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HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY
The AHSCA presents
Hungarian Heritage Day, which usually takes place in May or June of every
year. Elderly Hungarian residents, ages 75 and older, are honored during
a celebration of history and culture that usually includes Hungarian music,
dancing and food. A group photo of all the honorees that attend the celebration.
Each receives a copy of the photo and a certificate stating that they are
an honoree of the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association.
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2010
On June 6, 2010, the annual Hungarian Heritage Day at St. Margaret
Catholic Hall in Hungarian Settlement was held with 42 honorees and 37 guests
attending. AHSCA President, Wayne Kreko gave the welcome and recognized the
honorees. Liz Bordok read a brief history of Hungarian Settlement. Suzanna Green led the Star-Spangled Banner
and Victoria Mocsary led the Hungarian National Anthem. A special gift was given to the honoree
that traveled the farthest to attend. Frank Lezu, who came from Fort Walton
Beach, Florida received that prize. Tony Sziber, who was 95 years young,
received a gift for being to oldest honoree in attendance at Heritage Day.
It was a great time for friends to get together and visit. For some, this
is the only time of the year they get to see one another. Victoria Mocsary,
along with her neices, Suzanna, Megan, and Samantha Green, and nephew, Jake
Green, entertained the guests by perfoming several Hungarian songs. Everyone
enjoyed the singing, which brought back memories from the past.
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2009
Our annual Hungarian
Heritage Day was held on June 7, 2009 at St. Margaret Catholic Hall in Hungarian
Settlement near Albany, Louisiana. Thirty-six honorees (those of Hungarian
descent age 75 and older) and their families attended the event and had a
very enjoyable afternoon. Each honoree was given a corsage made by Elizabeth
Bordok. Jim King, president of the AHSCA, welcomed everyone and recognized
all the honorees. Suzanna Green led the Star-Spangled Banner and Victoria
Mocsary led the Hungarian National Anthem. Elizabeth Bordok read a history
about Hungarian Settlement and St. Margaret Catholic Church regarding its
upcoming 100 year celebration in 2010. Various committees of the church are
hard at work preparing for this historical event. A prize was given to Rose
Kreko and Alex Sziszak for the being the oldest honorees present. Frank Lezu
from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, received a prize for being the honoree who
traveled the farthest to attend. Hungarian songs were sung by Suzanna Green,
Megan Green and Christina Mocsary and led by their aunt, Victoria Mocsary.
All of these are direct decendents of Adam Mocsary, one of our community's
original founders. The songs included: Piros
Piros Piros, Kis Kutya Nagy Kutya, Az a Szép, Debrecen, Ég a Város, and Megismerni a Kanászt.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success. Bill Prokop took
photos and Victoria Mocsary created a photo collage for each honoree.
Victoria Mocsary (on guitar) performs Hungarian Folk songs with
Megan Green, Christina Mocsary and Suzanna Green with handmade strawberry
quilt crafted by Elizabeth Ivanyisky Bordok hanging as backdrop behind.
From left to right
around table: Mary Ann Glodan Wax, her sister, Anna Glodan Kirby, Rose
Kovach Kreko speaking with Clara Olah, Helen Chaucer Galladora, Robert Lee,
Nick and Ethel Erdey, Julius Megyesi, Joe Olah, and Anna Ujvari Odor.
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HUNGARIAN HERITAGE
DAY 2008
(left: Megan and Samantha Green, Christina Mocsary and Jake Green perform
Hungarian folk songs.)
Heritage Day was held June 8th at St. Margaret Hall in Hungarian Settlement.
Those of Hungarian descent, age
75 and over, who are a part of or who once lived in our community, were honored at this event. There
was a total of twenty-seven honorees. Each received a corsage and had their picture taken
by Bill Prokop as they arrived. Jim King welcomed everyone followed by Suzanna Green
singing the Star Spangled Banner. Then, everyone joined in to sing the Hungarian National
Anthem. Rev. Mark Dennis, pastor of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church led
the invocation and blessing of the food. Dr. Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul
for Louisiana gave a brief message about our heritage. Dr. Gergatz recently returned
from Hungary and spoke a few words on his trip. Jim King recognized the Hungarian
honorees and presented a Wal Mart gift card to Alex Sziszak for being the oldest, 88
years young, and a Wal Mart gift card to Irene Glodan Hamilton for traveling the farthest,
all the way from Michigan. The honorees and guests were entertained by great great grandchildren
of Adam Mocsary, one of the first settlers of our community. They sang various Hungarian
folk songs taught to them by Vicky Mocsary, their aunt. Those singing were Suzanna
Green, Samantha, Jacob & Megan Green and Christina Mocsary. Afterwards, refreshments
were served. Thanks to everyone who brought food and helped in various
ways to help make this event a success.
