April 1, 2026
The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce was proud to be represented at the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission’s Building Together: Housing Solutions for Stronger Communities regional housing summit. Our Chamber President joined housing partners from across our five county region for a full day of collaboration, learning, and conversation focused on one of the most pressing issues facing our businesses and workforce: housing availability and affordability.
The summit brought together elected officials, local government staff, housing developers, service providers, and community leaders for powerful discussions, including:
A keynote on regional housing trends
A thoughtful panel on housing considerations for aging and veteran households
Insights on zoning and land use decisions and their impact on community health
A panel highlighting innovative and successful affordable housing projects happening across Virginia
From breakfast networking sponsored by People Incorporated to engaging lunch keynotes and in depth panels, the day reinforced a clear message: housing is a critical workforce issue. Our businesses cannot grow and thrive without safe, accessible, and affordable housing options for employees across all stages of life.
Thank you to the Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission and all participating partners for leading this important regional conversation. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work alongside our community partners to support housing solutions that strengthen our local economy and quality of life.
April 2, 2026
We were pleased to join Culpeper Renaissance Inc. in hosting a joint ribbon cutting to celebrate the restructuring and new location of the Culpeper Artisan Collective. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for the Collective and its growing community of artists and makers.
The new space is bright, welcoming, and filled with beautiful, locally created art that reflects the creativity and talent found throughout our region. In addition to the retail gallery, the back of the space features dedicated workshop areas for classes and a sensory room, expanding opportunities for hands on learning, inclusion, and creative expression.
We congratulate the Culpeper Artisan Collective on this achievement and look forward to seeing how this new location continues to enrich Culpeper’s arts and small business community.
April 4, 2026
Yesterday, we were excited to celebrate a ribbon cutting for Jordan Walther, State Farm, marking an important milestone for this local business. Community members, Chamber ambassadors, and supporters gathered to welcome Jordan and her team and to show support for their continued commitment to serving the Culpeper area.
Jordan Walther State Farm provides trusted insurance and financial services with a strong focus on personalized service and community relationships. We appreciate their investment in Culpeper and are proud to recognize their business growth.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to help celebrate and welcome Jordan Walther State Farm to the Chamber community.
April 7, 2026
Tom Tom Festival | April 22–26 | Charlottesville, VA
This year’s Tom Tom Festival returns with the powerful theme Courage in Community, bringing together innovators, creatives, and leaders to spark meaningful conversations and action.
On Thursday, April 23, we’re especially excited about a series of thought provoking panels at Live Arts Theater focused on Building a Dementia Friendly Future. These sessions explore what it truly means to show courage through inclusion, visibility, and advocacy:
-Courage to Include
-Courage to Be Seen
-Courage to Ask
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Courage to Include: Building Dementia Friendly Businesses and Communities
We are proud to announce that Amy Frazier, President of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, will be a panelist for this session! Amy will share insights on:
-Why it makes sense for businesses to be recognized as dementia friendly
-The Culpeper community’s experience and progress
-The role Chambers of Commerce can play in driving change
-How small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference
Join us for an inspiring conversation about compassion, community, and the courage to create spaces where everyone belongs.
Learn more about the festival and full schedule at Tom Tom Foundation or tomtomfoundation.org
April 13, 2026
On Saturday, we were honored to attend the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary Banquet, celebrating both a major milestone and the people who have served this community with dedication over the decades.
The evening recognized department members for years of service, call volume, and long standing commitment. Length of service awards were presented for milestones ranging from 15 to 60 years, highlighting decades of dedication to Brandy Station and the surrounding community. Among those recognized were Bobby Jenkins for 40 years of service and Tony Troilo for an extraordinary 60 years of service. The department also reflected on its rich history, including operating Culpeper County’s first tanker and launching the county’s first junior firefighter program.
Several awards highlighted exceptional service:
Training Award – Zach Angel
This award recognizes a member who logs extensive training hours to develop and maintain a wide range of skills. Zach completed 112 training hours, contributing more than 260 total man-hours, while balancing a full time job, family life, and progress toward Firefighter II.
