Podcasts about stephens city

In this episode of The Valley Business Today with Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, host Janet Michael is joined by cohost Andy Gail to talk with Community Leadership Program participants during their NonProfit & Media Day session held at Handley Regional Library. Throughout the episode, Janet and her co-host Andy Gail interview various members of the CLP class and discuss their roles, experiences, and motivations for participating in the program. The conversation begins with Janet and Andy introducing themselves and the event, which is being recorded with a live studio audience. They highlight the efforts and participation of the audience in the leadership class. Then, they move on to interview different CLP class participants, starting with Mike Majher, Town Manager for Stephens City, who discusses his involvement in the program and its benefits from a government perspective. Next, they talk to Joan Cestaro, a small healthcare business owner, who describes how the program helps her give back to the community. Janet & Andy continue by speaking with multiple other members, including educators Alison Post (Frederick County Public Schools) and Jennifer Buckley (Winchester City Public Schools,) CNB banker Charles Lowery, City National Bank personal banker Joanna Arriaga, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative's Karen Jones, and Valley Health representative Erin Dickerson. Each shares their insights and the ways CLP has impacted them, emphasizing the value of community connections, professional growth, and understanding different sectors within the region. Andy highlights the diverse backgrounds of the participants and the program's ability to foster deeper community engagement. The episode concludes with a note on the planned afternoon activities, which include a visit to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley for a nonprofit speed networking event, emphasizing the continuous learning and networking opportunities offered by the CLP class.  

In this episode of the Valley Today, Janet shares more of the recent conversation with Andrea Cosans, the executive director at Winchester CCAP. The pair explored the types of donations that are most needed at local food pantries. Andrea emphasized that while traditionally only non-perishable items were accepted, these days, many food pantries have the capacity to store perishable items like dairy products, meats, and fresh produce, thanks to grants and improved refrigeration capabilities. Andrea mentioned that there is always a high demand for dairy items such as butter and eggs, which are rarely donated, especially in the winter. She also highlighted the challenges with obtaining produce and meat regularly. Although the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank supplies some staple items, there are periods when essential items like meat and cereal might be unavailable. Pantries now need more than just food donations. Items like laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, and personal hygiene products are costly and always in demand. Andrea also noted the necessity of bottled water for clients who may not have access to potable water and to keep volunteers hydrated. Children's snacks, cheese, and even pet food were pointed out as beneficial donations. There's also a strong collaboration between nonprofits in the area, sharing resources and support, which is crucial for operational efficiency. Andrea explained that outdated or unusable clothing should be donated to hospice services for reclamation to avoid wastage. Andrea provided details about how to help and where to drop off donations at CCAP, including their website and hours of operation. Financial donations are also welcome to allow the pantry to purchase needed items directly. In the second segment, listeners were encouraged to support food pantries by donating or volunteering. A rundown of several food pantries in the Shenandoah Valley area was given, with information on their locations, operation hours, and specific needs, emphasizing that local food pantries require continuous community support, especially during the holiday season. This is by no means a complete list. You can access more resources on the United Way NSV website by clicking here. You can download their Community Resource Directory by clicking here. Please check their websites or social media to confirm their hours and any restrictions they may have as things may have changed since this show aired. Winchester Rescue Mission is located at 435 North Cameron Street, and they serve meals every day of the week, every week of the year at their Cafe on Cameron. Lunch is served every day from 11:30am until 12:30pm. Dinner is served from 5:30pm until 6:30pm. You're also welcome to take a to-go meal. Those are available at noon and at 6pm each day. Their food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10am until 11am. Their food distribution is open to anyone in the community needing food for themselves and their families. The community meals are open to the Winchester community. If you want more information about Winchester Rescue Mission, head over to their website at winrescue. org. There they have a wish list, of items that they always need for donations. I'm sure they're always looking for volunteers as well. And you can follow them on Facebook. Braddock Street United Methodist Church offers a hot meal every Monday night at 6pm. They are located at 115 Wolfe Street in downtown Winchester. Highland Food Pantry is located at 446 Highland Avenue, Winchester. They are in the lower level of the Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church. They are open on Tuesdays from 9am until 11am and from 6pm until 7:30pm. Follow them on Facebook for updates. Stephens City United Methodist Church, located at 5291 Main Street, Stephens City has a drive-thru pantry on Tuesdays from 11am until 2pm in their parking lot. It is open to residents of Frederick County, Winchester, and Front Royal. You can receive food every other week, and some of that food includes frozen meats, chilled dairy products, fresh produce, pet food, and cleaning and hygiene items, in addition to canned and boxed goods. Victory Church Food Bank and the Olive Branch Food Pantry at 2870 Middle Road also provides a drive-thru service. They are open on Wednesdays from 9:30am until noon. Hayfield Assembly of God on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month offers a food pantry from 9am until 11am. They are located at 5118 Northwestern Turnpike in Gore. Welltown United Methodist Church at 1444 Welltown Road in Clearbrook offers a food pantry on Thursdays from 5:30pm until 7pm. Emmanuel United Methodist Church at 2732 Martinsburg Pike in Stephenson every Monday from 4:30pm until 5:30pm. They offer hot meals and a food pantry.  Laurel Ridge Community College operates a food pantry for its students. It is open Monday through Friday from 8am until 7pm. You can head to the TRIO office which is in room 606 of Cornerstone Hall. Do a little self-service shopping or you can fill out an online order form, and select your pickup date and time. You can also find a list of other food pantries on their website: https://laurelridge.edu/foodpantry/  FISH of Clarke County is located at 36 East Main Street in Berryville. They are open on Tuesdays from 8am until 10am and on Wednesdays from 8am until 11am. Follow them on Facebook for updates. Go to the back door of the building to access their food pantry. The Christ Episcopal Church in Millwood, located at 843 Bishop Meade Road operates its food pantry on the first Friday of the month from 1pm until 3pm. They also have a special first Saturday of the month from 9am until 11am for seniors and clients with special needs. Bread of Life at Woodstock Presbyterian Church is located at 156 South Muhlenberg Street in Woodstock. They are open on the third Tuesday and the third Thursday from 1pm to 4pm for their food pantry. The Compassion Cupboard at 533 Burgess Street in Strasburg is open on the third Tuesday of the month from 9am until Noon, and from 1pm until 3pm. Loaves and Fishes Pantry at Manor Memorial UMC is open on the third Thursday of the month from 1pm until 5pm. They are located at 9320 North Congress Street in New Market. Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal is located at 613 North Royal Avenue. They're open on Tuesdays from 1pm until 3pm, and on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am until 1pm. Front Royal Salvation Army has a food pantry that operates Monday through Friday from 9am until Noon and from 1:30pm until 3:30pm. They are closed on Wednesdays. They're located at 357 Cloud Street. As a side note, their kettle kickoff is on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 12:30 at WalMart in Riverton Commons. You can register to ring and give them a little bit of volunteer support during the holidays.  In Page County, Page One has two locations. We just talked to Page One last month on the show. Page One - Luray is located at 35 North Bank Street. They are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30am until 11am. They also offer delivery for homebound residents. Their second location, Page One - Shenandoah is Located at 600 Comer Lane. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30am until 2:30pm. They do not offer delivery but can bring your food to the curb if needed. 

