14 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 1, 1995 Crispell (continued from page 1) and his face has room for a lot more lines. Summing up, his general condition for that many ' years on this planet (remember, 86!) is not just excellent it's mi- raculous. His sense of humor still works too. Harry was born on March 22, 1909 in Forty Fort. The family moved to Beaumont and Harry moved to his present home on Fairground Road so far back the date is fuzzy, but he knows they've been on the road through its four name changes. Crispells are scattered all over the Back Mountain, like cousins Claude, Earl, Lester and Kenny. Most are, or were, long-lived. Lester at 82 would be farming still if his barn and equipment weren't destroyed by a fire several years ago. Harry's two sisters, were in their 80's; Minnie saw fit to leave 15 offspring behind. Harry's Dad, a Beaumont farmer, also had a ‘team of horses which delivered ‘coal from the Pettebone breaker ‘for D.W. Davis. He too, was “up in years” when he passed on. Nephew Ken Crispell of Ken's Garage in Luzerne says, “Don’t be surprised about anything you hear when it comes to Crispells. It's in their blood.” Harry's Uncle Albert of Levittown says, “The only word for Harry is ‘amazing’.” Dr. Al- bert, 40 years in education, is 77 himself, and founder ofthe school- house museum at Harveys Lake. He does not believe however, that pack-a-day is in any way respon- sible for Harry's continued good health. He too thinks “it’s in the blood.” First Family — (continued from page 1) “Chelsea was very nice,” Kelly said. “We stood outside the church for a few minutes, talked and had our picture taken together. She thanked me for the gift.” She hopes Chelsea will find time in her busy schedule to write to her. Selecting the gifts was almost as much of an adventure as meet- ing the Clintons, Kelly said. “Uncle Pat took me to Helen Schwartz Gifts in Scranton,” she said. “Everything was made out of glass — 1 kept my hands in my pockets the whole time.” After the service, Kelly and Rogan joined 50 other guests invited to the home of a Rodham family friend for a small reception for the baby. “Chelsea was very nice... She thanked me for the gift.” Kelly Lenahan Met the Clintons in Scranton “The Clintons had to eat fast, talk a little and run, so there wasn't much more time to visit with them,” Kelly said. “Mrs. Clin- ton was very nice. She told me she liked my suit and it looked like one she would wear. With every- thing going on and so many people there, she still remembered my name every time she said some- thing to me - and even made her limousine driver wait for her until we were finished talking together.” Describing the First Family as “regular people,” Kelly said she was impressed with them. Kelly is a “regular person” too. The daughter of Kathy and Bob Lenahan of Dallas Township, she's in Mrs. Crabtree’s fifth grade at Dallas Elementary. She has two brothers, Bobby, 8, and Connor, 6, whom she occasionally gets to boss around because she's the oldest. She plays soccer with the Scor- pions, a great Back Mountain team. Her favorite position is de- fense, although she's done them all. In addition to reading (espe- cially mysteries), Kelly loves to write and draw. She hopes to write and illustrate books when she’s older. When she came home from Scranton, she immediately wrote down her impressions of the visit so she wouldn't forget them. Her mother suggested she take the paper to school to show her teacher. Later Kelly read her es- say to all Ms. Reiss's social stud- ies classes and the next day to the entire student body on the school's morning radio show. “My fourth grade teacher, Mr. Jones, said I'll be a famous writer one day,” she said smiling. “He said he wants 10 percent of my earnings when I'm a rich and famous author.” Harry met his present wile, formerly Helen Wancho, at a farmer dance only 14 years ago when she attended with her sister and two cousins. (His first wife left him early during World War II towork in the shipyards and never returned. He did not appear to be broken up over this.) Harry him- self had a draft deferment and had started at the Northeastern Bank as a window washer, even- tually rising to chief maintenance superintendent. “He’s jump-started hundreds, winter or sumuner, rain or shine.” Mike Kelly Co-worker at Back Mountain Auto Some job overlapping in Harry's career makes it difficult to pin down dates, but a parade of employers is clear. When he left the bank he worked for each of these owners in turn at the ESSO station on Rt. 309, now housing the new Orloski’s: Clyde Birth; Jack Downey Sr.; Jack Downey, Jr.; Bill Spurlin and his son, Dave Spurlin, Harry's present employer, the Back Mountain Auto Special- ists in Shavertown. It was Dave who first suggested this feature on Harry, long over- due in his opinion. Dave says, “I could never pay him what he is worth and I could never replace him. Maybe this is thanks.” | 141 Kelly Lenahan of Dallas met the First Family when the Clintons POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Harry Crispell, at age 86, still works every day at Back Mountain Auto Specialists. Among his ' duties, he runs the wrecker and takes calls to get people into their locked cars. Spurlin explains with no trace of awe: “This man is supposed to start at seven. He doesn’t. He is always there early, six days aweek. He opens up. He makes coffee. He changes tires and he fixes tires. he picks up customers, or drives them home. And then there is the wrecker. That, you won't believe.” came to Scranton for the dedication of a godchild. Kelly spoke with Chelsea Clinton, and has written to her since. The day I met the First Family By KELLY LENAHAN Dallas Elementary School On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Presi- dent of the U.S. (Bill Clinton), his wife, Hillary and his daughter, Chelsea, came to Scranton for the dedication of Hillary's brother's son, Zachary Rodham. The dedication was held at the Methodist Church in Scranton with a party afterward at their friend's home in the East Moun- tain part of Scranton. There were only 50 people invited to the church and the party. I was thrilled to be one of those invited guests. 