Armstrong "In The Loop Podcast"

This week's episode is one that has become a tradition here for Armstrong In The Loop. We welcome back Jordan Grady, Executive Director of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, to discuss everything 2023 and reflect back on 2022.

We kick off the episode discussing 2022 and how the year went for the Chamber. We talk about 2023 and the additions Jordan & the board is making to give more to their members. 

We take time to look back at the entire 3 years Jordan has spent with the Chamber and the impact that the Chamber has had on the county during his time. 

To learn more about the Butler County Chamber of Commerce: 
https://butlercountychamber.com/

Check out and follow all of their social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCChamber1896/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/butler-county-chamber-of-commerce-1896/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butlercountychamber/

To contact the Butler County Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 724-283-2222
Email: [email protected]

Happy New Year to all of our listeners! 

We're kicking off 2023 with a fantastic episode with our friends at Public Lands. Catlyn and Lee join us to share their excitement for everything you can do outside during the winter months.

Public Lands is located in Cranberry Township in the Best Buy plaza. Their mission is introducing a new destination for everything you need to get outside and be a part of a community that thrives in the outdoors. Whether your playground is the crag or the creek, single track or the slopes, whether you've been shredding for years, or are taking your first steps on the trail, Public Lands has you covered with essential gear, apparel and more. And while you're getting equipped, take advantage of the in-store services, rentals, classes and other experiences we're happy to offer all explorers.

We take time to learn about all of the exciting classes and events that will be happening at the store or in the community over the winter months. Their big event is on January 6th, Stoked for Snow Winter Tailgate. Public Lands is throwing a Snowsports Tailgate on the patio!! They will be grilling up food on the Blackstone, warming up around the Solo Stove, sharing brews from Stick City Brewing, and Camp Chef will be baking cinnamon rolls & a hot cocoa bar!!The Snowsports team will be offering free ski and snowboard waxing demos along with getting you outfitted with the newest gear to stay warm and look fresh on the slopes!Don't forget to wear your retro ski gear to win a prize for best outfit!

Lee takes time to give advice for those wanting to participate in outdoor activities during the cold temperatures. The most important part of our conversation is making sure you get a solid pair of boots and protect your head with a proper helmet. He has other great pieces of advice but we'll let you listen to learn more! 

We talk about misconceptions that people might have when trying to be active in the outdoors during the winter. As well as great advice to give to people who are just starting out or are letting their kids try something new. 

We can't thank Catlyn and Lee enough for joining us! 

All of their classes and events can be found on their website:
https://www.publiclands.com/s/pittsburgh-classes-and-events
or on their Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/publiclandsshoppgh/

We've super excited to have back Ron Carter, Executive Director of the Strand Theater, in Zelienople PA. It has been quite a bit since we last had Ron join us but it was worth the wait as Ron brought with him quite an extensive list of upcoming events to close out 2022 and some key highlights to kick off 2023.

Founded in 2001, The Strand Theater Initiative is a non-profit created with the mission of reviving Zelienople’s old Strand Theater as a cultural, education, and community outreach center. Through private and public financial support, The Initiative purchased The Strand in 2002 and completed the first of three planned construction phases in 2009. Since its reopening, The Strand has presented a wide variety of theater, concert, and film programming.

Ron starts off the show by sharing with us some of the upcoming events in November as White Christmas is running until November 20th. The Polar Express and Elf will be shown to wrap up November & kick off December. Christmas with Chris Jamison, The Voice Finalist, will be on December 2nd & 3rd. Can't miss YULE TV's Greatest Hits on December 16th and 17th. 
Fan Favorite "It's a USO Christmas" will be returning for 2 days only, December 17th & 18th.  A showing of "It Happened on 5th Avenue" will be on December 23rd to wrap up the holdiay season. Ron is very excited to be showing the independent film, MVP, on December 30th, January 6th and 7th.

Ron also shares with us a few big events coming in 2023:
-Purple Piano: A Prince Tribute on January 8th
-The Jersey Tenors on January 14th
-Motown 3 on January 27th-29th
-Mandy Patinkin In Concert 'Being Alive' on February 7th
*Ron gave a wonderful overview of this upcoming show and you'll want to hear all about it!
-The Celtic Tenors on March 6th-8th
-KISSNATION on March 11th

 All show information can be found on the Strand Theater's website: http://thestrandtheater.org/

For more information, volunteer or to sponsor: please email [email protected] or call 724-742-0400

This week's episode features the brand new Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Ryan McCandless. Ryan joins us to talk about who he is, what he has to offer the chamber & the community as well as all of the exciting upcoming events for the Chamber.

We start the episode off by getting to know Ryan and what are some of the strengths that he can bring to the chamber to help it grow. His passion, dedication, and positivity shine thru during the conversation. He really cares about Ellwood City and wants the chamber to be super successful! 

