Hungarian American Coalition News, 1993 (2. évfolyam, 1. szám)
1993 / 1. szám
Member News Continued Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel’s Fund Raiser a Smashing Success by Anikó Kalnoki-Kis Cleveland may have been buried under its | first major snowfall, but inside the grand ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel, tulips were blooming and the atmosphere was joyous. The Cleveland Hungarian Development Fund was holding j “Dancing on the Danube,” abenefitdinnerdance. The Ritz was abuzz the afternoon of the ball, which was held in conjunction with the hotel’s International Culinary festival. Hungarian Mas- 1 ter Chef Csaba Daniss was flown in to preside over the kitchen. The efficient hotel staff got the j dining room ready, while CHDP volunteers set [ up a silent auction. When all was set and ready, the guests arrived,resplendentintuxedosorballgowns. Guests ranged from holders of hereditary Hungarian | titles to interested Americans with no family ties to Hungary. As strolling violinists played, people greeted each other and exclaimed over the items in the silent auction. The evening began with Dr. George Pogan, the Master of Ceremonies, extending a special greeting to Bishop László Tokes. Bishop Tokes j was visiting Cleveland as part of a national lecture tour to alert people to the plight of Hungarians and other minorities in Rumania. He was also raising funds for the establishment of the Sulyok István Főiskola in Nagyvarad, Transylvania, a college for German studies, so- j cial work and pre-law. The guests demonstrated their support with a prolonged standing ovation j when he was introduced. Dr. Pogan also presented a plaque of appreciation to Mr. John Hutchins, founder and Chairman of the CHDP, for his tireless support of Hungarians and for his leadership. Mr. Hutchins I was made an “Honorary Hungarian” and renamed “Hutchins Janos.” The formal part of the program concluded | with a toast, and then the guests were treated to Chef Csaba’s masterful creations. Just when everyone thought the delights were drawing to an ! end, the Cleveland Ballet made a surprise appearance and danced the “Csardas” from “Swan Lake .” Nothing could keep people from dancing [ after that, especially when the music of Mr. Steven Hegedeos was beckoning. The silent auction was a big success. Each of the items was beautifully displayed. Businesses | from the Cleveland area and other parts of the country and the world had donated over 100 items. The top item was a round-trip for two to I Hungary with a week’s stay at the Forum Hotel. Guests bid up to the last minute, unashamedly I breaking off conversations to see if they still had the highest bid. Gabriella Nadas and Bishop László Tokes Summer 1993 • Hungarian American Coalition News • 5 Everyone left the ball glad to have been able to attend a genuinely stunning social event in support of such worthy causes and looking forward to the time they could do it again. “Dancing on the Danube" raised over$30,000 due to the hard work and excellent organization of Chairwoman Kori Smith and her Committee. These funds will be disbursed in 1993 -94 for the many medical, social and educational projects the CHDP undertakes for the benefit of Hungarians. From left to right: Or. Stephen Reger, Thomas Smith, George Pogan, John Lauer, and John Hutchins are the 5 “famous” hunters/chefs whose offer of a “Sportsman's Dinner for 12" brought top dollars at the CHDP fundraiser.
