Blog archive
June 2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Literary Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Rumor of Humor #15
05/28/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
Issue #7
03/31/2023
Issue #6
03/26/2023
Great Decisions update
03/14/2023
Dominion Lawsuit, South Africa and 710 Stub
03/08/2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
Joining the Village..
By Richard MyersPosted: 09/15/2020
Contributed by Leni Fleming
I came into the Village as a volunteer about 5 years ago, with no intention of becoming a member. I was a Home Health RN/Case Manager, and Mike Babcock told me they could really use a volunteer with that particular background “at the Village.”
“What’s the Village?” I said, picturing some quaint, old-English mini-town.
“Have you heard of the Village Movement?” was Mike’s reply. I had not, but the word “Movement” caused the old hippie in me to prick up her ears.
Mike proceeded to explain the Village concept (older adults continue to live in their own homes, forming a community together with the sole purpose of mutual support and friendship). I don’t think I actually levitated, but close to it: I was instantly enthralled, imagining what something like this could do for the seniors I visited in their homes for my job — many of whom were on their own. “I’m at that age when a lot of your friends are gone,” was a common statement. Or “I lost my only sibling last year.” Or “My kids want me to move to be near them, so I’ll have somebody.”
“We have a book club,” Mike told me. “There’s a women’s support group, and one for men. We have art exhibits, walking groups, pot luck dinners at people’s houses. A birdwatching group. Political discussions.”
“Stop, you’re killing me!” I yelled. Ok I didn’t, we were in a nice restaurant, but I was sold.
When I arrived soon thereafter to volunteer, I was added to a committee that gives special attention to Village Members’ well-being: if someone is going through a hard time, we try to find ways to support them. In pre-Covid days we made lots of visits to Villagers’ homes; now we make even more phone calls, we e-mail, we write letters. And this Committee is just one of many at the Village, keeping folks engaged with each other.
Did I say I had “no intention of becoming a member” when I began volunteering? That was true: I volunteered for 3 years before joining. What finally decided me were two things: first, I realized that every time I stopped by the Village I ended up in the most wonderful conversations with whatever random people happened to be there, which invariably improved my day. Second: my mother died, and the outpouring of kindness and affection I received made it clear that these were not just nice, interesting people I volunteered with…but true friends.
And that’s why I joined the Pasadena Village.