DECEMBER 2010 - William Penn Life

William penn Life 

DECEMBER 2010 

Boldog Karácsonyi 

Ünnepeket 

Merry Christmas

Victims of Hungary’s 

Red Sludge Flood 

Need Your Help 

William Penn Association is calling on its members and friends to aid 

those left homeless or otherwise in need following the red sludge floods 

which swept through portions of western Hungary in early October. 

The toxic red sludge killed nine people, left hundreds of homes uninhabitable 

and destroyed the livelihoods of many Hungarians living in seven 

towns near Ajka, located about 100 miles southwest of Budapest. 

To aid those affected by this latest disaster, WPA has established a special 

matching fund which will help relief agencies in Hungary to provide 

food, clothing, shelter and other necessities. All donations collected will be 

matched dollar-for-dollar by WPA. 

“Earlier this year, our members and friends displayed their Fraternal 

Spirit when they helped those affected by historic flooding in northeastern 

Hungary,” said Endre Csoman, National Vice President-Fraternal. “Unfortunately, 

another disaster has devastated another area of Hungary, leaving 

many men, women and children in need of life’s basic necessities. And, once 

again, the need for assistance is great and immediate.” 

If you would like to aid those affected 

by the red sludge flooding, please make your 

tax-deductible donation payable to “William 

Penn Association Foundation” and send it to: 

Red Sludge Relief 

William Penn Association Foundation 

709 Brighton Road 

Pittsburgh, PA 15233 

Thank you for sharing your Fraternal 

Spirit with those in need.

william penn 

Life 

The Official Publication 

of William Penn Association 

Editor-in-Chief 

George S. Charles, Jr. 

Associate Editors 

Richard W. Toth 

Diane M. Torma 

Endre Csoman 

Managing Editor 

Graphic Designer 

John E. Lovasz 

NATIONAL OFFICERS 

National President 

George S. Charles, Jr. 

National V.P.-Secretary 

Richard W. Toth 

National V.P.-Treasurer 

Diane M. Torma 

National V.P.-Fraternal 

Endre Csoman 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Chairman 

Stephen J. Varga 

Vice Chairmen 

E. E. (Al) Vargo 

Barbara A. House 

National Directors 

Ronald S. Balla 

William J. Bero 

Margaret H. Boso 

Dennis A. Chobody 

Robert A. Ivancso 

Charles S. Johns 

Nickolas M. Kotik 

Andrew W. McNelis 

Roger G. Nagy 

Anne Marie Schmidt 

William S. Vasvary 

Your comments are always 

welcome. Contact us at: 

William Penn Life 

William Penn Association 



Phone: 1-800-848-7366 

E-mail: jlovasz 

@williampennassociation.org 

Inside 

VOLUME 45 • NUMBER 12 • DECEMBER 2010 

14 

Standing 

on Faith, 

Tradition 

and the Fraternal 

Spirit 

Columns 

6 Moneywise 

The Hungarian 

Churches of 

New Brunswick 

8 Tibor’s Take 

10 The Hungarian Kitchen 

ON THE COVER: Merry Christmas 

@ Karen Roach/Dreamstime.com 

Departments 

2 For Starters 

3 Letters 

12 Agents’ Corner 

13 Magyar Matters 

21 Branch News 

27 Puzzle Contest 

28 In Memoriam 

Official publication of the William Penn Association. Published monthly. 

Office of publication: 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Phone: (412) 231-2979. 

Third Class U.S. Postage Paid. Indiana, PA Permit No. 12 

Unsolicited articles, letters, pictures and other material submitted to the William Penn Life are forwarded at the owner’s 

risk, and the William Penn Life expressly denies any responsibility for their safekeeping or return. The William Penn Life 

reserves the right to edit, revise or reject any article submitted for publication. 

Postmaster: If undelivered, please send form 3579 to: William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 

William Penn Life º December 2010 º 1

For Starters 

A lifetime honored 

PA Fraternal Congress and state legislature 

salute WPA National Director Charles S. Johns 

HARRISBURG -- Charles S. Johns has lived his life guided 

by the fraternal spirit. His outgoing personality, friendly 

manner and generosity make him a walking, talking, 

non-stop advertisement for our Association, the fraternal 

benefit system and fraternalism in general. 

So, it came as no surprise to anyone who knows “Charlie” 

when the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress (PFC) 

recently presented him with its highest honor--the John 

Jordan Upchurch Award. And, it seemed fitting that on the 

night he received this honor, Mr. Johns also was presented 

a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 

saluting him for a lifetime of promoting the fraternal spirit 

through community and social involvement. 

Mr. Johns received both honors Oct. 25 during the PFC’s 

99th Annual Meeting banquet held at the Mount Airy 

Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pa. During the business 

portion of the meeting, Mr. Johns was elected president of 

the PFC for the year 2011. 

The John Jordan Upchurch Award, presented annually 

by the PFC, is named after the man generally regarded as 

the father of the fraternal benefit system. The award recognizes 

those who receive it for their “distinguished leadership 

and service to the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress 

and the fraternal benefit system.” Mr. Johns is the fourth 

WPA member to be so honored, joining the late Elmer 

Charles, former longtime National President; the late Albert 

J. Stelkovics, former longtime National Secretary; and 

E. E. (Al) Vargo, current Vice Chairman of the Board and 

former National President. 

The State House citation was sponsored by State Rep. 

and WPA Board member Nick Kotik. It outlines in greater 

detail Mr. Johns’ achievements, including his 11 years as 

WPA National Director Charles S. Johns displays the citation awarded 

him by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives while Zita Prowse 

holds the 2010 John Jordan Upchurch Award presented to Mr. Johns 

Oct. 25 by the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress. 

a member of the WPA Board and 15 years as a WPA sales 

representative. It also notes his many years of service to 

the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent and Protective 

Order of the Elks, the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts of 

America. “He stands as a role model worthy of emulation,” 

the citation reads. 

Among those on hand at the banquet to congratulate 

Mr. Johns were WPA Chairman Steve and Donna Varga, 

Vice Chairman E. E. (Al) and Betty Vargo, National Director 

William J. Bero, National Director Andrew W. and 

Marguerite McNelis, National Vice President-Secretary 

Richard W. Toth and National Vice President-Fraternal 

Endre and Arlene Csoman. 

We join the PFC and State House in saluting Charlie 

and thanking him for his lifetime of devotion to fraternalism 

and our Association. 

MICHAEL R. KARA 

1925-2010 

National Director 

1991-2004 

National Auditor 

1971-1991 

Br. 34 President 

1958-1988 

In Memoriam 

WPA mourns passing of former National Director Michael R. Kara 

MONONGAHELA, PA -- The members of 

Branch 34 Pittsburgh, WPA’s Official Family 

and members across the country were saddened 

by the recent death of former National 

Director Michael R. Kara. Mr. Kara, 85, 

passed away Nov. 12, 2010, in his home. 

Mr. Kara will be remembered for his nearly 

half-century of devoted service to the Association 

on both the local and national levels. Always 

an active and enthusiastic member, Mr. 

Kara took a leadership role at Branch 34 when 

he was first elected its president in 1958, an 

office he would maintain for 30 years. He also 

represented his branch as a delegate to the 

WPA General Convention in 1967. 

Four years later at the 1971 General Convention, 

Mr. Kara was elected as a member 

of the National Auditing Committee. He 

would be reelected as a National Auditor four 

more times, serving a total of 20 years on the 

committee. 

In 1991, while serving as Vice Chairman 

of the National Auditing Committee, he was 

elected as a member of the WPA Board of 

Directors. Mr. Kara would continue serving 

as a National Director for 13 years, before his 

retirement in 2004. 

He was born Feb. 15, 1925, in Hungary. He 

was a retired employee of the A&P grocery 

Continued on Page 28 

2 º December 2010 º William Penn Life

WPA125 

Be a part of our celebration 

Next year will be a special year in the long, rich history of William Penn Association. In 2011, we 

will celebrate our Association’s 125th anniversary. There will be special events throughout the year 

marking this milestone, all leading up to the grand 125th Anniversary Gala in Pittsburgh in September. 

As part of our year of celebration, William Penn Life will feature stories on the background and history 

of WPA, and we invite you to be a part of the story. 

Beginning in February, the month of our founding, we will begin recalling the people and events 

that led from our roots in Hungary, to our beginnings in Hazleton, Pa., to the extending of our Fraternal 

Spirit across the United States. For many of you, it was your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents 

who helped build and support William Penn Association. Help us to tell their story and ours 

by submitting articles or anecdotes about lives that have been touched by William Penn Association. 

Please contact John E. Lovasz with any items or stories. John can be reached at 1-800-848-7366, 

ext.135, or jlovasz@williampennassociation.org. 

Your story will help our readers to understand what WPA means to our members and will honor 

the memory of your loved ones. 

8862011 

Letters 

Thanks for a first-rate 

trip to Hungary 

THANKS, ENDRE, for providing an 

extraordinarily spectacular trip to 

Croatia and Hungary. 

Everything was first-rate. All 

the side trips were fun, interesting 

and varied. And the access we had 

to special events, like the lunch in 

Parliament, was available to us only 

because of your influence. It was a 

real honor to have those experiences. 

Many of our traveling companions 

became jó baráts. They were excited 

to learn about our heritage and are 

very proud to be Magyars. 

You are to be commended for all 

your hard work. It was much appreciated. 

With gratitude, 

Maris Kronoviter 

Toledo, OH 

‘Experience’ encouraged 

visit to Hungary 

I’M WRITING TO YOU from the 

airplane as I fly back to the U.S. from 

Hungary. I want to express to you my 

most sincere appreciation for hosting 

the Hungarian Heritage Experience 

camp this year at Scenic View. I attended 

it for the first time in August, 

with my father, Jim Szobota, and we 

really enjoyed it. Immediately afterwards 

we planned a trip to Hungary 

because we were very excited from 

the camp and had a new comfort lev- 

Your comments on our 

magazine and William Penn 

Association are always 

welcome. Please write to 

us at: 

William Penn Life 

William Penn Association 



Or, you can send your 

comments via email to: 

jlovasz@ 

williampennassociation.org 

el with the Hungarian language and 

culture. Other camp attendees shared 

their stories of Hungarian travels 

with my mother during “graduation 

day” at the end of the camp, and in 

no time at all, all three of us were 

booked for a 10-day adventure. 

My father’s parents immigrated 

to the U.S. early in the 20th century, 

but many of their siblings stayed in 

Hungary. For years we knew that 

we had close relatives there, but 

never actually met them or even fully 

understood our extensive family tree. 

