Popcorn Pals
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
John Richman, left, and Joe Janflone chat over coffee outside Popcorn Willy on a recent weekday morning. The two met on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse about three years ago and have been friends ever since.
John Richman, left, and Joe Janflone enjoy conversation and coffee outside Popcorn Willy on a recent weekday morning.
Joe Janflone, right, leans in as his buddy John Richman spins a tale on a recent weekday morning. The unlikely friends meet often for coffee and conversation.
If the weekday commute takes you cruising down North Main Street in Washington, odds are you’ve seen John Richman sitting contentedly underneath a big, red umbrella outside Popcorn Willy.
While he waits for his friend to arrive, Richman people watches and waves to acquaintances, a cup of piping hot coffee on the table beside him.
The 87-year-old East Washington native has been a fixture outside Popcorn Willy for about three years, since he and public defender Joe Janflone struck up an unlikely friendship.
“I used to walk four to eight miles a day. I always sat on the courthouse steps. He used to walk by me,” said Richman, who now lives in South Strabane. “(He said) come on, let’s go have a cup of coffee. We’ve been friends ever since.”
Richman said he’s always been active: The octogenarian played linebacker for East Washington High School and Mercersburg Academy before graduating from Suffield Academy in Connecticut, where he was on the football team. He also enjoys a full calendar.
If he didn’t stay social, “I’d be dead,” he said.
Richman has fun meeting buddies, and looks forward to teasing and chatting with Janflone on weekday mornings.
“He’s a great guy,” Richman said.