William Penn Life, 2018 (53. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2018-09-01 / 9. szám

Focus on Fraternalism with Barbara A. House

Winding down our fraternal season

IN JULY during our golf tournament weekend, the annual meeting of the William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation was conducted by Chair Andrew W. McNelis. It was reported that we have 56 new applicants and 111 renewals. That means a total of $83,500 will be given to our members this school year. The scholarship program is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. Many programs will be made available to you to help keep this wonderful program going. Keep your eyes open for donation jars. They will be popping up in many places. Proceeds raised at the golf tournament totaled $13,639. This included 50/50, hole sponsors, Chinese auction and your many pledges.

The tournament in Youngstown, Ohio, was our best ever. Many thanks to our employees, officers and directors for all your help in making this event such a success. Were there some glitches? Of course, but everything new has to be tried and worked out. I have read all the surveys and everything will be addressed.

Thank you, Steve Charles for being such a great partner, as always. It was so nice to see Alan Szabó and Noreen Fritz take time out of their busy days to come and be with us. Special people Gerry Davenport and Frank and Maria Schauer also joined us. We don't see you often enough. Hope you had a great time and will come again. Congratulations to all the winners, the scholarship donors and all of you. As you know, I really appreciate each and every one of you.

Mostly, congratulations to Vice Chair of the Board Katherine E. Novak on your excellent choice and all the hard work you and your branch put into this. Thank you

all so much. Hope to see you all return in 2019. Feel free to bring a friend. The more the merrier.

Two days after the golf tournament, I was privileged to present a check to the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp sponsored by the Calvin Synod and Hungarian Reformed Church of America. They really appreciated WPA and our donation. I took Branch 18 Auditor Ursula Markovits with me. She was surprised by how well we were received. WPA and I were presented with thank you certificates. What a nice surprise! And what a great visit and barbeque we had. Can't wait to go back next year.

As I am writing this, I am preparing for the Hungarian Heritage Experience. We had a great group this year with some first timers. You can read all about it on Page 12.

After that, it was off to the wonderful Birmingham Ethnic Festival in Toledo on Aug. 19. It takes over the entire length of Consaul Street. I hope you were there and stopped by the WPA booth to say hello.

We closed the month with the WPA Picnic in Hiram, Ohio. We worked very closely with the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio. I hope you enjoyed the new menu, George Bátyi, the WPA dancers, bakery booth and Chinese auction. Our scholarship recipients will benefit from the purchases you made.

On Sept. 25, many of us will be embarking on a trip of a lifetime. We will be visiting four countries this year. We have many first timers. It is always a thrill to show off Hungary to those who have never visited before. We also are visiting Slovenia, Croatia and Venice. I can't wait to tell you all about it. Richard Sarosi always takes such great pictures. □

Aging Well with Cathy Graham

On being content

HAVE YOU EVER HAD the feeling there should be something more to life? For the most part everything is in balance. At this stage of life, we have put enough time in to understand that the apple cart can flip at any minute. We also know that with patience and understanding, the cart will be upright again with fresh new apples.

Loss happens more often now, and while it is never easy to lose a loved one, our abundance of faith holds us dear. Still, there is a gnawing, a gentle tug, a stirring of the soul that eases us into wondering, what else am I here for?

When I look in the mirror, I see the 25 year old me, because that is the age I feel. If I continue to hold the gaze, I see a maturing woman, and I wonder when the more aged face moved in.

I find myself in a joyous existence with loving relations

and meaningful work. There is nothing in need of mending. I have learned that material things are wants and not essential. I know that a happy home is more important than seeing the world, for me anyway. I know my truths, and I am proud of them, but I have no need to persuade anyone.

But still, I cannot dismiss the notion of being open to a different step. My faith is solid and my heart is more accepting. I judge less, sleep well and laugh a lot. Above all, I feel content knowing that when a new door opens I will embrace what is on the other side. Perhaps it will be something more.

Cathy Graham is director of the Graceful Aging Wellness Center at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, Pa.

WILLIAM PENN LIFE 0 September 2018 ° 3