Reporter-News Archives Thursday, June 13, 2002 ROMEOS meet for fun, work By Loretta Fulton Reporter-News Staff Writer The banter flows as easily as the coffee Wednesday mornings at Henry D's. That's when the little dining area inside the United grocery store on Judge Ely Boulevard turns into the official meeting place for Abilene's ROMEO, or Rusty Old Men Eating Out. The group of 15 or so gets together every Wednesday morning to solve the world's problems and try to slip jokes past the uninitiated. Bob Kuykendall sits silently, taking it all in. It's only after someone harmlessly mentions working with glass that Kuykendall lets it be known he has been lying in wait for the opportunity to pounce. "I knew a glassblower once in Baird, I believe it was," Kuykendall said innocently enough. "He got the hiccups and blew 42 marbles." The others groan, and the ROMEO meeting is officially under way. Some places have ROMEO groups that consist of Retired Old Men Eating Out. But in Abilene, "Rusty" is preferred to "Retired." The locals early on shunned the "retired" labeled, even though it applies to most of them. "We had that," Carlton Villers explained, "but it was too dignified." Upon further investigation, Villers confessed that someone else suggested the title. "I think my wife did," he said. Most of the men are members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and many have connections to McMurry University, including retired athletic director Spud Aldridge. Kuykendall was raised Baptist but is Methodist by marriage. "I decided it would be better to be in her corner," he said. By the time morning starts fading, ROMEO members have teased and joked about everything imaginable. Only occasionally does the conversation turn to something serious. "We do some of the work of the City Council every day," Kuykendall admitted. The group is an impressive one, with many familiar names. Jarrell Young is a retired postmaster; Wayne Tiner retired from the Wylie school system; Glyn Hammons' name is synonymous with the local Social Security office; Mark Wyatt formerly managed the Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Center. John Stowe was manager of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; Ray Estes ran a C.R. Anthony store; Jeff Armstrong was with Citizens National Bank for years; and Billy Phillips was a budget officer with the Texas Department of Human Services. Gerald McAnally is still working, but clears his schedule on Wednesday mornings. He mows greens at Tangle Oaks Golf Club in Hawley and still does carpentry. He doesn't know how much longer it will be before he is officially retired. "Till I quit spending money, I guess," McAnally said. The ROMEO club doesn't exist just for laughs on Wednesday morning, although that fellowship is a vital reason the men organized about six years ago. All are still active and volunteer for organizations like Noah Project and Meals on Wheels. They also assist people at Aldersgate who may need the grass mowed while they're away or help with moving to a new home. There are no strict membership rules for the ROMEO bunch. There is an initiation rite, however. Each fall, Aldersgate sponsors a huge three-day rummage sale, and any man who aspires to be a ROMEO is expected to pitch in. A tougher initiation comes during the first Wednesday morning gathering. "They have to stay a full hour the first time," Hammons said. The ROMEO bunch expects to be around for a long while to come, with the present group and any newcomers brave enough to face initiation. Stowe says the ROMOES' future depends on Bob Kuykendall. If Stowe's guideline is correct, expect to see the guys sitting in Henry D's for many Wednesdays to come. "We'll be here till Bob runs out of jokes," Stowe said. Contact staff writer Loretta Fulton at 676-6778 or fultonl@reporternews.com   Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: from the Reporter-News