The Valley Today

There's a brand-new trail at Seven Bends State Park — and it took a decade, a federal grant, and a whole lot of volunteer sweat to build it. Janet Michael is joined by Kary Haun (Shenandoah County Tourism) for a bonus conversation with Kyle Lawrence of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition about the new shared-use trail connecting the park to the George Washington National Forest. Kyle breaks down what actually goes into planning and building a sustainable mountain trail, why hikers and trail runners will likely outnumber bikers on this one, and how e-bikes are opening the sport up to more people. They also talk phase-two plans, trail-use data and heat maps, and where to go if you're just getting started. Plus, a quick rundown of what's happening around the valley this weekend. Links & Resources Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition — svbcoalition.org Shenandoah County Tourism — visitshenandoahcounty.com THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

"Spider veins" was a scary name for a little girl who was afraid of spiders. As it turns out, it's a scary name for a lot of grown-ups too — and one of the biggest reasons people put off getting evaluated. On this Community Health edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. Emily Reardon, board-certified vascular surgeon with Valley Health Vascular Surgeons, for a genuinely reassuring conversation about vein health — what varicose veins and spider veins actually are, why they happen, when they're cosmetic and when they're medically significant, and just how minimally invasive today's treatments really are. Dr. Reardon walks through the diagnostic starting point (an in-office ultrasound to check for any deeper reflux), the treatment ladder for both spider veins (sclerotherapy — small injections, no anesthesia, no downtime) and varicose veins (in-office endovascular ablations plus, when needed, small micro-phlebectomy incisions to remove the visible larger veins), and the everyday, non-medical steps that help genuinely: regular walking, compression stockings for long sitting or standing days, healthy weight, healthy diet. She also clears up the single biggest patient misconception — that vein disease is a circulation emergency threatening amputation. It isn't. Varicose veins are a drainage issue in the superficial venous system, not an artery blockage. Plus: what's covered by insurance (spoiler: much more than most people think), the recurrence rate (~10%), why vascular surgery is embracing "less than minimally invasive" techniques, and the open-door policy at Dr. Reardon's Winchester and Front Royal offices — no ultrasound needed for the first consultation. WHAT DR. REARDON WANTS YOU TO KNOW VEIN DISEASE ≠ CIRCULATION EMERGENCY- The single biggest misconception Dr. Reardon hears is that varicose or spider veins mean blockages, poor circulation, or amputation risk. They don't. The arteries in the legs — which carry vital blood flow to the feet and muscles — are a completely different system. Vein disease is about DRAINAGE, not supply. Even severe cases progress to skin problems and slow-healing wounds — treatable, not catastrophic. TREATMENTS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY - Modern vein care is far less invasive than it was even a decade ago. Most procedures are done in-office with injections or through IV-based techniques. The old "stripping" surgeries have been largely replaced by endovascular ablation and micro-phlebectomies (small incisions to remove larger surface veins). Recovery is fast, downtime is minimal, and most patients don't need to take time off work. TREATMENT PATH AT A GLANCE SPIDER VEINS (small superficial veins) Treatment: Sclerotherapy — a liquid detergent injected via small needles • Anesthesia: None needed • Downtime: None • Insurance: Usually out-of-pocket (unless deeper reflux is found) • Sessions: Typically multiple, to reach full result VARICOSE VEINS (larger, often with deeper feeder veins) Treatment: Ultrasound to check for deeper reflux, then a combination of: Endovascular ablation of the deeper vein (through an IV) and/or Micro-phlebectomy for the visible larger veins (small incisions) • Anesthesia: Minimal (typically local) • Downtime: Minimal • Insurance: Typically covered • Sessions: Usually one treatment per leg EVERYDAY STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR VEIN HEALTH • Walk regularly — even short intervals help • Avoid long stretches of sitting OR standing without moving • Wear compression stockings on long-sit or long-stand days • Maintain a healthy weight • Get evaluated when things look or feel different — a consultation is the fastest way to know if it's cosmetic or medically significant WHO'S A GOOD CANDIDATE Because vein treatments are low-risk, most people are candidates regardless of age or coexisting health issues. There is no minimum severity required to book a consultation — Dr. Reardon has an open door for new patients and often meets first for a conversation before recommending any testing. WHERE TO GO Valley Health Vascular Surgeons offer vein consultations and treatments at two locations: • Winchester Medical Center (main office) • Warren Memorial Hospital (Front Royal — a couple of days per month) LINKS & RESOURCES • Valley Health: valleyhealthlink.com  • Community Health archive: thevalleytodaypodcast.com — "Community Health" • Valley Health Vascular Surgeons: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/our-locations/profile/valley-health-vascular-surgeons/  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Your potato salad has been out for how long? On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Amanda Johnson, the Food, Nutrition, and Health Extension Agent based in Frederick County (serving all five surrounding counties), for a genuinely useful summer companion to their November food safety conversation. This time the focus is picnics, cookouts, and family reunions — with the same four-pillar framework Amanda teaches: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill. Amanda walks through what most home cooks get wrong (yes, you need to wash the outside of a watermelon before you cut it; no, you can't tell doneness by looking at a hamburger; no, your macaroni and cheese is not "already cooked" and safe forever). She covers the current Cyclospora parasite situation in Virginia (fewer than 100 cases, potentially linked to leafy greens, and no — washing produce won't kill the parasite; only good hand hygiene stops the spread). She lays out the temperature danger zone (40°F to 140°F), the two-hour rule for food left out (which drops to one hour when it's 90°F or hotter outside), the proper internal temperatures for chicken, ground meat, and steaks, and the smart practical tips that make the whole thing manageable — from separate coolers for drinks and food, to smaller serving bowls that keep the reserve cold in the cooler, to why you should always reheat leftover mac and cheese to 135°F (Janet: "See, I told him"). Plus a Handwashing 101 refresher (20 seconds, out of the water, Happy Birthday twice or the ABCs will do it). THE FOUR PILLARS OF FOOD SAFETY 1. CLEAN • Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds (out of the water), then rinse and dry • Wash all fresh produce under warm running water — including melon and squash exteriors • Sanitize prep surfaces and utensils • No soap needed on produce; just water and a bit of friction 2. SEPARATE • Never use the same plate for raw meat and cooked meat • Use different utensils at the grill for handling raw vs. cooked • Pack raw meat at the bottom of a cooler, sealed • Keep a separate cooler or bag for drink ice — never use the meltwater ice for beverages 3. COOK • Use a food thermometer — visual cues (grill marks, edges, color) are not reliable • Insert the thermometer from the SIDE of a burger, not top-down • Poultry: 165°F • Ground meat (hamburger, ground lamb): 160°F • Whole cuts (steaks, roasts): 145°F • Reheated leftovers: minimum 135°F 4. CHILL • The temperature danger zone: 40°F to 140°F • Hot foods should stay above 140°F while served • Cold foods should stay below 40°F while served • The two-hour rule: food out longer than 2 hours should be discarded • When it's 90°F or hotter outside, the rule drops to ONE hour • Crock-Pots can HOLD hot food but should NOT be used to reheat cold food SMART PICNIC AND COOKOUT TIPS FROM THIS EPISODE • Keep coolers in the shade • Use SEPARATE coolers for drinks and food (drinks get opened way more often) • Serve from a smaller bowl and refill from the cooler as needed — the reserve stays cold • A bowl of ice under your potato salad extends its safe time on the table • Cover food to keep bugs (and inconsistent hands) out • Bring a food thermometer, always • When you get home from a cookout, EVERYTHING gets reheated to 135°F before eating CYCLOSPORA — WHAT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW • Fewer than 100 confirmed cases in Virginia at time of recording • Transmitted through fecal contamination (water contact on produce is one route) • Washing produce does NOT kill the parasite — good handwashing is your best defense • Symptoms: diarrhea, can last weeks or months and can recur • Treatment: antibiotics and hydration • Suspected source under investigation, possibly leafy greens • Amanda's guidance: DO NOT stop eating fruits and vegetables — just be extra cautious with washing and hand hygiene WHO IS AT HIGHEST RISK FROM FOODBORNE ILLNESS • Elderly adults • Children under 5 • Pregnant women • People with autoimmune conditions or compromised immune systems • For these populations especially, all four pillars matter more. LINKS & RESOURCES • Virginia Cooperative Extension — Frederick County: contact your local Extension office for questions about food safety, nutrition, home food preservation, and health • USDA food safety information: fsis.usda.gov • Foodsafety.gov — federal food safety resource • Amanda's earlier appearance on The Valley Today (November) — holiday food safety, thawing turkeys, and safe leftovers: https://thevalleytodaypodcast.com/turkey-talk-avoiding-foodborne-illness-this-thanksgiving THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday    

Ten years ago, a Shenandoah University undergraduate history major had an internship project: create a summer kid-friendly program at Burwell-Morgan Mill. This Saturday, that program will draw hundreds of families and host history organizations from across the state. On this Tourism Tuesday Berryville/Clarke County edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up on the Zooms with Nathan Stalvey, Executive Director of the Clarke County Historical Association, for a full-throttle preview of Colonial Kids Day, the fall Art at the Mill submission window, and the VA 250 Mobile Museum's stop at Long Branch. Nathan walks through the growth of Colonial Kids Day — now in its 10th year with sponsorship from United Bank and a Virginia Tourism Corporation grant — and the impressive roster of participating organizations for 2026: the Sons of the American Revolution (with a special Daniel Morgan Beeline March reenactment), New Town History Center, Loudoun Heritage Area Farm Museum, Blandy Experimental Farm, Sky Meadows, Belle Grove Plantation, the Fort Monroe Museum, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Then it's a preview of the fall Art at the Mill call for artists (open now, closes the last Monday of July, $35 to submit up to five pieces, thanks to a significant new marketing grant from the VA Tourism Corporation and continued Tito's Handmade Vodka sponsorship). And finally: the VA 250 Mobile Museum — a genuinely impressive expandable semi-trailer — is coming to Long Branch August 21-23. Plus a delightful mill anecdote about grinding barley for Chilly Hollow Brewing's forthcoming "Carter's Gold," a beer named after Carter Hall. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CCHA is always looking for volunteers, especially for: • Colonial Kids Day (day-of assistance) • Saturday mill grinds throughout the year — hands-on experience running the historic mill • Special events, art shows, and educational programming  LINKS & RESOURCES • Clarke County Historical Association: clarkehistory.org (events, Art at the Mill, artist submissions, volunteer information) • CCHA on Facebook and Instagram: @ClarkHistory • Burwell-Morgan Mill on Facebook THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday  

A giant peach, a British farce, a Christmas at Pemberley, a Berkeley PTA vaccine debate, a war photographer's homecoming, and a nun-choir tribute to Whoopi Goldberg. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up with Tim Bambara from Winchester Little Theatre to preview the second WLT for Kids show of the summer AND the full 2026-2027 main-stage season — five main-stage productions spanning farce, Regency, contemporary satire, drama, and musical. Tim walks through the current run (James and the Giant Peach Jr. opens July 18 and runs through July 25, with weekday morning and afternoon options for the "kids at home in the rain" contingency), and previews the five main-stage shows opening in September: See How They Run (a WWII British farce), The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (a Downton-Abbey-vibed sequel to Pride and Prejudice from a servants'-quarters perspective), Eureka Day (a sharp Berkeley PTA satire about a mumps outbreak), Time Stands Still (a Donald Margulies drama about a photojournalist returning from a war zone), and Sister Act the Musical to close out the season. Plus: the reserved-seat season subscription is live (five shows for $115 with your seats picked in advance), a critical PSA about the ticket-reseller scam problem (WLT has moved to receipt-only online sales — no printed or displayed tickets required) and a genuinely delightful reveal: WLT's own podcast, "Sight Lines," is launching this fall, funded by a Winchester-Frederick County CVB grant, and Tim credits Janet as the inspiration. HOW TO BUY TICKETS • PRIMARY: winchesterlittletheatre.org (season subscriptions live now; single-show tickets on sale August 1) • BOX OFFICE (starting August 31, 12 days before opening night): Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 PM, and 90 minutes before each performance • DO NOT buy from third-party resellers. WLT tickets are always $25 or less. Any listing above that price is a scam. • Online sales are now RECEIPT ONLY — no printed or phone-displayed ticket needed. House managers check you in by name. • Exchanges: call the box office at least 24 hours before curtain, subject to availability • Passing a ticket to a friend: call the box office with the new name ABOUT THE RESERVED-SEAT SEASON SUBSCRIPTION Now available at winchesterlittletheatre.org. Pick all five main-stage shows AND your specific seats in advance for $115 — a genuine discount over single-ticket pricing, plus the peace of mind of having your seats already reserved. COMING SOON — SIGHT LINES PODCAST WLT is launching a monthly podcast during the season, funded through a Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau grant. Backstage conversations with actors and artists across generations of WLT productions. First episodes coming this fall. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

"Did you know that being homeless is really expensive?" That's the sentence one Family Promise Winchester client said to Chris Brigante recently — and it's the question that anchors this follow-up episode of The Valley Today. Host Janet Michael welcomes Chris Brigante, Executive Director of Family Promise Winchester, back to the show for the deep-dive conversation she promised at the end of their last recording: what actually happens when a family loses their home and ends up living in a motel. Chris and Janet walk through one hypothetical family — mom with two part-time jobs, dad in a factory job, a toddler in daycare, and an elementary-schooler — and follow them through every consequence of an eviction: the storage costs, the $1,800–$2,000 monthly motel bill (nearly doubling to $4,000 for a family with three kids under the four-person occupancy limit), the food economy that forces you to eat out for every meal because you have no fridge, no stove, no freezer, and no cabinet space. The 21-day cycle-out that many people don't know exists (motels legally shuffle guests to prevent them from becoming tenants). The homework problem when your third-grader has nowhere quiet to work and can't invite friends over. The address problem when you're applying for a job or a driver's license. The Scarlet Letter of an eviction record that follows you into your next lease application, complete with double security deposits. And the compounding, invisible cost of shame — which Chris identifies as one of the biggest barriers to a family getting themselves out. The conversation closes with the math that makes Family Promise's work so cost-effective (about $500 per child in direct assistance for permanent, stable housing) and a genuine ask: to donors, to would-be landlords open to working with a vetted family, and to anyone who's ever been quietly judgmental about people living in motels — reconsider what you thought you knew. THE INVISIBLE COSTS OF LIVING IN A MOTEL A quick catalog, drawn from this episode, of the expenses and impacts that pile up on a family staying in a residence motel: DIRECT MONETARY COSTS • $1,800–$2,000/month for a family of four in one room (often more than the rent that got them here) • Up to $4,000/month if the family exceeds the 4-person occupancy limit and needs two rooms • Storage unit fees for all the belongings that don't fit • Restaurant meals for every meal, every day (no fridge, no stove, no freezer) • Laundromat costs, plus transportation to get there • Ride-shares or delivery fees for basic groceries and appointments • Some motels: even toilet paper is a paid add-on • Childcare during work hours (with no car and no support network to fall back on) INDIRECT AND INVISIBLE COSTS • Time — 2 to 3 hours a day just getting around town on foot or by bus • The 21-day cycle-out — packing everything up every three weeks to move to a new room or motel • No mailing address for job applications, drivers' licenses, or utility accounts • No Wi-Fi in some motels — cutting off job applications, online classes, and even phone service if internet-dependent • Loss of privacy — no separate space for a sick child, no quiet homework spot, no adult conversation • Safety exposure — smoke, noise, addiction, domestic violence audible through walls, a single front window as your only barrier MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS • On children — instability itself (not the homelessness) is what harms development; the child knows it's not safe or permanent • On school-age children — hard to focus in class, can't do homework, embarrassed to be honest with peers • On parents — the shame of the situation itself becomes a barrier to problem-solving • On the family unit — crisis mode makes rational, step-by-step planning nearly impossible HOW TO HELP FAMILY PROMISE WINCHESTER • Donate directly at familypromisewinchester.org — the donation link is on the front page • Recurring monthly giving is the most valuable — Family Promise can predict and commit • Any dollar helps: about $500 in direct assistance per child gets a family stably housed • Consider in-kind donations for move-in kits (shower curtains, hooks, toasters, basic household items) • Landlords: reach out to Chris directly. Family Promise families are vetted, financially counseled, and Family Promise stays involved for 90+ days after move-in. • Donate clothing to Winchester CCAP — Family Promise picks up outfits there weekly for their families • Contact Chris directly for a coffee and conversation FAMILY PROMISE WINCHESTER'S SERVICE AREA • Winchester City • Frederick County • Clarke County • Warren County (Shenandoah County is served by a separate Family Promise chapter — the whole region is covered.) LINKS & RESOURCES • Family Promise Winchester: familypromisewinchester.org (donations, applications, contact) • Family Promise Winchester office: 131 South Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601 — (540) 323-8038 • Horizon Goodwill (Winchester) — free mailing address service for those experiencing homelessness • Winchester CCAP — clothing donations always welcome • Companion episode: "First Month's Rent: Why Small Investments Keep Families Out of Homelessness" — Chris's earlier conversation with Janet: https://thevalleytodaypodcast.com/first-months-rent THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday 

