William Penn Life, 2014 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-04-01 / 4. szám
Tibor s Take not have a full command of the Hungarian language and any attempt by me to speak exclusively in Magyar would be an injustice to our listeners. Secondly, the vast majority of our radio audience speaks English and have only a minimal understanding of Hungarian at best. We want to promote the culture, music and history of our great nationality in a vernacular that is most understood. We usually announce the songs to be played in Hungarian and mention certain key words and phrases in Magyar. The remaining segments of the program are spoken in English. These days, I prefer to do the program by myself. As I have matured, my tastes in Magyar music have deviated from the preferences of my parents or siblings. I enjoy most the lilting melodies of Lakatos Sándor, Harmonia or Kalman Lendvay. When my brother Endre II does his program, he prefers the cimbalom style of such greats as Alex Udvary or Oskar Okros. My sister Erzsi likes the classical and operatic sounds of Liszt and Lehar. My parents prefer the continental melodies of Jeromos, Borisz, Mikisits and Rabb. I like to think our family's interest in various styles of Magyar music offers listeners to our programs a colorful aural palette. For 35 years, this has been a labor of love, as there is no monetary compensation. We gladly advertise any and all Hungarian events and affairs. As long as the organization sponsoring the event is non-profit, the event will be announced free of charge. The gathering can be five or 500 miles away; distance is of no consequence. We want the listeners of the Souvenirs of Hungary Radio Program to know there are other American-Hungarians out there doing things to keep our heritage alive. If you are driving through the Youngstown, Ohio, area on any given Saturday between noon and 1:30 p.m., tune into WKTL-90.7 FM. For a special dedication or song, phone in during show hours at 1-330-755-8578. Just as with each of my Takes, 1 always conclude the radio show with three final words: Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He serves as a host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-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. Point to Ponder.... WPA National President George S. Charles Jr. composed an inspiring and insightful “State of the Association” commentary which was published in the February 2014 issue of William Penn Life. He stressed that our beloved fraternal organization is now more than ever committed to supporting, perpetuating and living the “American-Hungarian way of life.” Frankly, I am amazed at how WPA does what it does with the funds they have available. When considering the many and various events that WPA sponsors throughout the year, it is mind boggling how they do it. WPA is extremely efficient at money management. If you need proof of that, just read the actuary’s report for 2013 that appears elsewhere in this issue. As members we get a HUGE “bang for the buck.” These fraternal benefits are generally overlooked by the membership. Take for example this magazine, the branch Christmas parties and the annual WPA Picnic-A Great Fraternal Fest. Each are huge endeavors and are successful due to an enormous amount of planning, dedication, compromise and volunteerism. WPA annually sponsors or supports dozens of American- Hungarian events. Most of these events are conducted by churches, groups and organizations not affiliated with William Penn. By and large, the proceeds generated by these events benefit the group hosting it. (Most of these organizations are considered non-profit.) Many times these organizations have members that are also part of WPA, thus they benefit in two ways. I have attended the WPA Picnic for the past six years. Many others attending the picnic are not members of WPA, but they are beneficiaries of this event. I have attended golf outings, dances and concerts that were sponsored in part by WPA. Many times those attending these events had never even heard of William Penn. Yet, they were enjoying the event due, in part, to the generosity of WPA. By law, function and purpose, every fraternal insurance association such as ours has one primary task. That main purpose is to be able to financially back the thousands of life insurance policies and annuities owned by the membership. I do not profess to be in any way, shape or form an insurance/ annuity expert, but I am casually aware of how a budget works. Just like your own household, WPA must have a financial plan comprised of short, medium and long term goals. Without a purposeful financial strategy, William Penn would be like a ship without a rudder eventually succumbing to dire circumstances. WPA’s leadership has had the daunting task of navigating our fraternal ship through an oftentimes turbulent sea of financial uncertainty. To their credit, they have steered our ship safely for 128 years while many other Hungarian-based fraternal societies have foundered. The WPA reflects the financial demographics of the clients it represents. William Penn is strong because of the families and individuals that make up the Association. Since 1886, each subsequent generation of WPA members has seen an improvement in their overall financial security by following an ethic of hard work, education and frugality. Over that same time span, the leadership of WPA followed the same ethics in consideration to long term planning and goals. (Continued on Page 11) William Penn Life 0 April 2014 0 7
