The Valley Today

As part of our community health partnership with Valley Health, this month we talked with Scott Trivette, Program Manager of Volunteer Services. Scott manages the volunteer programs at Winchester Medical Center and Warren Memorial Hospital. Scott emphasizes the impact of volunteerism on the community and discusses the role of volunteers in providing hope and healing at hospitals. He talks about how volunteering goes beyond traditional roles, he welcomes individuals with various skill sets, the inclusive nature of volunteering and the rewarding experience it offers. He mentions the rebuilding of the volunteer program post-COVID and the need for more volunteers - particularly those interested in driving the courtesy van. He also explains the process of volunteering at Valley Health, highlighting online applications and orientations. We discuss accommodating volunteers with limited availability and remote volunteering options. Learn more about volunteering at Valley Health on their website: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/volunteer If you'd like to host Scott as a speaker for your community group, click here to send him an email. You can also reach him via phone: 540-536-8158

Our conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley as well as offering advice and resources to all small businesses. My co-host for this monthly series is Carl Knoblock, Virginia District Director for the SBA. We met at GNC Online Auction's Winchester warehouse for an in-depth discussion about their business model and the dynamic between buyers, sellers, and the auction house. Felicia Hart & Scott Haines, owners of the auction house share experiences and anecdotes related to acquiring the auction business, its operational challenges, and the uniqueness of auctioned items. They explain the start of their venture, the pandemic's impact, the diverse range of items up for auction, and how these auctions connect people with unique and sometimes historical items. We delve into business strategies, customer engagement, and the broader implications of their work, like community involvement and environmental benefits. Throughout, Carl offers perspectives on the business model and suggestions for outreach and expansion, intertwining with discussions about the potential for education through auctioned items and the importance of community in the auction business. Learn more about GNC Online Auctions on their website: https://gnconlineauctions.com/ and follow them on Facebook. Click here to listen to other conversations in this small business series.  

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday with Edison Emmons from Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce included Teri Beers, Parks Director for the Town of Stanley. Teri gives details for a few upcoming events in Stanley, including the Spring into Stanley event on April 20th and the Stanley Homecoming from July 3rd to 6th. She also talks about their movie nights and lifeguard needs.   

Our conversation today welcomed back Justin Proctor and Mike Shotten, committee members of Front Royal's ACES (Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability) to discuss the organization's mission in building community around environmental and conservation projects in Front Royal. Justin and Mike elaborate on the committee's growth, diverse membership, and various projects aimed at environmental preservation and community engagement. They emphasize the importance of native plants, sustainability, and community involvement in environmental initiatives. The pair give details about the upcoming Lone Pine Day 2024 event scheduled for Sunday, April 21, 2024, highlighting activities such as a tree planting ceremony, educational presentations, free plant giveaways, and community engagement opportunities. The family-friendly event is free for the public to attend and will run from 10am - 3pm in the gazebo area in downtown Front Royal. Lone Pine Day aims to promote environmental awareness, conservation, and youth involvement.  Click here to learn more about ACES and follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1454786115390132   

Our conversation today features Katie Harvard from the Little Garden Club. Katie talks about the significance and history of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, the impact it has on restorations, the collaboration between The Little Garden Club and Winchester-Clark Garden Club, and the details of the upcoming garden tours on April 27th. We discuss the different houses on the tour, the ticket prices and locations to purchase them, the schedule for the tour day, and the experiences visitors can expect at each house. She also covers the educational aspect of joining a garden club, the camaraderie it offers, and the love for gardening shared among members. Katie provides insight into the preparations for Garden Week, the unique features of each house on the tour, and the diversity of gardens and floral arrangements visitors can expect to see. Additionally, we touch upon the learning opportunities, expectations regarding garden appearances, and the fun and creativity involved in exploring different gardening ideas. Learn more about Historic Garden Week in Virginia and get your tickets on their website: https://www.vagardenweek.org/   

Our conversation today with Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing for Laurel Ridge Community College includes Deb Taylor, Director of Corporate Training for Workforce Solutions. Deb explains how corporate training works at Laurel Ridge, emphasizing customized training solutions for employers, including leadership development, strategic planning, and on-site training. She delves into the benefits of on-site training, the importance of transferring knowledge and skills across generations, and the significance of programs like Basecamp and Leadership Institute. Deb also highlights upcoming events like Admin Professionals Day and Leadercast, focusing on essential habits for success and providing opportunities for growth and networking. Learn more about corporate training on their website.

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Luray/Page County edition - with Edison Emmons from the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce features Lesley Mack and Will Daniels from the Hill and Valley Garden Club. They explain the club's history, activities, and upcoming events. We discuss their environmental initiatives, educational programs, and community involvement. Lesley shares details about their annual Garden Lovers Day event, native plant sales, and fundraising efforts for environmental scholarships. Will talks about their bulb and plant sale scheduled for October.  Learn more about Garden Lover's Day happening on May 18, 2024 from 10am - 4pm at Birdsong Pleasure Garden on their website: https://www.hillandvalleygc.com and follow them on Facebook.

