Emanuel Barta

Some time ago, we visited the Texas Czech Heritage Center in La Grange. The museum was really great, full of interesting items. Some of them made me curious about finding out more about the people who used to live in the area and to whom the exhibits used to belong.  One of those exhibits was that wedding shadowbox.

Emanuel Barta, the son of Jan Barta and Maria Charbula /harbula/, was born on 2 April 1891. Emanuel was born in Texas, his parents came to the state from Bohemia/Austria.

In 1900, the boy lived with his family - parents and 7 siblings (Betty, Annie, Esther, Ida, Leo, Olga, and Egon) in Justice Precinct #7 (Ammansville), Fayette County, TX (1).

When he grew up, Emanuel and his siblings helped their parents operate the family farm. By 1910, two elder sisters had been married and lived somewhere else. In April 1910, the census recorded Ida, Emanuel, Leo, Eugen, Mary, Annie, John, and Eliska + their parents John (Jan) and Mary who lived in household #99, Justice Precinct #7, Fayette County (2).

At the age of 25, Emanuel married 5-year-younger Miss Annie Dobrava. The two obtained their marriage license on 5 October 1916 (3) and then, got married on 24 October of the same year (4).
Annie was born on 8 November 1896, to Jan Vladimir Dobrava and Magdalena Vaček.
The couple had 3 sons Ignac Frank (born 1918), Ivan (born 19129), and Emil E (born 1925).

Emanuel and Anna lived in Schulenburg Route 1, Fayette County, TX. The man was a farmer. He lived 81 years.

 

Emanuel Barta died in Fayette Memorial Hospital in La Grange of cardiac failure, on 5 December 1972 (5).  Annie passed five years later, on 15 March 1977 (6).

 

Source:

1. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G7-95W: accessed 23 August 2021), Emanuel Barta in the household of John Barta, Justice Precinct 7 (Ammannsville precinct), Fayette, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 45, sheet 2B, family 31, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,635.
2. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MN-G6N: accessed 23 August 2021), Elisha Barta in the household of John Barta, Justice Precinct 7, Fayette, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 67, sheet 6B, family 99, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1552; FHL microfilm 1,375,565.
3. Hurr, Henry. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 9, 1916, newspaper, November 9, 1916; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth989164/: accessed August 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum, and Archives.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-KLLD: 10 March 2021), Emanuel Barta and Annie Dobrava, 24 Oct 1916; citing Fayette, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 966,871.
5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ZL-JJV : 20 February 2021), Emanuel Barta, 05 Dec 1972; citing certificate number 90543, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,195.
6. Findagrave.com

Cleofus Dugosh & Family

The surname Długosz makes me think of Jan Długosz who lived about 600 years ago. Jan was a priest and the first Polish historian. He wrote the early history of the Kingdom of Poland.

I am going to write about quite a different man, though. The original spelling of his surname "Długosz" was changed in Texas to "Dugosh".

Cleofus Matthew Dugosh was the son of John Jacob Dugosh and Franciszka Kalka. He was born in Bandera, on 21 September 1896 (1). Cleofus and his siblings were the second generation born to the family of Johann Długosz and Franciszka Kasperczyk, who came to Texas from Polish Silesia.
Cleofus had 9 siblings, two of them died before 1910.

 

🏠 In that year, the family of John (age 54) and Frances Dugosh (age 50) were registered during the census. John owned a farm in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera County. Four of John and Frances' elder children had already left the family home. Annie (age 16), Cleofus (age 12), Florence (age 10), and Christina (age 8) still lived with their parents (2).

👉 In 1918, Cleofus was drafted into the Army. Interestingly, in the registration draft, the man stated that he was born on 20 September, not on 21st as it was given in the later records. The draft card also reads that Cleofus' eyes were blue and his hair was light (3).

He was enlisted on 4 September 1918 and served as Private with the 29th Company 165th Department Brigade until he was honorably discharged on 18 December 1918 (4, 5). Luckily, the man was enlisted late in the WW1 and he was not sent overseas. The soldier's name appears on the WW1 Rosters of Enlisted Men (St. Louis Military Records), his serial number was 3983993 (6).

 

 

On ⚭ 21 June 1922 (7), 25-year-old Cleofus married 18-year-old Miss Mary Ellsworth (born on 31 December 1903, in Bexar County), the daughter of Clarence Lamar Elsworth and his wife Marinda Pue.

