When he first approached Bow’s Baker Free Library staff, Russell Page mainly wanted someone to tell fish tales to. Many of Page’s friends had passed away and he simply needed an ear.

For the first few weeks of the Men’s Coffee Chat program now taking place every Thursday morning, the only ears in the downstairs meeting room were his own. Page sat in the room, hoping for someone to share a basket of muffins.

After a few weeks, word got out about the program and on any given Thursday morning, you will now find about four Bow-area men sharing stories about college, work, or just swearing the fish they caught that one time was “this big.”

“I like to hear the other stories. As a fisherman, you get to be summa *** laude storyteller,” said Bow resident Dennis Salter. “This is interesting, impromptu and we don’t have an agenda. We drift into as many subjects as we can.”

The first rule for the group is simple – talk about wives is forbidden.

Among other topics seen as taboo for the men are religion, politics and professional sports. During the Thursday, April 10, session, the talk focused mainly on fishing. Even for the non-fisherman, fish tales are worth hearing.

“I have really enjoyed meeting other people and listening to their stories. I’m not a fisherman, but I enjoyed hearing those stories,” said Bill Carlisle, who has lived in Bow for two years. “I’m not by nature a big storyteller, but I do have stories to add. It’s good to get out and talk to others, instead of hiding in my woodworking shop.”

Although the group is small, about four members attend each week, the discussion lasts the full hour and a half on a variety of topics.

“It’s been therapeutic for me. I’m a natural-born chatter, a compulsive talker,” said Page. “The are nice, pleasant and knowledgeable. They know what they’re doing, where they’ve been and where they want to go.”

Each Thursday, Baker Free librarians set up a basket of muffins and, of course, brew a fresh pot of coffee for the group to enjoy during their discussions.

For Bob Porat, the Men’s Coffee Chat group gave him a chance to do something different. “Curiosity was what brought me out at first,” said Porat. “Most of my friends aren’t around. Being legally blind, I am limited, so this was something for me to take part in.”

Group members said they hope to have a larger base of members to choose from, without having so many members that everyone won’t get an opportunity to talk.

“The hour and a half goes by fast,” said Page. “All are welcome, and we’ll let the group take its own direction. Everyone should have a chance to say something.”

The library staff provided the men with the one item that was missing from the room. “They asked us if there was anything we needed, and we said a trash can,” said Page. “Now, we can pick up at the end of the meetings and we’re guilt free.”

The Bow Men’s Coffee Chat meets Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Baker Free Library. They’ll have coffee and muffins waiting for you to share a little conversation.