July-August 2015 | Volume 138 | Issue 6 SOKOL WEST...

The mission of the American Sokol is to provide fitness and community for individuals and families through physical, educational, cultural and social programs.

AMERICAN SOKOL 9126 Ogden Avenue Brookfield, Illinois 60513 USA www.american-sokol.org

July-August 2015 | Volume 138 | Issue 6

SOKOL WEST RECONSTRUCTION PROGRESSION

The American Sokol provides fitness and community for individuals and families through physical, educational, cultural and social programs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

AMERICAN SOKOLISSN 003-1259Published nine times each year: Jan, Feb, March/April, May, June, July/Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov/Dec.American Sokol, 9126 Ogden Ave, Brookfield, IL, 60513Subscription: $12.00 per yearPeriodical postage paid at Brookfield, IL and additional mailing offices.

To Submit Items for Publication:Email: [email protected] Mail: American Sokol Editor, Julie Kaupert, 1333 W. Touhy Ave., #216, Park Ridge, IL 60068

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Board Information ................................................... 2

President's Address ............................................... 3

The Sokol Educator ................................................ 4

Sokol Memories ..................................................... 5

Updates from Around the Districts ......................... 6

American Sokol Gymnast ..................................7-10

Adoption Papers ................................................... 11

ASO Foundation 150 Club ..............................12-13

In Czech News ..................................................... 14

Calendar of Events ............................................... 15

Advertise with Us ................................................. 16

From the Editor...Color affects every aspect of our lives. It enhances an experience, brings a story to life, and records an accurate historical account. I would venture to say, most people, if not all, prefer to see their lives in living color. So why not experience Sokol through prismatic eyes?If you currently receive this publication in black & white print, and have an email address, PLEASE consider accepting the digital version of this important vehicle to your Sokol connection. Being a non-profit organization, it benefits us all to expend the least amount of monies as possible in our ongoing operations. YOU CAN HELP! Please use the link below to receive this informative publication via email, rather than print. Help us save a tree, as well as save our organization.

http://american-sokol.org/gogreen/You'll enjoy not only full-color images, but also the option for larger text if you have vision problems. Also, you can save and reference later easily on your computer or mobile device.Gyms can help save the environment by only printing and making copies of "The Gymnast" section or other pertinent articles/pages. Four pages vs. 16 makes a difference.So please help our quest to become a strong organization now, and forever!NAZDAR!

ASO Executive BoardMeets every 4th Tuesday* at 7:00 pm CSTASO Board of InstructorsMeets every 2nd Wednesday* at 7:30 pm CST*except in July and AugustOffice Manager: Pavlina DropkaLibrary-Archives, Museum Curator: Annette SchabowskiNational BOI Office Secretary: Juanita Lo GiudiceOperations Advisor: Mary CushingBy-Laws Chairman: Jolene DaltonNational Publication Editor: Julie Kaupert

Board of GovernorsJean Hruby President, American SokolDan Rannells Western DistrictDonna Sib Eastern DistrictAlice J. Khol Northeastern DistrictBob Podhrasky Southern DistrictYvonne Masopust Pacific DistrictLynda Filipello Central DistrictBev Domzalski Secretary

Postmaster:Send Notice of Undeliverable Periodicals to: American Sokol, 9126 Ogden Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513

2014-2018 Executive BoardJean Hruby PresidentBob Podhrasky 1st Vice PresidentRoger Martanovic 2nd Vice PresidentBev Domzalski SecretaryMeribeth Tooke TreasurerDonna Tirva Financial SecretaryMaryann Fiordelis Physical DirectorEthna Flaherty Educational DirectorJulie Meyer Membership DirectorLynda Filipello Public RelationsAllen Cushing FoundationKathy Barcal Board MemberHowie Wise Board MemberAllison Gerber Board Member

American Sokol July-August 2015

Dear Sokol Members,

I write to you from Prague, home of our beloved Sokol organization. I am here to work on support for our 150th Anniversary and to officially invite Czech Sokols to Chicago in November. Ironically there is a Slet in Plzen that I will be able to attend and participate in Sokol activities. It is always wonderful to be welcomed here and feel at home with our brothers and sisters in the Czech Sokol Organization.

