Saturday, Jan. 1
The Henry County Bike Club will host its annual New Year’s Day event, Get Outside and Ride, Run, or Walk! Start your new year off right by getting healthier while exploring the Martinsville-Henry County community. Anyone interested in participating should meet at Chain of Fools Bicycle Shop (28 Fayette Street, Martinsville) at 10 a.m. for some New Year’s Day exercise. Participants can meet at Hugo’s for lunch after the event. The club requests participants bring a donation of canned or perishable food for Grace Network. For more information call (276) 336-8529.
Monday, Jan. 3
The Henry County Board of Supervisors will hold its 2022 organizational meeting beginning at 5 p.m. in the Summerlin Meeting Room of the Henry County Administration Building (3300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville.) At the meeting, the board will elect a chairman and vice-chairman for 2022 and set regular meeting dates for 2022, among other items. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks.
Tuesday, Jan. 4
Martinsville City Council will hold a community conversation about reversion. The topic of this week’s meeting is town/city changes. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in city council chambers. It is limited to 12 participants per session and anyone who wishes to participate must pre-register by emailing their name and address to town@ci.martinsville.va.us, calling (276) 403-5182, faxing (276) 403-5280, or mailing the City of Martinsville, attn: Karen Roberts, P.O. Drawer 1112, Martinsville, VA, 24114. Citizens must register by noon the day before each session. Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and priority will be given to city residents. The meetings will also be televised on MGTV-21 and linked on the city’s website and social media.
Thursday, Jan. 6
The Henry County School board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in the Summerlin Meeting Room of the Henry County Administration Building, 3300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville. The meeting will also be livestreamed on Henry County Public Schools’ Facebook page.
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Martinsville Elks Lodge (300 Fairy Street Ext., Martinsville) from 12-6 p.m. To schedule a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Join Piedmont Arts for Art at Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. This event offers a final chance to view the exhibits “Print/Imprint: Asheville Printmakers,” “Carl Chiarenza” on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and “Tools of Happiness” before they close. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments are provided by the Piedmont Arts Guild. RSVP by Jan. 5 to (276) 632-3221 or online at PiedmontArts.org.
Friday, Jan. 7
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Blackberry Baptist Church (3241 Stones Dairy Road, Bassett) from 1-6 p.m. To schedule a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 12
The Virginia Museum of Natural History (21 Starling Avenue, Martinsville) is offering its monthly Doodle Bugs! program, an opportunity for children ages 3-5 to experience science first-hand. The theme for January’s Doodle Bugs! is winter wildlife. The hour-long workshop includes imaginative stories, fun activities, and games and crafts that spark creativity and curiosity. This is the perfect opportunity for parents and grandparents to learn and have fun with their children. Pre-registration is required one week before the program and the cost is $7 per child. Masks are required for all indoor activities. For more information or to register, contact VMNH at discover.vmnh.virginia.gov or call (276) 634-4187. You can also register online at www.vmnh.net.
Friday, Jan. 14
Come join in the fun for Music Night at the Spencer-Penn Centre. Music begins at 6:15 in the Alumni Hall and concessions will be available.
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at Stone Memorial Christian Church (3030 Virginia Avenue, Collinsville) from 12-5 p.m. To schedule a donation appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.
Friday, Jan. 21
Join Piedmont Arts (215 Starling Avenue, Martinsville) in celebrating the opening of its first new exhibits for the new year! From 5:30-7:30 p.m., guests can enjoy music by Lauren Luther as well as complimentary wine and refreshments as they get their first look at three new exhibits: “Our Living Past: Platinum Portraits of Southern Music Makers,” “Dear B.J.: Postcards from the Pandemic,” and works by Tara Compton. All three of these exhibits are open through March 12. The opening reception is free and open to the public. RSVP to bjohnson@piedmontarts.org by January 18. For more information, visit piedmontarts.org.
Saturday, Jan. 22
Soar on over to the Virginia Museum of Natural History (21 Starling Avenue, Martinsville) for the grand unveiling of its newest special exhibit, “The Science of Flight!” This day of flight-focused fun includes live birds of prey, balloon animals, food trucks, flight-themed activities and crafts, and more! The first 500 children in attendance will receive a free giveaway. For more information and pricing visit www.vmnh.net.
TheatreWorks will present another fantastic “Piano Bar” at the Black Box Theatre (44 Franklin Street) in Uptown Martinsville. Tickets are $10. Get yours at www.twcp.net.
ONGOING
The Warming Center of Martinsville and Henry County, located at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church (725 Beechnut Lane), is open to provide a warm place to sleep, a warm meal, and personal supplies at no cost to those in need. Anyone who needs transportation to the center can be picked up at 6:45 p.m. at the Martinsville library and 6:25 p.m. at the Collinsville library. Weekly schedules are posted at the Martinsville library, YMCA, and on the MHC Warming Center Facebook page every Saturday. For more information, call (276) 207-9660. Anyone who wishes to volunteer at the Warming Center or to donate can find more information on Facebook or at www.foresthillspc.com/mhc-warming-shelter.html.
Henry County Parks & Recreation invites you out for a trek along the trail. Meet as a group and walk along a different trail each week. Explore the trails of Martinsville-Henry County, make new friends, and get some fresh air and exercise. Call the HCPR Senior Services office at (276) 634-4644 to find out where the week’s trek is happening! Trail Trekkers meet Thursday of each week (weather permitting) at 1 p.m. in the fall and winter and 9:15 a.m. in spring and summer.
Piedmont Arts is hosting two exhibits, “Print/Imprint: Asheville Printmakers” and “Carl Chiarenza,” on loan from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Both exhibits are on display through January 8.
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 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 at (276) 647-9585.
(Event information/calendar items must be received by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the desired publication date. Email to newsreporter@theenterprise.net)