"I'm the person that calls that number and just pushes zero until a human picks up. I need a Thomas." Brandy Hawkins Boies said it, and it's the truest thing about community college enrollment in 2026. On this Laurel Ridge Community College edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Director of Communications and Outreach Brandy Hawkins Boies, joined by Thomas Monk — Outreach Specialist and Career Coach at Laurel Ridge's Middletown campus, and the actual first human anyone new to Laurel Ridge is likely to meet. Thomas walks through what an outreach specialist actually does — 25+ conversations a week with prospective students of every age (from high schoolers exploring dual enrollment to 50-somethings quietly wondering if it's too late to change careers), a philosophy of "half the hurdle is just getting started," and a way of thinking about the college journey as a baton pass across five different departments that the student experiences as one hour of their time. He explains the biggest questions he gets ("How do I get started?" and "Can I afford this?"), the guaranteed-admission agreements with 37 Virginia colleges and universities, why he starts by asking students what they DON'T want to do, and why he loves being the objective third party in what's often a very personal decision. Plus: the upcoming Laurel Ridge Open House on July 23rd (virtual at noon, in-person at 5 PM), why AI and machine learning is now a real Laurel Ridge program, and Janet's ongoing internal dialogue about what she should go back to school for — with special thanks to her best friend Mary, whose incoming text after this episode is a foregone conclusion. WHERE TO START AT LAUREL RIDGE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS (any age, any goal) • Ask a question — laurelridge.edu/visit → the top box lets you submit ANY question (dual enrollment, career change, program interest, "I don't even know where to start"). Thomas or a team member replies within 48 hours. • Schedule a meeting — second box on the same page. Book a 30-minute session with Thomas or the outreach team, virtually or in person. • Book a campus tour — outside of events, at your convenience. • Come to an open house — customized, semi-structured, room-based Q&A. WHAT THE OUTREACH TEAM CAN HELP WITH • Application and getting started • Financial aid, scholarships, and G3 funding • Academic advisor matching • Transfer credits from previous colleges or universities • Life-experience credit • Program exploration (academic + workforce solutions + certifications) • Corporate and continuing education • Custom in-person or virtual visits with your group or organization UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE — JULY 23, 2026 Two-session format (attend one or both): • 12:00–1:00 PM — Virtual session (great for a lunch break) • 5:00 PM — In-person session at the Middletown campus Both sessions include a program overview, application help, tour options, and access to specific department representatives. Register at laurelridge.edu/openhouse. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Twenty-plus deployments across the country. Coast to coast. And this month, Elizabeth Quinn was on standby to fly to Guam via Hawaii for a Category 5 typhoon response. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael continues her year-long Red Cross series with Deb Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter, joined by Elizabeth Quinn — the Disaster Health Services Lead and a retired nurse who leads the volunteer nursing team responsible for the health side of every Red Cross disaster response, from home fires down the street to hurricanes across the country. Elizabeth walks through what the nursing deployment actually looks like: contact within 24 hours of a disaster to help families replace prescriptions, glasses, dentures, hearing aids, CPAPs and BiPAPs, and other health essentials the survivors probably haven't even started to think about yet. She explains the community-based model (RN-led, with physicians serving under nurse supervision — Elizabeth's favorite perk), the streamlined 8.5-hour training (down from 20), and the game-changing option most new nurse volunteers don't know exists: virtual deployments, where a nurse anywhere in the country can serve disaster survivors from their kitchen table for a scheduled shift. Plus a genuinely powerful story from a Mississippi shelter, where a nurse stayed two hours after her shift to help a gentleman who couldn't read reconnect with over $6,000 in back benefits he'd already earned. Deb closes with a national update — home fires, a hydrochloric acid train spill, flooding in Minnesota and Michigan, the Guam typhoon, blood donation shortages, and FIFA World Cup event support — and teases next month's guest: Dave, the volunteer who maintains Red Cross buildings across multiple regions (assuming she can convince him). WHO CAN VOLUNTEER AS A DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES NURSE • Registered nurses (RNs) • Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) • Physicians (serve under RN supervision in this program) • EMTs (locally within the state they are licensed) • Any licensed healthcare professional with a current, active license WHAT DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES ACTUALLY DOES • Contacts families within 24 hours of a home fire or larger disaster • Helps replace lost medications, glasses, dentures, hearing aids, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and other durable medical equipment • Provides emotional support, physical support, and health navigation during recovery • Coordinates with pharmacies, insurance companies, and case managers on disaster overrides and paperwork • Works local, national, and virtual deployments TWO WAYS TO DEPLOY IN PERSON Travel to shelters and disaster sites nationwide (typical two-week commitment). Elizabeth has completed 20+ of these across the continental U.S. Virutally serve clients from your home computer and phone, on shifts scheduled around your life. Same training requirements. Current biggest need. Same client outcomes without leaving home. Perfect for currently-working nurses, retirees who prefer to stay local, and anyone who wants to help without the travel commitment. HOW TO SIGN UP Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or contact the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter directly Complete a short application and interview to identify your interests Nurse applications are routed to Elizabeth for a personal call Complete 8.5 hours of self-paced video training Attend one 90-minute live interactive online class Complete platform-specific computer training with Elizabeth Come onto the schedule — always backed by a seasoned nurse for as long as you need LINKS & RESOURCES • Sign up to volunteer: redcross.org → click "Volunteer" or call 1-800-RED-CROSS • The Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross — contact for local nurse volunteer opportunities • Give blood (currently in national short supply): redcrossblood.org • Last month's episode with Jill Johnson (general volunteer): https://thevalleytodaypodcast.com/red-vest-ready-a-red-cross-volunteers-story THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Some restaurants are worth coming back for. And some people are worth partnering with to make that happen. On this Tourism Tuesday Winchester/Frederick County edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Justin Kerns catch up on the Zooms with Cheryl Ash and Drew Braithwaite — the team behind Gypsy Jane's Southern Food Lounge, a brand-new Creole-leaning New Orleans-inspired destination restaurant opening this month in Gore, Virginia. Cheryl is the chef and immersive-experience mastermind behind the beloved Sweet NOLA's Southern Food Lounge (which ran for eight years in Winchester). Drew is a lifelong Sweet NOLA's fan who moved back from Colorado last Christmas and made her food coming back to the area a personal mission. The conversation covers the origin story (a joke at Apple Blossom that became a business), the location (about seven minutes down Route 50 West past Walmart, in a building that's been a truck stop since about 1930, then North Mountain Family Restaurant), the menu (alligator sausage, award-winning shrimp and grits, po'boys with bread flown in from New Orleans, an old-fashioned bottled soda menu presented like a wine service, and a French Quarter Finale dessert menu that includes Bananas Foster pudding, Krispy Kreme donut bread pudding Napoleon, and a country cobbler flight), and the plan (open for lunch first, add breakfast, dinner, and private events as they grow). Plus: why the kids' menu will have real food (with a portion of every kids' menu sale going to Dakota's Dream Animal Rescue), why the walls will be full of hidden plaques honoring the customers who bolstered them, and why "Come Get Grit Faced" is a phrase that got its own shirt. VISIT INFO — GYPSY JANE'S SOUTHERN FOOD LOUNGE 5665 Northwestern Turnpike, Gore, Virginia About seven minutes west of Winchester on Route 50 (past Walmart) Opening target: late July / by August 1, 2026 Initial hours (opening phase): Lunch, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Coming later: breakfast, dinner, private events Private events available for booking during the lunch-only phase Beer and wine license coming within a month of opening LINKS & RESOURCES • Gypsy Jane's Southern Food Lounge website: gypsyjanes.com • On Facebook:  search "GJ Southern Food Lounge"  • Visit Winchester events calendar: visitwinchesterva.com → Events (VA250 events continuing throughout the summer) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Every year, a jigsaw puzzle. But this year, the pieces gelled. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael returns to the corporate headquarters of the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival in Woodstock (as always, delighting Dennis Lynch by calling it that) for her annual walk through the summer concert series at Orkney Springs. And Dennis has assembled a genuinely wide-ranging 2026 lineup — Little River Band, The Four Tops, Diamond Rio, a 250th-anniversary big-band night with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys with Brian Wilson's band, the Bacon Brothers, and Hotel California to close out Labor Day weekend. Dennis walks Janet through each show, the low-ticket alerts (Little River Band has fewer than 100 pavilion tickets left), why the venue is genuinely 5-10 degrees cooler than the valley below, what you can and can't bring (blankets yes, tents no, pets no, food yes), and the audience zones on the lawn ("we have what we call high chairs — that's where we put the babies"). Then the conversation turns to something new: the Community Art Collaborative is bringing a mosaic project into the festival this summer. On four select concert nights (Little River Band, Diamond Rio, Bacon Brothers, and Hotel California — with more possible if demand builds), concertgoers will help assemble a permanent glass mosaic that will travel between Woodstock and Orkney Springs. Plus: the Bacon Brothers' local hero nomination form, the Hot Strings and Cool Breezes free workshop, package deals with Shrine Mont, the "pick six" ticket discount, and a firm warning about third-party ticket resellers. Buy your tickets at musicfest.org — and only musicfest.org. 2026 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT A GLANCE FRIDAY, JULY 17 — LITTLE RIVER BAND Australian rock legends, 30+ million records sold. Six years of top-10 hits. 🎫 LOW TICKET ALERT — fewer than 100 pavilion tickets remaining. SATURDAY, JULY 18 — THE FOUR TOPS Motown royalty, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Ranked #79 in Rolling Stone's most influential bands. FRIDAY, JULY 24 — DIAMOND RIO Classic '90s country. Grammy, CMA, and ACM Award winners. 6.8 million albums sold. SATURDAY, JULY 25 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA (LYNCHBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) Big band classics + patriotic favorites for America's 250th. FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — AL JARDINE (of THE BEACH BOYS) & BRIAN WILSON'S BAND A Beach Boys tribute night led by one of the two remaining touring Beach Boys, playing with the late Brian Wilson's band. SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — THE BACON BROTHERS Kevin and Michael Bacon on their People In The World Tour. Nominate a local hero  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 — HOTEL CALIFORNIA (A TRIBUTE TO THE EAGLES) — Labor Day weekend, 7 PM start The OG Eagles tribute band. Every favorite, played the way you remember it. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 — HOT STRINGS AND COOL BREEZES Americana concert at 6 PM, preceded by a free workshop at 4 PM (open to all — you don't need a concert ticket to attend the workshop). VISIT INFO — SHRINE MONT AT ORKNEY SPRINGS  Concert venue: Shrine Mont / Orkney Springs, Virginia Ticket price includes parking. Pavilion seating: ~600 covered seats. Lawn: ~1,100 spots. Lawn zones (front to back): blankets, low beach chairs, standard-height chairs. BRING: your own food, drinks within reason, blankets, chairs. LEAVE AT HOME: tents, canopies, grills, pets (service animals under the ADA excepted). Weather note: Trimont is 5-10 degrees cooler than the valley below with a consistent breeze. Tickets purchased in advance come with an email weather update a couple of days out. TICKETING & PACKAGE DEALS • All tickets: musicfest.org (the ONLY official ticket source) • PICK SIX discount: buy 6+ tickets in a single transaction and get $2 off per ticket (call the office to arrange — not available online) • Overnight package: bundled concert ticket + Shrine Mont lodging discount, available through Shrine Mont • WARNING: Third-party ticket resellers regularly list SVMF tickets at 3x the face value. Search results may show them ahead of the official site. Always go to musicfest.org directly. ABOUT THE MOSAIC PROJECT A partnership between the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival and the Community Art Collaborative — a Woodstock-based nonprofit that has installed permanent glass mosaics at Woodstock Cafe, Seven Bends State Park, and (soon) Edinburg. The 2026 SVMF mosaic is designed by John Burns to be portable — moving between the SVMF corporate headquarters in Woodstock and Trimont at Orkney Springs as needed. Concertgoers on select nights can help assemble the piece. Confirmed assembly nights (as of recording): • Little River Band — July 17 • Diamond Rio — July 24 • Bacon Brothers — August 8 • Hotel California — September 5 Anticipated unveiling: Fall 2026 at 238 North Main Street, Woodstock. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Some things bear repeating. And on this Public Safety Thursday edition of The Valley Today — the day before the 250th Independence Day weekend — Captain Warren Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office does exactly that. Host Janet Michael welcomes him back to the studio with a folder of new laws, a warning about the heat, and a story about one of his deputies whose truck was totaled earlier this week by an impaired driver who didn't move over. The conversation opens with a genuine plea from Sheriff Milholland — via Captain Gosnell — to actually take the Move Over Law seriously (with language slightly stronger than his usual style, quoted with permission). It winds through Frederick County's cooling stations, Our Health Campus's downtown Winchester cooling tents, and why the combination of oppressive humidity, heavy fluid consumption, and celebratory alcohol creates a uniquely dangerous holiday-weekend cocktail. Then Niki Foster's Main Street U-turn question from yesterday's show gets a definitive answer (no, and also no), followed by a rundown of the new Virginia laws effective July 1: court-ordered speed monitoring devices for reckless-by-speed convictions and 100+ mph drivers, helmet requirements for kids on scooters and motorized skateboards, new autism-awareness driver interaction protocols, hands-free-law refinements (a driver improvement course option for first-time offenders), a new live-streaming-while-driving ban, and a new restriction on leaving unattended firearms in vehicles. Plus a firm quote from the Fire Marshal's office on what counts as an illegal firework in Virginia (spoiler: most of them), and Captain Gosnell's 10,500th day on the job. KNOW THE LAW — WHAT CHANGED ON JULY 1, 2026 Five new Virginia traffic-related laws worth knowing: • SPEED MONITORING DEVICES — Courts can now order a speed monitoring device (like an ignition interlock, but for speed) as an alternative to license suspension for reckless-by-speed convictions. Anyone convicted of driving 100+ mph SHALL be required to have one for a set period. DMV can also order one for habitual speeders under the "rapid points" scenario. Cost is paid by the driver. • HELMET REQUIREMENT — Anyone 14 or younger must wear a helmet on motorized skateboards or scooters (motorized or non-motorized). E-bikes are covered under separate existing legislation, and local ordinances are being developed county-by-county. • AUTISM AWARENESS INTERACTION PROTOCOLS — Law enforcement is being trained on interactions with drivers or passengers on the autism spectrum. Drivers can now present a packet during a stop to help mitigate a stressful interaction. Does NOT exempt drivers from any rules of the road. • HANDS-FREE LAW UPDATE — First-time offenders can now be offered a driver improvement course as an alternative resolution. Also: it is now illegal to initiate, participate in, or interact with a live stream while driving (whether the phone is in your hand or in a holder). • UNATTENDED FIREARMS IN VEHICLES — Firearms left in vehicles must be secured in a locked box or container. Applies whether the vehicle is parked or unattended. KNOW THE RULES — MAIN STREET U-TURNS AND PARKING A few clarifications for parking in downtown areas: • You cannot park facing against the direction of travel — parking must face the direction of the flow of traffic in the lane where you're parked. (Frederick County ordinance; Front Royal likely has a similar town ordinance.) • You cannot make a U-turn across a double solid yellow line. No sign is required saying "no U-turn" — the double solid line itself prohibits the crossing. • You CAN legally cross a double yellow line to enter a driveway or parking entryway. Look for the visible break in the double line. • A missing witness doesn't make an infraction legal. FIREWORKS — WHAT'S ILLEGAL IN VIRGINIA Direct from the Fire Marshal's office. In Virginia and Frederick County, any firework that: • Explodes • Propels itself into the air • Travels horizontally • Shoots flaming balls ...is illegal. That specifically includes mortars, rockets, Roman candles, artillery shells, and firecrackers (this list is not exhaustive). The community alternative: attend one of the many public fireworks displays across the Shenandoah Valley over the July 4th weekend. LINKS & RESOURCES • Frederick County Sheriff's Office: https://www.fcva.us/departments/sheriff-s-office • Virginia Motor Vehicle Code (Title 46.2): law.lis.virginia.gov THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday  

