CNJ+ May 2025

THANK YOU GRANDMA KEMMERER By Richard Mabey Jr.

My maternal grand mother, Lydia Capwell Kemmerer, was born on the ninth of June of 1892. She was the daughter of Rexford and Catherine Tinklepaugh Kemmerer. Grandma was the young est of 11 children. She grew up on her parents’ farm in the small village of Sugar Run, Pennsylva nia. Grandma was a con stant source of inspira tion and encouragement to me. Especially in my writing. In early January of 1966, when I was 12 years old and in the sev enth grade, I found my self in the Barnert Hos pital in Paterson, fighting off a severe case of Rheu matic Fever. I had spent Christmas Day in the hospital.

After Grandma and Grandpa left the hospital, I immediately rewrote my article, adding what it was like to run high atop Ric A-Bear Mountain, pull ing a dog sled with seven other scouts. I knew what it was like firsthand, for I had participated in the big Klondike Derby a year ago, when I was 11 years old. Grandma was right, adding the adventure of running along the ridge of Ric-A-Bear Mountain did add a pinch of salt to my article. From that point on, I would always make it a point to have Grandma K read my articles, be fore typing them up for the old Lincoln Park Her ald. All through my four years at Boonton High School and my two years at County College of Morris, I wrote well over a hundred articles for the old Lincoln Park Her ald. They centered upon scouting events, church youth group happenings and little stories about my neighborhood.

The big Boy Scout Klondike Derby was held on the first week end in January. My dad was Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 and had granted me the serious job of writing an article about the Klondike Der by for the old Lincoln Park Herald. I wrote the article from my hospital bed, with the hand-writ ten notes that Dad had written down in his little pocket notebook.

Now at 71, I realize on a much deeper level, how much Grandma K helped me to become a better writer. In the past month or so, I’ve thought a lot about Grandma K. I owe her a debt that I can never repay. In reverent prayer, I thank the good Lord for giving me such a wonderful, loving and caring grandmother, in Grandma K. She had such an amazing insight into human nature. I loved her very dearly, I still do. In August of 1984, the angels called Grandma K, Home to Heaven’s Gate. I don’t think a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of her. Grandma had an immensely kind and loving heart. She made the best apple pies I have ever had. I look forward to seeing her again, at Heaven’s Gate. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has had two books published. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.

A photo of my dear, sweet maternal grandmother, Lydia Capwell Kemmerer. I took this picture of Grandma, just a few months before she passed away.

I had just finished writing this article, when Grandma and Grandpa Kem merer came to visit me at the hospital. I showed Grandma and Grandpa my article. They both read it. Grandpa told me he liked it a lot. But it was Grandma who spoke up and told me that something was missing. That my article needed that “little sprinkling of salt” as I remember she called it. “Don’t they have a big mountain in that Boy Scout Camp,” Grandma asked me. “They sure do, Grandma. It’s part of the Klondike Trail,” I replied. “Well then you write about that mountain in your article,” Grandma told me. “It’ll bring a little zest to it,” I remember all so well, Grandma telling me.

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CNJ+ | FORMERLY THE MILLSTONE TIMES

MAY 2025