Verhovayak Lapja, 1952 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1952 / Verhovay Journal
*WE wouldn’t find much spicein life, If: we lacked inside, A little pinch of ego, And a. little dash of pride.” — Anon. THE PRODIGAL RETURNS Not that anyone may have missed Ye Olde Ferret, but I am port of lonesome for the all of you out there, and maybe kind of -hope that I’ve been missed a little. Although perhaps I’d better start all over and stop fooling myself (that' anyone may have remembered the* critter. (See! The old gal has even forgotten the little bit of writing She used to pretend she could do »0- well). • Anyway, it's about time for some 429 news and general comments again. You see, we haven’t died out—just procrastination on the part of the publicity agent — in fact, we have a few items of news which may interest those who do not hb-ther' about meetings. As usual, the annual Christmas jurty held in December was a huge puccess. The kids had their little gifts; everyone enjoyed the beast of H-turkey — ran about 27 pounds ibis year — and all the other goodies; the bottles of brew and pop disappeared like a whiz, and the cakes baked and donated by Mi's, Anna Horvath, Mrs. Irene MacLeod und Mrs. Mary Szalay were gobbled ttjr in. a hurry. The annual meeting before*-the party was short and to •the point, and if you think kids don't enjoy meetings you should attend one of our December getbogetberrfr, -Even the kids voted — after- all, they’re members to! Not much change in the officials — president Malcolm MacLeod, Vice- President Daniel Rob. Branch Manage)- Stephen Lukacs; Recording Secretary Marie Gallovich, Secretary- Treasurer Mrs. Mary Rob, Comptroller Roger Rogers, Auditors William Horvath and Jolán Lucas, and as always, Ye Ferret as Publicity Agent. After sixteen years of devoted toil — not that I didn’t enjoy every tall minute of it — I resigned as aec-retary-treasurer and branch manager and. the gang was so glad to get rid of n\e that they presented me with a gorgeous and glowing poinsettia as a parting gift. (How I ever got the thing home without losing it that cold, freezing winter day is a mystery!) All future meetings of Branch 429 will be held the first Sunday of every month at four p. m. sharp in khe Verhovay District Office, 8005 West Jefferson Avenue, Detroit directly after the meeting of Branch 36. Please attend regularly so that you may know what is going on in (die- VFIA. Next meeting will be Held Sunday, May 4th, 1952 at four SHARP. We can all do our share by ■ paying dues to Mr. Lukacs at taat- time.Speaking of our branch manager, believe-'me, the 429ers can vouch for the fact that having Mr. Stephen Lukacs as our official business representative does not hamper the social activities of the branch in »ny way. The officers and members Kow’-eome-'-to a satisfactory under-' ►tending - with the branch manager, and after over a year of the branch business being handled by Mr. Lukacs, we can honestly say that we have no gripes of any kind. So what’s everyone so all-fired steamed up about with regard to putting all administrative business of the branches into capable, full-time and efficient hands ? The trouble with a great many people is that they are incapable of realizing that progress must be made in a businesslike manner if we are to grow to the strength of a vast organization. Believe me, if all the gripes I’ve heard (not only in Detroit but (around the country) about the social and fraternal life of the branches dying out because branch managers will be selected on a full-time basis i-ather than on a parttime schedule as in the past has (any effect, it won’t be because of the new system which is being exerted but because the branches themselves are so inactive that any excuse is grabbed. Branches which have always been active will not be hampered because a full-time man ,is taking care of the business and of the branch. In fact, when all the caterwauling about who’d be a good man to become a branch manager is out of the way, a sound and full-time social and fraternal program can be concentrated upon. Since these social and fraternal activities do not require full-time, a fistful! of active, members can sit around sociably, (figure out dates, details, etc., and if (the affairs can be made interesting enough, and more important, in present-day style, befitting all TRUE AMERICANS, there is no reason why a successful program of fun cannot be incorporated into each and every branch. Don’t give me that stuff that the social life of the branches will die out! If that were the case, how could bowling tournaments on a national scale be as successful as the tournament in past years? Stop and think! What started out as a small idea for a few bowlers is fast becoming the biggest annual social event of the Verhovay world, sufficiently, interesting that not only bowlers but anyone with the price of a good time in his pockets can attend and 'really enjoy a social, fraternal and sports event of magnificent proportions. Yes, what started out