Anna Ashton: Author of "Frog in the Glass Jar" Book Signing
Apr
12
4:00 PM16:00

Anna Ashton: Author of "Frog in the Glass Jar" Book Signing

  • Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center (map)
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Join us at the Czech Heritage Museum on Saturday, April 12, at 4:00 PM, for an exciting book signing event featuring Anna Ashton, an inspiring author born in Slovakia, Czechoslovakia. Anna, along with the book’s illustrator, Lukas Hrusovsky, will be sharing their beautifully crafted children’s book, Frog in the Glass Jar.

This enchanting story follows Poppet, a young and adventurous frog who dreams of exploring beyond the glass jar where he and his family live. Despite strict rules and seemingly impossible odds, Poppet’s determination, imagination, and belief in freedom help him find a way to break free and experience the world beyond. Through Poppet’s journey, Anna delivers a heartfelt message about perseverance, courage, and never giving up on your dreams.

Anna Ashton’s own life reflects these themes of bravery and hope. In 1985, she and her family courageously fled Communist Slovakia in search of freedom, ultimately embracing the American Dream. Today, she inspires others with her message of resilience and opportunity.

Don’t miss this chance to meet Anna and Lukas, hear about the creative process behind Frog in the Glass Jar, and take home a signed copy of this beautifully illustrated book. We look forward to seeing you at the Czech Heritage Museum, 119 W French Ave, Temple, TX on April 12 at 4 p.m.!

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Celebrating a Czech Easter: Program & Concert
Apr
6
3:30 PM15:30

Celebrating a Czech Easter: Program & Concert

Join us for a delightful celebration of Czech Easter traditions at our "Celebrating a Czech Easter: Program & Concert" event! Hosted by the Czech Heritage Museum at the Cultural Activities Center (3011 N 3rd St, Temple, TX 76501) on April 6, 2025, this special gathering will bring together cherished customs, laughter, and lively music for a memorable experience. Enjoy a spectacular performance by the University of North Texas Brass Band, immersing yourself in the vibrant sounds of Czech heritage.

Whether you're reconnecting with your roots or discovering Czech culture for the first time, this event is perfect for families and friends of all ages. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate Easter in a unique and meaningful way!

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Aug
9
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night at The Beltonian Theatre: The Search

The Search

The Search is a 1948 American film directed by Fred Zinnemann that tells the story of a young Auschwitz survivor and his mother who search for each other across post-World War II Europe. It stars Montgomery CliftIvan JandlJarmila Novotná and Aline MacMahon.

Many scenes were shot amidst the actual ruins of the postwar German cities IngolstadtMunichNuremberg and Würzburg.[2] Filming took place between June and November 1947, first on location in Germany and then at a studio in Zurich, Switzerland for interior scenes. Although released in the United States in March 1948, the film was not released in Britain until May 1950. Its European premiere was held at the Empire, Leicester Square in London on November 2, 1949 in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with Queen Mary in attendance.

Jandl's performance was recognized with a special juvenile Academy Award. However, the communist government of Czechoslovakia would not permit Jandl to travel to the United States to collect the Oscar and a Golden Globe award that he had also won. Zinnemann accepted the Oscar on Jandl's behalf and the awards were delivered to Jandl in Prague.

·        Montgomery Clift as Ralph "Steve" Stevenson

·        Aline MacMahon as Mrs. Murray

·        Jarmila Novotná as Mrs. Hanna Malik

·        Wendell Corey as Jerry Fisher

·        Ivan Jandl as Karel Malik / "Jim"

·        Mary Patton as Mrs. Fisher

·        Ewart G. Morrison as Mr. Crookes

·        William Rogers as Tom Fisher

·        Leopold Borkowski as Joel Markowsky

·        Claude Gambier as Raoul Dubois

·        Avigdor (Victor) Murik, as the children's teacher in the Jewish Orphans Scene

Source: Wikipedia

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Czech Film Night: Milada
Jul
12
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night: Milada

The Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center will screen “Milada” a film in English which tells the true story of Czech hero and democratic politician Milada Horakova (1901-1950). Milada Horakova was the only woman to be executed by the Communist regime for her political beliefs. Horakova is played by Ayelet Zurer, an Israeli actress of Slovakian descent who also starred in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich.”


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Jun
14
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee: The Accidental Army: The Amazing True Story of the Czechoslovak Legion

It’s the most amazing story you never heard. In the chaos of World War I, tens of thousands of Czech and Slovak POWs switched sides to become an army fighting for the Allies: the Czechoslovak Legion. Suddenly, caught up in the Russian Revolution, they had to fight their way across Siberia, capturing the Trans-Siberian railway, half the Czar’s gold, and the heart of a new nation. Almost erased from history by 50 years of communism, this incredible story lives again in the film Accidental Army: The Amazing True Story of the Czechoslovak Legion.

