CONTENTS From the Editors The only local voice for news, arts, and culture. JUNE 2021 A summery summary Editors-in-Chief rom the outside, Erie is often charac- Brian Graham & Adam Welsh terized by its winters. If you live here, Managing Editor Progressives Push On to November – 5 Nick Warren though, you know it’s our summers that What do the May primary victories tell F Copy Editor truly define us. Matt Swanseger us about Erie politics today? Yes, blinding blizzards and staggering snow- Contributing Editors falls make for good storytelling, and there’s Ben Speggen Life’s a Picnic – 7 no doubt that winter-hardiness is part of our Jim Wertz collective identity. But those long, hot days sur- Contributors 12 pleasing places to unpack lunch rounding the opposite solstice tend to have a Liz Allen or dinner this summer greater role in forming our individual identities John Bavaro — what we’re interested in, how we socialize Charles Brown Erie Can Build Our Region’s Economic Future – 10 Jeff Bucki and interact, and who we are in our most natu- Jonathan Burdick How the American Jobs Plan will lay the foundation ral states without anything in particular to do Andrew Dolan or anywhere in particular to be. Ask any Erieite Ally Kutz about their fondest childhood memories, and Christopher Lantinen 100 Years of Presque Isle State Park – 12 Tommy Link there’s a high probability they’d be filled with Aaron Mook Celebrating Erie’s lakeside peninsula playground the aromas of fairground funnel cakes and Brad Pattullo Smith’s hot dogs at UPMC Park and the signa- Erin Phillips Erie’s Land Lighthouse: ture dings and “whacky” narrators of the Wal- Ryan Smith Melissa Sullivan Shimek The Stories We Want to Tell – 15 dameer concourse, all silhouetted against the Cara Suppa brilliant backdrop of a Lake Erie sunset. Forest Taylor At over 200 years old, historic Speaking of those, this year marks the cen- Bryan Toy structure has much to say tennial of Presque Isle, Erie’s preeminent sum- Larry Wheaton mer playground, as a Pennsylvania state park. Photographer Generations on the Lake – 18 Jessica Hunter Disproportionately blessed with both recre- ational and ecological opportunities, PI is truly Cover Photo Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio the one-of-a-kind — and so long as we continue on Jessica Hunter perfect ‘baby-steps’ getaway with conscientious resource management and Cover Design stewardship — will always be ours. Jonathan Nick Warren You Can Do This In Erie! — Scuba Diving – 20 Burdick examines what this milestone means 1001 State St. Suite 1315 Why the diver’s world is a much wider world for Erie, and how we can look forward to cele- Erie, Pa., 16501 brating PI for centuries to come. [email protected] Ready Or Not, Here Comes Summer – 24 Regardless of how hard we try, though, swim out past the breakers and it will be forever The Erie Reader is published every The vaccinated thousands are ready to people again clear to you who’s really in charge. If the old other week and distributed at over journals of lighthouse keepers aren’t enough 350 high foot-traffic locations in Spotlight on Erie – 28 to convince you that Lake Erie is a force to be Pennsylvania from North East to Girard to Edinboro. In addition to After 15 months, our events section is officially back reckoned with, perhaps diving in to catch a appearing in print, Erie Reader adds glimpse of the hundreds of shipwrecks strewn new content daily at ErieReader. Book Reviews – 33 across its bottom would be. Matt Swanseger com as well as social media sites. writes about how you can partake in this All rights reserved. All content © Get a tip-off on the best summer reading awe-inspiring experience — and a world of oth- Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 1001 ers — by becoming a certified diver right here State St., Suite 1315, Erie, Pa, 16501. Our Monthly Podcast Picks – 34 in the Gem City. No part of this publication may be Suddenly feeling hydrophobic? Don’t despair reproduced without permission. Digital delectations to feed your brain — live entertainment is returning in 2021 near- The opinions of our columnists and contributors are their own and Movie Reviews – 36 ly full-force after 2020’s sweeping coronavirus do not always reflect that of the cancellations. A concert-starved Nick Warren editorial board or organization. What do these films have in common? is quite eager to share a robust — although Direct sales inquiries to They’re on the same page not exhaustive (that means there’s more than 814.314.9364. For editorial inquiries, we can print!) — list of events taking place email [email protected]. Erie Reader Cartoons – 37 throughout the region this summer. Several familiar favorites are