"This is the healthcare we used to have," some of Dr. Emily Chan's older patients have told her. Her reply: "Yep — and that's the way that it should be." On this Valley Business Today edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber with Chamber President Niki Foster and Dr. Emily Chan, a board-certified family medicine physician who has opened an independent, membership-based primary care practice in Woodstock — the first in the Valley to partner with MDVIP, a national network of about 1,400 physicians using this model. Dr. Chan walks through what membership medicine actually means: an annual $2,500 fee (payable in full, halves, or quarterly), a smaller patient panel that lets her spend real time with each person, insurance still accepted for routine visits, and once a year an executive-style physical — the first offered in the Valley — that tests eyes, hearing, lungs, heart, skin, body composition, visceral fat, and includes advanced inflammatory and cardiac blood work not usually covered by insurance. Plus after-hours access to her directly, same- or next-day appointments, and — a genuinely useful perk for snowbirds and travelers — the ability to be seen by any MDVIP-affiliated physician across the country at no additional cost. The conversation also gets into the harder parts: why she loves taking patients OFF medication, why she often becomes the only physician in a complex patient's care team who sees the whole picture, and why "too good to be true" is the misconception she hears most often. Niki closes out with Chamber events — Business After Hours at Play Favorites on July 21, no Coffee & Conversation in July (a first in 23 months), and yes — apparently it's already time to talk about the Christmas Parade. ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP MODEL AT A GLANCE An annual $2,500 fee (payable in full, halved, or quarterly) covers: • A smaller patient panel — so Dr. Chan can spend more time with each patient • Same- or next-day appointments for members • 24/7 direct access for after-hours emergencies • One annual executive-style physical (the first offered in the Valley) — including advanced blood work and comprehensive testing not typically covered by insurance • Access to MDVIP's nationwide network of ~1,400 physicians — if you travel, you can be seen by an MDVIP doctor anywhere in the country at no additional cost • Insurance is still billed separately for routine visits, chronic care, and acute care • Cash-pay options available for patients without insurance or who prefer not to use it WHO IT'S FOR • People who want a real relationship with a primary care doctor • Anyone with complex health needs juggling multiple specialists — Dr. Chan consolidates every specialist report • Healthy younger adults who want preventive care without traditional insurance • Aging-in-place patients who want a physician actively planning for their long-term health • Snowbirds and frequent travelers who value the nationwide MDVIP network • Anyone who's ever felt rushed at a primary care visit VISIT INFO — DR. EMILY CHAN, MD (MDVIP) Located on Main Street in Woodstock, next door to the John Deere tractor dealer Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Phone: (540) 459-1990 Complimentary meet-and-greets available — tour the office, meet the team, see the executive physical room, and decide if it's the right fit UPCOMING FRONT ROYAL-WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER EVENTS • Business After Hours — Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • 5:30-7:00 PM • Hosted by Play Favorites • Non-members are welcome. RSVP through the Chamber. • Coffee & Conversation — Skipping July (first time in 23 months). Returns the first Friday of August. • Christmas Market and Christmas Parade — applications now being accepted (yes, already) LINKS & RESOURCES • Dr. Emily Chan, MD: mdvip.com/emilychanmd • Emily Chan MD on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn — search "Emily Chan MD" or "Dr. Emily Chan" • MDVIP national network: mdvip.com • Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce: frontroyalchamber.com

Sixty-one years. Only two missed. On this Luray-Page Tourism Tuesday edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Leon Stout, Town Treasurer of Stanley, for a rundown of the 59th Annual Stanley Homecoming — a four-day, town-wide celebration running Wednesday, July 1st through Saturday, July 4th at Ed Good Park. Then Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce, gives a full preview of Luray's July 4th festivities, from the DAR Children's Parade at 10 AM through the Downtown Get Down and fireworks at dusk. LINKS & RESOURCES • Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce (brand-new website, launched mid-May): luraypagechamber.com — events tab includes Chamber events AND member events on one calendar • Stanley Homecoming details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyHomecoming THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday  

Last year, Family Promise Winchester typically received 40 to 45 requests for help per month. This month, they'll cross 100. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Chris Brigante, Executive Director of Family Promise Winchester, for a candid conversation about why family homelessness is surging in our region — and the surprisingly cost-effective math behind preventing it. Chris walks through the numbers most people don't see: the average direct-assistance cost to get a family into stable housing is about $500 per child. The historical cap on a Family Promise move-in package is around $1,500 per family. Of the first 73 families they've moved into homes, 71 are still housed. That's the case for investing in first month's rent — and it's the heart of why federal funding gaps, ALICE-population stagnation, and the rising cost of living are now landing harder on Family Promise's doorstep than ever before. Chris also previews the new THRIVE program (a multi-agency collaboration launching soon with CCAP, United Way NSV, Horizon Goodwill, Connected Communities, and the I'm Just Me Movement, backed by grants from the Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Church and Valley Health), explains how Family Promise differs from WATTS and Winchester Rescue Mission in the homelessness ecosystem, and shares three remarkable client stories — including a young couple who slept in their car all winter, a mother emerging from incarceration who got herself stably housed within eight weeks, and a hearing-impaired mother who didn't need a dollar of assistance, just someone to read a document with her. THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER DEMAND • Last year: 40-45 monthly assistance requests - this month: 95+ already, likely 100+ by month-end (more than double) • Of the first 73 families moved into housing, 71 are still housed. The two who didn't were lost to unforeseen circumstances (one disappeared, one had to leave for medical reasons) THE COST OF GETTING A FAMILY HOUSED • ~$500 in direct assistance per child to get a family stably housed • ~$1,500 historical cap on a full move-in assistance package per family • That single intervention often eliminates the need for any future assistance WHO'S SERVED • Almost 99% of families moved into housing are gainfully employed • Most are part of the ALICE population: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed • Service area: Winchester, Frederick County, Warren County, and Clarke County ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE WINCHESTER A 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families with minor children (or expecting parents) experiencing housing instability across Winchester and the surrounding counties. Family Promise is not government-funded — operations are powered by individual donors, local faith communities, and grants. The organization provides case management, financial counseling, scattered-site emergency family shelter, eviction prevention assistance, first month's rent and security deposit assistance, and connections to a broader network of community partners. The organizational philosophy: view family through the eyes of the child — whoever the child sees as their core loving unit is the family. ABOUT THE THRIVE PROGRAM A new multi-agency program launching soon, with grant backing from the Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Church and Valley Health Foundation. Designed to bring 50 participants through a six-month structured program of therapy, financial literacy classes, life coaching, and job assistance — with case management distributed across partner agencies based on each family's needs. Partners include Family Promise Winchester, Winchester CCAP, United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley, Horizon Goodwill Industries, Connected Communities (low/no-cost mental health), and the I'm Just Me Movement. HOW TO HELP • Donate online: familypromisewinchester.org (donation link on the front page and under the Get Involved tab) • Send a check: Family Promise Winchester, 131 South Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601 • Call Chris directly for a coffee and conversation: 540-323-8038 • Spread the word — Chris welcomes the chance to come speak to civic groups, churches, and businesses • Need help yourself? An application is on the front page of the website LINKS & RESOURCES • Family Promise Winchester: familypromisewinchester.org (donations, applications, contact) • Partner organizations: Winchester CCAP, United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Horizon Goodwill Industries, Connected Communities, I'm Just Me Movement  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Neither of us is actually in Old Town today — but as Brady put it, we're there in spirit. On this Friends of Old Town edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up with Brady Cloven (Executive Director, Friends of Old Town Winchester) via Zoom while he's at a tourism conference in Pennsylvania, pitching bus tours on coming to Winchester. The conversation is released just minutes before Brady cuts the ribbon on the South End Literacy Mural at the splash pad — the year-long project with United Way, the John and Janice Wyatt Foundation, and the Winchester Campaign for Grade-Level Reading that's already doing what it was designed to do (drawing kids and parents to a previously quiet end of the walking mall). Brady walks through Friends of Old Town's recent three-award sweep from Virginia Main Street — including milestone recognition for crossing 40,000 volunteer hours (about $1 million in volunteered time) and 10,000+ building projects across 40 years — plus the upcoming Friends of Old Town public art initiative at Taylor Pavilion (37 artist applications, narrowed to a top six). Then it's a full preview of the July 4th VA250 Downtown Jubilee — 12-to-10 PM with Made in Virginia vendors, two live music acts at Taylor Pavilion, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, a Cheerwine relay chug, a Snow White slider eating contest, and a laser-light show to close out the night. Plus details on the August 22 Dog Days of Summer Hot Dog Crawl, a teaser for the Monty Python pub crawl on July 17, and a friendly reminder that the parrot in the mural is wearing a pirate hat for a reason — though Janet is more than willing to take credit on Brady's behalf. EVENT LINEUP — JULY-AUGUST IN OLD TOWN WINCHESTER FIRST FRIDAY — Friday, July 3 • All That of Winchester at Taylor Pavilion (6:30–8:30 PM, with a break) • Artist Alley on Boscawen — curated by Tin Top in June; new partner each month • Sip and Stroll active throughout • Then head to Jim Barnett Park for Red, White & Boom fireworks VA250 DOWNTOWN JUBILEE — Saturday, July 4 • 12 PM–10 PM • Made in Virginia vendor fair (10–15 vendors throughout the mall) • Rebecca Porter (Americana/country) — Taylor Pavilion, 12–3 PM • Reading of the Declaration of Independence + presentation of colors (Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution) • Melissa and the Mothmen (honky-tonk) — Taylor Pavilion, 5–8 PM • Cheerwine relay chug race • Snow White slider eating contest • Laser-light show at dusk (between 9:00 and 9:30 PM) • Sip and Stroll active throughout MONTY PYTHON PUB CRAWL — Thursday, July 17 • Joint fundraiser with Friends of Old Town, United Way, Blue Ridge Cares, Winchester CCAP, and ARE. Costumes encouraged. Details via partner organizations. DOG DAYS OF SUMMER HOT DOG CRAWL — Friday, August 22 • 12:00–6:00 PM $30 ticket gets unlimited hot dogs at 8 participating Old Town businesses (plus a surprise import). Score the dogs, crown a champion, music at Taylor Pavilion. Best Dressed Hot Dog competition for costumed attendees. Limited tickets — buy early via the event page on Facebook (Eventbrite link). TAYLOR PAVILION MURAL — coming September 2026 • The next Friends of Old Town mural, going on the Mountain Trails building and the stucco above the wine room patio. Selected from 37 artist submissions. LINKS & RESOURCES • Friends of Old Town: friendsofoldtown.org (community calendar — events from across Old Town) • Friends of Old Town on Facebook (event pages for every gathering) • Friends of Old Town on Instagram: @friendsofoldtownwinc • Mural partners: United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, John and Janice Wyatt Foundation, Winchester Campaign for Grade-Level Reading THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Three hundred drones, eleven minutes, and an entire park's collective gasp. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at Jim Barnett Park's Active Living Center with Winchester City Parks Director Chris Konyar to recap the city's first-ever drone show (the Winchester logo perfectly drawn in the sky, the animated Patsy Cline, the Apple Blossom bloom, all to celebrate the VA250 anniversary) and to preview Red, White & Boom — Independence Eve at the park on Friday, July 3rd. Chris walks through the full Red, White & Boom lineup: a pool DJ, the Fun Zone with a dozen inflatables and water slides on the turf, a magic show at 5 PM, three live music acts starting at 6 PM (a bluegrass band led by Zach Townsend, a patriotic cover band, and a tribute band), a Winchester Royals home game against the New Market Rebels with free admission, food and craft vendors, and a slightly bigger-than-usual fireworks finale shot from Bodie Grimm. Then the conversation turns to everything still ahead this summer — Parks and Rec Month in July, the Fun in the Sun pool event on July 18th, additional sports camps (soccer, volleyball, tennis, the new softball camp, the sport sampler), continued swim lessons through July and August, junior lifeguard and junior counselor programs, and the increasingly popular drop-in turf passes now that the season has wound down for everyone else. Plus a recurring theme worth a podcast all its own: thank a Parks employee. RED, WHITE & BOOM (INDEPENDENCE EVE)  Friday, July 3, 2026 Jim Barnett Park • Pool opens at noon (regular admission) • Fun Zone (inflatables, water slides) opens 12:30 PM • Food and craft vendors throughout the afternoon on Hinkel-Harris field • Magic show — 5:00 PM • Live music — 6:00 PM until fireworks (Zach Townsend bluegrass, patriotic cover band, tribute band) • Winchester Royals vs. New Market Rebels — game starts around 5:00-5:30 PM, free admission • Fireworks at dusk, shot from Bodie Grimm WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AT JIM BARNETT PARK POOL & AQUATICS (open daily 12:00–6:30 PM) • Swim lessons — multiple July and August sessions, weekday morning, weekday afternoon, and Sunday • Adult lessons available • Aqua fitness classes and other fitness classes • Fun in the Sun pool event — Friday, July 18 (with regular pool admission) • Indoor pool available year-round SPORTS CAMPS (July and August) • Soccer (July session) — led by the Shenandoah University soccer coach and college players • Volleyball (August session) • Tennis camp • Softball camp — new this year, run by the Handley softball coach • Girls and Boys Sport Sampler Camp (July) — try-everything camp for younger kids • Drop-in turf — significantly more availability now that league seasons are over LINKS & RESOURCES • Winchester Parks and Recreation: winchesterva.gov/parks (online registration, full activity guide, schedules) • Summer Activity Guide — available online and in print • Monthly e-newsletter — sign up via the Parks website for highlights of upcoming events • Winchester Royals: winchesterroyals.org (schedule and game info) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

A week and a half ago, they walked into a radio station they didn't know existed. This week, they were standing on a stage at the HIVE at Shenandoah University with graduation certificates in their hands, telling a room full of parents and business leaders how the experience changed them. On this follow-up to the June 10th episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael returns to the students of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Arising Leadership Program — this time to find out whether the sessions they thought they were most looking forward to actually were their favorites, and what surprised them along the way. Janet catches up with six of the students at graduation — Amoni Hill, Emily Ramirez, Jack Bruns, Nyomi Coates, Lucy Gluszack (returning as an intern after participating last year), and Cole Stockli — plus parents Whitney and Amy, Carmeuse local leader Logan Thompson, Chamber program director Missy Spielman, and Chamber CEO Cynthia Schneider. You'll hear the two student speeches given that evening — Nyomi quoting Ratatouille on the soul, Amoni honoring "the orange lady" — and a really moving observation from a fire marshal: that this group had bonded in three days the way another group hadn't in nine months. Plus: Cynthia's reveal that two of these students already have business ideas they want to launch. (She is, predictably, ready for next year's class.) QUOTABLE MOMENTS FROM THE STUDENTS • "I will never forget the orange lady — as we called her — with her bubbly personality. She taught us to speak confidently, always looking for new opportunities if we prepare." — Amoni Hill • "You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul." — Nyomi Coates (quoting Gusteau, from Ratatouille) • "I had no idea this is what the program was gonna be. I thought maybe we'd just go inside businesses and talk for a little bit. But I was super excited when we started doing more hands-on stuff." — Emily Ramirez • "If you guys are looking for free certifications, maybe consider applying." — Jack Bruns • "It was just really personal. She gave us her business card. It was just really great." — Cole Stockli WHAT THE PROGRAM DOES (IN THE STUDENTS' OWN WORDS) This year's class confirmed what the previous two classes have shown: the Arising Leadership Program isn't just about exposing students to careers. It's about helping them rethink what's possible in their own backyard, building cross-school friendships across former rivalries, and shifting their sense of identity from "student" to "leader." By graduation, every student in this year's class had moved their Post-it Note from the "not yet" column to "I am a leader." ABOUT THE ARISING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM A career exploration program for rising high-school juniors and seniors across the Top of Virginia region. Over a week and a half, students rotate through industries in their own backyard — radio, aviation, healthcare, law and public safety, mining and engineering, agriculture, hospitality, culinary, events and floristry, financial services, and more. Coordinated by Missy Spielman through the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber. The program is free for participating students thanks to founding sponsorship from Carmeuse and additional community partners. LINKS & RESOURCES • Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: regionalchamber.biz (Arising Leadership Program applications and info available for next year's rising juniors and seniors) • Listen to the first-day episode (June 10): thevalleytodaypodcast.com  • Featured host businesses mentioned in this episode: The River 95.3, Valley Health, Carmeuse, Weber's Nursery, The Ivy Room, Edward Jones, Frederick County Courthouse, Frederick County Sheriff's Office, and many more • Interested employers, host businesses, or potential sponsors can contact the Chamber directly through regionalchamber.biz THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

A string of pearls runs along Route 11 — and every one of them is built for summer. On this Shenandoah County Tourism Tuesday edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined on the Zooms by Kary Haun and Brittany Clem-Hott for a conversation devoted to the best of summer in Shenandoah County, from Strasburg to New Market and everywhere between. Three Valley League baseball teams, a county full of ice cream stands, fireworks displays, summer music series in nearly every town, the river walks of Seven Bends State Park and Lake Laura, dozens of outdoor-dining patios, and an underground 55-degree cavern for the days when the heat just won't quit. Whether you live in Shenandoah County or you're just a drive away, this episode is a complete summer planning guide. SUMMER IN SHENANDOAH COUNTY — AT A GLANCE BASEBALL (Valley League — collegiate, community-hosted, family-affordable) • Strasburg Express • Woodstock River Bandits (Central High School stadium) • New Market Rebels (Rebel Park) • Schedules, scores, rosters, stats: valleybaseballleague.com ICE CREAM (a few favorites mentioned on the show) • Katie's Custard — Route 11, near the Woodstock games • Sugar Creek — Route 11, Woodstock (now near the Food Lion; still bright pink) • Ice Cream Depot — downtown Strasburg • Peep's Ice Cream Stand — New Market • Smiley's Ice Cream — Basye (with putt-putt and gem sluicing) • Edinburg mini golf and ice cream — right off Route 11 FIREWORKS — JULY 2026 (VA250) • New Market — Thursday, July 3 • Woodstock — at the fairgrounds (July 4) • Strasburg — town display (July 4) • Bryce Resort — fireworks on the slopes (July 4) MUSIC SERIES THIS SUMMER • Strasburg — Front Porch Live (Thursday evenings) • Woodstock — Woodstock ROCS at the community park • New Market — Crossroads Fest at Rebel Park • Vineyards, breweries, and wineries across the county host live music throughout the summer (full list on the events tab at visitshenandoahcounty.com) RIVER & WATER WALKS • Seven Bends State Park (Woodstock) — three-mile riverside loop with kayak rentals from the Hollingsworth side to the Lupton side • Strasburg River Walk — near the town municipal park • Lake Laura (Bryce) — 2.5-mile loop, paddle boats, paddle boards OUTDOOR DINING (a sampler from the show) • Box Office Brewery — Strasburg • Bean's Barbecue — Edinburg (mostly takeout; perfect for a picnic) • Miller Grill — New Market • Woodstock Cafe — front and back patios with strung lights • Flour to Fork — alleyway summer dinner series, plus pizza Wednesdays and dinners Fridays • Swover Creek Farms — wood-fired pizza, sausages, dog-friendly, kid-friendly • Woodstock BrewHouse — patio with Thursday live music • Pale Fire — pizza and beer, Basye • The Burn Barrel — Basye WHEN IT'S TOO HOT TO BE OUTSIDE • Shenandoah Caverns — guided one-hour tours, 55° year-round, exceptionally family-friendly LINKS & RESOURCES • Shenandoah County Tourism: visitshenandoahcounty.com (Events tab for the full summer calendar; search bar to look up any business or attraction) • Valley Baseball League — schedules, scores, rosters, and YouTube replays: valleybaseballleague.com • Seven Bends State Park: dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/seven-bends THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

