Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-06-01 / 10. szám
On April 11th Hungarians put on their glittering evening gowns and tuxedos and gathered at The Inn at Longshore, in Westport. Guests came from all over the States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey .Washington, D.C., Georgia and yes, even from Hungary, to celebrate the 39th “CAFE BUDAPEST BALL”. Why, because it had all the ingredients you need to create a wonderful, memorable evening. The place, the Longshore Country Club, nestled in the middle of a golf course, along Long Island Sound. Six beautiful fifteen and sixteen year old debutantes, all dressed up in long white dresses, escorted by handsome fellows. The dinner was superb, the orchestra played unwearyingly. The ball started at 7:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, when everybody had a chance to chat with old friends. At this ball almost everyone knows everybody, it is almost like a big family reunion. At 8:30 p.m. the Master of Ceremony, Dr. Balazs Somogyi greeted the 120 guests. The presentation of the debutantes followed. Miss Ilona Kopits was escorted by Thomas Szemere, Miss Krisztina Racz by Robert Bajoros, Miss Orsolya Hampol by Jason Goldman, Miss Elizabeth Kopits by Steven Grosh, Miss Barbara Kosa by Mathew Howard, Miss Tünde Miklós by Lajos Zsoldos. The President, Mrs. Sara Balogh gave a short speech, followed by this year’s Chairwoman of the Ball, Mrs. Nora Balogh Murphy, who thanked all the guests for their support and gave permission to open the 1992 Cafe Budapest Ball. In the arms of Dr. Otto Horwath she danced the opening waltz, the debutantes with their escorts followed them. Just like a carousel, as the young ladies in their rustling white gowns circled around the dance floor. It was like magic, they will tell their grandchildren about this night. The H AR AJD A Orchestra played until one o’clock in the morning, stopping only at midnight, when the traditional raffle took place. Thanks to the tireless effort of Mrs. Elizabeth Hanak and Mrs. Judith Racz, the prizes were just fabulous. They solicited donations from local merchants, the grand prize was roundtrip tickets for two on MALÉV airlines. Although the clock struck at one, not at midnight, just like for Cinderella. The BALL had to end. The guests departed slowly, put their evening attire aside, and eagerly waiting for the next, for the 40th CAFE BUDAPEST BALL. THIS BALL WAS A SUCCESS, but it did not happen just overnight. A whole year of careful planning and hard work went into it. Without the total commitment of the board of THE PANNÓNIA AMERICANHUNG ARI AN CLUB, no sixteen year old debutante would have her memory of her first ball. Sara Balogh - President, Sara Matolcsy - Vice President, Judith Racz - Secretary, Elizabeth Hanak - Treasurer, Geza Bodnar - Auditor, Joseph Balogh, John Balogh, Steven Szondy, MagdiZikely, board members. All these people have only one goal on their mind, to make sure that the Pannónia Club stays alive to serve the Hungarians in the area. The organization is almost a half century old. It was always a cultural organizations, established to benefit the schooling of Hungarian students. The net proceeds of the ball are given as scholarships to college students of Hungarian origin. The Club also organizes a traditional Hungarian Christmas Party, where young children sing and recite old Hungarian poems. Last year more than fifty children showed up and received presents. On March 15th, celebrating Hungary’s greatest national holiday, the Pannónia Club invited the Hungarians from surrounding towns, to share that moment together. This is the time to thank all Hungarians who help keep the Hungarian culture, heritage, consciousness alive. If you would like to be on the mailing list of the Pannónia American-Hungarian Club or if you wish to receive information about their scholarship, please send your name and address to 16 Fiske Street, Fairfield, CT 06430 or call 372-5709 or 268-7369. Sara Matolcsy Vice President of Pannónia American-Hungarian Club NEW BRUNSWICK’S HUNGARIAN FESTIVAL New Brunswick Hungarians are busy finalizing plans for their city’s 17th Annual Hungarian Festival to be held Saturday, June 6. The event, sponsored by the Hungarian Civic Association, will take place within a four-block stretch of Somerset Street in the heart of the city’s Hungarian district starting at 11:00 a.m. The festival will feature Hungarian music, dancing, art, crafts and food. It will also feature exhibits at local churches and organizations showcasing Hungarians artifacts and history as well as the history of local Hungarians. Three special exhibits will be open at the American Hungarian Foundation’s Hungarian Heritage Center. One will present a series of photographs of Budapest in the year 1990. The other exhibit will feature pieces of 19thcentury Zsolnay porcelain. A third exhibit will present materials on doing business with and through Hungary. “PUTTING ON THE GLITZ”
