John Glenn stops to shop in Weaverville

CONTRIBUTED From left are CVS employee Paul Wollner, Anna and former Sen. John Glenn, and CVS employee Nacole Miles. The Glenns made a stop in Astronaut and former U.S. Sen. John Glenn made a stop at the CVS Pharmacy in Weaverville on Aug. 19. The senator's wife of 66 years, Anna, was shopping in the store when CVS clerk Paul Wollner asked if she needed help. A conversation ensued with the customer as she mentioned she was vacationing in California with her husband and that they grew up in Ohio and now live in Washington, D.C.

Wollner told her that he had considered going to college at Ohio State when the customer mentioned that her husband had a building named after him at the university. When Wollner asked the name of her husband, he was shocked to not only hear that she was talking about John Glenn but that he was sitting out in the parking lot in their air-conditioned car.

A very proud Mrs. Glenn invited Wollner and the CVS crew outside to meet her husband and get autographs and take pictures. A gracious John Glenn emerged from the car and talked with everyone and shook hands. Customers outside recognized the former presidential candidate and were able to meet the Glenns as well.

Mrs. Glenn commented "what a beautiful town you live in" and "what a beautiful store you have" as they bid their new friends goodbye.

John Glenn was the first American to orbit earth before he retired from NASA and began his career in politics.