There's a chance the historic clock overlooking Weatherly could once again announce the time of day to the town below.

    The four-sided tower clock is visible from many areas of town, but hasn't run for at least 15 years, possibly much longer.

    But news of progress about the clock's return has been welcomed by many.

    Volunteers of the Mrs. C. M. Schwab School Restoration Project have indicated they've raised enough money to purchase parts needed to fix it. And fixing it would provide a well-deserved boost to the borough.

    The clock is the crowning glory atop the century-old Schwab School, a building donated to the community by steel industrialist Charles M. Schwab in honor of his wife, a Weatherly native.

    The idea of restoring the timepiece is ambitious.

    Organizers say new parts could cost $4,000 and additional work is necessary to repair the striking mechanism, which could run perhaps another thousand or two.

    But there has been at least one significant offer of help. Bradford Clocks of Hudsondale has offered to donate labor charges, which would otherwise be costly and another major hurdle for volunteers. The Schwab committee is hoping other businesses will step forward to help, as well.

    The clock's restoration and return to use would generate wide publicity and reinforce positive momentum surrounding Schwab School rejuvenation.

    From a historic viewpoint, it's fitting that the goal is to maintain the clock's integrity.

    For instance, new numbers, dials and lighting will be engineered to honor the clock’s original character.

    The restoration group has indicated that, when restored, the clock will rely on high-tech, automated movement.

    This would be similar to successful work done several years ago on the century-old First National Bank clock at the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum, 114 W. Broad St. That large clock, made of stained glass, was restored in 2012 at a cost of $15,000.

    But updates to the Weatherly clock would be even more significant because the Weatherly clock's restoration will eliminate the need for a person to constantly climb to the tower to wind the mechanism.

    That job was done by various volunteers over the years. One, in particular, was the late John "Jack" Koehler, 1945 graduate of the Schwab School.

    Each week for nearly 50 years, Koehler climbed dangerous steps to the highest level of the tower to make sure the hands of the massive clock were accurately set.

    It was just one of many jobs Koehler assumed to honor his hometown. He also served as host and docent at the town repository, the 2013 Weatherly Area Community Museum at the Train Works, formerly an accessory building of the local Lehigh Valley Railroad complex.

    Koehler passed away in August, 2016, at age 89. His death hit the community hard. It's difficult to lose anyone who so generously devotes his life to the betterment of a town.

    It's safe to say nobody loved the Schwab clock more than Koehler or was more enamored of it.

    If there comes a day in 2018 when the Weatherly clock returns to prominence, organizers might consider a formal dedication ceremony.

    In fact, it'd be entirely appropriate to christen the timepiece with a name that honors a native hero.

    The John "Jack" Koehler Memorial Clock atop the Mrs. Charles M. Schwab School has a nice ring to it.

By DONALD R. SERFASS/TNEDITOR@TNONLINE.COM