1. Pitch Letter Sample
February 16, 2016
Dear Dan,
Reading your column, “About the Valley,” in The Morning Call, has instilled in me the
passion that you share with the Lehigh Valley community. As the frigid grip of wintertime
suffocates the area, why not present a whisper of spring, tempered with nostalgia, to lessen
winter’s icy bite? Our surrounding communities are steeped in German Tradition, and a feature
story of a PA Dutch Easter experience that embraces the roots of regional culture and the
promise of springtime, will appeal to most readers.
Cabin fever sufferers will revel in thoughts of a warm, sunny March day spent at Easter
on the Farm, experiencing the PA Dutch lifestyle on the historic Sharadin Farmstead. Presented
on the Sunday before Easter, March 19, by the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania German
Cultural Heritage Center, at the historic Sharadin Farmstead, 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA,
participants will become part of the folk life fabric for the day, enjoying a dandelion tasting and
demonstrations of open-hearth cooking, hex sign painting, and tinsmithing, by the Reading-
Berks Guild of Craftsman. Other activities are wagon rides, antique tractors and farm equipment
exhibited by the Plow Boys, arts and crafts vendors, and delicious, traditional food.
Delighting youngsters of all ages, the Children’s Tent will offer a petting zoo, performing
pot belly pigs, pony rides, and free craft projects of paper sun-catchers, baskets, and PA Dutch
scratch eggs.
The Freyberger One-Room Schoolhouse will host performances by local-area artists
which include schoolmarm presentations, where attendees can immerse themselves in the one-
room schoolhouse student experience, and children’s author, Dori Hoch, reading from her book
about a one-room schoolhouse, Pearl of Richmond School. Musical performances will showcase
folk songs and bluegrass music by Mike Hertzog and the Blue Mountain Trio, a children's music
performance by Keith Brintzenhoff, and yodeling by Betty Naftzinger, who performs songs in
PA Dutch and teaches the audience how to yodel.
Donating their time to share the wonder of their craft with the public, our performers are
long-time residents, and I would be happy to set up any meetings for personal interviews.
Your time and consideration of featuring this annual cornerstone community event of PA
Dutch springtime in your column is appreciated. For further information, please contact me at
610-683-4183. Expect a follow-up call next week to check your interest and answer questions.
Sincerely,
Chloe Joyce
Assistant Director of University Relations