SUN CITY – Almost every morning if you are walking through N. 28 you will see Louie Theodore sitting in his garage with a group of close friends “chitchattin over a cup of coffee.” This group was branded the “College of Knowledge” by Ralph Whenes, who was one of the original members alongside Theodore, Bob Passaglia, and Blackie.
The group was started about two years ago with the original four members.
“It [has] blossomed into a regular little meeting place,” said Theodore.
Seven to eight men come to the College regularly, but the group has been known to seat up to twelve men.
Any and all topics are discussed by these seekers of wisdom.
“We have a plumber [who comes by] so sometimes we talk about different [plumbing] problems that occur in the neighborhood … we discuss politics, [and] I’ve got some policeman friends that come over so we talk about police stuff…. Sometimes Ralph will bring over some stuff [from] the Internet, like who invented the first toilet and where did toilet paper come from,” said Theodore.
Theodore’s garage has been decked to the nines to facilitate the College’s needs.
“There is a carpet on the floor … a table [is] set up [with] anywhere [between] six to ten chairs around it. There is a microwave, refrigerator, TV, and coffee pot in there. [This is] where it all takes place,” said Theodore.
The College of Knowledge is usually a men’s-only affair, but sometimes Dolores Theodore will make them a pot of coffee or set out some bagels for the members to enjoy.
So if you’re out for a stroll during the morning in N. 28, maybe you should swing by the College of Knowledge and see what there is to learn.
As the members of the College always say, “When the door is up, stop for a cup, when the door is down, just turnaround.”
“I have no intention of stopping it,” said Theodore.