In this episode, host Janet Michael sits with Winter Brooks, co-chair of the Stephens City Out of the Darkness Community Walk, a significant event aimed at raising awareness about suicide and supporting affected individuals and communities. Janet highlights that Winter Brooks has been organizing the community walk for 10 years, marking a decade of dedicated efforts. Winter explains the walk's inclusion of various communities, emphasizing that the event brings together people from different areas such as Strasburg, Warren County, and beyond. This year, the focus is on reinforcing the walk as a community event. Throughout the episode, Janet and Winter detail the history and growth of the walk, which initially began with Winter's attendance at the Washington, DC walk and has evolved into a significant local event for Northwestern Virginia. Winter mentions their mission of honoring lost loved ones, providing support, and raising awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide. They also discuss the various symbolic elements of the walk, such as the Honor Beads, each color representing different connections to suicide, and how these elements help participants recognize they are not alone in their grief or struggle. The walk, scheduled for October 12th at Sherando High School, promises an engaging day for attendees. Winter outlines numerous features such as tables with information and resources, a glimmer station, and family-friendly activities including balloon animals and face painting. Teams play a vital role in the event, with many already formed and more welcome to join. Winter explains how forming or joining teams can add to the sense of community and support, highlighting the competitive aspect through recognition of top fundraisers. As a fundraising event, the conversation touches on how donations and sponsorships contribute to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, supporting education and advocacy work locally and nationally. Janet and Winter wrap up discussing logistics and activities planned for the day, including speakers, a choir performance by the Sherando choir, a National Anthem rendition, and an engaging closing ceremony. They emphasize the supportive and uplifting nature of the event, which mixes serious awareness with positive communal engagement. Listeners are encouraged to participate, donate, and support in any way they can, even if they're not walking. You can learn more on their website: afsp.org/stephenscity or by sending an email to Winter.   *Links to shows referencing this weekend's various events: Taterfest in Mount Jackson, VA WoodsTACO Art at the Mill Celebrate Kids Day

Mariah Smith Director of Operations, Accrete AI | Board of Directors, No One Left Behind | Town Council Member, Stephens City, Virginia Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms. Sponsor The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by EquityED 2024: An Antiracist Education Conference Get ready for two days curated with engaging workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring speakers, all aimed at equipping you with the tools, skills, and insights needed to create inclusive and empowering spaces within any educational setting.  We'll come together on Wednesday, October 2nd and Thursday, October 3rd at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center in SeaTac to explore the transformative power of education. Our work is centered on making our conference an innovative, safe, and welcoming space, whether you're a teacher, student, parent, or community leader.  To RSVP and to attend the conference use this link.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equityed-2024-an-antiracist-education-conference-tickets-897526113767?aff=JasonLinkedIn Partners Message your customers - https://www.tawk.to/?pid=byo1znq Payroll - https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr Sales CRM for small business - https://refer.close.com/100cqlbfcgg5 Health Insurance and Benefits - https://www.peoplekeep.com/refer Mariah's Bio Mariah had a twenty-year career in the Army before transitioning to the private sector. Serving as a military police officer, she was also an FBI National Academy graduate of Session 256. During her time in the Army, she was deployed to Djibouti, Iraq, and three times to Afghanistan. She previously worked as a military legislative assistant for a New York member of the House of Representatives, as a liaison between the Army and the Appropriations Committees in Congress, and as a liaison between United States Central Command and the Armed Services Committees. Mariah has a B.A. in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and a M.A. in Security Management from Webster University.  In her personal time, she is a councilwoman for her hometown of Stephens City, Virginia, and is the Vice-Chairman of the non-profit No One Left Behind, which assists Afghan and Iraqi allies who worked with the US government during the Global War on Terror.  We talked about the following and other items A soldier's experience with a kitten in Afghanistan and the efforts to bring her home legally.  Beekeeping and family connections in Afghanistan. Animal intelligence, farming, and personal balance.  Cat fostering and adoption, addressing concerns about personal burnout and the importance of focusing on the positive impact. Writing, and human rights. Nonprofit organization's mission to help Afghan and Iraqi interpreters resettle in the US.  Afghanistan war, evacuation, and visa process. Afghanistan's immigration challenges and the impact of the Taliban's return on the economy and society. US withdrawal from Afghanistan and its implications.  Resettling Afghan and Iraqi refugees in the US, with a focus on housing, job placement, and credential recognition. Immigration and resettlement of Afghans in the US. Resettling 10,000 Afghan refugees in the US with various challenges and solutions.  Resettling Afghan refugees in the US, focusing on language barriers and cultural integration.  Immigration reform for Afghan and Iraqi interpreters. Afghan resettlement and advocacy efforts in US government. Immigration and FBI training. Military career choices for women, including maternity and paternity leave, and the challenges of balancing family and career. Challenges faced by military spouses in career development and job market. AI's role in managing knowledge loss and improving work efficiency. Entrepreneurship, AI, and government contracting. Self-driving cars, safety, and government regulation. Innovation, product development, and work culture. Housing prices and demographic shifts in a small town. Military service, personal growth, and retirement planning. No One Left Behind and Accrete AI, including their founding stories, products, and focus on veterans' health. Military experience, physical toll, and career choices. Military service, culture shock, and job transition after leaving the Army during COVID-19. Career goals, travel experiences, and personal growth. Military career and legislative liaison work. US Congress, annual cycles, and influence. Political corruption and the influence of money in politics. Mariah's Social Media Mariah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahcsmith/ No One Left Behind Website: https://www.nooneleft.org/  No One Left Behind X: https://x.com/n1leftbehind Accrete.ai Website: https://www.accrete.ai/  Accrete.ai X: https://x.com/accreteai Mariah's Advice Focus on putting good into the world. I think a lot of happiness can be derived from making a difference

