CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
START YOUR OWN APPLE TREES WORKSHOP. On Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m., the Mountain Empire Master Gardeners are sponsoring an Apple Tree Grafting Workshop at the Wytheville Farmers Market, 210 W. Spring St., Wytheville. Scions for 18 different varieties of apples will be available, along with all the materials needed for grafting. Cost will be $4 for each grafted tree. There is no charge to just attend this workshop. For questions, feel free to contact the Master Gardeners at 276-223-7773.
CHURCH
CHRISTIAN SKATING EVENTS. Let’s Roll, a free family skating event at Hall’s Skateland, 152 Adwolfe Road in Marion, will take place on Saturdays, March 14 and 21, and April 11 and 25, from 4-8 p.m. each day. The event will feature free food and drinks and skating. The program is hosted by The WAY (Who Are You) program, which strives to help youth recognize their need for Christ and upon receiving him, reinforce their identity in Christ.
FUMC FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE: First United Methodist Church,115 S. Church St. in Marion, will hold its food pantry on the fourth Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. January through October and on the third Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. in November and December. Dates are, March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
EASTER PARTY DAY. Chilhowie Christian Church will hold an Easter Party Day on Sunday, March 29, beginning at 11 a.m.
EASTER EGG HUNT. Grosses Creek Baptist Church in Chilhowie will host an Easter Egg Hunt on March 29 at 2 p.m.
GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. Congressman Morgan Griffith’s Ninth District staff will be available at the Marion Town Council Chambers (138 West Main St.) on Thursday, March 12, from 2–3:30 p.m. to assist constituents with federal matters. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. If a county’s schools are closed, then its office hours will be closed as well. For more information, call the Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.
VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services is co-hosting a Veterans Resource Fair in Atkins on March 14 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Veterans can get one-on-one help with benefits and other resources at no charge. No appointment is needed.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY. Smyth County residents may dispose of Household Hazardous Waste on May 2 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Smyth Career & Technical Center at 147 Fox Valley Road in Marion. Items accepted for disposal include paint, polish, varnish and paint-related materials; turpentine, adhesives, aerosol cans, household cleaners; motor oil, antifreeze, fuel additives, gasoline, transmission fluid; batteries, mercury, fluorescent light bulbs; pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and pool chemicals. Items that won’t be accepted include commercial and industrial waste, 55-gallon drums of materials, radioactive materials, explosives, bullets, and tires.
For more information, call 276-646-2907.
HAPPENINGS
WINTER MARKET. The Marion Farmers Market will hold its Winter Market on Saturdays, March 14 and April 11, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The market is at the corner of Chestnut and Cherry streets.
OPPORTUNITY FAIR. The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce will host an Opportunity & Career Fair featuring more than 50 employers, higher education institutions, and non-profits. The March 19 event is open to the public. Set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the fair will be held at 172 Apple Valley Rd. in Chilhowie.
FROG WATCH. Take part in a Frog Watch trainings to join the Hungry Mother Chapter of FrogWatch USA as a volunteer. The frog monitoring program has 26 years of data in assisting scientists to understand the cause of frog and toad population changes and decline. The official Frog Watch training will be held on Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All materials will be provided. Participants who sign up will receive a one-of-a-kind patch. There is no cost for the training or membership. Register by emailing mellie5263@gmail.com.
SPRING CRAFT & VENDOR EVENT. The Chilhowie Lions Club is seeking vendors for its indoor Spring Craft event on Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CHILHOWIE EASTER EGG HUNT. Chilhowie’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 28, at 11:30 a.m. at the Town Park. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be taken from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office.
SUGAR GROVE EASTER EGG HUNT. The Sugar Grove Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Rye Valley Community Council, will be held March 28 at noon at the Ag Building by Sugar Grove Elementary. Fire Department members will prepare free hot dogs with a drink and chips. Local businesses, churches, and community members are providing prizes. Rain date is April 4.
SALTVILLE EASTER EGG HUNT. The Saltville Volunteer Fire Department will host an Easter Egg Hunt at the Saltville Little League Fields on April 4 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Egg coloring will be at 11 a.m., photos with the Easter Bunny, and the egg hunt at 1 p.m. There will be food, inflatables, and prizes. The egg hunt will be divided by age groups.
OCTAGON HOUSE SPAGHETTI DINNER. A spaghetti dinner raising funds for the Octagon House Foundation will be held Friday, April 10, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Adwolfe Volunteer Fire Department. Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, dessert and a drink. Cost is $14 for adults, $8 for youth under 12. Meal is eat in or take out.
SPRING/SUMMER CLOTHES CLOSET. The NHS Beta Club is currently taking donations for their Spring/Summer Clothes Closet. Donations will be accepted through Friday, March 27th. Items that will be accepted include all types of clothing, infant through adult sizes, shoes, accessories, linens, towels, kitchen items, household goods (no furniture), garden tools, toys, and sporting equipment. Donations may be dropped off inside the back door of NHS during school hours. The Clothes Closet will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, in the NHS Cafeteria. All items are free to the public.
FIBER ARTIST AT THE MAKERY. From April 29-May 2, fiber artist Jennifer A. Reis will be in residency at The Makery at the Chilhowie Library, teaching a series of classes on artful mending, folk art patches, and natural dying methods.
CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT. A Civil War reenactment will be held on May 2 and 3 at Fairview Farm & Homestead, 908 Hillman Hwy, Abingdon. Admission will be $5 person. Food truck available both days. The event will feature camp life, period firearms, portrayals of Jefferson Davis and a snake oil salesman, cavalry, cannon station, camp surgeon, local historian storytelling, and more.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on May 16 with Marcus Boyd; June 20 with Ro-Sham-Bo, Aug. 22with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
MUSIC IN THE PARK. Chilhowie’s One Day at a Time Music in the Park concert series offers free admission. This year’s lineup includes From the Edge on May 23 at 6 p.m., The Chain (Fleetwood Mac Band) on June 6 at 7 p.m., and Carson Peters and Iron Mountain at 7 p.m. on June 20. Concerts are held at the Chilhowie Park. In the event of rain, they will be held at the Old High School.
BINGO. The Smyth County Moose Lodge continues to offer bingo every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
MEETINGS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. The Marion group of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Use the Court Street (rear) entrance for Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Main St., Marion. For more information, call Fred C. at 276-280-1995 or Russ G. at 276-617-2663.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS. Narcotics Anonymous’ Marion survivors group will meet at 8 p.m. Sundays. Come in the back door at Court Street to Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Main St., Marion. For more information, call Mike F. at 276-646-8462.
SALTVILLE RECOVERY. A Saltville 12-Step Recovery meeting will be held on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Madam Russell United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall, 207 W. Main St.