Summertime always flies by so fast, our Sokol breaks will come to an end, and we will soon be approaching our 150th Anniversary in November. We are so excited that we have an opportunity to gather in Chicago to celebrate. With everyone's support we will have an amazing event. World Sokol Federation leaders will be there, along with representatives from the Czech government and now, the Czech military. There are many efforts in place to support our 150th Anniversary: Join the 150 Club, purchase a 150th Anniversary commemorative plaque, purchase some 150th Anniversary souvenirs, sponsor a page in the 150th Anniversary commemorative book (coming out this month), attend the 150th Anniversary celebration weekend, attend or be a sponsor at the 150th Anniversary Gala, and make a bid at the Gala on a Silent Auction item. If you have an item you would like to donate to the silent auction, please contact the national office. We are working very hard to begin raising funds for American Sokol to give back to the Units. The 150th Anniversary is this year's contribution towards our Capital Campaign. The money raised will be in a special fund and will be used to give to our Sokol Units in many different capacities including programming, hiring instructors, training instructors, and building improvements. Our National Grant Committee will be developing special internal grants that can be requested by Units or Districts. We want you to all see that the national organization is doing its best to help Units survive and improve their current programs.

I must announce and publicly thank the Czech Embassy and the American Friends of the Czech Republic for their recent donations to the reconstruction of Sokol West. These are generous contributions which will secure the completion of Sokol West. We are very honored and proud of our relationships with both of these organizations and are grateful for their assistance.

So many good things are happening in American Sokol. I cannot wait to see it all happen for you. I wish you all a fantastic summer. Be healthy, safe and enjoy your families. We have a great future ahead of us! I look forward to sharing these moments with you all.

Nazdar!

Ať žije sokol ~ Long Live Sokol!

Sis. Jean Hruby

EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT 3

SAVE THE DATE: 150th Anniversary Weekend and GalaNOV-13-15th, 2015 – Chicago IL

Check out the www.american-sokol.org website. 150th merchandise order information is at News tab on the website. Also under Events, see the 150th events press release.


THE SOKOL EDUCATOR4

from The National Education CommitteeThe Sokol Educator

Sunburn can take hours for the symptoms to develop. So if you are at the beach or park and see slight pink, remember it’s 4 to 6 hours later that it will really develop. What to do once you’ve gotten a burn? Take a cool shower and put on moisturizing lotion to soothe the skin and drink lots of water. The important thing is to rehydrate the skin, so keep reapplying the moisturizer. Any sunburn accompanied by fever and chills should also seek medical help

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.

• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.

• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.

• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

BE SUN SAFEBE SUN SAFE submitted by Sis. Ethna Flaherty, National Education Director


5SOKOL MEMORIES

It saddens us to announce the untimely death of our beloved friend, leader and colleague Lucia Maruska Levendis. Lucia died Monday, May 18th after a brave, defiant fight with cancer. She was 62.

Lucia will be remembered by many for her vital role in the Czech & Slovak School and American Sokol Washington DC.

The following was read by Starosta Milos Toth at Lucia Maruska Levendis Memorial, Wednesday, May 27th, 2015 at Holy Trinity, Georgetown, Washington, DC.

Dear Lidia, dear George, dear Marissa, dear William, dear family members, dear friends of Lucia Maruska Levendis.

I would like to testify about the Life that I have had privilege to observe; Life that Lucia Maruska Levedis lived as a regular member, as a board member and as a president "starosta" of non-profit organization American Sokol Washington DC.

If you drive on 16th street from the beltway to downtown you can read on the bus stop bill-board “You don’t have to be famous to become unforgettable.” I don’t know who came with this slogan and I am not sure what the author meant by famous. I guess he meant famous as Hollywood actor or somebody like that. This slogan came to my mind with connection to Lucia’s life. I think she became famous and unforgettable; famous (if nowhere else) in our Czech-Slovak community and unforgettable in our Sokol community. I don’t think that to become famous and unforgettable was Lucia’s goal. I believe she achieved that naturally without thinking of it as of one of her life-time goals.

