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© NYSDED DREW BROWN CONTENTS From the Editors The only local voice for news, arts, and culture. Roaring, Rewriting, and Editors-in-Chief: May 22, 2019 Brian Graham & Adam Welsh Roving for Restaurants Managing Editor: Breathing Difficulties – 5 Nick Warren inter is over. Just like Game of Thrones, all things must Copy Editor: The need for better air quality monitors in Matt Swanseger the wake of Erie Coke’s ongoing violations Wcome to an end. As many of us know very Contributing Editors: well, however, not everything goes quite the way we Ben Speggen Missing the mark – 7 want it to. Prior to the show’s series finale, over one Jim Wertz million fans signed an online petition on Change.org, Contributors: Why the EDDC’s game plan for North Park asking for showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss Mary Birdsong Row needs adjustment to remake the entire last season. It’s a new level of Charles Brown community involvement in the face of what they feel Jonathan Burdick Katie Chriest Pithole City – 11 to be poor decisions. Back in the north(west) of Penn- Symoné Crockett sylvania, there’s an oddly similar feeling happening. Miriam Lamey Things are being rewritten all the time. One such america’s Tommy Link america’s thing is Roar on the Shore. Recently, the motorcycle Aaron Mook Kalli Oberlander festival announced plans to relocate from Downtown Dan Schank Erie to the Lake Erie Speedway in North East. As re- Tommy Shannon ported by the Erie Times-News, after last year’s festi- tastiest Melissa Sullivan Shimek tastiest val ended up costing the City of Erie almost $139,000, TM Ryan Smith Jen Sorenson Erie Mayor Joe Schember chose to have around half Rebecca Styn of that paid for by the event, forgoing a 2018 payment Cara Suppa for $69,304 due this year. A disagreement about that drive Forest Taylor drive bill led to the choice to relocate. Schember told Erie Bryan Toy News Now that he was “sorry to lose them from Erie, Cover Design: but “happy that they found a good location,” speak- Nick Warren Bu alo’s corner taverns have ing about the Speedway location. Photographer: been perfecting the chicken Jessica Hunter To some, this was mourned, to others, it was cele- brated. If you’re wondering where we stand, here’s wing since it was invented at 1001 State St. Suite 1315 a little backstory on some of the Erie Reader’s com- the legendary Anchor Bar in Erie, Pa., 16501 mentary on this event: In 2015, Jim Wertz wrote that [email protected] “Roar on the Shore feels more like the flu. It comes 1964. Secret recipes, historic on fast and you’re grateful when it’s gone.” In a 2014 charm and Bu alo-style The Erie Reader is published edition of our very own From the Editors column, we

every other week and CONTRIBUTED PHOTO wrote: “A better dialogue between those running the distributed at over 350 high hospitality make the new event and the small businesses in our area needs to foot-traffic locations in BUFFALO WING TRAIL Pennsylvania from North The oil region boomtown that burst with be had so that we’re not having the same conversa- tions come July 2015.” an experience to be savored. East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition to appearing in print, personality A better dialogue is one thing that Liz Allen sug- Come to Buffalo Erie Reader adds new content gests that the Erie Downtown Development Corpo- daily at ErieReader.com as Transgender Health Care – 12 this summer to taste ration have as well. As Allen writes: “Instead of gar- well as social media sites. All Understanding and overcoming issues nering positive PR, the EDDC has had to play defense the delicious dozen. rights reserved. All content © to explain why it was evicting three restaurants, all Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 facing patients and providers started by immigrants, and why it intends to demol- The wet naps are on us. State St., Suite 1315, Erie, Pa, ish two historic structures.” 16501. No part of this publication Keep on Truckin’ – 14 may be reproduced without As we can see, these conversations were repeated. permission. The opinions of our An update on Erie’s food truck scene And repeated. In 2016, the Gears and Grub Festival columnists and contributors started, as a local response to Roar on the Shore and are their own and do not always Spotlight on Erie – 19 their much-maligned lack of true local involvement. reflect that of the editorial The event took off, and crowds flocked to the West board or organization. Direct Wonder if he’ll ever know he’s in the best Erie Plaza to visit local food trucks and hear local sales inquiries to 814.314.9364. selling show bands. While increasing renovations and new, thriv- For editorial inquiries, email ing brick-and-mortar businesses began to account [email protected]. Movie Reviews – 29 for the festival’s lot space, they’ve managed to get permits in order to move the festival to Downtown This (silver) lake is (burning) on fire Erie while Roar is going on elsewhere. These food trucks are the focus of Nick Warren’s up- Music Reviews – 30 buffalowingtrail.com date about the state of Erie’s mobile vendors. While UFOs, Cowboys, problems, and brides last year saw a visible swell in both support and the sheer number of vendors, challenges still remain, as @buffalowingtrail Crossword Puzzle - 31 the Erie Food Truck Alliance thrives, and the Erie #WingBUF #NeverRanch Food Truck Festival in Lawrence Park kicks off a This week’s latest stumper from David string of events not just catered by these eateries, but Levinson Wilk in celebration of them. © NYSDED May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 Get a new lease on renters FRED’S insurance. FURNITURE

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4 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 NEWS & VIEWS Breathing Difficulties The need for better air quality monitors in the wake of Erie Coke’s ongoing violations

So far in 2019, the Pennsylvania Department sensitive targets of hydrogen sulfide of Environmental Protection has recorded 17 violations for the Erie Coke plant at 925 E. toxicity.” Bay Drive. Two years ago, Erie Coke was the ATSDR adds that “Exposure to low county’s top emitter of ammonia, benzene, concentrations of hydrogen sulfide nitrogen oxides, PM2.5 (particulate matter) may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and sulfur oxides. or throat,” plus “difficulty in breathing for some asthmatics,” as well as “head- tal Protection (DEP) noted in a letter to aches, poor memory, tiredness, and bal- Erie Coke on May 9. DEP stated that ance problems.” it has “identified unresolved existing And there are no hydrogen sulfide or continuous violations of the Penn- monitors in the Erie area. sylvania Air Pollution Control Act,” In other words, we have no definite adding that “No operating permit or way of measuring the exposure of our plan approval can be issued, reissued people to this irritant. And while hy- NICK WARREN or modified to either Erie Coke Corpo- drogen sulfide causes a pronounced By: Katie Chriest highly skilled, quality-focused employ- ration or any related party until these rotten egg smell detectable at low lev- ees.” They conclude, “Recent evidence violations and your lack of intention or els, “At high concentrations, a person rom pop songs to t-shirts to coffee points to the effect that air pollution ability to comply are resolved.” DEP is might lose their ability to smell it,” mugs, it seems like everywhere may have on how well people do their currently reviewing Erie Coke’s appli- explains ATSDR. “This is important be- Fwe look in our stressed-out soci- work. If detrimental impacts are sig- cation for renewal of its Title V operat- cause a person might falsely think that ety, we’re encouraged to just breathe. nificant in size and sufficiently wide- ing permit. hydrogen sulfide is no longer present; Though it can feel frivolous to focus spread, then the economic burden as- DEP’s letter includes a list of unre- this may increase their exposure risk on an involuntary process, something sociated with such effects could rival solved violations between June 3, 2017 to air levels that may cause serious happens when we breathe with more the direct health effects.” and April 16, 2019. In 2019 alone, 17 vio- health effects.” awareness. Time slows, tension eases, Filippini also emphasized that poor lations are documented, including the and the next moment feels better than air quality may discourage people and emission of fugitive particulate matter While we clearly need more air the last. companies from moving to a region, outside of the property, the flaring or quality monitors to accurately Numerous studies have likewise and that young people may not choose combustion of coke oven by-product tell us what we’re dealing with, found that breathing well delivers to stay here — a central point repeated gas with excessive hydrogen sulfide it seems we also need to let measurable positive health outcomes. by Hold Erie Coke Accountable (HECA). concentrations, and detections of mal- ourselves truly feel what it Medical personnel who might other- Nevertheless, in the Erie Times-News, odors outside of the property. wise eschew alternative healing prac- you may have seen this late-April head- Let’s look first at particulate matter. must be like for those coping tices have incorporated breathing into line: “Erie region among cleanest in air In “Health and Environmental Effects with hazardous air pollution, their treatment plans. report.” of Particulate Matter (PM),” the EPA in our community and beyond. But breathing polluted air has been But the article, recounting the results states that “Numerous scientific stud- In our efforts to make Erie a shown in numerous studies to create of the American Lung Association’s ies have linked particle pollution expo- genuinely livable city, we can’t myriad public health issues. At the Erie [ALA] annual report card for air pol- sure to a variety of problems, including: allow pollutants to remain Coke Plant Community Impact Update lution, went on to explain that “Erie premature death in people with heart unmonitored or insufficiently in April, Rachel Filippini, executive and Meadville are grouped together, or lung disease; nonfatal heart attacks; regulated. director of Group Against Smog and though the only official air pollution irregular heartbeat; aggravated asth- Pollution (GASP) told a crowd about monitor in Erie and Crawford counties ma; decreased lung function; and in- studies showing that “air pollution is is located in the city of Erie.” creased respiratory symptoms, such as And this substance is only one of linked to impaired judgment, mental In a letter to the editor, Filippini fur- irritation of the airways, coughing, or those associated with coke oven emis- health problems, poorer performance ther clarified this somewhat mislead- difficulty breathing. People with heart sions, which the U.S. Environmental in school and higher levels of crime.” ing headline, and the incomplete re- or lung diseases, children, and older Protection Agency (EPA) describes as She added that “New research shows port to which it refers, adding that the adults are the most likely to be affected among the most toxic of all air pollut- air pollution also affects us socially ALA report “doesn’t reveal areas of Erie by particle pollution exposure.” ants, according to Filippini. through decreased productivity, school County where air quality may be poor, DEP documented a release of particu- She adds, “In 2017, Erie Coke was the attendance, and lifetime earnings.” unmonitored and potentially threaten- late matter into our air by Erie Coke on county’s top emitter of ammonia, ben- In one recent study, researchers con- ing public health.” February 15. zene, nitrogen oxides, PM2.5 [particu- cluded that air pollution — particu- We’ve talked before about the griev- And then there’s hydrogen sulfide. late matter] and sulfur oxides.” larly from carbon monoxide and par- ous lack of air quality monitors in our In its “Public Health Statement for According to the EPA, “Short-term ticulate matter — had a “significant community, especially downwind of Hydrogen Sulfide,” the Agency for Tox- exposures to SO2 [sulfur dioxide] can negative effect” on the ability of Major Erie Coke. And Erie’s existing monitors ic Substances and Disease Registry harm the human respiratory system League Baseball umpires to make accu- also don’t register levels of all potential (ATSDR) states that “Studies in work- and make breathing difficult. People rate calls. pollutants. ers, communities living near industrial with asthma, particularly children, are The researchers found that “short- Meanwhile, Erie Coke continues to sources of hydrogen sulfide, and vol- sensitive to these effects of SO2.” term exposure to air pollution affects violate air quality regulations, as Penn- unteers suggest that the respiratory EPA adds that sulfur oxides can also the work performance of a group of sylvania’s Department of Environmen- tract and nervous system are the most contribute to particulate matter, dam-

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 NEWS & VIEWS

age foliage and decrease growth of At this point, I’ve filed away so many Great care trees and plants, and lead to acid rain. articles connecting air pollution to de- Additionally, “SO2 and other sulfur ox- clining health that I can scarcely keep ides can react with other compounds track of them. And I wonder if more just got closer in the atmosphere to form fine parti- statistics are really the best way to con- cles that reduce visibility (haze).” Some vey the magnitude of the issue. Erieites have recently attended the While we clearly need more air qual- As part of AHN Saint Vincent, Smoke School Visible Emissions Train- ity monitors to accurately tell us what the all-new AHN East Side ing Program through Penn State to we’re dealing with, it seems we also become certified “smoke readers” who need to let ourselves truly feel what it Health + Wellness Pavilion offers may recognize harmful emissions. must be like for those coping with haz- primary care, specialty care, In her letter to the editor, Filippini ardous air pollution, in our community summarizes that “Pollution from coke and beyond. In our efforts to make Erie diagnostic imaging, lab services, plants can cause leukemia, respirato- a genuinely livable city, we can’t allow sports medicine, occupational health, ry ailments, nervous system problems pollutants to remain unmonitored urgent care, and physical therapy and premature death. Additionally, or insufficiently regulated. Our DEP noxious odors can disrupt sleep; dis- needs to know that we won’t settle for – all in one convenient location. courage people from spending time another insufficient permit. Mayor outdoors; irritate the eyes, nose and Schember and both our city and coun- throat; and generally make life un- ty councils have formally voiced their pleasant.” concerns, but it’s up to all of us to keep “Making life unpleasant” lacks the ur- pressure on our DEP and elected offi- gency of many issues we’re inundated cials to get this right. with on a daily basis. But do we need “Inspire” can simply mean to breathe horrifying details to move us to act? Is in. But it also refers to that urge to it not enough that our quality of life think, act and create. Let’s take a deep Call 814-899-7000 could be substantially compromised breath and get going. to schedule an appointment by the air we’re breathing — and we don’t even have reasonable data collec- Katie Chriest can be reached 4950 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510 tion? at [email protected].