She saw the commercial — the one with the Red Cross volunteer in the red vest, hugging someone, handing over a blanket — and told her husband, "When I retire, I want to be that person." On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael continues her year-long Red Cross series with Deb Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter, who brings along volunteer Jill Johnson — a retired teacher who has now been deployed five times (three nationally, two locally) and is on standby for another deployment as the conversation is happening. Jill walks through the surprisingly simple sign-up process at redcross.org, how the certifications stack (sheltering, feeding, and more), and the dual paths she's chosen: Prepare with Pedro, a K-2 disaster preparedness program she teaches in local schools, churches, and scout groups, alongside national deployments to Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, the Southern California floods and mudslides, and Hurricane Helene in Asheville. She shares what it actually looks like inside a shelter — bearded dragons, dancing parrots, Tide trucks doing laundry, FEMA tents holding a thousand people for dinner — and why the Red Cross changed its pet policy after recognizing that families won't evacuate without their animals. Plus: Deb's good news that the chapter has already hit its volunteer recruitment goals for the year because so many people stepped up in unexpected ways. ABOUT THE GREATER SHENANDOAH VALLEY CHAPTER The American Red Cross Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter serves the region with disaster response, blood services, military family support, health and safety education, and community preparedness programs. The chapter has met its 2026 volunteer recruitment goals — including a recent reduction in target numbers based on how well the local chapter has performed. ABOUT PREPARE WITH PEDRO A free Red Cross disaster preparedness program designed for children in grades K-2. The program uses books, videos, songs, and hands-on activities to teach kids the basics of home fire safety — including escape plans, meeting places, smoke alarm checks, the "get low and go" technique for smoke, and coping/breathing exercises that apply to disasters and everyday stressful moments. Available free to classrooms, scout groups, church groups, and any setting with children. Schools and groups can request a visit through their local Red Cross chapter. WAYS TO VOLUNTEER (THERE'S MORE THAN YOU THINK) • Direct disaster response — sheltering, feeding (local and national deployments, two-week commitments) • Disaster preparedness education — Prepare with Pedro, hands-only CPR, home fire safety • Smoke alarm installation in partnership with local fire departments • Behind-the-scenes — logistics, supply, planning, weather tracking, government operations coordination • Blood services support • Military family support (armed forces programs) • Local events and community outreach • Set your own schedule — volunteer as much or as little as your life allows LINKS & RESOURCES • Sign up to volunteer: redcross.org → click "Volunteer"  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Deworm every animal every time, and pretty soon the dewormer stops working. On this Extension Office Friday edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with Elizabeth Mullins Baldwin (Page County Extension agent) and Cynthia Fairbanks (Warren County Extension agent) to talk about herd health for the region's growing population of small-ruminant producers — and a hands-on FAMACHA certification workshop coming up at the Warren County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 11th. The conversation starts with a friendly reality check for anyone thinking about getting into sheep or goats — yes, they're a great entry point into farming, but also yes, "do your homework before you go to the sale" is the single best piece of advice the Extension office can give. Then Cynthia and Elizabeth walk through what FAMACHA actually is — a science-based, color-card system developed in 1990s South Africa by Dr. Faffa Malan that helps producers decide which animals actually need deworming and which don't, based on real-time signs of anemia from the barber pole worm. The result: less money wasted on dewormer, less resistance built up in parasites, and healthier animals. Workshop attendees get hands-on practice, a FAMACHA certification, fecal egg count demonstrations, and the science-backed answers to all the "but I heard you can just feed them a Christmas tree" home remedies floating around. EVENT DETAILS — FAMACHA CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP Saturday, July 11, 2026 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Warren County Fairgrounds • $30 per person (flat fee, regardless of farm size) • Breakfast included • Open to producers from any county • Pre-registration required WHAT YOU'LL LEARN AND LEAVE WITH • FAMACHA certification (with certificate) • Hands-on practice scoring real sheep and goats with the FAMACHA color card • Demonstration of proper fecal sample collection (Elizabeth) • Live microscope demo of fecal egg counts (a powerful tool for measuring dewormer resistance) • Science-based review of internal and external parasites common in Virginia • A look at popular herbal/home remedies — and which ones research actually supports • Direct Q&A with Extension agents WHO IT'S FOR • Current sheep and goat producers • New producers building up their first herd • Anyone considering sheep or goats in the future who wants to know what they're getting into • Camelid (llama and alpaca) owners — newly included this year • Producers concerned about dewormer resistance and rising input costs HOW TO REGISTER • Online registration - click here or get the flyer here.  • In person at your local Extension office (cash or check) • By phone — call either Extension office directly A NOTE ON FAMACHA FAMACHA was developed in South Africa in the early 1990s by veterinarian Dr. Faffa Malan, in response to widespread blanket deworming that was creating costly dewormer-resistant parasites. The system uses a color card matched to the eye mucous membrane of the animal to score anemia on a 1-5 scale — a real-time, non-invasive proxy for packed cell volume (red blood cell concentration). It's specifically designed to detect the effects of the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus), the most common and damaging internal parasite for small ruminants in the southeastern United States. The goal: only deworm animals that actually need it, preserve the effectiveness of the few approved dewormers we still have, and save producers money in the process. LINKS & RESOURCES • Page County Extension on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PageCountyVCE • Warren County Extension on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarrenCountyVCE  • Your local Extension office can answer questions on herd health, soil testing, pest management, and more (calls are free and welcome — Extension agents in Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, Warren, and Page counties serve the whole region) CONNECT WITH VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION VCE – Clarke County: 540-955-5164 VCE – Frederick County: 540-665-5699 VCE – Page County: 540-778-5794 VCE – Shenandoah County: 540-459-6140 VCE – Warren County: 540-635-4549 THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Palliative isn't a synonym for terminal. On this Community Health edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Dr. Jim VanKirk, board-certified palliative care specialist and Medical Director of Valley Health's Palliative Care Program, joined by team social worker Rachel Schwartz, to clear up one of the most persistent misconceptions in medicine — and to make the case for thinking about palliative care as a living tool, not an end-of-life one. Dr. VanKirk walks through what palliative care actually is — symptom support, treatment planning, and team-based care for patients with serious illnesses who are still receiving aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and ICU care — and explains the research showing that earlier palliative intervention actually correlates with patients living longer. Rachel talks through the role of a palliative social worker, the kinds of grief families navigate along the way of a progressive illness (not just at the end), and the concept of "substituted judgment" when a patient can't speak for themselves. Plus: a thorough, practical conversation about advance directives — what they are, why every adult needs one starting at age 18, why April 16th is the easiest day to remember to update yours, and the family stories (including Dr. VanKirk's own) that show why having "the document" isn't the point — the conversation that leads to the document is. ABOUT VALLEY HEALTH'S PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM A specialized medical service for patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses, working alongside primary treatment teams to provide symptom management, treatment planning support, and goals-of-care conversations. The team works across the hospital — including with ICU patients and patients still receiving aggressive treatment like chemotherapy or radiation — and partners with chaplains, music therapists, speech therapists, physical and occupational therapists, and bedside nursing teams to provide whole-person care for both the patient and their family. ABOUT ADVANCE DIRECTIVES An advance directive is a document that expresses your wishes for healthcare, especially if you become unable to speak for yourself. It typically has two parts: (1) the designation of a healthcare agent — the person empowered to make decisions on your behalf, and (2) specific wishes about what care you would or would not want in certain situations (sometimes called a "living will"). KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE • Every adult — starting at age 18 — should have an advance directive. Car accidents don't wait for a diagnosis. • The conversation matters more than the document. Your healthcare agent needs to know how you think and what's important to you. • Tell your designated agent first. Tell other close family and friends the document exists. • Update your directive periodically — life changes, designated agents pass away or move, your wishes evolve. • Virginia and West Virginia have different legal requirements. Know which state's form you need. • Don't store it in a lockbox. Your agent, your primary care physician, and your hospital should all have copies. • April 16th is the easy day to remember — the day after Tax Day. Take care of the government on the 15th; take care of yourself on the 16th. • If a loved one is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, complete legal documents IMMEDIATELY. Capacity can be lost faster than families expect. LINKS & RESOURCES • Valley Health Palliative Care Program: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/patient-visitors/for-patients/advance-care-planning-advance-directives/ (click Your Visit → Patient Resources for advance directive information, FAQs, state-specific forms, and a number to schedule a facilitator appointment) • Every Community Health conversation in one place: thevalleytodaypodcast.com (click Categories → VH Community Health)  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

The federal poverty line for a family of four in America is $33,000 a year. In Virginia, a single person needs to earn more than $50,000 just to meet their basic needs. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, for a candid conversation about why hunger and unemployment have "decoupled" since the pandemic — and why the people now showing up at food pantries are increasingly working, employed, and earning more than the federal poverty level. Les walks through the MIT Living Wage Calculator and what it really costs to live in places like Winchester versus Warren County, the math that makes a $3 donation worth nine meals, and the stories behind the statistics — including a bus driver who was living in her truck and saved enough through a mobile food pantry to put a down payment on an apartment, and the HVAC family that sold their kitchen table to buy food before discovering a partner pantry. Plus: the realities of summer hunger when 56,000+ children in the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank's service region lose access to school meals, why USDA donations are down and the food bank is now spending hundreds of thousands on protein, and how the Supper Club provides the kind of reliable monthly support that keeps shelves full. UNDERSTANDING MODERN HUNGER — THE NUMBERS • Federal poverty level for a family of four (2025): $33,000/year • Virginia basic-needs income for a single adult: over $50,000/year (MIT Living Wage Calculator) • Virginia unemployment rate: below 4% • Blue Ridge Area Food Bank monthly guest visits: ~177,000 • Children among guest visits: 1 in 3 • Children food-insecure in Virginia: 1 in 7 • SNAP-to-charitable-network meal ratio: 9 to 1 • Emergency food box size: ~30 pounds of food per person • $1 donated = ~3 meals provided ($3 = 9 meals) HOW TO HELP • Donate at https://www.brafb.org/ — every dollar provides about three meals • Join the Supper Club — recurring monthly donations the food bank can rely on (as little as $10/month) • Volunteer — locally with the food bank, with a partner pantry, or with local school-food programs  • Use the Food Finder — for yourself or to help a neighbor (search by location, with hours and directions) • Support local food-pantry partners and summer feeding programs in your community LINKS & RESOURCES • Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: https://www.brafb.org/ (Food Finder tool, Supper Club, donations) • Blue Ridge Area Food Bank on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn • MIT Living Wage Calculator: livingwage.mit.edu (search your city/county) • Feeding America — the national network of food banks • Bright Futures Winchester/Frederick County — summer food bus program (Elise's organization, mentioned) • Winchester CCAP and other local food pantry partners across the Blue Ridge service region THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

The Patsy Cline Theater isn't just an auditorium — it's Winchester's de facto civic center. From Willie Nelson to Vince Gill to Sara Evans, from the Apple Blossom coronations to 35 years of community gatherings, it's where Winchester has shown up for itself. And the seats, after nearly 40 years of student traffic and standing ovations, are showing every bit of their age. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes an old friend back to the show — Larry Weiss, Executive Director of the Winchester Education Foundation — for a conversation about how the Foundation supports Winchester Public Schools and the year-long Community Comfort Campaign to replace all 1,100 seats and the carpeting in the historic theater. Larry walks through the full scope of the Foundation's work — scholarships for graduating Handley seniors, a unique endowment from Mindy Loy that funds continuing education for Handley graduates who come back to teach in Winchester schools, and the brick-and-mortar work that brought the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center into existence (now featured in a national PBS-style documentary called Multiple Choice). Plus: a special August benefit concert at the Patsy Cline Theater by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Valerie Smith, whose new "musical journal" Maggie's Journal sets her grandmother's post-Civil War handwritten journal to bluegrass, Americana, and roots music — with all proceeds going to the seating campaign. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY COMFORT CAMPAIGN A year-long fundraising campaign by the Winchester Education Foundation to replace all 1,100 seats and the carpeting in the Patsy Cline Theater at John Handley High School — the venue that serves not just the school but the wider Winchester community as a civic center, concert hall, and Apple Blossom event space. Total project cost is estimated at approximately $1 million. New seating and carpeting installation is targeted for summer 2027. WAYS TO PARTICIPATE • $350 names a seat — name tag can honor anyone (teacher, parent, classmate, graduating student) • Purchase an entire row to reunite a graduating class • Take one of the old seats home as a souvenir when they're uninstalled • Any contribution — from $10 to $10,000 — moves the campaign forward • The balcony will be dedicated in honor of Russ Potts • All 1991-era donor name tags will be moved to the new seats, preserving the theater's history BENEFIT CONCERT — VALERIE SMITH'S MAGGIE'S JOURNAL Saturday, August 1, 2026 • 7:00 PM Sunday, August 2, 2026 • 2:00 PM matinee Patsy Cline Theater, John Handley High School LINKS & RESOURCES • Winchester Education Foundation — winchestereducationfoundation.org (click the Community Comfort Campaign graphic on the homepage) • Valerie Smith — thevaleriesmith.com (concert tickets and information) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Marketing isn't the thing small-business owners hate — it's the thing they're afraid of, and they're afraid of it because nobody ever explains it. On this Luray-Page Chamber edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with Colton Wolf — owner of White Wolf Communications Group and a familiar voice on the show from his earlier conversations about the theater in Stanley — for a wide-ranging talk about why small and mid-sized businesses deserve the same strategic communications work the big brands get, and how a Page County firm is delivering it. Colton walks through how his firm grew from a pandemic-era pivot and a Georgetown public-relations program into a five-person team that builds holistic strategies for nonprofits, local pillars like Racey Engineering, and PACA — partnerships that started with Colton being president of PACA's first leadership club back in high school. The conversation digs into the realities of modern marketing in a noisy landscape (Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and Google all competing for the same mental real estate), why word-of-mouth alone isn't enough anymore, why the right overhead investment for a communications firm is its people, and the moment Colton lives for: when a client says, "I never even thought of that." Plus a couple of Page County Chamber events worth your time. ABOUT WHITE WOLF COMMUNICATIONS GROUP A Page County-based communications firm focused on small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits across the region. Services span communications planning, public relations, social media strategy and management, website design and SEO, print and surface design, photography, and videography (including drone work). Engagements range from monthly retainer packages to one-off projects. LURAY-PAGE CHAMBER EVENTS COMING UP • Business After Hours — Thursday, June 18, 2026 • 5:30–7:00 PM • Il Vesuvio Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria • You do not need to be a Chamber member to attend — a great way to test-drive the Chamber. • Lunch & Learn: Accessing Capital for Startups and Small Businesses — Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • 11:30 AM–1:00 PM • Chamber Boardroom, 18 Campbell Street, Luray • Speaker: Leslie Currle, People Inc. Financial Services • Part of a new quarterly series, Capital Readiness for Small Businesses, designed to strengthen local businesses and expand access to capital. LINKS & RESOURCES • White Wolf Communications Group: whitewolfcg.com • Email: [email protected] • White Wolf on Facebook • Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce: luraypagechamber.com (event registration and details) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

