The Paranto Playhouse: A Journey Through Pickleball, Memories, and Magic
Inside Steve Paranto’s 'Pickleball Fountain of Youth' and His Legacy of Passion, Performance, and Play
Nestled in Beaver Creek, Oregon, Steve Paranto’s “Pickleball Fountain of Youth” podcast invites listeners into the extraordinary “Paranto Playhouse,” a unique community hub filled with stories, innovation, and nods to both sports and entertainment. Through Paranto’s engaging narrative, we explore a venue that houses two pickleball courts, a miniature bowling alley, foosball and pool tables, and even a karaoke corner—all serving as a tribute to his own life experiences and his father’s enduring legacy. This article dives into key moments and memories from the episode, detailing how Paranto’s Playhouse is more than a recreational spot—it’s a testament to family, sportsmanship, and the joy of shared passions.
0:00 – The Rise of Pickleball and Senior Communities
In the opening segment, Paranto highlights the early days of pickleball’s popularity in senior communities. Originally a niche sport, pickleball gradually spread beyond the Northwest as seniors began adopting it and repurposing tennis courts. This marked the first wave of popularity that helped expand the game into wider regions, turning pickleball from a hidden gem into a mainstream phenomenon among older adults.
0:37 – Building the Playhouse: A Vision Realized
Paranto describes the genesis of the Paranto Playhouse, a dream space created solely for his friends and fellow pickleball enthusiasts. Located in Beaver Creek, the Playhouse boasts multiple courts, allowing players to rotate partners and immerse themselves in a supportive community. Paranto emphasizes the camaraderie and shared enjoyment that the space cultivates, which reinforces the communal spirit at the heart of pickleball.
1:13 – Memories on the Wall: The Influence of Arland Paranto
The walls of Paranto’s Playhouse are adorned with memories, particularly those honoring his father, Arland Paranto. A Hall of Fame inductee, Arland not only influenced Steve’s life profoundly but also played a pivotal role in advancing pickleball as a sport. The memorialized images capture moments from Steve’s childhood, highlighting how Arland’s passion for sports laid the foundation for Steve’s love of diverse recreational activities.
2:16 – Upstairs: Bowling Alley, Shuffleboard, and a Karaoke Corner
Beyond pickleball, Paranto has filled the Playhouse with a variety of pastimes upstairs, from bowling to shuffleboard and a dedicated karaoke corner. These spaces serve as places of relaxation and community for Paranto and his guests, extending the Playhouse’s spirit of versatility and fun. For Paranto, they represent an invitation to enjoy life's simple pleasures—whether through a game or a song.
2:29 – A Passion for Performing: From Magic to Ventriloquism
Paranto shares how his father supported his childhood interest in performing, from magic to ventriloquism. He recalls magic tricks from Seattle stores and learning ventriloquism with puppets his father made. Performing for troops at Fort Lewis during the Vietnam War, Paranto entertained soldiers with routines written by his dad, deepening his bond with his father while honing his unique talent for performance.
3:56 – The Kid Who Became Skinny the Clown
In a whimsical flashback, Paranto recounts his time as “Skinny the Clown.” Clowning taught him both discipline and spontaneity, requiring him to stay in character and bring joy wherever he went. Although clowns today may be seen differently, Paranto treasures this period, recognizing it as part of his evolution in entertainment and community connection.
4:21 – Bowling Alley Demo
In a delightful demonstration, Paranto showcases his Playhouse bowling alley, designed to mimic a real-life bowling experience but with increased difficulty. Sharing a humorous moment as he attempts a strike, he reflects on how these playful setups bring a special dynamic to the Playhouse, blending both nostalgia and challenge.
4:39 – The Roots of Teaching and Innovation
As a former P.E. teacher, Paranto shares how he infused creativity into his curriculum, introducing alternative sports and activities like unicycling and juggling. He recalls these unique choices with pride, explaining how these unconventional sports offered his students a more diverse and enjoyable learning experience, much like pickleball itself.
