The Valley Today

Host: Janet Michael Guests: Gina Hilliard, President – Luray Page Chamber of Commerce Jen Jenkins, Parks Superintendent – Luray Parks & Recreation Sherri Glenn, Events & Marketing Coordinator – Luray Parks & Recreation Episode Summary Janet talks with Gina, Jen, and Sherri about upcoming events from free youth fishing derbies and outdoor concerts to the nation's 250th birthday celebration and a Ch...

Guest: Dawn Devine, Executive Director, and Tammy Stevenson, Director of Development & Marketing Organization: Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Winchester, VA) Website: discoverymuseum.net In This Episode: Janet Michael talks with Dawn Devine and Tammy Stevenson from the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum about exciting upcoming events, a brand-new traveling exhibit, summer camps, and a milesto...

Host Janet Michael spends the day in Old Town Winchester, sitting down with Brady Cloven, Executive Director of Friends of Old Town Winchester, and Holly Redding, board chair of Friends of Old Town and co-owner of Winchester Brew Works . They cover the nonprofit's mission, big upcoming events, and what's new at the brewery. Topics Covered What Friends of Old Town Winchester actually is — and why i...

Host Janet Michael sits down with leaders and members of the Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group to discuss life with Parkinson's disease, the power of community, and the resources available to patients and caregivers in the region. Guests Kaleen Baker – Co-leader, Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group Cheryl Conrad – Co-leader, Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support...

Guests: Kaleigh Fincham, Director of Events, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce | Leslie Hicks, President & Founder, Cardinal Technology Solutions Episode Summary Janet tallks with Kaleigh and Leslie about the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's annual Charity Golf Classic — and the conversation takes a fun detour into the world of business IT along the way. Event Details: TVRC Charity Go...

Sparkle and Sequins: Johanna Pearson Is Dressing Shenandoah Valley One Dream at a Time In this episode of The Valley Today 's Tourism Tuesday Shenandoah County edition, host Janet Michael and co-host Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism visit Ruby Mae 's to talk with owner Johanna Pearson about the newest addition to her Cherry on Top empire.  From Camper to Storefront When Johanna Pearson was...

Guest: Ken Slack, Communications Specialist, VDOT Staunton District Episode Summary Host Janet Michael sits down with VDOT's Ken Slack to get the latest on road construction, pothole season, and a major trail feasibility study affecting the Shenandoah Valley. Recorded on a stormy "Tornado Monday," the two cover everything from orange barrels blowing away in high winds to a nearly 50-mile potential...

On this episode of Extension Office Friday on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes two guests from Virginia Cooperative Extension — Liz Rohrer, the brand-new Clarke County Extension Agent, and returning guest Elizabeth Baldwin from Page County. The conversation covers Liz's journey from 16 years in the agriculture classroom to her new role in the community, and what it means to serve a he...

Host Janet Michael sits down with Dr. Michael Avery , board-certified general surgeon, Colorectal surgery specialist with Valley Health Surgical Oncology at Winchester Medical Center  to discuss colorectal cancer — why awareness matters, who's at risk, how to screen, and how far treatment has come. Dr. Avery brings both personal backstory and clinical expertise to a conversation that could save yo...

In this episode, host Janet Michael sits down with Martha Reynolds to explore everything happening at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, Virginia this spring — from stunning gallery exhibitions and hands-on art classes to jazz concerts, film screenings, and sustainability milestones. If you love the arts in the Shenandoah Valley, this one's for you. What We Cover 🎨 Art Exhibitions Life Extende...

Winchester's Indoor Pool: What's Next for Aquatics at Jim Barnett Park? Winchester Parks & Recreation Director Chris Konyar joins Janet to discuss the future of the city's indoor pool — and why your input matters right now. What's the issue? The War Memorial building's older wing dates to 1957, and the indoor pool itself was installed in 1975. By 2029–2030, the city will face a mandatory renovatio...

In this episode, host Janet Michael sits down with Winchester City Parks Director Chris Konyar for a wide-ranging conversation about upcoming spring events, facility upgrades, youth programming, and an exciting long-term vision for aquatics in the Winchester area. Topics Covered 🥚 Flashlight Egg Hunt – March 20th A unique twist on the traditional egg hunt held on the turf fields after dark Kids u...

