As America approaches its 250th birthday, we're taking a closer look at the people, industries, and communities that helped shape Butler County and, in turn, helped shape America.

In this special America 250 episode, Laura Crago sits down with Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche to discuss Steeples & Stacks, a heritage weekend taking place July 10th-11th through the Butler Cultural District.

Their conversation explores the immigrants who built Butler County, the industries that fueled its growth, from oil and steel to glass and Jeep manufacturing and the stories that continue to define the region today. They discuss Butler County's role in the Underground Railroad, the history of the area's faith communities, the significance of Moses Jewelers and the region's historic synagogue, and the legacy of Charles Waters, the first African American member of the National Guard, who is buried in Butler's North Cemetery.

At its heart, this episode is about community, family, and the stories passed from one generation to the next.

Learn more about Steeples & Stacks and upcoming America 250 events at ButlerCulturalDistrict.org

Special thanks to photographer Ben Hughes for the stunning panoramic image featured on the Steeples & Stacks webpage, and to Shawn Hernandez for the beautiful drone image featured in the video version of this interview.

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Wednesday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

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Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

Strong communities are built by people willing to lead, serve, and invest in others.

On this episode of the Alter Eagle podcast, Mark Buchek joins me to discuss community leadership, the mission of Leadership Butler County, and how financial planning and retirement conversations connect to building a stronger future for individuals and families alike.

Support Dancing For A Cause:

https://www.butlercountychamber.com/events-1/dancing-for-a-cause-2026

Link from Episode:

https://www.armcocu.com/

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Wednesday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #LeadershipButlerCounty #DancingForACause #SweatEquity #HumaneSociety #altereaglepodcast #ButlerCountyPA #CommunityMatters #Leadership #ARMCO #FinancialFuture #Retirement

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago

In this episode of Alter Eagle, we sit down with members of Leadership Butler County to talk about how the program helps participants connect more deeply with the community while developing leadership skills. We also explore this year's class project, Dancing for a Cause, a fundraiser benefiting the Butler County Humane Society, and how the experience is inspiring local leaders to create lasting impact across Butler County.

Support Dancing For A Cause:

https://www.butlercountychamber.com/events-1/dancing-for-a-cause-2026

Sponsors:

https://www.betterhelp.com/altereagle

Follow & Subscribe to get episodes automatically as they drop every Wednesday. Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Audible, and Deezer, as well as YouTube. This Podcast is produced at The Butler Eagle located in Butler, PA. Subscribe to this channel for all Butler Eagle News content and go to:

https://www.alter-eagle.com/

https://www.butlereagle.com/

#butlerpa #podcast #resources #community #Pittsburgh #hope #change #altereagle #altereaglepodcast #movement #education #butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountydowntown #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #community #LeadershipButlerCounty #DancingForACause #SweatEquity #HumaneSociety

Hosted, Produced & Edited By: Laura Crago