Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Shenandoah’s MLK Day service invites Winchester to serve together
Also, don't miss 90's Country Tribute on the Winchester Patch calendar
Good morning Winchester! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Shenandoah’s MLK Day service invites Winchester to serve together
- How will Winchester’s $874K federal grant change local fire services?
- Meet the Winchester girls joining Queen Shenandoah’s 2026 festival court
Also on today's calendar: Antique Silver & Brass Restoration Services: THURSDAY 10-4 and 4 more events.
Find out what's happening in Winchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Winchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 45 and low of 29 degrees.
- Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., temps: high: 43, low: 39.
- Monday: Rain in the morning, with a high of 59 and low of 24 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Shenandoah University to Host MLK Jr. Remembrance Service (thewinchestergazette.com) — Shenandoah University is inviting the Winchester community to its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service of Remembrance on Jan. 19, 2026, at Goodson Chapel on the main campus. Attendees can hear civil rights pioneer Dr. Betty Kilby Fisher Baldwin, enjoy music from the Harambee Gospel Choir, and stay for a free meal-packing project for Rise Against Hunger that supports global school feeding programs. 
2. First responders in Virginia get $20M boost in federal funding for staffing, training, more (augustafreepress.com) — Winchester’s fire department is set to receive $874,343 in federal SAFER grant funding, part of more than $20 million going to first responders across Virginia. The money will help bolster staffing, training, and resources for local firefighters and EMS, aiming to strengthen emergency response in the city and surrounding communities.
3. Little Maids Selected for Queen Shenandoah XCIX Court (thewinchestergazette.com) — Six local girls from Winchester and nearby communities have been chosen as Little Maids for Queen Shenandoah XCIX in the 2026 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, with several attending Winchester schools and playing on local teams. They’ll take part in the coronation at John Handley High School on May 1 and ride the Queen’s float in the Grand Feature Parade on May 2, continuing long family traditions in the festival court.
4. Former Winchester Commonwealth's Attorney Killed in Crash (thewinchestergazette.com) — Winchester-area residents are mourning Paul Hampton Thomson, the city’s former longtime Commonwealth’s Attorney, who died in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Christmas Eve near Clear Brook in Frederick County. Authorities say the Mazda convertible left Hopewell Road, struck a culvert, and flipped, and investigators have not yet determined what caused the crash.
📸 Around Winchester
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 Winchester
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- 90's Country Tribute
Bright Box Theater, 15 N Loudoun St, Winchester
8:00 pm
Saturday December 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Backseat Event Center
Backseat Events USA , 114 Full House Dr , Winchester
8:00 pm - Rotary Club of the Northern Shenandoah Valley
Region's 117 (Skyline Room) , 180 Bald Eagle Dr , Lake Frederick
6:00 pm - First Friday @ WBG – Live Art!
Top of Virginia Regional Chamber , 7 N Loudoun , Winchester
5:00 pm - Champagne Saturday
Top of Virginia Regional Chamber , 450 Green Spring Rd , Winchester
12:00 pm - Author Event: A.S. McConnell - Christmas Miracle
The Winchester Book Gallery , 7 North Loudoun Street , Winchester
12:00 pm - Antique Silver & Brass Restoration Services: THURSDAY 10-4
6830 Elm St, Suite 9, McLean, VA, 22101
10:00 pm
Saturday December 27
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Thursday January 8
📣 Winchester 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
- Day Hike: Cool Spring Battlefield, Bluemont, VA
Shenandoah University River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield , 1400 Parker Ln , Bluemont
10:00 am - Chess at Bowman Library
Bowman Library , 871 Tasker Rd , Stephens City
10:00 am - Family Build Time
Bowman Library , 871 Tasker Rd , Stephens City
11:00 am - Movie Saturdays at Bowman
Bowman Library , 871 Tasker Rd , Stephens City
1:00 pm - Twisted Oak Farm Brewery hosts Jim Snedeker Music
Twisted Oak Farm Brewery , 912 White Post Rd , White Post
3:00 pm
Saturday December 27
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 Winchester PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - FREE Water Testing - JR Snider Water Care & Plumbing — (703) 454-8921
JR Snider – Your Local Water Care & Plumbing Experts - Sparkling squad — (154) 032-7823
Cleaning services - Light of Lotus Massage Therapy — (540) 335-5258
Mobile massage therapy - Sparkling Squad — (550) 327-8233
Cleaning services - Plumbing Services | No Dispatch Fees | AllTech Services — (703) 495-3466
No Dispatch Fees for Plumbing Services!
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
- Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 to everyone and especially to my grandson,Jeremy and his wife,Lillian + his 2 children ( Leo 3 and Scarlett 1/2 ).
He's serving in the Army, 82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg N.C. (Nextdoor West Winchester) - Merry Christmas!
Here’s hoping your home is merry, bright and filled with love and laughter. (Nextdoor Pembridge-Darby)
- Valley Health posted a job opening for Housekeeper/Floor Crew - Full Time First Shift in Winchester. Apply here.
- Monoflo International posted a job opening for Night Shift Assembler - Manufacturing - Plastic Industry in Winchester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Winchester here.
Ok Winchester! 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 have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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