Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
July 10, 1946 Verhovay Journal Page 3 SUNKIST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECHOES By Albert B. Steinmetz Member of Branch 525 Weeks have passed by, but the memory of the exeitement of the 60th Anniversary Celebration lingers on. I often return in memory to the lobby of the Hotel Fort Pitt and listen to the din of the delegates, the chatting With my fellow columnists, the Ferret, Bill Kohut, that with Margie Sonkoly, Mary Hankoczky, Frank Balogh, etc. etc. . . or to the spacious banquet hall and listen to the glorious voice of lea Kiszely, Alexander Sved, to the gypsies, or just re-live the friendly chat I had with many of my n e w 1 y-gained friends—men and women, young and old, blondes and brunette (sorry I couldn’t find redheads). I was nearly lost at heart, mind and body early Sunday morning when I checked out of the Hotel and realized that the celebrations had ended. The cool showers soon brought me to my senses and I quickly departed once more (my 3rd visit within the month) to Cleveland, where I had to fulfill some dear friends’ invitation to a “family reunion.” Members of the Szász family from 3 states sat down at the diner table with their relatives, with yours truly being the “Special Guest” for old timesi sake. After a fast journey from Pittsburgh—the sun shone nicely by the time I reached Cleveland and the hospitality I received there was equally nice and warm. Between Cleveland and Rochester, N. Y., an eventful Trip followed on June 2nd. My 3rd tire blew out in Conneaut, Ohio, but fortunately I was able to buy 4 new tires which have carried me on since. I had al special invitation again to visit some old and new friends in Brockport and Rochester, N. Y. My stay at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Keller and their charming daughter brought me memories of my own daughter, Manci, back home, who is.about Carol Joy Keller’s age. Mrs. Keller, in her hospitable manner was very nice to take me on a An unusual volume of highly favorable publicity was given to the Verhovay on the occasion of the 60th anniversary and the dedication of our new Home Office Building. Editors of the Hungarian dailies and weeklies, attending the celebrations as the guests of the Verhovay, gave glowing accounts of the festivities. From coast to coast, more than forty Hungarian newspapers printed the story of Verhovay’s achievements, the dedication of the Verhovay Building, the Assembly, the Bowling Tournament, the Sight-Seeing tour and the Anniversary Banquet. Without exaggeration it can be said that during the weeks following the anniversary, more than half a million Americans of Hungarian birth, read, thought and spoke of the Verhovay. Undoubtedly, the reports printed in the Hungarian newspapers will contribute a great deal to the further expansion of our Association, especially during the next six months, for these stories will open the tour at the world-famous Eastman Kodak Plants in Rochester and around the city. One of Mrs. Keller’s sisters is a Verhovay member and perhaps yours truly may sign, up the Keller family the next time we meet. On June 5th, I left the U. S. A. via the Lewiston, N. Y. Queenstown, Ontario bridge over the Niagara River and for the first time, I found myself driving in a foreign country. The same thing happened as before—due to my limited time, I had to cut out visits in New York City before and now I had to by-pass Buffalo. (Oh, well, I’ve been there before so I hope my friends will forgive me!) My first stop in Canada was at Preston, Ontario, at the home of my wife’s brother and his family. That same evening, my brother-in-law was to play in Brantford, Ontario, at a symphony concert, so luckily I went along to meet some famous Canadian musicians. I found the evening very entertaining and the “Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony Orchestra” with its 67 members and Miss Betty Ann Fischer, featured concert violinist, provided a very pleasant evening. This was crowned by Miss Fischer and her very famous teacher, Mr. Alexander Chuhaldin’s visit after the concert at my brother-inlaws, Mr. Stephen Bodo’s, home. Two days later I drove up to Toronto (Canada’s Queen City) to my brother’s home, the Rev. Charles Steinmetz, minister of the First Hungarian Reformed Church—where I’m spending 11 days before returning home. Here again I found lots of excitement and became acquainted with many young folk belonging to my brother’s congregation, and One of the nicest times I had in Canada occurred June 12th when I organized with about 20 lovely people a “100% Surprise Party” to celebrate the 15th wedding anniversary of my brother and his charming wife. The night before that I was doors everywhere to those who are going to participate in the Verhovay Sixtieth Anniversary Gold Ring Contest. We are deeply gratified, also, by the fine reports on the anniversary celebrations published in national Fraternal Magazines. We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the editors of the FRATERNAL AGE, FRATERNAL FIELD and the FRATERNAL MONITOR for acquainting their readers with the achievements of our Association and for rendering detailed reports on the festivities. Thank you, Mrs. Bird, and thank you, Mr. Hamilton, for making us feel that the Association founded by the thirteen immigrant miners belongs to the fine family of American fraternal societies. Then, too, we express our sincere appreciation to the Pittsburgh papers. Ours is a very busy, teeming city with exciting things going on all the time. It means a great deal to us, therefore, that the PITTSBURGH PRESS, POST GAZETTE AND given 2 tickets to the Toronto Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra concert by my gracious young friend, Miss Fischer. I enjoyed the concert and the violin soloist’s fine music—this time, Patricia Traverse of the U. S. A. A special diner party given me on June 14th by Miss Fischer and her teacher, Mr. Chuhaldin, was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by ye columnist and I feel that I must make a few special notes on this fine young (19 year old) violinist. Betty Anne was born one of a set of twins, abandoned by her parents because she was quite crippled. One leg is deformed and she never had complete fingers on either hand—yet today she is acclaimed as a promising violin virtuoso. Her rendition of difficult numbers is superb and you must be quite a critic to discover any faults