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February 13, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Valley Village

Presenter: Lori Merrow

This presentation will discuss the basics of Valley Village, our aspirations for the future, and the organization’s potential for empowering seniors.

Lorie Merrow came to the Shenandoah Valley 27 years ago from New England, by way of North Dakota and other stops. With degrees in education and history, she has wrangled her way into various types of work in education and non-profits, as well as twelve years doing special projects in JMU’s International Programs. She is happily retired and enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and mother, as they all grow older and wiser.

February 27, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Rockingham County Fairgrounds: "Where the Community Comes Together"

Presenter: Rebecca Holloway

Learn the ‘behind the scenes’ of producing the Rockingham County Fair for the last 75 years!  Learn answers to questions such as, “What do you mean the County doesn’t own the fair?” “How many volunteers are needed?” “How are performers and events selected?” “Why is this a full-time job?” Rebecca will answer all your questions!

Rebecca Holloway has been involved with the Rockingham County Fair ever since she was born.  As a child and teenager, she was very active in 4-H and FFA. In 2002 she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Virginia Tech and in 2018 a Master’s degree in School Leadership from JMU.  After teaching high school agriculture for 15 years, she switched careers and is currently the General Manager of the Rockingham County Fair.

March 12, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Explore Luxury Travel

Presenters: Terrie Dean

This class will be devoted to the exploration of Luxury travel.  Passengers in this exclusive class are treated to a world of unparalleled comfort and personalized service.  From private experiences to gourmet dining options prepared by renowned chefs and unique travel experiences.

We will explore The Wishing Well’s approach to adhering to meticulous attention and detail of a luxury travel experience which includes exclusivity and extravagance that transforms the journey into a memorable part of the destination itself.

Terrie Dean is a seasoned business strategist and hospitality entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience in driving growth through her successfully planned events for a variety of organizations and has delivered exceptional travel results for individuals seeking hospitality expertise.  As the founder and CEO of The Wishing Well, Terrie has built a reputation for her innovative approach to solving complex travel and hospitality challenges.  Her expertise lies in developing and executing comprehensive events, optimizing event operations, and fostering strategic partnerships. With a deep understanding of the travel and hospitality industry and the added credential of Certified Business Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant, Terrie has been invited to collaborate and orchestrate events worldwide.

March 26, 2024 | 12:00 -1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Embracing Change: Downsizing, Decluttering, and Preserving Family Memories

Presenter:  Morgan Paixao

Join Professional Organizer, Morgan Paixao of Humble Home Organizing as we explore the delicate balance between letting go of excess belongings while preserving the cherished memories made over a lifetime. This presentation will guide you through the emotional journey of downsizing, offering strategies for making tough decisions, simplifying your life, and reducing clutter. We'll discuss effective sorting methods, ways to categorize and prioritize items, and provide actionable tips on what to keep, donate, or let go.

Morgan Paixao is the founder of Humble Home Organizing, a professional organizing service dedicated to helping clients create harmonious and clutter-free living spaces. With a passion for simplifying lives, Morgan offers personalized organizing solutions tailored to individual needs. Her expertise, combined with a deep commitment to decluttering and enhancing the functionality of homes, has made her a trusted partner for those seeking a more organized and peaceful living environment.

April 9, 2024 | 12:00 -1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Heart Disease in America: How are we doing and how can we improve?

Presenter:  Dr. Michael Scholfield

Local cardiologist will discuss where we currently stand as a nation with heart disease and how we can modify chronic diseases through lifestyle. His focus will be on prevention.

Dr. Scholfield is a board-certified cardiologist at Sentara RMH.  He has been practicing cardiology for nine years, three years in Harrisonburg. He is also board-certified in echocardiography and is the medical director of non-invasive studies at Sentara RMH. Dr. Scholfield is certified in lifestyle medicine and started the “Walk with a Doc” program here in Harrisonburg.

He graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2001 and came back to the Valley to be close to his family.

April 23, 2024 | 12:00 -1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

The Shifting Sands of Modern Self-Publishing

Presenter:  Martha Bell Graham

Self-publishing has always been around in one form or another, but with the advent of technology, opportunities for writers have exploded. Today self-publishing is a fast-changing, intimidating, and sometimes hard-to-keep-up-with experience. Graham will break down the history of self-publishing, the impact of technology, and the current state of self-publishing for eager authors.

Martha Bell Graham (M.K.B. Graham) is a former staff writer, editor, and blogger for several Virginia universities, as well as a freelance writer. In 2017, she retired from her day job to write novels. She has since self-published two historical fictions, Cairnaerie (2017) and Fleuringala (2020). Her third novel, Dunkard’s Hollow, is scheduled for release in late 2023. Graham, a lifelong Virginian, has four adult children and 10 grandchildren. She lives in Rockingham County with her husband, Mark.

May 14, 2024 | 12:00 -1:15 PM | JMU Ice House - Room 117

Queen Street and Sunset Hill Schools in Strasburg, VA

Presenter:  Marquetta Mitchell

The presentation includes the history of these schools which were open for Black Children starting in 1875 (as we know so far). This is a living history of these schools that were declared unconstitutional in 1954 and closed in 1964/1965 school year.  These schools educated many African Americans and Hispanics for almost a century.  

Marquetta Mitchell is a retired financial advisor, social worker and local historian.  She is a wife, mother and grandmother and very active in local community and church.  She is a member of the Strasburg Museum and Strasburg Museum at Hupps Hill and chairman of the Queen Street and Sunset Hill Alumni.    

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