The Bethlen Home Messenger, 2002 (1-4. szám)
2002-11-01 / 4. szám
Cultural Center YESTERDAY - TODAY - TOMORROW Although the Holidays are upon us, let us look back on YESTERDAY -BIRMINGHAM ETHNIC FESTIVAL - Toledo, Ohio August 17-18 The Birmingham Festival, now in its 26th year, is held in the Hungarian neighborhood, on the east side of Toledo. Events Friday included a Waiter's Race - participants are sponsored by neighborhood clubs, bars and restaurants. This idea, by the way, was brought back from Debrecen, Hungary. The evening Táncház was sponsored by The Hungarian Reformed Federation and The William Penn Association. Music for the Táncház was provided by Csik János Zenekar which the organizations helped sponsor from Hungary. Our own Lajos Szép prepared the bogrács gulyás! On Sunday the festivities continued with the official opening ceremony and parade. Hungarian dance groups from far and wide, including Canada, provided entertainment throughout the day. Food and craft booths lined the streets. Staff from The Bethlen Home Cultural Center set up displays and helped man the booth for the Birmingham Cultural Center. This booth was also made possible by the sponsorship of the HRFA and William Penn Association. Exhibits included Hungarian embroidery, photos, and documents from the Birmingham neighborhood and U.S. Census data. Honorées at the cultural booth this year where the Ivancso and Bacsó families for their years of dedicated service to their respective Fraternal organizations. Bethlen Home Executive Director - Rev. Imre Bertalan, HRFA Branch 21 Manager Mr. Lou Kozma and Chief Financial Officer for HRFA - Mr. William Puskas at Birmingham Festival. Honoree - Mrs. Mary Bacsó, who along with her husband Albert, were Managers and Officers of Branch 21 Toledo for many years, pictured with Lajos Kozma and William Puskas. Our annual meeting of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters Association and American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association was held September 1 - 3. These meetings are an important part of our mission to our American Hungarian Congregations - may the Lord bless our leaders. A special tribute and thank you was held for Rev. István Kovács for his many years of service to our Hungarian churches and communities. Rev. Kovács and his lovely wife Irénke have donated their collection of books, diaries and documents along with Hungarian artifacts to The Bethlen Home Archives. What an inspiring collection! Rev. and Mrs. István Kovács (seated) being honored by Rev. Imre Bertalan, Sr.
