WelcomeToWinters2026

1 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

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530.212.5161 • 9253 Johnson Road, Winters, CA 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

P U B L I S HE R / C O O : T. Burt McNaughton E D I T O R : Crystal Apilado W E B S I T E : www.wintersexpress.com C O P Y R I G HT © 2 0 2 6 : McNaughton Media

6 12 15 20

Investing in the next generation A legacy of service

36 40 42 44

Connected health, Thriving communities

Prepared to serve Building What Comes Next 26 Life is sweeter at Morgan’s 30 A table for Western Yolo 32 Connecting people to possibility City Manager Note

Superintendent Note Guide: Who Represents You 48 Guide: Local Attractions 52 Guide: Start A Business Resources 54 Guide: Beyond Winters - What’s Nearby

FLOURISHING TOGETHER Over the past two years, I’ve spent more time than I probably should admit digging through the archives of the Winters Express and Winters Advocate. What I found was a reminder that Winters’ story has never been as simple as a dot on a map.

People came here looking for opportunity. They brought their skills, traditions, ambitions and ideas with them, adding their own chapters to a story that continues to unfold. And there are still countless stories waiting to be explored — some tucked away in archives, some at the edges of stories we’ve already told, and others being written right now.

I’ve also been reminded just how connected our communities have always been. Agriculture, families, businesses, schools, organizations and friendships have tied us together for generations.

That connection is one reason we’ve expanded the fifth volume of Welcome to Winters to include Capay Valley.

The communities just north of Winters have their own identities, histories and ambitions, but we share something important: people who care deeply about where they live and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get things done. Individually, we may be small communities. Together, we are part of a mighty rural region.

That is what led us to this year’s theme: Flourishing.

To flourish is more than simply to grow. It is to thrive in a healthy, meaningful way. It means creating communities where people feel welcome, supported and able to contribute — while preserving what matters and creating opportunities for what comes next.

So, what helps a community flourish?

It takes investment. Not only financial investment, but investments of time, talent, knowledge, creativity and care. It happens when residents support local businesses, volunteer their time, share what they know, welcome new neighbors and empower the next generation to participate.

In these pages, you’ll find stories about the people, businesses and organizations making those investments through service, education, public safety, health care, entrepreneurship, agriculture and community life. You’ll meet people building connections across generations, creating opportunities for others and finding new ways to strengthen the places they call home.

Our communities are not simply surviving. In so many ways, they are flourishing.

I hope this magazine helps you discover something new, appreciate something familiar and perhaps find your own way to invest in what comes next.

Because communities don’t flourish on their own.

They flourish because people invest in them.

— Crystal Apilado, Editor-in-Chief

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Courtesy photo

Winters Middle School students created this ceramic mural with the help of a professional mosaic artist.

FE ATURE

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION T H E WIN T E RS E D U CAT I O N FOUNDATION TUR NS COMMUN I T Y SUPPORT I NTO O P PO RT U N ITIES FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

S

BY A NGE L A U NDE RW O O D

chool funding shortfalls were unacceptable to a group of volunteers in 2009, prompting the creation of the Winters Education Foundation to help fill the gaps.

Raising private funds to supplement public education in Winters through activities and materials outside the core state curriculum has been WEF’s mission for the past 17 years, according to President Kurt Balasek.

“WEF has no employees and is composed entirely of volunteer board members,” Balasek said. “With the exception of a post office box, website hosting and a very short list of other administrative fees, all money raised from the community goes directly to our public school classrooms.”

Who better to raise funds for local schools than former school professionals? WEF works 6 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

closely with Winters Joint Unified School District and has a history of recruiting former school trustees, administrators and educators, along with other community volunteers.

Turning ideas into opportunity Winters JUSD Superintendent Rody Boonchouy said schools are important, but they are only one part of the equation.

“Families, local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community leaders all play a role in creating opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and discover their passions,” Boonchouy said.

That community support can give educators the resources to turn student interests into meaningful opportunities. WEF, for example, was an early funder of a grant application from Winters JUSD robotics program instructors.

“This program has expanded dramatically and has led several Winters students to

receive national recognition for their work in robotics,” Balasek said. “The robotics group has been so successful that it created its own nonprofit organization, Winters Robotics.”

Winters Robotics is one example of what can happen when passion and initiative from the district and volunteer parents are paired with a little seed funding, Balasek said. What began with a small investment grew into a world-class program impacting the lives of middle and high school students in Winters.

Before innovative technology is born, however, money must change hands for materials. That is where WEF comes in.

Supporting teachers, reaching students Each year, WEF solicits grant applications from public school teachers and district employees.

“This mini-grant process, as we refer to it, also encourages teachers to think creatively and develop unique ideas for their classrooms

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LIVE | FEATURE that might never develop through normal channels,” Balasek said.

The grant process is overseen by a subcommittee of WEF board members familiar with district funding needs. The committee conducts an initial evaluation of mini-grant applications before organizing them for review by the full WEF board.

Board members then review district demographic data and ask applicants to estimate how many students each grant would impact.

“The WEF board of directors then meets to discuss all applications and distributes funding equitably among school sites to reach the largest number of students possible,” Balasek said, adding that the process considers all students. “Pre-kinder, special education or second language learners are examples of subpopulations who have benefited from the mini-grant program.”

Growing the impact WEF’s work extends beyond its annual mini-grants.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund is one example. Through Yocha Dehe, the district was awarded $357,000 to upgrade audiovisual aids and computers at Winters High School.

“The Winters High School Principal identified a need to dramatically upgrade available technology within the district,” Balasek said. “WEF volunteers prepared a grant application.”

When board members and volunteers are not writing grant applications, they are working with community partners to raise funds in other ways.

Historically, the Winters community supported WEF by participating in local criterium bicycle races. That effort eventually grew into a partnership with the Sacramento Community Foundation’s annual Big Day of Giving event.

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Transitional Kindergarten students at Waggoner Elementary School were riding high with new heavy-duty bikes and trikes funded by a 2024 WEF mini-grant.

Courtesy photo

“In recent years WEF has partnered with numerous local nonprofit organizations in promoting the BDOG event and

has worked with the Winters Participation Gallery to develop an annual variety show event to further encourage local

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LIVE | FEATURE participation in BDOG,” Balasek said.

WEF has also secured donations for public education from the Mariani Nut Company Foundation, private anonymous donors through the Yolo and Sacramento Community Foundations, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

One of WEF’s founding goals

New calculators help Winters High School students tackle advanced math, thanks to a WEF mini-grant.

Courtesy photo

was to establish an endowment fund that could leverage a portion of today’s donations in perpetuity, Balasek said.

“In 2020, WEF partnered with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to establish an invested donordirected charitable fund,” he said.

“This fund is still small but has started to grow through directed contributions and the power of compounding interest.”

More than a financial investment For WEF, however, investment is not limited to financial contributions. Balasek said the board believes a flourishing community also depends on people contributing their time, talents and energy.

“Though difficult to quantify, Winters seems to have a disproportionately large community of volunteers who

do everything from supporting emergency responders and other local government activities to taking care of our natural resources and parks, and especially our elderly and less fortunate populations,” Balasek said.

Boonchouy agrees that community involvement is an important part of what makes Winters special.

“Whether it’s an internship, an apprenticeship, mentoring, or giving back through community service, our students are surrounded by people who believe in them,” Boonchouy said. “We’re also committed to continually rethinking teaching and learning so students graduate ready for whatever comes next.

It’s that combination of a closeknit community and a willingness to innovate that makes Winters such a great place for children and families.”

That belief crosses classroom lines, according to Balasek, who said parent volunteers in agriculture, sports, music,

academic and theater programs are key to student success.

Investing in community “One observation WEF has made is that thriving schools are the basis of an essential foundation for the whole community,” Balasek said. “In addition to the obvious academic achievements, schools provide strong social opportunities such as concerts and sporting events that bind the community.”

Admitting a bit of bias, the WEF president points to the organization’s volunteers as another example of that community investment nearly two decades after the foundation was established.

“Of course, from the WEF perspective, those who volunteer in support of public education rank among the most-valued in our community,” Balasek said.

To learn more about WEF or volunteer, visit winterseducationfoundation.org.

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FE ATURE

A LE GAC Y OF SE RVIC E VF W PO ST 7 1 4 3 CELEB RATES 8 0 Y EARS OF S ERV ING VET ERANS W H I L E B U I L D I NG A P LACE FOR THE NEX T GENERAT I ON.

F

or 80 years, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7143 has had a place in the Esparto and Capay Valley community.

The Western Yolo VFW Post 7143 was established May 4, 1946, by veterans who not only created the organization but built its home. Four lots were donated by Robert Keisler and his wife, and the post building has been expanded and remodeled over the decades. Much of the work, including recent renovations to the kitchen, plumbing, gas lines, air conditioning and grounds, has continued to be done by the members themselves.

But as Post 7143 enters its ninth decade, its members are thinking about more than preserving a building.

They are thinking about preserving a community — and making sure the next generation sees the VFW as a place that belongs to them, too.

“This isn’t your grandpa’s VFW,” said Jeff Forzaglia, the post’s quartermaster.

Forzaglia said the post is working to change the perception that a VFW is simply a place for older veterans to gather. The goal is to create a

BY C RY S TA L A PIL A DO

more family-oriented organization that remains a place for veterans to find camaraderie while becoming increasingly involved in the broader community.

“There’s a time and a place to have a beer and swapping war stories,” he said. “We don’t want to completely abandon that.”

Instead, Post 7143 is trying to broaden its purpose.

That includes finding ways to involve children and families in post activities, working with local schools and making the hall available to community organizations. The post has hosted or supported activities involving groups such as FFA, Scouts and other nonprofit organizations.

Josh Mash, junior vice commander, said younger veterans often have families and different demands on their time than previous generations of veterans may have had.

The post is looking for ways to meet them where they are.

“We’re open to new ideas,” Mash said. “On how to include the community and entice the younger veterans.”

The effort is important not only to the post’s future membership, but to its survival.

“It will soon be their VFW, or there won’t be a VFW,” Mash said.

Western Yolo VFW Post 7143 members honor those who served and sacrificed during Memorial Day observances in the Capay Valley community.

Courtesy photo 1 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

From one generation to the next The membership of Post 7143 has changed significantly over its 80 years.

When older generations of veterans joined, Vietnam veterans made up much of the membership. Today, the post includes veterans from more recent conflicts, including Desert Storm and Afghanistan, and its members recognize that the next generation of veterans may look very different from those who came before them.

For Forzaglia, the goal is to make sure that transition does not mean losing the sense of connection that has always been at the heart of the organization.

