March 1, 2026
Culpeper Young Professionals
Young Professional Council Member Spotlight: Maggie Kardos
We’re excited to highlight Maggie Kardos, Founder and Executive Director of Playdate: A Children’s Museum. With a Master’s in Elementary Education, Maggie is dedicated to creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that spark imagination and inspire a lifelong love of learning in children across Culpeper and surrounding counties. For Maggie, Playdate is more than a museum. It’s a community resource and a joyful space where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and dream big.
Growing up as a military child, Maggie lived in several places but Virginia always felt like home. She spent much of her childhood in Chesapeake, Northern Virginia, and Culpeper, and she treasures the sense of community and pride she experienced on military bases. This year’s chosen charity is especially close to her heart, as her father is a veteran.
Maggie’s favorite part of being involved in YPS? The friendships she’s built and the opportunity to connect with other young professionals who care deeply about the community.
When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find her reading, enjoying reality TV, or spending time with her family.
We’re grateful to have Maggie’s passion, creativity, and leadership in the Young Professional Council!
March 3, 2026
Germanna Community College
Germanna President Dr. Tashika Griffith and Amy Frazier, President & CEO of the Culpeper Chamber, recently met to discuss strengthening partnerships and supporting our region.
Here’s to strong community connections and meaningful collaboration.
March 4, 2026
Get Ready for the 2026 State of the Community!
We’re bringing Culpeper together on March 18 from 8 to 11 AM at Germanna Community College Daniel Technology Center for a morning packed with insight on the issues shaping our community.
Here’s what we’ll be talking about:
Childcare
Public Safety
Economic Development
Community Health & Wellbeing
Join local leaders, businesses, and community members for conversations that matter. Tickets are going fast, and prices increase on March 16, so now is the time to grab your seat.
Get your tickets here: https://members.culpeperchamber.com/…/2026-state-of-the…
Don’t wait. Be part of the conversation that moves Culpeper forward.
March 5, 2026
Do you want to grow your business?
Do you want to have a group of business partners working to help you grow your business?
You should consider joining a Chamber Lead Share Group!
The Thursday Leadshare Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at Shawn’s BBQ at 8:15am. They would love to welcome you to an upcoming meeting!
Pictured below
Kelly Collier, Loan Officer at Fulton Mortgage Company
John Croft, Croft Communications LLC
Max Sternberg, The Better Insurance Agency
Casey Morgal, Morgal Plumbing Industries, LLC. Northern Virginia
Lisa West, Encompass Health
Jackie Settle Bowles, UVA Community Credit Union
Lorraine Lopez-Carter, Duct-Rite Mechanical, LLC
Teresa Lough, Wagner Hearing Aid of Culpeper
March 12, 2026
Amy had the honor of attending The Blue & Red Project Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, and it was truly an inspiring evening celebrating the heart of our community.
The Blue & Red Project is best known for their original program of shopping with children at Christmastime. This past year marked their 12th year, and they served 150 children from infancy through age 16!
Over the years, the Blue & Red Santa Project has grown far beyond Christmas. They formed the Culpeper County Community Support Group, bringing together local law enforcement, churches, Human Services, Culpeper Eagles #4551, local schools, the Community Christmas Basket, Lions Club, and many others. Their shared mission is simple but powerful: to provide as much assistance as possible to those less fortunate in our community.
Through their tireless efforts, the Blue & Red Project has provided financial support to so many incredible programs, including:
- Culpeper Community Christmas Basket Program
- Doris’ Elderly Angel Tree
- Star Cadets
- Warming Shelter
- Manna Ministry Program
- Back to School Bash
- TRIAD
- Project Lifesaver
- Power Pack Program through CCP
- Subaru of America Coat Drive
- Jingle Bell Bash at Culpeper Health & Rehab
- St. Jude’s
- Wreaths Across America
- Samaritan’s Purse
- Flood relief efforts in Southwest Virginia
…and so much more.
During the dinner, the Blue & Red Project presented a $10,000 check to Project Lifesaver, a vital public safety initiative that helps locate individuals with cognitive disorders such as brain injuries, Down syndrome, autism, or dementia.
Participants wear a wristband (normally $25), and the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring no one is turned away due to financial hardship.
