Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
December io, 1947____________________________ Verhovay Journal PAGE 3 ONCE A TINY PLANT, NOW A MIGHTY THEE — Lorain Branch 17 Observes 45th Anniversary. — An important errand took the late Michael Pálinkás, one of Verhovay‘s founders, from his home in Cleveland to Lorain, O., in November, 1902. The first fraternal society of American Hungarians by then already had advanced as far as Cleveland, O., and now a new outpost was to be built further to the west, in Lorain, O. As many times before, Michael Pálinkás took it upon himself to lay the foundation of the new branch of the Verhovay, though he may not have dreamt that the tiny sapling planted by him on that j day, would once become as mighty a tree as Branch 17 is today. According to contemporary records 11 Hungarians heeded the invitation to the meeting which marked the beginning of Verhovay fraternalism in Lorain,' Ohio. Of the eleven only two are among the living: Nicholas Beregszászi, President of the 45 year old branch, and Louis Kovács. Learning their first lessons in Verhovay fraternalism from Michael Pálinkás, these eleven men spread the doctrine of mutual brotherly protection among their friends and fellow-citizens, and the tiny plant grew by leaps and bounds until today it embraces nearly one thousand members who still believe that progress is before rather than behind them . . . The 45th anniversary of the founding of this great branch was observed on Sunday, November 23rd. A bowling match between Youngstown’s and Branch 17’s teams introduced the celebration and the visitors came out on top. (The scores appear on the Bowling Page.) Nearly 400 members and friends of the Verhovay met in the evening at 6 o'clock in the huge hall of the Hungar- i ian Reformed church, Though a bazaar held at the same time by a Hungarian church offered keen competition, the hall was filled to capacity, due mainly to the untiring efforts of the President and Manager of the Branch who sold more than 200 tickets in advance. The assembled guests were warmly welcomed by branchpresident Nicholas Beregszászi who introduced attorney Joseph Újhelyi, a member of Branch 17, as the Master of Ceremonies. Following the singing of the National Anthem, the Rev. Daniel Bodor, pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church offered grace and, then, an excellent chicken-dinner, with all the trimmings, was served by the ladies of the Branch, while the orchestra of Gabriel Szilvassy entertained the audience. Master of Ceremonies Újhelyi gained in popularity when he announced after the dinner that only a few speakers will be introduced in order that more time be left for dancing. The Hon. Judge Malcolm Thompson and the Hon. P. J. Flaherty, Mayor of Lorain, paid tribute to the Branch. Mrs. Pongracz and, then, Miss Betty Csik rendered vocal soloes, accompanied by Mrs. Alexander Nagy. Manager George Jávor introduced the delegations of the sisterbranches and other societies. It was duly noted that branches 14, 45, 361 of Cleveland, and 335 of Amherst sent large delegations to the anniversary banquet. Upon popular demand. Mrs. Nicholas Beregszászi, silverhaired wife of the branch-president, gave a heartwarming rendition of old Hungarian folk songs. Each tune revived sweet, old memories and the enchanted audience demanded more and more encores which were graciously given by the charming singer. National Secretary Coloman Revesz delivered the anniversary address. Taking Thanksgiving Day as his theme, he asked each family to invite an ‘invisible guest’ for Thanksgiving Day by helping the hungering people of Hungary. The history of the branch was presented by Manager George Jávor who revealed that Branch 17 has assumed the care of four Hungarian orphans. The audience paid a silent tribute to the deceased members of Branch 17 among I whom are five young men who made the supreme sacrifice in i World War IT. The last speaker was president Nicholas Beregszászi who extended his thanks to all the I loyal workers of the branch I and to the many guests who had honored Branch 17 by their presence on this memorable occasion. A happy mood prevailed throughout the dance following the banquet. Those who didn’t dance, enjoyed themselves sitting at the tables, singing and talking. Community singing was quite the vogue on