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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MARCH 2018 | 61 Pickleball Club Our October column featured club member Richard Poulin and his intrepid work for Red Cross disaster relief. His assignment had been in Dallas assisting in the aftermath of the severe flooding in southern Texas. Little did he or we realize that soon after rendering faithful service to many Hurricane Harvey victims, Richard would be getting life-saving aid himself. Richard and his wife Betty, enjoying a respite back home in Maine, were tooling down a down east back road when Richard suddenly slumped over the wheel. As Betty was trying to call for emergency help Marcia Scott "just happened" to be approaching on the lonely byway. The only sign of distress was Richard's open driver's door. No one flagged her down, or raised an alarm. There hadn't been time. Marcia wasn't a nurse or medic, she worked for LL Bean. But she knew CPR. And suddenly, there she was, laying Richard across the seat and starting chest compressions. The whole account of Richard's harrowing experience, including being rushed to a country hospital, airlifted to a major facility, and hearing from the doctors just how close he had come to death is one you'll have to hear from this dear couple in person. Suffice to say that Richard not only survived, he thrived. He has been back out on the courts, eager to play and enjoy our sport with his usual élan; although some of us detect a wee bit of an aura about our friend, a serenity beneath his competitive juices that may not have been there before. Later this month, Richard and Betty will return to Maine for a Red Cross Heroes ceremony honoring, among others, Marcia, for her quick thinking, compassionate and capable response to two California transplants in a moment of dire need. Your scribe, for one, is grateful for the opportunities pickleball gives us to meet and get to know people like Richard Poulin. He wants all of us to know his beloved Red Cross offers CPR training and urges we take advantage of learning this life-saving skill. Anytime you want to check out our funny-named game, join us during our authorized club-play times at 8 am Monday, Wednesday and Saturday or call our officers for times and chances to learn: Royce Newman at 769-1103 or Nick Caputo at 255-7841. See you on the courts!