Feedback with Dan Holzman

In this episode of Real Life, we are talking about a group of people that many of us never think about until someone’s loved one is missing.  A child wanders away.  A hiker doesn’t return.  An elderly person suffering from dementia disappears.  A family waits, hoping and praying that someone can bring their loved one home.  Those ’someones’ are volunteers.  Scott Hertzog, President and Chairman of Berks County Search and Rescue and Brian Winterstein, Chief of Berks County Search and Rescue join us in studio to talk about service, leadership, purpose and why ordinary people choose to do extraordinary things.

In this episode of Real Life we are talking about preserving the past, connecting generations, and why local history still matters.  Rachael and Gene Kehler, board members of Boyertown Area Historical Society, believe that our local history deserves to be remembered because it tells us not only where we have been but who we are.

For generations, county fairs have been part of the fabric of small-town America. But county fairs have had to evolve.  They are balancing tradition with changing interests, finding new ways to engage younger generations while preserving the agricultural roots that made them so important.  Christopher Garcia and Amber Fessler, board member of the Berks County Fair join us on this episode of Real Life to share with us why county fairs are so important and how they are shaping one of Berks County’s longest-standing traditions.

This episode of Real Life is Part Two of our conversation with Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jay Ostrich, Director of Berks County Veterans Affairs and Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Ret.) Will Tobin, Deputy Director, Berks County Veterans Affairs.  In the first hour we talked about the challenges many veterans face after military service.  But this hour isn’t about statistic, it’s about hope.  Jay Ostrich and Will Tobin share the stories of building programs that reconnect veterans with one another, providing innovative mental health care and reminding every veteran that they are never alone.

When we see a veteran in uniform, we often say two simple words:  Thank you.  These two words, although heartfelt, only scratch the surface of the sacrifices our military men and women have made.  This episode of Real Life isn’t about politics or war.  It’s about people, it’s about what happens when they come home.  Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jay Ostrich, Director of Berks County Veterans Affairs and Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Ret.) Will Tobin, Deputy Director, Berks County Veterans Affairs, join us on Real Life for a two-part interview.  This first hour is about the invisible winds of military service and the crisis facing veterans.

The Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays.  It’s a time for family, backyard barbecues, parades and of course fireworks.  Understanding the law, respecting the power of fireworks, and knowing what to do in an emergency can help protect your family, your neighbors, and first responders.  In this episode of Real Life, we are joined by Reading Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss and Lieutenant Nick Epolito, Commander of the Bomb Squad.  They are here to separate fact from fiction, explain Pennsylvania’s fireworks laws and share simple steps every family can take to enjoy a safe Independence Day.

Sometimes a rumor spreads faster than the facts.  This episode of Real Life sets the record straight about the Meals on Wheels program.  The mission remains the same, making sure older adults receive nutritious meals, remain independent, and continue living safely in their own homes.  LuAnn Oatman, President and CEO of Berks Encore and Jessica Jones, Director of Berks County Area Agency on Aging, provide updates, resources and information that help older adults remain healthy, independent, connected, and supported.

When most people think about agriculture, they picture fields, tractors, and barns.  What they do not see are the families who have spent generations adapting to changing times while working to preserve a way of life.  Dan Brown is a third generation farmer, the owner of Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery, and the President of B.A.R.N. (Berks Agricultural Resource Network).  His family experienced firsthand how agriculture has evolved from diary farming to vineyards, tourism, and new ways of connecting consumers with local agriculture.

Our guest today believes second chances don’t simply change lives, they create opportunities to help others.  Ryan Bradley is the Clean City Coordinator for the City of Reading.  Every day he works alongside residents, churches, schools, businesses, and volunteers to make Reading cleaner, safer and stronger through the Adopt-a-Block program.  But before Ryan helped restore neighborhoods, he had to rebuild his own life!  Ryan talks about what it takes to make a community strong, vibrant, collaborative and safe!

America 250 PA is upon us!!  Commissioner Christian Leinbach joins us in studio to talk about all the events that are happening in Berks County, PA to help celebrate this milestone.  However, the story of this episode is not just talking about the events, but magic, inspiration, and passion took over this episode right in the middle of it.  Commissioner Leinbach spoke so passionately and eloquently about the Declaration of Independence, and what it means to live by that document.  This episode is a must listen to episode - Commissioner Leinbach talks about freedom and unity and how he fights for both not only for those of us today but for generations to come.