Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)

1943-07-29 / 30. szám

rage 4

Verhovayák Lapja

July 29, 1943

SUNKIST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECHOES

By Albert B. Steinmetz Los Angeles, California

Member of Branch 104, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is the season when 1 p e o p 1 e who come out here to this para- Sdise from the east, remark: “Is this the * beautiful Cali- Mr. Steinmetz fornia?” And they must be told, “Well, yes!

You see, while on your last trip out here last winter, or early spring, everything was green and beautiful, the flowers bloomed. Now on your summer trip, or if this is your first visit to our Sun-Kist land, you’ll see the hills and valleys scorched and blacked by fire;

or yellow to dark brown with

sunburned grass and weeds.”

This is Southern California in the summer. This summer it is unusually so, because of the abundant rains that we had early last spring; the grass and weeds all over the country-side sprang up—and I do mean, sprang up. Up until early May everything was beautifully green, but the steady sunshine and no raili, burn the life out of all Vegetation; hence, the beautiful “How Green was my Valley” turned brown, and the earth is scorched, with deep cracks in them from the steady beating rays of old Sol.

There is an everlasting menace of fire here all around in southern California every summer. It is not unusual to see a hill covered with dry grass, burst into flames in the hot summer months. The explanation to this is simple — a broken glass, or a bit of mirror, or any high polished metal object tossed away in the field, laying there in the dry grass, leaves, and shrubbery all around it. The hot sun rays playing on the glass act as a magnifyer; smoke starts and in a few minutes it blazes, enveloping a large section into an inferno.

Knowing this too well, the city’s fire department posts warning to owners to destroy the weeds or else. This takes place just as soon as the rains end here in the spring. Every empty lot all over the city, county and the country-side i9

posted with these warnings; even while the grass and weeds are yet green. If weeds are not destroyed by the owners, the city destroys them and charges the owner for costs.

So right now, meaning June and July, especially are the firemen busy, as well as landowners, or working men who go around burning weeds in every empty lot to safeguard us from accidental fires. Lots ot times “amateurish fire-men” try to burn the weeds on empty lots; but find it going out of control; so the fire dept, must be called Jo control the blaze, and put it out. It is not an unusual sight to see large hill sides being burned purposely with fire engines standing by, to safeguard the community from any fire hazard. Hence, dear Eastern visitors, our hills and valleys are black now, as if in ruins and ashes; but actually it must be so, and five or six months hence, they again will be green, beautifully green, at the time when your hills and valleys are white with snow. Isn’t Nature grand?

* * *

After an absence of three months, within a week, two short letters arrived here from our fellow Columbus, Ohio Verhovayan, Sgt. John J. Bartók. He wrote from the Jungle-land somewhere in India; says he: “It rained so hard last night that I thought it would wash my tent away. This is all jungle country, there are a lot of mosquitoes and a lot of the boys have had malaria; I have my fingers crossed. Our mail is being censored and I can’t tell you much about the country, or myself. I have been doing plenty of traveling the last three months since I left Southern California. I have travelled half way around the world. We have a heck-of-a-time with the natives. They can’t speak English, and we can’t speak Indian. I’m O. K. We work seven days a week. I can’t get Hitler’s pants here. How would Tojo’s do?”

You see, I knew the Sgt. left California via New York. I thought he would go to Europe;

STABILITY

PROGRESS

Careful, conservative and sound investments assure the STABILITY of Verhovay’s fui ds and securities, thereby giving full confidence to members and prospective members.

Verhovay’s encouragement and promotion of social movements within and among its branches is in keeping with the spirit of true FRATERNALISM.

With its assets making sizable gains yea* after year and its membership increasing by leaps and bounds. Verhovay sees before itsell a definite future which spells PROGRESS.

SOCIABILITY rather than frowned upon Is regarded as essential to the well-being ot Ver hovay life and activities.

SOCIABILITY

FRATERNALISM

VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

345 FOURTH AVt

PITTSBURGH, PA

so naturally, I asked for Hitler’s pants. I suppose the censors, higher-ups, or perhaps, Uncle Sam himself got wind of this, and told the Sgt.: “Nix on

your trip to Germany! You have a date with Tojo!” So there! O. K., Johnny, Tojo’s pants will do just as well! God be with you and keep you!

* * *

Although I knew this to happen months ago, I kept my promise to her, and didn’t let go with a “Scoop News”; but now I’ll tell all how happy we, who know, are, that America's foremost author and a fine magyar newspaper writer, made Hollywood her home. Mrs. Dudás Gólya Margit is definitely California’s gain. She is well and happy here in her new home with her small four-year old daughter, Margaret (Baba), who is a regular “spit-fire”, full of pep-vim-and-vigor; becoming a Sunkist Verhovayan Junior.

We, of about one hundred (more or less) California Verhovayans, take this opportunity, officially, to bid you welcome to our land of sunshine.

