Meet Our Local Leading Ladies 2023

LEADING LADIES

PRESENTED BY:

BUDGET BLINDS

Lewisburg, PA

(570) 524-2300

www.budgetblinds.com/ lewisburg-pa

Heather Temple

Heather Temple grew up in Lewisburg but spent the majority of her adult life living in Connecticut. In Connecticut her unconventional career path revolved around operating heavy equipment and driving tractor trailer. The pandemic influenced her decision to move back to her hometown last summer to be closer to family.

Deciding to pivot her career in a new direction, she looked into franchise opportunities and set her sights on Budget Blinds. Heather has always enjoyed designing the living spaces of the homes she has lived in and keeping up with decorating trends on HGTV and similar shows and websites. When it was time to choose window treatments, she always turned to her local Budget Blinds dealer because of the variety and quality of the products, and the top notch customer service.

After a lot of research, talking to many Budget Blinds franchise owners across the country and help from the Small Business Development Center, the decision was made. Many more months of research and training ensued and culminated with opening her own Budget Blinds in February 2023. Her business model is simple. Her clients set up a free consultation and she brings the store to them. Once it is determined what the client likes and dislikes, and what type of window treatment(s) will work, Heather brings in samples so the client can pick out colors that will coordinate with their décor. She also does all of the measuring needed to insure a custom fit in each window. Once their products come in, she takes care of the installation as well. A one stop shop!

Heather is based out of Lewisburg, and serves the greater Central Susquehanna Valley. Whether you have rooms that need updating and refreshed, need a whole house renovation, or own a new build, Heather can help you add that finishing touch with beautiful and efficient window treatments.

Natalie Fox

Natalie Fox, founder of Positive Ripples Coaching, is passionate about helping business owners and leaders create healthy and happy workplaces that inspire people to be their best.

She has always had a passion for growing and developing herself. Still, the more she learned about herself and who she wanted to be, the better she understood how she could use her talents, education, and experience to participate in something bigger by helping others grow and develop too. In addition to her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, Natalie spent 15 years working in business management and human resources before starting her own company as a Business and Leadership Coach. She has since become certified with the Maxwell Leadership Team, DISC, Gallup’s CliftonStrengths, and Motivation by Appreciation. She is also working toward her International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification.

While technically a Pennsylvania native, Natalie has lived and worked in various places across the States. She most recently returned to Lewisburg from Colorado Springs, CO, to be closer to her family and mentor and start her business. She actively participates in several local networks, including the GSV Business Exchange BNI chapter, 1 Million Cups, the Women’s Leadership Committee through the GSV Chamber of Commerce, StartUp Lewisburg and Buffalo Community Church.

When she’s not helping others develop themselves and their teams, Natalie enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, eating good food, and trying to play with her grumpy cat, Penny, whose only joy comes from tuna, string, cardboard boxes, and heated blankets.

POSITIVE RIPPLES COACHING

Lewisburg, PA

(412) 710-6915

positiveripplescoaching.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Working Women

While record-breaking improvements have been made in female leadership, the magnitude of these developments shows that there’s much more work to be done before the playing field is leveled.

• Women represent 58.4% of the US workforce as of September 2022 but only held 35% of senior leadership positions.

• Companies with women executives are 30% more likely to outperform other companies.

• Women account for 55.75% of first-year law students but only represent 40% of lawyers in the United States as of 2022.

• Women represent 56.5% of medical students in the United States but only account for 37% of doctors as of 2022.

• 35% of top management positions are held by women. One research study found that the two biggest challenges keeping women from leadership positions are that women are held to higher

standards (43%) and many businesses aren’t “ready” to hire women for top executive positions (43%) Other cited challenges included family responsibilities not leaving enough time for running a major corporation (23%), women don’t have access to the same kind of connections as men (20%), and women being less likely to ask for promotions and a raise (18%).

• Women make up 27.9% of the 117th United States Congress. This translates to 147 women out of 535 seats across both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While this is a 50% increase from the previous decade, it’s still far from representing the full percentage of the female population.

