William Penn Life, 1981 (16. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
1981-01-01 / 1. szám
Home Office Christmas Party “Christmas—An Ethnic Experience” Taking part in this gala affair with the singing of “God Bless America” was Acting Secretary, Stephen T. Szilagyi, who also represented the, William Penn Association on this very festive occasion. Home Office News The Home Office in Pittsburgh held their Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 16, at the Churchill Valley Country Club. In attendance were the Home Office Employees, Officers and National Directors and their spouses. There were Christmas greetings from the National President, Elmer Charles and National Vice-Presidents, Louis Varga and John Balia, National Director Albert Stelkovics and a few words from Director John Sabo. The invocation and benediction was given by Stephen Szilagyi. Awards and a generous check was given to 12 employees with 25 years or more of continous service with the Association. The following employees were honored: Albert Stelkovics, 40 years; Betty Hleba, 40 years; Frances Furedy, 39 years; Helen Erdeky, 35 years; John Lovász, 34 years; Gay Banes, 28 years; Gus Nagy, 27 years; Marie Charles, 26 years; and Mary Szeszak, 26 years. Eva Lehoczky also received an award of 30 years of service posthumously. It will be given to her husband, Leslie, for future remembrance. A special F.I.C. Award (Fraternal Insurance Counselor) was presented by Stephen Szilagyi to George Charles, Jr. A great dinner and wonderful time was had by all and surely the 1980 Christmas Party will be remembered for a long time to come. Governor Dick Thornburgh marked the lively opening of Pennsylvania’s “Christmas . . . An Ethnic Experience” exhibit on Sunday, December 7, in the William Penn Museum, Harrisburg. The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Ginny and their son, Peter, visited each of the 14 ethnic tree displays and met with members of the ethnic communities responsible for the decorating. Following the opening ceremonies in Memorial Hall, a standing room only crowd enjoyed a two-hour stage program featuring ethnic choral and dance groups from throughout the state. “Indeed, Christmas is a gift given to us from every part of the world,” said Louis Skeparnias, executive director of the Governor’s Heritage Affairs Commission. “Here in Pennsylvania, we are especially fortunate to have strong ethnic groups who have preserved the customs held so dearly by their forefathers in their native lands.” The Hungarian-American community, represented on the Governor’s Heritage Affairs Commission by Dr. Tibor Bodi of Philadelphia, played a special role in the success of “Christmas . . . An Ethnic Experience”. The Hungarian Christmas Tree, decorated with traditional cookies, candy and white birds, resulted as a cooperative effort of the Philadelphia Hungarian Club, the Philadelphia Hungarian Sports Club and the American Hungarian Federation of Philadelphia. In addition, exquisite pieces of Hungarian art from the collection of Commissioner and Mrs. Tibor Bodi enhanced the craft collection in the Museum’s Period Room. Governor's Heritage Affairs Commission, "Christmas ... An Ethnic Experience" (L.-R.): John Szanto, Former President of the Hungarian Holy Crown Guards; Governor and Mrs. Dick Thornburgh; Mrs. Eugene Baranyai, American Hungarian Ladies Auxiliary of the Philadelphia Hungarian Federation; Dr. Tibor Bodi, Hungarian American Commissioner. The Home Office staff welcomes back Ernest Bendszuk, Chief Underwriter of the New Business Department. Ernie was in the hospital and then recuperated at home for a few weeks. It’s good to see Ernie’s smiling face. 3
