William Penn Life, 2012 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-04-01 / 4. szám
Tibor's Take realized Nagypapa was not coming back upstairs to the studio. As the tunes played, I quickly went downstairs to see where he was at. There he sat at the third step up from the bottom. He just could not make it back up the stairs. He patted me on the shoulder and said: "Go finish the show. This is our Karácsonyi program. You know the songs, you got the dedications, let it fly. I am going out to the car; I will listen to you on the radio." I was dumbfounded! Reluctantly, I ran back up the stairs and finished the production. As I left the station, the first thing I saw was my Gramps sitting in his red Ford with a big happy smile. He drove us to the WPA Christmas party. On the way there, he instructed me to hold out the palm of my hand. He placed a crisp $20 bill in it. He said: "For a job well done! I am at ease. I know you will continue the tradition." At the time, I was so excited about receiving the money and being part of the impending party, that those 16 words he spoke to me were of little meaning or importance. Now, as I look back upon that juncture in my life, I see it as his special way of passing the scepter of the radio program to me. To this day, I wonder if he really couldn't make it back up those steps. Oftentimes, it is best when a new or seemingly impossible task is thrust upon you by surprise. I imagine many a hero became one by such circumstances. If you have time to think about an impending task, deed or obstacle, your feelings or trepidations become a bigger obstacle than the task or event at hand. As I mentioned earlier, I was by myself at WKTLFM, 90.7. It was beautiful late winter day. The cloudless sky and gentle breezes made it an escape kind of day for many people. On my trek down to Struthers, Ohio, I saw clothes being hung outside to dry, gardens being turned over, cars being washed and plenty of joggers and cyclists. Listeners to our radio show were no different than the rest of the citizenry of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. They were outside enjoying life to the max. During a typical Saturday program, we get several dozen phone call dedications. On this particular day, I received just two calls. One was from long time listener John Dankovich and the other was from Andy "Bondi" Ellis. Both were outside doing chores but wanted to let me know that they were still listening. This was an excellent time for me to catch up on emails and open up snail mail that I receive from readers of "Tibors Take." One letter in particular struck a chord with me. Long time reader Ilonka/Helen, of Fords, N.J., sent me a lovely letter that was an inspiration to me. She stated that she enjoyed reading about my "Coffee Pot Incident" (November 2011). In her own special way, she lamented on how the March 15th commemoration held in Perth Amboy, N.J., is slowly fading away. She reminisced about Magyar cinema in New Brunswick and going to picnics where the Kal Kedves-Emery Hack Orchestra played. She recalled the Kara-Nemeth radio program. She remembered such old favorite songs as "Tenyerem Hordom and Bozsi Ne Sírjon" being vocalized by Gyula Kara or Bela Csonka. To my surprise, I thought the only artist to record the song about "Betty"' was Ferenc Mikisits. So many of the readers of William Penn Life have sent me messages of approval and encouragement. Logistics prohibit me from answering most communications with you, the faithful readers of this column. Just because I don't return your messages does not mean I do not read and mentally digest your kind thoughts and comments. My pursuit of a Juris Doctorate often times leaves me with little energy. Your messages give me a lift and resurgance of vitality. Keep the messages coming! Boldog Húsvéti Ünnepeket! Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at the John Marshall School of Law. He serves as a host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WK.TL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: SilverKingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. William Penn Life ° April 2012 0 7
