Spring is only 30 days away!

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season for Christians the world over.  It also explains the black smudges on the foreheads of lots of people, and questions of what to give up for the next 6 weeks as a sacrifice for the period leading up to Easter Sunday.

Fuhrman’s Cider Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 2007, will reopen in a new location in time for the Fall season this year.  The long hoped-for rebirth of the popular cider mill will take place at the old Perry Highway Fire Hall, 8270 Peach Street, in Summit Township.   This is great news for long time customers, including me!

Adults in Erie County weigh more, smoke more, and drink more than those than in nearly every other county in the state.  Really?  Chalk up another area where  Erie citizens excel!

Long time Erie civil-rights leader Howard Horton and educator Cathy Hutchinson were presented with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards by Edinboro University president, Dr. Jeremy Brown.

Dr. Tom Trevorrow has withdrawn from the race for the Third Congressional District seat now held by first term Democrat Kathleen Dahlkemper.  Trevorrow cited a serious illness of a family member as his reason for withdrawing.

Update on the Congressional Race,  Erie buisnessman Sam Paparelli has announced his intent to run on the Republican ballot in the May Primary.

Jay Badams,  Erie assistant school superintendent and one of three finalists for the position now held by Dr. James Barker, will be presented to the Erie community and answer questions from the audience this evening at 6:30 pm at East High School.  Badams is the only local candidate for the position.  The two remaining finalists, Bethlehem Area School District Asst. Superintendent Thomas Washington and Schenectady City School Superintendent Eric Ely, will be introduced on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively, also at East High School at 6:30 pm.

Sports

Gannon’s  Women won the  Number 1  seed and home court advantage in the PSAC Tournament by defeating Edinboro 80-72 Wednesday night.  The Lady Knights are ranked first in the NCAA Division Two, Mid-Atlantic Region.

The Edinboro Men turned the tables in the nightcap by defeating Gannon 69-60

Mercyhurst and Clarion also split for the night, with the Mercyhurst men winning 76-64, and the Mercyhurst ladies on the short side of a 66-59 final score.

Canada ran its women’s hockey record to 3-0 after defeating Sweden 13-1. Meghan Agosta of Mercyhurst College scored 3 goals and added 2 assists. She now has 8 goals in 3 games for the Canadian team.

Congratulations to the Ft. LeBoeuf Bisons for winning the PIAA-class AA State Wrestling  Championship!

Events

Disney on Ice~Pixars Finding Nemo,  tonight (Thursday) at 7:00 pm, Tullio Arena

Jesus Christ Superstar, Friday, February 19 at 7:30 pm, Warner Theater

Peeved, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, Sunday Matinee at 2:00 pm.  Erie Playhouse