Archive
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTERS
ADVERTISE| CLASSIFIEDS| JOBS| E-TRIB
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NETWORK
Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Out & About: Hungarian Picnic at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier Township | TribLIVE.com
Out & About

Out & About: Hungarian Picnic at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier Township

Shirley McMarlin
Shirley McMarlin
gtrOAhungarians5080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Members of the William Penn Association Magyar Folk Dancers, (from left, clockwise), Scarlett Ernst, of New Stanton, Shelby Harris, of McKeesport, Sarah Toth, of McKeesport, and Kathryn Makay, of North Huntingdon, dance during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians10080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
(from left), Viola Dmeter, of Transylvania, and Izabella Wentzell, of Ligonier, make langos, (fried dough), during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians1080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Members of the George Batyi Gypsy Strings, (from left), George Batyi, Mark Stafuro and Alex Federouk, play during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians11080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Rev. Imre Bertalan displays a painting representing a hungarian man painted by a Bethlen Community resident in 1969, during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians12080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Sandor Nemeth, of Whitaker, stirs the Gulyas during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians7080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
(from left), Emily Metro, of Monroeville, Agi Armstrong, of Murrysville, Ava Pinkham, of Monroeville, and Paula Metro, of Monroeville, mingle during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians2080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
(from left), Kay Pletcher, of Indian Head, and Mary Ellen Meyn, Bethlen Community resident, mingle at the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians13080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Alex Balazs, 10, of Pittsburgh, practices walking on wooden stilts, during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians9080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
(from left), Bethlen Community resident, Martha Varzaly, joins her daughter Valerie Gaydos, of Sewickley, and Frank McKee, of York, at the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians3080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
Christopher, (L), and Melissa Jones, (R), of Irwin, and their granddaughters, (from left), Oliva Jones, 5, and Savannah Jones, 4, stop for a photo at the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.
gtrOAhungarians4080816
Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review
John Scialabba, with Metz Culinary Management, serves pulled pork during the Bethlen Communities annual Hungarian picnic, held at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016.

The annual Hungarian Picnic proved that ethnic pride and heritage is alive and well at the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier Township.

The July 28 food fest was extra special this year, as the organization celebrates its 95th anniversary, said director of development and event organizer Polly Benning.

The retirement community was founded as an orphanage in 1921 by the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and began providing care to the elderly in 1924. Orphanage care was discontinued in 1979.

The food was plentiful and so was the fun.

The air was redolent with the tantalizing aromas of pulled pork, cucumber salad, gulyas (goulash), langos (fried dough), palacsinta (fruit-filled crepes) and other sweets and savories.

Entertainment was provided by the George Batyi Gypsy Strings, William Penn Association Magyar Folk Dancers, Folk Factory, Trafford Junior Tamburitzans and magician Dan Kuniak.

Games and face-painting kept the kids busy.

Overall-clad and leaning on a shovel, Janos Horwath came from Cambria County to portray a Vintondale coal miner, circa 1926. Executive director Imre Bertalan displayed a painting of a traditional Hungarian shepherd painted by a former Bethlen resident in 1969.

Barbara Orapello and Judy Schaefer said the picnic was added incentive for driving from Rockland County, N.Y., to visit their uncle, a Bethlen resident.

Seen on the scenic hilltop picnic grounds: Tom and Sandy Walker, Erma Bailey, the Rev.Paul andKristin Poerschke, Dr.Randall andVal Cook, Denny andJudy Irwin, Dr. Bill Choby, Theresa Gay Rohall, John andRoberta Graham, Daniel Mattioli, Evelynne Majernik, Joe andConnie Csoman, Louise Cominsky, Hanna Csoman, Sue Hilf and the Rev.Alexander Jaslo.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5750 or smcmarlin@tribweb.com.