During our visit, we met relatives 

and visited the places that are special 

to our family. 

Thank you again for the Hungarian 

Heritage Experience. It was 

enlightening, enjoyable, and memorable, 

and led us to go experience our 

own Hungarian heritage first-hand. 

Sincerely, 

Stephanie Szobota 

El Cerrito, CA 

Youth group appreciates 

WPA hospitality 

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the delicious 

chicken paprikas; it was needed. 

Everyone looks forward to that 

dinner the most throughout camp. 

You should know that it is very much 

appreciated by every camper and 

staff member. We cannot express our 

gratitude for the meal and everything 

else you do for the camp. We appreciate 

you and send blessings your way. 

May God bless you. 

Sincerely, 

The Hungarian Reformed 

Youth Camp 

Peach State member 

sends greetings 

WE ENJOYED the picnic, and tell Mr. 

Csoman that the state of Georgia was 

represented with eight people from 

Fayetteville, Ga. 

We enjoy the William Penn Life 

and the puzzle, but the letters are a 

little small for a 93-year-old member. 

Thank you/Szeretetel, 

Simon János 

Fayetteville, GA 


Branching Out with Endre Csoman 

2 

3 

1 

I can’t eat 

another bite 

Traveling across Hungary one meal at a time 

(This month, I would like to donate the space for my column to WPA member Richard E. Sarosi of 

Branch 14 Cleveland. Richard joined us on this year’s WPA tour to Hungary and Croatia, and he 

was kind enough to share his observations and photos of the tour with us. Enjoy! - EC) 

by Richard E. Sarosi 

I would like to begin by thanking Endre Csoman and Dora McKinsey for all their work 

in arranging our 2010 trip to Hungary and Croatia. During our two-week trip, we were 

able to experience festivals, gypsy music, national parks, a trout and bacon fry, local foods 

and customs, vineyards and beautiful deluxe hotels with wellness centers. We had a wonderful 

tour bus driver named Christian, and our delightful tour guide, Andrea, was 

able to handle the needs of our group. I look forward to seeing what is being 

planned for 2011. 

Now that I have finally placed the last of my pictures of my 2010 trip to Hungary 

and Croatia into my photo albums, I like to go back through the 

pictures and recall the beautiful sights of Croatia, Lake Balaton, Eger, 

Budapest and other locations we visited. I can’t believe that I took almost 

600 pictures on this trip. 

It was nice to relive my trip, especially by looking at the meals we had 

along the way. My family and friends always ask me when I get back: 

“How were the meals...What did you have to eat in Hungary...Anything 

unusual...What did you eat for breakfast” Well, if a picture tells 

a thousand words, get ready for some good reading. 

I thought the best way to show what we experienced along the way 

was to use my pictures and share with you some of the meals our 

group ate on this trip. 

I can only hope that my doctor does not see the pictures I am sharing 

with you, as he would be so disappointed by all of the eggs, bacon, 

4 

7 

4 º December 2010 º William Penn Life 

5 6

Branching Out 

18 

17 

szalonna, sour cream, butter (on freshly baked breads), 

cheese, cream sauces and, not to be forgotten, pálinka and 

wine. However, all was not lost: I got my daily exercise by doing 

a lot of walking and some swimming and burned up a few calories 

while I was on vacation. 

I only wish that I had better stamina to tackle “The Hill” at the Renaissance 

Restaurant in Visegrád. After lunch, we had two drummers drumming our way 

up the stairs and then the hill in order to go to the joust. The beat of the drums 

caught the beat of my heart very nicely. Our guide told those of us who were 

walking: “It’s just a short walk up the hill.” Apparently, some guides do not 

know how to determine time or distance. Can someone say “defibrillator” 

16 

THE MENU, starting opposite page, upper left corner, and continuing counter-clockwise: (1) Hús leves 

at peasant wedding dinner at Lovas Csarda; (2) late night snack at Grand Hotel, Opatija, Croatia; 

(3) roasting pigs and lamb at Bela Nedelja New Wine Festival, Kastav, Croatia; (4) pogácsa at Sike 

Wine Cellar, Valley of the Beautiful Woman; (5) donuts and Angel Wings, Konoba Restaurant, Croatia; 

(6) homemade gulyás, Lázár Horse Farm, Domony Valley; (7) Kettle of stew at the Kakas Festivál (Cock 

Cooking Festival), Tard, Hungary; (8) How did those vegetables get there (9) Knight’s Cup dessert, Renaissance 

Restaurant, Visegrád, Hungary; (10) a rich breakfast, Hotel Mercure, Budapest; (11) platter of kolbász, 

chicken, pork, potatoes and rice, Lázár Horse Farm; (12) our farewell dinner, Chicken Paprikás, 

Rezkakas Restaurant, Budapest; (13) Diós Palacsinta with habbal and vanilla cream sauce, 

Kulacs Csarda, Panzio; (14) venison ragout soup with cream, Renaissance Restaurant; 

(15) pork platter, Konoba Restaurant; (16) breakfast bakery selections, Hotel Mercure; 

(17) alma and túrós rétes (apple and cheese strudel), Hotel Palota, Lillafüred, Hungary; 

(18) The BEST--Trout Sütés...delicious! 

15 

14 

9 

11 

13 

8 

10 

12 


Moneywise 

Starting out on your own 

Personal finance tips for young adults 

Have you ever taken $40 out of the ATM and a 

few hours later asked yourself where that money 

went Or, do you use your debit card to make 

purchases but don’t keep track of them...and then wonder 

how your balance got so low 

While everyone can benefit from learning about money 

management and taking a more hands-on approach with 

their finances, young adults--including those just starting 

a career or family and others still in high school or college- 

-have plenty to gain by learning to be smart about money, 

and a lot to lose by making uninformed decisions. 

“As a young adult, even if you don’t have or earn a lot 

of money, the financial decisions you make today can affect 

your lifestyle now and for years to come,” said Luke 

W. Reynolds, Chief of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s 

Community Outreach Section. “The good news 

is you don’t need to be a finance expert to take charge of 

your financial future. A few basic concepts can go a long 

way.” 

Here are a few tips to get you started. 

Photo (c) Vgstudio/Dreamstime.com 

Create a personal financial plan that will make 

it easier to boost savings and control spending. 

“It isn’t how much you make that’s important, 

it’s how much you keep,” said Paul Horwitz, an FDIC 

Community Affairs Specialist. Start by keeping track of 

what you earn and what you spend and where. 

Then, take a sharp look at how much you spend on 

optional purchases, such as restaurant food and entertainment, 

and instead put some of that money to work for 

your future by saving or investing it. 

“The key is to make some hard decisions about ‘needs’ 

versus ‘wants,’” added Horwitz, “because every dollar we 

spend on something we don’t really need is a dollar we 

don’t have to save or spend on something we do need.” 

What steps can you take 

• Open a savings account and regularly add to it. Also 

“pay yourself first” with a set percentage of every dollar 

you get going to savings. “Set a realistic savings goal and 

remember that even $5 or $10 a week can add up over 

time,” Horwitz explained. 

• Arrange with your employer to automatically transfer 

some of your earnings to a savings or investment account. 

• Build up an emergency savings fund you can use to pay 

for major, unforeseen expenses. 

• Consider a separate account to save for big-ticket purchases, 

such as a new TV or bicycle, instead of charging 

them on a credit card and paying the money back over a 

long time with a lot of interest. 

• Limit the amount of money in your wallet or purse and 

in your checking account, so you’re less likely to spend it. 

Only carry a credit card when you plan to use it. Also, do 

your best to limit regular living expenses, such as food, 

transportation and utilities. 

Reynolds also advised that young adults protect against 

financial loss by making sure they have proper insurance, 

such as life, health and property insurance, and then 

reviewing the coverage at least once a year. 

 

Start saving for both short-term and longterm 

goals, including retirement, even though 

that may be many years away. “Thanks to the 

miracle of compound interest, even a small sum of money 

saved regularly at a young age can quietly grow to a 

surprisingly large sum over the years,” Reynolds said. The 

sooner you begin saving, the easier it will be to reach your 

financial goals, which may include buying a home, owning 

a business or retiring, instead of having to save a high 

percentage of your income at an older age. 

And if you are working, “it makes so much sense to 

start, on the very first day, to put money into a retirement 

savings plan, especially if your employer will match part 

of your contribution, which is like getting free money,” 

said Alberto Cornejo, an FDIC Community Affairs Assistant. 

 

Keep your banking and bill-paying costs down. 

Comparison shopping for financial services can 

save you from paying unnecessary fees. A good 

strategy is to open a basic, low-cost checking account at a 

bank and pay attention to your balance so you don’t spend 

more than you have in the account and pay high fees for 

overdrawing it. 


Moneywise 

Photo (c) Tarragona/Dreamstime.com 

“Maybe you can download an ‘app’ to your phone 

to help you track all money that comes in and out of 

your account, or you can request electronic notifications 

when your balance drops to a certain level. Of course, 

you should always maintain a register to help you monitor 

your balance,” Reynolds said. “Another way to save 

money is to avoid fee-based overdraft programs and 

instead ask your bank to cover any shortages by linking 

your checking account to a savings account.” 

 

Build a good credit record. As you pay your 

own bills and debts, you are building a credit 

record. Credit reporting companies collect information 

on your history of paying debts, which is used to 

prepare credit reports and credit scores that reflect your 

creditworthiness. In general, the better your credit history 

and credit score, the better your chances of borrowing 

money at lower interest rates. Your credit history may 

also be considered when you apply for a job, an insurance 

policy or an apartment. A good credit score will be particularly 

important when you decide to buy a house. 

One of the best ways to build and maintain a good 

credit record is to pay all bills and other debts on time. 

To do that, avoid charging more on your credit card than 

you can pay off in full by the due date each month. If you 

can’t afford to pay that much, at least be sure to pay the 

minimum due, consistently and on time, to avoid late fees 

and a bad mark on your credit record. And if you cannot 

qualify for a regular credit card, you may consider a no- or 

low-fee secured credit card, for which you would keep 

cash in a deposit account that would serve as collateral. 

Also, obtain a free credit report once every 12 months 

from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies 

at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review each report, 

correct any errors and check for suspicious activity that 

may indicate you are a victim of identity theft. 

 

Stay safe online. Banking or conducting other 

personal business online can be a convenient 

way to handle your finances, but you need to 

take precautions. Among them: Install and automatically 

update antivirus software and firewall protection on your 

computer. Never give your Social Security number, credit 

or debit card numbers, personal identification numbers 

or any other confidential information in response to an 

unsolicited e-mail, text message or phone call, regardless 

of who the source supposedly is. 

