LCCHS features guest speaker

Forty-five members a n d v i s i t o rs a t t h e Jan. 28 Lavaca County Czech Heritage Society (LCCHS) meeting listened to Anna Ashton’s account of how she and her family escaped communist-controlled Czechoslovakia in 1985.

She told of the horrors of communism, where the government owns everything from homes, land, jobs, etc., and lying, corruption and spies everywhere.

The family knew they could not live under the conditions. Escape arrangements were made in extreme secrecy so no other family or friend could be accused of aiding.

When she, her husband, and their two small children arrived at the border checkpoint, they were told their visa was illegal and they would have to turn back and be reported to the police.

They consulted with another family traveling in a car behind them and both families decided they would attempt to race through the checkpoint. Austria, and freedom, were a short distance away. Before the guards could react, the two families made it across the border.

President James Steffek conducted the business meeting that included discussions about the Tarock Tournament on March 3, the LCCHS scholarship application, and other scholarship applications. Members enjoyed light appetizers or sweets for “svacina” following the meeting.

LCCHS is a non-profit organization founded in 1982, dedicated to preservation of Texas Czech heritage: genealogy, history, music, customs, food, costumes, and language.