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: 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.
Lowell, MI- I decided to contribute to the Blogging 201 discussion Day 6 on social media. I am sharing my experience with the much coveted social media.
There are three or more social media distinctions on the WordPress platform.
Number one: sharing buttons or white boxes either in your settings, you drag which services you want. Or on your dashboard in the Publish section on the right, you see Publicize and you click on edit. Add the ones you want. Then of course you want the public to use the sharing buttons as well.
Number two: The much coveted facebook like widget that can go into almost any sidebar. However, the facebook like widget works only with facebook pages, not with personal fb.
So, you first create a facebook page, if you don’t have one. Then copy its URL into the facebook page like widget. Make sure you save. It takes a few minutes. Then, your post on facebook will show in the fb widget on your blog, along with heads of the people who like your page.
The same goes for Instagram except that your photos will show.
Number three: Social media icons. Best placement on top in the upper right hand corner or in the footer. You can find them on the Internet, copy their code and paste into your text widget or you can also find them in the support section of WordPress titled Social Tools. Again copy and paste into the widget text box, and save.
Don’t forget to connect them to your social profiles like Twitter, facebook, LinkedIn and/or Google +.
That means replace the text in the brackets with your let’s say Twitter URL.
However, all this is pointless unless you’re working both your blog and your facebook page. That means regular posts with photographs, logos, polls, events and such.
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.
Lowell, MI – From big anniversaries and baptisms to big weddings, we experienced it all. From joy to sadness, we gained new life and lost loved ones.
First in January I celebrated my one year anniversary with WordPress. It was a year of learning and finding my true self. I found out that I am a better employer than an employee. A Swedish friend of mine laughed at that.
I found out that it’s better to give than to receive. So, I also started a blog for my sister-in-law CJ Aunt Jarmilka’s Desserts for her bakery business soon after my own. CJ also celebrated her one year anniversary of blogging.
Sizzlin Summer concerts in Lowell
In March, I went for my annual retreat in Venice, Florida and I swam with the dolphins. While I was swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, Samuel Chavent was born two months prematurely in Dijon, France to my daughter Emma and her husband Adrien.
As I walked from one beach to another, and saw divers, I found inspiration for a new story.
I started my walking routine to the Franciscan Sisters in April for the first time in 15 years without my dog Haryk. He was getting too sick to walk. I also celebrated 100 posts on Earth Day.
Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience nature center
“You’re a prolific writer,” said Alan Blanchard, former publisher of the Ionia Sentinel-Standard in 2000.
We had a baptism in May in Kalamazoo. My husband Ludek is the godfather to Josephine Marie Palova.
I scored a great career success in May. I got my blog into the Gatehouse Media, a 10-million reader market through the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.
We also bought tons of meat at the Jones Meat Market customer appreciation day for the upcoming international wedding party.
Bluegrass band Eazy Idle with Dave Simmonds
Then came the summer we never had. I watered my gardens exactly twice. We had enough liquid precipitation to water the moon.
Following is a picture essay of the holiday season in the Grand Rapids area, Michigan. From big events such as the annual Christmas party for the ABC Undercar employees in Amway Grand Plaza counting 400 people to a small pioneer one-room school house in Fallasburg Historic Park. That all happened in one day on Dec. 13, 2014. I was overwhelmed by the disparity of both events. One was like a magical kingdom, the other inviting like a tiny cottage in the woods. Enjoy.
The lobby of Amway Grand Plaza was decked out for Christmas.
The humble one-room school house, home to the Fallasburg Historical Society.
The annual Christmas fundraiser for the Fallasburg Historical Society.
Watch for the big story ” 25 years in the USA” Copyright (c) 2014 Emma Blogs LLC, All rights reserved
Note: This is the last part in the “Three Sundays of Christmas” series.
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Gold Sunday is the last Sunday before Christmas which this year falls on Dec. 21. By then all good housewives have their baking & cleaning done according to Czech traditions. Before I started writing and blogging, I could make up to 10 different Christmas desserts including vanilla crescents, “nutty baskets,” chocolate “rohlicky” and” Ischel mini-cakes.”
As a student at the prep school Gymnasium Zlin, we would even get time off for baking.
“As long as you’re keeping the tradition going,” Russian language professor Chudarkova used to say.
Christmas nutty baskets
That reminds me of the opening day of the hunting season here in Michigan where some schools get the day off. I always baked long into the night, and I filled the pastries on Christmas Eve. Back in the old Czechoslovakia I had no helpers. Many years later in the USA my son Jake assisted me by rolling out the dough standing on a foot stool.
