ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Ruby Epperly knows road trips. She's the Senior Traveler of the Year for the Christiansburg Department of Parks and Recreation in 1996.
This 76-year-old road warrior traveled 6,884.5 miles on 35 department-sponsored trips last year. That's an average of almost three trips and 575 miles a month.
Her travels took her to places throughout Southwest Virginia, sometimes to shop, sometimes to sightsee, and always to have fun. She also went on trips to neighboring states, including West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.
And Epperly knows fun. Indeed, that's the big reason she went on the trips.
"We laughed and talked on the van. We just had a great time," said Epperly, who received an award for the most miles from the department last week.
The trips give seniors a chance to socialize, and for Epperly to see her sister, who came along on many of the trips.
"That was good for me and her. We're both widows. We live alone. It's good for us to get out and talk and laugh."
The trips, none of which are overnight, also give seniors the chance to get some much-needed shopping done, something that might not be that easy for those who don't own a car or don't drive as comfortably as they used to.
So far this year Epperly has been on one trip, to Denny's restaurant in Roanoke. A trip to Princeton, W.Va., is scheduled for Friday.
The Christiansburg department, and similar departments and senior centers in other area localities, regularly schedule trips to nearby places of interest.
The cost of most trips is an inexpensive transportation fee, plus whatever shopping and eating the participants do.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 10 a.m., the Christiansburg morning group will go to Heritage Hall. The afternoon group will host the English Meadows birthday party at 1:30 p.m.
* Monday, noon, the Shawsville group will have a luncheon at White Memorial Church. Please bring a side dish.
* Tuesday, 2 p.m., the Warm Hearth and McCoy groups will go to Heritage Hall.
Note: volunteers are needed to work four to six hours a week preparing employment listings for unemployed clients. Volunteers are also needed to teach crafts or music to residents of assisted-living communities. Call the RSVP office for information.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-113
* Monday, 10 a.m., free breakfast get-together at the senior center.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Friday, 9:30 a.m. Trip to Princeton, W.Va. Leave from the National Guard Armory. Trip fee: $4 for seniors, $8 for ages 21-54. * Monday, applications are available for the April 19 needlepoint exhibit. Call for information.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, 410 County Road, Christiansburg. Kemvia Adams, 382-6979.
* Saturday, trip to the Hotel Roanoke for the Mardi Gras event, featuring the Charlie Byrd Trio, the Star City Swing Band and a cajun dinner. Fee: $48.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Friday, noon, pizza party at the senior center.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* The Giles Senior Center's new hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center offers a variety of crafts classes, events and social activities each week. Call for details.
* The senior center has a new program: "How to eat a low-fat diet in a high-fat world." The class will meet Feb. 11, Feb. 25 and March 25. Call for information.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Dawn Hensley, 980-1000:
* Friday, volunteer hours are due.
Senior Shorts
* Senior Group Dances: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m., New River Valley Mall food court. Bring a snack or nonalcoholic 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.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Epperlyby CNB