William Penn Life, 1996 (31. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1996-02-01 / 2. szám
February 1996, William Penn Life, Page 5 Branch News Congratulations to Caroline and Bill Mayor of Branch 34 Pittsburgh who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Members of Branches 90, 98 and 216 share a moment with Santa during a Christmas party hosted jointly by the three branches. Continued from Page 4 mother, Jeannette K. Lund, is also a branch member. Best wishes to all. We hope all who may be under the weather have speedy recoveries. Special get well wishes go out to James Fabian and Margaret Burnett. For information on life insurance and annuities, call Alan Szabó at (216) 797-5057 or Gabe Nameth at (216) 792-8145. Think Spring! Branch 34 Pittsburgh, PA By Andrew W. McNelis National Director Branch 34 members successfully got through the holidays and into another year. Our January meeting had to be cancelled due to the "Blizzard of ’96,” so there is not much news to relate. A belated (but never forgotten) thank you goes to Walt Bugielski. Even we believe that he is Santa. In all the excitement of writing about branch activities, Santa was inadvertently excluded. Our heartfelt thanks also go to the Home Office, without whose help and support none of our activities would be possible. Our branch members helped a special couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Congratulations to Caroline and Bill Mayor, longtime branch members and friends. Our sympathy goes to branch members Ron and Miriam Hager on the death of Ron’s mother, Annabelle Hager. If anyone has any news they would like to share, please contact Andrew McNelis at 421- 6031. For information about William Penn insurance and annuity policies, contact Branch Coordinator Maria Bistey at 431-6035. Branch 90 Allentown, PA Branch 98 Bethlehem, PA Branch 216 Northampton, PA By Nancy Kovach Branch Coordinator The annual Christmas party hosted jointly by our three branches was held Dec. 2 at the McDonald’s restaurant in Emmaus, Pa. Santa Claus arrived early and gave gifts tp all that were in attendance. The children and their parents then joined together to sing Christmas carols. Lunch was served, and fruit and candy was distributed to the children. Games were played, and fellowship was enjoyed by everyone present. Before departing for home, we shared ice cream and cake. A good time was had by all. Branch 226 McKeesport, PA (One of the most significant periods in the history of our Association was the mid-1930’s, when members of the Verhovay Aid Association's juvenile branches reached adulthood and founded the Association’s first English-speaking branches. These new branches rejuvenated the Verhovay, spurring it to unprecedented levels of membership and activity. Below are one member’s recollections ofthat exciting time in the life of the William Penn. — Ed.) By Alexander J. Goydan Branch 226 Secretary & Coordinator Verhovay Branch 395 McKeesport was founded April 15,1934. We had been members of the juvenile branch of Branch 226 (founded March 16, 1913). The patriarchs of Branch 226—Mózes Balogh, Géza Pavuk, Joseph Lenart, Sallai Bácsi, Géza Fejes— were reluctant to give up the youth of their branch, to have them go on their own. They said: "We could never make it on our own.” Branch 395’s first officers were: John Sabo, president; Ann Pasternak, vice president; Alexander J. Goydan, secretary; and Zoltán Kozak, treasurer. Visitors to the sick were Julius Salaka and Helen Goydan. During our first year we enrolled many new members by sponsoring a softball/mushball team known as Verhovay AA, supplying them with uniforms and equipment. The team played other area teams weekly. In 1935, all officers were reelected. Our meetings were held monthly at the First Hungarian Reformed Church. We had a ping pong table, radio and refreshments donated by members. At regular meetings we appointed committees to plan events then enjoyed a social hour after the business portion. Attendance was always good; we all looked forward to our next get together. We also hosted speakers, including Rev. Bogár and Dr. Samuel Gomory, the Verhovay’s chief medical examiner at the time. This was also the year that Branch 395 sent its first delegates (John Sabo and Julius Lenart) to the Verhovay Convention, which was held at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh. In 1936 the Verhovay celebrated its 50th anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Association published a golden anniversary commemorative album in which it honored branch secretaries, including Branch 395 Secretary Alexander J. Goydan. The following year we elected Julius Lenart branch president and began sponsoring dances. Ziggy Bela, famous prímás, who lived in Detroit and, later, in Braddock, Pa., was hired for our Dance Festival held at