[George Kerekes]

It probably has dispersed now, but there was a large Hungarian community in North Hollywood, CA. The social houses were the Magyar Ház and Munkásotthon. Even Bela Lugosi (my parents loathed him), Peter Lorre (a friend of my Dad), Michael Curtiz (directed Casablanca) participated in social activities. Zsa Zsa Gabor and her sisters thought they were a little ABOVE participating in these social houses. 🤣

[George Kerekes]

When I was ten years old, heaven is when my Grandma made me Túrós palacsinta töltelék and Szilvásgombóc.

[George Kerekes]

My name is George Kerekes — a retiree living in Columbus, MS. I was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Los Angeles and San Diego County.

All four (4) grandparents, thoroughly Hungarian, were born and lived in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. My maternal grandparents immigrated pre-WW1 to Los Angeles, where my mother was born. My father was born in 1904 in Igló, Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia. He immigrated in 1922 to NYC and moved to Los Angeles following WW2. Mother and father met and socialized at the Magyar Ház and Munkásotthon, in North Hollywood.

While I do not speak the language, I was raised in the North Hollywood Hungarian community and culture literally every weekend. My father even coached the Magyars’ soccer team, in the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League.

I have visited Hungary four (4) times, twice with Magyar Living Tours. Every time I have learned something new — I am looking forward to another visit and more learning.

[Author]

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