In this episode, host Janet Michael sits down with Kary Haun at Nancy's Coffee Bar to dive into the excitement of upcoming events in Shenandoah County throughout August. They kick off the conversation discussing the popular Route 11 Yard Crawl, set to occur on August 10th, where over 43 miles of yard sales stretch from Stephens City to New Market. Janet and Carrie share details on what to expect, tips for navigating traffic, and the hidden treasures that can be found, emphasizing how community members, including local nonprofits, participate in this massive event. The discussion then transitions to the Shenandoah County Fair, happening at the end of August. Kary highlights key events like the Miss Shenandoah County Fair Scholarship Pageant, demolition derbies, and various music concerts featuring artists like Zach Williams, Cooper Alan, and Priscilla Block. There's also a nod to the traditional county fair experiences with barnyard animals, exhibits, and classic fair food favorites like chili cheese dogs and funnel cakes. Listeners also get insights into the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, with performances from bands such as the Oak Ridge Boys, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and Eileen Ivers lined up. Kary remarks on the magical atmosphere of the festival held at Orkney Springs, where attendees can picnic and enjoy live music in a beautiful natural setting. Learn more about other events happening across Shenandoah County on their website: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/   

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau features Mike Brady, his son Alex, and his daughter Megan Craggs to learn about Carter Hall Farm in Stephens City. The family explains their history with the property, initially purchased in 2019 but with ties dating back to 1961. They share insights into the heritage breeds they raise, such as American Milking Devons and Berkshire pigs, and their commitment to maintaining a chemical-free farm. Alex talks about his daily responsibilities caring for the animals and mentions their all-natural feeding practices. Mike explains the farm's dedication to preserving endangered breeds through the Livestock Conservancy. Megan highlights her role managing the farm's social media presence, farm stand, and participation in local farmers' markets. They discuss the challenges of scheduling processing times and maintaining the property. The farm's goal is to diversify their offerings while maintaining historical farming practices, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and natural products. Learn more about Carter Hall Farm on their website: https://www.carterhallfarm.net/ and by following them on Facebook and Instagram.

This week on the show: 1)  Amy Rice, Executive Director of the Evans Home for Children, and Sheila Davis, an alumni of the Home and fundraising volunteer, discuss the June 29th 'Charity Dice Run'. 2)  Phil Fravel, founder and curator of the American Military Heritage Museum invites listeners to the June 8th 'Military Appreciation & Living History Event' at the museum in Stephens City. 

Our conversation today began with Andrea Cosans, Director of Winchester CCAP to talk about her organization, specifically the three "freedges" that she has located in Winchester & Frederick County. She explained what they are, how they work, and the value & convenience they bring to those wishing to donate food as well as receive food in our area. She also talked of the great need for volunteers in a wide range of capacities. Learn more about Winchester CCAP on their website: https://www.ccapwinchester.org/ and by following them on Facebook. In the second segment, I ran through a list of food pantries across the Shenandoah Valley. This was, by no means a complete list. You can access more resources on the United Way NSV website by clicking here. You can download their Community Resource Directory by clicking here. Please check their websites or social media to confirm their hours and any restrictions they may have as things may have changed since this show aired. We're going to start off with the Winchester Rescue Mission. They are located at 435 North Cameron Street, and they serve meals every day of the week, every week of the year at their Cafe on Cameron. Lunch is served every day from 11:30am until 12:30pm. Dinner is served from 5:30pm until 6:30pm. You're also welcome to take a to-go meal. Those are available at noon and at 6pm each day. Their food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10am until 11am. Their food distribution is open to anyone in the community needing food for themselves and their families. The community meals are open to the Winchester community. If you want more information about Winchester Rescue Mission, head over to their website at winrescue. org. There they have a wish list, of items that they always need for donations. I'm sure they're always looking for volunteers as well. And you can follow them on Facebook. Braddock Street United Methodist Church offers a hot meal every Monday night at 6pm. They are located at 115 Wolfe Street in downtown Winchester. Highland Food Pantry is located at 446 Highland Avenue, Winchester. They are in the lower level of the Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church. They are open on Tuesdays from 9am until 11am and from 6pm until 7:30pm. Follow them on Facebook for updates. Stephens City United Methodist Church, located at 5291 Main Street, Stephens City has a drive-thru pantry on Tuesdays from 11am until 2pm in their parking lot. It is open to residents of Frederick County, Winchester, and Front Royal. You can receive food every other week, and some of that food includes frozen meats, chilled dairy products, fresh produce, pet food, and cleaning and hygiene items, in addition to canned and boxed goods. Victory Church Food Bank and the Olive Branch Food Pantry at 2870 Middle Road also provides a drive-thru service. They are open on Wednesdays from 9:30am until noon. Hayfield Assembly of God on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month offers a food pantry from 9am until 11am. They are located at 5118 Northwestern Turnpike in Gore. Welltown United Methodist Church at 1444 Welltown Road in Clearbrook offers a food pantry on Thursdays from 5:30pm until 7pm. Emmanuel United Methodist Church at 2732 Martinsburg Pike in Stephenson every Monday from 4:30pm until 5:30pm. They offer hot meals and a food pantry.  Laurel Ridge Community College operates a food pantry for its students. It is open Monday through Friday from 8am until 7pm. You can head to the TRIO office which is in room 606 of Cornerstone Hall. Do a little self-service shopping or you can fill out an online order form, and select your pickup date and time. You can also find a list of other food pantries on their website: https://laurelridge.edu/foodpantry/  FISH of Clarke County is located at 36 East Main Street in Berryville. They are open on Tuesdays from 8am until 10am and on Wednesdays from 8am until 11am. Follow them on Facebook for updates. Go to the back door of the building to access their food pantry. The Christ Episcopal Church in Millwood, located at 843 Bishop Meade Road operates its food pantry on the first Friday of the month from 1pm until 3pm. They also have a special first Saturday of the month from 9am until 11am for seniors and clients with special needs. Bread of Life at Woodstock Presbyterian Church is located at 156 South Muhlenberg Street in Woodstock. They are open on the third Tuesday and the third Thursday from 1pm to 4pm for their food pantry. The Compassion Cupboard at 533 Burgess Street in Strasburg is open on the third Tuesday of the month from 9am until Noon, and from 1pm until 3pm. Loaves and Fishes Pantry at Manor Memorial UMC is open on the third Thursday of the month from 1pm until 5pm. They are located at 9320 North Congress Street in New Market. Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal is located at 613 North Royal Avenue. They're open on Tuesdays from 1pm until 3pm, and on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am until 1pm. Front Royal Salvation Army has a food pantry that operates Monday through Friday from 9am until Noon and from 1:30pm until 3:30pm. They are closed on Wednesdays. They're located at 357 Cloud Street. As a side note, their kettle kickoff is on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 12:30 at WalMart in Riverton Commons. You can register to ring and give them a little bit of volunteer support during the holidays.  In Page County, Page One has two locations. We just talked to Page One last month on the show. Page One - Luray is located at 35 North Bank Street. They are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30am until 11am. They also offer delivery for homebound residents. Their second location, Page One - Shenandoah is Located at 600 Comer Lane. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30am until 2:30pm. They do not offer delivery but can bring your food to the curb if needed. 