I have known Lucia for 25 years. When I came to Washington DC area and joined Sokol organization I met Lucia, her husband George and their children Marissa and William. Lucia was a part of Czech-Slovak school that was running under Sokol Washington umbrella. She was teaching children to sing Slovak, Czech and Moravian songs and she trained children to perform Slovak and Czech folklore dances. I started to teach gymnastic classes the same group of children. When Marissa and William stopped coming to Sokol classes because of their age, Lucia stopped to be active in Sokol School. That could be one of the reasons why Czech and Slovak Sokol School ceased to exist. This was about 20 years ago. Time was passing buy. I got married and got my two kids, they got little bit older and they started to join Sokol’s Friday activities. Lucia became active in Sokol organization again. What a comeback it was. Sokol School re-started its activities (partially thanks to Lucia, partially thanks to other Sokol members) and Lucia became a central figure in Sokol Washington. She accepted position ‘Starosta’ or in English ‘President’ of Sokol Washington. Fridays she was training children to sing, dance and love Slovak, Czech, Moravian inheritance; non-Fridays she was working hard as a Sokol Washington Starosta. Another interesting thing started to happen. There were several active volunteers in Sokol before Lucia re-started her active role in our organization; however not too many. I have enough fingers on one hand to count the number of volunteers on that time. Lucia used her personality to attract people for volunteering work. Suddenly one could see enough volunteers in helping to organize Mikulasska, Sibrinky, or help with preparing Sokol taxes, or play on piano for children performance, or help with putting together Sokol web site. Our Sokol organization was in blossom. We all felt good of being a part of that organization.

One could think why Lucia has been doing all this work without any financial reward? What could be her reason? Her children are not coming to Sokol anymore; she is doing all this hard work on her free time without any expectation that she would be paid or would financially benefit some other way and she has been doing that for years! One Friday when parents were sitting together and chatting I heard Lucia saying to group of that parents: “One of the reason why I became active again was to give back what Milos and other volunteers gave my children when they were younger”.

Lucia didn’t know that I heard her sentence. This sentence got deeply into me.

Lucia’s work, Lucia’s activities, Lucia’s Life makes sense. You give something to somebody for free, without any expectation that you would receive something back for that gift of yours; rewards would come back to you; you might not know when and how and they might not be financial rewards! Lucia setup great example how to Live the Life, how to touch and positively affect others people’s life. She became unforgettable; we will miss her.


6 UPDATES FROM AROUND THE DISTRICTS

American Sokol Little Ferry (ASLF) APPEAL FUNDOver the past couple of months, there were articles explaining the “Building Together Fund” and specifically how this is being set up to help Sokol Little Ferry who has undergone some devastating damage due to Super Storm Sandy. The article explained the devastation they went through and long road they have ahead of them to finally have some, but not nearly enough funds to start beginning to restore their lower hall to a usable, functioning community center again. You could see by the pictures that were provided, how everything had to be torn up and much was lost due to the flooding waters.

This Appeal Fund is still ongoing. We are asking on their behalf to give a donation to help assist our brothers and sisters restore their Sokol home. This can be done on an individual basis or come from a Unit or District. It can be a large or small amount. Anything will be appreciated to help their cause. PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO: AMERICAN SOKOL OFFICE 9126 Ogden Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513 ATTENTION: ASLF APPEAL FUNDPlease make checks payable to American Sokol (memo: ASLF APPEAL FUND)

We have started to see some donations trickle in. Please talk about this at your Unit and District meetings and see what we can do as a Sokol family to help one of our own.

Thank you in advance for your kind generosity!

Nazdar!Sis. Mary CushingNational Operations Advisor

A "Little" HistoryIn the fall of 1896 four men met at the residence of Frank Navara, now owned by former Mayor August Stocek, and organized Sokol of Little Ferry. Its first officers were Vincent Petrik, President, Joseph Kucera, Sr., Vice President, Frank Navara, Secretary, and William Zabransky, Sr., Treasurer. A number of young Sokol came from Bohemia and charter members Thomas Tuma, William Tuma and Anton Pavlicek were instructors. Other charter members were Frank and William Laznicka, Joseph Vedral, William Kour, Sr., John Kavrik, and Anton Budin.

By hard work they erected the first public hall in the borough. Sokol accepted all nationalities in its organization at the time, as it does today. The little hall was the center of all activities in our borough, and its gym classes in those days were fairly large considering our small population. Two old members organized the Sokol Fife and Drum Corps, known throughout our country from 1900 to 1917. Dramas and plays were given in both English and Czech, and we also had a fine Sokol choir and orchestra. Sokol carried on its annual Fourth of July parade until 1918.

