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Peter Thomas grew up in the Boston area. His youth was full of drugs, alcohol, and lawlessness. He spent five years in prison and then began a long struggle to rebuild his life. Now, he's happily married and writing a series of children's books featuring Billy Bee and that contain positive lessons for kids. www.billybee.net

Pat Picciano is a puppeteer and a maker and masks. Over 20 years ago, he went to Mexico to study with an artisan in a rural village. He wound up spending several years living in Mexico and crafting his own version of that country's traditional art. He now lives and works in Manchester.

Jeffrey Lent is the author of "Lost Nation," a story set in the 1830s in the briefly independent Indian Stream Republic- which was the part of New Hampshire above the 45th parallel. It's the story of two unlikely travelers who come to Indian Stream in hopes of finding a new life. It's an unflinching look at the hardships and dangers of life in the far north.

David Hyerle is an educator with a radical notion- teaching students HOW to learn. In his method, students aquire a "tool box" of what he calls "thinking maps." Thinking maps are learning techniques that help students organize information visually. He says his method helps people nor only retain what they are taught, but use it creatively. More about David and his company at www.mapthemind.com

Kenneth Kiesler takes over form the founding director of the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra, James Bolle, this fall. He has a mission to upgrade the orchestra, expand its audience, and boost its funding. All that, and he'll be making music as well. Ken talks about his views on classical music today and his vision for the NHSO. www.nhso.org