William Penn Life, 2012 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-08-01 / 8. szám
Magyar Matters WPA helps celebrate Magyar culture at ballpark by Richard E. Sarosi EASTLAKE, OH - The Lake County Captains, the Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, celebrated their 4th Hungarian Heritage Night June 16 with a win over the Dayton Dragons at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio. William Penn Association served as one of the sponsors of this event and were acknowledged on the park's video board. Members of WPA Branch 14 Cleveland and Branch 28 Youngstown were among the more than 300 people of Hungarian descent who attended the game. Other organizations represented at the game included the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio (HCCNEO), the Hungarian Heritage Museum, the Csardas Dance Group and Hungarian churches of the Cleveland area. The Magyar Himnusz and Star-Spangled Banner were sung by the Little Hungarian Choir as Hungarian Americans unfurled a 30-foot by 15-foot Hungarian flag on the field (see photo right). Hungarian fans were invited to parade around the perimeter of the ball field. Joseph Csornán, a WPA member from Branch 352 Coraopolis, Pa., and son of National Vice President-Fraternal Endre Csornán, was among the local Hungarians selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The evening included Hungarian music played on the park's PA system and performances by the Csardas Dance Group before the game and between innings. Informational displays from WPA (in photo top right with National Directors Katherine E. Novak and Richard E. Sarosi) and the HCCNEO were erected in the concourse. The Cleveland Hungarian Museum sponsored face painting for children. Hungarian dishes—including stuffed cabbage, kolbász and strudel—were available at the concessions stands along with traditional ballpark foods like hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jack and ice cream. The weather was perfect for both an evening ballgame and the wonderful fireworks display that followed the game. Many Hungarian fans said how lucky we were to have some of the fireworks display red, white and green—our Hungarian colors. As a szép, az a szép, oh, the colors were az a szép. The members of Branches 14 and 28 thank the WPA Home Office for taking part in and helping to sponsor this celebration of our Hungarian heritage. Please watch for information about the 5th Hungarian Heritage Night being planned for 2013. The stadium features easy access to the seats and good views throughout. Gathering for a ballgame is a great way to celebrate our heritage and share our culture with other baseball fans. □ In July, the William Penn Association Magyar Folk Dancers performed at a private summer celebration in West Mifflin, Pa. The photo at left shows everyone who danced the csárdás with the dancers; the woman in the pink outfit is 91 years young! The female dancers are wearing white peasant blouses and Sárközi style skirts with contrasting colors, bright ribbons and sequins (from I to r: Alyssa Trunzo, Taylor Dorman, Sarah Toth, Katie McCauley). The young male dancer, Lacika Tompa, is dressed in a traditional men’s style found in many regions: an open, embroidered black vest and a white shirt with black trousers. The group’s next performance will be on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6:00 p.m. at McKeesport’s International Village ethnic food and music festival. The dancers are also eagerly looking forward to performing at the WPA Picnic at Scenic View on Saturday, Sept. 8. All are welcome to sign the dancers’ guest book at www.freewebs.com/hungariandancer and to visit them on Facebook for more photos and information. _- Judit I. Borsay, program co-director. William Penn Life 0 August 2012 0 5