On March 17, 1911 the old Sokol Hall was completely destroyed by fire and the present building erected. Over 2,000 children have attended gym classes and many of these gymnasts have traveled in many sections of the United States and Czechoslovakia. The American Sokol has organizations in twenty states of our country. It is more than a physical culture organization; it has high ideals and coincides with the constitution of our great nation. The American Sokol in the United States was organized in 1865 in the days of Lincoln, and many of its members fought to save the Union. Up to 1935 its members wore Union Blue uniforms.

During World Wars I and II Sokol gave its auditorium for Red Cross and Liberty Bond drives, send off and welcome home celebrations and graduation exercises for our public schools. (Reprint: Little Ferry 1964-70th Anniverary, as posted on www.littleferrychamber.com website).


Tech-savvy Devices Help With Health and FitnessBy: Megy Karydes From: Chicago Health

Technology has the power to transform and even save lives. The latest health and fitness devices use state-of-the-art technology to help you get healthier faster than ever before, providing detailed data to fuel your efforts. Here are three pieces you’ll want to add to your health and fitness arsenal.

1. Medical History on your Wrist-First, we had the most basic medical bracelets. Have epilepsy or an allergy to certain medications? Just the facts, ma’am—name, illness, medications required. The theory was that a medical ID bracelet provided doctors, nurses and EMTs with only the critical details. Medical ID bracelets have grown up with the technological times. The latest editions come equipped with a QR code or USB flash drive so that first responders literally have your entire medical history at their fingertips. The MyID bracelet features a QR code that simply needs to be scanned with a smart phone or tablet to bring up your online medical profile. The CARE Medical History Bracelet utilizes a USB flash drive that can be plugged into a computer, providing access to your medical history. While there are some drawbacks—security, access to necessary technology, obtaining permis-sion from legally authorized contacts to access an unconscious patient’s medical history—the technology offers essential information that could aid responders in the event of an emergency.

2. Flying On Your Feet? For those suffering from arthritis, recovering from an athletic injury or trying to regain flexibility after surgery, exercise can seem like a painful proposition, even though it can improve health.Using a technology developed by NASA engineers, antigravity treadmills allow people with joint problems to exercise stress free in an antigravity environment, says Cindy Yap, a physical therapist at Lemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, who has been using this treadmill with patients since last May. The AlterG Antigravity Treadmill is designed to offload body weight. Individuals wear specially designed shorts (similar to a wetsuit) that zip into an enclosure, creating an airtight seal. Air enters the enclosure and eventually lifts the person up, ef-fectively removing up to 100 percent of the weight and allowing one to run up to 12 miles per hour weight free. Several Chicago-area hospitals, senior care facilities, private practice and physical therapy clinics, including Lemont Center and NovaCare Rehabilitation, offer the treadmills as part of their physical therapy and train-ing options. “It’s helpful for anyone who’s had joint replacement surgery or anyone [who] has pain in the joints, knees, hips or even the back,” Yap says. Now that’s exercise with stratospheric benefits.

3. Smart Workout Clothes-New wearable fitness technology goes beyond a wristband, watch or heart moni-tor, taking a whole-body approach. Athos workout apparel, slated to launch in early summer, collects detailed information about what your entire body is doing by tracking your muscle and energy output through thin, oval-shaped sensors. The sensors record your body’s metrics including heart rate, breathing rate and the output of 14 muscles. The hardware uses Bluetooth technology to share the data, giving wearers real-time data, feed-back, coaching and workout summaries that help them fine-tune the workout before it’s over. All that smart data, designers hope, will lead to some smart workouts.

AMERICAN SOKOL GYMNAST 7

AMERICAN SOKOL

GYMNASTPages 7-10 are specifically designed to benefit the gymnastic programs of the American Sokol.

Please pull, copy and distribute to your participants as you see fit.

Kandi Pajer • 117 Oakland Grove • Elmhurst, Il • 60126 • [email protected]


AMERICAN SOKOL GYMNAST8

I enjoy working out and have a history in athletic training, so when I see articles like this-I really get excited! Some of the new technology that is coming out is amazing. There are watches that not only tell you how many steps you take during the day, but also tell you your heart rate and approximately how many calories you burn. There are phones that connect you to your watch to aid in your training and help you increase your over-all health! I have a fitbit HR and love it! I find that I NEED to get my 10,000 steps in-and NOW that I have achieved 20,000 steps, I am making myself get at least 15,000 steps daily! It is really helping me get more active! My personal belief is that anything you use to get yourself more active is a plus. You are not only moving more, but you are also making your muscles stronger, increasing your range of motion, increasing your flexibility, mak-ing your heart and lungs stronger and more efficient-and these are only SOME of the benefits. Do everything you can this season to be active-it will not only increase your health but also make you feel good as well! KP ;)

