Scuba Diving – 20 Burdick Examines What This Milestone Means 1001 State St

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

CallCall us toll-freeus toll-free at at1-844-854-0558 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. the Erie County Executive Democrat- Get safe, in-person help choosing ic primary debate hosted at WQLN Public Media and moderated by Erie Choosing the right Medicare plan is an important We have plan options with: News Now’s Eva Mastromatteo along- decision.the It can right also be confusing. Medicare Now you can plan for you. side two Cathedral Prep students. An- • $0 premiums derson also out-fundraised all other get in-personChoosing thehelp right from Medicare a U PMC plan for is Lifean important Medicare We have plan options with: candidates, amassing a political cam- Advisordecision. safely It atcan an also open be confusing.house location Now you below. can • $0 PCP in-office and telehealth copays paign war chest of more than $137,000 • $0 premiums -- $85,000 of which came from just CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Our Medicareget in-person Advisor help from will helpa U PMC you for understand Life Medicare four donors — according to an Erie • 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 Times-News report. Our Medicare Advisor will help you understand Titus, on the other hand, cam- the benefits you deserve from UPMC for Life. • •Allowance Savings onfor preferredhealth care generic products drugs, By: Ben Speggen First, it’s important to note that the was easy to call the primary victory paigned on grassroots contributions, Medicare and choose an affordable plan with Call 1-844-854-0558 (TTY:711) diabetic medications, and insulins, results of these races are based on the for Brenton Davis, who according to notching 563 individual campaign do- the benefits you deserve from UPMC for Life. • Savings on preferred generic drugs, I can’t tell you how many times final unofficial vote totals as report- results as of May 27, had 10,171 votes nations. Overall, they raised $84,709. and more. writers, reporters, commentators, ed by the Erie County Courthouse. over Shawn Wroblewski’s 8,367. Davis In 2017, Titus was elected to the Erie to reserveCall 1-844-854-0558 a spot at an open (TTY:711) house. diabetic medications, and insulins, and pundits have invoked the words Precincts throughout the City of Erie led out of the gates and only widened School Board and made history as the to reserve a spot at an open house. and more. of Bob Dylan: The times, they are have been adjudicated, meaning pro- the gap throughout the night and first openly transgender person to be Loesel-Shaaf Insurance Agency Wednesday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. a-changin’. I can, however, virtual- visional and mail-in ballots have been into the final unofficial count. elected in Pennsylvania. Currently, WednesdayApril 6, 13, 1120, a.m. 27 - 2 p.m. ly guarantee that given its timeless counted, as well as write-in votes, but But from the Dems’ perspective it they are the President of the School 3537Loesel-Shaaf W. 12th St. Insurance – Erie Agency appeal ever since 1964, the iconic some boroughs and townships are was a hold-on-to-your-hat-if-you’re- Board. In the same election, Ander- 3537 W. 12th St. – Erie AprilMay 6,4, 13, 11, 20,18, 2725 cultural anthem will continue to be still at work. Until the Erie County wearing-one kind of night, featuring son, who previously sought office as a MayJune 4, 1,11, 8, 18, 15, 25 22, 29 referenced well into the future. And Board of Elections certifies the pri- four lead changes in a race featuring Republican, won the seat to represent June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 it can certainly be used right now. mary results, which must be done by four candidates. But only two were the fourth district of County Council. The times in Erie do seem to be June 17, results remain “unofficial.” contenders: Dr. Tyler Titus and Carl Today, he’s the Council President. a-changin’ following the May 2021 Second, with the passing of Act 77 Anderson, who finished with 8,766 So both Titus and Anderson cur- Call us toll-free at 1-844-854-0558 primary election, evidenced by the in 2019, Pennsylvanian voters can and 8,551 votes, respectively. Behind rently hold another elected office and Call us toll-free at 1-844-854-0558 significant victories of progres- cast their ballots by mail without them, Dylanna Grasinger and Rita both hold leadership positions, which (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday sive Democratic candidates. This needing an approved reason for be- Bishop finished with 5,668 and 4,269, they’ll both have to give up come Jan- (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday includes the (surprise-to-some, af- ing absent at their polling place. With respectively. uary 2022. But one still has the shot fromfrom 8 a.m. 8 a.m. to to8 p.m.8 p.m. and and firming-of-the-changin’-to-others) an uptick in mail-in ballots to count, When results first began to be re- of holding the county’s highest office. MEDICAREMEDICARE ADVANTAGE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM PROGRAM outcome of the marquee Erie Coun- election results take longer to report, ported, Titus, a mental health pro- If Titus wins in November, they SaturdaySaturday 9 a.m. 9 a.m. to to 3 3p.m. p.m. ty Executive race, which drew added meaning that it’s less likely for races fessional, small business owner, Erie would again make history — this to reserveto reserve your your time. time. attention because the incumbent to be called the night of an election School Board President, and 2017 time becoming the first openly trans- county executive, Kathy Dahlkem- without substantial, insurmountable “Erie’s 40 Under 40” honoree, took gender person to hold a county exec- per, decided not to seek re-election, leads established by in-person voting. the first lead. Upon the second batch utive position nationwide. All plans may not be available in all counties. Please contact UPMC for Life to find out what plans are available in your area. has a contract with ensuring that no matter whether a This was the case for the Erie Coun- of votes being tallied, Anderson, a So, how did we get to the surprise- All plans may not be available in all counties. Please contact UPMC for Life to find out what plans are available in your area. has a contract with Democrat or Republican emerges in ty Executive race on the Democratic self-employed entrepreneur, histor- to-some, affirming-of-the-changin’- 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. November, Erie County will have a side. ical researcher and consultant, and to-others outcome in the Democratic Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. new chief executive. On the Republican side, however, it Erie County Council President (rep- Erie County Executive primary race? 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 June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 5 Y0069_211505_M NEWS & VIEWS

The answer may be one in the same. each other on the ballot. Too, Ander- May’s primary was a win for Erie son had photoshopped mailers that County United, a citizen advocacy created the appearance that he was and social justice group aimed at talking to prospective voters. Titus bringing together “people and organi- had a strong door-to-door campaign, zations to run issue-based campaigns, and a strong web presence, and the grow grassroots political power, and better performance in the Democratic build a sustainable progressive move- Erie County Executive primary debate. ment in Erie,” according to its Face- The primary progressive victories ar- book page. It’s a member of the larger en’t Erie’s alone. Of the 25 who took the Pennsylvania United. PA United 2021 Candidate Pledge — to Erie County United put forth a no take corporate cash; to always stand three-person slate for Erie City with poor and working-class peo- Council and a four-person slate for ple, whether black, white, or brown, Erie School Board. Jasmine Flores, to make a better future for all of us; who narrowly lost her 2019 bid for to commit to building a multi-racial, City Council, advanced through the multi-generational grassroots move- primary for City Council as the sec- ment — all but three advanced from ond-highest vote-getter (Liz Allen the primary election to the general. came in first in her bid for a second For further proof of the rise of pro- four-year term), and Elspeth Koehle gressive Pennsylvania candidates, one just missed the cut, falling 25 votes needn’t look further than Pittsburgh’s short of earning the fourth spot on Democratic primary. the ballot. Pennsylvania State Rep. Ed Gainey Three of the four Erie County Unit- upset two-term incumbent Bill Peduto. ed-backed candidates for Erie School As the Pittsburgh City Paper tells Board — Lauren Gillespie, Dr. Leatra it: “Gainey has become a well-known Tate, and Zakaria Sharif — are advanc- progressive ally on issues like criminal ing to November. Gillespie and Tate justice reform, marijuana policy, labor, won on the Democratic ticket, while public transit, and the Black Lives Mat- Sharif won on the Republican — in a ter movement.” race where candidates are eligible to With a victory in November, he would cross-party file. become Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor. Two Erie County United co-op mem- Heading into the fall in Erie, the Dem- bers also won their May bids: Dr. Tyler ocratic party has already thrown its Titus and Lydia Laythe. support behind Titus. In a post now Laythe, a Democrat who’s currently making the social media rounds, Chair serving her first term on Washington of the Erie County Democratic Party Township Council, will represent the Jim Wertz wrote: Dems in the Erie County Council Dis- “I have long known Tyler Titus to be a trict 6 race after handedly defeating committed steward of our community her primary opponent, Herbert Rie- and last week Tyler also proved them- de 1,667 to 518. One-term Republican self to be a skilled campaigner. I con- incumbent Scott Rastetter lost his gratulate Tyler on crossing the thresh- re-election bid to Samuel Bayle IV 1,730 old and I look forward to directing the to 1,679, meaning it’ll be two new faces full force of the Erie County Democrat- facing off for the seat in the fall. ic Party behind their candidacy to be What’s worth remembering is that our next Erie County Executive.” “YOU DESERVE THE VERY BEST!” as in-person vote counts are reported The times — progressives besting throughout the night, results reveal perceived establishment candidates, Bonnell’s Collision Centers themselves geographically. Ballots are incumbents losing seats (in races 2570 W. 26th St. Erie, PA 16506 • 814-835-4351 driven to the courthouse — so the far- throughout the county covered and 4230 Franklin Rd. Fairview, PA 16415 • 814-474-5277 ther away from the courthouse, the also in ones not covered here) — they later they are to report. are a-changin’. But it’s worth remem- Bonnell’s Auto Glass When Titus took the lead later in the bering that just shy of 30 percent of 2650 W 26th St. Erie, PA 16506 • 814-833-7300 night, southern Erie was beginning to registered voters determined those report. When Laythe’s numbers went changes in May. Bonnell’s Truck & RV Collision Center up, so did Titus’. Will more be decided in the fall? The 8000D Middle Rd. Fairview, PA 16415 • 814-636-5736 While Anderson had support wheel, as has been said, is still in spin. throughout the community — a mail- Bonnell’s Rod Shop er featuring a list of prominent Erie Ben Speggen can be contacted 8000A Middle Rd. Fairview, PA 16415 • 814-474-2400 names supporting him hit mailboxes at bSpeggen@ErieReader. in the days leading up to the election com, and you can follow him Bonnell’s Auto Sales — the progressives had the support of on Twitter @BenSpeggen. 7695 W Ridge Rd. Fairview, PA 16415 • 814-474-3260

6 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 NEWS & VIEWS Life’s a Picnic 12 pleasing places to unpack lunch or dinner this summer

Pack a picnic, read a book. The This park has been de- then took a drive with him Erie County Library will be adding veloped near a noisy sew- to Joseph Walczak Sr. Park, more picnic tables to Blasco, the which spreads out between main library, and also installing er treatment facility, but a picnic tables at the Lincoln two-minute walk on its trails East Grandview Boulevard Community Center, Edinboro, and takes you away from the and Alan Drive. The sky was Iroquois branches this summer. racket and into a peaceful cloudy, but the view of the The idea is to encourage patrons lake, miles away, was still to read and to enjoy the outdoors setting filled with wildflow- at the same time. ers, birds and butterflies. breathtaking. Some young There are several metal ta- eastsiders have even told me bles with built-in seats, but that you can see Canada on a but I set up a folding chair I’d probably picnic on one of clear day. In any case, with a to watch the crashing waves the standalone benches, near playground and lots of ball- and to eye the purple martin the gurgling creek, to watch fields, there is plenty to do at houses. I plan to return to the with wonder that nature can this park, and the sheltered Walnut Creek Marina Sunset coexist so close to our re- picnic area means you can eat Garden, erected in partner- gion’s retail hub. out, rain or shine. ship with the Pennsylvania Next stop was the Edin- Fish and Boat Commission, boro Branch Library, where I Day Three some other evening. hoped to find Bridget Jones’s I crammed a lot into this LIZ ALLEN Next up: The Friends of the Diary, by Helen Fielding, but final day, starting at the By: Liz Allen wooden picnic basket and set Library’s Bayfront Bookshelf it wasn’t in the stacks. Ran- Lakeside Boat Launch in off to explore parks and pub- gift shop at Blasco, then Blas- dalee Gross, branch manager, Lawrence Park, which has a ast summer, when the lic access points with views co itself so I could check out said she picked up that book spectacular lake view from pandemic grounded us, of Lake Erie or Presque Isle three books on mythology to at a hotel in Hawaii when she its benches and one picnic Lthe front porch became Bay. learn more about Minerva, forgot to bring something to table, and winding up, many our perch. When I learned that the the Roman god immortalized read. It’s the perfect vacation hours later, at the South Pier We ate most meals out there Erie County Library will add in a restored statue on the li- book, she said, because the in the City of Erie. on an antique porcelain table, picnic tables to Blasco and brary’s first floor. diary format gives you “bite- Getting to the Iroquois rescued from the dusty base- to the Lincoln Community Outside, on the library’s sized” chunks of reading to Branch Library, 4212 Iroquois ment. The table sat next to a Center, Edinboro, and Iro- east side, I stopped at a picnic enjoy, three pages or so at a Ave., can be a hassle now due wobbly wooden bench, where quois branches this summer, table to admire the lush gar- time. to construction on East Lake I grew potted herbs to snip I figured I should book-it and den, especially the glorious Rather than books, I Road, but the short detour for our dinner entrees, usual- brown-bag-it at the same irises. This place, I decided, checked out seeds for spin- through Lawrence Park is a ly eaten after a fierce game of time. is where I will re-read Seed- ach and summer squash from welcome side trip. You’ll see Scrabble. Over three days, I visited folks, by Paul Fleischman, a the Edinboro branch. After why Lawrence Park is on the To decorate, I draped fairy five libraries, a dozen parks slim portrait of gutsy people planting the seeds and har- National Register of Historic lights under the eaves and ar- or green spaces, and 10 eater- in inner-city Cleveland who vesting the produce, the bor- Places and discover local eat- ranged wildflowers in Mason ies. came together to nurture a rower is expected to return eries that are worth a visit, jars. Here is my report on my pic- community garden. dried seeds to replenish the including the old-fashioned Lounging on the porch nicpalooza: inventory, stored in packets Dairy Queen across from the swing, I read poetry and gar- Day Two in an old card catalogue. Lat- library. dening books I had stored in Day One The Millcreek Branch Li- er this summer, maybe I will Before wending my way an old crate. I bought a chocolate chip brary won’t get a picnic table eat my homegrown veggies into the township via the de- In the evening, we’d greet cookie from Teresa’s Deli - because of its location in a at Edinboro Lake, which has tour, I stopped at Gary’s Su- neighbors strolling to the Lakeshore (it was too early Millcreek Mall shopping pla- a lovely picnic pavilion. This perette, 4703 East Lake Road, sunset. Sometimes, we tuned for one of its “famous giant za. But recently by chance, I is also a great spot to bring lo- where owner Joel Faulhaber into a Pittsburgh Pirates’ subs”), then drove to Lincoln discovered a place to com- cally grown food items from said his store carries lots of game on the radio. Community Center library mune with nature not far the Edinboro Market or to in- “grab and go” items, including We lived as idyllic a life as branch at 1255 Manchester from the mall’s acres of paved dulge your sweet tooth with warm garlic-Parmesan pep- possible during the time of Road, where I checked out a parking lots. After I checked a treat from Edinboro Choc- peroni balls, perfect for an COVID, but by this May, ful- young adult novel, The Vot- out Home Port Erie. Voices olaterie, both on Erie Street impromptu picnic. ly vaccinated, I was ready to ing Booth, by Brandy Colbert. of Silent Images, by Robert J. in downtown Edinboro, or I might have also stopped vacate the porch for some From there, I headed north MacDonald and David Frew, the Dairy Supreme on Plum for takeout at the My Way micro-vacations, with two on Manchester to the Walnut from the “local interest” sec- Street, which has an amazing Bar and Grill, 2218 East Lake conditions: The destination Creek Marina. tion at the Millcreek library, variety of ice cream, frozen Road, specializing in Indian had to be low-cost and close I love visiting this rocky I headed to Bridger Park on yogurt, shakes, sundaes, and and Nepal dishes, but it was to the water. beach, where Lake Erie looks Walnut Creek in Millcreek sandwiches. too soon for the early-bird Instead of a suitcase, I as ferocious as the ocean. I Township, at Zimmerly and Back in Erie, I picked up menu, available at 1 p.m. packed my grandmother’s didn’t see any picnic tables West roads. my husband from the Y, Instead, I made a mad dash

