VALLEY CLUB Friends to the end -- and beyond

They'll be there for one another, long after 'Friends' ends.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
HE BASEMENT OF LISA ANTO-nini's home in Austintown is as busy as Central Perk coffeehouse.
In one room, several women -- two of whom cradle infants -- sit near a TV set, ready for the second-to-last new episode of NBC's "Friends." In another room that's equipped like a second kitchen, even more women are seated at a long table, enjoying a dinner of sausage and peppers, potato casserole, salsa and chips and chocolate cake. Surely there is a pot of coffee somewhere, but it's hard to tell amid all the hubbub.
Just before 8 p.m., one woman says goodbye because it's bedtime for her two young children. The others gravitate to the TV. As soon as scenes from the last "Friends" episode begin to roll, the only sound in the basement is "Shhhh." That is, until character Chandler Bing cracks one of his jokes or Joey Tribbiani makes another dim-witted observation. Then the laughter begins.
Longtime club
There's been a local Friends Club for nearly as long as there's been a "Friends" sitcom. Sixteen women, add or subtract a few, have taken turns holding once-a-month "Friends" viewing parties, usually at their homes.
Antonini hosted the last regularly scheduled party of the season two weeks ago. A special "Friends" farewell party tonight at Jennifer Ritter's home in North Lima replaces the group's usual May gathering, which is a Mother's Day dinner with their mothers at a local restaurant.
Their ages range from late 20s to mid-40s. They talk about their lives as wives and mothers. Between them, they have more than 30 children. They talk about their careers; there are teachers, librarians, a doctor, attorneys, a social worker, health care workers, office managers and a political figure (Antonini, who is Mahoning County Democratic Party chairwoman).
"It's a nice mix, because we're not always together all the time," said Mollie Kay of Boardman. "When you come here, you catch up."
They discuss current events. On this night, topics range from whether pop star Michael Jackson is guilty of child molestation to football player Maurice Clarett's eligibility for the NFL draft. Naturally, they critique the actors, wardrobes and story lines of "Friends."
Starting out
Some of the women met years ago while playing in a local softball league. The Friends club was an extension of that. Kay, her sister, Liz Phillips of Boardman and their cousin, Adele Yanssens of North Lima, are credited as the club's co-founders.
Like the "Friends" cast of characters, many of these friends were single and apartment dwellers when they met. So many of them have married and changed dwellings that they now compare their Thursday-night gatherings to new home tours.
The bylaws have changed a bit, too. At first, it was strictly a ladies' night out -- no boyfriends, husbands or children. "The no-kids rule didn't last long" because of child-care issues, said Sharon Baker of Boardman. Still, a husband should not stay home when it's his wife's turn to host the party, and Friends Club members are supposed to eat dinner together on those nights.
The menu varies from month to month. On Baker's last turn, she served Chinese food. The others won't let Yanssens forget the time she was the host and offered light fare -- a fruit plate and muffins.
"And tons of salad," Yanssens interjected.
"There was no salad, honey. ... We ordered pizza because we were starving," another woman said. Then they laughed, as friends do.
Earlier members have dropped out, sometimes because they relocated to other communities. Some women showed up only once or twice. "You either love us or hate us. We can't figure it out," Baker said.
All are welcome
Still, all are always welcome, as are visiting relatives. "If you're [from] out of town and it's club night, you've gotta come," Baker said.
A majority of Friends Club members hope that in tonight's finale, on-and-off couple Ross and Rachel will reunite. The dissenter is Bridget Weber of Boardman, who's had enough of their romance. "No Ross and Rachel, please!" she said with gusto.
Perhaps newlywed Phoebe will announce that she's pregnant? "That would be nice," Kay said.
Asked which of them share traits with the "Friends" characters, they decided that Angela Lanzo of Lowellville, an attorney, is like Monica, the fussy chef with a cleaning obsession. Kay cooks like Monica. Someone compared Yanssens with Phoebe, the ditzy, singing, hippie massage therapist. Yanssens moaned.
"Friends" is signing off after 10 seasons, but these friends have vowed that they will uphold their monthly get-togethers.
"We need a night out," said Paula Behe of Boardman.
Looking ahead
Kay is the club's secretary who makes up the meeting schedule. It's completed through 2005, she said.
A family picnic is planned for this summer at the campgrounds where Baker has a membership. Their husbands are getting to know each other. Some of their children are attending the same schools. Their lives are bound to be intertwined for some time.
"We always say we're going to Vegas," Baker said. Las Vegas was the setting for one popular "Friends" episode in which Ross and Rachel were too drunk to know they had gotten married in a chapel.
As for what they'll watch on TV, Weber said they'll give the "Friends" spinoff "Joey" a chance when it debuts this fall.
If "Joey" is a bomb, they may not have to change the station. "We're getting hooked on 'Will & amp; Grace'," Baker said.
It's another show about good friends.
shaulis@vindy.com