Malley-Gram 2002-3



2002 - No. 3 www.malecek.com


You can’t get much more “home” than Bechyn, the extremely small village that was home to many Czech family immigrants. It doesn’t exist anymore, but the locals have been holding a Czech Heritage Festival since 1992 to raise money to keep the church in repair. It’s a big draw and getting bigger every year. I was able to see and meet many relatives. My sister flew up from Houston for it - unfortunately I didn't get to see much of her. See my photos by clicking below: .
	If its August then I must be in Minnesota. Joyce had an offer on her house, contingent on a lady selling her place in Phoenix and an estimated closing date of Sept 20. So I did two things. 1. Changed my return flight to NZ from Sept 8^th to Oct 29^th. 2. I made a trip to Minnesota getting there in time for my Father’s 80th birthday. I created a website for him, oldestcabbie, and when I setup my laptop to show it to him he thought I was giving him the laptop which amused my brother immensely. This trip back I met so many people (most of them relatives) starting with my sister-in-law, Celia, whom I taught “bend her knees” at mini-golf (see photos), and then for almost anything else. Also met Lavonne’s relatives: daughter Sis, son Howard and his wife Mary (from Arizona), Rhonda and her family. Then there was Dad’s buddy, John Mann, a real character. Spent a couple days with my Mother and we picked red currants. Met her neighbor Julie (who is from New Ulm). Bob brought me over to meet his sister, Stella and her family. Was able to get together with Harlan and Nancy a couple times. Dad siblings Mom H and N click on photo to enlarge
	My Father heard that there was an article about his return to States from the war in the Olivia paper. So we had an adventure traveling by bus from NW part of metro area to downtown Minneapolis where we spent an hour walking around and I couldn’t recognize most of it - so many changes since I went to school in early 60’s. Then bus to St Paul to the Minnesota Historical Society where we went through most of the microfiche for 1946 issues. Didn’t find it but did find many articles about relatives. Spent an afternoon with Eloy in Sleepy Eye who let me scan Jeanie's photos; then we were joined by Jerry and Joe Malecek at the Jackpot Junction Casino near Morton for a meal. Met more relatives who work there. I stayed with my cousin, Suzie, for a couple nights and had a chance to get to know her three sons and hubby, Mike, who runs a typically large farm but un-typically has sheep. They are in his family's house built over 100 years ago and it is grandly appointed inside.

Meanwhile, Back in Arizona			Malley Muses
A few days after I got to Minnesota Joyce calls to say that she has a new offer on the house and is cancelling the existing offer. But a week later they pulled out and then the following week another call and a definite sale to a cash buyer and closing is on 5th. So no time to muck about when I get back to AZ on 28th August.		Do WITCHES use SPELL checkers ? ? ?


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