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 NEWS & VIEWS Missing the mark Why the EDDC’s game plan for North Park Row needs adjustment

The Erie Downtown Development Corp. ashamed of.” plans to transform the historic buildings Maybe “ashamed” is too strong, but it owns on Perry Square into a $30 million how about chagrined? By evicting culinary district. The plans include demolishing the former Greyhound bus Khao Thai, Casablanca Hookah Lounge station and the building now known as and Café and Tandoori Hut, the EDDC Marlena’s Place. gave the impression that it didn’t care about small businesses started by new “The message: Study those around Americans (the lease for Tandoori Hut, you, friends and rivals. Know them it turns out, doesn’t expire until 2021). well enough to anticipate their needs Those of us who treasure Erie’s built and actions. In his words, ‘Know the environment were also stunned to ripple below the surface of the water,’” learn that the EDDC plans to tear down Enberg said. the former Greyhound bus station and The leaders of the EDDC likely did Marlena’s Place, replacing them with not anticipate the ripple effects when “an arcade-style building made of brick plans leaked to create a $30 million cu- and glass,” according to the May 12 Erie linary arts district in the historic prop- Times-News. LIZ ALLEN erties the EDDC bought on North Park As the 1982 book Erie Style points out, Row, across from Perry Square. the former bus depot at 28 North Park Instead of garnering positive PR, the Row is “Erie’s only pure example of the EDDC has had to play defense to ex- Art Moderne style.” The EDDC justifies plain why it was evicting three restau- demolishing the bus station because By: Liz Allen Irish bar owner in Rockaway, Queens, rants, all started by immigrants, and that spot on the block had original- that meant recruiting ballplayers from why it intends to demolish two historic ly been occupied by the Park Opera was pondering how the Erie Down- neighborhoods with “cracked side- structures. House. town Development Corp. had walks” rather than gilded pathways. Under the terms of the leases, the It’s true that the bus depot, built in Ifouled up the rollout of its plans for Sportscaster Dick Enberg explained EDDC explained, the businesses tech- 1939, isn’t one of the original structures, North Park Row when a pithy Al Mc- McGuire’s philosophy when he gave nically had 30 days to vacate, but the most of them designed in the “Com- Guire quote popped into my head: “The the 2009 commencement address at EDDC had “graciously” extended the mercial Italianate” style, according world is run by ‘C’ students.” Marquette University, where McGuire leases until October. Still, it’s ironic that to livingplaces.com. But the fact that If only Gannon College had hired Mc- had honed his legend as a masterful the restaurants and their employees the bus station was preserved is one Guire as its basketball coach decades basketball coach and astute observer are being displaced so that the EDDC reason why this entire block, known ago, maybe the people calling the big of life. can renovate its properties into a new as West Park Place, is on the National plays in Erie today would be incorpo- “‘C-plus’ students who have people food market, arcade and food hall. In Register of Historic Places, according rating McGuire’s wisdom into their de- skills become outstanding leaders,” other words, to replace eateries with to those who produced Erie Style, in- cisions. said Enberg, who wrote a one-act play eateries. cluding Tom Weber, editor; Alexandra McGuire’s observation means that it’s about McGuire. “To underline his point, “I think we did our best to be good Potous, art director; Ron Norman, prin- not enough to be book-smart. You also half in jest, Al would suggest that if stewards of the leases and trying to cipal photographer; and Terrence P. Ca- need common sense and the human you want your master’s and doctorate work with them,” Matt Wachter, EDDC vanaugh and Janice M. Earick, Old Erie touch to succeed, and it helps to respect in ‘humanism,’ tend bar for six months vice president, told the Erie Times- Press directors. your roots. For McGuire, the son of an and then drive a taxi for six months.” News. “That is not something to be “The glazed exterior surface, the sleek

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8 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 NEWS & VIEWS curvilinear floor plan, the liberal use of State Street by a labyrinth of tunnels, “While he had some supporters on research this story. glass brick and aluminum, make this all of them now filled in. the hiring committee, McGuire was When she works with young people Moderne building take on a stream- If Erie had preserved more of its orig- considered a risk because he was a bit on genealogy or other history projects, lined, machinelike appearance expres- inal architecture, “We could have be- flamboyant and extremely colorful,” Debbi starts by asking them what old sive of America’s newfound fascination come a Williamsburg of the Victorian the late Jim LeCorchick wrote in a 2014 objects they have at home. “Why did with high-speed highway transporta- Era,” he said. Or if we hadn’t blocked off Erie Reader story. you keep that? What does it mean to tion,” the book states. those tunnels, we could have boasted a Despite being rejected by Gannon, your family? What’s in your neighbor- Some Erie people have asked why subterranean cultural scene, like in At- McGuire later returned to Erie to give hood? What do you see when you walk Alkeme Restaurant at 18 North Park lanta or Montreal, he said. a talk. “Someone set up a time for him down the block?” she asks. Row and the new Andora’s Bubble Tea VanAmburg reminded me that Car- to come on my radio show and he had This is what Debbi envisions when Shop at 516 State Street haven’t been ter’s Little Liver Pills were invented by some time to kill, so we took a two-hour she goes by the sleek Greyhound sta- asked to vacate. That’s because those Dr. John Carter, a pharmacist, in one of stroll around lower State Street and tion on Perry Square: party buses, lined two restaurants are in the Exchange the buildings on North Park Row. the lower east side of Erie,” LeCorchick up in the old bays, available to rent Building, which the EDDC does not According to The History of Pharma- wrote. “Not many knew that he was an for special occasions, such as a child’s own. cists and Pharmacies in Erie County, expert in the field of architecture and birthday party. But all of the buildings on North Park Pennsylvania, published in 1978 by loved older cities, especially Erie. His Debbi says the buses wouldn’t be mo- Row and along State Street share a rich Thomas Groner and Thomas Will, the knowledge of the old buildings in Erie bile. history, things that could be mined and four-story Carter building was built simply amazed me,” he wrote. But I can picture at least one bus rum- celebrated as part of the EDDC’s efforts in 1859 at 20 N. Park Row. This is in the McGuire died in 2001, LeCorchick in bling down the street from the old de- to generate excitement and attract vis- building that housed Sherlock’s, which 2016, and Enberg in 2017. I can only guess pot. Debbi Lyon would be giving tours itors, locals, and newcomers of all ages the EDDC purchased in September of what the EDDC might have learned by of her — and our — beloved old Erie. to downtown Erie. 2018. examining their Perry Square project The world should be run by “see” stu- Consider, for example, that one of the The goings-on in that building liter- through the lens of a philosopher-char- dents, too. buildings once housed a business called ally created an aura of magic around acter like Al McGuire, who would have the Kitty Hawk Bicycle Shop. I learned North Park Row, according to a 1951 sought out information about the peo- Liz Allen grew up as a Gannon that from David VanAmburg, an Erie booklet on Erie history published by ple and the places that once populated basketball fan long before she entrepreneur, software developer, mar- Security Peoples Trust. North Park Row. attended Marquette University and ket researcher and former city planner, “A boy was engaged by Carter’s (Drug Even The Avalon art exhibit won’t rooted for Al McGuire’s Warriors. who operated Friendship Imports and Store) to help prepare ‘proprietary rem- be on view to provide inspiration and Domestics in the Exchange Building in edies.’ He may have assisted in the al- context. The Erie Art Museum recently Did you know? 1973-74. chemy of a world-famous remedy. He decided to “de-install” the exhibit, ac- VanAmburg, 71, attributes his love of learned much of chemistry. He grew cording to Josh Helmer, the museum’s According to old Erie city directories, historic architecture and his apprecia- restless,” the booklet says. executive director. Helmer said the businesses in the cluster of buildings tion for Erie’s sense of place to the way That boy was Harry Kellar, who be- room in the Old Customs House where that comprise the West Park Place he grew up. As a “Bay Rat” on Erie’s west came known as the “Dean of Ameri- the soft sculpture had been on perma- Historic District included, at one time, side, he had the freedom to explore his can Magicians,” according to the his- nent display since 1984 sustained water Kokko’s Lock & Key Service, Little’s neighborhood at an early age, then to toric marker in Griswold Plaza, site of damage on the ceiling and needs to be Dance Studio, the Robert Whitford venture beyond those boundaries. He Kellar’s childhood home. Kellar was repaired. Piano School, an art school, the recalls when Downtown Erie was full friends with Houdini. Both magicians Helmer said each piece of The Avalon Gannon College Alumni Club, a donut of red brick Victorian buildings. might have been astounded by the dis- will be measured, photographed, as- shop, F & D diner, the Brownstone “Twice a week, I’d go downtown with appearing acts in the West Park Place sessed for damage, cleaned and subject Apartments and Park Coin Laundry, my mother and grandmother. I remem- Historic District over the years. to “preservation measures,” if needed, on North Park Row; Dispatch Printing ber being three years old and crying be- For example, according to Erie city before the exhibit is eventually re-in- and Dahlkemper’s Wholesale Co., on cause they were tearing down another directories, 20 North Park Row is also stalled, possibly in a different space. West Fifth Street; and the Busy Bee building,” he said. where the Avalon Restaurant stood. I can’t picture The Avalon characters Tavern, Purcell Hardware, the Jack As a student at Gannon College, he Famed soft-sculpture artist Lisa Licht- patronizing a “culinary district” with Parris Steak House and Supper Club, a helped to form a nonprofit to run the enfels created “Avalon Restaurant” to fresh-food stands, but there’s a lot to be pizza shop, a barber shop and Fischer InnSecure, a coffeehouse, in two of immortalize the characters who fre- said for giving us a slew of restaurants & Scheller drugs, on State Street. those Victorian buildings. The coffee- quented that restaurant, which closed that serve healthy foods in downtown house was a big hit, until Mario Bagnoni in the early 1980s. Erie, instead of meat-and-potatoes fare. Fun fact announced his bid for City Council out- “I knew every one of those people,” re- But the EDDC would have earned an side the building in 1971. “He declared it called VanAmburg. “A-plus” grade from me if the staff had After Gannon turned down Al McGuire was a den of iniquity,” VanAmburg said. Actually, I could picture Al McGuire talked to regular Erie people, including for its men’s basketball coaching The Erie Redevelopment Authority striking up a conversation with the the diverse patrons of Khao Thai, Tan- job in 1963, Marquette University tore the buildings down to make way Avalon patrons — the hippies, the doori Hut and the Casablanca Hookah hired McGuire. He led the team to for the Erie Sport Store. harried parents, the hung-over guy, Lounge and Café, about what they an NIT championship in 1970 and VanAmburg is also a guitarist who the preacher, the society matron, the would like to see in this cluster of his- an NCAA championship in 1977. plays at various Erie venues four or five Amish family, the waitress, the propri- toric buildings before steaming ahead Gannon does have a Marquette nights a week. He used to hold jam ses- etor and the cook. McGuire had a fond- with their ambitious revitalization basketball connection, however. In sions in the basement of the Exchange ness for characters, and he had visited plans. 1989, Gannon University hired Bob Building and he knows the history of Erie to interview for the Gannon bas- That way, they might have elicited a Dukiet when Marquette fired him the retail shops that once existed un- ketball coaching job for the 1963-64 really clever idea from Debbi Lyon, the after three seasons. Dukiet coached der these historic buildings. They were season. Gannon hired Jim Harding in- always-helpful clerk in the Heritage at Gannon until 1996, when he retired connected to other buildings across stead. Room at Blasco Library, who helped me to make his living playing the piano.

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 Full_Page_Erie_Food_Truck_Festival_Ad-PRINT_VERSION-2019.pdf 1 5/21/19 10:22 AM EErrieie FFoooodd TTrruckuck FFeessiititivvalal

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NEWS & VIEWS EErrieie FFoooodd TTrruckuck FFeessiititivvalal Pithole City: A Boomtown that Burst with Personality How the true stories from the oil region breed the stuff of tall tales

The true definition of a boomtown, the population of Pithole peaked at 15,000 less the railroad on nearly impassable roads than two years after its establishment. — a feat that became so inefficient, it Within a decade, it ceased to exist. led to the creation of the world’s first oil pipeline. Ida Tarbell, who in 1869 moved with “At first sight, it seems that every avail- her family to Titusville for her father’s able spot of ground is occupied by these pursuits in the oil industry. Her father lofty and skeleton-like [oil derricks], so built the Italianate-style house himself near together that it appears impossi- using lumber from the Bonta Hotel — ble for a wagon to drive between them,” a once popular establishment that had he described. been part of an oil boomtown between Within the city, which was drowning Titusville and Oil City. in mud, he noted how poorly built the That boomtown was a place called structures were, many of which were Pithole City. erected in a single day. June 1st | Former G.E. Fields, 800 Water St., Lawrence Park | 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. | eriefoodtruckfestival.com Located east of Titusville and a few “It is a wooden town, not a brick or miles northeast of Plumer, Pithole is a stone house in it. The streets are nar- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO story just waiting to be adapted into a row, with but a single plank for a side- prestige premium cable drama (call me, walk ... The smell of new lumber, fresh By: Jonathan Burdick looked day trip for anyone in our area, HBO). paint, and the ‘crude’ is everywhere.” Local Bands y grandmother and her two for the incredible history and scenery, It was only a few short months before Since buildings couldn’t be built fast PRESENTED BY older sisters grew up in Plum- but also the modern offerings. In Titus- the Civil War’s end in 1865 that a man enough for the exploding population, er, Pennsylvania. It’s a blink- ville and the surrounding area, there named Thomas H. Brown struck oil on tent cities sprung up all over the hill- C M Brews and-you’ll-miss-it populated place are numerous parks and trails, great a farm not far from Titusville in an area sides. M within Cornplanter Township, right in restaurants, a locally-owned escape that was mostly still wilderness. With- “Where so many different characters

Y the heart of the Oil Region, only a short room, and even a place to make a night in days, speculators descended upon and nations were represented, much drive south of Titusville and bordering out of the trip called the Caboose Hotel the area, clearing out the forest in their lawlessness necessarily prevailed,” he CM & Wines 11:00 am | Jack Stevenson 3:45 pm | 2 For the Show ft. Eric Brewer the eastern side of Oil Creek State Park. where each of the 21 rooms are — you quest for quick fortune. continued. “[G]ambling, robbery, and MY & Lindsay Vendetti She was born in the earliest years of guessed it — renovated train caboose That first well was producing 200 bar- shootings were of frequent occur- CY 12:45 pm | Jesse & Katie the Great Depression. Her father, Clar- cars. rels a day at eight dollars per barrel. As rence.” He recounted how before a po- CMY 5:00 pm | Key West Express ence, worked the region’s oil wells as a For beer connoisseurs, there is Orr’s more and more wells were discovered, lice force was organized, a “self-appoint- more and more people arrived. A hill- ed vigilance committee dealt justice to K 2:00 pm | The Honest Mistakes pumper, while her mother, Grace, man- Brewing Company, which opened in aged the home. At times, they housed 2017 within the historic Towne Square side city of 500 lots and 22 streets was rogues in Texan or Californian frontier 6:45 pm | Real Fake Doors others who worked the wells. Plumer Building (recently renovated after a planned as the oil continued to flow. style.” is serene, slow-paced, unpretentious, devastating fire). If one makes the trip A well that was struck that August Of those historical characters, Kate and somewhat isolated. It has a small before late-June, they can walk less became the largest ever in the region, LeCounte (also known as French Kate) country store, a small rural church with than 50 feet to say goodbye to the be- producing over 1,000 barrels each of its and Ben Hogan are two who could have Bites an accompanying cemetery (where my loved Blue Canoe Brewery before its first few days. Within a year, an entire been plucked straight out of an episode great-grandparents are buried), an old doors close and the location transforms city had sprung up with over 15,000 of Deadwood. Angry Chicken Hawk’s Grocery & Smokehouse SorceERIE garage, and a scattering of homesteads. into the Lavery Brewing Lager Haus. people of all races and ethnicities and “Ben Hogan was there in the height of Average Joe’s Sausage Co. Fat Boys Phillys Sticks and Bricks My grandmother’s sisters married and The history is still the highlight of the personal interests: speculators, team- his fame and glory,” William McKnight, moved the 10-mile drive into Titusville, trip, of course. One can spend hours sters, preachers, doctors, bankers, veter- an esteemed doctor from Brookeville A Waƒle Miracle Fryman’s Weiner Shack Sweet Sarah’s Kettle Korn where they raised their children. My driving through the many neighbor- ans, drifters, and more. who was in Pithole for a short stint, Benvenuti Pizza Factory JEB’s Concessions Tasty Twist grandmother also married, but they hoods admiring the old homes and ar- Soon, over 50 hotels were operating. wrote in 1910. “[H]is hotel was the larg- moved to Union City, where they would chitecture. The Drake Well Museum & Numerous churches were erected, the- est and vilest den in the city.” Brusters Real Icanqe Cream Kona Ice of Erie The Atacolypse raise my mother and her three broth- Park is a history buff favorite, which aters with top-notch entertainment, “If I made up the characters of Kate Cluck Truk Libby’s The Brunch Box ers. not only has exhibits and an impressive saloons, brothels, casinos, banks, a post and Ben, I’d be accused of it being way As a result, I spent many weekends exact replica of Drake’s engine house, office, a fire department, expanded too far out there to be taken serious- Cluck Truk Burgers, Breasts & Bakers Shabby’s Homemade Ice Cream The Chameleon and summer days in Union City. Since but also includes picnic and fishing railroads, and a newspaper titled the ly,” says Lori Twichell, who grew up in Cold Stone Creamery Shaorma Station The Que Abides Titusville was only a quick drive down areas with numerous trails for biking Pithole Record. Titusville but now is a screenwriter as Route 8, we would often go visit with and hiking. A trip to the Oil Region Charles C. Leonard, who wrote for the well as the owner of a marketing com- her sisters. For me as a kid, there was isn’t complete without the three-hour newspaper, published an early history pany in San Antonio. always something a bit otherworldly round-trip train ride on the vintage of Pithole in 1867. “There was so much Twichell grew up hearing these sto- Sponsors about those drives: the sheer amount of Pullman train cars of the Oil Creek & oil flowing from the wells and so many ries, but it wasn’t until she was back old buildings, the massive oil-era man- Titusville Railroad (a childhood mem- people,” he wrote, “that clean water was visiting and exploring her childhood sions, the variety of architectural styles. ory with my parents and brothers that difficult to obtain.” He explained how hometown with her own children and I didn’t understand at the time why, but stands out). there were so many people that the op- saw their fascination that she recog- Titusville somehow felt different. One can also visit the newly rehabili- erations appeared like massive armies, nized the uniqueness of where she was That’s because the Oil Region is dif- tated Tarbell House, the teenage home miles long stretches of people and wag- raised. ferent. It is an essential, yet often over- of legendary muckraking journalist ons transporting oil from the wells to “To me, [Pithole] was just a field we

