“My writing career began 14 years ago in the Editorial Room at Reading Eagle (RE) newspaper, after earning a bachelor of arts degree in professional writing from Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.

In January 2002, one month after graduation, I had a story for our local paper. My brother-in-law Craig Conrad, a former local, had been nominated to carry the Olympic Flame for the Olympic Games his hometown in Craig, Colorado. I remember having that “scared to death” feeling when I picked up the phone and introduced myself to John Forester, a seasoned RE story assignment editor at the time. "I have a story," I told him. “Relax,” he said ... “it’s just me, John Forester.” 

I will never forget that day. I immediately called my sister's husband and we talked. I wrote the story and emailed it to the newspaper.   One week later, I was  working full-time along side editors, reporters and photographers there.  

 Over the years, I received priceless training and guidance from my peers on style, concise writing and deadlines. I contributed news, entertainment and lifestyle features and covered government and school board meetings.

I left the newspaper in December 2006 after major layoffs and joined Kapp Advertising in sales (in addition to writing community news stories for one of their weekly publications).

From 2009-2014, I had the privilege of writing monthly pieces for Berks County Living Magazine's Living in Style Department.   

My husband Jeffrey C. Hill, a tree farmer, and I live on a three-hundred acre farm in Schuylkill County. We enjoy listening to country music all year round. When the weather is agreeable, we enjoy riding our Indian Motorcycle to Canada and beyond and riding our Polaris snowmobiles on snow-covered trails in the Adirondacks.