Michigan Authors at the Eaton County Old County Courthouse during the Charlotte Frontier Days from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12.
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Emma’s book signings in September 2021
I have embarked on my fall author adventures through west and central Michigan. After an exceptional summer with crowds flocking to community events, autumn promises are in the fresh air painting a colorful palette.
I am so grateful that the in person events are making a comeback, they are a lifeline for artists, artisans and crafters. After year-long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I finally get to introduce my new book “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” to the public at large.
I will be at the Charlotte Frontier Days Arts & Crafts Show in booth 101 from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 . The arts show is located on the lawn of the Old County Courthouse. Stop by to pick up a book or two.
Friday, Sept. 10 noon – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 11 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 12 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
https://www.charlottefrontierdays.org/
Fallasburg Arts Festival
I will be in the one-room schoolhouse located at 14029 Covered Bridge Rd. NE in the historic village of Fallasburg signing my books and serving as a museum guide. Cross the Covered Bridge and step back some 150 years ago, when the bridge was built. The bridge is celebrating its 150th anniversary next weekend.
Saturday, Sept. 18 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 19 noon – 5p.m.
Feature photo: Emma Palova signs her book no. 1 “Shifting Sands Short Stories” for Jeanne Vandersloot.
Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Bannister Carries On Czech Traditions with Dancers
Premier Harvest Dozinky Czech and Slovak event canceled
By Emma Palova
Bannister, MI- With a population of 100 nestled amidst the wheat fields of Mid-Michigan, the little town of Bannister carries on a proud Czech legacy dating back to 1906.
The first Czech immigrants were recruited by the Ann Arbor Railroad to help construct a river channel along the railroad tracks north of Bannister. Later they worked in the surrounding sugar beet fields. At one time, Bannister had two churches, one bar, an auto shop and a trade dealer. All that remains today is the post office.
“The newcomers to the area felt the need for some type of club or lodge of their own,” Tom Bradley wrote in his “Pamatnik.”
Josef Drtina traveled by horse and buggy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Michigan and secured enough members to start a new lodge in Bannister on October 1, 1911.
Tom also plays polka music on WOES-FM Ovid-Elsie Community Radio-home of the Polka Palace. The music streams on the following link:
Although it’s staple event- the “Harvest Dozinky Festival”- has been canceled this year again due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lodge will have other events such as the upcoming “Walk for Hunger” on Aug. 8th.
“We think we might have our bazaar this year,” said Diane. “I don’t know about the other events. We go day by day.”
Annually, the lodge holds a bazaar on the last Saturday in October. Other events include: a fall dinner, Mikulas and Cert on the first Sunday in December, a mid-winter jamboree in February.
The Bradleys run the temporary Czech and Slovak Bakery in nearby Ashley from mid- November leading up to Christmas during the Polar Express event.
According to the Czech tradition, the bakery offers rohliky and poppy seed rolls.
“We grew up with the tradition, the language, the music and the food,” said Diane.
The ZCBJ Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ZCBJ-Lodge-225-BetterLife-126739624091965
Feature photo: ZCBJ board members: Bob Ladiski, Sally Stoll, Tom Bradley, Ed Fornusek, Joanne Fornusek, Ruth Malek, Diane Bradley.
Copyright © 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Detroit Book Festival
Visit my virtual booth today.
I love summer
Summer 2021 brings new gigs, metiers
By Emma Palova
Lowell, MI – I specifically used the French word metier for specialty or having a knack for something. We are excited to have our French granddaughter Ella here in the USA for the summer after last year’s pause due to COVID-19.
Every day, I learn something new from her and vice versa. Ella is fully bilingual due to her summer stays with us. Previously, she has attended St. Pat’s Summer Care in Parnell, but this year Ella is going to the YMCA at the Cherry Creek Elementary.
In the morning, we brave the construction workers who have invaded the area with huge asphalt trucks and the smell of fresh tar.
“They had the entire pandemic to do this,” Ella said.
I had a little confrontation with one of the workers who accused me of flying through the construction zone.
“Sir, I don’t fly,” I said. “I drive. You can ask anyone who knows me well.”
That being said, it’s good to know that we’re finally going to have our “damn roads” fixed, as Gov. Whitmer would put it. Apparently, it has become a long-awaited priority.
Writing away
Caledonia, MI – So, I got a new gig with the Caledonia Living Magazine by Best Version Media. My new title is Content Coordinator, which is a new word for editor. It’s a monthly magazine with a regular family feature, a business profile and events calendar.