This week Barry chats with two guests: Winter Brooks with the 'Out of the Darkness Walk For Suicide Prevention' on October 14th in Stephens City, and ... Fred Cheshire with the 'Rock and Roll For A Cure Sock Hop' on November 4th to benefit the American Cancer Society's Winchester/Frederick Relay for Life.

For today's show, I met up with Winter Brooks at Espresso Bar Cafe to have a conversation about the Stephens City Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Winter serves as the co-chair for this year's suicide prevention walk, now in it's ninth year, as well as Executive Board Team Chairperson for the Virginia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She gave us details about the walk happening on Saturday, October 14, 2023. The event opens at 9am with the walk getting officially underway at 10am. There will be an opening ceremony at Sherando High School's football field with the walk continuing into Sherando Park. We talked about the significance of the honor beads and the camaraderie that happens at the event, plus she told me about all the resource partners who will be on hand to offer valuable information. Winter also gave details about several new activities that have been added this year and told us about the two new Hope Benches that they've recently acquired. Stay up to date on local activities and fundraisers and get to know other event participants by joining the event Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/324693571478203. Raise $150 by 10/14/2023 and receive an official Out of the Darkness T-shirt! Register or donate at afsp.org/stephenscity.   Are you in a crisis? Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741  

This week's podcast features Stephens City artist Joseph Gainer who has a life-long admiration of abandoned houses.  In the interview Joe shares the twists and turns of his art career, and how he is preserving local abandoned structures on his canvas.  But wait, there's more:  Joe lives in a haunted house and shares some stories of what he has experienced over the years. 

Stephens City native, Mike Op't Hof joins the guys for episode 50 of MC! You'll want to hear his new single "Lover Boy" for sure... what a jam! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/musicians-cafe/support

Our conversation today with Jennifer Hall, Senior Director of Community Impact for United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley featured Jennifer Locke, Managing Attorney for Blue Ridge Legal Services. Blue Ridge Legal Services is a nonprofit legal aid society providing free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of the Shenandoah Valley and Roanoke Valley of Virginia. Jennifer explained a popular misconception that everyone is entitled to free legal representation but the reality is that that only applies to criminal matters. Their legal assistance ranges from advice or brief service to ongoing representation in negotiations and litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, depending on the needs of the client, the type of case, and available resources. The most common legal problems handled by Blue Ridge Legal Services include: Family disputes (for example, domestic violence, divorce) Problems dealing with debts and bankruptcy Housing and landlord-tenant disputes Eligibility for various government benefits (such as food stamps, TANF, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits) Access to health care (for example, issues involving Medicaid and Medicare) Consumer disputes, and Issues affecting seniors (such as exploitation and problems with nursing homes). They do not handle criminal matters, traffic violations, personal injuries or malpractice cases, and other cases outside of their priorities. Learn more about Blue Ridge Legal Services here: https://brls.org  Jennifer Hall gave us details for Project Connect happening at Central High School in Woodstock on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 9am - 2pm. A second event will be held at Virginia Avenue Charlotte DeHart Elementary School in Winchester on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 9am - 3pm. Project Connect is the Shenandoah Valley's one-stop FREE resource fair. Receive assistance from more than 50 service providers, all under the same roof. What often takes months to accomplish can be completed in one day. Project Connect is a project of United Way NSV that strengthens and utilizes collaborations with agencies, businesses, organizations, and the community to provide comprehensive services through an in-person resource fair event for those who are at risk of becoming homeless, are currently experiencing homelessness, or are living on the cusp of making it or not. Attend the Woodstock event: Pre-register for quick access or to reserve a specialized service. Provide a service at the Woodstock event: Are you a nonprofit? Inquire here about setting up at the event. Volunteer at the Woodstock event: Over 18 and looking to give back? See their volunteer needs here. Check out the highlights from Winchester's Project Connect 2022. Or view highlights from Woodstock's Project Connect 2022. Learn more about both events here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/projectconnect. Learn more about United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/  Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend at: Newtown Heritage Festival in Stephens City - hear that conversation here. Safe at Home Community Day at Bing Crosby Stadium hosted by Reaching Out Now - hear that conversation here. Meet local author Laura Elliott at her Winchester Book Gallery event - hear that conversation here.

Antonia Cummings, Funeral Director at Enders and Shirley in Berryville and Stephens City, Virginia, sounds the alarm against sudden COVID deaths, the unexplained blood clots that may point to the deadly effects of experimental forced "vaccines," and shares Catholic teaching on human burial.The John-Henry Westen Show airs nightly Monday through Thursday at 8:00 PM ET at LifeSiteNews, reporting on the biggest attacks against the Culture of Life including the New World Order, the Great Reset, and the One World Religion. Globalist stories silenced and cancelled by the mainstream media are fully exposed —unfiltered against Big Tech censorship — including Pope Francis' globalist allegiance to the LGBT agenda, the World Economic Forum, and so much more. John-Henry Westen and his guests offer unique and faith-filled answers to life's most difficult questions facing the pro-life and pro-family fight to build a Culture of Life — including answers to prayer, discerning God's will, deciphering ancient Biblical prophecies, understanding end-times revelation, and how to be faithful Catholics in a sinful world. These stories are fundamental to the faith and future of Catholics everywhere and are seen only at LifeSiteNews.LOVE LIFESITE? LOVE BEING PRO-LIFE? GET THE FIRST AND ONLY LIMITED EDITION PRO-LIFE SILVER ROUND FROM LIFESITENEWS: https://www.stjosephpartners.com/lifesite-silver-roundSHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/HELP US FIGHT THE CENSORSHIP OF BIG TECH: https://give.lifesitenews.com/Connect with us on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry's guest this week is the Mayor of Stephens City, Mike Diaz who shares a preview of the Newtown Heritage Festival on May 26th and 27th. Also, after a two year absence, Woodrow the Wood Turtle showed up in Barry's woods!  (Wood Turtles are endangered and can live up to 80 years).  

