There is a breakfast club that meets Wednesdays at 9 am in the
room off the Bistro called The Barn. ROMEO was founded by Ron
Pendergraph and Devon Smith. ROMEO's acronym originally meant
"Retired Older Men Eating Out" then morphed into "Ron's Older Men
Eating Out." Ron is the mastermind who thought, "Why not turn
breakfast into a social event, since all participants live in Four Seasons
and most are retired, semi-retired, and a few are still working?" We
gather not just to take a break from chores, errands, work, or the gym;
we also indulge in the fine art of stimulating conversation.
Our group, primarily made up of African-American men, is an
eclectic mix of backgrounds, unified in their quest for good food and
fellowship. Many are members of the African American Cultural Club
(AACC). It's a great opportunity to gather and meet old/new friends
in an informal setting to casually discuss events in our community,
events of the day, or just events in our personal lives.
There are no formal agendas to follow. The conversations are
spontaneous, free flowing, funny, and insightful. The beauty of this
group is that we also share home renovation tips, lend a helping
hand if needed for chores, and even provide the occasional ride to
one of the local airports or a doctor's appointment. Just neighbors
helping neighbors. The group formed mostly through word of
mouth and has grown to about 15 to 20 men coming together
weekly.
The group's Mission Statement:
• Fostering camaraderie, friendship, and a sense of community
• Socializing through gatherings/activities
• Creating an inclusive and engaging environment
• Sharing meals, culture, experiences, and friendships
• Celebrating diversity
In a nutshell, ROMEO is less about eating out and more about
bonding and sharing — it's a breakfast club with a side of banter.
We hope you drop by … friendships are on the house! For more
information, contact EJ Doucette at (951) 235-1728
The AACC meets the first Monday of the month at 6 pm in The
Lodge Game Room. All are invited. Our next meeting is Monday,
March 4. For information, contact AACC President, Jocelyn Doucette,
at cjs1speed@gmail.com. ~ Al Hankins
46 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2024
African American Cultural Club
