IRN Norwalk AM Chapter

01/16/2026

Bob Wagner, owner of District Tire Center, was our presenter today and definitely kept things interesting. He brought along his famous “jars of shame”—a proud (and slightly alarming) collection of objects he’s pulled out of customers’ tires over the years. Bob shared that his team performs 3–4 tire repairs every day, using a proper two-piece Uni-Seal repair system. When a tire is repaired the right way, it can save customers hundreds of dollars and last for the life of the tire. The takeaway was clear: don’t jeopardize your safety on the road—trust an expert for tire repair or replacement. Call 419-626-9230 for full service automotive repair or pricing from the largest tire warehouse in town.

01/10/2026

Our chapter is off to a great start with new officers in place for 2026. Some of our officers are pictured here, but include Mindy Calhoun , Kristen Marino, Julie Lloyd, Greg Patrick, Jolene Martin , Sarah Reed, Bob Wagner, Ted Young, Miles Mill, Lori Wagner and Brandon Balduff. We look forward to a successful prosperous year.

01/09/2026

🎤 Today Brandon from Balduff's was educating us on carpet flooring—and it was so good!

He broke down the 3 different types of carpet cushions and why they matter. Pro tip 👇
👉 The firmer the cushion, the better the support for your carpet—and that means longer life and better performance.

Brandon also shared that choosing carpet is about way more than just color and how it feels. You should always ask about the backing, because that’s a huge factor in durability and longevity.

✨ No job too big or too small for Balduff's!!
This level of customer service and education is something you just don’t get at big box stores.

🧼 Bonus: They also offer professional floor cleaning. And yes—always have the same company that installed your carpet clean it. They know exactly how to care for it the right way.

Quality. Education. Service. That’s Balduff's!!. 👏

12/19/2025

Holiday gatherings can be stressful for dogs (and their humans). Whether you’re visiting relatives with a dog who needs help around guests or bringing home a new furry family member this Christmas, keep Kristen Marino of Intertwine Canine in mind. Her guidance makes a world of difference, helping pups learn good behavior and families enjoy their time together. This sweet pup is already on the path to becoming a well-mannered family member thanks to Kristen!

12/19/2025

Whether it’s Santa’s sleigh or your everyday SUV, having the right insurance matters. Julie Lloyd at Hertvik Insurance can help ensure you have the best coverage at the best price, along with exceptional customer service. Bundle your auto with home or renters insurance and you could save even more with a multi-policy discount. Call Julie today and make sure you are properly insured because having the cheapest insurance or an agent who does not serve your best interest, does not help you at the time of a claim.

12/05/2025

Christmas puppies!!

11/01/2025

The Balduff Halloween party is always a highly anticipated event that we look forward to attending and we added a surprise 50th birthday party for the host. We had a great turnout, with multiple IRN Chapters in attendance, a new game this year, and delicious food. It is always gratifying to see our chapter members and their significant others interacting and networking together. We even had a baby a couple of months old attend and this was already his second IRN social! Thank you Brandon and Melissa Balduff.

10/31/2025

We took a field trip today! Our chapter members had fun learning more about the program and playing with all the fun stuff. Sarah Reed was our member speaker and we had the meeting at Future Innovators where kids learn robotics coding and gain a range of benefits that go far beyond just understanding technology. Here are the key advantages:

🧠 Cognitive and Academic Growth

Problem-solving skills: Robotics challenges kids to break problems into smaller parts and find logical solutions.

Critical thinking: They learn to analyze what went wrong and improve through iteration.

Math and science application: Coding and robotics bring STEM concepts to life in hands-on, engaging ways.

💻 Technical and Future-Ready Skills

Coding literacy: Early exposure to programming languages and logic prepares them for future careers.

Understanding of automation and AI: They gain insights into how intelligent systems work—a crucial part of the modern world.

Engineering mindset: Building and troubleshooting robots develops mechanical thinking and design skills.

🎨 Creativity and Innovation

Creative expression: Kids design, build, and program robots from scratch—like modern inventors.

Design thinking: Robotics fosters an inventive mindset: think, prototype, test, refine.

👥 Social and Emotional Development

Teamwork: Many robotics projects are collaborative, encouraging communication and cooperation.

Resilience: When robots fail, kids learn persistence and the value of trying again.

Confidence: Completing a working robot or program gives a powerful sense of achievement.

📈 Career and Lifelong Learning Advantages

Career exposure: Robotics introduces kids to careers in engineering, software, data science, and more.

Early start advantage: The earlier they start, the deeper their skills will be as tech continues to grow.

Adaptability: They become more comfortable with complex systems, preparing them to learn other technologies quickly.

If you have a child or know someone who might be interested in participating in this program, please call Sarah 419-706-8108.

10/07/2025

Check out this open house Saturday! You’ll be impressed with everything they are doing to help kids in our area gain some very useful skills. 

Our organization supports young innovators who wish to experiment with robotics or compete in VEX Competitions. We encourage you to visit and discover how we can inspire your child's creativity. The Coding Pirates - Robotics Team 7175A 7175Q-The Quackers 🤖💻🎉

10/03/2025

This morning, Brandon Balduff led show and tell, highlighting Duct Cleaning along with Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning. While those were his main topics, he reminded us that he covers all types of floor coverings. With top-of-the-line equipment and expert training, Brandon and his team make a difference you can see—and breathe. They take pride in what you stand on and the quality of the air around you.

09/19/2025

Jolene Martin from Jo Jo‘s puppy was our member speaker this morning. Jolene played a fun game, helping us understand more about her business and even brought puppies for us to love on while she spoke.

Jolene has a great passion for her business and communicating with her clients helping them select just the right puppy. She’s specializes in breeding long-haired mini dash hounds.

If you're looking for a responsible, caring, and professional breeder, look no further than Jolene Martin and Jo Jo’s Puppies. You’re not just getting a pet; you’re gaining a wonderful companion that has been given the best start in life!"
https://www.jojosfamilypuppies.com/

09/14/2025

Join us Tuesday either during the day or in the evening for this great event. 

Community celebration planned for co-working hub