Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 25, 1994 TAG: 9405250081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In a recent visit to her Blacksburg home, which incidentally sits on her great-grandfather's land, I read the inscription on an award she received earlier this month. It was given for her "spirit of helpfulness and an awareness of the beauty and value of the intangible elements of life."
Antique Nell, as she refers to herself, has lived in Blacksburg all her life. She was married to the late Professor Trent, as she refers to him, for more than 50 years. His first name was Clarence, but "it sounds like some sort of medicine to me," she declared, so she never used it.
She's on the go most days, volunteering at the hospital, taking homemade brownies to someone, playing bridge. She speaks affectionately about everyone, like the guys at the fraternity house nearby, the new police chief, the members of her church.
When I left, Nell gave me some frozen blueberries from bushes on her property. But what she really gave me was an inspiring sense of optimism and a real-life model of what aging gracefully is all about.
A discussion on NATIONAL HEALTH CARE legislation with Bill Lukhard from AARP will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Blacksburg Community Center on Patrick Henry Drive. This is sponsored by the AARP, New Dimensions (retired people from Virginia Tech) and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
On June 1, Laura Feldman, executive director of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, will be the guest speaker on LEGISLATION AFFECTING OLDER ADULTS, particularly with regard to Social Security and health care.
The program will be at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, conference room F, from 9 to 11 a.m. This is a Wednesday Wondering from the Virginia Center for Active Retirement at Virginia Tech. It is free. Call 231-5183 to make a reservation.
It's not too early to think about and plan for the 1994 MS. VIRGINIA SENIOR CITIZEN pageant scheduled for Aug. 26 and 27 at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke. More details to come.
The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave., 980-3969:
The Dine 'Round Club will go to the Log House Restaurant in Wytheville Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
An outlet shopping trip is planned to Burlington, N.C., Thursday. The van will leave the senior center at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is on your own, and the transportation fee is $5.
The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, 921-3924:
Ceramics and crafts will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The center will be closed Monday.
The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St., 731-3634:
The walking group walks Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. in the gym next door to the senior center.
The center will be closed Monday.
The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., 382-8173:
A Flower Exchange Day is planned for Thursday starting at 11 a.m. Bring a clip of your favorite plant or flower and take home a different one.
On Friday, the van is going to Cockram's General Store in Floyd at 4 p.m. Transportation fee is $4.
Joanne Anderson is an editorial assistant in the New River Valley bureau.
by CNB