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Emma Blogs June newsletter.
Pictured on the featured photo is Saint Patrick Festival coming up from June 26 through June 28 with famous chicken dinners on Sunday June 28th from noon until five. The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children under four. The festival kicks off with a 5K run, a beer tent and Conklin Ceili Band on Friday, June 26th.
It also features a helicopter ball drop, festival auction, Las Vegas tent, a classic car show and a polka band, The Diddle Styx.
Lowell, MI – Under the gloomy skies Monday, the people of Lowell honored the 629 veterans who found their final resting place at the Oakwood Cemetery.
Groomed to the nines by Don DeYong and the crew, the lovely cemetery whispered its own stories of 151 Civil War veterans. The Boy Scouts marked each veteran’s grave with a star and a flag.
Emotional Dave Thompson was the featured speaker for the ceremony located by a monument to the unknown soldier.
Memorial Day 2015
“I like to think the rain are tears,” he said. “This is the first time in many years it is like this.”
Oakwood Cemetery
Thompson introduced the beautiful strings band of Wendy Tinney. As the violins played their sad tunes and rain sprinkled, many people were wiping off tears from their faces.
The strings band.
The only two remaining veterans from WW II laid flowers to the monument, much like representatives from the local organizations.
The flags were flying half staff in the wind that was blowing from the south.
“We have 29 new veterans here at the cemetery,” said tearful Thompson.
Mayor Jim Hodges also laid flowers to the monument.
Memorial Day 2015
Even though it started to rain heavily, people stood there in the rain under the umbrellas listening to Thompson hauntingly name the deceased veterans followed by a bell ring for each.
We thank you all veterans for our freedoms and your sacrifices.
May Day is not only known for the International Worker’s Day to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in Chicago, but it is also a Northern Hemisphere spring festival.
It was an official holiday in former Czechoslovakia, complete with parades. But, most importantly, it was and it is a celebration of spring called Majales accompanied by the opening of the beer gardens. Majales are dances around May poles decorated with ribbons.
May Day pole tied with ribbons signifies love and spring.
The first day of May is known as the day of love immortalized by many artists, poets and writers. It was mainly the work of Czech poet Karel Hynek Macha who attached love to this day and the entire month with his poem May.
Karel Hynek Macha, Czech poet
Here are the first few verses from the poem translated by Edith Pargeter:
Late evening, on the first of May—
The twilit May—the time of love.
Meltingly called the turtle-dove,
Where rich and sweet pinewoods lay.
Whispered of love the mosses frail,
The flowering tree as sweetly lied,
The rose’s fragrant sigh replied
To love-songs of the nightingale.
In shadowy woods the burnished lake
Darkly complained a secret pain,
By circling shores embraced again;
And heaven’s clear sun leaned down to take
A road astray in azure deeps,
Like burning tears the lover weeps.
A haze of stars in heaven hovers—
That church of endless love’s communion—
Each jewel blanches and recovers
As blanch and burn long-parted lovers
In the high rapture of reunion.
How clear, to her full beauty grown,
How pale, how clear, the moon above,
Like maiden seeking for her love,
A rosy halo round her thrown!
Her mirrored image she espied,
And of self-love, beholding, died.
Forth from the farms pale shadows strayed,
Lengthening longing to their kind,
Till they embraced, and close entwined,
Coiled low into the lap of shade,
Grown all one twilight unity.
Tree in the shadows writhes to tree.
In the far mountains’ dark confine
Pine leans to birch and birch to pine.
Wave baunting wave the streamlets move.
For love’s sake—in the time of love—
Anguished goes every living thing.
The poem takes place by Doksy and the castles of Bezdez, Pernstejn, Holska and Ralsko point toward east and west, noon and midnight.
Castle Pernstejn the setting for the poem May.
Czech parks and castles invite to romance many designed in classical English style with strict hedges and groves.
A castle park in Vizovice where a big part of my book takes place.
Typical flowers for May are lilacs. Some have grown into trees and have been cross-bred into different colors. Some Czech customs have carried over to the USA. In the photo below, Americans of Czech heritage are dancing around a May pole easily recognized by the ribbons.
“Hoola” your dream for having a home based business
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI- Inspired by another woman at the Grand Rapids Women’s Expo last year, Sue Majinska started her home based business with Hoola jewelry seven months ago.