“Also, ignore online ‘friend’ invitations from people 

you don’t know, because these may be covers for fraud 

artists,” cautioned Michael Benardo, Chief of the FDIC’s 

Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section. Likewise, he 

said, be careful about the profile and contact information 

you post on social-networking and employment-related 

web sites, because in the wrong hands it can lead to identity 

theft and other crimes. 

For more guidance on how to conduct banking and 

other business online, see the Winter 2009/2010 FDIC 

Consumer News at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/ 

cnwin0910. 

 

Keep important cards and numbers safe. Most 

experts suggest you carry in your wallet or purse 

only the plastic cards (ATM, debit, credit cards) 

you truly expect to use soon. Don’t carry your Social Security 

card, either. 

Also, don’t leave your birth certificate or documents 

with your Social Security number unprotected at home, at 

school or anywhere else. 

 

If you need to buy a car, consider the best way 

to pay for it. Understand the difference between 

buying and leasing a car. The Federal Reserve 

Board has published a guide called “Keys to Vehicle Leasing,” 

online at www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing. If you’re 

thinking about borrowing money to pay for a car, see the 

tips in the Summer 2007 FDIC Consumer News at www. 

fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum07/auto.html. 

 

If you’re renting a house or apartment, consider 

whether it’s time to buy. Once you start 

earning a steady income, and you expect to stay 

in your community for a number of years, you may want 

to consider owning your first home. To learn more about 

homeownership and if it is right for you, consider talking 

to a HUD-approved counselor (start at 1-800-569-4287 or 

www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm). 

 

Always keep learning about how to handle 

your money. Start at www.fdic.gov to find consumer 

information from the FDIC, including back 

issues of FDIC Consumer News. Visit www.mymoney.gov 

to find financial education resources and tools from more 

than 20 different government agencies and Web sites. 

“Many young people find learning about money fascinating 

because of the power it gives them to achieve their 

dreams,” concluded Reynolds. “And anyone can get this 

power just by creating an action plan, the sooner the better.” 

(From FDIC Consumer News/Summer 2010) 


Tibor’s Take with Tibor Check, Jr. 

Christmastime 

is here 

Boldog 

Karácsony 

OUR FAMILY ENJOYS an extended and full calendar 

of Karácsony revelry. We kick off the holiday season the 

day after Turkey Day. Preparations for decorating our 

home usually begins a week before Thanksgiving (but 

this year we commenced with our annual ritual around 

Veteran’s Day). The Check Family Christmas Season 

grudgingly ends after the celebration of Three Kings 

in January. Sometimes we have to take down the live 

fenyő before our Karácsony is over because the tree loses 

most if not all of its needles. This skeleton of a once 

green and fragrant evergreen has the potential to become 

an instant fire display with even the littlest spark. 

Our home has a very long and large cellar. Our underground 

sanctuary could easily be home to a six-or 

seven-lane bowling alley. You may ask: “What could 

a family do with such a vast expanse of formed concrete” 

One word: STORAGE! In one section, we keep 

our extra pots and pans, my great-grandfather Cseh’s 

hand-cranked sausage stuffer (which we still use for 

making hurka and kolbász) and shelves of vintage 

Tokaji wine. Another area of the basement contains 

our extensive library of Magyar records and tapes. We 

have so many records. There are actually some discs 

that have never been opened up from when they were 

sealed in plastic by the factory decades ago. We have a 

large lot of mint-condition, 75-year-old 78 RPM records 

that were given to my nagyapa and apa from the 

late George Gregosits. I estimate it would take more 

than two years of 24/7 playback to listen to all our 

records just once each. As you can imagine, we 

have a lot of music that has yet to be aired on our 

radio show, “The Souvenirs of Hungary.“ We have 

only been broadcasting for 31 years. 

Way back in the far left corner of the cellar is the 

permanent home for dozens of plastic storage containers 

filled with Christmas items. It takes my 

siblings and me well over an hour just to transport 

the containers upstairs. To expedite the transporting 

process, my dad hands us the boxes and we lug them 

up the steps to where my mom gives us final directions 

of where to put them. Some of the boxes go to 

the living room, others go to the top floor; some go to 

the kitchen, a few go to the garage for outside decorating 

and others go to the family room. (Someday, I will 

write a story about what else is stored in the basement 


Tibor’s Take 

and the connection those items have to my American- 

Hungarian Heritage.) 

Every room in our house has a special themed 

Christmas tree. We have the Angel Tree, the School 

Memory Tree, the Red Tree, the Poinsettia Tree, the 

Aunt Jenny Gold and White Tree, and, my favorite, the 

Magyar Tree. Our Magyar Tree stands in our living 

room picture window. The tree that we cut down has 

the honor of holding the Magyar ornaments; the other 

trees are artificial. As a tradition, my dad buys my 

mom each year at least one ornament or bulb. This year 

my apa bought my anya a Pink Tree with a rózsa szinű 

csillag (pink star) and pink bulbs and ribbons. 

My sister has in her bedroom arguably our family’s 

oldest and most sentimental fa (tree). This little bundle 

of Christmas memories was brought over to America 

by my great-grandmother Cseh in 1916. Menci Kadi 

Cseh was born in 1896. Emerencia came over to the 

New World from Csot, Veszprem, Hungary. In her 

small trunk of earthly possessions was this small rather 

Charley-Brown-looking fenyő. My dad told me this 

was the only memento my great-grandmother had of 

her childhood Christmases in Hungary. The tree was 

always my apa’s favorite family Christmas item. When 

my great-grandmother passed in 1971, my dad was 

entrusted with the little tree’s stewardship. A few years 

ago, my sister Erzsi was given the responsibility of being 

the new Cseh Család caretaker of the tree. 

The day after Thanksgiving, we pack into our van 

and head out to Lakatos Tree Farm for our Colorado 

Blue Spruce. Now, mind you, there are at least 15 tree 

farms closer, but my apa insists that we buy our evergreen 

from a Hungarian. 

My dad had a special friendship with the Hungarian 

who owned this particular tree farm, Tibor Lakatos. 

They would partake in the consumption of Tokaji 

Bort. Salutations and dedications were numerous and 

most jovial. As both men dedicated the next round of 

holiday cheer to such Magyar greats as Franz Liszt or 

Lajos Kossuth, Mr. Lakatos’ son Tibor Jr. would escort 

my mom and us three kids on a quest for the perfect 

tree. Of course, the tree must be cut down by hand and 

dragged back to the car. This is a tradition where the 

misery of pinchy pine needles and strained arm and 

leg muscles is outweighed by the fond memories that 

we forged. Most of the time, we would spend hours in 

search of that special fenyő. Often times, there was plenty 

of snow on the ground to make the trek even more 

difficult. My dad and Mr. Lakatos would joke about 

where in Ohio could you have not one--but FOUR--Tibors 

in the same place at the same time. Unfortunately, 

Tibor Lakatos Sr. passed away several years ago. 

Now, you may ask: “What is on the Magyar Karácsony 

Fenyő” There are several hand-crocheted mittens 

made by my great-grandmother Emerencia Vasko 

Silvers that are tastefully woven to match the color of 

the lights, which are red, white and green. We have a 

white stag, a juhász (shepherd) 

and Szent Mikulás bulbs and 

the same items in hand-sewn 

and embroidered styles. We 

have several glass bulbs 

with “Boldog Karácsony” 

painted on the outside. 

We have vörös madár (red 

birds), snowflakes and 

several violins (hegedű). 

Each ornament is either 

made by an American Hungarian 

or made in Hungary 

proper. 

It amazes me just how 

many things my family 

does “Magyar Style.” 

As I look at the various 

things we do for Christmas 

that are Hungarian 

themed, I could probably 

write another three or 

four columns. 

This Karácsony season, 

do something Magyar with 

your children, relatives or 

friends: sing “Mennyből az 

Angyal”; demonstrate how to 

make csoroge (angel wings); 

if possible, visit a Magyar pék 

or mészáros (baker or butcher) 

and buy some kalács, sonka (ham) or kolbász. 

Magyar Marketing has a full line of items 

Hungarian and Christmas. Look them up on the 

internet at: www.magyarmarketing.com. 

Boldog Karácsony! 

Boldog Újévet! 

Tibor II 

Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and 

a student at Cleveland State University. He serves as host of the 

“Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 

FM in Struthers, Ohio. Photos: Ornament (c) Dekede/Dreamstime.com; Angel (c) Ozenina/Dreamstime.Com 

Let’s hear your take 

Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on 

growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions 

or comments about me or my column, please email 

me at: SilverKing1937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter 

in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton 

Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. 


The Hungarian Kitchen with Főszakács Béla 

Holiday treats sweet & savory 

FÁRADJON BE A MAGYAR KONYHÁBA! 

The Christmas holiday is rapidly approaching, and 

if you take pleasure in entertaining, you will enjoy the 

selection of monthly recipes. Thank you all for the cards 

and letters you have sent expressing your thoughts on 

the format for future editions of The Hungarian Kitchen. 

The goal is to please all our readers with culinary 

information made easy to understand to make better 

Magyar cooks. Chef Vilmos and I have been very happy 

to serve you this past year and look forward to providing 

much, much more from The HK this coming New 

Year 2011. You are the best and most faithful readers, 

making Vilmos’ and my job a task very rewarding each 

month. Now, some housekeeping.... 

In 2011, William Penn Association will celebrate its 

125th anniversary. There will be a gala event at the 

Pittsburgh Marriott North Hotel in Cranberry Township 

on Saturday, Sept. 3, which is Labor Day Weekend. 

More information about the dinner will follow in 

upcoming issues of William Penn Life. 

WPA will also have its General Convention during 

the same weekend, so attend your branch meetings to 

elect your delegates. 

In just over three years, 3,000 copies of the WPA 

cookbook, “A Taste of Hungarian Heaven,” have sold. 

There are still a few copies available for sale at the 

Home Office. Starting next month, I will have details 

about a new cookbook project for WPA. 

Finally, yet importantly, here is your trivia: What is 

the origin of the fruitcake The delicious answer waits at 

the very end. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New 

Year 2011. 

Jó étvágyat 

Foszakács Béla 

˝ 

The Hungarian Kitchen is a trademark of William S. Vasvary. 

Enjoy a taste 

of Hungary today! 

The Official WPA Cookbook 

- Over 500 recipes 

- Hungarian favorites & other tasty dishes 

- Kitchen tips from Chef Béla 

- Information on cooking, dieting & entertaining 

- PLUS an enclosed book stand 

$ 

20 (includes shipping & handling) 

For your copy, make your check payable to 

“WPFA Scholarship Foundation” and mail to: 

WPA Cookbook, William Penn Association 

709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 

All proceeds benefit the William Penn 

Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc. 


