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Saturday, April 20

Walking tours: Explore the Isle of Wight County Courthouse complex starting at 10 a.m. This tour begins and ends next door at Boykin’s Tavern, 17146 Monument Circle. At 2 p.m., visit Nike Park, one of the Cold War’s few surviving Army air-defense posts. Local historian Albert Burckard will host this tour. This will begin in the Recreation Hall, the site of the former soldier barracks, 13036 Nike Park Road, Carrollton.

 

Thursday, April 24

Youth art classes: Artist Diane Greenhalgh teaches fundamental drawing principles, painting and color theory for young artists ages 6 to 12 at The Arts Center @ 319 in downtown Smithfield on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Each month, new projects will be offered to advance students’ skill and knowledge. Registration is required five days prior to the first session. The fee is $40 for Isle of Wight Arts League members and $50 for non-members. For more information or to register, call 357-7707 or email info@smithfieldarts.org.

Business After Hours: The Windsor Town Center will be the site of this free public networking event, and will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mischelle Goodman and Anytime Fitness will host this along with Country Boy BBQ and the Economic Development Authority.

 

Friday, April 26

Bethlehem Ruritan Jam: Luke Willette and the Shoe Me Band will perform country, oldies and gospel from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the clubhouse, 140 Manning Road, Suffolk. The band will play for tips only, so please donate generously. Refreshments will be available to buy. Call George Fowler at 617-5955 for details.

 

Saturday, April 27

Country breakfast: The meal is served from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Smithfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545, 223 Washington St., across from the library and YMCA. Menu features scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits, gravy, hash browns, corn bread, fried salt herring and mixed fruit. Coffee and juice are included with a $7 donation. Omelet to order is an additional $2. Children age 6-12 are $4 and children under 6 eat free. All proceeds go to support the many activities and programs of the post.

Spring plant, flower sale: The Woman’s Club of Smithfield Inc. is sponsoring this event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Smithfield Auto and Truck Center, 923 S. Church St. Annuals, herbs, hanging baskets will be featured.

Walking tour of Fort Boykin: The site has been a part of American history since 1623 when a fort known as the Castle was constructed following the 1622 Indian Attack. Today, Fort Boykin constitutes an example of military architecture of the Civil War era. The free tour begins at 2 p.m. Meet at Fort Boykin, 7410 Fort Boykin Trail, Smithfield. For details, Call 357-0115 or visit www.historicisleofwight.com.

Ghosts and Saints of Olde Towne Smithfield: The Olde Towne Smithfield Group — a coalition of the 1750 Courthouse, Isle of Wight County Museum and Christ Episcopal Church — will present this event from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It will begin with a lecture on Hampton Roads Murder & Mayhem by Nancy E. Sheppard in the Isle of Wight County Museum. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., a BBQ lunch will be offered at CEC (adults $12, children $8) with children’s plant and art activities and wildlife photography. At 1, 1:30 and 2 p.m., Val Johnson will present the shadow theater presentation  “A Patriot in Petticoats” at the 1750 Courthouse. At 4 p.m., Steve Edwards, director, will present Pasture #3 in concert at CEC, with tours of the church from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Contributions to CEC for its Preservation Fund will be accepted. Finally, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., ghost walks will begin at the 1750 Courthouse. Purchase tickets for the ghost walks in advance from the Visitor’s Center: adults $8, children ages 6-12 $5. Ghost walks will be every 15 minutes.

 

Sunday, April 28

Sundays at Four: Christ Episcopal Church, 111 S. Church St., downtown Smithfield, will present the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs as its Sundays at Four concert, held at 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: adults $20 and students $5. For more information, call 675-5777.

 

Tuesday, April 30

Cancer Survivor Dinner: The event starts at 6 p.m. in Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Drive. All cancer survivors and a guest are invited. Reservations are required. Email  relaysurvivor@charter.net or call 279-0389 for more information or to RSVP.

 

Thursday, May 2

Jewelry workshop – basic wire work: This class will be held at The Arts Center in downtown Smithfield) from 1 to 4 p.m., and will include creating wire loops to hang pendants, charms and earrings. Students will make two paris of earrings. The cost is $20 for Isle of Wight Arts League members and $30 for non-members. To register, call 357-7707 no later than Thursday, April 25, to reserve your space.

 

Saturday, May 4

Relay For Life of Isle of Wight/Surry: The Luter Sports Complex, 900 W. Main St., Smithfield. The opening ceremony will be followed by the Cancer Survivor Lap at 4 p.m. Luminaria ceremony is at 9:30 p.m. Activities and entertainment all evening with food available to purchase. For more information or to make a donation, go to www.RelayForLife.org/IWSVA.

Artisan Market in Capron: This free event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gallery 1606, 18001 Southampton Parkway, which is at the corner of Main Street and 58. Spring shopping with artisans and crafters featuring soil and watercolor paintings, local authors and books, folk art, herbal soaps, stained glass creations, silver jewelry, Drewryville Woman’s Club bake sale, handcrafted and repurposed furniture, forged metal art, handcrafted pens, quilts, handwoven wearable art, knit and crochet home goods, folk art, pottery, carved and turned wood, hand-crafted knives, handmade brooms, metal art and Native American crafts. Free parking available; reservations required for free vendor space. For more information, email gallery1606@gmail.com or call 434-658-4454.

 

Sunday, May 5

Local history authors showcase: Meet area writers devoted to history of Western Tidewater at 2 p.m. in the Isle of Wight County Ruritan Clubhouse. Guest speakers will include the museum’s director, Jennifer England; John Edwards, Doris Gwaltney, Jane March, Rex Alphin and Albert Burckard. This is sponsored by the Isle of Wight County Historical Society with the museum. For directions, visit www.isleofwightruritan.org or the club’s Facebook page. For more information, visit iwchs.com or contact Carolyn A. Keen at vahistoricahouses@aol.com.

 

Monday, May 6

Storm preparation: The Carrollton Civic League will meet with the Isle of Wight Citizens’ Association at 7 p.m. in the Carrollton Ruritan Club House, 14138 Norsworthy Drive. The topic will be about storm preparation in Isle of Wight County in general and Carrollton in particular. For details, call 339-1207 or 613-6183.

 

Wednesday, May 8

Pig-Picking Festival: The Windsor Ruritan Club will host its 43rd annual event at Foster’s Pond, four miles south of Windsor on Route 610. This will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Donation cost is $25 per ticket. Call R.A. Howell at 647-5384 for details and tickets.

 

Saturday, May 11

Chick-A-Que: This fundraiser will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Benn’s UMC, 14571 Benn’s Church Blvd., Smithfield. Menu features one-half barbecue chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, and can be eaten in or taken out. Cost is $9. Desserts sold separately. Call 357-3373 for tickets.

 

Thursday, May 16

Craft and Chat: This takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday of each month. If you like scrapbooking, quilting, knitting, crocheting or making any other crafts, come to the Smithfield Library, 255 James St. Call 357-2264 for details.

 

Saturday, May 18

Run Through the Heart 5K: The Woman’s Club of Windsor and Anytime Fitness are presenting the fourth annual race starting at 10 a.m. in front of the Wesley Garris Park beside the town library. There will also be a 1K fun run and play area for children ages 12 and under. Proceeds will be used by the club to sponsor the Backpack program at Windsor Elementary in cooperation with the FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia. Sponsorships by businesses and individuals are welcome. Call Mary Lee Willis at 242-6719 or 635-8241.