CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
GARDENING HELP. On Saturday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Mountain Empire Master Gardeners will hold a Help Desk at the Bland Farmers Market, 591 Main St., Bland, across from the County Courthouse. The Help Desk will be answering questions and providing information on vegetable gardening, raised-bed gardening, and planting in buckets for those who do not have land for a traditional garden.
ELDER ABUSE CONFERENCE. Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society will hold its annual Elder Abuse Conference, “Guiding Communities through the Journey of Aging”, on June 4 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. The fee is $40. Education for professionals who work with older Americans is available. Older Americans are welcome. To learn more, visit Legal Aid’s website at www.svlas.org.
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER. For anyone who would like to become a Master Gardener, new classes will be starting in September and running until April 2027. For more details, contact David Danner, coordinator of the Mountain Empire Master Gardener Association, via phone at 276-223-7773 or via email at drdanner24360@gmail.com. Contact him asap. The deadline for submitting an application is June 19.
CHURCH
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 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.
HAPPENINGS
OLDER AMERICANS DAY. The 23rd annual Older Americans Day will take place on May 21 at Chilhowie Town Park from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
HUNGRY MOTHER MUSIC IN THE PARK. Hungry Mother State Park’s free Music in the Park series schedule features Ivy Sargent and the Early Times, performing acoustic rock on May 22; Georgia Randall will offer soul, blues, rock, folk music on May 29; Jarid Reedy will perform Appalachian Outlaw music on June 5; Supper Break will bring acoustic folk on June 12; Kirsten Haze will offer indie folk on June 19; Valley Grass will perform bluegrass and gospel on June 26; Morrison & Perkins, a cover band, will entertain on July 3; Ryan Ward will present solo and acoustic works on July 10; Maria Sherman will offer folk and rock sounds on July 24; Reed Fields will bring country and Americana sounds on July 31; Backwater Trio will offer bluegrass on Aug. 7; Kat Mills will perform acoustic folk on Aug. 14; Danger Ranger and the Galaxy Blues Band will entertain with blues, funky magical tunes on Aug. 21; Muscott will offer rap and hip-hop sounds on Aug. 28; and Huber & Merz will bring eclectic acoustic music on Sept. 4 to close out the season. Bring a chair or blanket to the gazebo on Lakeview Lawn at 7 p.m. Donations will go to support the Friends of Hungry Mother.
ONE DAY AT A TIME 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.
PADDLE IN THE PARK. On Wednesday, May 27, Hungry Mother State Park will host Paddle in the Park at 6 p.m. at the Dock ‘n Shop. Registration fee is $10 per person. Participants must be 6 years old or older. Register by 4 p.m. on May 26 at the Discovery Center.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION MOVIES. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, a special series of films tied to the American Revolution will be shown for free at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. Coming to the Lincoln on Sunday, May 31, will be The Crossing. “Facing defeat and dwindling hope, Washington leads a daring winter attack that changes the course of the Revolution.” On June 28, the movie will be The Patriot. “In the chaos of the Revolution, a father must take up arms to defend his home and country. Finally, on Sept. 27, the Lincoln will show All for Liberty. “A South Carolina farmer is drawn into the Revolution, fighting to defend home and independence.” All the movies will be shown at 2 p.m.
SPRING CLEANING KITS DRIVE. The Back On My Feet Team in partnership with Open Door Marion is encouraging churches and individuals to put together Spring Cleaning Kits that will be made available to people being served by Open Door to promote greater self-sufficiency. During May, kits can be delivered to Open Door or to First United Methodist Church. Kits should include a 9-qt. buckets, 2 packs of laundry sheets, a box of 13-gallon trash bags, a microfiber mop head, a 48 oz. Fabuloso cleaner, a 12.4 oz. dish soap, a 13.5 oz. fabric softener, and a broom and dustpan.
USED-BOOK SALE. On Friday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the little red bookshop behind the Wythe County Public Library, 300 E. Monroe St., Wytheville, the used book sales are continuing. All are welcome.
WOOFSTOCK. Smyth County Woofstock will take place on June 6 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Chilhowie Town Park. There will be animal services and organization, arts and crafts, food vendors and more.
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY WORKDAYS. Caring for Our Community’s annual workdays are set for Saturdays, June 6 and 13. Days will begin at 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. with registration at Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 West Main St. in Marion. Each volunteer will be assigned to a work team upon arrival and set to their site, based on skills and interest, from there. All supplies and equipment will be provided. Businesses, churches, and other organizations are encouraged to form teams. A free lunch will be served at Marion Middle School, where many of this year’s projects will take place. Preregister at the CFOC website: caringforourcommunity.org. For more information, call or text 281-413-9473.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on June 20 with Ro-Sham-Bo, Aug. 22 with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S LEGACY. A free community presentation on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held June 21 at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion. Arthur “Scrapper” Broady, a speaker and storyteller, will offer a looking into King’s legacy by examining two of his most influential speeches, his “I Have a Dream” speech and his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Donations are not required but are appreciated to support the Mt. Pleasant Preservation Society, an organization dedicated to documenting and sharing the history of African Americans in Smyth County.
KIDS FIRE CAMP. The Saltville Volunteer Fire Department will host its Kids Fire Camp this summer. Participants will take part in interactive fire safety and prevention, recognition and reduction of hazards for children and more public safety activities, including live fire demo, explore fire trucks, hands only CPR/first aid, ambulance demo, air medical helicopter tour, 911 dispatcher demo, extrication demo, and police K9 demo. For children 5-7 years old, the camp will be June 22-26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For youth ages 8 to 12, the camp will be July 13-17, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is free. Registration deadline is May 31.
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.
