Local favorite Andrew Pratt rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to take the outright lead after the third round of the Peek ‘n Peak Classic. Pratt was born in Erie. His family moved to Knoxville, Tenn when his dad was transferred. He was a standout golfer at the University of Tennessee.

On July 1, 1881, Hamot Hospital opened its doors at the corner of State and 2nd Street. The hospital was named for Pierre Simon Vincent Hamot, a Frenchman who settled in Erie in 1805. PSV Hamot was a successful businessman and an active member of the Erie community. In the early 1800s, he built a homestead for his family at the foot of State Street, overlooking the bay and Presque Isle on the south shore of Lake Erie. After his death in 1846, his children and grandchildren continued his legacy of community involvement. One of their greatest gifts to Erie community was the donation of the Hamot Homestead for use as a general hospital to be called “Hamot.” The Hospital Association worked quickly to divide the building into five private rooms and three wards for men, women and sailors. Once renovations were complete, the Hospital Association secured the services of a nurse named Irene Sutleff. In addition to her nursing duties, she was the hospital’s first superintendent, in charge of managing the hospital.

ICT Group announced it was relocating its Market Research Services to Erie, Pa, to improve operating efficiencies. Their facility in Depew, NY has 162 employees and at times has employed 300 workers.

The Downtown Erie Hotel at 18th and State, formerly the Ramada Inn, sent me along some info on their changes. Sabella’s and Calamari’s are on their list of preferred caterers for banquets and receptions. The hotel has entirely new owners, a new management company, a new GM, new AGM, and new Sales Director. All of their staff has remained through the change over. And they have also added employees. The Red Tomato Lounge is open on Thursdays (6pm – 11pm), Fridays (5pm – 2am), and Saturdays (5pm – 2am). Fridays are Karaoke Night. Saturdays are Latino Night (lots of salsa dancing).

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources had a study done which showed that of the nine glacial lakes in Western Pennsylvania, Lake Pleasant just south Erie is the healthiest. The other glacial lakes in the area include Lake LaBoeuf, Lake Edinboro, Sugar Lake, Sandy Lake, Crystal Lake, Bear Lake, Canidohta and Conneaut Lake. Lake Pleasant, at only 60 acres large, prohibits motorized boats.

Paige will be back in town Aug 17-22. She’ll be staying at the Plymouth Tavern and at her family home in North East.

The Erie SeaWolves slammed the Reading Phillies on Saturday night to win their third consecutive game by a score of 13-0. Jackson Melian hit his 7th home run, Kody Kirkland hit his 15th and Kelly Hunt hit 2 giving him 11 on the season. Nook Logan has collected three-hit games in both of his games since joining the ‘Wolves. Starter Eulogio De La Cruz (1-5) picked up his first win of the season in a spot start. Reliever Chris Homer shut down the Phils in the eighth and ninth innings to preserve the SeaWolves seventh shutout win of the season.

New York Rangers announced that the club has signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Stephen Valiquette. Valiquette, 28, appeared in 45 games for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Hockey League last season, posting a 1.95 goals against average, along with a .922 save percentage and four shutouts. Valiquette played junior hockey for the Erie Otters in 1997-98.

Mercyhurst College will again host An Old Fashioned Fourth of July at its Erie and North East Campuses. This marks the 23rd celebration in Erie and the 14th in North East. Each year, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the fun and fireworks at both campuses, and this will be no different. The Vogues, a vocal group from Jeannette, Pa, near Pittsburgh, with several top 40 hits has been entertaining fans since the 1960s, will perform at the main stage on the Erie campus from 8 to 10 pm. Some of the group’s hits include “Five O’clock World,” “Turn Around Look at Me, “You’re the One,” “My Special Angel,” “Till,” and “No, not Much.”
The event will feature a variety of acts around the campus, including Marty O’Connor, the Sweet Adelines, the Celebrant Singers, Geoff the Juggler, the Sonlight puppet Show, the Dixie Doodlers, Thirst N Howl.
Activities include Granny’s Ark Petting Zoo, the Strawberry Shortcake Festival, Erie Clowns, face painting, caricature artists, and strolling magician Devin Knight.
At North East, Jack the Dog will perform at the main stage from 8 to 10 pm., followed by Zambelli fireworks. Other activities will include the Dino Jump and bungee Run, the Bubblegum DS and Face Painting, and Mr Beau the Clown. The first 2,000 visitors to the campus will receive a free US flag.

Bring your family to celebrate July and National Hot Dog Month with food, fun, and entertainment provided by the Sunset Cafe and the Big Green Screen Theatre at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC). Join in Thursdays in July from 4pm-7pm, for a Picnic on the Patio and a “Top Dog and A Movie” package, for only $6.95 per person, including a Gourmet Footling Smith’s Hot Dog, Coke and a ticket to one of the featured large format films in July, The Living Sea or Lewis and Clark, showing on the Big Green Screen. Live musical entertainment, games, contests and give-a-ways will be a part of the weekly schedule of events, including Big Green Screen Tickets, T-shirts and other specialty items from the Nature Shop at TREC. Local guest musicians will be performing on the patio each week. Celebrating National Hot Dog month with A Picnic on the Patio Series offers an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy great food, live entertainment, family fun and a captivating film at the Big Green Screen Theatre. A hometown favorite, Smith’s Hot Dogs, will be the feature menu item; top you footling dog with gourmet toppings and sauces. Additional picnic foods will be available through the Sunset Cafe. This event is made possible through the efforts of the Presque Isle Partnership and the Sunset Cafe featuring Smith’s Hot Dogs.

The 2006 Erie Airshow will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16, 2006. The Air Show will be held at Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field. The schedule of performances and static display aircraft present will be the same each day, so you can attend either day and see the same great show. Gates will open each day at 10 am with the flying portion of the airshow will begin at noon each day.