Mark David Kennerly and his daughter Madison Kennerly joined the show to talk about using creative gifts in filmmaking to influence unacceptable social realities like racism to make our world better and to disciple people to know and follow Jesus.Mark David Kennerly is a Pastor, Filmmaker & Author. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC) and has worked as a professional actor and writer in NYC and Hollywood. He became a Christian in 1994. In 2004, he founded Impact Christian Church (formerly Impact Christian Center) in Stephens City, VA (near Winchester) where he currently serves as senior pastor. Under his leadership many generations of individuals and families are being discipled. Mark David took a 23-year hiatus from the entertainment industry and has returned to focus on Christ-centered and family-friendly filmmaking, television, and multimedia under the umbrella of 1922 Productions  that he and Kimberley, his wife of 28 years, founded,. In 2020, along with their daughter Madison Kennerly, they produced the feature film …”if My People”… aimed at uniting the Body of Christ through racial reconciliation. Mark David has recently released two books related to the movie, …if My People… 40 Day Transformation and …if My People… 40 Day Devotional. He will soon launch a video podcast entitled …if My People… Reconcile.Madison Kennerly, daughter of Mark David Kennerly, was a Producer on the film  “If My People”. Madison graduated from Liberty University's Cinematic Arts program in 2020, and has since worked as a Producer on another faith-based feature film, Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No's, which was also filmed in Northern Virginia. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and works as a Production Coordinator on several projects each year. Madison is an active member of Victory Church in Atlanta & believes that in the film industry, one of the most valuable places that a believer can be is working alongside cast and crew members who do not know the Lord and sharing the gospel through engagement and relationships.

Our conversation today with Stephens City Mayor, Mike Diaz included Gina McIntire, Committee President for the Newtown Heritage Festival. The pair gave all the details for the festival that kicks off at 6pm on Friday, May 26, 2023 in the Newtown Commons area on Main Street in Stephens City. In its 31st year, Newtown Heritage Festival will feature dozens of craft vendors, fair food, live music, and a parade. Souled Out & Crosswinds will perform on Friday night beginning at 6:30pm with a showing of The Sandlot at dusk. There is a full day of events on Saturday that kick off with a tribute to veterans at the Stephens City Veterans Memorial. The rest of the day is filled with live music, a Classic Car & Truck Show, a Selfie Tour (pick up a map at the Newtown Commons Information Tent), food/concessions, craft vendors, an apple pie eating contest, and history tours. The commemorative (a spoon rest) will also be for sale - with limited quantities. The day wraps up with a fireworks display in the evening. Find a full schedule of events, applications for the parade, and registration information for the history tours on their website: https://newtownheritagefestival.org/ and by following them on Facebook.

On this episode, Cindy Avvenire, CFW Foster Families Program Coordinator, joins Barry to discuss the need for foster families in our community.  She explains the goal of foster care, who can be a foster parent, and the training and support available to foster parents. Also on this episode, Pastor Mark David Kennerly talks about his book launch at Impact Christian Church in Stephens City and his upcoming podcast.   (www.1922productions.com)  

A former Doraville police officer, Miles Bryant, has been indicted by a Gwinnett County grand jury on charges related to the murder of 16-year-old Susana Morales, who went missing last summer and whose remains were found in February. The four-count indictment, including malice murder and felony murder, also charged Bryant with kidnapping and false report of a crime. Police believe Bryant kidnapped and killed Morales between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on July 26, 2022, dumping her body in a wooded area near Drowning Creek off State Route 316. Since his arrest, other incidents have emerged and are under investigation. The body of a child matching the description of a 4-year-old boy who went missing into the Yellow River Saturday night was discovered Sunday by rescue crews, Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services officials said. Officials said the body was discovered just after 10:30 Sunday morning. The rescue crews had resumed their search at 8:15 a.m. at Yellow River Park after suspending their search due to nightfall on Saturday. Fire officials said three boats were deployed into the river and worked with teams on the riverbanks to begin a grid search from the location in the river where witnesses placed the victim who was last seen downstream towards the Annistown Road bridge. "Search teams located a pediatric male that matched the description provided by the mother at 10:39 a.m. this morning," Capt. Ryan McGiboney said. "The body was removed from the water and turned over to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office for investigation." Officials asked for prayers for the family. The missing child was reported at 5:41 p.m. on Saturday when firefighters responded to a report of a river rescue at Yellow River Park, which is located at 3050 Juhan Road SW in Stone Mountain. Three firefighters in Georgia were awarded the Gwinnett Chamber's Gold Medal of Valor for their bravery in rescuing a mother and daughter from the fast-moving waters of the Chattahoochee River. The trio of Firefighter Paramedic Capt. Jason Weese, and FireMedic Seniors Fred Rosser and Matthew Burton, train weekly to familiarize themselves with the conditions of the river, especially when water from Lake Lanier is released through Buford Dam, which causes the current to quickly pick up. The mother and daughter were out on a family fishing trip when the Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from the dam, causing the river's water level to rise and its current to speed up. Gwinnett players racked up top honors on the Sandy's Spiel All-State Basketball Teams for the 2022-23 season. The award-winners included three first-team selections on the All-Georgia Team, which features the top players from all classifications — Brookwood's Diana Collins and Wesleyan's Chit-Chat Wright on the girls list and Grayson's Gicarri Harris on the boys list. Lanier's Osmar Garcia was second-team All-Georgia, while Buford's Ava Grace Watson, Grayson's Tatum Brown, Hebron Christian's Aubrey Beckham and Norcross' Jania Akins were honorable mention All-Georgia. Head over to Gwinnett Prep Sports dot com for a list of honorees. Andrew Carnes, Partnership Gwinnett's former Vice-President of Economic Development, has left the economic development organization after nearly a decade to join Georgia Power as the Community and Economic Development Manager for the northeast region. The region Carnes will be working with includes about 24 counties and cities. Partnership Gwinnett is the economic development arm of the Gwinnett Chamber, which is currently looking at candidates to fill the vacancy created by Carnes' departure. Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett President Nick Masino praised Carnes' hiring by Georgia Power and said they are actively seeking a replacement to lead Partnership Gwinnett. Mill Creek wrestlers Amantee Mills and Antonio Mills won titles in the National High School Coaches Association National Tournament in Virginia Beach over the weekend. Amantee won the senior national title at 126 pounds, while Antonio won the freshman national title at 113 pounds. Mill Creek sophomore Dominic Bambinelli was the runner-up at 152 pounds. Buford wrestler Drew Gorman also won the sophomore championship at 132 pounds in the tournament, going 7-0 and defeating Anthony Lucchiani of Stephens City, Va., in the finals. Liam Gotimer of the Atlanta Gladiators joins us for our hockey update as the Glads push toward the playoffs. Plus, as we prepare for the 2023 Masters, Times-Journal Incorporated sports editor John Bednaroski continues to take us through his round of golf at Augusta National, presented by Ingles.     For more information be sure to visit www.bgpodcastnetwork.com   https://www.lawrencevillega.org/  https://www.foxtheatre.org/  https://guideinc.org/  https://www.psponline.com/  https://www.kiamallofga.com/  https://www.milb.com/gwinnett  https://www.fernbankmuseum.org/  www.atlantagladiators.com        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin shares her experience on the concept of an unsuspected inner resource and on how she maintains her sobriety despite the challenges she faces as someone with a dual diagnosis. Erin has such an amazing vibe and a great attitude and approach to her sobriety. AN UNSUSPECTED INNER RESOURCEWith few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselvesALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 569-70From my first days in A.A., as I struggled for sobriety, I found hope in these words from our founders. I often pondered the phrase: "they have tapped an unsuspectedinner resource."  How, I asked myself, can I find the Power within myself, since I am so powerless? In time, as the founders promised, it came to me: I have always had the choice between goodness and evil, between unselfishness and selfishness, between serenity and fear. That Power greater than myself is an original gift that I did not recognize until I achieved daily sobriety through living A.A.'s Twelve Steps.Support the showNeed the Daily Reflection Book? Visit our web site Read about Recovery on our Blog Visit our Facebook Group Follow us on Twitter Support the Podcast: - On Patreon: https://patreon.com/dailyreflection - On PayPal: https://paypal.me/dailyreflection If you're struggling with alcohol or addiction, or wondering how to stop drinking it's helpful to know that there's a solution that has worked for millions of people. The Daily Reflection Podcast provides hope, and inspiration through the shared experiences of people that have found a way out.