Our conversation today with Nathan Stalvey, Director of Clarke County Historical Association gives details about the Art at the Mill spring show that opens on April 20. Nathan talks about the process of selecting artists for the show, the variety of artworks displayed including pottery and woodworking, the admission fees, the importance of the art show as a fundraiser for the CCHA, and the scholarships awarded to high school students pursuing arts degrees. We also delve into the recognition received by the CCHA from the Virginia General Assembly for their preservation efforts, specifically the funding needed for the restoration of the Mill Dam.  Art at the Mill will run from April 20 - May 5, 2024. Hours are Sunday - Friday from 12pm - 5pm, and on Saturdays from 10am - 5pm. The Burwell Morgan Mill is located at 15 TAnnery Lane in Millwood, VA. Learn more on the CCHA website: https://www.clarkehistory.org/ and follow them on Facebook.

Our conversation with Dawn Devine, Executive Director and Tammy Stevenson, Director of Development & Marketing for Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum gives details for their fundraiser: Are You Smarter Than A 4th Grader? The event happens on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 6pm - 8pm in the Patsy Cline Auditorium at Handley High School. Dawn & Tammy talk about how the contest works, why it's important, and the relationships they've built with our local educators. We discuss the role Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum plays in educating children (and parents) in a fun & engaging way. Tammy gives a sneak peek at other upcoming events such as summer camps, the Sunset Series, and Free First Fridays. Learn more on their website - where you can also purchase tickets for Are You Smarter Than A 4th Grader? https://discoverymuseum.net/ 

Our conversation for United Way Day with United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley's CEO, Kaycee Childress features Beth Ogle, Executive Director for Response, Inc. April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Response, Inc. is Shenandoah County's only agency dedicated to assisting those affected by sexual and domestic violence.  Response provides a 26-bed shelter for women and children, and extensive supportive services for survivors, both in- and out-of-shelter. Response advocates serve men, women, and children who are survivors of intimate partner and domestic violence; this includes victims of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse.   Beth talks about the various services they offer and explains the situations many of their clients find themselves in both before and after seeking help and safety. She talks about the value of the impact grants they receive through United Way and the work they're able to accomplish because of them. Learn more about the work that Response does and how you can be a part of it by visiting their website: https://www.responseva.org/ and following them on Facebook.  You can contribute to United Way's campaign to fund impact grants on their website: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/ or through a fundraiser on their Facebook page.

Our conversation for Traffic Safety Thursday with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County Sheriff's Office takes a deep dive into the misconceptions that many people have about law enforcement officers and the laws they enforce. We discuss the myths of quotas, revenue generation from citations, and others such as warning oncoming drivers about checkpoints. To hear more conversations in our Traffic Safety Thursday series, click here.

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce also featured serial entrepreneur, Shelly Cook.  Shelly walks us through her journey of entrepreneurship and highlights her efforts to improve and give back to her community through her businesses, including a motel renovation, a vineyard with educational and entertainment offerings, and a restaurant with a giving board for the needy. Our conversation showcases Shelly's dedication to sustainable redevelopment, and her innovative approach to business.Learn more about all of her projects at: https://www.reitanovineyards.com/  Before we wrap up, Niki gives details about a special VIP ticket that will be available for the Wine & Craft Festival this year. These tickets will be limited and will go on sale at 1:30pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Learn more at: https://www.frontroyalchamber.com/   

Our conversation today for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism gave lots of details for several events happening in the coming months across the county. Theatre Shenandoah opens their production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," on April 19, 2024. Kary tells us about her experiences with the production in the past, and explains what theatre goers can expect. Learn more and purchase tickets on their website: https://www.theatreshenandoah.org  Kary also gives details for Vintage in the Valley, Woofstock, and several winery events. You can find more information about these events and others on their website: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/ 

Our conversation today with Lauren Clouse, Director at Winchester Rescue Mission showcases the comprehensive services and significant impact of the Winchester Rescue Mission in addressing homelessness and poverty. Joining Lauren was Clay Perry. Clay is the chairperson for the Kiwanis Club of Winchester's Community Pancake Day happening on April 20, 2024. Winchester Rescue Mission is the main beneficiary of the spring fundraiser. Lauren explains the mission's development, including its initiation as a men's homeless shelter and subsequent expansion to serve women. She shares the holistic approach taken by the organization in not merely providing shelter but addressing homelessness through mental health resources, job readiness, and life skills training, alongside fostering community through their food ministry. We discuss the critical issue of affordable housing, shedding light on partnerships and community efforts to mitigate this challenge. Clay gives details about the Kiwanis Club of Winchester including its mission dedicated to "improving the world one child and one community at a time," and provides insight into the Kiwanis Club's Community Pancake Day, illustrating its role in fundraising and community involvement, underscoring the mutual support between the club and Winchester Rescue Mission. He explains how Community Pancake Day comes together with the help of many community partners & volunteers. Spring Community Pancake Day is Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 7am to 6pm at the War Memorial Building in Jim Barnett Park. Kiwanis Club of Old Town will be collecting canned goods for the benefit of the Winchester Rescue Mission at the event as well. Tickets are $8 at the door, $7 in advance. Contact Clay via text 703-887-8720. Learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Winchester on their website: https://winvakiw.org  Lauren emphasizes the importance of community engagement, volunteerism, and collective effort in driving change. She invites listeners to contribute and be part of the mission's journey towards healing, help, and hope. Learn more about Winchester Rescue Mission on their website: https://www.winrescue.org/   