The Hungarian Kitchen 

Chef Béla’s Apple Cider 

1 gallon fresh apple cider 

1 quart cranberry juice 

½ cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 tablespoon cinnamon 

½ teaspoon nutmeg 

½ teaspoon crushed mint 

½ cup dark raisins OR ½ cup citron 

fruit mix 

1 finger pinch of cayenne pepper 

In a large saucepan or crockpot, 

combine all the ingredients and slowly 

bring to a boil. The aroma should fill the 

house when the cider is ready. Garnish 

with thin slices of apple, orange or crabapple 

rings. Serve hot to your guests. 

Cranberry Freeze 

8 ounces cream cheese, softened 

3 tablespoons oil & vinegar salad 

dressing 

2 tablespoons sugar 

½ cup chopped walnuts 

1 large can whole cranberry sauce 

1 small can crushed pineapple 

1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip 

Green Leaf or Iceburg lettuce, shredded 

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream 

cheese, salad dressing and sugar, blending 

very well. Add the nuts, cranberry 

sauce and pineapple, mixing well. Fold in 

the whipped cream to make a colorful 

speckled mixture. Pour into glass or 

aluminum loaf tins; freeze overnight. 

Before serving, let stand at room temperature 

for 15 minutes. Cover bottom 

of a small platter with shredded lettuce. 

Cut loaf into slices and arrange on the 

platter. Serve to your guests. 

RECIPES 

Deviled Mixed Nuts 

3 tablespoons melted butter 

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 

3 drops Tabasco sauce 

1 pound mixed nuts 

Salt & white pepper to taste 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a 

mixing bowl add all the ingredients; mix 

well. Spread out on a baking sheet and 

bake for 15 minutes stirring every 5 

minutes. Let cool to room temperature, 

and then serve your guests. 

Holiday Bourbon Wieners 

2 pounds all-beef hot dogs from a 

Hungarian butcher 

2 cups ketchup 

2 cups brown sugar 

1½ cups bourbon 

Cut hot dogs into one-inch pieces. In 

a saucepan, add the hot dogs, ketchup, 

brown sugar and bourbon. Bring to a 

boil, then turn down heat to simmer 

until the sauce thickens a bit, about two 

hours. Serve warm with toothpicks for 

dipping. 

Hungarian Mushroom 

Appetizers 

36 slices French bread, ¼-inch thick 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

¼ cup chopped shallots 

6 cups chopped button mushrooms 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

¼ cup heavy cream 

1 teaspoon fresh minced rosemary 

½ teaspoon minced lemon peel 

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 

1 cup Fontina cheese 

Salt & pepper to taste 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange 

bread slices on a baking sheet and toast 

in oven until golden brown. Heat oil in 

a large skillet on medium to high heat. 

Sauté the shallots and mushrooms 

until they begin to brown. Stir in the 

garlic, then remove from heat. Stir in 

the cream, rosemary and lemon peel. 

Season with salt and pepper, then let 

cool to room temperature. Stir in the 

cheese and chill for 30 minutes. Place a 

teaspoonful of mix on a bread slice and 

broil or bake until golden brown. Serve 

hot to your guests. 

Liptauer Cheese Spread 

4 ounces cream cheese 

4 ounces Feta cheese 

½ cup unsalted butter 

3 tablespoons sour cream 

½-teaspoon anchovy paste 

1 teaspoon capers 

In a mixing bowl, blend all the above 

ingredients thoroughly. Then add the 

following: 

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 

½ tablespoon finely minced onion 

½ tablespoon finely minced garlic 

2 tablespoons paprika 

½ teaspoon caraway seeds 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Blend well and put into a crock or 

mound on a dish. Chill and serve cold 

with crackers or a loaf of crusty rye or 

pumpernickel bread. 

Have questions, comments or suggestions for Chef Béla 

Please contact him at: 

William Vasvary 

190 Fern Avenue 

Rye, NH 03870 

Or, you can write to: The Hungarian Kitchen, c/o William Penn Association 

709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 

TRIVIA ANSWER: The fruitcake 

was composed of various dried 

fruits and nuts. This made for a very 

stabile product that traveled well 

on trips by hunters or farmers in the 

field. In the 1700’s, farmers made the 

fruit cake from the fruits and nuts 

gathered at harvest then kept the 

cake until the next growing season. 

It was believed that if you ate the 

cake before the next planting, you 

would have an abundance of fruits 

and nuts to harvest. 

Watch online for the NEW Hungarian Kitchen Website! 


Agents’ Corner 

Illustration: ©Pictac/Dreamstime.Com 

Douglas G. Jones 

La Mesa, CA 

619-266-7122 

WPA Agent since 2005 

Doug has been in the insurance and financial field 

since 1970. He began his career as a banker with 

Security 1st National in Los Angeles, before entering 

the insurance field with American National Life. After 

working for a time as a life and health representative 

for a property and casualty agency, he became a life 

brokerage supervisor with INA Life. 

He started his own brokerage life insurance 

agency in San Diego in 1974. He went on to co-found 

three national brokerage agencies in the field of life 

and health insurance. 

Doug holds numerous professional degrees, 

including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered 

Financial Consultant (ChFC), Registered Health 

Underwriter (RHU), Long Term Care Professional 

(LTCP) and Fraternal Insurance Counsellor (FIC). 

He was president of the CLU/ ChFC Chapter in 

San Diego from 1983 to 1985 and founding president 

of the San Diego Chapter of the National 

Association of Health Underwriters in 1986. 

Since the mid-1990’s, Doug has concentrated 

on securities and serving the financial needs of 

seniors and small business owners. Holding a 

securities license since 1971, he formed his own 

registered investment advisory firm--Your Coach 

For Financial Harmony, LLC--in February 2010. 

He says, while young and antsy, he quit 

high school after his junior year and joined the 

Marines. After four years, he left the Marines 

and worked his way through college, spending 

his summers training Naval recruits at Treasure 

Island, Calif., as a Navy drill instructor. He graduated 

from the University of Arizona in 1966. 

He believes fraternal benefit societies often offer 

the best of insurance products and services to 

their members and is proud to represent William 

Penn Association. Doug says the overall competitiveness 

of WPA’s portfolio is top flight and that 

WPA has an excellent Single Premium Whole Life 

plan and great juvenile plans for kids and grandkids. 

Agent Profile 

- The Right Person - 

Sometimes the stars line up for a great career. This may be that opportunity for someone you know. 

- The Right Position - 

William Penn Association is looking for the right candidate to lead their sales organization into the 

future. If you know of someone with proven sales management experience and: 

• Demonstrated leadership, 

• Highest level of integrity, 

• Positive mental attitude, 

• Strong verbal and writing skills, 

- The Right Time - 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, 

• Service-oriented, resultsdriven 

self-starter, and 

• Team player. 

All inquiries will be treated in confidence and should be directed to: 

George S. Charles, Jr., National President 

William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road Pittsburgh, PA 15233. 


Magyar Matters 

First red sludge lawsuit begins, 

more houses to be demolished 

DEVECSER, HUNGARY - The first 

compensation lawsuit in connection 

with the Oct. 4 toxic red sludge catastrophe 

began at the Municipal Court 

Nov. 21. Devecser resident József 

Konkoly is suing Magyar Aluminum 

(MAL) for nearly 20 million forints 

($96,500) in compensation. 

Konkoly’s house and its furnishings 

were destroyed by the torrent 

of sludge, and the building is now 

marked for demolition. He claims 

MAL is responsible for the damage. 

MAL lawyer György Ruttner argued 

that the company bears no legal 

responsibility because the spill was 

caused by extreme weather conditions. 

The plaintiff will have to prove 

that the damage was illegally caused 

by MAL, Ruttner added as he asked 

the court to reject Konkoly’s lawsuit. 

Konkoly’s lawyer Gábor Hidasi 

argued that the damage occurred not 

Invitation 

WILLIAM PENN ASSOCIATION 

Cordially invites you to a reception at the 

American Hungarian Foundation 

Friday, December 17, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. 

Refreshments & appetizers will be served. 

- Celebrate the Christmas Season at the AHF Festival of Trees. - 

- Welcome Gergely Hajdu-Nemeth, AHF’s new Executive Director. - 

- Meet William Penn Association’s local representatives. - 

Please RSVP to Dora McKinsey at 1-800-848-7366, ext.122. 

We look forward to seeing you at the American Hungarian Foundation 

300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-1084. 

because the toxic sludge reservoir 

collapsed but because the sludge 

reached three villages, and MAL is 

responsible for failing to protect the 

villages. 

A total of 248 houses, rather than 

the expected 225, will have to be demolished 

in toxic sludge-hit Devecser, 

and 69 families have refused to 

accept an evaluation of their properties, 

according to government officials 

overseeing the coordination of 

reconstruction. 

The Regional Development Ministry 

also announced that agricultural 

producers, food processing employees 

and husbandry staff will be able 

to lay claim to one-time, non-refundable 

income-replacing subsidies. 

The total amount of funds available 

in the subsidy program is 35 million 

forints ($169,000), the Regional 

Development Ministry said. 

AHF presents 

Washington 

awards 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ -- The American 

Hungarian Foundation recognized 

the contributions of three leading 

members of the American Hungarian 

community during its 48th Annual 

George Washington Awards Dinner. The 

black-tie affair was held Nov. 17 at New 

York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. 

The laureates for 2010 were: 

Peter C. Goldmark, Jr. 

Prior to joining the Environmental Defense 

Fund, where he directs the Climate 

and Air Program, Mr. Goldmark served 

as president of the Rockefeller Foundation, 

chairman and CEO of the International 

Herald Tribune, and executive 

director of the Port Authority of New 

York and New Jersey. 

Dr. Laszlo Gyugyi 

Retired in 2003 as technical director for 

Central Research and Development at 

the Westinghouse Science and Technology 

Center, Dr. Gyugyi is internationally 

recognized for his unrivaled private collection 

of Zsolnay ceramic art. 

Imre Pakh 

An international businessman, philanthropist 

and patron of Hungarian art and 

culture, Mr. Pakh and his wife, Nelly, 

have assembled the largest privately 

owned Munkácsy art collection, which 

also is touring Hungary and neighboring 

countries. 

In name and symbolism the George 

Washington Award was inspired by the 

statue of Washington erected in the 

City Park of Budapest in 1906. It was a 

gift from Hungarian immigrants living in 

America. For the immigrants the statue 

served as an expression of gratitude 

to the memory of George Washington 

and to their adopted country, while not 

forgetting the land of their birth. 

