Sometimes former members express sadness online about the loss of our old home at Neshaminy Falls in Oakford. Yet, it’s likely that those who share such feelings haven’t visited the building in years—even when it was still ours. They probably haven’t attended any of our current events, like the Penny Party, HK Night, Kirchweih, or the Christmas Party, nor have they joined an Annual Meeting since their younger days.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on past issues of the Monthly Progress, especially a special 1971 edition marking 25 years of the newspaper. Across several articles by different editors, one theme stands out: the club’s sense of community. Before the merger that brought us to 4666 Bristol, our gatherings at 2nd and Norris were intimate.
“Our dinners and Kaffeeklatsch were held on the third Sunday of the month back in the Fifties and not anything like the Wednesday affairs of today. It was so small but a close-knit group, almost like family. Ask the Heimatklänge! They started with UGH on one of the affairs in 1955.”
– Susan F. Hellmann in 1971
Mrs. Hellmann was the editor of the Monthly Progress from 1954 to 1956.
The interesting thing about that 1971 Special issue is how much each past editor writes about the people. Remember Mrs. Welsch, the “Old Maestro” Wenzel Osti, or Jack Martini and his “Help Yourself to Health.” Emily Fricker’s piece takes the cake for mentions of Sport Club people:
“…Among the young boys and girls who were active now or whose children are active in our dance group or soccer program are: Mike Ballasy, Mike Betsch, John Blank, Steve Brenner, Hanni Brenner (Reiter), Eddie Brosz, Rita Denz (Tittl), Werner Fricker, Louis Freuhauf, Karl Hartmann, Joe Hartmann, Regina Keller (Weyershaeuser), Kathi Knapp (Stielow), Liz Klepp (Brenner), Emily Kredler (Fricker), Eddie Menhardt, Anna Mayer (Hartmann), Hedy Nothum (Gehlert), Joe Reiter, John Steigerwald, Mike Tittl, Mike Truppay, and Paul Serwo.”
To bring this back to the voices from the past saddened about the club I’d like to say with compassion that we understand your sadness. But we hope you realize the club is not a building but a people. We can be sad about the old souls lost (more we lose every year). Mrs. Hellmann notes this as well in 1971:
“…But Thank heaven fur die Freunde. When they told me that they looked forward to reading the Progress, I was right back up again. And that’s the way I feel now, I am glad to have done this reminiscing. It is even good to cry a bit over the ones you will see no more but always remember.”
If you’re reminiscing about the old days, the best way to honor them is to come together and continue as part of the United German Hungarians, whether at 4666 or not.
Michael N. Fricker
Michael, I always enjoy your articles. Thank you for taking the time to write them.
Anita Radske
Anita, Thank you for reading!