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 7 NEWS & VIEWS throughout the afternoon Parkway. This is a great spot tive New Yorker. At Franco’s Picnic at the library and evening to finish off my for a close-up look at Erie’s Café in the Renaissance Cen- checklist. working port. tre, owner Larry Franco said ometime this summer, Chautauqua Park, at the Nate Levy-Jaycee Park, his chicken salad on crois- Slikely during June, the Erie foot of Chautauqua Boule- along East Second and East sant, salads, and paninis are County Library will install col- vard, has a pretty picnic shel- Third between Holland and big take-out items. Thelma orful metal picnic tables at ter and a charcoal grill. Here, German streets, only offers Blanks, who co-owns Café the Blasco, Edinboro, Iroquois, I discovered the cascading a small glimpse of the water- 710 at 7 West 10th St. with her and Lincoln library sites. waters of McDannell Run front, between the treeline, daughter Mabel Howard, says “They’ll be perfect for library LIZ ALLEN tumbling into the lake. The but what you get in exchange any of her homemade baked patrons and anyone in the The Edinboro Branch Library goods would be a big hit at a James N. Thompson Land is the chance to play chess or area to enjoy while reading a offers seed packets, housed in Lighthouse Park, at the end ping-pong on the game tables. picnic, including the cookies, good book, taking advantage an old card catalog, for patrons of Lighthouse Street, offers There’s also a playground and banana bread swirled with of the free Wi-Fi at all our li- who borrow the seeds for a covered shelter, a grill, a tennis courts. chocolate and peanut but- braries, or just basking in the planting, then return dried seeds from the produce they grow. The ter, or her new made-from- playground, and access to the At Bayview Park, you can good weather,” said Sheryl Iroquois Branch Library also has Lighthouse on Saturdays and pose for pics at the new Erie scratch cheesecakes. Thomas, acting library direc- a seed library. Sundays (for a fee) and for sign, pump the new metal I was so busy visiting parks, tor. free on the first Tuesday of swings, picnic in the covered I didn’t really eat much. But “Making better use of our suggested The Perilous Gard the month. pavilion, or walk east on the I have three months of sum- outdoor green space is a pri- by Elizabeth Marie Pope. “It’s The Erie-Western Penn- bluffs to another picnic table. mer to hit “pause” and enjoy ority, especially as a way to a Newberry Honor Book and sylvania Port Authority has In between park visits, I some peaceful picnics. support the county’s Blue a retelling of the Scottish covered metal picnic tables stopped at Trawka’s Market, Zones initiative to promote ballad of Tam Lin. Wonder- at the South Pier; there are 712 Payne Ave., where own- Liz Allen is going to spring healthy lifestyles,” she said. fully atmospheric with a lik- also portable restrooms and er Tom Walsh recommended for $3 for a “mystery brown “The pandemic has also em- able heroine, a good dose of a bike rack. The port also has any of his specialty sausages bag” of books the next time phasized the need for more enchantment and a dash of one available covered picnic or homemade salads for a pic- she visits the Bayfront outdoor areas to enjoy, even the macabre, its setting in a table close to the dock area nic. I didn’t have time to cook Bookshelf operated by as restrictions are easing.” rainy castle and underground between Donjon Shipbuild- sausage, so I bought a jar of the Friends of the Library. As for a favorite book she passages make it the perfect ing and Repair and DaVita Nathan’s sweet horseradish You can reach her at would recommend, Thomas mix for a sunny day outside.” Erie Dialysis on the Bayfront pickles for my husband, a na- [email protected] said it’s hard to choose but – Liz Allen

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 9 NEWS & VIEWS Erie Can Build Our Region’s Economic Future How the American Jobs Plan will lay the foundation

President Joe Biden’s proposed American Jobs Plan will specifically target infrastructure, and will address much more than just road and bridge repair. Things like access to lead-free water and broadband internet are not a given for all Americans, especially those in the lowest income brackets.

can Jobs Plan can help lay the founda- tion for a more prosperous, equitable, and inclusive Erie. The bill contains investments in jobs of the future, like producing green energy, modernizing power grids, and building technologi- cal infrastructure in public schools and community colleges. It also provides funds to reconnect neighborhoods that were separated by past infrastructure

SVETLANA projects, and incentives to eliminate exclusionary zoning laws and promote By: Andrew Dolan bachelor’s degree, and 53 percent will re- new housing. quire no formal or vocational education A new approach to urban planning resident Joe Biden pledged that beyond a high school diploma. What’s will encourage economic development he would be the White House more, researchers predict that the plan and make Erie more livable for all its Ppartner that communities like will create more than half a million jobs residents. The American Jobs Plan can Erie need to build an inclusive 21st-cen- in Pennsylvania alone. help fund such a transformation. Its tury economy. His proposed American Infrastructure is not just roads and provisions include $20 billion to fund Jobs Plan will make a substantial down- bridges. Bringing broadband internet to local plans and improvements that will payment on that promise if Congress every American is just as important to help make roads safer for cyclists and passes it. Erie is a vibrant, talented city education and economic development pedestrians. The bill also proposes $5 that was once an economic magnet for as electrification was a century ago. billion to transform former industrial people from across the region and, in- Though most Erieites north of I-90 have sites into economic hubs. Such invest- deed, the world. Today, too many Erie- access to broadband, just 25 percent of ments will encourage residents and vis- ites are forced to look elsewhere for op- the southern, rural part of the county itors to stop, shop, dine, and spend more portunity. Some of those who cannot or was covered as of 2020. The American time in the community, benefiting both do not want to leave struggle to find de- Jobs Plan will invest $100 billion to new businesses and the neighborhoods cent, family-sustaining work. In recent make broadband access universal and where they are located. years, local leaders have stepped up to affordable. Erie’s forward-looking leaders and ac- lay the groundwork for urgently-need- The continued presence of lead in our tivists have the vision for a community ed progress. The American Jobs Plan water supply is a moral disaster that where workers of all education levels will make forward-looking investments disproportionately affects lower-in- can find good-paying jobs building our at the scale needed to realize their vi- come Erieites, especially people of color. region’s economic future. What we need sion. As Erie City Council candidate Kendrick now is a substantial federal investment It is necessary to examine whether Tate recently noted, a 2016 Reuters spe- in that vision. Most congressional Re- any major national investment plan will cial report found that up to 40 percent publicans, including Erie’s Rep. Mike benefit people on the ground in Erie. of children in some city neighborhoods Kelly, have already expressed skepti- Will such a plan create jobs in communi- were exposed to elevated lead levels. cism toward President Biden’s infra- ties like Erie? If so, will they be jobs read- President Biden’s bill includes funding structure bill, citing their opposition to ily available to current Erie residents? to replace 100 percent of America’s re- higher taxes on major corporations. But The evidence strongly suggests that maining lead water pipes and service the American Jobs Plan is well worth the American Jobs Plan is a good fit for lines. The American Jobs Plan will help the cost of higher taxes on the wealthy. our local needs. As of 2019, more than 70 hire Erie residents to upgrade our water Erieites should call on Congress to sup- percent of Erie County residents did not infrastructure and end the injustice of port communities like ours by passing have a bachelor’s degree or higher level lead contamination. this plan. of educational attainment. According to There is no going back to the Erie of a recent study from Georgetown Uni- past generations. Even if we could re- Andrew Dolan is an Erie native versity’s Center on Education and the vive the old economy, we should not and international trade specialist. Workforce, fully 75 percent of the jobs want to. For all the Erieites who enjoyed His writings have appeared in created by President Biden’s infrastruc- good jobs and vibrant communities, the Erie Times News, and the ture bill will not require an associate’s or many others were left out. The Ameri- Falls Church News-Press.

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 11 FEATURE 100 Years of Presque Isle State Park Celebrating Erie’s lakeside peninsula playground JESSICA HUNTER JESSICA

Whether you’re standing in an unoccupied lifeguard’s chair By: Jonathan Burdick or sitting on the beach, Presque Isle State Park’s sunsets are some of the world’s most breathtaking. n June 10, 1921, Otto G. Hitchcock, vice presi- dent of Hays Manufacturing Company, spoke Oat an event about the Pennsylvania state group known as the Erielhonan people who were, legislature’s authorization to create a state park out as Harry Forrest Lupold wrote in his 1975 book, the of the Presque Isle peninsula on Lake Erie. He was “masters of the south shore of Lake Erie.” They lived thrilled, because the peninsula, Hitchcock declared, in nearby fortified villages among the still primeval APICO is an upcoming casual-sim game was a “veritable playground of unsullied nature along forests and the peninsula was an important source of about breeding and collecting bees. the shore” and the most important attraction in Erie. food. Set in a series of lush environments, it “Governor [William Cameron] Sproul recently As erosion changed the shape of the peninsula — uniquely combines farm building, signed a bill making the development of the peninsu- including becoming an island on numerous known resource gathering & production, and la possible,” he explained. “It will all take time. It is a occasions — so too did the makeup of those who lived beekeeping minigames. big job, but within a few years right here at Erie, you around it. The French, who gave the peninsula its cur- will have one of the finest ‘back to nature’ parks on rent name, built nearby forts, followed by the British. the Great Lake.” Violence forced many of those native to the area This had been made possible, in part, by the efforts westward while some, such as Odawa leader Pontiac, of State Senator A. Elverton Sisson, a well-known Erie resisted and went to war against the intruders. Then attorney and politician who had also been essential in 1795, the town of Erie was surveyed to be centered in securing funds for the public dock at the foot of specifically near Presque Isle with the natural harbor State Street in 1907 and the raising and restoration of of Presque Isle Bay as its most important asset. the U.S. Brig Niagara from the depths of Misery Bay Since then, there have been many attempts to pro- Wishlist now on Steam! in 1913. tect Presque Isle from its shapeshifting, particularly “Presque Isle Peninsula [is to be] be preserved, main- at the peninsula’s neck. A Presque Isle watchman was tained, improved, enlarged, and forever held as a pub- often charged with reporting any significant erosion. lic park, to be known as Pennsylvania State Park at In the late 1800s, hundreds of thousands of dollars Erie,” the official dedication read. were invested in breakwaters and jetties and plant The story of Presque Isle is a story of many such growth, but the viciousness of lake storms made changes, from its designations, to its physical trans- erosion difficult to combat. Between 1896 and 1898, formations, to the people who lived around, explored, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped plant 1,000 and utilized it. For centuries, the land surrounding Carolina poplars, 200 Wisconsin willows, 200 Scotch https://bit.ly/2RPaMy4 the 11,000-year-old peninsula was populated by those pines, and 2,000 honeylocust trees, which helped an- indigenous to the region. This included the Iroquoian chor the land.

