Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
Page 2 Verhovay Journal November 27, 1946 lie Verhovay Album of Brauch lanagers JOHN FEEDLER — BRANCH 171. — SHARPS VILLE, PA. Born in Sharon, Pa., one of the oldest strongholds of the Verhovay in western Pennsylvania, on February 23, 1911, John Fesdler was taken to Hungary by his parents when he was three months old. He spent his childhood in Tenyofalu, Gyor county, and returned to his native town at the age Of 18. On April 15, 1931, he married the former Mary Orsag. They have three children, John A. 12,, Mary Ann, 11, and Helen Ethel, 2 years old. A year after his marriage John Feedler joined the Verhovay at Branch 171, Sharpsville, Pa., and after serving as branch auditor for 2 years, he was elected manager in 1944. Entering his duties with great enthusiasm he soon developed into one of our most promising field-men who, by now, is credited with having secured more than 70 new members. He won a $100. War Bond in the Managers’ Contest held early in 1945 and attended the 60th Anniversary Celebrations as one of tne 100 Grand-prize winning participants of the anniversary Well known and highly respected in his community, he takes active part in its religious, civic and social life and as Vice-President of the local chapter of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., is one of the mainstays of this important movement. Sharpsville, 300 of whose little more than 5,000 inhabitants are members of Branch 171, has proven a fertile field for Verhovay fraternalism and John Feedler, with his unusual initiative and enthusiasm, seems intent on developing his branch into one of the most, if not the most, important groups of that city. A man who is a living demonstration of the fraternal principles which he propagates, cannot fail in such noble endeavour. telief Committee’s Report Reveals Conditions and Needs in Hungary . . „ Continued irom Page 1 , Summary. supplement supplies raised by donations. All other funds at our disposal should be used for the providing of means enabling the Hungarian ■people to help themselves. The majority of Hungarian in America having come from the rural regions of the old country, these parts are foremost in our thoughts. There is great need for farm implements, machinery and livestock. Necessary data had been furnished to us by the Department of Agriculture and the Peasant's Federation, enabling us to prepare definite plans for providing the people of the old country with the means and appliances needed in restoring agrarian productivity. It is a general complaint that relief-supplies sent up to this date dispersed so that hardly a trace was left. Mr. Curtis, chief of the Budapest office of the UNRRA suggested that we specialize our relief-activities and we feel that we should concentrate our efforts upor. the much neglected people of the villages. Orphans of Hungary Tlie Department ot' Public Welfare furnished us with the list of 850, the Hungarian Red Cross 300, the Orphanage of Kecskemet 290, and the Karitasz institution nearly 1,000 orphans. With these lists in our possessions we will be able to extend mere extensive aid to the orphaned children in Hungary.—” “Thank God, the people of Hungary are beginning to emerge from the terrible conditions caused by the war. They work hard, persistently, under undiscribably difficult circumstances. For the relief rendered up to this time by the Hungarians in America, we have breught the thanks of Zoltán Tildy, President of the Hungarian Republic. Indeed, we were deeply moved by the kindness and gratitude shown to us everywhere by the officials as well as the people. Nevertheless. the people of Hungary face a terrible winter. We are well aware of how much the Hungarians of America have contributed to the alleviation of the needs of their relatives and friends, and we do not wish to take advantage of their generosity. But we feel that American Hungarians will have to make cne last great effort to help their old-country folks through the winter. Let us give shoes, clothing, concentrated food, tools, and money with which they could purchase machinery and live stock from the neighboring countries. We have brought films from the Peasant’s Federation and the Actio Catholica hoping that their showing will give a new impetus to our movement. Other countries help. Many other countries assist Hungary, some of them even greater extent than Americans of Hungarian descent. Switzerland, Anniversary in Sharpsville, Pa. . . . The 35th anniversary of the founding of Branch 171, Sharpsville, Pa., was observed on November 17th, Sunday evening. Every seat was taken at the auditorium of the Roman Catholic Church in Farrel, Pa., where the anniversary banquet was held and attended by a great number of members and friends of the Verhovay. Branch 17,1, organized on March 27, 1911, in a community with a population of 5,000 and a small Hungarian colony of less than 50 families, started cut with 24 members of whom only Andrew Lonyai was able to attend the 35th anniversary. Great ovation was accorded to the only present charter member of this branch that has made persistent progress throughout the 35 years of its existence and, as a result, with a present membership of 310, represents one of the most substantial organizations in the community.— , Manager John Feedler delivered the opening address and introduced District Manager Joseph Nemes as Master of Ceremonies. The National Anthem was sung by the audience and then grace was offered by the Rev. Father Andrew Jeromos. The charming Verhovay ladies of Sharpsville, Sharon and Farrel served an excellent dinner which was enjoyed very much by the appreciative guests while the famous Cikora orchestra from Youngstown, O., excelled itself in the renditions of lovely Hungarian tunes. Following the banquet, the Master of Ceremonies introduced director John Körösfy from Alliance, O., who as official representative of the Association and its Home Office extended his greetings to the members of the celebrating branch. He commended the officers of Branch 171 for their marvelous achievements and congratulated President Joseph Bumbulucz, Manager John Feedler and Secretary John Bumbulucz for their share in the marvelous progress of the branch. Then he spoke of the experiences of the Committee sent to Hungaly by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., and stressed the urgent need for continued assistance. The next speaker, Joseph Turner, director from Youngstown, O., extolled the advantages to be derived from Hungarian fraternal societies, while Stephen Ma-Sweden, Denmark and others operate their own relief agencies. Great shipments from the