Community Calendar
CHURCH
BLESSINGS IN A BOWL. Individuals are invited to Blessings in a Bowl, a simple soup fundraiser for the community on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The evening will feature soups of all kinds, fresh sides, and dessert, shared around the table with friends and neighbors. This is a donation-only meal with no reservations needed. Every gift given will go directly toward supporting the ministries of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. The meal begins at 5 p.m. with a to-go option and an Ash Wednesday Service follows at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Mt. Carmel is at 4317 Lee Hwy., Marion.
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 February 24, 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.
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.
SUPPORT FOR THE GRIEVING. GriefShare is underway at First United Methodist Church on Tuesdays with two opportunities to attend at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Biblically based program/support group will run for 13 weeks. However, anyone who is grieving may join at any time. Please note that if Smyth County schools are closed there will be no meetings on that day. The church is at 115 S. Church St. in Marion, 276-783-5194. Enter at the church office doors on E. Towne St.
HAPPENINGS
SMYTH DEMOCRATS HOST CANDIDATE. The Smyth County Democratic Party will host a meeting with Adam Murphy, who is seeking the party’s nomination to run against Rep. Morgan Griffith for the 9th District seat, at their general meeting Wednesday, Feb 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Chilhowie Town Hall Community Room. The local party’s regular meetings are the third Wednesday at the above location and time.
BLOOD DRIVE AT NHS. Northwood High School will host a blood drive for the Marsh Regional Blood Center on Friday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Sign-ups are also taken in the main office. Donors will receive a long-sleeved Appalachia T-shirt and a snack.
WINTER NATURALIST RALLY. The Blue Ridge Discovery Center will host the one-day Winter Naturalist Rally on Saturday, Feb. 21, featuring a full schedule of seasonally relevant, family-friendly nature programs. The rally will kick off early with a keynote by Kathleen Black, District Biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources on “Human-Wildlife Conflict: Encourage Wildlife Around Your Home Without Unwanted Visitors.” Then, participants will disperse into various expert-led program sessions, including birding, vernal pools, geology, weather forecasting, camera trapping, wildlife tracks and signs, cordage and make-your-own pottery with local artist Debbie Yates. Younger naturalists will be able to take part in kid-friendly programming. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Visit’s the center website for more information and to buy tickets.
WOOLLY MAMMOTH DAY. The 33rd annual Woolly Mammoth Day has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28. The event, which is a major fundraiser for the Museum of the Middle Appalachians, will begin with breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Northwood High School’s cafeteria. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. They are available at the museum or at the door. Madam Russell and Blackwell’s Chapel United Methodist churches will prepare the breakfast foods. Woolly will make his forecast regarding spring’s arrival at 11 a.m. at the museum. At 11:30 a.m., the museum will host a variety of free activities for children, including a story time, Groundhog Day bingo, Woolly and Salty coloring pages, and more. The museum is at 123 Palmer Ave. Learn more about the museum at museumofthemiddleappalachians.org.
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.
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.
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.