• Between 2020 and 2021, women earned 505,000 master’s degrees in the United States. Alternatively, men earned 327,000 graduate degrees during the same period. This means that women were awarded 60% of all U.S. graduate degrees in 2020.

• Women earn 51.9% of the PHDs awards in the United States. Representing the 13th year in a row that women had

earned more doctoral degrees than men.

• Women who earn a master’s degree have an average salary of $66,700 in the United States, while men who achieved the same level of education earn an average of $99,600. In other words, men earn 49.3% more than women for having the same qualifications. Men earned more than women with the same educational background at every level of schooling.

• Men with less than a 9th-grade education earned an average of $34,000 compared to women who earned $24,500 – a 38.8% difference.

• The industries with the highest rates of women in leadership include human resources (74.85%), education/social services (41%), healthcare (41%), and hospitality (33%)

• The industries with the lowest rates of women in leadership include mining/quarrying (12%), construction/real estate (18%), and transport (19%).

RE/MAXBRIDGES

2006 W. Market Street

Lewisburg, PA

(570) 768-4792

annhilliard.remax.com

Ann Hilliard

The last three years have challenged all segments of our local economy.

The pandemic forced real estate professionals to modify their business models to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and explore how technology could help.

Rather than sitting back and allowing her business simply drift among the turbulent currents, Ann decided to dive in deeper and learn a vast array of new skills to protect and bolster the business she built over the past 30 years.

Fast forward to 2023 when higher interest rates were among the factors that tightened the local housing market. If you drop into her office now, you’ll find a real estate agent, broker and owner who is constantly seeking out the best ways to help each one of her firm’s clients stay ahead of, and still realize their dreams within the everchanging housing market.

“If you’re going to last in this business, you need to constantly be learning new skills, honing the old ones and just going out there to meet and listen to people.

“Resting on laurels doesn’t work for me, or my clients. My goal is to help my clients meet theirs, and I am determined to keep doing whatever it takes to help turn their dreams into reality.”

Dr. Angela Muchler & Dr. Kelly Cormell

Sisters Dr. Angela Muchler and Dr. Kelly Cormell, natives of Lewisburg, opened their practice in September 2007. Inspired by the movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, the sisters began working together at Camp Victory, a camp for the deaf and hard of hearing while in college, and their interest grew into something much larger.

Dr. Cormell attended Bloomsburg University, majoring in Psychology and Education. She continued on, earning her clinical doctoral degree in Audiology, also at Bloomsburg University, and is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She also holds her certificate of clinical competence in Audiology and provides complete hearing care services to patients of all ages.

Dr. Muchler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sign Language Interpretation from Bloomsburg University. She also earned her Masters degree in Education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing as well as her clinical doctoral degree in Audiology from Bloomsburg University. She is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and holds her certificate of clinical competence in Audiology.

Susquehanna Valley Hearing Professionals offers a full range of hearing care services to patients of all ages. Our highly experienced clinical professionals provide complete testing, evaluations and offer the most advanced hearing devices that are available. We can help you make the best decisions on all of your hearing needs and for you to achieve a better quality of life through better hearing.

HEARING PROFESSIONALS

2824 Old Turnpike Rd, Lewisburg, PA (570) 524-3277

lewisburghearingaids.com

Nellie Bly

Born in 1864, in Cochran’s Mill, Pennsylvania, she received an excellent education but had to leave school to support her mother after her father died and her stepfather was abusive, leading to a divorce. She soon found it was hard to get a job as a woman.

In 1885, she angrily responded to a newspaper column titled “What Girls are Good For” as it said their sole purpose was marriage and child-rearing. The editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch was impressed with her writing and hired her at $5 a week. As was common for women at the time, she wrote under a pen name - Nellie Bly, inspired by a Stephen Foster song.

She quickly proved her worth as a reporter covering labor and poverty issues as they affected women. For six months, she was sent as a correspondent to Mexico, fleeing there when she was threatened with arrest for exposing corruption there.

While her column was popular, she grew frustrated at being allowed to write only on topics concerning women. She quit and went to New York. She faced much rejection from editors unwilling to hire a woman until she pitched a story to Joseph Pulitzer at New York World. He rejected her idea but assigned her to investigate Blackwell Island, a notorious mental institution.

