Magyar News, 2001. szeptember-2002. augusztus (12. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2002-07-01 / 11-12. szám
A Erika Papp Faber is a frequent contributor to the Magyar News, standing with the Stibers. Joseph is the circulation manager who takes care of distribution and mailing. 1 A special moment, sharing the candles with cousin Robert Havery whose birthday is the same with Joseph. There “might ” be some difference in the number of years. fWith Bette Johnson, former proof reader, now from Massachusetts, f Frank Valu playwright and song writer. *—A balloon girl as a nurse, had she been Hungarian, she probably would have “prescribed " barack pálinka instead of scotch. (Insert: Label on the hat.) I With the Ráczes sitting Oliver Valu (center) who researches and writes about Hungarian folk costumes I don’t believe that this happened! I was always convinced that I was alert, that I noticed things, that my nose could sniff out unusual situations. Well, I survived, haven’t I? Not this time. For six weeks these people you see in the photos, and others whose picture didn’t make it, were conspiring to have a surprise party. They did a good job, including my wife Claudia and my darling son Justin. They had their hands in it up to their shoulder. The reason I forgive everybody is because they hadn’t changed the number of birthdays that I had in my life.(????) Then I was thinking, trying to figure out what this party was about. I came to the right answer after a while. I read a note that Dick Nemeth from Virginia wrote. He wrote that it was good to see the faces of the names he reads in the Magyar News and it was fullfiling that he could meet them in person. It was like an extended editorial meeting - bringing the spouses along. The most outstanding character of this gathering was - Hungarian. Not all spoke the language fluently but in their heart, not just deep into it but filled to the rim, they are Hungarians. The outstanding work they are doing is not for money. Nobody makes a penny on it, they want to show respect towards their ancesters. They want to help others to learn about our history, and make them aware of the problems of the Hungarian nation and their culture. At home they have to put up with a lot of things. The spouse has questions. “Who are you always talking with on the phone? You just finished writing the article, do you have to rush with it?“ And many others. We guys get the honey-do-list with our breakfast. How many times have we all said: “Darling, today I’m tied up with the Magyar News.” Sometimes things follow, not quite in our favor. Erika Papp Faber naturally doesn’t have this problem. Also her contribution is great. I want to mention the birthday present she gave me. It wasn’t money, or something from the market, it was an index of the Magyar News that she put together. A tremdous big job. But let us be honest. Would we guys be able to work on the Magyar News without our wives? Without their support I don’t see it possible. They are just as much a part of the Magyar News as we are. During the 12 years many people wrote for us, but a smaller group who really got the taste of it keeps on writing. For example Dr. Havadtőy wrote the very first article on the very first page of the Magyar News and since for 12 years we have seen many of his articles. He, like some others wrote books but doing the Hungarian publication is different. They consider this a service to our own people. When I thank everybody participating at this party, I would like to say one more thing. My birthday was the occasion, but the reality was the Magyar News. It was nice of Éva Hlazs at the beautiful “Pearl of Budapest” to reserve and close the restaurant for this special “editorial meeting”. We all enjoyed the delicious Hungarian food that is in a class all by itself. On the side, let us not forget that Éva is one of the secret keepers. With love to all, Joseph F. Balogh. Page 9 Page 9
