🌸🧩 Apple Blossom Brain Teaser + Weekend Weather & Local Happenings

Winstigators,

With last month’s announcement of the Apple Blossom Festival theme for 2026 -and with the positive feedback from the puzzle I included a few weeks ago- I thought I’d create a crossword puzzle for you this week.

The theme for the crossword puzzle is the last names of former Grand Marshals of the Apple Blossom festival and you can play it here:

Pet Adoption!

Check out ready-to-go Koko, playful Bruno, happy Ginger, nosy Ralph,and snuggly Violet.

Events and happenings in Winchester and the surrounding territories this weekend:

Friday, December 12th

Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Winchester - Winchester Holiday Lights Trolley Tour, 8 PM

Backseat Events, Winchester - Spencer Hatcher, 8PM

Nibblins, Winchester - Classic French Holiday Dinner, 6:30 PM

Wandering Roots, Martinsburg - Succulent Christmas tree workshop, 6 PM

The Old Lucketts Store, Leesburg - Lucketts Holiday House December 11th-14th, 10 AM

Berkeley Springs WV, Berkeley Springs - Bath Christmas Market + Ice Skating, 12 PM

Restoration Fellowship Church, Strasburg - A Christmas Concert, 7 PM

Hollywood Casino At Charlestown Races, Charles Town - Stars That Shine 2025 Fundraising Gala, 6 PM

Russell Ridge Farm Market, Clear Brook - Christmas at the Farm, 6 PM

Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown - Book Bedazzling, 6 PM

Dirt Farm Brewing, Bluemont - Christmas M**der Mystery at Dirt Farm Brewing, 6 PM

Saint Andrews Mountain Community Center, Millville - Harpers Ferry Silent Book Club, 7 PM

Lark Brewing Co., Aldie - Ceramic Paint And Sip, 6:30 PM

Ohana Equestrian Preserve, Aldie - SIP AND PAINT AT OHANA, 6 PM

Creeks Edge Winery, Lovettsville - The Most Murderous Time of the Year Murder Mystery Event, 6 PM

End of the Road Farm, Hamilton - Holiday Wreath Making Workshop, 5:30 PM

Salamander Middleburg, Middleburg - Floating Sound Bath, 8 PM

Old Opera House Theatre Company, Charles Town - A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, 8 PM

4065 Florals, Sharpsburg - Praise and Pots Christmas!, 6 PM

Wild Roots Apothecary, Sperryville - Joy of Play Game Night with Rose, 5 PM

Dominion Valley Country Club, Haymarket, Virginia, Haymarket - Customer Appreciation Sip and Shop, 6 PM

Back Creek Valley Elementary, Hedgesville - Winter Craft Night, 6 PM

Saturday, December 13th

Handley Regional Library System, Winchester - Handley Library Tour - Behind the Scenes, 11 AM

Armstrong Concert Hall, Winchester - NW Works Chimers, 2:30 PM

Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester - Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, 5:30 PM

Goodson Chapel Recital Hall, Winchester - Flute Ensemble, 7:30 PM

West Oaks Farm Market, Winchester - Pictures with Santa, 10 AM

Kimberly’s, Winchester - A Very Merry Christmas Tea, 4PM

Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: June Smalls - Digging for Dinosaurs, Beneath the Streets, 11 AM

Bright Box Theater, Winchester - Clue Christmas" - A Murder Mystery Comedy Show // 7PM SHOW, 7 PM

Union Jack Pub, Winchester - The Ghost of Christmas Past (A Paranormal Investigation), 5:30 PM

Leesburg Animal Park, Leesburg - Christmas Village 2025 with Santa and The Grinch, 6 PM

Woodstock V.A., Woodstock - Hometown Holidays, 10 AM

Independent Fire Company Inc., Ranson - 2nd Annual Look At Frosty Go Handmade Craft Show, 9 AM

Jefferson Arts Council, Charles Town - Mildred's Merry Market at Happy Retreat, 10 AM

The Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard LLC, Winchester - Holiday Wreath Making Workshop, 1 PM

Black Draft Distillery, Martinsburg - Hopeless Semantics @ Black Draft Distillery!, 1 PM

Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Holly Jolly Fest, 12 PM

South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Company, Inwood - 🎅✨ Breakfast with Santa! ✨🎅, 8 AM

Shenandoah Valley Runners at Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce - 2025-2026 Winter Series #2 : Jingle Bell 5K, 9:30 AM

Simply Divine "Home Decor & Boutique", Martinsburg - Charcuterie & Chill Night, 6 PM

The Succulent Garden, Charles Town - Mason Jar Terrarium Workshop, 5 PM

Franklin Park Arts Center, Round Hill - 2025 Annual Holiday Concert, 7 PM

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town - Aaron Lewis in Charles Town, 8 PM

Park Heights Cemetery, Inc, Brunswick - Wreaths Across America, 12 PM

Blue Ridge Middle, Purcellville - Holidays in Purcellville Parade, 12 PM

Wardensville Garden Market, Wardensville - December Second Saturday at Wardensville Garden Market, 10 AM

Bear Chase Brewing Company, Bluemont - Dueling Pianos at Bear Chase!, 6 PM

Loudoun Valley Community Center - LVCC, Purcellville - Ornament Workshop, 2 PM

Monk's BBQ, Purcellville - Shannon and Moonlight Drive at Monks BBQ, 8 PM

Four Seasons Books, Shepherdstown - Four Seasons Books Annual Book Club Christmas Exchange, 7 PM

Bleu Frog Vineyards & Ole Bleu Brewery, Leesburg - Craftail Presents: "Bleu Chistmas" at Bleu Frog Vineyards, 10:30 AM

Russell Ridge Farm Market, Clear Brook - Christmas at the Farm, 6 PM

Sunday, December 14th

James Charles Winery & Vineyard, Winchester - Cousins Maine Lobster, 12 PM

Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester - Author Event: Norman Reid: Metes & Bounds: Virginia’s Walls and Fences in Photographs, 12 PM

The War Memorial Building, Shepherdstown - A Christmas Tea, 1 PM

Kimberly’s, Winchester - Wrapping and Wine, 4 PM

Wild Hare Cider Tasting Room (Berryville VA - Cidery USA), Berryville - Encore Comedy Show @ The Tasting Room, 6 PM

State Arboretum of Virginia, Boyce - Wild Gathering Community, 10 AM

Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Breakfast with Santa @ LBB, 9 AM

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - The Jingle Jam '25, 8 PM

Spanky’s Shenanigans, Leesburg - First Sunday live, 9 PM

Halfway Fire Company Bingo, Hagerstown - Christmas Spectacular Mega Bingo Bonanza, 10 AM

Makers Union Pub, Ashburn - Let It Snow Brunch!, 10 AM

Flying Ace Farm, Lovettsville - Live Music w/ Laura Cashman at Flying Ace Farm, 2 PM

Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery, Delaplane - Sundays at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery, 11 AM

Vault & Cellar, Middletown - Holiday Cookie Decorating Class at Vault and Cellar, 2 PM

Creeks Edge Winery, Lovettsville - Watercolor Workshop, 11 AM

Three Fox Vineyards & Farm Brewery, Delaplane - Create a Wreath Center-Piece, Enjoy Wine Tasting and Lunch, 10 AM

Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Sharpsburg - Jingle Bell Market, 10 AM

Charlies Art & Soul, Kearneysville - Winter Christmas Gnome on wood Paint Event, 2 PM

Friends of the Brunswick Library, Brunswick - FREE Art Class: Darning, 2 PM

Clear Spring American Legion, Clear Spring - Winter Paint Party, 1 PM

American Legion Post 71 WV, Charles Town - Brunch with Santa, 11 AM

Lark Brewing Co., Aldie - Washington vs. New York Watch Party, 1 PM

Armstrong Concert Hall, Winchester - Van Buren Winds, 2:30 PM

Reitano Vineyards, Front Royal - Suzie and Stephen Acoustic at Reitano Vinyards, 1 PM

Big Cork Vineyards, Rohrersville - Books & Bubbles Holiday Shop, 11 AM

Inwood Natures Market, Inwood - Medicinal Hot Cocoa Making w/ Homemade Herbal Marshmallows, 5 PM

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Have fun out there!