It was an assignment that would make her famous. She faked mental illness to get admitted into the hospital so she could get a first-hand look at the practices there. She spent ten days there before the New York World intervened and secured her release.

She wrote a six-part series which

gained her national fame. Her accounts were shocking and it led the state to increase funding and improve conditions in the asylum. Her reporting became a model for others and gave birth to investigative reporting.

She continued to expose corruption, black markets and abuses in

record. The New York World publicized the trip and offered a grand prize trip to Europe to the person who could accurately guess when she would return. They published daily accounts of her trip as she traveled through England, France, the Suez Canal, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Traveling mostly alone, she made it back to New York in a record 72 days.

For while she published serial novels, novels that were lost until 2021 when David Blixt, an author who had written several historical fiction novels about Bly, found and republished several of them.

When she turned 30, she married a millionaire, Robert Seamen, who was 73. She left reporting to take care of him and when he died, she took control of his Iron Clad Manufacturing Company and American Steel Barrel Company. A new challenge, she would end up registering several patents for her inventions. She also set out to create a socially just workplace that included health care benefits and recreational facilities. However, she would not remain long in the position of leading female industrialist as her money management skills were not as good as her writing ones and several of her employees embezzled money leading her to declare bankruptcy. She returned to writing, covering the Suffragette movement and reporting on World War I from the front line. She was even arrested once when she was mistaken for a British spy.

New York.

Then, in 1889 she read Jules Verne’s book, “Around the World in 80 Days” and decided to try to beat that

Sadly, in 1922, at age 57, she died of pneumonia. At the time of her death she was a member of the staff of The New York Evening Journal.

Long before Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein gained fame as the investigative reporters who broke open the Watergate scandal, Elizabeth Cochran Seaman - aka Nellie Bly - would lay the foundation for all reporters who would follow her.

THE LEADING LADIES OF

In the dynamic world of journalism, where every second counts and consistency is key, being a leader isn’t just about guiding from the front but also being an integral part of the team. The ladies of The Daily Item exemplify this mantra.

These incredible women work tirelessly to ensure that our newspaper reaches our readers every single day of the year, with an impressive 313 editions in print! Collectively, they bring more than 315 years of newspaper experience to the table, making them a formidable force in the industry.

Over the past few decades, The Daily Item has stood as a testament to the benefits of women in the workplace. This newspaper, backed by the diverse perspectives and unmatched expertise of its female staff, has become a beacon of excellence in the industry. These women bring more than just their skills; they bring a legacy of determination and resilience that enriches every edition we publish. The evident rise of women in pivotal roles at The Daily Item is not just symbolic of the changing tides in journalism but also underscores the transformative power of female leadership. With their influence, The Daily Item has seen enhanced collaboration, improved productivity, and a renewed commitment to journalistic integrity and fairness. Every day, these remarkable women not only reflect the positive change in the world of journalism but also pave the way for future generations at The Daily Item and beyond.

Sharon Sorg

Sharon Sorg, is a regional executive for CNHI, LLC — the parent company of The Daily Item and The Danville News. In addition to her regional executive and publisher role in Sunbury, Sorg is the publisher of The Sharon Herald and New Castle News, along with the Transylvania Times in North Carolina. She has held a regional role for CNHI since 2019.

Sorg has been a publisher in Meadville since September 2007. She started her newspaper career at The Herald in 1987 in advertising sales dispatch. She held various positions in sales, was co-op coordinator, was Views & Voices supervisor, and advertising manager and director of advertising before being promoted to Meadville’s publisher.

“Sharon is one of the most accomplished and experienced news executives in our company. Her dedication to newspapers is inspiring,” CNHI President and CEO Donna Barrett said.

“I am excited to join the Daily Item team,” Sorg said. “We do an impressive job of informing our communities in matters of importance both editorially as well as in advertising. The Daily Item provides exceptional customer service to our subscribers and produces a quality print product at our local presses as well.”

