Alexa Freyman, a Berks County native and Millennial, grew up hearing family stories about the “good old days,” sparking her passion for uncovering local history. In 2017, she created Berks Nostalgia, a multimedia project that uses writing, videography, photography, and drone technology to explore and share the rich history of Berks County from a fresh perspective.

Ryan Bradley is the Clean City Coordinator for Reading, where he has lived since 1996 and takes pride in calling home. With a background in counseling and case management in the drug and alcohol field, Bradley's commitment to community well-being is evident both personally and professionally. Starting with cleaning up his own block, he inspired neighbors to join him, and now leads city-wide clean-up efforts through initiatives like the "Adopt-a-Block" program. Bradley works closely with residents, providing them with supplies and support, and promotes the use of the "311" app to report trash issues. His passion for a cleaner, safer Reading is helping to restore pride and engagement in the community.

JD Turner is a dedicated advocate and entrepreneur who has played a pivotal role in enhancing the skateboarding community in Berks County. As the owner of Holistic Skate Shop in West Reading, JD has spent the past decade tirelessly advocating for the creation of a free, public, concrete skatepark designed by skaters, for skaters. His vision culminated in the establishment of the Reading Skatepark Association in 2016. JD's relentless efforts, along with the support of the RSA, have finally borne fruit. Years of fundraising, grant applications, and planning meetings have led to the development of a new 22,000-square-foot skate park located at the corner of South 6th and Canal Streets in Reading.

Kelly Barber is a seasoned ballet professional from Reading with a rich background in both performance and teaching. She began her dance journey at Carol Ennis Dance Arts, eventually joining Berks Ballet Theatre as a soloist. Kelly danced with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, where she performed leading roles in classics like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty. After returning to Reading, she became Artistic Director of Berks Ballet Theatre, where she choreographed original works and continued the company’s legacy. Now, Kelly teaches at Wayne Ballet and serves as Artistic Coordinator for Ballet 180. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes positivity, strong fundamentals, and the life lessons learned through dance.

Interest in weather since the age of six when an F3 Tornado struck near his home in Lyons, PA, Justin Selig has always been fascinated by weather. Selig is now an Advanced Severe Weather Spotter/Storm Chaser for the National Weather Service and a National Severe Weather Media Stringer for Live Storms Media and has had his work featured on The Weather Channel, 69 News WFMZ, and The Morning Call.

I sat down with local actor and small business owner Bill Pugh to learn about his role in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film Glass. A semi-sequel to Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2016), Glass stars James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, and Samuel L. Jackson.

​When it comes to innovative website design, FXV Digital Design owner Freddy Vasquez has a consistent message for his clients: “Let’s make something awesome today!”

Branden Moyer is a Berks County resident and entrepreneur who took up the unique hobby of beekeeping during the pandemic. After a successful first year with his hive of honeybees, Branden decided he would take his hobby to the next level by creating Uncle B’s Bees, a business that not only sells local honey, but educates the community on the importance of beekeeping.

Local actor Josh Spudeno may not be Hollywoods hottest actor (yet), but he certainly aspires to be. Moving his way up the ladder, Spudeno talks to Jason Hugg about how he got into acting and his recent experience on the set of Creed II.

It’s evident that Jobany Bedoya, the founder of the Wednesday Diversity Mixers, is not just an entrepreneur but also a community builder and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the Greater Reading area. His journey from starting a barber shop to navigating through various industries like retail banking, DJing, and event organizing showcases his resilience and adaptability.

Mark Goldstein, the founder of Blankets of Hope, is making a significant impact in the community through his inspirational work. Ten years ago, amidst negative news about Reading, Mark, a longtime resident of Berks County, felt compelled to make a difference. With his extensive knowledge of the promotional products industry, he had the idea to repurpose blankets purchased by a customer into donations for those in need. This sparked the beginning of Blankets of Hope.

​Tanya Melendez has a deep love of the natural beauty contained within the city of Reading. Whether she is enjoying bike rides on local trails, walks to local parks, or watching her daughter climb trees, she has a true appreciation for the joy that nature brings to communities.

We’re diving into a fascinating discussion with Lieutenant Lance Lillis from the Reading Police Department. As the Community Resource Coordinator, Lieutenant Lillis plays a pivotal role in connecting law enforcement with the community, ensuring a cohesive and collaborative approach to public safety.