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HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2007
Heritage Day took place on Sun., June 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at
St. Margaret Hall in Hungarian Settlement. Those of Hungarian descent, age
75 and over, who are a part of or who once lived in our community, were honored
at this event. Forty of these honorees were present at Heritage Day! Each
received a corsage and had their picture taken by Bill Prokop as they arrived.
The ribbon for the corsages came all the way from Hungary! The program began
with a welcome by Jim King, the AHSCA president. Suzanna Green led the Star-Spangled
Banner and Vicky Mocsary led the Hungarian National Anthem. Rev. Dr. Stephen
Sanders of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church led the invocation. Dr.
Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul for Louisiana, presented some
words of support and encouragement for our desire to remember our Hungarian
roots. Louis Bartus, President of the Hungarian Settlement Historical Society,
gave an update on the progress of the Hungarian Settlement Museum. Vicky Mocsary
gave a brief historical sketch of the community and recognized the Hungarian
honorees present at this event. Mary Mocsary Pauli received a Wal Mart gift
card from the AHSCA for being the oldest honoree present at Heritage Day.
She is 90 years young, but will be 91 at the end of July! Joe Spisak also
received a Wal Mart gift card for being the honoree who traveled the farthest
to come to this event. He came all the way from Martinez, Georgia! The crowd
was then entertained with some Hungarian dances performed by a New Orleans
dance group called the International Folk Dancers. After the dancing, Suzie
Green and her aunt, Vicky Mocsary, performed three Hungarian Folk Songs–
Piros Piros Piros, Ég a Város and Az a Szép.
Rev. Paul Nguyen of St. Margaret Catholic Church led the blessing of the food.
Afterwards, refreshments, that included some Hungarian pastries, punch, cookies,
sandwiches, and coffee, were served. Special thanks to all who brought food,
made a donation, or assisted in any way to help make this event possible.
A photo collage of all the honorees, along with a certificate commemorating
the occasion, was sent to each honoree who was present at Heritage Day.
Honorees of
the 2007 Hungarian Heritage Day Celebration:
Scenes from Heritage Day
2007:
Honorees Liz and Louis Bordok,
Fr. Paul Ngyuen, and others observe the dancing performance.
The International Folk Dancers
and audience participants dance together.
Four sibling Honorees: George
Lezu, Irene Lezu Good, Andy Lezu, and Frank Lezu
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2006
Heritage Day took place on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at St. Margaret
Hall. The program began with a welcome by AHSCA President, Louis Monic.
Suzanna Green then performed the Star-Spangled Banner. This was followed
by the Hungarian National Anthem, which was led by Victoria Mocsary. Rev.
Msgr. Leo Guillot of St. Margaret Catholic Church gave the invocation. Dr.
Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian Consul for Louisiana, said a few words
about how impressed he is with our community and our eagerness to remember
our heritage. He also pointed out that 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of
the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against communism. Victoria Mocsary followed
with a brief historical sketch of the community and noted that 2006 marks
the 110th anniversary of Hungarian Settlement. She then formally recognized
all forty-six honorees that were present at the event. Because of all his
support for Heritage Day over the past few years, Fr. Leo Guillot was made
an honorary Hungarian for the day. After the recognition of the seniors of
Hungarian descent, age 75 and older (the honorees), special gifts were handed
out. Mary Mocsary Pauli received a Wal-Mart gift card and a hand-painted
wooden Hungarian doll for being the oldest honoree at this event. She was
89 at Heritage Day, but just turned 90 years old at the end of July! Ernest
Breda, who came all the way from Beaumont, Texas to attend this event, received
a prize (a wooden frame to hold his Honoree Certificate) for being the honoree
who traveled the farthest to come to Heritage Day. A dance group, called
the Denim and Lace Cloggers, then performed a series of fast-moving numbers
that fascinated the crowd. The rest of the afternoon’s entertainment consisted
of Hungarian dancing and singing. Tonya King, Sue Nyeki Martin, Victoria
Mocsary, Nichole King Smith, and Chris Maklary Thornhill performed the Somogy
Karikázó, a women’s circle dance. Helen Fekete Nyeki then sang one of the
community’s all time favorites, Részeg Vagyok Rózsám. Paul Bates and Tom
Mocsary then joined the other dancers with the Olahos, which is a jumping
dance. Helen Nyeki followed this dance with the song, Kapitán Uram. Paul
Bates and Tom Mocsary finalized the entertainment with the Géncsi, a men’s
recruiting dance. Rev. Robert Weathersby of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian
Church blessed the food and everyone present was able to then partake of
the delicious foods the included Hungarian pastries among other delicacies.
