Armstrong "In The Loop Podcast"

Memorial Day is upon us and we'd like to honor and remember those we lost in battle. 

We thought it would be a great time to talk with the Zelienople Historical Society as they're getting ready to host their first ever Patriotic Porch Tour on July 1st. Vanessa Fatur, Zelienople Historical Society, joins us and gives all the information so you can attend or participate. 

Kickoff Picnic will be on July 1st from 4pm-8pm at the Passavant House. Everyone in town is encouraged to decorate your house, yard, storefront (business owners) with a patriotic theme. 

There will be a contest for the top 3 most Patriotic Themed houses and storefronts. Registration is open until June 18th. Please register with the Zelienople Historical Society at [email protected] or call 724-452-9457.

Help Zelienople win "Most Patriotically Decorated Small Town in the USA" from the Guinness Book of World Records! 

For more information on the Patriotic Porch Tour or the Zelienople Historical Society: https://www.zeliehistory.org/

We have a very special episode for all of you as Mike Boehning and Dawn Smoot from the American Legion Riders Zelienople Post 474, join the show. 

Our episode starts off with a general description of what the American Legion does and it's importance in our communities. Mike and Dawn share stories of all the things that the Legion does from assisting Veterans & their families, placing flags at grave cites in Zelie/Ellwood City, to providing a place where active and retired Veterans can come socialize. There are a lot of amazing things that the Zelienople Post 474 does that will always go unrecognized as they do it to help their fellow brothers & sisters, not for recognition! 

Mike and Dawn talk about the American Legion Riders and their upcoming fundraiser event. Mike shares his experience from participating in Rolling to Remember in Washington DC. The story alone is worth the listen! People are able to still participate if interested, just need to book a hotel room for the weekend.

The main purpose of the episode is the Zelienople American Legion Riders are hosting their 7th Annual Benefit Run on Saturday, July 10th. This motorcycle ride will start at the Zelienople American Legion and end at the Unionville American Legion in Rochester, PA. The total ride is over 100 miles but it ends with a wonderful Picnic! All proceeds from this run will benefit Homes For Our Troops who build specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans. The Legion Riders were able to raise over $10,000 for Homes For Our Troops in 2019 and we hope they surpass this number again in 2021!


If you would like to help and donate a basket for the 7th Annual Benefit Run American Raffle:
Please email [email protected]

Monetary Donations can be sent to:
American Legion Riders Post 474
ATTN: Benefit Run
308 W. New Castle St
Zelienople PA 16063

Information for the 7th Annual Benefit Run:
-Saturday, July 10th
-Ride Start: Zelienople American Legion
308 W. New Castle Street, Zelienople PA 16063
-Registration: 11am 
-First Bike Out: 12pm
-Picnic: 4:30pm 
Unionville American Legion
1341 Route 68, Rochester PA 15074
-Costs:
Rider $20  
Passenger $10
Picnic Only $15
*50/50 Raffle, Auction Baskets and much more will be held at the picnic

For more information about the Benefit Run:
Please contact Greg Bigger
724-312-7430
[email protected]

For more information about Homes For Our Troops:
https://www.hfotusa.org/


We want to thank Mike, Dawn, the American Legion Post 474 and all of our Veterans for their service.

This week's podcast features the Seneca Valley All School Musical as they're getting ready for their production of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". Sarah McKinley, Viola, and Stephen Santa, Director, are our guests to talk about this hilarious adaptation that will be performed June 3rd-6th.


This year's production will be at a brand new venue, the recently renovated Cranberry Township Amphitheater located inside of Cranberry Township Community Park. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy this 90 minute show!  

For those not able or wanting to attend in person, there are streaming tickets available! 

Show Dates and Times:
-June 3rd  7:00 PM
-June 4th  7:00 PM
-June 5th  2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
-June 6th  2:00 PM

*Tickets will not be sold at the door, everything will be sold online*

To purchase tickets for any of the shows or the streaming ticket:
https://www.showclix.com/event/sv-twelfth-night

For more information about the Seneca Valley All School Musical:
https://www.svsd.net/Domain/6

Facebook: Seneca Valley All-School Musical
Twitter: Seneca Valley Musical

Best of luck to the entire cast and crew! 

