William Penn Life, 2009 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2009-12-01 / 12. szám
My Hungarian 'See and Do' List With Christmas nearly upon us, my pen has shifted to New Year resolutions. This time, I decided to go longterm and think about the things I would like to experience over the long haul. The influences cast upon me by loved ones led me to creating a 5-point resolution list, Hungarian Style (set in reversed order): 5. Visit as many Hungarian restaurants outside of Hungary as possible. Not only do I want to sample the specialties each host holds acclaim to, but to communicate with the owner. I would like to learn what was the spark of an idea that led them to open a Magyar restaurant. 4. To meet captains of industry and finance who are of Hungarian descent and learn their story. Would it not be interesting to listen to a first-hand narrative of how being of Hungarian descent either helped or hindered their success? I would probably begin my search right here in Northeast Ohio. A Hungarian-American entrepreneur, such as Jim Balogh of Mar Bal Incorporated, would be a great person to start with. 3. Interview the remaining soldiers of World War II and Freedom Fighters of 1956. Their personal stories and struggles are inspirations to us all. If I had the resources, I would record their every comment for posterity’s sake. 2. Attend as many American-Hungarian events as possible. Such proceedings are dwindling in number as our older generation fades away. My dad videotaped a Bogo Temető at St. Margaret of Hungary Church in Cleveland back in the early I980’s. It is amazing how so many of the attendees are no longer with us. With the imminent closing of St. Margaret, the possibility of having another Hungarian Mock Wedding at this beloved church is in jeopardy. Events like this are unique to our American-Hungarian culture. If we do not patronize these gatherings, they will soon be distant memories. I. VOLUNTEER. As many do on Join Hands Day, I give up some of my spare time during the year to help out at a local Hungarian church, club or fraternal organization. As I mentioned in an earlier Tibor’s Take, my family—with the help of a few dear friends—brings to the Youngstown and the Tri-State area the “Souvenirs of Hungary” radio show. We do not get paid for our services. We do it for the love of our culture, music and Hungarian-American brothers and sisters. We get the satisfaction that our broadcasts give our listeners the opportunity to listen to and hear OUR music, news and celebrations. Nothing gives me more satisfaction then to announce the birthday of a 90-year-old or the 50th wedding anniversary of a lovely dancing couple. Many of our listeners witnessed my siblings and me growing up. Our listeners would hear us on our show on Saturday, and then they would see us at an advertised event the next day. These same listeners remember me holding my Nagymama’s hand as we rode a horse-drawn wagon at the Falusi Lakadolam sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Hungarian Cultural Center in Hiram, Ohio (formerly the Geauga Magyar Cultural Center). Because we broadcast on a non-profit radio station, we advertise for no charge. As long as the event benefits a non-profit organization, we can publicize it. I spend some of my spare time playing video games, but you have to know when to stop as well. That is when I go and help out with Hungarian events. Most of these celebrations are labor intensive. Most of the workers are older. There is a need for young, strong bodies to do hard labor. My mom, sister and I recently helped Irene Nemeth and Dee Gran with the Youngstown Hungarian Heritage Day. We lugged roasters of stuffed cabbage, kolbász and other Hungarian delights from the kitchen to the selling area. We washed dishes and pans. We put away chairs and tables. You may ask, “Why work so hard and for what?” The rewards are not monetary, but I obtain the satisfaction of knowing I am helping to keep these Hungarian- American organizations going; the satisfaction of meeting and learning something about our treasured culture and history; the satisfaction of knowing my ancestors (living or deceased) see me getting involved in the very activities they enjoyed. It is called a legacy. Boldog újévet! Éljen a Magyar, Tibor Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a freshman at Cleveland State University. He also serves as host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WK.TL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. 8 William Penn Life, December 2009
