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Idea men: Retirees gather daily for coffee, conversation and camaraderie in Peters Township

By Harry Funk 3 min read
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Joining in a recent morning’s discussion are, from left, Sam Gregg, Larry Gessner, Jack Colletti, Richard Kiser and Ron Finch.

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Larry Gessner shows his painting “1880 Pleasure Hunt Express.”

Stand in line at a certain Peters Township fast-food restaurant on any given morning, and you’re likely to hear some spirited conversation coming from the nearby tables.

Consider what Sam Gregg has to say about the state of the United States:

“I want to see America pass a flat tax, and I want to see term limits. Eight years. You don’t make a lifetime job out of being a politician. If you can’t get it done in eight, you don’t know what you’re doing.”

And he’s passing out bumper stickers to help further the cause.

Gregg is one of several gentlemen who gather together at the Route 19 eatery on a regular basis, sipping coffee and noshing on breakfast as they come up with ideas for solutions to the world’s perceived ills.

They’ve been doing so for at least five years, having formed a common bond as graduates, so to speak, from the workforce.

“Sometimes when you’re retired, you’re looking for places to fill your schedule,” Richard Kiser explains.

He’s a military veteran, as are most of the men who are present on this particular day: Kiser served in the Marine Corps and Gregg in the Army during the Korean War. Ron Finch did a stint in the Air Force in the late 1950s, and Jack Colletti was in the Merchant Marine during Vietnam.

Joining them is Larry Gessner, who started painting after he retired and will have his work on display starting Dec. 1 at Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

Their discussions cover quite the variety of topics, often veering toward the controversial. Speaking of which, Kiser offers his perspective on the issue of gun control:

“Ban the sale of ammunition to the general public. Only law enforcement and the military can have ammunition. When they begin to run out of ammo, the shootings will drop off.”

He’d include himself in the ban, with regard to his vintage firearms.

“I have two muzzle loaders and a World War I shotgun. And one round of ammunition. When this passes, I’ll turn that round in,” he says.

Meanwhile, Gregg gives his views about the winner of the Electoral College count on Nov. 8:

“He’s my president, and I’m going to support him. But …”

His qualifiers catch the attention of a president-elect supporter waiting for his coffee, a fellow whom the regulars know as “the Dog Man” because his golden retrievers often tag along on trips to the restaurant.

It turns out that his name is Dick Jeffers, and he has plenty of stories to add to the conversation. For example, his father, John, was the scoreboard attendant at old Forbes Field, and that’s where young Dick was stationed for a fantastic view of Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series-winning home run.

With the consumption of their beverages and breakfasts, the daily gatherers excuse themselves and say goodbye until tomorrow.

As always, there still will be problems that require solutions.

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