“For me, one of the biggest reasons I wanted to join was I missed the camaraderie,” he said. “I missed being around other people.”

He wants Post 7143 to be a safe place for veterans who still crave that sense of brotherhood.

That sense of belonging is particularly important as veterans transition back into civilian life. Mash said veterans often understand things about one another that can be difficult to explain to people who have not shared the experience of military service.

“We get you,” Mash said. “Things that you get frustrated about when you integrate back into civilian service, we get that.”

The post is also working to make sure that belonging extends to veterans who may not

“We get you. Things that you get frustrated about when you integrate back into civilian service, we get that.”

JO S H MAS H, JU NIO R V IC E C O MMA NDE R

LIVE | FEATURE immediately see themselves as VFW members.

Mash acknowledged that walking through the doors of a VFW can feel intimidating, particularly for someone who isn’t sure whether their military service qualifies them for membership.

The answer, the members said, is often yes.

The post said that membership is not limited to men or to veterans who served directly under enemy fire. Veterans who served in designated combat zones may qualify, and women veterans are eligible as well.

Post 7143 currently has 23 members on its books, with about 12 active members, and would like to see that number grow.

The post is also exploring the creation of an auxiliary, which would give eligible family members and others in the community another avenue for involvement.

Veterans helping veterans While the post is evolving, its fundamental mission remains unchanged: helping veterans.

Post 7143 has expanded its efforts to provide direct assistance to veterans who are facing

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challenges and may not know where to turn.

Members can help assess individual needs, connect veterans with resources through the larger VFW organization and its veterans service officers, and determine how the local post may be able to assist.

That assistance can take many forms, from help navigating veterans benefits to financial or rental assistance, transportation, building wheelchair ramps or connecting veterans with other community resources.

The post recently established a vehicle donation program through an Oregon nonprofit, with plans to use the program to increase its ability to help veterans and contribute to philanthropic efforts in the community.

The members describe that work simply: veterans helping veterans.

But their idea of service extends beyond the veteran community.

Post 7143 participates in Memorial Day activities, places flags on veterans’ graves and recognizes teachers, public servants and Scouts through national VFW programs.

Members march the colors at the high school homecoming and participate in youth programs including Voice of Democracy.

The post also recently completed its VFW National Day of Service project at the local cemetery, repairing approximately 20 sunken headstones in one section. The cemetery

includes Civil War veterans, and members hope to continue the work on additional sections.

For the members, projects such as that one represent an opportunity to serve the community while honoring those who came before them.

Veterans Assistance Program The VFW Post 7143’s Veterans Assistance Program is available to: • Honorably discharged veterans • Active-duty service members in need • Surviving spouses and eligible dependents The program provides a variety of assistance based on individual needs. When someone reaches out, members can assess the situation and determine how the post may be able to assist or connect them with additional resources.

Veterans assistance helpline: 530-650-3506 Email: post7143assistance@gmail.com Search Facebook for: “Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7143 in Esparto CA” for more information about services

LIVE | FEATURE Keeping history alive The post’s connection to history is not limited to its building, its records or the names on the cemetery headstones.

Its members are living history themselves.

The experience of military veterans has not always been openly celebrated. Vietnam veterans, in particular, returned home during a period when military service was not necessarily treated as a source of pride.

Today, Post 7143’s members want to help create a different experience for veterans while making sure younger generations understand what came before them.

Mash said he joined the VFW in part because he wanted his children to see veterans and understand that their service mattered.

He remembers seeing veterans as a child and wants today’s young people to have those same opportunities.

“I want to be visible to the kids so they can see these people matter and what they did matter,” Mash said.

That idea reaches beyond military history.

The members want young people to have

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opportunities to hear directly from people who experienced events that otherwise might exist only in textbooks.

The post would like to develop opportunities for veterans to sit down with students, answer questions and share their experiences.

Forzaglia said the organization has a responsibility to help make sure people do not forget.

“We’re living history,” he said.

A place for the future That sense of history is part of what the members hope to preserve as they build something new.

Forzaglia hopes the next generation will eventually “come up and own it.”

Mash wants the post to become a place where younger veterans and their families feel comfortable walking through the doors, participating in activities and finding a community.

That means continuing to renovate the physical space, expanding community partnerships, increasing membership and finding new ways to serve.

The post recently received an All-American designation from the VFW, recognizing it as one of the top-performing VFW posts in California.

VFW Post 7143 members march the colors during Esparto School District’s annual Homecoming Parade.

Courtesy photos

For a post that has existed since 1946, the recognition is a milestone — but its members see it as a starting point rather than an ending.

They believe there is more the post can contribute.

“Be the change that you want to be the change in your community,” Forzaglia said. “The best way to do that is to get involved.”

And that may ultimately be what Post 7143 is trying to accomplish as it enters its next 80 years: not simply keeping the doors open, but ensuring there is always a reason for someone to walk through them.

Whether that person is a veteran seeking assistance, a family seeking a community event, a child curious about history, or a younger veteran seeking the camaraderie of people who understand, the members want Post 7143 to remain a place where they belong.

FE ATURE

PRE PA RE D T O SE RV E WINTE RS F I RE I N V ESTS IN THE P EOP LE B EHIND THE R ESPONSE , BUI L DI NG ST RO N G E R L EA D E RS, GROW ING EX P ERTIS E AND A SAFER COMMUNI T Y

P

reparedness at the Winters Fire Department isn’t only about having the right equipment ready when a call comes in. It is also about making sure the people answering those calls are prepared to grow, lead and serve.

Across the department, firefighters and staff continue to pursue education, certifications and new experiences — building skills that benefit not only their own careers, but the community they serve.

Leading by learning For Fire Chief Jack S. Snyder III, that commitment starts with leadership.

In December 2025, Snyder graduated from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, a rigorous leadership program designed for fire chiefs and chief officers.

The journey took more than two years.

Snyder applied twice before being accepted, joining a cohort of fire chiefs and chief officers from across the country. The program was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and again when the curriculum was rewritten, and Snyder said his cohort ultimately became something of a test group for the new program.

The work was demanding. Participants completed extensive pre-course work, research and writing, including a six-chapter research project that required interviews, analysis and research methodology. Of the 20 people who began the program, 14 graduated.

“And to be a better leader for my staff. Because if I’m still learning, then it drives them to continue learning.”

J AC K S. SNYDER III, FIR E CHIEF 1 5 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

BY C RY S TA L A PIL A DO

For Snyder, however, the value went far beyond earning another credential.

Years ago, a mentor recognized Snyder’s potential and encouraged him to pursue the program. What began as a recommendation from a mentor ultimately became an opportunity to bring new ideas and perspective back to Winters.

“I wanted to bring something better for myself, but also to the community to be a proactive, forward-thinking leader,” Snyder said. “And to be a better leader for my staff.

Because if I’m still learning, then it drives them to continue learning.”

His research focused on recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters, with an emphasis on Generation Z — the generation increasingly entering the volunteer ranks.

One lesson was the importance of reaching young people during high school, rather than relying primarily on elementary and middle school outreach. Another was understanding that younger volunteers often want to understand the “why” behind what they are being asked to do and want to feel part of the department from the beginning.

The research has already prompted conversations about new ways to recruit and

retain volunteers, including reaching students through career days and creating more opportunities for prospective volunteers to understand what the fire service has to offer.

Snyder also credits the program with broadening his professional network and giving him the opportunity to learn from departments facing similar challenges in different communities.

Earlier this year, Snyder added another professional achievement, earning the designation of Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE).

Turning knowledge into action Snyder isn’t the only member of the department pursuing advanced professional development.

Fire Captain Matt Schechla became the first member of Winters Fire to earn the Fire Officer Designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a credential recognizing leadership and operational skills in firefighting.

The designation requires an in-depth application, peer review, interview and board review, and must be renewed every three

In November 2024, Matt Schlechla was surrounded by family and his fire family as he celebrated completing the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, a demanding course focused on leadership, data analysis and strategic decisionmaking.

Courtesy photo

LIVE | FEATURE to demonstrate continued professional development and contributions to the community.

In 2024, Schechla had already completed the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, a demanding program focused on leadership, data analysis and strategic decision-making.

For his capstone project, he examined ways to reduce cancer risks for Winters firefighters, looking at protective equipment, decontamination procedures and everyday practices that could improve long-term firefighter health.

The project also reinforced the importance of continually reassessing practices as science and technology evolve.

Some of the changes Schechla identified were simple behavioral changes, such as washing gear more frequently, cleaning exposed skin after structure fires and avoiding unnecessary diesel exhaust exposure inside the station. The department has also made physical changes at the firehouse, including installing equipment in the apparatus bay to help circulate air where

the trucks are stored.

The goal, Schechla said, is to identify changes that are realistic, effective and fiscally responsible — recognizing that some improvements require an investment while others simply require a change in behavior.

Putting training into practice Professional development doesn’t stop in a classroom. The department has also invested in creating places where firefighters can put those skills to work.

Winters firefighters conduct a training exercise in the department’s Off County Road 88, a fivetraining containers tower off of County Road 88.

Connex, two-story structure Courtesy photo now serves as the Winters Fire State Fire Marshal certification.

Department’s new training tower.

The department is also putting its newest Funded through a grant from AgWest, the apparatus through its paces. Truck 26, the facility gives firefighters a dedicated place department’s new aerial ladder truck, has a to practice a range of skills and evolutions, 109-foot vertical reach, giving firefighters including live-fire training. significantly different capabilities — and a lot to The tower is also helping prepare the learn. Crews are training not only on the truck’s next generation of firefighters. Winters Fire controls, gadgets and aerial operations, but also partnered with the Solano Community College on how to maneuver the apparatus through a Fire Academy to provide students with new environment while working with their gear hands-on training as they complete their final evolutions before graduation and California and equipment.

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have consistently shown up and are both moving toward careers on the paramedic side — a significant commitment that requires time, education and perseverance.

Reserve volunteer firefighter Wyatt Todd has continued to contribute consistently to the department and recently earned his paramedic card, taking another step in his professional development.

And Resident Volunteer Firefighter Erik Guzman recently graduated from the fire academy and is preparing to begin his EMT certification this fall. Guzman’s progress has already earned recognition within his training: He was selected as squad leader of his academy squad.

For Botello, watching members take those steps is a source of pride.

Botello knows firsthand that growth in the fire service doesn’t stop once someone has earned a position or certification. Since first being named Firefighter of the Year in 2022, he has continued pursuing

LIVE | FEATURE That training has taken firefighters into the downtown corridor, where they have been practicing aerial operations in Winters’ historic downtown. The hands-on experience helps crews become familiar with the truck and its capabilities before they need to rely on it during an emergency.