XCEL USAG Gymnastics ProgramBy: Kandi Pajer

I have coached for the USAG Xcel program for a year now. I really like the program and think that it is benefi-cial. Below is the definition of the Xcel program on the USAG website is:

The Xcel Program is designed to offer a broad-based, affordable competitive experience outside the traditional Jr. Olympic Program to attract and retain a diverse group of athletes.At our gym, we use the Xcel program for those athletes who are older (ages 11 to 14) that were in a level 3 or lev-el 4 competitive team, that are planning on going to the high school program. That way they are able to work on a wider range of skills and not only the skills and routines for their specified level. For our gym, it was great for the girls who are moving to their high school team next year because they already have their routines and have done them in competitions. A lot of Freshman enter a high school team needing routines and have minimal, if any, practice with Optional routines! This Xcel program gives them a springboard for their high school program and we feel that they have a better chance at being successful because of the Xcel opportunity.

Frequently asked questions:Why would my daughter do Xcel instead of a USAG level, such as USAG Level 4?-It is up to you and your gyms policy. Sometimes gymnasts aren’t successful at a level-example: level 5 has a back walkover in the beam routine, some gymnasts don’t have flexible shoulders so would not be successful at Beam in level 5. A good option for that gymnast would be Xcel Gold where she could instead to a cartwheel. With the Xcel program the gymnasts are not “locked” in to doing only a specific subset of skills like they are in the specific USAG levels.

Why would I do Xcel when I have to make up so many routines?-Xcel gives your gymnasts options to be successful and utilize skills they can do well in their routines. As an instructor, you can still use the USAG levels as routines, but can alter skills to aid in the success of your gymnasts, such as the USAG level 5 example above. The gymnast can do the USAG level 5 routines, but in the beam routine substitute a cartwheel for the back walkover. Examples: USAG level 4/5 routines meet the Gold Xcel level requirements. You also have the option to make up one optional routine for each Xcel level and if needed alter the skills for specific students. Or you can just make up a routine for each individual gymnast.

Is Xcel less difficult or competitive than the USAG levels?-I personally think it is just as difficult and competitive as the USAG levels, but like mentioned above, your gym-nast isn’t locked into specific skills when doing Xcel. You can put skills in their routines they are most successful at. Knowing that, gymnasts in Xcel are doing the skills they are best at and therefore might be more difficult or competitive on every event.


9AMERICAN SOKOL GYMNAST

The program is broken down into 5 levels. They are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Here are the requirements and breakdowns of the levels for bars, beam and floor. Bars Bronze Silver Gold 1.Min. 4 “A” skills 1.Min 4 “A” skills Min. 6 “A” skills 2.Cast (hips must leave bar) 2.Cast (hips must leave bar) 2.Cast to Horizontal 3.Circling skill (no mount or dismnt) 3.Circling skill (same as bronze) 3.Circling skill (same as bronze) 4.Dismount 4.Dismount 4.Dismount-‐high bar Platinum Diamond 1.Cast to Horizontal or above 1.Cast to 45 degrees from Vertical 2.Circling skill 2.Min. “B” Circling skill 3.Kip 3.Release, pirouette or 2nd different circling skill, 4.Dismount-‐High Bar min. “B” 4.Salto dismount-‐High bar Beam Bronze Silver Gold 1.Min ½ turn on 1 or 2 feet 1.Min. ½ turn on one foot 1.Min. 1/1 turn one foot 2. One jump or leap 2. One jump or leap with 2. Dance series-‐2 skills 3.One acro skill non-‐flight 90 degree cross split AND 1 jump or leap with 4.Dismount 3.One acro skill non-‐flight 90 degree cross or side split 4.Dismount 3.Two acro skills-‐one must achieve vertical-‐with or without flight Platinum Diamond 1.Min.1/1 turn on one foot 1.Min. 1/1 turn on one foot 2.Dance series-‐2 skills(same or diff) AND one 2.Dance series-‐2 skills(same or diff) AND one jump or leap with 120 degree cross or side split jump or leap with 150 degree cross or side split 3.One acro skill with flight OR an acro series-‐with 3.One acro skill with flight AND an acro series or without flight with or without flight 4.Dismount 4.Dismount-‐Salto or Aerial Floor Bronze Silver Gold 1.Min. 2 directly connected acro 1.Min. 2 directly connected 1.Min. 2 directly connected skills with or without flight. acro skills one must have flight skills 2.A 2nd pass with one acro skill flight 2.Either a 2nd acro connection with or without flight 2.Either a 2nd acro connection with a min. of 2 directly 3.Dance passage with a min. of 2 with a min. of two directly connected flight skills OR an Different Group 1 VP or Xcel Bronze connected skills with or without aerial or salto Chart skills one of which is a leap flight OR one acro skill with flight 3.Dance passage with a min. of w/ a 60 degree cross or side split 3.Dance passage with a min. of 2 different Group 1 VP or Xcel 4.Min. ½ turn on one foot 2 different Group 1 VP or Xcel Gold chart skills one of which is Silver chart skills one of which a leap with a 120 degree cross is a leap with a 90 degree cross or side split or side split 4.Min. 1/1 turn on one foot 4.Min. 1/1 turn on one foot Platinum Diamond 1.Min. 2 directly connected flight skills with 1 “A” or 1.Two separate acro connections each with a “B” salto min. of two directly connected acro flight skills 2.Either a 2nd acro connection with a min. of two 2.Two different saltos within the routine one directly connected flight skills OR an isolated “B” must be a min. “B” salto 3.Dance passage with a min. or two different 3.Dance passage with a min. of 2 different Group 1 Group 1 VP one of which is a leap with a 150 VP one of which is a leap with a 150 degree cross or degree cross or side split side split 4.Turn on one foot min. “B” VP 4.Min. 1/1 turn on one foot


