Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 9, 1995 TAG: 9508090049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Pullen - a native of Hickory, N.C. - and her husband, Tom, have been Pulaskians for about 13 years now, she said. She's a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College in her home state.
"I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun," she said of the pageant, in which she'll be among 12 contestants for the state title.
A big fan of Marvin Hamlisch, Pullen plans to sing one of his tunes, "One Song" for the pageant's talent contest.
Pullen said she stays active "keeping up with my husband," who still does consulting work, and by playing golf, bowling and doing "a lot of sewing." She's also the back-up choir director at Pulaski's First United Methodist Church, plays piano and organ and "autoharp when I feel like it." She's also active in the Order of the Eastern Star.
Married 45 years, the Pullens have six children and 11 grandchildren. A daughter and a granddaughter share her first name's unusual spelling. Pullen said she inherited it from her great-grandmother and passed it along.
Her children are "very supportive" of her entry into the pageant. "They think it's wonderful," she said.
This year's pageant has a new location: Whitman Auditorium at Virginia Western Community College. The winner of the Ms. Virginia Senior Pageant goes to the national pageant in Joliet, Ill., in October. Last year's Virginia winner, Danice Hunt of Roanoke, was first runner-up in the national competition.
Dotty Talbott directs the pageant. For more information, call her at 674-5534.
SENIOR GATHERINGS
The News and Views discussion group convenes Aug. 17 at Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Montgomery County educators Susan Miller, B.J. Mullins, Mary Biggs and Regina Smith present "Some Current and Future Issues in Montgomery County Schools." Conversation and coffee begin at 9:30 a.m. The program starts at 10 a.m. Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
Enjoy the music of Simple Gifts Tuesday, 7 p.m., at the gazebo in Bisset Park, Radford. Free. In case of rain, the concert is in Shelter 1.
The American Association of Retired Persons Radford chapter holds its monthly potluck supper Aug. 16, 5 p.m., at the Radford Senior Center, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634.
The American Association of Retired Persons Pulaski chapter has its summer picnic Aug. 17, 5 p.m. For more information, call David East, 980-0514.
The American Association of Retired Persons Narrows chapter 502 holds a picnic Aug. 18, noon, at Rich Creek Park.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
The Blacksburg Community Center has been leased for a convention through Friday. Senior programs have been canceled this week.
A new schedule of golden aerobics sessions for seniors begins Aug. 14. Classes are three times a week: Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.
Registration ends Aug. 18 for the Dine Out Lunch Bunch trip Aug. 30 to Smith Mountain Lake and a buffet lunch and cruise aboard the Virginia Dare. It's $30 for transportation, the cruise and buffet. The van leaves at 9 a.m. and returns 4:30 p.m.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Saturday, take in the Newport Agricultural Fair. Transportation is $3 for seniors and leaves the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, 9:30 a.m.
A free vision screening is Tuesday, 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Registration required.
Travel to the West Virginia State Fair Aug. 16. Transportation is $6 and leaves the National Guard Armory at 9 a.m.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, 9 a.m., the rockathon committee solicits for the scholarship fund; 10 a.m., the Christiansburg morning group visits Meadowbrook.
Thursday, 9 a.m., travel to the Natural Bridge and Zoo. Call for details.
Monday, the quilting bee starts at 9 a.m.; at 2 p.m., the Shawsville group visits Meadowbrook for a birthday party.
Tuesday, the rockathon committee meets at 9 a.m.; at 10 a.m., the Warm Hearth and McCoy groups work on a mailing at the Courthouse.
Wednesday, the rockathon committee meets at 9 a.m.; both Christiansburg groups meet at 10 a.m.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Travel to Mount Airy, N.C., Aug. 18. Lunch is on your own at Libby Hill Seafood Restaurant Transportation is $2 and leaves the center at 9:15 a.m.
Visit the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway Aug. 25. Lunch is on your own at the Peaks of Otter Restaurant. Transportation is $2 and leaves the center at 9:15 a.m.
Flexible Fitness: The Arthritis Workout is Thursdays, 1 p.m.
The walking group meets in the Radford Recreation Department gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. Free. Sneakers only!
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Seniors swim for free every day, 11-11:45 a.m., weather permitting, in the Pearisburg town pool.
During August, the swim therapy program meets Mondays and Thursdays, weather permitting. Transportation leaves the center 2:30 p.m. for the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
Bible Study is Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m.
Tuesday, 2 p.m., free movie: "America's Great Indian Nation."
The nutrition program is Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays an 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, 12:45 p.m., chiropractor Dr. Stewart Rownsley speaks.
The advisory board meets Aug. 17, 1:30 p.m.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Thursday, 9:30 a.m., coffee hour and SHARE work session.
Tuesday, travel to Luray Caverns. Transportation and admission are $15. The van leaves at 8:30 a.m. and stops for breakfast (on your own).
SENIOR SHORTS
Triad: The AARP-sponsored program to reduce crime against seniors officially expands to Pulaski County Friday, 10 a.m., at the gazebo in Jackson Park, Pulaski (a change from the original site in town Council Chambers). Triad is aimed at protecting seniors from crime through education, involvement and communication. AARP and the National Sheriff's Association began the program nationally in 1988 to reduce victimization of seniors. David East, 980-0514.
Veterans Administration: Tuesday, 1-3 p.m., a representative visits the Christiansburg National Guard Armory. (800) 827-2018.
Social Security Administration: A representative visits the Christiansburg National Guard Armory Aug. 17, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (800) 772-1213.
RSVP Rockathon: The annual, scholarship fund-raising event, sponsored by the Montgomery County and Radford Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, is Friday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., on the lawn of the Montgomery County Courthouse. For more information, call RSVP at 382-5775.
1995 Legacy Quilt Show: Applications are available at Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St., and at Christiansburg Parks and Recreation, 95 College St. The show is Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. - during the Wilderness Trail Festival - at the Christiansburg National Guard Armory.
Chi Kung: Radford Community Hospital Wellness Center, First Street at Memorial Bridge, offers the ancient Chinese low-stress exercise regimen through Sept. 27. Sessions meet daily, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Chi Kung focuses on easing the aging process while enhancing fitness. 639-3241.
Senior Arts and Crafts Show: Applications for the 17th annual event are available at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St. The show is Oct. 27-28, Christiansburg National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets. It's open to exhibitors 55 or older, and Christiansburg residents have priority. $10 per table, limit two. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173.
by CNB