The eight coffee drinkers have saved a bit of money through the years because coffee at Red River Pharmacy, their meeting place, has been free.
That's what the sign out front states. "Free hot coffee."
The eight are a part of an unofficial group. Regular free coffee drinkers. One might expect the members to be appreciative. They've shown up at 8 a.m. each weekday morning and 9 a.m. on Saturdays-when the doors open, in other words-for several years.
But, no, that's not this group's character. They are, one might say, irreverent. They "tell it like it is," going along with the comic of their generation, Red Skelton, who in his character of Freddie the Freeloader, used to say, "I calls them as I sees them."
Recently, for example, when the electricity went off, the group readily complained to employee and volunteer coffee maker Gary "Cracker" Maxwell that the coffee "wasn't very warm."
"Well, I told them they could just go some other place and find that $1.50 or $2 cup of coffee that would be warmer," Maxwell said.
The group didn't have much to say to that. Maxwell, it might be added, is an employee who works all day with a smile on his face. He and the group actually have a mutual admiration society.
"He even sits down with us sometimes, but the owners probably may not think that's best," the group says, trying to start a little controversy. No one took the bait.
Here are the names of the current "unofficial" eight. Four others have passed away, allowing the new ones to take their place.
- James Cothren, the ringleader.
- Tom Hooten, the real ringleader.
- Pete Norton, likes attention and an the occasional hug.
- James "Troop" Estes, the jokester. Spares no one.
- David Harrist, has plenty to say.
- Charles Hale, brings the doughnuts.
- Charles Dunlap, last one to arrive.
- Hoot Gibson, newest, still finding his way.
The four recent deceased members are Carlton Broadaway, Hugh Steger, J.R. O'Kelley and Lawrence Ware.
Cothren said the group actually goes back 10 or 15 years. They got started then at Walker Drug Store with Dr. James Hughes, attorney Charlie Thompson, businesswoman Terri Barlow and Cothren being the first four. Through the years, the group's size has remained around eight drinkers. Perhaps that's the best size for conversation.
Like other groups, this one solves the world's problems, but it has somewhat of a different take on it.
"We tell the politicians what to do one day and then have to do the same thing all over the next day," the group agrees.
Not to be content with just morning coffee, the group returns to the Red River Pharmacy coffee house after lunch around 2 in the afternoon with a "different crowd," Cothren said.
So that's twice a day of "free hot coffee." Wonder if the group complains about other peoples' benefits?