as an idea of two swell guys, Directors Albert Ari and Frank Brogley, and which at the same time was so BELITTLED by some of the old timers (and many “so-called” discriminating members) that branches were rifted bpart because of lack of understanding and cooperation, is drawing those same oldtimers, those hoitytoity—er—fastidious .people who felt that the National Convention was the only place where they could meet old pals of other years. Now 'the National Bowling Tournament draws not only the active bowlers but also non-bowlers, kids and .oldtimers to an annual event which makes this old gal’s heart proud to have been one of the rebel instigators of making this great event an alltime high in the Verhovay world. Jeepers, there I go! Better let off steam in another-issue. But I’ll be back—the cork’s out now and there is puh-lenty of pressure behind. I’ve been sitting back for over a ’ year, watching, waiting and analyzing the changes in the VFIA. One short column in a monthly issue will not hold all that I’ve got to say. The trouble with too many people is that they gripe a lot, but do nothing. Maybe I can’t do too much either, but at least it will be possible to get some Ideas across, and perhaps by exchanging thoughts and suggestions between branches, a universal plan of a social, fraternal and sports program can be worked out so that our full-time branch managers can relax and do their work in peace and comfort. So long for now, and Hyah to my Private Carl “Skip” Lucas. How’s about writing to him at the following address ? PVT. CARL M. LUCAS R. A. 16 378 890 Co. B - Stud. Bn. - A. S. A. Tr. 8622nd A. A. U. Fort Devens, Mass. (Editor’s Note: Pvt. Carl M. Lucas is the elder of Mrs. Lucas’s two sons. Because she married young, Contributor Jolán Lucas today enjoys being taken for her son’s sister instead of mother.) Betcha he’d be glad to hear from you guys, and especially gals. He’s itwenty, dam good looking and — er — ahem, intelligent, if I may say so, Sn all humility. Especially would I like him to receive letters from some of those guys and lasses I used to keep supplied with umpteen letters during World War II. — Remember? Just to mention a few — National Auditor John Sabo, William Kohut and my favorite, John “Dirk” Phillips. PERSONAL TO “SKIP”... Well, kid, if they take me up on this and I get too busy to write as often as your little heart dfesires, maybe the VFIA lads and lasses will help while away some lonely hours. CHEERIO! —JOLÁN LUCAS Death Takes Father of Auditing Committee Member John C. Kohut, retired steel worker, died Marh 29, 1952 at the age of 69. He was the father of William C. Kohut who was reelected a member of the Verhovay Auditing Committee at the National Convention held last September. April 16, 1952 Mr. Kohut lived at 205 East 14th Avenue, Homestead, Pa. The deceased was laid out at the Nagy Funeral Home, Munhall, Pa. Funeral services were conducted |at St. Elias Greek Rite Roman Catholic Church, Homestead. Burial (took place in St. Elias Cemetery, Homeville, Pa. Survivors include Mrs. Kohut, sons John, James and William, and daughters Ethel (Mrs. Lawrence Lintner) and Edith We express our sympathies to the Kohut family.----------------------Poet-Writer George Kémény Taken By Death One of the greatest and most read members of the literarycolony of Hungarians in The United States, George Kemeny, went on to the deep mystery of death March 16,1952 at his home in Detroit. He was 76 years old. Mr. Kemeny had been ailing for a long time. After a recent operation his condition turned for the worse and hastened the end. The prominent poet and writer was buried from St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church, Detroit, and services were'conducted by the Rev. Julius Zákány of Buffalo. The deceased was laid to rest in the White Chapel Cemetery. George Szecskay of Pittsburgh, friend of Mr. Kemeny and fellow poet and author, eulogized his literary associate and spoke in the name of the entire Hungarian American groups of poets, writers, authors, lecturers and journalists. Mr. Kemeny is survived by his widow, ten children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was proud of his large family and loved to be photographed with them. The pen of George Kemeny was prolific. His poems were many and very human in scope, and his books were recognized as truly belonging to the realm of Hungarian literature. Kemeny was the only member of the Hungarian Academy of Literature residing in The United States. As journalist and editor, Mr. Kemeny headed such publications as the Dongo, the Detroit Hungarian News and the Liberty. He was always active in the promotion of Hungarian social and cultural interests.. George Kemeny, famous Hungarian is dead, but only physically. Somewhere in,, the hereafter his spirit feels the deep satisfaction of knowing that while on earth George Kemeny did a notable sérvice for the spiritual betterment of mankind. PAGE-10 Verhovay Journal THE FERRET SEZ By Mrs. Jolán Luca* Branch 429, Dearborn, Mich.
