For 39 years, Richard Humphreys has been entertaining children of all ages at Gnome Countryside on his Colerain Township property. Dressed in lederhosen, sporting a red kerchief around his neck and a handmade woolen cap on his head, Mr. Rich balances the struggles of near blindness due to diabetes by creating a mystical gnome land that engages children in storytelling and a lot of laughter.

Hidden behind Frosoula Romano’s glowing smile was a mass of anxiety, which started in high school. After trying medication for relief, Frosoula discovered a Bodypump class and later took to teaching Bodyflow—a Les Mills yoga-like program—to ease the anxiety that had affected her for years. Beyond her teachings, Frosoula is also a Reiki practitioner and doTerra essential oils consultant.

Growing up in Columbia, PA, Jeremy Crouse did not originally have a full appreciation for Lancaster County early in life. He left the area and ventured to Las Vegas where he got caught up in the nightlife of Sin City and began heavily using drugs—an addiction that led to hospitalization and homelessness. Luckily an officer helped send Jeremy back home to Lancaster where he is fully recovered and now focuses on his career as a realtor.

Patience Buckwalter does not remember the night that her and her adoptive mother had to flee Ethiopia to the United States for their safety from dangers of the militia. Her refugee experience led Patience to help others in similar situations through the Grape Leaf Empowerment Center and her new venture, Grape Leaf Café, which allows refugee women the opportunity to showcase their cooking skills and obtain work as well social and cultural interaction with the Lancaster community.

Jason Johnson is the not only the Founder and Director of the Central PA Heroes Coalition, he’s also Captain America. Donating his time to visit sick children while dressed as the famous superhero, Jason’s efforts extend to organizing fundraising events and special adventures. The nonprofit’s mission is simple: to bring happiness and smiles to all children through the love of costume characters.

Mark Springer never signed any of his work. Now recognized as “Untitled Mark,” the artist has found a love for salvaged materials and makes his mark on the world as a furniture designer who incorporates distinct angles, raw metal, and visual contradictions between form and function.

Kitty Byk was 12 years old when Hitler’s Nazi party took over her hometown of Vienna, Austria. Being of half Jewish decent, Kitty overcame working in the Labor Department, daily bombings, the advance of the Russian army, begging for food, and migrating to the U.S. just after her 20th birthday.

After a suppression of childhood molestation, Lionel Adriano coped with a dangerous drug addiction that led to homelessness. Things clicked for Lionel when he was offered a job at a salon and he began his journey into skin and beauty. Now the co-owner of Revolve Atelier, he continues to push himself and welcomes new opportunities.

Jen Nields wanted to be a humane officer ever since high school. She built her career experience after the devastating, sudden death of her father and utilized the tragedy to create Santa Claws and Paws to aide families in need. Focused on the greater good of animals, Jen throws herself into her work for the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Private investigation may not have always been in the cards for Sean Hall but interest in the field and fate brought the U.S. Air Force veteran to where he is today. Cases such as insurance fraud, child custody, infidelity, stalking, and even high-profile cases like investigating the church of Scientology makes him one busy man.