Cue-ties

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many life celebrations, like birthday parties and weddings, have been celebrated quietly, postponed, or canceled.

Dorothy Cronin turned 90 on December 6, 2020. Her friend Judy Cieciwa decided that she would not let the day go by quietly.

Cieciwa said, “Our pool group talked about celebrating this milestone birthday. We decided all to send cards, but I wanted to do more.”

Cronin said, “She came in with flowers, balloons, and candy. I thought I would just wait until next year to have it celebrated. It’s been such a quiet year. I live with my daughter, Mary Ann who is a nurse. She took the day off and we were going to have a tiny celebration, but my dear friend wouldn’t hear of it.”

Cieciwa said, “Our pool group was meeting once a month outdoors at various places. We call ourselves the CUE ties. Dorothy is quite a pool shark.”

How did dhe earn that title?

Cronin giggled and said, “I am not a pool shark. I enjoy playing pool. When I moved here and quit working, I was looking for something to do. We had a pool table, going back about 50 years. My husband and his friends would play. I would practice and practice whenever I could during those years. So, in 2011, I picked up the Lifestyle magazine and found the Cue Club.”

According to Lifestyles, “the Cue Club invites all to join. The Cue Club is geared toward everyone from beginners to sharks. You don’t have to be a Willie Mosconi to have fun playing pool. The Pool Room is located in the Millgrove Building and is open to residents and their guests. Everything you need to enjoy a game of pool, including cues, is available.”

Cronin said, “Unfortunately, the doors have been closed because of the pandemic. I miss the social time with the ladies. We laugh a lot when we get together. It’s a wonderful group of women. I enjoy the time with everyone. I have recruited women to join. When my neighbor across the street moved in, I wanted to get her involved. She seemed shy. I was the one surprised, Barb turned out to be a great player!”

What is Cronin doing to fill that void?

Cronin said, “I talk to my sister, who is 94 and lives in Reno, almost every week. We laugh and joke about our bodies letting us down and we don’t recognize them anymore. I introduced her to Tai Chi.”

Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits, and meditation.

Cronin said, “I love Tai Chi. I started taking classes here in Sun City 7 years ago, it is the best exercise. I have a CD that the instructor gave me. I am the oldest beginner in captivity.”

In addition to physical activities, Cronin also enjoys the social company of her siblngs.

Cronin said, “There are four of and we are still kicking. We are scattered all over the country. I have a younger brother and sister in Florida. My mother lived to 101. I like to say it’s our Scottish heritage that keeps us going. We are half Irish and Scottish.”

No matter what she’s doing, Cronin does not stay still.

“I am someone who likes to keep busy. I worked a long time and when I retired in 2009, I was looking for something to do. Fortunately, I saw in Lifestyles that they were looking for pool monitors. I used to swim in high school. Again, I love that word pool. I enjoyed working at the pool. I did that for about four years. I also worked for Pulte Homes as a receptionist for a short while before they moved out. I like to keep busy.”

Cronin is not letting the pandemic stop her from exercising or socializing, and her cue buddy, Cieciwa made sure that her 90th didn’t go by without a little celebration.

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