ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: for seniors
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
These days, my morning ritual begins with crossing my fingers and pulling aside the drapes, hoping to see blue skies and hear birds twittering.
When I walk my dog, I find myself paying close attention to the buds on still-bare trees, silently urging their minuscule buds to blossom. If the sun breaks through the clouds and the rain holds off for a few hours, I long to desert my newspaper post and rush home, don shorts and garden for all I am worth.
If you can't wait another minute for sunny days, the following tips might help. They are from an article by Lowell Ponte titled "Beating the Winter Blues" that appeared in Reader's Digest in February 1993.
Lighten up: remove heavy drapes, change to brighter light bulbs, trim bushes in front of windows, find ways to let more light in and brighten things up indoors.
Get out: go for a walk, look for signs of spring (they really are out there), begin working in your flower beds, go to a good movie, shop, visit friends.
Fight low moods with good foods: Carbohydrates can lift your spirits. "The secret is to eat one or two ounces of sweet carbohydrates like breakfast cereal or licorice, or starchy carbohydrates like pasta or potatoes," advises Judith Wurtman, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologies. However, mixing carbohydrates with protein-rich foods, like meat or milk, will impede the effect.
Rick Cidell, director of Clinical Programs at St. Albans Hospital in Radford suggests the following ways to wait on a late-blooming spring:
Remember, spring will come. At this point, it's just a matter of days.
Indulge in your favorite activities. Doing things that we enjoy improves our mood and helps keep our momentum up. Be sure to pick several activities that get you out of the house.
Flowers represent spring to many of us: Buy a bouquet or force blooms indoors.
Just do things that make you happy. Spoil yourself a little bit. After all, it's been a long winter.
This column highlights activities and events for seniors. Forms for 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 2603 Warm Hearth Drive, Blacksburg. 552-1498:
* April 26, 7-9 p.m., ballroom dancing. No partners needed. Free.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 10 a.m., both Christiansburg groups work on SHARE.
* Thursday, 10 a.m., Blacksburg group works on SHARE.
* Monday, 9 a.m., quilters; 2 p.m., Shawsville group visits Heritage Hall.
* Tuesday, 2 p.m., Warm Hearth group visits Meadowbrook.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
* Thursday, 9:30 a.m., coffee; 10-11 a.m., discussion. Dave Vogelsong, Blacksburg's town engineer, will speak. Next week: "News & Views on the Federal Debt" by Ben Crawford, Concord Coalition.
* Monday, 8:30-10 a.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays, Basic Computer II, $10.
* Saturday, van departs at 8:30 a.m. for Roanoke Garden tour. Transportation is $3.
* April 24, van departs at 10:30 a.m. for Woodberry Inn. $5; noon-2 p.m., Blacksburg Electronic Village meeting.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Today, 8 a.m., NRV Senior Games. Call 382-8173 for schedule.
* Thursday, 1-3 p.m., lollipop class. $4, seniors; $8 ages 18 and older.
* Friday, van departs at 9 a.m. for Poplar Forest. $4, seniors, $8, ages 21-54.
* Monday, van departs at 4:30 p.m., Salem Avalanche vs. Kinston Indians at Salem Memorial Stadium. Transportation fee is $3, seniors, $6, ages 21-54. Tickets are $3-6.
* Tuesday, 9:30-10:45 a.m., Hair Fair; 2 p.m., Senior Advisory Board meeting.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Today, 5 p.m., potluck dinner, American Association of Retired Persons.
* Thursday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., "Spring T-shirt and Tote Bag" class, $5; 12:30-4:30 p.m., plastic angel class.
* Friday, van departs at 9:30 a.m. for trip to Mount Airy.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Thursday, noon, AARP dinner.
* Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., 55 Alive class.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Tina Faiszt, 980-1000:
* Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, RSVP 25th Anniversary reception.
Senior Shorts
* Gerontology Forum on Sexual Abuse: Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m., Wallace Hall atrium, Virginia Tech. The program, "Sexual Abuse and the Elderly," by Jodi, L Teitelman, is on sexual abuse of the elderly. Charlene Freeman-Coker, 231-6817.
* RSVP Yard Sale: Donations for May 10 yard sale needed. Call 382-5775 for pick up of items. Proceeds go for celebrations at local nursing and adult homes and van maintenance and repair.
* 1996 Needlework Exhibit: Registration ends Friday for people participating in the exhibit on 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.
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