The George Washington Award of 

the American Hungarian Foundation 

honors persons whose eminent contributions 

are in the broad field of human 

knowledge, the arts, commerce, industry, 

the sciences, and understanding among 

men and nations. 


THE HUNGARIAN CHURCHES OF NEW BRUNSWICK 

Standing on 

Faith, Tradition 

and the 

Fraternal 

Spirit 

While visiting New Jersey this summer, I enjoyed 

the distinct pleasure of exploring several 

of the Hungarian churches in and near the city 

of New Brunswick. As many of you know, New 

Brunswick has historically been home to one of 

America’s largest and most active Hungarian-American 

communities. Other cities, particularly Cleveland and 

Pittsburgh, may have larger numbers of Hungarians and 

more Hungarian churches. But, what makes New Brunswick 

unique is the tight concentration of so many Hungarian churches in one 

small area. Not so long ago, you could walk down one three-block section 

of Somerset Street and hear Hungarian voices singing the praises of the 

Lord from four houses of worship. A fifth such church was only a few more 

blocks away. 

The story of the Hungarian churches of New Brunswick and the surrounding 

area reflects that of Hungarian churches in America. Built by 

immigrants, these churches became not only places where Hungarians could 

celebrate their faith together but also focal points for social interaction and 

providers of shelter, food and comfort for new waves of immigrants. However, 

over time, these churches have struggled to survive and maintain their 

Hungarian identity, as the old Hungarian communities which built and 

supported them slowly dispersed to suburbs miles away and as each new 

generation melted into American society. Some have succeeded in retaining 

primarily Hungarian congregations; other have kept their doors open 

by switching to English language services, sharing their facilities with other 

congregations and serving the needs of the greater community. 

On the next few pages, we present a glimpse into several of the New 

Brunswick area’s Hungarian churches. Each in its own way, stands as a 

testament to the power of faith, tradition and the Fraternal Spirit. 

Story and photos by John E. Lovasz 


ABOVE: A banner hanging at the Hungarian Reformed Church 

of Woodbridge, N.J. RIGHT: A statue of the late, great Cardinal 

Jozséf Mindszenty of Hungary stands outside St. Ladislaus Church. 

BELOW: While it no longer offers services in Hungarian, New 

Brunswick’s Ascension Lutheran Church remains close to the 

Hungarian community, literally and figuratively, standing next to 

the Hungarian American Athletic Club on Somerset Street. LEFT: A 

window above the altar of the Magyar Reformed Church (pictured 

far left). 


FROM TOP: The archway 

above the church’s main 

entrance; the church’s interior; 

‘The Good Shepherd’ in 

stained glass; instructional 

materials paper the walls 

in one room of the social 

hall used for the Hungarian 

school; Hungarian crafts 

and artifacts on display in 

the church hall as part of 

New Brunswick’s annual 

Hungarian Festival in June. 

Magyar 

Reformed Church 

179 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 

The Magyar Reformed Church has been one of the fortunate 

few traditionally Hungarian churches to maintain 

its ethnic identity. It still conducts services every Sunday 

in the Hungarian language, hosts Hungarian dinners 

throughout the year, celebrates major Hungarian holidays 

like March 15 and Oct. 23 and actively helps plan and participates 

in New Brunswick’s Hungarian events. 

The congregation was established in 1905, and the 

church was built in 1915. The church’s pastor, Rev. Zsolt 

Ötvös, says the church’s membership numbers about 300 

families and about 80 to 100 people attend the Sunday 

Hungarian language service. 

What makes the church unique among its neighbors is 

that it houses one of the few Hungarian schools left in the 

country. Each Saturday morning, about 100 children ages 

three to 14 fill classrooms on the third floor of the church’s 

social hall, attending the Széchenyi Magyar Iskola és 

Óvoda (Szechenyi Hungarian Community School and Kindergarten). 

The church also conducts Hungarian language 

classes and English as a second language classes for new 

immigrants. 

Rev. Ötvös attributes much of the success of the 

church’s efforts to the cooperative spirit among the city’s 

Hungarian churches and organizations and to the second 

generation of Hungarian Americans. “For those in their 

20’s and 30’s, it is very important to them to keep the folk 

traditions alive,” he said. 

For a more extensive look at the church and it’s history, 

log onto http://www.magyarreformedchurch.org/index. 

phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=11. 


St. Ladislaus 

Roman Catholic Church 

215 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 

Walking into St. Ladislaus Church on a sunny morning is a soul-warming experience. 

Its large, modern stained glass windows allow natural light to flood the bright white 

interior. It is, arguably, the area’s most beautiful church, filled with items honoring the 

history and historic figures of the Catholic Church in Hungary. 

The church was founded in 1904 and the first Mass was celebrated in this lovely 

building in 1906. Its pastor since 1995 has been the Rev. Capistan Polgar, who was born 

and raised in the parish. Father Polgar says most of the parishioners no longer live near 

the church as he did growing up. “Now, most come from out of town, some a considerable 

distance,” he said. But, about 100 to 200 people come each Sunday “to worship here 

because we celebrate in Hungarian.” 

Like the Magyar Reformed Church, St. Ladislaus is a major supporter of Hungarian 

programs and events, including the Hungarian American Athletic Club, Hungarian 

Scouts and the Hungarian school held at the Reformed church. “There is an ethos among 

the people here that won’t let their culture die,” he said. 

Across the street stands the former St. Ladislaus School. It now houses services for the 

city’s Puerto Rican community, which has gradually 

replaced the Hungarians as the neighborhood’s dominant 

ethnic group. Still, there are signs that the church’s 

Hungarian identity will remain strong for years to come: 

many of the church’s recent baptisms have been in 

Hungarian, Father Polgar said. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The interior of St. Ladislaus; 

a close-up of “Mary of Csoksijon” by Gyuri Hollósy that stands 

inside; the church’s altar honors historic figures of the Hungarian 

Catholic Church; Saint Stephen in stained glass; the exterior 

of the church; the doors at the church’s main entrance marking 

the year the church was built (1905) and rededicated (1973). 

RIGHT: A bas-relief of founding pastor, the Rev. János Szeneczey. 


Bayard Street 

Presbyterian Church 

22A Joyce Kilmer Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 

The Bayard Street Presbyterian Church is an example of 

an old Hungarian church that has survived by taking the 

spirit which formerly unified Hungarian immigrants and 

extending it to the greater community. 

Founded in 1903, it was the first Hungarian congregation 

of any faith in New Brunswick and moved into the 

church in 1908. Its pastor for the past 39 years has been 

the Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Bodnar, who was baptized in the 

church and whose one and only assignment as a minister 

has been as its pastor. 

While the church still participates in the neighborhood’s 

Hungarian activities, including making noodles for the 

annual Hungarian Festival, it numbers few Hungarians 

among its current congregation. It survives by sharing its 

facilities with three other congregations--two Hispanic and 

one African-American. It also remains an active congregation 

by providing services to the community which it once 

provided to immigrants from Hungary: food, clothing 

and, at one time, shelter for those in need. 

“We try to help people who don’t have a church,” Rev. 

Bodnar said. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rev. Dr. Joseph G. 

Bodnar in front of a mural created by the children of 

the church in honor of the church’s 100th anniversary; 

the spirit of the church captured in words and Hungarian 

motifs; a plaque honoring the pastors of the church; 

the church’s interior; a hand-crafted banner marking the 

church’s 15th anniversary in 1918; a view of the tiles 

which decorate the ceiling above the altar. 


Hungarian Reformed 

Church of Woodbridge 

94 North James Street, Woodbridge, NJ 

There are a number of Hungarian churches within a short drive of 

New Brunswick, providing further evidence of the long, proud history 

of the Hungarian American community in New Jersey. 

One of the oldest such congregations can be found at the Hungarian 

Reformed Church of Woodbridge. The congregation was founded 

in 1904 and dedicated its original church in 1907. That building 

was replaced by the church pictured here in 1949. Its pastor for the 

last two years has been the Rev. Stefan M. Török, who came to the 

U.S. from his native Hungary in 1968. 

Like all the churches in this area, the Woodbridge church’s members 

include second, third and fourth generation Hungarian Americans. 

They continue to practice their Magyar traditions by making 

and selling kolbász, kalacs and stuffed cabbage, and by participating 

in events with members of other traditionally Hungarian churches 

and local Hungarian organizations. 

Throughout the church are reminders of the congregation’s rich 

Hungarian past. 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Photos of past members 

and activities remind the congregation of their past; 

the church’s exterior; the church’s first pastor, the Rev. Alexander 

Vajo; the church’s altar and Bible; a fine example 

of Hungarian embroidery which hangs in the lobby; the 

church’s interior. 


William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation 

Tree of Knowledge 

Helping our young members meet 

the challenges of modern educational 

economics requires great effort by all 

our members and friends. Towards 

this end, the WPFA Scholarship 

Foundation has created the Tree of 

Knowledge. The Tree is mounted in 

the second floor foyer of the WPA 

Home Office. Those making 

donations through this program 

will be recognized with individual 

“leaves” on the tree, which can be 

used to honor and remember loved 

ones. Donations are being accepted 

at three levels: Gold ($1,000), Silver 

($500) and Bronze ($250). Those 

wishing to purchase a leaf may use 

the form below. Please help our tree 

“grow” and allow us to continue to 

assist young members reach their 

educational and professional dreams. 

I want to help the Tree of Knowledge grow. Please accept my tax-deductible contribution of: 

m $1,000 - Gold Level m $500 - Silver Level m $250 - Bronze Level 

Name: 

Address: 

Telephone: 

Email: 

Leaf Inscription - Maximum of 4 lines with 20 characters per line (including blank spaces): 

Line 1: 

Line 2: 

Line 3: 

Line 4: 

Please make checks payable to “William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc.” and mail to: 

William Penn Fraternal Association Scholarship Foundation, Inc. 

709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233-1821 


Branch News 

Mark your calendars now! 

Attention all branch news contributors and those wishing to 

submit articles and photographs for publication in William Penn 

Life. Beginning in January, the deadline for all submissions to 

our magazine will be the 10th day of each month. By meeting 

this deadline, you will help ensure that our magazine gets in 

our readers’ hands in a timely manner. If you have any 

questions, please contact John E. Lovasz, Managing Editor, 

toll-free at 1-800-848-7366, ext. 135. Or, email John 

at jlovasz@williampennassociation.org. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Date on the 10th (c) Antonprado/Dreamstime.com 

Branch 8 

Johnstown, PA 

by Dorothy Kedves 

Branch 8 held its monthly meeting 

Nov. 18 and made final arrangements 

for the annual children’s 

Christmas party. The party will be 

held Sunday, Dec. 5, in Oratory Hall 

in Cambria City. We are looking forward 

to seeing the children and their 

families. We thank the Home Office 

for all the nice things they sent; the 

families look forward to receiving 

them. 

