Beiler to speak at GOP convention

Will give prime-time talk on ‘Prosperity’

Intelligencer Journal

Published: Aug 27, 2008
00:57 EST

MN, St Paul

By LORI VAN INGEN, Staff

Anne Beiler, founder of Lancaster-based Auntie Anne's Pretzels, will be one of the prime-time speakers at next week's 2008 Republican National Convention.

Beiler is scheduled to speak Wednesday on the theme for the evening, "Prosperity."

Wednesday's program will focus on presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's plans to get the U.S. economy back on track and continue the country's long tradition of meeting challenges and using its prosperity to aid others.

"The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity," the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention said in a news release.

Beiler said Tuesday she was asked to speak about "prosperity of the spirit, not just the pocket."

"I'm comfortable with that," she said. "I've experienced prosperity of the spirit, and I understand the importance of that subject. I'm somewhat surprised by the nature of the speech (that she was asked to give), but I'm more than happy to be asked. It's a real privilege to speak at this event, especially during prime time."

Beiler said she's never attended a national convention, "so it's a brand new experience for me."

She said she fells as if she's "coming out of the closet" by publicly aligning herself with the GOP.

"There's great people on both sides, good leadership who will take our country where it wants to go, but I chose to be Republican," Beiler said. "I did not try to keep it a secret. I've really never seen myself as political. I just do my duty as a citizen and vote, do good in the community and be a law-abiding citizen."

Although Beiler's speech has not yet been finalized, it is presumed she will speak about some of what she wrote in her autobiography, "Twist of Faith," which was released earlier this year.

After experiencing the loss of a child, sexual abuse and adultery and being on the brink of divorce, Beiler went to work raising money for her husband Jonas' dream of opening a counseling center. In 1987, she started making pretzels at a farm market and then bought a Downingtown market stand.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels were franchised in 1990 and eventually went worldwide with operations in more than 40 states and 11 countries. Beiler sold the business in 2005 to concentrate on more altruistic projects.

In June, Auntie Anne's Pretzels' corporate headquarters moved from Gap to the former Lancaster post office building at Prince and Chestnut streets.

Anne and Jonas Beiler's latest venture is Family Center of Gap, a new family-resource and counseling center on Brackbill Road, which is scheduled to open Sept. 12.

Also scheduled to speak next Wednesday at the Republican National Convention are McCain's wife, Cindy; the GOP's vice-presidential nominee; Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal; and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is scheduled to speak Tuesday.

Beiler's time slot will be finalized in the next few days, according to Andrew Heath, executive director to Anne and Jonas Beiler.

E-mail: lvaningen@lnpnews.com