More than 120 people attended Villa Park’s fourth annual Mrs. Roper Romp on Saturday evening, Oct. 3. The large group of revelers copied the style of Helen Roper from the popular TV series “Three’s Company,” which aired from 1977-84, and spawned a spinoff titled “The Ropers” that ran from 1979-80. Dressed in curly red wigs and caftans, the caravan in Saturday’s event visited six local establishments (Stulgin’s Park Blvd. Tavern, Ardmore Lounge, Standard Meadery, 302 Villa Park, DeMito’s Saloon, and DeVine Wine and Cocktail Bar).
Mrs. Roper Romp events began popping up around the country a few years ago. In 2023, Villa Park resident Donna Hinrichs thought of putting together the inaugural Mrs. Roper Romp in the Garden Village. Angie Rojek and Cheryl Wolf, who are also residents of Villa Park, joined Hinrichs to organize the 2023 event, which was essentially a gathering of the members in the ladies’ informal book club.
“Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” said Rojek, who thought of adding a fundraising dimension to the 2024 event. The fundraising theme has continued, with a different beneficiary in each of the last few years. The funds raised from this year’s event, which included a split-the-pot drawing, were donated to the Villa Park Women’s Club’s annual scholarship. The club awards up to two $1,000 scholarships annually to female high school seniors from Villa Park.
“It helps Villa Park businesses, and it’s fun,” added Rojek in describing the annual event. She noted that she and her fellow organizers now give advance notice to the establishments they will attend.
“We tell them we’re coming,” said Rojek.
