The Valley Today

Janet Michael welcomes listeners to another episode of The Valley Today, featuring Christa Shifflett and Celeste Brooks from the Warren Coalition . They discuss the upcoming Warren County Unplugged event, which encourages the community to put away their phones and engage in various activities to improve mental health and social well-being. Christa, the Executive Director, and Celeste, the Communit...

The Valley Today recently hosted a lively discussion about the upcoming Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 's Top of the Tee Charity Golf Classic , marking the return of this beloved event after a hiatus. Host Janet Michael welcomed Kaleigh Fincham, the Chamber's Director of Events, and Guy Curtis, founder of G3 Golf Tournaments , to discuss the details and goals of this year's tournament. Taking pl...

In the heart of Winchester's Old Town Walking Mall lies a hidden gem that exudes Celtic charm—Faire Isles Trading Company. In this episode of The Valley Today, hosted by Janet Michael, the store's unique story and offerings were brought to life. Joining Janet was Justin Kerns of the Winchester/Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau , along with Stephanie Shahan, the passionate owner of Fa...

In the 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. Today's topic focused on Shenandoah County's growth and educational advancements with guest Dr. Melody Sheppard, the county's school superintendent. Dr. Sheppard s...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Elizabeth Baldwin , a unit coordinator and extension agent specializing in agricultural and natural resources, to delve into the topic of bird flu, also known as Avian Influenza. Baldwin, who is based in Page County , primarily focuses on animal science, working with farmers, livestock operations, and even homeowners with backyard...

As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health , in this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Mike Wade, chair of the organizing committee, to share details about this year's Community Wellness Festival, held at the Apple Blossom Mall in partnership with Shenandoah University on Saturday, February 22 from 10am - 5pm. The event promises a day filled with health, fi...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes back cohost Carl Knoblock, the Virginia District Director for the  Small Business Administration (SBA), for a conversation about the importance of preparedness and adaptability in business. Between humorous and honest exchanges, Janet and Carl delve into how businesses manage amidst uncertainties and disruptions, with a specific look...

In this episode of the Valley Today, we feature on the Clarke County Historical Association (CCHA), where we delve into the engaging programs, ongoing projects, and pivotal historical preservation efforts shaping the heart of Berryville/Clarke County. Guided by the ever-enthusiastic Executive Director Nathan Stalvey, CCHA continues to bring history to life in exciting and educational ways. As part...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael features Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray Page Chamber of Commerce, and Christina Grieve from Stover Hall. Christina describes Stover Hall as a four seasons wedding venue operational since 2014 and notes that February remains the only month without hosted weddings due to the unpredictable weather. She then elaborates on their newly inaug...

In this episode of The Valley Today, Janet Michael hosts United Way Day with Andy Gail, CEO of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (UWNSV). The discussion covers the history, mission, and community impact of UWNSV. Andy explains the organization's role as a clearinghouse for donations and its focus on health, financial stability, and education. They also discuss how community members and loca...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Brandy Hawkins Boies, Director of Public Relations and Special Events at Laurel Ridge Community College , and Vivi Meder, their TRIO Director. The conversation begins with an introduction to Laurel Ridge Community College and the TRIO program , which provides support to first-generation, low-income students, and students with documen...

As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health , in this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. John English for an "extra conversation" this month to learn details about the Da Vinci XI robot recently installed at Warren Memorial Hospital . Dr. English is a general surgeon with Front Royal Family Practice and Multispecialty Clinic | Valley Health . Dr. English...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael introduces Bill Whitson, the owner and chef of Billy Sous food truck. They discuss Billy Sous' inception, sparked by Bill's wife during the COVID-19 pandemic and his prior experiences in the food and restaurant industry. Bill shares insights into his culinary background, the challenges of running a food truck, and the intricacies of using sou...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Robyn Miller, Executive Director of WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter) to talk about their annual event, The Coldest Night of the Year. The event aims to raise awareness about homelessness by having participants walk in the cold to simulate the experience of the homeless community. This year marks the third occasi...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by guests Scott Straub and Donna Leight, who are involved with the French and Indian War Foundation (FIWF). Scott, a retired air traffic controller and board member since 2011, and Donna, a retired control systems engineer and executive board member, share insights about the foundation's history, events, and projects. Scott gives an...

Hello and welcome to the Valley Today podcast listeners! I have some good news and bad news for you about today's conversation for Public Safety Thursday with Captain Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office . As is the custom in my house, we always start with the bad news first so the good news can make us feel better. So … the bad news: There was a technical glitch in recording...

In this episode of The Valley Business Today, host Janet Michael talks with Niki Foster, President of the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce to discuss various chamber events and initiatives. They begin with details about the "Coffee and Conversations" event, a monthly gathering featuring Kelli Weaver from the Virginia Tourism Corporation on February 7, 2025 from 9am - 10am. Kelli will...

In this episode of The Valley Today's Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition, host Janet Michael and cohost Kary Haun talk with local business owner, Meredith Norris from Flour & Water Co. in Woodstock and dive into the bakery's history and the roles of various family members and partners, including Paige, Jacoby, and Tyler. They discuss the shop's menu evolution, including pastries, bread, l...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Jessica Johnson, a licensed professional counselor, and manager of Behavioral Health Integration at Valley Health Behavioral Health Services . Mental Health Monday is a new series for 2025 aimed at addressing various mental health issues throughout the year. Janet expresses the unexpected and overwhelming need for such a series, espe...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael, engages with Olivia Hilton, the town manager for Mount Jackson . The conversation revolves around the upcoming Cupid's Market and Wine Bar event. Scheduled for February 7th-8th and again on the 14th-15th, the event features a range of local vendors, including Wolf Gap Winery , Nana's Blue Greenhouse , Sweet and Savvy Bake Shop , Chosen Siste...

In this episode of "The Valley Today," host Janet Michael visits the DRIPBaR in Winchester to have a conversation with the owner, Tyler Emerick. They discuss the services offered at the DRIPBaR, specifically IV therapy, which is designed to enhance wellness by providing essential vitamins and hydration directly to the bloodstream. Tyler elaborates on their medical background, the stringent sterili...

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael features guests Andy Gyurisin, the new director of the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Wendy May, the marketing manager for the Frederick County Economic Development Authority . The main topic is the upcoming "Cultivate Your Agribusiness" conference on February 20th, 2025, aimed at supporting local agribusinesses. An...

In this episode of Tourism Tuesday on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and cohost Justin Kerns from the Winchester Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau  discuss numerous topics, including the setting of their conversation, which takes place in the conference room of the Visitors Bureau—remarked humorously by Justin as more of a storage room. The conversation dives into the "Winchester...

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. Today's topic focused on various zoning rules, ordinances, and regulations as they relate to localities and Shenandoah County as a whole. They discuss an example of K...

In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Brady Cloven, Executive Director of Friends of Old Town, and Kyle Hopkins, the owner of Four Square Architects . Janet introduces the guests and explains that the segment provides a sneak peek into what's happening in Old Town Winchester for the upcoming month. Kyle discusses his background, the work his architectural firm has done i...