ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240017
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: for seniors
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE
On June 1, Eldridge Eugene Rowe, 71, of Blacksburg will be awarded a degree from The University of Hard Knocks at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va.
No kidding.
The University of Hard Knocks program recognizes individuals who have achieved knowledge and success though life experience rather than through higher education.
After finding out more about Rowe, I think he deserves a diploma from another academy: I call it the "College of Kind Hearts."
Rowe has spent thousands of hours repairing homes for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity and his church. Working with Blacksburg Baptist Church's youth group has allowed him to help others. He also teaches carpentry skills to young people as they repair existing dwellings or build a house from the ground up.
"Eugene is incredibly enthusiastic about getting out and doing for others. And he makes it fun. He's as young at heart as the kids," said Debbie Christian, pastor at Blacksburg Baptist.
Christian described a project in inner-city Baltimore that Rowe was involved with in 1994.
"Working with a local organization, he spent a week with the youth group refurbishing abandoned town houses in a part of the city overrun with drug traffic. Low-income families were able to purchase the renovated homes. Soon the area was a family neighborhood again," Christian said.
"Eugene helps the kids do more than build better housing. The projects he's involved with helps kids get a broader view of life. They realize that there are so many people out there who have needs and that they can be a part of helping to meet those needs."
In March, Rowe worked in Malden, W.Va., with students on spring break from Minnesota's St. Cloud University to repair one of the "oldest black churches in the state." According to Rowe, the church was reputed to "have been a church that Booker T. Washington attended as a very small boy." Habitat for Humanity coordinated the project.
Over the last five years, Rowe has also helped build or repair houses in Florida, West Virginia and Kentucky.
Rowe and his wife, Roseline, have three children, all college graduates; a daughter who is a homemaker and two sons, a lawyer and a chemical engineer. Rowe retired from Hercules Inc. after 36 years. Before moving to Blacksburg, he served the community of Peterstown, W.Va., as mayor, city councilman, scoutmaster and Rotary president.
If you want to know more about the University of Hard Knocks, call (304) 457-6205 or write to: Alderson-Broaddus College; Philippi, WV 26416.
The bylaws state that "Memberships shall be open to all persons who possess no college degree but who have, through the exercise of persistence, diligence and hard work, achieved a balance of financial success, civic services and other life goals indicating a successfully self-made individual."
Special needs
Vicki Scott and the volunteers at Retired and Seniors Volunteers Program need your help! Donations for their May 10 yard sale are badly needed! Proceeds will go to repair a blown head gasket in their van and for parties for nursing home residents. Call Vicki Scott at 382-5775.
WARM HEARTH VILLAGE 2603 Warm Hearth Drive, Blacksburg. 552-1498:
Friday, 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, 1:30 p.m., English Meadow birthday party, 2 p.m., Christiansburg group visits Heritage Hall.
Thursday, 10 a.m., Blacksburg group visits Prices Fork Preschool for Kids and Krafts.
Monday, 9 a.m., quilters; 10 a.m., Shawsville group meets.
Tuesday, 2 p.m., Warm Hearth group to Brook Meade for birthday party.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134:
Today, noon-2 p.m., Blacksburg Electronic Village Seniors meeting.
Thursday, 9:30 a.m., coffee; 10-11 a.m., discussion is "News & Views on the Federal Debt" by Ben Crawford, Concord Coalition. Next: Michael Connelly and Karen Surface from Blacksburg Transit Authority.
Friday is registration deadline for May 1 trip to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. Van departs at 9:30 a.m. Transportation is $4; museum is $2.
Tuesday, 8:30-10 a.m., "Surfing the Net: From BEV and Beyond," Virginia Tech's Media Center. Free.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Thursday, 10 a.m., "Dress Smart, Be Smart." Coleen Hall, speaker.
Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., set up for Needlework Exhibit.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Needlework Exhibit. $1.
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Healthy Diet Seminar by Radford Community Hospital Dietary Department.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
April 29-May 5, visit Branson, Mo. Road Runner Trip with All American Tours.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
Friday, 1-5 p.m., 55 Alive.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Carolyn Duncan, 980-1000:
Fridays, 1-4 p.m., cards;
Monday, 1-3 p.m., ceramics.
May 2, 10 a.m.-noon, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol check. Cholesterol check is $5.
Senior shorts
1996 Needlework Exhibit: Saturday 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.
Radford Senior Center needs donations for May 10 and 11 rummage sale of books, glassware, crafts, jewelry, furniture, clothing in good condition. Drop items Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Proceeds help with improvements and programs. Call Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634.
Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 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 : 141 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Roweby CNB