Our conversation today with Elise Stine Dolinar from Bright Futures gives details about the organization's mission to help school-age children in the community by providing them with basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene items. Elise shares stories of how they support students in crisis situations, including a high school girl in need of clothing and food. She also shares information about their Community Food Pack event where volunteers purchase & pack bags of food for students for the last weekend of the school year. Elise emphasizes the importance of community support in helping students in need and showcases the impact of small donations in making a difference in the lives of these children. Learn more about Bright Futures on their website by clicking here. Get details about the Community Food Pack event, including a shopping list of what they'll need on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturesfrederickcounty/ 

As part of our community health partnership with Valley Health, this month we talked with Dr. Devin Flaherty, Director of Surgical Oncology for Valley Health about colon cancer and the importance of awareness and prevention strategies. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Flaherty explains the prevalence of colon cancer, the importance of colonoscopies for early detection, and the significance of genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer. Our conversation also covers lifestyle factors impacting the risk of developing colon cancer, symptoms to watch out for, treatment options including robotic surgeries, and the post-surgery recovery process. Additionally, he touches on the benefits of minimally invasive surgeries and the importance of surveillance programs for long-term follow-up after treatment. Click here to learn more about cancer care at Valley Health.  

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today features Cynthia Schneider, CEO of Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and two Greater Good award-winning guests. In the first segment, we talk with Bob Claytor from HN Funkhouser about being recognized with a Lifetime Community Impact Award. Bob shares insights about his family history and the success of HN Funkhouser. He shares advice for residents and business owners to engage with the community through organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and nonprofits. Throughout our conversation, Bob expresses gratitude for his team and shares that the award is on display in the Winchester dispatch office so that all team members can see it and know they are part of the honor it bestows.  In the second segment, we talk with Logan Thompson from Carmeuse Lime & Stone, named Large Business of the Year at the Greater Good Awards Dinner. Logan talks about the history of the company, their product range including lime, limestone, and ground limestone, community engagement, and the challenges they face. He also touches upon CTE education and its impact on individuals' lives.  Find the full list of winners on the chamber's website: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/the-greater-good-awards/ 

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau features Mark & Dani Canoles. They are the owners of Back to the Media, a video game/vinyl record store located on the Old Town Walking Mall in Downtown Winchester. Mark & Dani explain the store's 10-year history including the move to Old Town. They highlight Back to the Media's diverse inventory, including retro video games, vinyl records, comic books, and more. We discuss the resurgence of physical media and the value of nostalgia at any age. We learn details about their newly planned retro arcade space, expected to open in late April/early May, aimed at creating that nostalgic experience for visitors. Mark & Dani talk about how they adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic through initiatives like live-record auctions on Facebook (Saturdays at 7:30pm.) They share stories about how they obtain much of their inventory (buy, sell, and trade) and talk about their camaraderie with customers. Back to the Media is located at 48 S. Loudoun Street on the Old Town Walking Mall in Downtown Winchester. They are open Monday - Saturday from 11am - 7pm and Sunday 12pm - 6pm. Learn more on their website: https://www.backtothemedia.com and/or follow them on Facebook and YouTube. They have also created a separate Facebook page for the arcade addition.

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. Today, Tyler walked us through the recently released report that gives an overview of what's included in the plan. It was presented to the Shenandoah County Planning Commission in early March for review and feedback. It will be discussed at their meeting on April 4, 2024. During our conversation today, Tyler shared his Zoom screen and highlighted various portions of the report. You can watch our conversation on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/o1AhmLeUd8Q  You can view the entire plan in various forms, and learn more about the planning process, on their website: https://shenandoahcountyva.us/future and follow them on Facebook. You can listen to previous conversations with Tyler about Shenandoah 2045 by clicking here.

Our conversation today with Suzi Smith, General Manager for the George Washington Wyndham Grand Hotel includes a bit about the hotel's history and details about their "Century of Harmony" concert series to celebrate 100 years of the GW in Old Town Winchester. Suzi talks about the renovations and their event spaces which are ideal for weddings and corporate events. We discuss the dining options and upcoming centennial celebrations. The concert series kicks off on April 6 featuring the iconic band Orleans. Orleans is best known as the Pop/Rock band that brought you the classic 70s hits Still The One, Dance With Me and Love Takes Time. Seats are limited but can be purchased by clicking here. You can purchase tickets to the John Ford Coley concert on July 13 by clicking here, and purchase tickets to Firefall on October 19 by clicking here. Stay up to date on happenings at The George Washington Wyndham Grand Hotel by following them on Facebook.