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This is part of a 2-part series including City Council member interviews where we continue to learn about the way city government is actually run and all about the people who help make it all happen! 

Part 2:

Sarah&Renee interview a couple of newbies... and these two men get down to business in very different ways. 

Mike Shaffer was appointed to serve on Fostoria City Council in 2022 representing the Second Ward. He's been with The University of Findlay and Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and he's currently employed by Eli Lily & Co. He's been a resident of Fostoria nearly all his life, and he brings all the hometown feels during his time with the girls in this interview.

Don Mennel was the fourth generation president of the Mennel Milling Company. He is a regimented business man and he brings those kinds of tactics and tenacity to the way he supports his constituents in his role as a city councilman.  He says exactly what he means... are you ready for it?

We learned some new things in the recording of this episode and we're curious if you do, too!

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This episode is all about breaking away from the misconceptions of city government, from the way it's run to the role of council.

In this 2-Part series, Sarah&Renee sit down with three council members who have a variety of professional backgrounds and varying levels of tenure within city government. Ultimately, they ask each one of them the same questions (what does council actually do, what have they learned on the job, what have they enjoyed and what are their frustrations about the roles in which they serve). But it's interesting how many of their responses are both different and the same!

Part 1:
Steve Kauffman has been the Fostoria City Council President for the past six years. He likens his role as president to that of a referee. He finds it quite similar to the eclectic personalities he orchestrates as the Director of Bands for Fostoria City Schools. Further,  he has recently started a side-hustle with his wife as an online and estate auction reseller. In short, he feels he's basically a Pokemon .

Truthfully, Steve thought he'd just be an interim council president as a favor to the Mayor, but then 2 elections later... he's found he enjoys the role! He believes, it's all our jobs to payback things that are meaningful to us especially through volunteering. Plus, this town means a lot to him.

Part 1 ends with a bet... will you take Renee up on it?

Learn more about local Fostoria, Ohio city council here.

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"Who can take a sunrise
Sprinkle it in dew
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two?"
The Candy (Wo)man CAN! 

We are so proud to have this year's LAUNCH Fostoria Business Competition Winner Kristin VanCuren Koester with us for this episode!

'Kris' takes us WAY back to the days of her childhood with 'Big Baby' and reveals to us her LOVE for supporting and helping children. She's made it her mission in life to bring joy to others especially those in need! She's been a social worker, an educator, and soon she will be a storefront owner.  With her big win in tow, she can finally remove the giant gum ball machine from her living room and place it where it belongs.

Watch the (5 minute) Business Competition Presentation/Winner video by Scanner Media:  Here
Read the Review Times Article announcing Kris as the winner: Here

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This was such a fun way to record a podcast episode, we'd like to make this a repeating host-site!

Mike & Tiffani opened the UrbanWoody Brewery in 2019 - right before a tough year. But the way they've pivoted as business owners and the way they continue to support the local community has had such a positive impact on their business!  The brewery is a huge success and now includes The HoneyBee Winery's variety of local wines, a Summer Concert series, and *spoiler alert* will include axe throwing come this fall. Their banner event, Oktoberfest, returns October 8 in downtown Fostoria, OH. Check-out their listing of events and join in! If you feel like you're missing out, YOU ARE...

It's another rowdy, can't miss episode of Shut Up and Listen: Small Town Stories with Sarah&Renee <3  Find us <3

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A sunglasses problem or a curated collection... give Part Two a listen and you can decide!

Our third guest was the Fostoria Ohio Mayor, Eric Keckler, and all throughout his interview were the "sounds of activity in small town USA".  Events like Guitar Fest, Latino Fest, Lunch on the Lawns, the Summer Concert Series, St. Wendalin Mini-fest, the Rail Festival, Oktoberfest, and even the Beatles Tribute Band will be gracing the area now and throughout the fall.  The Mayor highlighted some key renovation projects the city is undergoing like the Underpass, the Sewer Plant, the Water Plant, and several building updates.

Lastly, Michele Cochran of the  Greater Fostoria Community Foundation discussed community artwork, our farmer's markets, DORA,  and the Community calendar. 

Part Two comes with some quick wit and a bit of chaos, but it's truly worth a listen! Don't you just feel like you're outdoors enjoying another Northwest Ohio summer day with these ladies and their guests?

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We took this podcast out of office and off-site while we enjoyed one of the most gorgeous summer mornings in Small Town USA!  We had all the positive feels when helpful strangers gave us a hand as we unloaded office furniture and we even met families who were out enjoying our town's traveling sculptures.

Our first guest was Dionna Brenamen, owner of Fostoria's first coffee shop: Java’s Enchanted Bean. All food and beverage offered will be sourced from our tri-county area. It's been a rewarding challenge restoring a historic, old building. Dionna was super excited to share that they'd be starting with a soft launch on June 27 and continually building from there! Dionna shared that she's found. fantastic team of great people and the community has been so supportive.

Next-up was Jena Stearns, owner of Beyond Laser Creations and our first community winner of LAUNCH Fostoria. They ladies talked about her top sellers (Corporate items), how she's hosting more Charcuterie workshops, and their favorite personalized gifts she's made in her first year of business.  Of course Jena's mom came up in conversation... and Collagen Drinks…and milestone birthdays... With the second annual small business competition finale fast approaching (August 5, 2022), there was also talk of a tiara to be circulated for future winners.

This is only Part One of our Parkette Episode. Stay-tuned for Part Two and to get to know our additional guests!

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NFL standout, Micah Hyde, is one of our hometown heroes. This family-man has made it his mission to support the community where he was born and raised as well as kids across the nation who have a passion for football.

From his memorandum to Fostorians to learning who is favorite player of all time may be, you won't want to miss this fun interview. Join Sarah & Renee on their first-ever 'virtual couch' for this exclusive small town story gone big!

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Our Sarah is a Findlay, OH native and she graduated from Arcadia High School.  She majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology at the University of Georgia and then she earned her teaching certification from the University of Findlay. 

From teacher to lawyer to doctor to psychiatrist, Sarah has had interest in a variety of careers and she is good at so many things! Which is why she is such a dynamic professional in the Fostoria community where she helps small business leaders make a difference in their organizations through programs and partnerships.

She's an older sister to brother Aaron, and a proud daughter to her Mom, Judy, and her Dad, Duane Richard “Dick” Stephens.

Thanks for giving Sarah's small town story a listen! It's probably not too unlike your own.

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It's time we put these lovely, and sometimes rowdy, ladies in the hot seat! 

Our guest today is none other than: Renee Smith, President of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation. Renee grew up in Findlay, Ohio where she graduated from Liberty Benton High School and then continued on at The University of Findlay where she focused on History and Political Science. The verdict may be out as to where Renee got all of her pizazz... but her momma seemed to think she was going to either be an attorney or a country music star... There's still time, Renee!

Renee is the daughter of John & Kim Smith and she's one of two girls. Being Kristal's big sister had certainly given Renee ample opportunity to practice "running the show".

Thanks for joining us today as we uncover a little more about Renee...

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It's almost Mother's Day and we're celebrating by ambushing Sarah's mom, Judy, and Renee's mom, Kim, on the couch!

It's true, these ladies don't usually let a day go by without talking with their moms and it's such a joy to hear their perspectives about their girls...

There's talk of singing in the car, eating spaghetti, and so many more little nuggets of information about our Sarah&Rene - you won't want to miss this spectacular moment with their mommas.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who have taken the role of 'MOM' upon themselves for someone! Mommas just make the world go 'round.

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