Finding Your People: The Greater Winchester Parkinson's Support Group
Release Date: 03/26/2026
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...
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Frederick County Homesteaders Spring Farm Hop
The Valley Today
Guests: Sam Armel – Founder, ; local real estate agent Kristin Tesdall – Five Roots Farm () Jaclyn Mommen – Laurel Grove Wine Farm & Patty's Place () What We Cover: Why Frederick County Homesteaders is switching from a farm crawl to a farm hop — and what that means for families, those with mobility challenges, and anyone who couldn't make it farm-to-farm How the new centralized format opens the door to more farms, vendors, nonprofits, 4-H clubs, and demonstrations than ever before The bigger mission: doubling farm profit margins by connecting consumers directly with local...
info_outlineHost Janet Michael sits down with leaders and members of the Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group to discuss life with Parkinson's disease, the power of community, and the resources available to patients and caregivers in the region.
Guests
- Kaleen Baker – Co-leader, Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group
- Cheryl Conrad – Co-leader, Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group
- Dolores Gordon – Caregiver and group member
- Jerry Gordon – Parkinson's patient and group member
Topics Covered
- The history of the Greater Winchester Area Parkinson's Support Group, founded around 2012 and reestablished post-COVID
- How the group supports both Parkinson's patients and their caregivers
- The value of breakout sessions — caregivers and patients meeting separately to share openly
- Practical tips exchanged within the group (e.g., soap-on-a-rope for shower assistance)
- Rock Steady Boxing — a circuit training and boxing program proven to benefit Parkinson's patients, available at the Valley Health Wellness Center
- LSVT BIG and LOUD therapy programs — helping patients maintain movement and vocal strength
- Dolores and Jerry's personal journey from suspecting a diagnosis to finding community and resources
- The shortage of Parkinson's specialists in the Winchester area and how the group helps members navigate the medical system
- The importance of self-care for caregivers
- The group's reach beyond Village at Orchard Ridge — open to anyone in Winchester, Frederick County, Clarke County, Berkeley Springs, Martinsburg, Hagerstown, and surrounding areas
Upcoming Events
- Next Meeting: March 31st (breakout session — caregivers and patients meet separately)
- Parkinson's Awareness Walk: April 21st at the Village at Orchard Ridge
- Rain date: April 28th
- Walk distances: ¼ mile to 1 full mile
- Support staff, beverages, and shade provided
- No registration required — just show up!
Group Meeting Details
- When: Last Tuesday of every month, 1:30 PM (meetings run approximately one hour)
- Where: Chapel at the Village at Orchard Ridge
- Who: Open to Parkinson's patients, caregivers, family members, friends, and anyone who wants to learn more
- No registration required
Resources Mentioned
- Parkinson's Foundation — National resources, reading materials, and information
- LSVT Global — Find certified LSVT BIG and LOUD therapists near you