Remembering the 1966 Florence Flood

2015 - Il Duomo

2015 – Il Duomo

Adoring Firenze passionately is somewhat of a pastime at The Candi Dish! It is a magical city that exudes charm, transcendent beauty and unique history: some obvious (IL DUOMO,) and some hidden (VASARI CORRIDOR). One significant and devastating piece of history occurred exactly 50 years ago today. On November 4, 1966, after a long period of steady rain the Arno River flooded Firenze. The flood took the precious lives of people and destroyed millions of masterpieces.

With RestoPresto on the Arno!

With RestoPresto on the Arno!

At its highest, the water reached over 22 feet in Santa Croce. If you have been to Florence, this statistic is quite shocking.

dsc00069

Basilica di Santa Croce

Here are 2 photos that I took last year that show one of the “high water mark” signs from 2 different angles on the side of a building in the Oltrarno.

dsc00232

Close up of the “high water mark” sign that reads: “Qui arrivo la piena dell’Arno”

 

dsc00231

The “high water mark” sign on the side of a building in the Oltrarno.

My first of many visits to Firenze was in 1992 when I entered the Florida State University International Program Study Abroad Program that summer. I was in love with the city immediately and can honestly say that my 6 weeks in Firenze changed my life in the most wonderful ways. The FSU Florence Program is celebrating its 50th Anniversary as well which means that the first round of students experienced the Arno flood in November 1966. There is a wonderful documentary by Breanna Bruner interviewing former students who were there in 1966 and how they became Angeli del Fango (“Mud Angels) – here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/Ymf92c4cm0Q

I am proud to be a FSUIP Alum!

So today, 50 years later I honor the lives lost, the generous Angeli del Fango whose speedy volunteer efforts to save damaged pieces led to the restoration of many fine works of art and magnificent Firenze, herself.

If you are interested in a firsthand account of what was happening in Firenze after the flood, here is a terrific article by Jonah Jones via The Florentinehttp://www.theflorentine.net/lifestyle/2016/11/memories-1966-florence-flood/

For stunning photos of the flood, click on this link to the Foto Locchi site which has archived photos taken in Firenze following the disaster: http://www.fotolocchi.it/it/

 

Interview with Entrepreneur Candi Obrentz of The Candi Dish & RestoPresto

screen-shot-2016-10-18-at-8-33-37-pm

When I first launched my business, I sought guidance for many things: textiles, manufacturing basics, intellectual property, how to form an LLC, how in the WORLD do you get exposure and press for your product invention…you know, stuff like that! When I brilliantly engaged a fellow innovative entrepreneurial friend who generously shared her knowledge, she also introduced me to her friend, Sabina Hitchen. SCORE! I was taken by Sabina’s positive energy and genuine interest in my product creation, RestoPresto (and me). THEN the teaching began. No strings attached information sharing, tips, suggestions and ideas. WOWSA!

So when Sabina requested an interview with me to discuss my entrepreneurial journey and amazing accomplishment of RestoPresto being featured on the TODAY SHOW, I leaped at the opportunity.

Here is a link to the interview: http://sabinaknows.com/restopresto

If you are a small business owner who needs guidance on navigating the world of PR and press (let’s face it, what entrepreneur doesn’t?), check out Sabina Knows (you can thank me later)!

All the best,
Candi

RestoPresto is a compact gadget that has TONS of uses!

RestoPresto is a compact gadget that has TONS of uses!

Hours left for the RestoPresto GIVEAWAY on Hint Mama!

Hint Mama shares valuable tips with busy parents!

Hint Mama shares valuable tips with busy parents!

Everyone loves a giveaway, right? As a small business owner and inventor, I love collaborating with great people so I jumped at the chance to do a RestoPresto pack giveaway with Hint Mama because I admire savvy moms who share tips and really dig my friends at Hint Mama who blog about how to make parenthood easier, cheaper and a bit more humorous!

Here’s the deal about RestoPresto AND the giveaway which ends in less than 2 DAYS:

  • In case you don’t know, I invented a patented consumer product called RestoPresto. It is a lightweight compact pouch that unfolds to a soft, water-repellent, thin extra layer to sit on. sit under & wear. It is an easily transportable wearable blanket that adds value to busy lives because it is with you when you need it the most. It’s several products wrapped up in one handy gadget. Here is a diagram:
RestoPresto is a compact gadget that has TONS of uses!

RestoPresto is a compact gadget that has TONS of uses!

The winner will get a RestoPresto, branded carabiner, mini-stakes, instruction guide and luggage tag.

Please note that the wonderful written review authored by one of our original, super savvy and fantastic customers: Karen Witham did not involve pay for play! Karen is a paying customer who is sharing her knowledge of RestoPresto because she and her family use it! Karen rightly points out that RestoPresto will grow with your child. From nursing your infant to outdoor play as a toddler; from a newly backpack wearing elementary school student to soccer games; from Middle School field trips to High School extra-curricular activities – RestoPresto is a compact, thin mat that kids (and adults) of all ages can use!