12 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 FEATURE

By 1991, with the peninsula now established as a est; and the climax forest. Altogether, they include leisure destination for millions of visitors each year, over 339 species of birds, nearly 50 mammals, and the building of 58 modern control breakwalls was over 30 kinds of reptiles and amphibians. underway. Sand replenishment, or “beach nourish- As this year marks the 100th anniversary of Pr- ment” as it was sometimes called, had also become a esque Isle being designated a state park, the Tom major focus. Over the following two summers, with Ridge Environmental Center recently unveiled a crews working around the clock seven days a week, historical exhibit that will be on display until Aug. half a million tons of sand was dredged and pumped 23. The Erie Times-News has also reported that from miles out in the lake and spread out across Pr- there will be “events, activities, programs, and park esque Isle. This added as much as 75 feet of width to enhancements” over the following year to celebrate. some beaches. As the Erie Times-News reported at Whether you are there to soak in some rays, walk the time, such projects held “a potential for conflict or bike the trails, picnic, boat, fish, or even simply between recreationalists and environmentalists.” In watch the wildlife, it is a unique and special place this case, the environmentally conscious worried and one that Erie is fortunate to have, free of admis- that this, along with other artificial changes, would sion costs, which keeps it accessible to more fami- disturb the “ecological balance” of the park. lies. That ecological balance has always been important Eugene Ware, author of the 2013 book A History of to maintain across its 3,200 acres, specifically with so Presque Isle and the recent children’s book Tucker much human encroachment and interaction. Geolo- and Ripley’s Adventure on Presque Isle, described gist Helen D. Deland concluded in 1991 that “careful the peninsula as “an ecological and recreational par- planning” and “wise recreational use” was required adise” and “a place where guests can enjoy solitude, in order to “balance the demands of maintaining reflection, and the wonders of nature.” It is, as Otto public access … against the possibilities of damaging G. Hitchcock proclaimed a century ago, Erie’s most the complex system of interacting forces.” important playground. This complex system involves six distinct eco- Just always remember as you play: respect the

JESSICA HUNTER JESSICA logical zones throughout Presque Isle, each with wildlife, be considerate of others, and leave no trace. its own “specialized plant and animal community.” A great blue heron — one of 339 bird species to be recorded at Presque Isle State Park — shows off its graceful profile on These zones are the lake, bay, and shoreline; the sand Jonathan Burdick runs the historical blog the shores of Presque Isle Bay. plains and new ponds; the dunes and ridges; the old Rust & Dirt. He can be reached at jburdick@ ponds and marshes; the thicket and sub-climax for- eriereader.com. Find him on Twitter @rustdirt Get Healthy Feel Great

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 13 LOOKING FOR A perfect summer job OR A NEW CAREER?

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HEATH CARE, DENTAL AND 403B — OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT — ALL SHIFTS AVAILABLE — A RELAXED FAMILY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT, CASUAL DRESS, SUPER FUN EMPLOYEE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES — LOW STAFF TO CLIENT RATIOS — INCLUSIVE CULTURE WHERE YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED BY SUPPORTIVE STAFF AND MANAGERS FEATURE Erie’s Land Lighthouse: The Stories We Want to Tell At over 200 years old, historic structure has much to say

[left] Erie's Land Lighthouse was spot. As you may have guessed, built in 1867 of Berea Sandstone. this one also started to falter. The light room at the top was reconstructed in 2004 by Fiske and So 10 years later, they made Sons. [bottom right] This conical, the sound decision to move decorative cast iron staircase the tower south about 200 wends its way up the tower of the feet from the edge of the bluff Erie Land Lighthouse (ca. 1867) to the overlook and light room. and constructed a very sturdy foundation. This 1867 structure evolution: “The Confederate is the same one we see today. military had three or more It is made of Berea Sandstone skillful commerce raiders that to aid in its structural integ- cruised all along the eastern rity (and in its timeless beau- seacoast. In fact, the Confeder- ty) and it’s Fresnel lens had a ate raiders Shenandoah and Al- reach of 15 nautical miles. Not abama destroyed over 46 New long after this lighthouse was England whalers. If you take completed, the construction those losses and add them to of the Presque Isle Lighthouse all the other losses during this began, and with the North Pier period, over 50 percent of all light in operation, the Land American whalers were sunk.” Lighthouse became unneces- The original lighthouse built sary and was decommissioned in 1818 didn’t last too long. It in 1899. And yet it still stands, was built on soft, sandy soil, right in the midst of an active often described as quicksand, neighborhood in Erie, waiting and the tower itself had a for someone to make it neces- ERIN PHILLIPS simple and insufficient foun- sary again. dation. Over time the tower As I drove down Lighthouse By: Erin Phillips her home and she has exciting, ships had to unload their car- started to lean dramatically Street, just past East Middle hen one thinks about progressive plans for the fu- go onto smaller vessels to get and in 1857, they built a new School on Erie’s east side, I no- the historic light- ture of the light to help keep through the narrow passage, tower with a slightly better ticed what a charming street Whouses in Erie, the its history relevant into the which was difficult (especially foundation, but in the same it is: full of older homes of Presque Isle Light Station and future. And for the first time in in Erie weather), costly (a lot of the North Pier Light are usual- many years, it will be open reg- cargo fell into the water), and ly the first that come to mind. ularly for public tours. took a lot of time. And with Presque Isle State In the very early days of So in 1818, around the same Park receiving upwards of 4 Erie’s settlement, the waters time that sandbars were re- million visitors a year, they’re of Lake Erie along the penin- moved from the channel, the two lighthouses you can’t re- sula were some of the most original Land Lighthouse ally help but see, even if you’re dangerous waters in the Great (then known as the Presque not seeking them out. But Erie’s Lakes. Many ships were cap- Isle Lighthouse) was built and first lighthouse is often over- sized in unpredictable weath- lit on the bluff at the entrance looked. Originally constructed er or were run aground due to the channel. The land where in 1818, the Land Lighthouse, at to unexpected land masses the lighthouse sits was donat- the foot of Lighthouse Street close to shore. It was around ed by John Kelso, who owned on Erie’s east side, was the first 1800 when Daniel Dobbins large tracts of land in that area. lighthouse put into operation (ever heard of him?) started At that time, the original light- on the Great Lakes. The light- lobbying Congress to fund a house was a 20-foot wooden house has a long and interest- lighthouse, to help make Erie rectangular tower constructed ing history, and has had many a more viable port city (which very close to the bluff. Its array caretakers over the 200+ years would also greatly benefit his of lights, which had a reach of of its existence. own business ventures). As it up to 10 nautical miles, would Nowadays the Land Light- stood, navigating the channel have been originally fueled by house has the fortunate dis- between the lake and the bay sperm whale oil until after the tinction of falling under the was nearly impossible for a Civil War, when most light- care of the new director of larger cargo ship. There were house lamps switched to kero- the Presque Isle Light Station, multiple sandbars and the land sene. Eugene Ware, in his book Emily Butler. She has a close of the peninsula shifted yearly, Pennsylvania Lighthouses on connection to the Land Light- making navigation inconsis- Lake Erie, makes an interesting

house, as the grounds are now tent and unpredictable. Most connection to this fuel source ERIN PHILLIPS

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 15 FEATURE

Lighthouse keeper Emily Lighthouse is now open for Lighthouse protected and rel- Butler stands atop Erie’s Land tours every weekend, Saturday evant into the future. Butler Lighthouse, with the lake, Presque and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 believes that the key is spark- Isle, and the North Pier Light visible in the background. p.m. The Lighthouse will also ing an interest in children, of- offer a free community day the ten outside of just the general first Tuesday of every month. history of a place: “I think that Lighthouse resides. “We are “I’m really excited to take it to in preservation we get into in a community here on the the next level and figure out this cycle of just talking about east side. I think it is a great what kind of stories we want dead rich white men. There are benefit to make people in this to tell. Our first question is al- so many stories that buildings neighborhood feel proud that ways: ‘What do we want peo- can tell over and above what they have this great resource ple to leave here feeling and a traditional museum can tell, next to them. We want to get thinking about?’” and that’s always at the top

ERIN PHILLIPS their buy-in, get them to be As we walk up the striking of my mind. Yes, these people involved in it, make it a place cast iron spiral staircase lead- were important people in his- varying styles. At the street’s here in Pennsylvania, then where they can come and learn ing to the top of the Light- tory and we tell their stories, foot is a large, well-maintained most recently in Arizona at about history and be active in house, Emily speaks about but what does this building public park and playground Wright’s summer home, Talies- it. That’s really what I’m going the restoration work the Land speak to today? So with the overlooking the lake, and off in West. Once the pandemic to work towards. Energizing Lighthouse has gone through, lighthouses we can talk about to the west sits the towering hit and museum life drastical- neighborhoods, that’s what most notably the work done in things like engineering and and strikingly beautiful Land ly changed, she decided that preservation can do if it’s done 2004 by Erie-based Fiske and how they were built. There’s Lighthouse. The iron fence moving back to her family’s responsibly.” Sons Inc. The Port Authority also so much maritime histo- surrounding the property is side of the country made sense When Butler speaks about also spent upwards of $400,000 ry in Erie, so we can ask: how open and as I get out of my car, and she applied and was se- the Presque Isle Lighthouse to make sure that the Land do the Great Lakes function I see Emily Butler emerge from lected for the director position and the North Pier Light, she Lighthouse will stand tall, and today? And how is climate the caretaker’s house, which of the Presque Isle Light Sta- points out that their continu- as it was intended, for another change going to affect that? was built around the time of tion. Around the same time, ing function helps in their 200 years. The most noticeable What is the lake going to look the current Land Lighthouse the Port Authority, who has preservation: the fact that change was the reconstruction like in 20 years? It’s a jumping and is now Butler’s home. Her ownership of the Land Light- these places are still in use as of the 6,300-pound copper lan- off point to tell a lot of import- jubilant pup, Grover, barrels house and has been respon- active aids to navigation give tern room and the addition of ant stories over and above just over to greet me first and after sible for its meticulous and them a leg up for their future a functional light, making the the history, which is import- a few slobbery snuggles, Em- expensive restoration, agreed care. Why get rid of something lighthouse impressive by night ant, but I always like to make ily catches up. She starts by to give management responsi- that is working and useful? and day. The view from the top history relevant to today.” telling me her own journey to bilities of the Land Lighthouse But for a place like the Land of the lighthouse rivals any in becoming the new steward of over to the Presque Isle Light Lighthouse, that is no longer Erie and is much like it would For more information on Erie’s lighthouses. Station. working in its intended pur- have been 100 years ago: an Land Lighthouse tours, or Emily was born in Pittsburgh And with that agreement pose, historians and preser- unobstructed, bird’s eye view if you’d like to volunteer and got her undergraduate at comes a great opportunity. vationists have to shift their of Presque Isle, the North Pier to help, please visit Temple University in Phila- Butler is very excited to in- thinking: “Because it’s not Light, and Perry Monument. presqueislelighthouse.org delphia. After finishing school clude the Land Lighthouse functional, we have to take a As we wrap up and head back there, she went on to receive in her education committee’s different avenue to make sure down the staircase, our conver- Erin Phillips runs the her Masters in Historic Preser- plans moving forward to bring it’s preserved and I think that sation turns to preservation Instagram @olderieonfoot, vation from Tulane in New Or- programming and education- avenue is making sure that it’s in general, how historic pres- an in-depth look at local leans. From there she worked al opportunities to the public, a community resource.” And ervation in Erie is becoming architecture “by foot, for two different Frank Lloyd and more specifically, to the opening the lighthouse for more of a priority, and how we stroller, papoose, bike, and Wright house museums, one neighborhood where the Land tours is the first step. The Land can keep places like the Land occasionally minivan.”

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16 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021

FEATURE Generations on the Lake Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio the perfect ‘baby-steps’ getaway

Contributor Jeff Bucki ziplines We also spent some time at over Cowles Creek at the Lake Erie Canopy Tours aerial adventure Cowles Creek, which is a big park, located in Geneva-on-the- hub of activity in summer. We Lake, Ohio, about an hour’s drive saw some people fishing, and west of Erie. my fish-obsessed sons imme- diately asked why we didn’t feel like throwbacks to yes- bring our poles. Smallmouth teryear, maybe that’s because bass and walleye are caught they are. One such example is in the area, which is also a nice the carnival game of Fascina- place to take out a kayak. tion, which has been a hotspot A few years back, I spent an on The Strip since the Truman afternoon at Lake Erie Canopy Administration. The game is a Tours. This aerial adventure bit like bingo, but you’re trying park soars through forests to roll a rubber ball into holes and right over Cowles Creek. in a wooden table. And the It’s a zipline course that fea- game in Geneva-on-the-Lake is tures both single and tandem one of only a dozen remaining zips where you can race your in the world. Fascination is a friends and family. Spoiler living relic of a simpler time. alert: the heavier person is like- As a curious sidenote, Gene- ly going to win the race. va-on-the-Lake is home to the It’s a really cool experience as most covered bridges in the the course winds right through country, a total of 19 in all. The the woods. I’m a bit afraid of town also lays claim to Amer- heights but I felt secure in my ica’s shortest covered bridge, harness. Maybe I was just dis-

