Armstrong "In The Loop Podcast"

Maria Heintzinger, Board Member of Zelienople Community Park, joins the show to talk all about the Zelienople Community Park.

2020 has been a very unique year for the board as they try to raise funds, host events, maintain the pool & park and add a brand new skate park! Some of the normal events this year, such as Big Truck Day, were not able to be held but the park switched gears and hosted concerts, movie nights and brought back the duck derby at the pool. The duck derby was super successful and Maria shares how much the group raised!

The Zelienople Community Pool is in need of swimming blocks and the board is hosting a "Bags for Blocks" Cornhole Tournament on September 26th to raise enough money to purchase the blocks. If the tournament is successful, the group looks to host a tournament annually.

Bags for Blocks Information:
-Saturday, September 26th
-Mussig Shelter at Zelie Park (Near Elementary School)
-Registration at 11:00 am/Bags fly at 12:00 pm
-$20 per person/$40 per team
-Live music, Cash Prizes, Raffles & More
-Preregister online or by phone by September 24th (Walk Ups will be accepted day of event)
Registration: https://myzeliepark.org or call 724-452-0231


For More Information About the Park:
https://myzeliepark.org

Social Media Pages:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ZelienopleCommunityPark 
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/zelienoplepark/ 

This week we're joined by Megan Shane, Outreach Manager, and Krystin Smith, Program Coordinator, from Parents in Toto Autism Resource Center in Zelienople, PA. Learn about what Parents in Toto does for families, participants and the community.

Megan and Krystin share how the organization has been helping families & participants adapt to the pandemic. Learn about some of the new classes they've been able to offer virtually and how they've almost seen more success from those participating than a normal in person session.

Fundraising during the pandemic has made life tough for every organization but Parents in Toto is going forward with Toto Thon. This fantastic event will be held virtually on October 2nd. This will be streamed on Facebook Live and on YouTube! For more information or to purchase tickets: www.parentsintoto.org/toto-thon-2020


For More Information on Parents In Toto: www.parentsintoto.org 
724-473-0990
[email protected]


Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/parentsintoto
Instagram: @Communityintoto

Chip Rowan, Community Marketing Manager for the Armstrong office in Connellsville, Pa, joins us to talk about the Armstrong Breaking Bread 10th Anniversary, Avenge Hunger Month and the Avenge Hunger Virtual 5K.

Chip highlights the history of Breaking Bread and what an impact the program has made on our local communities. Last two years alone, there was over 90,000 lbs (money + food combined) of food that helped to feed those in need. Avenge Hunger Month will look different in 2020 due to the pandemic but Chip & his team have found a creative way to help raise funds.

There will be an Avenge Hunger Virtual 5K from September 1st-30th to help the local food banks. Every penny received from registration goes right back to support the food banks! Registration is $20.00 and every participant will receive a medal, a running bib and finisher's certificate for completing the 5K. The 5K can be done at your own pace: run, walk, bike, treadmill, etc.

Those wishing to compete will have a chance to win a donation for the food bank of their choice. Armstrong will personally donate additional money to the top 3 finishers in their honor!

For more information, sign up or to donate:
https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/AvengeHungerVirtual5K

Use Promo Code:
Reaghan10
Save 10% and help Seneca Valley Senior Reaghan Wilkerson as she partners with the Zelienople office for her Senior Project! 

For additional information on Breaking Bread:
https://armstrongonewire.com/breakingbread

Ron Carter, President & Executive Director, of The Strand Theater in Zelienople, joins the show for a second time. Ron shares with us how the theater is trying to keep the doors open while maintaining the proper rules for running a business during the pandemic.

Currently, The Strand is showing Warner Brothers movies for up to 25 people at a time. They have a full concession stand open during each movie and are providing top cleaning & sanitation to keep a healthy environment for all patrons and volunteers.

The Strand is also preparing for virtual concerts and shows for the remainder of the year. There are shows scheduled for 2021 and tickets are now on sale! For a list of all of the movies, virtual events and future shows visit: http://www.thestrandtheater.org/index.htm

The Strand Theater is also raffling off a Big Green Egg sponsored by Hearth & Home in Zelienople, PA. To purchase tickets or for more information visit the home page or their social media sites:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/The-Strand-Theater-117977064894820
Twitter- https://twitter.com/TheStrandZelie
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thestrandzelie/

Jeff James joins us this week to talk about his business Capitol Security Consultants and his previous career of working for the Secret Service.

Jeff spent over 20 years working for the Secret Service and shares some memorable experiences, memories and what his day to day job was while working for the President. During Jeff's time with the Secret Service, he was the liaison to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. We learn about what his role was and how they are doing everything they can to protect our children!

