Much like the old cars and tractors that dot her farm property, Velma Lang sputters to life in the morning after her first cup of coffee. She journeys over 20 miles from her farm in Syracuse, Missouri, to her role as Riverdell Care Center’s activity director in Boonville. A former educator who taught creative writing and music, Lang brings entertainment and programs to the center’s residents. When the workday ends, she heads back home to tend to her many domestic responsibilities and pet projects with help from her husband Rob Monk. From tending to the cows and chickens to fixing up the latest vehicle, Lang finds beauty in all the things she’s passionate about. “I see potential in everything,” Lang said. “I know it drives people crazy. I make something out of nothing.”