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 NEWS & VIEWS

Soon after Thomas H. Brown struck oil ending up being mentored by [famous Twichell says that when she was last on a farm not far from Titusville in 1865, evangelist] D.L. Moody.” in town, she made sure that she no lon- thousands of speculators descended on Lee Deeter is the program manager ger took her hometown for granted. the area, clearing the woods and hastily assembling a hillside city of 500 lots and with the Friends of Drake Well, Inc., She took countless photos and hours 22 streets. Rigs such as these dotted the which operates the Pithole Visitor Cen- of video so she could “try and explain countryside to extract the wealth. ter today. He understands the attrac- [to people back in Texas] that ‘normal tion visitors have to its story. every day people’ live in oil mansions over, speaking six or seven different “I think most visitors are most inter- and they are all over Titusville.” languages,” one Pithole resident who ested in just how fast the city came It’s easy to take the Oil Region for knew her claimed. and went and what it was able to ac- granted while living here, but we When Hogan arrived at Pithole, he complish in the short time that it was shouldn’t either. felt at home and immediately made a there,” he says. “It is mind boggling that “The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, name for himself as a fighter, both in in 500 days, a buckwheat field turned the mansions, the various beautiful CONTRIBUTED PHOTO the street and as entertainment in the into a city of 15,000 and plummeted locations that remain virtually un- ring. He challenged anyone who dared back to 2,000 people and within 10 touched, Titusville, and the entire oil went to for field trips all the time,” to try and last three rounds with him. years had disappeared completely.” region are hidden jewels of Western Twichell says. Her children loved it Soon, he and Kate began operating Indeed, by December of 1866, the pop- PA,” Twichell concludes. though and she began imagining the establishments in Pithole meant to ca- ulation of Pithole plummeted to less I’ll see you at the train station. story on the screen. So, she did just ter to “the depraved tastes of men.” Vi- than 2,000. By 1870, it was less than 300. that: intertwining a fictional story set olence was common in these dives. In “To me the most interesting part of Jonathan Burdick runs the in Pithole with the very real characters one particularly disturbing case, Hogan the story is the people,” Deeter contin- historical blog Rust & Dirt. Follow of French Kate and Ben Hogan. kidnapped a young woman, holding ues. “Not just the fact that there were them on Twitter @RustDirt, and “Built like a bull and just as strong,” her against her will until her mother so many of them, but that there are on Instagram @RustandDirt. Carl Burgchardt wrote of Hogan in his personally came to Pithole with a mob so many fascinating characters and 1989 profile of him. “[H]is specialty was of men to rescue her. countless more we may never know Learn More to have an 800 pound stone of block When a murder took place in the city, about.” broken on his chest with a sledgeham- Hogan was often blamed. “[W]hen the While little of Pithole remains today, The Wildcatter Festival: Pithole City mer.” matter was called to his attention, he the museum has a highly-detailed di- comes alive, welcoming visitors with The German-born Hogan was hard- used to shrug his gorilla-like shoulders, orama of the city at its peak. historic demonstrations, reenactmens, ly a protagonist. In fact, he was the shift his cud, and ask ‘em what they “It is a great model and really puts it music, guided tours and more. self-proclaimed “wickedest man in the were going to do about it,” one person all into perspective,” Deeter says. “You world.” He had been a Confederate de- claimed. can look out at what is there now and Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. // serter who later in life claimed to have In Hogan though, Twichell sees a sto- see where all of the buildings and busi- Historic Pithole City, 14118 Pithole been a spy for the Union. Kate was ry of redemption. After he left Pithole nesses would have been. … A lot of peo- Road, Pleasantville, Pennsylvania a former dancer and career criminal (and experienced a famous brawl at ple also take the time to look at it close- 16341 // $8, $5 for youth (ages 5-17), with a sharp mind who stood out in his Tidioute brothel Babylon Hill that ly and pick out some of the interesting children under 5 free // drakewell.org Pithole with her elegant clothing and ended with French Kate shooting two little details that are in it.” fine jewelry. She was described in one men), he found religion and changed Whether its Pithole, Plumer, Titus- The Pithole site officially opens on 1909 publication as an “olden time vam- his ways, which also meant losing Kate. ville, Oil City, or any of the numerous Saturday, June 1 in conjuction with pire” who once had John Wilkes Booth “I cannot imagine a more intriguing townships in between, the Oil Region the Drake Well Museum. Regular as one of her dupes. story than that of ‘the most wicked perhaps describes 19th century Amer- hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. “She was an educated woman, more- man in the world’ getting religion and ica as well as any other. - 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Transgender Health Care Understanding and overcoming issues facing patients and providers

By: Caitlyn Strohmeyer instead of real problems like equal access to employ- whereas a gay person will generally only have con- hen is the last time you went to the doctor ment, to housing, and to culturally competent medi- cerns around sexual identity. for a minor ailment and were told “I’m sor- cal care. For the uninitiated, transgender means that a per- Wry, I don’t know how to treat you,” or “We The same has historically been true of patients son’s internal sense of their own gender does not don’t treat ‘people like you’ here.” Sounds far-fetched, who identify as gay or lesbian; however, the medical match the sex they were assigned at birth, meaning doesn’t it? I mean, what doctor in their right mind needs of transgender patients may exceed those of a person may be assigned male at birth based upon would treat a patient so badly, or not treat them at gays and lesbians. It is important to note here that all anatomical characteristics, however as they grow all? Well, the truth is that it does happen, but gener- people have a sexual identity AND a gender identity, into adolescence, they do not necessarily “feel” male. ally only to those people who identify as transgender but these two aspects of our identity are completely The opposite of this is cisgender, which means that or gender non-conforming. Transgender people have independent of each other. As a result, a transgen- the sex assigned at birth and the person’s self-real- been making the news a lot more in recent years, but der person may have specialized needs due to their ized sense of their own gender are in alignment. Put most of the buzz has been around bathroom usage gender identity as well as their sexual orientation, simply, if you do not identify as transgender, you are

12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 NEWS & VIEWS cisgender. care. Department of Health, TransFamily of NWPA, and Gender Non-conforming, on the other hand, means In the year prior, 23 percent of respondents did not University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). that a person does not conform to societal expec- see a doctor when they needed to because of fear of The conference will take place on May 31, 2019 at the tations of gender. You may have heard other terms being mistreated as a transgender person, and 33 per- Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center at 7794 applied to this population, including gender variant, cent did not see a doctor because of cost. Peach St. genderqueer, or gender expansive, among others. A While more than three-quarters (78 percent) of re- This conference will focus on level-setting the cul- gender non-conforming person may not identify spondents wanted hormone therapy related to gen- tural awareness and competency required of medi- as male OR female, or they may identify as both. A der transition, only 49 percent had ever received it. cal and mental health providers and staff to provide person may feel more male than female one day and So, what is the primary reason for this lack of ap- quality, competent, respectful treatment of LGBTQ express themselves as such through their clothing, propriate skills and cultural competency? Transgen- patients. Future trainings will focus on more specific behaviors, and other outward expressions, then der and LGBTQ health care is rarely, if ever, taught treatments and protocols, such as hormone replace- present as female the next, or they may express in medical schools. Contrary to the beliefs of many, ment therapy, OBGYN care, Pediatrics care, etc. themselves through some combination of male and transgender people have been around as long as One of the most important ways that we can in- female at the same time. there have been…well…people. Unfortunately, it is crease cultural awareness and reduce implicit bias As a lay person, you may say “I don’t see what dif- only in the last 10 years or so that our Western cul- on the part of providers is simply to share experienc- ference this makes. An injury or illness is the same ture has reached the point where it is possible for es. People who identify as transgender have amazing whether you are transgender or cisgender,” and in transgender people to be out and open about their and sometimes heartbreaking experiences to share most cases you would be correct. I mean, biology is gender identity. I say “Western culture” because, his- that highlight the need for competent services, and biology, right? However, when it comes to medical torically, many other cultures have held transgender it is important for these providers to listen to these care of transgender people, there are some very im- people in high regard. In some cultures, transgen- stories and learn from them. portant things to take note of. der people have been priests and shamans because So, what is it about being LGBTQ that requires some The first is that transgender people do require some they transcend normal male/female roles and expec- different approaches to care? Aside from the biologi- variations on care that their cisgender counterparts tations. Some medical schools are starting to take cal differences that providers might encounter, there do not, such as the possibility that they may be tak- notice, but with roughly 890,000 doctors already in are a lot of other questions that need to be asked and ing cross-sex hormones to create physical changes practice in the U.S. alone, there is a lot of catching up understood within the context of being a sexual or that over time will result in a shift from one sex to to do. gender minority. Examples of this might include: the other. This can present medical professionals While a recent small study shows that 86 percent of • Understanding how patients’ past negative experi- with some challenges that are easy to overcome if doctors surveyed stated they were willing to provide ences with providers might impact how you are able a provider is culturally and professionally aware. routine care to transgender people and 79 percent to work with them. For example, you may have a trans man (assigned were willing to provide pap smears to transgender • Understanding the health disparities that LGBTQ female at birth but identifies as male) who, because men, the vast majority reported a lack of familiari- people experience because of their identity. they have not had any surgical procedures done to ty with transgender transition guidelines, lack of • Understanding the mental heath risk factors alter their sexual organ, still require pap smears and training in transgender-specific care, lack of expo- faced by LGBTQ people, such as depression, anxiety, who may still become pregnant. Alternatively, a trans sure to transgender patients, and lack of knowledge and suicidal ideation. woman may still require prostate exams. about transgender patients among office staff, med- This conference is appropriate for anyone who has In addition to the medical knowledge required to ical assistants, and nursing staff. It is important to regular contact with LGBTQ patients seeking medi- properly treat transgender people, medical profes- note that the survey was sent to only 308 internal cal or mental health care, especially front-line staff, sionals must recognize and deal with their own bi- medicine and family practice doctors, and only 140 nurses, doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, blended ases in relation to sexual and gender minorities. Doc- of them responded. Dr. Janelle Downing of the Uni- case managers, etc. It is important to understand tors, like anyone else, have upbringings and social versity of South Carolina, who was not involved in that medical and mental health are inextricably factors that can affect how they see the world and the study, noted that the number of doctors who linked, with experiences, positive or negative, in one the people in it. One would hope that a doctor is free declined to respond shows that the responses are area affecting possible outcomes in the other. This is of such biases and is willing to treat every patient likely an overreport of willingness to provide care, about the overall wellness of LGBTQ patients, and equally, but this is not always the case. due to those providers who are uncomfortable with each is just as important as the other. In fact, according to the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey, with transgender people declining to take part. Accord- The LGBTQ+ Provider Training Conference takes a total of 27,715 respondents from all 50 states, trans- ing to study leader Deirdre Shires of Michigan State place on May 31, 2019 at the Ambassador Conference gender people face several barriers to accessing qual- University, “These barriers suggest that willingness Center in Erie, PA. Please contact Haylee Esposito at ity and appropriate health care, including problems is not necessarily equivalent to competence.” Shires 814-877-5691 or by email at [email protected] with with insurance, adverse experiences with providers, goes on to say that “it is important for medical educa- any questions. You can register for the conference at and fear of experiencing discrimination: tion to address not only clinical knowledge but also http://ccehs.upmc.com. One in four (25 percent) respondents experienced a personal biases and attitudes as well.” problem with their insurance in the past year related So, with more transgender adults and children com- Caitlyn Strohmeyer, MSW, is a life-long Erie to being transgender, such as being denied coverage ing out every day and the lack of training in medical resident, a social worker, community advocate, for care related to gender transition. educational institutions being slow to take up the and a transgender woman. Caitlyn is the founder One-quarter (25 percent) of those who sought cov- mantle, what’s a community to do? and past president of TransFamily of NWPA, a erage for hormones in the past year were denied, and TransFamily of NWPA and the Erie County Depart- grassroots organization that operates several 55 percent of those who sought coverage for transi- ment of Health have been collaborating to deliver support groups throughout Northwest Pennsylvania tion-related surgery in the past year were denied. the first ever LGBTQ+ Provider Training Conference and advocates for the rights of all transgender One-third (33 percent) of respondents who had seen in Erie that will focus on not only understanding the people of the region. She currently works as a health care provider in the past year reported hav- specialized needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans- a Crisis Clinician for Safe Harbor Behavioral ing at least one negative experience related to being gender, and Queer patients, but also on the cultural Health of UPMC Hamot, remains involved with transgender, such as verbal harassment, refusal of competency required to treat these patients with the TransFamily of NWPA as Board Advisor, and sits treatment, or having to teach the health care provid- dignity and respect that they deserve. The training on the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council. She er about transgender people to receive appropriate will be delivered in cooperation with the Erie County can be reached at [email protected]

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 FEATURE Keep on Truckin’ An update on Erie’s food truck scene

The Whole Foods Co-op’s SorcERIE food truck awaits its next customer. The SorcERIE specializes in vegan-friendly wraps and sandwiches and spends most weekdays flanking Perry Square.

