Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Old Town Winchester edition - with Alex Flanigan, Main Street Program Manager for the City of Winchester was all about events and experiences in Old Town Winchester.

We talked about what goes into putting together city-sponsored events and why it's important to cater to both residents and tourists alike. We talked about First Fridays, Old Town Spirit, and the joy children get from the Splash Pad that's now open for the season.

Alex gave us a few details for Fiddles & Fifths happening on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27 in Old Town Winchester. The event will feature headliner performances by acclaimed African-American string band EBONY HILLBILLIES and celebrated New Jersey septet RAILROAD EARTH. The festival, which also features local act DUNLAP & MABE, Maryland-based LOW RIVER EXPRESS, and Richmond's THE HASBHURY COLLECTIVE, is a brand-new two-day event celebrating bluegrass, bourbon, and the great businesses and atmosphere of Old Town Winchester.

All mainstage performances are free to the public. Other additions to the festival will include food & drink specials, a cocktail competition, jam session, and local street performers. For performance schedules and more information on the festival, go to www.enjoyotw.com . For sponsorship info or VIP packages, contact the Old Town Winchester office at [email protected] .

We met up on the Zooms screen with Rusty Holland, Executive Director from Concern Hotline to talk about his organization.

Concern Hotline is a free 24/7/365 anonymous information & referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention hotline serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Callers can reach out to any of their 5 supported Hotline numbers, toll free, 24 hours a day. Their trained volunteers are respectful, compassionate, and confidential listeners who will listen to your stories of hardship, and bear witness to your struggle to live a happy, healthy life. Rusty reminded us that you do NOT have to be suicidal to call the hotline. They welcome calls from those who just need to talk. The numbers for each locality are below though you do not have to live in the specified area to call that number.

Winchester: 540-667-0145 Clarke & Frederick Counties: 540-667-0145 Page County: 540-743-3733 Shenandoah County: 540-459-4742 Warren County: 540-635-4357

Rusty explained the current climate across the Shenandoah Valley as it relates to suicide deaths - in particular in Warren County - which is considered to be in an "outbreak." He talked about the differences between acute and chronic mental health issues which factor into suicidal thoughts and actions.

He told us about the different trainings that they offer not just to those looking to volunteer as a listener, but to anyone in any community. We talked about all the ways residents can support Concern Hotline from writing checks, to volunteering their time, or supporting a fundraiser. Rusty encouraged listeners to also support their supporters by thanking them when you see them at events such as Front Royal Cardinals baseball games.

Before we wrapped our conversation, we took a bit of a stroll down memory lane as Rusty gave us some history of the Annual Fish Fry fundraiser - now in it's 23rd year - and talked about how and why it began as well as how much it's grown. The event will take place on September 2, 2022 at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.

For more information about Concern Hotline, follow them on Facebook or reach out them via phone: (540) 536-1630.

We recorded today's show at Strasburg Town Square in the Market Pavillion to chat with Olivia Hilton, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Town of Strasburg for our mothoy Strolling Strasbug episode.

Joining us was Ally Thomas, manager for Strasburg Farmer's Market. Ally gave us all the details about what goes into putting the market together each season from April to October. We talked about the various vendors that showcase at the weekly event and how people can participate every week, part-time or just drop in throughout the season. The farmer's market happens in the pavillion and at Strawburg Square every Saturday rain or shine from 9am - 1pm.

Follow them on Facebook for updates about vendors, special events and any last-minute changes that might happen: https://www.facebook.com/Strasburgfarmersmarket

Olivia told us about all the events hosted by the Parks & Recreation department thoughout the month of July.

We were live in the studio for today's conversation with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County Sheriff's Office for our monthly "Traffic Safety Thursday" episode.

Our conversation focused on common sense when operating motorcycles, mopeds and ATV's. Lt. Gosnell talked about safety issues for all those types of vehicles. We talked about being reckless and the danger that creates for the driver as well as others on the roadways.

He explained the various laws that apply to motorcycle riders and how those differ from mopeds and ATV's.

We were on the screen today with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce and her guests from Warren County Public Schools. Joining us for the conversation was Shane Goodwin, Human Resources Director and Hope Petty, Teacher Support Coordinator to talk about the dire need for new teachers across the region but specifically in Warren County.

Shane explained the qualifications and how someone who's interested can receive tuition reimbursement and even reimbursement for taking the Praxis if they already have a bachelor's degree.

If you're interested in more information about becoming a teacher, please email Shane at: [email protected] or Holly at [email protected]

In the second segment, Niki talked about an upcoming fundraiser: Waggin' for Dragons and the need for teams. Get more details about what's involved by clicking here.

We also talked about the Community Leadership Program which will return in the fall. Get details about that here: https://www.frontroyalchamber.com/

We recorded today's conversation at the offices of the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival to chat with Director, Dennis Lynch.

Dennis gave us a quick rundown of the musical acts that are booked for this year's summer concert series. We talked about the preparations that go into kicking off the music festival each year. Dennis reminded us of the experience concert goers have when attending any of the performances.