JEFF BUCKI which spans a mere 18 feet. tracted by the incredible scen- We rented a lakeside cottage ery. It makes for a memorable By: Jeff Bucki in your home too much over part of town that really comes at The Lodge at Geneva-on- day. Anybody over 70 pounds the past year (raises hand), this alive in summer. Restaurants. the-Lake to celebrate my wife’s can participate, and there’s also f you grow up with the lakefront town delivers peak Mini golf. Even a Ferris wheel. birthday in the fall. These cot- adventure courses for both Northeast’s four seasons, summer. People have been flocking here tages are more like little hous- adults and kids. Iyou tend to earn a great The prototypical summer for generations to get a piece of es. Our four kids were in heav- When we visited in Novem- appreciation for summer. town of your dreams likely that fleeting summer sun. And, en to have such a nice hangout ber, my fearless 12-year-old The most laidback season of features a generous helping oh, what diversions are found for the weekend, right by the daughter was bummed to learn all, when the required dress of water. And Lake Erie comes in its glow. lake and just down from Ge- the Canopy Tours weren’t open code is no more than a t-shirt, through for Geneva-on-the- I can just barely remember neva State Park. Each cottage because of the pandemic. The shorts, and flip-flops. Lake in numerous ways. The Crystal Beach, a legendary has two bedrooms, a fireplace, good news is that the 25-acre Personally, I feel immense Great Lakes are terrific places Ontario amusement park and a covered porch. You really attraction next to The Lodge optimism in May when sum- for boating and fishing, and that was right over the border have everything you need. at Geneva-on-the-Lake will be mer is right ahead and a tinge they also do some magical from Buffalo when I was a kid. It’s very pretty along the lake. reopening this summer. of sadness in September when things for our soil. The fertile Thinking back now, it probably There are a number of hiking Geneva-on-the-Lake is the it wanes. As someone who has soil in the Great Lakes region is felt like this. If you spend even trails – some that take you perfect, baby-steps getaway lived all my life right off Lake absolutely spot-on for agricul- five minutes on The Strip, you through the forests, and some for those venturing out of the Erie, I can attest to the appeal ture, including grapes. can understand its timeless ap- that are paved that lead you house on vacation for the first of summer. And summer is al- Naturally, Geneva-on-the- peal. This is the place to get to- right along the water. If you’re time in a year. This summer ways magical on the lake. Lake is home to more than 20 gether. This is the place to get a hiker, biker, or runner, you’ve town is close by and a can’t- Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio wineries. There’s no shortage ice cream. Quite simply, this is come to the right place. miss. The world is beginning to is one of those summer lake of standouts. South River Vine- the place. The beaches near the park come back from COVID. But in places. In fact, it is regarded yard is a picturesque one, as it’s Geneva-on-the-Lake is like a are also quite nice. They were Geneva-on-the-Lake, the joys as Ohio’s first summer resort built on the grounds of a cen- mythical summer scene from a much sandier than I expected, of summer never left. town. For 151 years, people have tury-old church. Wine tours Springsteen song, or maybe it’s and a lot of fun to explore. We flocked to this little communi- are a big deal in town, and The the American equivalent of the walked along the beach, looked Jeff Bucki is a father of four, ty by the lake to enjoy simple Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake lakeside park Rush spoke of. It for washed glass, and found and a freelance writer for summer charms. Nestled in offers convenient shuttles to echoes with the good kind of a hawk in the woods. It was the Buffalo News. His work the heart of Ohio Wine Coun- more than a dozen vineyards. nostalgia, that sense of some- a sunny but chilly fall day. In has appeared in Buffalo try, Geneva-on-the-Lake is just The undisputed gathering thing happy and familiar that summer, when Geneva-on-the- Magazine and Discover a little more than an hour from place in Geneva-on-the-Lake you can never quite place. Lake is in full flight, it must be Magazine. He can be reached Erie. If you’ve been cooped up is known as The Strip. It’s the If there are things here that amazing. at [email protected].

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forJoin Sunday Services us For more info call: 814-454-7814 Online: www.SSJNN.org Facebook or Twitter: @SSJNN UUERIE.ORG June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 19 FEATURE You Can Do This In Erie! — Scuba Diving Why the diver’s world is a much wider world

The wooden barquentine Indiana — also known as “the stone wreck” because of its Dickey elaborates: “If a ship goes paving stone cargo — rests 95 feet below down in salt water, it’ll degrade quite Lake Erie’s surface. Diving to such depths rapidly. But if it goes down cold, fresh requires special training and equipment water, it’ll last a long time. We have beyond the scope of a basic certification course. some very unique shipwrecks from the 1800s and early 1900s in the East- ern Basin, and they’re quite deep. They qualified and been there before and look like they’re right out of a Disney they can help you out,” she explains. A movie — they’ve got crow’s nests, divemaster (DM), also known as a dive masts spread out, ropes and netting guide, is a tier below dive instructor hanging off of them. They’re unbe- in scuba education level — something lievably beautiful. Those are a little like a graduate assistant to the profes- beyond recreational diving limits, but sor. they are something that you can expe- Wherever you go — Diver’s World rience in Lake Erie that you can’t expe- coordinates diving trips all over the rience anywhere else in the world.” world — you’d better come correct Historically, these are the kind of JEREMY BANNISTER with an environmental suit rated for sights divers would have — and often the prevailing conditions you’ll be div- did — die for. By: Matt Swanseger During a beginner-level diving ing in (a topic that is covered at length idely known fact — most of course, you’ll learn to become what’s in advanced scuba classes). In warmer Life Before Scuba the world is underwater. Lit- known as an “autonomous diver” — waters at shallower depths, you might Mankind’s first crush may have been Wtle known fact — your pass- which means you can manage yourself get away with your standard swimsuit the sea. port into our mostly underwater world and your dive equipment without any and a rash guard (underwater shirt) In our earliest days, we just held our can be obtained right here in Erie, Pa. hand (or breath) holding. The course or a dive skin — these are more so in- breath and went for it, whether the It’s called a diver’s certification card is delivered in a combination of class- tended to buffer you from scrapes and “it” was oysters, sponges, or dinner — — or “C-card” — and you won’t want room and pool sessions with some stings than offer insulation. As you get occasionally equipped with a 100 per- to lose it. C-cards are issued by vari- e-learning on the side, and can unfold into deeper, colder waters for longer cent plant-based snorkel, if you reed ous diver certification organizations at a pace consistent with the pupil’s durations, wetsuits are a must. The my meaning. But as time wore on, we such as PADI (Professional Associa- working terrestrial life. No matter closed-cell construction of a wetsuit’s placed ourselves under significantly tion of Diving Instructors), SSI (Scuba whether you schedule shorter week- neoprene foam material traps body more pressure to know our crush on Schools International), NAUI (Nation- day classes or longer weekend classes, heat in tiny air bubbles to prevent hy- a deeper level — and come up with al Association of Underwater Instruc- there’s no diving in open water until pothermia. If you should ever plan on something other than ruptured ear- tors), CMAS (Confédération Mondiale the initial certification is earned (Div- plunging into extremely frigid envi- drums, popped eyeball capillaries, des Activités Subaquatiques), and Scu- er’s World is affiliated with NAUI and ronments, drysuits are designed to be and/or burst lungs. Wouldn’t it have ba Diving International (SDI) and are a SDI). utterly water-impenetrable. been much nicer to have emerged with prerequisite for booking dives, renting After that, it’s all about the where and Those wishing to #DiveLocal con- some booty? scuba equipment, filling tanks, and in why you want to dive, and how serious sistently — and there are literally Apologies to all you romantics out some cases employment. you want to get — this will influence hundreds of reasons to do so, as Lake there, but for most of human history, Unlike your regular U.S. Passport, what equipment you will rent or buy, Erie is one of the world’s wreck diving we’ve been far less interested in the you can’t just mail in for one — but as well as what certifications you will meccas — would be well-advised to mysteries of the deep than its eco- you don’t have to subject yourself to pursue next. “So kind of the basics — invest in a thicker wetsuit (7 mm or 9 nomic opportunities — yes, I am sayin’ any painfully awkward photo sessions you need a mask, fins, and some boots mm) and/or a drysuit. That’s because we a gold digger. Commercial diving at your local post office either. What that fit you properly. The other stuff in order to view all the most pristinely preceded recreational diving by many you’ll want to do instead is pay a visit you can usually rent if you go some- preserved wrecks, you need to dive be- centuries, with salvage of shipwrecks to the comparatively much more pleas- where if you don’t want to haul it or low the thermocline, a thin, shimmery being especially lucrative. And since ant Diver’s World at 1111 Greengarden invest in it,” Dickey explains. layer of fluid distinctly separating naval conflict and maritime trade were Blvd. and enroll in one of their begin- A specialized dive shop is much bet- warmer (and therefore less dense) wa- once so prevalent, the seafloor was ner-level training courses. There you’ll ter prepared to advise you in these ter heated by the sun from the colder ripe for these pelagic pickup artists. likely cross paths with head instructor matters than a general sports depart- water below. During an Erie summer, While there were successes in the shal- and owner Matt Dickey, who will let ment store, and to also initiate you the temperature differential might low end, the deep sea rejected their you know exactly what you’re in for into the local diving community, which surpass 40 degrees. advances one after another, and some- before you’re in over your head. segues pretty naturally into a global Tupek describes passing through the times quite brutally. “You can’t just go diving without diving community, as recently-minted thermocline with the wonderment of You see, tremendous forces are exert- proper instruction, because there’s divemaster Nicole Tupek can attest. someone who’s swum through a portal ed on divers as they descend further some risks associated with the sport,” “Once you’re a certified diver, you into another dimension. “The water into a body of water. First off, there’s says Dickey. “What we try to teach you can hire a divemaster and a charter goes from murky and hard to see to atmospheric pressure, which comes is that if you have a problem, you can boat, get yourself a group together, perfectly clear visibility — you can see courtesy of Earth’s atmosphere and solve it underwater.” and dive … you just find someone that’s everything at the bottom.” clocks in at 14.7 pounds per square

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 21 FEATURE inch (psi) at sea level. Then there’s the indispensable in underwater salvage, Royal George in England’s Portsmouth Not content to just enjoy the scenery, hydrostatic pressure of the water construction, engineering, and repair. Harbor, a seminal campaign in the evo- people were soon taking just about squeezing in on the diver from all sides. Still, genuine free rein of the deep was lution of modern commercial diving. any hobby they had on land with them For every additional 33 feet of seawater always the dream (including one of da Salvors used underwater explosives underwater — snapping photos and or 34 feet of freshwater a diver puts on Vinci’s). Attempts to make that a reality for the first time, instituted a dedicat- shooting film, playing poker and board top of them, the hydrostatic pressure manifested in scores of zany contrap- ed buddy system, and thoughtfully games (with weighted cards and game increases by one atmosphere (14.7 psi). tions and outlandish costumes drawn planned emergency medical proce- pieces), sculpting and even spelunking Thus the absolute pressure (atmo- up by whimsical inventors, at turns dures. It was tight. (for the more daring types). spheric + hydrostatic) at those depths hilarious and terrifying. Most were as Although these early diving suits of- All you need to join them is: would measure two atmospheres. epic failures in practice as they were in fered greatly enhanced underwater 1. The essential wardrobe discussed Weird, harmful, and potentially le- theory, but every so often shit stuck. mobility, they did not provide legiti- earlier (mask, fins, boots, wetsuit) thal things start happening when the For instance, Englishman John Le- mate free rein because their attached, 2. A buoyancy compensation device pressure inside the body’s air spaces thbridge’s 1715 “diving engine” was es- surface-fed umbilical air supplies kept (BCD) to hold your life support gear in (lungs, ear canals, sinuses, etc.) is out of sentially a man-sized wooden canister divers on a leash. Armor-like atmo- place (and adjust your floatiness) equilibrium with the pressure outside. (manister?) with the outward appear- spheric diving suits, while intriguing 3. An optional (but highly recommend- This, aside from the obvious need to ance of an underwater cigar. But by gol- in concept (think climate-controlled, ed) dive computer. These wrist-mount- breathe every so often, were the fun- ly, it had armholes, thus outclassing all seafloor-stomping mech suit) and ed devices give readouts of depth, total damental inconveniences salvors had previous underwater cigars in the ele- charming in their Stay Puft chunki- dive time, ambient pressure, and re- to work around. Open-bottomed diving ment of dexterity. This was one of the ness, were too clunky to be considered maining air, and also schedule decom- bells, first devised in the days of antiq- first examples of what might be con- practical in most applications. pression stops. Decompression stops uity, were of some utility — the top of sidered a diving suit. In 1797, a German The revolution in underwater in- help prevent the dreaded decompres- the bell trapped a bit of compressed air named Karl Heinrich Klingert designed dependence instead arrived with the sion sickness or “the bends,” which is that divers could return to in a pinch, an underwater cigar with both arm self-contained underwater breathing caused by ascending too quickly after but they could only go so deep before and leg holes, and waterproof trousers apparatus, or SCUBA, and in partic- breathing compressed air at depth. their air pockets popped, and did noth- almost became a fashion trend. Almost. ular Jacques-Yves Costeau and Émile 4. Sufficient training for your desired ing about the carbon dioxide buildup Diving suits became much more Gagnan’s Aqua-Lung, the first safe, diving niche (some can be quite techni- when divers exhaled. practical in the 19th century, with the successful, and commercially available cal), demonstrated with a C-card from Up until the late 1600s, it appeared we 1828 release of “Deane’s Patent Diving open-circuit scuba system, patented in a qualified diver certification organiza- were out of our depth. But thanks to Dress.” This stunning ensemble con- 1945. The key innovation here was the tion scholars such as Professor George Sin- sisted of a helmet with generous view- on-demand breathing regulator (held And there you go. You’re (scuba) set. clair (diving bell theorist), Sir Robert ports, weighted shoes to counteract tightly in the diver’s mouth), which The whole world — not just the conti- Boyle (behavior of gases under pres- buoyancy (essentially the opposite of converted high-pressure breathing gas nental trial version (with a pretty lame sure), and Abbe Jean de Hautefeuille Air Jordans), and a heavy fabric body- from a diving cylinder (carried on the 29 percent of the map unlocked) — is (author of The Art of Breathing Under- suit to insulate the wearer from the diver’s back) to the ambient pressure of your oyster. Just remember to clear water), we finally began to comprehend scourges of the environment. It was the surrounding water. your ears. what we were dealing with. English- great, but if you were the type of div- men Sir Edmund Halley (same dude the er that liked to get your lean on, your What Can Scuba (Duba) Do For You? To learn how you can try scuba, comet’s named after) and John Smeaton helmet would flood with water and you In an open-circuit scuba system, ex- visit Diver’s World in-person both improved on French physicist De- would drown. Oops. haled breathing gas is vented out of at 1111 Greengarden Blvd. or nis Papin’s idea of using hoses to pump Contemporary Augustus Siebe liter- the system rather than recycled with online at scubaerie.com fresh air from above into submerged ally closed the gap on his competitors a rebreather, a vital component of bells, with Halley’s 1690 innovation in 1840, wisely sealing the helmet to the closed-circuit scuba systems. With less Matt Swanseger (mswanseger@ correcting the Papin design’s pressure suit of his passive-aggressively titled equipment to lug around and less to eriereader.com) has ample treasure equalization flaw, and Smeaton’s 1788 “Siebe Improved Diving Dress” and also think about, the Aqua-Lung and its de- diving experience in the form updates streamlining the equalization implementing an upgraded exhaust scendants have made diving accessible of picking aquarium rocks off process and bolstering safety features. system. Siebe became the official out- to just about anyone, ushering in the the bottom of his family’s now- The modern diving bell has proven fitter of the 1839-42 salvage of the HMS era of recreational diving. dismantled backyard pool.

