🌱 Patch AM: Which Harrisonburg media personalities shared these favorite holiday recipes?

Hi Harrisonburg! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Harrisonburg media personalities shared these favorite holiday recipes?
• How did Harrisonburg schools fare in Virginia’s new performance ratings?
• How wild is the rush for JMU playoff gear in town?

Also on today's calendar: The SlashO Longhorns Visit Harrisonburg! and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: A little snow, up to 1"; cold, with a high of 34 and low of 28 degrees.
• Saturday: Clearing and not as cold, temps: high: 44, low: 23.
• Sunday: Morning snow, 1-2"; very cold, with a high of 30 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Harrisonburg Media Group Holiday Treats (rocktownnow.com) — Harrisonburg-based Rocktown Now and Harrisonburg Media Group are sharing their staff’s favorite holiday recipes, from peanut butter buckeyes and French toast casserole to prime rib and crispy mushroom rice. If you’re planning gatherings in the Valley, these locally loved dishes offer plenty of inspiration for your table and make-ahead treats.
   

2. State report shows Valley schools on both ends of new performance rating system (whsv.com) — Harrisonburg has two public schools flagged by the state as needing “intensive support” under Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework, while other Valley divisions earned multiple “distinguished” ratings. The report, based on test scores, graduation and readiness, shows a wide performance gap across nearby counties that could shape future state support and local school discussions.
   

3. JMU Football Fans gearing up for the College Football Playoff (whsv.com) — JMU fans in Harrisonburg are snapping up College Football Playoff gear so quickly that the campus bookstore is struggling to keep shelves stocked. Staff are working nonstop to fill in-store demand and more than 2,000 online backorders, and they’re asking Dukes supporters to stay patient as new shipments arrive during the busy holiday season.
   

4. Cybersecurity expert shares holiday shopping safety tips (whsv.com) — Harrisonburg online shoppers are being urged to slow down and scrutinize those tempting holiday deals before clicking “buy.” A James Madison University cybersecurity expert explains how to spot sketchy sites, why HTTPS and updated browsers matter, and how firewalls and antivirus tools can help keep your personal and financial information safe this season.
   

📸 Around Harrisonburg

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• The SlashO Longhorns Visit Harrisonburg!
  James Madison University, 800 S Main St, Harrisonburg
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas
  Forbes Center , Concert Hall
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Winter 2025 Commencement
  Atlantic Union Bank Center Event Floor
  10:00 am
• Master Gardener Talk Series
  Frances Plecker Education Center , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  10:30 am
• Terrace: Members Only Wreath-making
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  12:00 pm
• Holiday Highlander
  Brix & Columns Vineyards , 1501 Dave Berry Rd , McGaheysville
  1:00 pm
• A Heritage Christmas: Rise Up and Follow — Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center
  Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center , 1921 Heritage Center Way , Harrisonburg
  2:30 pm
• Uncle Bengine + The Minor Four
  Pale Fire Brewing Co. , 217 S Liberty St #105 , Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Native Plant Social with Shenandoah Chapter of Virginia Native Plant Society
  Frances Plecker Education Center , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  1:30 pm

📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 13

• Master Gardener Talk Series
  Frances Plecker Education Center , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  10:30 am
• Terrace: Members Only Wreath-making
  Edith J. Carrier Arboretum , 780 University Blvd , Harrisonburg
  12:00 pm
• A MOO-RY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT MYERS HIGHLAND COW FARMSTEAD!
  Myers Pumpkins , 3831 Bull Run Rd , Penn Laird
  3:00 pm
• Live Listening Party with Ebony Nicole & Friends at Sage Bird
  Sage Bird , 325 N Liberty St , Harrisonburg
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Harrisonburg PatchAM possible:

• Better Add a Business — 5407640023
  Really & This Is So Janky To Work With No Edit Button!
• Sunpower Supreme — 5408675309
  i can update the location
• Test Brand Partner Business — (540) 867-5309
  This will be shared to 12 patches

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Miko was LOST on December 9, 2025 in Harrisonburg, VA 22801 near Near Davis Mills Drive Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Sunset Heights)

• Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
• Dribbler LLC posted a job opening for Private Soccer Coach in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.

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: I couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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