The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-01-01 / 1. szám
A Fraternal Message from Alexander Hody (EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Alexander Hody of Somerset, New Jersey, was recently appointed by The William Penn Association- of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as Agency Manager for Branches 19 and 70. A well-known stage personality and singer, he is a member of and performs with the American-Hungarian Theatrical Group of the American-Hungarian Citizens Club of Rahway.) In two years, The William Penn Association will celebrate its Centennial Year! For it was in 1886 that this great “Old Timer” set out to organize an effort designed to help the families of Hungarian working men and women through fraternal care. Over the turbulent, and often hard times, this Company of dedicated people not only managed to survive, but also to gain nationwide recognition. It also earned the respect and brotherly love of its ever-growing membership. Today, The William Penn Association is stronger than yesterday and will be even stronger tomorrow! My friends, we are The William Penn Association, a fraternal insurance and benefit society. Thanks to your support, we are second to none when it comes to “YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,” “YOU AND YOUR FUTURE,” or if applicable, “YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS.” Moreover, our field representation has always been one of the best and our representatives well received and respected. This is equally true of our Association Management Team, every member of which is dedicated to service. You, as a member of New Jersey’s American-Hungarian Community, do deserve and should have the security and benefits available at reasonable cost from The William Penn Association. What is offered to you, in essence, is “peace of mind.” If you would like to learn more about our fraternal organization and about what it can do for you, please stop in to visit with me at our new office or give me a call. Our office address is 216 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, N.J. 08901 and our phone number is 201-249-7752. To you, and to all readers of The Eighth Hungarian Tribe magazine, I wish a very Happy, Healthy, and Successful New Year! Fraternally yours, Alexander Hody Manager BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry G. Ladanye THE SPIRIT OF HUNGARY A Panorama of Hungarian History and Culture — by — Stephen Sisa Published (1983) by the Rákóczi Foundation, P.O. Box 2727, Cleveland, Ohio hblll; and, P.O. Box 67, Station Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6E-1+YU- Price: $25.00 (A Wintario Project, this book was produced as a part of Canada’s multicultural program with a grant from the Ontario Government to the Rákóczi Foundation.) The Spirit of Hungary is a beautiful book with album-size pages and profusely illustrated with hundreds of pictures, prints, and maps. The text completely fulfills the promise of its handsome appearance and is a veritable gold mine of information told in anew and different manner. Mr. Sisa provides us with a vivid presentation of memorable events and deeds which trace the history of Hungary from its earliest origins to the present. The author uses the technique of recounting the notable and significant contributions in the lives of the many Hungarians who shaped the destiny of Hungary. Not only does he use documented biographical details, but he also weaves in superbly chosen selections of prose and poetry, some told in English for the first time. By combining his biographical sketches and these carefully chosen and meaningful literary selections and the illustrations, the author creates and maintains a sustained interest throughout the book. There is an earthiness and true feeling for the land and people that comes through in reading this story. As Mr. Sisa attempts to reveal the soul of Hungary, he touches our hearts with his masterful effort. While these selected excerpts and individual episodes do produce a continuity in the whole story, one can read selections at random and be rewarded by an interesting and complete story in itself. Additionally, the literary selections fulfill another need. As pointed out in the book, of the forty classics of Hungarian prose judged to be the greatest books in Hungarian literature, only ten have been translated into and published in English. The claim is also made that Hungarian History has been “recorded voluminously” in English. This may be so, but for the average reader these books are not readily available. Thus for the many Americans and Canadians of Hunarian heritage, who cannot read Hungarian and who want to know more about their roots, this book is a real treasure. This also applies to our young American and Canadian- Hungarians, about whom we should be concerned that they, too, should read and learn about Hungary and thus appreciate and develop pride in their ethnic heritage. For all of us who share a pride in our background, this book gives us much to think about and does, indeed, instill a greater desire to learn more about the “Soul of the Magyars.” The Spirit of Hungary is eminently readable and highly recommended. Bravo, Mr. Sisa! January 1984 Page 9