Jeff shares with us his recommendations on how to help keep your children safe with electronic devices. These are open gateways for predators and those looking to traffic children. His advice on knowing activity and what your kids are doing on the internet is critical to their safety.

We spend the last few minutes of the show talking about Jeff's business, Capitol Security Consultants. Jeff and his team offer services in:
-Active Shooter Survival Training for School & Workplace
-Self Defense
-Child Safety Presentations
-Threat/Risk Assessments
-Executive Protection Training
For more information on these services or if you have questions, please visit https://www.capitol-security.com/ or call 724-625-0149

Thank you to Jeff James and everyone helping to keep us safe! 

This week's episode features Sam Hopkins, operator of H.H. Kingston, LLC. Sam and his wife are very passionate about the Zelienople & Harmony community! Their business has done amazing work on restoring homes & businesses in the area.

Sam recently shared a photo on social media about a new bike share program that he installed in Harmony. This bike rack will be one of many in the Zelie/Harmony community and is called the Conny Creek Bike Share. Hear all about this app based bike rental program and how Sam has brought a program you would only see in larger cities.

For more information about H.H. Kingston, LLC:
https://www.hhkingston.com/
Email: [email protected]

Sid Bream, former Major League Baseball player, is our guest this week to talk about an organization that has been doing wonderful things for kids in our communities for over 30 years, Christian Sports International.

Christian Sports International (CSI) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 and it’s headquartered in a suburban community north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. CSI facilitates sports programs for kids, ministry events for men to challenge and empower the participants to live their lives for Jesus Christ. Since 1990, over 635,000 individuals received the Gospel message through CSI programs and thousands have accepted Jesus as their Savior as a result.

​CSI endeavors to reach as many kids as possible in the suburban, urban and rural communities both locally and around the world. CSI teaches kids sports skills, life skills, healthy life styles and the good news of Jesus Christ through an innovative approach so they may have the chance to become the best of the best.

Sid also talks about their upcoming "For The Kids" Celebrity Golf Classic taking place on August 3rd at Treesdale Country Club. All Foursomes will have a Celebrity golfing with them! Golfers and sponsors are still being accepted.

For more information about "For The Kids" Celebrity Golf Classic:
https://secure.perfectgolfevent.com/eventweb/8951/

For more information about Christian Sports International:
https://www.teamcsi.org/

Special thanks to Sid Bream for taking time to talk about the golf outing and this great organization! 

U.S Representative Mike Kelly, 16th District of Pennsylvania, is our special guest this week. Mike recently battled COVID-19 and shares his experiences. He gives a very detailed overview of his symptoms and how he is now able to donate plasma to a UPMC research program designed to provide antibodies to those with COVID. 

 Mike also talks about this recent spike of cases, schools returning in the fall, a potential daycare program and end with a look at the positives going on in DC.


We would like to thank Congressman Kelly for taking time out of his schedule to appear on the podcast. 

For more information: 
https://kelly.house.gov/

Butler District Office:
101 E. Diamond St., Suite 210
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-282-2557
Fax: 724-282-3682

Deb Ferguson, Program Manager for Glade Run EPIC Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, joins the show to talk about EPIC and their brand new Urban Garden at their Rochester Location.

EPIC (Empowering People In Communities) assists adults who struggle with serious, persistent mental health diagnoses develop the necessary skills to overcome the functional impairments they experience as a result of their mental health.

The Rochester Location recently started an Urban Garden for their consumers. Learn about why they started this project and the long term benefits it can have on a patient.

Deb shares with us information about both of their locations:
Butler County Location
125 W. New Castle Street
Butler PA 16001

Beaver County Location
191 S. Park Street
Rochester PA 

To obtain a referral packet or for more information on how EPIC can assist you with your recovery, call 724-452-4453, ext.1961

This week's episode is all about vintage toys and collectibles as we feature Jason Shorr, co-owner of Curio Cool in Zelienople, PA. Jason has a magnificent collection of vintage toys, huge focus on Star Wars, and shares his knowledge on his hobby. We talk about Jason's collection, what got him into collecting/selling and advice for those wanting to start their own collection.

Jason has multiple rooms set up in Curio that are open to the public to visit and purchase collectibles of various price ranges. The basement is something to see as it has a vintage pinball machine, more modern toys and a huge screen to watch movies such as Star Wars!

Jason is constantly buying Vintage: Star Wars, He-Man, ThunderCats, Transformers, Indiana Jones and almost anything from the 1970's & 80's. Please call 412-977-3330

Visit Curio Cool in Zelienople, PA:
113 N. Main Street
Zelienople, PA 16063

Website: https://www.curiocool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiocool
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curio_cool/