This week's episode features a hidden gem that has been in Western PA for many years and has provided entertainment for people of all ages! Eric Westendorf, Track Announcer at Lernerville Speedway and Host of the Action Track Podcast, joins the show to talk all about Lernerville Speedway.

We start off the show talking about Lernerville Speedway and it's location in Sarver. The 0.5 mile track and grandstand can hold up to 10-12,000 fans on any given night. The track has hosted numerous professional drivers including NASCAR's own Tony Stewart. 

The calendar of races is jam packed for 2021 as there are races almost every Friday night from May-October. Eric lists off some of the bigger named races that the public should come out for as well as some of the races that have history at the track. Speaking of history, on Friday, May 14th, Lernerville Speedway will host it's 1,000th Sprint Car Race. Hear all about why this is a huge celebration and milestone. 

We finish off the podcast talking about the Action Track Podcast and Lernerville TV. Eric and members of the Lernerville Speedway staff are doing amazing things on multiple platforms to offer fans content if they can't make it to the track or additional content to supplement the weekly races. 

For more information about Lernerville Speedway: https://lernerville.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lernerville
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lernerville
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lernervillepr/

Check out the Action Track Podcast on Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-617493884/action-track-podcast-44-wings-and-things

Watch current and past races on Lernerville.tv: https://lernerville.tv/

Ian Smith, Owner and Head Guide of SurfSUP Adventures, joins the show to talk about his awesome company and his non-profit First Waves.

SurfSUP Adventures is your premier guide and outfitter for Standup Paddle Boarding in Pittsburgh.  Our mission is to share our passion for standup paddleboarding and inspire care for our waterways and environment.  Our variety of trip options include serene eco-tours, invigorating “on-water” yoga practices, and adrenaline infused whitewater surfing adventures.  SurfSUP also provides instructor certifications sanctioned by the Professional Standup Paddle Association (PSUPA). In addition, we sell and rent boards, paddles and equipment.  Finally, we offer team-building events, youth initiatives and conservation oriented programs that are customized for all age and skill levels.

Ian shares with us  the different programs SurfSUP Adventures has to offer. SurfSUP offers: 

-Paddleboarding 
-Group/Corporate Events
-Glow SUP
-White Water SUP and River Surfing Adventures
-SUP Yoga
-Instructor Training/Certifications

We spend the last half of the show talking about Ian's amazing non-profit, First Waves. First Waves uses standup paddle boarding (SUP), the art of filmmaking, and digital media as a catalyst to inspire conservation of local waterways and mentorship for at-risk youth. Visit the First Waves website to check out the amazing videos that have been put together to highlight how they're making a difference for children in our communities: https://www.firstwaves.org/video


For more information or to book an adventure:
https://www.surfsupadventures.com/

For more information on First Waves:
https://www.firstwaves.org/

This week's episode features a student run business from Seneca Valley High School called the "Raider Crate". We're joined by two of the students who are apart of this unique company, Luke Simpson & Zach Garcia.

Learn all about what the Raider crate is, how they came up with the idea, how many crates they've made so far and the highs & lows that came with starting a business during the pandemic.

Each crate is $15.00 and the students are currently working on a box with another Seneca Valley organization called SHOUT. The following has been taken from the Raider Crate website (https://www.raidercrate.org/) :
We at Raider Crate have teamed up with SHOUT for the month of April to shed light on the committee's dedication to educating and advocating for diverse and minority groups. SHOUT devotes their time towards creating educational content about diversity on their TikTok and Instagram platforms, working to incorporate diversity related topics into SV's curriculum and pioneering events highlighting diversity around the school. Our SHOUT chapter hopes to inspire young minds to spread kindness and SHOUT for diversity, inclusion, social justice, love, and equality!

The group is also working on a Graduation crate that creates a unique experience for all 597 seniors. This crate is $20.00 per box and is open to the community to purchase/sponsor a box for a student. The public can send personalized messages for the student to read when they get their box at graduation. There are over 200 Graduation Crates already purchased and the students at Raider Crate are working hard to get businesses to help sponsor boxes or put items in each box. If you'd like to help by sponsoring a box or your company would like to put an item in the box for all 597 students, log on to: https://www.raidercrate.org/shop


We would like to thank Luke and Zach for appearing on the show and wish the best of luck to all of the students at Raider Crate! 

