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October Junction


Physical Wellness

October 2026

Physical Wellness takes the focus this October. It's the part of well-being built from everyday choices, like staying active, eating well, sleeping well and keeping up with check-ups. This month's calendar leans into it with a full Active Aging Week, Zumba Gold, chair yoga at the farm and a free blood pressure clinic. The month also brings a fall festival in Woodland Park, a drive through autumn color on Skyline Drive, the start of a new Lyceum season and a first look at Cubigo, the new digital tool coming to campus in November.

View the October Junction

Featured Community Events

A handful of standout gatherings anchor the month, each one worth marking on the calendar early.

  • Active Aging Week: Celebrate "Live Your Best Life" with a full week of wellness programs from October 5 through 9.

  • Dimensions of Wellness Fair: Learn how VMRC and community partners can support your wellness journey, and get a first look at Cubigo, on October 5 from 2:30 to 4:00 PM.

  • Happy Hour with Juniper Tree: Close out Active Aging Week with seasonal hors d'oeuvres and indie folk music on the Main Street Café Patio on October 9 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

  • Me & Martha Concert: Don DePoy and Martha Hills play an evening of bluegrass, old-time and American folk music on October 13 at 7:00 PM.

  • Trivia with Dr. Kyle: Gather a team for a "Happy Fall, Y'all!" trivia round on October 15 at 3:30 PM.

  • Shenandoah Valley Lyceum: The 23rd season begins with Dr. Clayton Brooks presenting "Interracial Cooperation and the Segregation of Virginia" on October 16 at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.

  • Town Hall with CEO Jake Bell: Hear updates on life at VMRC from the Executive Leadership Team, then bring your questions, on October 20 at 1:30 PM.

  • Annual Fall Festival: Enjoy a petting zoo, games, music, prizes and food in Woodland Park on October 23 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM.

  • Main Street Buzz: Hear the latest happenings across campus from an Arts & Enrichment team member on October 29 at 11:00 AM.

Arts & Creativity

From a documentary premiere to homemade stick dulcimers, this month's creative calendar covers film, music, theater and a new round of the resident and staff art show.

  • Watercolor with Barbara Gautcher: Continue the class that began in September on October 1 and 22 at 2:00 PM.

  • Intergenerational Choir Rehearsals: The 12th year of partnership with JMU's Choral Methods class continues Thursdays at 9:30 AM (no rehearsal October 8), leading to a final concert on December 17.

  • Ben Between Africa Film Screening & Discussion: Join filmmaker Ari Ari for a screening and Q&A on October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

  • Art Makers Tuesday: Create alongside neighbors in the Heritage Haven Activity Room on October 20 at 3:00 PM.

  • BRC Jesters Readers Theater: Listen in on three conversations among friends in a dramatic comedy "for Seniors, about Seniors and by Seniors" on October 20 at 3:00 PM.

  • Valley Village Movie: Watch A League of Their Own on October 22 at 2:00 PM.

  • Resident/Staff Art Show Registration: Enter up to three pieces in the quarterly show on October 28 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. The show hangs through January 18.

  • The History of String Instruments: Retired surgeon Jeffery York demonstrates cigar box guitars, ukuleles and stick dulcimers on October 30 at 10:30 AM.

Wellness, Worship & Reflection

Whether you're looking for a gentler way to keep moving, a health check close to home or a quiet morning of prayer, October makes room for it.

  • Blessing of the Pets: Open Active Aging Week with scripture, song and a blessing for each pet and their human on October 5 at 10:00 AM.

  • "Can Your Investments Reflect Your Faith?": Mark Regier of Everence shares practical choices for faith-aligned investing on October 6 at 10:00 AM.

  • Sleep Smarter, Think Sharper: Dr. Meghan K. Mattos explains the science connecting sleep and brain health on October 6 at 2:00 PM.

  • Praying, Playing & Listening: Explore contemplative activities with VMRC chaplains on October 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.

  • Zumba Gold: Move to easy-to-follow rhythms in a low-impact dance fitness class on October 8 at 10:00 AM.

  • Elder Exchange: EMU Professor Emeritus Clair Mellinger presents "The Extraordinary Annual Migrations of Birds" on October 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

  • Meditation with Chair Yoga: Breathe, stretch and reset at the Farm at Willow Run on October 9 from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, with transportation provided.

  • Free Hearing Aid Maintenance: Blue Ridge Hearing offers appointments on October 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

  • Vespers Service: The EMU Wind Ensemble, directed by VMRC's own Dr. Kyle Remnant, performs sacred wind music on October 18 at 3:30 PM.

  • JMU Blood Pressure Checks: JMU nursing students run a free blood pressure clinic on Main Street on October 27 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.

  • Grief Support Group: VMRC chaplains continue the group on Tuesdays through October 27, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

  • Sunday Worship, Prayer Meeting & Bible Studies: Gather each Sunday at 10:00 AM in Strite Auditorium, starting with World Communion Sunday on October 4, and keep growing in faith through weekly prayer and study.

Explore the Shenandoah Valley

Fall color sets the route this month, with stops at an orchard, a relief sale, the Forbes Center and a walk that brings the whole community together.

  • Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale & BBQ Dinner: Enjoy BBQ, tacos, funnel cakes and local music, paid by donation, on October 2.

  • IL Country Drive with a Stop at Showalter's Orchard: Take the year's final country drive, with time to browse apples, cider donuts and local goodies, on October 14.

  • Fall Foliage on Skyline Drive: Take in autumn color in Shenandoah National Park, with a boxed lunch included, on October 19.

  • JMU Madison Singers & Treble Chamber Choir at the Forbes Center: Hear JMU's choral ensembles on October 21. Intergenerational Choir members get priority.

  • Smith House Galleries & Drifters Café: Browse the exhibit Likeness and stop for a treat on October 26.

  • Walk to End Alzheimer's: Walk a scenic 1-mile loop at Rockingham Park on October 31. Sign up by October 20 for a free VMRC t-shirt.

  • Weekly Grocery Trips: Shop local favorites with transportation provided every Tuesday morning.

Life Together at VMRC

Between a sushi class, a chocolate tasting and the standing card games, October offers plenty of easy reasons to get out the door.

  • Watch Battery Replacement: Ken Layman replaces watch batteries for $7 on October 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.

  • Gearharts Fine Chocolate Tasting & Lecture: Taste artisan chocolate and hear Tim Gearhart's story on October 7 at 2:00 PM.

  • California Sushi Roll Making Class: Learn the basics and roll your own sushi on October 8 at 2:00 PM.

  • 8-Ball Tournaments: Play in an open single-elimination tournament on October 8 at 11:00 AM, then a Resident-Staff Tournament on October 22. Registration is required.

  • VMRC Veterans Club: Connect with fellow veterans on October 9 at 10:00 AM.

  • Arts & Crafts Sale Applications: Return your application by October 16 to sell at the November 13 and 14 sale on Main Street.

  • Village Coffee Hour: Connect with neighbors every Wednesday morning.

  • 5 Crown, Mexican Train Dominoes, Spades, Duplicate Bridge & Knitting/Crochet Group: Join weekly games and hobby groups that foster friendship and fun.

  • Trishaw Rides: Sign up at the Wellness Center for a 30-minute ride around campus.

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September Community Farmers Market