Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508300035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"It was a grand experience," she said. "I had a wonderful time."
This year's winner was Blaine Peterson of Petersburg. The first runner-up was Kate Walker of Chatham.
Twelve women competed for the state title at the two-day pageant last weekend at Virginia Western Community College.
Pullen, a retired elementary music educator, said the pageant wore her out, but she's recovering. She hasn't decided to enter next year's competition. But she had words of praise for the other contestants ("a real congenial group" that possesses "a lot of talent") and for the pageant itself.
"It's a nice thing to have so we [seniors] don't fall through the cracks," she said.
Pullen's appearance was not the New River Valley's only contribution to the pageant. Radford's Bob Thomas directs the pageant, Pulaski's Becky Melton was the pianist and Dublin's Dotty Talbott chairs the event.
"It went beautifully," Talbott said this week.
Talbott said she tells contestants, "Don't come to win. Come to have a good, good time."
Two New River Valley companies also pitched in, Thomas said. RADVA Plastics of Radford donated a polyfoam plastic outline of the state for a backdrop as well as plastic foam for other stage decorations, while The Carpet Shop of Fairlawn provided stage carpeting.
Former contestant Doris Oliver of Christiansburg, who was to have assisted Thomas before she broke both her leg and her arm in separate incidents, still managed to attend the pageant, Thomas said.
For more information, call Talbott at 674-5534.
SENIOR GATHERINGS
Anthony Lolli moderates a general discussion Thursday when the Blacksburg Seniors News and Views Group meets. The Senior Discussion Group offers series of sessions focus on hearing health care Sept. 7, 21 and Oct. 5. The session Sept. 7 addresses "Hearing and Hearing Loss." Both groups meet at the Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Conversation and coffee begin at 9:30 a.m. The program is 10-11 a.m. Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
Radford Senior Center celebrates its 15th birthday Thursday at 1 p.m., with an open house party. It's free to all. The center is at 27 First St.
The American Association of Retired Persons Pearisburg chapter 445 meets Friday, 12:30 p.m., Giles County Senior Center, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
The center is closed Monday, Labor Day.
Sept. 6, a free blood pressure screening is 10 a.m.-noon.
Play bridge Sept. 6, 1 p.m. and Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Seniors swim weekdays, 11-11:45 a.m., at the Pearisburg town pool, weather permitting.
The swim therapy program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. Transportation leaves at 9:30 a.m.
The center is closed Monday, Labor Day.
Tuesdays, Bible Study, 1-2 p.m., Free movies 2 p.m.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Today: travel to Shatley Springs. Transportation leaves the center at 11 a.m.; lunch reservations are at 1 p.m. The tour follows lunch. It's $20 for everything.
The center is closed Monday, Labor Day.
A blood pressure screening is set for Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-noon.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Registration ends today for the Blacksburg Seniors Association's annual picnic, Friday (rain date is Sept. 15), noon-3 p.m., shelter 1, Blacksburg Recreation Park, Turner Street.
Registration ends Friday for the trip to explore historic Newbern Sept. 7. Trip includes the Wilderness Road Regional Museum, a tour of the town and dinner at Wilderness Inn. Transportation is $3. The van leaves 2 p.m. and returns 7 p.m. Museum admission is $1. Dinner is on your own.
The center is closed Monday, Labor Day.
Canasta group breakfast, Tuesday, Shoney's, Christiansburg. Buffet is $2.79. Transportation is free. The van leaves 9:30 a.m.
Pancake breakfast, Monday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-noon, Blacksburg Community Center. Free.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Friday, enjoy the Hotel Roanoke tour and buffet luncheon. Seniors pay $17.50 for transportation, buffet, and tour.
Tuesday, coffee hour, 10:30 a.m.; Gospel sing-along, 11 a.m.
Go apple picking at the The Apple Barn, Troutville, Sept. 8. Transportation is $4 and leaves the National Guard Armory at 9 a.m.
Blood sugar screening, Sept. 12, 10:30-noon. Free.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today and Thursday, 10 a.m., Montgomery County Courthouse, both Christiansburg groups work on mailings.
The RSVP office is closed Monday, Labor Day.
Tuesday, 10 a.m., Montgomery County Courthouse, Warm Hearth Group works on a mailing; 2 p.m., McCoy group works on a mailing.
Sept. 6, 10 a.m., Montgomery County Courthouse, Christiansburg morning group works on a mailing; 2 p.m., Christiansburg afternoon group works on a mailing.
SENIOR SHORTS
Veterans Administration: Tuesday, Sept. 5, a representative visits the Radford Senior Center, 27 First St., 9:30-noon and the Christiansburg National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets, 1-3 p.m.
1995 Legacy Quilt Show: Deadline for entry is Sept. 6. Show is Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. - during the Wilderness Trail Festival - Christiansburg National Guard Armory. Applications available at Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St., and at Christiansburg Parks and Recreation, 95 College St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173.
Social Security Administration: A representative visits the Christiansburg National Guard Armory, Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Radford Senior Center, Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Senior Arts and Crafts Show: Applications for the 17th annual event available at the Christiansburg Senior Center, 655 Montgomery St. Show is Oct. 27-28, Christiansburg National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets. Open to exhibitors 55 or older; Christiansburg residents have priority. $10 per table, limit two. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173.
Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 years or older. New River Valley Agency on Aging, 980-7720 or 639-9677.
by CNB