Wednesday, April 1
7 p.m. ‒ Public reading with Laura Brodie, visiting associate professor of English, Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library, W&L.
Thursday, April 2 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Book sale, Rockbridge Regional Library.
Friday, April 3
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ‒ Book sale, Rockbridge Regional Library.
5 to 7 p.m. – Opening reception, “Wild,” recent paintings by Marsha Heatwole, Artist in Cahoots.
5 to 7 p.m. - First Friday reception, presenting guest artist Nancy Newhard, Nelson Gallery. 7 p.m. – Bilingual English– Russian documentary reading performed by the Russian language students at W&L, “To Survive Mariupol,” featuring testimonials of Ukrainians who lived through the prolonged siege and heavy destruction by the Russians of the Ukrainian port city, at Stackhouse Theater.
Saturday, April 4
7:30 a.m. to noon – Kids Fishing Day, children 12 and under admitted free of charge, $6 after noon, $9 for visitors over 13, Natural Bridge State Park; for more information, visit www.virginiastateparks. gov/natural-bridge or call (540) 254-0795.
8 a.m. to noon – Happy spring flea market, Floyd-Davidson Post 126 American Legion, Buena Vista.
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ‒ Book sale, Rockbridge Regional Library.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Effinger Community Easter Egg Hunt, with Easter Bunny and other activities, Collierstown Baptist Church.
Noon to 3 p.m. - Community Easter Festival, sponsored by Fincastle Baptist Church – Rockbridge Campus and BuenaVista Parks and Recreation, at Glen Maury Park.
1 to 5 p.m. – Rockbridge Bull & Oyster Fest, fundraiser for Rockbridge Area Health Center; tickets available at www.Rock-AHC.org.
Monday, April 6
7 p.m. – One-man performance, “11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express,” written and performed by U.S. Army Green Beret Lt. Col. Scott Man, Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall, VMI.
8 p.m. – Winter Term Concerto- Aria Winners Concert, presented by the W&L Wind Ensemble, Wilson Concert Hall.
Wednesday, April 8
5:15 p.m. - Rockbridge Regional Library to host author Sarah Clayton and illustrator Bruce Macdonald for a presentation and reading.
8 p.m. – University Bluegrass Ensemble winter concert, Wilson Concert Hall, W&L.
Thursday, April 9
8 p.m. – Program, “Dream a Little Dream” presented by W&L’s Department of Music, Wilson Concert Hall.
Friday, April 10
7:30 p.m. ‒ Play, “Beau Jest,” Performing Arts Center, SVU; tickets are available for purchase at Eventbrite.com.
Saturday, April 11
10 a.m. ‒ Wildflower walk on the Chessie Trail led by Virginia Native Plant Society members Peggy Dyson-Cobb and Jan Smith, rain date is April 18, sponsored by the Friends of the Chessie Trail; for more information, go to friendsofthechessietrail. org.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Celebration of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Natural Bridge State Park.
Sunday, April 12
2 p.m. - Hands-on orchard workshop, Joseph Martinez of Rockbridge Cider Vinegar, focusing on growing fruit organically, building tree health and managing pests without spraying; free event by must RSVP at www.rockcohomesteaders. com/events.
Thursday, April 16
5:30 p.m. – Author talk, “World War Zoos” by Dr. John M. Kinder, about zoos in Warsaw, London, Berlin, Rome, and Tokyo facing bombings, food shortages, and wrenching decisions about which species to save or cull, George C. Marshall Foundation; to reserve seats, email Leigh McFaddin at events@marshallfoundation. org or call (540) 463-7103, ext. 138.
7:30 p.m. ‒ Play, “Beau Jest,” Performing Arts Center, SVU; tickets are available for purchase at Eventbrite.com.
Friday, April 17
7:30 p.m. – Musical, “1776”
presented by the VMI Community Theatre, Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall; admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens ages 65 and over, cadets and children ages 6 and under admitted free.
7:30 p.m. ‒ Play, “Beau Jest,” Performing Arts Center, SVU.
Saturday, April 18
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ‒ Thunder BRidge Open Studios at former Natural Bridge Juvenile Correction Center, with 20 resident artist studios, six guest artists, Playreaders, young local musicians, and more, food and drinks available; for more information, go to thunderbridge. my.canva.site.
7:30 p.m. – Musical, “1776” presented by the VMI Commu-nity Theatre, Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall.
Sunday, April 19
2 p.m. – Musical, “1776” presented by the VMI Community Theatre, Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall.
Tuesday, April 21
6:30 p.m. – Meeting, Rockbridge Camera Club, Piovano Room, Rockbridge Regional Library, visitors welcome.
Saturday, April 25
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – “Beneficial Beauty: Native Shrubs for the Home Garden,” Sharon Burnham, RARA Community Room, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington, sponsored by Rockbridge Master Gardeners.
