Let's Be Friends: An Affair to Remember
The Valley Today
Let's Be Friends: An Affair to Remember Video - Recorded at An Affair to Remember | Walking Mall, Winchester, VA Guests: Ian Rushing — Owner, An Affair to Remember (AATR Video) Brady Cloven — Executive Director, Friends of Old Town Winchester What We Talked About: An Affair to Remember (ATR Video) Located at 39 South Loudoun Street on the Walking Mall Offers media digitization: VHS, 8mm, 16mm, reel-to-reel audio, slides, and more Photo printing on-site — standard sizes up to large format prints Wedding videography with multiple price packages Corporate branded storytelling /...
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Bring Your Wagon: A Guide to Blandy's Garden Fair
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Melanie Mullinax, Communications and Event Manager at , to get all the details on the — one of the Shenandoah Valley's most beloved Mother's Day weekend traditions. Event Details 📅 May 9th & 10th, 2025 ⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days 📍 Blandy Experimental Farm / State Arboretum of Virginia 🎟️ Tickets: $12/car online | $20/car at the gate 🌧️ Rain or shine Buy Tickets: Members & Volunteers Preview Night - Friday, May 8th | 5:00 – 7:30 PM Open to Blandy members and volunteers only (~250 tickets) Includes a charcuterie...
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If You Can't See It, You Can't Be It: Arising Leadership Program
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Missy Spielman to discuss the 's Arising Leadership Program (ALP) — a free, two-week summer program designed to expose local high schoolers to career opportunities right in their own backyard. What You'll Learn in This Episode What the is and how it got started How the ALP differs from the Chamber's Community Leadership Program (CLP) Why exposing students to local industries matters — "If you can't see it, you can't be it" What industries students will explore: manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, government & public safety, nonprofit, and media...
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Liberty, Legacy, and Quilts: What's New at Belle Grove Plantation
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael chats with Kristen Laise about an action-packed spring and summer season at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown, Virginia. From a moving community quilt project honoring the enslaved to a traveling American Revolution exhibit, there's something for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and families alike. Topics Covered Memorial Quilts Two quilts honoring 270 enslaved individuals at Belle Grove, each name hand-stitched on individual quilt blocks Quilt blocks arranged into family trees to symbolically reunite families separated by slavery A three-year project involving 113...
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Opening the Hood: Inside Winchester's Civic Leadership Academy
The Valley Today
In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Kit Redmer, Communications Director for the , and several of her fellow Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) classmates about their experiences in this immersive, nine-month program designed to connect residents with their local government. What is the Civic Leadership Academy? The CLA is a program run by the City of Winchester that gives civically minded residents an inside look at how their city operates. Participants tour city departments, learn about the budget, meet city staff, and discover ways to get more involved. The program runs September...
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Archery, Horses, and Tie-Dye: 4-H Overnight Camps in the Shenandoah Valley
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Emily Shultz, Extension Agent, to talk about everything you need to know about 4-H overnight camps in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. In This Episode: What 4-H overnight camps are and who they're for Camp dates, locations, and county clusters Age requirements and the 4-H age cutoff explained What a typical camp week looks like (no screens!) Activities offered at camp The teen counselor and CIT (Counselor-in-Training) program Cost, registration, scholarships, and deadlines Why 4-H camp stands out from other overnight camps What kids take home beyond the fun...
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Community Health: Healthy Families NSV
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael sits down with Jodi Young, Executive Director of , and Tracy Mitchell, Manager of 's Wellness Services and Risk Reduction, to explore a free home visiting program that supports new and expectant parents from pregnancy through a child's fifth birthday — and why April's Child Abuse Prevention Month makes this conversation especially timely. What You'll Learn What Healthy Families is and how the home visiting model works Who qualifies for the program and how to enroll Why the first five years of a child's life are so critical for development How Valley Health supports...
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From Rescue to Resource: Join the Winchester SPCA
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael visits the — the original home of her own dogs, Briscoe and Miller — for a conversation with Executive Director Lavenda Denney about the organization's growing campus, April membership drive, and the community programs that make them more than just a shelter. Topics Covered The Winchester SPCA Campus — Located at 111 Feathered Lane in Winchester, the campus includes an adoption center, a 10,000 sq. ft. thrift store, a small vet clinic, an intake building, and a free coffee bar (with a second one coming soon to the lobby, courtesy of Timber's Cafe) What They Do...
