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As Our Organization Grows, Villagers Recall Personal Highlights

By Sue Addelson
Posted: 06/17/2024

Whether you are one of the original founders or just became an official member a few months ago, Pasadena Villagers take pleasure in hearing that our numbers are increasing almost every day. On a personal level, everyone can recall some special times, some new connections that, looking back, make each one glad they joined. Here are a few from this year:

Since joining Pasadena Village earlier this year, Ann Smith and her husband Gary quickly met five fellow Villagers, all of whom live within a couple of blocks of their house. “By this time, we weren’t surprised at how quickly we shared the most hilarious stories of life in Pasadena while growing old. We always are grateful at the level of mutual vulnerability and trust that grows without much effort, based on so many shared hopes and fears. Thank God for the Pasadena Village.”

Over the past year, Dave Folz slowed down his involvement in committees and events. He says he volunteered enough over the past 11 years and now he’s ready to relax and have fun. For him, Thursday ping-pong always delivers on fun. “There is something very irresponsible and childlike in our games. It's very satisfying to play again, and enjoy all the screaming associated with a good shot, and the momentary disappointment of losing a game. All the fun I remember as a kid, but without the arguments. We’ve all grown up. And I've made a lot of new friends that I look forward to seeing each week.” 

The real connection came for Suzi Hoge when she joined the Urban Walking group. At first she was nervous about the three miles. “I tried it once, and I made it. I felt accomplished,” she says. Now, she seldom misses a Friday walk. “Over time you get to chat with many members who are also in many different other groups you can learn about. An added bonus is walking through different neighborhoods in our larger community — Altadena, Eagle Rock, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre; learning history, landmarks, architecture, and plants in addition to learning about my fellow walkers.” 

At first, Peter Lamendola couldn’t choose just one highlight. He mentioned ping- pong, the Men’s Brunch and the hiking group, and especially, the annual activities the Village staff organizes, like the Volunteer Recognition Lunch at Farnsworth Park and the Older Americans Fair at Victory Park. But when push came to shove, he agreed that Ready or Not, a three-day workshop about planning for the inevitable, was his number-one highlight. “It’s not fun but much needed, and something I’ve worried about,” he says. 

Terry Chamorro is absolutely WOWed by the Cultural Explorations Group. She finds the reading material or movies they read and watch in advance of the next meeting interesting. But, it’s the discussions at the small dinner in one Villager’s home that really stand out, “I’ve never been around a group of such bright people. The discussions are wonderfully deep,” she says.

For John Jackson, it’s all about the Urban Walks. " I can't think of a better way to start my Fridays. I go for the camaraderie and can’t imagine what I would do without the stimulating conversations.” John is leading the Kern River trip, which may just top Urban Walks’ next year as a highlight, even if not so “urban.”

After 13 years in the Village, the Village Engagement Team, formerly Membership Committee, continues to hold Rosie Hooper’s attention. She wants every new member to find the Village as much fun and as meaningful as it has been for her. Her message to new members? “Don’t let anything hold you back from jumping into all the things that come to your mind; to determine where you will ‘settle in’ and find an area of the Village to help out. There is much in which to get involved, as well as much to enjoy.”