Together they've faced life's ups and downs, gathered around Table 8.

They've shared laughs, joys, and tears; photographs and even Christmas cards - literally.

"At Christmas time we each buy one card - and everyone signs it with their name and dates it. We're still using the same cards now going on about five years," said Mardell Frazier, 81, of Mattoon.

Now that's a sign of true friends - fun-loving friends who have been meeting each other every weekday for breakfast for decades.

Although the exact date is a little foggy, it has been almost 30 years since that first informal meeting at a soda bar at the Subway Pharmacy, then located at 1804 Broadway Ave. in Mattoon.

Over the years some members have come and gone, but the number remains fairly constant, at about 15 members. The idea came about as a way to start out the day before heading off to work at various downtown businesses, the women said.

And even through retirement the group of witty women - and a husband or two - have met each weekday at 8 a.m. since 1978.

"Most of our first members were retail clerks in downtown Mattoon," Frazier said. "We'd meet at 8 a.m. because most of us had to be at work at 9 a.m."

Members of the group worked at stores and offices that were well-known as far back as 20-plus years ago, including Phipps Cradle and Tot, Mattoon Photo, Thrifty Drug Store, Dawn's Bridal, Burtschi's Gifts and the American Red Cross.

Frazier said she joined the group in 1985. Following a house fire, she took a job downtown and began socializing in the breakfast club.

While their meeting location has changed several times, the purpose remains the same: fun, friendship and support.

The name for the informal social group, Table 8, started after the group began meeting at Uncle Bill's restaurant. At that time they seemed to regularly gather at Table 8. Even when locations changed, the group stuck with the name.

Prior to Uncle Bill's, the group also had met at Gill's Walk-In. Later, the group moved to Gowin's, D&W and, most recently, Pagliacci's.

"We meet each morning, Monday through Friday, for about an hour and a half. We probably should pay rent," said Faye Stroud, 77, of Mattoon.

The women at Table 8 say they appreciate the good company for breakfast. They jest and tease one another and reminisce about days gone by.

"It makes you want to start your day," Frazier said.

But, the group of women, ranging in age from the 50s to the 80s, does more together than just meet for breakfast.

Sometimes they attend each other's church functions; play board games and card games; take bus trips; visit gambling casinos; attend dances; and look after one another. They spend time together shopping, going to social events and attending movies.

They've helped each other through family crises such as a house fire, illnesses and deaths of spouses.

"We're there for weddings and funerals, just about everything," said Marge Smith, 78, of Mattoon.

"Our kids are all busy," said Thea Craig, 85, of Mattoon. "Everyone takes someone somewhere, if they don't have a family member to help."

Sometimes the women feel like winners and play the lottery. Once they split a $3,200 pot 10 ways.

And they have regular rituals.

"One time a month the birthday person chooses the restaurant they want for their birthday dinner. We all share in the cost," Frazier said.

In addition, they have provided surprise showers, including a "puppy shower" when Stroud bought a puppy; and parties for milestone birthdays, such as when the friends hired a stripper for Mary Lou Barber's 70th birthday.

"That (birthday) was seven years ago, and it was so fun. He (dancer) started out dressed as a gorilla, and he ended up in his long underwear and muscle shirt," said Barber, 77, of Mattoon.

"We laughed until we about fell out of our chairs," said Bessie Waltrip, 80, who attends the breakfast meeting with her daughter, Karen Lee, 57, both of Mattoon.

The club held a surprise lingerie shower for Frazier when she married her second husband, Harold.

"The whole time I never stopped laughing. And I even have a video of it. I tried on all the lingerie over my clothes," Frazier said.

The fun at Table 8 isn't expected to end any time soon. The daughters of some of the women plan to start attending regularly, so they may carry on the tradition for decades to come.

Dawn Schabbing can be reached at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.