Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 11, 1994 TAG: 9405110089
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joanne Anderson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Tomorrow's sun to thee may never rise.
- William Congreve, 1670-1729
For most of our adult lives, we have the freedom to make choices. However, it hasn't been and may not always be that way. As a child, someone else was in charge, and sometimes in later life, we must relinquish control and depend on others.
To help prepare for that time, a special workshop on post-retirement planning called TOMORROW'S CHOICES will be held May 23-26 at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center.
Sponsored by Virginia Tech's Center for Active Retirement and the American Association of Retired Persons, the three-day event includes sessions on housing and long-term care, Alzheimer's disease, substance and alcohol abuse, health and nutrition, financial planning, wills and trusts.
The complete program with meals is $135. Daily commuter fees are $25 per day for sessions, lunch and breaks, and $12 for dinner.
For more information, call 231-5241 or 231-5183.
Speaking of choices and old age, this is NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK. Two of the most difficult decisions you, or someone who loves you, may face involve admitting the need for nursing home care and selecting a facility. Here are a few pointers from Diana Dutton, social services director for Brandon Oaks Health Center in Roanoke.
Look at the residents. Do they appear healthy, well-groomed?
Look at the building and furnishings. Are they in good condition, clean?
Look at and speak to staff members. Are they kind, neat, clean, attentive?
Look at the dining room and food. Is the facility and equipment clean? Is the food appetizing and nutritious? Can they accommodate special diets?
Listen to the residents and staff. Are residents addressed as adults? Are they spoken to frequently?
Smell. If any strong odors are present, ask about it.
Also find out what types of activities and kinds of therapy are available. Ask about laundry, finances, personal belongings, complaints, medical and future needs.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program ADVISORY BOARD will meet at the Courthouse Annex building on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Radford Senior Center's indoor RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE is Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the center. If you have items to donate, please contact Mary Jane Harmon at 731-3634.
JOAN MUNFORD, former delegate from Blacksburg will talk about experiences in the state legislature, especially with health care issues, on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Blacksburg Community Center on Patrick Henry Drive.
Bring a brown bag lunch, if you wish. Bring a friend, if you wish. Makings for coffee and tea will be provided. If you have questions, call Janice Palmer at 951-2886.
More than 70 entries in cross stitch, embroidery, tatting, knitting, crocheting and creative needlework will be displayed at the NEEDLEWORK EXHIBIT on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Christiansburg. A People's Choice Award will be given for each category. Admission is $1 per person, children under 12 are free. The Burger King Whopper Hopper will be at the site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A TELEVISION WORKSHOP for senior citizens, age 55 and older is being sponsored by WTOB Channel 2, the local public and government access television station, on June 10, 10-11:30 a.m. The 90-minute classes will include information on how to produce and edit videos. Participants will be allowed to borrow equipment, and their videos may be aired on Channel 2.
Registration deadline is June 6. The workshop is $8 and will be held at the Blacksburg Community Center on Patrick Henry Drive.
For more information, call 961-1199.
The RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg, 382-5775:
Quilters from the Christiansburg groups are invited to quilt in the annex at 10 a.m. Other group members will go to Meadowbrook Nursing Home at 2 p.m.
The Shawsville group will go to SHARE in Pulaski at 10 a.m. Monday and have lunch out afterward.
The Warm Hearth group will go to SHARE at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by lunch out. The McCoy group will have lunch out, then go to SHARE at 1 p.m.
The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St., 731-3634:
Senior center hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Seven walkers raised more than $470 at the Walk a Mile to Save a Child March of Dimes walk.
If you can turn yarn into newborn items, your talents are needed for baby items at Radford Community Hospital. Yarn and patterns are available at the senior center.
The rummage sale runs Friday and Saturday, set-up is today and Thursday, and anyone is welcome to help. Don't despair if you can't make it. You can make up for that by showing up on Monday and Tuesday and helping with clean up!
The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., 382-8173:
A free hearing screening is scheduled for Thursday, 11 a.m.-noon.
If you can help with setting up for the needlework exhibit, report to the National Guard Armory between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The exhibit is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A van trip to The Flower Shop in Pulaski will depart from the National Guard Armory at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.Transportation fee is $3.
A trip to the Peak of Bloom in Lynchburg is planned for May 18. Transportation fee is $4, and the van will leave the National Guard Armory at 9 a.m.
The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave., 980-3969:
The Round Table discussion and luncheon is Tuesday. Phyllis Spiegel-Crooke, manager of the For the Birds store in Blacksburg, will present a program on backyard birds, particularly hummingbirds.
The program starts at 11 a.m., followed by a light lunch for $2. Please make reservations by Monday.
The Dine 'Round Club will go the Log House Restaurant in Wytheville on May 25 at 12:30 p.m.
The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, 921-3924:
Swimming times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 a.m. Walking times are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
You can participate in ceramics on Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and on Friday and Mondayall day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The AARP chapter 502 will hold a potluck luncheon on May 20 at noon. The program will include information on health care and living wills.
Joanne Anderson is an editorial assistant in the New River Valley bureau.
by CNB