Don Black - Abstract Improv II

Don Black exhibited in Lawrence Gallery in 2015, so we invited him back to share his delightfully imaginative, colorful work. His inspiration comes from the activity of painting, from a love of music, nature and being outdoors, and from regular contact with other talented artists.  

In addition to being a successful professional artist, Don Black is a retired professor of music who directed the orchestra and taught at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for many years. Some of his paintings also reflect his insights as an accomplished jazz musician who performed with the group “The Professors.” We are sure you will be captivated by his latest creations.

Works are for sale, and the public is welcome to view the exhibit any day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

SVWC's Music Therapist, Abigail D'Arcangelis, will be hosting a support group for those who care for loved ones with any type of Dementia. They will be held the first Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. - Noon on SVWC's campus. The public is invited to participate. Should you have questions or want more details, feel free to email Mrs. D'Arcangelis at adarcangelis@svwc.org or call 540-542-0656.

Started in 2020 as a first of its kind in our area, the Memory Café is a safe and comfortable space where care-partners and their loved ones living with any type of dementia can gather to socialize, play games, and enjoy activities together. Come experience community, laughter, and conversation with others navigating similar changes and make new memories together. This is a FREE event hosted by SVWC on the second Monday of each month. For additional details, contact Donielle Weatherholtz-Palmer at dpalmer@svwc.org

Our Bistro Concert on April 19 will feature the young Irish pianist Eoin Fleming in a program of classical works by Chopin, Ravel, Beethoven, and Liszt.  He is a protégé of John O’Conor. Fleming played our first post-pandemic Bistro Concert in May 2022, just as he finished his studies for the master’s degree at Shenandoah Conservatory and returned to his home in Dublin.  Those who attended compared him favorably to Thomas Pandolfi, a long-time favorite here.

He began his piano studies at age 6 and soon gained recognition.  As a young pianist, he won numerous prizes in and near Dublin.  In his teens, he was honored to be selected as one of only 23 young pianists from around the world to enter the inaugural Junior Van Cliburn International Piano competition. As his career advanced, he debuted Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta performing Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto.  In 2021, he won fifth prize in the prestigious Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona.

When he entered Shenandoah Conservatory in 2016, he was a student soloist competition winner and debuted with the Shenandoah University’s Symphony Orchestra performing the 1^st movement of Rachmaninov’s 3^rd Piano Concerto. In 2020, Fleming was asked to perform as a soloist with the Dublin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.  The orchestra had expected that John O’Conor, Dublin’s favorite pianist and the world’s foremost interpreter of Beethoven, would play with them for the event.  However, when the orchestra issued their formal invitation, O’Conor had already accepted an invitation to play elsewhere.  In dismay, they asked O’Conor who should take his place.  He recommended Fleming. (Covid ultimately canceled the concert.)

Fleming will travel to Winchester from Dublin, thanks to a grant from the SVWC Foundation.  

The Bistro Concerts are open to the public. The entry fee is $10 CASH (please) at the door, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the SVWC Fellowship Fund.

The new Villas feature an open floor plan concept with high ceilings and natural light from multiple sides. In addition, each Villa building has a community room for gatherings and personal garage space in a unique neighborhood setting.

This marketing presentation provides an excellent overview of SVWC and the Villa expansion project. Our Dining Services staff will then serve lunch.

‍(NOTE: If you RSVP and cannot attend, kindly let us know.)

‍Afterward, we'll tour the campus and several accommodations.

‍‍Tuesday, April 23- 10:30 am

RSVP by calling 540-665-5914.

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Remembering Together: An intergenerational dementia story time in partnership with the Handley Library System and Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury.

Do you love someone living with dementia? Join us for family storytime featuring books about families like yours, followed by a brief structured playtime and sharing of dementia resources with attending adults.

Background:  The Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury (SVWC) Foundation has purchased roughly 70+ children's dementia-related books to donate to the Handley Library system. In addition, these books will be featured in a once-monthly family story time, Remembering Together, with readings provided by SVWC staff volunteers followed by a brief after-book playtime utilizing the skills of staff readers. 

Activities may include (but are not limited to) a sing-along with our music therapist, a visit from Westminster's certified dementia therapy dog, an art activity with our art instructor, a movement activity with our activity staff, and so on. An informational handout reflecting various dementia resources in the greater community will be provided to adult participants. The SVWC Foundation also approved purchasing duplicates of these books to have available at SVWC for residents and families. 

SVWC Music Therapist Abigail D'Arcangelis came up with the idea for this program proposal because she is passionate about serving those living with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders as well as their families, something that her work involves a significant amount of. She co-leads a committee charged with improving life for those living with dementia at SVWC and in the greater community. In addition, Abby co-facilitates two dementia care partner support groups. In her personal life, her toddler loves attending story time at Handley, and they read many books at home, so combining her love of children's books and dementia care seemed like an excellent concept. We hope you will join in!

‍Remembering Together family storytime will meet on the 4th Saturday of every month, rotating through each library branch.

Home | Handley Regional Library System

April 27 - 1 pm at the Bowman Library, 871 Tasker Road, Stephens City, VA 22655

May 25 - 1 pm at the Handley Library, 100 W. Piccadilly St., Winchester, VA 22601