🌱 Apple Blossom Festival Highlights + NFL Player Visits Winchester

Hello, everybody. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Winchester Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Humid with a stray t-storm. High: 79 Low: 55.
• Tuesday: Cooler with showers around. High: 62 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories today in Winchester:

1. Actor Sean Astin and his daughter, Bella, participated in this year's Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, with Bella being crowned the 2023 Apple Blossom Queen. The Shenandoah festival, which began in 1924 in Winchester, has evolved from a one-day event to a 10-day celebration that attracts approximately 250,000 participants. Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Mary Tyler Moore are among the famous celebrities who have served as Grand Marshals over the years. (DC News Now)
2. Winchester local turned-pro football player Nazeeh Johnson was in attendance at the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Sports Breakfast this weekend. Johnson, a graduate of Millbrook High School, was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft in 2022 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Although he did not take any defensive snaps last year, Johnson eventually became arguably the most productive Chiefs special teamer, and he went on to win the Super Bowl with the team. (The Winchester Star)
3. Winchester's Timmy Campbell and Claire Snell, both 14, emerged as the champions with the fastest times in the boys' and girls' categories respectively at the Shenandoah Valley Orthodontics Kids Bloomin' Mile event. More than 960 children aged between 6-14 participated, with Campbell and Snell both beating their times from the previous year. Campbell won in 5:24.9, while Snell finished in 5:55.6 – 10 seconds faster than the 2019 girls' champion. (The Winchester Star)

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Today and tomorrow in Winchester:

Monday, May 8

• Preschool Playtime At Handley Regional Library (10:30 AM)

Tuesday, May 9

• Oak Stone Happy Hour At Oak Stone Craft Pizza And Bar (5:00 PM)
• Mariachi Night At Manolete's Taqueria Gourmet (5:30 PM)
• Combination Planter Workshop At Horton's Nursery LLC (5:30 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Winchester to know about, too? We want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest. And if you’re looking for some inspiration, have a look at these awesome moms!

From my notebook:

• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening this week in the Winchester area at the link. (Winchester Patch)
• Pupdate: Bones, a dog who was adopted from the Winchester Area SPCA, is reportedly very happy and has opened up a lot" in his new home. See photos of Bones at his new home at the link. (Winchester Area SPCA via Facebook)
• Something to make you smile: Winchester Police Department's resident "good boy" Leo sporting his fancy hat over the weekend. (Winchester Police Department via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!