Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Underrated Attractions in Amsterdam


The director of operations for Econo-Pak, Robert Wiebel of Sparta, NJ, oversees the daily work of over 400 employees in facilities in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Outside of work, Robert “Bobby” Wiebel enjoys traveling outside of Sparta, NJ, and experiencing the local cuisine and culture wherever he visits. Over the years, he has visited such cities as Amsterdam.

Visitors to Amsterdam frequent such popular attractions as the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum, but the city also has plenty of lesser-known attractions to keep tourists entertained. Below are some of Amsterdam’s underrated attractions that are well-worth visiting:

- Oude Kerk: the oldest building in Amsterdam, Oude Kerk is a medieval church located at the center of the city’s red light district. Throughout the year, the church hosts several cultural events and visitors can enjoy its adjoining garden or climb its tower to get a bird's’ eye view of the surrounding neighborhood.

- Czaar Peterstraat: this area is popular among shoppers who enjoy everything from brand outlets to vintage clothing. Czaar Peterstraat is found at the edge of the city and is home to numerous independent boutiques, including CP113, a concept store with retro clothes and NJAG (Not Just a Gift), a ceramics, jewelry, and soap shop.

- CoBrA Museum of Modern Art: perfect for art enthusiasts, the CoBrA Museum of art features the colorful works of the CoBrA group, an association of artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam who got together in the 20th century. This attraction is found in a Wim Quist-designed building near central Amsterdam.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Standing on Skis - The Neutral Stance





Robert “Bobby” Wiebel of Sparta, NJ, serves as director of operations for food packaging company Econo-Pak. An avid outdoorsman in his free time, Robert Wiebel particularly enjoys skiing.

One of a skier's most fundamental skills is the neutral stance. A good neutral stance allows the skier to balance effectively and respond to changes in position and direction, all without resorting to tension. The basis of such a stance is the maintenance of the weight above the center of gravity.

Because the body's weight is centered in the pelvis, the hips should remain above and aligned with the feet. Weight should be distributed evenly between the feet and concentrated slightly on the balls of the feet, though the skier should still feel as though he or she has the full base of each foot for support; toes should remain relaxed and not clenched.

Additionally, the ankles remain relaxed. They should have some forward and back mobility but should be resting at a place that lets the shins rest against the front of the boots. Knees should be gently bent and the torso should bend slightly forward, as a slightly rounded torso maximizes range of motion.

Arms can help to stabilize the stance. When held in front of the body with relaxed but flexed elbows, as so that the hands are just within the lower limit of the skier's field of vision. The arms then become tools that the skier can use to keep the body balanced throughout the run.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The CDD - Helping Families in Pike County


With over a decade of experience in the packing industry, Robert Wiebel of Sparta, NJ serves as the director of operations at Econo-Pak, which specializes in packaging solutions. Although dedicated to his career, Robert “Bobby” Wiebel finds time for charity work and has contributed to the Center for Developmental Disabilities, Ltd. in Pike County, Pennsylvania.

The Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) of Pike County helps families with children who have developmental disabilities and delays. The CDD provides various support services that include such federally-funded programs as Head Start and Early Head Start. These programs are for pregnant women and children up to age 5 who come from low-income households. 

Early Head Start helps parents understand how to care for and teach their children and support their families. It also serves as a preschool for infants and toddlers up to age three, while Head Start caters to children from ages 3 to 5.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Croatia’s Coastal, Italian-Influenced Cuisine


Robert “Bobby” Wiebel is a Sparta, NJ-area professional who guides Econo-Pak as director of operations and manages a team of 450 employees at two food packaging locations. Enjoying travel in his free time, Robert Wiebel has visited countries throughout Europe and seeks out the local cuisine in the places he visits, including Croatia. 

Unique among Eastern European countries, Croatia features a strong Northern Italian influence due to its coastal proximity to Italy across the Adriatic Sea. The Republic of Venice controlled what is now the Dalmatian region for four centuries, and pasta, pizza, and risotto are staple dishes. Traditional products of the hilly coastal region include olive oil and salt, as well as seafood such as oysters.

Croatia is also known for its cheese, with that produced from sheep on the island of Pag most sought after. This has to do with winds that often sweep the island and cover the island with salt, which in turn affects what plants grow and make up the sheep’s forage. Local cheeses are incorporated in regional favorites such as Zagorski Štrukli, which includes thin pastry and soft cottage cheese.