“We look forward to being an important part of supplying the information you need both in print and online for many years to come.”

Sorg graduated from Sharon High School and attended Pennsylvania State University to major in journalism. She lives in Pulaski, Pennsylvania, with her husband Chuck. They have two adult children.

CIRCULATION MANAGER

(570) 863-3203

wderk@dailyitem.com

Wendy Derk

Wendy Derk isn’t just a force behind the operations at The Daily Item; she’s its very lifeblood. As the devoted circulation manager, Wendy ensures each edition reaches its reader with the utmost care and precision. With her roots firmly planted in the Susquehanna Valley, her connection to the community transcends her professional obligations. Many whom she interacts with - from readers to delivery personnel, to local store proprietors - have shared memories and moments with her, making her role less of a job and more of a commitment to her community.

Her experience in the newspaper industry stretches over four decades, allowing her to witness and adapt to its numerous transformations. From the tactile sensation of paper to the dynamic digital platforms, she’s seen it all. However, her belief remains unshaken: local news is the adhesive binding a community. Wendy feels a deep sense of gratification to be instrumental in this crucial process.

Wendy has a penchant for interior decorating, turning spaces into visual narratives. And when it’s time to recharge, she finds solace in the company of her cherished dogs. At The Daily Item, it’s not merely about disseminating news. It’s about nurturing community ties, and with Wendy at the helm of circulation, the heart of the community beats strong.

Lori Seebold

In the ever-evolving world of newspaper advertising, Lori Seebold stands as a beacon of dedication, innovation, and leadership. As the Advertising Director for The Daily Item, Lori’s journey is one of grit, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of print and digital advertising.

A proud alumna of Selinsgrove Area High School, Lori’s connection with The Daily Item began early. After completing her studies from SUN Area Technical School’s Printing program, she took her first part-time job with the newspaper.

Lori’s thirst for knowledge led her to Williamsport Area Community College, only to return to The Daily Item a year later, marking the beginning of a formidable journey spanning nearly four decades.

Starting her career in the prepress department, Lori swiftly navigated through the intricacies of typesetting and advertisement creation. Under the mentorship of Edward Thomas, then Production Director, Lori discovered her hidden potential. His unyielding faith and encouragement propelled her to continuously evolve, expanding her horizons within the company. This growth trajectory led Lori to the IT department, allowing her to play a pivotal role in shaping the newspaper’s future processes.

As she climbed the corporate ladder, Lori took on the mantle of Advertising Services Manager. In this capacity, she led a team of gifted graphic designers and managed the crucial prepress department, ensuring that everything from advertisements to editorial content seamlessly transitioned to print each night. Her management prowess was enriched further under the guidance of her first boss, Jerry Beaver, whose approach combined compassion with a staunch commitment to quality.

Lori’s leadership acumen was further sharpened by her 2006 graduation from Leadership Susquehanna Valley, a program dedicated to nurturing communityfocused leaders. Demonstrating her commitment to community growth, Lori served on their Board of Directors for six years, also chairing their Public Relations committee.

In 2021, a new challenge awaited Lori as she was promoted to Advertising Director. Now, she helms not just the Sales Department, but also the Classified and Prepress departments. Lori emphasizes that newspaper advertising, though challenging, is a realm of immense possibilities. With a team committed to excellence, she aims to provide comprehensive advertising solutions that cater to specific business needs. As Roy H. Williams rightly said, understanding customer expectations is paramount. Lori’s ethos aligns perfectly with this: her sales team is dedicated to ensuring clients find the best advertising package tailored to their unique requirements.

Today, as Lori Seebold graces the pages of Leading Ladies magazine, her story stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and leading with heart in the dynamic world of newspaper advertising.

Caroline Wrobel

Caroline Wrobel’s story is a rich tapestry of adventures, accomplishments, and love. Born and bred in Bloomsburg, PA, she carries the essence of this town within her, regardless of where life’s journey has taken her.

