OTTUMWA — Leave it to a woman to do a man’s job.
Well that’s not exactly fair, but you could say Carolyn Pilcher is the woman behind a new men’s organization in town.
Carolyn stopped by the other day to tell me her husband, Bob, will be leading a new social club for mature men.
The Ottumwa chapter of ROMEO, or Retired Old Men Eating Out, is kind of the male version of the Red Hat Society, although I don’t think there will be any red hats or purple feather boas in sight.
Carolyn admits to pushing her husband toward the creation of the club, but Bob, the “cuisine director” of the new club, insists that if women can organize a Red Hat Society, “we can too.”
The first ROMEO chapter began in Payson, Ariz., and numerous chapters have sprung up across the country. Currently, Iowa only has two — the first in Martensdale and now Ottumwa.
Different ROMEO groups meet monthly, some weekly, where these “old” men gather for coffee or lunch, sometimes an outing to the bowling alley or poker night at a member’s house.
Some of the groups refer to themselves as the “Bagel Boys” and some are engaging in charitable endeavors.
Most of the chapters, it appears, are just taking time to enjoy each other’s company over coffee and a meal.
For now, the Ottumwa chapter is just planning a monthly coffee get-together. But certainly that could change if there is serious interest.
The first meeting is set for 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Riverside Restaurant. For more information and/or reservations for the first meeting, call Bob or Carolyn at 682-0504.
Here’s wishing the new ROMEO club success and, more importantly, a lot of fun.
Jeff Hutton is the Courier’s associate editor. He can be reached at (641) 683-5380 or via e-mail at: jeff@ottumwacourier.com.
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Jeff Hutton 2001 SNOWBOUND, ALL RIGHTS RESER
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