RADFORD -- If it's the third Wednesday of the month, it's pretty easy to figure where Mary Jane Harmon will be.

The same could be said for at least 60 or 70 others who regularly attend the monthly potluck luncheons of the American Association of Retired Persons in Radford.

The AARP, which boasts more than 2,500 chapters nationwide and beyond, is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for those 50 and older in the United States. Yearly membership in a local chapter is $2.

That's a pittance to Harmon, who became the Radford group's newest president at the first luncheon of 2006 last week, after almost 30 years of involvement.

Gatherings like Wednesday's, in which this year's six other new officers were also sworn after a time of fellowship and eating food prepared by those who attended, make the small fee well worth it.

"It's a great get-together for so many seniors who eat alone and live alone," said Harmon, who has served as vice president the past two years. "It's great for everyone to share their recipes and food. They love to do that."

Also appealing are the benefits AARP provides year-round to its members. Among them are information on public issues of importance such as prescription drug benefits and the opportunity to participate in community service projects.

The biggest of those for the Radford chapter is nonperishable food donations to the Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, an organization that provides free meals to the needy.

Discounts on hotels and car insurance are also provided to many AARP members. With such luxuries available, it's no wonder 92 people signed up for the Radford AARP last year.

"It keeps you young when you're old," said 76-year-old Barbara Phillips, a member for more than 20 years who helps conduct blood pressure screenings for the group on the third Thursday of every month.

The Radford AARP, one of several chapters in the New River Valley, especially focuses on the pragmatic issues that many seniors face with age.

It's not as easy, for instance, for older members to bend over and pick up their shoes off the floor as it would have been several years ago.

Occupational therapist Tonya Davidson, who spoke at the gathering, addressed many practical matters.

"Sometimes as we get older we lose strength and grasp in our hands," she said. "It's hard to hold things. You can get utensils and even garden tools that have big handles on them. If you have a thick handle it makes things a lot easier."

Standing behind a podium, Davidson held up and discussed several devices that could be particularly helpful to seniors.

Devices on display included a "dressing stick" and elastic shoelaces that can be used to help make getting dressed more feasible.

"The whole point is that you want to maintain your independence and not have people do things for you," Davidson said. "You want to keep your role in society. It may take some modification but it's worth it in the long run."

The new chapter president is someone who can relate.

"I had both knees replaced the same day," Harmon said. "I used about every one of those things she had. They are good. It's so remarkable now what they can do."

Senior shorts

Body fat analysis: Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, Christiansburg Recreation Center Senior Activities Room. Free. 382-2349.

Eye Health and Safety Talk: Tuesday, 10:15 a.m., Christiansburg Recreation Center. Speaker is Jessi Martinez. Free. 382-2349.

Bargain Hunt Trip: Tuesday, leave Christiansburg Recreation Center at 9:30 a.m. $5 for town residents; $10, nonresidents. 382-2349.

Bingo Day: Wednesday, 1 to 2 p.m., Town of Pulaski Senior Center. Free. 994-8627.

Free tatting classes: Wednesday, 1 p.m., Radford Senior Center. Instructor is Marie Archer. 731-5517.

Medicare Part "D" Seminar: Thursday, 2 p.m., Montgomery County Government Center, Christiansburg. Those in attendance can learn about Medicare changes and have questions answered concerning the new Medicare Drug Benefit plan. 382-6954.

Tanglewood Mall trip: Thursday, leave Radford Senior Center at 10 a.m. for Roanoke. Shopping followed by lunch on your own at K&W Cafeteria. $2 transportation fee. 731-5517.

Baking class: Friday, 10 a.m., Radford Senior Center. With chef David Knight. $2. 731-5517.

SHARE Floyd deliveries: Friday, New River Community Action Center, Floyd. 745-2102.

Level 1 Essential Latin class: Through Feb. 2, 3 to 4 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. Cost is $4, residents; $8, nonresidents, payable to the town of Blacksburg, plus $28 payable to Sapphire Dance Center. 961-1134.

