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News from the SPJST Foundation: Night at the Museum, a new community engagement series premieres April 13 at the Czech Heritage Museum located at 19 West French Avenue in Temple and will continue on the second Thursday of each month through August. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public. This is a new monthly series — an open house for the community to connect and network,” said Brian Vanicek, president of the SPJST Foundation and SPJST Fraternal Life Insurance. “We’re testing the waters for five months and hope to make it a regular event.” “We want to broaden the perception of what museums are all about,” Vanicek said. “We want the Czech Heritage Museum to be a relevant part of the Temple community. We are planning to host a range of events and activities ranging from live performances and exhibits to food and beverage tastings and outdoor events.” Three well-known Central Texas businesses — Ratibor Country Grill, Kolache Kitchen, and Mikeska Distributing — will be providing food and beverages for the inaugural Night at the Museum event. Future celebrations will be on May 11, June 8, July 13 and August 10, and businesses interested in sponsoring a gathering should contact Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com. “If your business, civic or cultural organization, church or school group is working to make a positive difference in Temple, you are invited,” he said. “Likewise, if you’ve got a project or coming event to promote, this is your time to spread the word. We’ll have an open mic for you to promote your activities. We’re also inviting individuals who are engaged in the performing arts – youth/collegiate/adult – to present snippets of upcoming performances, including plays, musical performances, dance ensembles and theatrics.” Popular Central Texas artist Lisa Chase will present a collection of 12 paintings that will be sold during an online auction during the month of April. Proceeds from the auction will go toward a newly created memorial scholarship in honor of Susan Chandler, the museum’s curator and director who died unexpectedly on Sept 4. “Susan had been working to establish a local advisory team consisting of moving and shakers from Temple’s business and civic communities,” Vanicek said. “The advisory team has been reestablished and is already making a positive difference.” One of the group’s members is RVOS Corporate Secretary Jamie Smith, whose organization will be hosting the state’s first Czech-American Heritage Run — a 5K walk and run on Oct. 7 that will support the Temple museum. Please contact Brian Vanicek at vanicek@spjst.com or 254.534.2902 for more information on the Night at the Museum program.