Pandemic Doesn’t Deter Senior Coffee Clubs in Wheeling

WHEELING -- It's not just about going out for their morning cup of coffee. For the dozens of members who continue to congregate at two local restaurants as part of unofficial senior coffee clubs, the daily ritual is about so much more.

With social restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent months -- some of the good old boys clubs continue to be creative while gathering in their lawn chairs outside the Elm Grove McDonald/s and Hardee’s restaurant in Woodsdale.

While an early morning cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich are popular menu choices, they often discuss the news of the day or "solve the world's problems."

Each member is quick to acknowledge the social gatherings, however, are more about a mutual trust and friendship they have come to rely on day in and day out.

Checking on a group member who might be going through a medical procedure or suffering an illness, donating toward a good cause, or just simply celebrating each member's birthday, are just a few of the things that create such a strong sense of camaraderie within each group.

Though seating is limited inside the Elm Grove McDonald's, more than a dozen loyal friends take the time to kick back in their lawn chairs in a small section of the facility's parking lot. Some of the group's members manage to bring their antique cars from time to time, giving the lot more of the look of an antique car cruise.

Wheeling resident Roger Thorngate said some of the group's members began meeting inside McDonald's nearly 20 years ago, and the group has just grown in size over the years. Thorngate said following the temporary shutdown of area restaurants due to the pandemic, sitting at home all the time "became a challenge" for many of the guys who were used to attending the daily social gathering.

"Most of us are here everyday. ... If somebody doesn't show up, they check on them," Thorngate added.

Sitting near his antique car, Wheeling resident Jerry Miklas said there is great camaraderie within the group.

"They're good guys. We joke around a lot . We have a lot of fun. It starts our day," Miklas explained. "We solve the world's problems," he added with a smile.

Roger Smith of Wheeling, who moved back to the area about 15 years ago, said he is glad to be part of the club.

"I got my health — and that's important. And it's nice to be able to sit outside," Smith commented. "We don't know if we want to go back inside if this (pandemic) ever ends. Well, maybe by December we might change our minds," he added.

Local McDonald's owner/operator Ross Stoltz, who checks on the group from time to time, said, "some things never change."

"Friends will always find a way to be together, and McDonald's will always be a community center for residents," Stoltz added.

Yorkville resident Phil Plumby, who meets with a smaller coffee group inside McDonald's closer to the lunch hour, said it has become a big part of his daily routine — while jokingly pointing out that he travels through two states (Ohio and West Virginia) and three counties (Jefferson, Belmont and Ohio) just to attend the daily ritual.

He said he first began to meet up with friends more than 20 years ago at Green's Donuts in South Wheeling before moving to the Elm Grove location.

"We used to walk the trail after we had doughnuts and coffee," Plumby explained. "This is what keeps me going. ... At my age, it gives me incentive to get out of the house," he said. "We even have birthday parties."

Plumby said while he has lost some of his dear friends over the years, he continues to attend the daily gathering. While the group's numbers have dwindled a bit since the onset of the pandemic — the few who still turn out are able to socially distance themselves and/or wear masks while sitting at a larger table. When the dining room was closed temporarily, the group also sat outside in lawn chairs beneath a shade tree for a short time before moving back indoors.

Also in recent weeks, motorists traveling past Hardees in Woodsdale may have noticed another senior coffee group gathered on their lawn chairs just outside the restaurant. Nearly a dozen local retirees are part of the Hardee’s group.

"Some of these fellas have been coming five, 10, 15 years. We all take care of each other and keep an eye on who's in the hospital," said Edward Nowakowski of Wheeling. "We're out here everyday … but mostly just the weekdays" he added.

Nick Frangos of Wheeling, said some of the guys in the group even met nearly 40 years ago at the old nearby Rax Restaurant, which was located where the current Tim Hortons coffee shop is located.

"Everybody just came here after Rax closed down," Frangos commented. He said each year the group also pulls together to make some sort of donation to local charities.

Wheeling resident Bernie Gaus added, "I think this is going to be the norm for quite awhile."