Homefields is an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to creating new life options for people who have disabilities. Six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live on a 19-acre property in Millersville, PA, in a modern ranch house and 1800s farmhouse. Hundreds of people who have disabilities or other barriers to traditional employment have engaged at Homefields Care Farm, growing chemical-free produce for community shareholders for 30 years. Join the fun at their Pic...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr
In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Jeff Rutt, the President and CEO of Keystone Custom Homes, a company that has constructed over 9,000 homes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Keystone Custom Homes is a three-time recipient of Builder Magazine's and the National Association of Homebuilders' prestigious "America's Best Home Builder Award" and has been named "Business of the Year" by Central Penn Business Journal. Jeff's achievements as an exceptional builder are further exemplified by his recei...
Sep 18, 2023•49 min
This episode is a heartwarming story of resilience, faith, and community building. Ben and Jeff are joined by Eric and Tanya Newcomer, a remarkable couple who turned challenges into opportunities, transforming a rundown bar into a thriving faith-based coffee shop and cafe. Eric and Tanya grew up in East Berlin and the Spring Grove areas. They've not only embraced a 20-year marriage and raised three wonderful children but also embarked on an inspiring renovation project that took an unexpected tu...
Sep 04, 2023•55 min
In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Jona Green, a full-time financial advisor and the dedicated volunteer president of the Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber serves to connect 200 plus members in business and non-profit organizations. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply someone interested in understanding the relationship between finance and community development, this episode has something for you. Gain valuable insights, ac...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr
In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Tom Zimmerman, a lifelong resident of central Pennsylvania. Tom's story is one of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Tom's career spanned over three decades at EBG Resistors, LLC, where he navigated sales, engineering, and leadership roles. His contribution to this successful multinational business start-up played a pivotal role in supplying high-voltage, high-powered niche resistors to industries such as military,...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Ben and Jeff meet with David Lapp, a remarkable individual and an inspiring journey of faith and service. Growing up in a large Amish family in New Holland, PA, David and his family moved to a dairy farm in Indiana during his early teens and in 2006, he moved his own growing family back to Lancaster, PA. David is one of the founders of Blessings of Hope and served on the board for six years as treasurer. Then in 2018, David stepped into the role of CEO, allowing Aaron to focus o...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
This episode features two remarkable guests who have made significant contributions to their communities through their passions and expertise. Our first guest is Chef Oliver Saye, a seasoned culinary expert with over 30 years of experience in the food service industry. Hailing from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Chef's journey has taken him from the world of fine dining to retirement communities and not-for-profit organizations. In 2017, he embarked on a new venture, establishing his priva...
Aug 07, 2023•54 min
In this episode, Ben interviews Matt Neff, a devoted child of God, a loving husband, and a devoted father to his children. Matt's mission in life is to delve deep into the oneness of God and share this truth with the world, embodying clarity, love, and humility in all that he does. Having studied at Rhema Bible College, Matt's journey in leadership spans over 25 years, primarily centered around his incredible work with Sight & Sound Ministries. Through this organization, Matt has touched cou...
Jul 31, 2023•58 min
In this episode, Jeff interviews Marlyn Barbosa, the Director at Tec Centro, a groundbreaking workforce program operating under the Spanish American Civic Association (SACA). Marlyn opens up about the challenges she faced as she moved to a new country with a different language and culture. Discover how she reached out to SACA for support during the transitional phase and became a client in their Job Readiness Program. It wasn't long before Marlyn's dedication and drive landed her a role as a GED...
