By Jennie Callison
Enquirer contributor

Firm provides home care for the elderly

Home care for the elderly is available through a new assisted living franchise in Roselawn.

Visiting Angels can be part of a support network allowing senior citizens to continue living at home, said the franchise owner, Shannon Garfunkel. The company provides services in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties.

"Visiting Angels provides non-medical senior care in the home of either the elderly client or the family who cares for the person," she said. "In that respect, we do serve as angels, helping with basic chores, personal hygiene, meal preparation, shopping, companionship and providing a respite for family caregivers."

Garfunkel was formerly employed as an assistant with Cincinnati's Jewish Family Services. Her work with clients helped her realize the need for assisted living services.

Visiting Angels' office is at 1821 Summit Road, Suite 104. It is one of 160 franchises the Pennsylvania-based company has established since its founding in 1998.

Information: 531-0048.

Inventor touts product on Web

Mary Kay Hansen, inventor of the Bladeater utility knife holster, has created a new Web site for her product. Visitors to www.bladeater.com can see an animated demonstration of how the utility blade-snapping holster works.

Hansen has also filmed a Bladeater commercial with hardware guru Gary Sullivan that will be shown on Discovery, HGTV and TLC channels this fall.

Information: 677-5860.

Ice cream shop opens in W. Chester

West Chester is home to a new ice cream specialty shop.

Ritter's Frozen Custard features a frozen concoction better known as French vanilla ice cream.

"We make our custard daily. And by reducing butterfat and adding a small amount of eggs, this method results in less fat than premium ice cream," said Jill Zugbaum, who owns the franchise with her husband, Craig.

The shop serves a variety of flavors on cones and in dishes as well as smoothies, "glaciers" with toppings, sundaes, turtle pies and specialty cakes.

Ritter's Frozen Custard is at 4858 Wunnesberg Way, just off Ohio 747 between Union Centre Blvd. and Smith Road. It is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Information: 860-4555.

Entertainment for elderly is focus

Stephen Michael Entertainment is a new company that specializes in affordable entertainment for facilities serving the elderly.

The venture was launched by professional vocalist Stephen Michael, one of seven finalists in the KISS 107FM/Channel 19 News "Cincinnati Idol" competition in 2001. He's also an activity staffer at East Galbraith Healthcare Community in Deer Park.

Michael said that he can provide a variety of musical programs throughout the year, including holiday selections for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween and Independence Day.

Information: 328-6705.

Ky. photographer turns professional

Avocational photographer Darrell Hawkins decided to turn his passion into a career. He has founded D. Reid Photography in Alexandria.

"I've been taking photos for more than 30 years, some of those years as part of my job," he explained. "I looked around my community and saw a need for a photographer and wanted to fill that niche."

The company provides on-location portrait photography as well as photography for weddings, corporate affairs and special events. With portable equipment, Hawkins said, he can reproduce studio conditions in a subject's own home or workplace.

D. Reid Photography is at 7 S. Longwood Lane. Information: (859) 635-1179.

E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com or fax 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about local firms.