CSPS Hall fundraising for new sign based on historic design

The Czech and Slovak Prudential Society, located in the Czech Village and New Bohemia District, is entering a new era — while going back to its roots.

CSPS is fundraising $25,000 for a new sign outside of its hall. So far, the organization has raised over $5,000 and is granting certain benefits for donors depending on how much money they give.

The change comes in time with CSPS moving its entrance to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. While the details of the sign are not completely hammered out, it will sit on the corner next to Scribe Stationer. The sign will direct people through the alley to the new ADA-equipped entrance.

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The design is based on a sign that was attached to the building before 1960, with text reading “event tonight” that lights up when there is an event happening.

Monica Vernon, president of the CSPS board of directors, said the new sign is to call more attention to the space so it is easier to find.

“We have lots of new people who have come to our community who want to come in and enjoy the art and music and you know, events in our wonderful theater,” Vernon said. “I think it’s a spark plug for our organization to have a new sign. We need to get out of our echo chamber.”

Vernon said that when her mother was growing up, she would see the historic sign that read “dance tonight” lit up for evening dances, and she would run home and ask if she could attend.

While CSPS doesn’t host regular public dance events anymore, Vernon said she wants the sign to recreate the idea of drawing people in while they walk by.

“I think it's a jewel in the crown of the district down here,” Vernon said.

‘Working on act two’

CSPS now has an entirely new staff. Fundraising for the new sign is only part of the changes that are coming to the organization.

While the founders, Mel Andringa and John Herbert, are still involved after their retirement, the organization’s new leadership has begun paving the way for the future of CSPS.

“We’re rebuilding, and while we rebuild we’re inviting new people to join us,” Vernon said.

Along with the new sign, CSPS Hall will be undergoing maintenance repairs and other upkeep. Vernon said because the hall was built in 1890, it takes a lot of work to ensure the building doesn’t lose its “grandeur in a comfortable way.”

“I think it feels comfortable, but to keep that we have to constantly maintain,” Vernon said.

CSPS recently rewrote and approved an updated mission statement. Vernon said the organization is focused on bringing in new people to the space and keeping an eye on finances to ensure the organization’s efforts are sustainable.

In 2022, CSPS was reinstated as a nonprofit organization, regaining its tax-exempt status. That status was lost in 2020 after the previous leaders had failed to file taxes for three consecutive years.

“Everything comes to an end and new things begin, so we’re really working on act two,” Vernon said. “We have a brand-new board of some really excited people who have some very good experience.”

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