Warm Hungarian Hospitality for a Cold Florida Night

Here we sit on this bitter cold day, and most of us are staying at home because it’s too cold to go outside…or at least for those of us who live here year ‘round. It’s been so many years since we’ve had to battle the very cold weather, but some people love it, and I give them credit! I cannot even open my door, and I mean that literally!! My house is 48 years old, and it was built very differently back then, so when it gets really cold outside, my key cannot turn in the lock! That’s really true! I can only go in through the garage door opener section of the house. I really don’t mind because I’ve been used to it, and it doesn’t get that cold very often - - but if someone dropped me off so I could use my key???? That won’t work! Honestly, that’s true. It was explained that the locking feature swells up when it’s cold, like water turns to ice, and unless you can pour heat on that lock, you cannot open it!!  I can open the sliding doors to get outside or use my garage door opener to get out of the garage, but I cannot answer the doorbell with an open door because it WILL NOT UNLOCK! Even my strong son cannot open it when it’s this cold. Really weird, isn’t it? 

* Last night I went to the Annual Hungarian American Dinner Banquet and it was a wonderful night, while the temp continued to drop, we were nice and warm in the Forest Glen lovely Dining Room. They made it a beautiful evening and actually made a real Hungarian Dinner with Chicken Paprikash and spaetzle’s (dumplings), goulash, and vegetables and a marvelous “Dobosh Torte” for dessert. Everyone was dressed so beautifully, and many used a Blue & Silver theme for dress and jewelry, and even candles and table decorations were blue and silver. Joe Graebner, our president, outdid himself! The Hungarian music was authentic, and many danced the night away! For the very cold night, people inside were warm and friendly and dancing! Some even brought their younger family members so they won’t lose the feeling of being Hungarian as it enables them to practice their birth language. It was a lovely evening from start to finish and Forest Glen and their friendly staff deserve a huge “atta boy” for such a lovely evening. We sang the National Anthem, and those who speak Hungarian and were born there also sang the Hungarian National Anthem. My mom never taught me Hungarian, which was her way of secretly talking to my Grandma without us knowing what she was saying. My Dad was German, so most of us kids learned German, which I have now totally forgotten with no one to practice with. All in all, on a cold wintry night, it was a wonderfully warm evening (inside). 

* There are a number of Elks Lodges in the area, and I happen to be a member of one of them for many, many years. My lodge is located on U. S. 41 east, and they have good food and lots of “games” during the week, but on Saturday they have “Hot Dog Saturday'' starting at noon, with games starting at about 1:00 PM. A few of us friends go, and they now allow us to go without a membership card, although I do have one and have had one for about 25 years. They welcome people wholeheartedly, and have terrific dinners during certain evenings, and they also serve bar food that is great. Oh wait! Did I mention they have a huge bar there? People greet you and you feel welcome immediately, whether they know you or not! We play a game of “chance” on Saturday with huge playing cards after we eat our hotdogs, and can even walk away with a few bucks. Lots of laughs and lots of happy people. Come on over and join us! Jeanie and I try to go every Saturday at noon. We stay until…well who knows how long. On Tuesday nights’ they play Bingo, and the place is overloaded with Bingo players! That’s a big night at The Elks Lodge!! Get there early so you can find a parking space, or plan on walking until you find one. Better yet, go in a carload and save a few spaces for others. Some get there VERY early in the afternoon just for the parking spaces. 

I hope this next week will bring lovely weather for all of us! The visitors, who are really looking forward to it, and the residents who love to live here! Have a great week and enjoy life in beautiful Collier County!