Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
JANUARY 31, 1945 VOL. XXVIII. 2 Fraternalism Has Future, Dearborn, 429. Proves 42ÍTs Tenth Anniversary• News Again, a social event has been tucked away by the 429-ers! As your Ferret promised in the last issue, our Tenth Jubilee proved a lot of things. F’rinstance . . . Lesson number one taught us that the hometown folks are the most sincere and reliable boosters; by catering to them, they appreciate and applaud one’s tiniest effort; they are great sports about overlooking numerous faults, and lastminute suggestions took the disappointments off those eleventh hour changes. Lesson number two taught us that in spite of being a tiny branch, we are nonetheless a close-knit group, pinch-hitting in every conceivable spot. Members had as much fun as a kid with a five-spot at his first circus . . . waiting on table was gleefully attended by recruits, and the individual banquet which was the high-note after the guests were fed, developed into a mirthful farce, with original speeches by all members and last-minute guests. If anyone didn’t get enuf to eat, it was only because he was filled to the top. Lesson number three... a great deal of sport can be enjoyed in those preliminary, preparations. Take the chicken-cleaning business! Never knew there were so many pin-feathers on the fowls, and as for cleaning livers, gizzards and other mysterious innards ... ugh! One wonders when the last two-legged beast will be reached, and all the time stories and reminiscing about other like affairs keep the workers rolling in mirth. Mrs. Anna Horvath and Mrs. Anna Keller supervised Mary Horvath, Gene Fisher, Juvenile Josephine Horvath, and your Ferret, Ahout Mrs. Keller, all these years I’ve never once mentioned her because of the fact that we accept her presence at the V. Fraternal Home as a matter of course. However, Mrs. Keller happens to be a 429-er, and wife of the caretaker of the V. Home. The reasons some of the kids gave for not helping us Friday eve. seemed satisfactory; f’rinstance, illness, might-work, clean hands ... but those who worked had a picnic. (What ,am I saying?) Truly, tho, don’t ever miss these prelim preparations, ’cause it’s more fun than banquet nite. Tables were set, and numerous other details attended to Sat. afternoon by Marie Gallovich, Rose Horvath, and several juvenile members. The way to keep your juveniles interested in V. life is to give them something tangible to do. There was Bill Horvath and the Skipper (that’s my boy!) attending the cloakcome as their share of a tedious and thankless job. John Fisher and Lucas and Julius Szalay, with Mr. Kali's help (from Branch 36) tended bar. Daniel Robb and Andrew Boonie were at the admission doors. Waiters and waitresses captured nearly every active member—Ann Major, Mary Fisher, Rose Horvath, Louis Lucas, John Fisher, Irene MacLeod, Gene Fisher, Mary Horvath, Alexander Bercheny, Nicholas Horvath, Marie Gallovich, tiny Josephine Horvath, yep, even I put on a couple of dishes of stuffed cabbage. Three hearty cheers should go up for our kitchen committee, and a couple of extra hurrahs for Mrs. Mary Horvath (that’s Mom!) for working so tirelessly in shopping and organizing this important committee. Danel Robb’s gas coupons can’t be paid back, but we can vote an extra share of appreciation for his service to the branch (beyond the call of duty). It’s a grand feeling to find out that one’s branch members can cooperate so efficiently and willingly. Thanks, kids! Was very pleasantly s’prised at the warm greetings which were given to Br. 429. Never had the faintest notion that our bigbrother branches and neighboring lodges and societies had their eyes on us. There was Mr. András Demeter, delegate from the Petőfi Club who said it was unusual in Hungarian circles to see so many youngsters co-operating to put over so solemn and, oftentimes, boring affair as a banquet. Tall, lanky Joseph Szabó, manager of Br. 443, and Mr. Stephen Lukacs, full-time organizer and manager of Br. 36, both set a goal for us for our 15th Jubilee which 429-ers will try to reach. Just for the record—have a few good prospects as a result of the affair. Can’t quote all the speeches as duties carried me back and forth, but the general idea seems to be that we should enlarge such an active branch and make still a bigger dent in Second-and-Third Generation Verhovay life than that which we have accomplished up to the present moment. Director Richards Phillips, manager of Branch 356, represented the Home Office, and his address is worthy of printing, and should be in this issue. 429-ers owe a great deal of thanks to Dick for his co-operation and practical ideas —the printing of (the programs at deadline; capturing a photographer who took group pictures (by the way, they will be $2.00 each, and proofs will be delivered to my home-—all those members who want one will please order from me); and helping in numerous ways. Director Phillips said Br. 356 will celebrate 429’s Fifteenth Jubilee at the same time as their Eighteenth, and we will-A SYMBOL OF COOPERATION DIRECTOR RICHARD J. PHILLIPS ADDRESSES CELEBRATING BRANCH Mr. Toastmaster, officers and members of Br. 429, honorable guests, ladies and gentlemen: I am glad to be here tonight, on behalf of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, to celebrate with you this 10th Anniversary, commemorating the founding and organization of Br. 429 of Dearborn, Michigan. I am particularly happy because this is an: English-speaking Branch, composed almost entirely of sons and daughters of Hungarians whose predecessors founded this organization more than 58 years ago, and who have made it today the strongest and most stable Hungarian fraternal group in the world. This celebration is significant to me in many ways, as throughout the 10 years of Br. 429’s existence, I have been more or less acquainted with their officers and have closely watched their progress. I have seen them put into practice the 3 F’s—Friendship, Fairness and Fraternalism, and have noticed the dissemination of this philosophy under the leadership of tlieir dynamic Mrs. Jolán Lucas. Today, Br. 429, not quite 100 strong, stands before us a symbol of cooperation and proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that fraternalism and friendship can be made to exist and brought to blossom and grow. My thoughts for a moment go back with vivid clarity to a Sunday