Exploring memories, shocks and revelations. What do you love? Fear? Want to remember? Understand about life? In this episode, Jane prepares listeners and hopes to inspire writers for a series of writing workshops with Sandra Williams inspired by Ray Bradbury's novel Dandelion Wine. Phil Repko's essay "Breaking Ties" serves as an example. Lesley Misko invites participation to write about what’s hard to let go.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In this episode, host Jane Stahl shares her favorite "Christmas specials": Albert Brooks’ movie "Defending Your Life" and Shakespeare’s play "King Lear." Both begin with the ultimate life challenges--death and/or grief and suffering--yet end with love. "Defending Your Life" delivers a meaningful message wrapped in a delightful comedy. "King Lear," on the other hand, is Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy addressing major life issues that test our resolve, our faith, and our resilience. In both, love is the answer and, as Christmas specials, remind us of the "reason for the season."
Coming from three generations of musicians, Patricia Keith always knew that music--making music, teaching and mentoring musicians--was to be her life...and her love. And she's been at it for over 31 years. But it wasn't until she saw her name on her own music studio's sign that her childhood dream came true. The studio offers lessons and opportunities to learn and perform for all ages and in a variety of musical mediums and styles from a variety of musicians who love what they do and want you to love it too!
Host Jane and son Jeff acknowledge the season of celebrations. In exploring one of Jane's "favorite things" throughout her lifetime, they encourage listeners to remember things in their lives that give them continued inspiration and also to celebrate themselves as a means to recognize and appreciate the miracles around them that occur to us or through us during this holiday season.
Anthony Garifo, the owner of Heaps & Bounds, Bits & Pieces, has helped clients remove over 11 tons of what they no longer want--sofas, car engines, a.k.a. junk-- in just 70 days. A certified teacher, Anthony entered college as a journalism major, sought a career in sports management, and has held positions in casino management and a variety of other businesses before deciding on starting his own. Transparency and customer service, providing affordable and professional services as people move forward in their lives without the things that no longer serve them is his mission. He wants to make life easier.
Mike Heil grew tired of the corporate, W-2 world working for someone else, dependent on the vagaries of the marketplace. He joined Entrepreneur Source where he helps others in transition through various assessments to clarify who they are, why they do what they do, and how they want to contribute to the world through their efforts. Possibly owning their own franchise? Owning their own unique business? Finding funding partners? Mike is eager to help.
Sandra WilliamsSandra taught world literature and writing at both the high school and higher education levels since earning a BA in English and Secondary Education at Ursinus College and an MA in English at Villanova University. She is a writer of poetry, essays and short stories, with several published articles. She has been associated with Studio B since 2010 offering various adult writing opportunities and is now active in writing circles in Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts. Sandra believes writing is both therapeutic and enlightening—as “we become aware of what inspires us, expand our imagination, delve into our own knowledge and experience, and rely on our intuitive selves.” She collaborates with her husband, Robert, local landscape and mural painter, promoting community arts. She is the author of a historical novella Moss on Stoneand a collection of tales Time and Tide.www.cosmicseanotes.blogspot.com.
When Boyertown newcomer Diane Sullivan reached out to ask if there was a book about the Bear Fever project that she could share with her mother, a resident of Chestnut Knoll, she was disappointed to learn there wasn't one available. But Momma Bear, a.k.a. Jane Stahl, allowed her to know that she hoped that someday, someone would step forward and take on the project. Diane offered that, newly retired, she was looking for a project and she loves the bears. The rest, as they say, is becoming history as Diane is collecting and organizing information to publish a booklet to accompany Studio B's project for summer 2025 to celebrate Bear Fever's 20th anniversary. Stay tuned for more information along with ways to become involved.
Julie Longacre can't quit creating--in paint, in words, in music. The projects never stop in her efforts to preserve memories of historic buildings and her own visions. The episode provides insight into this tireless artist--one of Boyertown's icons.
Lynne Conner, candidate for a seat on BASD's School Board for Region #3, has hopes to create a greater team spirit to the communication and problem solving efforts.
Lynne sees herself as a research-oriented problem solver. She takes personal risks-- she's parachuted and scuba dived at night, for example--knowing the odds favored successful, once-in-a-lifetime, experiences.
She wants to bring that confidence to solving district issues--not fearful of change but determined to follow the research.
Diane Hallman kept a journal over 25 years containing thousands of ideas, meditations, activities, and writing prompts she'd collected from her research, attendance, and participation in webinars and workshops. Six months ago she made the commitment to share them in her recently published book Abundance: Unleashing Your Potential with the S.I.M.P.L.E. System that offers “a blueprint for growth-minded women navigating midlife, providing tools to overcome burnout, embrace self-discovery, and step into a life of purpose and joy.” Join her Sunday sessions on zoom or one-on-one consultations; invite her to facilitate a sharing session with friends, and consider submitting to an upcoming anthology of stories of growth planned for release in summer 2026.
