Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
Page 6 Verhovay Journal January 27, 1944 THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND------------------------- BRANCH 430 -----------------------The Ferret Sez ♦ ♦ . itmiiiiiiimimmiiimiimiiiiiMimiimMiimiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiimit SPORTS SHORTS: It seems as though a note of over - optimism found its way into the recent countribution of Mrs. Lucas from Detroit, when ............................ <he r e m a r ked Pfc. Kohut about the possibility of staging a National Verhovay Bowling Tournament in 1945. I and many thousands of Verhovayites throughout the land would be only too happy to see an undertaking of this nature take place. But I will maintain my previously adopted pessimistic attitude about a tournament not being feasible until very late in ’45 or the Spring of ’46, if then. The bowling activity in our branches remains confined to a few branches, and will not develop in other branches at this time. The conclusion of this war should, however, result in the resumption of both men’s and women’s bowling teams in many of our branches. Our present obligation is not to fret too much about our inability to organize bowling teams, rather to do everything in our power to bring about a shortening of this terrible holocaust. PITTSBURGH BACKSTAGE: I “Our New Home’’ After many years of investigations and inquiries, our Association has finally purchased for itself a Verhovay building. The building situated on Fourth Avenue in down-town Pittsburgh is a three-story affair and from present indications an excellent investment. One of the floors, the second I believe, will house the Verhovay offices while the other two will be used for income-producing. In this way we stand to gain considerable and lose nothing. The Verhovay House Committee along with the Supreme Officers are to be given due credit for their success in completing this transaction, i “Success, Women and Song’’ ' I was pleased indeed to have been in attendance at the Concert Sunday evening, January 16th, at 8 P. M. at the Verhovay Home in Hazelwood. The featured soloist was Margaret Bársony, Lyric Soprano with Bandi Miska’s Gypsy Orchestra assisted by Lillian Bittner and Margaret Bunchy, Sopranos, and Elizabeth Mikolics and Vilma Balint, Contraltos. The evening as a whole was a highly successful one, and the huge Crowd on hand enjoyed immensely the contributions of the soloists mentioned before. In fairness to the many people attending, it can be frankly stated that a program more varied, one containing additional musical selections by Bandi Miska’s Gypsy Orchestra for example, would have had more public appeal. As it was, the evening contained practically nothing but vocal selections, and at times failed to rally the audience’s enthusitsm. Nevertheless, the production is worthy of commendation and praise. We have too little of this type of entertainment, a failing which should be remedied in the future. BY P.F.C. WILLIAM C. KOHUT “Miscellaneous” While in attendance at the concert in Hazelwood with my darling wife, we had the pleasure of meeting a group of young Magyar lasses from Springdale, Pa. They’re really lovers of Magyar song to have traveled from distant Springdale, and I’m quite sure they considered the trip worthwhile. When the boys return home after victory has been achieved, I know of a Springdale Miss who will be very thankful. She is Miss Beganyi whose Sir Gallahad, Sgt. John Nemeth also of Springdale, Pa., is in far-away New Guinea attached to the surgical hospital. Sgt. Nemeth has been overseas for two years and his military wanderings have taken him to Australia and many of the Pacific islands. — My sincerest and hopes go to many “John Nemeth’s” scattered around • the globe, for a quick return home. • The storms can come and go now and we shouldn’t worry about them especially if we have been in contact with an old Verhovay friend and ex-organizer, Louis Molnár. Mr. Molnár is now in the storm window business and doing quite well. I do not believe though, Mr. Molnár would appreciate witnessing a tropical storm here, but it would help business,. MILITARY VIEWS An old friend of ours, Eddie Kurjack is now a Petty Officer in the United States Merchant Marine, and should, one of these days, be shoving off for foreign ports and interesting adventures. . . . Captain Joseph Doczy of Homestead was recently on an old and familiar diet—home cooking—he spent a nice furlough home and I do know it just wasn’t long enough . . . Emil Kupecz, a member of the Armed Forces, and formerly of Spring Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., is now convalescing