Engravers reunite at monthly lunch

Former Beacon Journal engravers Chuck Schmook and Pat Dougherty had a reunion today at the monthly lunch for BJ alums at Papa Joe’s restaurant. Chuck and Pat talked about their BJ days together in the 1980s and '90s. Everyone at the table talked about being chewed out by the late icon,

Fran Murphey. Fran gave the engravers what-for, too. Not just editors. And she was one of a kind, and many people got their only photo in the BJ because it was in Fran’s column. Often, those photos also were in their obituaries.

A lot of the conversation revolved around people that Chuck knew from his BJ days –- too many dead, some still kicking.

Chuck, who is a life-long Parma resident, worked at the now-extinct Cleveland Press before coming to the BJ. He and his wife, Eleanor, drive their motor home to Florida to visit his relatives in Bonita Springs. And elsewhere.

Pat was preparing to spend time in a tent with his grandson at Camp Butler, a Scout overnighter. Of course, that meant he had to pay the fee, buy a tent, a cot and other equipment. Maybe $200. An outing with his grandson: Priceless.

Others at Papa Joe’s were retired printers Cal Deshong, Carl Nelson and Gene McClellan and newsroom retirees Tom Moore and John Olesky.

BJ alumni have lunch at Papa Joe's at 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Show up and join in the chatter and laughter.

Chuck’s photo with wife Eleanor at a Cleveland Indians game appears five items down from this article in this BJ Alums blog. Chuck’s sister from Sacramento was involved in getting them to the baseball contest.

Click on the headline to see photos of the lucky seven at Papa Joe’s today.