the then elegant Elks Hall in McKeesport. Profits from the dance—$50— were donated to the Hungarian Room Committee of the University of Pittsburgh. Other 1937 activities included: a Thanksgiving Day Dance at the New Penn in South Park; dances at Bela Toth’s Boston Bridge Inn, the Penn McKee Hotel (with Tommy Thirkell’s Big Band), and Olympia Park (with Will Roland’s Big Band); a train trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the Hungarian Embassy and tour the nation’s capital; and a bus trip to Cleveland to visit Branch 366 (who paid us a visit in March 1938). Summer and fall events included wiener and corn roasts and picnics at Renzie Park and Idlewild Park. The big year was 1939, the year of the second national membership contest. From January to June we held an all-out drive for members. I, representing Branch 395, was one of 25 winners nationwide who received a trip to Hungary and Europe. The Verhovay Overseas Club was organized, but after a few good years, came to an end with the beginning of the war. I worked with a never to be forgotten organizer in the Pittsburgh area, J ohn Fulop. J ohn was tireless and dedicated in his membership efforts, traveling many miles to recruit. He was a real pioneer for the Verhovay. Branch 395 remerged with Branch 226 in 1953, but we would like to recognize the following hard working and unselfish members of the branch who were pioneers of the Verhovay- William Penn family: Betty Bartha, Elizabeth Barabas, Margaret Biro, John Bohach, James Benedek, Margaret Dudlash, Mary Gery, Mary Faragó, Bill and Margaret Ferency, Gus Nagy, Rose Nagy, Sándor Nagy, Joe Nagy, Julia Nemeth, Frank Toth, Goldie Schaffner, Alex Mészár, Irene Pasternak. Ethel Kormos, Irene Kormos, Elizabeth Újlaki, Steve Kovács, Ethel Kovács, George Katona, Ethel Halas, Elmer Halas, Bill Sabo, John Vodila, Betty Toth, Emma Poromb, Margaret Lenart, Steve Pollack, Rose Pollack, Bert Kapinus, Alex Matthews, Joe Lucas, Margaret Labancz. Olga Hrehocik, John Pfefferkorn, Steve Nehez, Ann Martha, Elizabeth Kanyucsik, Ann Bogi, Boots LeWinter, Steve Lesnansky, Theresa Lesnansky and Violet Lenart. Many of these people have passed away, but the remaining few pioneers still hold onto the traditions of fraternal life and friendships. Branch 800 Altoona, PA By Vincent Frank Branch 800 President Happy Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 from the branch officers to our members and their families. The branch’s first meeting of the new year was held despite snowy weather conditions. It was a productive meeting with many year end reports being taken care of by Branch Coordinator Robert Jones. Mel Frank was the winner of the 50/50 drawing. George Dorman provided the light lunch following the meeting. An audit of the branch’s financial records was made at the January meeting. A thorough audit by the branch’s three auditors showed our books are in good order. A new project under the direction of Paul Masic has been undertaken. A photo album has been purchased, and we are looking for pictures of branch officers and social activities to place in it. Do you have any such pictures you may wish to include in our album? Call me at 695-0213. The album will be at each meeting for those wishing to reminisce. It’s hard to believe the holy season of Lent is nearly upon us. Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 21. What an excellent season of the year it is, giving each of us the opportunity to arrange our schedules and place as one of our priorities the improvement of our prayer life. If any members have news they wish to share with their fellow branch members, then let us hear from you. Call me at 695-0213 and your information will get into the next branch report. Branch 800 mourns the loss of our member David E. Frederich. Mr. Frederich died recently at Altoona Hospital after a very brief illness. He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Altoona. Entombment was at Calvary Mausoleum in Altoona. Our sympathy goes out to his wife, two daughters and two sons. May his soul rest in peace. For your insurance needs, call Branch Coordinator Robert Jones at 942-2661. Branch 8121 St. Marys, PA Branch 8121 held its Christmas party in December following its monthly business meeting. Due to possible bad weather in our area, this arrangement worked out fine for the older members who wanted to attend both the meeting and party. Each person attending the party brought two wrapped white elephant surprise gifts for the bingo and card games. Members also brought a tureen for the buffet lunch, and Peggy Marconi donated door prizes for each person present. Gifts were exchanged following lunch. This year, 18 members and guests enjoyed the party. Father Jude joined us for the meeting and a short visit. Later, Father Alfred stopped by and joined us for the lunch and social.
