Member Spotlight

Our February member spotlight shines the light on three lovely ladies who have really embraced our Club’s motto of ‘Playing with a Purpose.’ We thought it would be nice to get to know them better. So, in their own words, here they are………

JoAnne Trifoso

Let’s see….. First and foremost ,I feel blessed to have found a connection with RPCSC. "Playing with a Purpose" touches my heart.  

I started playing pickleball in Sept 2020 when the City of Novato first opened NEW outside courts. Covid caused our indoor adult volleyball league to be closed down so I recruited my six volleyball teammates to pickleball and, within a few months, I was managing play for 40 people with Google Notes and Text Groups (pre-Pickleheads!). I currently play both pickleball and volleyball two or three times a week. 

I do some part time work as a high school volleyball referee. I am studying to become a certified pickleball referee.  Pre-pickleball, I was an avid hiker and runner. I completed the LA marathon in March 1990. Fun fact that motivated me: 85 of 100 women have a baby BUT Only 8 of 10,000  women complete a marathon in our lifetime! 

My favorite number is 9.  As you’ll see in February birthdays - mine is 2/9/1959

I’m married to my best friend -John- it will be 35 years this September (9/9/1990).

We have one extraordinary daughter - Cece - she is 25 (her due date was 12/9/1999).

I was raised in Upstate New York. My family still lives there. I visit there every summer. 

Jobs with Sears and GE Capital moved me to Tucson then to LA then to Novato.

I am a longtime member of St. Luke Presbyterian Church in San Rafael, I work part time as their Office Administrator, Financial Secretary and Facilities Manager. 

My garden hobby is growing California Milkweed to attract Monarch Butterflies. I observe with fascination their egg laying, their hatching, caterpillar growth, chrysalis then butterfly emergence. 

I care for them as if they are my pets. In addition, I have a white cat named Purrll, a black cat named Obsidian, and a small dog Nikita (that everyone says "looks like a fox" 😄)  

Lastly -  I have to emphasize again, I feel blessed to have found a connection with RPCSC. "Playing with a Purpose" touches my heart.  

Tina Brusnahan

I never thought this simple game would become such a big part of my life. Pickleball has provided lots of opportunities (like forging a connection between RPCSC and Redwood Empire Food Bank) or providing me with so many new friendships. There is such a genuine camaraderie among our Club members.

As an employee of Morgan Stanley for 43 years, I had a first hand look at the impact volunteering made to help feed those facing hunger. We regularly volunteered (my fav activity was packing boxes). It was this experience that inspired me to chair our Pasta Drive in November and engage our Club members in volunteering in January. Please plan to join us for a shift if you haven’t already or come back again.

My PB story began in late 2022. I was attending the clinic in Rohnart Park when my sister, Lori, suggested I take lessons. Before I knew it, I was in Adam MacKinnon’s class and playing with others which led me to joining RPCSC when it formed (I even volunteered for a board position) and got my sister to join the Club!

I am a native resident of Sonoma County - grew up in Petaluma, raised my two daughters in Rohnert Park and ultimately settled in Santa Rosa. A portion of my week is spent with my four grandchildren. I’m already training the next generation of PB players.

My husband and I love to travel in our RV. Our regular go-to spots are Yuma and Fort Bragg. We have also traveled the Oregon/Washington coast and visited South Dakota, Idaho and Yellowstone. I love that I can find courts wherever we go and I look forward to hours of organized play. Pickleball is truly more than just a game.

Christa Brown

I’m honored to be spotlighted in this month’s newsletter. As a member of the Activities committee, I was eager to take on the Food drive because I believe in our Club’s mission to support our community. It ended up being a team effort because Julie Nonella and Tina Brusnahan had to collect food for me a few times while I was out of town. And, our weekend playdates kept getting rained out, making collecting food a challenge. But, have no fear - our club was flexible and many members elected to give financial donations online instead.  Way to rally, team! So, despite the challenges, our drive was a success! Thank you to all that donated and helped!

I joined this group shortly after it began, back when we were just a bunch of classmates on a pickleball text chain. It’s funny to think about how far we’ve come in the 2+ years since then. Yes, we are much better pickleball players. But more importantly, we’ve become almost like a family, and our Club has grown into this incredible, inclusive organization. I feel so proud to be a part of a Club that is making such a difference in our community!

Here’s a joke for you:  How do you know someone is from Alaska? The answer: Just talk to them for five minutes and they will tell you. Oh man, does that apply to me!  As many of you know, I’m an Alaskan who moved here four years ago when my dad was diagnosed with ALS. It was supposed to be a temporary thing.  But who can resist this beautiful place? The weather, the pickleball, and all my amazing friends made it easy for me to decide to make this my home. I left behind my 31-year-old son Zach, who I miss terribly, but otherwise, I am thrilled to be here!  

In my previous life, I taught middle school science for 22 years. I loved my job but got burnt out, and am now having a bit of an existential crisis about what I want to be when I grow up. I’m currently on a sabbatical/practice retirement/just-not-working-for-now stint and I’m surprised by how easily I fill my time. In addition to playing pickleball a few days a week and hanging out with pickleball friends, I’m a regular at trivia nights, take my dog Olive on long walks, and am currently taking a floral design course at the Junior College. I also recently met up with my son in Hawaii and then went to Eastern Europe on a Christmas Market tour.  How did I ever have time to work before?

As I read about how our society is becoming more and more isolated, I realize just how special this Club of ours is and how lucky I am to be a part of it. I know I mentioned this earlier, but I think it is worth repeating. Your smiles, laughs, “great shots,” friendly competition, and camaraderie are a bright light in my life, and I’m so thankful for you all!  Pickle on, my pickleball peeps!