Hello Moose Lodge. Today’s topic: A Conversation with Carol and Charlie Bell.
We will all miss Charlie and Carol Bell, who soon leave for Moosehaven. Over a long process, they’ve been interviewed, qualified, and prepared, and “they keep telling us not to worry,” says Carol. The move across the country to Moosehaven is now in the immediate future. We spoke about that and the past.
“How long have you been married?” This November they’ll celebrate 50 years. “And we will be down there in Florida with none of our friends!” laments Carol. But they’ve already celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first meeting this past St. Patrick’s Day.
How did they meet? Charlie, an avid bowler with a 210 average, had been bowling since 9am in a city bowling tournament at Camino Bowl in Sunnyvale. That night, St. Patrick’s Day, he was awaiting his bowling partner Corky, husband of Betsy, Carol’s sister. Carol had come along with Betsy, and this was her first time to the alley.
“We were bowling in front of a counter that Betsy and Carol were sitting behind, recalls Charlie. “Carol had no way to get out to go to the bathroom, unless she crowded people. I said climb over, and she wasn’t gonna do it, but Betsy egged her on.”
“I always hope he’ll skip that part!” Carol breaks in. She climbed over, and he carried her all the way to the restroom. “I didn’t put her down. It was love at first ‘hold.’” When she came back, he asked her out to dinner. She turned to Betsy, “You’re going to dinner and he’s buyin!” It had turned into a double date. “We went to the Brave Bull for dinner. And then I took her dancing,” said Charlie. “He lied to me,” Carol added. “He told me he was older than he was. He wasn’t even supposed to be drinking.” “So, Carol you’re older?” I remarked. “She still is,” jokes Charlie. “And he took me out for Irish coffee, and he hates coffee,” said Carol, “and we danced to Sentimental Journey. That’s our song.” Six months later they were married.
Carol was originally from Texas. “I was an army brat.” Charlie had come out from Illinois. “He was supposed to go back the next day after we met!” to a job with the city of Joliet. But he’d asked for Carol’s “hand in marriage,” and her dad told Charlie, “Don’t take her away from us.” Charlie worked for Peninsula Digital, at first named Peninsula Blueprint. Later, Carol also went to work there from 8 to noon so she’d be home for the kids. They lived in Mountain View for 42 years in a 4-plex. “With our neighbors we all became family,” said Carol. “We watched each other’s kids, and it was wonderful.” Later the property sold, and they’ve lived in Sunnyvale ever since. These days their son lives in Tampa Bay and their daughter in Torrance, California, and they have three grandchildren, two boys and one girl.
I asked how they got involved with the Moose Fraternity. Charlie’s father was “a Moose” back in Joliet, illinois, and kept his membership “until the day he died,” said Carol. When they visited here he wanted to sign Charlie up. And Charlie realized it had some good benefits if anything happened to them, and the kids needed to be taken care of. Charlie joined in 1989 and Carol in 1990.
We know how much being a Moose member has meant to both, and the countless hours and responsibilities. There’s been the sale of the buildings and everything else. “After you give up the reins and say goodbye, are you worried about anything for Sunnyvale Moose?” I asked. “Yes!” they both responded. “I’ll be on the phone a lot,” says Carol. Charlie says, “I’ll be worried the rest of my life!” He’d consider being a remote administrator, if it comes to that.
But of course, they are looking forward to plenty to enjoy at Moosehaven, with the many clubs and activities. “We won’t want for anything,” says Carol, “I’ve been told by the people that live there that they wish they’d done it when they were 65 instead of waiting. And you can get your hair done anytime. The Women of the Moose pay for the beauty shop! They have a heated pool you can take a wheelchair into. It is amazing. And we already know some people that are there, besides my sister Betsy.” They don’t plan a lot of travel after that. But who knows? “My daughter in law wants to take me to Savannah,” says Carol.
“You could keep on dancing,” I say to both, “you’ll be retired.” To that Charlie replies, “Walker to walker!”