that evening, with both old and young folks joining in those dear old tunes which always remain favorites with Americans of Hungarian descent. It was quite late but nobody wanted to leave. Except perhaps the Youngstown visitors who didn’t want but had to Julius Wank Receives. Verhovay Silver Medal — Milwaukee Manager Honored At Testimonial Dinner. — The Board of Directors of the Association, at their meeting in March, 19-17, awarded thy “Verhovay Acknowledged” title with the Silver Medal and the Citation to fellowmember Julius Wank, Manager of Branch 475, Milwaukee, Wis., in recognition of his outstanding promotional record. Presentation of the award was made on Saturday, November 15th, at the Hotel Blatz in Milwaukee, where a testimonial dinner was given by Branch 475 to their popular manager. Representatives of Hungarian churches, societies and the sister-branches in Wisconsin and northern Illinois attended the memorable event which was given most favorable publicity even in the local daily papers. George Weiler, President of the Grand Committee of Hungarian Societies of Milwaukee, Wis., acted as Master of Ceremonies. He introduced John Szalanczy, National Treasurer, as the first speaker who, speaking on behalf of the national officers and the Board of Directors, paid tribute to Manager Julius Wank, ‘‘the ever modest, but always conscientious branch-officer, one of the builders of the Verhovay, who not only talks, but practices fraternalism”. At the conclusion of his stirring address, Mr. Szalanczy presented the award to Manager Wank. Ernest Kunstadt, editor of the Chicago “American Home", congratulated fellow-member Wank on behalf of the branch-officers in Chicago and vicinity. The Rev. Raymond Dobay, pastor of the honored branch-manager, paid a warm tribute to the loyal member of his I church who, as a successful businessman, is one of the mainstays of the Hungarian colony in Milwaukee. Mrs. Paul Koponya, president of the Susanna Lorantffy Ladies’ Society, Mrs, John Sin its, President of Branch 475, John Nemeth, officer of the Hungarian Athletic Club, John Sinitz, treasurer of the Hungarian Grand Committee, John Sinitz, Jr., Manager of Branch 428, John Konrad, officer of Verhovay's Waukegan, 111., branch, Emery Vojtko, representative of the Ratine, Wis., membership, Mis. Andrew Nagy, Henry Nagy, Andrew Nagy, Mary Nagy, the Seidler family, Miss Wilke. John Magyar, John Farkas, Mr. Perzsa, John Fejes, Andrew Troll, Mrs. Toth, recording secretary of Branch 475, Emil Schmidt, treasurer of the branch, Mr. Hanson, Mr. Adnia, Mr. Halay, and finally, Mr. Wftnk's son, Gabriel, joinel the wellwisheis with expressions .if devotion confidence and appreciation. Fellow-member Wank, then, thanked Mr. Szalanczy for his message, the Board of Directors for bestowing this honor upon him, to his many friends for attending this splendid event and to Mr. Weiler for his untiring1 efforts in handling the arrangements for the testimonial din{ ncr. i On behalf of the Verhovay membership, we extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Ackonweldged Manager Julius Wank. We join his- many friends in hoping that the Association will enjoy for many more years the benefits of his Í devotion to the cause of Verhovay I fraternalism. : contributed to the success of : this event. It’s a pity that those who : maintain that the membership cannot be induced anymore to attend fraternal affairs* could not be present. Branch 17 would have convinced them of their error. For the anniversary of this branch was one of those real, oldfashioned so- I cial events of which we see : too little nowadays. There is I nothing old-fashioned about ! happiness, brother liness. j friendliness. It is as modern as atom-energy, and as effective. The development and success 1 of Branch 17 is proof of that. leave, for they had a long' trip ahead of them. But whenever they got ready somebody started another song which they couldn’t help joining. (From Manager Frank Molnár’s report on the Bowling page we judge that, fortunately, they got home without a mishap after all . . .) Those who attended the anniversary, insist that this was the finest affair they ever enjoyed. This, undoubtedly, is due to the forethought and untiring efforts of the officers of Branch 17, the members of the anniversary committee and those unnamed workers who