1 accompanied my uncle, Attorney Patrick Rogan. He is a friend of the Rodham family. The event started at the church. The First Family, the Rodhams and the new baby sat in the first seat. The Secret Service sat in the second, the presidential aides sat in the third and Pat and I sat in the fourth row. We were extremely lucky to get such great seats. During the Sign of Peace, the president came to me, after his family, and shook my hand. Zachary, the baby was dedi- cated during the ceremony. The President and Mrs. Clinton were his godparents. Zachary's mother is Jewish and his father is Meth- odist. The female minister ex- plained to the congregation why he was dedicated instead of bap- tized. This allows him to choose his religious faith when he is old enough to make his decision. After the church, all of the people at the service went to a house for a small party. At the house I was very privileged to have my picture taken with the President, Mrs. Clinton and four times with Chelsea. The Clinton family was very nice to me. They didn’t act super- special. They were real people. They remembered my name each time they spoke to me. As the Clintons were leaving the party to go to the airport, my uncle and I walked Mrs. Clinton down to the driveway to her li- mousine. The limo driver said, “We're ready to go Mrs. Clinton.” She replied “Justa moment.” Then she finished her conversation with Pat and me. Even though they are very busy people, the Clintons took the time to talk to each per- son and never seemed to be in a big hurry to finish with anyone. While I was at the party, a lot of people said to me, “You will re- member this day.” I know I will remember. I will always remem- ber the day I was privileged to meet the First Family. “You see,” Spurlin goes on, “We are the AAA rep and get about 200 calls per month. At least a third are answered by Harry, who can winch you out of a ditch if neces- sary. And we get 15 calls a week from people who have locked themselves out of their cars. Harry gets them unlocked.” . She says, By a coincidence, realtor and cousin Mary Crispell locked her- self out and Harry rescued her. “He's only a distant cousin but a kinder, more helpful gentleman doesn’t exist.” Spurlin can recall only one case of a sort of sick leave for Harry. He had picked up a severe infection College to stage Crimes of the Heart The Theater Club at College Misericordia will present Beth Henley's comedy Crimes of the Heart November 3-4 and 10-11 at 8 p.m. in Walsh Auditorium. Tickets are $5, or $3 for students and seniors. For more information call 674-6719. KT tax face value period ends Nov. 15 Kingston Township tax collector Janice Castellani reminds resi- dents that face value on 1995 school tax bills will end November 15. All taxes will be due at penalty value after that date. Hours at the township office, 11 Carverton Road, Trucksville are Mon.-Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Final collections for the year will be December 15. Life Improvement Loans requiring hospitalization and was in over the weekend. On Sunday he badgered the attending doctor to let him go home Monday so he _could get back to work. The “BMAS” mechanics almost take Harry for granted, but if questioned, their respect shows. Mike Kelly says, “There isn’t much about a disabled car Harry can't fix. He's jump-started hundreds, winter or summer, rain or shine. I'm not sure I could do what he does at his age...heck I'd like to retire at 40!” Some of Harry's friends and | contemporaries have thinned out ° while he is still going strong. He had an agreement with one, Dick Disque, from the funeral home on ° Memorial Highway. They were to give each other “two weeks notice” and each would not go in to work - when the other passed on. Neither kept his part of the bargain. Dick gave no notice, and Harry went in to work as usual. That is quite likely to go on, and ‘on, and on. It's in the blood. KT begins bagged leaf collection Kingston Township's annual pick up of bagged leaves has been scheduled for November 6 - 17, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents should have leaves bagged and placed at the curbside for pick-up. Road superintendent Robert Chamberlain asks the coopera- tion of residents inrefraining from @@ sweeping leaves into gutters and roadways, which block storm drains and poses a serious main- tenance problem for the Road Department. Residents are also reminded that burning of leaves requires a township burning permit. Also, no burning of leaves in gutters along roadways will be permitted . because of the damage to the asphalt. For more information call the township office at 696-3809. : Up The House Was Always In Her Plans. We Made Sure A Broken Furnace Didnt Change Them. When the furnace broke, she thought all of her plans would have to be put on hold. Until she came to Mellon. We gave her a Home Equity Personal Credit Line that she could use whenever she needed. Plus, we helped her get a lower rate on her loan and savings on other bank services with our Smart Accounts Visit a Mellon office today or call 1 800 MELLON-2 to apply for a loan that gives you what you need. | @) Mellon Bank © 1995 Melon Bank Comoration. *Specicl infiadiictory rate applies 10 fist sx ull monthly cycles of new Variable Ree Home Equity Personal Cred Line: aecounts: Annuat percentage aie ater special inroductony period may vary but will nat exceed 25%: Alt rates 1/365ih: hig Fin leap years, Hazard insurance required. Tie insurance may be required on ines greater than $100,000; on a $101,000 Ine would be $908.00. Closing costs chaiged and. estimated af: morgage recading $29.00; mortgage satisfaction $19.00; appraisal $225.00; tile search $60.00, Flood Hazard Status Vesification: '™ i $19.00. Actual costs may be higher or lowes, Special infroductory fate will be discontinued in case of 30-day. ney. Speciatinioductory offer not avaiiciole on interest-only accounts and may be modified or discontinued without prior notice, Mellon Bark. N.A. - Member FDIC, Northeastern Region, (swe “Pp
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