Upcoming Events:
Friday, Dec. 13:
Art show
Grand Opening of Joanna and Donald Sunshine’s Art Show; 4 – 8 p.m.; Montgomery Museum’s “Great Road On Main” Gift Shop, 100 West Main St., Christiansburg.
Saturday, Dec. 14:
Holiday Hoopla
Christiansburg Library; festive day of merry making from 1 – 4 p.m. Cookie decorating, a visit from Santa, and holiday music performed by Wilderness Road Chorus.
1 – 2 p.m., Cookie Decorating, all supplies provided.
2 – 3 p.m., bring a camera and snap a picture with Santa.
3 – 4 p.m., Holiday Tunes with Wilderness Road Chorus
For more information, please call the Christiansburg Public Library at 540-382-6965.
Sunday, Dec. 15:
“A City Remembers…” Unique Holiday Cantata
A unique Christmas Cantata, featuring a wide range of church choirs, city participants, and school musicians, entitled “A City Remembers…”, is set for 7 p.m., at Central United Methodist Church in Radford. Mayor David Horton heads a list of city officials doing seasonal readings throughout the musical Cantata, ranging from representatives of the police, fire and sheriff’s departments to local church leaders.
The church adult choir heads the musical groups: children’s choirs, the bell choir, individuals including Radford City schools musicians, instrumental choirs and more. The concept is the work of CUMC music director Alice Armentrout. “We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the reason for the holidays,” Armentrout said. Admission is free.
Glencoe Mansion to host Christmas Tea
Come step back into a more elegant time for a Christmas Tea at Glencoe Mansion at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, and “act fast because spaces are limited,” say organizers.
“The tea will evoke the elegance of the holiday display theme [at the Mansion], which is Christmas from the Edwardian Era to the Jazz Age,” said Scott Gardner,director of the Mansion. “Participants will enjoy an entertaining introduction to the history of the era, handmade refreshments and tea. Guests will also be treated to traditional Christmas music performed by the Greenwood Recorder Ensemble.” To reserve your spot, please write to info@glencoemuseum.org or call the Glencoe Mansion at 540-731-5031. Period attired is encouraged but not required. The tea is sponsored by NovelTea by Natalie Hernandez and New River Valley RENT-ALL.
Thursday, Dec. 19:
Distribution of food at Dale’s Place Food Pantry
December distribution of food at Dale’s Place Food Pantry in Elliston will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Food Boxes will also be distributed at that time. Reservations for a Christmas Box may be made through a pastor in the Elliston-Shawsville area or by calling Vikki McLaughlin, Director, at 540 505-8373.
On-going:
2020 Master Gardener Training class
The New River Valley Master Gardener Program is seeking applicants for the 2020 Master Gardener Training class. It will be a hybrid format with on-site trainings on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30, three Thursday evening classes, three Saturday afternoon classes as well as five on-line training sessions. The class runs from late February through early May. Topics covered include basic botany, plant propagation, herbaceous plants, house plants, vegetables, fruits, pruning, landscape design, floral design, lawn care, woody plants, entomology, plant pathology, abiotic stresses, soils, and pesticide use and safety. The cost for the course is $180 and participants do 50 hours of volunteer service. Contact Wendy Silverman at the Montgomery County Extension Office at 540-382-5790 for more information.
Susan V. Lockwood: “Retrospective – a 20 Year Photographic Journey”
More than 50 framed images taken by Radford photographer Susan V. Lockwood are being showcased in a continuing exhibition at the Virginia Tech Holzman Alumni Center, located on the same level as Preston’s and the Inn at VT on the VT campus. Concluding Jan. 31, 2020, the show features a myriad of subject matter, including many award-winning pieces. All are very limited editions framed using acid-free archival materials. Black and white along with color photographs will be shown. Regular gallery hours are 8-5 (M-F) and for special hours during home football games call 540-231-2141.
Fund-raising for Radford Festival of Lights
Radford Chamber of Commerce and Festival of Lights Committee looking for businesses and community members to help make Radford festive for the holiday season. They would appreciate donations to purchase new decorations. Make a donation payable to the Radford Chamber. Please include in the memo line, “Christmas Lights” to ensure donation goes towards the decorations. Time is of the essence to give the Electrical Department enough time to schedule installation for the holiday season.”
