About Me and The Honolka Story According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a writer is ‘one who expresses ideas in writing’ or ‘one engaged in literary work. ‘An author is ‘a person who writes a novel, poem, essay etc., the composer of a literary work. ‘I do not consider myself an author or writer. I do not even enjoy reading for pleasure. If you find errors in grammar or punctuation, please note I, Sharon Honolka, am also not an English major. What I am is Eva’s Honolka Newman’s sister-in-law that was asked to put “her stuff” in some type of order. This process started May of 2019. As of February 2, 2021, I have fulfilled my promise to Eva Honolka Newman and retained Author House for publication. Materials have been gathered from various sources. You will read duplications, especially when you start reading her speeches as they appeared in local newspapers. Eva was a remarkable patriotic public speaker that love the United States of America and respected The American Flag. Recently I was asked by a relative, “who are you getting to edit the book”? Curious to the response, I asked, “what does an editor do”? It was quiet. Then they said, “well, they take out what they don’t think should be there, or re-word a sentence”. My response was, “I don’t want anything removed or re-worded”. What people will be reading was handwritten by family matriarch, Eva Honolka Newman, her brothers, sister, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Numerous newspaper articles were re-typed, word for word, giving credit to the source and writer. This book is a nonfiction narrative writing based on personal memories. By the time you finish reading, you will have walked in the shoes of John and Jarmila Honolka and their five children. You will have retraced the steps taken by the seven Honolka’s through the trials, tribulation, distress, frustration, and suffering of a family seeking freedom. Endless hours, days, weeks, and months have been spent gathering articles, asking questions, documenting responses, and verifying facts. I thank my husband, Don Honolka for his time and patience. Often taking him back to many unpleasant memories. Without the positive support of Don, and the guidance of my “Heavenly Father” telling me “You Can Do This,” this task would not have been completed. Don also told me, “You are going to have to have thick skin because you will be criticized and people will remember events differently”. Fortunately, I am just repeating Eva’s words. As always. the Lord has been by my side. I thank Him. To Him I give the glory, praise, and honor.
At the turn of the 20th century, Sharons very existence was threatened by the collapse of the local iron industry as the towns economy and population began to decline. However, the popularity of automobile transportation and Sharons accessible distance from New York attracted a class of wealthy visitors who fell in love with the rolling hills and quiet valleys. This new weekend population purchased land and built stately country homes, reigniting interest in the area. Steady growth in construction provided much-needed work, and commerce began to thrive again. Early businesses expanded, and new operations opened. Local residents could shop at stores run by the Gillette brothers and A.R. Woodward, fill their tanks at Herman Middlebrooks gas station, and have their health care needs attended to by doctors at the state-of-the-art Sharon Hospital, built in 1916. Eastern Europeans became the towns newest residents, taking advantage of the affordable, cleared land to fuel a large number of highly successful farms. Sharons residents thrived as they reshaped their town, welcoming newcomers and nurturing a community of inclusion that lasts to the present day.
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