ICONic Talk
Join Mark Francis and Rachel Racey along with their local guests as they chat about community, local happenings, and all things Winchester, Virginia!
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173. Hope on the Horizon
<p>Mark sits down with the CEO of the Winchester Rescue Mission to learn more about what this local non-profit organization is doing to improve the lives of men and women in the community who need not just shelter, food, and clothing, but more importantly the skills and tools for life success.</p><p><br>https://www.winrescue.org/<br></p><p>Upcoming Events:</p><p>February 14 - “Love Letters” at James Charles Winery<br>https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/love-letters-event/<br></p><p>February 22 - VA250: George Washington Birthday Wreath Laying<br>https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/va250-george-washingtons-birthday-wreath-laying-2/</p>
172. When is Wedding Season?
<p>Learn about a quaint wedding venue in Capon Bridge, as Mark and Rachel chat with John Berry of “Appalachian Wedding Chapel and Boutique” who shares the tales of what life is like to officiate hundreds of wedding ceremonies over the years!</p><p>https://www.theappalachianweddingchapel.com/</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events:</p><p><br></p><p>January 31 - Groundhog Day Celebration, Bowman Library</p><p>https://www.handleyregional.org/event/groundhog-day-celebration-bowman-library-41949</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>February 6 - BrandFest, The HIVE @ Shenandoah University</p><p>https://iconmedia.cc/</p>
171. To Casino or Not To Casino - That is the Question!
<p>Mark, Rachel, and Caleb enter in the new year of 2026 by unpacking the article from the Winchester Star about the local EDA proposal to bring a casino and event center to town.</p><p>Winchester Star article - https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/edas-website-details-pros-cons-of-a-winchester-casino/article_2df7cb72-5a5e-5268-afb5-c4cef0ff3dec.html</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Winchester EDA site - https://www.developwinchesterva.com/Convention-Center-Casino-Info</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events:</p><p><br></p><p>Old Town on the Rocks - https://friendsofoldtown.org/event...
170. Special Release - Year in Review Show
<p>Mark and Rachel share their highlights and special moments of 2025 as they discuss topics ranging from pop culture to local insights to special moments from ICONic Talk over the last year.</p>
169. The Laurel Center - Restoring Hope from the Inside Out
<p>Mark sits down with Dr. Faith Power, Executive Director of the Laurel Center, to discuss the needs of abuse survivors and the organization’s mission to break the cycle of domestic violence within the community.</p><p>Notes for This Episode:</p><p>Abuse Hotline - 540.667.6466<br>https://thelaurelcenter.org/</p><p><br>Upcoming Events:</p><p>Winchester Winter Village - December 5-7<br>https://winchesterwintervillage.com/</p><p>Follow the Star - December 6-7<br>https://fbcva.org/followthestar</p><p>Winchester Musica Viva concert - December 14<br>https://www.winchestermusicaviva.org/</p>
168. From Kidneys to Kids
<p>Listen to amazing stories from newly appointment director of the Youth Development Center, Sarah Fishel, as she shares what has led her into this position of serving the youth of our local community.</p><p>Links for this episode:</p><p><br></p><p>https://www.myydc.org/</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Events:</p><p><br></p><p>Plaid Friday, November 28:</p><p>https://friendsofoldtown.org/event/plaid-friday-2025/</p><p><br>Youth Development Center events:<br>https://www.myydc.org/upcoming-events</p>
167. The Local Lowdown!
<p>Mark and Rachel sit down with Executive Director of the Friends of Old Town organization, Brady Cloven, as they chat about the stories and events of the happenings in Winchester over this past year as well as revealing some news and vision for the months and year ahead.</p><p>https://friendsofoldtown.org</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events :</p><p>https://friendsofoldtown.org/events-in-old-town/</p>
166. Ravenwood Faire
<p>Mark and Rachel chat with co-founder of the Ravenwood Faire, Stacey Rowe, who shares the background of this local annual event that brings thousands to town every year for a true “medieval” experience. </p><p>Links for This Episode:</p><p>https://ravenwoodfaire.us</p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events :</p><p><br></p><p>Ravenwood Faire, October 24th-26th</p><p>https://ravenwoodfaire.ticketspice.com/ravenwood-faire-2025</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>High Hill “Haunted Nightmares”, October 23-26 and October 30-November 1</p><p>https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/haunted-nightmares-3/</p>
165. Rachel’s Bloomers
<p>Mark learns more about his co-host, Rachel, as she shares all about her passion for horticulture and how her local floral arrangement business, “Rachel’s Bloomers”, was developed and has grown over the years.</p><p>https://www.rachelsbloomers.com</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events :</p><p><br></p><p>Savor the World, international food, event - October 9, 5:30pm</p><p>https://godfreymillercenter.org/savor-the-world/</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Dino-Con - October 12, 10am-5pm</p><p>https://www.themsv.org/events/dino-con/</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Ravenw...
164. Historical Integrity in the City
<p>Mark and Rachel dive into the latest happenings around Winchester and also sit down with Stephanie Ryall from the city’s Board of Architectural Review, who shares how the committee plays a key role in maintaining the historic character of downtown properties.</p><p>Links for This Episode:</p><p>https://www.winchesterva.gov/Services-Payments/Building-Development/Historic-Winchester-District#section-1</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Upcoming Events :</p><p><br></p><p>Bluegrass and Bites - Sept 28, 1pm-5pm</p><p>https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/bluegrass-bites/</p><p><br></p><p>Frederick County Farm Crawl...
