ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 23, 1997 TAG: 9704230027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: TOM ANGLEBERGER THE ROANOKE TIMES
Retired professor to sign copies of his new novel on Saturday.
Retirement has given Dean Hummel a chance to write about his memories of growing up among the Amish in Ohio.
During his professional career, Hummel received a lot of attention for a textbook he wrote about children. Now he hopes to find an audience for a very different book.
The former Virginia Tech professor has recently published "Jonah: An Amish Love Story," a fictional story based on the real people who have shared his life.
"I hit on the idea of creating this super guy, Jonah, a composite of four Amish [men]," says Hummel, who is the basis for a character himself. Hummel grew up with these people in Charm, Ohio, an area heavily populated with Amish.
The book explores Amish culture, old-fashioned love and a subject that Hummel knows well - the pain of losing a child. Just like Jonah, Hummel lost his daughter while she was still a young girl.
"I've been trying for a number of years to find some vehicle to tell her story," he says. He believes it is a story others will want to hear. Already he has heard from people deeply moved by the book.
Hummel says it is not easy to publish such a book, especially when one is not an established fiction writer. However, he is ready to give it another try. He is planning to write a series of mystery stories set in Amish country, beginning with a book called "The Buggy Ride."
When Hummel's textbook was published he went on a book tour and even appeared on "The Merv Griffin Show." This book is being published with less fanfare, but, Hummel will be signing copies of "Jonah: An Amish Love Story" at University Volume II Bookstore at 2 p.m. Saturday. The store is in the University Mall along University City Boulevard in Blacksburg.
Special events:
Programs on insurance, facilities and other health care issues will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the New River Valley Mall Community Room.
The Montgomery County Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a trip to the Waccamaw Pottery, April 24. To register call 382-6976.
This week's events
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, Health and Human Services Building, 210 Pepper St., Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
Today, 10 a.m., both Christiansburg groups will go to the SHARE warehouse in Pulaski to bag groceries and have lunch out.
Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. volunteers are needed at the Courthouse Annex to prepare yard sale items.
Monday, 10 a.m., the Shawsville Group will go to Shawsville Primary School for Kids 'n' Crafts. At 9 a.m.; the Quilters will work on the quilt.
Tuesday, 2 p.m., The Warm Hearth Group will host the Brookmeade birthday reception.
RSVP is collecting items for its Spring Yard Sale. Call to arrange a van to pick up donations.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-113:
Today, 10:30 a.m., trip to Blue Ridge Parkway and The Woodberry Inn.
Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Jim Moore discusses "How Your Red Cross Works."
Tuesday, 1 p.m., Old-Fashioned Cake Walk.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St., Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
Today, 9:15 a.m., mall movies.
Friday, 8:30 a.m., trip to Pence Springs Hotel in West Virginia.
Monday, 8:30 a.m., walk on Huckleberry Trail.
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634.
Thursday, 10 a.m., free movie, "An Affair to Remember."
Friday, 9:30 a.m., trip to Mount Airy, N.C.
The Radford Senior Center offers a variety of classes, events and social activities each week. Call for details.
Rummage sale items are needed for a fund-raiser. Call for details.
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, 994-8627:
Today, 1 p.m., Quilting.
Thursday, noon, potluck picnic at gazebo.
Tuesday, 9 a.m., trip to Farmer's Market Downtown Roanoke.
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.
Short- and long-term care. Interim Health-Care: 381-2757.
Extended and 24-hour medical and rehabilitation care. Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital: 953-5320 or 953-5352. Carilion Radford Community Hospital: 731-2557.
Meals-on-Wheels. Carilion Radford Community Hospital, United Way and Radford Department of Welfare and Social Services: 731-2562.
Adult day care. At Virginia Tech, certified by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services: 231-3161.
Nursing care, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Montgomery Regional Health Services. 953-5237 or (800) 678-0648.
Pulaski YMCA fitness. 980-3671.
Golden aerobics. Blacksburg Parks and Recreation: 961-1135.
Golden and silver aerobics. Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital Fitness Express: 381-4625 or 953-1044.
Walking Group. Blacksburg Parks and Recreation: 961-1134.
Viva Club. Offers health screenings, insurance assistance and physician referral. Carilion Radford Community Hospital: 731-2558.
Forever Fit. Carilion Radford Community Hospital: 639-3241.
Walking. "Easy Motions" exercise programs, and aerobics. Christiansburg Senior Center: 382-8173.
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Author Dean Hummel with his wife, Jeanette.by CNB