Blog archive
June 2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Rumor of Humor #16
06/04/2023
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 Liberal 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
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
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”.