View 2007 AARP Chapter Programs Highlights
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: January 2008
L. to R.: Jo Ann Underwood, Chapter President; Ken Dawson, Chaplain; Dan Fleming, Legislative Chair;
Carl McDaniels, Program Chair; Tina King, Agency on Aging Speaker;
Angela Little, RSVP Agency
Our AARP Chapter began the New Year with our new president, Jo Ann Underwood. Program Highlights included our
Memorial to past members, by Ken Dawson, Chaplain, and a Virginia Legislative update given by Dan Fleming, Legislative Chair. Carl
McDaniels introduced our speaker, Tina King, Executive Director of the New River Valley Agency on Aging, the featured speaker at the first Chapter meeting for 2008.
She reviewed the programs and services of the organization with a power point presentation. A one-page Fact Sheet handout highlighted all the
major activities of the New River Valley Agency on Aging. These services are targeted to area citizens 60 years of age and older who want to
maintain their maximum independence, enhance their quality of life and maintain their dignity. Ms. King was assisted in her presentation
by Janet Brennend, Local Long Term Care Ombudsman. For copies of the Fact Sheet of the NRV Agency on Agency's work, call (540) 980-7720 in Pulaski.
Angela Little, Director of the RSVP of Montgomery County and Radford, brought an exhibit and brochures regarding this organization.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: February 2008
L. to R.: Ken Harrah, Senior Center intern; Angela Little, Chapter Vice President; Michelle Brauns,
NRV Free Clinic Representative;
and Elaine Dowe Carter, Executive Director of the Christiansburg Institute
The February 19th Blacksburg AARP Chapter membership meeting in honor of Black History Month featured a talk by the Christiansburg
Institute's Executive Director Elaine Dowe Carter entitled: "The Past, Present, and Future of the Christiansburg Institute."
The history of the Christiansburg Institute from its founding in 1866 by Charles Schaffer until it closed in 1966 was discussed.
The century of service to students and community was traced in slides and narrative by Ms. Carter. In recent years
Christiansburg Institute alumni have banded together to preserve the facilities and rich heritage of the 100-year-old educational
institution.
The February Table Top Talk was made by Michelle Brauns from the Free Clinic of the New River Valley. This Free Clinic
serves thousands of uninsured individuals of all ages each year. Recently their dental program has been expanding rapidly
due to increased need for such service.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: March 2008
L. to R.: Robert Wright; Tina King; Blacksburg Transit employees; and the Alexanders
The Blacksburg AARP Chapter March program meeting consisted of a panel of speakers regarding transportation for seniors in the New River Valley.
The first speaker was Tina King, Executive Director of the New River Valley Agency on Aging, who spoke on "Meals on Wheels and Medical Transport Services for
Area Seniors." The second speakers were Blacksburg Transit employees who spoke about "Blacksburg Transit (BT) Services for Seniors."
These services include the Blacksburg Access transportation program for physically disabled persons (a bus was parked at the Community Center
for viewing), and the established Town Transit buses scheduled for transporation within the town of Blacksburg. The final speakers were Larry D. Alexander, Associate Professor of Management at Virginia Tech and publisher
of the "Home Sweet Home" Bulletin, and his wife, whose topic was "Area Transportation Resources for Seniors."
The March Table Top Talk was made by Robert Wright of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center. One of their services provides
canes, walkers, crutches and other mobility aids from their BRILC "Loaner Closet."
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: April 2008
L. to R.: Jo Ann Underwood, President; Mary Beth Pulisifer; Dr. Karen Roberto; and Matthew Komelski
The Blacksburg AARP Chapter held a short memorial, conducted by Ken Dawson, to remember the one-year anniversary of the
Tragedy at Virginia Tech. Dr. Karen Roberto, Professor and Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology made a presentation on "Gerontology at Virginia Tech:
Current Research and Resources." The Center is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary of teaching, research and service in 2008.
Director Roberto introduced Matthew Komelski who has been selected the AARP Memorial Doctoral Scholar for 2008-2009.
An expansive display with handouts helped to supplement the main presentation. For further information see their
website at: www.gerontology.vt.edu. The Women's Resource Center in the New River Valley was represented by Mary Beth Pulsifer
for a brief "Table Top Talk and Display." For more information about the Women's Resource Center, see their website:
www.wrcnrv.org. In response to members' concerns about all aspects of health insurance a short additional session was held
from 1:30-2:30PM. The discussion was led by Elyse Polite, Coordinator for the Virginia Insurance Counseling Assistance
Program at the New River Valley Agency on Agency in Pulaski, Virginia.
Photos taken by Bob Abraham and Ben Crawford
|
