Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Seniors compete for dessert honors
4-line readin goes here.
RADFORD - Radford resident Charmaine Rector knew she had an award-winning pie months before she entered and won a dessert contest at the Radford Senior Center on Wednesday.
At her family reunion in Grayson County last August, she tasted her sister-in-law's coconut and caramel pie. Rector's daughter tried it, too, and told her mother that the dessert was destined for a blue ribbon. The recipe - from a country cooking magazine - was the obvious choice for Rector to enter in the senior center's first dessert contest, organized by Radford University recreation students. "We wanted to do something original, and seniors like to cook," said RU student Alexa Dolan, who was wearing a circle skirt to go along with the 1950s diner theme. The students organize a program at the senior center every year as a class project.
Four RU students served as the judges and voted on first, second and third places, plus awards for "best looking," "people's choice" and "most creative" desserts. Radford senior Barbara Chicaps took home second place for her "death by chocolate" cake, Alene McGuire's cherry cheesecake won third place, Alma Harrison's cherry angel food cake won "best looking," Pearl Dokaria's apple butter turnovers won "people's choice" and Ester Cuy's lime, lemon and strawberry layered Jell-O won "most creative."
RU student Matthew Powers tried each of the 28 dessert entries.
"We got the good job. I think 'death by chocolate' is the best one," he said.
Other RU students served a spaghetti dinner to about 50 seniors before the contest, and more students announced the winners of the contest and kitchen-themed door prizes.
After the winners were announced, the seniors tried all the desserts. Dan Sayers had three or four samples on his plate.
"I tried the first-place winner, but I don't know which is the best. They're all good and hard to beat," he said.
Rector won that blue ribbon that her daughter predicted, as well as an apron proclaiming her win, a cookbook and - appropriately enough - a pie server. She is an experienced chef and spent a decade in the kitchen at a nursing home where she made desserts as well as meals.
"I kind of had a feeling I might win," she said.
Joyce Simpkins gave perhaps the best compliment to Rector.
"I want the recipe," she said.Other news
and activities
The Blacksburg Senior Center will offer an eight-week French class from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning today. $30 residents, $40 nonresidents. Register by calling 961-1134.
The Radford Senior Center is offering a free photo quilting class at 1 p.m. Friday. Instructor is Marie Archer. Preregister at the center or call 731-5517.
A workshop on health care benefits under the new Medicare Modernization Act will be held 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 9 at New River Community College, Edwards Hall, Dublin. Health services professionals will speak and answer questions on increased Medicare pay to rural doctors and hospitals, new prescription drug benefits for low-income and elderly recipients and prescription medicine coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.
Register by noon Monday for the Pulaski Senior Center sub sandwich luncheon to be held at noon March 10. $3 includes sandwich, chips, dessert and drink. 994-8627.
The NRV Chapter 1134 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees will meet at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at Stone's cafeteria, Roanoke Road, Christiansburg. Guest speaker is Janice Woodard, retired Virginia Tech Extension home management and household equipment specialist, who will speak about her visit to Cuba. Coffee time begins at 10 a.m. Spouses, guests and federal employees welcome. For more information, call 951-2740.
AARP volunteers are providing free income tax help at area senior centers. Call to make an appointment.
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Area senior centers and volunteer programs offer a variety of services, including crafts, dinners, seminars, picnics and trips. Most have newsletters and calendars listing monthly services and happenings. Contact each center for information.
Blacksburg Senior Programs: Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive, Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
Christiansburg Senior Center: 1600 N. Franklin St., Tammy Caldwell, 382-2349.
Floyd RSVP: 323 Floyd Highway, PO Box 849, Judy Weitzenfeld, 745-2105.
Giles County Senior Center: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Faith Plummer, 921-3924.
Giles RSVP: 1410 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Barbara Guthrie, 921-2037.
Montgomery County and Radford RSVP: Health and Human Services Building, 210 Pepper St., Christiansburg, Angela Little, 382-5775.
Pulaski County RSVP: 106 N. Washington Ave., Ava Stilwell, 980-3969.
Pulaski Senior Center: 106 N. Washington Ave., Barbara Barnett, 994-8627.
Radford Senior Center: 200 George St., Audrey Caldwell, 731-5517.
Senior Shorts
Adult day care: At Virginia Tech, certified by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, 231-3161.
Bingo: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., community room, New River Valley Mall. Prizes are awarded; all games cost $2.
The Center for Rehabilitation and Development: Offers various types of physical, occupational and speech therapies that include aquatic therapy, balance retraining and rehabilitation for patients who have suffered a stroke or have osteoporosis, 961-1230.
Easy motions: Less strenuous exercise class. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. in multipurpose room 2A, Christiansburg Recreation Center. A doctor's note and registration are required, 382-2349.
Fit Over 50: Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Senior Center offers several fitness programs, 961-1134.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge: Volunteer consumer-rights advocacy group that provides information about options available for funeral and other end-of-life arrangements, www.funerals.org/fcavbr, 953-5589.
