Fraternity-Testvériség, 2003 (81. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2003-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 12 “Remembering the Past” by Agnes Haydu TESTVÉRISÉG My father, Charles (Kálmán) Bella, and mother, Elizabeth (Barta) Bella, were bom in Hungary, in Csapod, Sopron County, and Gulács, Bereg County, respectively, and came to this country with my uncle, Steve, and my godfather, John Kovach, in the early 1900’s. I was bom in Sharpies, Logan County, West Virginia, in 1925. I remember the days when a minister from Morgantown, West Virginia, came to teach Hungarian at the Hungarian summer school which I attended when still in grade school at Monclo, West Virginia, (a small coal town near Sharpies). Then as a teenager, I remember going to Hungarian dances at the dance hall of the Sons of Honoring of Mrs. Agnes Haydu at Bethlen Home Fraternal Day, Sunday, July 20,2003. L. to r.: William B. Puskas, Jr., Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Teri Pflum, Mrs. Haydu, and George Dózsa. Italy in Logan. The dances were sponsored by another Hungarian insurance company. Mr. Andrew Wagner, from Dehue, West Virginia, was one of the men who helped organize the dances. We would dance the Csárdás played by a Hungarian band consisting of the Veres Brothers (3 brothers and their sister) until the wee hours of the morning. These dances gave the 2nd generation boys and girls the opportunity to meet young people from the different communities (coal towns). I also recall several times in the summers during the 1940’s when we gathered at the Zigmond Farm at Pecks Mill for picnics and dancing. That is where my girlfriends and I met some of the 2nd generation Hungarian young men before so many of them left to go overseas during World War II. I started working with the Federation as Branch Manager of Branch 213, Logan, West Virginia, in late 1959, after Mr. Joe Domonkos, my predecessor, died in 1958. My most memorable experiences take me back to the days when I attended the District Meetings in various Hungarian Reformed churches in Pennsylvania. There I had the pleasure of meeting the National Officers and Branch Managers, enjoying the kind hospitality, the delicious Hungarian meals, and attending informative meetings that were conducted. I always left the meetings knowing that I had learned all that I needed to know. One of the District Managers I remember is Mr. Joseph Molnár, Jr. He and his wife, Agnes, would visit me several times to assist me with Federation business. I learned a lot from him, especially when I was in the field. I have been a member of the Federation since 1944. My brother; my three children; my six grandchildren; my nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews are all members, as was my late husband. My lifetime dream was fulfilled when I visited Hungary in 1982 and 1988. The first time I went, I visited many of my cousins in Budapest, Csápod, Sopron, Hugyag, Gulács, Jánd, and Tivadar. My second trip was organized by Travel Guide from Clark, New Jersey. I enjoyed both trips so very much that words cannot adequately express it. I have albums full of pictures of my relatives, my grandparents’ graves, old home places, etc. which I will treasure for the rest of my life. Budapest and all the cities that I visited throughout Hungary were more beautiful than I could ever imagine. I look back on the years associated with the Federation as very happy and rewarding. I met so many families and friends - Hungarians, Italians and Polish - whose memory I will cherish forever. My wish for the HRFA is continued success for the future and God’s blessings. “Presents for Patients” Campaign The holidays are just around the comer and the Activity Departments of Ligonier Gardens and Bethlen Home have already started planning for the “Presents for Patients” campaign to sponsor a resident. A $25 donation will sponsor a resident; however, any amount donated would be appreciated. A gift will be purchased by the Activity Staff from the resident’s wish list. It will then be wrapped and delivered on Christmas Eve with the donor’s name on it. Depending on the choice of your facility, donation checks should be made payable to Ligonier Gardens or Bethlen Home Activity Fund. Deadline for sponsoring a resident is December 6, 2003. For more information, please contact Lisa Burkley at Ligonier Gardens at 724-238-3517 or Sherry Humberston at Bethlen Home at 724-238-6711 Ext. 31.