Barry's guest on this episode is Jim Racey who operates 'Jim's Weather Station' (weatherwinchester.com) out of his studio in Stephens City, with uploads of current conditions every 30 minutes.  

For today's show, I met up with Winter Brooks at Espresso Bar Cafe to have a conversation about the Stephens City Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Winter serves as the co-chair for this year's suicide prevention walk as well as a volunteer board member for the Virginia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She gave us details about the walk happening on Saturday, October 8, 2022, beginning at 9am. It kicks off with an opening ceremony at Sherando High School's football field and continues into Sherando Park. We talked about the significance of the honor beads, the camaraderie that happens at the event and she told me about all the resource partners who will be on hand to offer valuable information. You can register for the walk by clicking here.

Dr. Darrell Voschke has been helping people in his community get to 100 percent of their potential at Active Health Chiropractic in Stephens City, VA since 2006. A 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliate Office, Dr. Darrell and his wife Dr. Gretchen have been raising their family with these principles and inspiring their community with their quality care and strong leadership.Two years ago, Dr. Darrell had an accident that forced him to test these principles to ensure his own healing. His story is inspiring.In this episode, Dr. Darrell and I discuss...100 Percent for 100 YearsRaising Healthier Kids and FamiliesGoing from Crisis Care to Lifestyle CareHealthier Going In, Healthier Coming OutBeing 100 Percent of What You Can BeThese inspiring concepts will make great discussions over the dinner table, by the water cooler, and on video calls as more and more people deal with health issues due to poor lifestyle choices or injuries. Share this message with everyone you know. It will make a difference for them and change their life.Drs. Darrell and Dr. Gretchen have three children who they are raising in this lifestyle and thriving. They are committed to helping more and more families do the same. 

We did a bit of traveling for today's conversation. We started at the Strasburg Visitor's Center to chat with Olivia Hilton, Director of Strategic Iniatives for the town of Strasburg and Strasburg Police Chief, Wayne Sager. The pair gave me all the details (between giggles) for Strasburg's National Night Out event happening on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 6pm -9pm at Strasburg Town Park. Chief Sager talked about community policing and the important role it plays in his department's day-to-day interactions with the public. We talked about all the fun things that will be happening at National Night Out: bike rodeo, bounce houses, water slide, face painting, cake walk, free ice cream, fundraiser food from fire & rescue, and community resources. In the second segment, I traveled over to Laurel Ridge Community College (actually to record a conversation about their Drone Day, listen here) and Melissa managed to wrangle Laurel Ridge Police Chief Bruce Coor, Stephens City Police Chief Bill Copp, and Sgt. Thomas from Middletown Police Department. The group had been in a planning meeting for their National Night Out event happening at the Laurel Ridge Community College - Middletown campus - from 6pm - 9pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. The event will overlap the Drone Day and feature the Air Care helicopter landing (close to 6pm) and "tours" of the equipment. Several other agencies will be in attendance offering hands-on experiences and of course, there will be free food. A bonus for the event is the opportunity to meet Edo, Middletown's K9 officer!

After skipping two years due to COVID, Stephens City celebrates it's history with the Newtown Heritage Festival this Friday and Saturday!  Barry's guest with all the fun details is Tootie Rinker, the Festival President. 

We weren't in the studio for a live conversation today with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County Sheriff's Office because I needed to help at The Widget Cup (find out more about that here.) We talked via Zoom from Goz's "mobile studio" about the behind the scenes things that happen to make Apple Blossom safe. He explained the role of the sheriff's office and talked about the "perks" he's had from working the festival over the years. He also wanted to be sure everyone practiced safety over convenience and assured me there is a plan in place should some sort of crisis occur. Here's the best place to stay up to date on road closures during the weeklong event: https://www.thebloom.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/WinchesterVAPD/ In the second segment we chatted a bit about a few road construction projects and the patience that's required from all who travel Rt. 277 through Stephens City and Rt. 522 near Armel Elementary School. Lt. Gosnell also explained a few traffic laws and how deputies stay educated on the codes that are required when writing citations. You can find the Virginia Code here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/  

We recorded today's conversation for Tourism Tuesday with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau on location at Paladin Bar & Grill in Stephens City. Joining us for the chat was co-owner Dan Myers and his Executive Assistant, Carol Triplett. We talked about how Dan started the Paladin Bar & Grill(s) and his plans to expand into downtown Winchester. He told us about the menu, vibe and customer input that is top priority at both the Stephens City location and Clear Brook location. He plans to start renovating the newest location on Piccadilly Street in Old Town Winchester in the coming weeks. For more information about Paladin Bar & Grill, visit their website: https://paladinbarandgrill.com/ https://www.paladinwoolenmill.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paladinbarandgrill https://www.facebook.com/paladinwoolenmill