Investing in the next generation That same commitment to learning extends to Winters Fire’s volunteer firefighters.

Mario Botello, president of the Winters Volunteer Firefighters Association and a two-time Winters Firefighter of the Year, pointed to several members whose continued commitment and professional development have stood out to him.

Reserve volunteer firefighters Mark Jansen and Xavier Hoang

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ABOVE: Winters firefighters train on the controls and operation of the department’s new ladder truck. Training will continue across different terrain and in a variety of potential emergencies.

LEFT: Continued training and certifications gives Winters firefighters and volunteers the skills to conduct wellness checks and provide support throughout the community.

Courtesy photos

LIVE | FEATURE additional training, most recently completing the state fire marshal’s Driver Operator task book.

He has also discovered a passion for passing what he has learned on to others.

Working with cadets at the Solano Fire Academy gave Botello an opportunity to watch newer firefighters develop from the beginning of their training through graduation — an experience that changed the way he approaches mentoring.

“Now having a broader perspective of the fire service, my main goal is to get them to that point, but to make sure they have an understanding of what they’re doing and why they are doing it,” he said.

That approach mirrors the philosophy Snyder described in his own research: The goal isn’t simply to bring people into the fire service, but to help them find a place where they can learn, contribute and continue developing.

Recruitment Coordinator Aide Aguilera plays an important role in that process, helping

prospective volunteers navigate recruitment and supporting new members as they begin their careers.

Together, those efforts create a pipeline that extends beyond simply filling volunteer positions.

They help build firefighters who are confident in their skills, understand their responsibilities and are prepared to take on more as they develop.

M AR I O BOT E L L O , W INT E RS V O L U NT E E R F I R E F I GH T ERS AS S O C IAT IO N PRE S IDE NT

Always learning For those considering volunteering, Botello’s advice is simple — Don’t be intimidated by the process.

Visit the station. Take a ride-along. Say yes to opportunities and new experiences, even when they feel unfamiliar.

“You’ll get a lot more out of the experience by saying yes,” he said.

And not every part of the job is exciting.

“Just remember it’s all about doing the unglamorous work.”

Dr. Taylor Langdon, DC specializes in family, prenatal, sports, and animal chiropractic.

Dr. Taylor is Webster technique certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) to treat pregnant women. Dr. Taylor received her animal chiropractic certification through the Animal Chiropractic Education Source (ACES). She treats small animals in her office and commutes to barns for large animals.

Her mission is to provide quality chiropractic care to all people and animals in each stage of life.

9 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694 • (530) 288-4022 renewhchiro@gmail.com • www.renewhealthchiropractic.org Tue & Fri 8:30am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-5:30pm • Wed & Thu 1:30pm-5:30pm Every Other Sat 9:00am-12:00pm • Closed Sun & Mon 1 8 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

“Now having a broader perspective of the fire service, my main goal is to get them to that point, but to make sure they have an understanding of what they’re doing and why they are doing it.”

That willingness to learn — whether in a classroom, on the training grounds or at an emergency scene — is what ties the department’s professional development efforts together.

As Snyder puts it, firefighters should expand their horizons and seek experience wherever they can find it.

For a department charged with preparing for everything from everyday emergencies to increasingly complex incidents, that commitment to continual learning is more than professional development. It is preparation for the next call — and an investment in the people who will answer it.

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FE ATURE

BUILDING W HAT C OM E S N E XT LO CA L C H A M B E RS O F COMMERCE AR E R EDEFINING HOW T H EY CONNECT BU SINES S ES, RES I D E N TS AND V IS ITORS TO THE P LACES T H EY CAL L HOME

A

BY C RY S TA L A PIL A DO

community’s business identity is never static.

As the needs of local businesses change, so do the organizations that support them. In Winters and throughout the Capay Valley, the local Chambers of Commerce are entering new chapters — looking beyond traditional business promotion and events to build stronger connections among businesses, residents, visitors and the broader community.

In Winters, the Winters District Chamber of Commerce recently merged with the Winters Downtown Business Association, part of a larger effort to create a more active and useful resource for local businesses. In the Capay Valley, the Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce is working toward a new identity as the Capay Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, reflecting a broader regional focus.

For Winters Chamber President Carla Wroten, that means building an organization that is present and useful to local businesses throughout the year.

“I want the Winters Chamber to be more than an organization that hosts events,” Wroten

The Capay Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts ribbon cuttings for new businesses and mixers that connect local businesses with one another and the community. Circle Z Floral’s ribbon cutting marked the community welcome to its new storefront.

Courtesy photo

said. “I want us to be a resource that helps our members learn how to thrive in business, connect with one another, and work together to create a community where people want to visit, shop, invest and do business.”

In the Capay Valley, Chamber President Laura Gordon is focused on building an organization that reflects the region’s broader identity and its changing business landscape.

“Our goal is to build a stronger, more modern, and more connected Chamber that truly reflects the needs and opportunities of our local businesses and the community we serve,” Gordon said.

For both Chambers, that means redefining what it means to serve a rural business community.

“I want us to be a resource that helps our members learn how to thrive in business, connect with one another, and work together to create a community where Connecting the people want to visit, shop, community In Winters and the Capay Valley, the lines invest and do business.” between business, community and visitor

CA R L A WR OT EN, experience are often difficult to draw. A trip for dinner can become an evening downtown. A W INTE RS C HAM B ER PR ESID ENT visit to a farm can lead to another stop in the

2 0 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Valley. A community event can introduce visitors and residents to businesses they might not otherwise encounter.

Both Chambers see an opportunity to strengthen those connections.

Wroten sees the Winters Chamber as “a connector, an advocate and a resource,” helping small businesses create opportunities they might not be able to create on their own. That includes promoting Winters as a destination, increasing tourism, supporting local businesses and connecting business owners with resources and one another.

Gordon similarly sees the Capay Valley Chamber as a connector, advocate, resource and partner, helping businesses connect with customers, regional organizations, government agencies and resources while encouraging cooperation within the business community.

That approach reflects a larger shift in how the region sees its potential: not as a collection of individual businesses and destinations, but as an interconnected place with a story to tell.

“We want to highlight the Valley as a whole — its agriculture, food, experiences, events, hospitality, outdoor opportunities, and unique

PLAY | FEATURE local businesses,” Gordon said.

Creating a destination The opportunity is not simply to draw visitors into the region, but to create a stronger connection between the places they visit and the businesses that make those experiences possible.

Wroten points to Winters’ combination of food, coffee, wine, agriculture, recreation and smalltown community as assets that can draw visitors. She sees an opportunity to work collectively to promote Winters, create events and experiences that support local businesses and continue investing in downtown and other commercial areas.

“The opportunity is to give people more reasons to come to Winters, stay longer and come

back again,” Wroten said. “That means working together to promote Winters as a destination, creating experiences and events that support our businesses, and continuing to invest in our downtown and other commercial areas.”

For Gordon, that interconnected approach can translate directly into a stronger local economy.

“A visitor who comes to the Valley for one experience can be introduced to several others,” Gordon said. “That creates a stronger local economy and encourages visitors to stay longer and return.”

Digital visibility is becoming part of that equation as well.

People increasingly discover businesses and destinations online before ever arriving, making it important for local communities to tell their own stories in that space. Gordon identifies digital visibility as an opportunity for the Capay

Check out WintersRealEstate.com for your weekly updates on all Winters properties.

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The Winters and Capay Valley regional chambers host events that celebrate their communities and welcome visitors, including (LEFT) Winters’ Spring Open downtown and the (ABOVE) annual Almond Festival, which spans communities throughout the Capay Valley.

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PLAY | FEATURE while both Chambers are looking at ways to strengthen communication and promotion.

Investing in one another Beneath the Chambers’ practical work is a longer-term question: What happens when local businesses are able not only to open their doors, but to put down roots?

For Wroten, sustaining that business community means creating a culture where local enterprises can last, grow and eventually be passed to the next generation.

“I really believe that whatever you put into this community, you get back,” Wroten said. “Winters is a small town, and we don’t have endless choices, which makes supporting the businesses and people who have chosen to invest here even more important.”

That investment can take many forms, from shopping locally and supporting entrepreneurs to increasing tourism and giving visitors more reasons to spend time in Winters.

“When our businesses flourish, they create jobs, support our schools and nonprofits, sponsor our kids and events, and reinvest right back into Winters,” Wroten said. “That’s how the whole community flourishes.”

In the Capay Valley, Gordon sees the same relationship between local businesses and the identity of the region. Farmers, ranchers, hospitality providers, artisans, service providers, retailers and other organizations all contribute to the character and economic health of the Valley.

The Chambers are working to make that investment easier by creating opportunities for businesses to learn, connect and promote themselves.

“Our identity should be authentic,” Gordon said. “We don’t want to become something we are not. We want to make 2 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

sure that as the Valley grows and evolves, we protect the character, agricultural heritage, natural beauty, and community spirit that make this place unique.”

“We want to make sure that as the Valley grows and evolves, we protect the character, agricultural heritage, natural beauty, and community spirit that make this place unique.”

L AUR A GO R DO N , C AP AY V AL L E Y CH A M B E R P R E S I DE N T In Winters, those efforts include Lunch & Learns, networking mixers, ribbon cuttings, memberto-member discounts, community events and services such as paper recycling and shredding days. The Chamber is also continuing signature events such as State of the City and Toast of Winters while looking for ways to make events more beneficial to local businesses.

The Capay Valley Chamber is focused on improving communication and digital outreach, increasing member engagement, developing partnerships and creating opportunities for local businesses to participate and promote themselves. The group just hosted its first Business Showcase & Mixer in July where businesses, groups and nonprofits had the opportunity to connect and learn some new tech skills and best practices on utilizing social media in a series of mini workshops.

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PLAY | FEATURE Growing while staying rooted The Winters Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Toast to Winters community awards event, recognizing outstanding community members for their contributions and welcoming the Chamber’s new board of directors.

Perhaps the most important thing the two Chambers share is a recognition that growth and preservation don’t have to be opposing ideas.

For Winters, that means thoughtful growth while maintaining the relationships and character that make the city special. For the Capay Valley, it means embracing new ideas while protecting its agricultural heritage, natural

Courtesy photo

when “people feel connected, businesses

But the goal is not to become something

“Our transformation is not about changing

have opportunities to succeed, residents are

different. It is to create new opportunities while

who we are; it’s about building on our strengths

engaged, and there is a shared belief that the

keeping the relationships, character and sense

and creating a stronger foundation for the

future is something we can build together.”

of place that brought people here in the first

beauty and community spirit.

future,” Gordon said.

In Winters and the Capay Valley, that future

place.

