Kowalski Heat Treating Blog - Kowalski Heat Treating

Ornamental Lawns

April 11, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

As we began to plan the plants and landscape designs for the spring and season, one thought popped into my head by my sister Peggy (she was even gracious enough to send me a link!) – Who are the people pulling plastic flamingos out of their shed? Scattered throughout our communities, and often part of a Happy Birthday lawn recognition, the proud, bright pink flamingos stand the test of time (battling notoriety with gnomes and wooden cut-out images of someone bending over to garden). To learn more, I went to her link to find some fun info – and of course, then found some additional trivia I just had to share. Thanks to Peggy for the fun info. Enjoy!

Descended From Heat Treaters

April 4, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Colleen Kowalski

So, what’s in a name, and how does it apply today? Curious, I did a quick search on my last name, Kowalski, and lo and behold, it fits in with what my team and I love to do every day – getting up early and staying late to solve your PIA (Pain in the @%$) Jobs! I found out the name Kowalski is of Polish origin and is one of the most common surnames in Poland, derived from the word “kowal,” which means “blacksmith” in Polish. The suffix “-ski” is a common surname ending in Poland, often indicating a connection to a place or profession.

So, Kowalski essentially means “descendant of a blacksmith” or “one from the blacksmith’s place.” BINGO! It sure fits. Just listen to this description: Blacksmithing is a delicate balance of heating (the hammering part is for others) and cooling that transforms raw metal into durable, functional objects. By controlling temperature and cooling rates, blacksmiths (or “Kowalski’s” as I now call them) can achieve the desired hardness, flexibility, and strength needed for parts, tools, weapons, and artistic creations. (Oh yeah!) While modern technology has changed the industry, the principles of blacksmithing remain rooted in ancient traditions, making it a fascinating and enduring craft. So, there you have it – heating and cooling are just in my ancestral bones. For fun, I searched for last names that have survived to our common language today – some may surprise you (and here’s to all the Taylors, Carpenters, Millers, Bakers, Hunters, and Fishers out there.) If you know your family name history, be sure to share at skowalski@khtheating.com. Thanks to Google for the info.

It’s a Circus

March 28, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

With everything going on across the country, and all the changes in Washington, a friend of mine used the term “a circus” to describe all the events, attractions, daredevils, tightrope walkers, big animals, and more. It made me laugh, and also think of all of us managers out there “with a big hat and whip” trying to keep things going at our respective offices and plants. I remembered how the big top circus used to come to Cleveland every year and entertain us (I loved the tigers and elephants, the motorcycle guys in the round cage, and of course the trapeze artists. I went online and did some digging about the history of the circus here in America and found a wonderful bunch of facts and stories to share. Read on, and appreciate the size, scope, and talent of “The Greatest. Show On Earth” – (200 years ago was the introduction of the big top circus tent!). Enjoy, and thanks to Smithsonian magazine, Google, time.com, and Wikipedia for the info. Let the shows begin!