Celebrating Grandparents’ Day: Fun Activities and Events

Grandparents' Day is a great time to gather your family to partake in intergenerational activities that will have lasting benefits for everyone. Here are some local places to check out!

Exploring Local Parks and Trails

We are spoiled at SVWC with opportunities to explore the world around us. Winchester is settled near the mountains of northwest Virginia, filled with beautiful natural spaces to take in and connect with the nature and history of the region.

Parkinson's Program to be Held at SVWC Later This Month...

Join us for this informative program on July 23

Knowing When It's Time to Consider a Senior Living Community

As our loved ones age, their housing needs and preferences can change, making it important to evaluate when it might be time to consider a senior living community. The decision to transition to a senior living community is a significant one, and it should be made carefully, taking into account various factors.

Where Words Fail, Collaborative Therapy Speaks

SVWC staff members Christine Ristano, Speech Language Pathologist and Abigail D’Arcangelis, Music Therapist, spent time at the 2024 LeadingAge Virginia Annual Conference this week explaining and showcasing a new approach to affirming resident voices – collaborative therapy.

SVWC Named Best Retirement Community by Winchester Star Readers

For 10+ years, readers of the local newspaper have voted SVWC the Best Retirement Community!

Essential Guide to Navigating Legal and Medical Documents for Seniors

Simplify your transition to SVWC in Shenandoah Valley with our comprehensive guide on managing legal and medical documents. Learn about key documents, organization tips, and available resources.

We’ve Been Named One of Newsweek’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities for 2024!

Westminster-Canterbury has been recognized as one of Newsweek’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities for 2024! This prestigious recognition highlights our dedication to providing outstanding care, an enriching environment, and a vibrant community for our residents.

The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

Yoga is a practice that has incredible benefits for the senior community. It almost seems too good to be true that one form of exercise can produce such a great number of wonderful benefits. They come from the core of the practice of yoga: movement, breathing, relaxation, and meditation. These core elements work together to build strength, mobility, and balance all while reducing stress and the risk of falling.

Connecting with the Winchester Senior Community

Explore the vibrant life in Winchester for seniors, from community events to educational programs, and see how SVWC integrates with this dynamic culture.

Booming Boomers Podcast | Episode One: You need a plan, Stan!

In our first episode of Booming Boomers, hosts Leila Orndorff and Rachael Hite discuss all the options Boomers have to choose from when considering retirement living options.

Your Comprehensive Guide to Life at SVWC

From residency requirements to amenities and services, explore everything you need to know to make the most of your retirement years.

New Administrator Joins SVWC

Tailoring Your Diet for a Healthy Senior Lifestyle

Discover essential nutrition tips tailored for seniors to promote longevity, manage existing health conditions, and boost overall vitality. A well-balanced diet at Westminster Canterbury is your key to a vibrant senior living experience.

Elevated Senior Living in Shenandoah Valley

Shenandoah Valley, with its breathtaking natural beauty, serves as the picturesque backdrop for Westminster Canterbury, a senior living community that redefines excellence in senior living. Here, residents discover a lifestyle that harmoniously blends the tranquility of nature with the richness of a vibrant community.

Explore Westminster Canterbury in Shenandoah Valley: Your Gateway to Idyllic Senior Living

Nestled amidst the picturesque vistas of the Shenandoah Valley, Westminster Canterbury stands as a beacon for those seeking an unparalleled senior living experience. Breathe in the fresh mountain air, relish the panoramic views, and find the peaceful retreat you've been yearning for.

Forbes Magazine Names Winchester, VA, in Top 25 Places to Retire

Myths About Retirement Communities

New Offering Beginning in April...

New Foundation and Marketing Director on Board

History of SVWC 2023 Edition is Now Available

Great Decisions 2023 Program

Sculpture for the Soul Exhibit - Open to the Public

January Series Returns for Sixth Year...

Annual Santa Paws Event is a Success!

Foundation Selling SVWC Puzzles for the Holidays

New Sales Counselor Joins the Marketing Department

WATTS Honors SVWC as 2022 Community Partner of the Year

"Rosie" The Robot Joins Dining Services

First Bank Hosts Fall Fun Day Once Again

SVWC Employs First Full-Time Physician

Music Therapy Internship Returns...

