Keith Kopicki, owner of Grind restaurant in Boyertown, shares his entrepreneurial journey from an early decision to practice orthodontia to his present project maintaining a healthy work culture for over the 54 employees serving quality food. His creative, collaborative, problem-solving spirit has generated ecological and compassionate efforts in partnership with non-profits and other local businesses. He offers much to inspire!

Julie Longacre can't quit creating--in paint, in words, in music. The projects never stop in her efforts to preserve memories of historic buildings and her own visions. The episode provides insight into this tireless artist--one of Boyertown's icons.

Inspired by her artistic and "crafty" mother, Deborah Meehan spent her career in New York designing advertisements for others. Now retired with a bit more time to create her own art, she finds the time available and resources handy. Collage is her chosen medium; it allows patterns and type...those details she appreciated throughout her career.

Donna Usavage and Jane continue their series of podcast episodes featuring inspiring individuals who understand the importance of reciprocity. Conserving and protecting land and water resources that ultimately connect our local rivers and streams to the ocean is the mission of Ryan Beltz as executive director of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Ryan manages the Conservancy that provides hundreds of volunteers who understand the importance of clean water to have some fun at the Conservancy's events while taking care of their environment. Volunteer today! Visit perkiomenwatershed.org to sign up and learn more.

Debbie Spleen credits her mentors--Sandy Wood and her mother Sue--for encouraging her love of making art, the freedom to experiment, and the courage to follow her own creative paths. Following her teaching career, Debbie has taken up repurposing furniture she finds at flea markets in colorful whimsical designs. Most recently, she's devoted hours to a fundraising cause to benefit the senior community that she hopes goes viral.

Since the days when fine artist Rhonda Counts showed her childhood friends how to mix paints from berries and ground stones, she has been passionate about creating art. Along the way, she’s had a unique and rewarding art education that included a 30-year magical career with the Walt Disney World in Florida and, in her “retirement,” several years developing a mammoth theme park in China even though the park was abandoned before it opened. Today she continues her love affair with nature, incorporating its elements into self-developed textured paintings, and spending time with other artists for support and inspiration. 

Lynne Conner, candidate for a seat on BASD's School Board for Region #3, has hopes to create a greater team spirit to the communication and problem solving efforts.

Lynne sees herself as a research-oriented problem solver. She takes personal risks-- she's parachuted and scuba dived at night, for example--knowing the odds favored successful, once-in-a-lifetime, experiences.

She wants to bring that confidence to solving district issues--not fearful of change but determined to follow the research.

Jason's FB post in which he shared his disappointment with the type of communication he's witnessed at recent school board meetings caught my attention. Here's not the first to complain about the disrespect and dysfunction but may be the first to be public about it. In meeting with him, he shared his determination, if elected, to be a positive force--like one he effected in his career in the Coast Guard--convinced that his example will be contagious. I'd vote for that, and I hope voters in Region 2 will do the same. Change is needed.

Newly retired from a lifetime in education, Dr. Michelle Wiley, candidate for BASD School Board Director for Region #1, wants to share her leadership experience & practical ideas as her way to give back to her community. She is dedicated to practicing effective, respectful communication in problem solving and developing a healthy culture within and without the district. I loved knowing that she has her own sewing studio in her home.

Michael Frederick is certain that every young boy and girl dreams of driving a big red firetruck. His own childhood dream has come true as a volunteer firefighter where he has been determined to serve his community. Michael urges others to consider volunteering, assuring us that not all volunteers run into burning buildings, but that every firehouse welcomes volunteers who want to serve.