Breakfast With Barry Lee

It's Apple Blossom week and with it being the 100th anniversary of the first Festival in 1924, Barry's guest is Jim Robinson whose father was a page in that inaugural event. Jim talks about being an escort for Queen Susan Ford in 1975 and what it was like to have President Ford and Grand Marshal Bob Hope at his home! Plus, how a couple of current annual Apple Blossom events actually got their start at Jim's family farm and an apartment in downtown Winchester.

After attending their Spring concert, Barry sits down with three members of the Shenandoah University Harambee Gospel Choir who have been performing and singing God's praises for over 50 years. The guests are: Myles Hairston - Choir Advisor, Gary Garlic, Jr. - Musical Director, and Adaugo Ejekwu - Choir President.

Two guests join Barry at the breakfast table this week: Clay Perry is Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Winchester's 'Community Pancake Day' to benefit the Winchester Rescue Mission, and he extends the invitation to chow down on pancakes and sausage on Saturday, April 20th from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Morning radio host Randy Woodward with The River 95.3 chats with Barry about his April 27th half-marathon' fundraiser for 'Dakota's Dream Animal Rescue' to help a sweet, special needs kitty named Lily.

Barry welcomes two guests to the 'Breakfast With Barry' kitchen table: Aimee Nuwer, Co-founder of 'Helping Hands Cancer Outreach LLC' shares how this non-profit eases the financial burdens of cancer patients on their treatment journey. Kit Redmer, Communications Director with the City of Winchester talks about 'WinReady On Demand', the city's new point-to-point transit service that picks you up and takes you where you need to go!

A very powerful interview with Thomas Sweitzer, co-founder of "A Place To Be", a center that helps people find their voice and healing through music therapy and performance. Thom also shares the story of his one man show that premiered in New York, "20 Seconds", based on his traumatic childhood and how music helped him get through it all.

Barry's first guest for this show is Anne Marie Utz, Executive Director of F.R.O.G. (Families Reaching Out Group) and Froggy's Closet. Anne Marie shares the story of how FROG provides support and necessities like clothes, shoes, beds, high chairs, toys and more to foster children and their families, as well as families in need. Barry also chats with Frederick County Sheriff Lenny Millholland about his connection with the Easter Bunny.

On this episode Barry tours the new LGBTQ+Center located at the AIDS Response Effort, Inc. office on Piccadilly Street in Winchester. His hosts are Katie Vance, ARE Executive Director, and Mary Bohacek and Matt Buracker, Center Directors, who share the various programs and services offered at the Center. Also on this episode, the origins of the Sloppy Joe, and how Barry and his wife demonstrate the true art of 'give and take' in a marriage during the NCAA Basketball tournament season with the TV remote.

Joining Barry this week is Michael Hummer, Volunteer Event Lead with the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Winchester-Frederick County, Presented by Shenandoah University. The local Relay has been a community fundraiser for many years, as well as a tradition at Shenandoah University, and new this year is the combining of efforts on March 22nd, indoors at the beautiful Wilkins Event Center! In addition to the walking, there are games for all ages and a dance party! Details: www.relayforlife.org/winchesterva Barry saved enough time to share his discovery of yet another sign of his getting older while visiting a public restroom.

Joining Barry on this episode are Charles Harbaugh IV, Executive Director with 'Access Independence', and Shelly Lee with the '2 For 2 Foundation'. The two organizations are teaming up to give access for swim literacy to ALL in our community ... teaching people to swim regardless of their disability or ability to pay. They also chat about the upcoming '2 For 2 Foundation' "Pot of Gold Cheer And Chance Event" to raise funds for the project.

This week it's a little crowded around the Breakfast With Barry kitchen table: Joel Cosner, Sherando High School Director of Bands and Guy Curtis, with the Sherando Band Boosters share the latest band news including a big golf tournament fundraiser on May 24th. Kayla Wright, Sherando's Color Guard Director also joins the show with an invitation to the community to come experience the 'Sherando Showcase Indoor Percussion/Winterguard Competition' featuring 35 schools at Sherando's gym on March 9th. Barry also feels compelled to share his embarrassing dilemma concerning his nose and a visit to his dental hygienist.

Barry's guests this week are Patricia Kadel, President of the Winchester Branch of the American Association of University Women, and Michael Faison, President of the Winchester Area Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The two organizations are sponsoring a free forum featuring local women who will share their stories of courage, fortitude and perseverance at the Handley Library Auditorium on February 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. One of the special guests is Virginia's Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

Barry's guests this week are Tina Stevens-Culbreath and Rodnay Culbreath, Founders and CEOs of the "I'm Just Me Movement" and owners of the Virginia Valley Vipers professional basketball team in Winchester.

Lauren Clouse, Executive Director of the Winchester Rescue Mission joins Barry this week to invite the community to the 'Hope On The Horizon' event on February 23rd. The celebration/fundraiser looks to the future expansion of services to the homeless in the Winchester community. www.winrescue.org

Joining Barry this week is Cindee Steele with WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter) to promote 'The Coldest Night Of The Year', an awareness and fundraising walk for the shelter. On 'Barry's Brain Buster': This was voted the thing that annoys people the most about their co-workers ...

In the ongoing series 'TV commercials you don't want to see while you're eating dinner', Barry adds a nasal irrigation device to the list. Also on this episode, Barry sings new lyrics to songs from the 60's and 70's to accommodate senior citizens, plus news about the 'African American Heritage Trolley Tour' of Winchester.

For this bitter cold week, Barry interviews Mike Perry who cuts, splits and delivers firewood for CCAP to those in need. Mike and Bill Huehn are the Iron Men of the Wood Lot for their 13 year streak of delivering comfort. Barry also gets into a stretch of "how cold is it" observances. "It's so cold ... "

After the snow on Saturday, 1/6, Barry shares some observations about the predictions, the snacks and meals we planned on, and childhood reflections on those radio school announcements.

On this first podcast of 2024, Barry interviews Tootie Rinker, about a brand new non profit, 'Sleep In Heavenly Peace'. This organization is lining up volunteers to build beds for local kids that have no bed of their own to sleep in. Barry closes the show with his Uncle Harlan's resolution for 2024 ...

This Christmas week program features Robin Ramsey, the Executive Director of the F.R.E.E. Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. FREE provides gently used rehab equipment to those in need and Robin discusses how the Chain of Checks grant money will be used. Barry shares a memory of a past Christmas and the surprise gift from his son that made him cry.

On this episode Barry highlights two more nonprofits that have applied for Chain of Checks grants. He interviews Juli Ferrell with Timber Ridge School and Jenny Callis of the Highland Food Pantry. There's also a sweet, true Christmas story to share as well as welcoming the Winter Solstice and Festivus (for the rest of us).