Rosemary Remembrances II is celebrating 30 years at its Jim Thorpe location.

Established in 1984, the store features a variety of art, antiques, herbs and "remembrances."Much of the artwork, including shadowboxes and shrines, is made by owner and artist Marj Reppert. She is perhaps best known for her custom remembrances and commissioned pieces.Her custom work tends to focus on more traditional themes, such as weddings and anniversaries, milestones such as college graduation or a sports triumph, and personal collections."A lot of what I create is a remembrance, whether it's a happy remembrance like a wedding, or a sad one like a bereavement. All of these milestones are remembrances," she said.Reppert's noncommissioned shadow boxes and other remembrances on display are often sparked by a theme, such as the town of Jim Thorpe or its namesake, found items and historical events. Some individual pieces have been displayed at art galleries and exhibits; their art providence or pedigree is listed with the individual piece."They know that it has been exhibited elsewhere, not just here," she said. "Some people like that."Reppert also sells a variety of culinary herbs from her family's business, The Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg. The Rosemary House is the oldest herb store in Pennsylvania."The herbs you smell are blends that my mother (the late Berta Reppert) and sister (Susanna Reppert-Brill) created," she said.When choosing a name for her own business, Reppert wanted to pay tribute to her family's business. Because rosemary is the oldest known herb mentioned in the Bible and her business at the time focused on antiques and collectibles, and because rosemary is known for its medicinal memory enhancement (Shakespeare coined the phrase "Rosemary, that's for remembrance" in Hamlet), she thought the name Rosemary Remembrances was fitting.In the summer, Reppert also grows herbs on her front steps in tribute to her mother.Reppert had been fascinated by antiques from a young age and visited auctions frequently with her parents a prime spot to find new art materials."People often ask where I come up with subject matter," she said. "Sometimes it's an object that inspires me, or sometimes a subject or theme."Before setting up shop on Opera House Square, she sold her items at flea markets and outdoor vendors."Then I discovered Jim Thorpe, as a tourist, as many people do. I decided to stop doing the outdoor flea markets and become permanent. The rest is history," she said. "I love the area and the mountains. They're magical to me and give me a lot of inspiration. Every time I come back from a vacation, I'm amazed by how beautiful it all is."Reppert has a bachelor's degree in art education from Kutztown University, and a Master of the Arts in art education from the University of the Arts.She is a former high school art teacher and retired from Lehighton Area High School in 2002.Rosemary Remembrances II is located at 10 Hill Road in Jim Thorpe, on Opera House Square. The store is open most Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.For more information, contact Reppert at 570-325-4452 or go to

www.rosemaryremembrances.com.