Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 23, 1995 TAG: 9505230085
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CHRISTIANSBURG - When the Warm Hearth Retirement Village was established in the 1980s, it fulfilled Wybe Kroontje's vision of providing a high-quality life care community for Virginia's retired people. It also fulfilled his goal of doing something and giving back to the community and country in which he lived in.
Now, after 33 years of volunteer effort and dedication to the community by Kroontje, it was the community's turn to give back something to him. Kroontje recently was presented with the prestigious Rotary Citizen Recognition Award by the Christiansburg-Blacksburg Rotary Club. The award is given annually to an outstanding community leader who is dedicated to community development and outreach.
Warm Hearth Village is a unique outreach community that consists of both independent and assisted living facilities. The only facility of its kind in Virginia, it is partnered with Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College.
Kroontje came up with the idea of a retirement community in 1969 after visiting his mother-in-law at a life-care community. After five years of visiting similar facilities worldwide and speaking to various groups about the plan, the community and various foundations supported Kroontje's cause. A board was formed in 1974, money was raised and 220 acres of land was purchased and government support was secured. The first building was constructed in 1980. More than 300 residents live at Warm Hearth Village.
When he and his wife Marietje came to the United States from the Netherlands following World War II, they had two goals: for him to receive his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and to make a lasting contribution to the well-being of Americans.
"We wanted to contribute to society," he said. "we wanted to do something for the people of the United States. It seemed like a tremendous goal, but with great volunteers it was possible."
Kroontje retired from Virginia Tech in 1987 as a Professor Emeritus of Soils. In 1988 he received the National Trustee Award of the American Association of Homes for the Aging for his vision, creativity and achievements to serve America's older Americans.
Genealogy workshop
CHRISTIANSBURG - People who want to research their family trees are invited to a genealogical workshop at the Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Newbern on Saturday.
Guest speakers, books, maps and lunch will be included in the program, running from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The workshop will cost $12.50.
Babe Fowler, editor of Virginia Appalachia Notes, will talk about the mistakes she has uncovered in her research.
For reservations and more information, call Ann Bailey at 639-0351 or Geraldine Mathews at 980-7499.
Poppy Day Saturday
BLACKSBURG - The American Legion Auxiliary Blacksburg Unit 182 will recognize Saturday as Poppy Day. Members will distribute poppies at Kroger at University Mall.
Poppies are the memorial flower of the American Legion Auxiliary. The flower is a sign of renewal and hope. It was chosen because the flower grew wild on the Battlefields of Flanders and survived among the shelled buildings and bombed landscape. The poppy flourishes as a memorial to the men who fought in the battle and preceding wars.
Toddler pageant
CHRISTIANSBURG - A pageant for toddlers will be held June 10, at Christiansburg High School. Children ages 1-4 will model fashions. Prizes and awards will be given to all participants.
The program is a fund-raiser and is being sponsored by the Tau Mu Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Proceeds will benefit an academic scholarship fund.
The program will be in the school's auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m . For more information call Mary Calloway at 382-7638.
by CNB