RAJEN PAREKH says he’s just “a guy called Dad!”  Since he has a lovely wife, a son in high school and another in college, “Dad” is probably a name he hears a lot! Precious as that name is, there are many other words that also describe Rajen: Clever, humorous, empathetic, conscientious, helpful and committed are a few that come to mind. This sterling list of attributes has been developed through some very tough childhood years, which gives him his strong determination to have a better life as an adult. If you meet Rajen, you’ll know at once that he has succeeded! He deals kindly with customers and works hard to provide the service or products they want.  Hiking, biking and being outdoors are things Rajen enjoys but rarely does because the “Dad” who’s raising two fine sons,  lending a hand around  home and helping to manage Garrick Jewelers doesn’t have a lot of spare time!  “I love working with the Garrick Jewelers ‘family of friends’ and our customers,” says Rajen.

CYNDI KELICAN loves her boys! That includes the two that call her “Mommy” (Tyler and Owen) and Eric, her hubby of six years. Together they also enjoy their Siberian husky (also a boy) named Tyson. Cyndi’s boys love her too, since she enjoys baking and experimenting with new recipes, and then tests them on her eager and always hungry guys for approval!  Cyndi might be the only mom in the world who actually looks forward to the days when her boys are scheduled to bring snacks to school for their class!  Cyndi loves the holidays; even though it’s the season she spends the most time at Garrick Jewelers. Her eyes sparkle as she talks about being together with extended family and her joy as she watches her boys open gifts.  She also enjoys backyard campfires in the summer and fall….Bet she makes s ’mores that are out of this world!

PAM KREITZ says at this time her life revolves around her only son, Tyler, who is in his third year of med school and trying to decide what kind of doctor he wants to be.  She is pleased that Tyler’s longtime girlfriend is also studying medicine and looks forward to watching them grow into their profession and succeed. Both son and girlfriend are in Washington DC for their schooling, so one of Pam’s favorite things to do is visit their area as often as she can. Since she heads up the accounting department at Garrick Jewelers, Pam is busy most of the time, but still finds a few hours for flower gardening, playing with her cat CC (short for chocolate chip) as well as cooking and entertaining family and friends. You might also find her curled up on the sofa with a Dan Brown mystery on any cold winter night! Pam doesn’t wear much jewelry, but what she wears is simple yet fashionable.  Pam helps on the sales floor during busy times as well. So if you don’t see her, ask to meet her when you visit the store.

CHRIS CRAWFORD will be having his first experiences in parenting as you read this. This new Dad married his childhood friend. They‘d been close friends for more than 20 years, but never dated until a few years ago. Now they are married and about to be parents! They have also bought their first home and are working on restoring it along with welcoming “baby Grayson” to their family.  Chris began his jewelry career six years ago, studying through GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and coming to Garrick Jewelers. He loves working to help customers find the item just right for them and enjoys helping Rick with appraisals for people’s most prized possessions.  Personally, Chris’s dream is to buy a vintage home that he can slowly and methodically restore to its original beauty. His favorite magazine is “This Old House,” and he smiles as he says he always looks at the last page first.  In case you’re wondering, the last page always features an old home that is in need of some “tender loving care.” He just knows that one month “the page” is going to be his dream home.   Meantime, Chris, enjoy your new son!

LOIS SMEAK has hobbies! She cooks, she gardens, and she loves to play cards although she’s not in a card club at this time. (Anybody need to fill a chair at the card table?)  She also likes to travel and has made many trips with her husband including a trip to Hawaii for their 30th Anniversary. “I’ve always wanted to go to Colorado,” she says, and hopes to get there soon.  She grew up camping and looks forward to doing more of that in the future. One son has just moved out on his own, so travelling could quickly become an enjoyable pastime.  Both Lois and her husband are Hanover area natives, but later years might find them touring the country in a motor home!  If so, Lois will have to take along her jewelry boxes since she really loves gold jewelry and diamonds. Sounds like she works at the perfect place, wouldn’t you say?  If you want a salesperson that’s enthusiastic about the product she sells, ask to see Lois when you visit Garrick Jewelers. She’s been in the business for more than 30 years!