On ♦ 17 July 1923, Charlie Le Roy was born in Bandera to Cleofus and Mary (8). About a year later, on 22 August 1924, their second son John Clarence came to this world (9).

👉 1930 - Cleofus, his wife, and sons lived in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera, TX. The man was a construction laborer (10). By 1940, he had rendered a farm/become a farmer (11).

 

 

👉 In 1942, Cleofus and his 18-year-old son Charlie went to Chicago where the boy was drafted into the Army. The two men were staying at 9824 S Peorias St. in Chicago. Their telephone number given in the draft was Cedar Crest 1385 (12).

Charlie was enlisted into the Air Corps in San Antonio, on 10 November 1942 (13). He was trained and became a technical sergeant. On 1 April 1944 Charlie's plane crashed over Arrace, France, and the man was taken to a POW camp in Austria (Stalag XVII-B). The soldier was liberated at the end of WW2 (14, 15). More about his WWII service here.

John Clarence, the younger son of Cleofus and Mary was a high student at the time of the WW@ drafting. He was recorded by the Army as well (16).

After the war, in ⚭ 1948 (17), 25-year-old Charlie married 8-year younger Miss Barbara Jean Stoughton (born on 12 October 1931), the daughter of Kenneth Allen Stoughton and Mary Alice Brandenburg. The young family settled in Kerrville.

Charlie became a mechanic and worked at the Kerrville airport. He served as the manager of the Kerrville Flying Service Inc. and later, the Louis Schreiner Field Airport.

In 1965, the man leased 4.1 acres at the S E of the airport and built a hangar there for the airport repair shop and a store (18).

Clippings source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 53, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, August 8, 1969, newspaper, August 8, 1969; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1057779/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

I have not found much information, regarding John Clarence.
👉 In 1949, John C. visited San Francisco. He traveled on board the ship USAT General William O Darby from Oahu Hawaii (16 March 1949) and arrived in San Francisco on 21 March (19).

By 10 March 1950, John had been back at the home of his parents. He worked as a gas station attendant then (20). The man was married to Marie Collen I.

--

July 1976 - sad news

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, July 23, 1976, newspaper, July 23, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118994/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ Cleofus Dugosh passed on 21 July 1976 (21).

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, July 30, 1976, newspaper, July 30, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118820/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1976, newspaper, August 6, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1119054/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ John Clarence died on 5 March 1985 in Bay, Florida (22).

♦ Cleofus' wife Mary left this world on 9 August 1990 (23).

♦ Charlie Leroy died on 10 April 2015 (24).

PS

The original Polish spelling of Cleofus name is "Kleofas".

 

 

Sources:
1. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J57M-3M4 : 10 January 2021), Cleofus Dugosh, Jul 1976; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MR-46Z : Sun Mar 10 17:21:55 UTC 2024), Entry for John J Dugosh and Fannie Dugosh, 1910.
3. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76VJ-BR6Z : 26 June 2024), Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 1917-1918.
4. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPRC-B5Y4 : Sun Mar 10 14:33:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 18 December 1918.
5. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-69GG : Sat Mar 09 11:06:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 04 Sep 1918.
6. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4C5S-H4ZM : Fri Jul 05 19:54:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus M Dugosh, 31 Oct 1918.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZK-VQP : Sat Jul 20 20:48:07 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Ellsworth, 21 Jun 1922.
8. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD9P-C9V : 1 January 2015), Charlie Le Roy Dugosh, 17 Jul 1923; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
9. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD57-GWS : 1 January 2015), John Clarence Dugosh, 22 Aug 1924; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
10. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HPS9-CN2 : Sun Mar 10 19:54:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1930.
11. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWNJ-BJQ : Tue Jul 09 01:16:43 UTC 2024), Entry for C M Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1940.
12. "Illinois, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP7W-RZ6S : Sun Mar 10 09:57:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Charlie Leroy Dugosh and Unemployed, 26 June 1942.
13. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-FTV : 5 December 2014), Charlie L Dugosh, enlisted 10 Nov 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
14. findagrave.com
15. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/charlie-leroy-dugosh
16. "Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3X-ZV4N : Sun Mar 31 04:22:05 UTC 2024), Entry for John Clarence Dugosh and C M Dugosh, 11 December 1942.
17. findagrave.com
18. Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Sieker, Robert Edward. Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, August 3, 2000, Supplement, text, August 3, 2000; Kerrville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1542822/: accessed October 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Kerr County Historical Commission.
19. "California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXHZ-N1Q : Fri Mar 08 19:20:13 UTC 2024), Entry for John C Dugosh, 1949.
20. "United States Census, 1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XP9-2YQX : Tue Mar 19 14:00:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 10 April 1950.
21. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZXG-5RL : 24 May 2014), Cleofus Dugosh, 21 Jul 1976; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number , Kerr, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
22. "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVWH-9PN : 25 December 2014), John Clarence Dugosh, 05 Mar 1985; from "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," index, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2004); citing vol. , certificate number 23866, Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, Jacksonville.
23. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVVD-831 : 5 December 2014), Mary Lucetta Dugosh, Kerr, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.
24. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK15-J637 : 17 August 2023), Charlie Leroy Dugosh, ; Burial, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, United States of America, Garden of Memories Cemetery; citing record ID 145191659, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Photos 14/16 August 2020