Gospel Singing: Public invited monthly for gospel singing on the following schedule: first Sundays, 2 p.m. at Highland Ridge Nursing Home, Dublin; first Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. at the Christiansburg Recreation Center, senior activities area; and first Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at Wheatland Retirement Center, Christiansburg. Musicians and singers welcome. Bench warmers and listeners, too. Call Mary Dotson, 382-8543.
Healthy Backs: Focus on regaining or maintaining muscular strength, flexibility, balance and a back free of pain and stiffness. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:20 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. at the Blacksburg Senior Center. Call Jocy Surface, 558-0759.
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.
Meals on Wheels: Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, United Way and Radford Department of Welfare and Social Services, 731-2426.
National Association of Senior Friends: Seniors 50 and older may receive national and local benefits from membership in the Montgomery Regional Hospital Chapter. Contact Betty Jahn, 953-5291.
New River Fitness and Recreation Center: Senior Shape-up Class and individualized programs for seniors of all fitness levels and/or with various health conditions. Nonmembers receive free trial membership, 633-0859.
New River Valley Agency on Aging: Assistance with understanding Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance. For information, call 639-9677 or 980-7720.
Senior aerobics: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7:30 a.m., multipurpose rooms 2A and 2B, Christiansburg Recreation Center. A doctor's note and registration are required, 382-2349.
Senior dances: Weekly dances on Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m. in the New River Valley Mall community room. For information, call 387-3846, 382-7422 or 552-3774.
Senior Support Services LLC provides customized companion care. Services include transportation, errands, laundry, light housekeeping, meals, grooming and bathing and other special needs. Call 731-1776 or visit www.senior-support-services.com.
Stretch for a Healthy Back: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:15 a.m., Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Senior Center, 961-1134.
Therapeutic Exercise and Community Health Center at Virginia Tech: Offers various programs, including aquatic exercise and fitness swimming, cardiac rehabilitation and health and fitness evaluations and consultations. Call 231-3487 or 231-7277.
Walk-a-roos/Senior walking club: Walk regularly and individually. Thursdays, 8 a.m. at Hardee's on U.S. 460, Christiansburg.
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Project: second Tuesdays, 10 a.m. at the Blacksburg Senior Center; second Wednesdays, 10 a.m. at the Christiansburg Senior Center; second Mondays, 1 p.m. at the Radford Senior Center; Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment at the Pulaski Agency on Aging, 980-7720.
Viva Club: Offers health screenings, insurance assistance and physician referral, 731-2572.
At her family reunion in Grayson County last August, she tasted her sister-in-law's coconut and caramel pie. Rector's daughter tried it, too, and told her mother that the dessert was destined for a blue ribbon. The recipe - from a country cooking magazine - was the obvious choice for Rector to enter in the senior center's first dessert contest, organized by Radford University recreation students. "We wanted to do something original, and seniors like to cook," said RU student Alexa Dolan, who was wearing a circle skirt to go along with the 1950s diner theme. The students organize a program at the senior center every year as a class project.
Four RU students served as the judges and voted on first, second and third places, plus awards for "best looking," "people's choice" and "most creative" desserts. Radford senior Barbara Chicaps took home second place for her "death by chocolate" cake, Alene McGuire's cherry cheesecake won third place, Alma Harrison's cherry angel food cake won "best looking," Pearl Dokaria's apple butter turnovers won "people's choice" and Ester Cuy's lime, lemon and strawberry layered Jell-O won "most creative."
RU student Matthew Powers tried each of the 28 dessert entries.
"We got the good job. I think 'death by chocolate' is the best one," he said.
Other RU students served a spaghetti dinner to about 50 seniors before the contest, and more students announced the winners of the contest and kitchen-themed door prizes.
After the winners were announced, the seniors tried all the desserts. Dan Sayers had three or four samples on his plate.
"I tried the first-place winner, but I don't know which is the best. They're all good and hard to beat," he said.
Rector won that blue ribbon that her daughter predicted, as well as an apron proclaiming her win, a cookbook and - appropriately enough - a pie server. She is an experienced chef and spent a decade in the kitchen at a nursing home where she made desserts as well as meals.
"I kind of had a feeling I might win," she said.
Joyce Simpkins gave perhaps the best compliment to Rector.
"I want the recipe," she said.Other news
and activities
The Blacksburg Senior Center will offer an eight-week French class from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning today. $30 residents, $40 nonresidents. Register by calling 961-1134.
The Radford Senior Center is offering a free photo quilting class at 1 p.m. Friday. Instructor is Marie Archer. Preregister at the center or call 731-5517.
A workshop on health care benefits under the new Medicare Modernization Act will be held 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 9 at New River Community College, Edwards Hall, Dublin. Health services professionals will speak and answer questions on increased Medicare pay to rural doctors and hospitals, new prescription drug benefits for low-income and elderly recipients and prescription medicine coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.
