Entertainment

Grandma’s Trunk

Grandma’s Trunk is a true but typical story recreated by Louise Wessinger of St. Paul, MN to commemorate her Bohemian family’s immigration experience from their home in Bohemia to St. Paul, MN in 1871. Louise played the part of her great great grandmother Katerina Hamr.

            
Katerina reading a letter from her son Joseph that had previously immigrated to St. Paul, MN. By immigrating Joseph avoided joining the Austrian army. The boys that did join the army were fighting for a cause that they didn’t understand and many never returned home.

            
Katerina had her 9th baby on the voyage to the US. Maria
was born on the ship as it was about to land at Baltimore harbor.
With a modest wind the voyage should had taken 3 weeks. This
voyage took almost 8 weeks. The food and water had run out so
the last few weeks were very long and hard.

            
             Louis Wessinger acting as Katerina and
             Katie Makousky acting as her daughter Anna

Omladina Moravian Dancers

            
             Omladina Moravian Dancers about to perform

            
The Omladina Moravian Dancers are the oldest of the dance groups
sponsered by the United Moravian Societies, with dancers ages 15 and up.
The United Moravian Society is headquartered in Glendale Heights, IL

            
Omladina Moravian Dancers – All dances, both male and female wear
authentic folk dress (kroj) that is common to one of the regions in Moravia.

            
Omladina Moravian Dancers recently celebrated their
72nd anniversary and are proud of their rich heritage.

            
Omladina Moravian Dancers perform traditional Moravian, Czech and
Slovak songs and dances to promote the culture of our ancestors.

            
Omladina Moravian Dancers – The steps build a foundation that
is beneficial for any other physical activities including sports.

            
Omladina Moravian Dancers – The dancers
work in pairs, individually and in group dances.

Joe Polach and the St. Louis Czech Express

            
            Joe Polach and the St. Louis Czech Express

            
            Joe Polach and the St. Louis Czech Express

            
            Garnet Bina and Russ Helwig dancing a polka.

            
Evelyn Schleis-Roesler and Russ Helwig enjoying dancing to the Joe Polach band.

            
      Daniela Mahoney and Mirek Koudelka dancing a polka.

Many of these pictures are the courtesy of Russ Helwig