William Penn Life, 1987 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-07-01 / 7. szám
r July 1987, William Penn Life, Page 9 Branch News August Klusewitz, the oldest member of Branch 159, with his daughter Lori Bertschman, son Kenneth and grandson Matthew. August has been a member of the Association fen 71 years. Branch 159 Phoenixville, PA By William J. Kovach Branch 159 Coordinator This month Branch 159 honors its oldest member, Mr. August Klusewitz. At age 92, Mr. Klusewitz is very active and live with his two sons in Reading, Pa. In June, he marked his 71st year as a member of the William Penn Association. Mr. Klusewitz took out a policy with the former Catholic Knights of St. George in June 1916. He was recently presented his 50-year membership pin by Branch 159 Coordinator William Kovach. We are proud to have Mr. Klusewitz as a member of Branch 159. We would be interested in learning if any branch has an older member. Branch 296 Springdale, PA By Stephen Paulovitch Branch 296 held a szalonna sutes, or bacon roast, June 17 on the grounds of the United Church of Christ in Springdale, Pa. The aroma of the bacon rose up and through the trees surrounding the grounds. Loaves of breads and the proper condiments that are used to catch the drippings were available at a long table. More than 50 people hovered around the three fires used to roast the bacon. Those who couldn’t find a seat stood around relating stories of yesterday’s "shoots” when they were kids. The men had no problem remembering Az a szép, Kék nefelejts, and Hogyha ir majd, edesanyam as they turned their skewers with their selected cuts of bacon. Most of the men had their own bicskas (knives) to cut and score the meat. Several children had no problems becoming acquainted with the tradition. Near the end of the evening, the young people supplied their own tradition by roasting marshmallows. Branch President John Balia and Elmer Charles, president emeritus of the Association, discussed with pleasure the very good turnout. Their impressions of past years were rekindled by the fact that members, young and old, still knew how to hold this type of Hungarian event. The bacon roast was held during the regular monthly meeting. One of the topics was a reminder to all of the annual picnic to be held July 27 at the Assumption Picnic Grove starting at 2:00 p.m. The picnic will feature live music, games, Hungarian foods and a performance by the Magyar Folk Dancers of McKeesport, Pa. In other branch news, member Ron Balia was re-elected as a city councilman in New Kensington, Pa. He will start his third term as councilman in January 1988. Ron extends his thanks to all members for their support. Branch 590 Cape Coral, FL By Irene E. Sabo Branch 590 Reporter Our May 17 meeting was a combination of a social gathering to welcome home Branch Coordinator Anthony G. Noel following his surgery and a serious business meeting. The meeting was held at our new meeting site, The Egret condominium Association Community Hall. After a delightful picnic luncheon, arranged by Rose Darab and Mr. Noel, our ladies treated us with delicious Hungarian pastries. Branch President the Rev. Arpad George open our general meeting. Mr. Noel then introduced Orlando Agency Manager Ron Abels and his wife Sarah. Vice President Michael Tomesak introduced his special friend Paul Goryanec, a longtime member of the Association. A special meeting to elect our branch’s delegate to the General Convention this September was held following the regular meeting. The names of our delegate and alternate will appear in the August issue. Our next two meetings will be held on Sept. 20 and Nov. 1, with both beginning at 3:00 p.m. On Dec. 5 we will hold our last meeting of 1987. This meeting will feature our annual Christmas party, for which plans will be finalized at the Sept. 20 meeting. For serving your insurance needs, contact Mr. Noel at his new address and phone number: 209 S.E. 15th Place, Apt. 110, Cape Coral, Fla. 33904, (813) 574-8806. Branch 8019 Pittsburgh, PA Branch 8019 held a meeting June 10 at St. Boniface Church hall to discuss the upcoming Mount St. George Family Festival. Special guest speaker at the meeting was National Vice President Albert J. Stelkovics. He presented a plaque to the church’s choir director Art Springoff and organist Dan Loks for all the work, time and beautiful music they have made with the choir. Guests from Branch 8050 helped to make our wine and cheese social and sing-a-lt able evening. -Have a nice summ W-. We will be back in C Branch 802 McKees Rocks, \ . .. By William Arbanas Branch 8020 President Branch 8020, as it does every year, recently treated 19 retarded adults and eight staff members form the Robinson Developmental Center to a cook-out