How
do you celebrate Gettysburg?
I enjoy being an ambassador
for this town, this national treasure. It’s an honor to live here and to
celebrate the history, the tragedy, the story that unfolded in Gettysburg in 1863.
Every time I have the chance, I invite friends or family to come here and spend
time exploring Gettysburg’s past and present.
What's the best part about living in (or working in) Adams County?
It’s a
fascinating mix of contrasts: past history blended with present contemporary
life; peaceful, pastoral beauty in gently rolling landscapes, contrasted with
charming downtown centers such as Gettysburg and New Oxford. Plus a fascinating
mix of residents with diverse backgrounds and talents!
What aspect of Gettysburg/Adams County’s history do you most admire?
The words written and
delivered by Abraham Lincoln during his November 1863 Gettysburg Address are
beautiful and stunning in their simplicity.
What or who inspired you to become a writer/photographer? Why?
It all
started with my high school journalism teacher, Miss Maureen Shields, and my
high school radio club advisor, Mr. Gary Spohn, at Spring-Ford High School in
suburban Philadelphia. I feel very blessed and thankful to have worked alongside
wonderful mentors through the years who helped me develop the writing skills
needed for my career in the media. In terms of journalism ethics, Mr. Dick
Hoxworth at WGAL-TV (Channel 8) was the consummate professional. He impressed
upon me the importance of seeing all angles to a story, ensuring that every
story is fair and balanced—skills that I still use every day.
What's your favorite story you've written about or photographed
for Celebrate Gettysburg and why?
All of them! It’s an adventure
every time! I invest myself into each one of my articles, taking great care to
honor the words and stories entrusted to me. I know this might sound crazy to
some people, but I feel as though the writing process is much like giving
birth. Every story is like a new “baby” to me.
What one aspect of your craft do you enjoy the most?
Definitely the people! It’s
a joy to meet people who entrust their stories to me—and it’s an honor to be
able to retell and share those stories with the public. I especially enjoy
trying to figure out what makes people “tick,” how they’ve overcome adversity
in their lives, or what they’re doing to help others. I am constantly reminded
that there are good, kind people in the world who are doing such positive, selfless,
and caring deeds.
What's the biggest misconception people have about
writers/photographers?
The biggest
misconception is also a pet peeve of mine: people sometimes assume that we’re
going to get it wrong. They think writers just write what they want, make up
quotes, or aren’t really listening during interviews. People love to tell me
about other writers who “got the facts wrong” or “completely misquoted me.” While
writers are human and mistakes do happen, I take pride in my work and strive to
be completely accurate, as nearly all writers do. Recently, after one of my
stories was published by Celebrate
Gettysburg, one of my sources called to thank me, saying, “Every time I’m
interviewed for a story, there are mistakes and problems with the story. I’ve
read and re-read your story and can’t find a single thing wrong with it. This
is the first time this has happened so I just had to call and thank you!” That
message is still on my phone!
Do you have any lifelong goals as a writer/photographer (i.e., winning a certain award, covering a specific event, etc.)?
I would love to travel the world, write for national or international publications, and continue to interview fascinating people. Writing is in my blood, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!
What aspects of the Gettysburg/Adams County area do you think
make it so special and worth capturing?
Adams County
is multidimensional. Although the hallowed Gettysburg Battlefield is our major
attraction, Adams County has much more to offer—quaint, small hometown
settings; a beautiful agricultural and orchard landscape; plus unique shops and
restaurants. It’s an interesting blend of contrasts—Adams County’s tranquility
vs. her Civil War past—and all in the shadow of major urban areas such as
Harrisburg, Frederick, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
What is your favorite hidden treasure in Adams County? Why?
(This can be a restaurant, shop, location, etc.)
It’s hard to
pick just one, so here’s my top five:
1. Foxxy
Moxxy – Bobbi Becker’s artist studio and gallery is nestled in the woods
between Gettysburg and New Oxford, and if you haven’t discovered or visited
yet—you must!
2. Visiting
nearly any of the farmer’s markets or roadside markets, although Hollabaugh’s
is my favorite. Going to pick blueberries at Hollabaugh’s or cherries at
Boyer’s are wonderful family experiences.
3. Attending
events or classes at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg. The arts
enrich our lives in countless ways!
4. There are
signature dishes that stand out at a number of restaurants: the Aubergine Pesto
sandwich at Café St. Amand, sweet potato fries at the Avenue Restaurant, sushi
from Ping’s, pizza from Deliso’s, lasagna at Olivia’s…and the list could go on
and on!
5. Visiting
the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on the Battlefield.
How
has your perception of Gettysburg/Adams County changed since you began working
with Celebrate Gettysburg?
I have a deeper
appreciation for people from all walks of life. It’s so fun to put yourself in
others’ shoes—to “walk a mile in their shoes” and live through their stories
and experiences.
Where can we find you online?
Twitter: @karenhendricks9
Instagram: KarenHendricks9
Facebook: Hendricks Communications
Blog/Website: HendricksCommunications.com
and OfftheMerry-Go-Round.com
