‘Camp Ardie’ just for grandkids

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Jefferson Hills resident Tom LaFrankie is taking the term “daddy daycare” to a new level.

Wanting to spend more time with his 11 grandkids, LaFrankie, president of Benson Lincoln on Route 51, decided to devote an entire week during the summer with them by transforming his house into a full-time summer camp, complete with a merry-go-round, physical activities, Slip ‘n Slide, trampoline, nature walks, story telling and fireside S’mores.

LaFrankie, nicknamed “Ardie” by his family, concluded the fifth straight year of the week-long “Camp Ardie” Friday evening with a family cookout and fireworks display.

“My whole life, because of my schedule, I’ve worked a lot of hours,” LaFrankie said at his house that he shares with his wife of 48 years, Nancy. “I work 65 hours, six days a week. I take one week of vacation every year, and I wanted to devote 100% of the time with my grandkids. We have a blast the whole week.”

LaFrankie isn’t exaggerating.

His grandkids sleep over the entire week, and he said he’s even joined them by sleeping on the floor, typically falling asleep at 2 a.m. and waking up at 6 a.m.

He has a first-aid kit at the ready, makes lunch for his grandkids every day and he has a rule that no cell phones, computers or tablets are allowed until after 8 p.m.

“I never got to spend much time with my grandparents,” LaFrankie said of growing up in Elizabeth. “When I was a kid, you stayed out all day. Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, you couldn’t beat it.”

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