CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
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
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.
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 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.
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, April 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.
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
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.
USED-BOOK SALE. On Friday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday, April 11, 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
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/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.
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.
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.
FREE FILM SERIES. Smyth County VA250 is hosting a free film series to highlight the USA’s 250th anniversary. The next movie, April Morning, will be shown on Sunday, April 26, at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion at 2 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
