Everyone Has A Story

Rick Mather, of Deerfield Township, has always been a musician, practicing trumpet three hours a day for 40 years. But it was not until he lost a finger in an industrial accident that he started playing piano.

Tom Moore says he's living proof that you shouldn't let other people bring you down.

Soraya D’Simone “celebrates life” through belly dancing. But D’Simone is far more than a casual belly dancer. She is known internationally for her authentic, entertaining style of dance.

For years, Alex Kaganzev, 52, and Steve Plevins, 61, watched each other perform charitable acts and hold fundraisers in separate capacities. It finally occurred to them last year to join forces, realizing they could help more people together than independently.

John Gowdy makes a living doing what children spend hours doing every summer on the beach: making sandcastles.

As an administrative assistant at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, Vanessa Herold is surrounded by doctors and nurses who save lives. So Herold thought she would try to do the same despite lacking the same medical expertise.

Oakcrest High School teacher David Jungblut likes to lead by example. As a ninth-grade science teacher, the 57-year-old Ocean City resident could easily just instruct his classes, assign homework and grade tests.

Jennifer Shieh admits she's a people person. Her day job as an independent financial analyst and consultant allows her to work closely with people to help plan their futures. But the Ventnor resident's life is certainly not all about stocks and bonds; it's also about chords and charts. Her first love is music, mostly because she loves performing in front of crowds.

In the premiere episode of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," actor Steve Buscemi, as quasifictional Atlantic City kingpin Nucky Thompson, peers into a Boardwalk storefront window and watches a small, premature baby being weighed by a nurse.

If you check out the nation’s No. 1 movie at the box office this week, “The Social Network,” you might get a glimpse of a Linwood resident in the film’s rowing scenes.

When Maura Corcoran was born 32 years ago with cystic fibrosis, Gerald and Myra Corcoran realized they had a duty not only to take care of their daughter, but also to help fight the disease.

As an aviation survival technician in the U.S. Coast Guard, David Downham’s job is to save lives through water rescues. But it’s what he does above and beyond the call of duty that made his superiors — and his community — take notice.

When “Boardwalk Empire” debuts at 9 tonight on HBO, many southern New Jersey residents with premium cable subscriptions will be watching because of the show’s Atlantic City roots. Rich Black, however, will be watching particularly closely.

When Priscilla Noel won the inaugural MissInkAmerica.com pageant in February, she wanted to change people's preconceived notions about people with body art.

Like many New York City actors, Heather Shields makes a good deal of her living as a waitress. But a road trip that led to a full-length musical may have the Linwood native out of restaurants and into more theaters.

The drive home from a soccer match became pretty interesting for Cape May County's Padraic Roney and Tyler Dougherty.

Earl Paul calls himself Ocean City’s No. 1 beach bum, and no one should argue.

WCMC 1230-AM may not have the most listeners, but it certainly has very loyal ones. A big reason the 1,000-watt Wildwood station has those listeners is Jim MacMillan, the station’s program director and host of “South Jersey Journal” from 6 to 10 a.m. daily.

When Vineland’s Gregg Lillie went to Chapman University last year to study film, he basically enjoyed just watching documentaries. Now, after filming one in Africa for two weeks, he wants to be a documentarian.

When "America's Got Talent" returns to NBC for its sixth season in 2011, it may feature an Egg Harbor Township resident.

The Press of Atlantic City’s 2005 high school softball player of the year is still putting her skills to use as a Philadelphia Phillies Ballgirl.

James Wiener always wanted to be a star. Instead, he became a dentist. But that doesn't mean he's giving up on his dream.

Chris Arena believes this could be the year his career as a professional musician breaks. And his 76-year-old grandmother can take some credit.

As a veteran, Joe Astick finds it frustrating that many fellow veterans, particularly younger veterans who are finishing recent tours of duty, cannot find employment.