10 AMERICAN SOKOL GYMNAST

The American Sokol National Instructors School is looking for YOUR help. Last year we initiated the promotion to “Adopt a Student” or “Adopt a Class” concept. It went very well, for our first attempt. We raised $900 which went right back into the FSLF (Future Sokol Leaders Fund). The National School is subsidized by the Future Sokol Leaders Fund! But in recent years the donations to that fund have been declining. The Students at the Kurz are “OUR FUTURE SOKOL LEADERS”!! So in conjunction with the National Board of Instructors and the National School Board we’d like to be proactive in a “fun(d)” way of securing some additional donations again this year to help with the School expenses, without having to raise the cost to students, parents or the Units.

You can “Adopt a Student” in 4 different ways:

• Adopt a specific student (you may know who is attending)

• Adopt a student from your Unit who is attending

• Adopt a student from your District who is attending

• Adopt any student

All of our students are “up for adoption”! Besides supporting the school, adopting a student comes with the following benefits:

• A letter from your student during the School

• Picture of your student at the School

You can “Adopt a Class” in two different ways:

• Adopt a “specific” class from the list – (maybe something that’s near and dear to your heart)

• Adopt any class at random

Any class from the curriculum list below is “up for adoption”! Besides supporting the school, adopting a class comes with the following benefits:

• 1 personal letter from that particular class

• Picture of the class in session

This year we are also giving an added incentive to any student who can get them self “adopted”. They will be reaping the rewards at the School with special benefits!!

So please have some fun – help us out – and sign up to adopt a Student or Class. See paperwork and directions in this issue. This can be done by an individual or by a Unit or District.

National School Board

Please Adopt a Student or Class!!


11ADOPTION PAPERS

“ADOPTION PAPERS” National School Board Place an X in the box of your choice below. Donation - $50 per box. A list of student names, for you to choose from, can be provided upon request. “ADOPT A STUDENT” □ I would like to adopt (name specific student) ___________________________________ □ I would like to adopt a student from (name specific Unit) __________________________ □ I would like to adopt a student from (name specific District) _______________________ □ I would like to adopt a student at random Place an X in the box of your choice below. Donation - $75 per box. “ADOPT A CLASS” I would like to adopt the following class: □ Any class at random □ Calisthenics □ Marching □ Games □ Practice Teaching □ Singing □ Spotting & Progressions □ Apparatus Terminology □ Rhythmics □ Folk Dancing □ Combative and Resistives □ Special Numbers □ Warm-ups/Conditioning □ Sokol History Lecture □ Judging Lecture □ Sokol Organization Lecture □ Teaching Methods Lecture □ Tots Class Lecture