The yearly election of officers has 

taken place and elected were: Ernest 

Kedves, president; David S. Kozak, 

vice-president; Dorothy Kedves, 

secretary-treasurer; and David M. 

Kozak and David S. Kozak, auditors. 

For all insurance and annuity needs, 

please contact Branch Coordinator 

Alexis Y. Kozak at 814-255-5286 or 

814-242-0000. 

The branch will be giving out 

three beautiful Holiday Baskets to 

people in need. Christmas is about 

showing fraternalism and doing 

what we can for each other. 

Please remember all our men and 

women serving our country, and 

may God be with them. 

Winter is slowly creeping in, and 

the snow will be flying. The department 

stores are all about holiday 

decorating and Santa. What happened 

to “Jesus is the reason for the 

season” May we keep Christ in 

Christmas, and we wish all families 

of William Penn Association a holy 

and blessed Christmas. 

Branch 10 

Barton, OH 

Branch 40 

Martins Ferry, OH 

Branch 248 

Monaville, WV 

Branch 349 

Weirton, WV 

Branch 8164 

Steubenville, OH 

by Joyce Nicholson 

Merry Christmas and Happy New 

Year from the WPA branches of 

Barton, Martins Ferry, Weirton, 

Steubenville and Monaville! 

This is a very busy time of year 

for everyone when so much is going 

on, but we hope everyone takes a 

break from the hustle and bustle 

to reflect on the true reason for the 

Christmas season. We have so much 

to be thankful for. Also, take a moment 

and say a prayer for those in 

the armed services who cannot be 

with their families to celebrate. 

Once again, our branches will be 

participating in the WPA Holiday 

Basket program. The baskets will be 

delivered by branch volunteers the 

week before Christmas. It’s a heartwarming 

event when those baskets 

are delivered, and those who receive 

them are so very thankful for the 

generosity of William Penn Association. 

To all members of all WPA 

branches, their families and everyone 

in the William Penn Association 

Home Office, our sincere wishes for 

a blessed Christmas go out to you. 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, 

Dec. 12, at 5:00 p.m. at 63 Meadow 

Lane, Wintersville, Ohio. 

For information about our branch 

activities, please call Joyce Nicholson 

at 740-264-6238. 

Branch 14 

Cleveland, OH 

by Dawn D. Ward 

The annual children’s Christmas 

party will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, 

not Sunday, Dec. 12, as was erroneously 

printed in last month’s issue. 

The invitations have the correct date. 

This party is the highlight event 

sponsored by the branch. Last year, 

about 125 children attended along 

with their families, and it continues 

to grow every year. The excitement 

of the children is sure to put everyone 

in the Christmas spirit. 

James Horvath, Branch 14 member 

and former WPA scholarship 

recipient, is putting his architecture 

degree to work in Las Vegas. James 

was in the architecture program for 

the renovation of Caesar’s Palace. 

He was involved in the development 

of the 23-story Octavius Tower. He 

also applied his knowledge of architecture 

on the adjoining Convention 

Center, a 263,000-square-foot 

addition to the Palace Conference 

center. James is the son of Carol and 

the late Louis Horvath. It is always 

gratifying to hear about members’ 


Branch News 

accomplishments. We’re proud to 

have James as a member of Branch 

14. 

Jeff and I were honored to attend 

two marvelous events this fall. The 

Hungarian Heritage Society and 

Museum held its annual Vintner 

Dinner at the beautiful Shaker Country 

Club. Its mission is to protect and 

preserve the Hungarian culture. The 

museum is located in the Galleria, 

1309 East 9th St., Cleveland, and 

is maintained by volunteers. Displays 

include Hungarian artwork, 

folk costumes and other items of 

Hungarian heritage. We enjoyed a 

wonderful dinner and live Hungarian 

music. Vice Chairman E. E. (Al) 

Vargo presented the Society a large 

donation from William Penn Association. 

We also attended the 100th anniversary 

of the Hungarian Reformed 

Church of Fairport Harbor. Pastor 

Louis Medyesi was joined by several 

local Hungarian Reformed ministers, 

a Lutheran minister from Fairport 

and Hungarian Reformed ministers 

from other Midwest states. At 

the banquet, Jeff Ward presented 

a donation from the William Penn 

Association Home Office, and Caroline 

Lanzara presented a donation 

from our branch. This milestone is a 

tribute to the Hungarian immigrants 

who founded the church on Oct. 

23, 1910, and the many following 

generations who kept this church 

thriving in the last century. 

The next branch meeting will 

be held Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 

p.m. in the Bethlen Hall of the First 

Hungarian Reformed Church, 14530 

Alexander Rd., Walton Hills, Ohio. 


Year! 

Branch 18 

Lincoln Park, MI 

by Barbara A. House 


Year to all our wonderful members 

and their families. 

Our recent trip to Hungary is now 

a wonderful memory. This was our 

best trip ever. Everything we did 

was new and exciting. Our guides, 

Andrea and Boyon, were the very 

best. Our driver, Kristian, was also 

Using the Fraternal Spirit to support school spirit, Branch 18 sponsors the cheerleading squad 

of Lincoln Park (Mich.) High School. 

the best we’ve ever had. He fit in 

with everything we did. Everyone 

wanted to adopt him and bring him 

to America. I cannot imagine what 

next year’s trip will be like. Andrea 

promised to top this one. She surely 

has her work cut out for her. 

To pick a highlight would be 

impossible. We were greeted by 

the president and were treated like 

royalty at Parliament. Thank you, 

Zsolt Szekeres, for your wonderful 

hospitality. 

We went to a wedding and 

numerous wine tastings and had to 

cook our own fish over an open fire. 

I really didn’t want to go there, but 

that was one of my favorite days. 

Our four days on the Croatian 

seaside were magnificent. We went 

to a rooster cook-off where we ate all 

the parts of the rooster...and I mean 

ALL the parts of the rooster. 

We went to a medieval knights 

tournament and ended in Budapest. 

We had four days to shop, 

rest, regroup and enjoy each other’s 

company. We had a super-friendly 

group of 22 people. Our farewell 

dinner (thank you WPA for your 

generosity) was the saddest evening 

of all. We made some wonderful 

new members whom we hope will 

be lifetime friends. 

I hope this convinces you to join 

us next year. We really had a marvelous 

trip. 

Congratulations to the Hungarian 

Room scholarship winner, Robert 

Behrendt. Thank you to John L. Lovasz 

and Maria Bistey for your work 

on selecting this year’s recipient on 

Oct. 14. 

Congratulations also to Charlie 

Johns on being elected president of 

the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress. 

Get well wishes go to Helen 

Sryniawski, Ann and Steve Nagy 

and Loretta Adorjan. 

Thank you, Jacquelyn Abraham, 

for thinking of WPA and me for 

your insurance needs. 

Thank you, Grace Balaythy and 

George Schvarckopf, for your generous 

donations to Basil’s Buddies. 

Remember: this is our branch’s 

charity for this year. Basil’s Buddies 

supplies food for pets whose owners 

cannot afford to feed them. Our 

hope is to keep our animals from being 

placed in shelters or eventually 

being put down. We accept any food 

and monetary donations. 

Welcome home, Debbie and 

Glenn Wolfe, from your 10-day 

cruise. I know you had a wonderful 

time, but you sure were missed. 

Remember in your prayers 

our deceased members and their 

families, especially Priscilla Kendall, 


Branch News 

Elizabeth Orris, Mary Toth, Helen 

Kastely. We extend our condolences 

to Jacquelyn Abraham on the death 

of her husband, Ron, and to Rose 

Antal on the death of her brother, 

Ben. 

Our prayers also go to National 

Director Roger G. Nagy on the death 

of his wife, Donna. 

May they all rest in peace. 

Mark your calendars for these 

December events: 

-American Hungarian Reformed 

Church, Allen Park: Sunday school 

Christmas party and pot luck dinner 

on Dec. 19; Christmas services on 

Christmas Eve at 6:00 p.m. (English) 

and on Christmas Day at 9:30 a.m. 

(English) and 11:00 a.m. (Hungarian). 

Call Rose Wickers for information at 

313-382-1001. 

- St. Joseph Hungarian Club, Flint: 

bake sale on Dec. 11 and 12. Call 

Don or Barb Pastor at 810-736-8375 

for more information. 

- Holy Cross Hungarian Catholic 

Church: Kalács sale on Dec. 11 and 

12; Christmas dinner on Dec. 19; 

Christmas Eve Mass at 10:30 p.m.; 

Christmas Day Mass at 11:00 a.m. 

(English and Hungarian). 

Our last Branch 18 meeting of the 

year will be held Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m. 

at the Hungarian Reformed Church. 

We will have a super fun Christmas 

party for any member that wishes 

to attend. This is our adult party. 

Please plan on attending. We will 

plan all our events for the year 2011. 

We will resume our monthly 

meetings on April 20, 2011. 

We will be in Florida from Dec. 15 

to April 12. Our phone number there 

is 321-752-0375. I can always be 

reached on my cell at 313-418-5572. 

Please feel free to call me anytime if 

I can be of help. 

We at Branch 18 wish you a wonderful 

Christmas Season. I hope you 

spend it with those you love and in 

the best of health. We wish you a 

very happy, healthy and prosperous 

new year. 

(EDITOR’S NOTE: In publishing 

last month’s Branch 18 report, I accidentally 

omitted the names of several 

people who helped make the Chinese 

auction held at the WPA Picnic such 

a success. Those omitted were Rose P. 

Antal, Doug and Carol Truesdell, Mike 

Oberg, Nancy and Lorraine Baranyai 

and Ursula Markovits. I apologize to 

them and to Barbara House for my error. 

JEL) 

The Hungarian Arts Club of Michigan 

presents the 

White Rose Ball 

Saturday, February 5, 2011 

The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, Michigan 

Featuring the music of “Harmonia” 

For information on becoming a Debutante or Escort, please call 

Linday Enyedi at 248-352-0927 or Jana Johnson at 734-459-5253 

or send an email to Hungarianartsclub@hotmail.com 

Branch 28 

Youngstown, OH 

by Kathy Novak 

Wow! Where does the time go 

Another year has come and gone. 

Santa’s been at the Branch 28 Christmas 

party held Dec. 4, and that 

starts all the festivities for Christmas. 

We sincerely wish all our fellow 

WPA members a most wonderful 

and joy-filled holiday season with a 

prosperous new year for everyone. 

