In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael speaks with Niki Foster from the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including the significance of Small Shop Saturday, upcoming events, and the importance of supporting local businesses. The discussion begins with a lighthearted exchange about recording on Black Friday and the chilly weather outside. Janet and Niki commend each other for not partaking in the Black Friday...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and cohost Kary Haun travel to Cave Ridge VIneyard & Winery to experience their unique igloos. They are joined by Randy Phillips, the vineyard owner & winemaker, who explains that these igloos were initially introduced during Covid to allow for social distancing, but have since become a popular and permanent attraction. The igloos offer a cozy, self-contained, and heated space for visitors, supported by a unique double-decker...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael engages in a series of insightful conversations with key figures from several Winchester-based nonprofits, discussing their collaboration for Giving Tuesday. The show features Andy Gail, CEO of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, who explains the motivation and organization behind the campaign, emphasizing the importance of community support and collaboration. Andy highlights two different models being tested for Giving Tuesday: a...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Major Jacob Bixler and cadets from the Winchester Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. The discussion kicks off with an introduction of Civil Air Patrol (CAP), touching on its role as the volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and its focus on cadet programs, aerospace education, and emergency services. Major Bixler reintroduces the audience to the CAP and the diverse community involved, emphasizing the leadership...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Brady Cloven, the Executive Director of Friends of Old Town in Winchester, Virginia. The organization is focusing on rejuvenating and promoting Old Town Winchester and Brady discusses the progress made since their inception, including a rebranding from Winchester Main Street to Friends of Old Town. Brady elaborates on the organization's efforts to engage the community, boost social media presence, and foster strong...

In this episode of 'The Valley Today,' hosted by Janet Michael, it's Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition. Janet speaks with Justin Kerns from the Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau, who provides exciting details about the upcoming Winchester Winter Village event happening in Old Town Winchester during the first weekend of December. The conversation begins with a trip down memory lane, recounting the inception of the Winchester Winter Village....

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by Shenandoah County Planner Tyler Hinkle to discuss Shenandoah 2045, the county's comprehensive planning process which has now moved into the implementation phase. The discussion starts with Janet mentioning the transition from planning to implementing Shenandoah 2045's adopted plan. Tyler emphasizes the importance of making the plan a reality, noting that implementation can often be more challenging than planning. They...

In this episode of the Valley Today, Janet shares more of the recent conversation with Andrea Cosans, the executive director at Winchester CCAP. The pair explored the types of donations that are most needed at local food pantries. Andrea emphasized that while traditionally only non-perishable items were accepted, these days, many food pantries have the capacity to store perishable items like dairy products, meats, and fresh produce, thanks to grants and improved refrigeration capabilities. ...

As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health, in this episode of the Valley Today, Janet Michael welcomes back Jason Craig, Director of Community Health from Valley Health for a discussion about social determinants of health and the impact of the health system's Community Health Needs Assessment. Jason discusses how integral food is to health and the impact of social determinants on hospital readmissions. Food insecurity is highlighted as a significant issue affecting health...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back Andrea Cosans, Executive Director for Winchester CCAP to discuss various topics related to the services offered by CCAP. Andrea shared that CCAP provides more than just a food pantry; they offer a range of services including small financial grants and clothing. Last year, they supported 3,200 families through their food pantry, provided financial assistance to 1,200 households, and helped 1,600 individuals through their...