in a hospital in Oakland, Calif. He just returned from the Pacific battle zone . . . Bert Nagy continues to make news down in sunny Alabama. Bert was recently awarded the top prize for suggesting the best name for the Camp newspaper. Nice goin’, Bert! . . . How about a new member, one of these days —your son—Pfc. Jim Gabocy returned the other day to his station, Camp Atterbury, after spending a fourteen day furlough with his wife, Mrs. Julia Gabocy. . . . Lucky boy—it’s Pfc, Lou Horton now and he’s still on the move down South. His last excursion ticket enabled him to get to the wilds of Texas . . . but he managed to stop off at San Antonio where he is now stationed! HOMESTEAD: BACKYARD The Herbert Tester’s of 21st Avenue, Munhall, Pa., are the proud parents of a newly-arrived baby girl, their third child and third girl. We all extend to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Tester our congratulations over their recent joy and happiness, their baby girl. Mrs. Tester is the former Helen Solay of Munhall. • Oftentimes one finds oneself in a downcast mood, and at such times an evening of good music, Hungarian music, is a welcome tonic. Whenever I find myself feeling thus, and am on a weekend home, I deposit myself in my brother John’s living room on Ann Street, Homestead, and listen to the grandest assortment of Hungarian music obtainable anywhere. John’s collection of Hungarian records ranges from selections of the Hungarian Masters to the fast moving and swirling rhythm of the csárdás. Yes, I can find much relaxation in spending an evening with John and his music. • On Saturday evening, January 15th, the year-end meeting of Branch 430 was held at Ann’s Flower Shop on 8th Avenue. At this meeting the election of officers for the ensuing year took place, and the results follow: President, Mrs. George Robertson, Vice President Mrs. Stephen Zahorchak, Branch Manager or Secretary-Treasurer Mrs. William C. Kohut. This is one instance where we can irrevocably state that “the women done took over.” Yes, this condition is not only true at Branch 430 but also at many other Verhovay centers. Many of the men, no doubt, dream of the women returning to the home and assuming their sacred housewife duties—after the war! • Death paid a visit to the home of an old Homesteader and a well-known figure in local Hungarian circles—John Klinko. Mr. John Klinko, one of the founders of the Hungarian Reformed Church, died Saturday, January 8th, at the St. Margaret’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and was buried from his home on Tuesday, January 11th with the Rev. Julius Paal officiating. Internment was made in the Hungarian Reformed Cemetery. Mr. Klinko was a veteran Verhovay booster and member of Branch 89. He is survived by his wife and eight children. Our deepest sympathies extended to his family. • Not so long ago I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with an old friend, Mrs. M. Pesta of Homestead Park. Mrs. Pesta has a nice family with two fine daughters at home, and both Verhovay members. Mrs. Pesta is the eldest daughter of Mrs. Timko, formerly of Third Avenue, Homestead, mother of our wellknown Andy Timko, Homestead policeman and civic leader. • IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS . . . The drafting of fathers poses a serious problem not only to the Verhovay Association but to every insurance institution throughout the country. We, at Branch 430, already have twenty-five (25) members serving Uncle Sam, and with fathers being called, this number will increase rapidly. The drafting of fathers deemed a military necessity creates financial as well as moral problems for the family. We pray few of our fathers will be so inconvenienced. • The value of education in to-It occurs to me that a year from January 12, branch 429 will celebrate its Tenth Anniversary as a Verhovay Branch. i,<dk. .. M3 Our goal of Mrs-Jolán Lucas 100 members should be reached and passed; we should have at least three good bowling teams (if not “top-notch” bowlers, at least we should be noted for good sportsmanship and excellent fraternal spirit); our branch should become recognized for those “super” monthly parties, outings, cruises, etc. Our chief aim should be to make each and everyone of us proud of being Verhovay members—and I mean sincerely, way down deep in our souls, thus making outsiders desire a partnership in a swell organization. Even now, our bowling team in Dearborn, stands alone as the FIRST and ONLY woman’s team in greater Detroit, surviving even major difficulties presented by a war. If we achieve this much, then next year (when the war is over, I hope) we can concentrate on greater