Good News

Company hears about Augustines’ 42-year-old washer, dryer

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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OLD FORGE – The Maytag Repairman showed up at a borough couple’s home on Thursday, but it wasn’t to repair their washer or dryer.

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Fred and Grace Augustine of Old Forge show Maytag repairman Clay Jackson, back left, their first and only Maytag washer and dryer they purchased in 1967.

Bill Tarutis / For The Times Leader

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Maytag repairman Clay Jackson of Richmond, Va., left, presents Grace and Fred Augustine of Old Forge a picture of a brand new Maytag refrigerator they were awarded by Maytag Corporation for being loyal to the Maytag brand for over 40 years.

Bill Tarutis / For The Times Leader

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“Am I in the right place?” Clay Jackson, the man who portrays Maytag’s “lonely” repairman in TV commercials, asked as he walked up the sidewalk to the back porch of Fred and Grace Augustine’s Albion Street home.

Maytag officials decided to send Jackson to visit the couple after their daughter, Shirley Karmilovich, of Machipongo, Va., sent the company a letter.

“Mom was telling me the washer hose wasn’t working and so she had called someone to fix it. And I said, ‘Mom, how old is that washer and dryer now?’ And she said, ‘Well, we bought it in ’67 and we moved here in ’68 and it’s been going ever since,’” Shirley said.

“In fact, five years ago, my brother ordered a new washer and dryer from Sears for my mother, and we thought she’d be happy. She called the lady at Sears and said, ‘Don’t you dare drop that off at my house.’ She said, ‘I have a good washer and dryer and I don’t want it,’” she said.

“I said the one I have is terrific. If it’s not going to break, don’t fix it,” Grace said.

In a show of appreciation for the Augustines’ loyalty, Jackson came bearing gifts. He said he heard the Augustines were having a problem with their refrigerator – not a Maytag, by the way.

“We have gotten you a new refrigerator that will be coming to your house next week,” Jackson said, handing Grace a picture of her the new appliance. “It’s got all the bells and whistles. … I hope it helps out.”

Grace beamed with a smile.

“Oh, my God. That is beautiful. That’s going to more than help out. Thank you so very, very much. I have my daughter Shirley to thank for this,” she said.

Shirley explained to Jackson why she wrote to his employer.

“I figured you needed to know this. I mean, there’s no appliance we’ve had that’s lasted for more than 15 years. We’re not hard on them, but they just don’t seem to last that long. And for her to have these for so long with so little problems, it’s just amazing,” Shirley said.

Jackson said he’s been traveling across the country to meet families who have written letters such as Shirley’s.

“It’s neat. These stories, as unusual as they sound, we’re finding out that they’re normal. We test these things to last 20 years, but they’re doubling the life cycle,” he said.

Because the lonely repairman has so much time on his hands, he makes a lot of public appearances for the company, including visits to loyal customers.

“It’s a very nostalgic brand. It washes your clothes, but there are also a lot of memories tied to it, especially nowadays that people’s parents are getting older. To be able to have those appliances still around, nostalgic is a good word for that. There’s an emotional connection to the brand. These are the letters that we get, that talk about that emotional connection,” Jackson said.

In addition to the refrigerator, Jackson handed the Augustines a plaque bearing the name of their appliance set, “Mary Maytag.”

Towering over the couple at 6 feet, 6 inches – 6 feet, 9 with his cap on – the mild-mannered Jackson asked where the name came from. Grace said she didn’t know.

“That’s my mom’s pet name for them,” Shirley said.

The couple has been living in their Old Forge Home for the last 21 years, after moving back to their hometown from Philadelphia, where they ran a hoagie shop near Temple University. They opened shops in Clarks Summit and Dickson City before recently retiring.

While proud of her appliance set’s age, Grace is shy about her own. She wouldn’t even reveal how long she’s been married.

“I’d be dating myself, but we’ve been married quite a while,” Grace said.

“What the hell’s the difference?” Fred piped in. “It’s only a number? I’m 90, so what’s the big deal?”

“Honey, you’re only 89,” Grace said. “You’re ageless, Freddie.”

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