Caroline’s roots lie deeply embedded in Bloomsburg, having graduated from Bloomsburg High School & Bloomsburg University. However, her heart has always carried the allure of the coast. She once called Rhode Island her home, felt the briny breeze of the sea against her skin, and later settled in Connecticut where she was blessed with the births of her two children. Yet, Bloomsburg called her back, the charming PA town beckoning her to raise her children amidst familiar surroundings.

While her current role is a Multi-media consultant for the Daily Item and Danville News, it’s intriguing to note Caroline’s professional voyage. Before diving into the world of media, she spent a commendable 17 years as the Director of Benefits for a local financial management company in the HR department. This background gives her a unique perspective on how businesses operate and what they require to flourish.

For the past seven years, Caroline has been the touchstone for local businesses at the Daily Item. Her day-to-day involves understanding the nuanced needs of these businesses, strategizing, and crafting tailor-made advertising campaigns. It’s no surprise then that she’s been honored as Sales Person of the Year thrice; in 2017, 2019, and the recent 2022. Her drive? Witnessing the businesses in her territory thrive.

Beyond the professional realm, Caroline is an aficionado of life’s little pleasures. Golf courses, DIY home projects, and delightful times with her partner, Darren, paint the weekends. She’s an ardent gardener, camper, and a die-hard Steelers fan (though any football game can capture her attention). And while she loves all these, perhaps the newest joy in her life is her role as a ‘Mimi’. With two granddaughters to dote upon and a grandson on the way, life couldn’t be richer.

Caroline’s ethos, “Dance like nobody’s watching!” is the reflection of a life lived with passion, grit, and love. Her journey, from the coasts of Rhode Island to the buzzing corridors of the Daily Item, and the cozy spaces of her home, is a testament to the multifaceted life of a Leading Lady.

PREPRINT COORDINATOR

ADVERTISING DEPT.

(570) 988-5455

czimmerman@dailyitem.com

Christine Zimmerman

Christine Zimmerman graduated from Selinsgrove Area High School and started a job as a teller in a local bank. After a few years in banking, she took a position at The Daily Item and never looked back, having had many rolls in her 35 years with the paper. She began as a newspaper layout person working in the advertising department, helping with customer service, answering phones and serving as the office assistant to the Advertising Manager and sales staff. Previously known as a position to get some experience and then move into sales, she put a different spin on the job and grew it in new directions. She has helped to transition the role into preprint/flyer coordinator, working with clients on scheduling, target marketing and rates as well as maintaining the newspaper layout duties of multiple publications. Chris coordinates numerous projects for the advertising department and supports the Advertising Director and sales staff. She has the unique opportunity to work with all departments of the newspaper on a regular basis and is cross trained to cover two other positions. She enjoys working with local churches at Christmas and Easter every year in coordinating special advertising pages for holiday services.

Fun Fact: A few years ago, The Daily Item was unable to find someone to plant and care for the flowers outside of the Market Street office in Sunbury. Chris and advertising co-worker, Kelli Tyler volunteered to take on the task and have been doing it every year since.

Amber Hawke & Amanda Warren

Amber and Amanda, affectionately termed “The A-Team” at The Daily Item, make up the dynamic duo of the Classified Department. Amber, a Shamokin Dam native, graduated from Selinsgrove Area High School and SUN Area Career & Technology Center with a focus on Advertising Art & Design. Her professional journey began at The Daily Item as a Spec Ad Designer right after high school. Amber attributes a lot of her learning to that initial role and is particularly grateful for meeting John Leeser, who became a mentor. “I still go to him for advice,” she shares. Amber’s career took her to places like Williamsport, Burlington, Vermont, briefly to New Jersey, and Montreal. During her 20s and 30s, she immersed herself in the music scene, working closely with bands such as Waylon Speed, whom she fondly refers to as “family.” She played roles at numerous jam band festivals and was a regular at Phish shows. An enthusiast in photography (a self-proclaimed Danny Clinch wannabe), she designed hundreds of posters throughout her career. Vermont, however, always drew her back — the place where she met and later married James. While music and art remained her passion, Amber also contributed to a billion-dollar project in collaboration with the Department of Energy through a Vermont non-profit. Currently, she resides in Selinsgrove with James and their six-year-old son, Shepard, and has joyfully rejoined The Daily Item.