For both Chambers, that work is ultimately

is being built through the everyday connections

That may be what makes a community

less about defining a destination than helping

between businesses, residents, visitors and the

flourish: building what comes next without

shape what happens within it.

places they share.

losing what made the place worth building in

A community flourishes, Gordon said,

The region’s identity may continue to evolve.

the first place.

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When fall arrives, pumpkins fill the field at Morgans, inviting visitors to browse and choose their favorites.

FE ATURE

LIFE IS SWEETER AT MORGAN’S F R ESH F RU I T, FA M I LY TRADITIONS AND A W ELCOMING RANC H I NVI T E V I S I TO RS TO SLOW DOW N AND SAVOR THE HARVEST

T

BY A NGE L A U NDE RW O O D

here is something about growing up on a farm.

Cindy Baker will be the first to tell you family-owned farms are more than where crops are grown.

“At Morgan’s, memories are made, traditions are passed down, and people can feel connected to the land and to one another,” said Baker, owner of Morgan’s of California. “We always welcome visitors to experience the beauty, hard work and our family heritage of agriculture.”

Stepping onto the ranch is a step into the family’s history, made visible in the 1929 red barn and authentic wooden fences. After nearly a century, Baker said the family is still working to preserve “our place here and honor our grandparents,” who settled on the ranch in 1942 with their two children.

“Our dad moved here to the ranch at the age of 12 with his family,” Baker said. Six 2 6 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

generations have lived on the ranch, with four generations currently living there.

“We named our business after our Morgan family.”

A family farm evolves The 100-acre ranch evolved from a dairy and tomato farm into orchards of apricots, nectarines and peaches. Over time, the dairy barn became a fresh-fruit packing shed, where juicy apricots “were some of the first to be shipped to markets back east,” according to Baker.

“We also cut and dried apricots and peaches for most of the summer,” she said. To cut out the middleman, the family opened its store in the 1960s. “We started selling our dried fruit, almonds, walnuts, candies and jam made here at the ranch.”

Baker’s childhood memories are filled with hard work, fun and the struggles that come with farming.

“Our dad always had a full-time job away

“At Morgan’s, memories are made, traditions are passed down, and people can feel connected to the land and to one another.”

C INDY BA KE R, MO RGA N’ S O F C A L IFO RNIA from the ranch,” Baker said. “A small family farm struggles financially at times, and most of the property was sold in the ’70s.”

Today, the family ranch encompasses 18 hillside acres, including the farm store and a few stands.

“In 2010, we decided to try and supplement sales here at the ranch by turning the acres into an organic, pick-your-own business,” Baker said. “Our goal was to have something fresh for

PLAY | FEATURE families to pick year-round.”

And they did.

From the ranch to the table “Most of our fruit trees and bushes are on the hillsides of the ranch,” Baker said. “We offer free tours of the property and take visitors for a ride up the hill on our John Deere Gator.”

“We talk about our family and point out the different fruits and nuts grown here on the ranch,” she said.

It’s all about farm-totable at Morgan’s. Baker said Morgan’s ranch gives families an opportunity to experience where their food comes from and see firsthand the work, care and traditions that go into farming.

“We have activities such as picking fruit, visiting animals, walking through orchards and sometimes enjoying seasonal farm events that give children and adults opportunities to learn together and make lasting memories,” Baker said.

The ranch’s relaxed atmosphere continues to draw visitors who can slow down, enjoy its beauty and develop a deeper appreciation for the land.

“In a changing world, these farms keep alive the knowledge passed from one generation to the next: how to care for the soil, grow food, work with the seasons, and live with a sense of responsibility to the land,” Baker said.

The ranch remains distinctly family-run. There are no employees, and the family closes

Sundays and Christmas.

Where visitors become friends Of all the ranch’s acres on the hillside, the most special piece is the family home.

“Our mom still lives here on the ranch; she is 92 years old,” Baker said, adding that patrons often come to visit her. “Many of our visitors become our friends, and then they bring their friends.”

Sharing the “peace and serenity that is here at the ranch” is why Baker continues to get her hands dirty every day, despite the long hours and hard work that go into making candy, flavored nuts, jams and jellies with fresh, homegrown ingredients.

“We truly do appreciate all those who visit us and help support the ranch by shopping in the store and picking whatever is in season,” Baker said.

The family’s more than 80-year connection to the ranch can be seen and tasted throughout the year, especially on holidays, anniversaries and birthdays, when Baker crafts special gift boxes and baskets by request.

Though not everyone can grow up on a farm, the Morgan family gives Winters-area residents a chance to walk the sunny foothills of Northern California, taste the harvest and share time with loved ones in a place where agriculture is still deeply personal.

“Visitors to the ranch feel welcomed and seen,” Baker said.

“We love sharing the ranch, and people can feel and see that, saying they feel the ranch is a place of beauty and peace.”

For more information on visiting Morgan’s of California, 3984 Canal Lane, call 530-795-3253.

Blueberries are among the fresh-picked offerings that draw visitors to Morgans throughout the growing season.

Courtesy photo 2 7 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

WINTERS SENIOR FOUNDATION CONNECTING, SUPPORTING & ENRICHING THE LIVES OF LOCAL SENIORS The Winters Senior Foundation (WSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping older adults remain active, connected and engaged in our community.

Through a variety of free and low-cost programs, WSF works to reduce isolation while creating opportunities for friendship, learning, wellness, and fun. Each Thursday, WSF partners with Meals on Wheels Yolo County to host Cafe Yolo for seniors 60 and older. Following lunch, many stay for our weekly Thursday Social Gathering, featuring games, guest speakers, and educational presentations.

The WSF also offers weekly Chair Yoga classes, quarterly amateur art classes, local outings, seasonal celebrations, an annual Ice Cream feast. During the holidays we manage our Santa Bag program which provides essential household and personal care items to local seniors who could use a little extra support, reminding them that they are valued and remembered.

Our programs are made possible through volunteers, community partnerships, and the generous support of local donors.

To learn more, volunteer, or support our mission follow us on facebook Winters Senior Foundation, visit www.wintersseniorfoundation.org, email info@winterseniorfoundation.org, or use our message phone 530-794-6067

Where the Doctor Knows Your Neighbors, Too

Northbay Health brings full-time primary care to Main Street in Winters

At the heart of Yolo County’s farmland sits Winters, a slowpaced agricultural town that wears its history openly. A rich farming heritage meets a walkable downtown that draws visitors and locals alike, with shopping, dining, and a calendar full of community events. And tucked into those downtown streets is a primary care practice where the doctor knows his patients about as well as their neighbors do — which means you might run into your physician at the grocery store. That is Winters in a sentence.

Winters is small by design, with a population of roughly 8,300, but it isn’t standing still. The quiet growth of recent years has brought a long-standing need into focus: healthcare close to home. For years, getting adequate care meant driving to Vacaville, Davis, or Woodland — one more thing for families to solve on top of simply trying to stay healthy. Distance like that is exactly the kind of gap that should determine where a health system grows next.

2 8 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Northbay Health 101 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694 707-646-5500 northbay.org

Northbay Health’s approach to growth starts with a simple question: which communities are under served, and what would it actually take to change that? In Winters, the answer was a full-time primary care practice right on Main Street.

Leading the practice is Dr. Michael Tang, an Air Force veteran who is board-certified in internal medicine. He trained at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine and completed his residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Tang says he was drawn to medicine because it lets him connect with people and make a real difference in their lives — a motivation that shows up plainly in how he practices.

His days cover the full reality of primary care: managing chronic conditions while staying ready for whatever acute issue walks through the door without warning.

Additionally, he integrates acupuncture into his practice to support both physical recovery and general wellness.

This holistic approach offers patients a unique, integrative

treatment option alongside standard primary care.

Ask Dr. Tang about his philosophy and it comes down to three things: avoiding unnecessary prescriptions, leaning into preventive care, and making sure patients understand their treatment well enough to take ownership of it. Working closely with each patient lets him find what fits their life, not just their chart.

Outside the office, he’s usually walking his dog, spending time with family, or volunteering somewhere around town. In a town where trust is built slowly and connection matters, he’s a natural fit.

Good healthcare begins with two things: a community’s trust, and its access to safe, patient-centered care.

Delivering on both means looking beyond the communities NorthBay Health already serves to the ones still waiting for comprehensive care. The Winters practice reflects a deliberate choice about where to grow next, guided by NorthBay Health’s mission to improve the wellbeing of our communities by providing conveniently accessible, high-quality care — which in Winters meant establishing a dedicated practice on Main Street with the ideal physician to lead it.

Advanced care for every stage of life Dr. Michael Tang is now seeing patients at NorthBay Health in Winters.

A board-certified Internal Medicine physician and U.S. Air Force veteran, Dr. Tang brings a disciplined, patient-first approach to adult and senior care—focused on prevention, lasting health, and the kind of thorough attention that makes every visit count.

If you want to be seen by Dr. Tang, we welcome you to schedule your care with us at 707-646-5500 101 Main Street, Winters.

2 9 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

FE ATURE

A TABLE FOR W E STE RN YOL O B U C K H O RN ’ S ROOTS IN W INTERS HAV E GROWN I NTO A REG I O N A L FO O D B US INES S THAT B R INGS P EOP LE TOGET H ER

S

BY S O NO RA S L AT E R

ome businesses become part of a community. Others become part of the landscape.

Buckhorn has managed to do both — growing from a historic restaurant in downtown Winters into a recognizable food brand while maintaining the communityminded roots that helped it get

there.

“When I moved here from the Bay Area, I asked several people what the best restaurant in Winters was,” said Bret Constantino, corporate executive chef at the Buckhorn Restaurant Group. “Everyone said Buckhorn Steakhouse.”

The steakhouse, a longtime gem of Winters’ restaurant scene, opened in 1980 and has weathered nearly half a century of change, making it through two recessions and a pandemic.

To be sure, part of that impressive record is because the food is just that good. But Emarie VanGalio, COO of Buckhorn Cafe Inc. and daughter of original owners John Pickerel and Melanie Bajakian-Pickerel, also attributes

the restaurant’s longevity to her parents’ emphasis on supporting the local business community, with the belief that a rising tide lifts all boats.

“My parents always said that if you’re just promoting your business, you’re not doing your job,” VanGalio said. “We try to promote Winters as a destination.”

VanGalio has carried that philosophy forward. Along with other local business owners, she has a long history of collaborating on celebrations and events designed to draw visitors to Winters and encourage them to explore more of what the community has to offer.

In the last year, Buckhorn has participated in the wine-centric Albariño Stroll, the St. Paddy’s Bar Crawl and the Christmas-themed Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, along with numerous other events that encourage participants to discover several food and drink destinations in a single evening.

