Hell's Grannies: Illinois Nursing Home Residents Form a Biker Gang

Their group often pass by the Evil Olive bar, in Wicker Park, during day trips and were curious what goes on inside.

When Life Enrichment Director Ruth Werstler figured out that the Evil Olive was a nightclub, it didn't deter the elderly. Instead, one of them came up with the idea of going out as bikers.

“It was all my idea,” Elizabeth Barrett, 68, said laughing. “We aren’t the regular type of nursing home.”

The director helped transform the elderly into a boss biker gang. She recruited hairstylists, make-up artists, a professional costumer and a tattoo artist to donate their time to make the ladies look fearsome.

About 100 people attended the club, including members of the Latino American Motorcycle Association and Chicago’s Chapter of A.B.A.T.E.

“These women were serious, man,” said Evil Olive General Manager Eric Bollard. “They showed up with pink hair and skull caps. It was for real. … One woman walked straight up to the bar and ordered a Dirty Martini. It was great.”

Werstler is trying to raise $25,000 for a touch screen computer system for the retirement home so that residents can learn and use the Internet. The spontaneous semi-fundraiser in the bar pitched in about $250 toward the “Never-Too-Late.”


[Via NBC Chicago]