Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411230097
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"We've worked all weekend on it and all last week," said RSVP's Jo Lambert. Volunteers - a dozen or more at a time - have been closeted in the Montgomery County Courthouse and in the courthouse annex to get the mailing out by Nov. 28. "We don't get anything for it," Lambert said, pointing out the group handles "over 100,000 pieces of mail a year, easily."
In addition to the tax packet, the group also puts together mailings for SHARE, The Christmas Store, United Way, Roanoke Symphony and the Montgomery County Commissioner of Revenue.
The SENIOR ATHLETES OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY are among those taking part in the second annual Festival of Christmas Trees at New River Valley Mall. The festival - a fund-raising activity for the Montgomery County Chapter, American Red Cross - begins Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 22.
Volunteer athletes have been at the Christiansburg Senior Center this week preparing the holiday adornments for their tree. "Everything's going to be handmade," said the athletes' spokeswoman, Betty Gordon, adding that volunteer athletes were using available materials to fashion decorative fans for their tree.
The fund-raising part comes through the sale of tickets - $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids. Ticket holders then get to "vote" for their favorite tree at the festival by depositing the ticket in a box at each tree. The tree capturing the most votes wins a $100 first prize for the sponsoring organization. The runner-up group gets $50.
Money raised supports local American Red Cross educational and disaster-relief efforts.
SENIOR GATHERINGS
American Association of Retired Persons, Pearis chapter 445, meets Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m., for installation of officers. The Giles High School chorus entertains.
Tickets are available for the Blacksburg AARP chapter's holiday banquet Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m., at Custom Catering, 902 Patrick Henry Drive. $9 per person. Installation of officers, and Fay Hoy speaks on "History of Blacksburg and Vicinity." Reservations: Margaret Dawson, 552-2937, or Linda Horst, 552-5009 by Tuesday.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
The center is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Monday, travel to Valley View mall for breakfast and shopping. Breakfast is on your own at K&W Cafeteria. Transportation is $3 and leaves the armory at 8:30 a.m.
"Dealing with Depression over the Holidays" is the topic of a workshop Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., sponsored by the New River Valley Community Services Board.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
The RSVP office is closed today, Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Monday, the Shawsville group visits Heritage Hall at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, 2 p.m., the Warm Hearth group is at Brookmeade for the birthday party.
Wednesday, the Christiansburg morning group visits Meadowbrook at 10 am., and the afternoon group goes to English Meadow for the birthday party at 1:30 p.m.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
The center is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Dec. 7, travel to Abingdon with All America Tours to see "An O. Henry Christmas" at the Barter Theatre, visit Dixie Pottery, and lunch at Martha Washington Inn.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
The center is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The swim therapy program meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (except Thanksgiving day), 9:30 a.m., at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
The walking group meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Legal Aid visits the center Dec. 6, 2-5 p.m., by appointment only.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
The center is closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Nov. 30, travel to Bristol Mall and outlet shops. Lunch (late) is on your own at the mall. Transportation is $5 and leaves the center at 9 a.m.
Dine 'Round Club meets Dec. 1 for its November-December meeting. Transportation leaves the center at 4:30 p.m. for the Wilderness Inn Restaurant in Newbern.
Dec. 9, travel to Tanglewood Mall and Valley View Mall in Roanoke. Lunch is on your own. Transportation is $3 and leaves the center at 9 a.m.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Registration is under way for a trip Tuesday 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.
The Blacksburg High School Madrigal Singers entertain Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. It's free.
The holiday potluck dinner and dance are Dec. 10, 5:30-8 p.m. It's free, but reservations need to be in by Dec. 1.
WSLS (channel 10) in Roanoke is sponsoring "Sentiments for Seniors," a public service campaign to provide holiday gifts for seniors who live alone or in nursing or assisted living facilities. Here's how it works: Donors buy an item on the suggested gift list and drop it off at a neighborhood Kroger store. Agency on Aging volunteers will distribute the gifts. Suggested items: Skin lotion, facial tissue, sugar-free candy and gum, lip balm, writing pads and pens. The New River Valley Agency on Aging has more information at 639-9677 or 980-7720.
Rick Lindquist edits 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