Every client has a story to tell, a goal to reach. We believe every public relations story and marketing goal should be approached with a “sky’s the limit” style.
That positive inspiration carries over to the Hendricks Communications’ blog, below. Offering inspiring tips, news and reflections on writing, marketing, social media and much more; join us in the conversations below!
Diane Krulac, owner, Brittle Bark and Cocoa Creek Chocolates, Mechanicsburg, PA
By Karen Hendricks
I recently met two female business owners who seem to defy their ages.
Diane Krulac, 68, is enjoying her third career as a chocolatier. She launched Brittle Bark, Mechanicsburg, PA in 2008 and recently expanded the candy shop’s lineup to include two new chocolate brands, Cocoa Creek Chocolates and Luther’s Bars.
“You’re never too old to continue your dream,” says Krulac. “As I tell people, there is nothing I’d rather do in retirement than what I’m doing now, so why would I retire?”
Meantime, nearby in Gettysburg, PA, Cheri Ann Freeman, 72, recently opened Chez Cheri Café, a culmination of her restaurant and catering expertise which began in 1973.
It’s especially noteworthy that both of these women work in one of the most demanding fields, the restaurant/food industry. Maybe their “recipes for success” stem from their recipes in the kitchen, combined with their strong work ethics?
Enjoy their inspiring stories, in the May issues of the following magazines:
Mechanicsburg’s Sweet Spot: Cocoa Creek Chocolates launches unique line, Susquehanna Style, May 2019
Worldly Flavors, Friendly Faces: Chez Cheri Cafe, Celebrate Gettysburg, May/June 2019
And here’s a behind-the-scenes look at both businesses, during my time visiting and interviewing both women, to learn the stories behind their success: (Click any photo to launch the gallery.)
Today, Nov. 13, 2018 is World Kindness Day: How appropriate! I hope I can accurately describe my marathon experience while thanking the many people who helped me along this journey! The amount of kindness and camaraderie in the running community is off the charts.
As a writer, I spend 99 percent of my time writing about others. However, so many people have encouraged me to turn the tables and write about my own running journey, that I’ve decided to try “first person” for once. I decided to do so for three main reasons: 1) I hope it inspires others in some way, 2) there are so many people I want to thank and 3) it allows me to share my faith. Here goes. Continue reading
By Karen Hendricks
Want to write a catchy blog post? An article with high readership? A press release that gets picked up? Write it in list format!
That’s right–write it in list format and be sure to include a number in the headline. It’s one of the most successful formats today because the number helps to grab our attention. Who doesn’t have time to take in 5 tips, 10 strategies, 7 ideas?
It’s important that the “tips” be written in a succinct style for easy readability, with the information sumarized in a handful of sentences. It’s the perfect style of writing for today’s quick-paced lifestyle and our short attention spans. Continue reading
By Karen Hendricks – This article was originally published in the Gettysburg Times, June 16, 2018
In April 1948, York County native Earl Shaffer set out to do what no man had done before—hike the Appalachian Trail’s (A.T.) 2,000-some miles in one continuous hike. His motivation was to “walk off the war” and his experiences serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Not only was he the first person to successfully “thru-hike” the longest hiking-only footpath in the world from Georgia to Maine at the age of 29, but he went on to do it two more times, hiking in reverse from Maine to Georgia—and being the first to do so—in 1965; and commemorating the 50th anniversary of his first hike with a 1998 trek at the age of 79.
Last month (May 2018), during this 70th anniversary year of Earl’s first hike, two of Earl’s relatives launched their own A.T. adventure to pay homage to the legendary trail figure.
The father-daughter pair, Dan and Kim Shaffer, who called Earl their uncle and great uncle respectively, began hiking the A.T. at Pen Mar Park, Cascade, Maryland, heading north, Continue reading
NYC’s Central Park: One of my favorite places on earth
By Karen Hendricks
When your mother told you to “Go play outside,” she may have been laying the groundwork for a lifelong healthy habit. Continue reading
Wellness is all the rage: It’s a $686 billion industry–and growing. The global market for health and wellness is expected to swell to $815 billion by 2021, according to Euromonitor International.
The buzzword “wellness” can be defined as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” (World Health Organization).
Going one step further, Continue reading
New: Ribeye breakfast sliders marry breakfast and lunch on mini croissants at Christine’s Cafe, Gettysburg
“The most famous small town in America” is gaining a reputation as one of Pennsylvania’s new culinary hot spots. Gettysburg not only boasts a thriving downtown restaurant district, but an abundance of outlying, rural restaurants dotting the surrounding agricultural landscape.
Gettysburg’s growing reputation as a mecca for foodies is thanks in great part to the talented chefs locating to the area. I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the newest chefs in town, for two magazine articles, both published this month (October 2017).
Bon appetit!
At the Crossroads of American Fusion: Christine’s Café in Gettysburg, Susquehanna Style, October 2017 – with photography by Jen Foster, The Premise Studio
The Parrot: A Colorful History & Bright Future, Celebrate Gettysburg, Cover Story, Sept/Oct 2017 – with photography by Casey Martin, Casey Martin Photography
