I have an upcoming presentation at First Citizens Bank in Mason City, Iowa, about my memoir on July 21 at 2:00 p.m.. I am thrilled at the opportunity. I am encouraged by responses like the following from readers and attendees at previous presentations. “Congratulations! I finished reading Like A Haystack last night. Your story is so well written and is also a story of such strength and courage, I hated to put the book down. Most of us have no…..
Dad achieved his goal of providing a better life for his family in February 1952 after persistent effort. Theresa in her account explained the reasons for the protracted process of leaving Austria, and perhaps, in the end, we were fortunate. At age nine, I had no idea what was happening; I simply followed my parents’ lead. Nothing was explained to me in terms I could understand. The three weeks at sea from Bremerhaven, Germany, to New Orleans are difficult to…..
The focus on refugees and poverty these days influences my thinking about a variety of issues. One issue in particular concerns the current trends in clothing. Styles most unbecoming are pants that are ripped, faded, and worn-out looking. Many people are embarrassed because their wardrobes are old and out of style. They cannot afford to update them. Children are often made fun of because of what they wear to school. To help poor students avoid being teased, churches and organizations…..
If you want to experience awesome entertainment, attend a presentation by the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. The performers, all students at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, sing, dance, and play a variety of instruments. A tamburitza is a stringed instrument of southern European origins and is very ethnic to slavic countries. You must hear the group and see them to appreciate their incredible skills. Each performer is dressed in colorful ethnic folk dresses that are stunning in their variety. I have…..
As Valentine’s Day approached, the teacher and students in my fifth-grade class talked about sharing cards with one another. I had never celebrated Valentine’s Day before since my family had emigrated to Iowa from Austria the previous year. Even though I did not understand what would happen, I did not want to be excluded, so I asked Dad to take me to the store to buy cards. Confused and hesitant, I picked out a card for each student. When we…..
My many years as wife, mother of four, teacher, friend, and volunteer deserve a book of their own. However, the focus of my memoir, Like A Haystack, is on my early foundational years. Our formative years affect us in ways we cannot fathom, and they, in turn, affect how we interact with our spouses and children and others with whom we come in contact. Attitudes and tendencies are subtle characteristics that we take for granted and overlook in ourselves. Through…..
Do what you have to do and move on” seems to have been my life’s theme in my early years and it carried through many decades of my adult life. My family left our farm in Croatia in 1943 during WWII when I was less than a year old. After two years of movement as displaced persons, we lived in Austria from 1945-1952. In Austria I learned the German language and a new culture. Croatia became just word to me…..
I am posting several responses out of many I have received after my book presentations. Thanks to everyone. God bless you all. Ms. Smolik provided a great perspective on small-town families of WWII in Europe both during and after the war. We hear so much of the truly egregious events of that war. Margaret’s presentation is a great account and reminder of the resiliency of those who quietly but significantly contributed to our great American heritage. John Sjolinder, Board…..
I truly believe God is nudging me in directions I never considered or thought possible. Last week I attended a Women Land and Legacy meeting in Mason City and presented a program that was positive and heart warming in the people’s response. This week on April 5, I spoke at the Greenfield Library in the afternoon and at the Ankeny Library in the evening. Both places the people were warm and welcoming and I had a good time. This coming…..
My most recent presentation on March 3 was at the Ida Grove Public Library. The experience was incredible. More than 50 people attended, both young and elderly, and their interest and response were heart-warming. The library itself is lovely and unusual. One room contains a replica of a street car. Children love to play on it, and both children and adults can watch programs on a screen mounted in a corner. It is quite an attention grabber. If you ever…..
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