Amanda, also from Pennsylvania, earned top honors in Automotive Trade from the Red Rock Job Corps Center in 1999. Her career began in Schuylkill County, fixing cars and later venturing into nursing. Her innate thirst for knowledge transitioned her into teaching, where she mentored young minds aged 3-4. In 2020, Amanda met Eric, and they bonded over their mutual love for music, especially Eric’s metal band, Face the Dark. A memorable incident in 2021 saw Amanda saving a baby sea turtle during one of their beach trips. Apart from her love for the beach, Amanda is passionate about gardening, canning, baking, and cooking. Her diverse career path brought her to The Daily Item as a Recruitment Specialist in Classifieds, where she met Amber. Today, she lives in Dauphin County with Eric.

Together, Amber and Amanda, connected by their shared love for music, bring expertise, passion, and exceptional customer service to the Classified Department. As of this publication, they haven’t bought a van—yet.

Kelli Tyler

Kelli Tyler graduated from Selinsgrove High School and Central Penn Business School with ASB in Retail Management. She started her first management position as a Visual Display Manager at Hess’s Dept store. Then moved into an Assistant Manager position at Fashion Bug. She was in this position for several years before she moved into a Regional Sales Desk Manager and traveled to area Fashion Bug locations. The next move was to Wal- Mart in Lewisburg and then to help open the Selinsgrove Wal-Mart as the lingerie dept. Manager. While her time there she tried on several other positions before hanging up the retail life.

The next chapter was Sales Assistant at Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. As the Sales Assistant Kelli learned how to sell non-tangible items. She learned how to create the ad logs, schedule live remotes and soon became the School Closings and Cancellations coordinator. Then she moved on the Promotions Director and helped with live contests where lucky radio listeners could win trips, cars and many other prizes. After ten years it was time for another change.

That door was with The Daily Item as a Sales Assistant. Here she learned the ropes on selling, and the creation and layout of ads. She covered Sales Reps in their absence. Then she started working on Special Events and found her niche. She coordinated The Daily Item in person Bridal Shows for several years until the web took over and the in person Bridal Shows were moved to a virtual platform. Keeping up with the times and growing in new avenues is all part of the job. Kelli then took on the task of becoming the Major and National Sales Rep. This was a challenging position and one that she still enjoys today!

Fun times on the job including coordination of luncheons, parties and gardening. Kelli and co-worker Chris Zimmerman noticed it was time to bring flowers back to The Daily Item. So Kelli and Chris decided to join forces and have been tending to the flower baskets in the front of The Daily Item for the last 3 years. It’s a nice little getaway from the regular tasks at hand. The compliments that have been received from the community and co-workers are very rewarding and makes you realize little things still make people smile.

Kelli is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Susquehanna Valley. She also serves on her Church Council and has enjoyed helping with “A Night to Shine” for the past 4 years.

Currently Kelli lives in Selinsgrove with her husband, Jeff and son, Logan and their puppy Ringo. She loves spending time with friends and family, the beach, gardening and a glass of wine. Cheers!

Karen Renninger

Amidst the dynamic pulse of our newsroom stands Karen Renninger, a linchpin seamlessly stitching together our daily operations. As our proficient newsroom clerk, Karen adeptly manages a spectrum of tasks. She curates obituaries with care, organizes the ever-evolving daily calendar, and answers newsroom calls with unmatched professionalism.

However, it’s Karen’s role as our chief page proofer that sets her apart. Every week, she meticulously pores over our content, from in-depth editorials to our vibrant Applause section. With a discerning eye, she ensures every page meets our gold standard before reaching our readers.

In an era where precision in journalism is paramount, Karen embodies diligence and perfection. As she quietly navigates the undercurrents of our newsroom, her commitment to quality and detail remains unwavering. With Karen at the helm, our readers are assured of content that is both accurate and impeccably presented. Truly, she is not just a force behind our headlines but also the anchor that grounds us. In celebrating leading ladies, Karen Renninger shines as a beacon of dedication and excellence in the journalistic realm.