Once again, Branch 28 wishes to 

thank the Home Office and Board of 

Directors for providing such generous 

support for the annual family 

Christmas party. More details on the 

Dec. 4 event will be in the next issue, 

as well as the election of officer 

results. 

With all the holiday activities 

taking place, let’s not forget to wish 

happy birthday and happy anniversary 

to all those celebrating their 

special day this month. 

At this time of year, it is especially 

hard to hear about those who have 

lost a loved one. To them, we say we 

will keep you in our thoughts and 

prayers. Special condolences go out 

to National Director Roger Nagy 

and his family on their recent loss. 

The Hungarian churches in our 

area joined together to hold their 

annual Thanksgiving vesper services, 

held Nov. 23 at St. Stephen of 

Hungary Church. 

With the backing of our Home 

Office, our branch donated Holiday 

Baskets between Thanksgiving and 

Christmas. Additional funds from 

our branch allowed us to make additional 

donations. 

Congratulations to all our scholarship 

recipients. It was especially nice 

to learn Dante Fercana won one of 

the special essay awards, as well as 

Jody McGraw, who has Youngstown 

connections. Her grandmother, Ruth 

Fabian, was the leader of the local 

dance group for many years. 

We acknowledge the promotion 

of Kristopher Kripchak, Air Force 

meteorologist, to the rank of major. 

He is assigned to the 14th Weather 

Squadron at the Federal Climate 

Complex in Asheville, N.C. 

In conjunction with our November 

meeting, our branch acknowl- 


Branch News 

On Oct. 24, members of Branch 28 joined Hungarian Americans of the Youngstown, Ohio, area in remembering the people and events of Hungary’s 

1956 Revolution during special services held at the Freedom Fighters memorial in Youngstown. 

edged all our past 50-year members 

and welcomed Tom Kuty to this 

special group. His grandfather was a 

very active member with the former 

Verhovay Aid Association as well 

as a part of the merger that formed 

WPA. Inclement weather kept attendance 

at this event lower than usual, 

but all those who did attend enjoyed 

a nice appreciation dinner at the 

Golden Corral. 

Get well wishes go out to all those 

under the weather, especially Betty 

Check, Terry Check Sr., Irene Devlin 

and Frank Tobias. 

For your life insurance and annuity 

needs, please call Kathy at 

330-746-7704 or Alan at 330-482-9994. 

Wishing everyone a blessed 

Christmas season filled with love, 

joy and peace. 

Branch 129 

Columbus, OH 

by Árpád Sibrik 

The Cultural Club of the Hungarian 

Reformed Church held a beautiful 

celebration Oct. 22 to commemorate 

the Hungarian Revolution against 

the Communists and the Russian 

occupation. A nice dinner was held 

in memory of those days. 

We extend our condolences to 

the Relle family on the passing of 

Ferenc M. Relle. He was a longtime 

member of WPA. He was also an 

avid Civitan member who singlehandedly 

organized 22 Civitan clubs 

in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and 

other places, all at his own expense. 

Branch 129 will hold its Christmas 

party on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 

1:00 p.m at the Elks Clubs, 2140 Sonora 

Drive, Grove City, Ohio. Food, 

catered by the Cultural Club, will be 

served at 2:00 p.m. 

Congratulations to Ilona Relle, a 

member of Branch 129, for winning 

first prize in the WPA scholarship 

essay contest. We are very proud of 

her. 

Happy 59th anniversary to my 

dear wife, Piri. 

If you need any assistance with 

life insurance or annuities, please 

call Árpád Sibrik at 614-231-8024 or 

write to 645 S. Kellner Road, Columbus, 

OH 43209. 

Branch 132 

South Bend, IN 

The officers of Branch 132 wish all 

members and their families and 

friends a Happy Christmas and a 

very prosperous new year. 

Our younger members were 

happy to receive the Halloween 

favors sent by the Home Office. Our 

thanks for remembering the children. 

Happy birthday wishes go to all 

celebrating their special day this 

month, especially Geza Bralick, 

Kathy Lehmann and John Marshall. 

Belated birthday wishes go out to 

Walter Lehmann. 

We extend our condolences to the 

family of Andy Jambor. May he rest 

in peace. 

Branch 296 

Springdale, PA 

by Patty Balla 

On Dec. 4 we held our Christmas 

party at the Springdale Veterans Association. 

It was another successful 

party. Thank you to the WPA Board 

of Directors and the Home Office 

staff for their assistance in making 

this branch Christmas party a success. 

Not only do these parties bring 

joy to the kids, but they also allow 

parents and grandparents to have a 

lot of fun. 

The winning entries in the WPA 

scholarship essay contest, published 

in the November issue of William 

Penn Life, were essential reading. 

Some were noble, others whimsical, 

but all were heartfelt. Congratulations 

to the Scholarship Foundation’s 

Executive Committee. I bet it 

was difficult to select which essays 

to honor. I think you did a good job. 

Congratulations to all the winners 

and all who participated. 

Special condolences are extended 

to National Director Roger Nagy 

and his family on the passing of 

Roger’s wife, Donna. We at Branch 

296 ask you to pray for the eternal 

rest of Mrs. Nagy and all the recently 

departed. 

Some good news from Noreen 

Fritz, FIC, LUTCF: her niece gave 

birth to twins, two beautiful girls 

named Addison and Bella Vogel. 

Congratulations to proud parents 

Lisa and Ken Vogel and grandpar- 


Branch News 

Golden Couple 

Congratulations to Branch 296 members Joe and Peggy Fabri, who celebrated their 

50th wedding anniversary Nov. 12. The golden couple enjoyed an intimate celebration 

with their children at Hyde Park in Pittsburgh. Joe and Peggy were married at 

St. Ladislaw Hungarian Church in Beaver Falls, Pa. They have three daughters: Julia 

(Jeff) DeSantes of Mars, Pa.; Renne (Sam) Maldonato of Irwin, Pa.; and Jodi (Josh) 

Fleishman of Seven Fields, Pa. They also have nine grandchildren: Jessalyn, Alexa, 

Rachel and Jeffrey DeSantes; Gabrielle and Alexandra Maldonato; and Haylee, 

Gracie and Sophie Fleishman. 

ents Larry and Diane Galla. They 

are all members of William Penn 

Association. 

Share your news with me if you 

would like to see it in our branch 

news article. Please call me at 724- 

339-4238. 

Happy December birthday wishes 

to Noreen Fritz. 

Wishing everyone a blessed and 

Merry Christmas. 

May all of you have a happy and 

healthy new year. God bless. 

For your life insurance and annuity 

needs, please call Noreen Fritz, 

FIC, LUTCF, at 412-821-1837. 

Branch 800 

Altoona, PA 

by Vincent Frank 

The Christmas season is now upon 

all of us. What a most cheerful time 

of year. The children are excited 

as the holiday arrives for they are 

expecting presents which they have 

asked for. Your branch officers wish 

all members and their families a 

most happy and blessed Christmas. 

A special Merry Christmas wish 

goes to all of our ill members. We 

ask the good Lord to bless all of 

you and grant you a return to good 

health during this most holy season. 

Once again, your branch will 

join with other branches to assure 

the poor will receive help through 

WPA’s Holiday Basket program. 

This program has been in force for 

many years. It is fraternalism at its 

best. 

WPA life insurance and annuities 

may be purchased through Bob 

Jones in Altoona. Give him a call at 

814-942-2661 to get good coverage at 

reasonable rates. 

It will soon be time to say goodbye 

to the year 2010. Have you 

looked back over the year Was 

it good to you Or, was it pretty 

lousy Either way, ready or not, we 

welcome in Jan. 1, 2011. Happy New 

Year! 

Branch 8114 

Clarion, PA 

by Noreen Fritz, FIC, LUTCF (in Pittsburgh) 

The Branch 8114 Clarion annual 

Christmas dinner was held Dec. 6 at 

the Immaculate Conception cafeteria. 


Year to all. May you have the greatest 

two gifts of all on these holidays: 

someone to love and someone who 

loves you. Merry Christmas and 

Blessed New Year! 

Special greeting to all those 

celebrating a birthday in December, 

including Cynthia Gates, Donald 

Schmader, Karlie Bauer, Leo Curran, 

Thomas Ragley, Duane Reinsel, 

George Kossman. Susanne Amato, 

John Quinn, John Aaron, Angelene 

McCloskey, Loreno Pierucci, Erhart 

Olson, Shirley Carroll, Monica 

Callihan, Ann Cherico and Natalie 

Rice. Happy December birthday! 

You’re older today then yesterday 

but younger than tomorrow. Have a 

fabulous birthday. 

Do you have any questions about 

life insurance, annuities or pension 

plans If so, call me. I can be reached 

at 412-821-1837. Or, you may write 

to me at P.O. Box 15060, Pittsburgh, 

PA 15237-0060. My e-mail address is: 

noreenbunny.fritz@verizon.net . 

May peace be more than a season, 

may it be a way of life. 

Branch 8121 

St. Marys, PA 

by Mary Lou Schutz 

Our branch held a regular business 

meeting on Nov. 3 in St. Marys. 

During the meeting, a letter from 

the Home Office concerning the 

WPA’s Holiday Basket program was 

read. We decided to participate in 

this program by making a donation 

to the local Christian Food Bank for 

Thanksgiving. We will also make a 

donation for a basket at Christmas. 

Our branch Christmas party was 

held on Dec. 1 at the Green Lite Restaurant. 

During our meeting, a committee 

was appointed to select nominations 

for branch officers for 2011. 

We wish everyone a Merry 

Christmas and a Happy New Year! 


Welcome To Our Fraternal Family 

ANDREW A. ABEL 

Branch 14 Cleveland, OH 

CODY BABOS 

Branch 15 Chicago, IL 

JUSTINE J. BABOS 

Branch 15 Chicago, IL 

ABBAGALE C. BOLGER 

Branch 18 Lincoln Park, MI 

MADISON L. BREGITZER 


GABRIEL CALCEI 

Branch 44 Akron, OH 

GIAVANNA T. GREKIS 

Branch 8020 McKees Rocks, PA 

AUBREY G. LYDEN 

Branch 28 Youngstown, OH 

COLE V. WELKER 


If you have a child who recently joined 

the WPA, then send us his or her 

photo. We will publish it in an 

upcoming issue so all our members 

can welcome your child into our WPA 

Fraternal Family. All photos will be 

published as soon as possible. 