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Your First Name:________________________ Your Last Name:_________________________________ Student’s Name if they solicited your support _________________________________________________ Street Address: _________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: _____________ Phone Number: _____________________ E-Mail Address: ______________________________________ Adoption of a Student only costs $50. Adoption of a Class only costs $75. Please fill out this separate form with all of your information and put an “X” in the box of the student or class that you would like to adopt. Then, send the form and a check made payable to “American Sokol Instructors School” to: Jane Wise – School Registrar c/o “Adopt a Student or a Class” 5664 Dunedeen Circle Brooklyn Hts., OH 44131


12 ASO FOUNDATION 150 CLUB

THE GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

American Sokol Foundation 150 Club

9126 Ogden Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 aso@american-‐sokol.org

May 2015

Dear Members & Friends of American Sokol, Since 1865, St. Louis was The Gateway to the Future with the founding of the first Sokol unit and the formation of one of the very first fitness organizations in America. For 150 years, Sokols in America have been providing a multi-‐faceted cultural, physical and educational program for adults and youth throughout the United States.

In celebration of the 150th Anniversary, American Sokol Foundation is inviting members, families, Units & friends to join the 150 Club with a one-‐time donation of $150 and/or a three year pledge of $150 per year. All proceeds will be used to benefit American Sokol Units in capital or programmatic needs through the American Sokol Foundation.

As a member of the American Sokol Foundation 150 Club, all donors will receive a special American Sokol Foundation 150 Club Pin and Certificate. In addition, all donations, received by September 17, 2015, will be recognized in the 150th Celebration Book during the November 2015 Celebration.

The goal of the American Sokol Foundation 150 Club is to raise a minimum of $22,500 annually to further strengthen the American Sokol Foundation and to assist our Units in need of funding. Please send your donation and the attached donor form to American Sokol Foundation, c/o American Sokol at 9126 Ogden Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Nazdar,

Allen L. Cushing, Director Jean Hruby, President American Sokol Foundation American Sokol


13ASO FOUNDATION 150 CLUB

THE GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

American Sokol Foundation 150 Club 9126 Ogden Ave, Brookfield IL 60513 ~ 708-‐255-‐5397

aso@american-‐sokol.org

Name/Family __________________________________________________________________ Unit/Organization ______________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ City _______________________________________ State___________ Zip ________________ Telephone __________________________________ E-‐Mail _____________________________ Enclosed $150 Donation ______ Other Amount ______ I pledge to continue to support the American Sokol Foundation’s 150 Club with a $150 donation for the next three years. Yes ______ No ______ Signature ____________________________________________________ Make Check payable to the American Sokol Foundation. If you prefer to make a credit card donation, please contact the National Office at 708-‐255-‐5397.

All donations are Tax Deductible.


14 IN CZECH NEWS

My name is Carol Kala and I've been a Sokol member for 43 years. My husband Fred was ASO President from 1995-2000. I belong to a garden club called the "First Czechoslovak Garden Club of America". It was organized in 1935 and and has over 100 members. This year we will be celebrating our 80th birthday. The banquet is November 1, 2015 at Outrigger Flame in Countryside, IL.

We meet at our old Sokol Berwyn building, which was sold to the Berwyn Park District in 2004. It is now called Liberty Cultural Center. Several Sokol and CSA members belong to the club. Every year our garden club has a judged Flower and Garden Show. Entrance is free and guests are urged to enter the show at no cost. The show is held at: Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 W. 27th Place, Berwyn, IL, September 12, 2015, 1pm - 3pm.

Our Mission is to stimulate interest in the planning and maintaining of family gardens and orchards, in the proper care of flowers, tress, shrubs and lawns around the home. Anyone who is interested in flowers and plants in general, in their culture,

propagation and artistic arrangement, is eligible for membership. The club publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Our Gardens, for members. The magazine provides educational articles in English and Czech on gardening and is the garden club's newsletter. The magazine is supported in part by a grant from the Czech Republic. Dues are $15.00 per year and include the Our Gardens magazine.

The major event of the garden club is our annual Flower and Garden show. It is one of the largest Garden Club Run Flower Shows in the Chicago Area. The Flower and Garden Show is a judged event where contestants enter specimans in several categories. The Judges rate each entry and select the "Best of Group", "Best of Class", "Best of Category" and finally three "Best of Show" entries.

Here are some highlights of our club's activities over the past 70+ years. The club has fairly consistently held annual flower and garden shows. The first show was held in Pilsen Park in 1935 and lasted nine days, with large crowds present each day.