Today's conversation with Wendy May, Markting Manager for Frederick County Economic Development Authority gave us all the details for the inaugural FredCo Eats Restaurant Week happening across the county from Monday, January 31, 2022 through Sunday, February 6, 2022. We recorded it in person at Daily Buzz Cafe in Stephens City - one of the participating restaurants. Wendy told us how the idea came to fruition and about the excitement it's generated among our local restaurants. She gave us a rundown of the different food options, meal deals, and special menu items from a few of the participating restaurants. We also talked about the FredCo Eats program in general and their goal for Restaurant Week to be a single piece of an overall marketing effort to promote and highlight our local food industry. For more information about the FredCo Eats program and to get details about all the participating restaurants, visit their website: http://fredcoeats.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FredCoEats  and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredcoeats/ Wendy encouraged the community to share their photos on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag: #FredCoEatsRW to win some prizes.

Re. Dr. Shawn P. Richmond, Editor and Chief of Goshen Publishers - https://www.goshenpublishers.com/ Please Call or Text Dr. Shawn at 703-579-7906 Goshen Publishers, LLC P.O. Box 1562, Stephens City, Va 22655 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-angelia-griffin/support

Today, Wednesday April 21 Taking the Gospel to the Regions Beyond Romans 15:20-21 “And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” You cannot help but notice, as you read through the Book of Acts and the Letters that Paul wrote to his friends and the churches, that he had a tremendous passion and burden to share the Gospel especially with those who had never heard. Remember in these last two chapters of Romans the emphasis is on ministry. The ministry of the Gospel. When I was ordained forty-six years ago in a barn that had been converted into a meeting place for a newly planted church (Shenandoah Valley Baptist Church in Stephens City, Va), I was “ordained into the Gospel Ministry”. Dr. Jerry Falwell preached the message that evening and he and several other pastors laid their hands on myself and Gary Byers as they recognized God's calling on our lives and set us apart to share and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as we could in our lifetime. We were not ordained to a position as a pastor or a teacher but to be a minister of the Gospel in whatever position the Lord might lead us. Now the truth is, every believer has a calling to this ministry. Jesus said this in John 15:16; “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” How can you be a part of taking the Gospel to the “regions beyond”? First, you need to realize that there are still over 2 billion precious people alive today on planet earth who have still never heard the good news of God's great salvation through Jesus Christ even one time. Second, it is the responsibility of every believer to be a minister in sharing this Good News. Then there are several things each of us can do. We can pray for an unreached people group. We can go ourselves to share if the Lord so leads. And all of us can also give of our resources so others can be sent. At Rainbow Forest and GPPD we are actively engaged every day in praying, in giving and going to seven different specific unreached people groups. If you want more information on how you can personally get involved please don't hesitate to contact me! God bless!

Erin shares her experience on the concept of an unsuspected inner resource and on how she maintains her sobriety despite the challenges she faces as someone with a dual diagnosis. Erin has such an amazing vibe and a great attitude and approach to her sobriety. AN UNSUSPECTED INNER RESOURCEWith few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselvesALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 569-70From my first days in A.A., as I struggled for sobriety, I found hope in these words from our founders. I often pondered the phrase: "they have tapped an unsuspectedinner resource."  How, I asked myself, can I find the Power within myself, since I am so powerless? In time, as the founders promised, it came to me: I have always had the choice between goodness and evil, between unselfishness and selfishness, between serenity and fear. That Power greater than myself is an original gift that I did not recognize until I achieved daily sobriety through living A.A.'s Twelve Steps.Need the Daily Reflection Book?Visit our web siteVisit our blogVisit our Facebook GroupSupport the Podcast:- Patreon- Paypal

We pre-recorded today's conversation via Zoom with Rusty Holland, Director of Concern Hotline and Winter Brooks, organizer of Stephens City Out of the Darkness Experience happening both virtually and with a limited in-person option on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Rusty explained the history of Concern Hotline, how it operates and told us about the types of calls they typically receive. Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous information & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. You can get details for making a donation, signing up to volunteer, or to access their local numbers on their website: https://concernhotline.org/ Winter told us about her connection to the Out of the Darkness Walk and how it came to become a local event at Sherando Park in Stephens City. She explained how the event will change this year to an Out of the Darkness "Experience" (because of the pandemic) and encouraged people to participate via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OOTDStephensCity or by walking in small groups on October 10, 2020. More details about the Stephens City Out of the Darkness Experience can be found here: http://www.afsp.org/StephensCity For Concern Hotline calls, dial any of these local numbers: 540-667-0145 Clarke, Frederick, Winchester County 540-459-4742 Shenandoah County 540-743-3733 Page County 540-635-4357 Warren County

We pre-recorded today's conversation via Zoom with Amy Voss-DeVito and her husband Jeff DeVito, publishers of the Mountain Courier to chat about the history of their feature newspaper, how they come up with their stories and the important role being a community newspaper plays in their business operation. The Mountain Courier provides the Shenandoah Valley with stories of its people, places, organizations, business and what's going on locally and beyond. Columnists talk of everything from gardening to computers, photography, hiking, book reviews, cooking and the weather. We talked about the different features offered each month in their paper in particular the "Comings & Goings" section written by Joan Anderson. Amy explained her first encounter with the publication and her journey from reader to write to publisher. We also discussed the impact COVID-19 has had on their development, printing and distribution process as well as their bottom line. You can pick up a copy of the Mountain Courier in a variety of locations from Stephens City to New Market - even at locations in Fairfax County - or read it online each month via a link on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mountaincourier/ You can download the July issue here: Courier July 20-fb To submit a story idea, reach out to Amy through their Facebook page or send an email to: mtncourier@gmail.com

William, Stephens City, VA - By the prophet Ezekiel in Ez 46 we see that the animal sacrifices are reinstated. This seems strange to me since this sacrifice is at the Millennial temple during the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. Jesus has already...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for The Valley Business Today with John Huddy, Director of the Handley Regional Library System at Bowman Library in Stephens City - one of 3 libraries within the Handley regional system. John told us about Hoopla, RFID, and TCB (taking care of business) with ancillary tasks and services such as printing and notary. We also talked about their podcast. You can listen to that here: https://www.handleyregional.org/podcast