morning a decade ago when we assembled at the home of Mrs. Mary Horvath to organize this Branch. I went along as a representative of Br. 356, accompanied by Mr. Alexander Gyulay, organizer; Dr. Nicholas Galdonyi, medical examiner, and Mr. Martin Himler, who at that time was the publisher of the Verhovay Journal. I noticed at once an air of great expectancy, but once the rsion eased and a spirit of good activities, to take active part in fellowship and friendliness soon prevailed. We knew that day that the die was cast, and the decision made by our Supreme Officers some years previous, to organize English-speaking branches, was one which would establish the future greatness of Verhovay among all American-Hungarians in the United States. What has happened since then is past history. Br. 429 prospered and grew—not too rapidly, of course, but nevertheless it did not remain stagnant. Its spirit of fraternalism, frienflship, fairness and good fellowship soon became known to every Branch in the country. Their deeds came to exemplify the true meaning of “fraternal.” With the organization of English-speaking Branches, the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association took a far-reaching step to insure their leadership in the fraternal insurance field. They came to recognize the ability and leadership lying dormant in second-generation American-Hungarians, in young men and women born of Hungarian immigrants, and to them they have already entrusted some of the grave responsibilities of leadership. This vision of the officers of your Assocation has come true, for not only have they become leaders but have also assured themselves of a greater and greater share of the fraternal insurance business. This is proven by the almost 7 million dollar assets which you have today. We have great plans for the English-speaking Branches, for we know they are going to be the leaders of this organization in the feature. We want you to promote fraternalism, comradeship, which means helping your fellow member. We want you to room and took away half the in-examinations were over, the ten- get members, to promote social public meetings which have as their purpose the enlightening of the masses. We would like to have you show by your deeds that you are a Verhovay member, and when they ask you what it is, tell them, and have them join. Remember this! At this time I think of your members who cannot be here tonight—9 of them—because of their duties in our armed forces. They are filling a very important task, but I pray that they may be home with us soon and participate with you in further building and establishing the prestige of Br. 429. The world today is sick, both mentally and physically. Peoples of all nations are looking toward the United States for a solution to their troubles. Our young men and women are serving all over the world. Yes, a great many have already given their lives. They look to us because we, of all peoples, have yet so much, and have suffered, in comparison, so little. The need for leadership, for tolerance, for understanding is greater than ever before. You members of Br. 429 are in an enviable position to help your returning members. Some of them will return wounded and incapacitated; others will find it difficult to readjust themselves. They will be in need of your help and understanding. What better way is there to prove the philosophy of the 3 F’s? In closing, I congratulate you on your wonderful achievement, and on behalf of the Supreme Officers of your Association, and the members of the Board of Directors, extend you their very cordial and best wishes for the future. May you prosper and grow. Thank you. do the trick together and really make fraternal history. Branch 36 was represented by five delegates, Mr. Stephen Lukacs, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph; Marezis, Mr. Frank Szalay and Mr. John Bartus. Brainch 356 was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Buchter, district manager, Mr. Joseph Becsi, and Mr. Richard Phillips. Br. 443 was represented by Mr. Joseph Szabó, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Szalay, and Mrs. Ethel Korponai. Branch 500 was represented by Mr. John Gyiraszin, Mr. Geo. Matuska and Mrs. Helen Sziladi, besides Mrs. Leslie Nyiri who sang folk songs and Joseph Bddizar, Jr., whose accordion solo made a big hit. Mrs. Nyiri is a charming and lovely personality, and a very good sport. The Verhovay Club was represented by Mr. Andrew Azary and Mrs. Anna Horvath. (Thanks for the donation). The Bridgeport Szövetség, Br. 414, was represented by Mr. Joseph Nagy and Mr. Geza Somogyvary. (Thanks for your donation.) Petőfi Kor was represented by Mr. András Demeter and Mr. Alex Urpess (and thanks for the largest donation from any society!) Woodmen Circle 75 was represented by Mrs. Susanna Bujdoso and Mrs. Elizabeth Matika. Woodmen of the World, Hungária Br. 189 was represented by Dr. Nicholas Galdonyi, who Was medical examiner for branch 429 in 1935 and Whose speech was so delightfully flattering to your branch manager that, in all fairness, only those who attended will get the benefit of it. Detroiti Első Székely Magyar Szövetség was represented by John Simo, and thainks for your donation. The Press was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Palos, Editor of Detroiti Magyarsag and Director of the Hungarian Radio Hour (he also prints our Journal). As I stated before, our fellow fraternalists in Detroit were surprised at the large turn-out of youngsters at a Hungarian affair, but you- see, folks, our branch means a great deal to us. There aren’t a great many of us as yet, but we are, as I said, closelyknit by a stronger bond than blood, and some day we hope to hit the jack-pot by having a branch TEN times as large. Thanks to Dr. Galdonyi for giving a name to this stuff I send in to the Journal—die called it by the delightful and unusual name of ’‘Bohemian Rascalism.” Since my writing hobby is second only to my love for Luke and the kids, a higher compliment cannot be made than by recognizing what I aim to do in the writing racket. “Bohemian Rascalism”—that’s the pleasantest sugar-coated pill any Doctor ever gave me. Thanks, Doc! So we came to the tail-end of the program—every one said his nickel’s worth and Toastmaster Aladar Hamborsky was going to give the signal for the dancing to begin. One last duty to be performed—Pres. MacLeod (Continued on Page 7)