“I love the idea of having unique jewelry that nobody else has,” said Majinska. “And being able to get it at a reasonable price.”
Well, who doesn’t?
Sue Majinska surrounded by Hoola jewelry.
The Hoola interchangeable jewelry comes in individual kits with different pieces. From these kits, you design your own jewelry using a simple process. You start with a hoop, add a hoola, a second hoola and a third hoola or more if you wish. You get a beautiful piece of jewelry that looks a lot more expensive than it is.
The ever-changing jewelry sizzles and shines in daylight or night.
During the interview, Majinska showed two different kits and demonstrated the process how to put the jewelry together. The Silver Shine kit is for $49.99 and the Spring Bling Earring special kit is for $29.99. Each kit has a higher value. The shine kit is valued at $130 and the spring bling has a value of $70.
Hoola Jewelry is a new merchant this year in the GNO event.
“It’s a new concept to West Michigan,” said Majinska.
The Hoola business women are home based jewelry consultants or reps. They come into other houses for Hoola parties for 10 to 15 women.
Although one on one consulting is also available, the preferred way are the jewelry design parties with boxed starter sets.
“You just take a basic hoop and add anything you want to it,” said Majinska. “You get out of one kit over a 100 looks.”
Majinska, who is on the phone a lot, likes the jewelry because of its light weight.
The basic material is fine sterling silver with 7.5 percent alloy to prevent breaking. Sterling silver will eventually tarnish, not by defect, but as a result of exposure to chemicals, cosmetics, hairspray perspiration, direct sunlight, or humidity.
Other interesting materials used to make different jewelry designs are Mother-of-Pearl (M.O.P.) This is a shell with a natural layer of nacre, making it a close “relative” to the pearl. It has a similar luster to pearl and it works well in designing combinations together.
Sue Majinska put on a Hoola demo at the Lowell Expo last month.
The Spring Bling Earrings kit uses the mother-of-pearl hoolas for a colorful fresh look.
The company is a mother/daughter team, Laurel & Lauren Gravelyn based in Chelsey, Michigan.
For Hoola jewelry designers like Majinska, every day is like Christmas.
“How can you not go with that,” she said. “It’s no longer what am I going to do today?”
Most women like putting the jewelry together themselves. As a banker, Majinska deals with math every day.
“This is my creative side,” she said. “It allows me to be creative. I love being around people and socializing. Having a home-based business fits my personality.”
The other fun aspect of the Hoola business is that it moves with you.
“If we want to move, I can take it with me,” Majinska said.
Majinska carries all her Hoola jewelry in one compact bag.
And the company plans to grow all over 50 states. They have reps now in California and Florida.
“I think they would go international,” she said.
The Hoola business is allowing women to be independent and enjoy having options for jewelry that no one else has.
“You have a unique look,” Majinska said.
For Hoola parties, Majinska suggests having at least 10 to 15 people. She puts on a 15-minute demo, and then the hostess and the guests get to design their own interchangeable jewelry. The hostess earns her jewelry for putting on the party.
Majinska did well at last month’s Expo in Lowell.
“It was a great way to introduce the jewelry line to the local area,” she said. “It was time and money well spent. It was nice to see everybody in the community.
Majinska is taking the Hoola jewelry to Girls Night Out on April 16. She will be next to Advance Eye Care storefront along with Pauly’s.
For more information contact Majinska at 1-616-334-6744 or go to her Sue’s Hoola Jewelry facebook page.
This is one of my favorite writing themes. And that is Czech names in the calendar. Each day is dedicated to a different name. Of course some are more popular than others. Probably the most widely celebrated name day is March 19th which is Joseph’s/Josephine’s day.
Since Joseph is a very popular name in Czech, everybody celebrates much like Saint Pat’s here in the USA. It doesn’t mean that the day is an official holiday, but it is very similar to huge Saint Pat’s celebrations in Chicago and Canada.
And even though they don’t color their rivers green or march in parades, March 19th is still a big deal. Usually women bake for the day, and plum brandy known as slivovice flows freely, even at work.
The men sit in pubs and other public hospitality establishments. Other names like Emma have been incorporated into the Czech calendar from other countries. The name Emma originates in France.