The club's exhibit in 1942 was part of the flower show held in the International Amphitheater, Chicago, Illinois. Our entry, "The Golden Castle of Prague" an artistic exhibit by member Mr. V. Hajny, was awarded a gold medal. The exhibit was sponsored by Mr. R. R. Novotny. The generous donation of flowers was furnished gratis by Soukal Floral Company.

In 1943, the club's exhibit in Soldier Field was awarded the First Grand Champion Prize. That trophy was presented to the club's president by the then Vice-President of the United States, Henry Wallace.

Our 1956 show drew the biggest crowds and was held in the Garfield Park Conservatory, where more than 19,000 visitors attended.

In 1959, we participated in another exhibit at the Amphitheater with our entry, "The Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway" which featured a Statue of Liberty welcoming ocean liners to the Port of Chicago. This statue was the work of one of our Honorary Members, Mr. Laddie Marek. This effort was also awarded a gold medal. The Soukal Floral Company once again donated the flowers.

In 1973, the club's exhibit in the Cityscape Garden Show, held at McCormick Place, was awarded the Mayor's Award and a Gold Medal Award for the most outstanding exhibit.

The club was instrumental in starting, as well as financing, a petition drive to save Miller's Meadow Forest Preserve when the University of Illinois wanted to appropriate the land for its Chicago Campus. As a result, Miller's Meadow is a Forest Preserve.

First Czechoslovak Garden Club of America


July July 12 92nd Annual Česky Den, Olde World Festival — Sokol Greater Cleveland, DTJ Taborville, Auburn

Township, OHJuly 12-26 ASO Instructor's School — Sokol Spirit, Brookfield, ILJuly 18-19 Czech & Slovak Festival — Sokol Cultural Center, Dearborn Heights, MI

August August 15-22 Summer Camp for Kids — Sokol Washington, D.C., Monongahela National Forest, WVAugust 28-30 Sokol Camp Weekend — Sokol St. Louis Camp Site, St. Louis, MO

September September 13 Czech & Slovak Festival — Sokol Minnesota, St. Paul, MNL

October October 24-25 Commemoration Weekend, 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Cleveland Agreement — Sokol Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, OH

November November 7 Central District Annual BOI Meeting — Central District Office, Brookfield, ILNovember 8 Central District Annual Meeting — Chicagoland, ILNovember 13-15 150th Anniversary Weekend — Chicagoland, IL

Friday, November 13, 2015 • Special Number Performances Event – Max Sports Complex, McCook, IL • Social – Max Sports Complex, McCook, IL Saturday, November 14, 2015 • Volleyball – Max Sports Complex, McCook, IL • Bowling for Fun (TBD) • Sokol Anniversary Party (in evening with dinner & dancing), Hilton, Lisle, IL • 150th Anniversary Gala – 5pm (dinner & presentation), Women’s Athletic Club Chicago,

Chicago, IL. Includes Silent Auction & A Tribute to Sokol History Sunday, November 15th, 2015 • World Sokol Federation Meeting – Hilton, Lisle, IL

Mark your CalendarEvents around the American Sokol

Get your event featured! Email [email protected]

15CALENDAR OF EVENTS

American Sokol DeadlineSend your submissions, articles, events and photos to [email protected] by the 1st of the month prior to the publication issue! For example, send items you want included in the October issue no later than September 1st.

9126 Ogden AvenueBrookfield, IL 60513

[email protected]

708.255.5397

July-August 2015 | Issue 6

P E R I O D I C A L

Advertise with American Sokol Online or in Print!

Reach over 4,500 community-active individuals interested in:

• Fitness including artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, team calisthenics and marching, aerobics, basketball, volleyball;

• Cultural programs including folk, ballroom and acrobatic dancing, cooking class, foreignfilmnight;

• Many other activities including language classes, camps, picnics, advanced learning and more!

Online and Print Advertising Bundles Available!

For more information visit american-sokol.org/mediakit-2015.pdf

orcontacttheNationalOfficeat708-255-5397 or email [email protected]

Plus, SPECIAL RATES for American Sokol members! Advertise your business to other Sokol members. Contact the Editor for details!!

July-August 2015 | Volume 138 | Issue 6 SOKOL WEST...

Documents

Transcript of July-August 2015 | Volume 138 | Issue 6 SOKOL WEST...