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34 | OHCC LIVING | JULY 2025 | Woodchucks Happy Independence Day! Independence Day, often known as the Fourth of July, is the anniversary of the publication of our Declaration of Independence from England in 1776. If that bit of history feels like a surprise, it's easy for the meaning behind the holiday to get lost in the shuff le of parades, fireworks and barbecues. As I am writing this in early June, I am experiencing "June Gloom." We actually had measurable rain with thunder and lightning this week. Hopefully, by the time you're reading this the skies are clear and sunny. With the year already halfway over, the Woodchucks are yet again appealing to residents who may wish to lend a hand in our Annual Toy Drive. You don't need to be an accomplished woodworker to help out. You don't even need to build toys; we are always in need of volunteers to decorate, paint, sew, collect and support the project in many ways. The children of Camp Pendleton benefit from your generosity every year along with the help of the Armed Services YMCA. Speaking of generosity, we want to give a shout out to member Larry Kummer for his efforts making wooden pens. Larry and his lovely wife, Julie, moved to OHCC from Jackson, Wyoming where Larry was an avid downhill skier, local community volunteer and Army veteran. In his spare time, he founded the Jackson Hole Historical Society. Now in his 90s, Larry channels his energy into crafting beautiful wooden pens to donate to the Woodturners! The OHCC Woodchucks Club partners with the San Diego Woodturners and their "Turn Around for Veterans" program teaching woodturning to active and veteran military members. It's a wonderful way to give back and share knowledge with those who've served. If you or someone you know would like to learn to make pens or just try something new, the shop is available for tutoring every Tuesday from 3 to 4:30 pm. No appointment necessary! Written by Larry See On Sun., June 8, members of the Table Tennis Club were treated to an afternoon of high-level training by invited professional coaches Edward Kuo and JiaQi Wu. They started off with an exhibition style demonstration of proper technique by the two of them rallying back and forth in effortless rhythm, seemingly forever. The demonstration of standard strokes and technique was followed by 10-minute evaluation sessions of individual players hitting with a pro, to assess areas needing improvement. Finally, players ready for more intense training lined up for 30 minutes of one-on- one lessons. All are expecting step improvements in their playing ability when they assemble tomorrow in Mykonos Room. Weekly play in the Clubhouse is held on Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. & Sun. On weekdays the default location for the play is Mykonos Room from 1 to 3:30 pm (sometimes it is extended to 8 pm depending on room availability). Play on Sat. and Sun. is typically scheduled in Abravanel Hall from 1 to 8 pm, with blocks of time set aside for beginner and intermediate level instruction, and singles and doubles play for beginner, intermediate and advanced level players. Written by Babu Patrose Table Tennis L to R: Rick Goodin, David Singer, Morey Sherman, and Bob Clarke on the ready, while Bob Foster stands by to step in. Larry Kummer and just some of his pens!