Submit your ideas and news items to me for the magazine.
Where to find me
Virtual BookFest in Detroit. My virtual booth is:
I will be at the Island Fest in Grand Ledge on Aug. 31
Island Art FairSat, 9 AM – 4 PMLedge Craft Lane, 120 S Bridge StGrand Ledge, MI.
https://www.facebook.com/IslandArtFair/
Holland Art Festival in Holland on Aug. 7.
See you there.
Copyright (c) 2021 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Art Festivals in Michigan
Meet your next favorite read
By Emma Palova
Frankfort, MI – What better way to meet your next favorite read than on the shores of Lake Michigan at a local art festival.
After a succesful Lakeshore Art Festival (LAF) in downtown Muskegon, where even a tornado watch couldn’t stop Michigan Authors from selling their books, we have somewhat dispersed. But if you check the previous post about the Michigan Authors Comeback in 2021, and go to the authors websites, you will be able to catch up with them.
I will be in Frankfort on July 4th at the Art in the Park craft show at 517 Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stop by to pick up a book or two; I will have Shift Sands Short Stories series, book 1 and book 2 and my newest release “Greenwich Meridian Memoir.” I will also have posters of the cover of “Secrets.”
I will be around Lowell during the Riverwalk next weekend.
July 31- Grand Ledge, Island Fest
Aug. 7- Holland, Art in the Park
Aug. 28- Lowell, Hometown Reception on the Showboat
I also have a virtual booth at the Detroit Book Fest. Check it out at:
https://detroitbookfest.com/directory-manage/
More events to be announced.
For authors: check out the podcast Michigan Authors at LAF for tips on how to organize your events with author Darla Jean Davis and Melanie Hooyenga.
https://emmapalova123.podbean.com
Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Michigan Authors @LAF
Michigan authors are making a comeback in 2021
Muskegon- They are back and stronger than before; strengthened by the quiet months of the COVID-19 quarantine, these authors used their time to create, write and to launch books in the finnicky technical world.
Michigan authors will be grouped at the Authors Alley at the Lakeshore Art Festival (LAF) in downtown Muskegon on June 26 and June 27. Close to 20 authors will be ready to present to you your next favorite read; from fantasies, short stories, young adult fiction, childrens books to thrillers and mysteries.
You will find Authors Alley along 4th Street on the left hand side of the road in front of the Lakeshore Museum Center and extending into the intersection at Clay Street. The hours are: Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Following is a list of participating authors: Ingar Rudholm, Joan Young, Melinda Clark, Sara Shanning, Lon Hieftje, Andrew Smith, Jean Davis, Norma Lewis, Melanie Hooyenga, Michael D. Jones, Lori Hudson, Emma Palova, Bonnie Votkis, Judy Burke, Marianne Wieland, Randy Pearson, Mike Carrier, Gary Buettner and Gregory Scott.
Joan Young 
Sara Shanning 
Andrew Smith 
Jean Davis 
Melanie Hooyenga 
Lori Hudson 
Emma Palova 
Marianne Wieland 
Randy Pearson 
Mike Carrier 
Norma Lewis 
Melinda Clark 
J. Lee Burke 
For links to authors’ websites go to:
Author’s Alley Lineup
Lakeshore Art Festival on Fox TV
https://www.facebook.com/events/1097983580662621
For the Love of Books Podcast
Listen in to the weekly podcast show featuring Indie and small press authors from authors close and far away.
For podcast interviews with authors: Ingar Rudholm, Joan Young, Andrew Smith, Jean Davis, Randy Pearson and Marianne Wieland go to:
https://emmapalova123.podbean.com
Listen in this Friday to a podcast interview about Michigan Authors at LAF with authors Jean Davis and Melanie Hooyenga.
If you would like to be featured on the podcast pm or email Emma or write in the comment section below.
Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Author Joan Young Walks for Water for Fatima
World Vision pumps for water are hand or solar- powered
By Emma Palova
Ludington, MI- Author Joan H. Young is no stranger to walking. Young was the first woman to complete the 4,600-mile- long hike on the North Country Trail in 2010.
But this was the first time, Young has walked with a mission to provide water for Third World countries, a global effort spearheaded by World Vision. Young walked a total of 21 miles on May 22 in the Global 6K for Water.
Here is a Q&A interview with Young.
