The Valley Today

Today's Strolling Strasburg conversation with Olivia Hilton, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Town of Strasburg took us to Strasburg Emporium. We shopped our way through the building and even snagged two business owners to talk about what they offer at their booths.  With more than 60 dealers across 52,000 square feet, Strasburg Emporium showcases items for every budget and taste: vintage...

Our conversation today with Guy Curtis from Laurel Ridge Community College included Dr. Craig Santicola , Dean of Professional Programs to talk about their new drone programs. Craig explained the lengthy process for receiving formal approval for the programs and told us how the programs are structured. He told us that sUAS/Drone operators are in demand by a variety of industries with potential com...

Our conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses as well as offering advice and resources to small business owners. We talked with Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer at the Virginia-Richmond District Office for the US Small Business Administration about the Community Navigat...

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism featured Nikki Grant, owner of Woodstock Cafe. Nikki gave us some history of Woodstock Cafe and told us how she & her husband came to be the owners five years ago. They both have successful backgrounds in the food service industry. Her husband, Jose makes the pasta from scratch as well...

Our conversation today with Cori Pence, Communications Specialist with Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention & Wellness Services is part of a year-long partnership with Northwestern Community Services Board highlighting eight different dimensions of wellness. Their "Rooted in" campaign is in its third year with 2023's message: Rooted in Wellness. Each month they will encourage and chall...

Our conversation today gave details for the 2023 Housing Summit happening on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 8am - 3pm in Halpin-Harrison Hall in the School of Business on the campus of Shenandoah University . Kim Herbstritt, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity , and Barbara Marmet, staff attorney for Blue Ridge Legal Services joined me. Kim gave some background for the Housing Coa...

Our conversation today for Traffic Safety Thursday with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County (VA) Sheriff's Office was a continuation of our February show where we discussed motor vehicle operations. Lt. Gosnell explained various situations and how drivers should react when being pulled over for a traffic stop. He reiterated the importance of understanding the traffic laws within the Commonwea...

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce took place at Front Royal/Warren County Airport. Joining us were the owners of Skydive Front Royal, Albert & Julie Van Jaarsveld. The pair gave us quite an education on the process of skydiving as well as the mental benefits it provides. We talked...

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition - with Justin Kerns from the Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau featured Rene Locklear White ( Lumbee ) to talk about Native American history in Frederick County. Our conversation was much longer than time allowed during the radio show today, but the entire chat is included in this podcast. Justin told...

Our conversation today with Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's Planner is part of an ongoing series following the work on Shenandoah 2045 - Shenandoah County's comprehensive plan. The planning process will unfold over the course of four years with the majority of the community collaboration occurring from 2020-2022, with input in 2023-2024. Jenna French, Director of Tourism & Economic Development a...

Our conversation today with Kaycee Childress, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley included Stacy McFarland, Executive Director for the Greater Shenandoah Valley Red Cross. Stacy educated us on several different programs and services offered by her organization and explained her chapter's coverage area: Washington County, MD, the five counties in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and all of the...

As part of our community health partnership with Valley Health , our conversation this month focused on getting to know your lipids. Joining me to talk about cholesterol was Jimmy Dingess, FNP-C .  Jimmy, a self-professed lipid nerd, runs the Lipid Clinic at Winchester Cardiology and Vascular Medicine I Valley Health . Jimmy explained the difference between "good" cholesterol (HDL) and "bad" chole...

We recorded our conversation for The Valley Business Today at Winchester Country Club with Kory Campbell, Director of Marketing for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and his guests Vanessa McAllister, Director of Programs & Events and Cary Dunston, owner of Life Leader 360. Cary facilitates the chamber's Business Leadership Program. Cary explained how the program works, gave an overview of the...

Our conversation today for Tourism Tuesday - Luray/Page County edition - with Edison Emmons from Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce featured Alex Colby, co-owner of Blue Shepherd Spirits. Alex told us how the nano distillery got started including all the work that went into prepping the space and creating the recipes for his products. He explained the distilling process and talked about the time that'...

Our conversation today gave lots of background and details for the Shenandoah Rail Trail . Cari Orebaugh, Asst Town Manager for the town of Broadway , and Kyle Lawrence, Executive Director for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition joined me to explain the magnitude and benefits of the project. Cari told us about the plans Broadway is making to incorporate the trail which includes adding parking...

Our conversation today with Ag Agent Elizabeth Baldwin gave us all the details for an upcoming workshop series she's hosting: Whole Farm Planning. Elizabeth in a Unit Coordinator & Associate Extension Agent through Virginia Cooperative Extension . She's based in Page County but serves all five surrounding counties. She told us about the workshop series that will be offered over the course of four...

Our conversation today took place at the Barns of Rose Hill earlier this week to learn the details about Berryville's 225-year anniversary celebration . Joining me were Sarah Ames, Executive Director of the Barns of Rose Hill and committee member of Berryville Celebrates, Nathan Borger, Director of Operations & Programming for the Barns of Rose Hill, and Nathan Stalvey, Executive Director of the C...

We recorded our conversation for today's show in person at the Frederick County (VA) Public Safety Building. Joining me to talk about the job openings with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office were Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland , Lt. Warren Gosnell , and Lt. Tracy Kittoe. The group gave me a rundown of the different positions available within the sheriff's office and explained the pr...

Our conversation today with Alex Flanigan, Main Street Program Manager for Old Town Winchester gave us details about several events that are happening in Old Town Winchester this month. We talked about the monthly flyer that was posted to their Facebook page and Alex explained that they will be creating one of those each month. She reminded listeners to be sure and follow them on Facebook and chec...

Our conversation today with Sam Greenfield & Kim Martin from Virginia's Division of Rehabilitative Service was very insightful. Sam is a job placement counselor. She explained what that is and gave us an overview of the services her agency offers. The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services provides and advocates for the highest quality of services to help older Virginians and th...

It's Library Lovers Month so our conversation today featured Michelle Ross, Executive Director at Samuels Public Library. The library is hosting a "Day of Giving" on February 23, 2023. Joining us for the chat was Lewis Moten, owner of Code Jamboree to talk about his matching grant of $3500 for everyone who donates to the library in the month of Feburary. Michelle explained the impact that Lewis's...

Our conversation today with Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing for Laurel Ridge Community College featured Dwayne McAlexander, a program instructor for their Megatronics Program. Dwayne walked us through a typical class and talked about his students' wide range of ages and skill sets. The Mechatronics programs at Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions can teach the skills needed through hands-on learning...

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Luray/Page County edition - with Edison Emmons from Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce included Phil Floyd, Regional Director of Operations from SaVida Heath. Phil told us about the growth of Savida Health since they were on the show in February 2019 and we talked about the types of services they offer to help those suffering from opioid and alco...

Our Shenandoah County Tourism conversation today took place upstairs at Flour & Water . Kary Haun joined me along with Meredith Norris from Flour & Water and Christi Coryell from The ButterCup . We talked about how their businesses have grown since opening a few short years ago during the pandemic. The pair told Kary & I about their business philosphy and how being engaged with customers and commu...

Our conversation today with Cori Pence, Communications Specialist with Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention & Wellness Services is part of a year-long partnership with Northwestern Community Services Board highlighting eight different dimensions of wellness. Their "Rooted in" campaign is in its third year with 2023's message: Rooted in Wellness. Each month they will encourage and chall...