Corner Cafe
Finding Friendship, Faith, and Fun in “The Pool Ladies” — Filmmaker Darla Rae on Corner Café
In the latest episode of Corner Café, host Rachel Mains welcomes back award-winning Colorado filmmaker Darla Rae — and this time, she’s brought a few friends. Darla’s newest project, The Pool Ladies, began as a lighthearted idea but quickly blossomed into something far deeper: a story of friendship, laughter, and rediscovering community.
A Project That Started with a Joke
The Pool Ladies was inspired by a real-life poolside encounter involving Darla and a few friends who were attacked by “crazy winged ants.” What started as a joke soon became the title of a creative new project. Darla and her group — Carrie, Chris, Pat, Darcy, and Bonnie — began filming unscripted scenes that captured their real-life camaraderie and humor. “It turned into something much more than we ever expected,” Darla said. “We just started doing our thing organically, and it really turned out quite fun.”
Finding Community at Every Age
The women, ranging in age from their late 60s to 80, found more than just laughter in the pool — they found connection. Many had lived in the same community for years without truly knowing one another. Through the project, that changed. “It’s about people finding their tribe,” Darla explained. “We’re not meant to live in isolation.”
Each of the “pool ladies” shared how the experience helped them form deep friendships and rediscover joy. “We had so much laughter,” one said. “They could hear us all the way down the street!” The project’s candid, unscripted format allowed genuine moments of vulnerability, healing, and fun to shine through.
A Celebration of Life — and Laughter
What makes The Pool Ladies special is its unfiltered joy. The group’s activities — from dancing and coffee chats to pool days and themed photo shoots — reflect a shared zest for life. Even Darla’s filmmaking background (which includes work on the original Halloween movie) found a place in the fun, with upcoming “Pumpkin” and “Elf on the Shelf”-inspired episodes.
But beneath the humor lies something profound. “Everyone has something going on,” Darla said. “You never know what someone’s walking through. Maybe a project like this helps open up conversation — and connection.”
Faith, Friendship, and Future Dreams
Though not everyone in the group expresses faith the same way, there’s a shared sense of purpose and gratitude. “At the core of it, everyone knows where our hearts are,” Darla said. “That’s what matters most.”
As the project grows, Darla hopes it inspires others to start their own community groups — whether they’re “pool ladies” or not. “Wouldn’t it be beautiful,” she mused, “if people everywhere had their own little tribes like this?”
Watch the Interview
Catch the full interview with Darla Rae and The Pool Ladies on Corner Café below and be reminded that it’s never too late to make new friends, dream new dreams, and laugh out loud.
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