With specialized tracking equipment and an antenna covering a one mile radius, deputies can quickly locate a loved one who has gone missing. More than 1,700 law enforcement agencies nationwide participate in this life saving program.
The Blue & Red Santa Project is truly doing SO much good in Culpeper County. It was a pleasure connecting with the dedicated volunteers, board members, and donors who make all of this possible. Our community is stronger because of you!
March 13, 2026
Last week, Sarah spent three days in Richmond for professional development with the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
She kicked things off with a two day Strengthening Your Facilitation Skills course where she learned guiding principles and practices, explored behaviors that help or hinder group work, built confidence with consensus building, and picked up practical tools to navigate facilitation challenges and opportunities.
She followed that with a full day focused on Strategic and Project Planning. The group worked through planning tools, learned how personal problem solving styles shape collaboration by reviewing their Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory scores. If you are wondering, Sarah leans more toward the innovative side. They also practiced setting goals using SWOT and SOAR tools and logic models, talked about ways to track progress, and had time to apply what they learned.
A great week of learning, reflection, and skill building.
March 14, 2026
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
We’re excited to welcome two outstanding leaders who will share important updates shaping Culpeper’s future.
Public Safety
Chief Chris Settle, Culpeper Police Department
Chief Settle will provide an inside look at current public safety priorities, emerging trends, and how the department is working to keep our community safe and informed.
Blueprint Virginia 2035
Ethan Betterton, Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Ethan will walk us through the statewide Blueprint Virginia 2035 initiative and what it means for Culpeper’s economic growth, competitiveness, and long‑term vision.
Join us on March 18 at the Germanna Daniel Technology Center to hear directly from these leaders and engage with the issues shaping our region.
Ticket prices increase on Monday — grab yours now.
Get your tickets here: https://culpeperchamber.com/state-of-the-community/
March 16, 2026
Celebrating National Agriculture Week | March 15–21
Culpeper is a community built on agriculture and that is something we are incredibly proud of. Behind the fences and barns are hardworking farmers who dedicate their lives to stewarding the land and feeding our community. From traditional farming to innovative agribusinesses, Culpeper’s agricultural scene is vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in our history.
Each year, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce has the pleasure of honoring one outstanding farm as our Agribusiness of the Year.
During National Agriculture Week, we are excited to announce that the 2026 Agribusiness of the Year is The Mello Family of Oak Shade Christmas Tree Farm!
Thank you to the Mello Family for your dedication, hard work, and lasting impact on Culpeper’s agricultural community. Stay tuned for a press release later this week with more details.
Please join us in congratulating them and celebrating all of our local farmers this week!
March 17, 2026
On Saturday, Amy had the absolute pleasure of volunteering at the Career Partners and Culpeper County Public Schools Maker Energy Fair, and what an amazing event it was!
There were SO many hands‑on activities for children of all ages, sparking curiosity, creativity, and excitement about learning. It was truly inspiring to see so many organizations and individuals come together to create such a fun, engaging, and meaningful experience for the youth of Culpeper County.
Events like this remind us how powerful community collaboration can be, and how much our kids benefit when we invest in their futures.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a huge success!
March 23, 2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2026 State of the Community for a thoughtful and engaging event. The conversations reinforced how closely connected economic growth, health, public safety, and childcare are to Culpeper’s future.
Blueprint Virginia 2035
Ethan Betterton of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce shared that predictability and stability in governance are critical to long‑term success. He highlighted major statewide challenges, including a housing shortage of more than 500,000 homes and the need for significant investments, such as $15 billion in water infrastructure, to support continued growth and competitiveness.
Community Health & Wellbeing Panel
Moderated by Andy Johnston, PATH Foundation (@pathforyou), with panelists April Achter, Encompass Community Supports (@encompasscommunitysupportsva), and Dr. Khalid Athar, Wellspring Health Services (@wellspringhealthservices). The panel discussed rising depression among children and young adults, the impact of an aging population on today’s workforce, and ongoing barriers to care, including access, affordability, and workforce shortages. Key takeaways focused on preventive health, addressing misinformation, and building public‑private partnerships to expand specialty services locally.
