Friends of Old Town

First Wednesday Community Information Night
2027-12-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-11-03 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-10-06 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-09-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-08-04 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-07-07 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-06-02 17:30 - 19:00, 2027-05-05 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) and 12 more dates | Bridging the Gaps, 31 S. Braddock Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Addiction is a struggle — for the person and their loved ones. That’s why at Bridging the Gaps, we’re offering 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, a 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜.
This October, attendees will be able to receive Acudetox (ear acupuncture), a technique used in addiction recovery to help reduce cravings, manage stress and anxiety, ease insomnia, and support healing.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
▪️Receive Acudetox treatment from our nurse trained as a NADA Acudetox Specialist
▪️Q&A with our clinicians and admissions team
▪️Practical tools and resources for recovery
▪️Connections to local support and community resources
▪️Light refreshments provided
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝:
💜 Individuals struggling with addiction
💜 Family & friends supporting someone in addiction or recovery
💜 Community members interested in learning more

FREE Midday at The YDC!
2026-05-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Youth Development Center, 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Midday at The YDC is a relaxed, inclusive daytime program designed to give families a place to connect, learn, and spend meaningful time together. Open to all school-aged children and their caregivers, this drop-in experience invites families to use The YDC as a community space that supports curiosity, creativity, and connection.
During Midday at The YDC, families have access to our reading rooms, art supplies, game room, and esports room, allowing children of mixed ages to explore interests at their own pace. Parents and caregivers are required to remain with their children at all times, making this a shared experience that encourages engagement and community building.
This program takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and is open to all families, whether you homeschool, have a day off from school, or are simply looking for a welcoming place to spend part of your day. The cost is $5 per day per family, and the first Tuesday of each month is free. Families are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks and enjoy the space in a way that works best for them.
Midday at The YDC creates room in the day for learning, creativity, and belonging, right in the heart of our community.

Author Event: William F. Gray - It Sleeps Below
2026-05-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
After thirteen-year-old Samantha Morris almost drowned in her parents’ lake, the nightmares that followed paled in comparison to the real-life horrors of watching her mother descend into madness. By the end of the summer, Kate Morris disappeared without a trace. Now an adult, Samantha is faced with another unexpected loss in her partner Ellie as well as the return of the nightmares.
Only now, they’re bleeding into her waking hours, forcing her to question herown sanity, and they’re only getting worse. As the line between real and imaginary continue to blur, physical manifestations of her dreams beg the question: is she losing her mind like her mother, or is she being targeted by something far more sinister? Love craftian cosmic horror and dark mystery meet to form It Sleeps Below, a horror novel with grief and loss at its black, beating heart.

Author Event: James and Nichole - 'Twas Night Before Apple Blossom
2026-05-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Within ‘Twas the Night Before Apple Blossom, there are illustrations in a series of watercolor style images commissioned to capture the festival experience. As a loose adaptation of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”, it is written in poetic style with some traditional lines and historical facts interwoven into the personal narrative. The book shares about the significance of the apple orchards throughout the region and describes several key elements of the Festival including the Firefighters’ Parade, the Grand Feature Parade, Fireworks over Handley and the Midway/Carnival.

Author Event: Katherine Applegate, Kate DiCamillo, John Schu
2026-04-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Kate DiCamillo is one of America’s most beloved storytellers. She is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, a two-time Newbery Medalist, and the author of Orris and Timble: The Beginning and Orris and Timble: Lost and Found. John Schu was previously the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs and has worked as a classroom teacher and school librarian; he advocates for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, schools, and the libraries—and librarians—that connect them! He is the author of the picture books This Is a School, This Is a Story, and young adult novel, Louder Than Hunger. Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including The One and Only Ivan, Wishtree, Crenshaw, the Endling series, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter book series, and the Animorphs series. Stop in April 28th to meet all three authors and grab signed copies of their books!

Author Event: Will Hackman - Radically Reframing Climate Change: A Guide to Saving Ourselves
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Author Will Hackman identifies three main obstacles to solving climate change: polarization, paralysis, and stale, ineffective messaging. He empowers readers to turn their anxiety or apathy into passion, and anger into action at the personal, community, and government levels. Come celebrate Apple Blossom, Independent Bookstore Day, and Will Hackman’s new release! He will be here to sign books, answer questions about his book, and chat about anything climate related.

Greener Living Day at The YDC!
2026-04-25 11:00 - 16:00 | Youth Development Center, 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Greener Living Day is a free, community-centered sustainability event hosted by The YDC, designed to inspire environmentally conscious living through education, hands-on experiences, and local connection. This free event brings together families, community members, and local organizations for a day focused on learning, growing, and working toward a greener future.
Throughout the day, attendees can explore interactive planting and horticulture stations, learn practical sustainability tips from guest speakers, and connect with local businesses and organizations committed to environmental stewardship. Participants will have the opportunity to plant something of their own, either to take home or to contribute to The YDC’s growing community garden, a youth-led initiative that will continue beyond the event.
Greener Living Day also features live music, art, and ongoing activities that make sustainability accessible, engaging, and fun for all ages. With presentations on plant care, greener living practices, and the value of sustainability in everyday life, the event offers meaningful takeaways while celebrating community collaboration.
At its heart, Greener Living Day is about bringing people together, strengthening local partnerships, and empowering youth and families to play an active role in caring for the world around them. We invite the community to join us for a day of learning, connection, and shared responsibility as we grow something lasting together.
LIVE PERFORMANCE BY: The 5th Mode Collective
Confirmed Community Partners:
Moon Base Farm
Michael Recycle
Hillary Sortor
The Nature Journaling Club
WinReady
Jordan Herring, The Native Plant Festival
Bee City USA
Northern Shenandoah Valley Extension Master Gardener Association
WSPCA
Julia Carter and Carie Holbrook, Public Services
Sustainability Matters
Publisher Holistic Living Now
The Station Mobile Cafe
Apple Hill Farm

NOVA+ Bookstore Crawl
2026-04-25 - 2026-05-31 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day and kick off a month-long literary adventure with the 2026 Bookstore Crawl! Beginning April 25, swing by any participating indie bookstore to pick up your official printed passport, then start exploring throughout the month of May.

Independent Bookstore Day 2026
2026-04-25 | V
The Winchester Book Gallery is delighted to be celebrating the 13th Independent Bookstore Day! We will be open 9 am to 9 pm with fun for everyone! There will be snacks and book fun all day long! Please stop in: play and shop with us!

Independent Bookstore Day 2026
2026-04-25 | V
JOIN US FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY!
This national one-day party held the last Saturday in April celebrates independent bookstores across the country online and in-store. Through exclusive books and literary items, celebrations, and everything in between, it’s a book party you don’t want to miss!

Author Event: Joshua Putnam - A Heavy Metal History Lesson
2026-04-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
A Heavy Metal History Lesson is the world’s first collection of stories that delve into the historical events and figures that inspired ten different heavy metal songs. Art has long served as a vessel for history—whether through poetry, musicals, literature, or film—presenting world history to the masses, with varying degrees of accuracy. A Heavy Metal History Lesson aims to educate headbangers about world history and the events that inspired some of their favorite tracks!
