Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-03-01 / 7. szám
HOME (continued from page 5) She and Julia would walk each day from their flat on Wordin Avenue to the South end to work at Warner’s doing piece work for 12 hours a day. Bessie attended English Classes at night to learn the language and customs of the country which was to become her home and where she would marry and raise a family. The sense of community, surrounded by friends of Hungarian heritage, was wonderful and Bessie was happy. There was church and festival, bazaars and special holidays, dances and csárdás music. And at a very special New Year’s Eve Dance at the Rakoczy Hall, Bessie met the man that would become her husband. They were introduced by Bessie’s best friend who happened to be Charlie’s sister. Charlie had come to America earlier in 1907 at the age of 16. He had settled in Hudson, New York, and found work as a carpenter for the New York Central Railroad. The families knew of each other in the village of Búj in Szabolcs county. Both families were civic minded and Charlie’s Grandfather had donated property to the Reformed Church. The Laskay name can still be found in the family pew, the first row of the church, today. The home of Daniel Terhes became eventually the Village Library of Buj. Following a short courtship, Charles Laskay, Sr. and Bessie Terhes were married on March 4,1916 by Rev. Komjáthy at the Hungarian Reformed Church on State Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Filled with hope for a bright and prosperous life in America, Charlie and Bessie worked hard, but life was not without its hardships. Charles, Jr. was bom before the couple’s 2nd anniversary on December 8th. Bessie and her small son contracted influenza as did many of the couple’s friends. Due to the care of Mr. Duka who had been a doctor in Europe, Bessie and young Charlie took the mixed medicines prescribed and survived the epidemic. Bessie’s brother-in-law, Mr. Bordás, had died in that epidemic as had so many friends and acquaintances. In 1918, Charlie and Bessie, with their young son and Bessie’s sister and husband, Mr. Reményi, moved from Wordin Avenue to Stratfield to start a chicken business at the comer of Fairfield Woods Road and Lockwood Avenue. When they had saved enough for a down payment, the family once again set out for a new home— this time with a infant son of 7 months, Anthony (1919)— their destination— Center Road, Easton. Packing up their horse drawn wagon with their belongings, 2 crates of chickens and a cow, they set out one February morning in 1920 unaware that a winter storm would prove this to be one of their most difficult journeys. The horses found the going up Sport Hill increasingly difficult and finally could go no further (near what we now know as Tersana Drive). Charlie jumped down from the wagon assuring his wife that he would get help. Hours later, he, along with Martin Steucek of Westport Road and with a horse and sleigh, came back and everyone and any thing else that fit was transferred to the sleigh. The arrival, late at night with no fire to warm them, was a dismal one, but, once again, the resourceful couple lit a fire, brought in what they needed and their new life began. In the years to come livestock of every kind were added to “life on the farm”— cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, geese, rabbits. Five, hand dug wells would serve them well. Bessie and Charlie had an enormous vegetable garden, com, grain and hay fields and — oh, yes— a beautiful flower garden— gladiolas, tulips, daffodils, larkspur, lilies and many, many more. A daughter, Grace, was bom on a glorious day in October, 1922. She would be a welcome help and friend to her mother. Eventually the diri road became paved— stone fences from the property would serve as part of its base. Electricity followed soon afterwards eliminating the need for kerosene lamps. Charles, Jr., remembers paying MONEY BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL Many of our readers attend courses to save on car insurance. AARP has one of these, called 55 Alive Defensive Driving Course. I became eligible to take it, so I enrolled. To my surprise and amazement I saw Lou Babycos, past President and Chief Elder of the First United Church of Christat the lecture stand. I immediately knew that we were going to have a good time. And that it was. It was good not only because Lou has a jolly manner, but because the course offered plenty of solid information on driving situations and hazardous encounters. If any of us over 55 count the 6 miles or the hours of our driving experience, it would add up to a considerable amount. With all this behind us we are convinced that we know everything and already faced every possibility. Well, to be honest, it is not so. The $8.001 invested is redeemed by my insurance company. I spent a good and worthwhile time. If you are interested, or you want to organize a group with your friends, call Chief Elder Babycos at 372- 1469. Joseph F. Balogh $500 for the poles and $l/month for service. Indoor plumbing became a reality on the birth of a second daughter, Ethel, in 1926. At harvest time, more help was needed and Tom Hemsley— a black man with his son— was hired to help with the chores. Tom worked for the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company as a teamster— driving the work horses— and would help at the farm on his time off. A painting of his dwelling, void of facilities, hangs at the Easton Senior Center. Ethel and Lillian (born in 1927) remembers sitting on his lap after sharing the warm family meal. Listening to his stories and his tunes were a delight. The family was deeply saddened at the death, some years later, of Tom Hemsley who had become a beloved friend. He is buried at Aspetuck Cemetery in Easton. Mr. Steven (Pista Bácsi) became the hired help in later years as this family grew. Margaret (1929) now bounced on Pista Bacsi’s knee in the evenings and they sang songs and played finger games after supper. The newest baby girl, Dorothy, joined this busy family in 1931. Charlie now worked outside the home as a carpenter helping with the farm as best he could. Bessie’s days would be caught up in tending the animals, cultivating the garden, canning, baking, sewing— the children— the endless activities of farm, home and family. * * * And so it was through courage and perseverance that two young people ventured into a new land, a world different in many ways from that which they knew. By stepping beyond the familiar and comfortable, Bessie and Charles established a family in America embracing the new and yet keeping in touch with the old, their Hungarian heritage. 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