Blog archive
April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
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
Way More Than I Bargained For
By Karen BagnardPosted: 10/17/2020
- Karen Bagnard -
It was nearly six years ago that I visited the Pasadena Village at their monthly Meet Me At The Village coffee event designed for newcomers, vintage members and those who are just curious.
In all honesty, I didn’t think the Village was for me. I didn’t see myself as a “senior.” I still felt young and energetic and I had a full life with friends, family and a small business to run. My daughters were encouraging me to explore new avenues for my life and to get a “plan B” in place for the day my deteriorating eyesight would prevent me from driving.
Sue Kujawa, the Executive Director at that time, would send me emails about these monthly events. I finally gave in and went to one. I almost didn’t go because I was running late and then I had trouble finding the Pasadena Village office. That made me even later. When I finally found it, I was really late but decided to just go on in.
There was the aroma of fresh coffee, coffee cake and the chatter of about a dozen people. I was one of three or four visitors that morning. I felt welcomed and was asked to introduce myself and tell everyone how I learned of this event. Everyone shared their interests and members shared how much the Village meant to them and how it enhanced their lives. Two people in that room have since become my very good friends, Peter LeSourd and Dave Folz.
By the time I left that first coffee gathering, I knew I wanted to be a part of this vibrant community of seniors! I called my daughter in Florida and told her I was going to join and how much fun I had at the coffee. She and my son-in-law gave me my first year’s membership as a Christmas gift that year. Since then, it has been the Christmas gift I give myself each year!
What I found at the Village is so much more than what I bargained for! I have made rich friendships with people I might not otherwise ever have met… people who have lived lives and done things very different than me. I’ve been enriched by their presence in my life. I’ve benefited from the educational programs, social events and focused discussion groups covering foreign affairs, critical issues and social challenges facing our country. I have read books and articles I might not otherwise have paid any attention to. I’ve been inspired to write my memoirs.
We learn together; we laugh together; we cry together; but, most of all, we thrive together. I had no idea, six years ago, how much I needed this!