LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - In need of free advice? A group of lifelong friends is offering advice on any subject to whoever wants it. They call themselves the “Old Broads,” and they hope to spread cheer while building up their own friendships.
“We laugh, but we do give some good advice,” described Cheryl Nyberg.
Nyberg, Kathleen Hodgins, Sue Hatem and Cindy Rogers have been friends since elementary school and still get together even 55 years after graduating from Long Beach High School. They’re always ready to invite anyone to a seat at their table.
“It’s tongue-in-cheek, though,” said Rogers.
Setting up their sign in the Harper McCaughan Town Green during the weekly farmers market or in the corner of the coffee shop, the Old Broads get a wide variety of questions.
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“Mostly, we’re greeted with a smile or a giggle, and they’ll say, ‘What advice can you give me?’” explained Hatem. “We’ll say something like, ‘You could’ve picked a better shirt, but that’s okay.’”
Nyberg lived away from Long Beach for decades. When she moved back a few years ago, the four friends started getting together regularly like no time had passed.
“I think it’s real unusual that we go back as far as we do to kindergarten,” said Nyberg.
As for the name Old Broads?
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“I saw on Facebook a men’s group, and they were called the ‘Old Farts,’” explained Nyberg. “Their saying was ‘the truth is out there, just not here.’ We said, ‘We could do that, let’s give free advice.’”
When something’s free, you have to take it, so I asked them when a good time was to buy a new car.
“20 minutes before your car is dead,” Hodgins responded. “That’s the best time.”
“I think I want interest rates to drop a little bit more,” added Nyberg. “I would milk the car I was driving for all that it’s worth before trading it in.”
While the old classmates enjoy dishing out advice to others, they spend just as much time lifting each other up.
“I will tell you when my husband passed away, these three ladies kept me going,” said Hatem.
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“We’re there for each other,” noted Rogers.
Living through experiences together gives them each a perspective on what the most important priorities for others might be.
“Our best advice is to get a 3D mammogram,” said Hatem.
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“Yeah, that’s what saved my life,” added Rogers.
Rogers lived through breast cancer. Now, she lives to tell others how to catch it early. It’s just one way the Old Broads are helping their community and creating friendships.
“We all need to make connections outside of ourselves,” said Hatem. “That’s the only way we can positively move forward.”
If you’re looking for advice, the Old Broads don’t have a set schedule for getting together. However, when it’s warm, you can usually find them on Saturday morning at the Harper McCaughan Town Green in Long Beach during the farmers market.
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