Fraternity-Testvériség, 1998 (76. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 18 TESTVÉRISÉG folklore ©aneing Kizizps Woman’s ©roam fllivo For 40 years, Magda Koos has been doing in Lorain what she wanted to do in her homeland. Koos left her home in Hungary on the heels of that country’s 1956 revolution. However, the flight did not stop her from pursuing her dream — to be a teacher. Her field of education is Hungarian folklore dancing, and her classroom is the Hungarian Reformed Church Hall at 1691 E. 31st Street. Often, she conducts dance class in a small room in the basement of her home on Narragansett Drive. From the beginning of March until the end of June, for about seven hours a week, she spreads the rhythm and stomp of happy feet with the younger generation of the Hungarian community. In addition, she has never charged a dime to share her wealth of knowledge. “I wanted to be a schoolteacher in Hungary,” Magda, 69, said. “After I graduated from school in Ujferto, Hungary, I then went to college. I was in my second year when the revolution broke out between the Hungarians and Russians in October 1956. By the time the Russians returned in full force to take over Hungary in early November, we had left the country. I didn’t finish school.” She fled the country with her husband István and son István, Jr., toward the end of October 1956. The family arrived in America December 21. The Koos family was among 85 “ ’56ers” who settled in Lorain. The Reverends Valentine Toth of the Reformed Church and Zoltán Demko of St. Ladislaus, the Hungarian Catholic Church in Lorain, were instrumental in helping the '56 refugees settle in Lorain. Magda left her parents, six brothers and two older sisters behind, but continued her heritage here. She started teaching dance in 1958 to a group of seven students, mostly ’56 refugees. The group grew — and kept growing — when the displaced families started having children. At one time, she had more than 70 students; today she teaches about 50. “I used to dance with my school and church in Hungary, so I figured I’d keep dancing here,” Magda said. “I wanted to keep the Hungarian heritage alive through song and dance. I am still teaching dance today because I love to do it, and I’m able to pass down the desire of dancing to our younger Hungarian generation.” Magda said that she’s not going to hang up her Hungarian costume and take off her shoes anytime soon, but she’s prepping her granddaughter Tana, Sebok-Litten and Kate Nemeth, 16, to take over when she’s no longer able to teach. Mike Sakai The Chronicle-Telegram (7/29/98) Mrs. Magda Koos is a member of Branch 31. She has been a member since 1964. We are proud and thankful for her contribution and commitment to our Hungarian heritage. Emma Aros, Manager of Branch 31 To the right, Mrs. Magda Koos with members of her group, some of whom begin dancing soon after they are able to walk — many begin dancing at age 3.
