Paul Harvey

 

It was a cold late afternoon in Erie Pennsylvania, the kind they poke fun at when they talk about Great Lakes weather. But there was excitement in the hearts of my young business fraternity brothers as we waited “all decked out in our suits and ties” in the lobby of the historic Warner theater. You see, in an attempt to raise funds for an upcoming fraternity convention in Dallas,  we, along with a local professional business group,  had been able to somehow convince Paul Harvey,  an up and coming broadcaster and commentator to fly to what has been called “the mistake on the lake” and share with Erie Pa. his unique form of commentary.

As the theater’s side door opened a stately man walked in followed by a whirl of snowflakes and a gust of cold air. But this did not seem to deter Mr. Harvey, bundled up in a long dark overcoat,  from walking directly to me, shaking my hand and  as the fraternity's President and evenings designated presenter,  given the opportunity to welcome him to our fair town.

 

As the lights came up and I greeted Mr. Harvey on stage, he was welcomed by a small but appreciative audience. The commentary thereafter  was classic Paul Harvey, spellbinding is his presentation, bigger than life, with no one daring  to cough or sneeze  and muffle the spoken word.

And then, when one was just beginning to be enamored by his unique style and commentary his oratory was over and he graciously departed the stage. An appreciative applause followed and what was to become  one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation’s history would soon depart Erie and begin the first year of twenty of  National syndication for “Paul Harvey Comments”.

At this point you might ask, “Well Joe, what is the rest of the story?” Well in this case there isn’t any. I was able, however, to  catch his eye as he was surrounded by well wishers and departed the old theater. In that brief split second in time I felt the warmness of this fine gentleman and his respect for a young up and coming businessman that would never cross his path again. His presence in my life, no matter how brief, had made me a better man and I thank him for that. God Bless you Paul Harvey.