Jason's FB post in which he shared his disappointment with the type of communication he's witnessed at recent school board meetings caught my attention. Here's not the first to complain about the disrespect and dysfunction but may be the first to be public about it. In meeting with him, he shared his determination, if elected, to be a positive force--like one he effected in his career in the Coast Guard--convinced that his example will be contagious. I'd vote for that, and I hope voters in Region 2 will do the same. Change is needed.
Newly retired from a lifetime in education, Dr. Michelle Wiley, candidate for BASD School Board Director for Region #1, wants to share her leadership experience & practical ideas as her way to give back to her community. She is dedicated to practicing effective, respectful communication in problem solving and developing a healthy culture within and without the district. I loved knowing that she has her own sewing studio in her home.
Jane shares the ups and downs of a week that included both the celebration of the uplifting holiday of Rosh Shashanah and the spiral down rabbit holes following relationship disappointments and threats to the nation's freedom of speech. Serendipitously, people appeared with poetry, music, and reminders of age-old words that inspire: the Book of Psalms and William Faulkner's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. In the end, recognizing there are no coincidences in our lifetimes of learning to love, the aged hippy continues to dream--she's not the only one. Kumbaya.
Amy Lobben and Andrew Marcus founded Terra Pacem Winery to bring the wines they lovingly crafted in Oregon after retiring from a college career teaching geography and to create meaningful work for their son within a community by and for people with disabilities. Their farm on South Grim's Mill Road just west of Boyertown brings a lovely spot to meet with friends surrounded by Berks County's fields and flowers (and a few silly alpacas.) Visit terrapacem.com for more details.
Imagine...if you can..."the world will be as one...all the people sharing all the world." Jane Stahl admits she's a dreamer. In this episode from 2021 she explores some possible origins of today's hate and intolerance...offers a pledge and an invitation to her listeners to dream together to create understandings and heal the divisions among us. She misses your company and needs your inspiration!
Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: studiobbb.org, on Studio B’s Facebook page, by contacting Jane Stahl, janeEstahl@comcast.net, 610-563-7879, or stopping by Studio B. And, remember, we welcome you to connect us with people, projects, and perceptions that inspire YOU to help us continue to B Inspired!
Main Street Manager Ellen Martignetti and Events Planner Krista Gross reflected on Building a Better Boyertown's 2023 Oktoberfest and upcoming events, plans, and vision for future events and initiatives. We'll circle back with them to review the upcoming 18th celebration.
In this encore episode, I enjoyed learning from Cindy and Jeff Karver, the founders, just how Boyertown's Oktoberfest got its start. Spurred by a challenge from community leader Charles Haddad, Jeff and Cindy initiated the community's popular and successful event that not only survived the first year's economic downturn, chaired it for five years and have watched it grow bigger and better each successive year. Having just celebrated its 17th year, the festival has a bright future and promises more fun for all.
I asked Vicki Kriczky about a community currently under construction, slated to open February 2026, called The Residence of Boyertown. Vicki explained that The Residence is a community of 126 apartments offering continuing care for folks 55 and older: 54 one -or two-bedroom apartments designated for independent living; 50 to offer personal care, and 22 devoted to memory care. But, more than just a living space, there are restaurants, bistros, a beauty shop, movie theatre—even a stage—planned to provide opportunities for seniors to live a life filled with joy, to create a new chapter of life filled with fun, new friends, a new “family.” It’s her passion—helping senior citizens for over 30 years live their best lives. Reach Vicki for more details 484-534-2720 and to attend an information session and eventually a tour.
Michele Barrett and Diane Hallman are two mothers who have been given extraordinary challenges raising children whose gifts include diagnoses of ADHD, AUDDHD, and autism. Today, recognizing the unique needs of children on the spectrum—particularly those on what they term the “autism cliff”—and eager to help them smoothly transition from secondary educational placements to college and beyond--they are creating a residential transition program called Pathways to Purpose. The program is different than other programs in its approach to empower high-masking, neurodivergent young adults (18-26) in Pennsylvania—who are typically overlooked and “assumed fine”--with skills, support, and structure before burnout and other mental and physical health issues develop. Joining them on the episode is Nicholas Myers, Michele’s son, who gives voice to the need for such a program. They are inviting help in establishing a steering committee to develop the program—financial advisors, counselors, educators--and they welcome you to connect with them: dhallman@approachadvisors.com, mbarrett132@comcast.net.