In this episode, host Janet Michael talks with Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce President Gina Hilliard and her guest Rich Hostelley , a licensed architect with nearly 40 years of experience. Rich shares his fascinating journey from military service to becoming a globally licensed architect practicing in Virginia, California, the UK, and beyond. What You'll Learn in This Episode Rich's Path to Archi...

In this episode, host Janet Michael talks with Guy Curtis - Director of Marketing, Laurel Ridge Community College , Christine Kriz - Director of Corporate Training, Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions , and Professor Corinne Hoisington - Professor, Central Virginia Community College; AI educator, international speaker, and author of AI: A Business Perspective, to discuss the Laurel Ridge AI Summit —...

In this episode, host Janet Michael visits the Capon Valley Bank branch in Stephens City to discuss the value of community banking in today's digital age. Melba Thorne shares insights on personalized banking, financial literacy, and how a century-old institution maintains its commitment to local communities. About Capon Valley Bank History : Serving communities since 1918, starting in Wardensville...

Episode Summary Host Janet Michael visits Winchester Little Theatre to preview their upcoming production "Decision Height," opening March 13th. This powerful play tells the overlooked story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II—courageous women who left everything to fly military planes and free up male pilots for combat. Director Theresa Apple and cast members share insight...

Host Janet Michael welcomes Deb Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross , for a comprehensive discussion on flood preparedness. As spring approaches and snow begins to melt, flooding becomes a real threat to communities across the Shenandoah Valley. Learn how to prepare your home and family before disaster strikes, what to do when floodwaters...

Supporting Parents and Young Children: The Yellow Schoolhouse On this United Way segment of The Valley Today , host Janet Michael spoke with Pam Haefner, executive director of the Yellow School House , about how the nonprofit is helping parents of young children find connection, resources, and support in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Haefner explained that the organization began after she and a...

The Numbers Tell a Startling Story Frederick County Sheriff's Office Captain Warren Gosnell sits down with Valley Today host Janet Michael to discuss a reality check for local drivers: the county's newly activated school zone speed cameras caught nearly 3,000 violators in just four days. Even more concerning, some drivers were caught speeding through the same school zone every single day, with spe...

A Thriving Indoor Farm Operation In this episode of The Valley Today , host Janet Michael and cohost Niki Foster from the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce talk with chamber member & community advocate Rob Demariano about his growing business Robby Ds Lil Greens , an indoor vertical microgreen farm that has been quietly revolutionizing local food access in Front Royal, Virginia for nea...

From Dream to Reality Winchester's dining scene welcomes a fresh voice as Bistro Sojo opens its doors, bringing Mediterranean and tropical flavors to downtown Winchester. Host of The Valley Today , Janet Michael and cohost Justin Kerns from VisitWinchesterVA.com sit down with owners Felix and Martha Addison to uncover the story behind Winchester's most talked-about new restaurant. The Addisons did...

A Vision Born from Compassion Fifty-two years ago, educator Bill Moyers looked around his classroom and asked a simple but profound question: where will these students go after graduation? In 1974, opportunities for individuals with disabilities were virtually nonexistent. Rather than accepting this reality, Moyers and his colleagues founded Shen-Paco , an organization that would transform the liv...

Mountain Trails sits nestled on Winchester's Old Town walking mall at 115 North Loudoun Street, where owner Garry Green has cultivated something rare in retail: a store that feels like a community. After 34 years in business—the last 13 at this location—Garry has discovered what he calls "the Loudoun Street Magic," especially on Saturday evenings when the mall comes alive. He shares his passion du...

A Growing Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight Winchester's family homelessness crisis looks nothing like what most people imagine. There are no tent encampments or visible street corners occupied by children. Instead, the crisis unfolds quietly in motel rooms, backseats of cars, and overcrowded apartments where families double up with relatives, desperately hoping their situation will improve. Chris Brig...

A Community Comes Together to Honor Local Excellence Fresh off a Parisian adventure, Kaleigh Fincham returns to the Top of Virginia region with renewed energy and a mission: to orchestrate one of the Chamber's most meaningful events of the year. As Director of Events for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber , Kaleigh joins host Janet Michael on "The Valley Business Today" to unveil the details of...