A Journey through Life with Don Hamacher, Cofounder of Dog N Suds

About the Book

Don Hamacher’s life story can almost be a handbook for a happy existence.

After graduating from college, he dreams of becoming a US Marine band director, but his poor eyesight results in an honorable discharge. Luckily, he still sees well enough to keep his eyes on Maggie, his college sweetheart. After he lands a job at a high school in Robinson, Illinois, the two are married in 1944.

Almost seventy years later, they are still married. More than just a family man, however, Don has also been a musician, teacher, traveler, pilot, historian, and risk taker.

A flair for the dramatic led him to team up with his friend and colleague Jim Griggs to form the Dog N Suds franchise. Its evolution from a single hot dog and root beer establishment in Illinois to franchises throughout the United States and Canada shows that, with hard work, dreams really can come true.

In this memoir, you can see how living a life defined by enthusiasm, determination, and love leads to rich rewards.

About the Author

Gail Ritrievi was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate work at Lebanon Valley College and earned a master’s degree and doctorate in education from Lehigh University. She and her husband, Frank, and their four children lived in Harrisburg and Levittown, Pennsylvania, where Gail taught in the public school system. She is retired and lives in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.