In this episode of the Valley Today, Janet Michael hosts a conversation with Robyn Miller, Executive Director at WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter), and Michelle Smeltzer, President of the Board for HARTS (Hope and Rest Temporary Shelter.) They discuss the immense challenges and operations of their respective organizations dedicated to providing shelter and aid to the homeless populations in Winchester City/Frederick & Clarke Counties and Warren County respectively. ...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley CE), Andy Gail to discuss various aspects of community support.  Andy elaborates on the challenges and the importance of community service in the localities he oversees. He highlights how the increase in living costs hasn't deterred people from volunteering their time for activities like serving meals and supporting events. Janet appreciates the collective impact of small donations and...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by Kristen Laise, the Executive Director at Belle Grove Plantation, and Paige Ulevich, the Festivals Coordinator. They discuss the upcoming fifth annual Kris Kringle Market taking place at Belle Grove on November 23rd and 24th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Kristen talks about the origins of the Kris Kringle Market, which started during the difficult year of 2020 to support local businesses. Paige emphasizes the wide variety of vendors...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Guy Curtis, the Director of Marketing for Laurel Ridge Community College, and Christine Kriz, the new Director of Corporate Training for Workforce Solutions at the college. They discuss the various aspects of workforce training and corporate training services offered by Laurel Ridge Community College. Christine and Guy explain the extensive and customizable training programs provided by the college, which serve a wide range of...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael dives into a special segment centering on the business and community engagement efforts of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (TVRC). Janet introduces her guest, Kayleigh Fincham, the Chamber's Director of Events, and special guest Brandon Lorey, the President and CEO of Bank of Clarke. Brandon shares his bank's historic journey and expansion within the region since its founding in 1881. He discusses the community-centric approach of...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce. They discuss several topics starting with Gina's recent chamber-sponsored trip to Italy, highlighting the advantages of group travel. Gina shares future travel plans with the chamber, particularly a 2025 trip to Greece. Janet and Gina then shift gears to the Shop Small campaign, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses during the holiday season....

The conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley as well as offering advice and resources to all small businesses. In this special Veterans Day episode, host Janet Michael and co-host Carl Knoblock, Virginia District Director for the SBA talk with John Kline, veteran/owner of Veterans Subs. John shares the history of Veteran Subs, a business he started to combine his passion for...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael speaks with Jeremy Sanders, the marketing manager for Frederick County Parks and Rec. The conversation primarily revolves around the upcoming events during the winter season organized by Frederick County Parks and Rec. Jeremy shares information about the Thanksgiving 5K at Sherando Park, highlighting its growth and popularity. Participants can enjoy the run before starting their Thanksgiving festivities.  Janet and Jeremy discuss the...

In the latest episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for Traffic Safety Thursday. The episode begins with light-hearted banter about the unusual November weather and then transitions into a discussion about the role of law enforcement during election days, emphasizing traffic management and the challenges law enforcement faces. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on proactive traffic enforcement,...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by Niki Foster from the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce and Bret Bement, owner of Play Favorites.  Brett elaborates on the one-year anniversary of purchasing the shop, highlighting its unique role as a 'therapy store' offering not just toys and games but an experience that transcends mere retail. He discusses the sense of community they've built and the free hugs from the popular 'Bumpas'  - a weighted plush that...

In this episode of Tourism Tuesday on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by cohost Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism. They welcome guests Joy Nault and Joyce Kelley, the owners of Travelers Treasures and Two Turtle Doves, who share space in downtown Woodstock.  As the holidays approach, the group talks about the importance of shopping local and how small businesses like Travelers Treasures and Two Turtle Doves offer unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that big box stores can't...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael speaks with Deborah Fleming, the new executive director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley chapter of the American Red Cross. Deborah shares her compelling personal history with the Red Cross, stemming from her experience as a child during the Johnstown flood of 1977. This pivotal event inspired her lifelong commitment to humanitarian work. They discuss the significant coverage area of their local chapter and stress the importance of...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Andy Gail, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley (UWNSV), and Kim Wilt, Director of Impact and Advancement at UWNSV. They discuss various aspects of their roles, the goals of the United Way, and the impact of their community programs. Andy shares his journey to becoming the CEO and outlines the mission and vision of UWNSV, emphasizing the importance of collective impact and community engagement. He talks about the...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Jennifer Coello, Vice President of Operations at Valley Health, Administrator at Warren Memorial Hospital, and Orthopedics Service Line Leader at Valley Health. The discussion begins with an introduction of Jennifer and her extensive roles within Valley Health.  Jennifer explains the history of Warren Memorial Hospital, established in 1951, and the significant upgrade to a new state-of-the-art facility in 2021. The...