We take a look back over the last few months to see some of the additions or changes Ryan has already made which includes the start of Wander Ellwood from this past summer. The success of Wander Ellwood has already led to discussions of moving the event from once a month to multiple times a month in June, July, and August of 2023. 

Our main purpose to have Ryan on the show was to learn more about all of the amazing events that the Ellwood City Area Chamber has coming up to end the year. We learn all about Small Business Saturday, Let There Be Lights, Ugly Sweater 5K, and Christmas in the Park. To learn more about any of these events, please check out the Ellwood City Area Chamber website: https://ellwoodchamber.org/

We end the show discussing how people can volunteer, sponsor, or just get involved in the community. Ryan would love to meet with people who want to be active in the community and you don't have to be a chamber member to get involved. Here is Ryan McCandless Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 724-758-5501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllwoodCityChamber/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellwoodcitychamber/

We'd like to thank Ryan for joining us and wish him & the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce the best of luck with all of their upcoming community events! 

This week we're excited to have two wonderful Rotarians joining us to talk about the upcoming Shine For ShelterBox Dinner Gala on November 4th. Dave and Melanie Sturrock, ShelterBox Ambassadors and Rich-Mar Rotary Satellite Club Members are Co-Chairs for this year's Shine For ShelterBox Dinner Gala and are very passionate about ShelterBox.

We kick off the episode by learning more about the Rich-Mar Rotary Satellite Club and how the group comes together to work on local projects for those in need. The club meets less often than a normal Rotary and is more laid back. If you would be interested in joining the club or want to find out more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083794500684
You can also email Dave or Melanie for more information on the Rich-Mar Rotary Satellite Club: [email protected] or [email protected]

We spend the rest of the episode learning more about ShelterBox and how it helps those in need. Currently, there are more than 113 million people around the world that have been made homeless by disaster and conflict. ShelterBox helps to provide emergency shelter & tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster and transforming despair into hope. In order for ShelterBox to continue to help those in need, they need to fundraise and there will be a dinner gala held on Saturday, November 4th at the Stables at Connoquenessing from 6pm-10pm. Tickets are $60 or tables can be purchased for $420. ALL proceeds raised at this event will go directly to ShelterBox's mission.

For more information on the Shine For ShelterBox Dinner Gala:
https://shelterboxshine.square.site/

Printable Brochure for the event:
https://shelterboxshine.square.site/brochure

For More Information or to Donate to ShelterBox USA:
https://www.shelterboxusa.org/

Special Thanks To Dave and Melanie Sturrock for their dedication as ShelterBox Ambassadors! 

We have a surprise for everyone as we're dropping another episode this week. We are honored to have Jason Shorr, Co-owner of CURIO Cool in Zelienople, and Patrick Schmidt, Pittsburgh Area Painter.

CURIO hosts a different artist each month in their art studio at 113 North Main Street in Zelienople, PA. Included in the monthly artist series is a FREE Art Reception that is open to the public. This month's will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, from 6pm-9pm.

Jason takes time to explain the artist series and introduces the artist for October, Patrick Schmidt. Patrick's work is outstanding and he's bringing his "Surrender: Line, Shape & color" show to CURIO. The art is currently on display if you'd like to see Patrick's work prior to having the chance to meet Patrick on October 22nd.

Patrick spends time letting us get to know him as an artist. He talks about how he became an artist, his style of art, his inspirations for his artwork, and his most recent work.

If you would like to see more of Patrick's work and get to know more about his art:
Website: https://patrickschmidtstudio.com/home.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pschmidt61/?hl=en

If you would like to learn more about CURIO and what they have to offer:
Website:https://www.curiocool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiocool
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curio_cool/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJAFCfL5Z0Yudh2AlGe5HtA/featured

Special thanks to Jason Shorr and Patrick Schmidt for recording this wonderful episode! Hope to see everyone at the free Art Reception to meet Patrick Schmidt on Saturday, October 22nd at CURIO in Zelienople! 

This week's episode features 2 special guests to talk about the upcoming Glade Run Lake Conservancy Community Conservation Day on Saturday, October 22nd 2022. Our guests are Karlee Holmes, Glade Run Lake Conservancy Board of Directors, and Catlyn Brooke, Community Outreach and Education Lead for Public Lands.

We start the episode off with Karlee talking about what is GRLC and the improvements they've made over the last 11 years. We take time to hear about how 2022 went and what the early plans are for 2023.

We bring Catlyn into the conversation as we talk all about the upcoming Community Conservation Day on Saturday, October 22nd. There will be many vendors, speakers, food trucks and much much more! 
Here is the full list of events:
General (2:00-5:00pm)

- Educational environmental booths/agencies

- A Piece of Italy Food Truck

- Bus Stop Coffee Co. 