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Building the Field of Dreams
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael welcomes back Guy Curtis — wearing his Little League hat this time rather than his one — along with Terra Walker, 's information officer, to discuss the organization's ambitious capital campaign to expand and improve youth sports facilities in the Winchester and Frederick County area. About Frederick County National Little League Established in 1984 Serves Winchester, Stephens City, Middletown, and the southern end of Frederick County Nonprofit 501(c)3, fully volunteer-run organization Currently 25–35 teams per spring season with over 350 active players Fall season...
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Art & History in Clarke County
The Valley Today
Host Janet Michael talks with Nathan Stalvey about the 's spring Art at the Mill show, upcoming VA250 events in Clarke County, and behind-the-scenes updates on the historic . Art at the Mill – Spring 2026 Dates: Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 Hours: Sunday–Friday, 12–5pm | Saturdays, 10–5pm Location: Burwell-Morgan Mill, Millwood, VA Admission: $5 adults | $3 seniors | Children 12 & under free Free admission with a show postcard or print advertisement Submissions: 300+ artists, nearly 950 works Media: Oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil, charcoal, glass...
info_outlineIn this episode, host Janet Michael visits the Capon Valley Bank branch in Stephens City to discuss the value of community banking in today's digital age. Melba Thorne shares insights on personalized banking, financial literacy, and how a century-old institution maintains its commitment to local communities.
About Capon Valley Bank
- History: Serving communities since 1918, starting in Wardensville, West Virginia
- Locations: Five branches across Hardy County (WV) and Frederick County (VA)
- New expansion: Sixth branch opening May 2026 on Winchester's north side (across from Texas Roadhouse on Ezra's Lane)
- Parent company: Highland Bank Shares (sister bank to Grant County Bank)
Banking Philosophy
- "Big bank products with hometown service"
- Focus on personal relationships over sales quotas
- Loan decisions made locally (no waiting weeks for out-of-state approval)
- Treating customers as individuals, not numbers
- Goal: "The Chick-fil-A of banking" - knowing customers by name
Services Offered
Personal Banking:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Home equity lines of credit
- Auto loans
- Rewards checking with "UChoose Rewards" program
- Roundup savings program (automatically rounds purchases to nearest dollar and saves the difference)
Business & Commercial Banking:
- New construction lending (residential and commercial)
- Commercial lines of credit
- Small business startup loans
- SBA loans
- Agricultural loans
- Investment property financing (including Airbnb properties)
- Land loans
- Renovation loans
Financial Tips
Credit Score Protection:
- Limit credit inquiries when car shopping (no more than 2 pulls from dealerships)
- Multiple credit pulls can dramatically drop your credit score
- Get pre-approved from your bank before visiting dealerships
- Target credit score: 680+ (many banks require 700+)
Credit Score Factors:
- Too many credit cards can hurt your score
- Maxed out credit cards negatively impact your score even if paid on time
- One missed payment can drop you below 700
- Medical issues, divorce, and life events are considered with context
Smart Money Habits:
- Build emergency savings for "rainy days"
- Use roundup savings programs to save without thinking about it
- Monitor your credit score regularly through banking apps
- Don't spend everything left over after paying bills
Community Involvement
- Cram the Cruiser: Annual toy drive in December for Toys for Tots (collects 300+ toys per branch)
- Partnership with local police and fire departments
- School volunteer programs and event support
- Sponsorship of local fairs and festivals (Newtown Heritage Weekend, etc.)
- Active chamber of commerce participation
- Community Leadership Program graduate
Technology & Convenience
- Full online banking platform
- Mobile banking apps
- Online account applications available
- Educational learning center on website with product videos
- Still encourages in-person visits for personalized service
Contact Information
- Website: caponvalleybank.com
- Phone: 540-868-1140 Direct line to local branch (no call centers!)
- Commercial Lending: Fred Brooks, Commercial Loan Officer
Resources Mentioned
- Educational videos and learning center at caponvalleybank.com
- Credit score monitoring apps
- SBA loan programs