Donielle Weatherholtz-Palmer receives LeadingAge Virginia award

SVWC Welcomes new Chaplain

SVWC Receives PAC Designation!

Groundbreaking Ceremony and 35th Anniversary Soiree

The Villa Expansion Sitework Begins...

SVWC Celebrating 35th Anniversary

The 2021 History of SVWC, Volume 15 is Now Available

SVWC's Eldest Resident Celebrates 106 Years!

Treasures Shared Exhibit, Part Two

SVWC Earns CARF Accreditation for Sixth Consecutive Time!

Where We Are, What We See

Art Exhibit

Foundation's "Let's Get Together" Cookbook Goes on Sale!

Treasures Shared Exhibit Well Received

Residents share their collected art...

Look What's Cooking at SVWC

Moore Trail Rehabilitated

New Leadership on Campus

Art Programming is Vital for SVWC

Artist/Instructor Gale Bowman-Harlow Shines Bright

SVWC Garners FIVE STAR RATING Once Again

We love seeing stars...

SVWC Honored with Holleran's "Community Choice Award"

The award includes both Independent and Assisted Living areas.

SVWC's 2020 History, Volume 14 - "Surviving COVID-19," is Now Available

There was so much to report, that this issue is larger, and chock full of excellent content.

Third Vaccine Clinic Offers Hope...

The Walgreens staff could not have been more gracious, and staff and residents were happy to have the opportunity to receive the vaccine.

Lawrence Gallery's Latest Exhibit

Handmade from Westminster, Part One

New exhibit attracts lots of interest!

SVWC Will Proudly Host The January Series Once Again

Calvin University, a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, continues their long tradition of offering The January Series, an award-winning lecture series featuring world-renowned speakers. According to Kristi Potter, director of The January Series, the 2021 Series will be a totally virtual experience.

SVWC is Hosting a Sharing Love - Spreading Joy PARADE!!

Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) continues to closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As such, in early March, SVWC closed our doors to all visitors, for the safety of residents and staff members. Since that time, families of residents are growing more and more eager to lay eyes on their loved ones.

SVWC is Hosting another Sharing Love - Spreading Joy FATHER’S DAY PARADE!!

Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) continues to closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As such, in early March, SVWC closed our doors to all visitors, for the safety of residents and staff members. Since that time, families of residents are growing more and more eager to see their loved ones.‍

Our Global Wall of Healing

As a voice of unity and community, the residents and employees at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury have created Our Wall of Global Healing in a positive prayer/ response to the negativity surrounding the fear, grief, and confusion caused by the Corona Virus. The inspiration came from our ingenious Artist/Instructor, Gale Bowman-Harlow. Gale provided blank pieces of 4 x 4 card stock and asked everyone to let their creativity flow while praying for healing. Any expression was welcome, whether it be a poem, a drawing, or a cutout from a magazine. The result is sixteen framed pieces combining the prayer cards. This spiritual artwork is being shown on each floor of the residents’ halls, and being moved from floor to floor until the entire show has circulated the building.

SVWC Hires New Foundation Director

Niki Wilson has been selected to fill the Foundation Director position at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury. She is a graduate of Shenandoah University with a BA in business and marketing and a master’s degree in business administration. Niki has over 15 years of experience in fundraising, most recently with the Winchester Medical Center Foundation.

Post-Acute Care Administrator Receives ACHCA’s Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award

The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) honored Michael Williams, Administrator of Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury in Winchester, Virginia with the 2020 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. Only 7% of facilities nationwide met the initial selection criteria. This year, seventy-eight administrators in 23 states met all eligibility requirements and were awarded the facility leadership award nationally. The leadership award will be celebrated at ACHCA’s Annual Convocation and Exposition scheduled to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from August 30-September 2, 2020.

Quilting with the Stars

Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury’s (SVWC) Art Committee is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibit in Lawrence Gallery. “Quilting with the Stars” is a display of hand and machine-made items including classic and contemporary quilted wall hangings, purses, rugs, and larger quilts.

