Verhovayak Lapja, 1941. január-június (24. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1941-03-13 / 11. szám
March 13, 1941 Verhovayak Lapja THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND three months in arrears. Action should be taken now and not later! SPORTS A LA VERHOV AY From my observations on the Verhovay sports front, I can not help but notice the enthusiasticreception given bowling in many Verhovay towns and cities. This is a good sign; one to be continually encouraged. One great point in its favor is the limited expense involved. When we turn to other sports, immediately we are confronted with items such as uniforms, equipment and hall or field rental. This is not so with bowling; it is open to practically everyone, girls and boys, men and women. The Tri-State League sponsored by A1 Ari is moving along at a nice clip. Games are being played ... the league is functioning ... and that means a lot. A proposal advanced by Frank Szopko, of Detroit, for a National Verhovay Bowling Tournament, is one worthy of notice. The foundation for such a tournament has already been laid inasmuch as Verhovay teams are functioning in the East; Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey; in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. I must necessarily comment on his generous offer to stage the first tournament in Pittsburgh, the seat of the Home Office. Pittsburgh should be but is not the center of Verhovay sports life. This naturally can be felt in all of the sport endeavors of Verhovay branches. It leads one to think that the Verhovay fathers, the leaders and administers of Verhovay policies (not insurance in this case) are asleep at the main switch. Although somewhat despaired, I have not given up all hope of seeing the Verhovay Basketball League in action. True, there has been some difficulty in bringing together Homestead, Martins Ferry and Beaver Falls. I nevertheless feel that these three teams will play two games with one another before the end of the playing season. To this end I call upon all three teams to communicate with one another and attempt the playing of several games. I still dislike the scarcity of activity among our girls and women. A much better organization would result if more of our girls and women were involved in some sports endeavor, for instance, bowling. I grant you that there are girls’ and women’s teams engaged in bowling, but the point I am attempting to bring out is that there are not enough. Who can we blame it on? Well, in the majority of cases it can be tacked to branch leadership. I will feel much better when I read of more girls’ and women’s bowling teams, more games being played among our fairer sex, more attention given their needs in the sports world. NEWS TID BITS FROM BRANCH 430 Our branch is experiencing a “recession” at this time, one that is assuming serious proportions. However, I am very confident that everything will be brought under control before long. As I reflect over the biblical prophecy of seven lean years following years of plenty, I must need shudder and become frightened as upon awakening from a hideous dream. Surely, Branch 430, a 1940 leader, will not begin to experience “lean” years after having attained such success in the “fat” years. The problem of securing suit-BRANCH 430 able quarters for meetings and get-togethers is fast reaching a solution, and I understand it will hot be long before the glad tidings are announced. A regular meeting place again, but I do not believe it will be weekly meetings; instead, twice each month. We hope for the best in this matter. It was necessary to withdraw our basketball entry from the Carnegie Library League. This action was brought on by the inability of our boys to be present for two games each week due to work and other minor causes. I feel the boys will agree with me when I say it is best for our name and standing to withdraw rather than be scheduled to play and not have sufficient men on hand. This course is what Bill Burdzak followed. I understand it had the blessing of the boys, Joe Hasak, Jim Vargyas, Francis Mullen, Bert Nagy. Ozzie Toth, Steve Kuru and Freddie Murdzak. We will now be free to meet teams when we are at full strength, when everyone is on hand to play. The Homestead Merry-Go- Round extends to Mr. Joseph Lesko of Homeville, its wishes lor a speedy recovery from his current illness. A good Hungarian and Verhovay, Mr. Lesko has always shown a keen interest in Verhovay activities and accomplish ments. We are glad to learn that Dr. Sabow, our member and good friend, is again back at his desk, helping others to better health. Dr. Sabow recently experienced a short illness, but as the saying goes, yon can't keep a good man down, and this applies to Doc because he's hale and hearty again. “Thumbnail Sketches” will not appear in this issue. My assistant has been unable to compile all of the necessary material and information on one of Homestead Branch 430’s well-known young men, necessitating the postponment of “Thumbnail Sketches” until the next issue. I trust the members and readers wilt bear with me on this issue. Up to this writing, three young men belonging to Branch 430 have been taken into the Army activity. They are Stephen A. Nemeth, Louis Cincel, Jr. and Steven V. Szabó. If this keeps up, we will be forced to depend more and more on our girls, but I believe it will be all right having the girls run the show. They usually do when they marry, and this will give them a little advance training. SPOTLIGHT ON PITTSBURGH Plans for the erection of a Verhovay Home in Hazelwood are progressing satisfactory. Before long the hopes and dreams of many Pittsburgh Hungarians will become true. The Verhovay Home for Pittsburgh is just “around the corner” now, and I honestly believe actual work will begin before the end of this year. I must necessarily stop for a moment and glance at the workings and activities of organizations parading under the mantle of Verhovay. One such group which is sworn to co-operating with true Ver,hovay branches and organizations is the one composed of young men and women who have been at one time or another in Hungary. I fail to see sufficient sentiment and enthusiasm among such a group for its organization. I believe the number of young men and women belonging to such organizations can easily be counted on our two hands, yet the organization boasts of a membership of fifty or sixty. This all makes me wonder as to the real reason for the organization of such groups. Some day we will learn. I read with keen interest and delight the report on the Round Table and the English Edition of the Journal by my colleague, William C. KohUt. His request for more branch news was noted, but I do not think he went into explaining how and why more branch news should be forthcoming. In regards to this, I must say that the branch must be active to some degree in order to be able to send in branch news, and this activity can only be brought about if active, energetic leaders are installed in office, leaders who can inspire the members to greater heights of achievement. When this condition exists, then