Blog archive
March 2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
A pen pal in Brooklyn
By Blog MasterPosted: 05/01/2021
by
Karen Bagnard
She’s blonde, vivacious, outspoken and can work magic with a band saw and a scroll saw! She’s a working artist in Brooklyn. She’s also 92 and my wonderful pen pal! Her name is Bernette Rudolph. Go to her website to learn more and see her fantastic art at bernetterudolph.com.
I am one of eleven Village members with pen pals. I sent a letter to Bernette via “snail mail” introducing myself as an artist, mother, grandmother, and telling her about my community. I told her about the coyotes that howl their beautiful howls at night and the other wildlife we sometimes see here. I told her about my drawing and my card business.
As I was writing my introduction letter, she was writing hers. She told me about her family and her passion for lines and wood and how she converted her six-room apartment in Park Slope into her studio and gallery, reserving some rooms for her living space.
Both letters were mailed on the same day!
From that auspicious beginning we have continued to write and to email, as well. Recently I attended her Open Studio interview on Zoom. Several members of Pasadena Village attended as well. Now, Bernette has invited me to visit her in Brooklyn where she said she would like to “show me the town.” What a lovely offer!
Since traveling to Brooklyn isn’t possible for me right now, I invited her to have coffee with me so we could do a “show and tell” on Zoom. She accepted and we figured out a good time for a late morning coffee for me and an early afternoon coffee for her, after all there’s a 3-hour time difference. Our visit was so natural and so engaging. She feels like an old friend. Bernette tells me this is called “bashert” in Yiddish, meaning “meant to be.”
Artists need each other. We inspire each other and we speak a similar language. Bernette is gold in my life. She sets an example of how to be 92 and do it right. She’s surrounded by young friends, old friends, creative energy and a vibrant passion for her work. “Snail mail” has its charm but I’m also glad we can supplement it with emails and Zoom, as well.
Bernette has a blended family and is interested in issues of race in America. She showed me a picture of her with her beautiful brown great grandchildren. I’ve invited her to join our 1619 Project Discussion group and hope that she will join in our conversations.
The power of the pen is mighty, indeed!