Club’s day celebrates Hungarian heritage

The club has held the annual event since 1985.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — For members of the Youngstown American Hungarian Club, their heritage is precious.

“It’s the reason we hold this celebration every year,” said Irene Nemeth of Youngstown, who organized the club’s annual Hungarian Heritage Day at its Donald Avenue property on the city’s West Side on Sunday.

And what a celebration.

The event featured numerous displays of authentic Hungarian clothes, napkins, cups, photos and dolls, as well as traditional Hungarian music and dancing.

Those at the event were also treated to authentic Hungarian foods such as dobos torta (a nine-layer cake), stuffed peppers, pastries, and of course, goulash slowly cooked in a huge stainless-steel kettle over a fire.

Frank Soos of Hubbard, who came to the United States from Hungary in 1957, helped make the goulash, which included pork, potatoes, celery, carrots, hot pepper, dumplings and a variety of spices.

“This is a great event and a great way to celebrate our Hungarian heritage,” he said.

The club, which has 126 members, started the annual heritage event in 1985.

Traditional music

Among those playing traditional Hungarian music was Andrew Check, a 15-year-old who lives in Chesterland. Check plays the cimbalom, an instrument similar to a dulcimer.

Check said his father, Terry, taught him how to play.

“I come from a family of proud Hungarians,” Andrew said. “I want to continue to carry out our proud heritage.”

The festival’s main purposes are to discuss memories of Hungary, to honor that nation’s culture and to celebrate its history and customs, Nemeth said.

“We have families who come back every year to celebrate with us,” she said. “We don’t ever want to forget our heritage and the people who came before us.”

skolnick@vindy.com