Public Safety Update
Chief Chris Settle of the Culpeper Police Department (@CulpeperPD) noted that crime in Culpeper is down 14 percent over the past five years, driven by strong community relationships and engagement. Highlights included expanded neighborhood watch programs, a new independent traffic unit created in response to citizen feedback, and upgraded response capabilities funded through grants. Mental health and suicide prevention remain top priorities.
Childcare Panel
Moderated by Winona Pritts of the Culpeper Department of Economic Development (@chooseculpeper), with panelists Rhian Allvin, Brynmor at Culpeper Baptist (@culpeperbaptistcdc), Leanna Saupp, Foundation First (@FoundationFirstVA), and Angie Starks, Kid Central. The discussion emphasized that reliable, consistent childcare is essential infrastructure that allows parents to stay in the workforce. Collaboration, employer cost‑sharing, and better awareness of available resources were key themes.
Thank You
A special thank you to Amy Frazier for opening the event, Nicolle Wootten, Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, for serving as emcee, and to all presenters, moderators, panelists, sponsors, and attendees who made this event a success.
Together, these conversations help move Culpeper forward.
March 24, 2026
Our team recently traveled to Winchester, VA for the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Spring Conference, and it was an incredible experience filled with learning, connection, and inspiration!
We participated in impactful sessions covering topics such as:
-Behind the Curtain at the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber of Commerce
-New Revenue Realities & Successful Chamber Programs
-Chamber Leadership Programs: Building the Leaders Our Community Needs
-Marketing & Communications: Telling Your Chamber’s Story
-Beyond Job Fairs: Workforce Development That Works
-The Psychology Behind Events: Creating Emotional Connections
-Boundary Setting
-The Future of Chambers
The opportunity to network with chamber professionals from across the Commonwealth and share knowledge, ideas, and support was truly invaluable.
Our welcome reception at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley was the perfect start to the conference — a stunning venue and a wonderful setting to connect with colleagues.
We’re also proud to celebrate a special milestone
Congratulations to our Office Administrator, Vonne, who was honored with a Service Award for 5 years of dedicated service to the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce! We are so grateful for all she does for our organization and our community.
We’re excited to bring these insights back to Culpeper as we continue to serve, support, and strengthen our local business community!
March 25, 2026
Culpeper Chamber President/CEO Amy Frazier had the distinct honor of attending the Culpeper County Volunteer Fire Department’s 102nd Annual Banquet and is still in awe of the dedication and selflessness of this remarkable department.
Tonight was about honoring 65 volunteer members who together represent an astounding 1,135 combined years of service to our community. These men and women truly embody what it means to serve.
In 2025, the department was dispatched to 833 emergency calls, with an average response time of just 8 minutes and 12 seconds from dispatch to arrival on scene. That level of readiness saves lives.
Even more impressive is the time commitment:
- 22,588 total volunteer hours logged in 2025
That’s the equivalent of nearly 3 full time people working 24/7, 365 days a year (there are only 8,760 hours in a year).
- Those hours included:
o 6,934 hours running emergency calls
o 4,115 hours in monthly drills and training
o 3,929 hours in truck checks and administrative duties
o 3,276 hours supporting fire department and public events
o 2,413 hours attending FD and other meetings
o 1,921 hours working carnival and fundraising events
It cannot be overstated: this station is fully volunteer run. Every one of these hours is logged on top of full time jobs and family responsibilities. Because of this commitment, these volunteers save Culpeper County millions of dollars each year and help keep our local taxes significantly lower than they would be with a fully paid department.
Special recognition was given to the department’s top contributors:
Top Call Runners
- Chief Jr. Perryman – 584 calls
- Jack Griffin – 556 calls
- Deputy Chief Kenny Mills – 533 calls
Top Points (meetings, events, fundraising, duties & training)
- Deputy Chief Kenny Mills – 853 points
- Jack Griffin – 751 points
- Chief Jr. Perryman – 719 points
Top Manhours
- Deputy Chief Kenny Mills – 1,840 hours
- Jack Griffin – 1,524 hours
- Chief Jr. Perryman – 1,240 hours
A major discussion topic raised during the evening was the hope for the future establishment of a countywide volunteer fire training ground, complete with burn buildings and classrooms. This would be a tremendous investment in safety and efficiency, saving volunteers significant travel time as they currently train in Louisa County.