Jul 24, 2023•58 min
In this episode, Ben and Jeff speak with Dr. Tracey Jones, a renowned author, speaker, veteran, and international leadership expert. Dr. Tracey Jones wears many hats, serving as the President of Tremendous Leadership and T3 Solutions. She carries on the legacy of her father, the legendary Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, in the insurance and motivational arenas. With a diverse background spanning the military, high tech, defense contracting, and publishing industries, Tracey brings a wealth of knowle...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr
Still riding high off of the amazing 100th episode, Ben & Jeff discuss their interview with Bret Michaels and share exciting news about ticket & VIP package giveaways for an Bret Michaels at Pardi-Gras 2023 in Central PA. Bret has given the Lancaster Connects community a whopping 40 tickets in total, with 10 pairs reserved for Hometown Heroes and 10 pairs for Veterans, along with a special VIP experience. Submissions are directed to https://LancasterConnects.com to enter the contest by s...
Jul 10, 2023•54 min
So glad you could join us for our biggest episode yet, hometown hero and rockstar Bret Michaels shares his deep connection to Central Pennsylvania. Michaels, who was born and raised in Mechanicsburg, emphasizes the importance of home and the strong work ethic that characterizes the area's residents. Michaels' love for Central PA is evident in his dedication to giving back to the community. He created the Party Gras Tour, which is set to perform at Hollywood Casino on August 26th, as a celebratio...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Join Ben and Jeff in this episode as they interview Shannon Cleaveland, a CPA and the owner and founder of Your Accounting Solution, LLC based in Lancaster, PA. With a career dedicated to serving the nonprofit community, Shannon's expertise as a non-profit accounting specialist shines through her accounting firm's mission to provide quality accounting and guidance to nonprofits and small businesses. She also offers exceptional tax services for individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits. Shann...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Ben & Jeff speaks with Liz Ackerman, the dynamic Executive Director of the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. Liz shares her journey from Member Relations and Events Director to her current role, where she leads a dedicated team in serving over 440 businesses in the vibrant Northern Lancaster region. Liz's leadership style has led to remarkable achievements, including a steady increase in membership and the expansion of programs and opportunities for Chamber members. Through her ...
Jun 19, 2023•45 min
Join Ben & Jeff on this episode as they dive into the captivating world of Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater with the founder and owner, Brett Myers. He and his team's commitment to innovation and creativity have propelled the business to new heights, making Magic & Wonder a must-visit destination for all magic enthusiasts. From transforming a simple theatre into a whimsical and enchanting space to crafting shows that awe guests of all ages, Brett and the Magic & Wonder team have rev...
Jun 12, 2023•58 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff sit down with Stephen and Jordan, the dynamic duo behind HQ Water Solutions LLC, a leading provider of water treatment services in Lancaster and the surrounding areas. Stephen, the proud owner and founder, brings his extensive experience in the water treatment industry and a passion for helping others to the table. Jordan, co-owner and Business Development Executive, combines her marketing expertise and commitment to community engagement to drive HQ's growth and c...
May 30, 2023•1 hr
The Long's Park Amphitheatre Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to curating music and arts in Long's Park, Lancaster County. Their mission is to enrich the quality of life in the community by providing diverse cultural experiences. The foundation's financial resources come from businesses, individuals, and grants within their community. In addition to their events, the foundation goes beyond their resources by inviting local foundations to collaborate and provide meaningful ...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Ben will be joined by Jose Lopez, the President of SACA & SACA Development Corporation. With over two decades of experience in leadership positions, including in commercial real estate and financial services, Jose has a wealth of knowledge to share. Throughout his time at SACA, Jose has implemented a strategic model that encourages stakeholder and staff engagement, empowering them to take ownership and be storytellers for the organization. He has also selected board members ...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 10 min
