Published in the New Castle News, by Gary Church

October 10, 2014

So far, the highest ranking official I have met in Pennsylvania government is Rep. Chris Sainato.

I think I meet him every week.

That all changed last week when I was asked to take photos of Gov. Tom Corbett's visit to New Castle.

The following is my brief encounter with the governor and his entourage.

I was standing outside the New Englander, when two black SUVs pulled into the lot.

This was a little scary, because it reminded me of some of the TV shows I've watched.

The frightening guys that arrest you usually jump out of black SUV's.

An entourage got out of the two vehicles, which included a couple of guards, Billy the campaign press secretary, and the governor and Mrs. Corbett.

She smiled a lot.

The governor must have mistaken me for someone important, because he came over to me first, and we shook hands.

I told him I was just the photographer for The News.

He assured me how important that was, and that a picture is worth a thousand words.

He wasn't a bad guy to talk to.

Then I looked around, and spotted this scary looking dude, with his head shaved and wearing a suit.

He also had an ear plug in his ear, just like on TV.

I was informed by Billy the campaign press secretary that he was a state trooper.

When I got up enough guts to approach him, I told him he looked like the guys on TV, and that he scared me.

He did manage to crack a slight smile.

When I entered the New Englander, I met U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly.

What did Mr. Kelly and I talk about for five minutes?

He told me he played football for Butler from 1964 to 1966.

He still remembers Allan Cuffie and Ed James, who played for the Red Hurricane back then.

I think he still feels some of the bruises he received from the ’Canes.

Someone from the governor's team asked me if the gas wells were having much effect on the area.

I told him I was the gardening guy and wasn't aware of exactly how much impact they have had.

He didn't have any gardening questions for me.

After the governor and his wife sat down, there was a slight misunderstanding with the seating arrangements.

There was an empty chair between he and his wife.

I asked if they wouldn't mind sitting together for the photo. I told them I didn't want people to think they were having marital problems.

They laughed, and the governor moved next to his wife.

When the dinner started, my job was over, and like Elvis, I left the building.

If I ever hit the big time, I'm getting a couple of those black SUVs to ride in, for when I speak at the local garden clubs.

Add a bald guy in a suit, and the garden club ladies will really be impressed.

Getting my wife to smile all the time might be the hard part.

("Gary Church: I don’t play politics, but the governor had my focus," New Castle News, 10/10/14)