Gold Sunday is time to get your Christmas fish for the big evening feast known as “Bountiful Eve.” The town squares in Czech Republic are home to merchants with live carp. For years during Christmases of the past I went shopping for the best carp ever sporting a net bag, so the carp can breathe.
The Christmas fish in Czech Republic is carp
Large wooden vats carried carp from ponds in Southern Bohemia. The carp trade dates back to feudalism and to the royals who granted the rights to do this. I regret that I’ve never seen the carp ponds in Bohemia.
The live carp and then the butchering of it on the morning of Dec. 24 have been the subject of stories, legends, photographs and calendars much like the day and the evening itself.
Lighting of the town Christmas trees in Czech Republic Photo by Jan Smejkal
I will remember one carp story forever. One family got so attached to their live carp, they could not bring themselves to butcher it. They took the live carp to a nearby brook and released it into the shallow water. The carp probably didn’t make it, but they felt better and from then on they purchased fish filets from a well-know store in hometown Zlin and that was Rybena.
I think my uncle John butchered ours. The family usually placed the carp in a tub. One year I put the tub outside on the apartment balcony. When I went to check on the fish next day, it almost froze. I had to smash the ice and resuscitate the fish.
So, the Christmas Eve menu in Czech Republic consists of breaded fried filet of carp, potato salad, mushroom or fish soup and the great cookies.
In later years, non-carp lovers substituted the carp for salmon filets. We stick to the tradition and I buy either cod or other white meat fish. I make tons of potato salad with our own pickles.
Stay tuned for the big story ” 25 years in the USA.”
Note: This is the fourth installment in the mini-series called “New eyes with Dr. Verdier” about cataracts and eye surgeries. It rightfully carries the bold title, “The Grand Finale.”
The series tracks Emma Palova’s journey from near blindness to new eyes with 20/20 vision. The third part “The Surgery” was published on Oct. 1.
The second part “The evaluation of cataracts” was published on Sept. 13.
The first part “Eyes set on Dr. Verdier” was published on EW Emma’s Writings http://emmapalova.com on Sept. 6.
The Grand Finale
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Grand Rapids, MI- I went into the second surgery even more scared than the first eye because I already knew what was going to happen.
“Each eye is different,” I remembered the anesthesiologist saying.
Dr. David Verdier previously informed me that he was going to adjust the lens for the left eye so it won’t see as far into the distance, but more close-up. That way the two eyes don’t fight, and the result should be a perfect 20/20 vision.
Dr. David Verdier, a recognized eye surgeon
The fear from the surgery caused my blood pressure and pulse to skyrocket. I was sweating in spite of the fact that it was cold in the operating room. I had trouble dozing off under the local anesthesia.
I could feel the work done on the left eye and yellow balls and circles were dancing in front of me. I got a perforated shield on the left eye as well to protect the eye for seven days after the surgery.
When I was hauled into the post-operating stall, I could see my husband as clear as the night sky. Very sharp.
Crisp new 20/20 vision after cataract surgery
I was again the youngest person on the operating premises. Certain type of cataracts strike “younger” people, and unlike the regular cataracts they move very fast causing deterioration of the eyesight.
“It’s like a dirty windshield,” said Dr. Nathan Schlotthauer during the initial evaluation. “New layers keep adding on to it.”
At the height of the cataract ordeal that started two years ago, I could not see myself in the mirror or drive.
Resting in the post-operational stall, I was glad it was all over.
Dr. Verdier entered the stall, “It went very well.”
Next day’s check-up proved my 20/20 vision, and the technician was just as excited as I was.
“You won’t need eyeglasses,” he said.
I got the last schedule for eye drops that would run through Sept. 19. The medication schedule called for the tapering of prednisolone eye drops. Prednisolone eye drops reduce redness, burning and swelling.
As the AcrySof IQ lens implant adjusted in the eyeball, I could see orange circles on the periphery. Sometimes there was tension in both eyes, but the vision remained beyond expectations.
“You see like a hawk now,” said my husband Ludek.
The last appointment at the Verdier Eye Center was on Aug.22. The first evaluation was on July 11.
“You look great,” concluded Dr. Verdier after recording the case. “You have new eyes. We’re very pleased. You were an excellent patient to have.”
“I am ecstatic doctor,” I cried with joy. “I am a new woman.”
In two weeks I saw my referring eye doctor Dr. Holser back in Lowell, who confirmed the 20/20 vision.
“You probably will never need eyeglasses,” he said. “Dr. Verdier is the best. He is worth waiting for.”
