It will be Pure Michigan fun as I tour the state with my new book The Quest for the Lost Town from the shores of Lake Michigan to Lake Superior.
I am looking forward to meeting up with thousands of fans at the local festivals and fairs.
New this year on the tour are: National Cherry Festival in downtown Traverse City on July 5 and the National Blueberry Festival in South Haven on Aug. 8-9.
I’m returning to Art in the Park in Grand Ledge rebranded as The Ledges in a new location at the Fitzgerald Park on Aug. 1.
A very special place in my heart is reserved for the Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise on Aug. 14-16. It was one of my first festivals when I started touring with my book Secrets from the Shifting Sands Short Stories series in 2019.
The people in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are very hospitable and friendly. I host many authors from the UP on my show For the Love of Books Podcast. They continue the tradition of celebrating the remoteness and wilderness in literature, and bringing to the public at large.
I’m grateful to the many people who have helped me on my author’s journey. I would like to thank graphic artist Jeanne Boss for the stunning art and the entire family for their support throughout the years.
My deep appreciation goes to my hometown newspaper The Lowell Ledger for continuing the publicity of my work. I love writing both fiction and non-fiction, not necessarily in all genres.
Since I am a lover of history I write mainly historical fiction and magic realism, as reflected in my short stories.
See you soon.
Copyright (c)2026. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Author Emma Palova will celebrate the release of her new book, The Quest for the Lost Town, at the upcoming Third Coast Festival of Books & Authors on March 21 in Grand Haven starting at 11 a.m. The festival provides the perfect setting for the debut of the new title as book lovers, writers, and literary enthusiasts gather along Michigan’s lakeshore for a day dedicated to storytelling and the literary arts.
“I am extremely excited about this unique opportunity to present my new book in the literary capital of Grand Haven,” Palova said. “This is my first time at this unique festival.”
“First, we do this festival to honor all the hard work that authors do. We promote literacy and books year round but wouldn’t have either without you,” organizer Mike O’Brien, The Book Cellar owner said. “This is why we provide this opportunity for you to meet the fans, sell your books and keep the money, and do not charge you for the tables. This is all about you and we want you to know we care and want the best for our authors.”
The annual festival brings together regional and national authors, readers, and publishing professionals for a celebration of books and creativity. Held in the heart of Grand Haven, the event offers visitors the opportunity to meet authors, attend engaging panel discussions, explore new books, and learn more about the writing and publishing process.
From fiction and memoir to children’s literature and history, the Third Coast Festival of Books & Authors highlights a wide range of genres and voices from across Michigan and beyond. In addition to author presentations and readings, the festival provides a welcoming space for readers to connect directly with writers, discover new titles, and celebrate the vibrant literary community that continues to grow along Michigan’s “Third Coast.”
In addition to author meet and greet, the Third Coast Festival of Books & Authors provides a welcoming space for readers to connect directly with writers, discover new titles, and celebrate the vibrant literary community that continues to grow along Michigan’s “Third Coast.”
Whether you are an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the stories behind the books, the festival promises a lively and inspiring experience for all who attend.
Stay tuned for a special episode about the festival this Friday and Saturday on the For the Love of Books Podcast at https://emmapalova123.podbean.com
Pictured from left to right back row: Vaclav Konecny Jr., Jakub Pala, Ludek Pala and , professor Vaclav Konecny. Front row: Dominik Pala, Samuel Chavent and Henrik Pala.
This was on Christmas Eve. We had traditional Czech Christmas Eve dinner consisting of mushroom soup, Lake Trout and Whitefish from Lake Huron and potato salad.
Desserts varied from mom’s kolache, Polish kolache, cream rolls, French macarons and a French log.
The best part was that my parents could join us from Big Rapids and Emma flew in with Sam from France.
There were 12 of us so we were like 12 apostles. Presents were plentiful.
I have yet to take a photo of the best one. A huge poster for our Moravian Sons Distillery tasting room in @The Old Theater in downtown Lowell.
Stay tuned for more Christmas news.
Copyright (c) 2025. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Dedicated to Dave Thompson as a tribute to his wife Jan who has passed on Nov. 12, 2025.
With deepest sympathy
A letter to Dave
Dear Dave,
It is with heavy heart that I write this sympathy message with Jan’s recent passing. I know how much you loved each other despite all the jokes.
