A Picture Says A Thousand Words, Get Your Portrait Taken and Be Part of the Community Storytelling Project

John Pankratz is a History Professor at Albright and he calls himself an amateur photographer. Some would disagree with the word ‘amateur’. John takes 700 to 800 pictures a week. Ten years ago during summer break he was looking for subject material for his hobby. Inspired by group projects like Matthew Brady’s, who took everyone’s picture who came by Broadway during the 50’s, John decided to photograph as many ordinary citizens of Reading as possible in order to tell the community story in photos.

Berks County Artist with a mission.

Berks County artist Jane Runyeon’s universe is filled with a fantastical array of eye candy for the artist in you! A prolific artist who finds inspiration all around her, Jane shares her journey with us. The community story of art in Berks County and her family’s dedication to the arts had a big impact in her life. She pursued her dream of becoming an art professor, got her Masters and PhD in Fine Arts and taught at the University of Colorado and Albright College. Her dream morphed along the way.

Meet two women who saw a need in Berks County and decided to make it their mission to fill that need. Robin Ball, Executive Director, and Sister Eileen, Program Director of Clare of Assisi House share their experiences with women in prison and the reasons they knew Clare of Assisi House must be established for women returning to society.

Working and volunteering in the prison dispelled misconceptions and stereotypes that surround women prisoners. Robin and Sister Eileen will continue to work with women as they are released from prison to help them develop the necessary life skills to lead successful lives. The target date to open Clare Of Assisi House on 12th and Spruce Street is early next year. Tune in to find out how you can be part of this mission.

The collaboration to help Veterans is not complete without you! Veterans played their part protecting our country. That’s a big act of love. Now you are invited to volunteer this summer in Operation Renovation, a collaborative project with Little Acts Of Love and Neighborhood Housing Services. Volunteers are needed to make minor repairs to veterans’ homes.

The work will be done July 6 through July 11. Veterans needing minor home repairs can call 610-372-8433. Operation Renovation is Free for all veterans and their families. Volunteers and donations are still needed. Alice Moyer, Executive Director of Little Acts Of Love joined forces with Neighborhood Housing Services to help get the job done. She shares some background about the project along with Ron Miller, Executive Director of NHS and Kelley Coates, Director of Neighborhood Building for NHS. Tune in and join Operation Renovation.

Kara Mowbray, Emergency Services Director for the Red Cross spotlights Berks County Heroes. From police to first responders, a 4-year old to a 94-year old, moms, husbands, co-workers … People from all walks of life step up and display extraordinary courage. Throughout the year they are nominated to receive a Heroes Award from the Red Cross. All the nominees are deserving of the award and are recognized in their respective categories. A panel of judges makes the final decision based on Red Cross criteria. Kara talks about the heroes and spotlights some of the situations that bring about the best in people. You too can make a nomination for next year’s awards by going to http://www.redcross.org/pa/reading.

Artist and Visionary Ed Terrell grew up in Reading. A coloring contest at Lauer’s Park Elementary School started him on a life long artistic journey. Ed won that contest. His prize was art classes in Philadelphia. After graduation from high school he traveled across the country and ventured into Mexico and Europe exploring and painting.

Ed lives in Reading where a variety of his murals grace buildings, businesses and bridges. He envisions public art to be an important part of revitalizing Reading. His art is bright, warm and welcoming. He takes great pride in his community and shares his vision

Jerry Holleran shares how success grew from humble beginnings. Jerry knew that education was important and was an excellent student, though he believed a college education was out of reach. Through the kindness of a philanthropist he was able to attend Carnegie in Pittsburgh. There were conditions placed on the tuition he received, one of which was a moral obligation. Jerry never forgot that moral obligation. He shares how hard work and dedication paid off. Business success enabled him to meet that obligation many times over. He and his wife, Carolyn, are committed to giving back to their alma maters and the community and through their foundation they continue to help students further their education. In Berks County, The Holleran Center for Community Engagement at Alvernia University provides an opportunity for students to give back to the community through a variety of projects and initiatives. He is also committed to meeting the students who benefit from their scholarships and talks to them about the moral obligation to give and pass it on.

When you move to a new area it is not always easy to meet the neighbors and make friends.

Meet John Brown, President of the Cigar and Bourbon Club. He says when he moved to the Hampden Heights area he met Brady Reed and the two noticed a lack of friendliness. Instead of complaining about it, solve it! The solution: A ‘cigar and bourbon club’ is formed. The first meeting took place on a front porch. Three men gathered and enjoyed getting to know each other better. They invited others and still more were curious and were drawn to the ‘porch’ meetings. Barriers were broken and neighbors became life-long friends.

Jack Holcomb is a well-known and respected birding expert in Southeastern PA. Winner of the Earl Poole Award and the Schuylkill Conservation District 2013 Media Conservation Award, Jack hosts a weekly radio show, Jack’s Backyard’ on WEEU. It’s all about birds and nature. ‘

His enthusiasm for birding is contagious. He is the ‘go to’ man for information about back yard birding and all that goes with it. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Association 1 in 5 Americans is a birder making it the fastest growing hobby in the US. Having embraced birding since the 60’s Jack is considered by many to be a trailblazer and a credit to the ever growing popularity of birding. Novice and seasoned birders alike turn to Jack for insight and information.

So how did Jack get started? Tune in and find out.

Meet Daniel Moran, a bright and vibrant teenager with autism. Daniel doesn’t let that get in the way of anything he wants to do. Can’t is not in his vocabulary. Daniel is the first karate student with autism in the state of Pennsylvania to earn a black belt! Daniel talks about the test and challenges he had to master over the course of 4 years in order to get his black belt. Daniel doesn’t let anyone tell him he can’t do something. He is the personification of determination and ability. Daniel Moran shows that if you make up your mind to do something and keep working at it you can accomplish anything