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Revved up for speed dating

By LORRI HELFAND
Published February 14, 2007

LARGO - Even before the chime of a glass signaled the start of senior speed dating Tuesday, organizers could see signs of success.

The men had arrived.

Two showed up right around 10:30 a.m.

Thirty minutes later, two more trickled in.

That's a good turnout compared with November, the first time Heron House of Indian Rocks held a speed dating event for the public.

That day, just one guy came, and "he chickened out," said Heron House spokesman Brian Bailey.

Mindful of the demographic reality that older women significantly outnumber older men, the assisted living facility touted Tuesday's event as "a chance to find new friends or perhaps a little Valentine's Day romance."

About a dozen singles 70 and older crowded around a pink-clothed table to brave the modified version of speed dating, where singles meet each other in rapid succession.

It was an exercise fueled by optimism, and having an open mind seemed to pay off. By the end of the event, some participants had made friendly connections, and two might have started something more.

Couples chatted for five minutes. Bailey tapped a glass with a knife to signal it was time to switch. And everyone rotated to their right to chat with new partners.

Armed with a yellow notepad and business cards with his name and phone number on them, 76-year-old Juan Monasterio Jr. of Clearwater was prepared to find a "vivacious, honest and sincere" woman. He's been single since his divorce more than 20 years ago, he said.

With each pairing, Monasterio handed out a card. And from time to time, he took notes.

When Gertie Rothman was matched with him, she told him she loves to dance but all the men she meets just want to get her into bed.

"I would think you'd have to get to know somebody," Monasterio said understandingly.

Monasterio told her he likes to fish, swim, go to the movies, watch TV and dance.

"Let's go," Rothman joked.

A few more switches and Monasterio was paired with Barbara Slapin, 73, who sported a red fedora. She came to the last speed dating event and, even though there were no men there, she wanted to give it another shot.

Monasterio asked her if she'd like to catch a movie sometime. She said she might. And he took down her number.

"You like cats?" asked Slapin, who has three tabbies: Bootsy, Buffy and Browny.

"They're all right," replied Monasterio.

It took a few more switches for Monasterio and Carmela Horne to pair up. After a couple of minutes, they learned they live in the same apartment complex in Clearwater.

"How did we miss you?" asked Horne, 84.

Over lunch - a turkey croissant, wild rice salad and strawberry mousse served in a dark chocolate shell - Monasterio sat with three women.

Gerry Price, 72, of Clearwater sat with four.

And Jake Van Eeuwen, who lost his wife to cancer 28 years ago, sat with Frannie Millward, who lost her husband to diabetes 15 years ago.

Both said it wasn't a love connection, but they had fun.

"I was interested in his response to everything; it was so positive and funny," said Millward, 80, who is visiting from Ohio.

Price and Slapin noticed one big glitch in the speed dating rotation: They were never paired up.

As the event wrapped up, the two started chatting. He wrote down her number.

Price, who is looking for a relationship, said Slapin is a good listener and she looked classy in her fedora.

Slapin, who is looking for someone with a big heart and a dry sense of humor, was pleased to hear that Price used to run a food ministry and has a "spoiled" black Persian cat named Solomon.

"We didn't talk long," Slapin said, "but we had some things in common."

Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or lorri@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 13, 2007, 22:43:25]