Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1994 TAG: 9411020047
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
More than 20 million Americans are over 65 today. There will be 34 million in 2000.
Charlene Freeman-Coker, a social gerontologist with Virginia Tech's Center for Gerontology attributes this so-called "graying of America" to increased life expectancy (now approximately age 75) and a decline in the birth rate. "These numbers will continue to increase as the baby-boom generation ages," she said.
Women still live longer than men. For example, when seniors are in their early to mid-60s, the ratio of women to men is very nearly equal; by age 85, it jumps to almost three to one.
The population's increasing average age raises many societal issues, Freeman-Coker said. "We're asking now, 'Can we afford to grow old?' considering dwindling resources." She said that in the future, younger generations will bear more of the responsibility and cost to care for older family members.
SENIOR GATHERINGS
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 "destination."
Thursday, the Blacksburg Senior Discussion Group tours Warm Hearth Village starting at 10:30 a.m. Rides are available from the Community Center at 10 a.m. Call Joy Herbert, 961-1134. The van returns at noon.
A nondenominational Bible study group meets Thursdays, 10:15 a.m., at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St.
The New River Valley chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees meets for lunch Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m., at Stone's Cafeteria, Christiansburg. The business session starts at 12:15 p.m. Brenda Harris of Trigon Blue Cross-Blue Shield talks on health benefits for seniors.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Today, play party bridge from 1 to 4, and rubber bridge, rook or canasta Mondays, 1-4.
The swim therapy program meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
Friday, Pearis chapter 445, American Association of Retired Persons meets at 12:30. Sue Bergholv will speak on "Eating for your Health."
The walking group meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Ceramics are offered Tuesday all day and Thursday, 9 a.m.-1.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Today, 10 a.m.-noon, the New River Valley Agency on Aging processes identification cards for seniors 60 and older. Proof of age and Social Security number are required and a $1.50 donation is requested.
Thursday, 9:30 a.m., coffee hour.
Monday, ceramics 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday, the RSVP advisory council meets at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, travel to Christiansburg to the New River Valley Mall Movies and the Country Kitchen buffet. $5 covers transportation and lunch.
Sign up now for the trip Nov. 16 to the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, N.C. It's $15 for tickets and transportation.
RSVP needs knitters for the Caps for Kids program. Yarn and patterns are available.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, the New River Valley Agency on Aging processes identification cards for seniors 60 and older. Proof of age and Social Security number are required and a $1.50 donation is requested.
Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-noon, seniors are invited to the coffee-brunch get together in the activity room. It's free and guests are welcome. Call by Nov. 10 if you can make it.
Registration is under way for the trip Nov. 29 to the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke to see the exhibit "One Giant Leap: Our Journey to the Moon." It's $2.65 per person. The van leaves the Community Center at 9 a.m. for the museum. Lunch is on your own at K&W Cafeteria. The van returns around 2 p.m.
Golden aerobics are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
The walking group meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday, 9 a.m., at the Community Center for coffee and juice. Walk in the gym or at the high school track. Those who prefer earlier walks might want to check out the group that meets Mondays and Fridays at 7:30 a.m. to walk on the Huckleberry Trail. Bob Blanton has details at 552-1919. Before engaging in any exercise program, it's recommended that seniors check with their personal physicians.
Cards: 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.
Charlotte Blanchard offers a free Mary Kay fall glamour makeover Nov. 12, noon-2 p.m. in the activity room.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., a bow making class is offered. It's $3 plus supplies.
Free blood sugar screening, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Seniors can catch the "mystery movie" Tuesday, 10 a.m.-noon. It's free.
A photo preservation and journaling class is offered Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6-8 p.m. $8 for town residents; $13 for nonresidents.
Free hearing screening, Thursday, 11 a.m.-noon. Call by Tuesday for an appointment.
Sign up now for a trip Nov. 12 to Bristol Mall in Tennessee. Transportation is $4 and leaves the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, at 7 a.m.
Senior Aerobics 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. Registration and a certificate from your physician are required.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, both Christiansburg groups solicit business donations to the RSVP scholarship fund for the children of slain Christiansburg police officer Terry Griffith.
Thursday, the Blacksburg group goes to New River Community Action at 1:30 p.m. to help with the Share mailing.
Monday, the Shawsville Thanksgiving luncheon - turkey and dressing - is at noon at White Memorial Church, Shawsville. Christmas stockings will be distributed. Volunteers are asked to bring canned goods or nonperishable food items for the Emergency Assistance Program.
Tuesday, the Christiansburg Thanksgiving turkey dinner luncheon is at noon at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Christmas stockings will be distributed. Volunteers are asked to bring canned goods or nonperishable food items for the Emergency Assistance Program.
Nov. 9, the Christiansburg morning group visits Riner Elementary School at 10 a.m. The Christiansburg afternoon group collects donations for the Griffith scholarship fund.
Nov. 10, the Blacksburg group visits Brookmeade at 2 p.m.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Today, 10 a.m.-noon, there's a free blood pressure screening.
Today, 12:30-2:30 p.m., the New River Valley Agency on Aging processes identification cards for seniors 60 and older. Proof of age and Social Security number are required and a $1.50 donation is requested.
Friday, travel to Snoopers Antique Mall. Lunch is on your own at Bob Evans Restaurant, Wytheville. Also, free time at Factory Merchants Mall, Fort Chiswell. Transportation is $2 and leaves the center at 9:15 a.m.
Senior aerobics meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. It's $8.
Thursday, play bridge at 10:30 a.m.
The walking group meets in the Radford Recreation Department gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. Free. Sneakers only!
The senior aerobics group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m., in the Radford Recreation Department gym. $8 per month.
Register now for the Road Runner trip Wednesday, Nov. 9 to Barter Theater to see "Always, Patsy Cline," dine at the Martha Washington Inn and visit Dixie Pottery.
Sign-up is under way for the "Design your own Shirt" class Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. It's $5 for materials, and you'll need a prewashed 100 percent cotton shirt, tote bag or apron.
Register now for the free Mary Kay fall glamour make-over by Charlotte Blanchard Nov. 30, 1 p.m.
SENIOR SHORTS
RSVP of Montgomery County's scholarship committee has donated $500 to seed a scholarship fund for the children of Christiansburg Police Officer Terry Griffith, who was killed in the line of duty.
Social Security representatives visit the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St., Thursday and Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and the Radford Senior Center, 27 First St., Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
Thursday and Nov. 17, a Veterans Administration representative visits the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St., 1-3 p.m., and the Radford Senior Center, 27 First St., 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Call the VA at (800) 827-2018.
Rick Lindquist writes For Seniors, a regular Wednesday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of interest to seniors in care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1656.
by CNB