A few facts about cataracts according to American Academy of Ophthalmology:
In a normal eye, light focuses precisely on the retina.
In an eye with a cataract, light scatters throughout the eye instead of focusing precisely on the retina causing cloudy vision.
Common symptoms of cataracts are: a painless blurring of vision, glare or sensitivity, poor night vision, double vision in one eye, needing brighter light to read, fading or yellowing of colors.
Most age-related cataracts progress gradually over a period of years, and may be different even between the two eyes.
Other cataracts in younger people may progress rapidly over a short time.
Surgery is the only way a cataract may be removed. However, if symptoms are not bothering you much, surgery may not be needed. Sometimes a simple change in eyeglass prescription may be helpful.
No medications, dietary supplements or exercises have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.
Cataract surgeries:
More than 1.8 million people have cataract surgery each year in the United States. More than 95 percent of those surgeries are performed without complications.
During cataract surgery, which is usually performed under local or topical anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens from the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant.
The ophthalmologist performs the delicate surgery using a microscope, miniature instruments and other modern technology.
In many people who have cataract surgery, the natural capsule that supports the intraocular lens may become cloudy over time. I f this occurs, the surgeon may perform an outpatient laser procedure called capsulotomy.
Note: This is the third part in the mini-series about Emma Palova’s journey from near blindness to new eyes with 20/20 vision. It is a story about cataracts that cause blurred vision.
The second part “The evaluation of cataracts” was published on Sept. 13.
The first part “Eyes set on Dr. Verdier” was published on EW Emma’s Writings http://emmapalova.com on Sept. 6.
The Verdier Eye Center performs 100 cataract surgeries a week between the five doctors and the two floor levels.
Dr. David Verdier, a recognized eye surgeon
The surgical rooms of East Paris Surgical Center, LLC are located in the basement of the building at 1000 E. Paris in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There were a lot of people in the waiting room. Some with eye shields awaiting the second eye surgery.
I noticed a painting on the wall of a beautiful dog on a beach. I’ve never had a surgery before, so I didn’t know what to expect.
But, I did have my patient’s handbook.
There was a trio of women loudly chatting.
“How come you put on your make-up when you’re having an eye surgery,” asked a brunette her friend. The handbook specifically instructed not to wear any make-up. Now that was something new for me too; not wearing make-up. The last time I didn’t have make-on in public was probably in sixth grade.
After eye surgery
“It’s a frivolous surgery,” the woman laughed.
Any surgery is a surgery. My second biggest asset, eyes, were at stake. I was scared.
The stalls in the surgical room were again full of people, either getting prepped for the surgery or recovering.
I got a lot of eye drops that dilated and numbed the right eye. In the meantime, the anesthesia was kicking in. But, I could still hear the anesthesiologist.
“You’re the youngest person here,” he said referring to the cataract that strikes younger people.
“Yes, everything is relative,” I said.
“Well if you live long enough, everyone will eventually get one,” said the anesthesiologist donning a nice plastic cap.
They hauled me away to Dr. David Verdier’s caring hands. The actual surgery took only 15 minutes, but the prep time and recovery totaled three hours.
An incision is made into the eye and the old lens is removed and replaced with a new plastic one. I have an AcrySofIQ lens implant that also corrected my vision, so I don’t have to wear eyeglasses.
I was not completely out during the surgery. I could feel the work on the eye and see yellow circles. After the surgery I got a nutri-bar and cranberry juice. It never tasted better. The patients are required not to eat or drink anything as of midnight before the surgery.
I could immediately see clear on the right eye even through the grid of the eye shield. That was an incredible feeling after two years of blurred vision. At its worst point in mid July, I only went by memory or by touch.
“I am very pleased with how the surgery has turned out,” said Dr. Verdier right after the surgery.
I was ecstatic and went for a check-up the next day, still not being able to drive because of the previous anesthesia.
“You have a 20/20 vision now,” said Dr. Verdier. “It does matter who performs the surgery.”
“I am very grateful to you, doctor,” I said. “You made me a new woman.”
Then, Dr. Verdier explained what he was going to do with the left eye two weeks later.
“I will adjust the left eye so you can read, but you won’t able to see as clear into the distance,” he said. “The two eyes would fight.”
You could see the respect everyone at the center had for Dr. Verdier.
The left eye would be next in two weeks.
To be continued with the “Grand Finale.”
About the featured photo. This is how clearly I see now. The photo is of Fallasburg Covered Bridge by Bruce Doll.
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