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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
A group of senior men have been getting together in Dover for at least the past 12 years for coffee and donuts, but also for much more – companionship, nostalgia, friendship, and history. This group meets the last Friday of each month. This past Friday, they had a turnout of twelve to thirteen people, which according to those in attendance was pretty good. It’s obvious from their rapport and back-and-forth that these men are more than just casual acquaintances.
“Carl Sheraton and Jim McGill founded it … Jim McGill would know everyone that came in. When you came in, Jimmy had a nickname for you,” John Walsh, one of the regulars explained. “I was John Walsh, class of 1952, Dover High School. He had a kind of nickname for everybody, a good man.” Recently, this group has been meeting in the basement of the town hall, as the Community Center is being re-done. They will hopefully be able to move back across the street next month.
The event is for men only, and the senior women have their own coffee group. “We talk about everything but sex, and it’s obvious why,” one of the regulars joked.
“What we talk about is what we were able to get away with when we were kids in Dover,” Walsh chimed in. “There were only three constables, so they couldn’t get us! We talk politics, we talk sports, we talk town situations, and we talk about what’s going on in our lives.”
Now the members of the group come from everywhere. John grew up in Dover, but lives in Walpole now. “We have people from Natick, from Wellesley, from Holliston, from Walpole. Needham, even,” John said.
Another of the men chipped in, “Somebody actually came from Dover once – we didn’t know who he was!” The entire group chuckled at their friend’s well-timed joke.
“John has told us the same stories twelve times,” one of the guys said.
“Yeah,” John responded, “but their memories are so bad they enjoy them every time!” There was a true sense of mirth and joviality present in the room; this group of friends had clearly come together for more than just coffee and donuts.
Their friendships have lasted longer than most, and will continue for years to come.