DEBORAH RIDDLE loves to cook and bake and always serves a good wine with her meals! She also enjoys having tea with a friend…the perfect pastime for a woman who values friendships and cares deeply about others.  One of her favorite tasks at Garrick Jewelers is gift wrapping her customer’s purchases and seeing them walk away happy.  Deb takes her love of people to an even higher level as a volunteer for VNA Hospice.  “Holding a hand, giving a smile or sitting to chat means so much to hospice patients and their loved ones,  says Deb.  “They thank us for helping them, when, in turn, they are showing us courage, faith and the wonder and the beauty of life.” Cooking, working, wrapping gifts and helping others are all part of who Deb is, but her work with hospice goes to the very core of her being. Sometimes Deb likes to take long walks with her husband of 34 years, Mark (their wedding anniversary is New Year’s Eve.)  Her pleasant, caring and humorous personality is good for her hospice work with VNA and equally great for her customers at Garrick Jewelers.  By the way, she has a real passion for “the new gold,” which is, of course, silver. Let her show you our new Metalsmiths line!

PAM JACOBS says her family is her “Number One” priority! Pam’s a wife, mother of four and grandmother to a beautiful little granddaughter.  Born in Ohio, Pam moved to New York City in her late teens to study dancing. Later she moved “south” to Maryland, where she worked as a legal secretary and also met her husband at a St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour!  For all you “romantics” reading this, you should know that later they were engaged on St. Patrick’s Day and that their wedding anniversary is also St. Patrick’s Day. Her husband’s home state was Washington.  He was in Maryland on high level business for the government when they met! For several years after they married, Pam was a stay-at-home mom to their three sons and a daughter because her husband was out of town or out of the country much of the time.  Later she took her first step into the world of jewelry by working for 5 years in a Sears” jewelry department.  After that she was hired by Garrick Jewelers and has lived happily ever after, as the story goes.  Pam describes herself as a simple person and says friends and family mean a lot to her.  Her free time is spent reading and watching the popular dance shows on TV! Although she loved New York and dancing, she seems very happy in Hanover.

AMANDA MATHEWS is a vivacious woman with both grit and charm! She’s just celebrated her eighth wedding anniversary with husband Bill, and says he’s “her true soul mate!” They have two children, Blake and Ava. While Bill manages his own trucking business, Amanda can be found kick boxing while her children have karate lessons!  One might assume that she’s “rough and tough” but nothing could be further from the truth.  She rescues dogs from bad situations and maintains a 75 gallon fish tank.  With a heart so big, it’s no surprise that she loves her family deeply and says they’re the most important thing in her life.  Having been born in Baltimore, Md, she’s  surprised how much she loves the quaint little town of Hanover.  She says it’s like a “Cheers” Bar…”where everybody knows your name!” Though she’s worked in other jewelry stores, she loves the friendly atmosphere at Garrick Jewelers best.  Working there is precious time for me.  It’s MY time and I’m loving it!

NANCY ANN LEISTER is one of the most vivacious senior citizens you’ll ever meet! She lives in Homewood at Plum Creek, but you’ll seldom find her rocking on the front porch.  She’s an accomplished pianist and was part of “Duo X two” for many years.  She also sings with the Hanover Community Singers. Nancy has rescued three Golden Retrievers over the years and now has one in Pet Therapy sessions at local retirement homes and Hanover Hospital. She is also a co-founder of Sweet Charities, a group of Hanover women who operate a non-profit foundation that has put over one million dollars in contributions back into the community in the last ten years. Nancy’s “other love” is beautiful  jewelry. As a child she’d go shopping with her mother and grandmother. At the end of the trip Grandma would allow her to choose a piece of costume jewelry at the “5 and 10.” Coming to work at Garrick Jewelers lets her relive the joy of those times again and again.  Nancy would love to meet you! Come in just to say “Hi!”

MARLENE HARRIS grew up in the storybook land of Maine, where she lived in a picturesque “Maine Cape” house, which means the house and the barn were connected by a long hallway which made caring for the cattle easier when those nor’easters turned the state into a solid lump of snow. She came to Hanover, PA at the request of her grown children, Matthew and Gretchen, who had moved to the area seven years earlier and wanted her nearby after her husband passed away. She now lives in Jefferson and occupies her free time knitting, crocheting, beading and being a Nana to her granddaughter Savanah. Sometimes Marlene sells or gives her handiwork as gifts, but only if she knows it will be treasured. Its art and it’s time-consuming, so she wants to know it’s appreciated.  In her 70 years, Marlene has been an itinerant stenciler, a seamstress and also owned a dance studio where she also taught.  She, herself, had been dancing since the age of four! Marlene now does volunteer work in the Hanover area.  Her face glows and this proper and pristine lady smiles a genuine smile as she says, “I love my life here, with my children close by; and I really appreciate working for Gary and Rick at Garrick Jewelers.