Breakfast With Barry Lee

On this episode, Barry shares a recent experience at a community event where his age smacked him in the face. Plus, on the Brain Buster, this common man's first name is going extinct.

For over 20 years, Wheels For Wellness has provided free transportation to those in the Northern Shenandoah Valley who need rides to medical appointments and treatments. Joining Barry on this episode are the Executive Director, Traci Chapman Toth, and Board Chair Ann Lamanna who share details about the program and their upcoming fundraiser, 'Tablescapes 2025' on March 30th.

www.wheels4wellness.org

Shelly Lee has been teaching people to swim since she was 12 years old! She currently serves as a Volunteer Coordinator for Swim Literacy with the '2 for 2 Foundation' and on this episode, she invites everyone to the 'Pot of Gold Cheer and Chance Event' on March 15th at the Piccadilly Pub. Ticket sales and raffle proceeds will help the Foundation provide free swim lessons for individuals and families that can't afford it. Details: www.2for2foundation.org

Barry's special guest this week is 'Tim Y'...The History Guy. Tim Youmans was the Winchester Planning Director for 37 years and on this episode shares stories from his book, "Streets and Alleys of Winchester, Virginia" as well as other interesting historical tidbits about the city, it's founding and it's architecture.

Winchester and Frederick County Virginia are blessed with natural beauty and history, which is why so many tourists visit the Northern Shenandoah Valley. On this episode, the Executive Director of the Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Justin Kerns, talks about the technology and logistics connecting visitors with our area landmarks, experiences and businesses.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a free 'Inspiring Tourism Summit' on March 19th for local businesses or interested citizens to share research about projected tourism trends. This information will help prepare local establishments to meet the needs of tourists headed our way and to prosper.

Details at www.VisitWinchesterVA.com

The last time that Barry interviewed Abby Snider, she was 15 years old and battling cancer. Now, 10 years later, she is cancer free and doing volunteer relief trips to western North Carolina to bring supplies to residents who lost everything during Hurricane Helene.

This week, Barry and his guest, Robyn Miller of the Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter, invite listeners to 'walk in the shoes of their homeless guests'. 'The Coldest Night Of The Year' is a fundraising walk on 2/22 through Winchester to raise money to support the shelter's mission of providing a warm place to sleep and spend the day, as well as nourishment for the area's homeless.

Also on this episode, Barry announces the good news that the Chain of Checks campaign raised more than anticipated, and was able to provide 6 grants to local nonprofits. Since 1986, Chain of Checks has raised over $2 million!

Two guests stop by the Breakfast With Barry Lee table this week:

Andy Gail, President and CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley shares his journey of serving the community, and invites nonprofits to participate in the Impact Grant Process by getting their Letters Of Intent ready for review.

Jack Freeman, a writer and comedian based in New York City brings his one-man comedy/theater show "Embrace Me" to the Winchester Little Theater on February 7th. The show is about dating and disability, is described as powerful, smart and goofy.

The French and Indian War Foundation Is hosting 'George Washington's 293rd Birthday Celebration' in Winchester on February 17th. Scott Straub, local historian with the Foundation, shares the details of a party that includes pizza, Loudoun lager and a commemorative cup. Scott will also be presenting a special presentation at the party titled: 'Lord Fairfax's Postmortem Adventures'. Details at www.fiwf.org

Also on this episode, celebrating squirrels, polka dots and disc jockeys!

Brent L. Kendrick was a researcher with the Library of Congress for 25 years, a college professor for 23 years and reinvented himself as an author and blogger, and encourages Barry's listeners to 'reinvent' themselves as they embark on a new year.

His literary work includes an anthology of stories and letters by Mary B. Wilkins Freeman, who in the 1880's was a 'household' name along with Mark Twain. Writing at night, in bed with his phone yielded a book entitled "In Bed: My Year of Foolin' Around" with two more books from bed! His weekly blog is available at: thewiredresearcher.com