ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610300015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
Nine area seniors were winners in the 18th annual New River Community College Senior Citizen Poetry Contest. Their topics ranges from the Internet to making apple butter.
The winners were: Herbert Burgess, Lila Line and Sally Mook from Blacksburg; Patricia Lock from Floyd; William M. Warden from Pulaski; Rose Burnett, Ed Moorer and Nan K. Spangler from Radford; and Barbara O. Harris from Saltville.
A booklet with all entries is available for $3. Call Debbie Douthat at the college at extension 292 at 674-3600, 921-4594, 382-4595 or 745-4595.
A sampling of verse:
"The world is/ a better place/ by far/ the computer/ salesman says./
/ All you have to do/ is turn on Internet/ if you want to correspond/ with anyone/ never need to talk at all./
/ Never need to/ leave the house/ your chair/ your computer/ to go anywhere./
/ Never need to go/ to the grocery/ or library or bank/ visit friends/ or to see anyone at all./
/ No more diseases/ transferred by germs/ no more cars/ or filling stations/ or standing in lines./
/ Children need not/ travel on crowded buses/ to go to school/ or see other kids/ need not go to school at all./
/ They can just/ sit by the computer/ turn on Internet/ for everything they need/ the barter says./
/ Yeah/ say the kids/ but who will wipe my runny nose/ or make me dinner/ or give me hugs? at all." Lila Line, "Internetting."
"That big brass kettle/ In our back yard/ Holding gallons of apples/ And someone to guard./
/ Early in the morning/ Over a roaring fire/ The kettle starts boiling,/ And the ladies begin to stir./
/ Back and forth, all day long/ That old wooden paddle has its song./ Mom ties her apron around her middle;/ Pop makes music from his trusty fiddle./
/ Late in the day apple butter is ready/ Into glass jars the table holds steady,/ Upon the shelves in a beautiful row,/ Waiting for hot bread and winter's snow." Rose Burnett, "Apple Butter Time."
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, the Christiansburg group goes to Meadowbrook at 10 a.m. and to English Meadows at 2 p.m.
*Monday, noon, Thanksgiving lunch at White Memorial Church in Shawsville. Bring a friend interested in joining RSVP and a side dish.
* Tuesday, noon, Thanksgiving lunch at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Bring a friend interested in joining RSVP and a side dish.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134
* Thursday, 9:30 a.m., van trip to Abingdon's Barter Theatre to see "Of Mice and Men." Cost: $18.
* Monday, 10 a.m. breakfast at the senior center. Call to register.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Today, 10 a.m.-noon, senior identification cards will be made.
* Thursday, 1 p.m., senior Halloween party.
* Friday, 8:30 a.m., van trip to K&W restaurant in Roanoke for breakfast and shopping at Valley View Mall. Transportation fee: $3 for seniors, $6 for ages 21-54. Call to register.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Thursday, 9:15 a.m., van trip to Mercer Mall in West Virginia.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Attention swimmers: The county supervisors have stopped the swim program until further notice.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Carolyn Duncan, 980-1000:
* Today, 9 a.m.-noon, open house at the senior center to introduce the new director, Dawn Hensley.
Senior shorts
* Senior Group Dances: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m., New River Valley Mall food court. Bring a snack or non-alcoholic drink. Matilda Shumate, 382-6346.
* 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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