Last August, we kicked off a new feature in Pumper called “After Hours,” seeking to find out what readers do when they don’t have a vacuum hose in hand. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had a hunch that a lot of contractors are involved in interesting hobbies, charitable ventures and civic projects in their home communities.

Let’s just say the reward has been well worth the risk of starting the new feature. As it’s turning out, pumpers are a well-rounded lot. The first “After Hours” stories have produced a fascinating group of small business professionals who show perseverance, special talents and plain old gumption in their off-the-clock endeavors.

Here’s a brief review of the folks we’ve met so far:

• Alexandra Townsend is manager of regional sales and marketing at the Washington, D.C., office of A Royal Flush. But she’s also a marathon runner who showed gritty determination in going the distance in the New York City Marathon late last year.

• Carol Coddington ran K and C Septic Services, Huntington County, Pa., with her husband, Keith, for many years. But when she retired recently, she got into gardening in a big, big way. And now her hobby is in full bloom.

• Tim Kettler is owner of Action Septic Service in Warsaw, Ohio, with his wife, Roberta. He’s also been a Green Party candidate for Ohio’s secretary of state and, last fall, the State Senate. For the record, he lost, but remains interested in politics.

• Danny Bland is owner of Bland’s Sewer and Water in Alton, Ill. But every December, the white-bearded gentleman is known as Santa Claus to thousands of people, young and old, in southern Illinois.

• Robb Barnes is owner of King’s Pumping Service in Dallas, Ore. He’s also an egg and beef farmer who’s working toward a “certified organic farm’’ designation for his operation.

• Rodney Upton owns Hero Septic in Athens, Ga. He’s also studying to become an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States and hopes to one day both pump and preach.

And in this issue, we meet Dave Neelis, owner of Dave’s Sewer Service, Waupaca, Wis. As you’ll read, Neelis has a healthy — or his wife might tell you it’s unhealthy — obsession with his backyard hockey rink.

I want to thank each of these contractors for giving us a glimpse into their lives outside of the pumping profession. I’m sure they’ve poured heart and soul into making their small businesses a success. It’s truly remarkable that they find the time and maintain the enthusiasm for these interesting extracurricular activities.

To me, these stories reinforce the dynamic and diverse qualities of the people who work in the liquid waste industry. There is definitely more to a pumper than meets the customers’ eyes. Sure, they’re dedicated to doing a job critical to a clean environment. But there’s more to the story.

What’s your “After Hours” story? Drop me a line at editor@pumper.com and tell me about your projects or passions. I’d love to share your story with the rest of the Pumper community.