The McDowell County Center for the N.C. Cooperative Extension is looking to hold a food drive for the local Foothills Food Hub.Organizers are taking unexpired canned goods, rice, pasta, dry beans and any other nonperishable food you may want to share with people in our community. Donations can be dropped off at the Cooperative Extension’s office, 60 E. Court St., Marion, or to the Foothills Food Hub located in the former Badcock Furniture Building at 1930 U.S. 70 East, Marion.
The Lions Club of Marion meets at 6 p.m. at the Hook & Anchor on Rutherford Road in Marion on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
The Chapters Scrapbooking Club meets every first Thursday of the month at the MACA Center in downtown Marion. You can bring your own supplies or use the supplies at MACA. The next meeting will be held Thursday, May 7, from 6-8 p.m.
The Foothills Community Band rehearses every Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the MACA Center in downtown Marion. The band welcomes players of all ages and experience levels from high school students to those with decades of experience. For more information, send an email to foothillscommunityband@gmail.com.
Loving Hearts, BEAR Closet is asking for donations of blankets, charcoal, batteries (all sizes), flashlights and cleaning supplies. Contact them at 828-767-2385 or 828-803-8790 and at 337 Garden Creek Road, Marion.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery & Studios in Old Fort will offer workshops called Ms. Lorelle’s Home School Art Class. They will be held Thursdays through May 28. The cost is $110 a month. These in-person art classes, taught by experienced artist and instructor Lorelle Bacon, are designed specifically for homeschooled children who do not have access to art instruction at home. Classes are divided into two age groups: children ages 7-11 will meet from 1-3 p.m. and from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for students ages 12 and older. Each session is two hours long, allowing ample time for hands-on learning and individual attention. Students will be exploring a different art medium each quarter, including drawing, colored pencils, acrylic painting and scratchboard. Students will be introduced to the basics of each medium and will develop their skills progressively throughout the year. Classes are structured for individual learning, with hands-on instruction, follow-along demonstrations, and plenty of encouragement. Register at https://arrow-headart.org/classes-workshops.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery & Studios in Old Fort will offer Ms. Lorelle’s After School Art. These in-person art classes, taught by experienced artist and instructor Lorelle Bacon, are designed specifically to enhance a child’s knowledge and love of art. The classes will be held for the 2025-2026 school year. Students may join at any time. Each session is two hours long, allowing ample time for hands-on learning and individual attention. The classes will be held Thursdays (through the end of the school year) from 3:30-5:30 p.m. It is for ages 10-18 and cost per month is $110 (prorated rates available). Students will be exploring different art mediums including drawing, colored pencils, acrylic painting and scratchboard. Students will be introduced to the basics of each medium and will develop their skills progressively throughout the year. Classes are structured for individual learning, with hands-on instruction, follow-along demonstrations, and plenty of encouragement. Materials are furnished during class, so students can focus on creating without needing to bring supplies. For those interested in practicing at home, a supply list will be available.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will offer private parties with instructor and artist Catherine Brugge-man. Select a project you have seen or pick from a number of fun two-to three-hour stained glass or wire sculpture workshops. All you need are three friends. Call Bruggeman at 910-915-9104 to schedule or get a list of possibilities. Day, evening or weekend times available.
The Middle + High School Collaborative Art Show is on display now in the MACA gallery in downtown Marion and will be on display through Thursday, April 30. This show includes work from the MHS visual arts class, technology education, East McDowell Middle School, West McDowell Middle School and Foothills Community School.
The Mountain Science Expo 2026 will take place today, April 25, at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville. The libraries in McDowell and Rutherford are both participating. This is a free event, but parking is $25. However, you can check out a nonfiction book at the libraries and get a “golden ticket” for free parking. Golden tickets will be available at the Marion and Old Fort library branches in McDowell.
The Health Equity Town Hall will take place Tuesday, April 28, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Marion Depot. Dinner will be available.
The McDowell County Democratic Party will hold the monthly meeting and covered-dish supper at 6 p.m. Monday, April 27, at the Marion Community Building. The supper starts at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will have a series of free art classes for kids. The classes are for ages 5 to 12 years old. Adult participation is optional. The classes are from 2-4 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month. Capacity is 10 students. The free classes use different media and are often taught by different volunteer artists. All supplies will be provided.
Registration for the presentation of “Shrek: The Musical Kids” starts on Friday, May 1. This is a presentation by McDowell Children’s Theatre’s Summer Theatre Camp (kindergarten through 12th grade). This 30-minute version of the Oscar-winning hit film and outrageous Broadway musical has roles for everyone — onstage and backstage. Camp dates and performances will be in July. Performances will take place on Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 18, at 2 and 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.mcdowellarts.org/mct.
The Route 70 Cruisers’ Mountain Thunder Car Show will be held Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Universal Center at 634 College Drive near McDowell Technical Community College. All proceeds from the car show benefit local charities. It is an open show and all vehicles are welcome. Trophies, music, food, door prizes, raffles and vendors will be a part of the event. Preregistration is $15 if received by April 25. It is $20 registration on the day of the show. Car show vehicles must enter by 8:30 a.m.
A Lake James Cleanup event is scheduled for May. N.C. Cooperative Extension-McDowell County Center’s Keep McDowell Beautiful program will be coordinating the annual Lake James cleanup on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to noon. A dumpster will be placed at Black Bear Boat Ramp. There will be volunteers available to help unload from 8 a.m. until noon. The dumpsters will be removed at noon. Supplies will not be available the day of the event. To arrange for pickup of supplies ahead of the event, contact Matt Burneisen, N.C. Cooperative Extension, McDowell County Center, Keep McDowell Beautiful — Matt_Burneisen@ncsu.edu or 828-652-8104. Supplies include trash bags, trash grabbers and tarps for boats.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will have a class called Curved Glass Cutting: Sunrise in the Round with Catherine. This class will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $70. You’ve learned the art of cutting straight glass, now is the time to move on to cutting curved glass and make a Sunrise in the Round. Students will be making a panel with all curved cuts. Practice your skill at cutting and learn techniques in order to be more precise in your cutting skills. Your round piece will also include an optional wooden stand or border to hang. (This is a follow-up to our straight cutting class). For more information, go to www.arrowheadart.org.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will have a class called Butterfly Garden Stake with Catherine. This class will be held on Monday, May 4, from 1-4:30 p.m. Cost is $45. Create some flutters in your garden. Students will use precut glass to create their own butterfly; learn how to clean, foil, flux, and solder their creation together. Copper embellishments and findings can be added to make your butterfly unique. Suitable for outdoor or indoor use. All materials supplied, including stakes or hardware to hang your piece. For more information, go to www.arrowheadart.org.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Old Fort on Tuesday, May 5, from 1-5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Old Fort, 203 E. Main St.
The Arrowhead Art Gallery and Studios in Old Fort will have a class called Evening Open Figure Drawing with Lorelle Bacon. The first class will be held on Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $15. Arrowhead Gallery and Studios is introducing a three-month trial of evening figure drawing sessions to gauge the arts community’s interest in establishing a regular monthly figure drawing program. The session will meet twice a month on Wednesday evenings. These noninstructional sessions provide dedicated time for artists of all levels to draw clothed human figures from a live model in a relaxed, respectful setting. The models will pose in a variety of attire, offering artists the opportunity to study gesture, proportion, and drapery. A session facilitator will manage timing and ensure a smooth, professional atmosphere. Participants bring their own drawing supplies. Questions? Email Facilitator Lorelle Bacon at lorelleartist@hotmail.com. For more information, go to www.arrowheadart.org.
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