Durable yet sophisticated, the design and utility are appealing to various personalities and tastes of people. all of who lead active and busy lives! Proudly Made in the USA, too!

Check it out, sign up for the giveaway, share it with your network and don’t forget to follow Hint Mama and Karen Witham on Twitter!

Here is how the multi-functional RestoPresto works!

Here is how the multi-functional RestoPresto works!

Dishing about RestoPresto being featured on Katie Lee and Hoda on the TODAY SHOW!

img_1172

Candi of The Candi Dish is also the inventor of RestoPresto the compact pouch that converts to a soft, thin wearable blanket.

Many people know how exciting it is to see something important to you get press because it draws attention to that product, service or endeavor. So, you can imagine the heart-pounding awesomeness that was felt watching  RestoPresto  on Steve Greenberg’s Tailgating Gadgets segment on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda on September 14th. See the video here:

RestoPresto is carefully designed to be easily transportable so that it is ready for you to use it how and when you need it the most.

For the Today Show segment, Steve Greenberg featured RestoPresto because it is perfect to use at the tailgate AND in the stadium. It is a lightweight, durable, soft, water-repellent thin blanket to sit on, sit under or wear at your tailgating party and is the perfect multi-purpose product to bring with you to game because it fits in bags that are Stadium Bag Policy compliant. Check out the photos:

img_1139 img_1169

img_1179 img_1126

The design of the product enables endless configurations to meet your needs. The versatile utility makes your life a bit easier. To find out more about how RestoPresto is an innovative portable solution that combines several products into one handy gadget to be used by all get year round, click here: http://bit.ly/RestoPrestoTODAYSHOW

If you have any questions about how RestoPresto helps make busy lives a easier and is a great fit, contact Candi: candi@restopresto.com

img_1156

Dishing KISSES….

Happy International Kissing Day from The Candi Dish!

IMG_0374

SWAK!

Happy 240th Birthday, America!

Dishing Independence Day wishes to my fellow Americans!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 240th Birthday to the USA! Here’s to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

The Declaration of Independence

Happy Father’s Day from The Candi Dish!

IMG_0165

 

To the Dads, Uncles, Grandfathers, Step-Fathers, Guardians, Fathers-in-law, Caregivers, Moms, Friends and those who take care of kids: we wish you a lovely Father’s Day!

It’s Flag Day in the USA!

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

239 years ago, on June 14, 1777, the flag of the United States was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

IMG_6148

American Flag waving over Fifth Avenue, NY

American Flag waving over Fifth Avenue, NY

Many Americans cherish the, often refuted, story of Betsy Ross being the designer of the first Stars and Stripes. As General George Washington’s seamstress and fellow-church congregant, legend says that Betsy Ross was commissioned around June of 1776 to create the flag from a drawing, which she subsequently re-designed and produced successfully. Some historians discredit this tale based on lack of evidence but either way the story is a great one.

Over 100 years later, Bernard John Cigrand, a young man from Waubeka, Wisconsin, authored hundreds of articles, made speeches and submitted proposals for there to be an annual observance of the birth of the Flag. He felt strongly that good would come from a “Flag Holiday”. Then, in 1949, President Truman signed an Act Of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day. 55 years later, on June 14, 2004, a unanimous vote by U.S. Congress declared that Flag Day originated in Waubeka, Wisconsin recognizing Cigrand’s dedication to the cause.

Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. The 48-star flag was in effect for 47 years until the 49-star version became official on the 4th of July 1959.

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

IMG_6149The American Flag, which is also known as the “Stars and Stripes”, “Old Glory” and “The Star Spangled Banner” with 50stars to represent the 50 states of the United States of America was ordered by President Eisenhower on August 21,1959. The blue rectangle in the canton (specifically called the “union”) bears 50 small, white, 5-pointed stars arranged in 9 offset horizontal rows of 6 stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of 5 stars.

The current 50-star American flag was designed in Ohio in 1958 by a then 17-year-old, Robert Heft, who created it for a high school class project. Apparently he received a B- on his assignment, which was subsequently raised to an A after his design was chosen and adopted by presidential proclamation.

Isn’t it fantastic that young adults have played integral (sometimes unrecognized) roles in US history?

“Flag of Honor” listing the name of each human who perished on September 11, 2001 displayed in Battery Park during the 10-year memorial.

“Flag of Honor” listing the name of each human who perished on September 11, 2001 displayed in Battery Park during the 10-year memorial.

Happy Birthday to the American Flag!

Photos are my own.

Memorial Day 2016

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

On this Memorial Day 2016 may the legacies of the Men and Women who served the United States of America and lost their lives be memorialized.

May their souls rest in peace.

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

Dishing Mother’s Day Wishes!

Screen Shot 2016-05-04 at 9.20.06 PM

Happy Mother’s Day to the wonderful Moms and Caregivers from The Candi Dish!

error: Content is protected !!