It started with an email and one really good lecture — and turned into the biggest day in Shenandoah County history in a generation. On this bonus Shenandoah County Tourism episode, host Janet Michael and Kary Haun head to the historic courthouse in Woodstock to talk with Suzanne McIlwee and Kim Yeck, co-chairs of Shenandoah County Celebrates 1776 — a free, full-day VA 250 commemoration happening Saturday, June 20, 2026, hosted by the Shenandoah County Historical Society. Suzanne and Kim walk through how a chapter-meeting idea grew into a downtown-wide event featuring the fifth great-grandson of Patrick Henry delivering "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" in character, the 1st and 8th Virginia Regiments encamped on East Court Street, a mounted dragoon cavalry unit doing demonstrations, lectures running simultaneously in three churches, a Williamsburg-trained cordwainer, a master gunsmith, a tape loomist, an 18th-century surveyor, period authors and book signings, kids' activities and a scavenger hunt, historical dancing on the courthouse lawn at 4 PM, museums open all day, and a special 250 Celebration Ale being unveiled. Plus shuttle and parking info, the opening ceremony schedule, and one truly pressing question: do they still need a fifer? (Yes. Yes they do.) EVENT DETAILS — SHENANDOAH COUNTY CELEBRATES 1776 Saturday, June 20, 2026 Downtown Woodstock, Virginia • Centered on the historic courthouse, East Court Street, West Court Street, and Lawyer's Row Free admission • Rain or shine • Family-friendly • Colonial dress encouraged Opening ceremony: 10:00 AM at the historic courthouse (Theatre Shenandoah preview at 9:45) Event runs through the afternoon, with the historical dance on the courthouse lawn at 4:00 PM Street closures: East Court Street and a portion of West Court Street barricaded all day; Main Street briefly closed for the opening ceremony Parking: county administration building (600 N. Main Street) with shuttle service to East Court Street, running 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; additional parking at the old Woodstock High School lot on West Court Street and at lots throughout town Museums open all day: historic courthouse, Marshall House, Wickham House, Ott-Magruder-Grable Museum KICKOFF EVENT — SAVE THE DATE Free screening of the 1776 movie — Sunday, June 14, 2026 • 4:30 PM Co-presented by the Shenandoah County Historical Society and Woodstock Community Theatre LINKS & RESOURCES • Event website: shenandoah250.org • Event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShenCo1776/ • Shenandoah County Historical Society — host organization, with archives and ancestry research support • Visit Shenandoah County: VisitShenandoahCounty.com • Play the fife? The organizers want to hear from you — contact via shenandoah250.org THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

You don't need Johns Hopkins to become a nurse. You don't even need four years. On this Laurel Ridge Community College edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with Director of Marketing Guy Curtis, joined by Dr. Scott Vanderkooi, Dean of Health Professions, and Dr. Amanda Hodges, Interim Director of Nursing — to talk about how someone in this region can become a working RN in two years, often for far less money than they assume, and with a 100% job placement rate to show for it. The bigger news in this conversation is the launch of a brand-new weekend-and-online cohort starting in spring 2027, designed specifically for people who can't quit their jobs to go back to school. Online lectures, weekend labs, weekend clinicals — built around the reality that most adult learners are already working. Amanda walks through what the program looks like, who it's right for, and how CNAs, LPNs, EMTs, paramedics, and even total beginners can step in. Plus: how G3 state funding can cover the last dollar of tuition for eligible Virginia residents, and the upcoming online information sessions where you can learn more. ABOUT THE NEW WEEKEND RN COHORT Launching spring 2027, Laurel Ridge's new RN nursing cohort is built for adult learners who can't step away from full-time work. Lectures and coursework are delivered online. Labs, simulations, and clinical hours run on weekends. The program leads to an RN license — the same credential as the traditional weekday program — and qualifies for G3 last-dollar tuition funding for eligible Virginia residents. WHO IT'S FOR • Adults currently working who want to change careers • CNAs, LPNs, EMTs, paramedics, and surgical techs looking to advance to RN • People with no prior healthcare experience who want to enter the field • Anyone who needs to keep their current job while going to nursing school INFORMATION SESSIONS • First session: Monday, June 23, 2026 — online • Additional sessions throughout July (dates listed at laurelridge.edu/nursing) • Sessions cover the new weekend cohort, the traditional RN program, the CNA program, and the Practical Nursing program — plus admission requirements, the entrance exam, and how to prepare. Parents of high school students considering nursing careers are welcome to attend. ABOUT G3 FUNDING G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back) is a Virginia state program that covers the "last dollar" of tuition costs for high-demand career programs at Virginia community colleges. Eligibility is based on household income — roughly $100,000 to $128,000 depending on household size — and Virginia residency. G3 stacks on top of any federal financial aid (like FAFSA) so it covers what other aid doesn't. LINKS & RESOURCES • Laurel Ridge Nursing — program info, info session registration, application: laurelridge.edu/nursing • Schedule a campus visit: laurelridge.edu/visit • G3 funding eligibility and details: laurelridge.edu/G3  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

"I didn't even know there was a radio station over here." That sentence — or some version of it — came up so many times on this episode that it became the unofficial theme. On a special episode of The Valley Today recorded on the first day of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Arising Leadership Program, host Janet Michael sits down in the studio with 16 high-school participants and program director Missy Spielman to talk about what brought them to the program, what surprised them about radio in particular, and where they think their futures might be headed — from anesthesiology to architecture inspired by Minecraft. You'll meet rising juniors and seniors from John Handley, Millbrook, Sherando, Clarke County, and James Wood, hear what each one is hoping to get from the week-and-a-half-long career exploration program, and find out which of them might be the next architect, anesthesiologist, attorney, dentist, sports broadcaster, business analyst, or — Janet's lobbying hard — radio station part-timer. Missy closes out with what she saw from the very first orientation: a group that walked in quiet and reserved, and within ten minutes were swapping numbers, ignoring school rivalries, and learning to network in the most authentic way possible. THE ARISING LEADERSHIP CLASS The 16 students featured on this episode, in interview order: • Owen Parker — Millbrook High School, rising senior • Lucy Gluszak — John Handley High School, 12th grade (returning as an intern after participating last year — now interning at the Winchester Regional Airport) • Sam Donohue — Clarke County High School, rising junior — interested in law • Emily Ramirez — Sherando High School, rising senior — interested in healthcare and agriculture • Cole Stockli — Millbrook High School, rising senior — interested in medical and culinary • Kimberly Andrade — John Handley High School, rising 11th grader • Hudson Slaughter — John Handley High School, rising 11th grader (older brother went through the program two years ago) • Jack Bruns — Sherando High School, junior — interested in business analytics • Tiffany Yau — Millbrook High School, rising senior — interested in engineering and medical sciences • Nyomi Coates — Sherando High School, rising senior — wants to be an architect (credit: Minecraft) • Amoni Hill — James Wood High School, rising senior — wants to be an anesthesiologist • Brennan Carter — Millbrook High School, rising senior — interested in engineering • Sierra Chastain — Clarke County High School, rising junior — wants to be a dentist (Janet lobbied for "DJ") • Noah Mandel — Sherando High School, rising junior — interested in physical therapy and sports medicine • Christiana Ekoue — John Handley High School, rising senior • Andrea Rojas — John Handley High School, rising senior IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) What the Arising Leadership Program is — and how Day 1 unfolded at The River 95.3 (00:30) How the station team split up the group: Sports Director Ryan Rutherford, Operations Manager Lonnie Hill, Business Manager Kathy Willis, and Janet (01:00) Meet the 16 students — short interviews about what drew them to the program and what they're hoping to learn (timestamps for each student are approximate, running consecutively from 01:00 to 19:00) (19:00) A sit-down with program director Missy Spielman (19:30) What Missy saw on orientation night — a quiet group that opened up in ten minutes flat (20:30) Why cross-school networking matters more than ever (and why school rivalries don't show up here the way they used to) (21:00) "You can't be it if you can't see it" — the program's mission in one sentence (21:30) Why so many former students are now the people Missy coordinates host visits with WHAT THE STUDENTS LEARNED AT THE STATION (in their own words) • Working on the elevator pitch was something they wouldn't have thought to do on their own • Communication is the foundation of everything — without it, projects "crash and burn" • Radio is much bigger than people think — multiple studios, not a closet with a microphone • The music you hear comes via satellite, often from Texas • Doing a weather blurb under a tight time limit is genuinely hard • Listeners tune out when they hear the same voice too long — voice variety keeps attention • Sports broadcasting takes far more planning than people realize ABOUT THE ARISING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM A career exploration program for rising high-school juniors and seniors across the Top of Virginia region. Over a week and a half, students rotate through industries in their own backyard — radio, aviation, law, healthcare, hospitality, culinary, criminal justice, agriculture, and more — to discover careers they may not have considered or even known existed. Coordinated by Missy Spielman through the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber. LINKS & RESOURCES • Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: regionalchamber.biz   • The River 95.3 — and yes, they're hiring part-timers and interns (ask Janet)  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

A rainy spring turned into a packed season at The Barns of Rose Hill. On this Tourism Tuesday Berryville/Clarke County edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up with Martha Reynolds, Executive Director of The Barns of Rose Hill, to walk through what's coming next — and there is a lot. Two simultaneous gallery exhibitions, a VA250 concert series tied to traditional American roots music, a folk opera that's already sold out twice, and a benefit concert from a beloved local artist on the way. Martha previews everything from Color Stories (vivid contemporary stripes) and Jackson Foster's historic tavern signs to The Quiet Vast photography exhibit to a Portuguese artist who pairs her work with QR-coded music. Plus: the Forging a Nation film series with American Legion Post 41, Jules & the Agreeables benefit concert on June 27, Larry Keel and Jon Stickley's flatpicking bluegrass on 7/11, the return of the Orange on the Blue Ridge folk opera in August, and the final stretch of a 10-year endowment campaign that wraps August 31st — every dollar matched by the Eugene B. Casey Foundation. The Barns turns 15 in September, and the gala that closes the campaign is shaping up to be the celebration of the year. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Why spring wasn't slow this year — and the John Prine tribute screening that brought a packed house (02:00) Color Stories — contemporary stripes through June 13 (03:00) Jackson Foster's historic tavern signs — VA250 programming opens soon in the upper gallery (04:00) The Quiet Vast — Suzanne and Chris Bowers's duo photography exhibit (June 19–August 1) (05:00) Why Suzanne's new astrophotography is worth the trip on its own (05:30) Portuguese artist Leonor Brazão — color, music, and QR codes (August–September) (06:30) Why technology in galleries deepens rather than dilutes the experience (07:30) Forging a Nation film series with American Legion Post 41 — classic Americana on the big screen, with the historical inaccuracies called out up front (09:00) Roots of a Nation concert series — supported by Virginia Humanities, running well past July 4th (09:30) Coming up: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer's From China to Appalachia (June 19), The Hot Seats, Larry & Joe (Pan-American roots, November), and Critton Hollow String Band (11:30) Jules & the Agreeables benefit concert — June 27, sponsored by Bank of Clarke Foundation (12:30) Why a ticket doesn't keep the lights on — and why a benefit concert does (15:00) Larry Keel & Jon Stickley duo — Friday, July 11 (7/11 — easy to remember), Bluegrass & BBQ series with Jordan Springs Market, sponsor still wanted (16:30) Orange on the Blue Ridge returns in August — the folk opera that's sold out two years running (19:00) The 10-year, $100,000-a-year endowment campaign — ending August 31, dollar-for-dollar match from the Eugene B. Casey Foundation (20:00) Why a $10 gift becomes a $20 gift becomes a 15-year investment (22:30) 15th Anniversary Gala — September 19, with Furnace Mountain Duo (Morgan Morrison and Dave Van Deventer) returning home (24:00) Why The Barns calls Furnace Mountain "the house band" (24:30) Where to find everything — barnsofrosehill.org, Facebook (now 10,000+ followers), and the newsletter GALLERY EXHIBITIONS THIS SUMMER • Color Stories — through June 13 (contemporary art, vivid striped color swatches) • Jackson Foster — historic tavern signs, reclaimed wood, hand-forged hardware (VA250 programming, upper gallery, opens mid-June) • The Quiet Vast — Suzanne & Chris Bowers, duo photography exhibition including new astrophotography work (June 19–Aug 1)  • Leonor Brazão — Portuguese artist pairing color, music, and QR-coded audio experience (August–September) CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS • Jules & the Agreeables benefit concert — Friday, June 27 • $30 standing, ~$50 seated • sponsored by Bank of Clarke Foundation • local wine and food truck on site • Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer: From China to Appalachia — June 19 (Roots of a Nation series) • Larry Keel & Jon Stickley duo — Friday, July 11 • Bluegrass & BBQ series with Jordan Springs Market • sponsor opportunity available • The Hot Seats — Richmond-based string band with a funky twist • Orange on the Blue Ridge — folk opera by Suni Mackall, music direction by Morgan Morrison • two dates in August • historically sells out — buy now • Larry & Joe — Pan-American roots (Venezuelan + Appalachian), November • Critton Hollow String Band — 50+ years of traditional music • Forging a Nation film series with American Legion Post 41 — screenings in June, July, and October ANNIVERSARY & ENDOWMENT • Endowment Campaign — final year of a 10-year, $100,000-a-year goal, every dollar matched by the Eugene B. Casey Foundation. Campaign ends August 31, 2026. • 15th Anniversary Gala — Friday, September 19, 2026 at The Barns, featuring Furnace Mountain Duo (Morgan Morrison and Dave Van Deventer) LINKS & RESOURCES • The Barns of Rose Hill: barnsofrosehill.org (tickets, newsletter signup at bottom of homepage) • The Barns on Facebook (10,000+ followers — best place for last-minute additions and updates) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Crisis aid keeps the lights on this month. The THRIVE Project is built to make sure there isn't a next crisis. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at the United Way office with longtime friend Andrea Cosans, Executive Director of Winchester CCAP, to talk about the most ambitious project of her CCAP tenure — a multi-agency, grant-funded initiative that will take up to 50 ALICE-population clients through a year of intensive support (case management, therapy, life coaching, financial literacy, job training) and follow them for a second year to see if it sticks. Andrea walks through the small-scale pilots that got her here — five clients, then ten, with results so strong they convinced funders to back a $112,000 expansion — and the partner agencies who said yes to building it together: Connected Communities, I'm Just ME, United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley, Horizon Goodwill, and Family Promise. Plus a much bigger argument about how nonprofits in this community actually do collaborate, and why "too many nonprofits, too much overlap" is the wrong story to tell about the people doing this work. Plus details on two upcoming CCAP fundraisers: An Evening of Enchantment (June 18th) and the 6th Annual Benefit Bike Ride (August 22nd). IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Why this conversation is happening at the United Way office (it'll make sense in a minute) (00:30) CCAP's history — founded 1974 to help the population we now call ALICE (01:00) Why preventing homelessness is cheaper than fixing it (01:30) What CCAP's financial aid actually covers — rent, mortgage, utilities, heating, car repair (02:00) Why CCAP is, by design, a Band-Aid — and why a Band-Aid isn't enough (02:30) The origin story: a Legacy Wellness therapist, a life coach, a conference, and $1,000 (03:00) The first five clients — and what "wildly successful" really meant (03:30) The story of the man who came to CCAP every day, and now hasn't been seen in two years (03:30) The woman who won the Park Ranger Wheelbarrow Olympics at Great Meadows (04:30) Round two: 10 clients, 10 successes, and a $112,000 grant package (04:30) Why this can't be a one-agency program — and who said yes (05:30) Why the program follows clients for a second year (the real test) (06:30) The Valley Health Foundation and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grants (07:00) What clients actually do — Get on Board job boot camp, financial literacy, mentoring (07:30) The forklift-certified couple, the substance-abuse and DV story, and the volunteers they became (08:30) The drug-court client who came back to teach CPR classes (09:00) Who the program is for — ALICE: asset-limited, income-constrained, employed  (09:30) The Winchester paradox — beautiful downtown, 19% food insecurity, 50% on some benefit (10:30) Trauma-informed decisions and the myth that fast food is cheaper (11:30) The week-by-week structure — case manager, therapist, life coach, classes, all of it (12:30) "Room to dream" — the single father who didn't know how to go back to college (13:30) Why nobody taught most of us how to do a family budget (Janet included) (15:30) The first meeting — Andrea, the partners, and a ground rule for letting go (16:30) Logistics: release-of-information forms, intake, referrals, who does what (17:00) Kim Wilt's policy magic — and the dream of replicating THRIVE in other communities (18:00) "They're not my clients — they're citizens who need help" (19:30) The City of Winchester visit and what workforce partnerships could look like (20:30) The 6th Annual Benefit Bike Ride — August 22 at the Wellness Center (21:00) Why people fly in from Germany, England, Florida, and Ohio for it (21:30) An Evening of Enchantment — Thursday, June 18 with New Eve Maternity Home (22:00) Silent auction, live auction, Gore Cabin staycation, Vic the magician (22:30) The hot water heater story (and why it outsold the jewelry) (23:00) Why "too many nonprofits, no collaboration" is the wrong story (24:30) How CCAP's $200/household actually works in partnership with others (25:30) The food-pantry schedule across town — Mondays at CCAP, Tuesdays at Highland, Saturdays at the Merriman's Lane church (25:30) The $50,000 United Way grant that pushed 50,000 pounds of produce across the region (26:30) The Nonprofit Collaborative and the case for citizens, not clients (27:30) What happens when Church World Services loses funding — and why CCAP feels it indirectly ABOUT THE THRIVE PROJECT A new multi-agency program led by Winchester CCAP and backed by $112,000 in initial grant funding. Designed to take up to 50 ALICE-population clients through a structured year of services — case management, therapy, life coaching, financial literacy classes, Horizon Goodwill's "Get on Board" job boot camp — followed by a second year of check-ins to measure durable change. Built around the premise that crisis aid alone won't break the poverty cycle, and that no single agency can deliver everything one person needs. THE PARTNERS • Winchester CCAP (lead) • Connected Communities • I'm Just ME • United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley (fiscal agent) • Horizon Goodwill • Family Promise Winchester Area CCAP FUNDRAISERS COMING UP An Evening of Enchantment — Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Joint fundraiser with New Eve Maternity Home • Silent auction, live auction (including a Gore Cabin staycation with dinner at Violino's), entertainment by Vic the Magician, emcee by Janet Michael • 120 tickets remaining — register at CCAPwinchester.org 6th Annual Benefit Bike Ride — Friday, August 22, 2026 8:00 AM start at the Wellness Center, 105 Campus Boulevard • ~270 riders expected, drawing participants from across the country and abroad • Volunteers still needed — contact Jessica Leonard • Register at CCAPwinchester.org LINKS & RESOURCES • Winchester CCAP: CCAPwinchester.org (new website by Wild Ember) • United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley (THRIVE fiscal agent) • Partner organizations: Connected Communities, I'm Just ME, Horizon Goodwill, Family Promise Winchester Area • Local food pantry network mentioned: Highland Food Pantry, Hope Again Food Pantry, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, New Life Church, Love In Action • Workforce training partner: Laurel Ridge Community College • Funders: Valley Health Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