Kim Dobson

For decades, readers have trusted The Daily Item for their daily dose of news and information. But behind the headlines, there’s a team that keeps the business running, and at the heart of that team is Kim Dobson.

With an impressive 40 years of unwavering service to The Daily Item, Kim is an emblem of dedication in the accounting department. The paper’s consistent and smooth operations owe much to her meticulous handling of payroll, ensuring every journalist, editor, and staff member is adequately compensated for their hard work. As if that weren’t enough, she also oversees the critical tasks of advertising billing, customer service, accounts receivable, and advertising credit card processing.

Beyond her workspace, Kim’s life paints a picture of serenity. Nestled in the picturesque environs of Lower Augusta Township, she resides with her husband, Kent. Their home isn’t just a sanctuary for the two of them but also houses a delightful menagerie of pets.

True to her commitment to a balanced life, Kim’s leisure hours are filled with the pleasures of gardening and the allure of cooking. She embodies the essence of the slow country life – a realm where every moment is savored, every relationship cherished, and every task, whether at work or home, is performed with unparalleled dedication.

For Kim Dobson, life is a harmonious blend of precision, pastoral pleasures, and deep-rooted connections. Her journey, encompassing meticulous number-crunching and the serenity of the countryside, exemplifies a woman who finds beauty in every facet of her existence. We take immense pride in celebrating the multifaceted narrative of this remarkable lady.

Dianne Allan

Born and raised in Shamokin, Dianne Allan carries with her memories of a quaint hometown. Yet for the past four decades, she’s found her heart rooted in Trevorton, a place she fondly calls home. The journey of love and family is at the core of Dianne’s life story. Married to the supportive Robert Allan Jr. for a cherished 18 years, they have woven a beautiful tapestry of family love.

As a mother to three wonderful sons – DJ Feger, who remains forever young at 21, Joshua Feger, and Andrew Feger – she has celebrated their triumphs and milestones. Her love extends to her three stepchildren: Holly Kerstetter, Bobby Allan, and Zachary Allan. Dianne and Robert, hand in hand, proudly wear the badge of grandparenting for a whopping 14 grandchildren! With one more little joy soon to make an appearance, their house is never short of laughter, ranging from a lively 14-year-old to an adorable 2-year-old.

Outside the hustle and bustle of family, Dianne finds solace in nature. Camping isn’t just a pastime for her; it’s a lifestyle. She holds a permanent site at Sunsational Family Campground where memories are made under starry nights. A competitive spirit underlies her love for games, be it pinochle, euchre, or a rousing round of corn-hole. But nothing compares to the time spent amidst family and friends. For Dianne, these moments are the true essence of life.

Dedication isn’t just a personal trait; it spills into her professional life too. For 33 impressive years, she has served the Daily Item in the Accounting Department. Dianne’s journey began in Accounts Receivable classified billing. However, her resilience and aptitude soon saw her responsibilities expanding. From handling Accounts Payable to posting subscription and dealer payments, she’s done it all. Her organizational skills also led her to be the trusted Administrative Assistant for several publishers at the Daily Item.

In every role she takes, be it a mother, wife, grandmother, or a diligent employee, Dianne Allan exemplifies commitment and love. As “Leading Ladies” celebrates her journey, we hope her story serves as an inspiration for many.

Jean Knouse

While my career at the Daily Item (DI) began two years ago, I have been a reader since I was 10 years-old. It was my job each evening to walk to the neighbor directly behind us and swap the DI for their Danville News (they were separate publications in those days). If someone had a child’s or grandchild’s photo in the paper, that house had final “dibs” on the issue.

All of my major life events: my birth, my graduation from high school and college, my marriage and the births of my children were announced in The Daily Item. A community newspaper like ours is a one-stop shop for keeping tabs on what’s happening throughout the Valley.

My career began in education. For 15 years, I taught high school English and worked as the Drama Club advisor, a Forensics coach, and Advisor to the Class of 1993 at Danville High School. For the next 26 years, I put my teaching skills to work at The Danville Area Community Center (DACC). As the executive director, I often found myself teaching lots of things including swim lessons. And, as a certified lifeguard, I often oversaw the safety of the swimmers in the pool if someone was absent. Being able to teach employees – that is, being able to work with them to help them continually improve their service to the DACC’s members and guests – was a good skill to use if you want happy, dedicated employees and members/guests.

