There’s nothing Shakespearean about these ROMEOs
April 30, 2009
POINCIANA, FL --- Although they call themselves the ROMEOs, there's nothing Shakespearean about these guys. Unless, of course, you consider what they do over lunch. Then it's sheer poetry in motion.They are the Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO), a group of 40 gastronomic gourmands from the active adult community of Solivita® who gather once a month for lunch in various Central Florida dining establishments.
"We've dined in everything from large restaurants and hotel resorts to some lesser-known holes in the wall," said David Lane, president of the club that he formed a little over a year ago when many of the members' wives were "literally pushing us out the door to do something" while they were attending their Red Hatters luncheons and events.
"We're the antithesis to the Red Hatters," said Lane, a retired program manager for the telecommunications industry and Solivita® resident for the past 3+ years. "Typically 20-25 guys will get together for lunch to discuss Solivita® happenings, world and national affairs, and tell a joke or two. But most of all, it's a great way to make new friends."
Sporting their bright red ROMEO baseball caps, club members have consumed a wide variety of ethnic foods offered in Central Florida.
"We've had everything from Italian, Chinese, Greek and Polish, to Mexican, Tex/Mex and popular American fare such as ribs, burgers, barbecue and Southern," he said. "And when we're done eating, we rate the restaurant on service, ambience, quality and value of food, and publish our ratings in Solivita's® Reflections newsletter."
While Lane originally intended to limit membership to 20, he said "we've grown exponentially because guys simply like to enjoy good food and fellowship."
The ROMEOs is just one of 144 resident-run clubs and organizations at Solivita® which is being developed by Avatar® Properties Inc. just 21 miles from Walt Disney World® in Orlando. The community also has over 100 weekly activities and a host of amenities including two 18-hole championship golf courses at the Stonegate Golf Club. Golf is complemented by the dynamic Mediterranean-style Village Center with three restaurants and the award-winning 32,000 sq. ft. Riviera Spa & Fitness Center, Freedom Park which includes a championship caliber softball diamond and a total of 10 lighted tennis and pickle-ball courts, and the brand new Palms amenity complex and 20,000 sq. ft. lifestyle center which has already earned a 50+ Housing Award from the National Association of Home Builders and a pair of Aurora Awards at the 2008 Southeast Building Conference.
Winner of Builder magazine's 2002 Grand Award as America's Best Active Adult Community, and three times named one of America's 100 Best Master Planned Communities for active adults by Where to Retire magazine, Solivita® currently offers 19 detached single-family home plans in five collections at base prices from the $130s to the $330s, and four attached single-family home plans in The Courtyards at Montelena at base prices from the low $200s. Seventeen furnished models are featured in the community's model home parks.
For more information about Solivita's® ROMEOs, contact David Lane at (863) 427-6939. For more information about Solivita's® resident-run clubs, activities and events, contact Solivita® Lifestyles at (863) 427-7125 or visit Solivita's® Web site at http://www.solivita.com.
