Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Ready to roll up your sleeve at Harrisonburg’s Central Library?
Coming up: Breneman-Turner Mill Open House — Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center on the Harrisonburg Patch calendar
What's up Harrisonburg! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Ready to roll up your sleeve at Harrisonburg's Central Library?
- How a BC grad built a Harrisonburg career in construction and community
- Meet the new dean who once studied right here in Harrisonburg
Also on today's calendar: Community Gear Swap and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Harrisonburg Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Harrisonburg Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Harrisonburg. 
- Tuesday: A couple of morning showers, with a high of 85 and low of 61 degrees.
- Wednesday: An afternoon shower in spots, temps: high: 87, low: 64. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 81 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Red Cross Blood Drive (iheart.com) — A Red Cross blood drive is coming to Central Library in Harrisonburg, giving residents a convenient way to help save local lives. You can schedule an appointment through the Blood Donor App or redcrossblood.org using the 22801 ZIP code, then speed things up on donation day with RapidPass and by arriving well-hydrated with a photo ID. 
• Connections, Communications and a Community of Support: Stephen Howard '12 (bridgewater.edu) — A Bridgewater College graduate now building his career in Harrisonburg has turned his communication skills into roles at James Madison University and local firm Nielsen Builders. The story traces how community support, campus experiences, and networking led him from rural Nelson County to a business development position with the Harrisonburg-based construction company, where he now recruits future interns back at BC.
• Five Black Leaders Appointed to Dean Positions in Higher Education (jbhe.com) — One of the newly appointed higher-education deans is a James Madison University alumna who earned her bachelor's degree in Harrisonburg, highlighting a local connection to national academic leadership. The piece profiles five Black leaders stepping into major dean roles across universities nationwide, outlining their backgrounds and areas of expertise.
📸 Around Harrisonburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Breneman-Turner Mill Open House — Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center →
Historic Turner-Brenneman Mill, 5001 Turners Mill Ln, Harrisonburg
10:00 am
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Terrace reserved
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
11:45 am - FPEC: Arboretum Expansion Faculty/Staff Feedback Forum →
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum Frances Plecker Education Center, 780 University Blvd, Harrisonb
4:00 pm - 2026 Presidential Address
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce James Madison University Campanelli Club in the Atlantic Union Bank Center 645 University Blvd Harrisonburg, VA 22801
9:00 am - Terrace Reserved
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
12:00 pm - UPB Bridgeforth Movie Night →
James Madison University Virtual Events Bridgeforth Turf
9:00 pm - Insect Discovery Night
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
9:30 pm - FPEC: Shenandoah Nature Journaling Club meeting
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
1:00 pm - Community Gear Swap →
90 N Main St, Harrisonburg
9:00 am
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Sunday August 23
Monday August 31
📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Terrace reserved
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
11:45 am - Interlochen College of Creative Arts Adult Chamber Camp: Bear Serenade - 2026-08-21 (Event 629943) →
Corson Lobby, 3935 Sunnyside Dr, Harrisonburg
7:30 pm - Insect Discovery Night
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
9:30 pm - FPEC: Shenandoah Nature Journaling Club meeting
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
1:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
Friday August 21
Sunday August 23
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello Everyone.
I was wondering if there was anyone who could point me in the direction of someone who could sharpen the blades on my manual push mower for me. I… (Nextdoor Harrisonburg) - Hello there!
I am looking for a general contractor to help with remodeling two bathrooms in our home. The house was built in 1967 and the original owner installed… (Nextdoor The Harrison)
- Scion Group, LLC posted a job opening for Leasing Consultant in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
- Aramark Corporation posted a job opening for Student Worker - Food Service or Catering - James Madison University - East Campus Dining Hall in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.
🗞 Nearby News
Elkton
- Federal Judge Allows Virginia's New Hemp THC Restrictions to Take Effect (themarijuanaherald.com)
Shenandoah
- Shenandoah not taking success for granted (nvdaily.com)
- Therapy Dog Handlers Shenandoah, VA (care.com)
- Shentel devotes web page to Starlink's 'hidden costs' (lightreading.com)
Ok Harrisonburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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