Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 8422 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016 “Having a good time with good friends and a good meal.” That’s how Bob Thompson summarizes the Romeos. This group of five men has been meeting since 2002 at some of North Texas’ best steakhouses, and their camaraderie is obvious. The night we joined them at Plano’s Steve Fields Steak and Lobster Lounge the laughter coming from their table sounded much more like a group of college students than senior adults. Bob McCutcheon, Tim Dean, Bob Thompson, Allyn Harris, and Bob Dry make up the Romeos, and according to Tim, “The beauty of this whole thing is that we can get together to play golf, or play poker, or at a party, but this gives us the opportunity to talk individually and close-up – to say ‘How’s your family? How are you feeling? - in a way you can’t get anywhere else.” Bob McCutcheon agrees, “Even though everyone’s from a different background and we’re now at different places, when we get back together we just enjoy catching up.” When the group began, they set up some guidelines. Each month – or a little less often these days – they rotate whose turn it is to set up the date and choose the restaurant. Then the coordinator gets to bring a guest. In October, Chris Haire was the lucky fellow. “I’ve been a guest twice,” he says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend the evening with a group of men I enjoy. I just hope I don’t get stiffed with the bill!” Other times, they’ve included all their daughters and daughters-in-law or sons and sons-in-law. (Somehow the wives have not been invited!) In December, all the guests from the year are invited back for a large group dinner. Those December dinners are a chance to give back. Each person is asked to contribute a $20 bill, and the group makes a contribution to a local non-profit. Recipients have included the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center, This Side Up! Family Center, and McKinney’s Samaritan Inn. They’ve visited restaurants all over North Texas, but they’re well-known at a few of their favorite spots. They get holiday cards from the manager at Bob’s Steak and Chop, and they have “their” waiter Chris at Steve Fields Steak & Lobster Lounge. The group members are recognized as part of “that Romeos group” at the Capital Grill, even when they are dining with someone else. Allyn says, “We’re very fortunate to have this many years of friendship and experience.” We’d say so, too. Where Fork Art Thou MEET THE ROMEOS (Really Old Men Eating Out Steak) by AliciaWanek The ROMEOS (l-r) are Allyn Harris, Chris Haire, BobThompson,Tim Dean, and Bob McCutcheon “It's a wonderful opportunity to spend the evening with a group of men I enjoy. I just hope I don't get stiffed with the bill!" - Chris Haire