Big Lebowski. While Scheffner was un- questionably the local pioneer, Grow helped usher in a new boom of Erie food trucks. A lifelong barbecue enthu- siast, Grow’s passion turned into plans for a career in food. Originally planning to open a traditional location, he went on a road trip from San Diego, Calif. to Austin, Texas with his brother and “the food truck scene in those two cities alone blew me away. I came home with the mindset that I was going to start a food truck in Erie.” He joked that “there were a lot of people who thought I was nuts and that it wouldn’t work but I kept thinking of the old joke, ‘Erie is 10 years behind the rest of the country.’ I figured if that were true, we are hitting this at the right time. By the looks of the booming population of food trucks in the city, it certainly seems we did, in fact, get started at the right time.” The

NICK WARREN Que Abides has since won the award By: Nick Warren for Erie’s Best Food Truck three con- As summer begins its fickle approach rented out. secutive years, and is often the de fac- n 1872, a pressman working for the to the southern shores of Lake Erie, Scheffner’s choice of business went to face of our community’s food truck Providence, Rhode Island newspa- outdoor eating becomes a staple of relatively unopposed for its first sever- scene. Describing his early days in 2015, Iper The Morning Star named Walter the warmer months. Over the past few al years. In contrast, during that same Grow explained that “we would grind Scott decided to quit his job in search of years, the number of mobile food ven- time period in the early 2010s, the food those first couple seasons, doing very a new path. Catering to his former co- dors has risen, perhaps reaching a crit- truck craze was reaching high levels little business in hindsight. So many workers, he cut a hole in a horse-drawn ical mass, and certainly catching the in coastal metropolises like New York days we sat in Perry Square with min- light freight wagon and subsequently public’s eye. City and Los Angeles. In 2011, USA To- imal orders but people kept coming. gave birth to two concepts that have “It definitely picked up a lot,” ex- day, citing increasing impressive culi- Slowly but surely we began to have persisted to this day. One was the din- plained Ernie Scheffner. As owner and nary benchmarks, reported that “fancy regulars who began to bring friends, er — or as any self-respecting Erieite operator of Ernie’s Food Truck, Scheff- food trucks are rolling out across the who became regulars, and so on. Word knows it as — the dinor. Many of these ner was the original face of Erie’s food country and into the broader culture.” of mouth and social media were huge cozy eateries were fashioned from for- truck community. “I’m the first, the They then began creeping into pop cul- to get going.” mer train cars, and got their name from pioneer,” he admitted. “I took the ini- ture: a food truck festival was featured Sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Ins- that railroad designation, the “dining tial leap to do it because it was what I in a Season Two episode of Bob’s Burg- tagram help trucks give up-to-the-min- car.” These flourished into the mid- was doing already and it just seemed ers in 2012, and food truck were a major ute updates to their followers, letting 20th century, many of which are still in like the move,” he said. He started his plot point in the 2014 film Chef. In those them see if they’re in a new location, if operation today. Places like the recent- business in 2009, not in a truck, but in days, the Best of Erie award was known they’re running out of ingredients, or if ly closed (and soon reopening) Cross- a tent. By the following year, however, as simply “Best Mobile Food Vendor” — they have new menu items. There are roads Dinor in Edinboro leaned into he found his true calling, at the wheel an honor Ernie’s Food Truck received in also a few reliable places you can find this concept, their lineage being visible of an understated white vehicle with a 2015. By the next year, however, it was them, most chiefly along State Street in both name and — until its renova- small four-color rainbow by the door, renamed “Best Food Truck.” Since then, flanking Perry Square in downtown tion in the late ’90s — its architecture. forgoing the pun-laden names and os- that honor has gone to Tim Grow and Erie. “My truck’s always going to be on While some restaurants transitioned tentatious paint jobs of most popular the Que Abides every year. State Street,” Scheffner stated. “Ernie’s from a life traversing the countryside trucks. He now owns five different food Really Tying the Community Together is State Street. I don’t want people to by rail to a sedentary, brick-and-mor- trucks, but the one you probably know “Sometimes, there’s a man, well, he’s have to look and see where we’re at. tar life, Scott’s other progeny opted for him for is the classic downtown truck. the man for his time and place.” Sam We’re always there,” he said, once again the opposite route entirely. These of Others go out to fair circuits, down to Elliott grumbled these words during happily bucking the trends. course, were food trucks. locations like Pittsburgh, or they get the opening of the cult classic film The “Business is tricky when you are

14 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 TIME IS RUNNING OUT!! 250 Business Cards

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May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 FEATURE

Que Abides owner Tim Grow (left) takes an order outside of Erie Ale Works, 416 W. 12th of nomadic restaurateurs, this sum- St. Microbreweries and microdistilleries mer will see a handful of events that without kitchens of their own are grateful exist purely as a celebration of these for food trucks, which by virtue of showing foods unto themselves. These include up can offer patrons a full menu. The Erie Food Truck Festival (in Law- rence Park Saturday, June 1), Erie’s out in the form of a more mobile option Downtown Erie Food Truck Festival — for instance, Brooklyn Pizza with (outside of Bourbon Barrel on Satur- its Sticks and Bricks, Voodoo Brewery day, June 22), and Gears and Grub (this with its Foodoo Truck, or the Whole year taking place at Perry Square for Foods Co-op’s aforementioned Sor- three days beginning July 19). “There is cERIE. Treiber describes how the coop- no denying that the local events have erative decided to throw its hat in the played a huge part in the local Food ring and go beyond its W. 26th Street Truck Scene growing the way it did,” location. “Our goal with the food truck explained Green. She was also quick to was to use it as a vehicle — literally — note the important role that breweries to be able to reach those who might and distilleries — especially those with not ordinarily have access to healthi- no formal food services of their own er, more wholesome food options. Our — play in the health of their business, hope was to use the food truck to ex- citing that they “have been especially tend our reach and impact in the Erie welcoming to the trucks. On any given community,” Treiber detailed. weekend we have trucks out at several “I think last year saw a boom, not amazing local breweries, like Erie Ale just in the amount of trucks and other Works and Black Monk, as well as Cart/ vendors in the area, but in venues and Horse Distilling and Luminary Distill- NICK WARREN businesses wanting to incorporate our ing. We also are often out at business- trucks and other vendors into their es people may not expect us at such moving from place to place,” explained Today, there are over 50 mobile ven- events, ” explained Alison Green, who Zurn, Logistics Plus, VNet, Bay Valley Jessee Treiber, manager of the Sor- dors in Erie. According to a list provided helps run the Erie Food Truck Alliance. and the like feeding their employees cERIE food truck, adding that “because by the Erie Food Truck Alliance, 53 to be Green works hard volunteering long through all the different shifts.” She unlike a brick-and-mortar where you precise, with 16 operating year-round. hours to help organize events and prac- clarified that “we love the festivals and find yourselves establishing a more While the term “food truck” tends to be tices for both mobile vendors and par- big events, but if the local businesses consistent clientele, with food trucks the preferred nomenclature, it’s worth ticipating venues. weren’t so welcoming to us every week, our customers are ever changing so it’s noting that there are almost as many As a rule, food trucks tend to follow all season we would be seeing a lot less difficult to adapt to the needs of the food trailers as there are trucks (14 and the crowds; although lately, it’s been trucks out there succeeding.” customers because they are different 18, respectively). working the other way around. While everywhere we go.” Another trend that’s surfaced has well-attended community events al- Nick Warren can reached at In Their Element been successful restaurants branching ways seem to carry with them a tail [email protected]

16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 Clothing, Jewelry, Incense, Oils & More

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May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 17 The Erie Community Foundation Annual Meeting

Thursday, June 6, 2019 3:00 p.m. Bayfront Convention Center

Join us as we: • Celebrate our community and our dreams for the future • Report on 2018 grantmaking and collaborations • Congratulate Peggy and Al Richardson, our 2019 Edward C. Doll Community Service Award honorees

Kindly RSVP by May 30, 2019, at www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org/RSVP or call us at 814-454-0843.

HANG OUT. Out Back. Come network with our region’s most influential young professionals, get a taste of savory food and drink options June 14–15, 20–23, 26–30 and mix up your normal at this can’t- miss Downtown Erie experience. www.erieplayhouse.org 814-454-2852 x 0 Machine Alley

Opening Craft brews, food, Weekend Special! Join us! music and good vibes June 14-15 ONLY NATURE, MUSIC, AND FUN SUNDAY, JUNE 2 • 2-5 PM ALL SUMMER LONG! Save $7.00 per ticket MONDAY, JUNE 3 • 5-7 PM *off regular reserve seat prices Alleyway next to Lavery Brewing & Behind Hagan Business Machines

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221 WATERFORD ST. (6N) EDINBORO, PA 16412 814-734-6699 ERIEDOWNTOWN.COM

18 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CALENDAR

The Wait is Over at Dysmorphia’s CD Release Show Dome Sweet Dome: Troika 2019 at Church of the Nativity

and Middle Children, a Pittsburgh-based electropop act, who released their sec- ond and most recent LP, Something Pri- vate, in 2016. Last but not least is Eliza- beth Kawinski, who will be opening the show with an acoustic performance. Dysmorphia is set to release the fol- low-up to their 2015 demo “Apathy is Dead,” a 13-track, self-titled album, that

SETH BREMMER was three years in the making. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the bar and FRIDAY, MAY 24 support the bands by purchasing mer- his Friday, the all-female riot-punk chandise. This show is for folks 21 and Toutfit Dysmorphia and special over, sponsored by The Radcastle Col- guests will grace the stage of Scotty’s lective, Rebel Girl Media, and Gimp Martini Lounge for their long-anticipat- Guy Underground Promotions. Scotty’s ed CD release show. Joining them is a notes that underground art will be on crew of notable bands from both Erie display as well. When it comes to diverse and Pittsburgh, eager to showcase their gigs headlined by a band at the forefront NICK WARREN own work alongside Dysmorphia’s new of progressive, feminist punk rock in output. Chief among the locals are Aria Erie, Dysmorphia’s album release show a guided tour of the interior with Rec- FRIDAY, MAY 24 - 26 and the Voiceless, a rock quartet with is not one you’ll want to sleep on. — Aar- tor Father Pimen Simon on each of the a twist of punk influence. Making the on Mook magine Erie 100 years ago. What do you three nights, or a self-guided tour, both trip from the South are The Fuckies, an 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. // Scotty’s Martini Ipicture? Those brick roads that still lie during certain hours. Stephen Maynard, alternative punk rock band notable for Lounge, 301 German Street // $5 // 21+ exposed in spots? Horse-drawn carriag- who has been a member of the Church their masterful inclusion of the cello, // facebook.com/scottys.martini es slowly being edged out by those new of the Nativity for over 20 years, has a automobiles? Ladies starting to wear deep reverence for the church and en- their hems above the ankles, about to courages others to appreciate it as he Voodoo Conjures Up Impressive Summer Songwriter Series usher in the Roaring ’20s? does. FRIDAY, MAY 24 One thing you would have seen, be- “You can literally see The Church of that are some of his best work to date. lieve it or not, was the first incarnation the Nativity from many places on the He blends surprisingly frenetic guitar of the Church of the Nativity, newly fin- lower east side, as far away as East work with emotionally resonant vocals ished in 1919, in the same prime location Ninth Street, from the top of the park- that never fail to impress. Orr will per- where it sits now, ready to serve the ex- ing garage on 10th and French. And you form during the course of each evening, isting Russian Orthodox Old Rite com- can hear the bells all over the lower east usually starting off the night, though he munity in Erie. Sadly, in the 1980s that side, too ... The church building itself is will be trading sets over the course of original church was lost to a fire. Howev- a beacon.” the evening with Smilo. The following er, the rebuilt structure remains a time- Maynard continued, “Now, entering week (May 31 ) will showcase Maryland less gem high atop its Bayfront bluff, the building itself is magical. The wide singer-songwriter Stefan Edward. The radiating peacefulness and warmth as open space makes you feel so small and singer’s well-articulated gravelly voice the light illuminates its face with every like you’re floating in heaven.” provides the perfect vehicle for his evoc- sundown. Keep in mind, the Troika Festival is a ative and relatable lyricism. With dozens It is this gorgeous building, with the fundraiser, a way for the church and the of performances scheduled (primarily in eye-catching gilt dome on top, that community within to keep their doors the northwest regions of Maryland), the welcomes visitors every year to what open (and their dome aloft) and to keep songwriter is also producing a web se- amounts to the start of festival season up the ability to do their good works ries title “2wo Scoops.” — Nick Warren in Erie: Troika Russian Festival. After 11 around the community. June 7 - Eric Brewer; June 14 - Justin years, the Church of the Nativity and its “I literally love everything about it,” STEFAN EDWARD STEFAN Moyar; June 21 - Johnny Major; June planning committee have the whole cul- Maynard said. “Everything about the rie’s much-loved singer-songwriter 28 - Gem City Duo; July 5 - The Honest tural festival thing down pat. Church of the Nativity on East Front ETyler Smilo kicks off the official Voo- Mistakes; July 19 - Paolello & Gone; July There’s the crowd-pleasing menu: Street in Erie, PA is a true expression of doo Songwriter Series. Organized by 26 - Fred Oakman; Aug. 2 - McKenzie “Russky” sliders, kolbasa sandwich- love.” musician Zack Orr — voted Best Local Lee Sprague; Aug. 9 - Brown Eyes (NYC); es, “Russky” fries with their signature Show your love for this beautiful Singer for the 2019 Best of Erie Awards Aug. 16 - Gem City Duo; Aug. 23 - Mat- mushroom and cheese sauce, potato church, on its beautiful perch, by at- — this series features a well-curated thew J. Thompson the Romantic Insom- pancakes and those enchanting nesting tending Troika 2019 and ensure that the array of both local and out-of-town niac, Aug. 30 - Jane West (Pittsburgh); doll (or “matryoshka”) cookies — plus so Church of the Nativity community en- talent on the brewery’s outdoor patio. Sept. 6 - Myke Gunter, Sept. 13 - Brooke much more. There’s the entertainment, joys another 100 years in the City of Erie. Smilo, an impressive talent and leader Surgener with lively dancing and music. There’s — Cara Suppa of groups such as Smilo and the Ghost Fridays until Sept. 13 (no performance the tasty selection of beers, wine, and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (see website for and Daybreak Radio, has had his share July 12), 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. // // The Patio shots. And of course, there is the loca- full three-day schedule details) // of ups and downs this year but has per- At Voodoo Erie, 101 Boston Store Pl. // tion, featuring a view that can’t be beat. 251 E. Front St. // Free admission // severed, releasing full-length records Free // facebook.com/thePatioatVBErie Those interested in learning more churchofthenativity.net/troika

