UPDATE Nov. 10, 2023: Mike Bisek turned 100 earlier this year, but still has not received the Purple Heart for which his friends have advocated. By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan It was 1944. U.S. Army Air Corps photographer/gunner Mike Bisek and fellow crewmates bailed out over Nazi-occupied France after their B-24 bomber was hit by enemy […]
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Category: Czech
Bridge of Lions ribbon-cutting celebrate...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Fourteen years after unprecedented flooding forever changed the historic Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods, a new flood protection system was celebrated in Cedar Rapids. A ribbon-cutting Friday, July 22, 2022, on the 16th Avenue Bridge of Lions marked the completion of the $12 million roller gate system that can be […]
Kolach Festival making comeback in Cedar...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Like many events that were put on hold for the pandemic, the St. Ludmila’s Kolach Festival plans a return for 2022. Volunteers bake thousands of the popular fruit-filled Czech pastries for the festival, scheduled this year from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 11, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. […]
Finding morels and photos of Houby Days ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The line to buy morel mushrooms stretched a half-block to Sykora Bakery when the sponge-like delicacies went on sale the Saturday morning of Houby Days. Organizers were scrambling to bring in more morels after 120 pounds of the popular item sold out, and hoped to have the mushrooms for sale again […]
Houby Days set for comeback in Czech Vil...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – After canceling the 2020 event due to the coronavirus pandemic and holding a scaled-back version last year, supporters are eager to see a return of the popular Houby Days festival to Czech Village. Still, the closure of the 16th Avenue Bridge of Lions due to construction, and other work along the […]
Old-fashioned soda fountain evokes bygon...
UPDATE: Beginning the week of Sept. 5, 2022, fall hours will be Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mary Kay Novak McGrath recalls an era when at least two soda fountains served up sodas and other sweet treats in Czech Village […]
Czech legend of Three Frozen Kings offer...
Few days have tempted gardeners to plant early in Iowa this spring. With daytime temperatures hovering in the 50s and nights even colder, already into May, many gardeners are waiting for more conducive weather. Related: Slow start to morel mushroom season Still, with 70-degree days (hopefully) on the horizon, a Czech legend offers a warning […]
Award honors visionaries in Czech Villag...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two entrepreneurs and leaders in Czech Village and New Bohemia received special recognition April 20, at an awards luncheon at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Don Barrigar and Mary Kay Novak McGrath were named the 2022 recipients of the Robert Chadima Visionary Award. The award is presented annually […]
Nearly lost: Rescuing a Czech work of ar...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A mural created more than 60 years ago depicting Czech arts and immigration has found a new home after facing an uncertain future. The mural — a two-section piece by the late artist Edwin Bruns, a contemporary of Grant Wood — is being installed in the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. […]
Czech Village shop moves to new location
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A shop at the entrance of Czech Village has relocated to a new site. After more than 6 years at 98 16th Ave. SW, The Create/Exchange is reopening at 615 Center Point Rd. NE. The unique craft supply upcycle and exchange store has filled a niche for crafters and creators with […]