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 23 SUMMER EVENTS Ready Or Not, Here Comes Summer The vaccinated thousands are ready to people again

Live music will return in abundance during the warmer Coconut Joe’s: 15th and Final months, with a smorgasbord of summer concert series on tap Season throughout the region. 28 North Park Row // Fridays, Saturdays, plus a few extras, bands June 12 - Sunday at the Station 6 to 10 p.m., DJs 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. // June 13 - The Doug Phillips facebook.com/coconutjoeserie Quartet feat. Eric Brewer, Adam McKillip, and Jim Dowds June 4 - Black Widow June 18 - Eric Brewer & Friends June 5 - The Breeze Band June 19 - Optimus Riff June 11 - Refuge June 20 - Phunkademic Un- June 12 - Geek Army plugged June 18 - The Groove June 25 - Smilo and the Ghost June 19 - 100 Proof June 26 - Division Street Ma- June 25 - Flight chine June 26 - Porcelain Bus Drivers June 27 - Eric Brewer & Friends July 2 - Phoenix Rising July 2 - RM Delta feat. Rodger July 3 - Geek Army Montgomery and Mark Dolak July 9 - The Groove July 3 - Jeff Fetterman Band July 10 - The Earthquakers PUHIMEC July 9 - Phunkademic July 16 - Small Town Revolution July 10 - Blue Sky July 17 - Flight By: Nick Warren with another 8.9 percent par- ing, like Celebrate Erie, while July 11- Stephen Trohoske’s Un- July 23 - Refuge tially covered, tipping the vac- some are still tentative, like plugged Frequency July 24 - The Groove hat some thought cinated into the majority. The Erie’s Blues & Jazz Fest. Some July 16 - The Sweet Life July 30 - Black Widow would never hap- CDC cites the national average community festivals like Cherry July 17 - Big Logic and the Truth July 31 - Small Town Revolution pen is coming to at 59.8 percent of all those over Fest and Greek Fest are oper- Serum Aug. 6 - The Earthquakers pass. COVID-19 ef- 12 being partially vaccinated, so ating on a drive-thru-only basis, July 23- Riff Riders Aug. 7 - 100 Proof Wfectively canceled nearly every maybe that’s not as impressive. while others are at full capacity. July 25 - Rodger Montgomery Aug. 13 - Geek Army single event in the summer of But even so. The Great Blue Heron chose to Blues Band Aug. 14 - Flight 2020. This year? Not so much. TLDR: Summer is happening. separate one large festival into July 30 - The Mighty Good Times Aug. 20 - Small Town Revolution Pennsylvania’s restrictions have Get ready. several weekends over the sum- July 31 - The Probables Aug. 21 - Country Redford officially been lifted as of Memo- Or more importantly, don’t. If mer to spread the love through- Aug. 7 - Stephen Trohoske’s Aug. 27 - Black Widow rial Day (Monday, May 31), and you don’t feel safe, staying home out the season and keep crowds Basses Loaded Aug. 28 - The Pop Rockets masks are no longer required for is still an option. Focusing on down. Aug. 8 - Jeff Fetterman Band Sept. 3 - New Wave Nation vaccinated individuals. That’ll outdoor activities in small bub- This is another year where Aug. 13 - Waiting on Mongo Sept. 4 - The Groove change on June 28, when the bles wasn’t all that bad in retro- adaptability shines. Aug. 15 - Stephen Trohoske’s Un- Sept. 10 - Geek Army mask mandate is fully lifted, or spect. plugged Frequency Sept. 11 - Small Town Revolution possibly before if 70 percent of But good lord, do I miss con- Note: This is not a complete listing, Aug. 20 - Higher Education adults become vaccinated, but certs. and many returning events are still Aug. 21 - Vibe Supply Erie Bank 8 Great Tuesdays we all know that stands a snow- What I wouldn’t have given to being planned. Go to our online Aug. 22 - Phunkademic Highmark Amphitheater & ball’s chance in ... well, June 28. see even the most banal blues calendar at ErieReader.com and pick Aug. 27 - Peak Liberty Park, 828 W Bayfront Pkwy. “We have made great strides band or esoteric EDM set last up future issues for more things to Aug. 29 - Eric Brewer & Friends // Tuesdays 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. // throughout the commonwealth year. In 2021, you just might get do. Sept. 3 - Darksider porterie.org/8-great-tuesdays/ to stop the spread of COVID-19,” to see your favorite band if you Sept. 4 - Small Town Rollers said Gov. Tom Wolf. “As we lift buy tickets fast enough. Live Music & Sept. 10 - John Welton & the July 6 -TBA mitigation orders, it is import- Live events are the lifeblood of Special Events Awakening July 13 - TBA ant for eligible Pennsylvanians summer. And possibly to break Sept. 11 - Derek Woods Band July 21 - TBA to get the COVID-19 vaccine. kayfabe, they're the lifeblood of Altered State Distillery Sept. 12 - Derek Woods Acous- July 28 - TBA Getting vaccinated is our best alt-weeklies like the one you’re 1535 W 8th St. // Fridays, and tic Aug. 3 - TBA defense against this virus and reading now. In March of 2020, Saturdays 7 to 10 p.m., Sundays at Sept. 17 - Cosmic Rhythm Aug. 10 - TBA ensuring individuals and their we had four-and-a-half pages of 1 p.m., Altered State Improv Jam Sept. 18 - Jeff Fetterman Band Aug. 17 - TBA loved ones remain safe as we events in our print edition, with Night every Thursday at 7 p.m. // Sept. 19 - Abigail Aug. 24 - TBA reopen Pennsylvania.” that amount doubled the previ- alteredstatedistillery.com/events/ Sept. 24 - Phunkademic Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing: Throughout the month of May, ous summer. Sept. 25 - Blue Sky Sunday Sesh returns Erie County has averaged more As with seemingly all aspects June 4 - Adwela and the Uprising Sept. 26 - Touch of Grey 8398 W. Main Rd. (Rt. 20), than 30 cases per day. That’s a of life, that kind of coverage is June 5 - Tim Vitullo Band Oct. 1 - Yurt Alert Westfield, N.Y. // Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. lot. Currently, 44.2 percent of returning to normal again as June 6 - Ron Yarosz and the Ve- Oct. 2 - Big Logic and the Truth // fiveand20.com/events/ county residents over 10 years well. hicle Unplugged Serum old have been fully vaccinated, Some events are not happen- June 11 - First to Eleven Oct. 8 - Tim Vitullo Band June 2 - Jay Baumgardner

24 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 Time and Temperature at Your Fingertips

UPCOMING MUSIC & EVENTS Friday, June 4 Acoustic Duo – 6:30pm Saturday, June 5 Rodger Montgomery – 6:30pm Sunday, June 6 Sunday Brunch w/ Mark Morris – 12 noon Thursday, June 10 Open Mic w/50 Miles to Empty – 6pm Friday, June 11 Touch of Grey – 6:30pm Saturday, June 12 Ripper Acoustics - 4:30pm Saturday, June 12 Jr. Miller Blues - 6:30pm Sunday, June 13 Breakfast w/ Jesus – 11am Sunday, June 13 Sunday Brunch w/ Tony Kellogg 12 noon Friday, June 18 Fred Oakman – 6:30pm Call it for Saturday, June 19 Jesse James Weston - 5pm Saturday, June 19 Rick McGee & Roadhouse Rockers 7pm Sunday, June 20 Fathers Day – “Meatfest” – Call for reservations Sunday, June 20 Brunch w/Justin Moyar 12 noon Friday, June 25 Jeff Glover 6:30pm Saturday, June 26 Salmon Frank 6:30pm Sunday, June 27 Breakfast w/ Jesus 11am Call it for the Sunday, June 27 Brunch w/ Rodger Montgomery 12 noon Complete listing of events can MEMORIES! be found on the Venango Sponsored by General Store website or by visiting French Creek Music Like us on Facebook to receive event updates. Series available on FCMS.ROCKS 21747 Cussewago Street • Venango, PA 16440 • 814.422.5323 VISIT VENANGOGENERALSTORE.COM/EVENTS FOR DETAILS

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 25 SUMMER EVENTS

The Gathering at Chaffee’s music 6 to 8 p.m. festival was one of few not to be canceled in 2020, although it Skunk & Goat Tavern: Music hardly resembled its usual self. This year’s festival should better every Wednesday replicate this scene from the 17 West Main St., North East, PA 2019 Gathering, which captures // Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 lighting engineer Sam Edwards at p.m. // skunkandgoattavern.com work while ekoostik hookah plays before a large crowd. June 2 - Ron Yarman June 9 - ABIGAIL Picnic in the Park - North East June 16 - Jesse Smith 2 Gibson Street, North East, PA July 21 - ABIGAIL // Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. // July 28 - Erika & Jesse northeastarts.org Aug. 4 - ABIGAIL

NICK WARREN June 17 - Erie Heights Ensem- Aug. 18 - Hamilton ble Aug. 25 - Erika & Jesse June 13 - Fred Oakman ft. Sarah Aug. 21 - Clever Norman, Rod- mond Band, Orquesta l Muralla, June 24 - The Bubble Gum Ma- Sept. 1 - Ron Yarman Peters ger Montgomery Band, Gary Vibe Supply chine June 20 - Doug Phillips Prisby, House of Rhythm Sept. 3 and 4 - Funky Soul, July 1 - Mad Man of Magic Venango General Store June 27 - 50 Miles to Empty Sept. 25 - Tail Light Rebellion, Smackdab, Plastic Nebraska, July 8 - Juggler Howard 21747 Cussewago St, Venango, July 4 – Jordan (and Jon) Mail- Fred Oakman and the Flood, Funktional Flow, Cold Lazarus July 15 - Jungle Terry PA // Thursdays 6 to 8 p.m., let Oak Compass, Samantha Sears Sept. 17 and 18 - Lights Out: Wild July 22 - Hoola Hoop Kinetic Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 to 9 July 11 – Paolello and Gone Adriatic, Lazlo Hollyfield, Sonny Energy p.m., Sundays 12 to 2 p.m. // see July 18 – The Buttermilk Falls The Heron Summer Series Baker Band, BEu, TVMTN, Bear- July 29 - Harry’s Wizardry venangogeneralstore.com/events Gang 2361 Wait Corners Rd, Sherman, hunter, Fever Hawk, Tines, Hot Guide for full schedule July 25 – The Rooftop Project NY // theheron.org/the-heron- at Bats, Trip the Deuce, Hand- Aug. 5 - Ventriloquist Kevin Band summer-series some Jack Aug. 12 - Krazy Kitchen Kem- June 4 - Acoustic Duo Aug. 1 – Adam McKillip istry June 5 - Rodger Montgomery Aug. 8 – Chris Ehrich and Tony June 5 - Orange Corner and Hill District Artisan Fleas: Aug. 19 - Elvis Impersonator June 6 - Mark Morris Kellogg Wave Trails Erie Hill District Collaborative Mark Carr June 10 - Open mic Aug. 15 – Division Street Ma- June 11 - Ryan Montbleau, The Sidewalk Sundays June 11 - Touch of Grey chine Bones of J.R. Jones, and more Peach St., 26th St. to 24th St. // 10 Presque Isle Downs: June 12 - JR Miller Blues, Ripper June 19 - PA Line and Mark Min- a.m. to 4 p.m. // shopsonthehill.org Churchill’s Bourbon and Brew Acoustics Goodell Gardens: Summer carelli 8199 Perry Highway // Fridays June 13 - Tony Kellogg, Break- Music Series - Socially June 26 - Slyboots Circus June 27 - TBA 5 to 7 p.m. // presqueisledowns. fast with Jesus, United Method- Distanced July 2 and 3 - Little Blue Heron: July 25 - TBA com/entertainment ist Church 221 Waterford St., Edinboro, The Probables, Sim Redmond Aug. 29 - TBA June 18 - Fred Oakman PA // Fridays (and one Saturday) Band, The Jakobs Ferry Strag- Sept. 26 - TBA June 4 - Doug Phillips June 19 - Rick McGee and the 7 to 9 p.m. facebook.com/ glers, Richie & rose, Rose and June 11 - Justin Moyar Roadhouse Rockers, Jesse GoodellGardensandHomestead the Bros, Tiger Maple String PACA: [LiVE!] Concert Series June 18 - TVM Unplugged James Weston Band, Cats on Holiday, Oak Hill 1505 State St. // paca1505.org June 25 - SASS Acoustics June 20 - Father’s Day Meatfest June 11 - Jess Royer Drifters with Justin Moyar June 25- Rodger Montgomery July 9 - Bluegrass Zydeco Folk- June 7 - Jumper Jamboree Riverside Brewing Company June 25 - Jeff Glover Blues Band faces, Black Rock Zydeco, Blind June 13 - Erica Snowden- 1 Fountain Street, Cambridge June 26 - Salmon Frank July 2 - Seann Clark & Friends Owl Band, The Honey Smug- Rodríguez Springs, PA // Thursdays through June 27 - Breakfast with Jesus July 16 - Salmon Frank glers, Dirty Blanket Jun 20 - Drippy Clouds Sunday // riversidebrewing.co/ Aug. 10 - Tony Kellogg, Kevin July 24 - Mambo Jazz July 16 and 17 - DY Jonny Cobra June 21 - Fujiwara • Halvorson • entertainment Wilson July 30 - Patchouli & Terra Gui- July 18 - An Evening with Keller Bynum Trio Tour Aug. 11 - Jesse James Weston, tarra Williams, Dr. Bacon June 27 - Hard Luck Story June 3 - Kevin Wilson, 6 to 8 Breakfast with Jesus Aug. 6 - Tiger Maple String Band July 23 and 24 - Americana Folk, July 4 - JC Nickles p.m. Aug. 18 - Breakfast with Jesus Aug. 13 - Slim & Red Driftwood, The Arcadian Wild, July 11- Mala Sangre June 4 - Jay Bird and Haley B, Aug. 23 - Wildwood Express Aug. 20 - Tiny Paper Boats Danielle Ponder, Joe and Sans, July 18 - Jeff Fetterman Band 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 - Touch of Grey Mikaela Davis July 25 - Liss Victory June 5 - SASS Acoustics, 6 to French Creek Concert Series July 31 - Rebecca McIlvain, 9 p.m. Voodoo Brewery Erie: Voodoo Brewery Production Facility, Someday Maybe Band, Josh Peek’n Peak: Music at Bistro 210 June 6 - Matt Crays, 3 to 6 p.m. Continuing from early May 834 Bessemer St., Meadville, PA // Fox, Tyler Wescott 1405 Old Rd, Clymer, NY // Fridays June 10 - Amy Shallenberger, 6 101 Boston Store Pl. // Every Friday Facebook @Justin Moyar Events Aug. 13 and 14 - Dave McDonald (mostly) 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. // pknpk. to 8 p.m. on the Patio from 5 to 8 p.m. // Heron 5K, Steve Davis Group, com/events June 11 - Elias Khouri, 5 to 8 facebook.com/voodooerie June 19 - Stormalong Scoun- DJ Jim Bloomquist p.m. drels, Deep Fried and Dipped in Aug. 20 and 21 - Leroy Townes June 25 - The Highlife June 12 - Bartlow Brothers, 6 June 4 - Matt Crays Honey, Michael McFarland, The Band, Uncle Ben’s Remedy July 2 - The Acoustic Jukebox to 9 p.m. June 11 - Mike Edgerly Band Hannah Aug. 27-29 - Caribbean Vibe, July 9 - Erika & Jesse June 13 - Jenn and Scott June 18 - The Jeebies July 17 - Cold Lazarus, LUCiD, Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band, July 17 - Tui Osborne Acoustics - 3 to 6 p.m. June 25 - Paper Matches Elektra Kings, Mike Sopko Duo Mosaic Foundation, Sim Red- July 23 - Ron Yarman June 17 - Rodger Montgomery, July 2 - Michael McFarland

