Magyar News, 1993. szeptember-1994. augusztus (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1994-06-01 / 10. szám

THE MARCH CONTINUES WITH THE BOYSCOUTS

Troop #36, State Street Hungarian Evangelical-Reformed Church

The Charter of Boy Scouts of America Troop #36 was granted on May 31,1933. It was known as the “TURUL” Troop, a Hungarian mythological bird. Sponsorship was under the State Street Hungarian Evangelical Reformed Church of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

In the spring of 1933 Reverend Stephen M. Boszormenyi-Bessemer, was teaching a mixed class of youngsters in preparation for Conformation. Having been approached about forming a Boy Scout Troop; Reverend probably thought, “What an ideal place from which to recruit boys for a Troop.” Parents were persuaded and agreed to let their 12 and 13 year old sons become Boy Scouts. Incidentally, all the boys passed the Confirmation Test the next year.

Mr. Alexander Bero was our first Scoutmaster. Alex Bodnar was his Assistant. Committee men were Stephen Poor Jr. and Frank Bero. In 1935 Mr. William Menhart and Steven Molnár led the Troop for the next two years. Committee men who gave us support were: Charles Komonyi, Dennis Mezo, Joseph Furgess, Louis Vince, Zsigmond Nagy, Andrew Ecsedy and Louis Kardos.

In the beginning two patrols were formed. Names which come to mind are: John Bero, Nicholas Bendek, James Szuch, Zoltán Ballok, Arthur Pocsi, Ernest Komonyi, William & Ernest Wargo, David Papay, James Buda, Steve Kratz, Julius Király, Steve Orbán, Gabriel Kovács, Ernest Horvath, Louis Fejes, Steve and Louis Sebestyen.

By mid-summer under the tutelage of our leaders and whatever we gleaned from the Boy Scout Handbook; we all passed Tenderfoot Tests. Hikes and Day-camping at Samp Mortar in Fairfield and Remington Woods in Stratford were favorites. We earned Merit Badges and we studied for Second Class Rank.

The caves and crevices at Samp Mortar were inviting to young explorers. Ernie Komonyi became stuck in a crevice. But as soon as Dave Papay yelled that he saw a copperhead snake up above; Ernie was out in a flash.

The comradeship we developed during those years resulted in many life-long friendships. Yes, we competed against other Troops but remained friendly with St. Stephen’s Troop #50 and Troop #3 of First Hungarian Reformed Church on Pine S treet which was formed in 1934. We were all Hungarian West-Enders.

We looked forward to Friday night meetings. Parents knew that their sons were properly supervised from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Then, hurry home to listen to the 10 o'clock radio show THE SHADOW.

Meetings were held on the second floor of the wooden building on the comer of State and Hancock Avenues. Sometimes the boys arrived early. No men yet.

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On one occasion Andy Ecsedy Jr. arrived. We decided to initiate the novice properly. With knot-tying ropes we secured him to the end of the Church Bell Pull Rope. Presently he was swinging up and down and the bell was sounding its familiar “Bong, Bong-a-loo.” Reverend Bessemer came running from the parsonage. All he said was, “No one has died, take the kid down...” It was the custom in our Church to toll the bell on the hour during daylight for a deceased member.

In the Spring of 1935 Dr. Schieber whose office was on Fairfield Avenue, offered to sell Troop #36 a large wall tent and other equipment located on his site at Candlewood Lake. We would have permission to camp there too.

In order to raise the money, we presented a comedy show at Rakoczy Hall. The title was “Hungarian Our Gang.” The star was Steve “Tubby” Sebestyen weighing close to 250 lbs. as Spanky. Alfalfa and Buckwheat and the rest of the cast were played by talented troop members. The show was a success. We purchased the equipment and also a large pyramid tent.

During the early summer weekends, Nick Benedek and two Bostwick Avenue neighbors, Frank and Bill Sebestyen (not Troop #36 members) supervised by Asst. Scoutmaster Steve Molnár, constructed a large square platform on which to erect our camp.

In July we were prepared to enjoy three days of camping and swimming.

Early on a Friday morning the pyramid tent and other paraphernalia was loaded on a stake body truck. Several scouts sat on the pile of canvas, Reverend Bessemer with his car and three other cars carrying campers.

The caravan left State Street, proceeded north along upper Main S treet without incident. As the procession neared the Flag Pole in Newtown Center, a State Trooper with motorcycle siren screaming, pulled us over.

Reverend Bessemer emerged from his car to talk with the policeman. The conversation, with much hand and arm motions, resulted in our being informed that the long center pole of the pyramid tent was sticking several feet beyond the back of the truck. That until a red caution flag is affixed to the end of the pole we were going nowhere. What to do?

Reverend went across the street to a drug store and returned a few minutes later. He pulled out his white handkerchief and with red lip sticks which he had purchased, colored the handkerchief. Then it was secured to the end of the pole. We had the red flag!!!

The trooper so admired Reverend’s ingenuity that he led the way to the New Fairfield entrance to Candlewood Lake. Yes, the camping was fantastic. Two more campings followed.

Newfield Park was a busy place in 1935. The Boyscouts had an ethnic gathering and

the Hungarian troops participated init. They all dressed up in Hungarian costumes and put on quite a show dancing the Csardas. The enthusiasm was there, the only problem was that there were no Hungarian Girlscouts to take part. So, some boys dressed up in skirts and this added to the success.

Late that autumn we were disheartened by the news that cause unknown, the tents and equipment had burned down. All lost.

In the summer of 1936 at Seaside Park a major Camporee was held. Scout Troops in the Connecticut area competed. Troops would be judged on site set-up, cooking fires, First Aid, signalling, knot tying, etc. First Aid and knot tying was our forte. Andrew Ecsedy was our bow-ling and square knot expert. “Tubby” Sebestyen amazed the judges with his lightning sheetbends and sheep-shanks. By noon Sunday Troop #36 was in the top three.

Jim Buda had brought a cast iron Dutch Oven form home. His brother who worked in a super market meat department donated a large piece of beef and raw vegetables. Chef B uda was going to cook a Pot Roast on site.

Sunday morning the ingredients were readied and placed in the pot and the fire was diligently tended. Mid-afternoon the roast was done. But we must wait until the judges arrived. All three judges gave super-