ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997 TAG: 9702190073
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: for seniors
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
When a group of seniors visited a second-grade class at Margaret Beeks Elementary School on Monday, the kids quickly got down to the business at hand. In no time, they were playing with the games and working with the crafts the seven seniors had brought along.
But introductions weren't necessary. Thanks to electronic-mail messages the kids and the seniors have been sending each other for five months, they already knew each other.
In the conversations, the children and the seniors talked about hobbies and games, traditions, holidays and memories - a different topic each month. The children composed their own messages, and volunteers or college students typed them into one of three computers in the classroom. Then the seniors would reply.
In one message, Phyllis Hurd, who lives in Blacksburg, told about a memory of when she was in second grade. A teacher at her school made a post office out of a big cardboard box. Each student had his or her own post office box, and everyone could send and receive letters. "Can you imagine how amazed the boys and girls of that time would be with our e-mail?" Hurd asked in her message.
In another she told about how gathering pine cones is something she has done around Thanksgiving for as long as she can remember. Then she wrote, "It seems to me that our likes and dislikes change through the years, yet we often keep one particular activity. I have always loved reading, and I think of it as a very special time. Did you notice that all your senior friends list reading as an interest?"
The project was the brainchild, in part, of David Carter-Tod, a doctoral student in instructional technology at Virginia Tech. While e-mail has been around long enough for elementary school students to be matched with seniors throughout the world, what is unique about the Blacksburg project is that the children and the seniors live in the same town. Carter-Tod's goal and research emphasis was helping the participants "realize that they live in the same community."
The students will stay in touch with their local senior friends. Part of Monday's visit was spent brainstorming topics for future conversations. And plans are afoot for a springtime picnic for the children and their electronic pen pals.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 9 a.m., volunteers will work on the Commissioner of Revenue mailing. At 10 a.m., both Christiansburg groups will go to the SHARE warehouse.
* Thursday, 9 a.m., trip to K&W cafeteria in Roanoke. Leave from the courthouse.
* Monday, 2 p.m., the Shawsville group will go to English Meadows. The quilters will meet at 9 a.m.
* Tuesday, 2 p.m., the Warm Hearth group will host the Brookmeade Valentine and birthday reception.
Volunteers are needed for the Radford Humane Society and in the RSVP office. Also, bring your donations for the upcoming yard sale to the RSVP office or call for pick up.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-113:
* Today, 9 a.m., trip to Roanoke malls. The trip fee is $3. Call to register.
* Thursday, 10 a.m., the "News and Views" discussion group will host Suzanne Nagel from Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital, who will talk about "What is Columbia Health Care and How Does it Affect You?"
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Thursday, 1-4 p.m. free tax assistance.
* Friday, 5:30 p.m., trip to see "Steel Magnolias" in Blacksburg. Trip and ticket: $7 for seniors, $10 for ages 21-54. Leave from the National Guard Armory.
* Monday, 11:30 a.m., lunch and slide show. Bring an item for the Hobo soup.
* Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., "Don't Be Ripped Off" seminar.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634.
* Today, 12:30 p.m., AARP potluck dinner.
* Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, free blood pressure clinic.
* Monday, 10 a.m., the widow support group will meet.
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.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Dawn Hensley, 980-1000:
* Today, 9 a.m.-noon, tax aide workshop.
* The Pulaski Senior Center offers a variety of events and activities for senior citizens. Call for details.
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: Long : 103 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF. Phyllis Hurd and friend workby CNBwith second-graders on the computer at Margaret Beeks Elementary
School.