Saturday, Oct. 16
The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society hosts its annual Blue Jeans & Bling fundraiser on the plaza of the historic Henry County Courthouse (1 E. Main Street.) Attendees will enjoy a BBQ dinner by Hugo’s, music from RagTop, cash bar, and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society. Tickets are $35 per person or $250 for a table of 8 and can be purchased through any board member, in person at the Heritage Center and Museum, or by calling (276) 403-5361 or emailing mhchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
The Bassett Cruise-In will take place in downtown Bassett from 3-7 p.m. for the season-ending “Race Night.” See hundreds of classic cars and enjoy great food and live entertainment along the beautiful Smith River. Visit bassettcruisein.com for more details.
Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church will be making Brunswick stew. To place an order call Fay Moore at 276-673-6378 or by e-mail at faymoor@comcast.net or come by the church. The cost of the stew will be $8.00/quart. The church is located at 63 Mt. Bethel Circle, Martinsville, VA in the Pleasant Grove area. Stew will be ready for pick up at 10 a.m.
The Blue Ridge Regional Library’s book sale wraps up on October 16. The sale will be at the library in Martinsville from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 19
A Horsepasture District Community Meeting will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Horsepasture Ruritan Building. In attendance will be Horsepasture District Supervisor Debra Buchanan, County Administrator Tim Hall, Lt. Col. Steve Eanes of the Sheriff’s Office, and Lisa Hughes, VDOT Resident Engineer. Social distancing will be observed.
Longwood University’s Small Business Development Center presents a free Zoom class, Marketing on a Budget. Participants will learn free and low cost ways to market their business and increase sales. Topic will include: getting the most out of social media, using email marketing effectively, and free resources to make your business look great. The class will be held from 6-7 p.m. For more information or to register, visit sbdc-longwood.com.
Thursday, Oct. 21
Piedmont Arts hosts Painting with Karen Conner from 1-4 p.m. Instructor Karen Conner will lead students in creating a unique painting. The theme for this painting is “white pumpkin.” The class is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Advance registration is required. To register, visit PiedmontArts.org or call (276) 632-3221.
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Martinsville Elks Lodge (300 Fairy Street Ext.) from 12-6 p.m. To sign up for a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Friday, Oct. 22
Join Piedmont Arts for an opening reception in honor of the museum’s new exhibits, “Carl Chiarenza” on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and “Print/Imprint: Asheville Printmakers and Tools of Happiness.” Gallery talk at 6:15 pm. Music by Amy Stuart and Ann Nichols. Complimentary wine and light refreshments. Free and open to the public. RSVP required to (276) 632-3221 or PiedmontArts.org by October 19.
Saturday, Oct. 23
It’s time to relax by the river! Join the MWW Foundation at the Smith River Sports Complex festival grounds for the 7th Annual Wine by the River from 2-7 p.m.! Come for a good cause, support the community, and enjoy wine, brews, live music, games, artisan vendors, food vendors, and much more! Tickets are $15 in advance or $25 at the door. Non-taster tickets are $10. Advance tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or via winebytheriver.com.
Join in on the fun of the 24th Annual Great Goblin Gallop presented by Henry County Parks & Recreation. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costume. Call or stop by the HCPR office to register today! Race starts at 10 a.m. Awards will be held after the race, when food/snacks will also be available. Race location and packet pickup location: 746 Indian Trail Martinsville, VA.
Piedmont Arts hosts Painting with Karen Conner from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Instructor Karen Conner will lead students in creating a unique painting. The theme for this painting is “Halloween hill.” The class is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Advance registration is required. To register, visit PiedmontArts.org or call (276) 632-3221.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
The Martinsville Speedway will host Track Laps for Charity from 7-9 p.m. This event offers fans the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles around Martinsville’s historic half-mile during race week of the NASCAR Playoffs for a $25 donation. All proceeds support the Annual Christmas Toy Drive for the Grace Network of Martinsville-Henry County. For details, rules, and restrictions, visit www.MartinsvilleSpeedway.com and click on the Events tab.
Longwood University’s Small Business Development Center presents a free Zoom class, CO.STARTERS Get Started with Brandon Hennessey, Longwood SBDC Director of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. What if you could spend all your time doing what you love? Or finally stop talking about that idea you’ve had and start moving toward actually doing it? The CO.STARTERS Get Started Workshop is here to help. Whether just getting started, stuck on a particular issue, or in need of a refresher, this workshop will provide the jumpstart needed to get you moving. This interactive workshop will take place from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more information or to register, visit sbdc-longwood.com.