The lineup this year will include:

Friday, July 22, 8pm: Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

Saturday, July 23, 8pm: The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute

Friday, July 29, 8pm: ABBA the Concert - A Tribute to ABBA

Saturday, July 30, 8pm: Richmond Symphony

Performing Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society and other vocalists from the community. Interested in being part of the choir for this performance? No auditions! To inquire, click here. This concert is supported in part by the Shenandoah Community Foundation and by an award from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts

Friday, August 12, 8pm: America

Saturday, August 13, 8pm: Village People

Saturday, Sept. 3, 7pm: The Spinners

Sunday, Sept. 4, 6pm: Hot Strings & Cool Breezes

Also featuring Billy Contreras, Jacob Jolliff, Justin Moses, Bryan Sutton & Mark Schatz

Nathan Stalvey, Director of Clarke County Historical Association joined the conversation today to talk about a few upcoming events and give us a bit of a history lesson.

Nathan told us about a yearly tradition happening at Burwell-Morgan Mill on Saturday, July 2 where they will be grinding red, white, and blue corn and grits. Burwell-Morgan Mill, also known as the Millwood Mill, is a historic grist mill located at Millwood, Clarke County, Virginia. It was built between 1782-1785 by Lt. Col. Nathaniel Burwell and Gen. Daniel Morgan who both served in the American Revolution. It is the oldest operable merchant mill in the Shenandoah Valley. Nathan explained it's history and told us how it came to be in the possession of the Clarke County Historical Association. We discussed it's maintenance and upkeep as well as the grants that help with costs. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Also happening at the Burwell-Morgan Mill on Saturday, July 9 will be Colonial Kids Day. The event, which started six years ago as an intern's project will feature interactive activities including blacksmithing, craft making, colonial games, a scavenger hunt, the history of the Mill, living history interpretations, and grinding in action. There will be food available on site as well as across the street at Locke's Store. You are also welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy your lunch in the meadow and at of the picnic tables. The cost for the event is $5 and it runs from 11am - 4pm. You can purchase tickets or get more details by clicking here.

Nathan also gave us details for a talk featuring historian Stephen Campbell entitled George Washington: The Will to Win and Conquering Adversity that will happen on Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 2pm - 4pm at the VFW Post 9760. The lecture will discuss George Washington before the Revolutionary War and his time as a surveyor. Washington, during this time journeyed through and surveyed Clarke County which was formally Frederick County during the 1700's. Learn how Washington evolved from a young officer to our nation's first Commander-in-Chief. Tickets and more details can be found by clicking here.

For more information about Clarke County Historical Association, it's events, membership or volunteer opportunities, visit their website: https://www.clarkehistory.org/ and follow them on Facebook.

We recorded today's conversation on location at Humane Society Warren County to chat with Executive Director, Meghan Bowers about Olive's Fund, their longest resident, and the ability to schedule a blind date in the month of July.

While we were at the shelter, I had the opportunity to meet Tina (check out the video on the station's Facebook page) and hear about her injuries and path to recovery.

Meghan explained the various ways the shelter helps the animals in their care but also spoke about Olive's Fund and the Hand in Paw fund which helps pet owners keep their animals during a financial hardship. She told us how people can help support both those funds through monetary donations or by donating food, supplies, etc.

For more information about Humane Society of Warren County, visit their website: https://humanesocietywarrencounty.com/ and follow them on Facebook.

For more information about the dragon boat race, Waggin' for Dragons, visit: https://hswcevents.org/

For more information about the Sapy/Neuter Clinic, follow them on Facebook.

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today happened in the conference room at the Frederick County Economic Development office as it does whenever there is an "extra" Wednesday in the month.

Shayla Rickard, Business Retention Manager for FredCo EDA joined me for the chat along with her guest, Missy Spielman, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Frederick County Public Schools.

We talked about all the options that are available to students now for work-based learning from job shadow programs to mentoring. Missy explained how the program works and talked about the many success stories she's had. She encouraged local business no matter their size, to reach out to their work-based learning coordinators to be part of the program.

Shayla told us the benefit on the business side of these types of programs and talked about the vital role they play in economic development for our community.

For more information about the work-based learning opportunities, visit: http://yesfrederickva.com/ and learn about the Workforce Initiative.

We were on location for our Tourism Tuesday conversation with Justin Kerns from the Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau to talk with James & Cynthia Powell from Wild Feather Farm.

The couple, joined by their children/farm partners, Levi & Emerson gave us a history of how their home became their farm. We talked about the family-run venture and Cynthia's passion for farm life.

Wild Feather Farm offers fresh meats, produce, goods/services, and a comfy spot to relax a bit on the front porch! We learned about their journey from just six chickens (that literally came with the house) to their growing farm that now houses 50+ chickens, 12 ducks, 4 KuneKune heritage breed, pigs, 7 Nigerian Dwarf Goats, cows, horses and coming soon: lambs!

They also offer goat yoga, a farm experience for visitors, and will soon open a farm store on the property. You can find more information about them by following Wild Feather Farm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildFeatherFarmLLC. They are located at 1163 Airport Road in Winchester.