back, including 8 Great By John Bavaro, Bryan Toy, Melissa Tuesdays, Discover Presque Isle, The Gathering Sullivan-Shimek, and Pattullo at Chaffee’s, The Erie County Fair, and more. With vaccination rates on the way up and mask Music Reviews – 38 orders on the way down, the end result should be a much-needed release for those who spent Red Fang, J. Cole, Tommy Link, and Blunt Guts the past year patiently following precautions Crossword Puzzle – 39 and protocols — and much better tan lines. In Erie, summer is who we are and what we’re A true stumper from David Levinson Wilk all about. And we have a feeling it’s about to be a good one. June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 3 Get safe, in-person help choosing theGet right safe, Medicare in-person planhelp choosingfor you. Choosing the right Medicare plan is an important We have plan options with: decision.the It can right also be confusing. Medicare Now you can plan for you. • $0 premiums get in-personChoosing thehelp right from Medicare a U PMC plan for is Lifean important Medicare We have plan options with: decision. It can also be confusing. Now you can • $0 PCP in-office and telehealth copays Advisor safely at an open house location below. • $0 premiums Our Medicareget in-person Advisor help from will helpa U PMC you for understand Life Medicare • Allowance for health care products MedicareAdvisor and safely choose at an an open affordable house location plan below.with • $0 PCP in-office and telehealth copays Our Medicare Advisor will help you understand the benefits you deserve from UPMC for Life. • •Allowance Savings onfor preferredhealth care generic products drugs, Medicare and choose an affordable plan with Call diabetic medications, and insulins, 1-844-854-0558the benefits you deserve(TTY:711) from UPMC for Life. • Savings on preferred generic drugs, and more. to reserveCall 1-844-854-0558 a spot at an open (TTY:711) house. diabetic medications, and insulins, to reserve a spot at an open house. and more. Loesel-Shaaf Insurance Agency Wednesday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 3537Loesel-Shaaf W. 12th St. Insurance – Erie Agency WednesdayApril 6, 13, 1120, a.m. 27 - 2 p.m. 3537 W. 12th St. – Erie AprilMay 6,4, 13, 11, 20,18, 2725 MayJune 4, 1,11, 8, 18, 15, 25 22, 29 June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Call us toll-free at 1-844-854-0558 Call us toll-free at 1-844-854-0558 (TTY:(TTY: 711) 711) Monday Monday through through Friday Friday fromfrom 8 a.m. 8 a.m. to to8 p.m.8 p.m. and and MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM SaturdaySaturday 9 a.m. 9 a.m. to to 3 3p.m. p.m. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM to reserveto reserve your your time. time. All plansAll may plans not may be not available be available in all in counties. all counties. Please Please contact contact UPMC UPMC forfor Life toto find find out out whatwhat plans plans are areavailable available in your in yourarea. area.has a contracthas a contract with with MedicareMedicare to provide to provide HMO, HMO, HMO HMO SNP, SNP, and and PPO PPO plans. plans. The The HMO HMO SNPSNP plans have have a acontract contract with with the the PA StatePA State Medical Medical Assistance Assistance program. program. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. Only RSVPs will be seen at these dates and times. Your safety is important to us. All visitors must wear a face mask, practice social distancing, Only RSVPsand use will hand be seensanitizer. at these Dates datesand times and aretimes. subject Your to safetychange is or important cancellation. to us. All visitors must wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and use hand sanitizer. Dates and times are subject to change or cancellation. Y0069_211505_M Y0069_211505_M NEWS & VIEWS Progressives Push On to November What do the May primary victories tell us about Erie politics today? Progressive candidates fared well in May’s primary election, with a number of young, diverse candidates who will be representing the Democratic party in the November general election. From left to right are Tyler Titus (nominee for Erie County Executive), Jasmine Flores (Erie City Council), and Lydia Laythe (Erie County Council). If Titus wins, they would be first openly transgender person to hold a county executive office nationwide. resenting District 4), took the lead, only to lose it on the third round of reporting, regain it upon the fourth, and lose it again at the fifth. After that, Titus remained atop the vote count and ultimately declared victo- Get safe, in-person help choosing ry the following day. Anderson saw himself as the front- runner in the race, saying so during the right Medicare plan for you.