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Testimonial The memoir writing class I took with you was one of the most challenging things that I've ever done and one of the most rewarding. Thank you Helen for making me stretch. Susan McCarthy 1-24-2010 ************************** Need a wordsmith?
Writing coach? Images? Guest speaker? As a consultant, here's how I can help: * editorials * radio scripts * corporate writing * ghost writing * manuscript review * proofreading * copy editing * PR pitch letters * tours * workshops Hourly and per-project rates available. Plus, do you... Need historic photos for advt. or to illustrate a book or magazine article? Visit the Titles page for examples of where Pike Archives pix may be seen. There's more! Need speakers? In addition to my own presentations, I provide leads for groups who want specialists from the fields of business and history. **************************** Your Stories Told ...In Print • For executives or families interested in getting a memoir written. Also suitable for turning life lessons into a literary fund raiser for your favorite charity. ...In Video • Ideal for capturing the voices, music, and images that define a family, business, sports team, or social club. ...By You • With my help as a writing coach. On line. In person. On the phone. Sliding fee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Testimonial
Helen’s rare talent as a teacher is picking up quickly on a student’s strength and helping them capitalize on that to showcase their own unique voice. ~ Poet Paula Newcomer, spring 2009 ********************************* ****************************************
What the New York Times said about the 60 mini-memoirs in Asbury Park's Glory Days: "Ms. Pike spares neither villain nor hero in her saga of her favorite resort. There are mobsters and stand-up clergymen; showgirls and shopkeepers; restaurateurs with class and the classy people who kept them in business. Most of all, there are the little stories told by just plain folks interspersed throughout Ms. Pike's historical narrative." *************************************** Writing Workshops
My most frequently requested programs: *DIY Publishing It's either personal or business. *Jersey Chronicles rites of passage. *Red Hot Words writing about the new you. *Travel Tales sharpen your powers of observation! *Tree of Life how to recount family history. *Memories to Memoirs how to get started, keep going, get finished! *The Persuasive Opinion from ranting blog to hard-copy respectability: how to write op-ed essays. *Teen Writing finding the guts to be original instead of cut-paste- and-plagiarize from the Internet. *********************** 
Helen's most requested lecture!
"How Jersey Are You?"
Ideal for all generations
and
for newcomers to New Jersey.
To book, call:
908-489-1830.
Real Estate Bio 1976: spring semester of my sophmore year at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, a town that three years earlier received its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. I studied American cultural history with nationally noted preservation Dr. Charles Hosmer; topics included how the public used land for dwellings, to build local economies, and for leisure. 1976: summer college internship at the Asbury Park Press, working for Herb Nebel, editor of the Business/Real Estate section; turned press releases into news items, including notice of real estate transactions and opening of new businesses. 1978-1982: municipal reporter for the Asbury Park Press; covered local Planning and Zoning Boards of Adjustment in northern and coastal Monmouth County. 1983:wrote my master’s thesis at the Graduate School of Journalism/Columbia University on The Gentrification of Tompkins Square Park . Examined how different groups were using abandoned buildings and public spaces in the Lower East Side neighborhood known as Alphabet City. 1983-1984: covered a variety of land-use hearings about property conversion ~ potato farms to vacation homes; oyster sheds to condos ~ on the North Fork of Long Island for the "Suffolk Times" in Greenport. First by-lined article in the "New York Times" appeared in 1984 in which I profiled the struggles of Fishers Island, NY, to sustain a year-round community on an island of very-old money that only summered there. 1992-1997: international travel writer and photographer for the "Boston Herald"; wrote principally about how destinations were history to attract vacationers to boost their local economy. 1995 to present: researched and authored 7 books (currently working on 8th about economic development in New Jersey that includes an examination of real estate development). 1995: Images of America: Eatontown and Fort Monmouth published. First local book that traced how fields and farms were converted to suburban villages and a military base known for its electronics command. 