Thursday, Oct. 28
Piedmont Arts will host a pumpkin painting class as part of its Wee Create! Programming. Wee Create! Is open to youngsters ages 2-5 with adult supervision. Two sessions of the pumpkin painting class will take place from 10:30-11 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m. The class is free for members at $10 for non-members. Advance registration is required. To register, visit PiedmontArts.org or call (276) 632-3221.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Henry County Parks & Recreation hosts its annual Halloween Hayride at Jack Dalton Park from 6- 8 p.m. The hayrides around the park will get spookier and spookier as the evening goes on. Trunk-or-Treating will also be offered in the parking lot of the park.
Friday, Nov. 5
C-PEG and Martinsville UpTown are hosting First Fridays November 5, and December 3 from 4-8 p.m. at the Uptown Martinsville Farmer’s Market. Join in as many of your favorite Oktoberfest vendors sell products the First Friday of October, November, and December! There will be arts, crafts, food, and more!
Thursday, Nov. 11
Piedmont Arts will host a one-man play, “Brown v. Board of Education: Over 50 Years Later” on Thursday, November 11. In 1952, the Supreme Court heard a number of school segregation cases, including Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. It ruled unanimously in 1954 that segregation was unconstitutional, overthrowing Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which set the “separate but equal” precedent. In this one-man play, Mike Wiley recounts the effects of the decision on the families who participated in the original court case, the impact of the ruling on school systems at the time and the challenges still being made today. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will begin at 7. Tickets are available at Piedmont Arts and PiedmontArts.org.
Friday, Nov. 12
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Hillcrest Baptist Church (18075 AL Philpott Highway) in Ridgeway from 1-6 p.m. To sign up for a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Saturday, Nov. 13
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at County Line Christian Church (12711 Chatham Road) in Axton from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To sign up for a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Sunday, Nov. 14
The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society will celebrate its 25th anniversary with “Silver Anniversary of a Silver Lining” at 3 p.m. at the M-HC Heritage Center and Museum. Phillip Stone will be the distinguished speaker and proclamations will be presented by the City of Martinsville and Henry County. The program will include music, cake, and a few surprises.
Thursday, Nov. 18
Piedmont Arts hosts Painting with Karen Conner from 1-4 p.m. Instructor Karen Conner will lead students in creating a unique painting. The theme for this painting is “snowman.” The class is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Advance registration is required. To register, visit PiedmontArts.org or call (276) 632-3221.
Saturday, Nov. 20
Piedmont Arts hosts Painting with Karen Conner from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Instructor Karen Conner will lead students in creating a unique painting. The theme for this painting is “cardinal on a lamppost.” The class is appropriate for ages 12 and up. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Advance registration is required. To register, visit PiedmontArts.org or call (276) 632-3221.
ONGOING
Horsepasture District Supervisor Debra Parsons Buchanan and the Salvation Army are hosting the 26th annual Coat Drive for Kids. Anyone wishing to donate a new or gently used coat can drop them off at Hollywood Cinema, the Salvation Army, or at One-Hour Martinizing on Rives Road. You can also call Debra at (276) 358-1463. The deadline for donations is November 30.
The Blue Ridge Regional Library offers free one-day passes to the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the Henry County YMCA with your library card. The passes are good for one day and exclude special events. There is a wait period before you can check out the pass again. For more details and exclusions, visit brrl.lib.va.us.
The Fontaine Ruritan Club hosts Bingo every Tuesday at their headquarters (1903 Joseph Martin Highway, Martinsville). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. Money from Bingo supports community service awards, scholarships, and other community efforts.
MHC Coalition for Health and Wellness offers no contact Medicaid application assistance for eligible Virginia residents from birth to 64 years of age. No sign-up fees, no premiums, no deductibles. Including Children’s Medicaid/FAMIS, Pregnancy Medicaid and Adult Health Care -19 to 64 years old. Questions can be answered, and applications completed by phone. In-person application assistance is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays at The Community Storehouse.
Call or text Ann Walker 276 732-0509 to see if you qualify.
The Henry County Adult Learning Center offers free in-house and online classes to help prepare for college, career, or earn your high school equivalency or GED. Classes can help improve your digital literacy, job skills, English language skills, and earning potential. Contact the Center for Community Learning (15 Primary School Road, Collinsville) at (276) 647-9585.
The Martinsville Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. through November 20. Shop with SNAP/EBT and receive up to $20 in free fruits and vegetables each week. To shop market vendors online, visit martinsvilleuptown.com.
(Event information/calendar items must be received by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the desired publication date. Email to dhall@theenterprise.net)
