Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280052
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Some New River Valley seniors have been benefiting from swimming for a while now. A group from Giles County regularly treks to the Blacksburg Aquatic Center three times a week to engage in therapeutic swimming. During warm weather, they also take advantage of local outdoor facilities.
The Wall Street Journal article notes that even non-swimmers can get in the swim through such things as water aerobics, water step, water weights and even deep-water running classes.
\ SENIOR GATHERINGS
Giles chapter 445 of the American Association of Retired Persons meets Jan. 6, 12:30 p.m., at the Giles County Senior Center, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Members are asked to bring a covered dish and a guest. Peggy Level answers your questions at 921-2398.
Non-denominational Bible study is Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m. at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, both Christiansburg groups are at English Meadow for a Christmas reception and birthday party at 1:30 p.m.
The RSVP office is closed Monday, Jan. 2.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
The center is closed Thursday, Friday and Monday.
There's a free blood pressure screening Wednesday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-noon.
Travel to Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke Jan 6. Lunch is on your own at K&W Cafeteria. Transportation is $2 and leaves the center at 10 a.m.
The senior aerobics group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m., in the Radford Recreation Department gym. $8 per month.
The Road Runner trip to Charlotte, N.C., to see the Charlotte Symphony's tribute to Henry Mancini is Jan. 20 and 21. Travelers also visit the new Heritage USA and Billy Graham's boyhood home.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
The center is closed Friday and Monday.
The swim therapy program meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 a.m., at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center (Note: No program Monday, Jan. 2.)
Ceramics and crafts all Tuesday.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Coffee hour is Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
The center is closed Monday, Jan. 2.
The next free blood pressure screening is Tuesday, 10 a.m.-noon.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Signup for a computer class for seniors is Jan. 11 starting at 10 a.m., at the community center. Registration ends Jan. 16. Classes are Jan. 17, 19, 24 and 26, 4-5 p.m., at the New Media Center, second floor, Newman Library, Virginia Tech. The cost is $15.
Seniors who want to learn how to play bridge - or who used to play and need a refresher course - may register Jan. 11 starting at 10 a.m. for the beginning and brush-up bridge class that starts Jan. 17 and meets Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m., for six weeks. Registration ends Jan. 17. The class is free, but the book costs $4.95.
Registration for ceramics and art classes begins Jan. 11, 10 a.m. The ceramics classes will be ongoing at a cost of $2 per class plus supplies. The class starts Jan. 25 and meets Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The art class, for all levels, starts Jan. 24 and meets Tuesdays, Jan. 24-March 14, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. It's $24 plus supplies.
Alice Dewitt will teach a free class on how to teach children to read. The class will meet for three hours once a week for eight weeks on a schedule to be arranged. Register Jan. 11, starting at 10 a.m.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
The center is closed Monday, Jan. 2.
Wednesday, Jan. 3, a coffee hour is set for 10:30 a.m. A gospel sing follows at 11.
Jan. 6, travel to Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg, Transportation is $2 for seniors and leaves the National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, at 10 a.m. Seniors have priority on trips.
The mile-a-minute afghan class meets Jan. 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m., for four weeks. It's $6 for seniors and $12 for ages 21-54.
A free blood sugar screening is set for Jan. 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon
\ SHORTS
Green Thumb, Inc., a non-profit, federally funded employment and training program for low-income job seekers 55 and older, now is recruiting seniors who need employment, full-time or part-time. Call (800) 419-JOBS (5627). Green Thumb is sponsored by the National Farmers Union.
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