Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. január-június (26. évfolyam, 1-25. szám)
1943-02-25 / 8. szám
February 25, 1943 THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND------------------------ BRANCH 430 -----------------------BY WILLIAM C. KOHUT-------------------------—- Verhovayak Lapja. Page 5 VERHOVAY SPORTS MENU: I am greatly disturbed and a bit ruffled over the latest news regarding our National Verhovay Bowling Tournament. It is the type of news that I do not enjoy serving to my fellow readers and sport fans. However, nowadays our menus at the dinner table as well as at the table of sports contain some items not too pleasing to any of us. The big affair will not materialize after all. It seems as though the big bubble was broken, shattering not only - the bubble, but also the hopes and ambitions of many of our Verbovay bowling enthusiasts and contestants. In this instance, the bowling tournament is being called off, due to the war, and not the firm belief of a few that we should not hold any recreational engagements at this time. Verhovay friends of mine will recall in my last article appearing Feb. 11th, 1943, that I emphasized the point that both Mr. Brannon and Mr. Diliinger, officials of the American Bowling Congress in Pittsburgh, expressed the belief that the holding of our tournament would create no major or even minor transportation problems or affect vital defense industries. The high officials of our government have favored means of easing war nerves, of vital importance to our Country; also, realized that no one can leave defense jobs but must push ahead with all energy toward a speedy victory. Therefore, if the postponement of our Tournament is final, I believe plans should be worked out for District Tournaments or some other kind of satisfaction, since many of our young people have been spending their own money as well as valuable time in preparing for this Tournament, and it would be very wise to give them some compensation for their efforts. Probably this District plan, i. e., holding tournaments in cities or towns and inviting teams within a hundred mile radius to participate, could be worked out satisfactorily, and thereby would appease Verhovay bowlers in every sector. PITTSBURGH SIDE-SHOW Ala Szigeti! A large audience applauded the playing of our Hungarian violin virtuoso, Joseph Szigeti, at the Syria Mosque, Friday evening, February 26th, 1943. He was soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of our other Hungarian-born musical maestro, Fritz Reiner. Szigeti performed Brahms’ violin concerto masterfully, and gave new evidence of his genius. PROFESSIONALS CARRY ON! Although on somewhat a reduced scale, the Hungarian Professional Society is continuing to carry on. The meetings have not been held as frequently as during the past year, but at least once every other month the group meets in Oakland, Pittsburgh, and enjoys short programs, refreshments, as well as one anothers friendship. The Hungarian Professional Society will hold its first dance of the season on Feb. 27th, 1943, in the Tudor Room of Hotel Fort Pitt. Many members of the Verhovay own membership in this fine organization. NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT — HOMESTEAD DISTRICT Our New Meeting Place As stated in previous issues of the Journal, our new meeting place is Ann’s Flower Shop on East 8th Avenue near Amity in Homestead. And our good members have been taking advantage of this opportunity of meeting their current insurance payments, and I have been extremely pleased with their attitudes. Many members have visited me in our new meeting place and I have been happy to see them. 1 will be at Ann’s Flower Shop on Saturday evening, March 6th, from 6:30 to 9 P. M. All those in arrears or owing insurance payments please come in then or mail same to me at my home, 116— 21st Street, Munhall, Pa. HOMESTEAD DISTRICT WANDERINGS! In my wanderings throughout the Homested District by foot, telephone and grapevine, I have come across many interesting items about friends of mine and here we go — — — was up at Johnny Shimko’s recently, and learned that he was toying with the idea of investing heavily in glass stocks inasmuch as he has been purchasing on the average a dozen new glasses and cups every other week-----------the reason for his thinking about this financial investment is a fourteen months old youngster at home called Jackie, who kicks ’em around at an awful pace — — — saw Pete Dargo Sunday, Feb. 21st, home from the Army for a short stay---------looked well — — — and happy — — — tells me he is doing right well with the Air Force and enjoying the southern clime — — — says hello to all his Verhovay friends — — — talked with Private Andy Simcho, Sat. evening, Feb. 13th, at the home of Ethel Cincel — — — told me he was not especially fond of the Pittsburgh climate — — — it was too cold — — — however, he did agree with me when I told him 1 thought he enjoyed the atmosphere at the Cincel Home, even though located in Homestead — — — Johnny Rotz of Terrace, Pa. came home for the first time last week and appeared as though he took to Army life, even the food, without much difficulty--------— looked well and progressing nicely------paid a call on Bert Kondis last Sunday--------------you know Bert is a young man with ambitions to go places in the printing business — — — and from all indications, I believe he will-----he’s an honest, conscientious worker and turns out some nice printing jobs---------------couldn’t help but notice four grown-ups taking immense interest in an infant, last Sunday, Feb. 21st, at St. Elias Church — — — upon closer investigation I learned that Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Paulovitch were to be the God- Parents for young Edmund Charles Kulpa — — —. and the other two were Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Kulpa — — — the Christening was concluded successfully — — — happened to drop in at Lou Nemeth’s home on 20th Street,' Munhall, last Thursday evening, and came across one young man who does not worry too much about our rationing program — — — he is “Butch” Nemeth, a strapping three year old, who dragged out for my consolation more toys than are possessed by some of our toy shops under rationing today------------Mrs. Nemeth, I do suppose, has one big job gathering these toys together each evening------------wow--------my good friend, Andy Chontos of Larkspur Street, Munhall, had an unwelcome visitation from old man flu, and for three weeks was forced to be with this dispised company — — — but understand from Mrs. Chontos that Andy is up and around now — — — a speedy recovery to you, Andy — — — Julius Kondis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kondis, is leaving for the Army in March------------best of luck, Julius — — — had a short talk with Mr. Imre Vajda of McClure Street, Munhall-----a truly honest, hard working man------------with a nice family circle — — — son, James, Jr. is a head or two taller than dad — — — growing like a weed —-------was glad to have taken into our Verhovay membership, Mrs. James Vargyas of Carrick, Pittsburgh, Pa.----------she is a radio singer and possesses a nice personality------noted that Mrs. M. Kostra was back home again — — — Mrs. Geo. Robertson and Irene Seech, both of West Homestead, in to pay their insurance premiums, Sat., Feb. 20th, looked quite chic — — — headed for a party?------------no, I don’t think, so--------------shopping for more new dresses, etc. I believe. THE MERGER I spend considerable time thinking about the merger now being discussed pro and con by members of the Hungarian Insurance Associations affected by such a move. Believe you me a better condition could not possibly come about than by merger------------this is important to all of us. I am sure the membership of the Verhovay as well as the Bridgeport are for it, all the way. Isn’t there a way for quicker action on this projected move?----------------v------------—• DIAGNOSIS Which way I fly is hell; myself am hell! Detroit, Michigan DEAR MOLLY: Your letter arrived during my absence and I returned in time to send in my contribution. At present, I haven’t time to answer your letter in full, but I will get around to it in a few days. Having jumped ahead to answer one question, I am at a loss as to where to begin. At the time I joined the Verhovay, Branch 366, The Verhovay Home was not completed. It was in June. 1936, when I left Cleveland enroute to New York to join two sisters who lived there. Before the year was up, I became acquainted with the Secretary and members of Br. 394 in N. Y. If you are wondering how I liked the subways, why don’t you ask A1 what I wrote to him. People in N. Y. City are always in such a hurry as though they were running away from their shadow. If one chanced to meet friends and stopped to ask them where they were rushing to, it’s always the same reply, “Nowhere in particular!” and they would head the entrance to a subway. During the four years I spent in N Y., I don’t recall having used that means of transportation more than three times. Perhaps, once in six weeks or two months, I’d visit friends in the city. Most of my visiting was done through correspondence. Even though I am a member of another Branch, that made no difference with the members. I was cordially received and was made to feel like “one of them”, occasionally attending their meetings and social affairs when convenient You can “bet” a defense stamp, I was glad I joined the Verhovay instead of “just any organization”. Members who travel around like yours truly, can tell you the same story. The Verhovay offers more than just Insurance — this is a fact, even though it sounds like an advertisement. In the Fall of ’37, all Branches seemed to display a lack of interest. It seemed that way and everything was more or less at a standstill. The names and addresses of the Secretaries of the American speaking branches were right at my finger-tips, so I decided, that by using the initials, “A. V. B.” and signing the messages, “A Verhovay Booster,” maybe, out of sheer curiosity, when the Sec’y of the Branch would read what I wrote, someone from the Branch would be encouraged to contribute to the Journal. Just a little "boost” was all that was needed, and although I do not claim credit for it, I was pleased to note, that as each edition arrived, every now and then, another Branch correspondent's column would appear. I am remembering all the fun I had from then on. The letters I wrote and received kept our postman happy. Have you ever come across a postman who does not delight in teasing you, Molly? A month before Christmas, I received a package neatly marked, “Don’t open before Dec. 25th.” Until the 26th of Dec., without fail, our postman wanted to know if I “peeked” in to see what was in the package. A promise is a promise, so I waited until Dec. 25th. There are several more letters I must acknowledge, so until next month, our best wishes to you. Fraternally yours, ANN V. BERO (BIRO) P. S. THE “SHADOW” SENDS GREETINGS TO ALL.---------------v--------------TRAGEDY During the recent cold weather a practical jokester went about town holding his hand as if that manual extremity had been injured. When friends asked what the trouble was, the jokester replied that his hand had been frozen. Asked how that happened the man would reply. “I was holding a lantern while my wife chopped some wood.” SLIGHT ERROR Customer: “Come, John, we are ready to go.” Milliner: “Pardon, madam, here’s the hat you bought—that’s the box you’re wearing.” —Milton It B 1 ii I li 1%. t)
