Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1991-11-01 / 3. szám
HUNGARIAN STREET NAMES IN NORWALK Roger Ludlowe purchased a stretch of land from the Norwalke Indians (native Americans) in 1640 where today the 80,000 inhabitants of Norwalk reside. The town was incorporated in 1651, eleven years before Connecticut received its charter from the British king - first on the American continent. The settlers were fishermen and ranchers, but more and more found work at the busy port on Long Island Sound. Later, in the 1860’s during and after the Civil War, manufacturing became the main occupation in the area. Fur, felt, textile, hats, as well as cast iron, were the primary products. The growing industry needed more and more immigrant workers. We don’t know who were the first Hungarians to arrive in this town, but by 1880 the sizable Hungarian colony had its relations mostly from the County of Abauj-Toma at the northeast part of Hungary. They settled in the South Norwalk districts of Springwood and Whistlerville - along the railroad tracks. In these areas the Hungarians became the largest ethnic group, surpassing the Germans and Irish. Of course, they were poor and provided the unskilled labor force, while the Germans and Irish were the more highly paid skilled employees. By the end of the century, for instance, there were more than 1,000 Hungarian workers in the South Norwalk hat factory. Living conditions and social situations were extremely poor. The Hungarians had their eyes on the old country and just wanted to save some money so they could buy land at home. Slowly this dream gave way to the realization that they were here to stay. SCHOLARSHIP The American Hungarian Heritage Association is offering two $1,000.00 scholarships from the Mary Katona Scholarship Fund. Students of Hungarian parentage, living in our area and enrolled in higher education are eligible to apply. Application forms are available at the Hungarian churches or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to our address. Application should be received by November 15, 1991. For information you may call: 377-0569. The American-Hungarian Pannónia Club offers two $500.00 scholarships to freshmen college students. The annual scholarships are based on a student's high school merits and Hungarian background. Applications are available at the local Hungarian churches. Applications are due by December 1, 1991, and the awards are to be announced later in December. A tragic accident called attention to the wretched conditions of these immigrants in 1889. Not having other opportunities, the children played along the railroad tracks and a five-year-old girl was killed by the train. Realizing the social problems, a welfare committee was formed by a citizens group; later the Presbyterian Church also established a community organization. The Hungarian Reformed Church was founded, then the Roman Catholic Church also built its first building in South Norwalk. Today few Hungarians remain in the originally ethnic neighborhood. The new generations became more prosperous and moved to the suburbs. The Hungarian Reformed Church still draws 60-80 people to the old Lexington Avenue building on a given S unday, but considers building a new sanctuary at another part of the City. Only some of the old street names remain. The settlers named them after their heroes, such as KOSSUTH, HADIK, or dedicated it to the old country, like BUDA, or simply designated the streets by their property owners; POGÁNY, JUHÁSZ, PAPP. These names preserve the memory of the hard working Hungarian immigrants who helped to build a prosperous community at this part of Connecticut László Papp MONEY MONEY MONEY As you know, three things are necessary for a war. These are also the basics for many other things. If you want something, you have to pay out a few of those green ones. If you want reading material, you have to pay for the production of the publication. If you are sitting in a restaurant and enjoying the music with your meal, you will be seeing the cost of that music on your bill. And so it goes. Then there are the border cases. Like the Hungarian radio program. I haven’t met a Hungarian who isn’t or who wouldn’t be happy listening to the music and information about our Hungarian community. Somehow it very seldom crosses the listeners mind that the air time has to be paid with dollars for every minute. It’s not justa buck or two, it adds up to thousands of dollars. All this for your personal enjoyment. The business people make their very much appreciated contributions by placing an ad or a commercial. Part of this money is the actual cost of producing their ad vertisemenL The balance is to support the production of the publication or the radio program. Since you the reader or listener have no financial obligation, you receive it free. Despite the fact that all the work is done by a few volunteers, the cost of production is still rising. Also to give something more or better adds on to the existing price-tag. We cannot expect our business people to foot every bill. Sometimes it helps to have a new advertiser, but this has its limits, too. There are individuals who make, and made in the past, contributions to help our efforts. All of us who give our time to bring some cohesive power into the Hungarian community, truly appreciate this support, be that financial or man-hours. It is a delight to be stopped and asked how someone could make a contribution. Mostof the time there is no pencil or paper at hand so I will give the necessary information here. To make a contribution to the radio program; Make checks payable to “Hungarian Hour” Mail it to “Hungarian Hour” 717 Clinton Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 To make a contribution to the “Magyar News” Make checks payable to “AHHA Magyar News” Mail it to “Magyar News” 60 Tyrone Place Stratford, CT 06497 Naturally your contribution is tax deductible and you are supporting a cause that makes many people happy. JJ£.
