🌱 Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival​ + Successful K-9 Adoption Event

Hey, everybody! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Winchester Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Monday started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A couple of morning showers. High: 46 Low: 30.
• Tuesday: Windy and colder. High: 39 Low: 29.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Winchester who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Winchester:

1. The 96th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester will take place Apr. 28 to May 2 with over 40 events. The first event, 'Miss Honorary Fire Chief Contest,' starts before the festival on Mar. 18 at Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester. Followed by Old Town Winchester Artisan & Crafter Show, Apple Blossom Carnival Powers Great American Midways, and United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest on Apr. 28. View the link to see the full schedule. (The Bloom)
2. On Saturday, Mar. 11, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service held an adoption event in Winchester for dogs retired from the State Department's explosives-detection K-9 program. Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent Patrick Mitchell said the event was a "huge success," and all 24 dogs were adopted in less than two hours. Mitchell said the Diplomatic Security Service "does whatever it can to ensure these four-legged warriors are adopted and have the chance to relax and enjoy life after their years of service keeping U.S. diplomats safe." (ABC 7 News)
3. The City of Winchester has a new stormwater utility web page to provide updates to the community. The web page also includes links to previous Council meeting discussions as well as consolidated information about projects, fees, and credits. See the agenda for the next Council stormwater discussion here, and the meeting is expected to take place on Mar. 14. (City of Winchester VA - Local Government via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Winchester:

Monday, March 13

• Pilates Fitness Class At Shingleton Gym (6:00 PM)
• Apparition Trail Ghost Tours of Old Town Winchester At The steps of the John Handley Library (7:00 PM)

Tuesday, March 14

• Sip and Paint At Easely Created Winchester (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Winchester AARP Tax-Aide service is preparing both federal and state tax returns for free at the War Memorial Building in Jim Barnett Park, 1001 Cork Street in Winchester! You do not have to be retired or an AARP member to have your tax returns prepared. Call 901-249-0322 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to schedule an appointment. (Winchester Star)
• 'Caring for the Caregiver' conference is a free event for all caregivers assisting older adults in aging and related services. On Mar. 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Winchester Church of God, located at 2080 N. Frederick Pike. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as well as representatives from Blue Ridge Hospice, Access Independence, and more. Call Janie Seymour at 540-535-9775 or email jseymour@DementiaMattersUSA.org for more information. (Winchester Star)
• Looking for your dream home or just curious about the prices of homes in your area? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Winchester area, including a large three-bedroom on Tye Court for $337,990! (Winchester Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday. 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!