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The Valley Today

The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special. Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people. Guests are recorded (mostly) in advance in local coffee shops, at local businesses, and during local events. The radio program airs just a few

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

25:48

Mapping the Nonprofit Landscape: United Way NSV's...

The Valley Today ·

2026/02/06

Understanding the True Landscape of Community Services United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley is tackling one of the region's most persistent questions: Are there too many nonprofits, and do they overlap in their services? To find definitive answers, CEO Andy Gail announced a comprehensive regional nonprofit survey during a recent episode of The Valley Today with host Janet Michael. "We've heard so many people from elected officials to community members say, 'Oh, there's so many nonprofits. There's a

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26:55

Public Safety Thursday: Snowbanks and School Zones

The Valley Today ·

2026/02/05

When Snow Removal Becomes a Community Challenge The recent winter storm that buried Frederick County under heavy snow and ice has left residents grappling with more than just blocked driveways and buried mailboxes. In a candid conversation on The Valley Today, Captain Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office sat down with host Janet Michael to discuss the realities of winter storm recovery—and why patience and perspective matter more than ever. The Perfect Storm of Complications The

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29:18

A New Chapter for Winchester's Youth: Inside the YDC

The Valley Today ·

2026/02/04

From Historic Roots to Modern Mission The Youth Development Center has found its new home in the heart of Winchester, and Executive Director Sarah Fishel couldn't be more excited about what this means for the community. Speaking with host Janet Michael on The Valley Today, Sarah traced the organization's journey from its 1990 founding to its March 2025 relocation to 302 South Loudoun Street, right off the walking mall. The YDC's story began with a simple yet powerful vision: community leaders and

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29:29

Paddle Up: Inside the PklPlex

The Valley Today ·

2026/02/03

A New Era for the SportsPlex On a snow covered Thursday afternoon in Winchester, Virginia, the sounds of laughter and plastic paddles echo through the newly transformed PklPlex. What was once a multipurpose arena hosting basketball, floor hockey, and volleyball has evolved into something entirely different—six championship-quality indoor pickleball courts that are drawing players from teenagers to octogenarians. Owners Tammy LaCroix and Mike Turpin spent over a year searching for the perfect

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25:19

WATTS: Fighting the Freeze

The Valley Today ·

2026/02/02

A Race Against the Cold When temperatures plummet below freezing in Winchester, Virginia, Robyn Miller's phone doesn't stop ringing. As Executive Director of WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter), she oversees a lifesaving operation that runs 24 hours a day during the coldest months of the year. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Robyn about how this winter has tested her team like never before, with sustained sub-zero temperatures creating dangerous

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23:28

Beyond Labels: Foster Care That Changes Lives

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/30

A Conversation About Community, Connection, and Caring for Kids in Need When Heather Frost joins Janet Michael on The Valley Today, she brings a message that hits close to home: hundreds of children across the Shenandoah Valley desperately need stable, caring families. As Foster Parent Coordinator for Embrace Treatment Foster Care, Heather sees firsthand how the shortage of local foster homes affects vulnerable kids throughout our region. The Scope of the Problem The statistics paint a sobering

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27:09

Twenty Years of Transformation: How Laurel Ridge...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/29

From Crisis to Opportunity When the Wrangler plant closed its doors in Page County over two decades ago, the community faced a crossroads. However, what could have been a devastating blow instead became the catalyst for educational transformation. Dr. Kim Blosser, President of Laurel Ridge Community College, talks with Janet Michael on The Valley Today to reflect on how the Luray-Page County Center has spent 20 years opening doors for students who once had limited access to higher education

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27:08

ToVRC Community Leadership Program: Leading the...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/28

A Broadcast with Purpose Host Janet Michael and cohost Andy Gail transform Handley Regional Library into a podcast studio, broadcasting from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber's Community Leadership Program (CLP). The energy in the room is palpable on this episode of The Valley Today, as this year's class gathers for their media and nonprofit session. Meanwhile, Andy, a 2016 CLP graduate and current United Way CEO, reflects on how the program shaped his professional network nearly a decade ago

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25:17

Suzanne's Studio: Where Art Meets Community

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/27

A Homecoming Story Suzanne Soliday has come full circle. After opening Suzanne's Studio in Woodstock back in 2018, relocating to Florida in 2021, and continuing her artistic passion in Titusville, she's now back where it all began. In this Tourism Tuesday episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and cohost from Shenandoah County Tourism, Kary Haun sit down with Suzanne at her freshly reopened studio on West Court Street to explore what makes this creative space so special. Recording on a

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23:35

Building Better Roads: Inside VDOT

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/26

A Conversation About Infrastructure, Innovation, and Community Input The Shenandoah Valley's roadways are undergoing a massive transformation. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Ken Slack, Communications Specialist for VDOT's Staunton District, to discuss the ambitious construction projects reshaping how residents travel through the region. What emerged was a fascinating look at the complex planning, engineering challenges, and community collaboration required to