We were in the studio for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Jenna French, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for Shenandoah County, and her guest, Amber Smoot, Events & Marketing Director for the Town of New Market. Our conversation included details for the Route 11 Yard Crawl that happens on Friday, August 9, 2019 & Saturday, August 10, 2019 from New Market to Stephens City; upcoming events including outdoor concerts in New Market. For a complete list of events happening in Shenandoah County, visit their website: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/events/ For more information about what's happening in New Market, visit their website: https://www.newmarketvirginia.com/

We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today - Top of Virginia Regional Chamber edition - with Danita Roble, Director of Membership for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and her guest, Keighley Gore from Gore's Meats. They were recognized as last year's Small Business of the Year at the Greater Good Awards dinner. This year's dinner will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Clarion Inn & Conference Center in Winchester. It is sponsored by Valley Health. You can get more details about how to nominate someone and purchase tickets for the event here: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/the-greater-good-awards We talked about the award categories this year, including 2 new ones: Emerging Leader and Chamber Volunteer of the Year, along with how to nominate someone, where to find the nomination forms and the requirements to be considered. Danita also told us about the awards dinner and some new things that are being added to the celebration this year. We discussed the important role that small businesses play in our local economy, plus Keighley told us what winning the award has meant to her team at Gore's Meats and gave us an update on products they offer at their new location in Stephens City.

We were in the studio today with Tootie Rinker & Michael Diaz from the Newtown Heritage Festival planning committee. We talked about all the events that will take place during the festival that begins on Friday, May 25, 2018 and ends on Saturday, May 26 (Memorial Day Weekend) on Main Street in Stephens City. New this year, there will be a scavenger hunt and an apple pie eating contest in addition to the traditional activities such as the parade, live entertainment and fireworks. Follow the event on Facebook for registration information, dates and times for musical performances and an itinerary of the weekend's events: https://www.facebook.com/NHFStephensCity/

We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today with Emily Buhl from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber along with her guests - Greater Good award winners: Christy Foltz was here from American Woodmark: American Woodmark was the recipient of the Large Business of the Year award. American Woodmark was created by a group of local businessmen in 1980. Since that time it has grown into a billion dollar corporation by creating strong partnerships, positioning resources, taking risks, being creative, understanding their market, and using smart and ethical business practices.   They have weathered economic downturns and created the largest selling brand of its kind in the United States. American Woodmark has been able to launch products and services that have adapted to meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers for the past 37 years. Between the parent company and a local division it employs over 500 people in the Winchester, Frederick County, and Clark County region. Timothy Coyne was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award. Tim Coyne has served as the Public Defender in Winchester since 2004.  Since that time he has seen firsthand the adverse impact of addiction on many of the clients he serves in the court system, and on our community.  He has seen lives taken too soon and others destroyed, families torn apart, and children entering the foster care system because of parental substance use.  Because of this experience and his passion for our community, he was part of a grassroots effort to form the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition (NSVSAC), a diverse, community-based organization that is working to address the addiction epidemic that is plaguing the Northern Shenandoah Valley.  Tim serves as the Vice-Chairman of the organization whose mission it is to collaborate with community partners to identify and develop effective resources to ensure that the necessary continuum of care for substance abuse and addiction services are available to all members of the community.  He was the chairman of the Best Practices Committee of the NSVSAC which identified Drug Treatment Courts as a best practice across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.  Tim led local efforts to create the North West Regional Adult Drug Treatment Court, the first of its kind in our area.  The Drug Treatment Court serves as an alternative to incarceration and provides treatment to individuals so that they may become successful, contributing members of society.  The program launched on August 16, 2016 and in November, 2017 during the program's first commencement, three clients were celebrated for successfully completing the program. Tim was voted by other law leaders in the Commonwealth as the 2017 Leader of the Year and was presented the award during the Leaders in Law Conference in October.  He was selected in a secret ballot of 30 lawyers who'd been named this year's Leaders in the Law by the Virginia Lawyers Weekly paper.  They included defense attorneys, prosecutors, and a judge. Jacqueline Shoemaker, owner of Winchester Weight Loss, was the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Jacqueline created her company after almost 20 years in the health care industry and much research and study in their area of focus. She began to question conventional standards of care and government recommendations that to them obviously were not working. Winchester Weight Loss was formed in 2012 and opened its doors in 2013 with one employee.  In the last five years it has realized much success and grown to seven employees and opened a second location. Jacqueline is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community, they are also committed to community service.  Winchester Weight Loss has been instrumental in bringing accomplished authors and physicians to the area in support of community wellness education events.  They have donated time and resources to local non-profits such as the Youth Development Center and the Winchester Medical Center Cancer Foundation and served on the board of CLEAN.  Jacqueline helped to develop the Glow Run and Tot Trot race. Keighley Gore with Gore's Meats was also in the studio. Gore's Meats was the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award. Gore's Meats was started in Frederick County in 1961 to serve an unmet need in the community, and is now in its 57th year and 4th generation of family operation.  Over the decades the family ceased opportunities to expand the business and it now has three locations in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.  They employ 30 employees and break production records each year.  Gore's Meats opened a retail location in Stephens City in 2011, and this year will have another opportunity to relocate and expand the retail operation. The business philosophy of this company is that by upholding the values of providing a high quality product, ethical business practices, and excellent customer service it is possible for them to prosper, and in turn to support the economy and needs of the community in which they live.  These values are extremely important to this business, and how they have become “A Name You Know, Quality You Trust”. Gore's Meats is without question extremely community minded. Among many others their participation includes the Newtown Heritage Festival, American Red Cross blood drives, the Chain of Checks, Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Bright Futures Frederick County, the Kiwanis Club of Winchester, and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. In 2017 the company helped with over 40 fundraisers, non-profits and public organizations by donating well over $60,000 of product, funding and support. To quote this business, “The right ingredients and a tried and true recipe provides the best dinners to gather around; the way the right employees, products, service and a proven record of good business practices provides the best small business to gather around and benefit the community.”  

Perhaps no other roadside attraction is as closely identified with the American Road as the neighborhood drive in movie theatres that once dotted the US map. Sadly the ritual of warm summer evenings with the family piled in the car to watch the latest blockbuster has gone the way of the Edsel in most places. But the good news is that people like Jim Kopp of Stephens City, VA are hard at work keeping that tradition alive. Our guest on this podcast runs, the Family Drive In, a 500 car outdoor theatre the last remaining Drive In in northern Virginia about an hour west of Washington, D.C. Jim is not only passionate about keeping this unique entertainment experience alive but he has found a very special way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Drive In Theatres in America. He helped create a category for an upcoming episode of Jeopardy. The venerable game show will air a special, July 4th show featuring a category called At The Drive In. Jim will share all the details in this podcast.