A lot of names come from Russia like Sasha or Sergej or from other surrounding countries like Poland and Germany.
Czech calendar with name days.
In many cases, there are more than one name dedicated to each day because of the influence from the Western countries. There are cards for each name day. That’s a lot of cards.
Among the most popular modern names for men are Jakub and Luke, even though it keeps changing constantly. For women I have yet to find out. But it also could be Katerina and Marta.
Chicago river turns green on Saint Pat’s.
Also each church has a patron saint. The most popular ones are Saint Mary’s. They have their own feast celebrations such as Saint Mary’s in Stipa that celebrates the feast on September 12th which is Mary’s day.
The communities celebrate the patron saints with wakes, carnivals and fairs. Different carnival companies come to towns, and the feast is preceded by a dance.
Locally, in Parnell there is Saint Pat’s Church that celebrates the feast last weekend in June. It is a major fundraiser for Saint Pat’s School.
It usually features a polka band on Sundays and chicken dinners. The dinners are very popular, and people come from all over. The parish women bake desserts, and there is a display of old cars, 50:50 raffle and cards on Friday and Saturday nights.
Of course there is a beer tent and an auction. The patron feasts are important to all the parishes as a way to celebrate the saint.
Note: Kathleen Mooney is a Lowell-based abstract artist and a member of the International Society of Experimental artists. Her work is striking and inspiring both in subject and format. She has had many solo exhibits in West Michigan and beyond. Mooney also teaches art classes. Check out her personal story in the archives and on page About local entrepreneurs and artists.
Her recent work has been inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. I featured her abstract painting in most of the IW Inspiring Women series for its high quality and technique.
Kathleen Mooney inspires with her art.
March 2015 – Art News from Kathleen Mooney
The Rugs are IN, NEW gallery in Charleston SC, Reception and Art exhibit with my Rugs at Design Quest, NEW Clothing and Home decor designs…
Rugs by Kathleen Mooney
2015 by Kathleen Mooney: “Amergin” Runner, 6 of the 25 rugs by Kathleen Mooney produced by Foreign Accents Rugs, and “Inspiration” Rug by Kathleen Mooney
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs are now IN at Design Quest / D2 in Grand Rapids! Here is the contact info www.designquest.bz 800-944-3232 at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512sales@designquest.bz
RUGS, ART EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION — Design Quest is hosting an exhibit of Kathleen Mooney’s art from May 22, 2015 through July 12, 2015 in their Design Gallery with a Reception on May 31, 2015 from 2-4pm. We hope to have Molly Anderson from Foreign Accents Rugs there so we can tell you about how all this rug magic got started!
Kathleen Mooney’s abstracts.
Meanwhile, if you want to visit the rugs with me – just let me know and I will be happy to show them to you!
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Kathleen Mooney has been accepted to appear as a Guest Artist at a top gallery in Charleston SC – Lowcountry Artists.
19 of her multilayered acrylic on canvas paintings are beautifully displayed from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015 at this prestigious East Bay gallery. www.lowcountryartists.com
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Art of Where – just in case you have ever thought “Kathleen’s ART would be great to wear” – after yet another heart-felt request – I dedicated myself (once again) to finding a sweatshop free, eco conscious, sensitive company to work with for “art to wear”. Yes! Success! I found a wonderful company in Canada to produce my art in original hand-made creations… leggings, scarves,
pillow covers, baby leggings, skirts, capris and more.
Kathleen Mooney’s 30 x 30″ acrylic on canvas painting “Ignition” has been accepted in the ISEA Member’s Online Exhibit 2015. www.iseaartexhibit.org
Other locations to see my art –
44 of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings are featured at Flat River Cottage at 317 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 www.flatrivercottage.com
A FINE SELECTION of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings is available at Lansing Art Gallery at 119 North Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 www.lansingartgallery.org
Spring 2015 – Kathleen Mooney’s Rugs are featured at D2 / Design Quest in Grand Rapids at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512 www.designquest.biz and national / international locations for her “Legends” series are listed on the Foreign Accents Rugs websitewww.foreignaccentsrugs.com
A selection of “small, tiny, mini” paintings by Kathleen Mooney and bronze jewelry by Marilyn Flaherty (Kathleen’s aunt) are on exhibit at Toadworks at 102 Main Street in Lowell.