with her playing. She was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, of Kitchener? while quite young (I believe less than 2 years of age) although one of her tiny legs was in cast for nearly 2years, and several surgical operations were performed. She started taking violin lessons at the age of 4 and showing quite some talent, Mr. Alexander Chuhaldin, former leader of the Imperial Russian Grand Opera Theatre Orchestra and world-traveled violinist, decided to give her lessons. After 15 years, Mr.. Chuhaldin remains her teacher and Betty Anne is really a grateful student. I am delighted to call on both of them my friends. May we meet in Hollywood! On June 16th, a memorable date for Canadian-Hungarians, I had the good fortune to attend their 2nd annual Conference in connection with the Hungarian Relief work—however, it being a special feature, I report on it elsewhere in the Journal. By the time this will be read, yours truly will be at home in Los Angeles, or very close to it, but don’t kid yourself—I have lots to report yet on my nearly 10,000 mile trip—so look for it. SUN TELEGRAPH found it possible to acquaint the residents of the Metropolitan area (population 2 million) with our Association. It is impossible to reprint all the fine articles that had appeared on the occasion of Verhovay’s 60th anniversary. One little item, however, we can’t resist. It appeared in Danver’s popular column, the “PITTSBURGHESQUE” in the Post Gazette . ..” “OH! . . . Sam Spry, of City Hall, phoned the Verhovay Asociation last week for information about Dr. ALADAR SZEGEDY MASZAK, Hungarian envoy, expected here for the dedication of the Verhovay building, at which Mayor Lawrence was to speak. After asking in turn for Coloman RÉVÉSZ and John BENCZE, who weren’t in, he requested that information be prepared and left at the reception desk, The answering party said this would be done. “Whom shall I see to get it?” Sam asked. “Mrs. O’Toole,” was the reply”. (Oh, indeed, if the caller, after working his. way through all ANNIVERSARY PUBLICITY The Verhovay Album of Branch Managers MRS. EMERY PALINKAS - BR. 54 - CLEVELAND, O. Mrs. Emery Pálinkás, 2809 East 79th Street, Cleveland, O., was born at Csanad-Apaca, Hungary, in 1898, and came to the United States in 1923. She joined the Verhovay in 1937, at Branch 51. Highly interested in the fraternal program of the Verhovay, she proved one of the most enthusiastic members of this branch and was elected President in 1940 and manager in 1941. In 1944, when Branch 51 was merged with 54, the combined membership of the two branches retained her in this important office which she has held up to this day. Mrs. Pálinkás, well aware of the vital importance of promotional activities successfully participated in several membership contests, winning a' $50 prize in 1941 and the -general grandprize in the 1946 Anniversary membership contest. During the last five years she secured approximately 70 new members for the Verhovay. As President of the Ladies’ Society of the First Hungarian Baptist church, she also plays an important part in the activities of that fine congregation. Mrs. Pálinkás has two sons of her first marriage with the late Michael Orbán who married her in 192’o. Michael Orbán, 19, served with the Navy in World War II, as a Seaman First Class, and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Her second son, James, Albert, was born in 1928. Following the death of Michael Orbán, his widow carried on alone until 1943, when she remarried. Her second husband, Mr. Emery Pálinkás, is a close relative of the Jate Michael Pálinkás, one of the thirteen founders of the Verhovay. The experience and enthusiasm of Mrs. Pálinkás are a great asset to Branch 54 and the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. Flowers to Hungary ... More than sixhundred guests admired the magnificent display of flowers sent to the Home Office by the friends and business associates of the Verhovay at the occasion of the dedication of the Verhovay Building. Few of them knew at that time that some of Verhovay’s friends found different ways to express their sentiments on this memorable occasion. And we would not be loyal to the cause very near to our hearts if we would not mention the gift of Mr. Maurice B. Vick, a member and business associate of the Verhovay, who sent a $25 chek to Mr. Szalanczy for the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., writing in his letter accompanying the generous donation: “The many beautiful flowers that were presented, expressed the beauty and freshness of the occasion, symbolizing a fresh start - to many milestones of an endless future of “Verhovay” and success for its officers. There are indeed many ways that one shows respect for one’s friends on such an occasion. Some with beautiful flowers, others with beautiful words and we with material help for those of our brothers and sisters who need food and clothing for continued strength to carry on, and hope for a better future . . .” The beautiful flowers decorating the Home Office had wilted those Hungarian names, suddenly gets a real Irish names shoved into his ear^. Of course, what he wasn’t told, is that Mrs. O’Toole is none other than the former Mary MÉSZÁROS, as good a name for Hungarians as O’Toole is for the Irish.) long ago, but the sweet scent of these symbolic flowers has remained with us, for we are deeply gratified to know that the anniversary celebrations had served as an occasion to render valuable assistance to our suffering kin through the generosity of Mr. Vick, a true friend of the Verhovay. Thanks, Mr. Vick, for your beautiful flowers that will bring comfort and happiness to those who are in desperate need of friendship and help! » -------------V------------McKeesport, pa. Branch 395 The regular monthly meetings of Branch 395, McKeesport, Pa., will be discontinued during July and August. The meeting hall at the First Reformed Church, Eight Avenue and Strawberry Street, will be open as usual, the FOURTH TUESDAY of every month, between EIGHT AND NINE o’clock evening, for the collection of dues by Alexander J. Goydan, branch manager. Members may still join our bowling teams, scheduled for revival next autumn, by contacting the branch manager at this time. Fraternally, ALBERT J. JOZIK, President. “The road to success is to march with others; the road to glory is to march against the others.” —ERNEST HELLO “To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.” —AMOS B. ALCOTT
