Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 28, 1994 TAG: 9409280043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Rick Lindquist
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Though a bit under the weather with a cold, she managed a cup or two of punch and tackled a healthy slice of cake, frosted in yellow - her favorite color. "It's so beautiful," she said.
A birthday card from President Clinton had arrived a few days before. During the party, Bill Cordaro of the Railroad Retirement Board dropped by to present her with a card and a special certificate. Horton's late husband, Ray, had worked for Norfolk & Western in the power house at Radford, explained Billie and Ray's son, Wendell Horton, now 75. Miss Billie herself worked briefly for the railroad during a strike.
Earlier that day, Cordaro presented a card and similar certificate to another Radford centenarian, Annie T. Underwood of Lovely Mount Drive.
Miss Billie was born Wilhelmina Gaines in West Virginia but grew up in far Southwest Virginia. A member of one of the first graduating classes of Radford Normal School - now Radford University - she briefly taught school in Wise County. From 1943 until retiring around 1960, she served as executive secretary for the American Red Cross in Radford. She's still on the rolls of Grace Episcopal Church there.
Party guest Glenna Altizer Yeatts, 96 - who now lives across the hall from Miss Billie - recalled growing up with Ray Horton in Riner. "He was the first one who got a car in our part of the country," she said.
Several fellow members of the Philanthropic Educational Organization also helped Horton - the Radford chapter's last surviving charter member - celebrate her special day. "It's a secret organization," one of them pointed out, adding that Radford's is the oldest chapter in Southwest Virginia.
SENIOR GATHERINGS
Elderhostel, session 1, is Oct. 9-14, at Radford Best Western Inn, Tyler Avenue. It features classes for adults 60 and older on "The Holocaust and the Nature of Man;" Terrorists, Cults and other Extremists" and "The Trial and Death of Socrates: A Noble Martyr or Dangerous Pest?" Sponsored by Radford University, 831-5324.
Fall bowling league for seniors, age 55 and older, meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m at Triangle Lanes, N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. Two-person teams. $3.75 a week. 382-2385.
Today, 12:30 p.m., the Dine 'Round Club from Pulaski meets at Fazoli's next to The Market Place in Christiansburg.
The Walk-a-Roos Senior Walking Club meets Thursdays, 8 a.m., at Hardees, U.S. 460, Christiansburg. Members walk regularly and individually to reach a common goal. The new goal is Australia, 10,846 miles.
Non-denominational Bible study group meets Thursdays, 10:15 a.m., at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St.
A coffee for seniors is held the last two Thursdays of each month, 10:30 a.m., at the Free Memorial Library, Giles Avenue, Dublin, by Pulaski County Friends of the Library. 674-2855.
Highland Chapter 53 American Association of Retired Persons has a pot luck lunch Tuesday, noon, at the Cambria Baptist Church fellowship hall. Dr. Carl Stark, district director from Wytheville, provides the AARP health care reform update.
Oct. 7, 12:30 p.m., Pearis Chapter 445 AARP meets at the Giles County Senior Center, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Emily Alvis speaks on Medicare beneficiary outreach.
Signup is under way for the New River Valley Senior Classic Oct. 15 at Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course. It's a two-man captain's choice affair, and teams consist of one senior, 50 years or older and one "super-senior," 60 or older. The $60 fee includes greens fee, cart and prizes, and space is limited. Bill Harrison, 731-1475.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Friday, travel to Mercer Mall in West Virginia. Transportation is $2 and leaves the center at 9:15 a.m. Lunch is on your own at K&W Cafeteria. (The center is closed Friday.)
The walking group meets in the Radford Recreation Department Gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sneakers only!
Oct. 3-9, the next Road Runner trip with All America Tours goes to Branson, Mo., to see Barbara Mandrel, Mel Tillis, Andy Williams, Charley Pride, Glen Campbell and other entertainers.
Chances are $1 on the tumbling blocks quilt made by the center's quilting group. Proceeds go to the van fund. The drawing is Oct. 19.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Today, play party bridge from 1 to 4, and rubber bridge or canasta Mondays, 1-4.
The swim therapy program meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m., at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
Ceramics are offered Monday, Tuesday all day and Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 and the second and fourth Fridays all day.
Tuesday, Legal Aid visits, 2-5 p.m.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Today, 8:30-11:30 a.m., the Pulaski County Health Department offers flu shots for seniors 55 and older. Participants should bring Medicaid or Medicare cards. There is a charge. Call the center for details. Another session is set for Oct. 25, but the one originally scheduled for Oct. 5 has been cancelled.
Thursday, coffee hour is 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, travel to Bristol for senior night at Old West Dinner Theatre to see "Wait Until Dark." It's $20 for admission and transportation, which leaves the center at 4 p.m.
Sunday, visit the Virginia-Carolina Craftsman Fall Classic. Transportation and admission are $6. The van leaves the center at 1 p.m.. Dinner is on your own on the return trip. (This trip does not count against your monthly trip limit.)
Tuesday, a blood pressure screening is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The senior center administrative council dinner is Oct. 6, 4 p.m.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Sign up now for the trip to Explore Park in Roanoke Oct. 15. The van leaves the Community Center at 8:30 a.m. and returns around 2 p.m. It's $4 for the trip plus $5.50 for a boxed lunch from The Roanoker. Travelers can bring their own lunches if they wish. Space is limited.
Volume 1, No. 1 of Good Times News has been published by the Blacksburg Seniors Association. Call Joy Herbert if you'd like to get on the mailing list.
Senior golfers can tee off every Monday morning at 9 at the Municipal or Virginia Tech golf courses. Vernon Baldwin, 552-5845.
Fridays, play canasta at 9:30 a.m. in the game room. Felix Sorrentino, 552-0216.
Tuesdays, 10-noon, play bridge. Bill Burgess, 552-4716.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Friday, travel to Mountain Lake Resort. The van leaves the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, at 9 a.m. Transportation is $4.
It's card night on the second and fourth Monday of each month, 6:30-0 p.m.
Senior Aerobics class meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8-9 a.m., at the National Guard Armory. The less-strenuous Easy Motions exercise group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
There still might be a stray jar or two of applebutter available. $3 a pint or $5 a quart.
Today, the Christiansburg morning group helps with a mailing at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex. The Christiansburg afternoon group travels to English Meadow at 1:30 p.m. for a birthday party.
by CNB