Christiansburg Leaf Collection
The Town of Christiansburg is offering its annual Loose Leaf Collection service to residents weekdays from Nov. 4 through Dec. 20, weather permitting. Public Works crews will only collect piles of loose leaves; leaves placed in bags will not be accepted. Please do not place pile of loose leaves in a way that blocks sidewalks, sanitary sewers, solid waste carts, drainage ditches or utility meter boxes.
Crafting Group
Christiansburg Helping Hands is a group of crafters coming together every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. at the Christiansburg Rec Center. We make items for various needs in our community. Please feel free to join us for a fun afternoon of knitting, crocheting or sewing (your choice), as well as connect with some new friends and make a difference in our community. For more information contact Tina at knitpic@aol.com.
VFW Scholarship Opportunity
The Meadowbrook Library and VFW Post 4920 and Auxiliary are working together to provide the opportunity for students to enter for the VFW Scholarships-Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy. These are open for students in grades 6-12. These scholarships can be worth up to $30,000 but you have to enter to be eligible. Entry forms and instructions are available at the Meadowbrook Library.
Storytime at the Radford Public Library
Come join us for weekly storytimes at the library! Storytimes are designed to promote pre-reading skills and a love of books. We share books, finger-plays, songs, and other activities that parents and caregivers can repeat at home. No sign-up required, just drop in! Ages 0-2: Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Ages 3 and up: Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 – 11:45 a.m.
Community Health Center of the NRV helps adults access VA health coverage
As of Jan. 1, 2019, new health coverage for adults covers more people. If you work in retail, construction, childcare, landscaping, food service or many of the jobs that don’t offer health insurance, you may be able to get low-cost health insurance that includes regular preventive care and treatment for chronic health conditions. To find out if you’re eligible, phone the Community Health Center of the NRV (215 Roanoke Street) at 540 381-0820, or visit coverva.org
Montgomery Museum volunteer opportunities
A number of volunteer opportunities are available at the Montgomery Museum.
Docent: training is provided for individuals to staff the front office, answer calls, make sales, and interpret the history of the museum; events planning: planning and implementation of our major events annually, including Heritage Day, Mountains of Music, h’Arts on Main, Cruisin’ Christiansburg; Working with any of the committees: (Membership, Marketing, Events/Fundraising, Building Expansion, Building and Grounds); research with genealogy projects: working with the genealogy team; gardening: working in the garden with Virginia Master Gardeners. Contact 540.382.5644 and visit www.montgomerymuseum.org
Art Exhibit: Art by “CB”
All Month of December, at the Blacksburg Library. CB is a Southwest Virginia resident who enjoys exploring a wide array of art mediums and whose work includes drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics. She has spent a number of years working as an art instructor, a graphic designer, and industrial designer, and a landscape/hardscape designer and installer.
Art in Miss Jessie’s Gallery & Front Desk
All Month of December, at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library. Featuring the sculpture, drawings, paintings, and graphics of artist Ling Jie Gu, who seeks to find meaning in the natural world land translate it into a comprehensible format for her audience to enjoy. The pieces are either anecdotes of her imagination, or merely studies of how the natural world operates. She seeks to translate these things into a common lingo. Don’t miss her high energy show!
Disguise a Gingerbread Man
All Month of December, at the Christiansburg Library. Disguise your gingerbread man as a character from your favorite book! Return the completed project with your name, character’s name, and book title on the back to the library by Dec. 22 so they library judges can pick a winner!
StoryWalk
All Month at the Christiansburg Library.Exercise your brain and body as you read and walk the trail! Begin at the library or the College Street entrance of Downtown Park. This month’s book is When it Starts to Snow.
- Pluribus Unum
All Month of December, at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library. Looking for something to do? Come in and help put together a 1,000 piece puzzle.
Holiday Conversation Starters
All Month of December, at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library. Stop by and answer more thought-provoking questions; this month they’ll have a festive, holiday twist!
Jolly-Wrapped Mystery Books
All Month of December, at the Christiansburg Library. Celebrate good teen reads by picking up a gift-wrapped book from our teen alley. Each book will have a one line book hint. Take the book to the front desk to check out the jolly-good surprise!
Junior Artist Program
All Month of December, at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library. Become a Junior Artist and earn a sketchbook! Just pick up an art card at the front desk, visit Miss Jessie’s Gallery, answer a few questions, then return your signed card to the front desk for a bookmark. Complete five cards, and you will get your very own artist sketchbook. Parental assistance is encouraged, particularly for the littlest Junior Artists!