May 22, 2019 about the church can choose either ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 CALENDAR

Bonfires and Brews — The Peak’s Backyard Party Series Showcase Honors The ’90s

ally laid back, a ‘pull up a chair and hang and-coming artist Jordy The Traveler de- out with your friends’ kind of event. At livers raps about his journey to the top. the end of the evening, we have s’mores Alternative band Wasted Info will waste with the bonfire. It’s a kick-off summer no time with their subtle yet definitive party, with certain foods and beers high- approach, and rising stars Aria and the lighted.” Voiceless will show you what they really In addition to the live entertainment have to say. Sammy C will take the baton

and plenty to eat and drink, there are DESIN DAVID and bring forth a melodic wave that will

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO also yard games (corn hole and volley- have you looking forward to his next per- ball, for instance) for those who want to SATURDAY, MAY 25 formance. SATURDAY, MAY 25 move around and play in the yard. usic is one of the common denomi- According to the flier — one that pays re you the type of person who loves What makes each Bonfires and Brew Mnators that defines our community. homage to the ’90s with a vibrant VHS Ato kick off summer by hanging out night unique (besides the music, of Though there are many well-established tape displaying a list of names on the bill with friends, eating great food, and course) is the theme of the evening. On local musicians who have made their — there are more acts that are still under drinking ice cold brew? Then look no June 15, the theme is #1 Dad Day in hon- mark, the new generation of artists are wraps. While holding back on who the further because Peek’n Peak’s got you or of Father’s Day. There will also be a eager to do just the same. surprise guests are, this affair ups the covered with their ongoing Bonfires and corn hole tournament that day. One-stop-shop Most Lethal Club, a ante asking that you wear your best (or Brews Concert Series. Another great theme, “Dog Days of production company that specializes worst) costume to embody the golden Starting soon, you can consider the Summer,” is set to take place on July in film, photography, and digital art, will decade that we all love. Issa 90’s Thing Peak your backyard. There will be nine 20 as they honor the Humane Society. be hosting a night for music lovers and is for adults 18 and older but comes with additional dates to relax with a large Speaking of animals, are you aware that ’90s babies to enjoy. The “Issa 90s Thing” a Retrocade to fuel your gaming nostal- bonfire as this series will continue into this event is pet-friendly? showcase will be kicking things off May gia. If you’re up for a blast from the past October. With a variety of rock and pop Be sure to gather your friends, espe- 25 at Basement Transmissions, with a with outrageous fun, then get out those talent to see, there’s an evening for ev- cially your four-legged ones, to kick off variety of hungry young acts represent- airbrushed overalls and join the vibes. — erybody here. the summer right. — Kalli Oberlander ing a great blend of genres. Major Coin, Charles Brown Heather McBriar, corporate events Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. // Peek’n a hip-hop ensemble that takes guerrilla 6 p.m. // Basement Transmissions, manager at the Peak, explains that the Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Rd., Clymer, NY marketing to new heights, will present 145 W. 11 St. // 18 + // BYOB with ID // atmosphere at Bonfires and Brews is “re- 14724 // pknpk.com a breathtaking performance while up- facebook.com/MostLethalClub

of live music, the venue features local comedians, Churchill’s Bourbon & Lacy Alyse May 27 — 6:30 p.m. boasts live performances hoopers, and seven DJs with Brew, 8199 Perry Hwy. May 25 — 7 to 10 p.m. Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., MUSIC Thursday through Sunday, the music going all night. presqueisledowns.com. Tipsy Bean, 2425 Peach Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- with the folk-influenced Basement Transmissions, 145 St. tipsybean.cafe. borolakeresort.com. Dave VanAmburg & Friends Lakeview Spring bluesman Weston’s first W. 11th St. facebook.com. A Memorial Day Yeehaw May 22, 24, 29, 31, Jun. of five appearances. Concert Series Witty Tarbox 5 — 6 to 9 p.m. Open Mic Night w The Standby May 25, Jun. 1 — 6 to 9 p.m. May 25 — 10 p.m. Bel-Aire Clarion, 2800 W. 8th Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., May 24, 31 — 7 p.m. Running until the end of June, May 27 — 7:30 to 11 p.m. St. belaireclarion.com. Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- The surf-funk five-piece borolakeresort.com. Tipsy Bean, 2425 Peach this weekly series kicks off with The Ballet Haus, 1020 Hol- from Buffalo, N.Y. make their land St. facebook.com. St. tipsybean.cafe. none other than Eric Brewer Blasco Concert Series: Katie & Jesse Rook debut upstairs. Rick Magee Acoustics and Friends, who will revisit the Live On Mars: A Tribute Gem City Jazz Ensemble May 24 — 5 to 7 p.m. Kings Rook Club, 1921 venue twice more this summer. to David Bowie May 22 — 7 to 8 p.m. Churchill’s Bourbon & May 24 — 7 to 9 p.m. Peach St. facebook.com. Lakeview Wine Cellars, 8440 Erie’s own big band — featuring Brew, 8199 Perry Hwy. Churchill’s Bourbon & May 29 — 7:30 p.m. Singer Rd., North East, PA 16428 George & Ray a 20-member lineup — swings presqueisledowns.com. Brew, 8199 Perry Hwy. Warner Theatre, 811 State St. lakeviewwinecellars.com. May 26 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. into the library auditorium. presqueisledowns.com. eriewarnertheatre.com. The Cork 1794, 900 W. Erie The Patio at Voodoo Erie Bonfires & Brews: Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Presents Tyler Smilo Derf Hospecger Plaza Dr. cork1794.com. Pat & Abby Doyle Front St. events.erielibrary.org. May 24 — 7 to 10 p.m. Reset2Vinyl May 24 — 5 to 8 p.m. May 30 — 6 to 9 p.m. The Cork 1794, 900 W. Erie May 25 — 6 to 10 p.m. Tech Trek IV Open Mic The Patio At Voodoo Erie, 101 The Skunk & Goat Tavern, 17 W. Plaza Dr. cork1794.com. Peek’n Peak Resort, Boston Store Pl. facebook. May 26 — 5 p.m. Main St., North East, PA 16428 May 22, 29, Jun. 5 — 10 p.m. 1405 Olde Rd., Clymer, com/thePatioatVBErie Canada’s Archspire, Tennes- skunkandgoattavern.com. Scotty’s Martini Lounge, 301 Here Comes Summer NY 14724 pknpk.com. see’s INFERI, Switzerland’s German St. facebook.com. SASS Acoustics w May 24 — 7 to 11 p.m. Jay Baumgardner Cruisin VIRVUM, Maryland’s Worm- MVP Kayti Stadler Bullfrog Bar, 3866 Peach May 30 — 6:30 p.m. St. bullfrogbarerie.com. May 25 — 6 to 10 p.m. hole, Erie’s own Bravura (Erie Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., May 23, 30 — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 24 — 5 to 8 p.m. Coconut Joe’s, 28 N. Park Metal Kings), and Buffalo’s Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- Rum Runners, 133 E. Dobbins Dickey’s BBQ Pit, 3716 Dysmorphia CD Row facebook.com. Inertia bring a whopping borolakeresort.com. Liberty St. facebook.com. Landing rumrunnerserie.com. Release Show dose of metal to BT. Dionisio/Colette Bone Rankin & Schell Abby & Pat Doyle of Geek Army May 24 — 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Basement Transmissions, 145 May 25 — 6:30 p.m. May 31 — 5 to 7 p.m. Gem City Revival May 24 — 6 to 10 p.m. Scotty’s Martini Lounge, 301 W. 11th St. facebook.com. German St. facebook.com. Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., Churchill’s Bourbon & Coconut Joe’s, 28 N. Park May 23 — 6 to 8 p.m. Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- Carl Hultman Jazz Trio Brew, 8199 Perry Hwy. Row facebook.com. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th Stationary Pebbles borolakeresort.com. May 26, Jun. 2 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. presqueisledowns.com. St. erieartmuseum.org. Salmon Frank May 24 — 10 p.m. Paul Hunter The Skunk & Goat Tavern, 17 W. Main St., North East, PA 16428 The Patio at Voodoo Erie The High Life May 24 — 6:30 p.m. The Pittsburgh-based May 25 — 7 to 9 p.m. Presents Stefan Edward Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., skunkandgoattavern.com. May 23 — 6 to 9 p.m. quintet brings their brand Churchill’s Bourbon & May 31 — 5 to 8 p.m. The Skunk & Goat Tavern, 17 W. Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- of funk, reggae, and rock Brew, 8199 Perry Hwy. Josh Travis borolakeresort.com. The Patio At Voodoo Erie, 101 Main St., North East, PA 16428 to the upstairs stage. presqueisledowns.com. May 26 — 6:30 p.m. Boston Store Pl. facebook.com. skunkandgoattavern.com. Sprung 2019 Kings Rook Club, 1921 Sam Hyman Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., Peach St. facebook.com. Edinboro, PA 16412 edin- Small Town Revolution May 24 — 7 p.m. Jesse Weston May 25 — 7 to 10 p.m. borolakeresort.com. May 31 — 6 to 10 p.m. May 23 — 6:30 p.m. Part rave, part party, part EDM Black Widow The Cork 1794, 900 W. Erie Coconut Joe’s, 28 N. Park Leeanna Golembiewski Now in its fourth week and rap show, the event also May 25 — 5 to 7 p.m. Plaza Dr. cork1794.com. Row facebook.com.

20 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CALENDAR

Support Cool Local Business with Hill District Fleas

Ska-punk band The Filthy May through October, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Casuals perform at one of last We changed the event day to Sunday in- year’s Flagship Fleas on Peach Street in midtown. The events, stead of Saturday. That just made sense. renamed Hill District Fleas, Sundays are a fun, chill day and that’s return this year with myriad the vibe we want to roll ‘down the hill’ vendors, food trucks, and with.” interactive stations — all local, of course. If you’re not at all familiar with an event like this, expect to see numerous ven- dors, food trucks, interactive stations, behind this event, bringing and all good things local. As a bonus, it’s many local business owners fun for the whole family as it is both kid together. She is no stranger and pet-friendly. to the hard work that goes “This event is unique because it’s all CONTRIBUTED PHOTO into making this event pos- handmade and hand-grown. It is Erie’s SUNDAY, MAY 26 sible. She explains, “We ran only open air flea market that sources five Flagship Fleas in 2018 from May to only local businesses and makers,” says ave you found yourself saying, or September. We ran with funding from George. “These are put on to get other Hheard someone else say that there’s our own pockets, and for the love of all local artists and businesses known so nothing to do in Erie? Perhaps you ha- things local. The mayor granted the road they can make a living off what they ven’t been looking in the right places. to be closed, which is huge because passionately love and do!” emphasizes What were Flagship Fleas have now Peach Street is a first response one- George. become The Hill District Fleas as they way street. With the mayor behind our Erie has a lot of incredible talent, prove that Erie certainly does have back, we knew it was go time to try and shops, and people, and the Hills District many things to do, and plenty of trendy get the big city concept rolling a second Flea is a great place to start discovering local businesses that are a must to time around.” them. — Kalli Oberlander check out. George continues to excitedly inform 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // The Hill, W. 26th- Emily Lynn George, owner of Pointe that there will be “six fleas this year, on 24th and Peach // facebook.com/ Foure Vintage Boutique, is the avid force every last Sunday of the month from TheShopsOnTheHillErie

Tommy Link Rhythmic Explorations World Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Jun. 1 — 6:30 to 10 p.m. May 31 — 6:30 p.m. Drumming Workshop Garden-themed ballroom dancing 8th Annual Kate Buczek Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., Edinboro, Jun. 1 — 2 to 3:30 p.m. sweeps through the St. John’s Memorial Concert PA 16412 edinborolakeresort.com. PACA, 1505 State St. facebook.com. Lutheran Parish Center. Jun. 2 — 4 to 6:30 p.m. Northern Accents St. John’s Lutheran Parish Center, The Impurity w Brotherhood In memory of the local jazz 2216 Peach St. usadanceerie.org. of the Jam, Shattered Jun. 1 — 6 to 10 p.m. aficionado, the evening will Utopia, and Insult to Injury Bourbon Barrel, 1213 State feature the “Razzer’s Jazzer’s,” May 31 — 7 p.m. St. facebook.com. a Dixieland sextet from James- FOOD & DRINK The Buffalo, N.Y. heavy metal four- Refuge town, N.Y. and “Derf’s Quartet ’18,” a Latin/swing group lead Happy Appy Food Tour piece combines forces with a trio of Jun. 1 — 6 to 10 p.m. by pianist Derf Hopsecger. May 22, 29, Jun. 5 — 5 to 7 p.m. local metal and punk rock bands. Coconut Joe’s, 28 N. Park Bolero, 16 W. 10th St. Basement Transmissions, 145 Row facebook.com. Unitarian Universalist Church, 7180 W. 11th St. facebook.com. Perry Hwy. erieartsandculture.org. eriefoodtours.com. Fred Oakman Cocktails & Color at Findley Jun. 1 — 6:30 p.m. Clever Norman Voodoo Brewery Erie May 31 — 7 to 9 p.m. Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., Edinboro, Jun. 2 — 6:30 p.m. May 22 — 6 p.m. Churchill’s Bourbon & Brew, 8199 PA 16412 edinborolakeresort.com. Sunset Grill, 508 Erie St., Edinboro, Perry Hwy. presqueisledowns.com. PA 16412 edinborolakeresort.com. Voodoo Brewery Erie, 101 Bos- Maybelle and The Band ton Store Pl. facebook.com. Curtis Jones Jun. 1 — 7 to 10 p.m. Red Creek, Jail Socks, Pint Night May 31 — 7 to 9 p.m. & Tipsy Bean, 2425 Peach Vermont, Penny Racer May 23, 30 — 5 to 8 p.m. Jun. 1 — 2 to 4 p.m. St. tipsybean.cafe. Jun. 3 — 7:30 to 11 p.m. Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, The critically-acclaimed guitar Lexi Weege & The Wonder Local punk rockers Red Creek 8398 W. Main Rd. (Rt. 20), West- master from northern Georgia Twins, Justin Moyar and Penny Racer are joined by field, NY 14787 fiveand20.com. (not to be confused with either the North Carolina’s Jail Socks, and Jun. 1 — 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. local politician or the local actor) Cincinnati’s Vermont, all play- Riverside Brewing Company Scotty’s Martini Lounge, 301 will bring his flamenco and jazz ing their own unique takes on Growler Hours Return German St. facebook.com. style to Artlore, along with guests punk, emo, and indie rock. May 23 — 5 to 9 p.m. Kim Jones and Chuck Williams. Banjo Workshop The Ballet Haus, 1020 Hol- Riverside Brewing Company, 1 Artlore Studio, 3406 Westlake Jun. 2 — 1 to 5 p.m. land St. facebook.com. Fountain St., Cambridge Springs, Rd. artlorestudio.com. Banjo Workshop, 2320 Loveland PA 16403 riversidebrewing.co UPMC Sunset Music Series: Ave. GeoffHohwald.com. Sharon Liu DangerBird, Jeff Fetterman Downtown Erie Food Tour May 31 — 7 to 10 p.m. Blasco Concert Series: Jun. 5 — 5:30 p.m. May 25, Jun. 1 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Cork 1794, 900 W. Erie ‘Bach to the Future’ Beach 1 at PI State, 1 Penin- Like My Thai, 827 State St. eriefoodtours.com. Plaza Dr. cork1794.com. Jun. 2 — 3 to 4:30 p.m. sula Dr. discoverpi.com. Wild Adriatic The Millcreek Community Siri Thai Cuisine May 31 — 9 p.m. Band provides a free clas- DANCE May 25 — 1 p.m. sical performance at the Kings Rook Club, 1921 Peach The Siri Thai food truck stops by library’s Hirt Auditorium. St. facebook.com. Garden Party Dance Luminary Distilling to curry the Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. favor of local cocktail drinkers.

