Stories from a Walnut Creek Seniors Club Van Driver

www.NorthgateLivingCA.com @NorthgateLivingCA #NorthgateLivingCA

By Frank Napoli, Resident since 1996

’m lucky to be one of several volunteer drivers for the Walnut

Creek Seniors Club. I have the privilege of taking out a WC minivan for several hours on Thursdays to drive seniors to do grocery shopping, or doctor visits, or down to the Community Center for some socializing over myriad of activities. Over the years I have enjoyed the stories that the seniors share with me. Last month I shared some of my favorites; here are two more.

The stories are amazing! Samia Darwish regularly attends Acalanes Adult Education for their art classes. Originally from Cairo, Egypt and raised Muslim, her mom sent Samia to a private Catholic school at age 14 run by nuns. This school had special classes for art students, and Samia’s mother noticed a certain inclination and natural ability in her daughter to draw and use oil paints.

As the story goes, in those days students made their own canvases by buying special material and then hire a carpenter to stretch it on a wooden frame. They then would add a special product to the canvas in order to make the paint adhere to the surface. A lot different than today where you can just go into an art supply store and buy any number of ready-made framed canvases.

This artist painted over two hundred oil paintings when she lived in Chicago. The paintings remained in Chicago when she moved to California many years ago. Lately Samia finds a lot of enjoyment working in colored pencils.

And finally, there is the story of Edward (Eddy) Rettagliata, born and raised in the Bay area in 1934 (85 years-old). Eddy played Triple AAA baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

He was being heavily recruited by major league teams at the ripe age of 19, a 2nd baseman who could turn a double-play with blinding speed. Of course, baseball players didn’t earn what they can command today, and there was a lot of bus rides to different ballparks to deal with. Eddy was dating is current wife, Marline, whose dad was the owner/founder of Colombo Bakery in Oakland, opening its doors in 1896 and famous for its sourdough bread. As much as Eddy loved playing baseball, the reality was that he could not earn enough money to raise a family, even holding a second job during the off season as many ballplayers did at the time. So, Eddy took the sure bet and went to work at the bakery earning much more money without the hassle of the constant travel and never looked back.

Even after Eddy took a full-time position at Colombo and was doing well, he was still being pursued by major league teams – such was the talent of this senior.

The stories are endless and serve as a valuable lesson to those of us who have come after. At the risk of sounding preachy, I get to hear about a common value system absent from today’s society. These seniors seemed to share a sense of personal responsibility contrasted with the age of blame we live in today. Their sense of humility, dignity and modesty is admirable. And their selfless work ethic exemplifies what today’s parents should instill in every child. Great role models. It’s no wonder they are referred to as the “The Greatest Generation.”

How to sign up to volunteer: Part of staying socially active includes volunteering at special events. There are positions such as a receptionist at the Community Center or transportation program driver and others. If interested, just call 925-943-5852 to learn about current openings and to receive an application form. You can also reach out with ideas, feedback, and questions via email to recreation@walnut-creek.org.