The Business Hiding in Her Fields

A few flower beds. An extra item in the grocery cart. An hour spent making something with your hands.

This week, we’re looking at the small beginnings that become part of a community. Claudia Vasquez started growing flowers before she knew flower farming could be a business. Her story takes us behind the bouquets at Azalea Field Flowers, where three beds became a farm of approximately a quarter acre.

We’re also sharing practical ways to support the Culpeper Food Closet, a little of Rapidan’s history, and two reasons to stop by the library.

There’s no need to do everything. Read something that catches your attention, make a plan with someone, or find one useful way to pitch in.

Claudia Vasquez once gave her flowers away. Now Azalea Field Flowers covers approximately a quarter acre in Rapidan, and she is learning that growing a business also means setting boundaries. Meet the grower behind the bouquets and the Culpeper customers helping her build a farm that can last.

Been meaning to get outside? Try a walk at Historic Germanna’s Siegen Forest, where woodland trails follow the Rapidan and pass traces of local history. Pick a distance that suits your day, take someone along and leave time to enjoy the return.

Helping locally can start with something as ordinary as your grocery list. The Culpeper Food Closet has served the community since 1984, providing food and personal-care items to neighbors who need assistance.

Its published donation list includes canned fruit, canned meat, peanut butter, cereal, toilet paper and toiletries. These are standing requests, not a ranked list of this week’s most urgent needs.

Donations can be left at the overhead garage door on the building’s right side at 120 N. Commerce Street. Weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon are the preferred drop-off time. For a large donation, call 540-825-1177 first.

One useful item is a reasonable place to begin.

Before it was Rapidan, the village was known as Waugh’s Ford, a small milling community that began in the late 1700s. The arrival of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad brought another name, Rapid Ann Station, in 1854. Rapidan followed in 1886.

The river divides the village between Culpeper and Orange counties. Much of its surviving architecture dates from the late 1800s and early 1900s, including two Carpenter’s Gothic churches built in 1874.

It’s a reminder that familiar place names can hold several chapters of local history.

Give your kitchen a night off

Downtown Culpeper’s Fall Restaurant Week runs November 2 through 8, with participating restaurants offering everything from casual specials and sweet treats to three-course dinners. Advertised options range from $10 to $65, with menus and prices varying by restaurant. Revisit a favorite or try somewhere new, and check the menu and reservation options before heading out.

Friday plans can start at Bees & Trees Farm in Elkwood. Friday Nights at the Farm is scheduled for November 6, 5 to 8 p.m., with pizza, popcorn, music, games and cider tastings for adults. The Farm Store will also be open for browsing food and gifts. Bring the family or meet up with friends at 18028 Carrico Mills Road, and check for any schedule updates before heading out.

Two stops at Culpeper County Library, both on Wednesday: story time for little ones in the morning and the Coin Club’s monthly meeting in the evening.

Creationeers November: Sunday, November 8, 1 to 2 p.m.

Children ages 4 to 8 can design, build and test through STEM activities at PlayDate, 318 S. West Street. $5 per child; general admission is neither included nor required.

Fall Brooch Craft: Monday, November 9, 6 to 7 p.m.

Participants ages 16+ can make a pumpkin-pie felt brooch in Culpeper County Library’s Conference Room, 271 Southgate Shopping Center. Registration is required and materials are provided. Admission is not listed by the organizer.

Culpeper Coin Club

Wed, Nov 4 · 6:00 PM | Culpeper County Library, Culpeper

The club’s monthly meeting takes place at Culpeper County Library, 271 Southgate Shopping Center. This community meeting is not sponsored by the library.

Tiny Tots Story Time

Wed, Nov 4 · 10:30 AM | Culpeper County Library, Culpeper

Babies and toddlers can enjoy stories, songs and activities, followed by free play, in Culpeper County Library’s Community Room. Registration is required.

Lisa Hutchinson, Noelle Dumas and Natalie Hefner painted a TORC motorcycle helmet for “The Girls Helping the Boys,” part of Fulton Moto Bike Fest ’26 and inspired by Culpeper’s 2026 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

Fulton Moto donated the helmet, now on display there. In-person donations at Fulton Moto offer a chance to win it in a January 2027 drawing, with proceeds supporting Movember.

Fulton Moto is located at 107 S East St, Culpeper, VA 22701

Join the Culpeper HQ Dinner Club to hear about upcoming dinners and gatherings before the seats disappear.

Know someone worth featuring, or have a tip, event, place or idea we should know about? Send it our way.

Putting this issue together has us looking a little closer to home. Historic Rapidan is one place we’d like to explore, rather than just read about.

Maybe there’s a place nearby you’ve been meaning to visit, too. Pick a village, follow a walking trail or stop somewhere you usually pass on the way to somewhere else. Take someone along and give yourselves time to look around.

You don’t have to go far to be a tourist. Sometimes it starts with giving a familiar place a little more of your attention.

With ❤️ from Culpeper - Malinda & Tim