at Mount St. George. Our special guests were treated to hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, cookies, cake and cool refreshing drinks. Helping to serve those in wheelchairs were Bill and Verna Arbanas, Nick Kotik, Betty Anderson and Th' • esa Bukowski. Mrs. Bukowski was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Association for all the volunteer effort she and her late husband devoted to the aging residents of the Mount St. George Home. The branch also donated cake, cookies and ice cream to the cook at the Home to be served to the elderly residents there. Many thanks to Paul Kovács, Bob Wilt and our Home Office for helping to make this project possible. Branch 8050 Pittsburgh, PA Branch 8050 held a special recognition ceremony May 17 for the new altar boys and departing ---------Continued on Page 10. Branch 88 maintains fraternal spirit for 7 9 years RURAL VALLEY, PA — First organized in Yatesboro, Pa. in 1908, Branch 88 had both men and women as members. From the beginning they were quite active, taking part in various activities including parades and summer picnics. They were also unified and were proud to display that unity. All members were required to attend every meeting unless they had a good excuse. For parades they wore colored emblems and caps; for funerals they wore black emblems and black caps. Branch 88 ran into hard times around 1912. Many members left the Yatesboro area due to layoffs at the coal mines. The lack of members reached a critically low level, and the branch was dissolved. But, by 1914 the demand for coal increased and most of the Hungarian coal miners returned to the area. The Verhovay branch was reorganized, retaining the same branch number, 88. According to minutes recorded at a branch meeting of Jan. 6, 1936, the reorganization of the branch occurred on July 5, 1914 with 20 members in attendance. During World War I, the branch progressed very slowly. However, following the war, the branch once again became quite active. They held the meetings in the homes of the branch manager or other officers, then later in the basement of Samuel Najpajer’s home. In this room many branch affairs were held: parties, dances and meetings. In January 1937, Alex Chobody became the branch manager. Under his direction, membership Pieces of History The Story of Our Branches Part 3___________________ As our Associotion enters its second century of froternolism. we honor our branch members whose hard work has mode our society thrive for more than one hundred years. This series on the history of our branches is dedicated to them. continued to grow. In 1946, the members decided to rent a hall in which to hold their meetings, and, if possible, to create a club with a liquor license. Because of state regulations, all minutes of meetings from that time on where recorded in English. A building in Rural Valley, Pa., was rented from member John Lavoskey. The meetings were held there while work was started to obtain a legal liquor license. Our work was rewarded with success on Dec. 18, 1946 when we obtained our club’s liquor license. A little later, with the help of the Home Office, the branch purchased the building. Improvements were made, again with financial help from the Home Office, so that dances and dinners could be held at the club for branch members. Over the years, the branch helped the community by donating money to several projects. These included a contribution to the local development association so that a building could be erected for a manufacturing plant. Other donations went towards purchasing lights for the high school football field and building a community building, which was also used as a gymnasium by the high school. The branch itself sponsored baseball, softball and bowling teams. In July 1983, the club building was nearly ruined by a tornado. Thanks to a loan and a grant from the Home Office, and using the branch savings, the building was renovated and remodeled. The building is now is better shape than ever. Each year in January or February, a branch party is held for all members. Good food is served free to the membership. In 1986, the annual party was held on Feb. 23 to coincide with the Association’s 100th anniversary. Any history of Branch 88 would be incomplete without noting the former branch officers who helped build and maintain the branch. They include Michael Emery, Samuel Najpajer, John Kovach, Louis Brochetti, George Lucas, Frank Kashur, Peter Lind, Melio Lamber, Andrew Beresnyak and Geza Bodis. Their spirit is being carried on by the present branch officers: Tony Devivo, president; Thomas Hellgren, vice president; Alex Chobody, coordinator and secretary/treasurer; and Dennis Chobody, Tony Fear and David Kovach, trustees.