Catholic Welfare Conference and the Church World Service are on their way and we hope that the American Red Cross will soon comence operations in Hungary. Shall we, Americans of Hungarian descent who had been spared the ravages of war, sit back and stop our efforts? No! Notwithstanding the high costs of living and the increasingly difficult economic conditions, we must continue aiding the Hungarian people — at least until after the winter. Let us help by individual gifts, by aiding institutions and by contributing to general relief. And let us give full support to the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., in order that we may render such assistance as will increase the producing and earning capacity of the people of Hungary. Let us persist in cur efforts until we succeded in restoring their self-confidence and the physical and spiritual strength needed for the rebuilding of their devastated country.” tassy, legal counsel of the Verhovay spoke cf the noble heritage of American Hungarians.— Greetings were conveyed by the followings: John Szabó, representative of the first Hungarian Reformed Sick Benefit Association, owners of the famous Hungarian Heme of Sharon, Pa., John Nagy, representative of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Farrel. Thomas Kuti, “Acknowledged” manager of Branch 26, Sharon Pa., one of the founders of Branch 171, Louis Murányi, of the Hungarian Heme of Alliance, O., Joseph Juhasz, of Branch 108, Youngstown, O., Mr. Rahoczi and Alex Kiss of Branch 48, Rákóczi Federation: Gifts from these organizations were presented, too, and warmly received by the gratified members of Branch 171. Tribute was paid to fellowmembers John Kipan and George Music-lovers all over the world honor Zoltán Kodály as one of the greatest composers and, undoubtedly, the greatest of all Hungarian musicians. Born in Kecskemét, Hungary, on December 16, 1882, he studied under Hans Koessler at the Budapest Academy of Music where he, became professor of composition in 1907. As one of the most original and interesting of modern composers and a leading exponent of the ultra-modern tendency in Hungarian music, he has attained world-wide fame by his compositions most of which are based on primitive Hungarian and Slovak folk-songs unearthed by him through many years cf intensive reasearcii. Invited by Dr. Fritz Reiner, also a Hungarian, director of the Pittsburgh Symphonic Orchestra, Zoltán Kodály came to Pittsburgh and appeared on Friday and Sunday, November 15th and 17th, at the Syria Mosqüe where he conducted the orchestra in the presentation of his famous composition, the Dances of Galanta. U was a great moment for Pittsburgh-Hungarians when Dr. Fritz Reiner, renowned conductor, and Zoltán Kodály, the great composer, both Hungarians, bowed together to a mammoth audience whose enthusiasm carried everyone away. All the Pittsburgh papers described the two concerts in highest terms of musical appreciation, paying tribute to these two great Hungarian musicians "who again proved to our great pride the superior quality of the cultural heritage of the Hungarian nation. Following the magnificent performance on Friday night. Miss Margaret Szomjak presented the great composer with a beautiful bouquet as a tribute from the Verhovay F- I. Association and the Homestead Hungarian Reformed Church choir. And after the Sunday performance. Miss Marianne Bercsi presented him with a similar tribute in behalf of the United Magyar Civic Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Professional Society. A reception was held in honor of Professor and Mrs. Zoltán Kodály at the Home Office of the Verhovay F. I. Association on Saturday afternoon at 5 P. MSome 60 representatives of Hungarian churches and societies attended. Supreme President John Bencze welcomed the great compos.r and his charming wife who had shared in full the sufferings of the Hungarian people during Wolf for their valuable contributions to the development of this branch. Many other guests were introduced by District Manager Joseph Nemes who rendered a delightful and highly entertaining performance as Master of Ceremonies. Then the hall was cleared for the dance that" lasted until the late—or rather early—hours and a wonderful time was had by all and sundry. Everyone was happy but none more than the officers and members of Branch 171 who felt well rewarded for their cooperation and active fraternalism by the demonstrations of public esteem and confidence on part of the enthusiastic friends and guests. Congratulations to the excellent officers and loyal members of Branch 171. May their future be as rich in success as their past! the Nazi occupation and the war. Zoltán Kodály responded warmly and offered to answer any questions the guests wished to put before him. For more than an hour and a half he replied to the questions of the guests who were deeply impressed by his judgment and kindly spirit. At the conclusion of the question period refreshments were served- After the Sunday concert Mr. and Mrs. Zoltán Kodály and Dr. and Mrs. Fritz Reiner met many Pittsburgh Hungarians at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Belesi in Mt. Lebanon. Both of the great artists and their wives expressed their sincere appreciation of the wonderful time they enjoyed when meeting their fellow-countrymen who, in turn, were very happy and proud to spend a few hours with these outstanding representatives of Hungarian musical art. No one wants life insurance, but everyone wants what life insurance will provide—happy old age, college educations, security for your family. Don’t forget to paint pictures in words when you are describing your “product.”— Life Insurance Selling. Let the man who has to make his fortune in life remember this maxim: Attacking is the only secret. Dare and the world always yields; or if it beats you sometimes. dare it again and it will succumb.—Thackeray. If a man has no regard for the time of other men, why should he have their money? What is the difference between taking a man’s hour and taking his five dollars? —Horace Greeley. Seven-eighths of all the money left by mairied men in America for their dependents is derived, from life insurance.—Exchange. l’O THE CONTRIBUTORS The next Issue of the Journal will be published on YVednesiay, Dee. 11. Contributions for that issue should be in not a ter than Dec. 1, YVedneslay. Contributions should be type.vritten, on one side of the naper only, double-spaced, and oot exceed 1200 words, or 6,000 letters. Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL, ENGLISH SECTION, 436 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 19, Pa. Zoltán Kodály in Pittsburgh!