We read your widely-circulated book (“Endless Love”), “ Végtelen“ Szeretet”, and it’s tops! Because you know life — it’s meaning, love, sorrow; and you know humanity — its weakness. Your keen vision and judgement, your evaluation of men are on every page of your fine book. Your newspaper articles are clean-cut and fearless, for which all honest men should

love you and do.

* * *

Finally, your columnist wishes to let you know we have sold our former home; our new home address is: 4535 Bowman Blvd., Los Angeles, 32, California.

Happenings at Milestone

Cemetery

By Emma Jene Evans

One evening, quite late in the latter part of June, two young lads walked hurriedly through the Milestone Cemetery. The younger of the two, Bob, was average height, with blonde hair and blue eyes and age sixteen. There was .a frightened look on his face. The older boy, Joey, had brown hair and eyes, a neat appearance, and a half-scared look about him.

The boys took huge steps and quick looks in every direction, as they moved with fright, remembering the spooky movie they had just seen at the moving picture theatre.

• V ' ■

Nearing the middle of the Cemetery, Bob tripped over a stone. Looking up, he read on a tombstone:

“Who dares waken me as I sleep, Shall return with me, —

Into Slumber deep.”

Joey, kneeling at Bob’s side, the whites of his eyes glazing, as he followed Bob’s finger pointing to the tombstone. After a moment’s hesitation, they jumped up and started on their way, now more frightened than ever.

Soon they heard the distant “meow” of a coal- black cat; who had perched itself on top a tombstone. The boys, not wanting to go near the cat for fear of having it cross their path, cut across some graves in a slanted direction. The frightened youths, too scared to look behind

Congratulations to Sergeant Frank Brogley, Verhovay Director

of Youngstown, Olio

THE STORY OF A WELL DESERVED PROMOTION.

Mr. Frank Brogley, well known director of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, Chairman of the Central Committee of Hungarian Churches and Organization of Youngstown,

O., — has been promoted to the rank of sergeant of police in the city of Youngstown, O., as of June 16, 1943.

It is difficult to say in which capacity Mr. Brogley achieved the highest degree of esteem from those who had the pleasure of working with him. As a Verhovay director, he is one of the outstanding champions of the Verhovay Youth, He is ever interested in the promotion of such undertakings that will strenghten the ties that unite the older and the younger generations in our Association, to such a degree, that the Verhovay justly prides itself of having the highest number of members from the second and third generations, among all of the American Hungarian organizations. One of the immediate fruits of his labors in behalf of the youth is represented by the young peoples’ Branch No. 364, founded and developed by Director Frank Brogley.

As chairman of the Central Committee of Hung. Churches and other organizations of Youngstown, O., he promoted the movement that resulted in the purchase of an Ambulance and the donation of the same to the American Red Cross.

In his third capacity, as a policeman he achieved immense popularity. No better testimony can be given of this fact as has been written by Mr. George Bowman, Superintendent of Schools in Youngstown, O., who, when congratulating him upon his promotion, made the following statement; “You have done a fine job in our schools. Teachers, principals, and best of all, the children not only respect you, but have great admiration for you as an officer and a man.”

Mr. Brogley has been appointed to serve in the Department of Crime-prevention among the youth: a branch of police work in which he already has proven himself.

We wish Mr. Brogley much success in his new field, and we want him to know that we are proud of him, the youngest of the 14 sergeants in the police force of the busy city of Youngstown, O.-----i

them, did not know an escaped { convict (short, stocky and gruesome-looking), was following close behind them with a loaded “44” in his hand.

Presently, they again heard the black cat’s cry, seemingly, warning them of what was about j to take place. They turned around, took one look, and fairly flew; but not very far, for they fell into a newly dug grave (not yet occupied). Since they had fallen, the bullets missed them; and the gangster also tripped and fell into the open grave. But he wasn’t quite as fortunate as the boys, for he bumped his head on a rock, which caused him to lose consciousness.

The sound of the shots brought the nearby police to their aid. With search-lights and flashlights they soon found the scared boys and the killer. Bob and Joey, speechless, with eyes glowing with happiness at their rescue, climbed out. In the glow of the search-light they saw the black cat, but there were four little juniors trailing along behind her.

The chief of police took the lads home and told them to come to headquarters the next day and collect their reward.

Bob and Joey, now quite assured of safety, slept peacefully all through the rest of the night.

Next day, after they had collected the reward for (capturing) the convict, they walked home happily, talking over the one adventure they would never forget; marvelling at the thought of the black cat bringing them good luck instead of bad. Upon reaching home, they sat down to read about themselves in the newspaper.

TWO LOCAL BOYS CAPTURE BANDIT AND KILLER.

Escaped bandit and killer caught single-handed, by two local lads, who collected the reward of $5,000 apiece, Monday, evening at 11:45, in the Milestone Cemetery. Etc ... etc... etc... , I

Incidentally, the boys put the money into war savings bonds and stamps.

—------------V-------------Coated with carborumdum, a sheet of metal has been designed to be hooked over lawn mower cross bars to sharpen their knives while the mowers are being used. ' .i

yiCTORY

BUY

UNITED!

BOND!

AND

STAMPS