The ROMEOs, a unique group of Retired Old Men Eating Out, reside in Neighborhood 10A.
They made a memorable entry in Sun City’s golf cart parade with their ROMEOs Breakfast Club cart, adorned in patriotic colors and a large sign. The club, consisting of ten current members, including Rich Gawlik, Tom Reichardt, Jim Saletta, Bob Sholiton, Mike Shehorn, Bob Wainscott, Gene Harrison, Steve Lindskoog, Clyde Sample, and Bill Berendt, is known for its weekly breakfast outings, marked by their distinctive shirts: “Team Breakfast.”
Sample had the idea to enter a golf cart representing their breakfast group in this year’s parade.
“We had fun getting it together and enjoyed being in the parade,” he said. “Next year, we hope the group member with a PhD in art will help with the group’s design.”
Harrison said, “We got our name, ‘ROMEOS’ from Jeanine Loveisky, the wife of our founder and original member, Chuck Loveiskey, who we dearly miss.”
The ROMEOS all live on Spring Creek Drive. Lindskoog said, “The county line goes right through our street. My home is in the two counties. But I pay real estate taxes to Kane County. The deciding room was the master bedroom.”
The group began small.
Harrison said, “We started with four members: Tom Reichardt, Chuck Loveisky, Jim Saletta, and myself. We would go to life-long learning classes in Fountain View Lodge and then go out for breakfast.”
The group even adapted to a changing world in 2020.
Saletta said, “We used to go to Sammy’s, and Chuck would take a long time to get to the table because he would stop and talk to everyone. When Covid hit, we had to do things differently. We met in Chuck’s garage with heaters on. When the weather was warmer, we sat out on the patio with coffee and breakfast sandwiches.”
The ROMEOs at the 25th Anniversary Golf Cart Parade.
Currently, the ROMEOS meet at the Village Inn in downtown Huntley. The staff expect the men and have the tables set up for the ten men. The conversation is light.
Saletta said, “No religion or politics are discussed.”
Sample said, “Our wives sometimes drill us on what we talked about afterward, but we never tell. Of course, we never talk about them either.”
This brought a chuckle to the group.
Gawlik said, “It’s an amazing group, and we enjoy each other’s company. I am the newest member, four months.”
Bob Sholiton is also a new member of four weeks.
Berendt echoed the sentiment, highlighting the close bond the group has formed over the years. He noted the excellent service they receive from their waitress, Claudia, at the Village Inn, where they currently meet.
Wainscott said, “We enjoy the food and the choices. Some of us order the same menu items, and I rotate between three favorites.”
Harrison added a touch of mystery, mentioning that a few members have a fondness for the “1404.” A quick glance at the Village Inn’s menu won’t reveal this item. Berendt said that “1404” is the total price of the item on the menu, adding a playful twist to the group’s dining habits.
Berendt highlighted a mural on the wall that the group usually sits nearby.
“The picture is of the town square. What intrigued me was that you saw a little kid peeking out of different spots as you looked at the picture. I found out that this is a kid who works at the restaurant. He is the grandson of the owner,” he said.
If you are enjoying breakfast on a Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Village Inn, stop by and say hello to the ROMEOs.