1996: Images of Aemrica: West Long Branch. This first of a 2-volume set looked at "the town" which established its independence in 1908; West Long Branch Revisted looks as "the country" estates that now constitute most of Monmouth University, making this a "gown" community. 1997 Images of America: Asbury Park published. First independently researched book ever done on Asbury Park. Its 5 chapters lay out how the coastal city was developed as a series of neighborhoods we recognize today; Cha. 1 in “The Pioneers” includes a look at Springwood Avenue and how the original southwest neighborhood known as the West Side began. 2004-2005 lectured in the Geography of Tourism at Monmouth University. Students learned how to identify the conflicting relationships between residents and visitors in regions around the world where tourism is being used as an economic driver. 2005Asbury Park’s Glory Days: The Story of an American Resort 1890-1980. Examines 90 years of development: * real estate forces that shaped the East and West Sides of Main Street (Cha. 1 &2); * amusements on and off the Boardwalk (Cha. 3); * entertainment on both sides of Main Street (Cha. 4); * hotels and restaurants on both sides of Main (Cha. 5); * retail on and off Main (Cha. 6); * racial and ethnic groups that comprised the year-round population and how they lived together in Asbury Park in the off-season. |
Alpha look @ what i'm working on
Your Stories Told
A new memoir-writing sequence is in the works for this fall! Four consecutive Thursday nights, from 7 to 9 p.m. Designed for those writers seeking to identify the a-ha moment in a memory. Writing topics: * It's about place * What's that aroma? * What I remember best about him * And then she said, "..." Writers receive a syllabus and reading list. Questions? Click link under photo to send e-mail. ************************************************* 
Your Stories Told
People want to leave a legacy about the lives they lived, the values they hold dear, and life lessons they want to give the next generation. But they don't know how to tell those stories. Solution: Offer my services as a career journalist, photographer, and author to those who want assistance. My three services are available in the following formats: Your Stories Told ...In Print • For executives or families interested in getting a memoir written. Also suitable for turning life lessons into a literary fund raiser for your favorite charity. ...In Video • Ideal for capturing the voices, music, and images that define a family, business, sports team, or social club. ...By You • With my help as a writing coach. On line. In person. On the phone. Sliding fee. ************************************************ PROBLEM: Overshadowed by the presence of rock star Bruce Springsteen, Asbury Park, NJ, lacks a recognizable public narrative about the significant scope of its musical heritage.
SOLUTION: Encourage disparate groups within the community to unite and apply for a New Jersey State Council for the Humanities grant that would fund a 3-month traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute titled New Harmonies. After an e-mail blitz by me to find an organization which wanted to sponsor this opportunity, on 11-13-09 UEZ director Tom Gilmour convened a meeting to which were invited: the Chamber of Commerce, ArtsCAP (the city's arts advocacy group), Asbury Park Public Library, oceanfront redeveloper Madison Marquette, the Asbury Park Historical Society, independent filmmaker Susan Pelligrini, and yours truly. ArtsCAP took the lead in applying for the grant thanks to the efforts of president Dennis Carroll, an accomplished photographer. What follows is the letter of support I wrote (in addition to my TriCityNews column which can be found under Prose & Pix): November 16, 2009 New Jersey Council for the Humanities 28 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608 To Whom It May Concern: I’m writing this letter in support of bringing the Smithsonian’s New Harmonies traveling exhibit to Asbury Park in the late winter/early spring of 2011. There is no other coastal destination north of Atlantic City that can lay claim to a diverse musical heritage going back to the 1870s. From the sacred music sung in both the black and white churches to ragtime to the blues roots of jazz and rock-and-roll, Asbury Park has participated in the birth of America’s unique musical genres for more than 100 years. The Smithsonian’s New Harmonies exhibit would complement this small urban center’s long-range plan to strengthen its year-round economy. There is a vibrant civic, arts, and business scene and testimony to that can be found in other letters of support that accompany this application. Moreover, the Asbury Park Public Library is an ideal civic and geographic venue. It is equidistant to the Boardwalk and to the downtown. One of the city’s three elementary schools is within four blocks’ walking distance, as are two daycare facilities and one charter school. A senior residence built