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.
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Martinsville City Council will hear public comment on reversion beginning at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meeting at 3 and 6 p.m. in the Summerlin Meeting Room of the Henry County Administration Building.
Dan River Year AmeriCorps is holding a tutor recruitment event from 4-8 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Regional Library in Martinsville (310 Church Street.) The group is looking for tutors to help students at Martinsville Middle, Laurel Park Middle, and Fieldale-Collinsville Middle Schools. Benefits include a stipend, travel reimbursement, and professional development trainings. For more information, email dana.silicki@ialr.org.
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.
The Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings beginning at 1 p.m. in the Summerlin Meeting Room of the Henry County Administration Building in Collinsville. The purpose of these public hearings is to receive citizen input into the possible issuance of Special Use Permits for several cases. The applications for these requests may be viewed in the Department of Planning, Zoning & Inspection between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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 holds 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.
Wednesday, Nov. 3
NCI LIFE will host a talk from health and fitness coach Janet Steward, “Stress. . . The #1 Cause of Disease.” Learn what stress is and how it affects your body. Walk away with valuable tips on how to manage your stress. RSVP by October 27 by calling (276) 403-5605 or email emcdaniel@newcollegeinstitute.org.
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.
Saturday, Nov. 6
Horsepasture Christian Church is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 11
The 73rd annual Veterans Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. at the HJDB Event Center in Bassett. Awards will be presented for Veteran of the Year and Outstanding Veteran. The event is free and open to the public.
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 make an appointment to donate, 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 make an appointment to donate, 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 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 its headquarters (1903 Joseph Martin Highway, Martinsville). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 7. 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.
