By Carla Johnson

A bingo hall may not look like a smokin’ hot spot to find a mate, but at least two Grand Junction couples are living proof that love finds a way.

Be open for love

Seven years ago, Sue Bowen played bingo three times a week. She was divorced after 32 years of marriage and had no intentions of going to the altar again.

“I thought it would be nice to have a male friend, but I was perfectly happy being single,” Bowen said.

Dave Hoyt, a long-time volunteer for the Grand Junction High School Booster Club, sold packets (bingo game sheets) and pickles (instant-win pull tab tickets) at the counter. Divorced after 33 years of marriage, he vowed that he too would never marry again.

“I was perfectly happy to be a bachelor,” Hoyt said.

But he also admitted that he noticed Bowen right away.

“We struck up a friendship,” Bowen said. “People at bingo said he looked at me fondly.”

Eventually she invited Hoyt to dinner, where he was put to the test.

“I had a bearded collie named Heidi, and she was very particular,” Bowen said. “When I saw that Heidi liked him, I decided he must be okay.”

Hoyt and Bowen discovered that they had many things in common. They emailed back and forth and even took a trip together to Mexico.

“When we were apart, we were on the phone with each other for hours,” Bowen confided. “I realized I liked being with him better than being without him.”

After dating for about two years, Hoyt popped a sideways question. He asked, “If the opportunity arose, would you marry me?” He was unprepared for Bowen’s enthusiastic “Yes!” The couple began making plans for a wedding ceremony on a paddleboat in Laughlin, Nevada. But with Hoyt’s mother suffering from bad health, they settled on a church wedding closer to home.

Bowen and Hoyt are a study in opposites. She is a democrat. He is a republican. She is gregarious and Hoyt is a little more reserved. He likes World War II vintage guns and memorabilia and she — not so much.

Bowen was quick to point out that they both love music and are both organized, which covers a multitude of sins for a pair of collectors. Hoyt fastidiously categorizes his treasury of music, movies and books so that he can cross-reference by artist, actor, author, title and subject matter.

Their organizational skills also serve them well in their latest joint venture. Last fall, they bought The Clothes Closet, a 20-year old consignment shop, at the corner of First Street and Orchard Avenue in Grand Junction. Bowen, 67, and Hoyt, 69, both concede the business takes a lot of their time. But Bowen assured, “We were looking for another source of income and we’re both workaholics.”

Hoyt quipped that Bowen “thought I had too much spare time on my hands.” But both agree that they enjoy meeting and greeting the people who walk in.

Bowen and Hoyt said they don’t play bingo as often as they did in their single days. Bowen surmised that Hoyt “married me because I was the Bingo Queen.” But Hoyt lamented that none of Bowen’s good luck rubbed off on him. He is content to sit behind the counter at Gold Mine Bingo and raise funds for his favorite nonprofit. He also likes to offer a bit of advice for the lovelorn: “Be open for love. It may just blind-side ya!”

It was meant to be

Mel(anie) Taylor is a therapist with Inner Journey Counseling. Mel(vin) McCurley is a mechanic for the City of Grand Junction. Both, just barely over the age of 50, found that their paths—and stars—crossed at the bingo hall.

Taylor said she intentionally set out to meet the man that shared her name. One night when the girls at the snack bar called for “Mel,” Taylor snatched his order and got a spirited reaction. McCurley informed her, “That’s my hamburger! You’re trying to steal my hamburger.” She good-naturedly surrendered it, but noticed that she had gotten his attention.

“He gradually started sitting closer to my table during bingo games,” Taylor said. “Then he started sitting at the same table. Then he started shooting me with rubber bands.” (Cupid, take note!)

Taylor and McCurley became friends, meeting for bingo games for nearly a year before they started dating.

Taylor said McCurley asked her to marry him twice, and twice she turned him down.

“I wanted to talk to his three daughters first to see if it was okay,” she said.

When they gave their consent, she turned the tables on McCurley.

“It was Christmas Eve 2009,” Taylor said. “I got down on all fours and proposed to him.”

After their wedding at McCurley’s sister’s house, Mel and Mel took off for an ultimate bingo honeymoon in Las Vegas. McCurley, who holds the Grand Junction city record for jackpot winnings over $27,000, marveled at the 24-hour bingo operations in Vegas. He admitted to staying up 36 hours to take it all in.

On the surface, the relational dynamic between “the Mels” resembles a Vegas comedy act. She makes a serious comment and he follows with a humorous one-liner. But Taylor had genuine praise for her new husband.

“He listens and he has a great sense of humor,” Taylor said. “We work together as a good team. He cooks dinner Tuesday through Friday and I cook on the weekends. It was meant to be. We never fight. We’re soul mates.”

McCurley mumbled something about “cell mates,” but glanced at Taylor with a twinkle in his eye. He jokingly commented that Taylor is pretty lucky to have him, but also confided that she is easy-going.