- Public Lands with kayak/stand up paddle board demos

Special break off sessions

- Mushroom hike (2:00-3:00pm)

- Mushroom hike (3:00-4:00pm)

- Memorial dedication (4:00-4:30pm)

- Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy Bird Talk (5-6:30pm) (Nature Series finale sponsored by Armstrong)

Catlyn gives us a chance to hear about what Public Lands is, located in Cranberry Township, and how they're partnering with organizations in the community to play a part in conservation & enjoying our green space! They are bringing two partners for the event: Full Psych Adventure Team who will be doing paddling in the lake and Western PA Mushroom Club who will be doing the different Mushroom Hikes. Learn more about the different upcoming events that will be held at Public Lands: https://www.publiclands.com/s/pittsburgh-classes-and-events or on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/publiclandsshoppgh/

To learn more about Glade Run Lake Conservancy or Community Conservation Day:
https://www.gladerunlakeconservancy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GladeRunLakeConservancy

This week's episode is very special as we're honored to have Daviea Davis as our guest. Daviea is a very talented Glass Mosaic Artist and her recent work is going to be unveiled in Zelienople on September 29th.

We start the episode finding out when Daviea knew she wanted to become an artist and how she got into Glass Mosaic Art. Her art is showcased on her website and some of the photos may look familiar as her work is on display in places such as the Pittsburgh International Airport. To view Daviea's work or find out more about who she is, please visit: https://daviea.wixsite.com/pillars/home

The main reason to have Daviea join us is to discuss the Zelienople & Butler County Community Mosaic Unveiling on Thursday, September 29th at 5:30pm. Daviea partnered with Spring Street Studios (100 E. Spring Street, Zelienople PA) to showcase a 6 foot Glass Mosaic piece that will be displayed on the side of Spring Street Studios building. This was all community-based artwork inspired by the community, partially funded by the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, and brought to life by acclaimed artist Daviea Davis. The unveiling event is open to the public and we hope people will come to see this one of a kind piece that will be on display for many years to come! 

Special thanks to Daviea Davis for taking time to appear on our episode!

For more information about Spring Street Studios: https://www.thespringstreetstudios.com/

This week's episode is extra special as we have our Seneca Valley Senior, Avery Flood, to discuss the 5th Annual A Walk For Hunger Event.

Every September, Armstrong works to Avenge Hunger by collecting resources to help supply community feeding programs and bring awareness to the need that exists.  A Walk For Hunger will provide financial support to community feeding programs in the communities served by the Zelienople Armstrong Office. The local feeding programs that we partner with are The Lighthouse Foundation, Southwest Butler Food Cupboard, Gleaner's Food Bank, Victory Family Church, and Holy Redeemer Social Services in Ellwood City.

A Walk For Hunger is also a Senior project for a selected Seneca Valley High School Senior each year. This year, we're excited to announce Avery Flood will be our Senior to continue this fantastic tradition! Avery will learn all of Breaking Bread's 4 key initiatives: Raising Awareness for students and people in the community, volunteering at our local food banks for food collection and distribution, and collecting food donations and money to be directly distributed to our food banks!

This year, we will be holding A Walk For Hunger in person on Sunday, September 18th at Zelienople Community Park in Zelienople, PA. Registration will start at 9 am. Alison Schuster will be doing a pre-walk stretch/yoga session before our opening ceremony. (Thank you, Alison!) Our opening ceremony will begin at 10 am and we will start walking the trail immediately after. You're only required to do 1 lap (3 laps = 5K) but you're more than welcome to continue on if you'd like to do a 5K. We will have a raffle basket drawing and check presentation ceremony once everyone has finished their walk!

To register for the walk or to make a donation: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AWalkForHunger

Special thanks to all of our sponsors which can be found on the walk website!

This week's episode features one of our favorite local organizations, Parents In Toto Community Resource Center. We were honored to be joined by Megan Shane, Outreach Manager and Program Manager for the Empowering Moms program.

Megan spent time giving a brief overview of Parents In Toto since we haven't had them on in over two years. We then moved onto talking about their biggest fundraising event, Toto-Thon 2022. Their theme this year is "Won't You Be Our Neighbor?" 
Stay tuned after this episode to hear KDKA-TV Meteorologist, Ray Petelin, talk more about the event and join him at Toto-Thon on Friday, October 7th, at the Discovery Christian Church in Mars, PA from 6:30 PM- 9:30 PM.
For more information or to purchase tickets:  https://parentsintoto.org/toto-thon/

We talk to Megan to learn more about the more recent program that has been offered at Parents In Toto, Empowering Moms Program. This program has been Megan's passion project and you can hear all about what this program is doing for mothers across the region. If you or anyone you know might be able to take advantage of the Empowering Moms Program, please check out this website for more information: https://parentsintoto.org/empowering-moms/


We finish with talking about all the exciting projects and programs the organization has been working on for 2022 & soon to be 2023! 

For more information on Parents In Toto: https://parentsintoto.org/
Phone: 724-473-0990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentsintoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communityintoto/

Special Thanks to Megan Shane for joining us and also for providing the fun promotional clip at the end of the show!