11 a.m. – Barbecue chicken sale, halves for $7, dinners with three sides and roll for $12, Buena Vista Fire Department.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. - Native Tree and Shrub Giveaway with kid friendly activities, native plants for sale and rain barrel demonstrations, RARA Community Room, sponsored by Rockbridge Master Gardeners and Virginia Native Plant Society.
7:30 p.m. – Spring concert, Rockbridge Symphony, featuring works by Dvorak, Marcello, and Del Vecchio, Lexington Presbyterian Church; visit Rockbridgesymphony. org.
Saturday, May 2
8:30 a.m. to noon – Valley of Virginia Herb Guild’s 25th annual Herb Sale , culinary, aromatic and medicinal, Sam Houston Auction Barn, 1386 Valley Pike.
9 a.m. ‒ Kids Fun Run , open to preschoolers through eighthgraders, sponsored by the Friends of the Chessie Trail; for more information, go to friendsofthechessietrail. org.
10 a.m. – Road and River Relay, begins at the Rockbridge Regional Library and ends at Jordans Point Park; for more information or to download registration forms, visit lexvaroadandriverrelay.org.
Ongoing Events
Mondays
9 to 10 a.m. - Free exercise class, all ages, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Rockbridge Baths, for more information, email rockbridgebathscommunity@ gmail. com.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Food pantry, Stone Church of the Brethren, 2164 Forest Ave., Buena Vista; call 2616946 to make appointment to pick up food; pantry open same hours Tuesday through Friday.
12:30 p.m. - Bridge Club of Lexington, open to all, The Restaurant at Kendal, main building, 160 Kendal Dr., Lexington; call ahead for a partner or further information, (540) 460-5474.
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – RARA Neighborhood Grocery, in-person, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington.
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Family and Friends Support meeting at Rockbridge Recovery, 1809 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista; call (540)5722312 for more information or to arrange a free ride.
6 p.m. – Dinner at The Community Table, Piovano building, Lexington.
6 p.m. – New Life Suppers, free dinners, at Life Chapel.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Line dancing class, American Legion building, Buena Vista, $5 donation per person; for more information, call (540) 460-4206.
8 p.m. – AA meeting, Christ Episcopal Church, 2246 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista.
Tuesdays
7:30 a.m. – AA, second floor, Grace Episcopal Church; beginners meeting at 7 p.m., same location.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Visit by Virginia Department of Veterans Services benefits representative, at VFW Post 1499, second Tuesday of each month; by appointment only, call (540) 332-8900.
1 to 2 p.m. - Maury River Senior Services monthly support group featuring Opening Minds through Art, first Tuesday of each month; call (540) 261-7474 to register.
1 to 2 p.m. - Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, Aug. 19-Oct. 9, Maury River Senior Services, free; to register, call (540) 261-7474 or visit vpas.info/health-and-wellness- programs.
1 p.m. - Mahjongg, open to all, Lexington Golf and Country Club; email Lindsey at [email protected] to let her know you’ll be there; teaching and beginners table possible.
2 to 3 p.m. – Gospel Way pantry, drive-thru model, 109 Henry St., Lexington.
4 p.m. – Youth program, Pokemon, Rockbridge Regional Library, Lexington.
6:30 p.m. – Meeting, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1499, at the post, 105 Memorial Lane, Lexington.
7 to 8 p.m. - REAL LIFE group meeting at Rockbridge Recovery, 1809 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista; call (540) 572-2312 for more information or to arrange a free ride.
Wednesdays
8-9 a.m. - Glasgow-Natural Bridge Men’s Prayer Breakfast, every other Wednesday at Faith Baptist Church, 15 Faith Baptist Circle, Arnolds Valley Road, Natural Bridge Station, open to all and non-denominational, breakfast will be served; for more information, call Faith Baptist Church at (540) 291-2847.
8 to 12:30 p.m. ‒ Lexington Farmers Market, McCrums parking lot.
10 a.m. – Baby and toddler storytime, Rockbridge Regional Library; followed by preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m.
10 a.m. to noon - Greater Lexington Newcomers Club; for updates, visit www.lexvanewcomers. org and see Events Calendar; activities signup is available to members at meetings.
10 to 11:30 a.m. - Maury River Senior Center (MRSC) Players and Singers, all skill levels of players welcome, as well as listeners, at 2137 Magnolia Ave., Buena Vista; for more information, call (540) 261-7474.
Noon – Lunch at The Community Table, Piovano Building, Lexington.
Noon and 7 p.m. – AA meetings, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 617 S. Main St., Lexington.
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – “RARA Neighborhood Grocery,” in-person, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington.