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26:28

Let's Be Friends: Walking a Beat in Old Town

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/23

On this lively episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with Brady Cloven, executive director of Friends of Old Town, and Corporal Rob Sloan, the City of Winchester's dedicated Old Town walking mall officer. Their conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how visibility, relationships, and everyday interaction help keep downtown safe — and welcoming — for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. From Fairfax to Foot Patrol After more than three decades in law enforcement,

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25:51

VDOT: Brine Lines & Battle Plans

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/22

The Science of Snow Preparation When winter storms threaten the Shenandoah Valley, VDOT's Staunton District springs into action long before the first flakes fall. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael speaks with Ken Slack, Communications Specialist for the district, who reveals that preparation begins days in advance, with teams monitoring weather systems and planning for the worst-case scenario. "It's a whole lot easier and more efficient for us to scale back if we need to than

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28:00

FredCo Eats Restaurant Week Celebrates Its 5th Year

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/21

A Winter Tradition Takes Root Frederick County's beloved Restaurant Week returns for its fifth anniversary, bringing 26 diverse eateries together for a week-long celebration of local flavor. Running from January 26th through February 1st, 2026, FredCo Eats has evolved from a modest 15-restaurant launch into a cornerstone event that strengthens the entire regional food economy. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Wendy May, Marketing Manager for the Frederick County

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27:47

Vision, Volunteers, & Veggies: An Update from...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/20

When the idea of a community-owned grocery store begins to take root, it rarely starts with shelves and shopping carts. Instead, it starts with neighbors — people who believe food can connect a community more deeply than any national chain ever could. That belief sits at the heart of the Winchester Co-Op Market, a grassroots effort working to bring a member-owned grocery store to the city. During this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael reconnects with board leaders Michael

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26:52

Building Community Through Fitness: Inside Downtown...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/19

A Warm Welcome to Wellness When Marcy Campbell greets newcomers at Downtown Studios Unlimited, she's not just welcoming them to a fitness class—she's inviting them into a family. As co-owner of this Luray-based group exercise studio, Marcy has spent decades transforming the way her community approaches health and wellness. In this episode of The Valley Today, she talks with host Janet Michael and co-host Gina Hilliard, president of the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce, to share her vision for

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22:43

Extension Office Friday: Meet Cynthia Fairbanks

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/16

A Local Returns to Serve Her Community The Northern Shenandoah Valley welcomes a familiar face to its agricultural community. Cynthia Fairbanks, a Clarke County native who grew up on her family's farm in Berryville, has returned home to serve as the new agricultural extension agent based in Warren County. Moreover, her role extends across the entire five-county region, filling a critical position that has remained vacant since the passing of Corey Childs. On her very first day, Cynthia joins host

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26:24

Community Health: The Power of Primary Care

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of The Valley Today Community Health series, host Janet Michael talks with Dr. Kevin Volkema, a board-certified family medicine physician at Valley Health Primary Care Greenwood, about the critical importance of primary care. From Chicago Suburbs to the Shenandoah Valley Dr. Kevin Volkema's journey into medicine began with a simple nudge. Growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, just outside Chicago, he received encouragement from two unlikely sources during high school: his own primary care

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49:12

Small Business Administration: From Small Potato to...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/14

Humble Beginnings in a Feed Store Sarah Cohen never imagined she'd spend her life making potato chips in rural Virginia. Growing up in Washington, DC, where she worked in her family's restaurant and hotel business from age 12, she learned work ethic early. However, manufacturing knowledge? That came later—much later. In her twenties, Sarah launched Route 11 Potato Chips in an old feed store in Middletown, Virginia. The setup was as bare-bones as it gets. "We had wooden floors," she recalls, still

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30:11

Eight Bars, One Bourbon: The Old Town on the Rocks...

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/13

A Toast to Community Spirit Winchester's Old Town district is shaking off the post-holiday blues with a spirited comeback. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael and Brady Cloven, Executive Director for Friends of Old Town, recently embarked on what they jokingly called "research"—a Friday afternoon bar crawl previewing Old Town on the Rocks, a revived cocktail competition set for January 16-18, 2026. The event marks the return of a beloved tradition that disappeared during COVID

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27:27

Building Disaster-Ready Communities

The Valley Today ·

2026/01/12

The Red Cross Does More Than You Think When most people hear "American Red Cross," they immediately think of blood drives. However, as Deborah Fleming, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter, explains to The Valley Today host Janet Michael, disaster relief and recovery represent a massive—and increasingly critical—portion of the organization's mission. Deborah oversees operations across 11 counties spanning West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, including Berkeley, Jefferson,

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