ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
"I can't remember trimming a Christmas tree when I was growing up," said Dorothy Schueler who will celebrate her 94th Christmas this year. Schueler, born in 1902, grew up in the suburbs of Newark, N.J. She is retired and lives at the Showalter Center at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg.
"A day or so before Christmas, my father would find a gorgeous tree and secret it away. On Christmas Eve, my parents would trim it while we slept. When we awoke on Christmas morning, the tree would be magnificent."
"Our gifts were usually something warm to wear, maybe a toy and a book or two. Nothing elaborate. Families were big in those days, so money had to go a long way. Christmas was not so much about gifts as it is now. It was much more a celebration of family. We would ride the trolly car across town to our grandmothers' houses after we opened our gifts.
"When I had my own sons and daughters, I continued the traditions I grew up with. My husband's parents loved to have big Christmas parties, so on Christmas Eve, we would go to their party, come home by midnight, carry the children up and put them to bed. Together, my husband and I would trim the tree. By four in the morning, we would finally be ready to have our Christmas. If we prepared early, we would hang sheets in the stairwell to block the view of the goings on. That just added to the mystery. Christmas morning the sheets would come down and the children would rush to the tree.
"After gifts were opened we would go to visit our families. One year, my son's great-grandfather gave him a tricycle with a sidecar that he and his sister rode all the time. The following summer we even carried it to the beach. I can still see her blonde curls streaming out behind them as his little legs pedaled them down the boardwalk," Schueler laughs.
"Every year, on the way back from visiting relatives, we would pass through a little place in South Orange on the Hudson river where there was a live manger scene. There were donkeys, sheep and cows and wise men dressed in beautiful robes. My children looked forward to it all year. My daughter Diane, always asleep on the way home, still remembers us waking her so she wouldn't miss it."
Schueler will celebrate Christmas with her daughter, Diane Hoover, of Blacksburg. Hoover has three grandchildren and the family expects the fourth at Christmas.
WARM HEARTH VILLAGE, Blacksburg, Warm Hearth Village Activity Center, Line Dance Made Easy, Thursdays, 2:15 p.m., beginners, 2:30 p.m., all levels, 552-1498.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Ongoing activities are exercise groups, aerobics, cards, hobbies, billiards and Bible study.
Today, 9:30 a.m. Van departs for Barter Theatre, Abingdon for performance, "An O. Henry Christmas." Transportation and ticket is $16, seniors; $20, ages 21-54.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m., both Christiansburg groups will host the English Meadow Christmas and birthday party.
Dec. 28, 2 p.m., Blacksburg group will visit Heritage Hall.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Ongoing activities are walking, cards, ceramics, quilting, exercise and creative writing.
Today, 5 p.m., Radford AARP Potluck Dinner.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Ongoing activities are walking, line dancing, cards, ceramics and singing. The swim therapy program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. Transportation leaves at 9:30 a.m.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Ongoing activities are ceramics and cards.
Thursday, 11:30, Christmas pot luck luncheon.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Ongoing activities are canasta and bridge. Classes available in computers, ceramics, art, calligraphy and bridge. Exercise programs include: Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m., indoor tennis; Mondays 10-11:30 a.m., walking group; Monday 12:30-1:30, Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10 a.m., Golden Aerobics.
Jan. 4, 9:30 a.m., Discussion Days. Topic is "Health and Disease" by Bob Kreamalmeyer.
Jan. 4, 1-2 p.m., New Year's make-over. Cost is $5. Instructor is Sue Kurtz.
Senior Shorts
Alzheimer's and Dementia Educational/Support Group: Thursday, 2 p.m., Heritage Hall Nursing Center. Christina Reed, 951-7000.
Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 years or older. New River Valley Agency on Aging, 980-7720 or 639-9677.
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