EMS Provider of the Year – Lt. Patrick Glascock
This award honors a member who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication through EMS response, training, and professionalism. Lt. Glascock answered 95 EMS calls and logged more than 1,100 service hours, always focused on quality patient care.
“Irons” Award – Charles Bullard
Named for the halligan bar and flat head axe, the most depended upon tools in the fire service, this award recognizes a non officer whose defining trait is dependability. Charles answered more than 200 calls and contributed over 1,100 service hours, consistently completing every task asked of him.
Richard “Bunny” Jones Firefighter of the Year – Ryan Turner
This award recognizes outstanding service in firefighting duties, training, fundraising, and personal achievement. Ryan was one of the department’s top call responders with more than 200 calls and contributed over 1,600 service hours while working full-time and supporting his family.
R.J. Bryce Award – Rick Lane
The department’s highest honor, this award recognizes a lifetime of commitment and contributions to the success and advancement of the department. With more than 40 years of service, over 300 calls answered, and decades of leadership, training, and dedication, Rick Lane represents the highest traditions of Brandy Station VFD.
The Junior Firefighter Award was presented to Brody Clatterbuck for outstanding commitment to service, training, fundraising, firefighting performance, and school. Brody logged more than 500 service hours and over 200 training hours while earning Firefighter I and HazMat Operations.
Joseph and Bootsie Troilo Memorial Service Award – P.W. Stilwell Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
This award honors a community member or business whose long term support has strengthened the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department and the community it serves. PW Stillwell has supported the department and numerous local organizations since the 1970s through service, generosity, and unwavering commitment, serving as a role model for community service.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you to every volunteer, past and present, who has helped make 75 years of Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department service possible. Your dedication continues to protect and strengthen our community.
April 13, 2026
CulpeperFest is just 59 days away and will be here before we know it!
There is still time to reserve your booth space for one of the most anticipated events in our community. We’re excited to be back at the Germanna Community College Daniel Technology Center, with the return of the Soundwave Showdown, Danny’s Bouncy House Rentals, and so much more planned to entertain an expected 4,000+ attendees.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of CulpeperFest 2026. Visit www.culpeperfest.com to register today!
We are grateful for the support of our Signature Sponsor, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center!
April 14, 2026
Amy had the opportunity to serve on the Classified Employee of the Year panel for Culpeper County Public Schools, and it was truly inspiring. Every nominee was impressive. It was an honor to learn about them, hear their stories, and witness their passion firsthand.
These individuals are truly integral to our school system. From transportation and maintenance to paraeducators, custodial staff, payroll, behavioral interventionists, language pathologists, bookkeepers, IT professionals, and more, they are the people who keep our schools running smoothly every single day.
Each nominee demonstrated a deep commitment to our schools and, most importantly, to our children. We are so grateful for your hard work and dedication, and we congratulate each of you on this well deserved recognition.
A special congratulations to Mr. W. at Emerald Hill Elementary School, CCPS Classified Employee of the Year! Your hard work truly makes a difference. Thank you for being a role model, for connecting with the children you serve, and for consistently showing up for your school and your colleagues.
We celebrate you all!
April 16, 2026
Today, we were honored to host a ribbon cutting celebrating the newly renovated offices of Hospice of the Piedmont. This thoughtful remodel allows their team to use space more efficiently while better supporting both staff and those they serve.
The updated office features a large conference space, improved offices for staff, and dedicated areas where field staff can work, recharge, or take a break between visits. These improvements strengthen Hospice of the Piedmont’s ability to continue providing compassionate care while supporting the wellbeing of their team.
We are grateful for Hospice of the Piedmont’s 45 years of service and support to our community and were proud to celebrate this important milestone with them.
The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce’s Lead Culpeper cohort spent an incredible April session immersed in one of our community’s most vital industries — Agriculture!
The day kicked off bright and early at CFC Farm & Home Center, where participants learned about the past, present, and future of agriculture in Culpeper County during an engaging Ag Experts Panel. A huge thank‑you to
our knowledgeable speakers:
Brittan Green, CFC Farm & Home Center
Ashley Appling, Virginia Cooperative Extension – Culpeper Unit
Stephanie Emmel, Culpeper County Farm Bureau
Savannah Smith, Culpeper Young Farmers
Roy Boldridge, Homeland Farm (2025 Agribusiness of the Year)
Gretchen Lednor, Carver Food Enterprise Center
The cohort also enjoyed a behind‑the‑scenes tour of the CFC feed mill before heading out to experience more of Culpeper’s agricultural sites.
