BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Robert Stalzer, a speaker at the American Menza convention here, wears inflatable eyballs as he wanders around the Omni Netherland Friday.
(Ryan Miller photo)
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The first time David Mann saw his future wife, she casually twirled a cartwheel, then went back to walking down the hall at a Mensa convention in the early 1980s.
A free spirit, he thought, and was immediately attracted. Her sharp wit, insightful intelligence and dogged independence cinched the deal, and a decade later, David and Linda Mann of Huntsville, Ala., became M&Ms: married Mensans.
They joined about 1,400 people from around the country this weekend in Cincinnati for the annual American Mensa gathering. To be a member requires a score in the top 2 percent of standardized intelligence tests. That generally means an IQ of above 130 or an SAT score of 1250.
Despite the elite qualification for membership, Mr. Mann insists Mensans can't be typecast. Sure, there are a handful of nerds. A few brain surgeons and even one or two rocket scientists, such as Mr. Mann, who is an engineer for NASA.
But there's also Janet Urban from Joliet, Ill., who's a prison counselor. The corner of a pool table and the message "Rack 'Em" is etched in tattoo ink on her left shoulder. She played a round of euchre with De Freshwater, of Fairview Park, Ohio, an administrative assistant; Cher Burnham, of Lockport, Ill., an accountant; and Bill Vincent, of Manchester, Conn., who owns a small sales company.
Mensans range from 3 years old to 80, from welfare recipients to billionaires. They number 44,000 nationwide and include notables such as actress Geena Davis, former world boxing champ Bobby Czyz and Hard Copy co-anchor Barry Nolan.
"Mensans don't fit any stereotypes," Mr. Mann said. "Or we fit them all."
In many ways, the Manns' attraction for each other mirrors the reasons people said they joined Mensa.
Fellow Mensans laugh at their jokes. They play games and tell stories. Interests among members are so varied that they can count on at least a handful to enjoy cross-stitching, spelunking, singing or drinking.
Activities at this weekend's event included a Reds game and a pub crawl. Seminars offered discussions ranging from relaxation techniques to steps for success, dating tips to finding happiness in being single.
Cynthia Collins of Cincinnati dressed up early for Friday evening's costume party where members came as puns. With a candle wick, wrench and black vest, she was the "Wick-ed Wrench of the Vest."
"There are adults here, but they're like kids," Ms. Collins said. "They're adult enough to play."
For Bob Beatty, the convention offers a few days to feed his intellectual curiosity.
"It provides a broad opportunity to experience diverse ideas," said the Hilliard, Ohio, man.
It also provides another link between Mr. Beatty and his wife, Kathy. Both Mensans, the two have a mutual respect for each other's intelligence and talents. But their relationship transcends the cerebral.
During a re-dedication of vows ceremony, Mrs. Beatty thanked her husband for his reassuring touch and for his unwavering support.
And, she said, for being "the first person who told me I'm pretty . . . and you tell me over and over again until I start to believe it."