On this episode, Jeff welcomes Nate Heisey and Mike Williams from H&H Group, a company that has been providing printing and sign-making services to the Lancaster area for over 50 years. Mike is the President of H&H Group. He shares the company's values of Relationships, Integrity, and Problem Solving, which have been refined over time to make the buying experience easier and better for their customers. With a focus on understanding customer needs, H&H Group strives to be a go-to reso...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Whiff Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Since 1999, their focus has always been on superior quality and consistency. They roast only the highest grade Arabica beans acquired from estates all over the world and pride themselves on excellent quality and service. All of their coffees are freshly roasted and made to order in small, custom batches. You can expect to find at least 28 regular coffee varieties, over 60 flavored coffees, and over a dozen decaffeinate...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff speak with Megan Tomsheck, the Director of Fundraising and Development at VisionCorps. Megan is responsible for overseeing the fundraising and development department, which includes annual campaigns, grant writing, and the annual signature rappelling event, The Eye Drop. The funds raised from these initiatives go towards empowering individuals with vision loss to attain independence. Megan also leads marketing and community relations initiatives for VisionCorps. I...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff welcomes Dawn Cox who is a PT, MSPT, and CFMT. Dawn is a late bloomer by most physical therapist standards as she found herself in PT school at the age of thirty. In an effort to then be on the fast-track immediately after graduating, she signed up for her first functional manual therapy™ course with the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) in 2001 at the recommendation of a respected mentor. She was blown away at the specificity and efficiency the IPA philosophy provi...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff will be joined by Dawn, the Executive Director at Historic Poole Forge in Churchtown, Lancaster County. After completing her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Psychology and French at Stetson University, she joined the Peace Corps and spent three years working in Zaire and the Central African Republic, traveling through West Africa before returning to the US for graduate school. Dawn received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Biological Anthropology/Wildlife C...
Apr 10, 2023•1 hr
In this episode, Ben & Jeff welcomes Margot Hoerner from SCORE, which is the nation’s largest network of volunteers and expert business mentors helping small businesses achieve their business dreams and goals. Since 1964, they have provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. SCORE has a local chapter in Lancaster-Lebanon providing mentoring and educational opportunities to businesses. They also have their annual Small Business Awards coming up to recognize a few ...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff speak with Jennifer King, a full-time Service Dog Ambassador for UDS, to discuss her journey with the organization. Jennifer began as a volunteer in April 2017 and was later hired as the administration assistant to the program. We'll learn about her role as an ambassador and the importance of spreading awareness about the program. Jennifer also shares her personal experience caring for her ambassador dog, Nova. Tune in or watch to hear Jennifer's inspiring story a...
Mar 27, 2023•51 min
In this episode, Ben speaks with Maureen Westcott, the Executive Director of The Arc Lancaster Lebanon, to discuss the organization's mission to empower individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to live independent and fulfilling lives. With a personal connection to the cause as a parent of an adult with I/DD, Maureen shares her expertise as both a provider and advocate. Listen in as they delve into this inspiring conversation on making a positive impact in the lives of...
Mar 20, 2023•51 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff are joined by Frances Gibbons, the Senior Director of Development at the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Serving 59 counties in western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, Frances and her team organizes and executes the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® events, the second-largest peer-to-peer fundraising event in the United States. Here in the Eastern, Central & North part of the Greater Pennsylvania, she works on achieving designated f...
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Ben welcomes Jennie Groff, one of the owners of the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe and Stroopies, Inc. located in downtown Lancaster City. With over 23 years of marriage and 4 children, Jonathan and Jennie share their passion for using business to solve social issues and how it has allowed them to connect and serve people from different walks of life through their businesses. They will delve into their journey as entrepreneurs, their approach to business and social impact, and the role ...
Mar 06, 2023•55 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff welcome Melissa Siwiec, the Executive Director of CMT (Central Market Trust). She brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, having served at organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and Clare House. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Central Penn College, as well as a certification as an Associate in Project Management. Listen ...
Feb 20, 2023•55 min
In this episode, Ben & Jeff welcomes Vanessa Philbert, who is the Chief Executive Officer for the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County. In her role at CAP, she provides leadership and strategic vision to CAP’s 15-plus programs and brings a unique perspective to community problem-solving based on her lived experiences and journey out of poverty. She works to address generational problems with generational solutions and through a cross-sector, strategic approach. About The Communit...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min
