ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 1995 TAG: 9512060043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
Every year my mother and her worthy opponent, my children's other grandmother, used to square off in the "Battle of the Christmas Grannies." Skirmishes would break out around Halloween when the doting, dueling duo would see who could outdo the other's special "trick-or-treat" bags for my two sons.
One year I banned all Freddie Kruger paraphernalia. Still I had a kind, gentle grandmother calling me two days before Halloween to ask where to find a store that still had in stock a glove with fake plastic knives protruding from the fingertips.
By the week before Thanksgiving, my mom would start pulling out the big guns, making statements like, "I don't see what's wrong with getting him a brand new car. My friend just bought one for her grandson." Displaying the maturity that motherhood had engendered in me, I would say things like, "A brand new car! How come you never bought me a brand new car? I never even got one of those boxes of crayons with the built-in sharpener!"
The upside of it all, though, was a couple of happily spoiled kids. They are in high school now, but they still think Santa is spelled G-R-A-N-D-M-A.
Senior Activities
WARM HEARTH VILLAGE, Blacksburg, Warm Hearth Village Activity Center, Line Dance Made Easy, Thursdays, 2:15 p.m., beginners, 2:30 p.m., all levels, 552-1498.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Ongoing activities are exercise groups, aerobics, cards, hobbies, billiards and Bible study.
Wednesday, 10-11 a.m., blood pressure screening.
Thursday, 1 p.m., Fitness Christmas Gathering.
Friday, van departs at 9 a.m. from National Guard Armory for Mercer Mall, Princeton, W.Va. Transportation fee is $4, seniors; $8 ages 21-54.
Monday, 1 p.m., Yankee Swap. Bring a wrapped gift ($5 value). Call for more details.
Tuesday, 9:30-10:45 a.m., hair fair; 10:45 a.m.-noon, blood sugar screening; 10:15 a.m., mystery movie.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, 9 a.m. Christiansburg Groups go to breakfast and shop.
Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Community Action building. Blacksburg Group will work on mailings.
Monday, 10 a.m., Shawsville Group will work on SHARE and have lunch out.
Tuesday, noon, St. Paul United Methodist Church. Christiansburg luncheon for volunteers.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. Christiansburg Groups go to SHARE, then lunch out.
Dec. 14, 2 p.m., the Blacksburg Group will host the Heritage Hall Christmas party.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
Ongoing activities are walking, cards, ceramics, quilting, exercise and creative writing.
Today, 10 a.m.-noon, free blood pressure clinic.
Thursday, 8 p.m., American Legion.
Friday, 10 a.m., van departs for Tanglewood mall. Transportation is $2.
Dec. 14, 10 a.m., van departs for New River Valley mall.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Ongoing activities are walking, line dancing, cards, ceramics and singing. The swim therapy program at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. Transportation leaves at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, van departs at 8 a.m., for Tanglewood mall, shopping and lunch.
Tuesday, 2-4 p.m., Legal Aid representative at center.
Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m., American Association of Retired Persons No. 502 meets.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
Ongoing activities are ceramics and cards.
Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, glucose and blood pressure screening
Friday, 9 a.m., van departs for River Ridge mall, Lynchburg. Transportion is $5.
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., New River Valley mall movies. $2.
Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Christmas Open House.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Ongoing activities are canasta and bridge. Classes available in computers, ceramics, art, calligraphy and bridge. Exercise programs include: Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m., indoor tennis; Mondays 10-11:30 a.m., walking group; Monday 12:30-1:30, Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10 a.m., Golden Aerobics.
Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m., Discussion Days: "Natural Resources" lead by Bob Kreamalmeyer; noon-2 p.m., holiday luncheon. Bring a covered dish.
Monday, 1 p.m., Silver Songsters meet.
Dec. 13, van leaves at 10 a.m. Trip to Hotel Roanoke. $17 includes transportation and lunch.
Senior Shorts
Alzheimer's and Dementia Educational/Support Group: Thursday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m., Heritage Hall Nursing Center. Christina Reed, 951-7000.
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.
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