Laurie Connelly, ‘Doah Staff Writer
August 20, 2013

Getting back into school mode from summer break can be tough, especially when you’re in a completely new environment. Many of you probably spent your summer working, trying to make money for the upcoming school year. And, as often happens when you have money, you end up spending it quickly. Luckily, even if that is the case, that shouldn’t stop you from participating in events in the area.

Around Winchester there are a lot of fun, cheap things to do. Old Town Winchester has events on the walking mall throughout the year. On Aug. 24, starting at 7 p.m., there will be the third annual “Downtown Plunge” for first year students of Shenandoah University. Students will be joined by S.U. faculty and enjoy a dinner at some of the different restaurants downtown. The Plunge will also contain a free concert by The Weathervanes on the Old Courthouse steps. This is a free event and is open to all S.U. students.

If that’s not your scene, try going to the movies. Winchester now has two movie theaters, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, located at 181 Kernstown Commons Blvd., and Carmike Apple Blossom 12, located at the Apple Blossom Mall on 1850 Apple Blossom Dr. Both theaters have a student discount that works with your S.U. I.D. The student prices for both theatres are $7. There’s also the Family Drive-In Theatre. Located off Route 11, you can watch a double feature for $8. So why not get a group of friends, or even a date, and go have a good time at the movies.

But, on a beautiful day you might want to do something besides sit inside a theater. Go outside, get active and get off campus. Get a group of friends and go tubing along the Shenandoah River. For $10, you can go floating down the river for a three-hours. For an extra $10 you can rent a floating cooler for sodas, snacks and other goodies you may want to enjoy.

After all of those activities, you have probably worked up an appetite. Anthony’s Pizza gives you a large pizza for $5 with your student I.D. — and they deliver. Get a group of friends and have all of you chip in for a lot of pizzas for a cheap price.

There are a lot of hidden gems in the Winchester area, so go out and get to know the place. You never know what kind of an adventure you might wind up having.