Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200009
SECTION: SENIOR STYLE PAGE: 11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEWART MacINNIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There are numerous local events and attractions beckoning individual seniors, and there are organized programs offered by Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County. The attractions are as diverse as Center in the Square offerings, with reduced senior prices, to a Caribbean cruise organized by Roanoke County's Parks and Recreation Department.
For local attractions, Center in the Square is the place to start. The restored warehouse at the corner of Campbell Avenue and Market Square was built in 1914. Today, it contains five independent cultural organizations in anything but a warehouse manner.
The Art Museum of Western Virginia offers permanent collections of l9th and 20th century American art; American prints; works by regional artists; regional decorative arts; and Appalachian folk art. It's also has the Norfolk Southern Foundation Virginia Artist series; a contemporary gallery; and a children's art center. Call 342-5760 for information.
Mill Mountain Theatre provides regional professional year-round theatre offerings in drama, musicals and comedies. Ticket and performance information is available at 342-5733.
The Roanoke Valley History Museum offers permanent exhibits illustrating the history of Southwest Virginia from prehistoric times to the present. Separate galleries provide changing exhibits. Bus tours of local historic districts, buildings, and National Register homes and churches are also provided. An archives and library are available by appointment. Information is available at 342-5770.
The Science Museum of Western Virginia and the Hopkins Planetarium are on the 4th and 5th floors of Center in the Square. It offers live animal programs; hands-on exhibits; traveling exhibits; a Chesapeake Bay touch tank, and the planetarium and star shows. Call 342-5710 for information.
When you step outside Center in the Square you will find yourself in the oldest farmer's market in continuous use in Virginia. In addition to produce, merchants offer colorful and unique crafts.
Five blocks west of Market Square on Norfolk Avenue is the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Located in the historic Norfolk Western freight station, the museum houses the largest collection of steam and diesel locomotives in the nation. The museum tells the story of growth of railroads in Virginia, and the growth of Roanoke as well. Call 342-5670 for information.
Before leaving downtown, a trip to the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture is in order. Located at 523 Harrison Ave., NW., the museum houses art and local history exhibits reflecting African-American culture. Call 345-4818 for information.
Exploring local attractions would not be complete without a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will take you to the Mill Mountain Zoo, a 15-minute drive from downtown; Virginia's Explore Park about 7 miles further on; and Mabry Mill, reputed as the most photographed spot in the world, about 60 miles south of Roanoke.
Those who like their travels organized by others can contact their parks and recreation departments.
Roanoke County, for instance, offers a variety of day trips to historic locations, shopping opportunities and entertainment events, says Myra Sellers, a recreation supervisor coordinating seniors' programs.
Multi-day trips are offered to Kentucky, Atlantic City, fishing on the Rappahannock River, and a seven-day cruise in the western Caribbean, she says.
The local parks and recreation departments publish periodic brochures describing upcoming events. They range from art and craft classes, to health and fitness programs, to dancing, to cooking.
Sellers says county residents have priority to participate in programs offered by the county. "Nothing really fills up with just county residents, though," she says. "Then we open it up to other people in the valley."
Some of the events offered by the local parks departments are free, some require a nominal fee. And they are all available just for the asking.
"Our programs give people to the chance to do things they want to do, to socialize with others, and to go places," Sellers says. "There's a lot to do, and people have a lot of fun doing it."
by CNB