Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 20, 1995 TAG: 9509200029
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
One way of bridging that distance is by writing a family narrative. Choose a family member who fascinated you or one with whom you felt a special affinity. Consider writing a narrative about that individual that tells the stories of his or her life.
A writing technique called clustering can be useful in developing an outline for your narrative. Begin by drawing a circle and put the family member's name in the center. Draw legs from the center circle that end in pods. My first cluster diagram looked like an octopus with fuzzy bedroom slippers! Use each pod to identify a different aspect of the life of the family member.
Pods could be labeled birth, appearance, skills, wars, jobs, memories, etc. The pods can then sprout legs of their own and a second level of categories or descriptors can emerge. The categories you choose will determine the depth and direction of the narrative.
The next step is writing it. Develop your narrative to reflect the unique qualities of the individual. Use your imagination to breathe life into the facts. You might share your outline or first draft with a sibling to acquire additional insight and a different perspective into what made Uncle Elijah or Aunt Ruby tick.
A final project might be linking the narratives of a number of relatives that fascinate you, allowing you to draw parallels between their lives and perhaps understand where some of your own traits and qualities originated. Family narratives are wonderful for sharing at gatherings, holidays or reunions.
Two useful guides are: "Unpuzzling Your Past, A Basic Guide to Genealogy" by Emily Anne Croom and "Voices In Your Blood, Discovering Identity Through Family History" by G. G. Vandagriff.
"To the family - the dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to." - Dodie Smith, Dear Octopus
GATHERINGS
The Senior Discussion Group continues a series of sessions focused on hearing health care. Upcoming sessions are Thursday and Oct. 5. The session Thursday addresses "Identification of Hearing Loss" and "Amplification." The Oct. 5 session is "Assistive Listening Devices" and "Laws And Policies Concerning Hearing Health Care." 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.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Thursday, 12:15-1:15 p.m., "You Look Fabulous! Facial Make-Over." Free.
Friday, leave National Guard Armory, 8:30 a.m., Organ Cave, Ronceverte, W.Va., $6.50. 20 percent seniors discount.
The RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, 10 a.m., Christiansburg Morning SHARE group; Christiansburg Afternoon group hosts 1:30 p.m. English Meadows birthday party.
Thursday, 10 a.m., Pandapas Pond clean up. Lunch provided.
Monday, 9 a.m., quilters meet; 2 p.m., Shawsville group hosts Meadowbrook Nursing Home birthday party.
Tuesday, 9 a.m., quilters meet; 2 p.m., Warm Hearth group hosts Brook Meade Adult Home birthday party.
Sept. 27, 8 a.m., trip to Salem for K&W Cafeteria, Dixie Caverns and Pottery Shop. Breakfast is on your own.
Sept. 28, 10 a.m., price yard sale items.
Sept. 29, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m., yard sale in old Angle's parking lot.
The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Thursdays, 12:30 p.m., "Sharing Grief."
Monday-Oct. 1, trip with All America Tours to Branson, Mo.
Mondays, 1 p.m., canasta.
Tuesdays, 10 a.m., ceramics and quilting.
Wednesdays, 10 a.m., creative writing, 5 p.m. American Association of Retired Persons potluck dinner
Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., bridge.
The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
The swim therapy program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. Transportation leaves at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, ceramics.
Tuesdays, 2 p.m., free movies.
Wednesdays, bridge
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. and Thursday 9:30 a.m., new walking for fitness and weight loss fitness program; 2 p.m. first meeting of new singing group, age 50 and older; 7:30 p.m., Daughters of the American Revolution meeting;
Giles seniors interested in computer classes may call or visit the center.
The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Thursday, leave center 10 a.m. for Valley View and Tanglewood Malls in Roanoke. $3 for transportation.
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Pulaski County Health Department will give flu shots to people 55 and older. No cost with Medicare or Medicaid card.
Sept. 27, 12:30 p.m., Dine Round Club, Virginia Deli.
Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m., trip to W.Va. Exhibition Coal Mine. $15 includes tour and transportation.
Oct. 1, 1 p.m., trip to Virginia Carolina Crafts show, $7 includes admission and transportation.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Registration ends Friday for classes Tuesday and Sept. 28, Oct. 3 and 5, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Basic Computer I, $9.
Registration ends Friday for Oct. 10 and 12, 17 and 19, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Basic Computer II, $9.
Registration ends today for trip to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Oct. 4. Van departs 7 a.m., returns 9 p.m. Bring lunch. Transportation and train fee included in the $18.50 charge.
Registration ends Oct. 6 for Oct 18 trip to the Woodberry Inn, Blue Ridge Parkway. Van leaves 10:30 a.m. and returns 3 p.m. $15 includes transportation and lunch.
Registration ends Friday for Oct. 11, 8:30-10 a.m., "Surfing The Net: From BEV [Blacksburg Electronic Village] and Beyond," free.
Registration ends Oct 11 for Oct. 12, 1-3 p.m., "Making Money With Your Computer," free.
WARM HEARTH VILLAGE, Blacksburg, Warm Hearth Village Activity Center, Line Dance Made Easy, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., beginners, 10 a.m., all levels, 552-1498.
SENIOR SHORTS
Montgomery county RSVP is gathering yard sale items for Sept. 29 yard sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., old Angle's lot, Christiansburg. To donate, call office or come by Courthouse Annex, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Senior Athletes of Montgomery County needs lids, pint jars, and sugar for apple butter-making fund-raiser. Catherine McKenzie, 382-3744 or 382-8173.
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