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 22 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CALENDAR

The Standby’s Memorial Day Yeehaw He’s In The Best-Selling Show: Life on Mars: A Tribute to David Bowie ance between emotional lyricism and hard-hitting vocals to deliver a high The Young Dudes,” “Let’s Dance,” “The energy performance new fans won’t Man Who Sold The World,” “Changes,” forget. The band released their new “Rebel Rebel,” and “Young Americans.” album Goodnight in February on We Whether Thomas does a passable Are Triumphant Records, with some Bowie — can anyone truly come close to tracks selected for Spotify’s “New Punk The Man Who Fell to Earth? — will have Tracks” playlist. Washington, D.C.-based to be decided by concertgoers, but you alternative band Body Thief recently can see an interpretation of your hero CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

dropped a long-awaited album entitled CONTRIBUTED PHOTO right here in Erie. MONDAY, MAY 27 Travel Glow, nearly four years after their WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 VIP Packages to the event are avail- eehaw” is not normally a phrase debut record Speak in Hibernation. Both f you know when to go out and you able. Starting at 5 p.m. on the show day, “Yyou would associate with rock bands are touring to promote their coin- Ialso know when to stay in, then you each guest will be given a special Live music. However, Erie’s newest venue, ciding records. should be heading over to see “Life on On Mars VIP Meet and Greet Sound- The Ballet Haus, makes an exception. Bringing the “Yee” and “Haw” from Tex- Mars: A Tribute to David Bowie” at the check Experience tour pass and 2019 On May 27th, the first ever “Memorial as is HIGHDIVE, who have constantly Warner Theatre on May 29. Here, you will tour poster. They will then be invited by Day Yeehaw” will be headlined by be- been on tour throughout the United bear witness to lifelong Bowie fan Alex the show road manager into the venue loved Erie indie trio The Standby. Just States since their debut album Forget Thomas and his ultra-talented band in- auditorium to listen to the soundcheck, returning from a Midwest tour, they’re I Called dropped last May. The quartet terpreting and presenting some of the meet the show musicians, and enjoy a bringing along new friends Lilac Kings, has shared the stage with many acts, Starman’s greatest work on — or off — special bonus performance of two Bow- Body Thief, and HIGHDIVE. most notably up-and-coming Chicago this earth. ie songs that will not appear in the show. The Standby had a remarkable time on powerhouse Belmont. Like Ziggy who really sang (complete Bring your poster and a pen if you fancy tour; their first ever show in Tulsa, Okla- In between sets while you are brows- with screwed-up eyes and screwed- a signature. — Miriam Lamey homa sold over 120 tickets. Collectively, ing band merch, don’t forget to check down hairdo), Thomas presents a ven- 7 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State the band loves exploring new places and out Melancholy. Melancholy is a local erable selection from Bowie’s catalogue, St. // $29 — 64 // facebook.com/ playing for new audiences. Bassist Lyle clothing brand that aims to promote live and onstage including hits like “All LIVEONMARSSHOW Sallade says “the overwhelming support self-growth and to embrace mental ill- of the community” is what makes Erie ness. A Waffle Miracle will also be in a special place for them to play. Their attendance, so if you are feeling hungry Ribs For Your Pleasure: Ribfest 2019 debut single “Wintersun” was released during the show, their top-tier waffles at the beginning of April and has gath- have you covered. This one-of-a-kind just smoked meats, and it seems to ered over 10,000 monthly listeners and event is happening May 27th, and it’s grow each year. 20,000 total streams. The music video one of many Andromeda Agency gigs Families can count on the RIB Kidz Fun debuted on Europe’s alternative music you won’t wanna miss. — Dylan Tutma- Zone, with rides that are available via platform dreambound, through Alterna- her the Ride-a-ribba-ramma pass, or individ- tive Press in the U.S., and is available on 7:30 p.m.// The Ballet Haus, 1020 ual tickets, all four nights. “Beer on the Apple Music and Spotify. Holland St. // $12 Pre-sale, $14 Door // Plaza” is presented thanks to Alkeme, Lilac Kings, a progressive rock band All ages, BYOB with ID // facebook.com/ the official beer sponsor for 2019. A -va from Tulsa, Oklahoma finds a bal- theandromedaagency riety of vendors will sell on-site, while, “we are also featuring women-owned, women-focused businesses on ‘Ladies NICK WARREN Luminary Distilling, 8270 Peach eriefoodtruckfestival.com. Director Tim Warren will be Night,’” Danielson added. This network- St. Ste. 300 facebook.com. on hand to answer ques- ing and sales event takes center stage North East Food Tour tions after the screening WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 - JUN. 1 Campfire Cooking Jun. 1 — 1 to 4 p.m. of this award-winning on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the May 25 — 3 to 4:30 p.m. Experience the highlights documentary about the here is no shortage of good smells Big Top Tent. Build a campfire, hone your of North East dining in only ambulance service in when hanging around downtown The event would not be complete with- outdoor cooking tech- this guided food tour, with Darien, Connecticut — ran T niques, and roast a grano- dates continuing through- by high school teenagers. and Perry Square Park, but the end of out tons of live music — Me and the Boy, la-stuffed apple in Asbury out the summer and fall. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. May tends to be downright mouth-wa- Katie and Jesse, 100 Proof, and Jasmine Woods’ pavilion fireplace. Little Shop of Donuts, 36 Front St. events.erielibrary.org. tering. That’s when Erie’s Wild Rib Cook Morgan, among others — and, of course, Asbury Woods Nature Center, W. Main St., North East, PA Burning 4105 Asbury Rd. registra- 16428 eriefoodtours.com. Off and Music Festival, or Ribfest for rib judging. The general public is invited tiondesk.asburywoods.org. Jun. 5 — 6 p.m. short, sets up — and sets off — an explo- to cast their vote for the People’s Choice June Paint N Sip Bourbon Barrel, 1213 State Lunch Meal Prep Jun. 1 — 5 to 7 p.m. St. filmsocietynwpa.org. sion of smoky, sweet, and savory scents. award, while the local group ManBQUE May 28 — 5:30 p.m. Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Volcanoes: The Local businesswoman and entrepre- will be on hand with their own indepen- Whole Foods Co-Op, 1341 9440 W. Main Rd., North neur Kathi Danielson, the owner of Per- dent judging. W. 26th St. wfcerie.coop. East, PA 16428 piwine.com. Fires of Creation Ongoing — 10 a.m., 4 p.m. formance and Event Management, LLC, It’s a jam-packed four days, and it is 29th Annual Wild Rib Tom Ridge Environmental said, “I know that most people believe no surprise that people visit from out of Cook-Off & Music Festival MOVIES Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. May 29, 30 — 11 a.m. to biggreenscreen.com. that the Ribfest is run by the city. It is state to get a taste of what Erie’s Ribfest 10 p.m. & May 31, Jun. The Intruder (1962) 1 — 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Turtle Odyssey not.” In fact, she purchased the rights to is cooking up every year. — Cara Suppa May 30 — 8 p.m. Perry Square erieribfest.com. Ongoing — 11 a.m., 2 p.m. produce Ribfest in 2004, and has been at Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to Erie Movie House, 3424 W. Tom Ridge Environmental Lake Rd. facebook.com. the helm of seeing the event to fruition 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to Erie Food Truck Festival Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Jun. 1 — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every year since. Her talent for event 11 p.m. // 6th and State Street // Free High School 911 biggreenscreen.com. Fields at GE, 800 Water St. production is obvious, as the four-day admission // erieribfest.com Jun. 1 — 1 to 4 p.m. Backyard Wilderness

May 22, 2019 Ribfest is loaded with much more than ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 CALENDAR

Refueled, Recharged, Ridiculous and Wild

In the midst of completing several European and multiple stateside tours as well as appearing at festivals such as Bonnaroo and the upcoming local Spring Badfish (in nearby Garrettsville, Ohio), they recently completed a five- song EP. Adriatic/Rodriguez came to be NICK WARREN after Minneapolis-based singer/song- writer Dan Rodriguez and Vosganian FRIDAY, MAY 31 spent three days writing and recording he internationally known band Wild after a late night, drunken conversation TAdriatic will provide an evening fu- together. With songs like “Don’t Hold eled with two heavy-hitting setlists that Back” and “Party,” the spirit of the band blend the sounds of ’70s rock ‘n’ roll and shines through and exemplifies the mis- Motown soul. Now in their eighth year sion that the band is trying to accom- of touring, they’re making a stop in Erie plish. during their busiest year yet to provide a In addition to their brand new EP, the next level live performance for everyone band embarked on a month-long tour to groove to. with their musical partners-in-crime Drummer Mateo Vosganian says, “we Andy Frasco & the UN. They also will as- love this ... we’re just normal dudes who sist in bringing the heat this summer as are lucky to be supported by fans who they are performing with the legendary buy tickets and come out to shows, and Lynyrd Skynryd as a supporting band on we like to hang out with them. We aren’t their farewell tour. trying to take ourselves too seriously. This acclaimed band is not one to We’re trying to connect. We’re trying to miss as they make their way through feel.” the United States during the quickly The well-established trio from Sara- approaching festival season. — Symoné toga Springs, N.Y. has now added three Crockett more members to recharge the band 9 p.m. // King’s Rook Club, 1921 Peach with a fresh perspective. Along with St. // $7 for current 2019 members, their guitar-heavy swagger, the addi- $12 for non-current members (2019 tion of two saxophones and a keyboard membership included), ticket sales at helped to add depth to the band and in- the door on the day of the show, cash fuse soul into their setlists. only // 21+ // wildadriatic.com

Ongoing — noon & 3 p.m. tiondesk.asburywoods.org. St. erieartmuseum.org. Tom Ridge Environmental Figure Drawing in 96th Annual Spring Show Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. biggreenscreen.com. the Mansion Ongoing through Sept. 1 May 29, Jun. 5 — 6 to 8 p.m. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th Mysteries of the Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 St. erieartmuseum.org. Great Lakes W. 6th St. eriehistory.org. Artist Takeover: Ongoing — 1 p.m. LGBTQ Regional Roman Glass Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Juried Art Show Ongoing through Sept. 15 biggreenscreen.com. Jun. 1 — 7 to 10 p.m. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th Time listed is for opening St. erieartmuseum.org. reception, ongoing through VISUAL ARTS Jun. 30 thereafter. Everything But The Shelves Erie Art Gallery, 24 W. 8th St. Ongoing through Dec. 2019 Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th Art Talk: Art & Science greatereriealliance.com. St. erieartmuseum.org. May 24 — 6 to 7 p.m. Helen Tullio: Something This latest installment of the Serendipitous Ashley Pastore: Everyday Monumental Erie Art Museum’s lecture Ongoing through Jun. 18 Ongoing through Mar. 2020 series explores the interwoven Glass Growers’ latest exhibit Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th histories of art and science. features the acrylic, resin, St. erieartmuseum.org. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th oil, and watercolor paintings St. erieartmuseum.org. of local artist Helen Tullio. Natural Impressions Glass Growers Gallery, 10 E. 5th THEATER Student Art Competition St. glassgrowersgallery.com. Ongoing through May 27 Bill Brady 70s Flashback Reunion Tom Ridge Environmental Ongoing through Aug. 2019 May 25 — 5:30 p.m. & May 26 — 2:30 p.m. Center, 301 Peninsula Dr. Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th events.dcnr.pa.gov. St. erieartmuseum.org. This “musical romp through the Plein Air Painting ’1970s” touches on the decade’s Brian Pardini pop culture highlights. May 28, Jun. 4 — 6 to 8 p.m. Ongoing through Aug. 2019 Station Dinner Theatre, 4940 Asbury Woods Nature Center, Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th Peach St. canterburyfeast.com. 4105 Asbury Rd. registra-

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CALENDAR Erie Food Truck Festival: Field of Eats Lawrence Park set for scrumptious sequel

Fields in Lawrence Park. That’s right, the Erie Food Truck Festi- Attendees are invited to graze all day in val is not only a celebration of local food, these welcoming pastures, with the fes- but also of local music. Enjoy the musi- tival running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Even if cal stylings of seven area bands while you so choose to stay for multiple meals, you metabolize, including: there will be some tough decisions to 11 a.m. — Jack Stevenson (classic rock, make, as the roster of participating ven- formerly of Jackson Station) dors has been upped from 15 to 24 this 12:45 p.m. — Jesse & Katie (soft rock/ year. “Bigger and better” is the mantra for country acoustic duo) the second Food Truck Fest — and ap- 2 p.m. — The Honest Mistakes (power CONTRIBUTED PHOTO propriately, you’ll have little trouble leav- pop duo) ing a little bigger than when you arrived, 3:45 p.m.— 2 For the Show ft. Eric Brew- SATURDAY, JUN. 1 between waffles (A Waffle Miracle), er and Lindsay Vendetti (pop-rock/blues/ tacos (The Atacolypse), pizza (Sticks & soul) he first course of the Erie Food Truck Bricks, Benvenuti Pizza Factory), chees- 5 p.m. — Key West Express (Jimmy Buf- TFestival did exactly what it intended esteaks (Fat Boys Phillys), smoked meats fett tribute) to do — stoke an appetite for more. (The Que Abides, Hawk’s Grocery and 6:45 p.m. — Real Fake Doors (rock/pop- “We learned that people in Erie Coun- Smokehouse), ice cream (Bruster’s, Cold punk) ty really like food trucks,” recounted Stone, Shabby’s), and more. Philips advises interested parties Kate Philips, chairperson of the festival Philips is looking forward to a more to purchase their tickets early online and CEO of the consulting firm Park- streamlined experience this time (eriefoodtruckfestival.com) or in-person er Philips. “This was something people around, as Festival Fun Chips will be the at the Iroquois School District building wanted.” Democracy sometimes votes only form of currency accepted within located at 800 Tyndall Avenue — doing with its belly, and 5,000 ballots were cast the festival grounds, for both the food so saves you half the gate price ($10). last year in favor of a repeat. trucks and the merchandise, beer, and Proceeds benefit the Iroquois School Food trucks have grown into a local wine tents (yes, plenty of local libations District Foundation. phenomenon this past decade, one will also be available); however, your With another large turnout expect- that simultaneously could be anywhere credit cards can be used to pay for them. ed, this is clearly a festival with a future (thanks to wheels and combustion en- The expanded food truck fleet should worth salivating over. — Matt Swanseger gines) and doesn’t appear to be going result in shorter lines, and the start time 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. // Former G.E. fields in anywhere soon (because deliciousness). being pushed back to 11 a.m. should bet- Lawrence Park, 800 Water St. // General For one day, you can taste what the fuss ter accommodate the lunch crowd — as admission: $5 Pre-sale, $10 at gate // is about all in one place — the former GE well as two additional bands. eriefoodtruckfestival.com