J. Murchison and His Gold Expedition

History pieces on the pavement, La Grange, TX

John Murchison was born 30 June 1804, in Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina. He had at least10 siblings and they were the children of Kenneth McKenzie Murchison, Jr. and Flora McDonald's.

On 20 January 1831, in Coweta, Georgia, John married Miss Sarah Ann Terry (1).

 Sarah Ann passed in about 1846. John remarried on 19 February 1848, in La Grange, Fayette, TX (2).

His second spouse was Miss Nancy Cox Nail (born on 20 September 1827), widow of Mr. William A. Nail.

As mentioned above, John Murchison organized The La Grange Company.

Clipping source: The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 10, Ed. 1, Saturday, March 31, 1849, newspaper, March 31, 1849; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48390/: accessed October 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

He also found gold in California and tried to get there with his company to collect the riches.

 

Clipping Source: The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 14, Ed. 1, Saturday, April 28, 1849, newspaper, April 28, 1849; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48393/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

 

Clipping Source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 17, 1849, newspaper, May 17, 1849; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48540/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

 

 

Clipping source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 20, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 17, 1849, newspaper, May 17, 1849; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48540/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.  

 

 

Clipping source: The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 21, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 16, 1849, newspaper, June 16, 1849; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48396/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

 

Clipping source: The Corpus Christi Star. (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 46, Ed. 1, Saturday, August 4, 1849, newspaper, August 4, 1849; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80238/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

 

Clipping source: The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 28, Ed. 1, Saturday, August 4, 1849, newspaper, August 4, 1849; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48402/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. 

 

 

Clipping source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 33, Ed. 1, Thursday, August 16, 1849, newspaper, August 16, 1849; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48551/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Clippings source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 33, Ed. 1, Thursday, August 16, 1849, newspaper, August 16, 1849; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48551/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 Clippings source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 33, Ed. 1, Thursday, August 16, 1849, newspaper, August 16, 1849; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48551/: accessed October 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

John Murchinson did not live to enjoy the California riches. He died after he shot himself by accident on July 28, 1849.

About Talking

In my early years, I believed speaking was only needed when there was something important to communicate/share.
At the age of 20, I realized people find it awkward (or even rude) when someone does not speak, just is there. So I started practicing small talk - to show kind interest, care, and respect.

 Some time ago, I came across an acquaintance while I was walking home. The person threw the usual, "How are you?" I did not know that someone much so I replied, "Fine, thank you. How are you?"

"Good. Thank you", I heard in response, and we both continued walking in the opposite directions.

"So we talked", I laughed to myself. Although, actually, we did not. I appreciated the person's friendly attitude - it did feel nice. On the other hand, we used so many words, but the result of it all was the same (or perhaps not?) as if we had exchanged: 

- "Hello

- "Hello" only or
- "Good morning"
- "Good morning".
 

So why should we have bothered to say more than one or two words? I guess it is the older/younger me approach getting through here.

These days, after so many years of training, I do practice small talk while socializing and I got used to it. However, I still prefer mutual communicating than just talking/using the speech only to break the silence. After the customary "How are you?", following the purpose of saying those words, I am also still willing to listen to/hear how a person is actually doing (and I appreciate when somebody makes an effort to express that).

