Fraternity-Testvériség, 2005 (83. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2005-01-01 / 1. szám
Page 5 Fraternity- Testvériség Egg Decorating By Kathy A. Megyeri Egg decorating is one of the most popular Easter Customs in Hungary, particularly in villages and towns. Since the egg remains the symbol of fertility in Europe, eggs and painted egg-shells have often been found in burial sites and in tombs dating from the Migration Period. Some of the designs on the eggs have regional names and are completed in symmetrical or stylized motifs. For example, the characteristic designs on eggs from Somogy County are sunflower seeds, frog’s legs or butterflies. Mostly, women and girls are responsible for decorating eggs, and the easiest method was to stick leaves on the shell and dip the egg into paint. When the leaves were removed, an attractive pattern remained. Not too long ago, home-made paints were used by extracting the juice from onions, the green shells of walnuts and from the peels of wild pears, crab-apples and oak-apples. Women in Egyhazaskozar often used the cooked peel of crab-apples which turned the egg a glorious yellow. They sometimes drew patterns on the shells with wax and then dipped the eggs in red paint. By far the most popular form of egg decoration is still melting wax and then drawing patterns on the egg-shells. When the wax sets, the egg is dipped into paint and put aside until the wax peels off, leaving a yellowish-white pattem that is sometimes painted other colors. Another way of decorating eggs is to scratch patterns on the surface with a sharp instrument, and even greater skill is required for the customs of decorating the egg with a tiny horseshoe. The Hungarianl Reformed Federation’s own Margaret Pauli has a unique and cherished way of decorating eggs for the Easter season. She creates beautiful crocheted covers for | plastic Easter Eggs. Margaret startedj crocheting when she was twelve i years old. The Sisters of St. Basil the Great, with their Mother house in Uniontown, PA, were ' „ „ . . Margaret Pauli in the process Catechism teachers at her St. 0f creating crocheted Michael’s Church in Perth decoration Amboy. After lessons concluded, the girls were taught embroidery or crocheting by a Hungarian Nun, Sister Emelia. Her hometown was New Brunswick, NJ, and her family name may have been Hopak. She exquisitely sewed and embroidered church linens and altar covers. Sister Emelia instilled in Margaret this love of handcrafting which has remained with her for sixty years. When the Easter season is over and the eggs are tucked away, the round glass Christmas ornaments are taken out, and Margaret begins crocheting around them with rich gold, silver or multicolor thread. Also, she makes crocheted angels, snowflakes, Christmas tree skirts, Easter decoration. The and beaded garlands. Year round, were made by Margaret Pauli. Margaret derives a great deal of satisfaction from her crafts, and whenever she attends HRFA events, she carries bags of thread and half-finished projects in tow. The Bethlen Home, Ligonier Gardens and many friends of HRFA have been grateful recipients of her work. One such individual, Mrs. Irene Kovács of Ligonier Gardens, was especially touched to receive an ornament. She stated, “I’m honored to pass it on to my family as a keepsake and memory of Margaret and the HRFA because these gifts are made and given with such love.” Scholarship Alumni Program The HRFA would like to embrace with pride all of those young members who received Student Aid and have already graduated from their studies. These young scholars had many wonderful dreams, promising plans and outstanding achievements in their academic performance, and pursued higher education. In recognition of this hard work and their talent, they were awarded our grant to support them towards their goals. The Alumni of HRFA worthy Student Aid Recipients has been growing steadily ever since. Over 20-25 students are being granted financial support annually. It is very interesting to flip through the old pages of Fraternity/Testvériség and read the touching, grateful notes sent to us from our gifted young talents. It would be even more fascinating to find out about their future, how their careers developed, and how far their perseverance helped them in reaching their dreams. We are planning to publish their former letters/photos from the past and a recent note with a current picture on our website- side by side. Past and Present, Now and Then... We need your help: if you happen to be in touch with one of our former Student Aid Recipients, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-567-7884, or send an email to Judit Zambo, Fraternal Coordinator to ffatemal@hrfa.org