26 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 SUMMER EVENTS

July 9 - Bigg Wash Presents Wimer, Chelcie Gette kah, Joe Hertler & the Rainbow holytrinityrc.org/zabawa.html Aug 2-9 July 16 - Mike Sopko Duo Seekers, Doctor Lo Faber, Eric Cochranton, PA // cochrantonfair. July 23 - Slim and Red Erie Food Truck Festival Brewer & Friends, The LEC, Erie’s Wild Rib Cookoff & Music org July 30 - Justin Moyar July 12, 3 to 8 p.m. Phunkademic, Matty & the Pick- Festival: Aka Ribfest WQLN Sounds Around Town Former G.E. fields in les, Stephen Trohoske & the Art Sept. 15 - 18 Warren County Fair 8425 Peach St. // Fridays 7:30 to Lawrence Park, 800 Water St. // Groupies, Yurt Alert, Cosmic Perry Square, Downtown Erie // Aug. 10 - 14 9 p.m. // wqln.org/Watch/Sounds- eriefoodtruckfestival.com Rhythm, Paper Matches, Aria & erieribfest.com Pittsfield, PA //warrencountyfair. Around-Town the Voiceless, Shoefly Soul, The net French Creek Music Fest Jeebies, Dom & Colette, Chris Resonance Music and Arts Festival July 9 - Erie Philharmonic Brass July 16-18 Ehrich, Jess Royer, Fresco, with Sept. 16 - 18 Crawford County Fair Ensemble Venango General Store, MC Matt “Broke” Boland Cooper’s Lake Event Venue and Aug 21-28 July 16 - The Riff Riders 21747 Cussewago St, Campground, 205 Currie Rd, Slippery Meadville, PA // July 23 - Tiny Paper Boats Venango, PA // facebook.com/ Dan Rice Days Rock, PA // /resonancemusicfest.com/ crawfordcountyfairpa.com July 30 - Smilo & The Ghost events/1807048789447383/ Aug. 5 -7 lineup 34 Main St W, Girard, PA // With: Tipper, Lettuce, Emancipa- Erie County Fair Festivals Waterford Heritage Days danricedays.com/schedule tor, Keller Williams, and more Aug. 29 - Sept. 4 July 16 - 18 Wattsburg, PA // wattsburgfair. Riverside Music Festival Fort LeBoeuf Heritage Center, North East Firemen’s Cherry North East Wine Festival com/index.php June 25 - 27 108 High St., Waterford, PA // Festival Sept. 24-26 (Gibson Park only) 1 Fountain Street, Cambridge waterforddays.com July 13 - 17 (Drive-thru only) 2 Gibson Street, North East, PA // Spartansburg Community Fair Springs, PA // riversidebrewing.co 31 N Lake St, North East, PA // nechamber.org Sept. 5 - 11 Friday: Rick Magee and the Discover Presque Isle facebook.com/necherryfestival Spartansburg, PA // facebook. Roadhouse Rockers, The Band July 21 - 25 Panegyri Greek Festival com/SpartaFairPA Hannah, The Vics Presque Isle State Park, 301 St. Paul’s Italian Festival Oct. 24 (Drive-thru only) Saturday: Mayflower Hill, Fred Peninsula Dr. // discoverpi.com Aug. 6 - 8 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Waterford Community Fair Oakman & the Flood, Cold 1617 Walnut St. // erieitalianfest. 4376 West Lake Rd. // www.erieorthodox. Sept. 6 - 11 Lazarus, Shoefly Soul, Lamb The Gathering at Chaffee’s com/ org Waterford, PA // waterfordfair.org Lion, Me and the Boy, Lore, Oak July 23 and 24 Compass 8296 Mill St., Girard, PA // Zabawa Polish Festival County Fairs Albion Area Fair Sunday: Mike Sopko w/ Joe thegatheringatchaffees.com Aug. 27 - 29 Sept. 14 - 18 Tomino, Josh Travis Band, Chuck With: Mungion, ekoostik hoo- Holy Trinity Parish, 2220 Reed St. // Cochranton Fair Albion, PA // albionfair.com

2 nd Annual Pets in the park PET paRADE

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 27 SUMMER EVENTS Go ‘Rogue’ with Rogues’ Gallery at PACA John Patrick Shanley’s monologues examine things that haunt us

Krista Perry stars in the PACA production ence than seeing it in-person.” of Rogues’ Gallery, a collection of 10 The actors are all directing each oth- monologues written by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright John Patrick Shanley. er; Rodland is performing “I Was Right About Everything,” and directing the John Patrick Shanley, the shutdown of “always-fabulous Lara Schaaf in ‘Ditto,’ theaters and the new limitations for the which is a crazy coincidence story about cautious openings months later during a woman and her failed engagement to the COVID-19 pandemic, were a similar the man of her dreams,” he said. call to action. “It is a group of people that are all So he wrote Rogues’ Gallery, a col- flawed in various ways,” Rodland ex- lection of 10 monologues of varying plained. Robert E. Martin for Review lengths, which allow for minimal interac- Magazine narrowed it down further, as- tion during rehearsal and were even pre- serting that the collection of individuals sented as a series of Internet videos that — none of whom, or whose monologues, have the look and feel of a Zoom chat. are related to the other — are all explor- Thanks to an increasingly bright public ing “the things in life that haunt them.” health forecast in Erie County this sum- The stories are bizarre at times, frank, mer, the Performing Artists Collective funny, the characters unlikeable in some Alliance (PACA) will be presenting these cases but charming, electrifying, real monologues over the course of three people you want to know more about. weekends, to stream, and — yes! — for People you’d have questions for over a live, in-person, in-theater viewing. drink (or five). DAVE SCHROEDER SCHROEDER DAVE “We had been limiting seating for The other cast members include Eli in-person, but I believe we will be return- Coppock, Kirsten McCain, Gabriel Marti- FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, JUNE 4 - 19 The creation of art — and creators’ re- ing to full capacity for this run,” said Jeff nez, Steve DeJohn, Char Newport, Aus- n an excerpt from the book 1606 by action to extreme external forces — has Rodland, one of the PACA founders and tin Kulyk, Krista Perry, and Michael Mey- IJames Shapiro, published for the changed so little in 400-some years. The a regular actor, director, and producer er, and the production was coordinated Guardian, the author theorizes that Wil- restrictions, the upending of the world with the theater. by JR Fabin and Lisa Simonian. liam Shakespeare’s personal experienc- (a world, in our case, completely un- He continued, “Diggit Dave Schroed- Live theater is getting back to normal in es of that titular plague year (a horrible prepared for pandemic life, unlike the er switches camera angles as the show Erie, and the only question left is: To be breakout of bubonic plague killed his people of Shakespeare’s time, for whom progresses. The actors have a designat- or not to be there? — Cara Suppa own landlady), and then the move to fully plague could be a yearly event) engender ed area to stay within, so that they can 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, indoor theater come winter, influenced new ideas and new stories, innovations always be in view [for online streaming]. I June 4-19 // 1505 State St // $15 live, $10 the content and tone of the playwright’s and ingenuity. have not seen the online version myself, streaming // For more info or to buy tickets: work from that period on. For Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright but I hear it is a totally different experi- paca1505.org

Monday Music in the Woods Making a Comeback • Jesse James Weston (6/14): Covering rock, Popular series set for seven dates in June and July alternative, pop, and blues through the de- cades. See the forest — and live music — through the trees at Asbury • Buttermilk Falls Gang (6/21): Bluegrass from Woods’ popular Monday Music in the Woods concert series. the banks of Walnut Creek • Rankin and Schell (6/28): Acoustic guitar and After a year of being given the xylem treatment, the bass duo hailing from Erie music will again be phloem in the Celebration Garden • Matt “Broke” Boland (7/5): Energetic rocka- outside The Andrew J. Conner Nature Center (which will billy from “Matty B” of Dirty Pickles fame be open to explore), with a variety of sounds to get your • Bass/Drum/Bass Trio (7/12): Unpretentiously trunk swaying. Lavery Brewing Company will be on-site named Jazz/Latin combo consisting of Ste- to pour locally cultivated ales and lagers if you need help phen Trohoske(bass), Ian Maciak (drums), and limbering your timber ($1 of each draft sold will be donat- Tony Grey (the other bass). ed to Asbury Woods, a nonprofit). All you’ll need is a lawn • Riffriders Lite (7/19): Pared down acoustic chair — and to preregister. version of the Riffriders featuring Amy Shal- Because we’re not quite out of the woods yet with lenberger and Sean Seth, playing rock and METHAPHUM COVID-19, attendance will be limited to 200 guests for blues. each performance. Pre-registration for each Monday • The Maillets (7/26): Acoustic pop, country, ind a clearing in your schedule because Asbury concert will open the preceding Tuesday, giving you near- and rock FWoods’ Monday Music in the Woods outdoor con- ly a week to determine your intentions. If you’re a long- The woods are calling — are you listening? cert series is set to return. term planner, here is the complete schedule: — Matt Swanseger

28 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 SUMMER EVENTS Summer Answers MIAC Live Casting Call Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture’s live performance series set for comeback

The 2021 MIAC Summer Series — as is the standard for the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture — features some of the brightest stars of stage and screen in Erie. Appearing at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center this summer will be (from left to right) Glee star Matthew Morrison (July 22), illusionist Mike Super (June 16), the “Voice of Broadway” Betty Buckley (Aug. 7), and Broadway baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell (July 11).