Visitors might not visit Buckhorn Steakhouse at all during these celebrations, VanGalio acknowledged. They might not even eat at a

“I know our product is good, and I know people will enjoy their dinner. So we have the freedom to focus on other things, like what we can be doing for the greater good of the area.”

E M AR I E V AN GAL I O , BU C KHO RN C A FE INC . C O O

The Buckhorn Steakhouse is a destination for locals celebrating milestones and visitors making a trip to enjoy dinner and explore downtown Winters.

Courtesy photo 3 0 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

local restaurant, instead packing a picnic lunch or grabbing food from a truck brought in for the event.

But that isn’t the point.

The point, she said, is that a new crowd has a chance to experience Winters — and perhaps discover a reason to come back.

“I know our product is good, and I know people will enjoy their dinner,” VanGalio said.

“So we have the freedom to focus on other things, like what we can be doing for the greater good of the area.”

That commitment extends beyond events.

Buckhorn supports local organizations and contributes funds, meals and other resources to community causes, reinforcing the idea that a successful business can play a role in strengthening the community around it.

The business has grown considerably since 1980. What began with the steakhouse has expanded to include the equally iconic Putah Creek Cafe, as well as Buckhorn BBQ and Grill locations throughout North America. More recently, the company has extended its reach beyond Winters with Buckhorn Meat Co. in Esparto, creating another connection between the communities that make up Western Yolo County.

But long before Buckhorn became a recognizable regional name, the Pickerels had to establish themselves as both business owners and community partners.

When they took charge of the property that would become Buckhorn Steakhouse, the former DeVilbiss Hotel, built in 1889, was crumbling. The building had survived an

he wanted people to be able to recreate it at home.

That idea became Buckhorn Meat Co. earthquake, a fire and numerous The offshoot business, located changes in use, from hardware in Esparto and open daily from store to Chinese restaurant and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers many more. of the restaurant’s best-known The Pickerels repeatedly meat cuts, from its signature had to decide, over months of char-roasted tri-tip to smoky planning and restoration, whether sausages. The meats are sold transforming the historic property with preparation directions to into a community gathering place help customers create a highwas worth the effort — and quality meal at home. The store, whether the community would which opened in 2024, also embrace it. carries grilling tools, merchandise It did. and other retail items.

On the practical side, “I want to empower people to establishing the restaurant meant have the restaurant experience committing to a simple but in their own home,” Constantino consistently good menu, taking said. the time to perfect it and figuring The Buckhorn is located at out where to source the best the corner of Main Street and ingredients. To Constantino, part Railroad Avenue, just across the of that journey involves restraint street from its sister business, and keeping things classic.

Putah Creek Cafe. The two spots “An old chef once told me, draw visitors from throughout the ‘When it comes to food, if it region while remaining regular hasn’t been done yet, it probably stops for local residents, creating isn’t a good idea,’” Constantino a physical gateway to downtown said. “People want comfort food, Winters. so we stopped reinventing the But Buckhorn’s role in the wheel.” community reaches beyond that Rather than offering an corner. expansive menu, Buckhorn From its roots in a restored focuses on perfecting what it is historic building in Winters to known for: char-roasted tri-tip, its presence in Esparto, the prime rib and hearty German business has grown alongside the potato soup. communities it serves. Its story is For Constantino, serving people one of food, entrepreneurship and a good meal is a privilege that longevity, but also of recognizing never gets old. In fact, he loves that a thriving business does not the experience so much that exist in isolation.

By lifting up neighboring businesses, supporting local organizations and extending its reach across Western Yolo County, Buckhorn and the Pickerels’ legacy offer another kind of gateway — one that welcomes people into the character of the region, whether they The Buckhorn Meat Co. offers a variety of products, are visiting for the first including hand-butchered steaks and house-made time or returning for the thousandth, and invites sausage in the Capay Valley region.

Courtesy photos them to stay awhile.

WORK | FEATURE

3 1 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Offer expires 12/31/26.

FE ATURE

CONN E C TING PEOPL E T O P O SSIBILIT Y R ISE I N C . CO N N ECTS R ES IDENTS ACROS S W ESTER N YOLO COUNT Y W I T H T H E RES O URCES AND S UP PORT THEY NEED TO T H RI VE

S

BY JA C O B HO FFMA N

trong communities are built when people work together, and no one understands that better than the workers and volunteers of RISE Inc.

Since 1987, RISE Inc. (Rural Innovations in Social Economics, Incorporated) has served rural Yolo County as a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated to enhancing quality of life and creating opportunities for selfsufficiency for its residents.

RISE Inc. Executive Director Laura Guevara spoke with the Express about the important work RISE does throughout western Yolo County and what it takes to build stronger communities.

Meeting community needs The services provided by RISE are numerous, covering a range of areas that help individuals, families and communities thrive.

“At RISE, our mission is to strengthen western rural Yolo County by connecting individuals and families with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive,” Guevara explained.

“We serve residents in Winters, Esparto, Madison, Capay Valley, and the surrounding rural communities through resource navigation, food assistance, mental health services, youth development, senior programming, tax preparation, workforce development, family support, and community outreach.”

Some specific programs RISE operates include the Help Me Grow Program, which provides case management for families with children ages zero to 5; the RISE Food Pantry at 417 Haven St., in Winters, which is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, which provides youth employment services such as job readiness, resume and application assistance, and job placement.

Together, these services provide benefits 3 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

RISE Inc. serves residents throughout western Yolo County from its Winters (LEFT) and Esparto (ABOVE) office locations, connecting individuals and families with resources, support and opportunities to thrive.

Courtesy photos

not only to individuals, but also to the families and communities around them. Food support, mental health services, educational opportunities and employment assistance can help people regain stability, care for themselves and their families, and remain connected to their communities.

“Clients often come through our doors during some of the most

“Clients often come through our doors during some of the most challenging moments of their lives, but our goal isn’t simply to provide temporary assistance.”

L AUR A GUEV A RA , E XE C U T IV E DIRE C T O R

WORK | FEATURE challenging moments of their lives, but our goal isn’t simply to provide temporary assistance,” Guevara said. “It’s to help them regain stability, build confidence, and provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed long-term. While our programs address immediate needs, our goal is to help build stronger, healthier, and more connected rural communities.”

RISE Inc. volunteers distribute food to Winters and Espartoarea residents on the first and third Thursdays of each month, helping provide families with access to nutritious food and essential resources.

Stronger together After nearly four decades of providing services throughout the region, RISE has seen the impact extend well beyond the immediate challenges that bring people through its doors.

“We see families becoming more aware and connected to local resources, neighbors building stronger relationships, youth developing leadership skills, and older adults finding renewed purpose through social engagement,” Guevara said. “These outcomes contribute to communities where people know one another, support one another, and work together to address the issues that affect them.”

That sense of connection is central to RISE’s approach. The organization recognizes that

Courtesy photo

communities are built by individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, schools and public agencies all working toward common goals and supporting the people around them.

“No single organization can do this work alone,” Guevara acknowledged. “By partnering with schools, healthcare providers, local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and community members, we’re able to expand opportunities and create a stronger support network for everyone who calls western Yolo

County home.”

Guevara also expressed appreciation for the partners, volunteers, donors and community members whose support makes RISE’s work possible.

Those partnerships also help RISE respond to the distinct needs of the communities it serves, from Winters and Esparto to Madison, Capay Valley and the surrounding rural areas.

“One of the things we’re most proud of is that RISE is deeply rooted in the communities

WINTERS JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Engaging, Educating, and Empowering Every Learner

Enrolling Students Preschool to 12th Grade 3 3 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

WORK | FEATURE serve. Many of our staff live here, have raised their families here, or have personally experienced the challenges that many of our participants face. That local connection allows us to respond with empathy, build trust, and develop programs that reflect the unique needs and strengths of our rural communities.”

Investing in people That work is a key part of what makes a community stronger. RISE’s efforts represent an investment in both the present and the future — an investment in the people who make these communities what they are.

“Communities don’t flourish because of services alone,” Guevara said. “They flourish because of people.”

Every service provided by RISE and other

community organizations can be the support someone needs to move forward and, in turn, contribute to the people and places around them.

“A student who receives mentoring today becomes tomorrow’s leader. A parent who receives support during a difficult season creates greater stability for their family. A senior who remains socially connected experiences improved health and quality of life.”

For RISE and Guevara, that is what it means to build a stronger community. It is not a single act, but a process of growth, connection and achievement built through years of effort.

“A flourishing community is one where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Guevara concluded, “a community where people feel connected, supported, valued, and hopeful.

“It’s where children have opportunities to learn and grow, families have access to the resources they need, seniors remain active and engaged, and neighbors look out for one another. But this can only happen through relationships, collaboration, compassion, and by investing in people. That’s what we strive to build every day at RISE.”

“Communities don’t flourish because of services alone; they flourish because of people.”

L A URA GU EVARA , EX ECU T IVE D IR EC T O R

3 4 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

RISE, Inc. hosted food distributions WHEN: First and third Thursdays of the month This is a walk-up food distribution. Please bring your own bags or cart.

• Esparto RISE office

17317 Fremont St, Esparto Hours: 9:30 a.m. - while supplies last

• Winters RISE office

417 Haven Street, Winters Hours: 10 a.m. - while supplies last Get details on services and programs at https://www.riseinc.org.

NOTE: RISE Inc. partners with the Yolo Food Bank as an official partner agency, providing fresh produce and grocery items through public community food distributions at its Winters and Esparto sites. For other food distribution locations, visit yolofoodbank.org/ find-food.

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FE ATURE

CONNE C TED H EA LTH , TH R I V I NG C OMMU N ITIE S W I N T E RS H EA LT HCAR E WOR KS TO K EEP FAMILIES ACROSS TH E W EST E RN YO LO R EGION HEALTHY, CONNECTED AND SUPPORT ED

H

BY JA C O B HO FFMA N

ealth is an obvious but often underappreciated part of flourishing. It’s easy to take it for granted, and it can become a major difficulty when it’s lost. The Winters Healthcare Foundation knows this, and for more than 20 years, it has worked to ensure that health isn’t a barrier between the people of Winters, Esparto and the surrounding communities and a happy, flourishing community.

Christopher Kelsch, executive director of Winters Healthcare, spoke with the Express about what Winters Healthcare does for the region and its vision for how its communities can flourish.

Beginning in 2000 as a grassroots effort by local citizens concerned about local health care issues, the Winters Healthcare Foundation set out with a simple but ambitious goal: to provide Winters and the surrounding area with the health care it deserved.