“Shanghai Through a Child's Eye”

Project HOPE Presents

Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury’s (SVWC) Art Committee is pleased to announce the latest exhibit in Lawrence Gallery which is part of a collection from Project HOPE. “Shanghai Through a Child’s Eye” is a display of 35 paintings and drawings by youngsters, from the collection of 900 pieces owned by Project HOPE.

Award-winning Lecture Series Comes to Winchester

The award-winning January Series of Calvin College is coming to Winchester. From Jan. 3 through Jan. 23, 2018, Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community will be one of more than 50 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast one of the nation’s leading lecture and cultural arts series.

“From the Tip of My Brush”

SVWC Lawrence Gallery Presents

The next exhibit coming to the SVWC Lawrence Gallery is from local watercolorist, Mary Fetter. “From the Tip of my Brush” will consist of a variety of portrait, still life, and landscape images displayed from March 9 through April 30. An opening reception will take place on Friday, March 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the public is invited to come and meet the artist. Some paintings will be offered for sale.

“The Bloom” Continues at SVWC

As the staff and residents at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) adjust to new dining routines due to the current kitchen renovation, some good has come from the ordeal. A temporary wall was erected to block construction in the Bistro/kitchen area. At first, it was merely a blank, white, 10’x45’ wall. Then the wheels started turning in Gale Bowman-Harlow’s creative brain.

Celebrating... 30 Years

The History of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury 2017, Volume 11

Celebrating... 30 Years, Volume 11 of The History of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, was published this month. Prepared by the Residents Association History Committee, the booklet features a special section, Celebrating 30 Years at SVWC, with the following subsections: Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury Timeline, 20 to 30 Year Resident and Staff Memories, and SVWC's May 12, 2017, 30th Anniversary Celebration.

Wil Pieper’s Life-long Legacy of Creativity and Energy

SVWC Lawrence Gallery Presents

The Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) Art Committee is proud and excited to invite the public to this very unique exhibit, between July 13 and September 5, 2018. With this show, we are celebrating and sharing the many accomplishments of an extraordinary, multi-faceted, artistic genius -Wil Pieper.

SVWC Internships = Win/Win!

Getting a “foot in the door” via an internship can often result in a full-time job offer. For some, internships offer opportunities to earn designated requirements for a degree. This year, four fantastic interns have gifted Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) with their presence, and in turn, they have learned a great deal and garnered priceless experience on our unique campus.

Leah’s Legacy

Honoring Artist and Teacher, Leah Brumback

The Art Committee at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) is looking forward to the new exhibit opening next Friday, September 14 and running through November 6. Leah Brumback was an exceptional artist who taught painting classes at SVWC for approximately twenty years. Many of her students were with her throughout that time period. The “Wednesday painting group” formed a close, family-like bond, and thanks to Leah’s input, their skills improved markedly.

Moment by Moment

The Art of Kathy Chumley

The new exhibit in the Lawrence Gallery at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) opens next Friday, Nov. 9 and will remain through January 4, 2019. Artist, Kathy Chumley grew up in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, in a family of artists. Her father, John Chumley, is a noted artist in the region, and his paintings can be found in many a home and business in the Valley.

Award-winning Lecture Series Comes to Winchester

The award-winning January Series of Calvin College is coming to Winchester. From Jan. 3 through Jan. 23, 2019, Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) will be one of more than 50 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast one of the nation’s leading lecture and cultural arts series.

Metamorphosis: From Ash to Color

The Art of Josie tilton

The latest exhibit in the Lawrence Gallery at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) opens next Friday, Jan. 11 and will remain through March 11. Artist, Josie Tilton will also be presenting a program, a story of struggle, the previous evening based on her book “Tumbleweed.”

Teepa Snow’s PAC Training to Continue...

As we are all aware, dementia can have an effect on anyone at any age. It shows no mercy stripping loved one’s memories or taking away their abilities to do the simplest tasks. Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury’s (SVWC) leadership team wanted to be sure that our residents receive the utmost quality of care from staff members in every department on campus. Thanks to a generous undesignated gift to SVWC’s Foundation, management chose to utilize the Positive Approach to Care (PAC), created by Teepa Snow, for mandatory staff training.

