By Linda Jones
Ron Stewart, Coach America bus driver, with Casino Tour escort, Marie Robinson
Marci at Bull Durham summed up the group nicely by saying, “They’re friendly, fun, easy-going people and they get so excited when they win. They’re young because they’re out doing things.”
The Windsor Gardens gamblers are out doing LOTS of things, thanks to their Tour Escort Marie Robinson. She arranges trips to plays at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, to the Boulder Dinner Theater, Heritage Square and concerts, but gambling trips are always popular. Everybody loves coming to Black Hawk to gamble and they all grab the Colorado Gambler as soon as it arrives each week at Windsor Gardens. Everyone we talked to said, “You’ve got to get it (Gambler) fast, before they’re all gone.”
The Windsor Gardens group comes twice a month; on the second Wednesday they gamble at the Mardi Gras and on the fourth Tuesday, at Bull Durham. On Feb. 22, Coach America driver Ron Stewart brought 53 happy campers to Bull Durham.
Ron began driving for Coach America in 1991 in Albuquerque, and then transferred to Houston. In 2002, he was transferred to the Coach America office in Golden. He’s a good fit for this responsibility, and his easy humor and patience make him a favorite with the group.
Ron said “They just love to come up here; they enjoy the drive and the scenery.”
Virginia and Joe Montana enjoy a Bloody Mary at the Bull Durham Casino.
Trip Escort, Marie, is a perky natural-born leader. After 20 years of bringing gambling groups to Central City and Black Hawk, she’s still excited about it. When legalized gambling first began in October 1991, she brought her groups to the Teller House. She tells us this is a good group. Her enthusiasm belies the fact she recently had a stroke; only the cane she now uses hints at any physical problems.
Marie likes reading the Gambler; the history and the horoscopes are her favorites, but she says she likes it all. Marie says she’s nearly always a winner at Bull Durham and she likes that.
Talking to Joe Montana was a treat. He’s not that Joe Montana by the way, but his brother-in-law was an NFL official and worked one Super Bowl. Joe worked as a pressman all his life and retired from Rocky Mountain Bank Notes.
“I enjoy the paper tremendously. It’s a wonderful paper. I like the history, Dorothy [Rosby] and Bob [Sweeney]. I liked the wooden stove article Bob wrote and tell Bob he doesn’t have anything on me. I come every time a bus comes to Black Hawk. My wife comes too.”
Marci and Mel from Bull Durham help serve up the fun (and infamous Bloody Mary’s and tasty dogs) for the guests from Windsor Gardens.
When we met his wife Virginia, we just had to comment on her two-state name – Virginia Montana – and we learned her twin brother is named Alabama, but called Bama. The Montanas have been married 60 years on March 26.
When asked what they’ll do on the big day, Virginia said, “The kids (two girls, two boys) had a big celebration on our 50th and I told them this time I wanted to come to Black Hawk.”
When asked about her enjoyment of the newspaper, she said, “We get the Gamblers as soon as they’re delivered. I love the history of Colorado and the tips. I’m a big video poker player and like the video poker tips. I love the Bull Durham; it’s so friendly and the hot dogs and soup are good. Their Bloody Mary is really good. Gambling is the best thing for seniors. Gambling is just great entertainment for seniors. We’d come more if we could. I feel safe. We’ll come as long as we can. I almost always win.”
Her largest win was a Royal Flush that hit for $1,200.
“I hit lots of Royal Flushes,” she said
When asked if she always wins, Virginia said, “I keep a positive attitude – I expect to win. If I don’t, I still have a nice day and a great time.”
She started the day out buying a Lotto ticket and winning $10.
“And I have over 100 credits on this machine already,” she said.
Mel at Bull Durham says the Windsor group is “friendly and fun.” After meeting them, we agree.
