Thankful for Antonelli help

As a volunteer event organizer, I wanted to publicly thank the graphic design and photography students and staff at Antonelli Institute in Erdenheim. I would like to give special mention to Danielle Riccardi.

Students there created a fun flyer and signs for a Downton Abbey fundraiser to benefit Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels coming up on Nov. 13.

They also printed out other print materials for the annual Kitchen Harvest Tour to benefit the Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment on Nov. 16.

The quality of the pieces and pro bono design and printing is a rich resource that will help these two nonprofits meet their year end goals.

With gratitude,

Barbara Sherf

Flourtown

Offended by tattoo article

In response to “The Thinker’s” Wild Animal Look article in the Local Life section of the Oct. 24 issue, Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever read a nastier, more hurtful, offensive piece of writing!

Everyone has opinions about tattoos, or “ink,” as some call it. Some like it and have it, some don’t like it and would never get it, and there’s that middle ground (always), those that say they hate it but secretly have it somewhere hidden.

All of those groups come from all walks of life. They’re not primitive. They don’t eat all their food raw, although they might enjoy sushi or steak tartare once in a while. And they certainly don’t walk around naked. I’m sure we’d hear about that on the nightly news.

My daughter got an eagle tattoo on her upper back years ago. I wasn’t thrilled about that at the time. In fact, her father and I jokingly called it a chicken. More recently, she completed a “sleeve” on her left arm. Again, not thrilled about that, even though I support her 100 percent in doing what she wants to do.

But here’s the important part: My daughter doesn’t work in a sewer or slaughter house. In fact, she’s a trainer at YMCAs and fitness clubs throughout the area. She’s a sought-after trainer whose classes are full to capacity and who is constantly asked to take on more.

She’s the mother of seven and is currently raising her five younger ones. She’s an awesome cook. (Yes, she actually does cook her food.) And, on top of all that, she home-schools her school-aged kids. Not bad, if you ask me.

Then there’s my friend Purple Sue. She got that nickname because of the purple streaks throughout her hair. She has a pierced navel, pierced eyebrow, pierced lip and a pierced tongue. She also has some ink. But here’s the important thing: She’s had her own flourishing business, a hair and beauty salon, for decades. She’s owned, maintained and improved her own home in the area for decades. She cooks her food, too – and she wears clothes. And she’s quick to give the following advice to young people who are considering piercing or ink: “Unless you’re going to start your own business, make sure any tattoo you get is in a spot where it can be covered up, if necessary. Body jewelry can always be removed.”

That doesn’t sound like primitive advice to me!

Judy Sloss

Chestnut Hill

Don’t agree with ‘Hamlet’ review

My husband and I attended a recent performance of the Quintessence Theater (Mt. Airy) production of “Hamlet,” and we both enjoyed it a great deal, so we were somewhat surprised by Hugh Hunter’s rather negative review in this newspaper (Oct. 31). We think that the only thing that would significantly improve this production is a bigger audience!

We happened to be there for a post-show discussion session in which the director, Alexander Burns, explained that his cuts were intended to allow the audience to see the events in “real time,” omitting scenes in which we’re told what’s going to happen later.

Though we have seen several other productions (on film), we missed few of these scenes and found that the play made complete sense. (And the shorter play may have been more appealing to the young students in the audience.) We also very much enjoyed Josh Carpenter’s energetic performance as Hamlet. Sometimes overwrought, perhaps, but also humorous and charming.

So readers, go see this production and judge for yourself!

Bernice Wissler

Chestnut Hill

Visit veterans on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, we stand with Pennsylvania’s more than 964,000 veterans as they honor fellow service men and women and reflect on their own service to our country.

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, one in four dying Americans is a veteran. No matter how much time has passed, veterans carry the experiences of their military service with them, presenting unique challenges at the end of life. Veterans of each war have been exposed to diseases, environmental factors, and personal and public sentiments about their service. A veteran of the Vietnam War does not have the same needs as a veteran of the Korean War or World War II.

“We Honor Veterans,” a partnership between the National Hospice and Palliative Organization and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, is devoted to addressing the needs of aging veterans.

Joined by veterans’ partnerships, VA facilities, and volunteers across the country, Holy Redeemer is one of the partners in the program learning ways to identify veteran patients, evaluate the health impacts of their experiences, and determine the benefits that veterans and surviving dependents may be entitled to. This allows our staff to accompany and guide veterans and their families toward a more peaceful ending.

As we honor and remember those who have served our country on Veteran’s Day, consider showing your appreciation for local heroes by visiting veterans in their homes or nursing homes. Becoming a hospice volunteer is another way to provide emotional support and companionship to veterans, while assisting their family members with errands and giving respite to caregivers. On Veteran’s Day and throughout the rest of the year, we invite you to join us in thanking the thousands of veterans who have served and protected our nation.

JoAnne Ruden,

Vice President of Holy Redeemer HomeCare & Hospice