we can assume that more branch news will be given our readers. More branch news must be secured if we are to maintain the “Fraternal” in our name. Subsequent decrease in branch news, together with the lessening of branch activities, will have far-reaching effects on 'our “Fraternal” Association. • The pep and enthusiasm contained in John Sabo’s interesting write-up was of the genuine brand. There was nothing false or hollow about that article. It means in my estimation that Branch 395 of McKeesport has suddenly awakened from its lethargic stage and is about to go places, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will go places. Please accept my good wishes for success in promoting branch activities in McKeesport for 1941 and thereafter. The suggestion for a special edition of the Journal to be made up strictly of news from all English-speaking branches is good, and I am voting for it now. IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS Before the Convention of 1939. much talk was in evidence at the various district meetings for the need of a “Collector System.' Came the Convention and much more talk, but little or no action on this point. Today we are faced with a problem which is assuming more serious proportions and aspects every day. Members are being taken into the Verhovay fold, but not for long. They must be collected at their home; otherwise we lose not only their membership, but also their goodwill and trust. Few new members would be secured if they were told that they would have to pay their premiums at a branch meeting. Yet, after being taken up, they are neglected and eventually fall by the wayside. The Directors of our organization must take action on this issue. They must awaken to this emergency and devise effective means of plugging this sdHous gap. New members taken up and not retained result in a double loss of time and money. Why not name actual collectors at a small salary to supervise the collection of premiums where home collections are requested—also the checking up of those two or A friend of mine living in the East recently gave me some in - formation that made me sit up -and take notice. It concerns the Ladies’ Page, edited by Betty Carol Balega, or I should say it concerns Betty herself. Recently, I am informed, Betty went to New York and spent considerable time there gathering material for use in her Ladies’ Page. This is honestly remarkable, and I believe Miss Balega deserves loads of credit for her unusual interest and enthusiasm in bettering the Ladies’ Page at her every turn. Miss Balega’s stay in New York not only cost her money but also considerable time, and all of this for our Journal. After hearing this report, I express a keen desire to meet this young energetic lady. Although I am not what you would call musically inclined, I nevertheless appreciate reading about “Topics In Music.” For this I am thankful to Joe Vargo of Branch 248, who, in my opinion, is writing a good column on music for our Journal. Your columns are not lengthy, but are sweet and short, usually devoted to one main topic or thought. I believe it would be a wise move on the part of our Directors if they defined their official status as regards the Verhovay. In other organizations, directors are considered as officers and therefore have certain restrictions placed upon them. This possibly would be the logical pattern for our Directors to follow. We must not forget that those who are responsible for the drawing up and administration of plans and rules should not permit themselves to be placed in a position where they might be governed by these same plans and rules. When speaking of sacrifices being made in the interest of the Journal, I can not help but mention Albert Steinmetz of Los Angeles, California, who, I understand, is working some fiftyfive hours per week in airplane production, plus numerous other outside activities, yet takes time out to write for us his column. “Sunkist Southern California.” This column is chuckful of interesting facts about a land that I hope to visit some day. A new, gypsy fortune teller has made her appearance at Branch 366, Cleveland, Ohio, in the person of Ann V. Biro, and from reports that I hear from the city of Magyars, she is doing her work remarkably well. Must be quiet amusing as well as “educational” to have one’s fortune told by Miss Biro. Possibly, some day I will meet her and have mine told. Who knows? On a more serious angle for a moment, The Homestead Merry-Go- Round and its readers join in hoping for a speedy recovery for Miss Biro’s father, who has been very ill of late. Once again on a different thought, and this time to remark that Branch 366 appears to be coming out of its hibernation and assuming a more active part, not only in social affairs but also in sports. Fine work. Keep it up. I have word to the effect that a new educational column, filled with interest to all, will soon make its appearance. Mr. William B. Yuhase, the Stamp Editor of the Journal, will begin writing about “Our South Land.” Page 3 There can be no question in my mind that he was inspired to begin this series by the excellent articles of Albert Steinmetz and Andy Simcho. As for “Our South Land,” I eagerly await the first article on the deep “South,” as only Mr. Yuhase can describe it Fraternally yours, Geza Koloxsvary.--------------O-------------BRANCH^ 434 South Bend. Indiana Congratulations! to Mr. Frank Wukovits, our new district manager. Regretfully we inform you that our well-liked secretarytreasurer, Mrs. Wendell Lukacs, has resigned her position. We did not want to believe it, but we had to accept it. In the name of Branch 434, I wish to thank Mrs. Lukacs for her splendid work in boosting the branch to the position it now occupies. We will always remember Mrs. Lukacs with affection and gratitude. A “thank you’’ goes also to M. Vida, who donated deelicious cakes for our last social hour. I would not mind having you for a sister, for I surely like cake. And we can not pass up the fact that our own president, Charles Toth, made the coffee. My having two cups is proof enough that it was coffee “good to the last drop.’’ Do not forget the first. Monday meetings, which begin at 7:30 p. m. Till the next issue, I remain Fraternally, Kathie Jankovits, Publicity Agent.--------------O-------------BRANCH 366 Cleveland, Ohio Mr. Albert Karl has been appointed assistant organizer by Mr. Louis Vassy, district organizer. Therefore, Mr. Karl is authorized to collect dues, in addition to the others previously mentioned. Saturday, March 29th, will be the Annual Card Party of Branch 366. Mr. John Mantz, chairman of the entertainment, Miss Goldie Zsednay, chairwoman of the card party, and the committee in charge, are preparing an enjoyable program. Fraternally, Joseph J. Horvath, Financial Secretary.--------------O-------------No other investment has the flawless record of life insurance in troublesome financial times, and no other investment in any times or at any price is remotely capable of duplicating its granite-like stability and of conferring upon its owners such lasting peace of mind.— Atlantic Monthly.