Country Line Dancing: Through Feb. 2, 2 to 3 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. No experience necessary. Singles and couples. $4, residents; $8, nonresidents, plus $28 payable to Sapphire Ballroom Dance Center. 961-1134.

Seniors art class: Through Feb. 14, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. 961-1134.

NRV Senior Olympic Games: begin in May. Focus is on fun and fellowship rather than competition. Events include softball hit and throw, tennis, miniature golf, bridge, rook, swimming, bowling, croquet, horseshoe, billiards and more. Contact the Pulaski Senior Center. 994-8627.

Free smoke detectors: Offered by Montgomery County fire departments to anyone who needs them. Call your local fire department or Neal Turner, Montgomery County emergency service coordinator, 394-2146.

Personal training and fitness classes: Available at the Blacksburg Senior Fitness Center. Registration is ongoing for Personal Training, Fit over Fifty, Healthy Backs, Pilates for Seniors and Stretch, Balance and Tone classes. Fees vary. 961-1134 or 961-1149.

Card games: Bridge, Mondays, 10 a.m.; canasta, Mondays, 1:30 p.m.; beginning canasta, Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Radford Senior Center. 731-5517.

Novice Knitters: Mondays, 2 to 4 p.m., Blacksburg Senior Center social room. Informal group works on a variety of needle projects. Free. 961-1134.

Duplicate Bridge: Mondays, 12:30 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. Partners required and intermediate to advanced skill levels recommended. 552-5361.

Quilting and Ceramics: Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Radford Senior Center. 731-5517.

Gospel Singing: Public invited monthly for gospel singing of old hymns on the following schedule: first Tuesdays, 10 a.m., at the Christiansburg Recreation Center senior activities area; and first Wednesdays, 2 p.m., at Wheatland Retirement Center, Christiansburg. Musicians and singers welcome. Mary Dotson, 382-8543.

Party Bridge: Second Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and second and fourth Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. 961-1134.

Bingo: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., New River Valley Mall community room, Christiansburg. 382-6346.

Creative Memories: First Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Radford Senior Center. Features scrapbooking with leader Lynn Wright. Supplies available or bring your own. Lunch included for $15. 731-5517.

Radford Chapter AARP Luncheon: Third Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m., Radford Senior Center. A guest speaker will address seniors each month on a topic of interest. 639-4571.

Seniors workshop: Fourth Wednesdays, 9 to 11 a.m., Radford Senior Center. $5 fee. 731-5517.

Blood pressure clinics: First Fridays, 9 to 10 a.m., in the Betty Craig Activity Room of the Radford Senior Center. Blood sugar screenings also offered at Friday clinic. 731-5517.

Easy motions: Less strenuous exercise class. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m., Christiansburg Recreation Center multipurpose room 2A. Doctor's note and registration required, 382-2349.

Walking club and exercise class: Walking club meets weekdays, 6 to 9 a.m. at Central Gym, Pulaski. Free. Exercise class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 9 a.m. Fee is 25 cents per class. 994-8627.

Fun & Fit Fridays: 8 a.m. to noon, at the Blacksburg Senior Center. Billiards, table tennis, shuffleboard, basketball free throws, Frisbee, croquet, horseshoes, bocce and planned outings for other activities. Registration not required. No programs during holiday weeks. 961-1134.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge: Volunteer consumer-rights advocacy group provides information about options available for funeral and other end-of-life arrangements, www.funerals.org/fcavbr. 953-5589.

Intrepid USA Healthcare Services: Provides free, in-home evaluations to determine whether an individual qualifies for professional home-care services such as home health aid, medical social workers and physical therapy under Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance. 961-5464 or (888) 416-1428.

H2U: Seniors 50 and older may receive national and local benefits from membership in the Montgomery Regional Hospital Chapter. Betty Jahn, 953-5291.