The shelter season may end with the cold weather — but homelessness doesn't. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up with Robyn Miller, Executive Director of WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter), to talk about what the organization is doing right now in June — the year-round case management, the two transitional homes, the cooling center that currently has no home of its own, and the everyday work of helping someone get their birth certificate so they can get a driver's license, so they can get a job, so they can get a place to live. Robyn explains why the goal at WATTS is, paradoxically, to put WATTS out of business — and walks Janet through the patchwork of partner organizations that make that possible, from Winchester CCAP to Family Promise Winchester Area to the Concern Hotline to the Winchester Police Department's addiction recovery team. Plus: the lineup of summer and fall fundraisers that keep the lights on at a privately-funded nonprofit — Caring & Sharing at Greenwood Fire Hall, the Walt Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament at Rock Harbor, and the wildly popular Cheesin' for a Reason on the Old Town Walking Mall in November. UPCOMING WATTS EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS Caring & Sharing — Friday, August 15, 2026 • Greenwood Fire Hall • An evening of music, food, and raffles celebrating WATTS volunteers and guests, with success stories told in their own voices. Walt Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament — Thursday, October 2, 2026 • Rock Harbor Golf Course • Lunch by Billy Sous  Named in memory of the man who got the United Methodist Church involved with WATTS. Cheesin' for a Reason — Friday, November 14, 2026 • Feltner lot at Boscawen and Loudoun Streets (Old Town Walking Mall, downtown Winchester) • Local restaurants compete with grilled cheese and tomato soup. Last year's winners: T.T. Walls and Water Street Kitchen. Over 1,000 participants in 2025. HOW TO HELP • Donate online at WATTS-homelessshelter.org • Become a Hero for WATTS — $10/month recurring (yes, you'll get free pancakes at Clem's Kitchen) • Volunteer at any of the fall fundraisers — sign-ups for Cheesin' for a Reason open in August • Sign up to serve meals during the Thanksgiving or Christmas shelter weeks • Donate or rent a building for the cooling/warming center — even nominal rent is welcome (creative arrangements have tax benefits) LINKS & RESOURCES • WATTS website: WATTS-homelessshelter.org • WATTS on Facebook and Instagram: search "Help WATTS" • Partner organizations mentioned: Winchester CCAP, Family Promise Winchester Area, Winchester Rescue Mission  • Comprehensive local resource directory — Concern Hotline (the most accurate, up-to-date list) • Winchester Police Department Addiction Recovery Team • Community Paramedic THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

The Virginia Code is full of one-word differences that change everything — and on this Public Safety Thursday edition of The Valley Today, Captain Warren Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office walks host Janet Michael through some of the most common ones. "May" doesn't mean "shall." A speed limit is a maximum, not a target. A red light isn't the same as a red arrow. And driving an inspected friend's car doesn't make the friend responsible. Captain Gosnell answers a listener seatbelt question, breaks down what really happens with that "four-month grace period" for expired inspections and registrations, and explains why a $50 civil penalty might be the cheapest parenting tool a frustrated mom or dad has at their disposal. Plus a tanker-truck slow-roll on Route 522 that earned Captain Gosnell a Facebook thank-you before he even got to the studio. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

A parking-lot pop-up two years ago is now a full storefront with a now-famous 11-foot Amish blow-up greeting visitors at the door. On this Valley Business Today edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber with Chamber Director Niki Foster and Zach Burke, owner of Lancaster County Connection, to talk about how the business grew from a single TLC parking-lot weekend into a home base inside the Loose Cow Mercantile — and what it really takes to run a quality-first, hand-picked retail business as a side hustle. Zach walks through what makes his lineup different: Amish-made wood crafts hand-selected monthly from two friends' farms in Lancaster County, paint that holds up for seven years, clean-burning Crossroads candles he discovered after his own pets got sick from chemical scents, and Lancaster County Coffee Roasters beans that don't get roasted until you order them. The conversation also gets into the realities of small-business retail — pricing your work without apologizing for it, ordering Christmas inventory in July, and competing on a timeline the big-box stores set. Plus: Niki previews Coffee & Conversation with the new Warren County Schools superintendent, and a Chamber rebrand and new website on the horizon. VISIT INFO — LANCASTER COUNTY CONNECTION (inside the Loose Cow Mercantile) 18 High Street, Front Royal (the old Happy Creek Coffee Company, behind Bungalow, across from the gazebo — look for the building with the butterflies painted on the wall) Hours: 12–6 daily (closed Tuesdays) • Saturday 10–6 • Sunday 10–6 (aligned with the Main Street farmers market) What you'll find: hand-selected Amish wood crafts, Crossroads candles, Primitives by Kathy, custom-order Amish furniture (~4–6 week lead time), customized mailboxes, freshly roasted Lancaster County Coffee Roasters coffee (taste a sample on the weekends), and a seasonal rotation that goes hard on every holiday. Custom pieces and pre-orders welcome — ask in the shop or via social media LINKS & RESOURCES • Lancaster County Connection on Facebook and Instagram (and soon TikTok)  Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce: frontroyalchamber.com (a rebrand and new site coming soon)  ALSO MENTIONED • Coffee & Conversation — Friday, June 5 • 9 AM at On Cue • Free, open to anyone (not just Chamber members) • Featuring Dr. Troy Wright, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Retirement, it turns out, doesn't come with a handbook. On this Tourism Tuesday Winchester/Frederick County edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Justin Kerns finally talk an avowed dog person into stepping inside a cat café — and what they find on the Piccadilly corner of the Old Town Walking Mall is something more carefully built than they expected. Chris Goebel, who retired to Virginia at 57 and went looking for purpose, opened Biscuits & Beans Cat Cafe on April 1st with his wife and family. Three weeks later they had welcomed nearly 1,400 guests and were on pace to donate $50,000 a year to local rescues. Chris and General Manager Chelsea Champ walk through the why behind every design decision — separate HVAC systems, a glass-walled "catquarium," 15 socialized cats max at a time, "no tips, just tails" as a built-in donation model, and a coffee program built entirely on steamed cold brew. Plus: how the reservation system works, what kinds of people are showing up (a younger demo than usual for the walking mall, including a lot of first dates), the June "Colored Collection" Pride drinks, and what's on the menu beyond coffee. Justin closes out with Hop Blossom, the VA 250 lineup, and a very gentlemanly update on the Middletown Maulers vintage baseball team. VISIT INFO — BISCUITS & BEANS CAT CAFÉ Located on the Piccadilly corner of the Old Town Walking Mall in downtown Winchester  Hours: Mon–Thu 10 AM–6 PM • Fri & Sat 10 AM–7 PM • Sun 10 AM–5 PM (open 7 days) Café: walk in any time during open hours — no reservation needed Cat Lounge: reservations required • 40-minute sessions • max 7 guests, up to 15 cats • $12.50 per person Private sessions: $75 for the full 40-minute space (up to 7 people) — great for first dates, girls' nights, bachelorette starts, coworker outings, or a quiet solo break  Allergy-friendly: separate HVAC and glass partition between the café and the cat lounge Kids welcome — any age, with one adult per child under 7 Adoption: meet a cat you love? You can get pre-approved before or during your visit and take them home the same day LINKS & RESOURCES • Biscuits & Beans Cat Café — biscuitsandbeans.com (reservations + menu) • Biscuits & Beans on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok • Just Tails Foundation (501(c)(3) supporting local rescues) — justtails.org • Visit Winchester events calendar (Hop Blossom, VA 250, and more): visitwinchesterva.com → Events THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

You can't complain when a farm goes up for sale if you're not supporting the farmer. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with her Frederick County Homesteader friends — Sam Armel (founder of Frederick County Homesteaders), Jaclyn Mommen (Laurel Grove Wine Farm and Patti's Place), and Kristin Tesdall (Five Roots Farm) — to talk about the inaugural Love Your Farmer Week, June 14th through 20th, and why this hands-on volunteer week is built around the busiest, most stressful stretch of a farmer's year. The conversation moves from the practical (how to sign up as a volunteer or a host farm, what kinds of jobs are on the docket, why mobility and age aren't barriers) into bigger territory: the late-frost destruction of vineyards and orchards, the misconceptions about crop insurance, the largest farmland transfer in American history happening right now, why the average farmer is 58–64 years old, and how regenerative agriculture is really just remembering what our grandparents already knew. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Why Love Your Farmer Week is hands-on, not a farm tour (01:00) The dates, the time slots, and the Google forms — built for everyone from kids to elders (02:00) Why now? Because this is the busy season — and the season when farmers feel most behind (03:30) A frost-damaged spring, lavender beaten down by rain, and what farmers are really up against (05:00) Why crop insurance isn't the safety net most people think it is (06:30) Jaclyn's actual yesterday: market, vineyard, interns, dinner, then biological treatments 'til 1:30 AM (08:30) Animals don't keep a schedule — Kristin's escaped sheep and milking routine (10:30) The origin story — how 2020 grocery shortages launched Frederick County Homesteaders (13:30) Skill shares, sauerkraut, and the Snowden Bridge moms group (15:00) What Kristin needs help with — skirting fleeces, processing wool, and education (16:30) What Jaclyn needs help with — mulching pathways, weeding, and the new market garden (18:30) Five farms signed up so far — and why "small and well-loved" is the right start (19:30) The hidden labor — books, taxes, websites, social media on top of everything else (20:30) The largest farmland transfer in U.S. history is happening right now (21:30) Younger farmers, smaller acreage, and Geraghty's Microfarm as a model (23:30) "Feed your community, not the world" — and why 20-acre farms are the future (24:30) Regenerative ag isn't new — it's what our grandparents did before chemical agriculture (27:00) Where to find Patti's Place and Laurel Grove Wine Farm (28:30) Where to find Five Roots Farm (29:00) Where to sign up — for volunteers and for host farms (30:30) Spring Farm Hop recap and what's next ABOUT LOVE YOUR FARMER WEEK A new initiative from Frederick County Homesteaders, running June 14–20, 2026, where community members can sign up to volunteer directly on participating local farms during the height of harvest-prep season. Designed to accommodate civic groups, businesses, 4-H and FFA chapters, church groups, homeschool co-ops, families, and individuals — with time slots and tasks suited to all ages and mobility levels. Five farms are signed up for year one; first-come, first-served as volunteers register. HOW TO GET INVOLVED • Volunteer — sign up via the Love Your Farmer Week page at frederickcountyhomesteaders.com (search "Love Your Farmer Week") • Host farm — local farms, homesteads, markets, and vineyards can still sign up through June 5 • Need help figuring out what your farm could offer? Reach out to Frederick County Homesteaders directly — they'll help brainstorm LINKS & RESOURCES • Frederick County Homesteaders: frederickcountyhomesteaders.com (volunteer + host farm sign-ups on the Love Your Farmer Week page) • Laurel Grove Wine Farm & Patti's Place: laurelgrovewinefarm.com • Patti's Place hours: Wed–Sun 10–4 (Sun 11–4) • Café Thu–Sun 11–3 • Patti's Place on Instagram: @pattisplace_lgwf • Laurel Grove Wine Farm on Instagram: @laurelgrovewinefarm • Five Roots Farm: fiverootsfarm.com • Five Roots Farm on Facebook: Five Roots Farm • Five Roots Farm on Instagram: @_fiverootsfarm_ • Five Roots self-service farm stand: open 7 days, 9 AM–dusk • Five Roots at Stephens City Farmers Market: second Saturday of each month THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday  

Over 100 patients in four days, many of them experiencing a professional dental cleaning for the very first time. On this bonus Laurel Ridge Community College edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael connects via Zoom with a team live from Negril, Jamaica — Brandy Hawkins Boies (Director of Communications and Outreach at Laurel Ridge), longtime Rotarian Kathy Kantor, and three recent graduates of Laurel Ridge's dental hygiene program: Stacey Escobar, Dahye Seo, and Nataly Hernandez. The conversation traces how a casual hallway idea between a Rotarian and a college administrator a decade ago has become a fully-supported, equipment-rich mission program — built on Rotary global grants that converted a shipping container into a working dental clinic. The three graduates share what it's been like to put their fresh credentials to use in real-world conditions, the moments that made it click (one patient asked for a hug), and what's next for each of them. Plus: how community members can volunteer for free cleanings at the Laurel Ridge dental clinic in Middletown, and how churches and groups can join Rotary's ongoing trips to Jamaica. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE • Brandy Hawkins Boies — Director of Communications and Outreach, Laurel Ridge Community College • Kathy Kantor — Rotarian (Strasburg Rotary Club); co-architect of the Rotary global grants funding the Jamaica dental clinic • Stacey Escobar — Recent graduate, Laurel Ridge Dental Hygiene Program (16 years in the dental field; heading back to practice in Burke, VA) • Dahye Seo — Recent graduate, Laurel Ridge Dental Hygiene Program (joining practices in Fairfax and Loudoun counties) • Nataly Hernandez — Recent graduate, Laurel Ridge Dental Hygiene Program (returning to Jamaica for a second mission trip in just a month) ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Laurel Ridge Community College Dental Hygiene Program admits 18 students every two years — a competitive cohort with a rigorous workload. Since 2018, graduates have had the option to participate in a post-graduation mission trip to Negril, Jamaica, working at a dental clinic established and equipped through Rotary International global grants involving Woodstock, Front Royal, Warren County, Winchester, and Strasburg Rotary Clubs, in partnership with the Negril Rotary Club. The Jamaican clinic is also open to other visiting dental teams and groups year-round. HOW TO GET INVOLVED • Volunteer as a patient — free cleanings at the Laurel Ridge dental clinic in Middletown help students complete their lab hours. Get on the waiting list for the next class (starting August 2026). • Support future mission trips — donations help cover flights, lodging, and supplies for graduating students. • Join a trip — Kathy and Byron (Brill) host teams in Jamaica three times a year. Churches and community groups are welcome. LINKS & RESOURCES • Laurel Ridge Dental Hygiene Program: laurelridge.edu/dental • Strasburg Rotary Club Facebook page  ALSO MENTIONED • Drone Show at Jim Barnett Park — Saturday • free admission • approximately 250 drones • details on Winchester City Parks' Facebook page THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