🌱Stops throughout the day included:
Windmill Heights Garden Center, Inc., with an informative tour led by Paul Hutcheson
A Pizza Buffet lunch at Far Gohn Brewing Company, hosted by Steve Gohn
A memorable visit to Kildee Farm, where Joyce & Wayne Brown shared their family’s farming story, highlighted the role of 4‑H, introduced participants to farm animals, and showcased historic agricultural equipment that illustrates how farming has evolved across generations
Finishing strong with a tour and tasting at Belmont Farm Distillery, led by Chuck Miller
From feed mills and greenhouses to 4‑H youth development, farm animals, historical equipment, modern agribusiness, and distilling, Agriculture Day showcased the depth, heritage, and innovation of Culpeper’s agricultural community.
Thank you to all of our hosts and speakers for sharing your time, expertise, and passion — and to our Lead Culpeper participants for another outstanding day of learning and connection!
April 21, 2026
We had a great time celebrating Deep Roots Home and Garden Center with a ribbon cutting for their new Culpeper location. The new location is packed with a wide variety of plants and beautiful greenery, showcasing the quality and care Deep Roots is known for.
To mark the occasion, Deep Roots is offering specials at both of their locations, making it a perfect time to stop by and shop. We are excited to welcome Deep Roots to Culpeper and wish them continued success as they grow their presence in our community.
Deep Roots HGC – Culpeper
19065 Greens Corner Road, Culpeper, VA 22701
Deep Roots HGC – Rhoadesville
28284 Constitution Hwy., Rhoadesville, VA 22542
(540) 854-5093
April 22, 2026
Missed the State of the Community or want to watch it again? The full event recording is now available. Hear insights and conversations focused on Culpeper’s future, from economic growth and public safety to health, childcare, and long‑term planning.
Watch the recording and catch up on what’s shaping our community.
https://youtu.be/c-56PJR6T2g?si=BEy9vN1GRVr-dqlR
April 23, 2026
What an amazing day at Women’s LIFT. We spent time connecting, making new friends, and reminding ourselves of the power we hold within and together. Nicole Weston of Restore Peace Painting Retreats shared a powerful reminder that we can’t truly connect with and lift others until we first connect with ourselves. That
message carried through our conversations, reflections, and shared moments throughout the day.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors whose support made this event possible:
✨Signature Sponsor: Germanna Community College
✨Empower Sponsors: All Install, Atlantic Union Bank, Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery, Culpeper Times, Trish Hulsey – State Farm Agent
✨Encourage Sponsors: : 103.1 WJMA, Classic Hits 105.5 & 95.3 Sam-FM, Culpeper Business Women, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center, YHB | CPA’s & Consultants, YHB | CPA’s & Consultants
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, whose support made this event possible. Connected We Lift.
April 24, 2026
Yesterday, Amy had the incredible opportunity to serve as a panelist at the Tom Tom Festival in Charlottesville—a week of music, art, and ideas centered on this year’s powerful theme: Courage.
Blue Ridge Respite hosted three impactful panel discussions focused on “Courage in Community: Building a Dementia Friendly Future.” Amy was honored to participate as a panelist in “Courage to Include: Building Dementia Friendly Businesses and Communities,” and to attend all three discussions.
We were also proud to see Ellen Phipps, Executive Director of Aging Together and a Chamber Board member, serve as a panelist during the session entitled “Courage to Ask | Caring for the Care Partner.” Ellen’s perspective highlighted the critical importance of supporting caregivers.
The event was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities come together to raise awareness and understanding of dementia for those living with the disease, their caregivers, businesses, and neighbors alike.
