ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 13, 1994                   TAG: 9404130094
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joanne Anderson
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long


IT'S CONTEST TUIME FOR VALLEY'S SENIOR POETS

The best poetry will be found to have a power of forming, sustaining, and delighting us, as nothing else can.

- Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)

New River ValleySENIOR POETS are invited to enter original, unpublished poems in the 16th annual poetry contest for senior citizens. Each poem must be less than 60 lines and must include the poet's name and address. There is a limit of three poems per person.

Ten winners will be chosen from poems submitted by seniors from Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties and Radford. One winner will be selected from entries outside the New River Valley.

Each winner will receive a plaque and booklet of all the poems submitted. Each person may win only one plaque. Poets and families will be invited to attend an awards reception at New River Community College on Sept. 23 at 3 p.m.

Deadline for entries is July 29. Send poems to: Poetry, Office of Continuing Education, New River Community College, P.O. Box 1127, Dublin 24084.

The Center for Gerontology Lunchtime Forum will present "ETHICAL ISSUES IN AGING" today from noon to 1 p.m. at 150 Squires Student Center. The discussion will be led by Dr. Edward M. Spencer of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia.

The forum will include case studies and involve the audience in analysis and decision making. Interested seniors are invited to bring a brown-bag lunch and participate.

Donna Yaffe of the Center for Research in Health Behavior still is looking for A FEW GOOD SENIORS who don't exercise regularly to participate in her study. She says it will be fun, you'll get refreshments and, just perhaps, you'll learn something! To offer to help with her project, call her at (703) 231-8746.

RADFORD RETIRED TEACHERS will meet Thursday at 2 p.m. at the senior center. The speaker will be Sarah Sturgill, and Chris Barry will provide music.

The WEDNESDAY WONDERINGS, sponsored by the Virginia Center for Active Retirement (C-FAR), for May and June are:

"Tourism in Your Community," May 4, 9-11 a.m.

"Legislation Affecting Older Adults in the 103rd Congress Regarding Social Security and Health Care," June 1, 9-11 a.m.

All sessions are $5. Call (703) 231-5183 for reservations.

Practice for the April 18 and 19 SENIOR OLYMPICS will be held today at the Blacksburg Recreation Center on Patrick Henry Drive. The gym will be open for basketball, jump rope and casting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program room will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for practicing checkers, bridge, rook and canasta.

The outdoor fields will be available for flying disks, horseshoes (at shelter one), croquet, discus, shot put, softball hit and throw and riflery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Virginia Tech Adult Day Care Center "WISH LIST" includes large umbrellas, an umbrella stand, magazine racks, a patio awning and a toaster. Because the center is part of Virginia Tech, it is not eligible for United Way funds. Thus donations are greatly appreciated.

The Radford chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons is holding its POTLUCK DINNER on April 20 at the Radford Senior Center at 5 p.m. Special music will be presented by the Pilgrim Gospel Singers. Prizes will be awarded to the ladies with the prettiest and funniest Easter bonnets.

For more information or to arrange transportation, call John Jeuck at (703) 382-7969 or Mary Jane Harmon at (703) 731-3634.

The RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg, (703) 382-5775:

The Christiansburg morning group will visit Heritage Hall at 10 a.m. today, and the afternoon group will go to English Meadow for a visit at 2 p.m.

The Blacksburg group will go to Meadowbrook at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

On Monday, the Shawsville Group will go to the SHARE warehouse at 10 a.m. and will go out to lunch afterward.

On Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., all volunteers will help with the Senior Olympics at Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department. RSVP will provide a hot dog lunch to all participants for a small fee.

The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St., (703) 731-3634:

A 30-minute video about mammograms called "Once a Year for a Lifetime" will be shown at the center at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Plan ahead to join the March of Dimes "Walk a Mile to Save a Child" in Bisset Park on April 21. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Walkers must have sponsors.

The annual rummage sale will be May 10-17.

The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., (703) 382-8173:

Anyone interested in riding to the Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair in Blacksburg on Friday should be at the National Guard Armory at 10 a.m.

On April 22, a van trip is scheduled to do a walking tour of Old Town Pearisburg in Giles County. Departure time is 9 a.m., and transportation fee is $4.

The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave., (703) 980-3969:

If you're doing some spring cleaning, set aside books, household items, clean clothes and furniture for the April 28-30 community yard and bake sale at the old People's Drug building. Baked goods are needed the days of the sale. Proceeds will be distributed among the Pulaski Free Clinic, Youth Emergency, Habitat for Humanity, Emergency Needs Task Force and the Christmas basket fund. For information, call (703) 980-3969.

The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, (703) 921-3924:

A bean dinner will be held on Friday at noon for AARP chapters 445 and 502.

Joanne Anderson is an editorial assistant in the New River Valley bureau.



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