May 24, 25 — 6 p.m. & May 6015 W. Ridge Rd. erie15k.com. Jun. 3 — 7 p.m. & Jun. 26, 27 — 1:30 p.m. 4, 5 — 10:30 a.m. COMEDY UPMC Park, 110 E.10th St. milb.com. Presque Isle Volleyball UPMC Park, 110 E.10th St. milb.com. Tournament BMX State Race Triple FUBAR Comedy Presents: May 30 — 5:45 to 9 p.m. & A Night at the Movies May 25 — 10 a.m. to noon Jun. 1 — 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. COMMUNITY Scott Park, 2700 W. 6th & Jun. 4 — 6 to 9 p.m. May 31 — 7 to 10 p.m. St. usabmx.com. Beach 6 at PI State Park, 1 Pen- The Berlin Wall 30 Years BYOB, sit back, and laugh insula Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Later: Legacies & Lessons with standup talent from 3rd Annual Great Erie SeaWolves vs. Erie, Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Lakes Showdown May 22 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Akron RubberDucks Erie Movie House, 3424 W. May 25 — 4 p.m. Dr. Jackson Janes, President of the May 31, Jun. 1 — 7 p.m. & American Institute for Contem- Lake Rd. facebook.com. The Midwest Compact Tour- Jun. 2 — 1:30 p.m. porary German Studies at Johns ing Series rolls into Lake Erie Sweet Cheeks Comedy Tour UPMC Park, 110 E.10th St. milb.com. Hopkins University, measures Speedway, with a day of 4- and the aftereffects of the fall of the Jun. 1 — 7 to 10 p.m. 6-cylinder stock car races. Into the Woods Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. AG White and Tommie Too Lake Erie Speedway, 10700 5-Miler Trail Race Jefferson Educational Society, Smoov join headliner Derrick Delmas Dr., North East, PA Jun. 1 — 8 a.m. 3207 State St. jeserie.org. “Capone” Lee, AKA “The Gang- 16428 facebook.com. Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 sta of Comedy,” at the Avalon Asbury Rd. asburywoods.org. Intro to Windows I Hotel and Conference Center. Crash-A-Rama Crossing the Frontier May 23 — 5 to 8 p.m. May 25 — 5 p.m. Avalon Hotel & Conference Center, 5K/10K/Virtual Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. 16 W. 10th St. eventbrite.com. It’s crunch time at Lake Erie Jun. 1 — 8 to 10 a.m. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Speedway as school buses, Giggle Water: An Open Frontier Park, 1501 W. 6th Learn to 3D Print campers, and other sacrificial Mic Comedy Night St. runsignup.com. vehicles converge (often quite May 23 — 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jun. 5 — 8 p.m. literally) at this demolition derby. First Time Archery Program Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Room 33, 1033 State St. Jun. 1 — 10 a.m. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. facebook.com. Lake Erie Speedway, 10700 Delmas Dr., North East, PA Erie Bluffs State Park, 11122 Lyme Disease & Ticks 16428 facebook.com. W. Lake Rd., Lake City, PA May 23 — 6 p.m. 16423 events.dcnr.pa.gov. SPORTS Erie 15K Freedom Challenge Whole Foods Co-Op, 1341 W. May 27 — 7:30 a.m. Erie SeaWolves vs. 26th St. wfcerie.coop. Erie SeaWolves vs. Walnut Creek Baptist Church, Altoona Curve Bowie Baysox From 2.3 GPA to D.O.C.:

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 CALENDAR

Author Joe Newcomer’s Return to Erie Sand, Sunsets, Stunning Sounds, and Something to Eat: UPMC Sunset Series Returns “I went from a job that was 90-hours a week to a 40-hour week position. That drastic change made every day feel like an eternity. I watched the sun slowly move through my office window daily and thought about what would happen if time stopped — that’s what triggered the idea for the book.” Joe created a time-paused future wherein society has abandoned tradi- tional life due to its obsession with nos- CONTRIBUTED PHOTO talgia and the advent of time travel. SUNDAY, JUN. 2 “Time has stopped, no one is around, t only makes sense to return to your and there is little to feel good about,” Iroots to promote a book swirling Joe explains. “But despite this, the main around ideas of time travel and where character finds a way to trudge through. WEDNESDAY, JUN. 5 you fit into the world. That’s exactly what If he can make it in that dystopia, I hope executive director of Presque Isle Part- Joe Newcomer, author of the new book that readers draw inspiration to keep go- t can be universally noted that Erie nership. And this year, it seems that the Diminishing Return, is doing on Sunday, ing in our current society.” Iresidents are starting to feel skeptical Sunset Music Series will be bigger and June 2nd at Artlore Studio. The event at Artlore Studio will not only that summer — or even warmer weath- better than ever. In the past, Joe’s creativity poured into provide the chance to get your copy of er — will actually return. Surprisingly, “Each Wednesday enjoy two live STEVE LEITZINGER STEVE many outlets. Locals may recognize Diminishing Return signed (standard however, the UPMC Sunset Music Se- bands, extended swimming hours, hula him as the frontman of the original rock copies are also available for advance ries is starting soon, and will run every hoop playshops with Jennifer Dennehy, band Mas Nova. These days, he is a pan- purchase on Amazon.com), but also en- Wednesday from June 5 to July 17 (ex- and weekly raffle drawings,” DeMarco el member of the Arizona-based, com- tertain you with the sounds of Cult Clas- cept July 3). Shows begin at 5:30 p.m. explains. “Our weekly raffle drawings ic book-themed podcast Comic Play- sics, Bob Bearfield, and Jake Johns. In at Beach 1 and continue until that large feature exclusive prizes for hotspot ground, led by comedian Frank Caliendo. addition, the Atacolypse food truck will fiery ball in the sky sinks below the lake activities and eateries around Erie, in- He released his first book El Camino be on site and there are complimentary on the horizon. cluding a dinner for two at the Bayfront Blue on February 24, 2016 (currently for adult beverages for those who purchase “We are anticipating a summer of awe- Sheraton Grille, tickets to tour the Pr- sale at Artlore). a copy of the book. — Marie Turko some music and delicious food — all esque Isle Lighthouse, and a 90-minute Before writing Diminishing Return, his 6 p.m. // Artlore Studios, 3406 W. Lake with the irreplaceable sunsets of Lake sail aboard Flagship Niagara League’s day-to-day life experienced a major shift. Rd. // josephdnewcomer.com Erie as a backdrop,” says Jon DeMarco, Lettie G. Howard.”

Mentors, Mantras, Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach 190 names of those from Erie erieartsandculture.org. unicorn poop slime making. Rd. events.erielibrary.org. St. splashlagoon.com. County who died in World & Hip-Hop Candlelight Ghost Walk Lincoln Community Center May 23 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. War One. Another memorial, Library, 1255 Manchester Truth and Consequences Excel Erie May 26 — 8 p.m. a cast aluminum plaque fixed Rd. events.erielibrary.org. May 30 — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Chuck Herring, Ed. D. May 25 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dobbins Landing, 1 State St. directly to the outside wall The Jefferson’s Pat Cuneo recounts his journey from Bayfront Convention Center, 1 candlelightghostwalks.com. Belle Valley Auxiliary of the stadium’s northwest and Ben Speggen examine the an underachieving high Sassafras Pier excelerie.com. May 28 — 6 to 8 p.m. corner will also be unveiled. Teen Reading Lounge imperiled state of contempo- school student to a nationally Belle Valley Fire Dept., 1514 Paws and Reflect Cat Yoga Erie Veterans Memorial Stadi- May 27 — 6 to 8 p.m. rary news media, which is expe- acclaimed educator, author, Norcross Rd. 814-825-4359 entrepreneur, and speaker. May 25 — 10 to 11:30 a.m. um, 2800 State St. 814-823-2562 Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. riencing serious trust issues Theology Pub & Cafe with the American public. Jefferson Educational Society, St. Francis Xavier Church, Game Afternoon Front St. events.erielibrary.org. 8880 W. Main St., McKean, May 28 — 7 p.m. The Corry Higher Education 3207 State St. jeserie.org. May 25 — 3 to 4:30 p.m. Finding and Using PA 16426 eventbrite.com. Tipsy Bean, 2425 Peach Council, 221 N. Center St., Lincoln Community Center Death Records Lagoon by Pontoon Begins St. tipsybean.cafe. Corry, PA 16407 jeserie.org. Master Builders: Library, 1255 Manchester May 28 — 10 a.m. to noon May 24 Block Party Rd. events.erielibrary.org. Lincoln Community Center Recycling 101 Walk for a Healthy Observe the hidden wonders of May 25 — 10 a.m. to noon Patio Yoga w Dariel Library, 1255 Manchester May 29 — 2 to 3 p.m. Community the Presque Isle lagoons on a Lincoln Community Center Rd. events.erielibrary.org. Jun. 1 — 7 a.m. to noon May 26 — 10 to 11 a.m. Iroquois Branch Library, one hour interpretive pontoon Library, 1255 Manchester 4212 Iroquois Ave. events. Beach 11 at PI State Park, 1 Pen- Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, Eat Better For Less boat ride, ongoing throughout Rd. events.erielibrary.org. erielibrary.org. insula Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. 8398 W. Main Rd. (Rt. 20), West- the summer. Evening rides are May 28 — 1 to 3 p.m. Bird Beak Lab field, NY 14787 fiveand20.com. available Wednesdays and Edinboro Branch Library, Yoga By The Bay Intro to Files & Folders Fridays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 25 — 11 a.m. Hill District Flea 413 W. Plum St., Edinboro, PA May 29 — 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Jun. 1 — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Asbury Woods Nature 16412 events.erielibrary.org. Lagoon Boat Launch at May 26 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Center, 4105 Asbury Rd. PI State Park, 1 Peninsula Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. asburywoods.org. Hill District, W. 26-24 and MISSION Act Town Hall Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Peach St. facebook.com. May 28 — 2 to 3 p.m. 3D Modeling with Blender Dungeons & Dragons Scrapbooking Erie VA Medical Center, 135 May 29 — 6 to 8 p.m. Jun. 1 — 10 a.m. to noon Erie PPA Project Stream Ubhauli Sakela 2019 Grant Workshop 2019 May 25 — 1 to 3 p.m. E. 38th St. erie.va.gov. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Iroquois Branch Library, May 26 — noon May 24 — noon to 1:30 p.m. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. 4212 Iroquois Ave. events. Erie’s Bhutanese population Off the Shelf: Goodell Gardens & Homestead, erielibrary.org. invites Kiranti Rai (followers Magical Mayhem Information Session Motive Matters 221 Waterford St., Edinboro, PA May 28 — 4:30 to 6 p.m. for Artists Jun. 1 — 10 a.m. to noon 16412 erieartsandculture.org. of an ancient Earth-based World War I Memorial May 29 — 7 p.m. spirituality) from all over The Erie County Public Library Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Dedication Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Sensory Day the Northeast to partake System presents some of Artlore Studio, 3406 W. May 25 — 2 p.m. Lake Rd. facebook.com. May 24 — noon to 9 p.m. in its Sakela, an outdoor its finest YA fantasy offer- Equipment Day at Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach The Erie County World War festival featuring traditional ings, with accompanying Alzheimer’s Support Group the Erie Zoo St. splashlagoon.com. One Centennial Committee costume, dance, and food. activities such as fairy bread May 30 — 3 to 4 p.m. Jun. 1 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will dedicate a cast aluminum Red, White, and Splash St. Nick’s Picnic Grove, tasting, dragon egg hunting, Lincoln Community Center Erie Zoo, 423 W. 38th memorial that carries the 5131 Old French Rd. and everyone’s favorite — May 25 Library, 1255 Manchester St. eriezoo.org.

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CALENDAR

If that’s not enough to whet your ap- with a broad repertoire from country to petite for some great summer fun, your jazz and everything in between. mouth will be watering at the food truck June 19: Re•Issue — Outstanding rock, lineup which will also be stationed at roots, and Americana with exceptional the beach for your masticating pleasure. harmonization and vocals. The rotating roster of edible delights will SIRSY — Charismatic and sassy feature Erie’s finest food trucks, which, if sounds that will get everyone dancing, you know anything about these mobile peppered with anecdotes guaranteed culinary units, range from vegan food to prompt a laugh or two. to barbecue, and tacos to Indian fare. June 26: The Acoustic Jukebox — Connie’s Ice Cream and J’s Mainstreet Acoustic, high-energy tunes presented — serving up hot dogs and ice cream — by two young lads will be there each Wednesday. Lucky Dog — Copious, crowd-favorite “The UPMC Sunset Music Series is a covers presented by talented local mu- perfect opportunity for the Erie com- sicians. munity to experience our local musical July 10: Six Year Stretch — Soulful, in- talent along with Presque Isle’s world- fectious melodies that will get you up class sunsets and Lake Erie’s beautiful and grooving. shores,” says DeMarco. Daddy Longleg’s Homegrown Revival Speaking of music, each week, expect — Rich, genre-hopping jazzy sounds de- to indulge not only in summer delights, scribed as “Santana meets Lenny Krav- T H E R E ’ S S A LWAY S but seasonal treats of the aural variety. itz with hints of Green Day, Fela Kuti, and S O M E T H I N G G H A P P E N I N G G AT T Two bands will play at every event, as Red Hot Chili Peppers.” T H E E P E A K follows: July 17: Jamie B. Gallagher — Folk rock June 5: DangerBird — Edgy, offbeat, and pop presented by a feisty young art- classic rock and blues cover band ist. Jeff Fetterman Band — Raw, exciting, The Breeze Band — 9-piece outfit with and intense blues, with spontaneous set sonic versatility, talent, and a roster of changes and true character Motown, blues and classic rock num- June 12: The Rooftop Project Band — bers. — Miriam Lamey Fun, collaborative pop, jazz, blues, and 5:30 p.m. // Beach 1, Presque Isle // JUNE 8, 2019 | 8:OO PM funk music. Free // discoverpi.com/events/upmc- The Goats — Veteran local musicians sunset-music-series @THE RETREAT