On one of my countless stories about your involvement in American Legion and VFW post 8303 for The Lowell Ledger, Jan responded to my question: Why do you do all this?
“We’d be sitting at home and fighting,” she laughed.
Both of you were anchors of the Memorial Day activities at Oakwood Cemetery that spanned decades. Most recently, I hunted you down still participating in your car parked the closest to the monument.
That was the last time I saw Jan.
To be continued……….
My friends Jan and Dave Thompson
My friends who enrich me
Living in a different country than your homeland has its repercussions. That is what I write about in my memoir and what I have told my daughter Emma Palova-Chavent when she was deciding about immigrating to the USA from France.
“You’re leaving old friends behind, and making new relationships,” I said. “That becomes binding.”
Immigration is not an experiment.
While living here for more than two decades, I have made a lot of friends that keep enriching my life. I know more people around here, than I knew in the village I grew up in back in Czechoslovakia.
Probably the biggest compliment I’ve ever received was from Lowell resident Barbara Schmaltz, who used to work for the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. I did a story on her for “Behind the Scenes.” The compliment is bigger than an award from the Associated Press.
“Emma, it’s been a privilege knowing you,” she said.
The same goes for my longtime friend, Dave Thompson.
As we approach Memorial Day, I write about Dave who has been the master of ceremonies for the event for the last six years. I met Dave while working for the Lowell Ledger in 2006. He came to my tiny cubicle office to tell me that he was organizing a clown parade to honor the 175th anniversary of Lowell.
“I am my own chairman,” he said.
Dave told me he wasn’t going to organize the parade unless he was solely in charge of it.
I’ve always liked that statement for its power.
“Once a teacher, always a teacher,” Dave said.
As a former teacher of chemistry and biology, and a coach, Dave always likes to put an educational component into the Memorial Day ceremonies.
One year Dave did a briefing on military uniforms to explain to the public the meaning behind the metals.
Post commander of the Lowell American Legion Dave Thompson with Boy Scouts on Memorial Day.
“Everything on the uniform has a meaning,” he said. “It is decorated based on the things you’ve accomplished.”
And truly while interviewing Dave in his den with the secret door and a miniature railroad track, I noticed what was on the walls and how it was placed. One wall was dedicated to civic honors, and the other to military. There was no more room left.
So, here is Dave’s story abbreviated version:
Dave Thompson was born in Grand Rapids during the depression on Nov. 23 1933. He grew up and attended public schools, and graduated from Central High School in 1952. He attended Olivet College and graduated in 1956. He was the winner of the coveted Olivet Oaks Cup Trophy as the Outstanding Graduating Senior.
After college, he flew in the navy, later he became a Naval Air Intelligence Officer, specializing in survival, escape and evasion tactics. He retired as commander with 21 years of service.
His work history includes teaching in the Detroit area for 10 years biology and chemistry, and coaching football and track.
Dave bargained three of the first five contracts in the Detroit area before the state bargaining law took effect in 1965.
“That made me a bargaining expert, something I still chuckle about,” he said.
Dave was the first executive director of Grand Rapids Teachers Association. He was also the general manager of the Grand Rapids Symphony for five years.
“What was your instrument, Mr. Thompson?” people quite often asked.
“The ukulele and the radio,” he said. “Neither one is a symphony instrument, but I put people in DeVos Hall.”
Dave with wife Jan moved to Lowell in 1996, and built a home on the Flat River complete with hidden moving panel doors and a white pine kitchen fireplace mantle. The mantle originates from the first Thompsons who arrived to Vergennes Township in 1833 as the first pioneer settlers.
Dave & Jan Thompson, avid volunteers, in their unique home.
He is proud of removing cars from Main Street during parades and organizing Dutch spaghetti dinners, as well as being Jan’s ticket out of Arizona. Currently, Dave is the post commander of Lowell American Legion, and on the board of Gilda’s Club.
Dave has three sons scattered around the country and five step children. Both Dave and Jan have lived by a motto:
“We all owe something to our community and we should be willing to give some time to those causes that affect others,” he said. “But when something ceases to be fun anymore, it’s time to move on to something else.”
Dave said the biggest claim to fame after all is said and done is being known as Jan Thompson’s husband. The couple received the title of 2010 Lowell Persons of the Year awarded by the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.
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