efforts, enveloping the younger group in ALL Detroit’s branches. In fact, we could spread out through Michigan and the middle west branches. I see no reason on earth why, we here in Detroit, and the middle west, can’t set examples in True Branch Fraternalism. With the help of all branch managers and young community leaders, we can organize inter-community affairs of universal appeal. Remember our Joint Moonlight Dances and Boat Cruises? They really made the young fry gather ’round —many weddings and new members and keen fun resulted from these successful social affairs. Remember when we were planning our First National Verhovay Bowling Tournament—how keyed up we were, phoning each other dozens of times a week, and writing letters to nearby towns and cities? Well, multiply that by at least 50 more teams, and the fever of excitement will fire rank outsiders, who’d want to belong to an outfit which offers so much fun. These are only a few of the happy events for the future—a delegation from surrounding branches could map out any number of fraternal-welding ideas. TAKE NOTE — POTENTIAL LEADERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY!!! For instance, off-hand I could suggest J. J. Horvath of branch 366, and all your pals; Marge Stangret, Irene Balia, Mrs. Louis Sabo, with Ernest Kunstandt for moral support, from the windy city area; Matthew Horvath, Jr. around Elkhardt; the South Bend bowlers of branches 132 and 434 set a precedent in rolling off match-games; (whatday’s living cannot be underestimated. Education for our young people is of immense importance. Let all Mothers and Fathers of Hungarian extraction prevail upon their children to faithfully follow their studies and school activities. It can be said that continued schooling today is a prime necessity for success tomorrow. ever happened to Herb Nieman, and the Freshleys, and Frank Tschids?); and Irene Bodnar of Gary; we could include Charles Young, an up-and-coming leader in Buffalo, N. Y.—there’s a reason for including Buffalo in the list. D’ya ever think what it would be like to have a group of members meet in Detroit and Cleveland, and on to a boat-trip to Buffalo and the Falls with Charlie as host? Then in Michigan we have Richard J. Phillips, our newest member of the Board of Directors, who is a wizard at planning; and Seaman Frank Szopko, and many others too numerous to mention — but that should give you a good idea. Sure, I know we’d meet up with obstacles, and let-downs, and disappointments. Golly, brethren and sistern, no one knows better than myself the gosh-awful feeling of disillusion. But then again, I found out that if a thing is worth doing at all, it’s worth doing well, and good deeds aren’t dropped from Heaven like Manna —you have to work at them, and hard; that’s what makes it FUN! I’ve discovered one has to have the cast-iron constitution of a mule, combined with the elasticity of a rubber ball—you get knocked around so much and so often by minor upsets, and mediocre criticisms, that one has to be constructed soundly to withstand these digs at personal feelings. (D’ya ever stop and wonder how President FDR feels, taking all he has to take, and still smiling?) Incidentally, if ever one’s sense of humor has had to stand the test, this witty mind has stood up, however wobby at times, against varied let-downs, always coming back for more and LEARNING from each “sock on the chin.” However tough the going might be at first, I can envision a bright future of such “brotherly love” and VERHOVAY FRATERNALISM and fun, tjjat I do believe the tackling of obstacles would well repay us in building something fine and lasting. All is not disillusion in this fraternal world of ours; I can point out some very delightful times as a result of trying to get along with all sorts of people. Have made lasting friendships, very few of which had to be relegated to the “scrap heap.” Our district conventions are fun; branches traveling from one city to another for a day or a weekend rarely forget the perfect theme of friendship which was enjoyed by everyone. And the bowling competitions, be they national for prizes, or inter-city for the sheer fun of it, and, maybe a dinner, have cemented the feeling of fraternalism to a greater degree than any of us realize. Shall we try it, fellows and gals? We could lay a groundwork in the near future and have something started for the boys and girls “over there” to enjoy and work with when they come home to us again? Let’s hear your comments pro and con! Come on, kids, the Journal is ours, to help build our branches into well-organized and recognized centers of social and fraternal life. Affectionately yours, Just me. /