An photo was taken of each honoree and later put together in a collage, creating
an 8 x 10 group picture. A copy was later given to each honoree as a memento
of Hungarian Heritage Day in Hungarian Settlement, 2006.
PHOTO OF
THE HONOREES FROM THE 2006 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2005
The Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association (AHSCA)
sponsored its annual Hungarian Heritage Day on Sunday, June 5, 2005 at St.
Margaret Hall near Albany. Honorees (those of Hungarian descent, ages 75
and over) were greeted at the door and presented with a special certificate
commemorating the occasion. Each also received a “Hungarian Honoree, 2005"
button to wear during the celebration. The buttons were white with red lettering
and decorated with red, white and green ribbons. Individual photographs of
the honorees were taken by Bill Prokop as they came in the door. A total
of 43 honorees attended this year’s event!! AHSCA President, Jim King, started
the program by welcoming the crowd and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Suzanna Green, daughter of Kathleen Mocsary Green, then sang the Star-Spangled
Banner. Immediately following, Victoria Mocsary, led the singing of the Hungarian
National Anthem. Rev. Dr. Stephen Sanders of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian
Church led the invocation prayer. The program was then turned over to Victoria
Mocsary, chair of the Heritage Day Committee. Mocsary officially recognized
the honorees, calling each of them by name. Next, door prizes were handed
out to two lucky honorees. Ninety-three-year-old Elizabeth King received a
beautiful floral bouquet and a prize ribbon for being the oldest honoree at
the event. Stephen King, who came all the way from Kempner, Texas received
a package of Hungarian playing cards and a prize ribbon for being the honoree
who traveled the farthest to attend this event. The entertainment for the
afternoon began with the Gáncsi, a Hungarian men’s dance performed by Paul
Bates, Mike Erdey, Marty Farkas, and Tom Mocsary. Suzanna Green and Victoria
Mocsary then performed the following songs in Hungarian: Ég a Város and Debrecen.
Next, a local children’s dance group, called The Little Gypsies, performed
a series of dances to Hungarian melodies. The conclusion of the program came
when ten year olds, Jacob Green and Christina Mocsary, and five year old,
Megan Green, dazzled the audience by singing the following songs in Hungarian:
Kis Kutya, Nagy Kutya, Az a Szép and Piros Piros Piros. Aftern the singing,
Rev. Sanders led a prayer to bless the food and refreshments were served.
The delicacies included punch, sandwiches, cookies, cake, and Hungarian pastries,
such as kiflik and kalács. The Heritage Day committee: Kathleen Green, Victoria
Mocsary, Julia Ourso, and Margaret Resetar, would like to thank all of the
volunteers who prepared food or helped in any way to make this event possible.
PHOTO OF
THE HONOREES FROM THE 2005 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2004
The Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement
Cultural Association (AHSCA) sponsored its annual Hungarian Heritage Day
on Sunday, June 13, 2004 at St. Margaret Hall near Albany. Honorees (those
of Hungarian descent, ages 75 and over) were greeted at the door and presented
with a special certificate commemorating the occasion. Each also received
a “Hungarian Honoree, 2004" button to wear during the celebration. The buttons
were white with green lettering and decorated with red, white and green ribbons.
Individual photographs of the honorees were taken by Bill Prokop as they
came in the door. A total of 47 honorees attended this year’s event!! After
AHSCA President, Jim King welcomed the crowd, Suzanna Green, daughter of
Kathleen Mocsary Green, sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Rev. Dr. Stephen Sanders
of the Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church did the invocation prayer, which
was followed by a brief speech by Dr. Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Hungarian
Consul for Louisiana. Gergatz discussed his support of the event and stressed
how pleased he was to see the community continue to celebrate its heritage.
