ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 28, 1996 TAG: 9602280056
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
Is forty-four years of cookie sales and campfires too much of a good thing?
"No way," says Betty Letsinger, a Giles County senior. "I wouldn't trade it for the world."
Letsinger, currently the director of the Giles County Senior Center in Pearisburg, has been active in Girl Scouts since her youth. Leadership skills acquired in scouting has helped Letsinger in her role as director of the Senior Center. Camp director and trainer were two of Letsinger's many roles in Scouts.
Letsinger grew up the small mining town of Holden, West Virginia.
"There was so little for young people to do where I grew up but scouting gave us a way to be involved with our community. In Girl Scouts, we learned new things and practiced lessons learned in school and church."
Letsinger believes in the scouting program because she's seen her girl scouts develop from "young girls learning to make their own beds and help out at home to young women who are finding out what they want to do with their lives. They work as candy stripers, in law offices, libraries and schools. There's a lot of value in getting a chance to experience first-hand what it's like to work, for example, as nurse or teacher before you make a decision to pursue that career."
Letsinger believes in Girl Scouts because the program "teaches a love of home, of God and of country."
March is Girl Scout Month.
"Buy some cookies," says Letsinger.
This column highlights activities and events for seniors. Forms from providing feedback are available at Senior Centers. We welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas. Write to: Tracy Gallimore c/o The Roanoke Times, P. O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073
WARM HEARTH VILLAGE, Blacksburg. Warm Hearth Village Activity Center, 552-1498:
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* RSVP groups visit local retirement homes for Valentines' and birthday parties: Today, 1:30 p.m., Christiansburg groups at English Meadow; Thursday, 2 p.m., Blacksburg group at Heritage Hall.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
* Today, 9 a.m., van departs for Valley View and Tanglewood Malls. $2, transportation fee.
* Monday, 10 a.m.-noon, Breakfast Get Together. Free; Registration for computer classes begins.
* Tuesday, 1-4 p.m., Senior afternoon dance.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Thursday, 1-3 p.m., free tax assistance by appointment.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Thursday, 10 a.m., American Association of Retired Persons District Council meeting.
* Mar. 6, 1-3 p.m., free hearing screening.
* Mar. 25-31, Road Runners are hitting the pavement heading south to Vicksburg, Mississippi for Calloway Gardens, Bellingrath Gardens and a cruise.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Thursday, 1- 2 p.m., "Dancing Grannies" exercise class.
* Friday, 12:30 p.m., Pearisburg No. 445 Chapter of AARP meets.
* Monday, 2 p.m., Senior advisory board meets.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
* Today, 10 a.m.-noon, income tax assistance; noon, Dine Round Club.
|Senior| |Shorts| * Alzheimers and Dementia Educational Support Group: Thursday, 2 p.m., Heritage Hall Nursing Center. Christina Reed, 951-7000.
* New River Community College Seniors Short Story Contest: Deadline to submit is March 22. Eight winners will be chosen from the stories submitted by people living in Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties and the City of Radford. One winner will be chosen from entries submitted by people living outside the region.
Send one or two stories to: Short Stories, Division of Arts and Sciences, New River Community College, P. O. Box 1127, Dublin, Va. 24084. Debbie Douthat, ext. 292 at 674-3600, 745-4595, 921-4595 or 382-4595.
* Rummage Sale by Senior Athletes of Montgomery County: March 29, 5-9 p.m. and March 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Christiansburg National Guard Armory Donations accepted. Jack Akers, 382-3348.
* 1996 New River Valley Senior Olympics: April 15-17, Blacksburg Community Center, Triangle Lanes, Cox's Putt-A-Round and Driving Range and the Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course. Applications are available at senior centers and at area businesses and services. Dean Gordon, 382-8328.
* 1996 Needlework Exhibit: Registration ends April 19 for people participating in the exhibit on Saturday, April 27, at the Christiansburg National Guard Armory. Categories include needlepoint, cross stitch, candlewicking, crocheting and knitting. Applications available at the Christiansburg Senior Center and Christiansburg Parks and Recreation. 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.
* Senior Centers: offer a variety of ongoing activities, trips and classes. Call for a newsletter and a calendar of events.
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Letsinger.by CNB