The Shenandoah County chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a bloodmobile on Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Strasburg American Legion.

Hometown Strasburg will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Strasburg Town Hall.

Jeff Lineberry and Scott Nye, of the Virginia Department of Transportation, will discuss "Plants & Wildlife along Virginia Highways" on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Blandy Experimental Farm Library in Boyce. The cost is $6.

For more information or reservations call 540-837-1758 Ext. 0, or visit online at http://www.virginia.edu/blandy.

World Tavern Poker continues its fall season from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Strasburg Theater at 151 W. King St. in Strasburg. Call 465-1777 or go online to www.strasburgtheater.com for more information.

The Masterworks Chorus will hold auditions for new singers Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Woodstock.

Further information is available by calling 740-8841.

Shenandoah District President Linda Taylor will discuss flower design at the meeting of the Shenandoah Garden Club on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Woodstock United Methodist Church.

• SVCA at Leesburg, 4:30 p.m.

• Handley, Millbrook at Brentsville, 4 p.m.

• Strasburg at Luray, 7 p.m.
• Central at Millbrook, 7 p.m.
• James Wood at Brentsville, 7 p.m.

Picnic by William Inge and directed by Bill Heavner will be performed September 5-7, 11-14, and 18-20 at the Winchester Little Theater, 315 Boscowen St., Winchester.

Performance times:
September 5,6,11,12,13,18,19,20 - 8 p.m.
September 7, 14 - 2 p.m.

Box office open: Aug. 27-Sept. 20
Box office hours: 3 - 6 p.m.
Phone: (540)662-3331
Website: boxoffice@wltonline.org

Sept. 1 through Nov. 26 at WMRA Studio in Harrisonburg. Featuring artist Alex Hofgren. Reception will be held Sept. 5 from 5-7 p.m.

Sept. 5 - 7-9 p.m. at Woodstock Main Street Park. Free. Featuring Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band. Sponsor: Enhancement Committee.

The Sigma Stampa Croppa Papercrafting Group will meet on Friday at 6 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strasburg.

Further information is available by calling 325-3071 or via email to debwink54@yahoo.com.

Sept. 5 - 7-10 p.m. at Art Group, Mt. Jackson. Free. Information: 984-8190.

September 5-7 at Prince William Fairgrounds, Manassas. Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $8, $7, advance. Crafts, music, food,

Concern Hotline, Inc. will hold it's annual fish fry on September 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. on the Our Health Community Campus at 301 N. Cameron St. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Concern Hotline business office, Vitamins Plus or the Cigar Shop. Music provided by NO DRAMA and children's activities provided by Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.

Further information is available by calling 536-1630.

Members of the Winchester Connection, a social group for single professionals over 40, will meet for dinner on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Shoney's.

The Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren will hold a celebration, marking the 300th anniversary of the Church of the Brethren, on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Music will be provided by Ken Medema.

Further information is available by calling (540)828-5452 or via email: elayman@bridgewater.edu.

Sept. 5 - 7 p.m. at Stephens City Fire & Rescue. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Sept.5 - 6:30 p.m. at Strasburg American Legion. Doors open at 6 p.m. Food available. $20. Raffle,door prizes. Benefit: Walnut Springs Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Relay for Life Team. Information: 465-8174.

The Amanda Wilkins Trio will entertain on Friday at noon at "Lunch on the Lot" at the Woodstock Town parking area. Desserts will be provided.

• Washington (W.Va.) at James Wood, 7 p.m.
• Millbrook at Spotswood, 7 p.m.
• Sherando at Musselman (W.Va.), 7 p.m.
• Freedom at Brentsville, 7:30 p.m.
• Strasburg at Central, 7:30 p.m.
• Handley at Loudoun County, 7:30 p.m.
• Kettle Run at Fauquier, 7:30 p.m.
• Warren County at Skyline, 7:30 p.m.
• Clarke County at Stonewall Jackson, 7:30 p.m.
• Madison County at William Monroe, 7:30 p.m.
• Spotsylvania at Manassas Park, 7:30 p.m.
• George Mason at Page County, 7:30 p.m.
• Fort Defiance at Buffalo Gap, 7:30 p.m.
• Luray at Cumberland, 7:30 p.m.
• Riverheads at Stuarts Draft, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 - at Clarke County Fairgrounds. Information: (540)303-3336.

