William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2015-09-01 / 9. szám
Tibor's Take * LEFT: The happy couple. BELOW: The parents of the bride listen as brother Andrew practices on his cimbalom. (Photos by Erzsi Gulyas-Lewis) BOTTOM: Some Magyar libations to make things more festive. (Photo by Lizzy Check) hot lángos covered with sweet powdered sugar." With beautiful trees, colorful flowers, fresh air and an architectural setting highlighted by the majestic kapu, could there be a better venue? Our brother Andrew, Liz and I are separated in age by only a few years. As we grew up, many personal events occurred in groups of three. First Holy Communions, driving lessons and graduations were just a few of the things we experienced together through the years. With that in mind, Liz decided there could be no better way to validate her marriage than to ask our brother Andrew to officiate at the wedding. So, Andrew followed the requirements set by the State of Ohio and obtained the official government license authorizing him to legally marry any couple. Andrew will also serve as the vőfély. The vőfély is an integral part of a traditional Magyar wedding. The vőfély is the person who is somewhat like a best man but has many more duties. He or she is the official host, organizer, coordinator, entertainer and master of ceremonies during the wedding. This is one of many Magyar traditions planned for the ceremony and reception. The wedding party will process through the kapu, coming down the small hill from the east. My brother Andrew will lead the entire group with his portable cimbalom strapped to his waist and shoulders as he plays familiar Magyar tunes. "Ave Maria" will be played and flowers presented to Mother Mary. We'll dance the csárdás, the gólya and the bridal dance. We'll eat chicken paprikás, stuffed cabbage, krémés, kulacs and Linzer törte. We'll enjoy sör (beer) brewed especially for the wedding by friends of Nick's father, as well as root beer and other homemade sodas bottled by my father. As a special treat for imbibing, our cousins from Csőt provided us with their own home versions of pálinka (fruit brandy). Special bottles of Törley sparkling wine and Tokaji Essencia were brought to America from Hungary for the specific purpose of toasting the newly united couple. As many of you know, my sister Liz loves to cook and create, so she decided to make and give each guest a parcel of gifts to remember the wedding day. The gift pack includes jars of crabapple jelly made from the fruit of trees in our own yard, bottles filled with sweet maple syrup produced from our small-scale sugar bush, plus a bottle of Csóti pálinka. Each pálinka container has labels featuring two short poems. Translated from Hungarian to English, each verse reads roughly: "A shot of medicine and a shot of pálinka is like having two doctors"; and "Friendship leads to love as drinking pálinka leads to good health!" Although the ceremony and reception will feature many Magyar traditions and rituals, it will also have an American flavor. For example, three persons will escort Liz down to the kapu instead of the customary one. To start the ceremony, Keresztapa (Godfather) Sonny Tollas will escort Lizzy halfway down the pathway to where my mother and father will greet her and continue on with Liz to the Székely gate, where the wedding party will wait in eager anticipation. Guests are requested to drive their antique or collector cars to the big day, as Liz and Nick will select their favorite autos and award the owners with trophies. Those in attendance are asked to dress casually and bring lawn chairs. There will be com hole games set up throughout the area for some friendly competition. Although my brother Andrew will perform on his cimbalom for the ceremony and specific parts of the reception, a DJ will also be on hand to play other types of music, such as polkas, country and big band for the enjoyment of all ages in attendance. Except for the bride, the rest of the party will change from their formal garb to more casual attire after the ceremony. In contrast to most weddings, this celebration will take place from about noon to 6:00 p.m. A few years back, my father and I assembled an oak wagon ice cream maker that is powered by a 1927 single cylinder Maytag washing machine motor. This flashback to America's agrarian past has the capability to produce an eight-quart batch of real ice cream. Lizzy requested that a vanilla/ pecan flavored concoction be made and served as a parting treat for the guests as they leave to travel back home. The wedding will be a memorable one for all, but most importantly will follow a plan that Liz and Nick wanted. Professional planners were not consulted, instead both followed their hearts and souls. Lizzy used common sense and blended the old world with the new. She thought outside the box. Without a doubt, the wedding will be a unique success enjoyed by all in attendance. Every wedding is supposed to be special, and this wedding will truly be one of a kind, a gathering filled with love and good fellowship! / Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check, Jr., is a member of Branch 28. Let's hear your take 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 September 2015 0 7
