Breakfast With Barry Lee

With our nation's 250th anniversary right around the corner, bestselling historical fiction author Sharon Virts from Leesburg has a new book series ("Fields Of Honor") available that focuses on the second generation after the American Revolution.

Sharon talks about her love of blending historical research with psychological suspense and immersive storytelling.

www.sharonvirts.com

Two guests join Barry this week:

Terry Stoehr with the James Wood Class of 1976 shares details of their upcoming 50th reunion and the detective work it took for the committee to locate classmates.

Fairy Godmother Sharia Des Jardins invites all ages to the 5th Annual Flutterby Fairy Festival at Willow Grove Farm on June 6th. The magical event benefits the Evans Home For Children.

On May 7th, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation held a special day of fishing for adults with disabilities at the Winchester-Frederick Conservation Club. Local volunteer Steven Shafron coordinated the event with the Foundation and lined up the sponsors and volunteers that made it possible. Barry took his microphone to the lake and interviewed some of the volunteers and organizations that made it happen.

www.castforkids.org

A very 'special' guest joins Barry this week: Elena Jeannotte, Executive Director of 'Special Love, Inc.' shares how this nonprofit organization supports children with cancer and their families through free programs like Camp Fantastic, family getaways, emergency financial aid and scholarships.

www.specialove.org

Joining Barry this week is Mark K. Kennerly, aka, DJ EmJaybeats. Mark and his brother Quaye (DJ UnieQ) grew up in Winchester and became professional DJ's that host dance parties for celebrities and live sets on TikTok with thousands of followers. Marks shares the story of how they evolved, plus talks about the 'All Access Dance Party' they're hosting on Friday, May 1st at the Backseat Events Center.

www.djemjaybeats.com

The Winchester Kiwanis Club of Winchester, VA will be serving up tall stacks of pancakes and sausage at their Spring Community Pancake Day on Saturday, April 25th. The primary beneficiary is the "I'm Just Me Movement", supporting local youth and families. Joining Barry to share the story are Carleton Rio, Pancake Day Chairman, and Tina Stevens-Culbreath, Executive Director of "I'm Just Me Movement".

www.winvakiw.org www.imjustmemovement.org

Two guests join Barry on this episode:

Brad Veach, Executive Director of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival highlights the upcoming Festival, April 24th-May 3rd. www.thebloom.com

Jeffrey Alban, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Blue Ridge Singers chats about their Spring concert series: "The French-American Connection". www.blueridgesingers.org

Two special interviews on this week's show:

1- Traci Toth and Ann Lamanna from Wheels For Wellness talk about their elegant and fun 'Tablescapes' fundraiser on 4/19 that helps provide people with transportation to their medical appointments and treatments. (www.wheels4wellness.org)

2-John Owens, Director of the 46th Annual Spring Follies at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown invites the community to celebrate the 1990's with upbeat performances and comedy on 4/11 and 4/12 with fun pre-show activities and food (including free ice cream). (www.laurelridge.edu/follies)

A double-feature this week on the show. Joining Barry are:

1- Jon Goldberg, Music Director & Conductor with the Main Street Chamber Orchestra talks about the 4/11 concert featuring 'Two Geniuses of Composition', John Williams and Beethoven.

2- John Lamanna with the Winchester-Frederick County Human Trafficking Task Force shares information about a free Regional Human Trafficking Awareness Seminar on 4/10 at Shenandoah University.

Who was the mystery writer that called himself 'The Humorist' and wrote the essays that appeared in the South Carolina Gazette in 1753 and 1754? Through Shenandoah County resident Dr. Brent L. Kendrick's research, this colonial literary mystery has been solved over 270 years later! Dr. Kendrick shares his journey in his new book, "Unmasking The Humorist - Alexander Gordon's Lost Essays of Colonial Charleston, South Carolina."

Follow Dr. Kendrick's writings at: www.thewiredresearcher.com