The center of attraction during this program was a beautiful Hungarian flag
which is over 100 years old. Gergatz confirmed the authenticity and age of
this flag and briefly discussed its historical significance. The flag was
brought to the U.S. by Steve Resetar, one of the earliest immigrants to settle
here. The owners of the flag, Michael and Joe Jenkins, graciously loaned
the flag to the AHSCA for the day in memory of their mother, Helen Prokop
Jenkins, who passed away this past year. The entertainment for this event
was provided by Suzanna Green and Victoria Mocsary, who performed the following
songs in Hungarian: Ég a Város, Debrecen, Megismérni a Kanászt, Kék Nefeléjcs
and Piros Piros, Piros. Mocsary, chair of the Heritage Day Committee, then
reflected on the history of the community and officially recognized the honorees,
calling each one by name. This Hungarian Heritage Day was dedicated to the
memories of three AHSCA members who devoted large amounts of their time to
the preservation of the Hungarian culture in the community: Betsy King, David
Arceneaux, and Horace Green. Their families were presented with framed certificates
posthumously declaring Betsy, David, and Horace to be Hungarian Honorees
at this event. One of the highlights of the day was when door prizes were
handed out to more than fifteen lucky honorees. One of the top honors went
to Elizabeth King, 92 years old, who received a floral bouquet and a hand
painted wooden box from Hungary for being the oldest honoree present at the
celebration. Ethel Ivanyisky Hudak received a gift basket of Hungarian food
items from the Olde World Bakery for being the honoree who traveled the farthest
to come to Heritage Day. She came all the way from Merriville, Indiana, which
is over 900 miles away! A special thanks goes to Diane Szegfu, who graciously
donated several hand painted items from Hungary to be given out as door prizes.
The last performance of the day featured Suzanna Green singing the song Please
Remember. The program closed with a benediction prayer and the blessing of
the food by the Rev. Msgr. Leo Guillot of St. Margaret Catholic Church. The
refreshments that followed included punch, sandwiches, and Hungarian pastries,
such as kiflik and kalács. The Heritage Day committee: Kathleen Green, Victoria
Mocsary, Julia Ourso, and Margaret Resetar, would like to thank all of the
volunteers who prepared food or helped in any way to make this event possible.
PHOTO OF
THE HONOREES FROM THE 2004 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:
HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2003
Our Annual Hungarian Heritage
Day took place on Sunday, June 1, 2003 at St. Margaret Catholic Hall. A record
number of honorees, fifty-eight in all, attended this event! The ceremony
began when all those present were welcomed by AHSCA president, Jim King.
Suzie Green then sang the Star-Spangled Banner, which was immediately followed
by everyone singing A Magyar Himnusz (the Hungarian National Anthem). Reverend
Dr. Stephen Sanders did the invocation and the AHSCA dancers, led by Sue
Martin, entertained the crowd with ethnic-style dancing. This portion of
the program began with a Hungarian men’s dance called the Gencsy Verbunk,
which was performed by Mike Erdey, Marty Farkas, Adam Green, and Thomas Mocsary.
Suzie Green and Vicky Mocsary then sang two Hungarian songs called, Megismerni
a Kanast and Eg a Varos. A second Hungarian dance, a circle dance for men
and women, called the Olahos, highlighted dancers that included Tanya King
and Nicole Smith. Following the dancing, everyone joined in for a Hungarian
sing-a-long led by Vicky Mocsary. To commemorate this occasion, each honoree
(those of Hungarian descent, ages 75 and older) were recognized and given
a certificate from the AHSCA. Our own president, Jim King, was among the
honorees at this event! The honorees then lined up for a group photograph
to be taken. Each honoree will receive a copy of this photo as a memento.
Another highlight of the afternoon was when door prizes were handed out.
Ethel Filczer Hoover, who is 94 years old, received a beautiful floral centerpiece
for being the oldest honoree present at this event. Stephen King from Kempner,
Texas, received a door prize for the honoree who came the farthest to attend
the Heritage Day Celebration! The crowd received a special treat at the conclusion
of the program when the Daisy Girl Scouts, Troop 421, sang The Grand Old
Flag. Rev. Dr. Stephens Sanders then blessed the food and all those present
joined in to taste the goodies that were displayed on the food table. Among
the delicious treats were some Hungarian pastries, such as kiflis and kalacs.
The Heritage Day Committee,
Kathleen Green, Vicky Mocsary, Julia Ourso, and Margaret Resetar, would like
to thank all those people who helped make this event possible! Many, many
thanks goes to all of the people who donated food or helped in various other
ways at this event. This could not be done without all of you!
