William Penn, 1961 (44. évfolyam, 3-16. szám)
1961-06-21 / 6. szám
PAGE 8 June 21, í'98'l. William Penn Our Diamond Anniversary and Bowling Tournament (Continued from page 2) Frank Koval, Jr., and Robert Tapler. One more item, the William Penn Bowling Tournament “made” television this year. Some semes of our tournament were televised, noting that this was the first tournament held at the brand-new Laura Lanes. The foregoing is only the minor information on the tournament itself. At the end of the entire story follow the names of our teams and their location and the all-important, all-interesting scores, results and standings. THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY BANQUET-DANCE As every interested William Penn member knows, our Bowling Tournament-Fellowship Days is divided into the sports event and the social affair, and the two combined proclaim William Penn fraternalism. This year, however, the social side of our annual get-together had much greater value and intensity because it was actually the celebration of the Association’s 75th Anniversary, for ús William Penners the climax of climaxes. Most noticeable at the 75th Anniversary Banquet-Dance was the orderly taking of places by the guests as they entered the Grand Ballroom. There was no scramble for seating — no need to —> because Fraternal Affairs Administrator Frank J. Cher had worked out a foolproof plan of table reservations. Every guest knew that he had a place at a specific table, whether he came early or late, and this knowledge of sure seating obviated any anxiety and assured fairness to all, not forgettng that the resultant good dispositions made heartier appetites for the tasty dinner. Indeed anyone who had not made a reservation and came hoping to be seated was fortunate that he got a place, that only because the Fraternal Affairs Administrator requested and got use of the balcony. It was a postive fact months ago that the Diamond Anniversary Banquet-Dance [ would be a sellout, and happy indeed are we that it was. While the guests were leisurely assuming their places at the reserved tables, the dulcet music of Louis Sikora and his Youngstown, Ohio musicians filled the air and made atmosphere. Pleasant fraternal greetings and chitchat were the preoccupation until the program began. It was just a few minutes after six when President Julius Macker formally opened the festivities by announcing that all were to rise in attention as Gypsy Countess Julia sang the National Anthem. The singer’s resonant voice punctuated the air as the wind-swept American flag moved to and fro spot-lighted in the dimmed room. If this solemn sight did not chill the spine, then it is time for patriotic introspection! Now the Rev. Frank Dismachek, pastor of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Pittsburgh, offered the invocation following which the guests sat down to their banquet. The Sikora orchestra played beautiful sentimental numbers, both American and Hungarian, almost continuously while the hundreds of guests enjoyed their good meal, and maestro Sikora sang too. The toastmaster of the evening was Board Chairman and First Vice President Louis L. Varga who was introduced by his associate, Second Vice President Julius J. Lenart. Mr. Varga assumed his delicate task immediately and in serious and sentimental tones referred to our society’s 75th Anniversary. Next he introduced Gypsy Countess Julia who, accompanied by the Sikora orchestra, sang various numbers in several languages. Again thé toastmaster spoke, this time stressing the long history of our Association, the migrations of the European nationalities to America with the later arrival of the Hungarians. As proof of the innate idealistic nature of the Hungarian people, Mr. Varga called to the attention of his audience Abraham Lincoln’s resolution pertaining to |the freedom-loving Hungarians, who made outstanding contributions to the Civil War, and even earlier in the person of Michael de Kovats who served under Washington. “The founders of our Association,” said Mr. Varga, “were truly men of ideals.” Then the toastmaster praised the 1955 Rakoczi-Verhovay merg^ er and finally invited all his nonmember listeners to join the William Penn. Now followed the introduction of Thomas R. Balaban, Deputy Insurance Commissioner1 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mr. Balaban provoked smiles as he began his address with a short greeting in the Hungarian language. As an insurance expert conversant with the statistics and figures, this friend of the fraternals and good friend of the William Penn, was able to inform us, among other facts, that the William Penn ranks high among all the fraternals in the United States and Canada, that our Association is the second largest fraternal in Pennsylvania (the big fraternal state), that actually the Juvenile: Order of the William Penn is bigger than some of the fraternals in this commonwealth. Mr. Balaban eulogized the late Coloman Revesz, made reference to the old Verhovay, and paid tribute to all those who worked for the merger of the Rákóczi Aid Association and the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. Our own leader, President Julius Macker, was the next speaker, and there was substance in Mr. Varga’s referring to Mr. Macker as one of It was good to see our President and his family and the family of the late President seated together. Left to right are: Robert Macker, Jr., Mrs. Robert Macker, Robert Macker, Sr., Maria Revesz, Mrs. Coloman Revesz (somewhat obscured by flowers), Mrs. Julius Macker, President Macker holding youngest grandchild Pamela, Mrs. Helen Beres, 75th Anniversary “Queen,” and Nancy Marker. A NICE GROUP the class of true and dedicated fraternalists. As the President was introduced he received a resounding ovation, sign of his popularity with the vast William Penn membership. First, President Macker thanked his audience -for having come to participate in our Diamond Anniversary festivities, then he went all the way back to the beginning of our society February 21, 1886, saying that our thii’teen founders were humble- men of integrity who had aspirations of brotherly love and translated their ideals into a living entity by founding the Verhovay Aid Association. Mi-. Macker reported that there were 1993 members 50 or more years in the Association. He went on to give honor to our branch managers and Field Force Men, named past leaders now deceased and still living prominents who once actively served our society, and he reminded his hearers that three hundred thirty-three Rákóczi and Verhovay servicemen paid the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Memories and sentiments were sharpened as President Macker held up before the assemblage the newly done painting of the late President Coloman Revesz by Hungarian artist Tibor Kalman (Kálmán Tibor), which portrait now hangs in the Board of Directors Room at the Home Office, joining , other departed and living Rákóczi and Verhovay greats. Now toastmaster Varga introduced Pennsylvania Senator Leonard C. Staisey, blind Duquesne lawyer who has become quite prominent in civic and political affairs in the Pittsburgh area. The public servant called himself a new friend of thy Hungarian people, expressed his gratitude for the invitation to attend our 75th Anniversary, added his words about the Rakoczi-Verhovay merger which formed the William Penn, turned over to the Association his Resolution on the William Penn which he had presented for state action (see Resolution on Page 1), and finally endeared himself very much by promising a four hundred dollar scholarship to a worthy William Penn member. Last speaker on the program was Patrick Fagan, Councilman of the City of Pittsburgh, who came as a representative of Mayor Joseph )!. Barr. Mr. Fagan, an Irish American, extended a Gaelic (Irish) language welcome to this audience largely of Hungarian extraction. He received popular reaction from the William Penn members when he identified himself with many Hungarians, saying that he had once been, a coal miner and so could admire immensely the early miners, as in this case our founders, who had only one another to turn to for comfort and succor. Mr. Fagan declared that Pittsburgh was proud and felt honored that the national headquarters of the William Penn Fraternal Association is located in this city. Following the speeches, Mr. Vargarequested that the guests be patient ä while longer as he introduced various officers, members and guests, who were: President and Mrs. Julius Macker, their son Robert and Ms wife and children, Secretary and Mrs. Albert J. Stelkovics, Controller and Mrs. John Sabo, Treasurer and Mrs. Julius E. Somogyi, Investment Manager and Mrs. Richard J. Phillips, Second Vice President and Mrs. Julius J. Lenart, General Counsel and Mrs. Gay B. Banes, Dr. Samuel C. Gomory, Medical Director, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E Bruce, our Actuary and his spouse; Field Manager
