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Katherine,
Your quote “…rich Hungarian culture of Los Angeles…” and name “Saltzer” caught my notice. I (George A. Kerekes) was born in Los Angeles (see post #2847).
I vaguely remember my maternal grandparents, Ivan and Olga Somogyi, having social friends last named the Saltzer’s. Apologies — I should have paid more attention as a child. Ivan, a rather quiet man, was a custom men’s tailor for Sy Devore in Hollywood. Olga was a homemaker, wonderful cook, and singer — she influenced me to sing and perform in community theatre later in life.
My father, George Kerekes, was better known to Los Angeles Hungarians. My mother, Olga I. Somogyi, met my father at the Magyar Ház, where he was a dance instructor. My father also coached the Hungarian’s soccer team, the Magyars. In addition, I know my father was President of the Greater Los Angeles Soccer League, in the early 1960’s. Both of my parents were heavily involved in politics.
If any of this rings a bell, please let me know. If not, that’s OK too. Hungarians in the Eastern U.S. are often surprised when I have talked about being raised in a Hungarian community in Los Angeles. Your post “seconds” that statement.
George
August 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm in reply to: Did you grow up near a community with a strong Hungarian connection but outside of Hungary? #2849It 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. 🤣
August 15, 2025 at 6:48 pm in reply to: Did you grow up eating Hungarian foods? If so, what were some of your favorites? #2848When I was ten years old, heaven is when my Grandma made me Túrós palacsinta töltelék and Szilvásgombóc.
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.
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