At The Table With Ronald M. Graham
In 1958, Ron Graham owned a 1938 Plymouth. It was that vehicle that led Ron to movie stardom. “The Blob” was being filmed in Phoenixville by Good News Production in conjunction with Paramount Pictures. The classic movie starred Steve McQueen and Aneta Corsaut. A trivia fact — Aneta went on to be “Miss Grump” in television’s “Mayberry R.F.D.”
Ron and his Plymouth were at the street scene filmed on Main Street around Second and Third Avenues in Phoenixville. He and several of his friends were part of the original “run out crowd” from The Colonial. The scene was actually filmed with 16 to 18 extras running out first in a panic. The remaining crowd that followed were locals. Ron remembers the local’s sort of walked out in a hurried confusion.
Ron’s second and last movie role was also filmed in Phoenixville — “From the Terrace.” The movie starred Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. In this movie, he and his Plymouth were partnered for streets scenes. The Plymouth was paid for each day filmed $16 and Ron $6 for driving it. At the time he was working a job for 50-cents an hour at Falini’s Sunoco Station — $22 a day was a windfall for a 16-year-old.
Ron hails from Kimberton; he joined the Army several years after graduating from the Phoenixville Area High School. Between the regular Army and the Army Reserves, Ron served for31 years. He is a retired colonel and a Master Army Aviator; besides planes, he is also a helicopter pilot.
After the Army, Ron became part of the sales force for several major companies, including Sun Oil, Atlantic Richfield and Westinghouse, which led to real estate. In the early 1980s, he decided to return to school and obtain a law degree; he graduated from Widener in 1991. He received his MLA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012. Today, he and his partner, Lisa Mauer, have offices in Phoenixville and Harrisburg. They handle cases throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Ron and his wife, Lyn, have been married for 37 years. There are two Graham daughters. Whitney practices law in her father’s office — Graham & Mauer, P.C. Devyn has chosen medicine and has just finished her tour as chief residence at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem.
The Graham home is situated on a small farm known as Sycamore Springs. As all the Grahams are avid skiers, they also own a farm in Vermont.
Ron continues his leadership and experience as chairman of the Board of Supervisors at East Pikeland Township.
He fondly remembers his grandmother’s cooking and shares this family favorite with us.
MARION GRAHAM’S CHEESE PIE
2 eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar 1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sour cream
16 oz. cottage cheese 3 oz. pkg. of cream cheese (room temp.) 2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract dash of nutmeg prepared unbaked pie shell
Preheat oven to 425-degrees.
Beat eggs until light – gradually add in sugar. Cream the cream cheese with sour cream– add in egg/sugar mixture - incorporate thoroughly. Add in the remaining ingredients listed with the exception of pie shell. Pour batter into 9”–10” prepared pie shell. Lightly sprinkle grated nutmeg over top.
Bake at 425-degrees for 15 minutes – reduce oven to 350-degrees for 30–35 minutes. Until knife inserted in middle comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving. Best if it is refrigerated.
ENJOY!