“She’s the same person in the highs and lows,” McCurley said.

He agreed with their working arrangement, described by Taylor as “I’m the brains and he wears the pants.”

Taylor believes that one of the strengths of their relationship is that they maintain their independence as separate people.

“We are not connected at the hip,” Taylor said. “We don’t tell each other what to do.”

Taylor said she doesn’t try to “therapize” her husband.

“It doesn’t work with me anyway,” he mused.

As for bingo dates, Mel and Mel opine that the state of the economy has forced them to cut back from six nights a week to two or three. Taylor said bingo was her social center for a time and McCurley came to win prize money. Now that Taylor has found her “best friend, husband and partner,” she stays home more and enjoys it.

McCurley feigned a horrified look. “That’s a lot of responsibility. I didn’t sign on for all that. I just married you for half your winnings!”

But in a more serious tone, he put in a good word for Gold Mine Bingo. “If you’re bored, it’s a good place to come and hide from life for a couple hours.”

Extended family

Gold Mine Bingo served as the backdrop for these two modern-day love stories, with lively banter and intermittent shouts of “bingo!” as the romantic soundtrack. But at center stage of this Valentine’s tribute is an unassuming couple who rolls out the red carpet for their friends seven days a week.

Bob and Midge Williams have managed Gold Mine Bingo at 511 28-1/4 Road in Grand Junction for over seven years. Midge supervises the staff, Bob oversees maintenance and supplies, and they both share bookkeeping.

The Williams have their own love story to tell. They met when Midge was in third grade and Bob was in fifth. They moved from Orange County, California 21 years ago and settled in the Grand Valley. On February 8, 2012, the Williams will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and will leave shortly thereafter on a Caribbean cruise.

Bob describes himself as “retired,” but in the same breath will tell how he keeps the doors open for 20 bingo sessions every week.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but we really enjoy making everybody happy and comfortable. We want them to feel at home here,” Bob said. “What else would we do? Park ourselves in front of a TV?”

Midge added, “Most of the people that play bingo here know each other, so it feels like extended family. You start to notice where everybody sits.”

She shared the story of an elderly man whose wife passed away recently. He told Midge that if it weren’t for his friends at Gold Mine Bingo, he would not have had any other source of emotional support. “For many people who have lost loved ones, bingo is family to them,” she said. “We love being here because we love the people.”

She spoke of her joy at seeing a local car salesman, who recently lost his job, collect a $15,000 bingo jackpot. Midge also overheard a 70-year-old lady say that her $15,000 winnings would last her the rest of her life.

Bob and Midge shared how they and their staff worked to bring a festive atmosphere to the hall during the holiday. “We had a huge tree decorated with lights and candy canes and suckers,” Midge said. “Everything was done up in red and white.”

“We even had someone paint the glass panels in the room,” Bob said. “And our players brought in over 300 new toys to donate to Toys for Tots.”

For New Year’s Eve, the Williams served sparkling apple cider to their customers, turned all the lights off except for the Christmas tree, and watched the countdown to 2012 on the big screen televisions mounted throughout the hall. They also distributed free raffle tickets for cash prize drawings throughout the evening.

Gold Mine Bingo hosts 13 different non profit organizations, such as Roice-Hurst Humane Society, local VFW groups and high school booster clubs. Bob bragged that Dave Hoyt helped raise $140,000 last year for the Grand Junction High School Booster Club. Bowen confirmed that the club’s bingo events have netted over $1 million in the years that he has contributed his time and efforts toward fundraising.

For those wanting a serious relationship, a cheap date, or a fun night out with friends, Bob touted the benefits of bingo.

“You can get set up for about $12 and have the chance to win a cash prize,” he said. “Sure beats the movies.” ♥

Where can you get lucky?

There are many places people get lucky, but for the mature set, it may be harder than it once was. Here are some fun and generally safe places to find companionship, or even new love:

River City Singles

This active group of single Mesa County seniors partakes in fun activities every month. It’s a great way to meet other 50+ singles. See their schedule on page 31 in this month’s BEACON.

Church

Getting involved with your church is a great way to meet others that share your same beliefs. Don’t have one? Go to one with a friend, or consider worshipping with one of the fantastic churches on page 24.

Volunteering

If you’re single and retired, get out of the house and volunteer. It’s good for you even if you’re not single. You can find other people that are devoted to a cause, just as much as you are.

Events/Festivals (like BeaconFest)

Locals love our farmers markets, concerts, theatre, fundraisers, expos and big events. A wide variety of people attend these events, so there are many “fish in the sea.”

Hap’s House (by invitation only)

Our usual long-time restaurant critic is currently on an extended holiday, but he is an expert on the best restaurants in town and romantic retreats. He’s also a fantastic cook.