Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1956-07-01 / 7. szám

FRATERNITY

9

SUMMER IN OUR BETHLEN HOME

By Joseph Kecskeméthy

Though Ligonier in the summertime is an ideal rest haven and vacation spot for the vacation-minded, the Bethlen Home staff, who willingly and devotedly gives its time and effort to entertain scores of tourists and summer school children, cannot relax or rest. The Bethlen Home continues its year-round activities at an even quicker tempo during the summer months than during the rest of the year.

Receiving visitors, conducting them through our children’s home, old folks’ homes, our new Friendship House and farm, take up much of our time. However, we do this with pleasure because we know there is no better way of acquainting our people with our home and the work done here than through such personal contacts. We sincerely welcome all visitors. Thus far, no visitor has left our institution without stating or inferring that the Bethlen Home is a far greater and worthier project than he or she had anticipated — worthy of more and continued support.

Our guests this past month included the Joseph Demeter family of Toledo, Ohio; the John Császár family of Louisville, Colorado; the Frank Baka family of Perth Amboy, N. J.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Szobonya and sister, Mrs. Kopi, of Cleveland, Ohio; Dr. Julius Bone and family of Camden, N. J.; Rev. Alexander Marton of the Magyar Reformed Church of Youngstown, Ohio, and his Ladies’ Aid Society; the Balint Toth family and Kaspert sister of Detroit, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Tarkanyi, newly married couple on their wedding trip, from Detroit, Mich. The Tarkanyis passed through Ligonier to see the Bethlen Home where Mr. Tarkanyi had spent a number of years as a boy. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Suba drove from Brooklyn, N. Y., to have their baby, Ruth Lynn, baptized in the Home Chapel on July 10. This was the second Suba baby baptized in Ligonier.

For the third summer now, our valley has resounded to the lusty singing of our second and third generation children who have registered for the Hungarian summer school sessions. Over one-half of the 45 children enrolled have been with us more than one summer. This fact alone measures the necessity and popularity of this summer school for our Hungarian Reformed Federation children. It also suggests that these summer sessions must continue.

Our curriculum includes Hungarian reading, writing, language, history, geography, folk music, dances, art and handiwork. The classes are conducted by Rev. and Mrs. Kecskemethy, Rev. and Mrs. Harangi, and Deaconess Marietta Csighy.

Though a substantial part of our time is taken up with formal teaching, our children benefit tremendously from extra-curricular activities also. Organized games (baseball is the favorite), hikes, swimming and picnicking provide not only good physical exercise, but foster good fellowship among the young people of our faith.

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