by the Civil Service Foundation is nearby. Over the years, the library’s spacious Reading Room has been used for a variety of exhibits, including one I mounted in 1998, a year after my first book, Images of America: Asbury Park, was published. I have agreed to loan music-related artifacts from my second book, Asbury Park’s Glory Days: The Story of an American Resort for the glass-enclosed display case to accompany the Smithsonian narrative. Lastly, I am encouraged by the interest in bringing back the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra to perform at the Paramount Theatre after its successful debut during Asbury Park’s 110th anniversary celebration in 2007. Founder Richard Benjamin is recognized as the nation’s foremost interpreter of Arthur Pryor’s music. In the early 20th century, the noted ragtime composer chose Asbury Park for a permanent performance home for his hugely popular band and, in doing so, ensured the public would have another reason to come to the Shore. New Harmonies would have a comparable impact. May the New Jersey Council for the Humanities agree and select Asbury Park an ideal host site. Respectfully, Helen Chantal Pike NOTE: I returned from Southeast Asia and found this in my e-mail of January 20, 2010: Tom, Helen, Johna, Bob. Ginny: I just head from Chris Sheerer of the Humanities Council who has informed me that we have won the Harmonies Exhibit for next Feb-Apr. We are the first of 6 NJ cities to receive the exhibit, so it will premiere here and we will set the bar. I will receive some information and some paperwork to sign in the next few days and then there will be meeting scheduled with the Humanities Council, us and the other cities about marketing, support and logistics. Once I have the paper work, I would like us to meet to set things in motion. After that we could form a larger committee including reps from the school system, Chamber, music and arts groups and other civic organizations so we can develop a broad base of contributors and supporters. Looking forward to working with all of you. Dennis 
Your Business Future After Fort Monmouth Closes in 2011
SOLUTION: Convene an economic summit with guest speakers from Trenton and resources from banks and the utility companies. DRAFT LETTER SCHEDULED TO BE SENT December 1, 2009 Dear : Eatontown businesses have enjoyed a long and profitable tenure from their association with Fort Monmouth. Such diverse sectors as communications, retail, and health care have progressed with solid growth into the 21st century. Even complementary industries in hospitality, higher education, and entertainment have benefited from the presence of the electronics command. In two years that will change. What does Fort Monmouth’s closure mean for you and your business? Please join me as we examine what the future holds at 8 a.m. January 21, 2010 when we convene the Eatontown Economic Conference at the Sheraton Hotel. Caren Franzini, CEO of the state’s Economic Development Authority, will discuss Trenton initiatives for Monmouth County, especially its eastern trade hub and Shore gateway, Eatontown. The county’s Planning & Economic Development Office will host a resource table. A representative will be available to answer your questions about retention and retraining programs, new-market incentives, and energy grants. Ron Wollner, president of Eatontown’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), will explain how it supports businesses. To date, EDAC has opened the channels of communication in Borough Hall, addressed traffic and zoning issues, and helped improve the effectiveness of the town website. Check out EDAC’s webpage: eatontownnj.com/committee/com.asp?com_id=13. Let’s work together to plan the next generation of profitable growth in Eatontown. Sincerely, Mayor Gerry Tarantolo ******************************************************************************************** Yes! I plan to attend the Eatontown Economic Conference on January 21, 2010. Enclosed is my check for ____ number of reservations at $25/per. Total_________. Here is my contact info: Name:___________________________ Company:___________________________ Phone: _______________ e-mail: __________________________________________ NOTE: I returned from 2 months in Australia, Singapore, and Indonesia to learn there was a SRO attendance at this event. ************************************************ Problem:
The Eatontown Chamber of Commerce had ceased to exist in the early 1990s, and business owners had no collective voice or presence in the community. Solution: On 12.15.08 I wrote the text for the Borough of Eatontown's website in my civic role as EDAC secretary. Copied here [with a photo added], the page represents the first time Eatontown businesses ~ current and prospective ~ have ever had an on-line resource. John Carbin, the boro's IT go-to guy posted it 12.18.08.
Welcome to the Economic Development Advisory Committee web page!