Our 2nd part of the Cranberry Township series is here as Dan Santoro, new Cranberry Township Manager, joins the show to talk about his recent appointment to replace Jerry Andree as the new Cranberry Township Manager.

Dan starts off the episode informing listeners about what his position is and what role he plays in the township's day to day activities. We discuss the current construction projects in Cranberry Township and how progress is going on each of them. Dan does share what future projects are ahead in the coming years.

We discuss some of the hot topic items that have been of concern to Cranberry Township residents- Pin Hole Leaks in copper piping and Missing Middle Class Housing. Both topics have been deeply discussed on social media platforms and in monthly meetings. Dan gives great answers and updates to both topics!

We end the show talking about 2021 and things to look forward to in the township. Dan and the rest of the township is excited for a return of normal events, in a safe manner, and getting back to business as usual. 

Special thanks to Dan Santoro for this interview!

**If you would like to see the Cranberry Township Traffic System in action, please check out our Faces & Places Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db9IIYhy2eA

We are thrilled to have Jerry Andree, recently retired Cranberry Township Manager, on the show to talk about his memories of being Township Manager and how he's enjoying his retired life!

Jerry served as Cranberry Township Manager for 30+ years and was able to retire at the start of 2021. The township honored him at their Supervisor meeting with a road named after him, a plaque & bench to be placed in a park of his choice and the creation of the Jerry Andree Endowment Fund. All three of these were a surprise to Jerry and he shares his thoughts about each during the episode. If interested in supporting the Jerry Andree Endowment fund please go to the Cranberry Township Community Chest website: https://www.yourctcc.org/

Jerry gave us a deep insight into his career as Cranberry Township Manager and how the community is in great hands under Dan Santoro, township staff and the Cranberry Township Supervisors. 

We hope you enjoy this fun conversation of past and present! Best wishes to Jerry on his retirement! 

Greg Rhoton & Rick Guerra, Co-Hosts of Armstrong Street Scene Power Hour Podcast, join the show to talk about their brand new podcast. Greg & Rick have been working together on the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel Show "Street Scene" for over 12 years. Learn about the history of the television show and how it launched the podcast spinoff.

Greg & Rick have also created a Street Scene Custom Car and Bike Show that is held each year in the Boardman, OH area. This year's show will be held on July 25th, 2021 at Austintown Park. Bring out your car, bike or just come enjoy a great show and support the American Heart Association. 

For more information on Street Scene:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/streetscene2008


To watch current and past episodes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ArmstrongNeighborhoodChannel/featured
*Search "Street Scene"*

To listen to Street Scene Power Hour:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1644811

Kathy Corcoran, President of the Zelienople Rotary Club, joins the show to talk about their annual Shamrock Shuffle fundraising event and how her year as President has been.

Kathy shares her unique experience as going from President-Elect to President of the Rotary Club during the pandemic and the roller coaster of a ride trying to navigate the new normal. The Zelienople Rotary Club has found ways to still host meetings (hybrid & Zoom) and host traditional events with a twist (July 4th Parade was a porch parade in 2020). 

Beth Marshall, District Governor 7280, has the distinct honor of representing the Zelienople Rotary Club as she's not only a Rotarian of the club but also District Governor for 2020-2021. There will be a District Conference in May and the Zelienople Club is hard at work scheduling digital events for the weekend. Stay tuned to the Zelienople Rotary Club website for a full schedule of events!

We spend the last half of the show talking about the 12th Annual Shamrock Shuffle. Joella Baker, GetFitFamilies, and the Zelienople Club partner to put on this wonderful Half Marathon, 5K and 1 mile fun run in Harmony each year. This year's event will be held on Saturday, March 27th with packet pick up starting at 6:30am. The Half Marathon will start at 7:30 AM, 5K will start at 10:00 AM and the 1 mile fun run will start at 10:45 AM. This will allow for social distancing and all CDC Guidelines to be met. ShuBrew and Harmony Inn are still getting in the spirit as they'll have adult beverages for the runners at the finish line! 

For more information:

Zelienople Rotary Club Website- https://zelienoplerotary.org/

Zelienople Rotary Club Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofZelienople/

Shamrock Shuffle Information and Registration- https://getfitfamilies.com/events-3/mighty-moraine-man-triathlon/shamrock-shuffle/

Shamrock Shuffle Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/ShamrockShuffleHarmonyPa