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Blog archive

November 2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Villagers Creating Community

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 01/24/2024
Tags: karen bagnard

Individual Villagers are often the ones who create some of the most meaningful gatherings. These are people who simply have an idea and want to include others. Here are some examples:

 

Just before Christmas, Peter Lamendola, one of our newer members, who is an avid hiker and a volunteer driver, put out a message in the weekly Bulletin. He shared that he enjoys driving around and looking at all the amazing Christmas lights and decorations in our local communities. He offered to pick up any other Villagers who might like to join him.

 

I was one of those Villagers who responded with a most definite “YES!” As someone who does not drive, this was a rare and lovely treat. Peter knew all the great places to see spectacular decorations. In the comfort of his cozy car with his permission to bring along a hot drink, I had the pleasure of getting to know two Villagers I did not know before, and it was special, indeed. I suggested he do this again next year.

 

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Wayne April and Jeff Gutstadt decided to stay home for Thanksgiving rather than deal with traffic to get to a family gathering. They decided to invite other Villagers to enjoy dinner in their home, and called it the “Ain’t Got Nowhere to Go” Thanksgiving dinner. 

 

Wayne, a fabulous cook, roasted a turkey and others brought side dishes. The guest list consisted of 13 Villagers, many who had not met each other before. We can only hope that Wayne and Jeff will do this again next year!

 

I’m an early bird and have always enjoyed the quiet beauty of early mornings with a good cup of coffee.  Several months ago I started “Early Bird Coffee” at my home so that I could enjoy this time with Village friends.  While not everyone is clamoring to get up early and join me, it’s a lovely small group of those who do enjoy getting up early. I also enjoy making something good to eat to go with the coffee and others often bring something to share, as well. We gather in my patio on warm days and in my living room or dining room on cold mornings. This has become a monthly gathering for anyone interested.

 

Recently, a newer member, Jane Hufnagel, decided she wanted to participate in the ArroyoFest walk on the Pasadena Freeway.e She thought it would be a fun activity to do with other Villagers and offered it up. A few joined her and enjoyed it immensely. 

 

The Village offers all of us opportunities to bring good company into our lives to share pastimes we enjoy. We are always grateful for that engagement and the initiative taken by our friends.

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