The Houzz website is “The Largest” online source of decorating, design and remodeling inspiring ideas, services and products for the home. Gradually adding more of my art each week. www.houzz.com – search on “Kathleen Mooney Artist” in Shop.
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs and abstracts.
High Point Market Spring 2015 – Foreign Accents Rugs with Kathleen Mooney’s “Legends” Collection of Rugs and even more new designs in even more collections. High Point Market is open to “The Trade” two times each year. It is HUGE. www.highpointmarket.org
As usual – If you would like an appointment to view my art or have me bring some pieces to your home or business – just contact me via the website www.kathleenmooney.com or email! It would be great to see you!
Spring is in the air and we are boiling the first sap from the maple trees starting tonight! Kathleen
Note: This is the third installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own. In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story prior to Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.
“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story prior to the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
IW Chamberdirector Liz Baker reinvents herself and Lowell events
Volunteer: Schneider Manor board, Lowell Community Wellness Board
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI – Lowell Area Chamber director started with a filing cabinet and a phone in the old white building on the east end of town in 1994 as a secretary. Most people don’t remember where the old chamber was.
“What did I get myself into,” she said.
Lowell Area Chamber director Liz Baker
Being behind most events in Lowell, Baker manages to keep low profile in her back office. Prior to becoming the director, she had her own cleaning business.
But aunt Betty said Baker had more in her than just doing an ordinary job.
The chamber was first established as a Board of Trade in 1906.
FMB president Jim Bosserd recommended Baker and the chamber hired her.
“I was the assistant director, and I didn’t know who was the director,” she laughed. “What should I do?”
At the time, the chamber did two events: Christmas parade and annual dinner. The Lowell Area Schools said somebody needs to be at the chamber.
“They took a leap of faith and hired me,” Baker said. “I became the executive director.”
Then came the big question.
“How are we going to pay for the Riverwalk?” said Baker.
The two day festival started originally on Labor Day with arts & crafts, entertainment, duck race and a pig roast.
“It just started and we made money,” she said. “From then on I was free to create festival that I wanted to.”
Baker started going to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to get money.
Lowell Area Chamber director with conceptual plan.
Her biggest accomplishment was the partnership with Lowell Area Schools for the annual March Expo 19 years ago. At the time it was the only community expo in the area.
Sizzlin’ Concerts with Lowell Arts are a big hit, as well as two Girls Nights Out, one in the spring, one in the fall. In the early years, Riverwalk was still on Labor Day.
Since, people leave for the holidays, the chamber moved the Riverwalk to the second weekend in July.
“It made world of difference,” she said. “It has evolved with corporate ducks and sponsorships and we went back to a two-day event, well three with the concerts.”
The fireworks are not cheap. The show costs $6,000 to put on. It is sponsored by Laurels of Kent.
The Riverwalk Festival is the biggest fundraiser for the chamber. It brings in between $18,000 to $25,000.
“Most of these events depend on the weather,” she said.
Harvest Celebration is in the fall, and it has been going on for 15 years.
“It is a community event organized by the chamber with marketing funds,” Baker said.
Jodie Haybarker started Christmas through Lowell, a three-day event.
“How can we get businesses involved?” Baker said. “What better event for the chamber. It has been running beautifully.”
DDA sponsors Christmas activities like Santa visits on the Showboat. The Christmas parade route changed and it went to a night parade five years ago.
“Changing the route was good, it was hard on the little ones,” she said.
With this huge output Baker relies on 200 volunteers.
The secret to successful events is early preparation. Volunteers start getting ready for Expo in November, while preparations for Riverwalk start in February.
“We’re very diligent about technology, our marketing is going to the website,” she said.
The concert line-up starts in January/February. Then there also member events such Breakfast Clubs (12) and Lunch & Learn (4), as well as business after hours (2).
Because Lowell is a family community, when the school is out not much happens.
And Baker moved to a new office in the back of the building on the Riverwalk. The general contractor was Evert Bek.
Baker has a part-time person on staff, Catherine Bek, and twice a week Carol Briggs and Peggy Idyma help out, and Barb Zandstra will be back.
As far as weaknesses, Baker says about herself that she gets easily attached to people and things.