Q: How long have you been walking for water?
A: This is the first time I have done this.
Q: Why? What is your primary motivation?
A: Back in 1986, when I decided I wanted to go to grad school, in the sciences, I did a lot of reading and predicted that water was going to be the global crisis of the 21st century. So, I decided to study some field related to clean water. I ended up not using that degree, but I learned a lot and still believe that providing clean water to the world needs to have a higher priority.
Q: A little bit about Fatima: Where does she live and how bad is the water situation?
A: She was assigned to me. Each participant is paired with a child to give a face to our fundraising. She lives in Ethiopia where about 26 million people lack access to clean water. One organization claims that 7.5 percent of the globalwater crisis is inEthiopia alone. In addition to a lack of clean water, there is a lack of basic sanitation facilities. The result, not surprisingly, is a huge number of deaths from water-borne illnesses. So many children die that the world has become numb and is no longer outraged. World Vision bores deep wells, and the pumps are either hand powered or solar powered, so villages do not have to depend on unreliable or unavailable electricity.
Q: How much money has been raised and how much have you raised?
A: I know World Vision hoped to raise $2 million this year. I raised $1495, and was in the top 100 individual fundraisers, but I know some of the very top people raised over $5000. I think they are still taking contributions, so the totals have not yet been released. Donations are still being accepted as of June 1, 2021.
Q: What have you learned about yourself and others on your walks?
A: The distance proposed for most walkers by World Vision was 6K, about 4 miles. This distance was chosen because it is the average distance people in countries with inadequate clean water must walk every day to collect dirty water for cooking and drinking. I chose to walk more, as a challenge, thinking it might attract people to donate. Perhaps that was a factor. I was really pleased that so many people stepped up to donate. I was able to raise much more money than I ever could have given on my own.
World Vision estimates that it averages out to about $50 to provide clean water to one person. So that means I was able to help 27 people gain access to clean water. I like the way that feels.
Q: How do your walks project into your books?
A: So far, not at all, since this was my first one.
Q: What are your future plans for walking?
A: Walking is like breathing. I just do it. We’ll see if I sign up for another fundraiser in the future.
About Joan H. Young
Author of the Anastasia Raven cozy mysteries, Dubois Files children’s mysteries, books about hiking, and more
check it out at booksleavingfootprints.com
adventurer – writer – speaker
More than 27,000 people in 18 countries joined Global 6k for Water on May 22. 2021.
Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Memorial Day in Lowell 2021
Major changes due to COVID
It was a solemn ceremony honoring the veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lowell on Monday.
Even though, there was no music by any of the Lowell Area Schools bands or a parade, the small gathering was complete with a rifle salute at the Civil War Memorial.
Chaplain Glen Marks said the blessings and the prayers for the departed veterans.
After reading the names of the deceased veterans to the ring of the bell, the participants listened to the haunting sound of TAPS.
Seven hundred graves were marked with American flags.
Copyright (c) 2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
The future of Indie Publishing
The authors and their books.
By Emma Palova
Listen in to the podcast “For the love of books,” download and share the episodes. The insights from the Indie authors are incredible, beyond trade journals.
Each author represents a unique individuality in what some call “a mass book production market.” There may be one million ISBNs issued annually, but each book and author are distinctively different in how they approach the writing business and writing itself.
It’s like there is a piece of the author in each one of his or her books; it may be in the character, in the setting, in the plot or in the point of view. POV.
One of my favorite questions is: “Where do you see the future of Indie publishing?”
The overall response is that it will continue to grow.
“We have physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, virtual book events. Maybe virtual reality books are next?”
Ingar Rudholm
“And how will the Indie authors be remembered?”
“We’re the trailblazers.”
Joan H. Young
Podcast interviews this week
Coming up in this week’s podcasts are authors Marianne Wieland, A. Kidd and Colleen Nye. They are pictured in the gallery above.
Nye is an author with multiple pen names and an overactive imagination.
A. Kidd calls herself a kid at heart with a youthful exuberance, A. Kidd writes books for children full of magic and wonder in the hopes that they will have the courage to live their own stories and possibly even be inspired to write stories of their own.
Wieland is the author of 10 books.
Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface. Expect the unexpected. Is it real, fiction or a combination? You decide. Go ahead. I dare you!
I just had my 10th book released a few days ago.
Marianne Wieland
Follow the podcast on:
https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/
Copyright (c)2021. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
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