William Penn Life, 2013 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2013-11-01 / 11. szám

Tibor's Take

and volunteered their labor and services.

If you have not attended an event at the NEOHCC, then make it part of your American-Hungarian travel plans for next summer. The club sponsors four big picnics each summer, starting in June and concluding in September with the enormously popular Szüreti Mulatság (Harvest Festival).

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I was fortunate to be a part of several other American- Hungarian events this past summer. The Cleveland Hungarian Gardens hosted two phenomenal events.

First, there was the 8th Annual Gulyás Cook-Off on June 16, featuring over two dozen flavorful renderings of the paprika-based dish. Music by Kalman Hegadus complimented a wonderful Father's Day. Two winners were selected: the Judge's Choice, selected by a prominent member of the Cleveland American-Magyar community; and another selected by a popular vote of those who paid to attend and sample the gulyás. Both winners would be anointed as the Gulyás Kings/Queens for 2013. To the surprise of my family, we were selected as the Judges Choice winners for 2013!

The other event was the 75th anniversary of the Hungarian Gardens on July 20. Hundreds of supporters and performers made this an event to remember.

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There is a group of enthusiastic and culturally enlightened American-Hungarians from the Columbus, Ohio area. The Columbus Hungarian Reformed Church is the epicenter to a contingent that is dedicated to preserving the history of "the Hungarian village." One of the event organizers is A. J. Bartfay. A few years ago, he introduced a monthly program entitled "Soup and Learn." What better way to get people involved than to offer a vast selection of homemade soups and an eclectic array of entertaining and informative presentations concerning Magyar culture, music and history. Several other events are also sponsored by this active organization. This group can be found on the Internet by searching "Columbus, Ohio Hungarians."

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Two events this past summer reminded me that our time here on earth is short and unpredictable. We must savor each day with vigor and an appreciation for what we have and not be mired in circumstances that are inconsequential in the overall scheme of things.

• The Hungarian community was shocked by the untimely loss of a beloved and respected Magyar religious leader. The Rev. Sándor Siklodi, pastor of St. Emeric Catholic Church in Cleveland, passed away on July 31, 2013. The suddenness of his passing at the age of 66 stunned many of us. Ordained in Transylvania in 1971, Father Siklodi was the spiritual keystone for the Hungarian community of greater Cleveland for decades. After the forced closing of St. Emeric in 2010, he was assigned to a Hungarian parish in Chicago. A decree by Pope Benedict in 2012 mandated that 11 of the 52 closed parishes be

reopened, with St. Emeric being the last to do so. Father Siklodi was reassigned to St. Emeric. He was the only priest allowed to return to his previous assignment. The triumphant reunification of a priest and his congregation ended by an unforeseen illness and passing just nine months after his return.

• A cultural staple of the American-Hungarian community in the Youngstown area has been its Hungarian Club, located on the Westside. For generations, this organization has a wide variety of cultural activities. Events such as Hungarian Heritage Day, Magyar Nap, commemorations of the 1848 and 1956 Hungarian Revolutions, bacon fries, hurka making, chicken paprikás and stuffed cabbage dinners, kalács and dobos törte sales—all made this club a near weekly destinations for like-minded American-Hungarians.

Last winter, dwindling membership, aging facilities and a lack of volunteers led the club's leadership to make the dreaded decision to sell the club and grounds. There has been talk of continuing some of the traditions once the club and grounds are sold. I hope those aspirations come to fruition. When a new owner is found, the traditions, history and memories of this great club will be gone forever.

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Without a doubt, the Crown Jewel of American-Hungarian events this past summer was the WPA Picnic-A Great Fraternal Fest. Just like the Grand Canyon, photos and words cannot adequately describe this gala event.

You have to be there to appreciate the grandeur of this celebration. How does one improve upon perfection? Make it a point to be part of this great fraternal activity next year.

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There were other Hungarian events not mentioned. Let me know about ones that you attended.

Éljen a Magyar!

Tibor II

(Photo by Rose Onders. Translation notes: (1) soup; (2) band;

(3) gate; (4) mother; (5) father; (6) bacon fry.)

Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at the Cieveland-Marshall College of Law. He serves as a host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio.

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If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at silverkingl937@yahoo. com, or write to me in care of William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.

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