This blog is dedicated to the memory of my swim pal Paul Piaskowy who sadly passed away last week. Paul suffered a debilitating stroke in April of 2023 and I got to visit and bring him take-out food a few times while he was in nursing home care. Paul lived a very full, varied and interesting life and I have great memories of our times together at East End Pool. My prayers and condolences go to his longtime companion Jill Bennis and his loving kids and grandkids. God bless you ‘Pia.’
REMEMBERING MY FRIEND PAUL PIASKOWY IN BETTER TIMES.
The swim season at East End Pool in Elmhurst is over. There’s something sad about making that final exit out of the water, toweling off and walking out to my car in the parking lot for the last time of the summer. Now my pool tote bag is packed away, ditto for my beach towel and sunscreen. Bummer.
FEW FEELINGS ARE AS GOOD AS WALKING UP TO THIS ENTRANCE AND PREPPING FOR A DAY IN THE POOL.
Still, it was a fun few months in the water. My summer ‘’family” grew as I did countless walking laps in the water with among others, Peggy, Mary Ellen, Kiki, Barb, two Lindas, two Carols, two Joannes, two Kathys, Judy, Margie, Diane, her husband Danny and her daughter Amber, Jim, Joe, Melissa, Connie along with Eileen, Martha, Patrick, Lauren and others whose names escape me. We’d talk about everything from movies, sports, music, along with good places to eat, family activities and local happenings in Elmhurst. There’s never a lull in our conversations, that’s for sure!
I got to spend more time with Luca (a frequent pool goer) who is a 24 year old young man with special needs and his wonderful caregiver Taylor. Taylor is a fantastic woman who takes Luca out to lots of events in Elmhurst and Chicago. Just this summer Taylor and Luca saw the Def Leppard, Journey & Steve Miller concert at Wrigley Field along with shows taken in at Northerly Island and Lollapalooza. Luca also got out to bars in Wrigleyville and took in art shows at various locales. That guy had a busier summer than me, that’s for sure.
This year, each season pool pass owner got four free guest passes to include pals at East End, I used three of mine and hope to use all four next year. I spent some days doing double pool sessions, taking in early morning laps from 7 a.m. til 8:30 then returning at noon for water walking with the ladies. I hope to do those double session days more often next summer.
CROWDED WATERS AT EAST END POOL ON HOT SUMMER DAYS.
You might wonder, what is it that makes me enjoy East End Pool so much? Hard to say. I’m an Aquarius which is a water sign and my parents said I really took to lake waves and bathtub time when just a baby, so there’s that. The camaraderie with so many folks of varying ages is a big part of it and then there’s that calming sensation of floating, swimming and sunning in the way too short summer. Getting a nice dark tan is an added plus while I’m getting in my much-needed exercise.
My swim pal Jim says I’m such a known fixture at East End that I’m the mayor of the place. I don’t know about that. Maybe more of an ambassador, advocate for pool fun and the guy who suggests improvements to the Elmhurst Park District. (And the EPD listens and acts on many of my ideas) Several of the East End managers know me by name and I’ve never introduced myself to them. So maybe “honorary mayor” works out.
POOL SELFIE TAKEN ON THE NEXT TO LAST DAY OF THE SEASON.
This fall, I want to continue my swimming and plan to re-sign up at the Courts Plus Gym. It’s a five-minute drive from my house and if planned properly, I think I can get in three to four days of laps in their pool per week. Still, nothing beats the time spent outdoors at East End. I’m hoping for a calm and fast winter and early spring, then we’ll be back for another season. It’s just eight and a half months away.
Next blog- When I know, you’ll know.