Blog archive
May 2024
Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
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
Ping Pong Pals
By Sue AddelsonPosted: 10/23/2023
Be warned. If you walk into the Village conference room on a Monday or Thursday between 2:00 and 3:30, open the door slowly. Some of our Ping Pong Pals (I promised not to name names) have been known to ricochet balls off the table, ceiling and, yes, even the doors.
The doors are surprisingly soundproof; but open one just a crack and you’ll hear the rapid-fire POP! POP! POP! of the ball hitting paddles; soon followed by the softer PING, PING, PING as the ball bounces across the floor. Then comes a chorus of loud cheers, or groans, or both, from people playing as well as the players in waiting. Throughout all this, there’s endless friendly banter among the group —a mix of teasing, joking and encouragement.
Lately, as many as nine, 10 or more players come to play. They play doubles and rotate partners, so everyone plays with everyone else. They play to 11, so the games go fast and everyone gets as much playing time as they want.
When Toni Johnson plays, which is as often as she can, she grabs a black marker and lists all the players names on a sheet or easel. She adds checkmarks to track the number of games each person plays. They don’t track wins and losses. It’s not about winning. It’s about having fun.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t playing to win. Teri Schwartz brings her own paddle and takes lessons from time to time. Tom Polenzani spins his serve; Dave Folz has a trick serve—hard to return—when he gets it on the table.
However, serving and returning serves doesn’t seem to be the biggest problem. The rule in doubles is that the two partners take turns hitting the ball—no matter where it lands on the table. The serve switches back and forth between opponents, and there’s a specific rotation between partners for serving. The four players are in constant motion. The hardest part of the game, and the only cause of disagreements, is remembering the score and whose turn it is to serve.
One of our founding Villagers (I was sworn to secrecy) donated the table soon after the office opened, against the better judgment of other Villagers (not telling) who insisted the room is too small. The room definitely is too small for a serious game of ping pong, but just the right size for a not-at-all-serious afternoon of exercise, friendship and laughter.