As two active members in the Fraser Valley social media scene, it was only a matter of time before they connected offline.
Back in May, 91原创鈥檚 Kristyl Clark from the She鈥檚 a Valley Mom 鈥榖logazine,鈥� interviewed Michael Thorne, a local realtor and one of the faces behind the popular My North 91原创 fan page, for a feature on her website.
Once she was back in her car, the idea of a partnership suddenly popped into Clark鈥檚 head.
鈥淚t was all I could think about on the drive home from the interview,鈥� recalled the work-at-home mom, who had just spent the past hour learning how Thorne utilizes the power of social media to build his brand and help others learn more about their own backyard.
鈥淓very area that I feel like I lack knowledge or confidence in happens to be Michael鈥檚 strengths. And, to be honest, he鈥檚 just a lot of fun to work with 鈥� such an inspiring guy.鈥�
With Clark鈥檚 penchant for writing and passion for her community, coupled with Thorne鈥檚 gift for the gab and a shared enthusiasm for his hometown, one might say they鈥檝e cast themselves in the perfect roles.
The duo, who met in the digital realm, are about to give the Fraser Valley a big fat proverbial high-five for all the world to see on their computer screens, iPads or and any other digital device.
Fraser Valley 5 is an interactive online talk show that made its debut on Aug. 7, delivering a fresh, fun and quirky perspective of the Fraser Valley 鈥� the places, the people and events 鈥� served up in five enticing visual bites.
The talk show, hosted by Thorne and Clark, will keep with a 鈥榯op-five鈥� theme, all centered around hot spots, happenings and faces around the Fraser Valley.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to have a little bit of everything,鈥� said Thorne, a long-time Walnut Grove resident and father of two, who, along with his friend Tyler McClendon, launched the My North 91原创 page three years ago.
The one-of-a-kind online passion project connects people in the North 91原创 communities of Walnut Grove, Fort 91原创 and Willoughby.
鈥淭hrough the My North 91原创 page, I鈥檝e learned about so many incredible things that happen out this way that I wasn鈥檛 aware of before. Now, my wife Tracey and I, along with our two sons, Keaton, 5, and Carter, 8, will get to go out and find all these other hidden gems through the whole Fraser Valley with this new show.鈥�
And while Clark usually hides behind her byline, the blogger had been toying with the idea of putting herself out there to connect with her readers on a different platform 鈥� one that will provide another medium to do what she loves best 鈥� go on adventures in the Valley with her two daughters, Molly, 5, Zoe, 3, and husband Jason.
鈥淭o be honest, I鈥檓 a little nervous about being in front of a camera 鈥� I鈥檓 usually the one taking the pictures and filming the video,鈥� she said.
鈥淗owever, this is going to be such a blast. We鈥檙e not going to take ourselves too seriously.鈥�
She is hopeful her fans will be just as excited about the her new project and partnership with Thorne.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got the logo, filming location and a calendar jam-packed with some pretty exciting shows lined up. Make sure you check us out 鈥� in just five minutes or less we promise you鈥檒l learn more about the Fraser Valley than you ever realized 鈥� even if you have lived here all of your life like us.鈥�
With the success of the My North 91原创 fan page and Mobile Agent TV, Thorne is confident the Fraser Valley is ready and has an appetite for what the pair are about to deliver.
鈥淚 really think the people in our community are ready for something like this. It鈥檚 fun, it鈥檚 informative and it鈥檚 something that is for them.
鈥淩eally, it鈥檚 not about us. We want to involve and engage our viewers 鈥� this one belongs to you guys.鈥�
Even before the first episode was taped, the community was already rallying behind them, says Clark.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to already have a following on Facebook and Twitter. We also already have some fantastic sponsors on board and we鈥檙e now one of the official media sponsors of the 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In. We鈥檒l be taping on location on Saturday, Sept. 6, so come please come and say hello.鈥�
Fraser Valley 5 debuted last week. To watch the program, visit www.fraservalley5.com. You can also find out more at . Follow Fraser Valley 5 on Twitter @fraservalley5 and look for them on Facebook.
