The self-discipline required to devote regular time each day to one’s avocation eludes most of us, particularly at 5:30 each morning.   This is not so for White Plains resident Kevin Egan who, like an obsessed marathoner, rises each day at that hour in order to devote a solid and solitary 90 minutes to his passion – fiction writing. Egan, the author of four prior novels and several short stories, and past winner of the Washington Irving Book Award for Fiction, has recently penned his fifth novel entitled “Where It Lies,” published by St. Martin’s Minotaur.

The Civil Air Patrol celebrated the lengthy career of Lt. Col. Johnnie Pantanelli as a local leader of influence in the volunteer organization. Former cadets and dignitaries participated in a moving tribute to the White Plains resident, at the CAP headquarters at Westchester County Airport on May 29. The evening culminated in the renaming of the North Castle Composite Squadron, which Pantanelli has commanded since 1963. It is now known as the Lt Col Johnnie Pantanelli Composite Squadron.

Shoemaking is a trade that dates back to the beginning of time and still exists today, even though it seems to be a dying skill. But it’s alive and well in White Plains, and has been for nearly 25 years, in the person of Sam Johnson, who opened his shoe repair shop in the Magnotta’s building at Maple Avenue and South Lexington Avenue in 1984.

It’s a sight to see, all those shoes in one room, each pair belonging to a different person, each person having a different story. Some shoes are working man’s shoes, some dressy, some plain. In response to my question about what happens to all these shoes, and especially the ones that are never picked up, Sam said that through the years, people from local churches and others have come around for donations, and he passes on the repaired shoes to people in desperate need, such as the victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Sam was born in Florence, S.C. in 1922, and at 86 he still works six days a week. He got into the business of shoemaking and repair when he was 13 years old and started shining shoes to earn some money. “After hanging around a while,” he said, “I started to learn how to repair shoes. However, my boss didn’t want to pay me repairman’s wages. He wanted to keep paying me at a training wage. So I left and went out on my own and got a job as a shoe repairman.”

In 1939, when he was just 17 years old, Sam moved to Norfolk, Va., which is where he lived until he moved to Hartsdale in 1970 to be nearer to his children. Sam has two sons, one who lives in Rochester and one who lives in Norfolk. He also has three granddaughters. He’s a member of the Mount Hope AME Zion Methodist Church on Lake Street.

When first approached about giving an interview, Sam felt his memory was poor and he didn’t think he could remember much. However, the day I dropped in on him with pen and notebook, he quoted dates and years without hesitation. When talking to Sam, one gets the feeling there is a lot to his story that remains private, and maybe we don’t have to know all the details. His life shows on his face, in the tone of his voice, and in the gracious manner he has when interacting with people.

Sam said the biggest differences in his trade now and 50 years ago are the way shoes are made and the way they are viewed by many consumers, as a shorter-term investment than in the old days. “Today, everything is made of plastic,” he said. “The glue doesn’t stick and you can’t put nails in it. Most people just throw the shoes out and go buy another pair.”
When you walk in the store, the first thing you’ll notice is the smell of Sam’s cigar. Sometimes it’s lit and sometimes it’s not, but it’s usually hanging out of his mouth or resting someplace nearby. Visitors can often see people keeping Sam company, but mostly you’ll find his best buddy, Sherman, sitting in the shop.

When asked what he liked most about his job, Sam said “I enjoy meeting people and I’ve made a lot of friends in this business. I also enjoy being of service and helping somebody whenever I can.”

Hats off to you, Sam Johnson. We just don’t get to meet folks like you anymore!

Diana Rocco is a semi-retired hospital secretary and 14-year White Plains resident. She lives with her husband, Jerry, on North Broadway; the couple has five children and 12 grandchildren.