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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday December 13, 2006

Governor Raymond P Shafer of Meadville passed away. He served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1971. Governor Shafer served a one-year appointment as president of the Allegheny College in 1985 and was a trustee for more than forty years. Shafer graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Allegheny in 1938. He served as his class president for each of his four years at Allegheny and was the student body president as a senior. On the playing field, he won nine varsity letters, four each in basketball and soccer and one in track and field. Shafer was the basketball team’s leading scorer for three seasons and was an all-America halfback in soccer, at a time when division classification did not exist in collegiate athletics. A graduate of the Yale Law School, Governor Shafer began his career in public service as many men of his generation did: in uniform. He served in the U.S. Navy, both in naval intelligence and as the skipper of PT Boat 359 in the South Pacific, from 1942 to 1945. More than eighty combat missions, and particularly the heroic rescue of seventeen paratroopers stranded under Japanese fire on Corregidor, earned him the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Commendation for Meritorious Service. Shafer’s career in public service continued with two terms as district attorney for Pennsylvania’s Crawford County (1948-56), a term as a Pennsylvania state senator (1959-63), and a term as lieutenant governor under William Scranton (1963-66). President Dwight David Eisenhower once said of the governor, “In a few words, Ray Shafer has brains, integrity, and guts.” The nation has been fortunate that Governor Shafer dedicated those qualities to the service of his fellow citizens. Planning for a memorial service at Allegheny College is ongoing, but the service is expected to be in Ford Chapel on Sunday, December 17, around mid-day. More details will be forthcoming.

Presque Isle Downs announced that they plan to offer 25 nights of Thoroughbred racing in 2007. Racing will be held six nights a week, with Tuesday the dark day, through September 29. Plans call for 8 races beginning at 5:30 pm. Under the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Development and Gaming Act, purses and breed development get 12 percent of gross slots revenue. Purses are expected to average about $200,000. In 2008, about 100 days of live racing will be held from late Spring to early Fall. Construction on the grandstand and clubhouse is nearly finished. The slots casino part of their operation will open in mid February 2007.

Gary Miller Chevrolet Buick in Girard closed yesterday. McQuillen has reportedly bought the franchises.

Mercyhurst College received all 19 first-place votes and 190 points to claim the Number 1 ranking on the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women’s College Hockey Division I Poll for the third consecutive week.

The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team dropped a 73-55 decision to Westminster.

Mercyhurst snapped a four game losing streak, defeating the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats, 79-75 Tuesday night in women’s basketball action. Mercyhurst is now 3-6 overall.

After 35 years, an area tradition has died. There will no longer be an Erie Youth Hockey Association Christmas Invitational Tournament.

The Holiday Toy Drive (benefiting SafeNet Erie) and Gift Wrapping Party will be held at the Plymouth Tavern, 1109 State Street, this evening, Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm. Contact Melissa Newell at melissamnewell(at)gmail.com for information regarding the Toy Drive. Yep! has partnered with United Way Young Leaders for this event. Please join them in providing gifts for local families currently being sheltered.

As part of Weaths Across America, 6 wreaths laid at the Erie Soldiers and Sailors Home Cemetery in Honor of the 5 branches of service and POW/MIA on December 14 at noon. Erie County Judge Michael Dunlavey, Major General (ret), of Erie Pa will be the keynote speaker.

Marty O’Connor and Friends will perform Thursday, December 14 from 7-10 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center as part of the Cool Jazz Series. Enjoy live jazz and an assortment of light hors d’oeuvres while sipping a beverage of your choice. (BYOB - Bring Your Own Bottle - Wine or Beer) Advance tickets $7.50 each - $10 at the door. Call (814) 833-6050 for more details.

The Lake Erie Ballet presents the Christmas-time classic “The Nutcracker” at the Warner Theatre Saturday, Dec 16 at 7 pm and Sunday, Dec 17 at 2:30 pm.

The Presque Isle Chorus, a member of Sweet Adelines International, will be holding their Christmas Concert on December 18 at 7:30 pm at the Trinity Luthern Church, 14 East 38 St. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at December 13, 2006 7:11 AM

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