Recalling the organization’s beginnings, Kelsch read from the original board package outlining the initial mission of Winters Healthcare.

“The initial mission 20 years ago was, ‘Winters Healthcare seeks to develop and sustain a comprehensive community-based system of care that responds to local and regional needs.’”

Winters Healthcare operates medical clinics in Winters (ABOVE) and Esparto (LEFT), providing primary care and other health services to residents throughout the region.

A broad range of care Today, Winters Healthcare’s services cover a wide range of community medical needs across its Winters and Esparto locations, from physicians, pediatricians and physician assistants providing primary care services such as sick visits and annual physicals, to behavioral health services focused on cognitive behavioral therapy to help bridge the gap between physical and mental health.

Its dental services include eight operatories in Winters and five in Esparto, providing cleanings, fillings, extractions and sealants.

3 6 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Courtesy photo

Along with these services, Winters Healthcare operates full-service pharmacies at both its Winters and Esparto locations.

“I don’t know if everybody in town knows,” Kelsch added, “but both pharmacies … you don’t have to be a patient here. You can pick this as your pharmacy when you go to see your doctor;

it’ll come up on a list.”

Winters Healthcare also provides community services throughout the area, including the Teen Help program at Winters Middle and High School, mobile mammography and community gardening plots behind the community center.

It all adds up to high-quality service that is

WORK | FEATURE well regarded across California.

“We’re considered one of the top quality performers in Northern California, according to Partnership HealthPlan,” Kelsch noted. “We do well in terms of our clinical quality, like our preventive care, cervical cancer screening, colorectal screening, breast cancer screening, those things, as well as chronic disease management.”

Meeting rural needs Winters Healthcare is aware that a broad range of services is especially important to rural communities, where health care can be more difficult to access.

“Rural areas don’t necessarily have the same resources,” Kelsch acknowledged, “so there’s not necessarily a medical office here for a ton of people.”

Like many rural communities, Winters, Esparto and the surrounding Capay Valley are home to a larger population of older residents, for whom common health issues and transportation challenges can make accessing health care

“To understand how access to health care helps the community flourish, we have to look past spreadsheets and clinics and examine the true human cost of illness on daily life.”

Courtesy photos

3 7 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

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Along with being rural communities, the area is also deeply connected to agriculture.

“For us, that means a lot of farm workers and agricultural labor,” Kelsch said, people who face “unique challenges” such as heat illness, joint strain, cultural factors such as language barriers, health literacy, and food or housing security.

Winters Healthcare does its best to help.

“They’re supporting the community economically, and we want to support those people.”

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Winters Healthcare provides dental services as part of its comprehensive health care offerings for patients in the community.

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Combating these issues, which Winters Healthcare does every day, isn’t just about curing individual colds. It’s about keeping families and communities healthy, happy and connected.

“We all know that at some point in our lives, we or someone we love is going to get sick, whether it’s a virus or a complex chronic condition,” Kelsch said.

“But to understand how access to health care helps the community flourish, we have to look past spreadsheets and clinics and examine the true human cost of illness on daily life.”

Kelsch gave the example of

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WORK | FEATURE sick child and the effect that illness can have not only on the child, but on the entire family and community.

“Sickness disconnects us, it shrinks the family’s world down to survival mode, right? Even a simple case, even if you have a

kid that comes down with a fever, the ripple effect begins. The child misses school, they miss play, they miss essential social interactions with peers. We saw this a bunch during COVID.” Soon, parents are pulling away from work, their routines and their own support systems.

“And when you scale up … people with unmanaged diabetes or other chronic diseases … extended families have to deal with that. They have to cook, they have to manage those illnesses at home. So having to give that kind of support, that kind of thing takes its toll.”

That toll isn’t just measured in illnesses and hospital bills, though those are

“That’s what primary care can change, because by providing this proactive care, we can prevent manageable health issues from spiraling into big crises.”

C HRIST O PH ER K EL SCH , E XECU T IVE D IR ECT O R

major parts of it as well.

“It’s measured in lost time with family, missed community gatherings, and strain on loved ones,” Kelsch noted.

“That’s what primary care can change, because by providing this proactive care, we can prevent manageable health issues from spiraling into big crises. We can give parents back time with their kids, peace of mind on school days.”

Having communities filled with connected, supported and happy people is a benefit that also spreads back to the individual.

When talking about factors that predict future health outcomes, Kelsch said, “it’s not immunization, it’s not exercising every day.

Research shows that strong, positive connections, healthy relationships with families and tight-knit communities, are singlehandedly the greatest predictor of

happier, longer lives.”

“People thrive when they’re connected to others, when they maintain those things … then you see a thriving community … a healthy and connected community where every person feels supported and is able to shape their journey, that’s what we’re going for.”

For Kelsch and the other members of Winters Healthcare, this healthy, connected community represents their own families, neighbors and community members across the area.

“We employ 85 folks now … and the majority of our employees now either are from Winters or Esparto … we’re building capacity of our own community members, to train and grow our local talent.

“We care about the community, most of us live here … so this is our home too.”

at the Winters Opera House The Winters Opera House is now the new home of the Winters Theatre Company! Come join us, as we put on exciting plays and music performances, bringing the arts and music back to the Historic Winters Opera House.

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3 8 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

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CITY OF WINTERS

City Manager Jeremy Craig

A COMMUNIT Y T H AT F L O U R I S H E S Welcome to Winters! If you’re reading this, you’ve just made a choice that many people wish they’d made sooner. The theme for this Welcome to Winters edition is flourishing. Let me try to explain what that means here, because it’s not an abstraction; you can see it on any given day throughout our community.

A flourishing community is one where people bump into each other on purpose. Where the person who sold you your house also coaches your kid’s soccer team, and the barista at your coffee shop knows your order because you’ve been in three times this week. It’s a place with enough going on that you’re never bored, and small enough that you’re never anonymous. Winters has valued and preserved that, even as we’ve grown, and that’s not an accident. It is the result of many people deciding, year after year, that it’s worth protecting.

What helps a community flourish is simple to say and hard to do: you need places for people to gather, reasons for them to show up, and a shared sense that everyone’s future here is tied together. Our downtown does that. Our schools do that. Our orchards and vineyards, our farmers, our small business owners, they all give this town a rhythm that a lot of places have lost.

The City and the Winters Joint Unified School District work as genuine partners, not just neighbors who happen to share a boundary. Whether it’s new housing coming online, our downtown activities, or the small but meaningful step of welcoming outdoor dining and community gathering spaces downtown, our job is to make sure the infrastructure and the opportunity keep pace with the people who live here so that families can put down roots and actually build a future, not just find a place to sleep.

What makes Winters special isn’t one thing. It’s the creek running through town. It’s downtown where you can walk end to end. It’s a community small enough that your voice matters at a City Council meeting, and a place still rooted in agriculture and craftsmanship even as it grows. It’s the fact that people who leave for college or careers often find their way back.

What am I most hopeful about? That the next generation of Winters kids grows up here, moves away to see the world, and comes home because nowhere else feels quite like this. That’s not nostalgia, that’s the whole point of doing this work well.

Welcome to Winters. We’re glad you’re here. Now join the work to help us keep this place flourishing.

Shop local, volunteer, attend events, or maybe start a new one. The creative, can-do spirit of Winters is infectious, and there is room at the table for everyone to join in the shared vision. .

— Jeremy Craig, City Manager

4 0 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Winters Friends of the Library Los Amigos de la Biblioteca

Join us!

¡Únete con nosotros!

Winters Community Library 708 Railroad Avenue

Open Hours School in Session Mon/Wed 8 am–6 pm Tues/Thurs 8 am–8 pm Friday 8 am–5 pm Saturday 1–5 pm

*School Not in Session Mon/Wed 10 am–6 pm Tues/Thurs 12–8 pm Fri/Sat 1–5 pm

*2026/27 School Year – Not in Session Dates: Oct. 12, Nov. 23–30, Dec. 21–Jan. 4, Feb. 12, Mar. 15, Mar. 29–Apr. 5, Apr. 26, May 17–Aug. 27

wfol.org

Author talks • Little Free Libraries • English conversation groups • Quiz Show trivia contest Free books for kids on Youth Day • Summer Concerts at the Gazebo • Family Holiday Festival Writing workshops • Books for Babies gift boxes • New books and computers for the library Fruit tree sales • Used book sales • Library Teaching Garden • Winters Shakespeare Workshop

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FOOD • ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES • COMMUNITY 4 1 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

WINTERS JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Trustees

Superintendent Rody Boonchouy

A C O M M U N I T Y T H AT I N V E S T S IN ITS CHILDREN What does it mean for a community to flourish? To me, it means creating a place where every child is known, every family feels they belong, and every person has the opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves.

As Superintendent of Winters Joint Unified School District, I see education as one of the strongest indicators of a community’s future. A flourishing community places children at the center of its decisions, creates opportunities for every family, and invests in developing the next generation of leaders.

That spirit is what makes Winters so special.

Raising children is not solely the responsibility of schools—it is the work of an entire community. In Winters, students are surrounded by volunteers, mentors, nonprofit organizations, local businesses, civic leaders, parents, and neighbors who invest their time and talents because they believe in the next generation. Together, we create opportunities that simply would not exist otherwise.

Our schools are proud to help lead that work. We are reimagining teaching and learning to prepare students not only for college, but also for careers, civic life, and a rapidly changing world. Through apprenticeships, career pathways, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and authentic learning experiences, students connect classroom learning with realworld experiences while developing the skills to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and lead. Our Senior Capstone culminates with students giving back to the community that has invested so much in them.

What makes Winters unique is our shared vision for young people. Parents, educators, business leaders, elected officials, community organizations, and students themselves all contribute to helping every child thrive. Although we are a small rural community, Winters continues to demonstrate that innovation is not limited by size. Our district has become a leader in educational innovation across California by asking how we can better prepare students for the world they will inherit, not simply the one that exists today.

Ultimately, communities flourish because people choose to invest in one another. Kindness, compassion, respect, volunteerism, and civic engagement remain defining characteristics of Winters. When a community shares responsibility for raising its children and creating opportunities for every family, everyone benefits.

That is the Winters I know, and it is why I remain optimistic about our future.

— Rody Boonchouy, Superintendent

4 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Buckhorn Steakhouse For more than 45 years, our family has had the privilege of doing business in Winters. In that time, we’ve watched our community grow, change and evolve in ways we could have never imagined, while still holding onto the small town spirit that makes Winters so special.

When the Buckhorn Steakhouse first opened its doors, Winters was a very different place. Over the decades, our family’s businesses have grown alongside the town, from the Buckhorn Steakhouse to Putah Creek Café, Buckhorn Grill & BBQ, the DeVilbiss Room and, most recently, Buckhorn Meat Co. While each has its own personality and story, they all share the same foundation: a love of good food, genuine hospitality and the community we call home.