EDITOR INSIDEPA/FEATURES

(570) 988-5473

jknouse@dailyitem.com

In 2007, I purchased a business that has, in 2023, been located on Mill Street in Danville for 60 years. The Kiddie Korner Boutique is one of the last remaining children’s clothing stores in the Valley. When I purchased the business, I was an absentee employer most of the time. Fortunately, the women who worked with me loved children’s clothing as much as I do. As a friend once pointed out to me, “a five year-old child is just 60 months old.” They are, she said, babies in this world and do not need to look like adults just yet.

As the editor of Inside PA, the lifestyle magazine of The Daily Item, I plan the edition, assign story topics and arrange for photography. Planning the layout of each issue is important to me because I view planning as a process that produces a superior result. My editor (yes, I have one, too) tells me it’s my perfectionist tendencies that get me in trouble when I am stressing about something. And, in the next breath, he says that’s what’s really good about my work. Geez. After I’ve worked with the writers to finalize their stories, the final step in any publication is editing the copy. I do the first three or four rounds of editing and then, before the issue goes to the publisher, it receives two or three more looks.

One of the things I’ve learned after two years at the DI is that very few people realize how hard it is to put out a daily newspaper that is accurate, informative, and classy. The DI does this seven days a week/365 days a year with a skeleton staff of talented, dedicated people: I am very proud to work with them.

Chelsea Ritter

Chelsea Ritter has lived in the Valley her whole life. She graduated from Warrior Run in 2012 and Susquehanna University in 2016 with a degree in Creative Writing. During her time as an undergraduate, she was able to work on a variety of publications including magazines, literary journals and books.

She was drawn to newspaper design and editing while taking a senior editing class in which students had to create a mock-up of an existing front page. She chose The Daily Item and submitted her work to The Daily Item, which offered her an internship. She has been a copy editor at The Daily Item since 2016 and hasn’t looked back. Her passion is editing and writing content and she enjoys the challenges that the news business can offer.

When she isn’t working, she is most likely spending time with her family or immersing herself in a good fantasy novel.

Anna Wiest

Anna is a 2020 Shikellamy High School graduate who went on to Susquehanna University where she studied Communications with an emphasis in advertising and public relations. During her studies, she began to work as a freelance reporter for The Daily Item and found her passion was in reporting. Anna now works to tell other’s stories through their own words and be an advocate for change. Working at The Daily Item for the past year has taught her life lessons and more importantly about what community means to the Valley. Anna knows there are hard-working, good people in the greater Susquehanna Valley and is honored to have the chance to be out on a daily basis meeting with residents, children and local leaders.

She is honored to be trusted to provide community news and realizes now, more than ever, how important a daily newspaper is to its community. She wants to continue this journey by expanding her reach and building a network of people that can depend on her to tell their stories and provide them with the latest news.

When she isn’t talking to sources or writing stories, Anna continues exploring communications as an avid reader. Often times, Anna can be found with a book in her hand and a German Shepard on her lap. She also enjoys lifting weights and often spends her evenings in the gym after a day of reporting in the Valley.

Kyra Smith-Cullins

Kyra Smith-Cullen is the Deputy News Editor. She assigns and designs weekly content for the Applause section as well as designs the A section several times a week. The easiest way to describe her most frequent job is that she’s one of the team responsible for arranging what readers see on the page.

A Valley native, Kyra graduated from the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School in 2011. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in journalism, during which time she turned her college newspaper The Eagle Eye into a second home and set the foundations for her future with community journalism. Since joining The Daily Item in 2015, Kyra has become a 2020 graduate of Leadership Susquehanna Valley, earned Keystone awards for her design and helped lead the Valley Musicals coverage.

When not at work, Kyra enjoys spending time with her family, writing and several geeky activities like reading comic books, fantasy novels and going to comic conventions.