For many, firefighting is a profession. For Jesiah Newsome, it’s a calling. At just 28 years old, Newsome has already built an impressive career as both a career firefighter and a dedicated volunteer. As Deputy Chief of the Blandon Fire Company and Engine 3 driver for the City of Reading Fire Depart
For nearly two decades, Lynne Angstadt has been a vital force at Conrad Weiser High School, where her passion for both business and education has left a lasting mark on countless students. Originally an accountant, Angstadt’s journey took a transformative turn when she discovered her love for teachi
Pennsylvania’s waterways are more than just picturesque escapes for anglers, boaters, and nature enthusiasts—they’re thriving ecosystems that require careful protection and management. Behind the scenes, Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) play a crucial role in conserving these aquatic resources
David Anspach is a man on a mission. As the Capital Project Manager for the City of Reading, his passion for transforming and rehabilitating the city’s infrastructure is evident in every word he speaks and every project he takes on. Anspach’s journey to this crucial role has been one of dedication,
In the Daniel Boone Area School District, where the communities of Birdsboro, Amity Township, and Union Township intersect, one individual is working tirelessly to inspire students, engage families, and foster a sense of unity within the district. That person is Tom Voelker, superintendent of the Da
When it comes to serving and protecting, Sgt. Michael Bezner of the Cumru Township Police Department brings a blend of passion, dedication, and a deep connection to his community. In a recent conversation, Sgt. Bezner shared with me his journey, experiences, and the impact his career has had on his
On Tuesday, July 2nd, City Hall Council Chambers resonated with applause and heartfelt tributes as Mayor Eddie Morán presented Lester DuGuay with a commendation for his 60 years of unwavering service to the youth of Reading. The ceremony, held on DuGuay’s 89th birthday, celebrated his extensive cont
Suzy Rae Design, LLC proudly marks its 20th anniversary in 2024, celebrating two decades of creativity and client satisfaction. SRD was founded in September of 2004 by Owner Suzy Lysczek when she took the leap from her role working in prepress production to fulfill her dream of becoming a full-time
Ronald and Kerin DeCarlo, along with Tim Gaston, are illuminating the holiday season for the 38th consecutive year with their renowned Lights on Elwyn, a dazzling display of over 30,000 Christmas lights. Located at 216 Elwyn Avenue in Sinking Spring, PA, the festive showcase debuted on December 2nd
Since 2013, Luxus Boutique has provided stylish, comfortable, and beautiful clothing for women in Berks County. Owner Rosaury Mota has worked tirelessly to ensure that the pieces she curates for her clients will stand the test of time, and will be as stylish decades from now as they are today. Origi
With Halloween just around the corner, the community of Exeter Township is in for a terrifying treat as the Witman family once again opens the doors to their home-built haunted house at 100 E 37th Street. The fourth annual creation, led by father Jeffery Witman and his son Justin Witman, has become
The world of custom jewelry and watch repair in Berks County got a fresh new sparkle with the grand opening of Gilded Design Studio, located at 80 Commerce Drive in the Village Square shopping plaza.Meggan Skiles and Rebecca Freundt, both with extensive experience in the jewelry industry, celebrated
One of the most common–and painful–questions facing many families is also one that requires the most delicacy: how do you provide the best care for aging family members? While there are many options from which discerning families can choose, Healing Hearts Home Care stands out from the rest.Tracey A
Distinguished leader and current President and CEO of TEM Care Behavioral Health Nicholas V. Johnson is highly accomplished. Earning his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Behavior/Applied Psychology from Albright College and his master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, he further
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, enjoyed by millions of people of all ages. For many young people, basketball is more than just a sport–it’s an opportunity to learn valuable life skills, build confidence, and develop lifelong friendships. Youth basketball programs provide a
The Reading Police Department recently welcomed two new members to its K-9 Unit. Officer Raymond Acevedo with K-9 Blue and Officer Ross Heckler with K-9 Chase will be training over the next weeks before graduating to the streets.K-9s are an essential part of a police force. They can detect things th
On February 18th, 2021, tragedy struck the Western Berks Ambulance station in West Lawn. An idle ambulance parked outside the station suddenly caught on fire. The vehicle was inactive for about 30 minutes before the fire broke out. Thankfully, the Spring Township Fire Department made a tremendous ef
Nigel Walker has been a resident of Centre Park for approximately 28 years. During her residency, she has been involved in preserving and saving the historic district in all its glory. To Walker, keeping Centre Park historical and beautiful is her main goal!“I’ve been involved in different capacitie
Back in May, Ryan Bradley accepted a new role as Reading’s Clean City Coordinator. Bradley has been living in Reading since 1996, and is proud to call Reading his home. Bradley worked in the drug and alcohol field as a therapist, counselor, and case manager, before taking on this position. His love
Cafe Esperanza is a pay-what-you-can café. These cafes are popping up in many locations all over the United States. The restaurant-style cafe is a proven method amongst other non-profits. The main goals of this type of non-profit are to help alleviate food insecurity in the community. Bringing peopl
The DoubleTree in Reading is the hotel chain’s highest rated hotel—for the second year in a row. Established in 2011, the award recognizes the exceptional team members and employees who follow the Hilton company vision and their mission. The members and staff are the heart of the hotel chain and rep
Like many people, coffee is their go-to drink every morning. Walking into any coffee shop, being greeted by the fresh aroma of freshly brew coffee is the highlight of every morning. But what if you’re looking for a new coffee joint to check out? Instead of going to the typical chain coffee shops, yo
In December 2020, Berks County native Kobe Foy released his first album, “Quarter Life Crisis” through Pagoda City Records.A graduate of Berks Catholic Highschool, Foy, whose stage name is Quasii, is currently completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Writing from Kutztown University.“I deci
Rachel Dodson remembers the exact moment that she knew music spoke to her soul. When she was eight years old, as she was riding in the back of her mom’s van on the way to gymnastics practice, Taylor Swift’s Tim McGraw came on the radio, and forever changed the way she heard music.A Berks County na