Being a family owned business in a small town means so much more than serving meals. It means watching generations of families gather around our tables. It’s

4 3 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and first dates.

It’s seeing longtime customers bring their children and eventually their grandchildren through our doors. It’s employing local kids for their first jobs and watching many of them grow into leaders, business owners and parents themselves.

It has also been an incredible joy to watch Winters become the destination it is today. Our downtown is filled with locally owned restaurants, tasting rooms, shops and businesses, each adding something unique to the community. Events fill our streets, visitors come from near and far, and yet Winters continues to feel like Winters. A place where people know one another, show up for each other and take pride in their town.

None of our family’s businesses would be what they are today without the people who have supported us along the way. We are incredibly grateful for our employees, past and present, the farmers and

producers we work alongside, our fellow business owners, and the generations of guests who continue to walk through our doors.

After more than four decades, we are proud to have played a small part in Winters’ story and even more thankful that Winters has played such a meaningful role in ours.

Buckhorn Steakhouse

2 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694 530-795-4503 www.buckhornsteakhouse.com

WHO REPRESENTS YOU

Winters City Hall

Winters City Council

Located at 318 First St.

The Winters City Council

in the heart of downtown,

is made up of five members

Winters City Hall is the hub

who serve staggered four-year

for city services and local

terms. The Mayor Pro Tempore

government. Residents can

serves for two years before

visit for utility billing, business

transitioning to Mayor for

licenses, building permits,

two years. The current Mayor

planning services, and general

Pro Tempore is scheduled to

city information. City Hall also

become Mayor in December

houses the Council Chambers,

2026. In the November 2026

where City Council and

election, five candidates are on

commission meetings are held,

the ballot for three City Council

and serves as a central resource

seats.

for connecting the community

The Council meets on the

with city staff and services.

first and third Tuesday of each

For more information, visit www.cityofwinters.org . Community members can

month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers (entrance on Abbey Street).

also sign up for the city’s

Meetings are held in a hybrid

NotifyMe subscription service

format, allowing community

to receive timely updates on

members to attend in person

meetings, events, and city

or online at www.cityofwinters.

news.

org/194/Meetings.

4 4 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

LOCAL GUIDE Winters City Council Members Mayor Albert Vallecillo albert.vallecillo@ cityofwinters.org First elected November 2022 Term expires December 2026 Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Biasi bill.biasi@cityofwinters. org First elected June 2016 Term expires December 2028 Council Members Jesse Loren jesse.loren@cityofwinters. org First elected June 2016 Term expires December 2028 Richard Casavecchia richard.casavecchia@ cityofwinters.org First elected November 2022 Term expires December 2026 Carol Scianna carol.scianna@ cityofwinters.org First elected November 2022 Term expires December 2026

Winters Planning Commission The Winters Planning Commission is made up of seven members appointed 4 5 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

by the City Council.

Commissioners serve four-year terms or until a successor is appointed.

Leadership roles, including chair and vice chair, rotate among the members.

The Planning Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Meetings are open to the public and can be attended in person or online at www. cityofwinters.org/189/ Planning-Commission.

Chair Lisa Baker lisa.baker508@gmail.com Term expires July 2029 Vice Chair Judith Arce arcej88@gmail.com Term expires July 2029 Commissioners Gregory Contreras gregorycontreras1@gmail. com Term expires July 2027 Eric Dye ericmdye@gmail.com Term expires January 2027 Matt Stone mattstone95694@gmail. com Term expires January 2027 Brad Lopez brad.lopez1975@gmail. com Term expires July 2029 Lucrecia Sandoval lucrecia.sandoval08@ gmail.com Term expires July 2029

Tom Pearse Interview I Tom Pearse discusses growing up in Winters and his baseball career.

Scan this QR code to watch the interview.

The Winters Museum 13 Russell Street Winters Open

Thursday – Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 PM

WHO REPRESENTS YOU Hispanic Advisory Committee The Hispanic Advisory Committee focuses on issues of outreach to the local Hispanic community, assists with extending city-wide activities to Spanish speakers, and advises on improving communication, representation, motivation, and integration of the Hispanic population into the broader Winters community. HAC advises City staff and Council on matters of interest to the Hispanic community.

HAC consists of seven members drawn from a broad crosssection of Winters residents and stakeholders interested in supporting the Spanish-speaking community.

The HAC meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance). Find the meeting dates and details at www.cityofwinters.org/185/ Hispanic-Advisory-Committee.

Natural Resources Commission The role of the Natural Resources Commission is to advise the City Council, staff, and the community on natural resources and environmental sustainability, conservation, and preservation.

Commissioners meet on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m., in the City Hall Large Conference Room (Abbey Street entrance).

Visit www.cityofwinters.org/187/ Natural-Resources-Commission.

The commission consists of six members who represent technical expertise in a natural resources area. Five of the members will be selected by individual council members. The sixth member shall represent the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Council in order to ensure alignment, collaboration, and coordination related to the restoration and management of Putah Creek.

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Climate Action Commission The Climate Action Commission acts as an advisory body to the City Council related to the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, and relevant regulatory and scientific research, and develops and implements public information programs related to increasing awareness of and promoting the need to reduce climate impacts.

The school board welcomes community members to attend and address the board during the public input section of the meeting in person. Attendees may also join virtually via a Zoom link.

For more information, visit www. wintersjusd.org.

Board President J O E DY M IC HAE L Trustee Area 3 joedymichael@wintersjusd.org Term expires December 2026

Board Clerk EVE RAR DO ZARAG OZA Trustee Area 5 everardozaragoza@ wintersjusd.org Term expires December 2028

County. District 2 includes the cities of Davis and Winters, the campus of UC Davis, and the rural land of southwestern Yolo County.

District 2 Supervisor Winters LUCAS FR E R I C H S Lucas.Frerichs@yolocounty.gov Elected in June 2022 Joined the Board of Supervisors in January 2023

District 5 Supervisor Capay Valley A N GE L BA RA J AS

Commissioners meet on

CAR R IE G R E E N

the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., in the City

Trustee Area 2 cgreen@wintersjusd.org Term expires December 2026

Joined the Board of Supervisors in

Hall Large Conference Room

ST E R L IN G DAVIS

January 2021

(Abbey Street entrance). Visit www.cityofwinters.org/182/

Trustee Area 4 sterlingdavis@wintersjusd.org Term expires December 2026

State Legislature

Climate-Action-Commission.

KR IST IN T ROT T

The commission consists of five members who represent a wide range of technical expertise and lived experience from across the different cultures and demographics of the city.

Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees meeting takes place on the first and third Thursday of each month. The meetings are held at 6 p.m. in the Walnut Room at the Winters JUSD office building located at 909 W. Grant Ave.

Trustee Area 1 kristintrott@wintersjusd.org Term expires December 2028

Yolo County Board of Supervisors The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is the elected legislative body that governs the County of Yolo. The Board sets policy and oversees programs in a wide range of areas, including law and justice, health and mental health, social services, land use, transportation, water resources, air quality, and flood management. It is also responsible for agriculture, economic development, emergency services, intergovernmental relations, libraries, and other areas of general governance.

The five members of the Board are elected by district, are nonpartisan, and serve four-year terms. The city of Winters resides within the District 2 area of Yolo

Angel.Barajas@yolocounty.gov Elected in March 2020

State Assembly (District 4)

Assembly Majority Leader C EC I LI A M .

AGUI A R-C UR RY Capitol Office: 916-319-2004 District Offices: 530-757-1034

State Senate (District 3) SENATO R C H R I STO P H E R CA BA LD O N Davis Office: 530-750-7913

Congress REPRESENTATIVE M I K E T H O M P SO N 202-225-3311

Berryessa Gap Vineyards Berryessa Gap Vineyards stands as one of Winters’ most recognizable and beloved agricultural success stories—a family owned winery rooted in heritage, hard work, and a deep commitment to community. Founded in 2002, the winery is led by Dan Martinez, Santiago Moreno, and Corinne Martinez, whose families have farmed in the region for generations. Their partnership blends farming expertise, winemaking craftsmanship, and a shared devotion to representing Winters with pride.

Nestled at the edge of the Vaca

Mountains, Berryessa Gap benefits from a unique terroir shaped by cool evening breezes from Lake Berryessa and warm valley days. This microclimate allows the team to produce estate grown wines that consistently reflect the character of the land. The vineyards are planted to Mediterranean varietals—Tempranillo, Barbera, Petite Sirah, and more—chosen specifically for their ability to thrive in the rocky soils and dramatic temperature swings of the region. The result is a portfolio of bold, expressive wines that have earned recognition across California.

From the beginning, the Martinez and Moreno families built Berryessa Gap with a clear mission: to craft superior quality wines while strengthening the fabric of Winters.

Their commitment to community is visible everywhere—from supporting local youth programs and

agricultural education to partnering with Winters businesses, festivals, and nonprofit organizations. The winery’s downtown tasting room has become a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, offering live music, seasonal events, and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the spirit of the town.

Berryessa Gap also plays an important role in promoting Winters as a destination for wine, food, and outdoor recreation. By championing local agriculture and investing in regional tourism, the family helps sustain the small town charm that makes Winters special.

Today, Berryessa Gap Vineyards continues to grow while staying true to its roots: family run, community focused,

Berryessa Gap Vineyards

15 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694 530-795-3201 Corinne@berryessagap.com www.berryessagap.com and proudly representative of Winters.

Their story is one of dedication—to the land, to the craft of winemaking, and to the people who call this vibrant community home.

Downtown Winters Tasting Room 15 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694 Call us at 530-795-3201

Winery and Tasting Room on Highway 128 27260 Highway 128, Winters, CA 95694 Call us at 530-214-0462

Gold, 90+ Point, Award-Winning Wines!

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Contact us at info@berryessagap.com | Learn more by visiting www.berryessagap.com Follow us! @berryessagapvineyards 4 7 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

WINTERS ATTRACTIONS Winters Community Library 708 Railroad Ave., 530-795-4955

Winters Community Library Teaching Garden

A collaboration between the UCCE Master Gardeners, Winters Friends of the Library and other organizations and groups.

Bobbie Greenwood Community Swim Center 708 Railroad Ave., 530-794-6700

City Parks

Rotary Park, Walnut Park, City Wooden Park, Blue Oak Park and Three Oaks Park, among other public spaces. 530-795-4910

Rotary Park Gazebo

A place for music, gatherings and more.

Managed by the city of Winters.