“I am getting bigger shoulders now, but I am an emotional sap,” she said. “I love my job. There’s always enough variety and excitement.”
That is why Charlie Bernard of Ace Hardware said about Baker that she keeps reinventing herself.
She was also chair for the Riverwalk Showboat Development plan in 2014. Baker is motivated by Lowell’s vision.
“I want Lowell to be the best there is,” she said. “I go to other communities for inspiration.”
West Michigan Chamber Network does round tables.
“We take ideas from each other,” she said. “But we get robbed quite a bit. We’ve been a role model for MDOT for outside the box thinking.”
Lowell enjoys an amazing camaraderie, according to Baker. “We pull together.”
For two years, the bridge project was the biggest challenge, and then of course the economic downturn.
“The economy just tanked in 2004-2005,” she said. “The big box stores are hard for retail. But, I can’t stop them. I’d like to see a better balance, see more restaurants, small boutique shops and sports kayak shop. I don’t know if we have the right demographics.”
Trail projects are moving ahead, Lowell is in their center.
“It will bring us, business, visitors and tourists,” she said. “We have a designated water trail. And the national headquarters of the North Country Trail (NCT) are located here.
How about plans and visions for Baker and Lowell?
Baker would like to see the Showboat rebuilt and a permanent stage on the Riverwalk.
There are conceptual plans for a permanent stage.
“We want to grow to be sustainable and to be here for years to come,” she said.
And Expo is coming up on March 28th at the Lowell High School. The Expo covers the area of the Lowell Area schools, this include seven townships and the city of Lowell.
“It’s a big deal for us,” Baker said. “I’ve never had a problem finding an exclusive sponsor. If you’re not at the Expo you should be.”
The board sets goals such as getting out more into the community, how to sell yourself and to be the best you can be.
“The businesses need to be taught that too,” she said. “You keep pressing forward, motivating businesses and being their cheerleader. They have to reinvent themselves too. They have to take that first step and become members.”
There are approximately 300 members, and people call for referrals.
“It gives them credibility,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of vacant buildings.”
Here are a few comments from the chamber’s facebook page:
“I’ve always been amazed at how much our Lowell Chamber of Commerce achieves and is involved in our community,” wrote Tina Maire Greene. “I can always count on the chamber for suggestions and recommendations when I need them for particular services.”
“Best Chamber of Commerce ever. They go above and beyond to provide residents and businesses with fun, family friendly activities and events,” wrote Ella K. St. Germain.
Liz Baker-the woman behind the superwoman
1-What makes you feel good about yourself?
I exercise, eat right and healthy.
2-How do you strike a balance between work and family?
Family has to come first. Sometimes they take the back seat. That’s the honesty.
3-What do you do for yourself?
First family, spiritual wellbeing and work. That’s how it plays out for me.
Note: This is the second installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own. In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story prior to Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.
“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story prior to the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
Lowell city clerk battled cancer with positive attitude
Name: Betty Renfro Morlock
Position: city clerk
Residence: Lowell Township
Family: husband Sam, daughter Jamie and four grandsons
Hobbies and interests: wrestling, soccer, football and camping
Betty’s story
By Emma Palova
Lowell, MI- “I’ve had a few bumps in my life.”
Now, that’s Betty Morlock’s way of looking at life’s blocks, setbacks or just pure tragedies.
Lowell city clerk Betty Morlock
As the Lowell city clerk since 1988, Morlock has been through highs and lows, mostly in her personal life. She is also a highly visible and accessible person, and that’s not just during the elections.
Two major tragedies early on have pulled the family together. Adopted grandson Tyler Morlock, 4, was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2000. That same year on April 28th, son Steven was killed in an accident on a quad.
“I have that silver lining,” she said. “I am a people person. I love my residents and my community.”
Always vibrant, equipped with enormous energy, Morlock has navigated the city politics well. Twice, she was the president of the Rotary, and she traveled to the Dominican Republic, as part of a program to ship ambulances to the country.
Morlock has enjoyed a successful career, by the side of only two city managers, current Mark Howe and past Dave Pasquale, until the biggest challenge of her life hit hard.
