The Valley Today

We had a fun conversation today with Sari Carp, Executive Director for Sustainability Matters about how her organization has grown since it's inception four short years ago. She told us about that growth and how they've gone all in on professionally produced virtual events as a result of the pandemic. We talked about some of their upcoming programs that they hope will be available in person. In th...

Mental health was the topic of our conversation today with Caroline Wood - Associate Vice President of Student Services & Academic Support and Amber Foltz - Dean of Students, both from Lord Fairfax Community College (becoming Laurel Ridge Community College.) The two explained the new free counseling services that are being offered at LFCC through Timely MD. Amber gave us a rundown of all the teleh...

We chatted today with Carl Knoblock , District Director for Virginia with the Small Business Administration about the agency's disaster relief loans, the rise in startups during the pandemic and even talked a little marketing. During our conversation, Carl mentioned the Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center, you can get more information about them (including contact information) on their...

Our conversation today with Drew Gruber, Executive Director for Civil War Trails focused not just on the country's civil war history, but also how the perception of history has changed. He explained the importance of local involvement, the economic development perspective, and the impact civil war sites can have on tourism dollars.   For more information about Civil War Trails, visit their website...

Today's conversation centered around setting SMART goals for getting in shape in 2022. Joining me for the chat: Lacy Knight - Physical Therapist & Clinical Manager of Warren Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation and Wellness Services; and, Justin Strucyk, and exercise physiologist with Valley Health. The pair explained what SMART goals are and why they are the ideal way to set and reach any fitness, fu...

Today's conversation with the new General Manager at Wayside Inn/Larrick's Tavern, Kristen Sluss centered around the future. We talked about the plans Wayside Inn has moving forward including new events, more weddings, and a few tweaks to the menu. She talked about her relationship with the current (not new) owners and how the staff has come together to make plans for a great 2022. Joining us in t...

We were live in the studio for our monthly chat with Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to talk about all things traffic/public safety. Today's conversation centered around our current winter weather situation and being as safe as possible on the roads. Lt. Gosnell offered some tips and explained why staying home if at all possible is always the smartest option.

Today's conversation with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce centered around the importance of shopping local - not just during the holidays - to keep our small businesses open. Niki talked about options for purchasing gift cards, "just because" gifts, and we talked about sharing posts on social media to support local businesses. Niki also gave us details about the Wine...

We recorded our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism at Nancy's Coffee Bar in Strasburg. Kary filled us in on the new events brochure that will feature events across Shenandoah County throughout 2022. She gave us some insight into the Five Things Friday posts that will begin this week and highlight 250 things to do in Shenando...

Our conversation today with Elaine Specht, President of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Association gave us several tips for getting our gardens ready - or leaving them alone - plus how to tell if old seeds are still viable. She told us how to start a garden journal and why you'll be glad you did. We talked about their upcoming Seed Exchange at Blandy happening on January 29, 2021...

Our conversation with Meghan Bowers, Director of Humane Society of Warren County gave us details for their upcoming Polar Plunge happening on January 15, 2021 at 11am at the Front Royal 4H Center's Lake Culpeper. Sponsorships & Plungers are still welcome. Meghan also gave us an update on the Spay/Neuter Clinic they opened earlier in 2021. She explained their policies for getting "community cats" s...

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today featured Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and several of their staff. Joining us: Danita Roble - Director of Membership; Hanna Stewart - Membership Specialist; Kory Campbell - Director of Marketing & Communications; and Vanessa McAllister - Director of Programs & Events. We talked about the upcoming Greater Good Awards - nominations are currently open...

Our conversation with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau was all about tourism: the people, the businesses, and the data. Justin explained who the tourists are that come to our area and why they choose Winchester/Frederick County. We talked about targeting & tracking methods that he uses to get the most bang for his marketing buck. He also told us why local,...

Our conversation today with Elise from United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley centered around small donations and the large impact they can have in our community. Elise explained how many nonprofits in our area can leverage their monetary donations - no matter how small - for better deals on items they need when they need them. We talked about the fund distribution process and she asked for comm...

We were live in the studio for today's conversation with Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office as part of our monthly series talking about traffic/public safety. Lt. Gosnell explained his 4 C's: Courtesy, Compromise, Consequences, and Christmas.

As part of our continuing series highlighting Shenandoah County's Comprehensive Plan - Shenandoah 2045 - our topic today was the Housing Chapter. Joining us for the conversation is Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's planner, CAC chairperson, Vito Gentile. Vito has served on the CAC for a number of years and has been involved in previous comprehensive plan development for Shenandoah County. He gave...

For our Tourism Tuesday conversation today, I chatted with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau and his guest, Christine Germeyer, Executive Director for First Night Winchester. Christine told us about how to get our wristbands for this year's event - now in it's 35th year - as well as highlighted several of the new performers we can expect to see. She told us...

This week I headed to Luray/Page County for my Shop Local series to chat with Kristen from Massanutten Country Corner, Kevin from Nest & Hive, and Ryanne from Broad Porch Coffee. This is part of a weekly series in December where I'm sharing some of MY favorite places to shop local & chatting with some of my favorite local business owners from our surrounding communities. Massanutten Country Corner...

Our conversation today with Stacy Swain, 4-H Youth Development Educator for the Warren County Extension Office centered around the local 4-H program. Stacy told us about the year-end awards banquet and how important it is to the organization to thank supporters & recognize achievements. She told us about the process to join 4-H, gave us details for summer camps, and talked about several of their p...

As part of our ongoing Community Health series in partnership with Valley Health , today's conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Feit centered around the Omicron variant of COVID-19. He explained why this variant is particularly tricky and talked about what is known vs what is not known about it's spread, virility and the impact vaccines will have in fighting it.

This week I headed to Shenandoah County for my Shop Local series to chat with Kary Haun Studios, Virginia Farmhouse, Travelers Treasures, and Clementine Vintage. This is part of a weekly series in December where I'm sharing some of MY favorite places to shop local & chatting with some of my favorite local business owners from our surrounding communities. Kary Haun Studio : https://www.karyhaun.com...

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Luray/Page County edition - with Edie Emmons from Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce featured Jim Mayes, owner of Warehouse Art Gallery. Jim told us about all different artists who have their work in his gallery (over 100 of them) and told us about an upcoming move to the basement once the renovation is complete. We talked about the opportunities that will...

We strolled Strasburg this month to meet up with Olivia Hilton, Interim (soon to be permanent I HOPE!!) Director of Community Development for the Town of Strasburg. Our first stop was to chat with Rachel Kreis an account manager with Element Risk Management. Rachel explained the different types of insurance the company offers and told us about their priority for customer relationships. For more in...

This week I headed to Berryville for my Shop Local series to chat with Sweet Elephant Bake Shop, Modern Mercantile, Hip & Humble, and Presto Dinners. This is part of a new weekly series in December where I'm sharing some of MY favorite places to shop local & chatting with some of my favorite local business owners from our surrounding communities. Sweet Elephant Bake Shop is located at 23 W. Main S...

Our conversation today centered around job seekers and the unique approach Fauquier County is taking to attract more people to their employers. Joining us: Guy Curtis - Director of Marketing for Lord Fairfax Community College (becoming Laurel Ridge), Donna Comer - Program Manager at LFCC Workforce Solutions / Fauquier County Economic Development Coordinator, and Marty Bywaters-Baldwin - Director o...