201 E. Main St., 530-795-4910

Sam Spade’s Office

305 First St., 530-400-8681

Winters Museum

Lonely Parking Meter

Explore exhibits to learn more about historical points in Winters.

13 Russell St., 530-394-1528 historicalsocietyofwinters.org

The town’s only parking meter mysteriously appeared overnight. It benefits local nonprofits and community efforts.

History Murals

Putah Creek

Hosted on Winters businesses, murals designed and painted by students depict historical moments and movements. wintersparticipationgallery.org

Putah Creek Nature Park Putah Creek Trailhead Home to local wildlife, part of the Chinook salmon run

Historic Main Street

Lake Solano Park & Campground

Modern amenities and classic architecture house businesses, community events and the Farmers Market April through October. discoverwinters.com

Winters Opera House

Managed by Winters Theatre Company, people can enjoy plays, music and more.

13 Main St., winterstheatre.org

We would like to thank everyone for all of your support during our years in Winters. We can take care of all your promotional needs t-shirts to hats. We offer silk screen, heat set and embroidery.

a

The reservoir formed by the Putah Diversion Dam is open to camping. The park offers dayuse entertainment on Lake Solano and picnic areas.

Lake Berryessa

Thirty-two square mile reservoir lake formed by the Monticello Dam. Managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, with boating areas, camping, and day-use sites.

l i f e

w e l l

d r e s s e d

shop in store & online

now open at

9 Main St.

Downtown Winters

shopindigoandco.com

106 Main Street, Winters 530.795.4931 • rnv912@gmail.com Open Monday-Friday 9-5 • Saturday 9-12 • Sunday Closed 4 8 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

“We’re Serious About Your Fun!” · Friendly, Expert, Award-Winning Service · Easy, Free Parking · Open 7 Days

YOUR HOMETOWN PAPER SINCE 1884

The Winters Express

Rooted in History. Reporting the Future.

As the city of Winters celebrates its 150th anniversary, The Winters Express is proud to honor the legacy we've shared with this community since 1884. For over 140 years, we've been Winters’ trusted local newspaper — reporting on city government, schools, sports, and the stories that shape our town. From milestones and memories to challenges and triumphs, we’ve stood as a watchdog, a voice, and a record keeper for generations. Here’s to 150 years of community — and to continuing the story, together.

• Local News • Sports • City Hall • Schools • Events • Organizations • Editorials • And More!

news@wintersexpress.com 13 Russell Street, Winters (530) 795-4551

Voted Best Bike Shop 20 years in a row “We really appreciate your trust and support, since 1988 — and do our best to earn it every day.”

— Co-owners Ken & Sheldon

Bicycles, e-Bikes, Helmets, Apparel, Parts & Accessories for all Riders

Financing and Rebates Available

Boots, Bindings & Boards • Apparel & Eyewear Full Service Ski & Snowboard Maintenance Expert Bootfitting • Daily & Seasonal Rentals

650 G St, Davis · 530-758-3223 · kensbikeski.com Mon-Fri 11am-7pm · Sat 10am-6pm · Sun 12pm-5pm 4 9 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

Celebrate your

McNaughton

next event at

Park

• Corporate Events • Company BBQ • Weddings & Anniversaries • Memorials 729 Great Jones Street • Downtown Fairfield • 707.427.6927

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START A BUSINESS RESOURCES Take the first step Starting a business is an exciting time. Access to critical resources can make the difference between a smooth start and a bumpy ride.

There are many steps to consider, including writing a solid business plan, deciding on a business entity, developing a relationship with a local banker, accountant/tax preparer and insurance agent, site selection, licensing, workforce and much more.

The Winters and Capay Valley area has great resources to assist you in every aspect of starting your new business, including the Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Yolo Works! These organizations offer one-on-one counseling and a wealth of resources to guide you through the process from business planning to expansion. Their services are free and can provide valuable assistance as you build your business.

Doing Business in Winters/Capay Valley A good rule of thumb before you sign a lease or contract is to contact the appropriate local jurisdiction first.

Whether you are moving from one location to another or starting from scratch, you need information regarding zoning, permitting, signage, accessibility regulations and other requirements. These requirements can potentially add thousands of dollars to a project if they are not identified before a lease is signed or property is purchased.

Understanding the requirements in advance can also be an important part of lease negotiations.

For businesses located in Winters, contact the City of Winters regarding zoning, permits, signage, business licensing and city services. Businesses located elsewhere in the Capay Valley should check with Yolo County and the applicable local jurisdiction to determine which requirements apply 5 2 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

to their proposed location and type of business.

Looking to join the Winters business community? Access the city’s “Start Your Business in Winters” guide, a comprehensive, step-bystep resource to help you launch your business. The guide assists with creating a business plan and is available in both English and Spanish at www.cityofwinters.org/371/ Start-Your-Business-in-Winters.

Downtown Main Street buzzes with activity, drawing business owners eager to set up storefronts in this thriving community hub.

Apply for City Business Certificate/Sign Up for City Services Business license and service requirements vary depending on where your business is located in the Capay Valley. Businesses operating within the city of Winters must obtain a city business license before opening. The annual fee is $89, with licenses renewed Jan. 1 each year. The city also provides water and sewer services. Contact Winters City Hall or visit www.cityofwinters.org for more information.

Businesses located elsewhere in the Capay Valley should check with their local jurisdiction and Yolo County to determine which business licenses, permits and services apply to their location and type of business.

For one-day special events in Winters, a temporary business license is available for $15. The fee is waived for nonprofits upon proof of current nonprofit status.

Business Resources Whether you are seeking one on one advice, workforce information, tax information, training, or other assistance, the following organizations provide information and expertise usually without cost.

Chamber of Commerce Joining a local chamber of commerce connects your business

Crystal Apilado /McNaughton Media

with other entrepreneurs, community leaders and regional business resources. Chamber membership can provide opportunities to build professional relationships, promote your business, participate in community events and activities, and stay connected to issues and initiatives affecting the local business community.

For information about memberships, resources, events and other opportunities, visit the Winters District Chamber of Commerce at www.winterschamber.com or the Capay Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce at www.espartochamber.com.

Yolo Works!

“YoloWorks! - Yolo Works connects Yolo County job seekers to Yolo County jobs. If you are a business looking for qualified workers or are a job seeker seeking employment, visit the Yolo Works! website for more information for free resources and assistance.

The link will take you to the Yolo County portal where you will find a complete set of employment tools for job seekers. Search jobs, create résumés, find education and training. Employers can find candidates, post jobs, and search labor market information. https://www.

yoloworks.org

Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) The Sacramento Valley SBDC provides businesses with no-cost one on one advising, classes and workshops. In addition to assisting startups, Sacramento Valley SBDC also offers technical assistance to existing and expanding businesses. Stay up-to-date with grants and funding programs available for your business, visit www.sacramentovalleysbdc.org

Yolo County Economic Development Division The Yolo County Economic Development Division is another great source for business owners.

Beyond permits, the Yolo County website’s Economic Development page offers Tools for Business. The Toolkit walks you through the process of starting and growing your business and provides links to organizations with valuable information, visit www.yolocounty.org

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WHAT’S NEARBY North

CAPAY VALLEY

Grab brunch at Rustic BBQ/ Commons Farm Kitchen & Bar or browse Junktiques at the Guinda Corner Store on Sunday. Treat yourself at Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, which offers live shows, a full-service spa, a buffet, and gaming. Taste olive oil and wine at Seka Hills, or stop by Road Trip Bar & Grill for good food and a scenic country drive.

ESPARTO

Cool off at the city’s new pool, enjoy a meal at Ravine on 16, or relax with a book at the Esparto Regional Library—or check out the programs they’re running. For a taste of local flavor, get inspired with dinner ideas at the Buckhorn Meat Co.

WESTERN YOLO

Explore the charm of Zamora, where you can savor sandwiches at the local mini market. In Clarksburg, visit the Clarksburg Branch Library and check out its various programs. For a taste of local wines, head to Dunnigan Hills, home to wineries like Matchbook Wine Company, or enjoy outdoor activities at a community space featuring playgrounds and picnic areas

WOODLAND

Enjoy another historic downtown with growing reknown for its foodie scene on Main Street.

Wander around Dead Cat Alley.

In October, check out Woodland’s Stroll Through History event. This town also has an Opera House which hosts theater productions year-round.

East DOWNTOWN DAVIS

Stroll through the vibrant downtown, where art is everywhere you look. Enjoy a 2nd Friday ArtAbout walk or visit one of the many galleries. Visit a local brewery like Sudwerk Brewing Co., Dunloe Brewing, or Three Mile Brewing Co. Cool off at Natalie’s Corner, an interactive splash pad and family-friendly gathering space in Central Park.

DIXON

Enjoy a beer at Ruhstaller or the Solano Brewing Company breweries. In the fall, visit Cool Patch Pumpkin, Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm.

U.C. DAVIS

Walk the campus, or take in the arts at the Mondavi Center or the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. Enjoy a walk along the north channel of Putah Creek at the Aboretum, a 100-acre living museum with more than 4,000 trees, plants and shrubs. South

VACAVILLE

Take in the historic downtown district, enjoy downtown festivals, local concerts, and community

Saturday, October 3rd Lovely Historic Homes

BEGINS AT HERITAGE PLAZA

Historic Open Homes · 11-4 Free Walking Tours Landmark Building Tours

PURCHASE TICKETS AT WWW.STROLLTHROUGHHISTORY.COM or in person at Corner Drug, 602 Main Street

5 4 ♥ WELCOME TO WINTERS 2026

events, or relax at Andrew’s Park, a popular green space for families.

You can also try ice skating at Vacaville Ice Sports or explore the city’s many seasonal activities.

West NAPA

Head into the Blue Ridge by car and pop out on the famous Silverado Trail in Napa. Grab a lunch at Auberge du Soleil or take in a tasting at a winery like Chateau Montelena. On the way, hit up Winters-adjacent Nichelini, founded in 1890.

SCENIC HIGHWAY 128

Continue past the Silverado Trail along Highway 128 through Rutherford, St. Helena, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Anderson Valley, and Alexander Valley, ending in Mendocino. This scenic route, known for its redwoods and rolling vineyards, features a list of must-visit stops that starts in Winters and heads west along the highway, including Turtle Rock

Seka Hills, Capay Valley Bar & Café, a cozy roadside eatery known for its famous egg rolls and friendly service.

Beyond SOUTH LAKE TAHOE SACRAMENTO SAN FRANCISCO

USED BIKE SALES FREE BIKE INSPECTIONS Bike Garage Hours Davis

Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to noon Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

606 Peña Drive, #300

Woodland

Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to noon 1st & Hays Streets

thebikecampaign.org

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