Introduction to Reptiles erielibrary.org. Girard, PA 16417 facebook.com. and Amphibians of PA Blasco Bookworms: Diminishing Return Jun. 1 — 11 a.m. The Egypt Game Release and Signing Party Tom Ridge Environmen- Jun. 1 — 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jun. 2 — 6 p.m. tal, 301 Peninsula Dr. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Artlore Studio, 3406 W. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. Lake Rd. facebook.com. Sash Making Workshop Galaxy Night Light Jun. 1 — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mariners Ball 2019 S H O W C A S I N G Y O U R F A V O R I T E M U S I C A L W O R K S F R O M B E L O V E D Jun. 3 — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wood-Morrison House, 338 Jun. 1 — 6 to 11 p.m. C L A S S I C S , W I T H T H E I N F U S I O N O F T O D A Y ’ S F A V O R I T E S . Edinboro Branch Library, W. 6th St. eriehistory.org. This year’s 9th annual event 413 W. Plum St., Edinboro, PA honors the Flagship Niag- 16412 events.erielibrary.org. Meet Tito Santana ara League Legacy Award Jun. 1 — noon to 2 p.m. recipients, Gary and Rebecca Throwback Game Night WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Johnson, during this black tie Jun. 3 — 6 p.m. Tito Santana stops by local affair featuring hors d’oeuvres Tipsy Bean, 2425 Peach BONFIRES & BREWS comic and memorabilia shop by The Cork 1794, performanc- St. tipsybean.cafe. es by The Rooftop Project and CONCERT SERIES ActionToyMan for a meet- Teen Reading Lounge and-greet and photo ops. The Groove, as well as a fire- Jun. 3 — 6 to 8 p.m. ActionToyMan, 1215 W. 26th St. works display along Lake Erie. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. atdpromotions.weebly.com. Erie Maritime Museum, 150 E. Front St. events.erielibrary.org. RESET2VINVL Front St. flagshipniagara.org. · LIVE BANDS Discovering Your Fall Prevention for Yoga at the Woods MAY 25 Energetic Health Older Adults · DRINK SPECIALS Jun. 1 — 1 to 4 p.m. Jun. 2 — 11 a.m. to noon Jun. 4 Woman’s Club of Erie, Asbury Woods Nature Center, Millcreek Branch Library, 259 W. 6th St. dspath. 4105 Asbury Rd. registra- · S’MORES 2088 Interchange Rd., Ste. massagetherapy.com. tiondesk.asburywoods.org. 280 events.erielibrary.org. Yoga for Gardeners · FIRE PITS Teen Advisory Standup Paddle Jun. 2 — 1 p.m. Board Meeting Board Program Jun. 1 — 2 to 4 p.m. Goodell Gardens & Homestead, ·LAWN GAMES Jun. 4 — 5 p.m. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. 221 Waterford St., Edinboro, Visit pknpk.com Pontoon Boat Station at Front St. events.erielibrary.org. PA 16412 goodellgardens.org. PI State Park, 1 Peninsula for Event Schedule · PET FRIENDLY Modified Martial Arts Benefit for the Dr. events.dcnr.pa.gov. Jun. 1 — 3 to 4 p.m. Family of Slim Fall Iroquois Branch Library, Jun. 2 — 2 to 5 p.m. TO B O O K A N OV E R N I G H T 4212 Iroquois Ave. events. Girard Legion Park, Noble Rd., C A L L 1 . 8 6 6 . 3 7 7. 52 74

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 • Criminal • DUI 847 North Main Street • Divorce Meadville, PA • Custody • Personal Injury Kenneth A. Bickel, Esq. Bickel Law Office 557 West 8th Street OPEN HOUSE Erie, PA 16502 • FREE CONSULTATIONS • Wednesday, May 22, 2019 5:00—6:30 PM A church of miracles. It's Jesus' church. It can be your church, too. Come and see. 3126 State Street, Erie, PA 16508 See Premier Office Space Sundays in this Great Location! 9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship Service Wednesdays Questions—Call 8144511101 6pm Bible Study Ideal Business Location in the Heart of Meadville on Diamond Park Phone: 814-476-7519

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28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 MOVIE REVIEWS “As If I Never Existed”: Burning is One of the Greatest Cinematic Achievements of the Decade

young woman talks about her recent visit Ato Kenya. She says that the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert have two types of hungry peo- ple; the people who are literally hungry, or the “Little Hunger;” and the “Great Hunger,” or the people who are hungry for a meaning in life. Lee Chang-dong’s (Poetry, Secret Sunshine) master-

ful filmBurning (adapted from a story by Haru- ARTHOUSE CGV ki Murakami) addresses both of these hungers and how they relate to a world that seems to be getting tenser both socially and economically every day. The film follows Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), a sporadically employed writer who by chance reconnects with former classmate Hae-mi Shin (Jun Jong-seo). He volun- teers to feed her cat while she goes on her visit to Africa. However, the dynamics of their relationship change when Hae-mi returns from her trip with a new friend named Ben (The Walking Dead’s Steven Yeun), an extremely wealthy young man who doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. Jong-su begins to get suspicious of Ben when he confesses to a secret hobby that may be more sinister than he is revealing. The film is an impeccably shot and ingeniously crafted thriller that slowly takes its time introducing its characters before hitting us with an unexpected twist. However, I admire it most as a grim statement of the economic uncertainty in this modern world where the divide between rich and poor seems to be growing wider by the minute. I’m not going to act like I understand the socioeconomic situation in South Korea, so I’ll let Lee’s incredible film speak for itself. — Forest Taylor Burning comes to the Bourbon Barrel on Wednesday, June 5th at 7 p.m. Directed by: Lee Chang-dong // Written by: Lee Chang-dong and Oh Jung-mi, based on the short story “Barn Burning” by Haruki Murakami // Starring: Yoo Ah-in, Jun Jong-seo and Steven Yeun // 148 minutes // Unrated (R equivalent)

Paranoia: Under the Silver Lake is a Dizzying, if Over-Long Puzzle Film

n this age of franchise filmmaking, brand Irecognition, and cinematic universes, it’s often refreshing to find a truly original idea at the theater. That makes it doubly disheart- ening that David Robert Mitchell’s conspira- cy theory head trip Under the Silver Lake got dumped on VOD after a polarizing Cannes

premiere last year and a twice-delayed re- A24 lease by studio A24. The film is frustrating, fascinating, and at least 30 minutes too long — but an ultimately rewarding slice of absurdity. Its failure to launch says more about the state of the movie industry than the film’s story ever could. Following Sam (Andrew Garfield), an aimless young man faced with eviction but seemingly not caring, as he spends his days spying on his neighbors and having ca- sual sex. One night, Sam becomes infatuated with Sarah (Riley Keough), a myste- rious young woman. When Sarah disappears the next morning, Sam wanders Los Angeles in search of her, finding clues among hobo codes, pop songs, cereal boxes, and video games. Like Mitchell’s last film,It Follows, the film seems to exist in a world where past and present exist at the same time, but Silver Lake uses that imagery to make a point. The film is a literal pop culture explosion, with references to classic Hollywood, grun- ge bands and even old Nintendo Power magazines just to name a few. It uses this imagery to craft an intricate conspiracy while simultaneously poking fun at the con- cept of conspiracy theories in general. The film takes many leaps into the surreal, but never goes into full Lynchian territory, instead maintaining an ironic detachment from its mostly compelling, occasionally frustrating narrative. Under the Silver Lake isn’t perfect, but I’m glad it will be able to finally find its audience. — Forest Taylor Written and directed by: Robert David Mitchell // Starring: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Jimmi Simpson, Riki Lindhome, Zosia Mamet, Callie Hernandez, Patrick Fischler, Don McManus, Grace Van Patten and Topher Grace // It is currently available on iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play and VUDU // // 139 minutes // Rated R

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 MUSIC REVIEWS

Big Thief Mac DeMarco The Get Up Kids Vampire Weekend U.F.O.F. Here Comes the Cowboy Problems Father of the Bride Rough Trade Mac’s Record Label Polyvinyl Records Columbia Records

he are mo- ac DeMar- eunion al- his is one of Tments during Mco is tired. Rbums are al- Tthe most lis- the final minute of And in all fair- ways a toss-up. tenable albums the opening track ness, he warned Will the band’s the year. There’s “Contact” when us of this in chemistry hold just something you’re thrown for nearly every in- up? Will the so airily pleasant, a bit of a loop. A scream from singer terview leading up to the indie prince’s songwriting be up to par? Now consid- though almost forgettable about what songwriter Adrienne Lenker comes in, fourth LP. Pull quotes about being un- er the fact that Problems is in fact the Vampire Weekend do, and Father of the followed immediately by a caustically inspired and thinking the record would second reunion album from grizzled vet- Bride brightly exemplifies this. While fuzz-laden guitar riff, and the two are fly under the radar left some fans wor - eran pop-punkers The Get Up Kids, their fans of the band might have fallen off in virtually inseparable. Recorded in a stu- ried about the nature of the record, es- first since 2012’s experimentalThere the last six years since their previous al- dio-turned-barn perched on the rural pecially paired with a single as sparse Are Rules. There’s a moment on the al- bum, there are plenty of those still in love outskirts of Seattle proved ultimately ef- and melancholic as “Nobody.” While bum’s frantic opener, “Satellite,” when with the band since their stunning 2008 fective, a handcrafted folk tone permeat- Here Comes the Cowboy is the spaci- the song explodes, immediately recall- debut. That eponymous album made by ing through the album as a whole. Some- est and most inconsistent record in his ing their most infamous opening track Columbia University graduates struck a where right below that timbre however, catalog, it still showcases DeMarco’s (“Holiday”) and dispensing any doubts nerve, Ezra Koenig’s softly charming vo- is a soul-shattering intensity. This tem- strong songwriting abilities, surpris- you may have had going into the album. cals combining with disparate influenc- pered darkness should come as no sur- ing attention to detail, and a longing to What’s truly impressive about Problems es, often — for better or worse — drawing prise to those already familiar with the grow up. DeMarco conjures up “Finally is its consistency. Not only does the al- comparisons to Paul Simon’s Graceland. Brooklyn-based quartet. Their debut al- Alone,” a synth-heavy meditation on the bum stand up against the band’s already At 17 tracks, this album is packed with bum Masterpiece and their sophomore desire to get away. This song, alongside impressive catalog, but it often reflects complex musical passages and produc- follow-up Capacity gradually built up to highlights like the piano-driven “On the the best kind of reunion album — the tion techniques, having already drawn this album, arguably their best. Lenker’s Square” and the surprisingly hopeful kind that plays like a greatest hits col- comparisons to Phish and Kanye West, lyrics, while being almost deceptive- “All of Our Yesterdays” build a series of lection. From the synth-driven, Cars-es- among others. On paper, lyrics like ly simple, have an arrestingly mystical strong moments throughout, although que power-pop of single “The Problem those of “This Life” might even sound a aura about them. Intent listeners are some cracks do begin to show in the is Me” to the introspective, midtempo little dark (“Baby, I know death probably able to craft moving storylines out of songwriter’s craft. A song like “Heart to “Salina” and beyond, the band hits all the hasn’t happened yet”), but the bouncing, songs like the titular track (the last “F” Heart” is a copy of some of DeMarco’s right buttons here, balancing new sonic snappy musical backing doesn’t seem to standing for “Friend,” according to the best work, while a song like “Hey Cow- territory (the distorted fuzz of “Lou Bar- echo those statements at all. Notably, band). Musically, it’s subdued, filled with girl” is far from offensive, but regrettably low”) with all of their best old habits (the the album showcases guest vocalists ethereal chimes, a majority of the songs forgettable. Still, if you’re willing to keep nostalgic gang vocals on “Fairweather Danielle Haim (of the band Haim) and being marked by rhythmically similar fin- pace with one of indie-rock’s most in- Friends”). And because of this consisten- Steve Lacy (of The Internet) for three gerpicking patterns. It’s a simple sound nocuous voices, Here Comes the Cow- cy, Problems works as both a gift to the and two tracks, respectively. Haim’s and a somber rumination, a haunting boy is the kind of reflective experience band’s oldest fans and a perfectly fine have a country tinge, while Lacy’s both lullaby made into a beautiful record. worth sitting through from time to time. entry point into The Get Up Kids’ catalog. boast jaunty, syncopated backdrops. — Nick Warren — Aaron Mook — Aaron Mook — Nick Warren

TOMMY IN TOON — BY TOMMY LINK

30 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com May 22, 2019 CROSSWORD

Across 45.Yoko who loved John 9.Car accident sound (7) 1.60-Across user’s cry (3) 10.Hall fixture (7) upon seeing what’s in this 46.“Hollywood Squares” 11.Ending with many fruit puzzle’s circled letters (7) win (3) names (3) 8.Like a crucifix (7) 47.____ Fridays (restau- 12.Juice brand with a 15.Kind of scan (7) rant chain) (3) distinctive bottle (3) Answers to last puzzle 16.Former home of the 48.____-Locka, Florida (3) 13.One of the record Colts (7) 49.Poem of praise (3) industry’s former Big Four 17.Discharge, as a liquid 50.!!! (3) (3) (7) 51.Cain or Abel, to Adam 14.____ Moines, Iowa (3) 18.Temple of ____, one of and Eve (3) 21.Not forced to smell a the Seven Wonders of the 52.Observe Ramadan (4) factory’s fumes, say (8) Ancient World (7) 54.Xerox rival (5) 22.Seymour Skinner, to 19.Logic game with 56.Batty (4) Bart and Lisa (9) matchsticks (3) 57.Storms away angrily 23.“Wait ...” (10) 20.Tennis barrier (3) (13) 24.Commercial lead-in to 21.Cause a major distur- 60.Amusement park Pen (3) bance in (7) attraction suggested 26.Patriots’ org. (3) 25.High-ranking angels visually by the black 27.Don’t take any chanc- (7) squares in the center of es (10) 30.Some stage assistants this puzzle’s grid (11) 28.Cleaning, as a side- (7) 61.Besides (4) walk (9) 31.Polar bear’s resting 62.Caesar’s “to be” (4) 29.Critical tennis situa- spot (7) tion (8) 32.Most slippery (7) Down 37.A. A. Milne hopper (3) 33.Movie credits caption 1.Mid-April addressee, for 38.Julie who played Mary (7) short (3) Poppins (7) 34.Neither Dem. nor Rep. 2.“____ whiz!” (3) 39.“Alas!” (7) (3) 3.Like Tylenol PM, for 40.Never (7) 35.Puppy’s cry (3) short (3) 41.Big kerfuffles (7) 36.Cpl. or sgt. (3) 4.French shooting match 42.Myrna of “Love Crazy” 37.Kind of food or footage (3) (3) (3) 5.What Rihanna and Ma- 53.Story (4) 40.Org. for Penguins and donna are each known 55.“Zero Dark Thirty” org. Ducks (3) by (7) (3) 43.Italian diminutive 6.Tour guides, often (7) 56.Beach hill (4) suffix (3) 7.Mercury, e.g. (7) 58.Actor Kilmer (3) 44.Cacophony (3) 8.Buses and trains (7) 59.That dude’s (3)

May 22, 2019 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31