WMRA March Books & Brews: Resiliency

WMRA’s March 2022 Books & Brews features author Lori Mier, along with other panelists, discussing resiliency in our time and what it really takes to face each day.

7pm Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - Live, in person, at Pale Fire Brewing Company and the conversation will also be livestreamed.

Resiliency comes in many forms and this conversation will touch on the experiences and challenges many have faced over the course of this pandemic. There will be a special focus on children, families and even businesses, and how there are shared common themes when we practice resiliency.

Our Resiliency Panel includes:

Lori Mier, author of the children's book, MERIN And Her Very Bright STAR.

Jolynne Bartley, Assistant Director of Children and Youth Services for JMU's Institute for Innovation in Health & Human Services.

Jay A. Langston, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership.

Signed copies of MERIN And Her Very Bright STAR, and other books by Lori Mier, will be available at the event and online at Stone Soup Books.

WMRA's Books & Brews is made possible thanks to our series sponsor, Gaines Group Architects. The Gaines Group has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.

Lori Mier is the creator and owner of her story. She also loves chai tea and mountain sunrises with her son. Broken Crayons Still Color: Life After is the first book by Author, Lori Mier. She is also the Author of Merin and Her Very Bright Star: A story of resiliency, a children’s book that was deeply inspired by Lori’s own story of loss and healing. She has a degree in Social Work and currently works independently as an Ecotherapist Guide and Coach, and nature photographer, combining all of these to offer a unique and healing experience. Her healing nature photography has been published on the cover of AT Journeys magazine as well as in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and local travel brochures. Lori lives in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia with her husband and son, and with her husband, created the not-for-profit program, Through Hiking, for young adult foster youth and agencies. Lori is involved in education, community advocacy and social justice work with RISE Organization in Waynesboro, VA.

JoLynne Bartley is the Assistant Director of Children & Youth Services at JMU’s Institute for Innovation in Health & Human Services (IIHHS). She holds a BA in Art Education from the University of Central Florida & an MA of Public Administration from James Madison University. JoLynne manages four grant-funded programs serving the community, including: The Gus Bus, The Shenandoah Valley Migrant Education Program, The Claude Moore Precious Time program, and Healthy Families of Page and Shenandoah Counties.

Jay A. Langston, Ph.D., has over 30 years of extensive experience in economic and business development, strengthening community engagement, and developing entrepreneurial initiatives. Jay joined SVP in December 2018 where he is leading efforts to expand and relocate business to the Shenandoah Valley region. Most recently serving as the Managing Director of Business Retention and Expansion at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Jay also served as Senior Business Manager/Senior Advisor in Competitive Initiatives and Senior Research Manager. Prior to working at VEDP, Jay was the Executive Director of Virginia’s Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization, and Senior Business Development Representative for Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development. Jay received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and Masters in Public Administration and Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also received accreditation from the Virginia Executive Institute and National Center for Economic Gardening and received the 2010 Virginia Economic Developers Association’s Cardinal Award, the highest award for economic development leadership, career accomplishment and service.