tery of Edwin Drood, Carrie, and Triumph of Love and notched a Tony win for her role as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Web- ber’s Cats. Her acclaimed portrayal of Norma Desmond in the London produc- tion Webber’s Sunset Boulevard put her in the running for a prestigious Olivier Award across the pond — truth be told, CONTRIBUTED PHOTO she tends to shine wherever she goes. And that’s without even mentioning her By: Matt Swanseger to the 2021-22 MIAC season, which co- Broadway in the 1990s. He has won Tony, film career (most recent highlight: a Sat- incides with the 25th anniversary of the Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle urn Award nomination for her appear- or months, Spring 2021 had been Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. awards for his lead performance in Kiss ance in Split). The Buckley stops here — Fgroomed for the role of the resurrect- “To commemorate this milestone, Me, Kate and received Tony nominations and we’re lucky to have her. ed MIAC Live. And Mercyhurst Institute we’ve programmed what I think is our for roles in Man of La Mancha, King Hed- 5:30 or 8 p.m. // Mary D’Angelo Performing for Arts and Culture director Dr. Brett most exciting lineup to date – a slate of ley II, and Ragtime. Catch the New York Arts Center // Adults $40, Seniors $35, Johnson, for one, was eager to let Erie legendary entertainers, musical icons, Times’ “last leading man” in one of two Students and Youth $30 see it play out — as one. and audience favorites. I can’t wait to performances this July. “Livestreamed performances and oth- share the names with everyone!” John- 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. // Mary D’Angelo “Livestreamed performances er virtual offerings have played an im- son enthuses. Performing Arts Center // Adults $35, Seniors and other virtual offerings portant role in helping us navigate the Until then (check a future edition of the $30, Students and Youth $25 complexities of the past year. At the Reader for a full preview), we can share have played an important role same time, many of us have missed the these names: Matthew Morrison in helping us navigate the communal nature of live performance, in THURSDAY, JULY 22 complexities of the past year. which our heartbeats synchronize and Mike Super 2.OH! A name that should be familiar to At the same time, many of us we laugh, cheer, and cry as one.” WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 “Gleeks,” Morrison starred as glee club have missed the communal Synchronicity and timing is everything Celebrated illusionist Mike Super suc- director Will Schuester in the Fox hit in the performance arts, and those cessfully made all available tickets for musical comedy series Glee. You may nature of live performance, things are difficult to pin down when the his July 2019 performance disappear have also spotted him inThe Good Wife, in which our heartbeats actors are taking cues from multiple di- based on the merits of his award-win- Grey’s Anatomy, and American Horror synchronize and we laugh, rectors — local, state, and federal health ning act , which has won him a slew of Story: 1984. His breakthrough role, how- cheer, and cry as one.” — authorities and a very temperamental vi- honors from various outlets, including ever, was as heartthrob Link Larkin in the MIAC director Dr. Brett rus. So, ultimately, Spring had to sit this Entertainer of the Year, Best Performing Broadway perennial favorite Hairspray. one “as one” out. Artist of the Year, Best Novelty Perform- Since then, he has received awards buzz Johnson Fortunately, Summer 2021 has a much er of the Year, and America’s Favorite for roles in The Light in the Piazza, 10 clearer direction — Dr. Johnson’s — and Mystifier on the NBC TV show Phenom- Million Miles, South Pacific, and Finding Upon checking into the Mary D’Angelo equally as much talent in store. It should enon. If you attended that show, expect Neverland. He’ll find Erie for one night Performing Arts Center this summer, you readily excel in the unifying role Spring the freshly unexpected in his all-new only, so make sure to reserve your seat. may find some things changed. “We’ve could never quite get a feel for. “We look 2021 encore. 7:30 p.m. // Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts implemented a number of COVID-19 forward to gathering once again in the 7:30 p.m. // Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center // Adults $40, Seniors $35, Students policies — masks, socially distanced Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center Center // Adults $35, Seniors $30, Students and Youth $30 seating charts, digital tickets, intermis- and experiencing the life-affirming art- and Youth $25 sion-less performances, and more — in istry of these world-class performers.” Betty Buckley an effort to keep our patrons, staff, art- Those world-class performers include Brian Stokes Mitchell SATURDAY, AUG. 7 ists, and community safe.” some of Broadway and musical theater’s SUNDAY, JULY 11 “The Voice of Broadway” will make her However, the caliber of program you’ve best and brightest, “remarkable artists Blessed with a burly baritone with voice heard in Erie for two performanc- come to expect from the MIAC will be whose charisma, vitality, and joy of per- crossover appeal, Brian Stokes Mitchell es — to add to the thousands already the same as ever. Consistency, too, is the forming are infectious.” The MIAC sum- has commanded stage and screen for a logged throughout a long, illustrious hallmark of any great performer. mer series will consist of four acts (three career that has spanned over 40 years. career. She garnered praise for roles in Matt Swanseger can be reached at rescheduled from the spring) leading up He got his start in TV before taking off on 1776, Pippin, Song and Dance, The Mys- [email protected]

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 29 SUMMER EVENTS Sunset Grill Serves Up Edinboro Summer And early fall too

[left]: Singer and guitarist Justin with an act set up every Thurs- Colette Bone;June 24 - Jay Moyar (middle) performs with son day through Sunday from now Baumgardner; June 25 - Rachel Gavin (left, drums) and violinist Louis Nicolia at the Sunset all the way through the begin- Short; June 26- Tony Kellogg; and Grill in 2019. [bottom right] Jay ning of October, this year’s line- June 27 - Jesse Weston. Baumgardner strums a chord at up is no exception. To find out more about Sunset the ’Boro’s beloved lakeside haunt Here’s what’s happening at Grill’s summer (and into-the in 2020. the resort a little ways south of autumn) music series — including the city throughout June: what’s happening next month tally laid-back but not dusty, June 3 - Adam McKillip; June 4 - and the full slate of performances perfectly situated for epic sun- Fred Oakman; June 5 - Shameless each week through September set views, and as close to the Hex; June 6 - Justin Moyar; June and early October — visit lake as you can get without be- 10 - Rankin and Schell; June 11 - edinborolakeresort.com, call ing in it) is always worth the trip. The Highlife; June 12 - Tommy Link; 434.3307, or take a drive (or stroll, Doesn’t hurt that the Sunset June 13 - Josh Travis Band; June or bike, or boat) out to 12690 NICK WARREN is also at Edinboro Lake Re- 17 - Salmon Frank; June 18 - Seann Edinboro Road. sort, where a bevy of tourists P. Clark; June 19 - Fred Oakman Ryan Smith can be reached at and townies’ guests make cool, and The Flood; June 20 - Dionisio/ [email protected]. quaint, modern lakeside rental cabins their homes away from home throughout the summer. By: Ryan Smith planned further renovations. As Hell, my wife and I have gotten the pandemic brought vast new away there ourselves, and our rive or bike or stroll or boat limits to indoor seating regula- house is just down the road. Dby it along the usually quiet tions, “a lot of [bars and restau- All that makes and keeps the Route 99 side of beautiful little rants] were really struggling Sunset a pretty inviting spot, no Edinboro Lake on any/every giv- for patio seating,” says Sunset doubt. en summer weekend evening — co-owner Nick Russell, “but But another big part of what any/every given summer week- we’re majority patio seating.” makes the place cool is its ex- night, too — and you’ll see that So “people felt safe and com- tensive, season-long live music the Sunset Grill almost always fortable.” series, an elbow-deep run that has what looks to be a packed- It’s not just that Sunset served brings an abundant cast of fine- to-the-gills house and patio. as an oasis during an existential skilled local and regional sing- Even that old hack COVID dry spell. er-songwriters and bands onto ELRSUNSETGRILL

couldn’t really change that. They’ve been known for having the little stage by the lake. @ Sure, Sunset opened later than a good menu to gather around, It’s been going on there for usual (over the Fourth of July and a more-than-respectable years now, with a chock-full weekend) last year, but that was revolving craft beer selection. slate of live music to chill by because it was busy with pre- And the atmosphere alone (to- and get down to. And as usual, VIA FACEBOOK

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 31 ERIE DONOR CENTER, 2646 PEACH ST • 814-456-4206 TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

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32 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 BOOKS House of Sticks 6 Can’t-Miss Books Coming This Summer New memoir from Ly Tran stuns and awes n 1993, at just three years old, Ly roach — one of many that infest the until she attends college, living in a Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship I(pronounced “Lee”) Tran and her family’s apartment — is unsettling, to dorm, that she finally got corrective By Catherine Raven family emigrated from a small town say the least. For many, the squalor lenses, all the while burdened with After working at universities and teaching field in Vietnam to New York City to begin in which the family lives is unimag- thoughts of betraying her father. classes, a woman builds a house on a remote plot of a new life, made possible through inable, but is a harsh reality for those Throughout the book, Tran tells her land in Montana and befriends a fox. What follows a humanitarian program run by the who have limited options. coming-of-age story with such inten- is a story of friendship, nature, and the fable-esque U.S. government for prisoners of war. Compared to war-torn Vietnam, sity and conviction that it is difficult true story of Catherine Raven’s time in the wild. Her father, a former lieutenant in the though, this is a new beginning for to believe that she was once the very Memoir // Spiegel & Grau // July 6th South Vietnamese army, spent seven the family, and they strive to make it meek, voiceless child she describes, years in a POW camp barely surviving work. Starting with a pseudo-sweat- unable to articulate her feelings or Survive the Night before escaping back to his home- shop in their own home making cum- even understand them. Each chap- By Riley Sager town and eventually marrying Ly’s merbunds and ties to make ends ter brings incredible insight into the In 1991, college student Charlie carpools with a mother. meet, the family eventually buys their immigrant experience, what it is like stranger home to Ohio, grieving the death of her The family’s American dream did own nail salon, struggling to stay to learn an entirely new culture, and best friend to a murderer dubbed the Campus not turn out as planned, however. In afloat. Tran grapples internally with what it means to forge a path of one’s Killer. But the stranger’s suspicious behavior and this insightful and oftentimes heart- her sense of duty to her parents, feel- own. — Ally Kutz holes in his story lead Charlie to wonder: is she breaking new memoir, Tran details ing as though she is betraying them Scribner // 384 pages // Memoir driving with a serial killer? What comes next is a growing up as an immigrant in late when she goes to college and has to game of cat-and-mouse where Charlie’s main ob- ’90s and early ’00s America, the strug- stop working with them at the salon. jective is to survive the night. gle to assimilate to American culture One especially poignant moment Mystery, Thriller // Dutton // June 29th while still honoring the cultural ex- where Tran’s moral dilemma impacts pectations of her parents, and the her is in her need for glasses. Her fa- Couple Found Slain: impact it had on both her well-being ther, believing that glasses are a gov- After A Family Murder and mental health. ernment conspiracy, refuses to even By Mikita Brottman Tran’s account of life as an immi- discuss the possibility of her needing A double murder, a confession, and a ruling of grant in America can be jarring, espe- them, stating that she and her school criminal insanity: author and psychoanalyst Mikita cially to those unfamiliar with the ab- are lying. Wanting to obey her father, Brottman examines the case of killer Brian Bech- solute poverty that many immigrants Tran spends years with blurry eye- told, his life leading to the murder, and what hap- find themselves in when first arriving sight, unable to see the blackboard pens to the criminally insane in the aftermath. in America and sometimes long after. in school and causing health issues, True Crime // Henry Holt and Co. // July 6th An early scene in which a young Ly, including headaches and bruising in not knowing better, plays with a cock- and around her eye muscles. It is not The Show Girl By Nicola Harrison In 1927, singer and dancer Olive McCormick moves to New York City with dreams of becom- ing a star in the Ziegfeld Follies. She meets Archie The 2000s Made Me Gay Carmichael, who wins her over and proposes mar- Hilarious and thoughtful debut from Grace Perry riage, leaving Olive to decide if she’s willing to sac- rifice the life she’s worked toward and loves for the race Perry doesn’t actually think Perry goes further, though, ac- So, maybe the 2000s didn’t actually man she loves. Gthe 2000s made her gay; but the knowledging that although we can — make anyone gay, but they certainly Historical Fiction // St. Martin’s Press // August 10th title was a lot shorter and potentially and have — moved away from these defined what it meant to be a teenag- more relatable than The 2000s Are problematic representations, we can er at the start of this century. — Ally My Heart is a Chainsaw to Blame for the Specific Kind of Gay also appreciate them for what they Kutz By Stephen Graham Jones Person I Am Today, an alternative meant to us at the time and why we St. Martin’s Griffin // 256 pages // Essay, At first glance, this is a story of murder in small- Perry mentions in the book’s intro- have so much nostalgia for them. In- Memoir, LGBTQ+ town America; a closer look reveals a critique of duction. stead of completely disregarding our American colonialism and Indigenous displace- A witty and intriguing debut, Perry’s past, Perry allows for the consider- ment as well as the story of a young woman who essay collection, The 2000s Made ation of remembering the time fondly utilizes the horror film genre to mask the horrors Me Gay, is more than meets the eye. while also seeing it through a critical in her own life. At a glance, it seems to be a farcical lens of better representation for the Horror // Gallery/Saga Press // August 31st look at early aughts pop culture and LGBTQ+ community. the queer representation — or lack Split into twelve essays, Perry cov- Razorblade Tears thereof — it possessed. But a further ers many of the most nostalgic parts By S.A. Crosby dive into the essays collected in this of millennial teen culture: the Harry When Ike Randolph’s son Isiah is murdered along- book reveals a critical examination of Potter series, Mean Girls, Katy Perry’s side his husband Derek, he comes together with the popular culture that many millen- “I Kissed a Girl,” the Disney Channel, Derek’s father Buddy Lee on a quest for vengeance. nials grew up with, recognizing and Gossip Girl, and Taylor Swift all fea- Confronting their own prejudices about both their identifying problematic themes as ture in this wonderful, perceptive, and sons and each other, the ultimate goal is bringing well as explaining the potential rea- captivating look at how the aughts justice to those who hurt their boys. soning for them. shaped the millennial generation. Mystery, Thriller // Flatiron // July 6th

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 33 PODCASTS Our Monthly Podcast Picks Digital delectations to feed your brain

