Armstrong "In The Loop Podcast"

Cheryl Martin and Sheila Talarico, both of Glade Run Lutheran Services, join the show to talk about two great programs that the public can help participate & give back this holiday season. We talk about the National Day of Giving on December 1st. Learn about what this day means for non-profits and how you can help Glade Run. To Donate for National Day of Giving: https://gladerun.org/donate-now...

John Cyprian, Director of Butler County Veterans Services, joins us for a special Veterans Day special of In The Loop Podcast. Learn all about what John and his great staff do to help our local Veterans! Benefits that they're  able to assist with: Service Connected Disability and Compensation Non-Service Connected Pension/Aid & Attendance (nursing home) Survivor Benefits Butler County Vet...

Carol Borden, Founder and Executive Director of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, joins the show this week to talk about Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. Carol and her team are celebrating 10 years of training and pairing over 300 service dogs with deserving veterans & others in need. We learn about the history of how Guardian Angels started and what the mission is for the organizatio...

Chris Camp, owner of Fun Fore All, is our guest this week to talk about their upcoming Holiday Lights Mini Golf event at Fun Fore All. Fun Fore All's Holiday Lights Mini Golf was named one of Kidsburgh’s and KDKA’s BEST holiday light displays in 2017, 2018 and 2019! Turning their two award-winning miniature golf courses into fully playable walk-through holiday light extravaganzas. Families ca...

Vanessa Fatur joins us this week to discuss the Zelienople Historical Society Marble Hunt. The 1st ever Marble Hunt is happening in Zelienople from October 22nd - November 8th.  Marbles can be found OUTDOORS in the Zelienople community. Clue Booklets can be purchased for $10.00  at Passavant House M-F 9am – 12pm or during Thursday Open Air Market at the Buhl House. There are 6 handblown marbles an...

Lisa Johnson and her brother Daniel join the show to talk about their upcoming Fearless Female Expo on November 14th. Hear all about this wonderful program that Lisa & Daniel have put together. They want to help empower women and children throughout our communities. Their mission and passion for Fearless Females is very contagious and they're helping to provide information that could help...

Mark Sotomayor, Executive Officer of Treecup Tea, joins us to talk about his company Treecup Tea. Mark and his mother have been building this business for the past 3 years. Hear all about the amazing journey Mark has been on to make Treecup Tea into what it is today. Mark shares with us his background story and how a random cup of iced tea sparked his passion for creating a business. We hear about...

We have a VERY special episode for all of you as Dominic Pace, Gekko in The Mandalorian, joins us during a recent Meet & Greet at Curio in Zelienople, PA.  Dominic is a very accomplished actor and can be seen across many big name television shows & movies. He talks about his newest movie set to come out in October during our interview! Dominic had the opportunity to be GEKKO in Star Wars &...

Siggy Pehel, President of the Glade Run Lake Conservancy, joins the show to talk about Glade Run Lake and everything his organization is doing to preserve the area. Hear all about the start of the Glade Run Lake Conservancy, the projects that have been completed and the future projects they have planned! They're hosting a Community Conservation Night on October 1st: The GRLC will be hosting a...

Reaghan Wilkerson, Senior at Seneca Valley High School, joins the show to talk about her Senior Class Project. Reaghan has partnered with Armstrong for the Avenge Hunger Virtual 5K. Learn more about why Reaghan picked this as her project, what her goal is and how people can get involved! To participate or donate to the Virtual 5K: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/AvengeHungerVirtual5K Use code...

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 c...

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 th...

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 fo...

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 e...

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 Ce...

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...

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 facil...

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 f...

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 th...

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 m...

Rob Capezio, President of the Cranberry Township Police Association, joins the show to talk about their upcoming Virtual 5K that is being held from July 3rd-11th. Rob also shared with us what is the Cranberry Township Police Association, the importance they have on our community and ways they want to be more involved with residents. Hear all about their great Coats for Kids program and their schol...

Joella Baker, Get Fit Families, joins the show to talk about how runners & bikers can still be active even if races are all cancelled currently due to the pandemic. Joella is setting up Virtual Races beginning at the end of April to give athletes and those wanting to “compete” an opportunity to stay active while helping 2 non-profits in our area. Joella is also using social media platforms to...

This episode continues our recent trend of COVID-19 related episodes to inform the community of important information. We’re featuring March of Dimes as they have a great message for those expecting in the next few months, soon to be giving birth, or those looking for a support system after losing a pregnancy.  Barbara Roth, Executive Director, March of Dimes Western & Central PA Markets and C...

Dr. Elliot Smith, President of the Physicians Group for Butler Health Systems, joins the show to talk locally about COVID-19. Dr. Smith shares critical information on what to do if you suspect you have symptoms, what the most common symptoms they’ve seen and how to keep yourself safe if you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. Dr. Smith also discusses Butler Health System being at the...

Lauren Shorr, owner of Curio in Zelienople Pa, joins the show to give parents & children ideas of creativity. Not all art projects have to be expensive materials! Lauren talks about different ways to use items around the house & let the creativity run wild. She also talks about outside projects such as sidewalk chalk on a driveway & taping off different areas.    Lauren and her husband...