Most of us know the story of the child and the starfish. After a storm, thousands of starfish are washed up on the beach. A child walks by and starts throwing individual starfish back into the sea.

“How can you care about something you don’t know about? How can you want to protect and defend something you have not experienced? Why recycle and use your canvas bags at the store? Why plant pollinator plants in your yard?” retired teacher Kathy Gingerich asks.

After a nearly seven years of active duty in a 29-year career with the Army Reserve, Brian Linton came home safely. Yet after a deployment in Kuwait, he started waking up in the middle of the night, heart racing, in a cold sweat.

It all started because of her sister.

Randy Schulz isn’t afraid to be the “worst one in the room” at doing something, as long as it’s something he’s passionate about.

Susan Marcorelle-Kroeck has loved art, all kinds of art, since she was in elementary school.

“It’s addictive and safe. There is no contact. All you need is gloves, eye guards, and a ball,” says Kevin Gibson, 67, an avid handball player, personal fitness trainer, ordained minister, and mentor in the HOPE in Handball program at Harrisburg’s East Shore YMCA.

Tom Drake calls it his “Trek Rec Room.” In this sacred basement space, his extensive collection of Star Trek items resides, and it’s one of his favorite places to relax and unwind.

We’ve all experienced that feeling when we hear a particular song and it instantly transports us back in time to a wonderful moment we’ll never forget.

Rich Santel has watched Casablanca61 times … and counting.

Jim Beamenderfer remembers how excited he was when he first started hearing rumors that Lancaster was getting a minor league baseball team.

Instead of following the yellow brick road to this magical destination, you will have to travel a portion of the Akron Rail Trail. But the journey is worth it once you come upon the delightful home of Nibbles McGibbles and his merry band of gnome friends.

It’s hard to imagine a life that spans a tough job as special agent enforcing safety regulations for trucks coming through the Mexican border; succeeding as a finalist in a national beauty competition; and handing out hugs and stuffed animals to strangers in the park.

For nearly 250 years, America held Black men, women, and children as slaves. They were considered “property” and worked as servants and on plantations, not by choice, and for little compensation, often suffering severe abuse.

For nearly 250 years, America held Black men, women, and children as slaves. They were considered “property” and worked as servants and on plantations, not by choice, and for little compensation, often suffering severe abuse.

When Jack Billmyer was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs in 1972, the military decided to get serious about keeping young recruits out of trouble. Billmyer and the other young soldiers, who were the last Vietnam War draftees, were sent to learn how to ski.

When the people of York hear Whistle Master Don Ryan wrapping up his yearly Christmas concert by playing “Silent Night,” they know Christmas Day has truly arrived.

“If I do write my memoirs, they would sizzle,” says Jan Swarr, with a laugh that is never far away as the story of her life tumbles from her in jubilant waves.

Around the age of 14, pastel artist Dot Stepenaski became aware of her ability to draw.

Jackie Holzel admits she’s always been a bit of a ham and thought she would enjoy performing — but she never really did anything about it until last year, when she decided to take a leap of faith and audition to be part of the cast of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.