The Press Box Talking Sopranos The P.O.D. Kast Hosted by: Bryan Curtis // The Ringer Hosted by: Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa // Hosted by: Bryan Quinby and John Cullen // thepod- talkingsopranos.com kast.libsyn.com/ must-listen for Amedia junkies and hese days, there ne major benefit journalism students, Tare podcast hits Oof podcasting be- The Press Box is pleas- like Office Ladies and coming a mainstream antly hosted by Bry- West Wing Weekly, medium is just how an Curtis and David down to pandem- niche they’ve be- Shoemaker (part of ic-fueled revisits like come. Podcasting The Ringer’s podcast The Darkest Timeline. has also allowed us to network). The show Talking Sopranos co- revel in our guiltiest employs a good bal- incidentally began in pleasures and share ance of more serious April of 2020, hosted by our love for bygone fare — Emily Wilder’s firing from the Associated Press none other than Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, eras with other nostalgic people, which can often lead was a recent episode centerpiece — and pop culture/ who played Christopher Moltisanti and Robert “Bobby to critical re-evaluations of all kinds of art we may sports topics, ensuring they don’t get swallowed up by Bacala” Baccalieri Jr. The Sopranos is unquestionably have grown up with and dismissed. the media industry’s ongoing existential dread. one of the best — if not the single-greatest — television If I’m making The P.O.D. Kast sound academic in Let’s go back to that Wilder episode (May 24). This ini- series of all time, and here we get an inside look into any way, you can relax. Hosted by comedians John tial discussion not only breaks down the situation for the show directly from the source. Like many, during Cullen (Blocked Party) and Brian Quimby (Street those uninitiated, but then talks about how the Asso- the pandemic, I revisited some of my favorite television Fight Radio), the show is simply about growing up ciated Press is vulnerable to bad faith troll campaigns shows, and if you haven’t gotten a chance to watch — in the age of nu-metal, a genre they still love, and (like those who came after Wilder), and how reporters, or rewatch — The Sopranos, do it. It holds up shocking- revisiting the highlights of a largely maligned musi- AP or not, are expected to be robots, free of feelings or ly well. Talking Sopranos follows an interview/rewatch cal genre album by album. From the backwards ‘R’ “bias.” The back half of the episode is then a fascinat- format. Each show features a guest involved with the in Korn to the ‘Z’ in Limp Bizkit, you can bet they’ll ing look at NBA studio shows, such as TNT’s Inside the show, from the production crew to main cast members. cover the good, the bad, and the flat-out bizarre NBA. What’s nice about the show’s affiliation with The Following that, Imperioli and Schirripa dive into the ep- in this monthly podcast that is easy to binge. Ev- Ringer is that they can skew pop culture and sports for isode with scripts in hand, analyzing each scene and ery episode ends with a friendly competition of- secondary topics, while they have plenty of experts on- providing insight that’s often hilarious. Each episode ten attempting to recreate a song or lyrics by the hand. is also watchable on YouTube as they move through subject of the episode, followed by a poll listen- Toss in segments like the “Overworked Twitter Joke of the series’ 86 episodes, culminating in the release of ers can vote on to decide the next album covered the Week” and “Guess the Strained-Pun Headline,” and their upcoming book, Woke Up This Morning: The De- by the show. As this music reviewer would like to you get a nuanced yet entertaining twice-a-week program. finitive Oral History of The Sopranos due in November. suggest, it’s never too late to discover Deftones. — Christopher Lantinen — Nick Warren — Aaron Mook

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34 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 ARE YOU FEELING STRESSED ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS GOALS?

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June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 35 MOVIE REVIEWS

Eternity and a Day: About Endlessness seemingly dead couple flying above the ruins of a de- Concerns Everything and Nothing stroyed city, and even Hitler awaiting the inevitable in his bunker. Every vignette is filmed in Andersson’s typical style oy Andersson’s last film A Pigeon Sat on a Branch with flat, static cinematography that lets everything RReflecting on Existence explored the seemingly play out in a single shot and desaturated lighting that limitless depths of human cruelty in a surreal and removes the slightest trace of color. The result puts dryly funny way. In his newest film About Endless- every story — no matter how grand or banal — on ness, the Swedish absurdist uses that same bizarre equal footing in this never-ending flow of time, al- style to examine the entirety of existence itself. The lowing the audience to reach their own conclusions film covers both the spectacular and mundane as- about the importance of each moment. About End- pects of life in a way that only Andersson can pres- lessness probably won’t win any new converts to An- ent, and although the end result is not as intriguing dersson’s alienating style, but for those with a taste as something like his Songs from the Second Floor, it for the uncomfortable and the oddly funny, this is is enough to keep the audience engaged. one to seek out. — Forest Taylor Less a story and more of a series of vignettes as About Endlessness is currently playing in select theaters seen from a seemingly omniscient narrator, we fol- and is available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Google low multiple stories covering various times in history. Play, Vudu, and YouTube // Written and directed by: Roy These stories include a priest suffering an existen- Andersson // Starring: Jan-Eje Ferling, Kristina Ekmark, tial crisis after losing his faith, a man who recently Martin Serner, Bengt Bergius, Anja Broms, Magnus Wallgren, had an unpleasant run-in with an old classmate, a Lisa Blohm, Thore Flygel, Tatiana Delaunay, and Anders prisoner of war dreading his upcoming execution, a Hellstrom // 78 minutes // Unrated // Magnolia Pictures

Viva Las Vegas?: Army of the Dead is Not as a casino before Vegas is nuked. But will they be able Fun as It Should Be to make it past a literal army of flesh-eating ghouls? After an energetic opening sequence and a fun se- quence of assembling the team, the film settles into he term “style over substance” often creates familiar territory and that momentum begins to slow Ta false dichotomy in filmmaking — it makes it over the needlessly long runtime. The story gets seem like there can be either one or the other. But in bogged down in multiple subplots that often don’t many cases, the style is the substance. Zack Snyder really go anywhere and the action is obscured by the is an example of such a filmmaker and after spend- murky, blurry cinematography (Snyder worked as his ing the last several years trying to reinvent super- own DP and he never learned to focus his camera hero stories as some kind of modern Greek tragedy, apparently). The film doesn’t have enough fun with he is now going back to his roots. Army of the Dead its enticing premise and the story isn’t compelling promises all the ultra-violent, hyper-kinetic mayhem enough to hold interest, making both the style and of his 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake (still his best the substance underwhelming. — Forest Taylor film), but whether or not it delivers on that promise Army of the Dead is currently playing in theaters is another matter entirely. and on Netflix // Directed by: Zack Snyder // Written After a military accident renders Las Vegas a zom- by: Snyder, Joby Harold, and Shay Hatten // Starring: bie-infested wasteland, the city has been cut off Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de from the rest of the country. However, mercenary la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) has been called up by a Arnezeder, Garret Dillahunt, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, billionaire tycoon to assemble a team for a job. Their Huma Qureshi, Samantha Win, and Hiroyuki Sanada // mission: recover hundreds of millions of dollars from 148 minutes // Rated R CLAY ENOS / NETFLIX CLAY

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36 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 37 ALBUM REVIEWS

Red Fang J. Cole Tommy Link Blunt Guts Arrows The Off-Season Grow Cranberry Blood Relapse Records Dreamville Records Self-released Self-released

he latest re- fter three ommy Link is rom the mind Tlease from Ayears of Ta dyed-in-the- Fof Robert Jen- Portland, Oregon’s barely any social wool troubadour sen comes Blunt most famous media presence, of the highest Guts. Most locals stoner metal band interviews, or up- degree. He’s been will know Jensen Red Fang is their dates, Fayetteville honing his craft as the owner and first record in five rapper J. Cole for years, from operator of Erie’s years. The album was recorded pre-pan- finally came out of hiding to release his full-band work with Strangers and Basement Transmissions, but discerning demic, but the release was put on hold his latest album The Off-Season, which Liars up to his latest solo album, Grow. members of the scene remember him until the band could properly promote dropped May 14. The 12-track opus is Successfully funding the release of this as one of the driving forces behind Peg- it. The band enlisted multi-instrumen- filled with punchlines, various produc- album through a modest Kickstarter asus Unicorn and The Jargonauts (as talist Chris Funk, from the band the De- tion credits, and surprise features that goal, Link exceeded his target, releasing well as his follow-up with Josiah Haugh- cemberists, to produce the record. This are not mentioned on the track list — a Grow in physical form (as well as digital- wout, Jensen & Three Sharks). Forget is his third time working with Red Fang, different pace for the rapper, consider- ly via Spotify, Apple Music, etc.). There’s about that for a moment. Blunt Guts is after having also producedMurder on the ing his last three projects were mainly an almost theatrical nature to this al- unadulterated genius. “We had a partic- Mountains and Whales and Leeches. His produced by and featured no other artist bum in particular, harkening back to ular sound,” Jensen said, speaking of his influence can be heard on the track “Fonzi other than himself. If the Carolina em- an older generation of singer-songwrit- previous bands, noting that “it was tough Scheme,” where they enlisted the Port- cee lost his touch in his absence, you ers like Harry Chapin and Jim Croce. to leave that behind.” Cranberry Blood land Cello Project to help fill the space be- wouldn’t know it. He unapologetically It’s an album worth memorizing, and is firmly planted in the future of music. tween their crunchy riffs. Arrows is their revives himself here, sounding more one that easily grows on you. Link is a Combining the electronic sounds of drum most experimental record yet, with more alive than ever as he celebrates his suc- well-seasoned storyteller beyond his machines and synthesizer sequences ambient space, strings, and even drums cess and reclaims his throne. Though years (who in full disclosure also hap- with hazily blissful vocoded lyrics and recorded at the bottom of a drained pool. the Roc Nation signee has been known pens to be a gifted cartoonist for this samples, Jensen simultaneously pushes Despite the new sounds, they don’t step for more conscious records, we receive very publication), full of passion evident the envelope while making a record that’s too far out of their stylistic comfort zone. a more bar-heavy and even boisterous in nearly every one of Grow’s ten tracks. endlessly listenable. With help from local Although the album does boast stand- side of him from the N.Y. banger “Apply- Not content with just an acoustic gui- musicians Lil Avril and Austin “Chauncy out tracks between the slow-opening ing Pressure” to the radio-ready “Ama- tar, there are hints of softly overdriven Bill$up” Smith, Jensen blends hip-hop “Take It Back” and the dynamically strong ri.” But of course, The Off-Season still electrics, pianos, and tasteful percus- with experimental avant-pop sounds. closer “Funeral Coach” — “Two High” delivers tracks that are more on-brand, sion throughout the record. The first The seven-track album sees highlights with its catchy chorus, “Anodyne” which such as the ominous “Let Go My Hand” few tracks start strong, with extremely like “Waves,” “SLEEPER” (co-written by has the power dirge style of the Melvins, where Cole touches on his fear of con- memorable hooks and choruses. One Lil Avril), and the closer “The Riddle.” and the title track with its classic Red flict and raising his son to be brave. At of the highlights is “The Badge,” a po- Fans lucky enough to land a handmade Fang feel — there was definitely a con- this point, Cole could easily hang up litically-tinged standout. The passion edition of the album were even treated scious choice to make Arrows flow as a his jersey and retire gracefully. But by stays true until the final notes of the to a pop-up book-like interior featuring whole piece rather than a collection of the looks and sounds of it, the icon has titular track, showcasing one of Erie’s Jensen’s beautiful collage art, for one songs that ended up on the same record. more points to put on the scoreboard. best songwriters at the top of his game. of Erie’s best local albums of the year. — Larry Wheaton — Charles Brown — Nick Warren — Nick Warren

TOMMY IN TOON — BY TOMMY LINK

38 | Erie Reader | ErieReader.com June 2021 CROSSWORD

Across 39 Hosp heart ward “Inferno” 1 Beanball, on many 40 Squiggly mark in 6 In a way that produc- diamond scoresheets “piñata” es the opposite effect 4 “Monsters, ____” 42 ____ to one’s ears 7 What “Pay Toll 1 Mile” 7 Civil rights org whose 43 Highest-rated implies leaders included John 44 17th-century Dutch 8 “The Good Place” Lewis and Stokely Car- painter Jan network michael 45 Hindu god of fire 9 Mover’s form for the Answers to last puzzle 11 Slippery sea creature 46 Dockworkers’ org USPS 12 “The Matrix” hero 47 Ceramists’ needs 10 There are 2 54 in an 13 What you may “drop” 48 ____ Francisco in on Valentine’s Day, with 49 Part of DMV: Abbr 14 HBO series repre- “the” 50 Ending with fluor- sented by some of the 15 Goat’s cry 51 “Thank you, Captain black (and two white) 16 Reason for seasonal Obvious!” squares in this puzzle’s shots 53 Curling surface grid 17 The “O” of AOC 55 Draws out 18 Miscellany 19 Tickle Me Elmo toy- 59 Support gp founded 20 National Radio Hall maker under FDR of Fame inductee who 21 Opposite of SSE 60 The NBA’s Magic, on was born Art Ferguson 23 National econ stat scoreboards 22 2009 Grammy win- 25 Glassmaker’s oven 61 Patty and Selma, to ner for her “Still Unfor- 26 Smidge Bart, Lisa and Maggie gettable” album 27 Israel’s Meir 62 Cave dweller 24 History is written 29 Mild Dutch cheese 63 Rival of BAL and in it 30 DDE’s WWII com- BOS 27 Lyft drivers consult it mand 64 Rx writers 28 Hematite, for one 31 Goody-two-shoes 40 “Have you no 32 Foal’s mother Down shame!” 33 Like some sugar 1 Skirt’s edge 41 “That’s ____ quit!” 34 Programmed to, as a 2 Fever that reached 51 Do some voice work thermostat America in the mid-’60s 52 ____ Today 35 On the same side 3 Put money on the 54 Weep 36 1979 Sigourney underdog, say 56 Daft Punk, for one Weaver film 4 Knowledgeable view- 57 Chapel Hill sch 37 Demolition material point 58 The “75” of $1 75: 38 Say ____ (refuse) 5 First word of Dante’s Abbr

June 2021 ErieReader.com | Erie Reader | 39