Twisted: Mindful Pretzel Consumption
As the great-great granddaughter of the founder of America’s first pretzel bakery, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel House in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Tom Sturgis (of Tom Sturgis Pretzels in Reading, PA - my hometown), I have a lot to say about the history of pretzel making. Central Pennsylvania is the birth bed of our modern pretzel business, and this book tells it all. The origin of the pretzel, the evolution of pretzel baking, the traditions, legends, and recipes—there’s something fun in this book for everyone.
Presentation: In this fun presentation, find out everything you wanted to know about pretzel baking – the history, the methods, and the details of the life of a pretzel baker. Depending on the situation, the presentation may allow for hands on pretzel twisting and examination of relics from pretzel making in the past and pretzel dies currently used. The audience will enjoy participating in some pretzel trivia.
Dissectology: Life Lessons from Jigsaw Puzzles
Just as during the Spanish Influenza (1918) and the Great Depression (1929-33), the Covid19 virus caused jigsaw puzzles of all types to have their renaissance. In this fun book, you’ll:
- Learn about the origins of the earliest jigsaw puzzles.
- Examine the evolution of puzzle creation over the centuries.
- Consider the physical and social aspects of working puzzles.
- Read fascinating accounts of eccentric or award-winning puzzlers.
- Acquire the resources to start or continue your own puzzle hobby.
- Think about the life lessons that parallel aspects of puzzle assembling.
- Marvel at the puzzle innovations of the future.
After reading this book, you’ll enjoy jigsaw puzzling in a whole new way./p>
Presentation: Jill will take a look back to the earliest puzzles and puzzle making methods. She will examine the evolution of puzzles over the years and reveal puzzle trends of the future. The audience will participate in some fun puzzle trivia, and Jill will display a large variety of unique puzzles.
The Day My Son Fell from the Sky
This family memoir recounts our son’s powered parachute crash from an altitude above 500 feet. Miraculously he survived, and this book tells his story along with his previous flight history and the difficult recovery after the crash. The book is not only the narrative of his accident, but it also takes a hard look at trauma and how to mentally process when there are no reasonable explanations for what has happened. Every family has experienced some sort of trauma. Bad things happen to good people. We all need to find a glimpse of hope in the midst of horrific incidents.
Presentation: Jill will recount the terrifying details of her son’s accident. Her intent with this conversation is to offer hope, regardless of the outcome of one’s trials. Additionally she will offer practical tips on how to cope through those most painful days or to help others going through their own rough spots. Jill will display portions of the aircraft and have resources available as handouts for families going through their own traumas, along with a list of other books recounting aircraft disasters.
Risking It All: One Woman’s Adventure Giving Away Her Income
Several years ago I received a compulsion to give away my income for one year and to write about the experience. The book is a journal of how I did that—how I decided where to give, how I survived, and how the adventure affected me. Not everybody may be challenged to have that exact kind of giving experience, but everyone can find simple and practical ways to give should they so desire. This book provides plenty of practical suggestions and inspiration. A companion study guide is available for small study groups.
Presentation: Jill will share how she organized her weekly giving, along with some of the unique giving opportunities she discovered along the way. She’ll include discussion of some of the miraculous provision that came her way throughout the adventure and what the experience has taught her.
Redemption Rentals Fiction Series
Presentation: Jill will discuss some of her unique travel experiences and true stories that led to the idea for and themes in this book series. She has a passion for the Church to creatively reach out into the local neighborhoods and see the abundant opportunities for ministry there. Simply offering food to a new neighbor can open many “doors,” and Jill will share several Scriptural insights and recipes from the book series.
Books:
New Presentation! How did You Become An Author?
Jill will answer the most common question she gets by telling the surprising story of how her previous career ended, the losses she experienced, and how she transitioned to her new career of writing. This presentation includes poignant and humorous visuals and stories, along with some fun writing-related activities for the audience to get involved. She will assure you that you, too, could write a book.
Other Custom Speaking Presentations are Available
Please contact Jill at
Other Current Works-in-Progress
Redemption Rentals #4: Treetop Treasure
Finials, Fanny Packs, and Falsies: Funny Business at the Thrift Store
Plenty of Room at His Hem: A Woman, A Bleeding Problem, A Healing
Hidden Heroes: Little Known Bible Characters Who Changed History