Amy’s presentation focused on:
• Why being dementia friendly makes sense for businesses and the competitiveadvantage that comes with it
• How Culpeper became one of only 10 Dementia Friendly Communities in the Commonwealth, and the important role the Chamber played
• Small changes businesses can make that have a big impactKey takeaways:
• Dementia friendly businesses are customer friendly businesses for everyone. If a business isn’t easy to use, customers and caregivers will simply go elsewhere.
• Inclusion is good for business and good for Culpeper.
• Dementia friendly training is not about diagnosing it’s about noticing when someone may need support and helping them navigate community spaces with dignity.
• You don’t need a renovation or a new budget line item to be dementia friendly. Simple but powerful changes your business can make include:
• Speaking slowly and clearly
• Not rushing transactions
• Offering a quiet space to collect thoughts
• Using clear signage with simple words and symbols
• Knowing how to calmly assist someone who appears confused
• Responding with patience instead of correction
• Using good lighting and reducing background noise when possible. When businesses make small changes, people with dementia don’t feel like a problem to manage—they feel like they belong. And that’s the future we’re building.
April 27, 2026
A Successful Earth Day Cleanup!
Culpeper Young Professionals were excited to host an Earth Day cleanup and proud to partner with the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office – Timothy W. Chilton for this impactful effort! Together with local citizens, Young Professionals and CCSO Staff, we tackled a 2‑mile stretch of Route 29 South and collected an incredible 2,400 pounds of trash in just one day.
Thanks to CCSO for helping us create a safe work zone by temporarily closing the right lane where needed, and for ensuring all volunteers were properly equipped with PPE.
And thank you to our local refuse partners who showed up big with helping hands and two trucks—Updike Industries and GFL Environmental for being willing to jump in and support our community!
We’re incredibly grateful to the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office and all of our amazing volunteers who came out to support this initiative. Your time, teamwork, and dedication truly make a difference.
April 27, 2026
We enjoyed a beautiful day at the
Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Culpeper Latino Market at 470 James Madison Highway in Culpeper. It was a pleasure to help welcome another wonderful business from the Rodriguez family and celebrate their continued investment in our community.
Culpeper Latino Market imports approximately 95% of its products, creating a nostalgic and authentic shopping experience for customers. Guests at the celebration were treated to delicious paletas, tacos, and pupusas, making the event even more memorable.
We are excited to have Culpeper Latino Market as part of our local business community and wish the Rodriguez family much success in this new venture.
April 28, 2026
The CulpeperFest Soundwave Showdown is back. We are excited to announce the return of the Soundwave Showdown music competition, in partnership with Jewell Tone Music & Art.
Preliminary competition dates will be announced soon. The top three bands will earn bragging rights and battle it out for a righteous trophy on the main stage at CulpeperFest 2026 on June 12. Think your band has what it takes?
Register today:
https://forms.office.com/r/GCQfQgKxGG
April 28, 2026
We enjoyed attending A Day in Our World, hosted by our member Generations Central Adult Day Center.
This engaging event gave us a firsthand look at the incredible services they provide to families in our community. Upon arrival, we were given a “Brain Battery” to charge by visiting five interactive activity stations. Each station highlighted fun, meaningful ways to keep the brain active and healthy.
It was a fun and informative evening, and we loved learning more about how Generations Central supports individuals and caregivers every day. Thank you for welcoming us and sharing your world with us.
April 29, 2026
If you enjoyed the photos we shared from Women’s LIFT last week, we want to take a
moment to recognize one of the talented people behind the camera. Thank you to Amanda Lane of People Inc. for capturing the connections, conversations, and moments that made the day so meaningful. We are grateful for her time, talent, and support.
April 30, 2026
We had such a fun and energizing morning at our April BEFORE Hours Networking Social at PlayDate Children’s Museum. Members connected, explored the space, and were reminded just how powerful play can be, not only for kids, but for building community too.
Play is essential to healthy development, helping children build cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills while supporting creativity and problem-solving. Hands‑on, unstructured play strengthens brain development, supports skills like memory and self‑control, and is linked to stronger social skills, lower stress, and
better overall mental and emotional well‑being in early childhood.
Thank you to PlayDate for hosting us and for creating a space where learning, imagination, and connection come together so naturally. We left smiling and inspired.
