2012–13 MHI Events

Sept. 20
Mindy Lewis

Forget Me Not: Does Moving Forward Mean Forgetting?

Licensed social worker Mindy Lewis will speak about pregnancy and infant loss and share how she assists parents through infant bereavement. Lewis is both an advocate and educator for patients and families and has a wealth of knowledge in Perinatal and Neonatal care with a specific emphasis on perinatal loss. Lewis is the Administrative Coordinator/Perinatal Social Worker for the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center. She is the founder of the Rainbows of Remembrance Memorial Service, Chairperson for the Annual Perinatal and Early Infant Loss Bereavement Conference, and founder of the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics efforts in palliative care. 

Ms. Lewis' talk will begin at 7 p.m. in Shearer Dining Rooms 2 & 3 of Susquehanna University’s Degenstein Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Oct. 2
Joseph Epler and James Schwartz

The History of Undertaking

Using photography, interviews and local archives, funeral directors Joseph Epler and James Schwartz document the history of undertaking throughout Pennsylvania, specifically in Snyder and Union counties. Moving throughout these areas, Epler and Schwartz provide an overview of the evolution of undertaking, from one-man operations in the early 1900s to the profession’s current manifestation.

Epler attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He worked for the Davis Funeral Home in Northumberland County, as well as the Philadelphia branch of the National Casket Company. In 1979, he opened his own funeral home, Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, in Northumberland County and worked there until his retirement in 2007.

Schwartz attended Eckles College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. After graduating, Schwartz worked at the Fred F. Groff Inc. Funeral Home in Lancaster until he opened his own funeral home, James L. Schwartz Funeral Home, in Union County in 1961. He worked there with his wife (who also assisted in the research on the history of undertaking) until his retirement in 2004. Despite having retired, he still often works with several area funeral homes.

The talk will begin at 6 p.m. in meeting rooms 4 and 5 of Susquehanna University's Degenstein Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Feb. 27
Karen Gilmer

Black Venus: The Black Body Onstage

Assistant Professor of Theatre Karen Gilmer will speak on the objectification of the black female body onstage and its influences on popular culture. Two emphases in Gilmer's presentation will be Sartjie Baartman, a side show act in the early 19th century who influenced the bustle fashion, and Josephine Baker, the African-American entertainer who took Paris by storm in the early 20th century.

Gilmer holds an M.F.A. in theatre with an emphasis in costume design from Boston University. Her numerous theatre, opera and dance credits include Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, Walnut Street Theatre, Everyman Theatre Company of Baltimore, Boston’s Midsummer Opera, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Maine’s Monadnock Music Festival. In 2009 Gilmer won the African American Council of the Arts Award for Best Costume Design for August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Her research interests include costume and fashion history, fabric modification (dyeing and painting), millinery and mask design and construction.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in meeting rooms 4 and 5 of Susquehanna University's Degenstein Center. The event is free and open to the public.