-F and 7-9 in the evening M-Th. The hours have not been set yet for summer 2003.

Clarion Hotel: The Clarion Hotel is the offsite hotel for the SVU Conference. Special SVU prices have been negotiated: $69/single; $79/double; $89/triple. This is a family owned hotel and the hospitality, food and service are first rate. Please call them direct for your reservation: 800-325-3535 or 319-366-8671. Be sure to let them know you are with the SVU Conference. The Clarion will shuttle you to and from the Wednesday evening reception and the conference. It is not a walkable distance. The owners are very accommodating and we know you will enjoy your stay with them.

Meals at Coe College: The Student Union has a cafeteria complete with 2 chefs and the food is very good! The Registration Form has a place for you to circle which meals you want and on which days. There will be two special dinners, one Thursday evening - a Chuckwagon Barbeque followed by a polka dance – and a final banquet on Friday evening, complete with a Czech menu, both at the Coe College Student Union. Tickets for your meals will be issued to you when you register onsite. There are four fast food restaurants and four casual sit-down restaurants an easy two block walk from the campus, if you choose to eat off-campus.

Parking at Coe: You will not need a special permit to park on campus for the conference. There is a parking lot directly across the street from the Voorhees Dorm and right behind the apartments. There is a circular drive at the dorm that you can pull up to and unload. The parking lot is less than one block from the dorm.

Tour #1: - Spillville, Protivin, Ft. Atkinson - Saturday, June 28

This will be an all day tour to Spillville, Protivin and Ft. Atkinson (all located 2 hours north of Cedar Rapids). Among the many sites in Spillville are the Bily Brothers Clock Museum, the Antonin Dvorak Museum, the St. Wenceslaus Church where Dvorak performed the summer of 1893, the adjacent cemetery with the Andera crosses, and the Dvorak monument. Protivin and Ft. Atkinson both have beautiful churches, still attended by many Czechs and Slovaks. The bus will leave from Coe College after breakfast (8:30 a.m.) and go directly to Spillville. The first stop will be the Antonin Dvorak monument, located in the town park, followed by lunch at the Old World Inn (currently being renovated). Then you will have a chance to meander down the main street of Spillville to the Bily Brothers Clock Museum and take a tour there (incredible carved clocks are on display) followed by a leisurely stroll through the upstairs home of Antonin Dvorak (summer of 1893). It is small, quaint, and interesting. After that we will go over to the beautiful St. Wenceslaus Church. We will then board the bus to see the Czech settlements of Protivin and Ft. Atkinson. The cost of this bus tour is $30.00 per person, which includes museum admission and an afternoon snack. However, each person will need to buy his/her own lunch. We will be back at Coe College sometime around 6 p.m., in time for dinner at Coe (for those who are staying there and would like to eat there). A minimum of 30 participants is needed for this tour (maximum 56; first come, first served).

Tour #2 – Cedar Rapids, Ely, Solon - Sunday, June 29

This tour will be on Sunday, June 29. The bus will leave Coe College after breakfast (9:00 a.m.) and take participants to the Czech Village for a walking tour of the area. We will go back to Coe College for lunch, followed by a tour of St. Wenceslaus Church, established in 1873. View the magnificent stained glass windows that portray Czech saints. Murals depict ancient monasteries, which still exist today. Antique old paintings show the life of the Czech patron saint, King Wenceslaus. The tour will continue on to the Czech National Cemetery and the nearby communities of Ely and Solon. Ely is the home of the first Czech Protestant Church in the United States. Sts. Peter & Paul Church can be found in Solon. Both of these towns were settled by Czechs in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The cost of this tour is $20.00 per person, transportation only. We will be back at Coe College late afternoon. A minimum of 30 participants is needed for this tour (maximum 56; first come, first served). You have the option of eating lunch at a Czech restaurant in Czech Village - Zindrick's. They have a fantastic Sunday Brunch with many delicious Czech foods for $15.50 per person. You may choose to eat lunch there or go back to Coe for lunch. The bus would pick you up after brunch at Zindrick's and we would continue on our Cedar Rapids tour. As you fill out the Registration Form, be sure to note on there that you will have lunch at Coe College on Sunday, June 29 if you opt to do that.

Freedom Festival: The 20th Freedom Festival will be held from June 26 - July 6, 2003 in Cedar Rapids. The Festival celebrates the spirit of patriotism and a sense of community and family. There are many activities scheduled every day and evening. Some of the past events have included a Cardboard Boat Regatta, BBQ Roundups, Horse Shows, Wild West Weekends, Rodeo, concerts, dances, parades. The 2002 Calendar of Events can be found at: www.freedomfestival.com. The 2003 Calendar of Events will be posted in the near future.

Amana Colonies: The Amana Colonies are seven historic German villages in the scenic Iowa River valley, featuring over 60 specialty shops, working artisans, legendary restaurants, wineries, museums, furniture and clock making shops, bakeries, woolen mill, famous festivals and live professional theatre. Historic sites tell the story of one of the longest communal societies in the world. One of Iowa's top visitor attractions they are located just 19 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids via U.S. Highway 151. Call the Amana Visitor's Center for a schedule (800-352-6262) or see their website at www.amanacolonies.com.

If you have any questions concerning any of the above points, please address them to Cathy Oslzly (phone: 402/472-3121 - work; or email: COSLZLY1@UNL.EDU).

Important Iowa Websites

Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.cedar-rapids.com

Coe College: www.public.coe.edu Voorhees Hall: www.coe.edu/CampusTour/VoorheesHall

Clarion Hotel: www.sheratoncr.com/hotel.htm

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library: www.ncsml.org

Spillville, Iowa: www.spillville.ia.us

Andera Crosses, St. Wenceslaus Church, Spillville, Iowa: www.klimesh.com/cross

Freedom Festival: www.freedomfestival.com

Amana Colonies: www.amanacolonies.com

Czech Info Center is not responsible for content of this public message. Please contact SVU with any questions.