A two-year YouTube rabbit hole, a heart-tugging keynote in Norfolk, and one perfectly-timed introduction — that's the unlikely path that brought Cycling Without Age to Winchester. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury with Steve Policastro (founder of Cycling Without Age Winchester), Jeannie Shiley (Westminster-Canterbury's President & CEO), and Teresa Barton (Wellness Manager) to talk about the global nonprofit that's giving older adults the gift of wind in their hair — one slow trishaw ride at a time. The conversation unpacks how a Copenhagen-born movement (now in 40+ countries with 6,000 trishaws and over 5 million rides given) landed in Winchester through "big world, small town" timing, what the rides actually feel like, and the five principles — generosity, slowness, storytelling, relationships, and "without age" — that guide every chapter. Plus: how to become a pilot, how to support the push for a second trishaw that can serve the whole community, and where Janet's orange blanket fits into all of it.   ABOUT CYCLING WITHOUT AGE WINCHESTER A 501(c)(3) nonprofit chapter of the global Cycling Without Age movement (founded 2012 in Copenhagen). Free trishaw rides for older adults, powered entirely by volunteer pilots. Currently 15 trained pilots and one trishaw, partnered with Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury. Fundraising underway for a second trishaw to serve the broader Winchester community — downtown walking mall, museum trails, Jim Barnett Park, and beyond. HOW TO GET INVOLVED Become a pilot — if you can ride a bike, with practice you can pilot a trishaw  Donate or fundraise toward the second community trishaw  Spread the word — follow on Instagram and share the rides  Watch for an upcoming community fundraising event featuring the same documentary that inspired Westminster-Canterbury LINKS & RESOURCES • Cycling Without Age Winchester: cyclingwithoutage.com/winchester • Email: [email protected] • Instagram: @cyclingwithoutagewinchester • Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury: svwc.org • The global Cycling Without Age movement: cyclingwithoutage.org (Ole Kassow's TED Talk and the founding story) • Partner organizations referenced: Bike Walk Winchester, Winchester Wheelmen THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Three thousand people came out last year — and the team is just getting started. On this Valley Business Today edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down at Winchester Regional Airport with Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Director of Events Kaleigh Fincham and Airport Executive Director Nick Sabo to talk about the return of Wings & Wheels on Saturday, October 3rd — a free, family-friendly day of aircraft, classic cars, music, food trucks, and a vendor market on the tarmac. The conversation digs into what's coming back, what's getting bigger and better (improved flow, more music, fly-in traffic for pilots), how sponsorship works at every budget level, and why this event is more than fun — it's a workforce-development moment connecting kids to aviation careers and showing the community what the newly-rebuilt airport has to offer year-round. Plus, a heartfelt send-off as Kaleigh announces she's leaving the chamber to grow her family's event business, The Ivy Collective. EVENT DETAILS Wings & Wheels — Saturday, October 3, 2026 Winchester Regional Airport 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Free admission Aircraft static displays, classic & custom car show, motorcycles, large trucks, live music, food trucks, sweet treats, vendor market, touch-a-truck, balloon artist, barrel rides, kids' face painting Sponsorship tiers: Presenting $10,000 • Platinum $5,000 • Gold $3,000 • Silver $1,000 • Bronze $500 Vendor options: 10x10 booth, 20x10 booth, nonprofit rate Pilots: dedicated fly-in parking — communication forthcoming LINKS & RESOURCES Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: regionalchamber.biz • Sponsorship, vendor, music inquiries: [email protected] Winchester Regional Airport: flyokv.com • Airport event hosting inquiries: [email protected] • Open to the public daily — come watch the planes, sit on the patio, ask questions The Ivy Collective (Kaleigh's new venture) — event planning, design, floristry; based at The Ivy Room (follow on Facebook) and The Exchange on Loudoun (follow on Facebook) in downtown Winchester. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Sometimes the right business finds you. On this Shenandoah County Tourism Tuesday edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Kary Haun head to Natural Art Garden Center on Route 11 to talk with new owner Jess Steyn — a former hairdresser, homeschooling mom of three boys, and unlikely garden center owner — about how a casual conversation with previous owner Lynne turned into the next chapter of a beloved local business. Jess shares what she's kept the same (Christmas tree names included), what she's changed to highlight the property's mountain views, and how the whole family has become part of the customer experience. Then Kary runs through what's blooming across Shenandoah County this season — farmers markets, vineyards with live music, a fly fishing school, Wander Woodstock, and how the Visit Shenandoah County website can plan the whole weekend for you. NATURAL ART GARDEN CENTER — VISIT INFO Located on Route 11 between Strasburg and Woodstock (right off the Toms Brook exit) Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 AM–4 PM • Sunday 12–3 PM (hours shift seasonally — check Facebook for updates) What's on offer: hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, veggies, houseplants, bulk compost / mulch / topsoil / sand / gravel, plus Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias in season AROUND SHENANDOAH COUNTY THIS SEASON Farmers Markets — Woodstock, Bryce Resort, and others across the county (full list on Visit Shenandoah County) Vineyards & Breweries — live music on weekends across eight county vineyards; Woodstock BrewHouse outdoor patio music Thursday nights; Swover Creek artist lineup Orkney Springs — flower arranging workshop May 29; weekend yoga programs Murray's Fly Shop — Full-Day Fly Fishing School, May 30 Wander Woodstock — Thursday, June 5 • 5–8 PM • businesses open late, live music, vendors, specials THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

On this Friends of Old Town edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Brady Cloven are joined at Hideaway Café by Stephanie Novak — owner of Ritual Spa at the George Washington Hotel and Coven Salon on Millwood Avenue — for a wide-ranging chat about pampering, pirates, and a packed June in Old Town Winchester. Steph shares what's behind Ritual Spa's nearly-two-year run inside the historic GW (lymphatic drainage, customized facials, hot tub access, and 24/7 online gift certificates) and how its sister salon Coven brings the "wilder and edgy" side. Then Brady runs through everything coming up downtown — the newly (almost) completed childhood literacy mural by the splash pad, First Friday's return, Hop Blossom, KidzFest, Juneteenth, and the laser-light VA 250 Downtown Jubilee. Plus an honest update on why the splash pad is sidelined for the summer and what Friends of Old Town is doing about it. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE Brady Cloven — Executive Director, Friends of Old Town Winchester Steph Novak — Owner, Ritual Spa (at the George Washington Hotel) and Coven Salon (on Millwood Avenue) IN THIS EPISODE Hideaway Café check-in + the new castle exhibit at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum Meet Steph — how Ritual Spa came to live inside the historic GW Hotel What's on offer — massage, facials, and access to the hotel pool and hot tub Why a great facial can be just as relaxing as a massage Specialty massage — lymphatic drainage, zero balancing, and post-surgical healing For people who don't love being touched — how a good service provider makes it work 24/7 online gift certificates (and why you can't buy one at the front desk) Coven Salon — hair, lashes, permanent cosmetics, massage, facials, and a whole lot of social media chaos Hours and websites for both locations The new childhood literacy mural by the splash pad — a year in the making New public art guidelines for Old Town — the lasting win behind the mural Meet artist Annalise Buono, plus local collaborators Jill Savry and Alyssa Ruby The next mural at Taylor Pavilion — "past, present, performance" — open call Why the splash pad is closed this summer (and what's being planned in its place) First Friday returns June 5th — band, Artist Alley, vendor fair, Sip and Stroll Hop Blossom on June 6th + the Newberry building after-party KidzFest June 13th — dunk tank, free ice cream, free kids meals, and 30 vendors Juneteenth weekend with Hood Love VA 250 Downtown Jubilee — an all-day July 4th event with three laser-light shows Main Street Masterpieces — local artists in vacant storefronts Memorial Day weekend drone show at Jim Barnett Park (250 drones) New downtown openings — Revival Vintage, Winchester Tavern, Please Boutique, Mood and Moss OLD TOWN WINCHESTER — JUNE AT A GLANCE First Friday — Friday, June 5 • 5 PM onward • Raised on Analog 6:30–8 PM • Artist Alley curated by Tin Top Art • Moon Phase vendor fair Sip and Stroll Hop Blossom (13th annual) — Saturday, June 6 • Newberry building hosts the after-party with live music and merch Kids Fest — Saturday, June 13 • 30 vendors • dunk tank • face painting • street performers • free ice cream from Uncle Beehive's (first 200 kids) • free kids meals from Snow White Grill (first 200) Juneteenth weekend — Saturday, June 20 • event hosted by Hood Love (details on social) Memorial Day weekend — Jim Barnett Park drone show (250 drones) — follow Winchester City Parks on Facebook for weather updates VA 250 Downtown Jubilee — July 4 • all-day event • three 20-minute laser-light shows LINKS & RESOURCES Ritual Spa: theritualspawinchester.com Coven Salon: thecovensalon.com Friends of Old Town: friendsofoldtown.org Friends of Old Town on Facebook: "Friends of Old Town" Friends of Old Town on Instagram: @friendsofoldtownwinc Taylor Pavilion mural — open call for submissions (details on friendsofoldtown.org) Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum — castle exhibit running all summer Winchester City Parks on Facebook — drone show updates THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

For 20 years, Valley Health's Metabolic and Bariatric Program has been changing lives in the Northern Shenandoah Valley — and it's almost never about the number on the scale. On this Community Health Day edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with Dr. Christopher Reed (Medical Director and Surgeon), Tiffany Sommer (Nurse Practitioner), and Jennifer Adsit (Registered Dietitian) to talk about why obesity is an incurable disease that requires lifelong support, and how a team-based approach has built the program's reputation. The conversation moves through the multiple "pathways" patients can take — medical weight loss, GLP-1 medications, endoscopic procedures, and surgery — why surgery is still the most durable option for the right patient, and what life actually looks like before, during, and after treatment. Plus: a preview of the program's 20th anniversary celebration on June 10th, open to past, current, and potential future patients alike. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE Dr. Christopher Reed — Medical Director and Surgeon, Valley Health Metabolic and Bariatric Program Tiffany Summer — Nurse Practitioner, Valley Health Metabolic and Bariatric Program Jennifer Adsit — Registered Dietitian, Valley Health Metabolic and Bariatric Program IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) 20 years of the program — and why a team approach is unusual in this field (01:00) Why post-op life matters more than the surgery itself (02:00) Cutting through diet misinformation — evidence-based, sustainable change (03:30) Portion control over elimination — meeting patients where they are (04:30) Obesity as an incurable disease and why malnourishment drives much of it (06:30) The full menu of options — medical, endoscopic, and surgical (08:00) When surgery isn't the first step — using the medical program to prepare patients (09:00) The moment patients connect food and how they feel (11:30) What a first appointment really looks like — pathways, not pressure (14:00) Why surgery still has the best durable weight loss — and what GLP-1s leave out (15:00) The risk calculator that personalizes every surgical recommendation (16:30) The pre-op process — dietitian visits, behavioral health, and the checklist (18:30) Post-op care for life — labs, vitamins, and why follow-up matters (19:30) The six-month visit — energy, mobility, and lives changed beyond weight loss (21:30) Building healthy habits the whole family benefits from (24:00) The 20th Anniversary Celebration on June 10th — details and how to RSVP (26:00) Free support groups, virtual and in-person (27:00) The adolescent program — comprehensive care starting at age 14 EVENT DETAILS Valley Health Metabolic and Bariatric Program — 20th Anniversary Celebration June 10, 2026 Winchester Medical Center Campus, Conference Center Open to past patients, current patients, potential future patients, and community providers Raffle prizes including vitamin gift baskets and wellness center memberships RSVP via the program's Facebook page LINKS & RESOURCES Valley Health Metabolic & Bariatric Program: valleyhealthlink.com (Our Services → Metabolic and Bariatric Program) Program Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VHSBariatricProgram  Free monthly support groups — virtual and in-person, with guest speakers and gift card giveaways Adolescent program available starting at age 14 THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

This isn't your kid's old YDC. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with Sarah Fishel, Executive Director of the YDC, to talk about how the organization is rethinking what a youth center can be — and how a year in their new building at 302 South Loudoun has opened up the possibilities. The conversation digs into Summerfest, the YDC's 10-week summer program kicking off June 1st with flexible scheduling, guest speakers, literacy and art alongside the physical activity, and scholarships so no kid gets left out. Plus: why their e-sports program is teaching leadership in unexpected ways, how community donations (and Target dollar-section finds) keep the doors open, and a preview of the All-American Pig & Pour bourbon fundraiser coming in July. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE Sarah Fishel — Executive Director, the YDC IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) A year in the new building at 302 South Loudoun — and gearing up for Summerfest (00:30) What Summerfest is — 10 weeks of activities, literacy, art, and guest speakers (01:00) Flexible scheduling — full summer, weekly, or single-day options (02:00) Ages 6–12 (with flexibility) and why staff diversity matters (03:30) Different rooms for different activities and age-appropriate programming (04:00) Guest speakers including Shenandoah University e-sports and women's basketball (05:00) Why e-sports is teaching leadership to kids who don't want to play basketball (06:00) Logistics — 7:30 AM drop-off, snacks/lunch from home, sunscreen recommended (07:00) The massive parking lot, outdoor space, and scholarship deadline (08:00) Donor relationships and the role of community giving (09:30) Saturday art class moving to Wednesdays during Summer Fest (10:30) First Friday drop-off program for parents on the way (11:00) Two art rooms, two reading rooms, classroom, game room, gyms, new sensory room (13:30) The Apple Blossom float and community-driven ideas (14:30) Volunteer opportunities — and why "advocate" is the most overlooked one (15:30) The All-American Pig & Pour bourbon fundraiser coming in July (16:30) Donation needs — books, board games, art supplies, school supplies (18:00) Where to find everything online EVENT DETAILS Summerfest June 1 – August 2026 (10 weeks) The YDC, 302 South Loudoun Street, Winchester Ages 6–12 (with flexibility) • Drop-off from 7:30 AM Full-summer, weekly, or single-day rates available Limited to 40 kids per week • Scholarships available (deadline May 22, 2026)  Bring: lunch, snacks, sunscreen, change of clothes recommended Register: myydc.org All-American Pig & Pour (signature fundraiser) July 2026 • At the YDC Roasted pig, live band, bourbon — Heaven Hill sponsors Sponsorship opportunities available LINKS & RESOURCES The YDC website (registration, donations, newsletter, Amazon wishlist): myydc.org The YDC on Facebook The YDC on Instagram Donation needs: books, board games, art supplies, school supplies Volunteer signups available through the Point app — info on the website THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Finding help shouldn't be the hardest part of being a veteran. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with three women working to change that: Ashley Moslak, Nicole Hess, and Patricia Young — the people behind the Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) and The HIVE at Shenandoah University. They explain how CVEB acts as a connector that links veterans to the right resources before they get overwhelmed, how The HIVE has become a convening space for veteran service organizations, and why volunteering for this cause looks different than you'd expect. Plus: full details on two upcoming events — the Healing Field of Honor resource setup at Handley High School and the Veterans Community Connection Barbecue at The HIVE. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE Ashley Moslak — Chair, Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) Nicole Hess — Co-Chair, CVEB; Director of Military Benefits, Shenandoah University Patricia Young — Executive Director, The HIVE (Hazel Pruett Armory — Hub for Innovators, Veterans, and Entrepreneurs); Advisor, CVEB IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Welcome back — Ashley's first appearance since October 2020 (01:30) Meet the team: CVEB, Shenandoah University, and The Hive (02:00) CVEB history — founded 2017, what a "connector" organization actually does (04:00) Why a single entry point matters when veterans are overwhelmed (05:30) Monthly member meetings, featured speakers, and the resource website (06:00) The five counties CVEB serves — and the Tech For Troops laptop partnership (07:30) How Shenandoah University and The Hive fit into the mission (09:30) Nicole's role — "the worker bee and emotional support friend" (11:30) The Healing Field of Honor at Handley High School and CVEB's resource setup (14:30) The Veterans Community Connection Barbecue — what to expect (17:00) Guitars for Vets, a mobile paint splatter room, and free food (18:30) Volunteering looks different here — veteran-owned businesses can give back (19:30) Making financial donations — CVEB's transparency and Candid platinum rating (20:30) Finding CVEB online and the push to grow social media EVENT DETAILS Healing Field of Honor — CVEB Resource Setup Thursday, May 21, 2026 • 3:00–7:00 PM Handley High School lawn, Winchester (alongside the Winchester Rotary ceremony) Veterans Community Connection Barbecue Thursday, May 28, 2026 • 11:00 AM–2:00 PM The HIVE, Shenandoah University campus • Free • Open to the community, not just veterans • RSVP requested (food count) Live music from Guitars for Vets and a mobile paint splatter room from Prismatic Art Studios • RSVP via the flyer on the CVEB website landing page LINKS & RESOURCES CVEB website, resource guide & barbecue RSVP: nsvcveb.org CVEB on Facebook: facebook.com/NSVCVEB The HIVE on Instagram: su_hive The HIVE programming: [email protected] Shenandoah HIVE / Patricia Young on LinkedIn GI Bill & veteran student benefits (Shenandoah University): [email protected] Tech For Troops (Richmond) and Guitars for Vets — partner nonprofits mentioned

You wouldn't build a house without an architect or have surgery without the right medical team — so why leave your financial future to chance? On this Luray-Page Chamber edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Chamber President Gina Hilliard talk with senior financial advisor Mandy Leeth of Being Financial about treating money management as intentional life design — not just data and graphs. Mandy makes the case that it's never too late to start, unpacks the misconceptions that keep people stuck, and explains why women bring a powerful lens to financial planning — especially around the wealth transfer that happens when they outlive their spouses. Plus, Gina shares what's ahead for the Chamber, including a Women in Business luncheon and the Chamber's 100th anniversary banquet. WHO'S ON THIS EPISODE Gina Hilliard — President, Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce Mandy Leeth — Senior Financial Advisor, Being Financial IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Janet kicks off Season 10 — new cover art, video pieces, and a possible weekend edition coming in June (01:30) "I grow people's money" — why spring is the perfect time to talk financial growth (02:00) Your nest egg isn't a finite number: rethinking what you have (02:30) Intentional life design — looking at dreams and values, not just data (03:30) An overview of Being Financial, founder Jared Troutman, and the tele-advising model (04:30) The two biggest misconceptions: "it's too late" and "I don't need it" (06:30) Why women bring a powerful lens to financial planning (08:00) Why a one-size-fits-all online template is not a blueprint (09:30) You're the CEO of your life — interview your advisor accordingly (11:30) What a simple, complimentary first meeting actually looks like (15:30) The wealth transfer when women outlive spouses — and navigating a windfall (17:30) Behavioral finance and breaking "generational money curses" (19:00) How to reach Mandy and the Being Financial team (20:00) Chamber events: Women in Business luncheon + the 100th anniversary banquet EVENT DETAILS Women in Business Luncheon — Tuesday, May 19, 2026 11:30 AM–1:00 PM • Speaker: Christine Kennedy, leadership & life purpose coach 100th Annual Banquet & Awards — Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:00 PM at the Mimslyn Inn, Luray. Celebrating the Chamber's 100th anniversary (founded 1926) Registration closed — call to check seat availability or join the waiting list. RSVP / contact the Chamber: 540-743-3915 or [email protected] LINKS & RESOURCES Being Financial: being-financial.com Mandy Leith: [email protected] Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce: luraypagechamber.com Chamber events & RSVP: [email protected] or 540-743-3915 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael -  A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Host Janet Michael sits down (virtually) with Candace DeLong, Frederick County Extension Agent, and Master Gardeners Carolyn Sinclair and Jeff Wingate (class of 2025) to talk all things GardenFest — the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners' biggest event of the year. Event Details What: GardenFest 2026 When: Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Parking opens at 7:00 AM) Where: Belle Grove Plantation, Middletown, VA Admission: FREE Rain or shine What's at GardenFest 🌿 Plants 2,100+ plants from Master Gardeners across all five valley counties (Page, Clarke, Shenandoah, Frederick, and Warren) 237+ varieties including a strong focus on native plants, trees, and shrubs Plants: $6 | Trees & Shrubs: $12 Payment: cash, check, or credit card Full plant list available in advance at nsvmga.org 🎓 Education Ask a Master Gardener tent — bring your plant questions NEW: 15-minute mini-workshops on pruning, vegetable growing, preserving your harvest, flower arranging, and tool sharpening — each with a raffle ticket for attendees Kids' programming focused on horticulture and planting Presentation on the box tree moth  🛒 Vendors & Food 36 vendors including retail, nonprofits, and food trucks Food: Cousins Maine Lobster, Sexy Mexi, A Taste of the Philippines, Cotton Candy Princess truck, baked goods, coffee & hot chocolate Tool sharpening drop-off service 🎁 Extras Raffle gift baskets (some with 19+ items) donated by vendors Silent auction at the Secondhand Rose tent (proceeds support Master Gardener programs) Pro Tips from the Guests Arrive early — people line up before 8 AM, and popular plants (especially peonies) go fast Bring a wagon or wheeled cart; boxes will be available on-site Wear comfortable walking shoes Bring cash for raffles, the silent auction, and the Secondhand Rose tent Leave pets at home No need to prep — just come with your plant wish list About the Master Gardener Program The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners are part of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Volunteers complete 50 hours of intensive horticultural training and give back a minimum of 50 hours of community service — though most give far more. GardenFest is their primary annual fundraiser, supporting educational programs across all five counties year-round, including seed exchanges, plant clinics, library kids' programs, and Ask the Master Gardener desks. Links & Resources Plant list & event info: nsvmga.org Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Facebook page Frederick County Extension Office — call for more details: (540) 665-5699

