Barbara Lee Podoski
Barbara Lee Podoski was born in Brno on April 22, 1914 as Bozena Hauserova. She studied in France and Czechoslovakia and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Masaryk University in 1937. She went to exile to the United States in 1941 and soon thereafter was appointed by Jan Masaryk to serve in the Czechoslovak Embassy in Washington. On June 1, 1943, the day she became an American citizen, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), predecessor of the CIA. She served with the OSS in North Africa and Italy, where she earned the Bronze Star “for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy.” After the war she helped organize the first Salzburg Music Festival. She worked for twenty years as a research analyst at the Library of Congress and subsequently for the American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees and the Tolstoy Foundation. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and up until her death on August 16, 2009, she was of invaluable and often indispensable assistance to the Czech Embassy and its staff. In 1999 she received the Gratias Agit award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on the occasion of her 95th birthday this year she was presented with a Presidential Medal. Funeral services for Barbara Lee Podoski will be held with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 22 at 1 pm.
OTENASEK , Donald A.
On August 11, 2009, DONALD ALBERT OTENASEK; devoted son of the late Albert and Blanche Otenasek; loving cousin of Mary Petr Miles, Rev. Ron Zoubek, Diane Gaylin, Robert Dunaja, the late Leonard Dunaja, the late Doris Shellenberger and Jean Petts. Friends may call at the CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME, 1211 Chesaco Avenue on Thursday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday 10 A.M., Church of the Annunciation. Interment Bohemian National Cemetery. Published in Baltimore Sun on August 12, 2009
Grant provided for restoration
The Grand Lodge applied for and has received a grant from the Czech Embassy in the amount of $8,491.50 to repair and restore the crypt. We are very greatfull for the support of the Czech govenment in our efforts to preserve and protect our heritage. We will be applying for the required permits and hope to have the restoration completed before our November anniversary.
Progress on Historic Status
Shawn Gladden, our resident preservation consultant has been in meetings with the Maryland Historic Preservation and Trust. We hope to be filing our applications shortly.
UZEL , Charles J. On Sunday, February 1, 2009, Charles J. Uzel, 91, of Crossroads, PA formerly of Baltimore, MD. Husband of Helen J. Uzel and the late Mary T. (Duchek) Uzel. Father of Carole P. Doetsch, Jane F. Hall, Donna M. Tallent, Joseph V. Mach, Jr. and Celeste E. Schmitz. Son of the late Charles and Caroline (Kuska) Uzel, brother of Helen Blaha, Frances Sebra, Alice Peterson and Albert Uzel. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Charles retired from Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point, in 1979 following 25 years of service.
A funeral liturgy will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, February 6 from St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA. Interment in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Baltimore, MD. Friends may call at the J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 19 S. Main St., Stewartstown, PA on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. with Honor Guard and rosary service, beginning at 7 P.M. by the Knights of Columbus. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 2111 Ashland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205
James August Segrist passed away at the age of 95. James was the grandson of Joseph Klecka and son of Barbara Klecka Pokorny Segrist. His burial will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2008 from the Lassahn Funeral Home. James was a member of CSHA.
On the morning of February 1, 2009, Vincent Croghan passed away. Viewing will be on Tuesday, February 3, 2008 at the Ruck funeral home on York Road in Towson from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Vince Croghan was in Czech classes for several years, often hosted Czech visitors, and he and his wife helped with the festival. Vincent was a great friend of the Czech and Slovak community here and he many times offered a helping hand to the Association. The funeral will take place at 1 PM on Wednesday February 4. The service will start at the chapel and will continue at the Dulaney Memorial Gardens.
An Open House was held on Sunday, November 9, 2008 from 1:00-4:00pm at the Bohemian National Cemetery to celebrate the anniversary and revival of the Grand Lodge of the CSPS. Over 70 members and guests will enjoyed a refreshments, historic information on display, and exchanged old photos, documents, records, and information. Attendees came from around Baltimore, Delaware, Annapolis and Pennsylvania.
The Visitors’ Center at 1300 Horners Lane will soon be open. The second floor is stocked with ancestral information, documents and photographs. The first floor houses the kitchen, meeting area, and displays. Come and see photos and exhibits and share your memories. Call Jeanne at 410-309-3145 to confirm times and dates and arrange to meet.
The Carriage House will be open in the spring in time for the May Day Festival and Memorial Day Ceremony.