Register by noon Monday for the Pulaski Senior Center sub sandwich luncheon to be held at noon March 10. $3 includes sandwich, chips, dessert and drink. 994-8627.
The NRV Chapter 1134 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees will meet at 10:30 a.m. March 11 at Stone's cafeteria, Roanoke Road, Christiansburg. Guest speaker is Janice Woodard, retired Virginia Tech Extension home management and household equipment specialist, who will speak about her visit to Cuba. Coffee time begins at 10 a.m. Spouses, guests and federal employees welcome. For more information, call 951-2740.
AARP volunteers are providing free income tax help at area senior centers. Call to make an appointment.
n n
Area senior centers and volunteer programs offer a variety of services, including crafts, dinners, seminars, picnics and trips. Most have newsletters and calendars listing monthly services and happenings. Contact each center for information.
Blacksburg Senior Programs: Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive, Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
Christiansburg Senior Center: 1600 N. Franklin St., Tammy Caldwell, 382-2349.
Floyd RSVP: 323 Floyd Highway, PO Box 849, Judy Weitzenfeld, 745-2105.
Giles County Senior Center: 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Faith Plummer, 921-3924.
Giles RSVP: 1410 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, Barbara Guthrie, 921-2037.
Montgomery County and Radford RSVP: Health and Human Services Building, 210 Pepper St., Christiansburg, Angela Little, 382-5775.
Pulaski County RSVP: 106 N. Washington Ave., Ava Stilwell, 980-3969.
Pulaski Senior Center: 106 N. Washington Ave., Barbara Barnett, 994-8627.
Radford Senior Center: 200 George St., Audrey Caldwell, 731-5517.
Senior Shorts
Adult day care: At Virginia Tech, certified by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, 231-3161.
Bingo: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., community room, New River Valley Mall. Prizes are awarded; all games cost $2.
The Center for Rehabilitation and Development: Offers various types of physical, occupational and speech therapies that include aquatic therapy, balance retraining and rehabilitation for patients who have suffered a stroke or have osteoporosis, 961-1230.
Easy motions: Less strenuous exercise class. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. in multipurpose room 2A, Christiansburg Recreation Center. A doctor's note and registration are required, 382-2349.
Fit Over 50: Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Senior Center offers several fitness programs, 961-1134.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge: Volunteer consumer-rights advocacy group that provides information about options available for funeral and other end-of-life arrangements, www.funerals.org/fcavbr, 953-5589.
Gospel Singing: Public invited monthly for gospel singing on the following schedule: first Sundays, 2 p.m. at Highland Ridge Nursing Home, Dublin; first Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. at the Christiansburg Recreation Center, senior activities area; and first Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at Wheatland Retirement Center, Christiansburg. Musicians and singers welcome. Bench warmers and listeners, too. Call Mary Dotson, 382-8543.
Healthy Backs: Focus on regaining or maintaining muscular strength, flexibility, balance and a back free of pain and stiffness. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:20 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. at the Blacksburg Senior Center. Call Jocy Surface, 558-0759.
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.
Meals on Wheels: Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, United Way and Radford Department of Welfare and Social Services, 731-2426.
National Association of Senior Friends: Seniors 50 and older may receive national and local benefits from membership in the Montgomery Regional Hospital Chapter. Contact Betty Jahn, 953-5291.
New River Fitness and Recreation Center: Senior Shape-up Class and individualized programs for seniors of all fitness levels and/or with various health conditions. Nonmembers receive free trial membership, 633-0859.
New River Valley Agency on Aging: Assistance with understanding Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance. For information, call 639-9677 or 980-7720.
Senior aerobics: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7:30 a.m., multipurpose rooms 2A and 2B, Christiansburg Recreation Center. A doctor's note and registration are required, 382-2349.
Senior dances: Weekly dances on Saturdays, 6 to 9 p.m. in the New River Valley Mall community room. For information, call 387-3846, 382-7422 or 552-3774.
Senior Support Services LLC provides customized companion care. Services include transportation, errands, laundry, light housekeeping, meals, grooming and bathing and other special needs. Call 731-1776 or visit www.senior-support-services.com.
Stretch for a Healthy Back: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:15 a.m., Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Senior Center, 961-1134.
Therapeutic Exercise and Community Health Center at Virginia Tech: Offers various programs, including aquatic exercise and fitness swimming, cardiac rehabilitation and health and fitness evaluations and consultations. Call 231-3487 or 231-7277.
Walk-a-roos/Senior walking club: Walk regularly and individually. Thursdays, 8 a.m. at Hardee's on U.S. 460, Christiansburg.
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Project: second Tuesdays, 10 a.m. at the Blacksburg Senior Center; second Wednesdays, 10 a.m. at the Christiansburg Senior Center; second Mondays, 1 p.m. at the Radford Senior Center; Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment at the Pulaski Agency on Aging, 980-7720.
Viva Club: Offers health screenings, insurance assistance and physician referral, 731-2572.
