Now THIS has been a long day! In case you didn’t know, my Penn State-bound son Jordan was selected to play in this year’s “Big 33″ Game, an nationally-televised football game between the best 33 players in Pennsylvania vs. the best 33 players in Ohio.
Today, Jordan had his first practice with the team, which was held at – of all places – Penn State…we had to be there by 9:00 AM, so of course we’ve all been running since 4:30 AM.
I have to say that today – for the first time – