ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050061
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: for seniors
Area seniors have lots of possibilities for their calendars in the coming weeks and months:
Now is the perfect time to begin training for the New River Valley Senior Olympics, scheduled for May 5-7 at Blacksburg Parks and Recreation. Participants must be at least 55 years old and willing to have fun.
The events include golf, swimming, basketball free throws, softball hit and throw, horseshoes, billiards, bridge, canasta, bowling, croquet, discus, shot put, Frisbee, riflery, quarter-mile walk and one-mile walk. Your local senior or recreation center has information. Registration continues through April 15.
Also note that the Virginia Senior Games, formerly known as the Golden Olympics, are set for May 28-June 1 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. For the first time, participants aged 50-54 will be welcomed. Call (804) 730-9447 for information.
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New River Community College is looking for budding Hemingways and Faulkners. If you're 60 or older and you like to write short stories, the college's short-story contest could be for you.
The rules are: Your story must be original and never before published. It must be hand-printed or double-spaced typed on 81/2-by-11 inch paper. Each person can submit two entries, and each entry must have your name and address.
Eight winners will be chosen from the New River Valley, as will one winner from outside the valley. Each winner will receive a plaque and booklet of all the stories submitted in the contest. An awards ceremony is scheduled for May 9 at 3 p.m.
Send your stories to: Short Stories, Division of Arts and Sciences, New River Community College, P.O. Box 1127, Dublin, VA 24084. Or call Debbie Douthat at extension 292 at 674-3600, 745-4595, 921-4595, or 382-4595. The deadline is Feb. 21.
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The Christiansburg Senior Center is taking applications for free tax counseling for the elderly. Tax-trained volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons will be at the senior center Thursday, Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 and 10, all from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments must be scheduled. Call 382-8173 for information.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
*Today, 10 a.m., the Christiansburg morning group will go to Heritage Hall. The afternoon group will go to Meadowbrook at 2 p.m.
*Thursday, 1:30 p.m., the Blacksburg group will visit a nursing home. The SHARE mailing has been canceled.
*Monday, 2 p.m., the Shawsville group will have a Valentine and birthday reception.
*Tuesday, noon, the RSVP luncheon will be at St. Paul's Church in Christiansburg. Bring a side dish.
Note: volunteers are needed for a mailing for the Commissioner of Revenue Feb. 12-14, and 18 at the Montgomery County Courthouse. Volunteers are also needed to teach crafts or music to residents of assisted-living communities. Call the RSVP office for information.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-113
*Today, 11:30 a.m., the Dine Out Lunch Bunch will eat out at Impaxx restaurant.
*Thursday, 10 a.m., the discussion group will be host to Suzanne Nagle from Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital, who will talk on "What is Columbia Health Care and How Does it Affect You?"
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
*Today, 10-11 a.m., free blood sugar screening.
*Thursday, 1-4 p.m. free tax assistance.
*Friday, 5 p.m., trip to Roanoke to see the Roanoke Express play the Knoxville Cherokees in hockey. Leave from the National Guard Armory. Trip fee: $3 for seniors, $6 for ages 21-54.
*Monday, 8:45 a.m., SAM's meeting. 10:30 a.m., Polar Bear walk on the Huckleberry Trail. Leave from the National Guard Armory. Transportation fee: $1.
*Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., free blood sugar screening.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
*The Radford Senior Center offers a number of activities and events for senior citizens. Call for details.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
*The Giles Senior Center's new hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center offers a variety of crafts classes, events and social activities each week. Call for details.
*Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Valentine's party.
*The senior center has a new program: "How to eat a low-fat diet in a high-fat world." The class will meet Tuesday, Feb. 25 and March 25. Call for information.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Dawn Hensley, 980-1000:
*The Pulaski Senior Center offers a variety of events and activities for senior citizens. Call for details.
Senior shorts
*Senior Group Dances: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m., New River Valley Mall food court. Bring a snack or nonalcoholic drink. Matilda Shumate, 382-6346.
*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.
*Senior Centers: offer a variety of ongoing activities, trips and classes. Call for a newsletter and a calendar of events.
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