Puzzle Contest #66 with Lizzy Cseh 

Hungarian 

Christmas Words 

JO NAPOT! Erszi here, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

(In Hungarian: Boldog Karácsony/Boldog Új Évet!) I’ve compiled 

a list of 18 words that are essential to know in the confines of 

an American-Hungarian Yuletide gathering. Let this season be a 

great time to introduce some Magyar words to children or friends 

that need to learn a little Hungarian. Each word can be used 

in the course of a meal, gift giving or decorating. Each word is 

in English, then the word is written Hungarian. The Hungarian 

words in bold are the words to be found in the puzzle. 

Did you know that “Mennyből Az Angyal!” (“God’s Glorious 

Angel”) is the most popular Christmas song in Hungary If you 

know the song, why not teach it to a loved one this year! 

Good Luck! See you in 2011. 

Puzzle Contest #63 

WINNERS 

The winners of our Puzzle Contest #63 were drawn 

Nov. 5, 2010, at the Home Office. Congratulations to: 

Clarence Cronauer Jr., Br. 8075 Wilkes-Barre, PA 

Maura C. McKenna, Br. 34 Pittsburgh, PA 

Raymond E. Mrazik, Br. 89 Homestead, PA 

Margaret Popovnak, Br. 59 Windber, PA 

Each won $50 for their correct entry. 

WAY TO GO! 

RULES 

1. ALL WPA Life Benefit Members are eligible 

to enter. 

2. Complete the word search puzzle correctly. 

3. Mail your completed puzzle, along with your 

name, address, phone number, email address, 

and WPA Certificate Number, to: 

WPA PUZZLE #66 



4. Entries must be received at the Home Office 

by January 28, 2011. 

5. Four (4) winners will be drawn from all 

correct entries on or about February 1, 2011, at 

the Home Office. Each winner will receive $50. 

6. GOOD LUCK! 

WPA PUZZLE CONTEST #66 

OFFICIAL ENTRY 

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Hungarian Christmas Words 

(NOTE: The Hungarian words in bold appear in puzzle) 

Christmas = Karácsony 

New Year = Új Évet 

Baby = Baba 

Jesus = Jézus 

Pine Tree = Fenyő 

Star = Csillag 

Angel = Angyal 

Shepherd = Juhász 

Church = Templom 

Sing = Énekel 

Snow = Hó 

Ham = Sonka 

Sausage = Kolbász 

Angel Wings = Csoroge 

Roll = Kalács 

Walnut = Dió 

Poppy = Mák 

Santa Nicholas = Szent Mikulás 

Please complete the information below: 

Name: 

Address: 

City: 

State: 

Phone: 

Email: 

WPA Certificate No.: 

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In Memoriam 

Continued from Page 2 

store corporation and a 

Catholic by faith. 

He was preceded in 

death by his wife, Felicitas 

“Zita” Kara, who 

passed away April 23, 

2010. 

He is survived by his 

daughter, Mary Ann 

Kara, with whom he 

made his home, and his 

son and daughter-in-law, 

Michael J. and Kathy 

Kara of Newton, N.C. 

Entombment was held 

in Sacred Heart Cemetery 

in Carroll Twp., Pa. 

Memorial contributions 

may be made to the 

William Penn Fraternal 

Association Scholarship 

Foundation. 

May he rest in peace. 

We ask you to pray 

for the eternal rest of 

Mr. Kara and all our 

recently departed 

members listed below: 

OCTOBER 2010 

0001 BRIDGEPORT, CT 

Renard Harris 

Helen Parsons 

0008 JOHNSTOWN, PA 

Elizabeth M. Biondo 

0013 TRENTON, NJ 

Frank Bodnar 

Malvin M. Yakim 

0014 CLEVELAND, OH 

John E. Craib 

Gizella A. Hodanbosi 

0015 CHICAGO, IL 

Evelyn J. DeSalvo 

0016 PERTH AMBOY, NJ 

Julia Halasz 

0018 LINCOLN PARK, MI 

Helen Kastely 

Priscilla Kendall 

Anna Kosa 

Elizabeth Orris 

Mary Toth 

0019 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 

Anna Johnson 

0024 CHICAGO, IL 

Eva Konrad 

Margaret H. Lobbia 

0028 YOUNGSTOWN, OH 

Dolores James 

0034 PITTSBURGH, PA 

Helen V. McCaffery 

0040 MARTINS FERRY, OH 

Mary Jane Falbo 

0044 AKRON, OH 

Kristina L. Wassam 

0071 DUQUESNE, PA 

Ann Funovits 

0076 PHILADELPHIA, PA 

John Walker 

0089 HOMESTEAD, PA 

Francis Bradish 

Ann Cuba 

George R. Korbelic 

0090 ALLENTOWN, PA 

Catherine S. Klonfer 

0098 BETHLEHEM, PA 

Rose Brem 

Anna R. Bodisch 

John Seier 

Elizabeth Toth 

0129 COLUMBUS, OH 

Frieda Hofbauer 

Jerry F. Kennedy 

0132 SOUTH BEND, IN 

Irene Lithvay 

Audrey A. Nagy 

0159 PHOENIXVILLE, PA 

Julia P. Hilborn 

Rudolph Lincul 

Paul Vargo 

0352 CORAOPOLIS, PA 

Genevieve Ganser 

0590 CAPE CORAL, FL 

Richard A. Aranyos 

Walter Shirko 

0705 MAYVILLE, WI 

Ray J. Giefen 

0720 DEDHAM, MA 

Florence A. Dodge 

Louise E. Menesale 

0725 SPRINGFIELD, MA 

Lillian A. Fenton 

August J. Pasquini 

Eleanor B. Weir 

Francis R. Wenninger 

8020 McKEES ROCKS, PA 

Margaret E. DeAngelis 

8036 SCOTTDALE, PA 

John Butcho 

8075 WILKES-BARRE, PA 

Robert F. Newcomb 

8114 CLARION, PA 

Eugene A. Seitz 

Recent Donations 

WPFA 

Scholarship 

Foundation 

Donations Through 

Premium Payments 


Branch - Donor - Amount 

13 - John Pongracz - $10.00 

14 - Steven D. Danielson - $1.00 

14 - Margaret G. Kerosky - $5.00 

14 - Noreen L. Fischer - $5.00 

14 - Nathan J. Corrigan - $5.00 

15 - Lucille Staken - $5.00 

26 - Joan M. Gualtieri - $1.00 

27 - Stephen J. Ivancso Jr. - $13.74 

28 - Chris S. Paul - $9.20 

28 - Jacob D. W. Griffiths - $2.00 

28 - Mary C. Janovick - $3.00 

28 - Michael J. Janovick - $8.00 

28 - Michael G. Bakos - $2.48 

28 - Vera J. Gabrick - $5.00 

28 - John S. Pitlik - $5.00 

28 - Edward J. Crump Jr. - $5.00 

59 - Stephen J. Gall Jr. - $2.15 

59 - Carter J. Vitez - $10.00 

76 - Emilie B. Valent - $2.00 

88 - James E. Emery - $1.00 

90 - Attila Kun-Szabo - $10.00 

90 - Buda Kun-Szabo - $10.00 

159 - Kirstin E. Mayberry - $6.85 

174 - Colleen M. Phillips - $5.00 

189 - Kim A. Vanderkar - $25.00 

226 - Timothy R. Holtzman - $1.40 

226 - Carol S. Burlikowski - $5.00 

226 - Dennia S. Burlikowski - $5.00 

226 - Robert W. Serena - $5.00 

226 - Joan E. Bicsey - $5.00 

296 - Irene B. Charles - $25.00 

336 - Richard E. Schneck - $15.00 

352 - Helen Malone - $50.00 

352 - Veronica A. Kochinski - $10.00 

352 - John W. Bush Jr. - $10.00 

352 - John P. McKinsey Jr. - $1.32 

352 - Dora S. McKinsey - $1.02 

525 - Elsie V. Johnstone - $10.00 

590 - Barbara M. Camire - $5.76 

723 - Marguerite S. Morin - $5.00 

8014 - Nicholas E. DePersis - $15.00 

8019 - Mary F. Clarke - $3.00 

TOTAL for Month = $329.92 

Additional Donations 


Donor - Amount 

M/M Charles S. Johns - $16.00 

(In honor of all active members) 

Andrew J. Mantlik - $10.00 

Paula Horvath - $20.00 

WPA Cookbook Sales - $255.00 


Donations In Memoriam 


Donor - Amount 

(In Memory of) 

M/M Thomas F. House - $100.00 

(Donna Nagy) 

William J. Bero - $50.00 

(Donna Nagy) 


Our awards lead to far greater rewards 

The rewards that come with a higher education are priceless. That’s why since 1972 the 

William Penn Association has awarded more than $2.1 million in scholarship grants to 

its young members attending accredited institutions of higher learning. Our scholarship 

program is just one of many benefits available to our members. To learn more on how 

membership in the WPA can benefit your family, call your local WPA representative or 

our Home Office, toll-free at 1-800-848-7366. 

Careerists (c) Andrey Kiselev/Dreamstime.com 


You should see the view from here 

For information and reservations, call us at 1-800-848-7366, ext. 103, 

or visit us on the Internet at www.scenicviewpa.com 

Cabins and Lodges in the Laurel Highlands 

Cabins and Lodges in the Laurel Highlands

Inside this issue: 

Traveling across Hungary one meal 

at a time…PAGE 4. 

Tibor’s Take on Christmas…PAGE 8. 

The Hungarian Churches of 

New Brunswick…PAGE 14. 

PRSRT STD 

US Postage 

PAID 

PERMIT #12 

INDIANA, PA 

Put some extra jingle 

in your stocking 

Refer a family member 

or friend to WPA and earn 

a Recommender Award! 

Have a wonderful holiday with a little extra money 

courtesy of WPA. Adult members age 16 and older 

can earn cash rewards when they refer new members 

to WPA. We will pay adult members $ 12. 00 for each 

applicant they recommend who is issued a WPA 

permanent life insurance plan. The WPA will also pay 

adult members $ 10. 00 for each applicant they recommend 

who is issued a WPA term insurance plan. To claim your 

reward, send us the names and addresses of everyone you 

know who would enjoy the many fraternal benefits that 

come with membership in WPA. (If recommending more 

than one person, please write the names, addresses and 

phone numbers of each prospective applicant on a separate 

sheet and attach to the coupon below.) 

*Family of sales agents living at the same address as the 

agent do not qualify for a Recommender Award. 

Please Print 

Your Name: 

WPA RECOMMENDER 

Branch No.: 

Address: 

Phone: 

WPA Representative/Agent: 

Name of Prospective Applicant: 

Address: 

Phone: 

Mail to: Recommender, William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

DECEMBER 2010 - William Penn Life

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