Happy Wednesday Winstigators!
I wanted to highlight a hidden gem here in Winchester: Blue Plate Books.
Tucked away in a small shopping center behind the Dairy Queen on Valley Avenue, Blue Plate is a used bookstore that’s quickly become one of my favorite spots. When I was Christmas shopping for a friend who loves vintage cookbooks, I stopped scrolling on eBay and headed over there instead. Sure enough, they had plenty to choose from, and I grabbed two that he’s been raving about ever since.
From the outside, the store looks pretty unassuming, but step inside and you’ll quickly realize you’re in a book lover’s paradise. There are tens of thousands of books covering everything from classic literature, mysteries, rare and autographed books to children’s books and graphic novels. My favorite section might be the old standing refrigerator just inside the door that’s been retrofitted into a bookcase, packed with vintage pulp fiction from the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s.
The atmosphere is part of the charm. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, but they let you browse at your own pace. If you need help finding something, they’re happy to point you in the right direction. And because most of the inventory is used or out of print, the prices are great. When I stopped in this past weekend, I picked up two books for my son and a hardcover biography for myself for under $15.
You never quite know what you’ll find at Blue Plate Books, but chances are you’ll walk out with something you didn’t know you were looking for!
Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday!
A quick reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, which means we “spring forward” and move our clocks one hour ahead before bed Saturday night.
Yeah, we lose an hour of sleep but for me the tradeoff is worth it…longer, brighter evenings are back! That means more time after work to get outside, walk the dog, grab dinner on the walking mall, or catch a sunset in the Valley.
Spring is getting closer!
Homes Of The Week!
Events and Happenings in Winchester and the surrounding territories:
Friday, March 6th
Winchester Brew Works, Winchester - Terrarium Workshop, 6 PM
Martinsburg Public Library, Martinsburg - Friends of Main Street Social, 5 PM
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Charles Town - The Sound of Music, 7 PM
Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, Millville - Notaviva Bluegrass Jam, 5 PM
Samuels Public Library, Front Royal - Scottish Cèilidh Fundraiser, 6 PM
Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery, Edinburg - First Friday! Cousins Maine Lobster & Taylor LaFever at Wolf Gap Vineyard, 6 PM
Winchester Brew Works, Winchester - Sip & Start @ Winchester Brew Works, 6 PM
Stephens City Moose Lodge, Stephens City - Local Boy Timmy @ Stephens City Moose Lodge, 7 PM
On Cue Sports Bar & Grill, Front Royal - Bearded Harmony Live @ On Cue Sports Bar & Grill, 8 PM
4Js Farm and Brewery, Warrenton - 4Js Farm Brewery-Warrenton, Virginia, 4 PM
Mountaineer Meat Smokers, Martinsburg - Mountaineer Meat Smokers - Mack Berry, 7 PM
Middleburg Community Charter School, Middleburg - Scholastic Book Fair, Ongoing
Harvest Gap Brewery, Hillsboro - Standup Comedy at Harvest Gap Brewery! (Hillsboro, VA), 8 PM
Saturday, March 7th
St. Theresa’s School, Ashburn - Spring Kids’ Consignment Sale, 9 AM
Moon Phased, Winchester - Guest Reading: Mad Hatter Tarot, 11 AM
Lovettsville Game Club, Lovettsville - The Lovettsville Game Club’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, 5 PM
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - The Legwarmers, 7 PM
Berkeley Springs Moose Lodge 1483, Berkeley Springs - Moose Legion Celebration, 12 PM
Franklin Regional Park, Purcellville - Sprint to Spring - 5K, 9 AM
Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville - The Gourd-geous Art of Gourd Carving, 10 AM
West Oaks Farm Market, Winchester - Farm to Table Dinner and Auction, 5:30 PM
Hillbilly Heaven Bar and Grill, Berkeley Springs - Line Dance Night at Hillbilly Heaven!, 7 PM
Lost Barrel Brewing, Middleburg - Lucky Charm Party, 2 PM
Berkeley Springs High School, Berkeley Springs - 2026 Fishing Show & Flea Market, 8 AM
Monk's BBQ, Purcellville - Mark Cullinane @ Monk's BBQ, 7 PM
Ranson Civic Center, Ranson - 2026 Ranson Race 5K and Health & Wellness Fair, 10 AM
Toms Brook Volunteer Fire Department, Toms Brook - Into the Vault Card Show, 9 AM
Crust, Berkeley Springs - Paws & Paint @ Crust, 12 PM
Amvets Post 11, Woodstock - Chili Cook Off & Membership Drive, 12 PM
Orlean Market & Pub, Orlean - Khalil Nazar Live at Orlean Market & Pub, 6:30 PM
Escutcheon Brewing, Winchester - Full Contact Ping Pong VI, 11 AM
Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, Woodstock - Ducks Unlimited Chapter #080 Spring Banquet, 4 PM
Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery, Edinburg - Cole Larravide at Wolf Gap Vineyard, 2 PM
Sunday, March 8th
Water's End Brewery at The Dell, Leesburg - Comedian ZANE LAMPREY • Leesburg, VA, 8 PM
The Venue by Brix27, Martinsburg - Spring Wedding Expo, 11 AM
Smoketown Brewery, Brunswick - 2026 Smoketown Brewery 5k/10k, 12:30 PM
Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg - Ballyhoo!, 6 PM
Wolf Gap Vineyard & Winery, Edinburg - Joe Martin at Wolf Gap Vineyard, 2 PM
Peaceful Fields Sanctuary, Winchester - Mar Volunteer Day at Peaceful Fields Sanctuary, 11 AM
The Studio, Front Royal - Shenandoah Winter Paint Party, 2 PM
Berryville Moose Lodge #2139, Berryville - March Mayhem, 10 AM
Fuzzy Dog Books & Music, Charles Town - Thriller Book Club, 3 PM
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Have fun out there!
