June 15, 2026

For those who have ever considered playing volleyball or just want to have fun with a group of fun people, put this activity on your calendar.
I want to introduce Debbie Laughlin who is the PGOSA Volleyball Manager AND a volunteer with the Oceanside Special Olympics. Debbie is an example of how many PGOSA members give countless volunteer hours to the community. Debbie moved to the island 11 years ago and didn’t know anyone, so she joined PGOSA and experienced a group of fabulous people and activities.
She has managed indoor volleyball for 11 years, and for the past 3 years, they have played on the beach in Parksville. That is a well-kept secret (oops…not anymore). She also played slo-pitch for 2 years.

Her work with the Oceanside Special Olympics includes Slo-Pitch, Track and Field, Soccer and Bowling. For the past few years, a group of PGOSA slo-pitch players, first organized by Randy White, host a super-fun yearly competitions with the Special Olympics athletes. Both PGOSA members and the Special Olympic athletes have enjoyed the matches tremendously.
In May, Debbie added another competition to the schedule, and a PGOSA women’s team was assembled by Sue Maltby. I am guilty of letting my imagination get involved and brought tutus and tiaras. You might ask…did the umpires wear a tiara and tutu? The answer is yes to the tutu and no to the tiara (maybe it was a hair thing).
Debbie would like to say…“I am very grateful to Peter Kucey who sadly left us in 2020. Peter provided so much fun, friendship and great activities-we are truly a lucky bunch.”
We are proud of Debbie and all our PGOSA members that give their time and energy to the community.

Post-game team shot from the Special Olympics vs PGOSA. Can you spot the tutu?

President Rita

June 1, 2026

Well let me tell you of my experience with Barb, Lawanna and Alma who are keen volunteers with an abundance of energy. I’ve always considered myself quite energetic and enthusiastic, but I paled in consideration to these ladies. These ladies have one goal in mind and that is to be completely prepared and organized for the first PGOSA Pancake Breakfast of 2026.
How was I to know that the storage room (I didn’t know that PGOSA has a storage room) had to be emptied, cleaned, inventoried and organized. Did I tell you these ladies are keen and on their game. I was hauling out boxes, bins, sports stuff, and stuff that I didn’t even recognize. Thank goodness Jim Powell and some of the husbands were on hand to help.
The organization of the social events takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Organization meetings are happening before June 19th, where I hope I get the task of buying fun aprons for the cooks. I’ve been told that I can be the greeter, but only when I am cleaning up tables. I apologize in advance if I can’t spend too much time yakking, because I am “on probation”. A gentle reminder to me to multi-task will be appreciated. 😉
Please come out to the pancake breakfast and meet Barb, Lawanna and Alma so you can meet these awesome ladies who work tirelessly behind the scenes. And of course…the great food, and Jim’s coffee.
Aren’t you just a little curious about the aprons???

President Rita