Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel 2011 PAPRIKA!
Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel 2011 PAPRIKA! Party on the Puszyta
Paprika! The word alone sounds hot, spicy and fun, making it the perfect name for this 21st annual celebration.
The Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel, under the leadership of its president Marika Megyimori, hosted the event on February 26, 2011 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel. Paprika! Co-chairs Albert L. Ladanyi and Elizabeth Papp-Taylor outdid themselves with the lavish décor and sumptuous food.
This year's theme was "Party on the Puszyta". It was a celebration of the "Cowboys and Characters of the Hungarian Plains (Puszyta)."
Arriving guests were escorted into the event by young people from the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble in traditional costumes.
Enese Chmielewski and Joe Gyorky
Before dinner, hors d'oeuvres were served and Apricot Brandy (Pálinka) flowed freely through an elegant ice sculpture.
The Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers who attempt to promote and support educational and cultural ties between Americans and Hungarians. They "provide assistance and the exchange of ideas for Hungarian projects in the area of commerce, education, health and human services."
Marika Megyimori welcomed the crowd and explained the good work that has been done in Hungary and the US because of this annual event
It is important to note some of the tremendous accomplishments this organization has achieved. Among them (but not limited to) are the following:
Purchased textbooks for US Peace Corps in Hungary
Supported Ohio University
Supported University of Pecs, Hungary
Provided mammogram testing in Hungary through Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Supported students at John Carroll University, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University and others
Special guests were escorted into the ballroom for the Grand Promenade.
The Grand Promenade
The emcee for the evening was David Wittman, anchor of Channel 19 Action News.
Carol and David Wittman
Two special people were honored. And they happen to have been married for more than twenty years!
David Wittman introduced the first honoree, architect Richard Fleischman. He has been pursuing his "life-long goals of providing vision, inspiring innovation, developing concepts and creating change" for almost 50 years at his Cleveland firm.
Honorees Richard Fleischman and Helen Moss
Helen Moss has long been an activist. When she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer she began to use her skills to help women suffer less both from the disease and the treatment. She is the first "Patient Advocate" appointed to the international Society for Integrative Oncology Board of Trustees. She is also a nine year survivor of the cancer.
Dance music and dinner music was provided by Harmonia whose repertoire included traditional folk music of Eastern Europe. The Cleveland Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble performed a traditional dance to conclude the pre-dinner festivities.
The Cleveland Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble performs a Hungarian dance from the Plains
Dinner was second to none with a starter soup of Hungarian Gulyas covered in puff pastry. A delicious intermezzo of sorbet of Tokay Aszu (a Hungarian wine) followed a delightful salad.
The entrée was skillfully prepared tenderloin from the Hortobagyi region of Hungary. The entire dinner was wonderful, but could not hold a candle to the Hungarian Sweet Finale of assorted Hungarian pastries, tortes and napoleons.
Throughout the evening a Silent Auction of highly coveted items of all types was going on. A lucky bidder could find themselves staying at the Four Seasons Greshamn Palace in Budapest, or sipping form one of the very special bottles of wine. There were many opportunities to support the CHDP and be rewarded with a lovely item.
All in all the evening was a tremendous success and the committee members should be congratulated for a job very well done.
Enjoy these images from Paprika! 2011
Jim Balogh, Dr. Judit Puskas and Steven Balogh
Jean and John Szucs and Kori Smith
Sister Diana Stano, President of Ursuline College
Elmer and Andrea Meszaros with Jenny and Glenn Brown
Dr. Evy Neufeld and honoree Helen Moss
Miro Pujana, August Pust and Gregory Polyak
Sister Diana Stano, Kim Fleischman, honoree Richard Fleischman, Sister Rosemary Hocevar and Gayle Montalto
In this video, Gregory Polyak of the Cleveland Hungarian Development Panel talks about Paprika!
Marika Megyimori in Csikos cowboy hat
Carolyn Balogh, Miro G. Pujana and Maria Pujana
Endre Szentkiralyi, Kristen Slattery and Tamas Csajka
Juliana and Christopher Kacscak
Ernie Mihaly
Gabriel Kovas and Lexi Tabor
Allen Waddle and daughter Christina
John Megyimori and daughter Marika
Zsofia Sszelpal and Mathias Tabor
Elizabeth Kovats, Dr. Gregory Kundray, Dr. Ildiko Kundray and Bela Kovatz
Gracie and Laszlo Frics
August and Gloria Pust
Jenny Brown and Richard Fleischman
Harmonia
Playing the Cimbalom
Helen Moss and Gloria Pust
The Cleveland Hungarian Folk Ensemble
Jean and John Szucs
Newlyweds John and Julie Megyimori with mother Marika
Juliana Kacscak, Sander 'Al' Vaga and Christopher Kacscak
Authentic Hungarian Costumes on display at Paprika!
