ABOUT US:

Midsummer Sound Company was first established in January 1975, by Tony Hawkins and Helen Engelhardt, to develop new products invented by Hawkins for professional audio recording and editing, and to record and encourage audio drama. At the time, Hawkins was a sales rep for well known professional tape recorders and microphones, and so Midsummer Sound became a pioneering creative force promoting audio drama and the art of sound design. After he died in December 1988, Helen dissolved the company.

In the fall of 2007, Engelhardt restored Midsummer Sound Company, focusing on the production of audio arts.

Since then, Helen has engaged with many projects, extending her network and putting together plans for additional upcoming projects.

As the mid-1990s gave way to a new era, Helen Engelhardt began to forge a distinctive path, channeling her insights and profound experiences into meaningful professional contributions. Her early work in vital community communications honed her skills as both a writer and a leader, demonstrating a meticulous approach to information and a clear, influential voice.

Entering the new millennium, Helen significantly expanded her professional footprint into independent audio production and authorship. Through her own established sound company, she became known for crafting powerful narratives. Her substantial achievements in non-fiction audio documentaries were critically acclaimed, reaching broad audiences via prominent public radio stations. These projects showcased her talent for weaving compelling sonic stories that explored complex human experiences with depth and nuance. In parallel, her literary non-fiction garnered significant recognition, tackling profound themes and personal journeys with a perceptive and engaging style. Beyond her creative and journalistic output, Helen's consistent public advocacy for justice and accountability has been well-documented over the past decades, solidifying her reputation as a thoughtful and impactful professional whose work resonates far beyond the page or airwaves.

On November 3, 1995, amidst the solemn beauty of Arlington Cemetery, President Bill Clinton walked with Kelly Halsch, Melanie Daniels, James Fortune, and Alan Hawkins – children whose lives were irrevocably altered by the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

This day marked the dedication of the Cairn, a lasting memorial to those lost, including Alan's father. In this quiet moment, amidst profound grief and shared remembrance, a nation stood with its youngest survivors, affirming a commitment to honor every life, every story, and every dream stolen on that terrible day.