CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
PLANT-BASED COOKING SCHOOL. On Monday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m., a free plant-based cooking school will be held at the Wytheville SDA Church, 1600 Chapman Rd, Wytheville. The session will focus on ways to prevent, reverse, and/or improve pre-diabetes and type II diabetes. This month food samples will focus on "picnic foods". For more information, contact Joya Cleveland at 276-617-2875.
CHURCH
ICE CREAM SUPPER. Groseclose First Church of God, 333 Citizens Road in Rural Retreat, will host an Ice Cream Supper on Saturday, July 11, at 4 p.m. The meal will include BBQ, hotdogs, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, drinks, cakes, and ice cream. $7 plates and items sold a la carte. Everyone is invited.
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY & ICE CREAM SOCIAL. On Sunday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold an Old-Fashioned Sunday and Ice Cream Social. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed for days gone by (hoop skirts to suits to bibs and aprons) as the church remembers generations of faithful servants who made today’s St. Paul possible. Immediately following worship, an Ice Cream Social will take place. Everyone with an ice cream maker is asked to bring a favorite flavor for all to enjoy. Hot dogs will be served. St. Paul is celebrating is celebrating its 250th anniversary. The church is the oldest congregation west of the New River and is the mother church of Lutheran congregations in Bland, Smyth, and Wythe counties.
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 July 28, August 25, September 22, October 27, November 17, and December 15. Visit marionfumc.org to check about schedule changes.
GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. Congressman Morgan Griffith’s Ninth District staff will be available at the Smyth County Administrator’s Office, Conference Room, Suite 100, 121 Bagley Circle, Marion, on Thursday, July 9, 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.
HAPPENINGS
HUNGRY MOTHER MUSIC IN THE PARK. Hungry Mother State Park’s free Music in the Park series schedule features Ryan Ward, who 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.
USED-BOOK SALE. On Friday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, July 11, 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.
COPS & RODDERS. The fourth annual Chilhowie Police Department’s Cops & Rodders Vintage Police Car & Vintage Car Show will be held Friday, July 10, from 4-7 p.m. at the Chilhowie Farmers Market at 821 Lee Highway. Free admission for spectators. No registration for car participants.
YARD SALE/FLEA MARKET. The Chilhowie Lions Club will host a yard sale/flea market on July 11 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Table/space rental is $25. For more information, call 276-685-9480 or email chilhowielions@gmail.com.
BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER. A breakfast fundraiser benefiting the Konnarock Community Center will be held on July 11 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
MARION’S BIGGEST WEEKEND. On July 17, a downtown block party will feature Phantom. Then, on July 18, the Hungriest Mother Food Festival will take place featuring Boogie Woogie Jimmy Valiant. The evening will conclude with live music featuring Momma Molasses, Soul Sandwich, AGT’s Nuke Buschner, and Holy Roller. Additionally, the VA250 Mobile Museum will be in downtown Marion on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
HUNGRY MOTHER FEST. The Hungry Mother Festival will take place July 17-19. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CANDIDATES. During the Hungriest Mother Food Festival, on July 18, candidates competing in the Democrat Primary for the right to challenge Rep. Morgan Griffith in November, will be in downtown Marion for a meet and greet with Smyth County voters. Candidates will be walking around downtown from 3-5 p.m. and will have materials available at a Democrat booth for neighbors who are interested in meeting these contenders.
BLOOD DRIVE. The National Night Out Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 3:30-8:30 p.m. at the Chilhowie Town Park, 192 Railroad Drive. All donors will earn a T-shirt.
SUMMER NATURALIST RALLY. The Blue Ridge Discovery Center will host the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally Aug. 7-8. Learn more at blueridgediscoverycenter.org/mrnr-summer.
MARION CRUISE-INS. Marion Cruise-Ins will be held at the Marion Farmers Market from 6-9 p.m. on, Aug. 22 with Victor Lawson; and Sept. 19 with Deadman’s Hand.
CABARET GALA. Theatre Bristol's "Pot of Gold" fundraising event returns this year celebrating founder Cathy DeCaterina with a night of Broadway music and entertainment in a Sept. 26 cabaret gala. For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
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. 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.
CHILI CHAMPIONSHIP. The 40th annual Downtown Chili Championship featuring Chase Payne will take place in Marion on Oct. 10.
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.