Another aspect of talking - words have their own energy. They can hurt really deep too. Regarding the fact that whatever we "send in the air" comes back to us in one way or another, let us be mindful what words we choose to say. For our own sake.

Cooler Weather Recollection

A few weekends ago, we had the enjoyable below 90F. The air was so pleasant and the Saturday dance was more crowded that usual, with people all over the square taking pleasure in the "cool' weather, music and companionship. 

As it happens, though, since then, the temperatures have switched to the other side and it is hot again.

One of the best this year's summer dance nights weather wise.

My Polish Alphabet: R for "Red Belt"

 

 

"Red Belt" (Czerwony Pas) was one of the songs that we sang with my primary school girls' choir. One of the two I can recall.

The song about Hutsuls (Carpathian highlanders) living their happy and free lives in the Carpathian Mountains is quite old and known both in Poland and Ukraine. I like the changing tempo of the tune - from slow to a faster one. It is also one of the traditional songs that used to be sung by many generations on both sides of the Polish/Ukrainian border. The piece comes from a drama (published in 1843) written by Józef Korzeniowski, Polish writer who lived in the area that was part of Poland then. Nowadays, it is western Ukraine.

A traditional version of the Red Belt

 More modern version of the song by a contemporary folk group

Our choir director was also our Music teacher, a man in his early thirties.  As I have already mentioned in one of my previous posts, the Music curriculum in Polish educational system is related to general knowledge of music, its history, composers and their main pieces + basic understanding of notes and musical notation.  The choir was an extra/after classes activity, officially not mandatory. However, if the teacher said you had a good voice/musical ear, you had to participate in the choir activities to get an A in Music.

So we did sing at school assemblies and once even participated in a regional school choirs competition. I cannot remember what the outcome of the latter was, though. Our teacher was quite good at his profession, he played the piano during the Music classes and accompanied the girls' choir. We had the songs sheets, with lyrics only, as singing songs/notes was not part of the school subject curriculum. We simply followed the musical instructions given by the teacher and the melody played by him on the piano.

During the summer break, the teacher was part of the music band on the Stefan Batory passenger liner, that regularly cruised between Poland and the USA. At that time, traveling to the Western countries including the US was not a thing that everybody could do. Mainly those people whose jobs required crossing the border were allowed to do so. The man must have been a good piano player to get a job on that passenger cruiser and/or perhaps had some "connections" that helped him achieve that.

Stefan Batory

Somehow, my girlfriend and I did not see that particular side of it all and we were not impressed that the man managed to see the States every now and then. We found it rather funny and peculiar that an honorable teacher was also a band musician on a boat. These days, I look at it differently, but being kids, we found it weird and rather undignified.

Another thing that made us little girls laugh was the teacher's socks that he tended to wear quite often.

It was the time of the "Interkosmos" mission project, when the international astronauts crew made their first spaceflight. Our teacher seemed to like wearing colorful socks with the "Interkosmos" logo on them. I do not know whether anybody else noticed that, but we, silly girls, did.

Wherever the man is these days, I wish him all the best. I liked the choir days/time.

The other song I can recall we sang with the girls' choir was a Polish version of Joan Baez's song "Donna". The Polish lyrics made it an anti-war song. Somehow, I can still remember the song words.

(My free translation into English)

One life you have,
who will you give this flower to,
do not go across the river,
you will perish there.
One life you have,
who will you give this flower to,
when a shot will come from across the river.

People, people do not perish,
you will save the world.
People, people, I pity you,
It is the war that is to perish.

Dona, Dona...

PS
Years ago, when I was still working in Poland, one day, I happened to wear a t-shirt with the word "Texas" on it. During a class, some students of mine started giggling "O - Texas, Texas". I guess, my Texas t-shirt was in their eyes an equivalent of the Music teacher's Interkosmos socks.

Credits: 

Stephan Batory ship photo: By Wolfgang Fricke - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103579976

50 Miejsc - Cieszyn

 

Nigdy nie byłam w Cieszynie, ani w Polsce, ani w Czechach.

Które z ciekawych miejsc w Cieszynie polskim proponuje w swoich slajdach Pani Alina Zielińska, sprawdźcie sami. 

 Tradycyjnie, jeszcze wiadomosć od Pani Aliny.

 Cd nastąpi...

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