Blog archive
April 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
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PETER LAMENDOLA
By Peter M. LamendolaPosted: 10/27/2022
BEYOND THE VILLAGE – PETER LAMENDOLA
Peter Lamendola, a.k.a. Peter El, became a Village member the way many members do – gradually. While he has lived in Pasadena for 30 years, he had never heard of the Village until he saw a photo of Executive Director Katie Brandon on the front page of the Pasadena Weekly. He knew Katie from her work at the Pasadena Museum of History, where he is a long-time volunteer. He enjoyed reading the article and catching up on what Katie was doing.
Then, in May of this year, Peter attended the Senior Resource Fair at Jackie Robinson Center. He stopped by the Pasadena Village booth and talked to a few Village members there. The members invited him to the next “Meet Me at the Village” gathering. Peter took them up on their offer. At that gathering, long-time Village member Peter LeSourd invited Peter El to join his hiking group. Peter El did so and describe the experience thus: “People were so nice. And I love to hike. I felt so lucky to meet these people.”
When Peter El finally joined the Village, Membership Committee member Lora Pride-Harrington called to welcome him. Later that week he attended the Men’s Time breakfast at the Brookside Clubhouse. The influx of new friends from the Village into his life surprised him and gave him a lift.
Peter came to Pasadena when he was 40 years old, armed with his US Green card. Peter believes in America: “America is the beacon of the world. In almost all countries in the world there are lines of people trying to get into America.”
After settling in Pasadena, Peter sought out various jobs, eventually ending up with Bank of America. This job placed him in the call center on Marengo Street, a building with absolutely no windows in it! Peter recalls the building with a rueful laugh. After his stint with B of A, he moved to downtown Los Angeles, where he worked in the foreign currency department, converting the currency into dollars.
Peter has been active in volunteer work. He first became associated with the Pasadena Museum of History in 2001. “I’ve always loved history, so when I saw a flyer about an exhibit at the Museum, I decided to attend.” He loved the Beaux Artes style of the Feynes mansion, home to the Museum. He began volunteering as a gallery host for the rotating exhibitions. With additional training he became a docent and now leads tours of the mansion and grounds. His knowledge of Pasadena runs deep, and his enthusiasm for the history of our city is infectious.
His love of theater led Peter to the Sierra Madre Playhouse, where he ushers and distributes flyers. He says, “I get to see the play for free – and I make friends.”
In addition to his busy volunteer schedule, Peter also has a part-time job. He distributes the weekly Sierra Madre newspaper, the Mountain View news, to stores, businesses, and a few homes. “I enjoy riding around and getting to know the neighborhoods. And I make a little money.”
In his free time Peter savors being outdoors, especially hiking in the local mountains. He loves to read, focusing on history and science. As the years have passed, Peter hasn’t given up his love of learning and engagement with friends. He looks forward to the future, as he joins in Pasadena Village activities while continuing his life “Beyond the Village”.