Good links to try:

http://www.czechlegion.com/TheCzechLegion/TimeLine.html

The following is from the excellent website TresBohemes.com :

by Kytka Jezek

“The Czechoslovak Legion (Československé legie in Czech, Československé légie in Slovak) were volunteer armed forces composed predominantly of Czechs and Slovaks fighting together with the Entente powers during World War I.

Their goal was to win the Allies’ support for the independence of Bohemia and Moravia from the Austrian Empire and of Slovak territories of the Kingdom of Hungary, which were then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. …

… Watch, learn, understand and then question why so many historic occurrences remain suppressed or “overlooked”. A fantastic film.”

"For further reading:

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May
20
4:30 PM16:30

Temple Community Historic Treasures Visual Art Exhibit Opening

  • Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Temple Community Historic Treasures Visual Art Exhibit

JOIN US FOR OUR OPENING NIGHT EVENT 4:30 - 6 PM FRIDAY, MAY 20

AWARD-WINNING TEXAS PARKS & WGILDLIFE MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHER EARL NOTTINGHAM WILL BE OUR SPECIAL GUEST!

May is National Preservation Month and every year the Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center, the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum and the Bell County Museum hosts the Temple Community Historic Treasures Visual Art Exhibit of contest entries and winners.

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Jan
11
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee

This delightful movie was filmed in the Czech Republic at Karlovy Vary, the famous spa town. It is said that in the 1300s, Holy Roman Emperor, Bohemian Kng Charles IV, was injured while hunting nearby and was healed at the natural hot springs there. The film features the historic Grandhotel Pupp (Pupp.cz/Eng) founded by Georg Pupp in 1701. This family name was recently recovered from the communist era name of Grandhotel Moscow. Becherovka, a medicinal digestive liqueur, was developed there by a local physician. Many U.S. liquor stores carry it. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held there is one of the oldest in the world.

Plot: The discovery that she has a terminal illness prompts introverted saleswoman Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) to reflect on what she realizes has been an overly cautious life. So Georgia withdraws her life savings and jets off to Europe where she lives like a millionaire.

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Jan
11
3:00 PM15:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee

This delightful movie was filmed in the Czech Republic at Karlovy Vary, the famous spa town. It is said that in the 1300s, Holy Roman Emperor, Bohemian Kng Charles IV, was injured while hunting nearby and was healed at the natural hot springs there. The film features the historic Grandhotel Pupp (Pupp.cz/Eng) founded by Georg Pupp in 1701. This family name was recently recovered from the communist era name of Grandhotel Moscow. Becherovka, a medicinal digestive liqueur, was developed there by a local physician. Many U.S. liquor stores carry it. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held there is one of the oldest in the world.

Plot: The discovery that she has a terminal illness prompts introverted saleswoman Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) to reflect on what she realizes has been an overly cautious life. So Georgia withdraws her life savings and jets off to Europe where she lives like a millionaire.

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Nov
9
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee

My Antonia (1995)

Starring: Elina Löwensohn, Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Marie Saint, Jason Robards, and Czech actor Jan Triska, one of the original signers of Charter 77.

My Antonia is based on the 1918 novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Willa Cather. It is the third book of her “prairie trilogy” that also includes O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Cather wrote about the struggles of pioneer families on the Great Plains. My Antonia is about a Czech family who moves to America and settle in Nebraska. The book, considered her best work, is patterned after the life of Cather’s life-long close friend, Anna Pavelka. It was written within the lifetime of it’s hero and has been considered to be very accurate to the way people of the prairie lived The story is similar in many ways to stories of the Czech immigrants to Texas at that time. As a result of stories such as this one, mutual aid fraternal societies flourished. (English audio. PG)

Anna Pavelka’s grandchildren talk about her in these interviews produced by the National Willa Cather Center in Nebraska.

About Czech Actor Jan Triska

Tříska emigrated in 1977 after signing a human rights manifesto inspired by his close friend, dissident playwright Václav Havel. He settled in Los Angeles and appeared in dozens of movies, including Ragtime, The Karate Kid Part III and The People vs Larry Flynt, which was directed by his fellow Czech Miloš Forman. Tříska also appeared on television, in series such as Quantum Leap and Highlander: The Series, and on stage, starring as the Devil in a New York Public Theater adaptation of The Master and Margarita. Tříska’s films were banned from Czechoslovakian cinemas and TV screens until the fall of communism in 1989.

After the anti-communist Velvet Revolution led by Havel, Tříska regularly returned home to appear in stage productions and films, including taking a lead role in 1991 comedy The Elementary School, which was nominated for an Academy Award. (The Guardian.com)

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Nov
9
3:00 PM15:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee

My Antonia (1995)

Starring: Elina Löwensohn, Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Marie Saint, Jason Robards, and Czech actor Jan Triska, one of the original signers of Charter 77.