********************************************* EDAC is dedicated to promoting healthy economic growth throughout Eatontown. We are a robust committee with representatives from nationally recognized corporations as well as entrepreneurs from the fields of finance, high tech, retail, hospitality, health care, automotive, real estate, plus municipal officials and residents. We monitor the fiscal climate in Eatontown: * Looking to relocate to the economic and transportation hub of eastern Monmouth County? * Want a gateway presence on the Jersey Shore? * Seeking advice about your current business? Consider us a resource. EDAC provides first-hand analysis of planning and zoning initiatives, traffic patterns, and employment conditions. We are alert to the on-going discussions for the redevelopment of the electronics command at Fort Monmouth located along Eatontown's northeastern perimeter. A copy of the ordinance that created EDAC in September 2008 may be obtained from the borough clerk. Information about local, state, and federal programs that will help you grow your business in Eatontown may be found by clicking the link here. We meet at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month, except legal holidays. The location is the Council Chamber on the second floor of Borough Hall. It is handicap-accessible. All are invited to attend these open public meetings and to suggest action items for our agenda. Periodic updates to this page and quarterly profiles of Eatontown's entrepreneurs are in the planning stages for a 2009 roll out. We welcome hearing from you! We are: Mayor Gerry Tarantolo; mayor@eatontownnj.com Officers: Ron Wollner, president/president, Computer Data Source, Inc.; ron@cds.net Anna Mayer, vice president/leasing & marketing director, The Donato Group; amayer@TheDonatoGroup.com Bob Stroebel, treasurer/vice president, TD Bank; robert.stroebel@yesbank.com Helen Pike, secretary/resident; Helen@HelenPike.com Members: Dennis Connelly, Council liaison/co-owner, CJ Montana's Pub & Grille; DennisConnelly@cjmontanas.com George Destafney, regional vice president, TD Bank, destafney@yesbank.com Corbett Donato, vice president, The Donato Group; cdonato@TheDonatoGroup.com Kevin Gonzalez, vice president, Eatontown Board of Education; activityfirstPT@verizon.net Dan Ingenbrandt, senior vice president, Pacific Concord Investment Corp.; dani@pacificconcordgroup.com Mark Lefkandinos, general manager, Houlihan's Restaurant; mlefkandinos@aol.com Ben Levine, manager, Monmouth Mall; blevine@vno.com Barry Morman, manager, JC Penney; bmorman@jcpenney.com Jamie Pavlis, president, Pavlis Realty; jpavlis732@aol.com David Portman, owner, Aspen Court office building; slvfx69@aol.com Tom Riccardi, general manager, Sheraton Hotel; triccardi@sheratoneatontown.com George Rodriguez, general manager, DCH Honda; grodriguez@dchusa.com Dr. Randy Rosen, dentist and Eatontown Historic District representative; djrosen@comcast.net George Jackson, Borough Administrator; admin@eatontownnj.com ************************************************************************************************** Problem: People want to leave a legacy about the lives they lived, the values they hold dear, and life lessons they want to give the next generation. But they don't know how to tell those stories. Solution: On October 23, 2008 I became a member of the Association of Personal Historians. My three services are: Your Stories Told ...In Print • For executives or families interested in getting a memoir written. Also suitable for turning life lessons into a literary fund raiser for your favorite charity. ...In Video • Ideal for capturing the voices, music, and images that define a family, business, sports team, or social club. ...By You • With my help as a writing coach. On line. In person. On the phone. Sliding fee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Manasquan bungalows, circa 1920.
Pat Dodd wanted a written account about his indomitable grandmother, a Prohibition bootlegger, but didn't know how to go about it. Solution: In July 2008 Pat came to me with notes, maps, pictures, and stories he had grown up with. After considerable historical research, I'm now turning these tales into what we both hope will be a page-turning narrative that anyone can enjoy. Here are some teasers: * What happens in these summer cottages as Prohibition settles in for the long haul? * Where did Kitty Dodd and her boys come from? * Who knew them back in Ireland? * What's the West Orange connection? And most important of all: * Who wants to put them out of business? Estimated deadline: March 2009.
More Asbury Park Stories:
Ticket to Ride Pitch Men Movie Mystery Something About Mary Dark City/Light City Asbury Park Back Story and Sand In Our Shorts Jersey Shore Sketches Sleeping With George No Daddy, Not Today Resort or Residential: What are we? Whose Daughter Am I? Is your PTA or church youth group interested in sponsoring a printing of this workbook for a fund raiser? Greetings From New Jersey: A Workbook for Young Adventurers is my second stint writing with families in mind. For three years I produced a weekly column for "The Boston Herald" titled "Kids' Trips". This fun-filled learning activities book is 68 pages. Among the features in all 6 chapters: * reading about history * math word problems based on the state's most popular assets * journal writing * puzzle pieces for the 21 counties * drawing * projects -- for independent or group work -- from designing a model city using Paterson to writing a restaurant menu using Jersey Fresh produce and a nutrition chart * a resource page for on-site discoveries Retail price: $14.95. I'm fielding inquiries about my publishing plan that details how to adapt the New Jersey template to the other 49 states. If you want more info, please send e-mail to Helen@HelenPike.com. ****************************************************** |
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