By Richard Mabey Jr.

From an early age, my father encouraged me to write. I think that he saw that I had a gift, and he did his very best to encourage me to work hard to become a good writer. My father was one of the wisest men whom I have ever known. Yet, he dropped out of school to join the United States Army Air Corps, during World War II. It was a calling that he felt a great conviction about, when his older brother’s Navy ship was sunk, just off the British coast.

My dad became Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 in September of 1966, after having served two years as a Troop Committeeman. And, Dad so dearly encouraged me to write scouting articles for the old Lincoln Park Herald. I was blessed beyond my wildest imagination, because it opened the door for me to develop a friendship with Mr. Nicholas Marino, the Editor-in-Chief of the Lincoln Park Herald.

In January of 1967, I was 13 years old and in the eighth grade at Chapel Hill School. Boy Scout Troop 170 had participated in the big district-wide Klondike Derby at Mount Camp Allamuchy. And, Dad had asked me to write an article about Troop 170’s participation in the Klondike.

The little office that was home to the old Lincoln Park Herald was located on Boonton Turnpike, just across the street from the backyard playground of Chapel Hill School. I remember that I would hand write articles and walk over to the Lincoln Park Herald after school was over for the day. Mr. Marino would take the time and read my article and make editorial suggestions to bring the article up a notch.

I would then walk home. And, in between doing my homework, I would do rewrites of the article that Mr. Marino had made suggestions about. Well, my article about the 1967 Klondike Derby was no exception. I remember that I had completed three or four rewrites of the article before Mr. Marino gave it his thumbs up approval.

I had a little homemade desk in my bedroom. Dad and I had built it in the basement of the old Mabey Homestead. When I was a boy, I would spend hours upon hours writing and rewriting little articles for the old Lincoln Park Herald. There were times when I just wanted to give up. But, my dad would not hear of that. My father was a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me.

I remember it all so well. My bedroom window looked out to Route 202. I would watch the cars and trucks drive by my house as I worked on writing an article about a scout event or Sunday School news. Dad would come into my room, put his hand upon my left shoulder and read what I was writing.

I remember when I would be writing an article, Dad would suggest for me to include details in my article. Don’t ask me why, but I remember specifically in the 1967 Klondike Derby article, it was Dad who suggested that I include the time it took for the Junior A Team to complete the rugged, six-mile trail. Dad always told me that it was important to include details in my articles. Something that I still remember today.

Over the years, I’ve worked as a proofreader, an editor, and a writer in many capacities. For many years I worked in the Public Relations Department at AT&T, I wrote copy for magazine ads at an ad agency, and I was the Publisher of the Lincoln Park Journal. I don’t think I would have accomplished any of those things, if it were not for the enduring encouragement of my beloved father.

I’m an old man now. I just recently turned 68. I’m in the process of finishing up my novel. As I write, I often feel the presence of my father in spirit. I can hear the whisper of his voice, gently speaking words of encouragement to me. To this day, I still cherish the encouragement that my dad gave to me, to do my very best to be a good writer.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: My Life Publications.