Host Janet Michael sits down (virtually) with two outstanding graduates from Laurel Ridge Community College, joined by Sally Voth, Public Relations Coordinator for the college. This episode celebrates academic achievement, resilience, and the transformative power of community college education. Guests Maria Valle – Outstanding Graduate, Fauquier Campus Mary Herter Nelson – Outstanding Graduate, Middletown Campus Sally Voth – Public Relations Coordinator, Laurel Ridge Community College Segment 1 – Maria Valle Maria grew up in Argentina with a dream of studying abroad. After moving to Warrenton, Virginia in 2022, she discovered Laurel Ridge was just 10 minutes away. She completed her studies in Administration of Justice and will transfer to Shenandoah University in the fall to pursue a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Key highlights: Navigating higher education in a second language Involvement in PDK Honor Society and student engagement projects Her goal: working in victim services, with a focus on Spanish-speaking communities Completing professional training through Fairfax County on domestic violence and sexual violence Professors Maria credits: Lisa Dunick – English Composition & Literature Lisa Kara – Criminology Tarren Smarr – History & Sociology Maria's advice: "Be open to new experiences, because they can always lead you to wonderful places you never imagined." Segment 2 – Mary Herter Nelson Mary comes from a true Laurel Ridge family — her mother, older brother, and younger sister all attended the college. A homeschool graduate who was initially too shy to enroll, Mary's mom signed her up and helped her take that first step. In just two semesters, she went from nervous newcomer to campus leader. Key highlights: Founded the Laurel Ridge Dance Club and organized a campus square dance Became a Student Ambassador Participated in Mystery Bus trips and campus life events Part of the TRIO program Plans to work as a teacher's aide before pursuing her long-term calling as a religious sister People Mary credits: Rich Follett – College Success Skills (helped her build community) Polly Nesselrodt – Spanish professor and Dance Club sponsor Chris Lambert – Student Life Caroline Walls & Sasha Dawson – Academic advisors Mary's advice: "Find the support system that is going to carry you through. Take the leap with people that you trust."

In this episode, Janet sits down with Kim Herbstritt of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity to discuss the 8th Annual Northern Shenandoah Valley Housing Summit. The conversation covers the deep and often overlooked connection between housing conditions and community health, what to expect at this year's free summit, and how Blue Ridge Habitat's home repair program is helping seniors and veterans stay safely in their homes. What You'll Learn in This Episode What the Housing Coalition of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is and why it was founded Why this year's summit theme is Housing is Health How poor housing conditions — mold, leaky roofs, inaccessible entryways — directly impact physical and mental health Why essential workers and workforce families are being priced out of the communities they serve What zoning has to do with the housing shortage — and what Virginia is doing about it How Blue Ridge Habitat's home repair program serves seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners Details on TWO free housing summits happening in May and June Key Takeaways Housing affects every sector of a community — health, education, workforce, and economic development are all tied to where people live. Families spending 40–50% of their income on housing have little cushion for emergencies, health care, or transportation costs. Habitat for Humanity's home repair waitlist continues to grow, with most requests coming from seniors on fixed incomes. Virginia has completed a statewide zoning atlas — a potentially powerful tool for policymakers and planning commissioners. Long commutes driven by a lack of local affordable housing contribute to stress, poor nutrition, and diminished mental health. Events Mentioned in This Episode 8th Annual NSV Housing Summit 📅 Friday, May 29th ⏰ 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM 📍 Laurel Ridge Community College, Carome Community Development Center 💰 Free — registration required 🌐 https://www.housingnsv.org/ Shenandoah County Housing Summit 📅 Friday, June 5th 📍 Edinburg, VA 💰 Free — RSVP required 🔗 Registration link  Speakers at the May 29th Summit Dr. Jenna Krall — Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University Research focus: Environmental exposure, pollution, and housing-related health impacts Dr. Antwan Jones — George Washington University Research focus: Housing stability, urban policy, cardiovascular outcomes, and obesity in marginalized communities Maria Daugherty, MA — Zoning Policy Expert Focus: The power of zoning in shaping communities and Virginia's completed statewide zoning atlas Speakers at the June 5th Shenandoah County Summit Mel Jones — Virginia Center for Housing Research, Virginia Tech Focus: Results of the recent Shenandoah County/Woodstock housing study Ryan Price — Chief Economist, Virginia Realtors Focus: Statewide real estate market trends and local implications Panel Discussion — Housing Forward Virginia

Host Janet Michael welcomes back Jill Savory, founder of The Typewriter Studio in Old Town Winchester, VA, for an update nearly a year after the studio's grand opening. They dive into how the business has grown and evolved, the surprising benefits of making art, and everything you need to know about summer camps and studio memberships. Topics Covered How The Typewriter Studio has changed since opening — from kids' art classes and watercolor to a ceramics-heavy focus What it's like teaching art to adults vs. kids (spoiler: adults are way more nervous) The science behind why making art is good for your brain — lower anxiety, reduced cortisol, and the power of getting into a "flow state" Current gallery artist: Monica James, ceramics professor at Laurel Ridge Community College Upcoming adult workshops in collaboration with Laurel Ridge Community College professors Monica James and Paul Zdevsky A Wall Street Journal article on craft retreats as the new burnout cure 2025 Summer Camps — themes, pricing, age groups, and how to register Partnership with the Discovery Museum for two camp weeks (late June & first week of July) Studio membership tiers and the math that makes them worth it Summer Camps at The Typewriter Studio Who: Rising 1st graders through rising 8th graders When: First week of June through first week of August Themes include: Nature exploration, outer space, critter camp, paper possibilities, cardboard sculpture, Art Through the Ages (STEAM), Messy Makers, fiber arts Format: AM and PM camps available; add lunch bunch to stay all day Friday Fun Days: Drop-in Fridays for families who can't commit to a full week — art walks, splash pad, and studio time Pricing: Starting at $180/week; sibling discounts, school discounts (including Orchard View), and membership discounts available Discovery Museum Partnership Camps (register at discoverymuseum.net): Last week of June: Art Through the Ages + Messy Makers First week of July: Nature + Fiber camps Museum members receive special pricing; lunch bunch option available Studio Memberships Membership Price Perks Household $100/year Discounts on classes, workshops, parties; early camp access Single $50/year Discounts on classes, workshops, and parties Clay $50/month Open studio access (Sun/Tue/Thu), shelf space, up to 3 pieces fired per week Book Mentioned Your Brain on Art — on the neuroscience of creativity and art-making Available at Winchester Book Gallery (https://winchesterbookgallery.com/book/9780593449240) Find The Typewriter Studio Website: typewriterstudio.org Address: 127 South Braddock Street, Old Town Winchester, VA Facebook: The Typewriter Studio Instagram: @typewriter_studio Open Studio Hours: Sundays 11am–2pm | Tuesdays & Thursdays 4–8pm Parking: Street parking; metered out front, free on Cork Street. Use the parking app!

Host Janet Michael sits down (virtually) with VDOT's Ken Slack for a wide-ranging update on major road improvement projects along Interstate 81 in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. From bridge replacements to public meetings, Ken breaks down what drivers can expect in the months and years ahead. Topics Covered I-81 Widening at Strasburg Project is approximately 40% complete Key work includes replacing the southbound bridge over Cedar Creek and widening the span over the CSX railway Traffic expected to shift toward the median around August to allow the next phase of bridge work Bridge replacements are done in stages to keep traffic moving Emergency Bridge Repair in Woodstock A dump truck with its bed raised struck a bridge on Route 604 in Woodstock last fall; a tractor trailer collision followed VDOT replaced a steel support beam, requiring a temporary southbound closure Extensive outreach was coordinated across Shenandoah, Frederick, and Warren counties I-81 Bridge at Millwood (Exit 313) — Winchester Existing seven-lane bridge will be replaced with a nine-lane structure New bridge will be built just north of the existing one; traffic will shift when ready Surrounding improvements include turn lanes, auxiliary lanes, and pedestrian accommodations Project involves Routes 50, 17, and 522 — one of the most heavily traveled crossings on I-81 Winchester North Improvements (Mile Markers 317–319) Widening of approximately two miles of I-81 on the north end of Winchester Major reconstruction of Exit 317 (Martinsburg Pike/Route 11) Exit 317 will become a diverging diamond interchange — a new design for this part of Virginia Redbud Road relocation is already underway to make way for the project All work bundled under a single design-build contract Public meeting tentatively scheduled for late June — watch VDOT's website and social media for details How VDOT Selects Contractors Projects go out for competitive bid, typically with a 1–2 month window Complex projects may use a design-build approach, allowing contractors to bring innovation to the design Local/regional contractors often have a "home court advantage" with established resources and relationships Larger projects may attract contractors from outside Virginia Public Meetings & Community Input VDOT holds informal open-house style meetings — no podium, no formal testimony required Display boards, one-on-one conversations with engineers, and court reporters available Online surveys run simultaneously so anyone can participate remotely Public input genuinely shapes design decisions — local knowledge of traffic patterns is valued Oranda Park and Ride (Exit 298, Strasburg) Current gravel lot with ~43 spaces will be expanded to approximately 130 spaces Upgrades include full paving, striping, improved lighting, curbing, and a crosswalk across Oranda Road Construction bid awarded soon; work expected to begin summer 2026 No impact anticipated on Route 11 or I-81 traffic during construction Resources & Links improve81.org — Interactive map, project details, public meeting info, and updates on all I-81 capital improvement projects VDOT website — Search "VDOT projects" for information on all projects in the Staunton District Improve 81 Newsletter — Quarterly updates on I-81 CIP projects (sign up at improve81.org)

Host Janet Michael sits down with Winchester City Parks Director Chris Konyar at Jim Barnett Park for an update on everything happening in Winchester's parks system — from a brand-new playground to a 250th anniversary drone show. Topics Covered 🛝 New Familyland Playground Replaced the aging "Children's Dream" playground, which was at end of life Features significantly safer, cushioned surfacing ("like walking on a mattress") Moved away from the parking lot based on community feedback Larger footprint with more features, including a sensory board and QR code feedback system Made possible by a generous donation from the JJ Smith family Adventure Land playground (in the back) still in good shape — future upgrade planned 🌊 Abrams Creek Restoration City received a grant to restore the creek near Familyland Previous erosion caused safety concerns, tree removal, and loss of a picnic pavilion Project includes stream rerouting, new walking trails, and planting of 4,000 trees Currently in early/demo phase; expected to take several months 🏙️ Neighborhood Park Upgrades 15+ park locations throughout the city being upgraded on a rotating ward schedule Patsy Cline Memorial Park recently turned over to the city Harvest Ridge (Ward 4): New walking trail around soccer field perimeter + playground coming soon 🏊 Pool Season & Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor pool opens Memorial Day weekend Pool currently being replastered Winchester Baseball Memorial Day Tournament — 40+ teams expected, with special 250th anniversary ceremony Healing Fields of Honor at Handley (Rotary Club) also that weekend 🚁 Splash Bash & Drone Show — May 30th Splash Bash at the pool: health & wellness fair in the morning (free), pool party in the afternoon Led by new Aquatics Coordinator  250th Anniversary Drone Show — FREE event behind the War Memorial building Several hundred drones creating images celebrating U.S. and Winchester history Sponsored by Omps Funeral Home; operated by Paul Omps (son of former Mayor Larry Omps) A one-time special event tied to the 250th anniversary 🎆 July 3rd Fireworks (Still Happening!) Drone show does NOT replace fireworks — fireworks are confirmed for July 3rd Additional new city event planned for July 4th in Old Town/Downtown More details to come when Chris returns in June 📋 Summer Activity Guide Mailed to all city residents; also available at winchesterva.gov/parks Highlights include: Sports camps: basketball (Handley), soccer (two sessions), volleyball (two sessions), wrestling, tennis, fast-pitch softball Girls' & Boys' Sport Sampler Camp for younger kids Swim lessons (Level 1 free for city patrons) Junior Lifeguard Camp Athlete Performance Water Camp (cross-training for high school athletes) Fishing Rodeo at Wilkins Lake Park After Dark — Ultimate Frisbee tournament under the lights (June 6th) Outdoor high school basketball league on Monday nights in June Story Time Explorations for young children Music lessons, dance, and community rec programs Early registration discounts available — some up to 50% off through mid-May Popular camps (volleyball, swim lessons) sell out — register early 🏕️ HIVE Summer Day Camp Sells out within minutes of registration opening City kids given priority; slots continue to sell out despite being expanded each year 🎟️ Pool Passes & Memberships New Splash Pass (punch card) available — skip the line and save money Monthly memberships and full summer passes available 🏛️ Pavilion Rentals Weekends filling up fast — reserve now Prices range from ~$35 to under $100 for the full day Reservations required; first-come-first-serve only when not booked 🌿 Other Park Amenities Skate park, pickleball courts, drop-in turf time, dog park, horseshoes, walking trails Stay Connected 🌐 Website: winchesterva.gov/parks 📘 Facebook: Winchester City Parks 📧 Newsletter: Sign up on the website for monthly updates with direct registration links 💼 Hiring lifeguards! Visit the Employer Expo at the Wilkins Center (Wednesday, May 13th, 1–5 PM) Chris will return next month to share full details on the July 3rd celebration and new July 4th Downtown event.

Host Janet Michael sits down with Captain Warren Gosnell ("Goz") from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for another edition of Public Safety Thursday. The two kick off with some relatable chaos — a mic that wasn't turned on, a misplaced phone, spring allergies, and a hilarious on-the-way-in story involving blue lights and a very startled driver. Then they get into the real meat: why Frederick County is leaning into automated traffic enforcement, how LIDAR works, and why treating people with kindness — whether you're the officer or the driver — goes a long way. Spring Chaos & Getting Here Janet's mic was off at the top of the show (she was almost perfect) Goz's busy week: Apple Blossom Festival, a teaching trip to Roanoke, and a bout of bronchitis Spring means more people, more events, more traffic — and longer days on the cul-de-sac On the Way In Stories Goz grabbed KFC nuggets, then flashed his blue lights back at a driver who tried to warn him of a cop ahead Janet watched a car blow a red light right in front of her on Route 522 Is It Illegal to Flash Your High Beams? Letter of the law vs. spirit of the law Flashing lights on ordinary vehicles technically aren't permitted as signals The real goal: slow people down and keep roads safe Law enforcement doesn't mind if you warn others — if it prevents crashes, it's a win Automated Traffic Enforcement in Frederick County School zone speed cameras already in place Red light cameras under consideration at high-crash intersections Possible construction zone cameras on the horizon Why the shift? The county has grown to nearly 130,000 people across 416 square miles — not enough deputies for both calls for service AND proactive traffic enforcement How LIDAR Works Radar beams spread wide (thousands of feet); LIDAR beams stay under 6 inches at 1,000 feet LIDAR operates at the speed of light — vehicle-specific, no room for error Camera only activates if speed exceeds 10 mph over the limit No human bias, no "why didn't you stop that other car?" arguments Kindness on Both Sides of the Window Goz is large and loud — doesn't mean he's mean; body cam footage has cleared him more than once He now tells every driver: "I'm not yelling at you, I'm trying to be heard over traffic" Story of the Ohio driver who ran a red light and accused Goz of "ruining his perfect driving record" Goz's own history: multiple speeding tickets after moving back from Houston, where 75 mph was survival speed The Bottom Line Automated systems aren't replacing officers — they're filling gaps human hands can't cover Deterrence is the goal; if you follow the rules, cameras don't affect you "Safety over convenience."