Breakfast With Barry Lee

The lights and the tree have been taken down or put away, but the real work of Christmas is just beginning.  Barry turns to a poem written by Howard Thurman (1899-1981), an African-American theologian and civil rights leader who reminds us that the Star in the sky may be gone, but the heart of the Christmas message is just beginning. Barry also invites his newly retired wife Mary (a professor at S...

Marine Veteran Wayne David Hubbard of Winchester joins Barry on this first episode of 2026 to talk about the 'Veterans Poetry Project - Perseverance and Resilience'.  David talks about upcoming local workshops and an anthology to help veterans share their experience through writing. www.veteranspoetryproject7.wordpress.com

On this episode Barry celebrates the arrival of 2026 with some fun observations about resolutions and old folklore good-luck traditions on how to start off a new year.   

On this episode, Barry celebrates the arrival of Christmas this week with some fun observations, and also sits down with Brad Veach, Executive Director of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival to chat about New Year's Eve in Old Town Winchester.  The Festival and City of Winchester will be hosting a 6-hour laser light show with music, street performers, and vendors up and down the Old Town Mall wi...

On this episode Barry dives deeper into the Christmas season and spirit by passing along tips on re-gifting, office party etiquette, the Hallmark drinking game, and gifts for under zero cents.  He also talks about hanging the outdoor lights with his adult daughter ... a tradition that dates back to when she was little.  

From hurt, to help, to healing ... 'You're Not Alone Ministry' ... Support for Mental Health Challenges.  Joining Barry on this episode are Alan Umstead, Sylvia Tarro and Dan Skoda who share their personal stories of how they helped start this ministry that provides support groups and resources for individuals and families facing mental health challenges.  

This week the Christmas spirit soars through song!  Joining Barry on the show is Jeffrey Alban with the Blue Ridge Singers to invite all to their concert series, "The Very Best Time of Year" ( www.blueridgesingers.org )  Also stopping by is Dave Worthington with the Clarke County Community Band that will present three fun-filled Christmas concerts to benefit Chain of Checks  ( www.clarkecountycomm...

It's the week of Thanksgiving and Barry shares his love of this special day, and ponders why mashed potatoes taste better on Thanksgiving Day. Joining Barry on the show is Michael Hummer, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and a cancer survivor.  Michael talks about 'Wrapping Up Cancer For Hope' ... a gift wrapping fundraiser at Apple Blossom Mall (11/28 & 11/29, December 12th thru the 2...

Frederick County Parks and Rec celebrates 25 years of holiday magic with the opening of their "Walking In A Winter Wonderland" at Clearbrook Park on 11/28.  Barry' guest on the show is Onna Keller, Program Supervisor with FCPRD who describes all the fun details and activities.   For details and tickets, log on to www.fcprd.net (Half of the opening night proceeds on 11/28 will benefit the Chain of...

What was that creature that emerged briefly from the Shenandoah River, and then disappeared?  How could it be true?  On this episode, filmmaker and co-owner of Mirandum Pictures, Colin J. Mason and Executive Producer Parson Brown join Barry to talk about their upcoming film, "River Maid - A Short Folk Tale".  

Katie Devolites, Executive Director of the Adult Care Center of Northern Shenandoah Valley joins Barry on the first half of the show to talk about the upcoming move into the Center's new home on Amherst Street in Winchester! Katie also talks about the kickoff of their Capital Campaign and the services the Center provides to adults who are coping with physical or cognitive challenges.  Also joining...

A double-header on this week's show: Kiwanis Club of Winchester Community Pancake Day to support foster families through Froggy's Closet.  Guests are Carleton Rio, Pancake Day Chairman, and Kevin Brandriff, Executive Director of Families Reaching Out Group. Part 2 is 'Mustaches For Kids' (M4K) where men in Shenandoah County and beyond pledge to grow their best (or worst) facial hair creations to s...

Barry's guest on the show this week is Shalini Mikos, Chair of the Executive Leadership Team for the Walk To End Alzheimer's on 11/1 at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.  Shalini brings a message to caregivers that they are not alone, that help and resources are available.  For more information or to sign up for the walk, log on to www.act.alz.org/nsv 

On this episode, Barry looks back on how the Chain of Checks charitable campaign got started in 1986, and some of the various milestones that occurred over 39 years in helping local nonprofit agencies.  In addition, Barry shares two powerful letters from children that he received during the 2006 campaign that speak to basic human needs and pure kindness.

Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby, the authors of the 2021 book, "Cousins: Connected Through Slavery, A Black Woman and a White Woman Discover Their Past and Each Other" will be at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown on October 11th for a special presentation.  Barry's guest this week is the Reverend Laura Douglass who was part of the collaboration to bring the authors to Laurel Ridge...

A double-header this week on the podcast: 1) Patricia Brewer and Mandy Foxley share information about the October 11th 'Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention' at Sherando High School.  "When people come together, hope can win!"  Details at www.afsp.org/stephenscity 2) Rick Miller invites golfers to help the Salvation Army put turkeys on Thanksgiving and Christmas plates for those in need...

On this episode, Barry shares the story of a recent encounter in the Strasburg, VA Food Lion parking lot.  

Community Connect & Serve takes place on Thursday, 9/25 from 3 to 7 p.m. at 399 Apple Pie Ridge Road in Winchester.  This event helps nonprofits and faith-based groups to network and share, plus helps potential volunteers find the organization that meets their interest and heart.  Barry's three guests are:  Jennifer Volkmann (CCAP Volunteer Coordinator), Jennifer Ritenour (MSV Volunteer Coordinato...

Mitch Emswiler joins Barry on the show this week to share his memories of growing up in Winchester in the 1950s and 60s.  His earliest memory was meeting Patsy Cline at a 5 & Dime store downtown, with more stories about the Leggett store escalator and a James Wood - Handley football game.     

Everybody into the pool!  Especially the dogs!  Before Sherando Park closes its pool for the summer, the Frederick County Parks and Rec Department is hosting a Charity Dog Walk and Pool Pawty on September 6th!  Onna Keller, Program Supervisor, is Barry's guest with fun details on the fundraiser for the Frederick County - Esther Boyd Animal Shelter.  Details at www.fcprd.net 

Concern Hotline, Inc. has been providing 24-hour suicide prevention and compassionate listening since 1970.  Executive Director Rusty Holland joins Barry on the show to talk about the thousands of calls the hotline's trained volunteers engage in.  Plus, the conversation turns to the much anticipated 'Fryday Fish Fry' fundraiser at the Frederick County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 5th. 

On this episode, Barry is joined by Freda Roberson (Executive Director) and Candace Davenport (Board Member) of the Fremont Street Nursery in Winchester.  The Nursery has been providing quality daycare since 1943, and is launching a capital campaign to build a new classroom and renovate another. 

Childhood Cancer Activist Ammy Doeden joins Barry this week to discuss the '15th Annual Get Your Shave On', August 24th in Middletown to benefit the Saint Baldrick's Foundation.  This volunteer fundraiser raises precious dollars for childhood cancer research. 

Award-winning journalist with The Winchester Star, and Barry's longtime friend, Brian Brehm joins him on this week's broadcast to chat about his new children's book, "So Long, Charlie ... A Tree Bears Witness To History".  The story is based on an actual 300 year old white oak near Shawneeland that collapsed during a storm in 2022.

On this week's show, Barry confesses how 5, silly, everyday, modern life situations stress him out ... like trying to count that one to two seconds between pops to know when the microwave popcorn is really done ... and not burned.