While visiting her sick mother-in-law in Reed City on Dec. 29, 2013, Morlock started feeling increasingly sick herself. After throwing up due to an internal bleeding, Morlock was transported to the Reed City Hospital, and then transferred to Blodgett in Grand Rapids. She was diagnosed with cancer in her ulcer.
Morlock lost weight the hard way. To date, Morlock lost 68 pounds. She had to undergo a surgery that took away one third of her stomach much like in the bariatric bypass surgery.
“I had to have both chemo and radiation because I had cancer in the lymph nodes,” she said.
Betty Renfro Morlock
At the time, Morlock posted enthusiastically on facebook:
“Okay here’s the game plan: Twice a week chemo and then radiation.”
It was really more than that, but her optimistic outlook carried her through the serious illness.
“I’ve never been sick,” she said. “I’ve only been to the hospital to have babies.”
She underwent the treatments at the Lemmen Holton Cancer Center under Spectrum Hospital.
But, Morlock was no stranger to cancer.
“Cancer has been prevalent in our family,” she said.
Morlock lost both her parents to cancer, as well as her sister and brother, aunts and uncles.
She bought a wig, and never had to use it.
“My hair just got thinner,” she said. “I don’t think I was as sick as most people are. I got very emotional.”
The whole time during the treatments, Morlock stayed at her daughter Jamie’s house. She had a feeding tube in the stomach and it took 12 hours to feed six cans of Ensure. Morlock started dropping weight rapidly.
“Thanks God, I had a lot of weight to drop,” she joked.
Morlock received enormous support from the family and the community.
“If you’re going to get sick, Lowell is the place to be,” she said.
Morlock had to go a few times to ER because of anxiety attacks. She started feeling better once the feeding tube was out.
Now, all done with the treatments and back at the city hall, Morlock admits that the chemo and the radiation took a lot of strength out of her.
“It slowed me down a bit,” she said in a recent interview. “I continue to focus on being healthy and starting the next phase of my life, which is retirement.”
Currently, she is working on the cemetery program and the upcoming special election on May 5 for the sales tax increase.
What really gets to Morlock is the actual aftermath of the chemotherapy.
“I have something they call a chemo mind,” she said. “I forget things, I can’t focus or concentrate.
“How long can I claim this chemo mind?”
“As long as you want to, you deserve it,” said the doctor.
For Morlock, always surrounded by stacks of documents at the city hall, the inability to focus is really frustrating
And her biggest fear is that the cancer may come back. Morlock didn’t drive at all during the chemo and the radiation due to lack of concentration.
But, there were many positive outcomes from whole treatment process.
“Cancer made me a stronger person, more understanding and it taught me to value my community and family more.”
Betty Morlock
Cured, driving and working, Morlock says she was very fortunate.
“I had good doctors and support,” she said. “We’re lucky that we have the Medical Mile.”
She did have her pity parties when the feeding tube started acting up.
“I would feel sorry for Betty,” she said.
Throughout her career, Morlock had her role models like election specialist for Kent County, Sue de Steiguer.
“She is phenomenal,” she said. “All our elections run smooth, we’re lucky to have her.”
Morlock is looking to retire mid-year in June/July.
“I will miss the people, the staff and the community,” she said, “but I am looking forward to volunteering with Lizzie at the chamber.”
Morlock can’t wait to get to Tyler Creek Golf Course area to stay at the summer trailer.
And of course her no.1 love after the family is wrestling.
“I am their number one fan,” she said. “We’ve created bond ship through wrestling. The wrestling families are so tight, they made food for us when I was sick. We help each other.”
Betty Renfro Morlock- the woman behind the superwoman
Emma: What makes you feel good about yourself?
Betty: The fact that I kicked it and made the best of it. It may come back but I am ready for it.
Emma: What do you do for yourself?
Betty: I pray daily. I know God has a plan for me, and if it is to survive, I will survive. Don’t ever lose your faith.”
Emma: How do you balance all this out?
Betty: I continue to focus on my health and I want to start journalling.
Emma: Your plans?
Betty: Get well is my number one plan. Before I got sick, I overworked that might have brought it on.
Emma: Your tips and advice to other women?
Betty: It’s very important to talk to someone to get support. I love facebook. Between the family, community and facebook I kept connected.It’s good to be back. Call me if you need to talk to someone at 897-8457.
About the cover photo: Kathleen Mooney’s abstract inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting.