3-4:30 p.m. – Grief the Growth bereavement group (starting in January), sponsored by ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, fourth Wednesday of every month, Borden Center Conference Room, Kendal at Lexington.
4 p.m. – Youth program, Makers Club, ages 6 and up, Rockbridge Regional Library.
4 to 6 p.m. – Bridge To Hope Pantry, 906 Magnolia Ave., Buena Vista.
7 p.m. - Free yoga class, led by Karen Stanley of Center of Gravity Yoga and Pilates Studio, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Rockbridge Baths; more information, rockbridgebathscommunity@ gmail. com.
7 to 8 p.m. - SMART Recovery meeting at Rockbridge Recovery, 1809 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista; call (540)572-2312 for more information or to arrange a free ride.
8 p.m. – AA meeting, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1002 Blue Ridge Road, Glasgow.
Thursdays
7:30 a.m. – AA, second floor, Grace Episcopal church.
9 to 10 a.m. Free exercise class, all ages, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Rockbridge Baths.
9 to 11 a.m. – (every third Thursday) Natural Bridge/Glasgow food pantry.
10 a.m. – Baby and toddler storytime, Rockbridge Regional Library; followed by preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m.
10 to 11:30 a.m. - Maury River Senior Center (MRSC) Players and Singers, all skill levels of players welcome, as well as listeners, at 2137 Magnolia Ave., Buena Vista; for more information, call (540) 261-7474.
1 to 2 p.m. - Tai Chi for Ar-thritis and Falls Prevention, Aug. 19-Oct. 9, Maury River Senior Services, free; to register, call (540) 261-7474 or visit vpas.info/health-and-wellness- programs.
1 to 3 p.m. – Goshen food pantry, 9742 Maury River Road.
1:30 to 3 p.m. (first and third Thursdays) - Care Companions: Navigating Dementia Together; in partnership with ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, VPAS presents a program for those living with dementia and their care partners, at Maury River Senior Services, 2137 Magnolia Ave., Buena Vista; for more information and to register, call (540) 261-7474.
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – RARA Neighborhood Grocery, in-person, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington.
4 p.m. – Youth program, Improv Club, Rockbridge Regional Library.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Francophone Circle, every third Thursday except December, practice speaking French, all levels welcome, at a Lexington restaurant; to get monthly notices, send a request to be added to the email list at ennekaye@ gmail.com.
6 p.m. – “Community Café on Magnolia,” free meals offered by Bridge to Hope, 906 Magnolia Ave. (second Thursday of each month only).
7 to 8 p.m. - Peer Support meeting at Rockbridge Recovery, 1809 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista; call (540) 572-2312 for more information or to arrange a free ride.
8 p.m. – AA meeting, Christ Episcopal Church, 2246 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista.
Fridays
8:30 to 9 a.m. Free yoga class, led by Lane Norris, Bethesda Presbyterian Church.
7 p.m. – AA, second floor, Grace Episcopal Church.
Saturdays
8 to 10 a.m. – Community Veteran Appreciation Breakfast, every third Saturday, free to veterans, $5 for other adults and $3 for kids meals, American Legion Post 126, Buena Vista.
9 a.m. to noon - Natural Bridge Farmers Market, at Virginia Gold Orchard on U.S. 11 near Fancy Hill, runs every Saturday through October, weather permitting.
9 to 11 a.m. (first, second and fourth Saturdays) - Natural Bridge/Glasgow Food Pantry, 735 McCullough St., Glasgow.
9 to noon – (first and third Saturdays) Community Closet at Christ Episcopal Church, 2262 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista; call 461-1299 for more information.
9 a.m. to noon – Clothes closet at First Baptist Church, every third Saturday of the month; call 4634854 for more information.
9 a.m. to noon - Kerrs Creek Farmers Market, at 2766 W. Midland Trail (through Sept. 27, 2025) 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Rockbridge Community Yoga, Lylburn Downing Community Center, 300 Diamond St.
9:30 a.m. – (second Saturdays) Rockbridge Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Piovano building; call (540) 357-0608 or visit www.RPOG. org.
10 a.m. to noon – RARA Neighborhood Grocery, in-person, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Free community luncheons, first and third Saturdays, parish hall, Christ Episcopal Church, 2246 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista.
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Lexington Al-Anon Family Group, offering a weekly respite for those dealing with the effects of friends or family members with alcohol or other substance abuse disorders. Al-Anon, an anonymous fellowship, provides courage, strength, and hope for those living or who have lived with those kinds of issues and problems. Weekly hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom) top floor of the Grace Episcopal Church. More details or other information available from lexingtonfamilygroup@ gmail.com.
Editor’s note: The above events are taking place every week in the Rockbridge area. If your group has restarted weekly activities, send us an email with the information, to editor@thenews-gazette. com.