InSight X 3

Photography Exhibit Opening

The Lawrence Gallery at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) plays host to a new exhibit every two months. The Art Committee makes a concerted effort to vary the artistic styles and mediums to keep things fresh. With this photography exhibit from September 13 through November 3, viewers will get a unique perspective on reality from three seasoned photographers, Larry Fickau, and John and Kristin Zimet.

Triumph From the Turret

Art Exhibit Opening

Our Art Studio on the campus of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC) features a turret. The top portion is adorned with stained glass by resident, Wil Pieper. Since the studio opened, many inspirational projects have been born there. This distinctive exhibit opening Friday, 11-8, consists of works in varied mediums produced under the tutelage of in-house Art Expert, Gale Bowman-Harlow. SVWC residents, as well as area citizens, take classes from Gale. For this exhibit, over 60 individuals, of all skill levels, are proud to showcase their creativity.

Christmas at SVWC

Visit and View our Holiday Displays

It seems that Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury is becoming Winchester’s destination for theChristmas spirit. Everywhere you look, you see, another lovely Christmas tree! More importantly, for the third year, we have organized a charming and fascinating display of Nativity and Crèche treasures, which have delighted residents, staff, and visitors alike. No two scenes are the same. You’ll see everything from a tiny plastic set, which was a childhood purchase many years ago, to elaborate porcelain sets from Europe. The variety is endless.

Award-winning Lecture Series Comes to Winchester

The award-winning January Series of Calvin University is coming to Winchester. From Jan. 8 through Jan. 28, 2020, Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community will be one of 60 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast one of the nation’s leading lecture and cultural arts series.

Curious Quirks in Everyday Illusions

Art Exhibit Opening

We attempt to vary the feel of our exhibits in the Lawrence Gallery at SVWC, and the show that opens on Friday, Jan. 10, will be distinctive for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it features watercolors by one artist, and photography by a second artist. Additionally, their subject matter tends toward the rustic and rural, a noticeable departure from most of our displays.

The Lawrence Gallery Celebrates a Decade of Success!

On Thursday, September 23, 2010, the inaugural exhibit in Lawrence Gallery opened with an informal champagne reception. Exhibitors included residents and staff members, and the show was coordinated by the Art Committee. Amazingly, six of those participating artists are still producing and displaying their artwork as recently as the November 2019 exhibit.

The Memory Café is Born

Westminster-Canterbury wants to share some exciting news! SVWC will be the first in Winchester and Frederick County to start a Memory Café! You might be asking; What is a Memory Café? A Memory Café is a safe and comfortable space where care partners and their loved ones living with dementia can gather to socialize, play games, and enjoy activities together. It is not a support group, but rather a time and place for individuals living with dementia and their loved ones to experience community, laughter, and conversation with others navigating similar changes. As one organization explains, a memory café is a time to “be in the company of others who can relate without explanation, relax without feeling misunderstood and share freely without fear of judgment.” Memory Cafés are coming to life all over the U.S.

SVWC Certified as Official Monarch Butterfly Waystation

After much organization and anticipation, SVWC is elated to announce that we are now an official “Certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.” The purpose of creating a Monarch Waystation is to provide milkweed, nectar plants, and shelter for Monarch butterflies throughout their annual cycle of production and migration. A Monarch caterpillar eats only milkweed. A Monarch butterfly lays eggs only on milkweed plants, so if there is no milkweed, there are no Monarchs. Sadly, milkweeds and nectar sources have declined because of extensive development, and the use of herbicides.

Girl Scout - for Life!

In early March (before the Corona Virus touched our area), Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury resident and original Board Member, Farley Massey, and Sue Mariotti, a Board Member of Westminster's Foundation, attended the President's Circle Dinner in Washington, DC. No, not for President Trump. It was actually for Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital.

Music Fills The Air

The History of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury 2019, Volume 13

Music Fills the Air, Volume 13 of The History of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury (SVWC), was published recently.

One Inch Beyond Reality

Art Exhibit Opening

SVWC Resident, Charlie Thorne, has been drawing on windows, walls, floors, and sometimes paper since he could pick up a crayon. After art school, and an army tour, Charlie opened an illustration and advertising studio in Winchester, Virginia, specializing in industrial clientele.