Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 27, 1993 TAG: 9310260154
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Rick Lindquist
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"Tracing your Roots: Genealogy Today" will be the subject of the First Wednesday Wonderings program Nov. 3, 9-11 a.m., in Room F, Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, Otey Street and College Avenue on the Virginia Tech campus.
The speaker will be the Rev. S.H. Landreth of Salem, who's taken up genealogy as a hobby and has written several books tracing the bloodlines of 10 Southwest Virginia families, including his own. Landreth - who retired in 1982 as a Church of God pastor after 54 years in the pulpit - will tell you how to track down genealogical information.
"Many people don't know how to start," he says. "It's amazing what you run into."
His own root tracing revealed several things, bad and good. Among his ancestors, he found two admirers of Jesse James who had robbed a train and were hanged for it!
He says there's also a notorious computer hacker in his family who lives in California.
Landreth, who's 73, grew up in Allisonia. He's served as an interim pastor at Pulaski Church of God as well as congregations in Charlottesville, Danville, Portsmouth and Salem.
The program costs $5, and registration is preferred.
The Virginia Center for Active Retirement - C-FAR - sponsors programs like this on the first Wednesday of the month. Spaces is limited. To register or to find out more, call 231-5183.
\ MISS VIRGINIA 1993 NANCY GLISSON, will be back in the New River Valley today, helping the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Montgomery County and Radford to celebrate 20 years of service to the New River Valley and to recognize volunteers for giving their time and talents.
The noon luncheon at the Holiday Inn in Blacksburg was funded in part by the sale of apple butter, baked goods and cookbooks on Wilderness Trail Day, which raised more than $500.
A Tech graduate, Glisson is an advocate for the elderly. If you missed her performance during last month's Miss America pageant, now's your chance to see and hear her in person.
The Shawsville High School Band also is scheduled to perform, and there will be other guest speakers.
RSVP is open to anyone 60 years old or older. Volunteers visit nursing homes, volunteer at area hospitals, make apple butter, help with mailings and dozens of other activities. Call 382-5775.
Miss Virginia also will be on hand Thursday for a second grand opening celebration (she was at the first one late last month, too) at the\ VIRGINIA TECH ADULT DAY CARE CENTER for family care-givers and professionals. The open house Thursday, 2-3:30 p.m. at the center, 102 Wallace Hall on the Tech campus, will include tours, a slide show, service information and refreshments.
While at Tech, Glisson was a volunteer at the center. During her reign as Miss Virginia, she is making promotion of adult day-care centers a focal point. Call 231-3160.
It's been terrific traveling weather. Check out one or more of these TRIPS FOR SENIORS:
Radford Senior Center, 27 First St., 731-3634. Nov. 5: The van heads for Mercer Mall in West Virginia a 9:15 a.m. Lunch will be on your own at K&W Cafeteria. Then, free time at the outlets. Transportation is $2.
Space on all trips is first-come, first-served. The center also has itineraries and information on Road Runner Trips with All America Tours Inc. Ahead are trips to Wheeling, W.Va.; Steubenville, Ohio; and Opryland.
Pulaski Senior Center, 106 N. Washington Ave., 980-1000. Tuesday: Transportation leaves the center at 9:30 a.m. headed for Roanoke. First, a stop at Waccamaw Pottery, then lunch on your own at K&W Cafeteria before a visit to the Roanoke City Market. Transportation is $3.
Nov. 4: It's off to the theater! The van leaves at 4:30 p.m. to see Playmakers and Company's performance of "Mousetrap." Dinner in Christiansburg before the play. The cost is $7 for ticket and transportation.
Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St., 382-8173. Friday: Travel to the Piedmont Mall, Danville. The van leaves the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, at 8:30 a.m. Transportation is $4.
Nov. 5: Enjoy an evening of theatre in Blacksburg. The van leaves the armory at 4:30 p.m. to see "Mousetrap," the latest Playmakers and Company production. Transportation is $2 and the tickets are $3.
If you've got a SEWING MACHINE in working order that's collecting dust somewhere in your home, you might consider donating it to the Montgomery County RSVP to use for making items for adult and nursing homes. Members will be making Christmas stockings, activity aprons, lap robes and doing some mending for the residents. Call 382-5775 if you can help.
At the RADFORD SENIOR CENTER 27 First St., 731-3634:
Play canasta Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
The walking group meets in the Radford Recreation gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. Wear comfortable tennis shoes. There's no fee.
The ceramics class meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Bring a sandwich for lunch. The fee is $2 plus the cost of your ceramic item.
The quilting group meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Newcomers and beginners are welcome.
The creative-writing class meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
The center is closed Fridays.
At the CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., 382-8173:
Enjoy the free Halloween Party on Thursday, 1:30 p.m., at the center.
Tune in for "Senior Outlook" Monday, 8:30 a.m., on WKEX 1430 AM.
Stop by for coffee hour Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., and stay for the gospel sing-along at 11.
The Senior Choir meets Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. New voices are welcome.
A nondenominational Bible study meets Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Senior aerobics each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8-9 a.m., at the armory. The less-strenuous "Easy Motions" meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m., at the armory. Both classes are free.
At the PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave., 980-1000:
The Dine 'Round Club will leave the center today at 4 p.m. for dinner at the Huckleberry in Christiansburg. Call the center for details.
Enjoy coffee hour Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.
Cards are Fridays, 1-4 p.m., and ceramics Mondays, 1-3 p.m.
At the GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, 921-3924:
Transportation for the swimming program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center pool leaves the center Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15 a.m.
Enjoy ceramics all day Friday.
Play rubber bridge Monday, 1-4 p.m., and party bridge Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. If you'd like to learn to play - or learn new bidding techniques - call the center.
The center is closed Thursdays for cleaning.
A personal note:
I've really enjoyed editing this column every week since April and working with all of those in the community who contribute to its success, especially the senior centers and RSVP. Now that I have returned to graduate school full-time, Joanne Anderson will over take the reins starting next week, to help balance my workload a bit.
This is your column. Keep in touch!
For Seniors is a regular Wednesday feature of the New River Current. If you have news of interest to senior citizens, write in care of Joanne Anderson, New River Current, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon on Monday for publication in that week's column.
by CNB