William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-06-01 / 6. szám
Tibor s Take A few of the noble stewards of our Magyar heritage: (Far Left) Paul Lasher plays his violin to the accompaniment of Endre Cseh II on cimbalom; (LeftJEthel Kripchak, Betty Check Irene Nemeth and Dee Gran prepare Hungarian sausage; (bottom) Sonny Tollas, who— literally-does much of the heavy lifting at Magyar events in the Mahoning Valley area of Ohio. Over the years, I have played on my family's radio show music that he recorded and provided to us. My brother, Endre Cseh II, is a cimbalom player. As I explained in other Tibor's Takes, his love for this instrument is two-fold. He is a self-taught musician that was inspired by his late grandfather, Endre Cseh. The love of our Magyar culture inspires him to play, not for profit or fame, but to show others that there is still someone that is young out there playing this romantic instrument that is unique to our heritage and culture. Irene Nemeth, Dee Gran, Ethel Kripchak and Frank Tobias are four individuals who, along with their families, spend countless hours annually making töltött káposzta, csirke paprikás, dobos törte and hurka, or heading up Magyar Heritage Day at the Youngstown Hungarian Club. They get others to be involved. Many people come from near and far to buy and experience food, Hungarian Style. Countless numbers of others come to the club to eat and enjoy these delicious homemade delicacies. They are trying to pass on this culinary culture and history to the younger members of the club. Hopefully, this history in the making will continue. Kathy Novak and Sonny Tollas have been involved in the Hungarian community as long as I can remember. Kathy leads or assists with most of the Magyar church, club or association functions and events. She usually can be seen either working the kitchen or speaking from a podium as the mistress of ceremonies for any one of the area's many Magyar events. Her photographic chronicles Did you know they're Hungarian? Did you know Jeff Corwin is of Magyar ancestry? You know him as the popular host of the television show “Animal Planet.” Corwin’s parents are Hungarian and Romanian. Jeff was born in Norwell, Mass., on July I 1,1967. He has college degrees in anthropology, biology and wildlife conservation. He lives in Marshfield, Mass., with his wife Natasha and their daughters Maya Rose and Marina. □ of the Magyars in the Mahoning Valley can be counted in the thousands. Sonny is the strong, silent type. He is always there to quietly assist or help with the countless duties that involve a strong, physical presence. A man of few words, Sonny leads by the example of lending a hand in any hard work that is required. Mary Jane Molnár is the president of the Northeast Ohio Hungarian Cultural Center. Her dedication to the Hungarian community in the Greater Cleveland area is nothing short of inspirational. Her knowledge and historical perspective of the region are second to none. A written memoir should be made of her vast storehouse of experiences and history of the Hungarians in the Cleveland area. Mary Veres of Florida is a Magyar historian of not only her home area in the Sunshine State but also her previous place of residence, Cleveland, Ohio. Her husband was a prominent violinist who played with all of the great Magyar zenészek of the 20th century. Her accounts and information on the legendary "Nights in Budapest" that took place in Cleveland in the 1950's and 1960's is incredible. Her vast knowledge of anything Hungarian gave me additional insights into just how great the Magyar community in Cleveland was. There are many other Magyar historians out there. You probably have some right in your own community. They remain almost anonymous because of various reasons or intentions. The aforementioned Hungarian-Americans are the last of a breed. They are like the dinosaurs. If their stories and first-hand accounts are not recorded for posterity's sake, no written chronicle will be available for future generations to reference. Believe it or not, those future generations with Magyar ancestry will one day want to know their forbearers' histories. By knowing the past, you will know what to expect of the future. / Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at Cleveland State University. He serves as host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WK.TL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: SilverKingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. William Penn Life 0 June 2011 0 9