About the orchid logo: Photograph from the group “I love Czech Republic” on facebook.
Editorial/marketing calendar quarterly for Emma Blogs LLC
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
In response to Blogging 201 assignment Day 4, add a new feature and /or editorial calendar. I’ve already put this calendar together in January for the first quarter of 2015. I use these as guiding themes which allows me to stay flexible in changing conditions, but focused on the target.
In my quest to find guest writers, writers and sales representatives for Emma Blogs LLC, a portfolio of 11 blogs with the main flagship site EW Emma’s Writings, I find the calendar indispensable.
Editorial calendar and daily writing tasks in the notebook format
It is a valuable resource when looking back and analyzing what did the Emma Blogs LLC accomplish as well as strategizing into the next quarter.
Print magazines usually have an annual editorial/advertising calendar with two months lead time. That means if you have a story fit for April publication, you must submit it by the beginning of February, the latest.
With Internet, I find that everything moves faster with unexpected events such as Blogging 201. I am glad I registered for it, but since I haven’t planned for it, it threw me completely off the track. So, from now on I must include blogging/writing events in the calendar. But still, the two months outlook is very helpful.
I use both Simplenote by WordPress and the good old-fashioned wire bound notebook for every writing/blogging day. I write down contacts that I have to make, posts & stories that I have to write, schedule stories with other writers and inevitably design & update tasks.
Tempus fugit. Time flies or timing is everything.
I always aim to publish twice a week: Tuesday or Wednesday, and then for the weekend on Fridays.
It sounds like a lot of work and routine, but it really is not that bad, if you have figured out for yourself how to work it. Are you a morning or a night writer? How many hours can you put in? What kind of results have you had so far? No matter what, the key to growing traffic and engagement with our blogs, remains regular and enticing content.
This is the note to my EW team that I sent out in the beginning of January.
Hello, I put together these themes to guide us through March. It is a very busy month, so we need to plan for it now. The Inspiring Women series is leading up to women’s events including International Women’s Day on March 8.
2015 Editorial/Marketing themes
January
Health and wellness
IW Inspiring women series
Women’s Expos previews
Winter recreation and snowbirds
February
Blogging 201
Women’s Expo Lansing Feb. 6-Feb. 8, 2015
IW Inspiring women continues
Valentine’s & love
Lenten soups Feb. 18
Winter recreation & snowbirds continues
March
IW Inspiring women series continues
International Women’s Day March 8
Saint Patrick’s Day March 17
Women’s Expo March 13-March 15 in Grand Rapids
Laughfest March 5- March 15
Home and garden expo March 5 through March 8
Lowell expo March 28
Winter/spring recreation and snowbirds continues
About the clock photo: photo of the Prague horloge by “I love Czech Republic” group on facebook.
Now that I have already accomplished the first goal of having a company site for Emma Blogs LLC, I can actually spell them out.
At the beginning of 2015 I wrote my goals on a white story board under the title, “Goals 2015.”
First I listed my fiction goals to complete the memoir “Greenwich Meridian” in 2015 for 2016 publication. Second, I posted on the white story board: Write short story for Writer’s Digest contest in May.
Then followed: market fiction, publish fiction and sell screenplay.
Well, one month into the new year I have barely touched any of these, except for some marketing and putting together the short story in my head, before I set out to write it. So, what have I been doing I ask myself?
“Blogging, my friends,” I answer.
So, I flip the page of the white story board to Blogging Goals and go deeper yet into my writing/blogging diary because the goals on the board are more long-term.
And there it is, pure and clean in the diary:
A dam in Czech Republic to me resembles a surge of ideas.
1) Have a company blog/website for Emma Blogs LLC. Well, I can mark this one off. Once I read Michelle’s post on goal setting I just started working on the site. Got it done in three hours, drifting back and forth between themes Radcliffe and Twenty Fifteen. It tells the company story and introduces the staff.
2)Get an E-Newsletter out for February along with creating a mailing list. I started mind work for this in the wee morning hours when I cannot sleep.
3) Hook up with affiliates. I already started with Learn to blog and I need to post their logos. I also want to hook up with PR Web and Wild Technologies.
Goal setting does work. I am a living proof of it. I falter when I don’t set goals.
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