To every volunteer firefighter and their families: thank you. Your service, sacrifice, and commitment to Culpeper County do not go unnoticed and our community is safer because of you.
March 26, 2026
Yesterday, we were proud to be a part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Lightfoot Apartments, a new 60-unit affordable housing community in Culpeper developed by People Incorporated of Virginia. This important project represents a major investment in meeting local housing needs and highlights what can be achieved through strong community collaboration. Partners included the Town of Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, PATH Foundation, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, VCDC, and many others.
The celebration included a special dedication of the community playground in honor of Lisa Peacock of Culpeper Human Services, recognizing her years of service and commitment to addressing housing needs in Culpeper. We were honored to welcome the Governor of Virginia, The Honorable Abigail Spanberger, whose presence underscored the importance of this milestone and the collective effort behind it.
March 30, 2026
Last Friday, our amazing cohort of 20 Culpeper Leaders came together for an inspiring and action-packed March Lead Culpeper Session – Small Business Day, and what a day it was!
We kicked off the morning at the Culpeper Economic Development, where we were warmly welcomed by Economic Developments Winona Pritts and Christine Caldwell from Community Investment Collaborative. Their insights set the tone for a day centered on entrepreneurship, community growth, and the power of local business.
From there, our group hit the sidewalks of Culpeper, beginning at Kash Imprints. Owner Sophie Hudson and her team shared their small business journey, and the excitement was contagious especially when they learned they would be receiving custom T-shirts and got to watch the shirts being made right before their eyes.
We continued on to Culpeper Renaissance Inc., hearing from Jessica Jenkins and Elizabeth Burns about downtown development and revitalization efforts that make Culpeper thrive.
One of the highlights of the morning was our Downtown Business Scavenger Hunt, where leaders connected directly with local business owners and staff at N Style Fashion Gallery, Pepperberriesva, Reigning Cats & Dogs In Culpeper, Va, Green Roost, and Fulton Found.
After a delicious lunch at Piedmont: A Virginia Steakhouse, the afternoon continued at Culpeper Baptist Church with a Chamber presentation followed by fast-paced Speed Networking featuring:
All Install – Leslie Kidd
2B-Q – Brent Blackwell
Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care – Dr. Watts
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service – Julie Found
Mountain Run Winery – David Foster
Wagner Hearing Aid of Culpeper – Teresa Lough
Wild Birds Unlimited – Susan Haynes
The day was filled with learning, laughter, connections, and a deeper appreciation for the small businesses that help define Culpeper’s character and economy. We’re so proud of this engaged cohort and grateful to all the businesses and leaders who made the day such a success!
March 30, 2026
We loved being part of Emerald Hill Elementary School‘s 5th Grade Family Night Out!
Sarah represented the Chamber and shared helpful information about what our community offers, including local resources, transportation options, the Chamber Guide, and, of course, CulpeperFest. It was a great opportunity to connect with families and show how much Culpeper has to offer. Thanks to Emerald Hill for the warm welcome!
If you would like to learn more about what is available in Culpeper, we invite you to call, stop by, or visit our website.
March 31, 2026
Amy & Sarah had such a wonderful evening at The Inn at Kelly’s Ford Spring Soirée last week!
From the moment we arrived, everything was just delightful! The food was absolutely amazing, the cocktails were delicious and thoughtfully themed around the rich history of the Inn, and the staff could not have been more welcoming.
It’s clear that the new ownership is doing something truly special, and we are beyond excited to see what’s ahead. If this soirée was any indication, the grand reopening is going to be spectacular. Congratulations to the entire team! We can’t wait to come back!
March 31, 2026
The 4th edition of CulpeperCon was an incredible experience for our community this past weekend. A heartfelt thank‑you to the Culpeper County Library and the Friends of the Culpeper County Library for hosting such an outstanding event. From the games and prizes to the vendors, cosplay, and activities for all ages, every detail was thoughtfully planned. The presentations and programming were both engaging and diverse, making the weekend truly memorable. It was wonderful to see so many Culpeper Chamber members in attendance and showing their support!