PHOTO
OF THE HONOREES FROM THE 2003 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:
Front Row Seated: Alice Vargo Hamilton,
Helen Chaucer Galladora, Ruby Petho, Theresa Friedman Ivanyisky,
Anna Vassil Friedman, Eleanor
Yager Bates, Ethel Koles Prokop, Pearl Shaffer Manchac, Bertha Papp Vicknair
Second Row Seated: Ethel Filczer
Hoover, Mary Nemeth Gaydos, Mary Mocsary Pauli, Helen Fekete Nyeki,
Velma Petho Kovach, Irene Lezu
Good, Mary Bayus Kropog, Anna Bayus Gubancsik, Helen Berey Broussard,
Helen Glodan Kerek, Annie Nagy
Kuhn
Third Row Seated: Irene Yuhasz Troyan,
Mary Yuhasz Clement, Rose Kovach Kreko, Elizabeth Ujvari Salessi,
Steve King, Anna Ujvari Odor,
Ruby Shaffer Drude, Helen Prokop Jenkins, Ethel Beregi Erdey, Steve Horvath,
Mary Erdey Anderson, Tony Ujvari,
Anna Beregi Kinchen
Standing: Joe Olah, Anna Vargo Bankston,
Margaret Ivanyisky Resetar (back), Goldie Bartus Hudson, George Lezu, Margaret
Koles Lala, Augustine Matusicky, Nick Erdey, Andy Lezu, Louis Chemay, Joe
Prokop, Zoltan Koleszar, Louis Bartus, Paul Sziszak, Alex Sziszak, Andy Gubancsik,
Louis Vargo, Joe Kropog, Jim King,
Mary Ann Glodan Wax, John Boros,
Jimmy Beregi, Raymond Blahut, Alex Yuhasz, John Erdey
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HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2002
The Hugarian Heritage Day
celebration took place on Sunday, June 2, 2002 at St. Margaret Catholic Hall
near Albany, Louisiana. Hungarians from the local community and surrounding
area came together to celebrate this special day. Some former residents of
the area came from as far away as Austin, Texas to attend the festivities.
The program began at 2:00 P.M., when Victoria Mocsary led the crowd in the
singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. Mrs. Helen Fekete Nyeki then the singing
of the Hungarian National Anthem. AHSCA president, Jim King, welcomed all
in attendance and introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Stephen Gergatz, the
Honorary Hungarian Consul for Louisiana. Each Hungarian Honoree, those ages
75 and older of Hungarian descent, was given a button to wear proclaiming
that they were an honored guest at this event. Each honoree was presented
individually with a certificate that they could take home and frame, if desired.
All guest in attendance were treated to Hungarian dances, led by Sue Nyeki
Martin. Father Leo Guillot of St. Margaret Church led the invocation and the
blessing of the food. When the program ended, refreshments, which included
Hungarian pastries, such a kifi and kalacs, were served.
HONOREES FROM THE 2002 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION:
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HUNGARIAN HERITAGE DAY 2001
Hungarian Heritage Day, which
took place on Sunday, June 10th, at St. Margaret Catholic Hall, was an astounding
success! About 120 people, which included forty-two honorees and their families,
attended the celebration (in spite of the weather). The festivities began
at 2:00 P.M. when the AHSCA singers welcomed the crowd with the song, “Jó
napot kivánok.” Everyone then joined in to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner”
and “A Magyar Himnusz,” (the Hungarian National Anthem). AHSCA president,
Jim King, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Guest speaker,
Dr. Stephen Gergatz, (in photo to left) Honorary Consul for Louisiana for
the Republic of Hungary, spoke earnest words of encouragement as he expressed
great pride that community members were continuing to preserve their Hungarian
culture, especially with the Hungarian Harvest Dance, which includes a series
of dances, most of which are no longer performed in Hungary at this present
time. The honored guests, those of Hungarian descent ages 75 and older, were
then recognized by Victoria Mocsary, and each was presented with a certificate
bearing the seal of the AHSCA. A group picture was taken by Jim King to be
sent to each honoree. Dressed in colorful Hungarian costumes, Sue Martin,
Louis Monic, Thomas Mocsary, and Chris Thornhill, performed a series of Hungarian
dances that included parts of the Hungarian Harvest Dance. After the dancing
was complete, Victoria Mocsary led the crowd in a Hungarian sing-a-long,
which included old-time favorites, such as “Piros, Piros, Piros” and “Részeg
Vagyok Rozsám.” After door prizes were given out, Betty Gill and Helen Nyeki,
wearing military attire, presented a skit to the song of “Kapitan Uram.”
The Reverend Father Leo Guillot, of St. Margaret Catholic Church, led the
invocation, benediction and blessing of the food. Louis Monic entertained
the crowd with Cajun music while refreshments, which included Hungarian pastries,
were being served. A ten-dollar prize (donated by the Hungarian Settlement
Historical Society) was awarded to Helen Ujvari for translating the Hungarian
writing on the cake, which was made by Juliana Roberson.
Heritage Day Honorees for 2001
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