My Antonia is based on the 1918 novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Willa Cather. It is the third book of her “prairie trilogy” that also includes O Pioneers! and The Song of the Lark. Cather wrote about the struggles of pioneer families on the Great Plains. My Antonia is about a Czech family who moves to America and settle in Nebraska. The book, considered her best work, is patterned after the life of Cather’s life-long close friend, Anna Pavelka. It was written within the lifetime of it’s hero and has been considered to be very accurate to the way people of the prairie lived The story is similar in many ways to stories of the Czech immigrants to Texas at that time. As a result of stories such as this one, mutual aid fraternal societies flourished. (English audio. PG)

Anna Pavelka’s grandchildren talk about her in these interviews produced by the National Willa Cather Center in Nebraska.

About Czech Actor Jan Triska

Tříska emigrated in 1977 after signing a human rights manifesto inspired by his close friend, dissident playwright Václav Havel. He settled in Los Angeles and appeared in dozens of movies, including Ragtime, The Karate Kid Part III and The People vs Larry Flynt, which was directed by his fellow Czech Miloš Forman. Tříska also appeared on television, in series such as Quantum Leap and Highlander: The Series, and on stage, starring as the Devil in a New York Public Theater adaptation of The Master and Margarita. Tříska’s films were banned from Czechoslovakian cinemas and TV screens until the fall of communism in 1989.

After the anti-communist Velvet Revolution led by Havel, Tříska regularly returned home to appear in stage productions and films, including taking a lead role in 1991 comedy The Elementary School, which was nominated for an Academy Award. (The Guardian.com)

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Czech Film Night & Matinee: Anna (1987) (Copy)
Oct
12
6:00 PM18:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee: Anna (1987) (Copy)

Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova starred in this quiet film as a very young woman. Porizkova was born in the Olomouc Region of Moravia Czech Republic in 1965. When travel bans lifted during the Prague Spring of 1968, her young parents took a motorcycle to Sweden and left Porzkova with her grandmother. Before her parents could return, the communists locked down the country again, separating the family. Three years later, her pregnant mother was arrested and jailed while attempting to secretly bring little Paulina out of the country and then was trapped there for years until relentless pressure from the Swedish press influenced their release. Paulina was discovered at age 15 and was catapulted into supermodel status from Paris. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated several times and starred in several movies. Recently, she’s been known as an advocate for natural aging without plastic surgery.

Plot: Starry-eyed Czech immigrant Krystyna (Paulina Porizkova) journeys to New York City to meet her hero, Anna (Sally Kirkland), a once-famous actress from her homeland. Having passed her Hollywood prime, Anna now struggles to find even bit parts in movies, and so instead begins mentoring young Krystyna, encouraging her in her own pursuit of stardom. As one star's career fades and another's begins to rise, the two women band together to overcome inequities in the unforgiving world of show business.

Wikipedia: Anna is a 1987 film directed by Yurek Bogayevicz and starring Sally KirklandRobert FieldsPaulina PorizkovaSteven Gilborn and Larry Pine. It was adapted by Agnieszka Holland from an unauthorized story by Holland and Bogayevicz, based on the real life of Polish actresses Elżbieta Czyżewska and Joanna Pacuła.[3]

Kirkland was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role,[4] and she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama[5] and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.[4]

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Czech Film Night & Matinee: Anna (1987)
Oct
12
3:00 PM15:00

Czech Film Night & Matinee: Anna (1987)

Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova starred in this quiet film as a very young woman. Porizkova was born in the Olomouc Region of Moravia Czech Republic in 1965. When travel bans lifted during the Prague Spring of 1968, her young parents took a motorcycle to Sweden and left Porzkova with her grandmother. Before her parents could return, the communists locked down the country again, separating the family. Three years later, her pregnant mother was arrested and jailed while attempting to secretly bring little Paulina out of the country and then was trapped there for years until relentless pressure from the Swedish press influenced their release. Paulina was discovered at age 15 and was catapulted into supermodel status from Paris. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated several times and starred in several movies. Recently, she’s been known as an advocate for natural aging without plastic surgery.

Plot: Starry-eyed Czech immigrant Krystyna (Paulina Porizkova) journeys to New York City to meet her hero, Anna (Sally Kirkland), a once-famous actress from her homeland. Having passed her Hollywood prime, Anna now struggles to find even bit parts in movies, and so instead begins mentoring young Krystyna, encouraging her in her own pursuit of stardom. As one star's career fades and another's begins to rise, the two women band together to overcome inequities in the unforgiving world of show business.

Wikipedia: Anna is a 1987 film directed by Yurek Bogayevicz and starring Sally KirklandRobert FieldsPaulina PorizkovaSteven Gilborn and Larry Pine. It was adapted by Agnieszka Holland from an unauthorized story by Holland and Bogayevicz, based on the real life of Polish actresses Elżbieta Czyżewska and Joanna Pacuła.[3]

Kirkland was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role,[4] and she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama[5] and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.[4]

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