5:38 – Pickleball's Humble Beginnings and Personal Innovations
Paranto recalls his initial frustration with heavy wooden pickleball paddles, sparking a family innovation that ultimately led to his father designing lightweight paddles using Boeing’s floor panel materials. This early family-made prototype marked a major advancement for the sport and demonstrated his family’s dedication to quality and improvement.
6:23 – Pickleball’s Status as Washington’s State Sport
In a moment of pride, Paranto describes pickleball’s official recognition as Washington’s state sport, symbolizing the game’s rapid evolution from a backyard pastime to an integral part of the state's identity. The wall in his Playhouse documents this progression with iconic paddles, showcasing how the sport has grown alongside his own journey.
7:32 – Baby Paddles and Pickleball’s First Big Boom
A playful addition to the sport’s legacy, Paranto’s father crafted “baby paddles” for his young granddaughter—a tradition now continued by paddle manufacturers. Paranto reflects on the 1980s boom as seniors popularized the sport nationally, highlighting how a once-obscure pastime has grown into an inclusive, multigenerational phenomenon.
8:46 – High School Photographer and a Big Tennis Fan
Paranto reminisces about his teenage years as a tennis enthusiast and photographer. Developing his own photos and meeting iconic players like Martina Navratilova and Arthur Ashe, he credits these early passions for shaping his lifelong connection to sports and competition.
10:03 – Legacy and Personal Triumphs in Bowling
Paranto speaks warmly of his college bowling days, especially his experience rolling a perfect 300 game in front of legendary bowler Earl Anthony. This accomplishment and others are memorialized on his Playhouse walls, reminders of a life rich in achievements and memorable mentors.
11:35 – Drums, Beatles, and Cherished Memories
In addition to sports, Paranto’s Playhouse showcases his love for music, particularly the Beatles. He proudly displays photos of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and other music icons, along with a drum set modeled after Ringo’s, blending his passion for sports with a lifelong love of music.
12:07 – A Tribute to His Father Under the Courts
Concluding his tour, Paranto shares a deeply personal tribute: his father’s ashes are buried under the pickleball courts where players tap paddles. This tribute encapsulates the spirit of sportsmanship and love for family that Paranto’s Playhouse embodies, making the courts a hallowed space for both him and those who play there.
In-Depth Summary:
Steve Paranto’s Playhouse is more than a recreational venue—it’s a heartfelt homage to family, friendship, and lifelong passions. Through its collection of courts, games, and memorabilia, Paranto has created a space that captures the spirit of pickleball and honors his father’s profound influence on his life. From innovative paddles to unique performance skills, Paranto’s Playhouse tells a story of dedication, resilience, and the joy of sharing one’s passions with the world. In doing so, it stands as a testament to the power of community and the simple happiness found in games, music, and memories.
Time Code List
- 0:00 – The Rise of Pickleball and Senior Communities
- 0:37 – Building the Playhouse: A Vision Realized
- 1:13 – Memories on the Wall: The Influence of Arland Paranto
- 2:16 - Up Stairs: Bowling Ally, shuffle board and a karaoke corner.
- 2:29 – A Passion for Performing: From Magic to Ventriloquism
- 3:56 – The Kid Who Became Skinny the Clown
- 4:21 Bowling Ally Demo
- 4:39 – The Roots of Teaching and Innovation
- 5:38 – Pickleball's Humble Beginnings and Personal Innovations
- 6:23 – Pickleball’s Status as Washington’s State Sport
- 7:32 - Baby Paddles, Steve pickled up pickleball as a young man in 1974 when he was 18 years old. Pickleball's First Big Boom. Back in the 80's, nobody had a clue how big pickleball would become.
- 8:46 High School Photographer and a big tennis fan
- 10:03 – Legacy and Personal Triumphs in Bowling
- 11:35 – Drums, Beatles, and Cherished Memories
- 12:07 – A Tribute to His Father Under the Courts
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