Earl Edwards, an IT Specialist at Washington and Lee and long-time friend of MRSC, delivered 9 computers, flat-screen monitors, keyboards and mice (mouses?) along with a laser printer, to replace failed or failing equipment in MRSC’s Computer Lab. These items were replaced at W&L as part of an upgrade program. Earl reformatted each computer’s hard drive, installed operating systems, Microsoft Office, and DeepFreeze, and established the “new” computers’ network. With reliable equipment once again, we can restart our very popular Intro to Computers courses.

YMCA Executive Director Alysan Raymond and MRSC director Jeri Schaff explained that each organization was looking for ways to expand their offerings while staying within fixed – and shrinking – budgets. A chance conversation led to the agreement to “barter” classes.

“Move It or Lose It” classes will be held at Maury River Senior Center, and will be taught by Joy Phelps, a YMCA instructor. Focusing on strength, flexibility and balance, “Move It or Lose It” will help active adults maintain the muscles they need to stay active, help achieve a healthy weight, and prevent falls. This class will use both sitting and standing positions and a minimum of equipment so that participants can duplicate the exercises at home.

“Breakfast for Your Brain” classes will take place at the YMCA, under the direction of Jeri Schaff, MRSC director. By engaging all the senses, “Breakfast for Your Brain” helps to strengthen existing neural connections in the brain, and establish new ones. Research shows that the brain acts much like a muscle; using it makes it stronger, more flexible, and better able to recover from injury. “Breakfast for Your Brain” relies on activities undertaken outside of class for much of its success, and participants will be given “homework” such as learning to do one new activity in the following week.

While attendees and instructors can expect to sweat (physically or mentally) in these classes, they are meant to be entertaining as well. Past classes have been very enjoyable, with some participants making new friendships that have lasted ever since. Each class relies on interaction among attendees for much of its success.

“Move It or Lose It” classes will be offered at Maury River Senior Center on Wednesdays at 3:15 pm, beginning January 11. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. “Breakfast for Your Brain” classes at the YMCA will take place on Thursdays at 10:00am, beginning January 16.

These classes are offered free of charge, although voluntary donations will be gratefully accepted. Advance registration is not required, but participants must attend the first class to be able to continue. Classes are subject to cancellation is sufficient enrollment is not achieved.

For more information about “Move It or Lose It” and “Breakfast for Your Brain” interested persons should call Maury River Senior Center at 261-7474.

“This is becoming a tradition for us” said Mike Hamilton. Each year for the past several years Mike and his wife Lori have displayed their entire collection for people to learn and enjoy at the Maury River Senior Center.

The collection is vast and gets bigger each year. The collection includes numerous display boards with original and copied photographs, original maps, promotional booklets, invoices and letterheads, architectural pieces from buildings long gone, calendars and much more.

Some of the Hamiltons’ newest acquisitions include an original 1890’s to 1910 “Buena Vista Saddle” made in Buena Vista VA, a piece of railroad rail from the “Dinky” and a Buena Vista Attorney’s collections logbook from the early 1900’s.

The Hamiltons will display their collection at the Maury River Senior Center on “Mountain Day” October 8, 2011 and the viewing times will coincide with the hours of the festival, 10 am-4 pm.

If anyone has Buena Vista memorabilia items they would like to donate, sell or share with the Hamiltons’ collection, please contact Mike Hamilton at 540-460-1729.

The evaluation involves a 2-3 hour visit at the University of Virginia’s Driving Safety Laboratory involving assessment of vision, physical and mental abilities, driving knowledge and driving simulation performance.

Individuals who are legally able to complete on-road testing will also complete an on-road test at a separate site and day. From this assessment, a written report will be generated to be given to and reviewed with the patient.

For more information, call the Virginia Driving Safety Laboratory at 434-924-5314.