In this continuing series, I am speaking to Mr. Terry Reppert about his memories of Northampton and Laurys Station. He recalls, “My mother spent many years as a waitress. Ms. Kathy Herger met my father in a Philadelphia restaurant when his ship was in port during World War II. My mom was a non-stop mother.”

In Northampton, she worked at Dute’s Lunch, 2015 Main St., across from the Roxy, and the Georgian, at 1802 Main St. Most Northampton people know police Officer George Walsh; his father operated the popular restaurant. She also used her waitress skills at the Allen House.

The A-House has quite a history. It was built by John H. Kleppinger in 1872. In the early days, Northampton’s first fire company was housed in a barn to the rear of the hotel. The company was named the Siegfried Fire Co. It gradually declined and was replaced by three fire companies. The Allen House was purchased by George and Lottie Seiger and became home to local service clubs. The Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Quota and Business and Professional Women held their meetings in the hotel.

The Allen House was always crowded around lunch time. You would find officials from the Atlas, Lawrence Coplay and Whitehall Cement companies having their meals there. One can still see some supervisors from Lafarge at today’s Assante.

Over the years, the hotel has had numerous owners. Mrs. Reppert worked there when it was owned by the Bowen family. At one time, you could house a horse between the hotel and pay $1.50 per day to rent a room.

The owners of the Gourmet Inn on Cherryville Road persuaded Kathy to work there. I’m sure some of my loyal readers have dined there! At one time the scenic site and surrounding fields were owned by George Dery, the famous Catasauqua silk mill magnate. As a youth, my father-in-law worked up there on Dery’s farm.

The inn had a beautiful setting, which attracted customers from throughout the Lehigh Valley.

I asked Terry who some notable customers were. Terry replied, “Max Hess of Allentown was one of her favorite customers. Mr. Hess made weekly visits. When asked where he wanted to be seated, he replied, ‘At any table where Kathy is the waitress.’ Mrs. Reppert would spend over 20 years at the restaurant.”

During his school years, Terry worked in the restaurant’s kitchen. In his junior year at Parkland High School, he joined the Navy Reserves. He spent the summer of his junior year in a Navy boot camp.

When he graduated, he joined the Navy at the age of 17, following his father who had enlisted in the Navy at 17 during World War II. Terry served on the Waccamaw, a 646-foot-long tanker. The ship carried a million gallons of fuel.

The Waccamaw fueled every type of ship from carriers to submarines. The assignment took the young sailor throughout the world, a six-year odyssey ending in 1971.

His first job in civilian life was a laborer working on the construction of the middle school in Northampton. After a year at Everson Electric, Terry was hired by PP&L. He proudly recalled, “I worked with many good men. We worked at every PP&L power plant. The work was challenging but very rewarding when we completed a project.”

Mr. Reppert logged 43 years with the landmark company. Both Terry and his father served the nation and the community they love - Laurys Station, Pa.

I thank Terry for his gracious cooperation in writing this series and my friend Larry Oberly for his photography.

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Much more in two weeks.