CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
START YOUR OWN APPLE TREES WORKSHOPS. On March 26, two classes will be held, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m., in which the Mountain Empire Master Gardeners are sponsoring an Apple Tree Grafting Workshop at the SWVA Farmers Market - Wholesale Building, 497 Farmers Market Drive, Hillsville. The cost to attend will be $20 per person, which includes five grafted trees to take home. Registration is required by calling Carroll County VCE at 276-730-3110. 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.
START HEIRLOOM APPLE TREES WORKSHOP. On Saturday, April 11, from 1-3 p.m., the Mountain Empire Master Gardeners will present a Heritage Apple Grafting Workshop. The event will be at the Matthews Living History Farm Museum, 476 White Pine Rd., Galax. Costs: $4 per tree (includes all materials: rootstock, scion wood, and grafting tape). Register for the workshop by using this link: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://forms.gle/vP4a9Kz2bXy5. Participants will learn the essential techniques for grafting apple trees. This is an immersive, hands-on workshop dedicated to preserving Appalachian heritage. Under the guidance of Master Gardener instructors, participants will learn the science and craft of the whip graft technique. The class focuses on heirloom varieties such as Virginia Beauty and Magnum Bonum, providing the foundational knowledge needed to start a historic orchard at home. Register by April 10.
PLANT-BASED COOKING SCHOOL. On Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m., a free plant-based cooking school will be held at the Wytheville SDA Church, 1600 Chapman Rd., Wytheville. In the school, learn ways to prevent, reverse and/or improve pre-Diabetes and Type II Diabetes one bite at a time. For more information, contact Joya Cleveland at 276-617-2875.
CHURCH
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL. A free community meal will be held at Davis Memorial United Methodist Church, which is across from Atkins Elementary School. The meal will take place on Tuesday, March 24, from 6-7:30 p.m.
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.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE. The Chatham Hill First Church of God in Rich Valley will hold a Good Friday service on Friday, April 3, at 7 pm. The service will use scripture, songs and candles to focus on a portion of Christ’s pain and suffering on the day of his crucifixion.
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, 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.
GOVERNMENT
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.
CHILHOWIE WATER QUALITY REPORT. The Town of Chilhowie is making its Annual Water Quality Report 2025 available on the town website, https://chilhowie.org/. The link to the detailed report, which includes definitions to help individuals understand the material, is on the website’s home page. Individuals can also pick up paper copies at the Town Hall on request.
HAPPENINGS
SPRING CRAFT & VENDOR EVENT. The Chilhowie Lions Club will hold 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.
FREE FILM SERIES. Smyth County VA250 is hosting a free film series to highlight the USA’s 250th anniversary. The first movie, 1776, will be shown on Sunday, March 29, at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion.
USED-BOOK SALE. On Friday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a used-book sale will be held in the little red bookshop behind the Wythe County Public Library, 300 E. Monroe St., Wytheville.
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.
WINTER MARKET. The Marion Farmers Market will hold its final Winter Market on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. The market is at the corner of Chestnut and Cherry streets.
SPRING FLING. The MacDowell Music Club’s annual Spring Fling, featuring the Roan Street Ramblers, will take place April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Rural Retreat Depot. All proceeds will go to the Rural Retreat Schools.
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.
FAMILY FISHING DAY. A Family Fishing Day will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Chilhowie Town Park. A hot dog lunch will be provided. The first 50 students to sign in will receive a free fishing rod. For anyone over 16, a fishing license with a trout stamp is required for all participants. Community partners will be present with information about their resources. The event is being hosted by Communities in Schools at Chilhowie Middle School.
SPRING CLEAN UP & CELEBRATE TRAIL DAYS. Two Spring Clean Up days will be held in Smyth County. On April 20 at 10 a.m., a community clean up will be held in Saltville for trash pick up and beautification along the Salt Trail, Helen Barbrow Trail, playground, and the well fields area. On April 23 at 10 a.m. a second event will be held in Chilhowie for trash pickup and beautification at the HL Bonham Tourism Center and Chilhowie Town Park.
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.