Sept. 6 - 7-11 a.m. at Wilkins Lake, Jim Barnett Park. $5. Registration: 6 a.m. Sponsor: Winchester Parks and Recreation. Information: 662-4946.

The Shenandoah Trail Riders & Horseman's Association will hold a judged trail ride on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Walnut Hill Farm at Maurertown. The event is held rain or shine.
Pre-registration is due by August 24.Pre-registration fee: $45; 18 & under: $40. Lunch is included in fee.

Further information is available by calling (540)318-0195 or via e-mail jadamy@shentel.net.

Sept. 6 - 7 p.m. at Plains District Community Center, Timberville. Featuring Explicit Faith. Free. Sponsor: Flat Rock Church of the Brethren.

The Shenandoah County chapter of the American Red Cross will offer a babysitting class on September 6 at 9 a.m. The cost is $35.

Registration or further information is available by calling 459-2913.

Narcotics Anonymous meets on Saturdays at 8 p.m. at the Grace United Church of Christ in Mt. Jackson.

The Friends of National Rifle Association will hold a banquet on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Front Royal Fire Hall.

Tickets, which need to be purchased by August 20, or further information is available by calling 635-7169.

(from press release)

Soldier-Led Walking Tours at Fort Ward

Learn about the history of Fort Ward on a soldier-led tour! On Saturday, September 6, a Union Civil War soldier will give two guided tours of the historic site, the first at 10 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Participants begin the tour inside the Museum with a brief orientation of the Defenses of Washington. Their soldier guide draws from examples of objects in the exhibit cases to illustrate life at a Civil War military installation. To help explain his duties, this soldier will be equipped with an artillery haversack of reproduction tools used to fire a cannon.

Visitors will learn about Fort Ward's construction and a soldier's life in the Defenses of Washington as they explore the Officers' Hut, Ceremonial Gate, and the restored Northwest Bastion during the hour-long tour.

Admission is free and reservations are not required. Comfortable walking shoes and dressing for the weather are recommended. Free parking is available.

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is located at 4301 West Braddock Road in Alexandria. It was the fifth largest installation within the extensive network of forts known as the Defenses of Washington, which was built to protect the Federal capital during the Civil War.

For more information, please call Fort Ward Museum at 703.838.4848 or visit www.fortward.org .

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The Girl Scout Expo will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Admiral Richard Byrd Middle School. Informational booths will be available, music by No Drama, food, Girl Scout supplies can be purchased.

Further information is available on the web: www.shawneegirlscouts.org.

Sept. 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the BB & T Center for the Performing Arts, Luray. Featuring The Pitzers with Pops Walker. $3. Sponsor: Performing Arts Luray. Information: 743-3311 or on the web: www.PerformingArtsLuray.org.

Sept. 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Inn Lawn Park, Luray. Featuring Martinsburg Jazz Orchestra. $5. Information: 338-4640 or on the web: www.bluemont.org.

Sept. 6 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gourmet on the Go, 3113 Valley Avenue, Winchester Select meals will be cooked from the September menu for the public to sample. Information: 540-665-1717.

The Wayside Theatre at Middletown will present the comedy,Unnecessary Farce, on September 6-27. The performances will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday's at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets and information: (540)869-1776.

The Shenandoah County Free Clinic will hold an informational meeting for new volunteers on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Further information is available by calling 459-1700.

Sept. 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Berryville. Featuring Mike Seeger. Candlelight dinner: 6:30 p.m. Reservations: 955-4001.