Ask Harry
Harry Frank Neideigh
a.k.a. – Spaghetti, Coach
MAY 24,1923 – AUG 5, 2001
“All you need in life is clean sheets and a fan”
Harry’s Story
Harry first entered the Rathskeller in 1948, ordered two pony bottles of Rolling Rock, and never left. Harry was born on May 24, 1923 in Petersburg, PA (approximately 35 miles from the Skeller). The second of five children, his father was the Superintendent/Principal of East Penns Valley School District, and his mother taught piano out of their home. Harry was a star athlete at Penns Valley High School, earning All American status in both baseball and soccer.
Harry worked at numerous places after high school, including the Gilmore Block Plant in Millheim, PA, for about a year. He moved to State College in 1948 and began working for the University. He spent seven years dishing the grub in the dining halls of Penn State. Finally, in 1955, Harry came to his senses and joined the staff at the All American Rathskeller where he performed various tasks. Although he has not been on the payroll since the early sixties, Harry still shows up religiously for work at the Skeller. His duties include: setting up for lunch, turning on the neon lights, testing the bloody Mary mix on football weekends (which he does with extraordinary ability) and generally keeping the bartenders entertained. His day is spent perched upon his signature stool stroking his impeccably manicured nails, watching “The Price is Right” and “All My Children,” and admiring the ladies (preferably the “redhaireds” as speghetti would call them).
Aside from Harry’s unmatched fifty years of dedication to the Skeller, he is also known to be quite a character. As an employee, rumor has it that he kept a bottle of vodka stashed away for his frequent “on duty” breaks. One particular day, Harry prepared eight burgers with all the trimmings, and delivered them to his customers. To Harry’s surprise, the food was quickly returned. It seems that Harry had taken too many “breaks” that day and forgot to put the actual burgers on the buns. Another Harry “faux pas” seems to have taken place several times over the years, but luckily has not occurred recently. We’re hoping we have curbed him of this minor indecency. Anyway, it seems as though Harry is discomforted by tight things around his waist. Therefore, he insists on wearing pants four sizes to big. As the day goes on, Harry finds it is necessary (or so he thinks) to undo his belt. And on several occasions, when Harry has risen from his stool to wander around the bar, his pants have plummeted to the floor. Not a pretty sight, as I’m sure you can imagine!
Harry is also quite famous for his one-liners. When ordering his favorite drink, a screwdriver, which is always served in his personalized mug with two cocktail straws, one will often here him instruct the bartender, “Less ice, more vodka”. Our favorite here at the Skeller is Harry’s infamous “pick-up” line: “Hey baby, wanna come home with me? I got clean sheets and a fan.” As irresistible as that sounds, we have yet to see any ladies take him up on the offer.
Half a century and four owners later, Harry is the cornerstone of the Rathskeller. He has the distinct pleasure of being passed on from owner to owner as a gentleman’s agreement. Each new owner must promise to take care of Harry as part of the sales agreement.
So, that’s his story and we’re sticking to it. By all means, stop in the Skeller and say “Hi”. Bring a redhead and order a screwdriver. After all, these are the two things revered most by the legend we call HARRY.
ON AUG. 5, 2001 HARRY ANSWERED THE BELL AT LAST CALL. WE HAVE DESIGNATED HARRY’S PLACE AT THE BAR AS HARRY’S CORNER AND HARRY’S SPIRIT IS WITH US EVERYDAY. WE KNOW HE IS IN A PLACE WHERE ALL THE GIRLS ARE REDHEADS, AND THERE IS ALWAYS MORE VODKA AND LESS ICE. HARRY WE JUST ASK THAT YOU AND DOGGIE TURN OFF THE LIGHTS WHEN YOU ARE THROUGH.
I have a question for Harry…HARRY’S SPIRIT IS STILL WITH US.
