Inviting the Whole Land to Abraham

The Maribor market has recently become the center of attention as it celebrated a significant milestone—its oldest vendor, Vekoslava Škerbot, turned 90 years old. Known affectionately as "Slavica" among locals, she has been a familiar face on the market for decades, renowned for her kindness, diligence, and genuine relationships with customers. Her birthday was marked by a special surprise organized by the market community, which gathered family members, friends, colleagues, and visitors to honor her long-standing presence and contributions.

The celebration took place amidst a festive atmosphere, with the mayor of the City of Maribor, Saša Arsenovič, personally congratulating her. The event was further enriched by performances from the group Brači Malečnika, who sang heartfelt songs dedicated to her. They highlighted how Vekoslava had always been ready to help others throughout her life, emphasizing her role as a model of dedication, honesty, and perseverance. Their tribute included warm embraces, wishes, and a celebratory meal featuring local food, wine, and delicacies.

Vekoslava herself shared her secret to a long and fulfilling life. She humorously stated that it involves eating less and working more, while maintaining good will. This simple philosophy seems to have guided her entire life, contributing to her enduring presence on the market. Her story resonates deeply with many, offering inspiration and reflection on the values of hard work and kindness.

In another part of Slovenia, a similar celebration took place in the village of Jezersko, where Polona Virnik Karničar, a local resident and member of the Jezerška Cerkovni Pevski Zbor, celebrated her 50th birthday. Unlike traditional celebrations focused solely on personal milestones, Polona chose to use this occasion to raise awareness about the need for restoration of the church organ and bell tower in her home parish. Inspired by the idea during a concert last December, she invited guests to contribute voluntarily instead of bringing gifts.

Her initiative received positive feedback from the community, with approximately one hundred people attending the event. Some came to celebrate with her, while others contributed to the cause without necessarily staying for the entire gathering. The event also featured a floral arrangement on the courtyard of her home, arranged by longtime friends and acquaintances who share many stories and unforgettable moments with her.

Polona's journey is intricately linked with her hometown. Growing up on a farm, she later took over its management in 2009 and became a leader in additional activities. As a businesswoman, employer, mother of three children, and active participant in various projects, she has played a crucial role in promoting tourism in the area. Currently, she serves as president of the Planinsko društvo Jezersko and is actively involved in the board of the Association of Tourist Farms of Slovenia.

Her passion for music, mountains, local land, and people has remained constant throughout her life. Despite studying tourism, she did not foresee becoming a creator of one of the most beautiful tourist stories on Jezersko. Her love for cooking began after marrying Drejc Karničar in 1997 when she started cooking at Češka koča. Since then, she has embarked on a long journey, celebrating her life with heart, devotion to her home region, and music. For this occasion, singers from the Jezerška Cerkovni Pevski Zbor and the local ensemble Jutro ensured a musical backdrop.

Meanwhile, in the coastal regions, a different kind of celebration unfolded at the Borštnik meeting hosted by Primorske novice. While specific details about the event were limited, it is clear that the occasion brought together many residents, highlighting the importance of community gatherings and cultural expressions in these areas. Such events serve as reminders of the value placed on social connections and shared experiences within local communities.