William Penn Life, 2013 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2013-09-01 / 9. szám

Magyar Matters

Cultural Garden celebrates 75th anniversary

by Richard E. Sarosi

CLEVELAND — About 400 members of the Hungarian community from Greater Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio gathered July 20 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Hungarian Cultural Garden of Cleveland.

On this historic occasion-held after nearly three generations have passed since the founding of the Cultural Garden in July 1938-the current generation of American Magyars dedicated the new "Legacy Wall" in the lower garden. According to its inscription, the Legacy Wall is dedicated "in gratitude to Hungarians who have enriched our lives through music, art, science, mathematics, and technology."

The celebration began with the presentation of the U.S. and Hungarian flags by members of the Cleveland Hungarian Scouts Ensemble.

Carolyn Balogh, president of the Hungarian Cultural Garden, then read a proclamation from Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, and Sheila Crawford, president of the Cleveland Cultural

Garden Federation, presented information about the Cultural Garden.

Joining Ms. Balogh in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the dedication of the Legacy Wall and renovation of the lower garden was Ernie Mihály.

Mr. Mihály and his late wife Goldie (Aranka) have been generous supporters of the Hungarian Cultural Garden for more than 40 years. Through their dedication and hard labor, the garden has been weeded, painted, planted, cleaned and maintained. In preparation for the 75th anniversary, Mr. Mihály contributed $65,000 for the repair of the two staircases that connect the upper and lower gardens. He also established a trust fund which will provide about $10,000 a year for maintenance of the garden.

The program included a recitation of the history of the Cultural Garden, the playing of Hungarian folk songs by instructors from the Aurora School of Music, a performance by the Kis Magyar Kórus of the Westside Hungarian Lutheran Church, and dancing by the St. Elizabeth Dancers and the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble.

Among the names on the Legacy Wall is that of our own William Penn Association. This continues our Association's longtime support of the Cultural Garden.

WPA's forefathers of the former Verhovay Aid Association donated the garden's decorative Kapu gate, which has welcomed visitors since 1938.

A donor reception ended the day on a high note. Lake Erie served as a beautiful backdrop for an outdoor dinner served at the home of Richard Fleischman and Helen Moss. The Gatsby-style home was the perfect setting to

recall the events of the day and to relax while listening to the music of Harmonia.

Many individuals on the 75th Anniversary Committee worked hard to make this event a success. The Radick Landscaping Company was a huge help in making sure that the garden looked its best. Help was also received from local high school students and other volunteers.

As preparations for the 75th anniversary were underway, Hurricane Sandy paid a visit to northern Ohio. The garden suffered about $12,000 in damages when a tree fell on the Kapu gate and fountain and knocked an urn off its pedestal. The Hungarian community generously responded to an emergency call for funds to repair the damage.

The Hungarian Cultural Garden relies on the generosity of its members and donors for its maintenance of the realization of future plans. The committee would like to complete two additional sections of the Legacy Wall, refurbish walkways, add busts to empty pedestals, and install additional benches, sculptures, lighting, flowers, bushes, plants, trees and a new water feature.

You can help maintain and improve the Hungarian Cultural Garden for future generations to enjoy by visiting the garden and participating in its fundraisers, including the April wine tasting, the June Father's Day Gulyás Cook-off and the August golf outing. For more information, visit the Hungarian Cultural Garden web site at www.hungarianculturalgarden.org. □

PHOTOS TOP: Sheila Crawford, president of the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation, stands in front of the new Legacy Wall. (Photo courtesy of ClevelandPeople.com) MIDDLE: Emié Mihály and Carolyn Balogh, president of the Hungarian Cultural Garden, cut the ribbon officially dedicating the Legacy Wall. (Photo by Richard E. Sarosi) BOTTOM: members of the Cleveland Hungarian Scouts Folk Ensemble perform Hungarian folk songs. (Photo by Richard E. Sarosi)

William Penn Life 0 September 2013 0 5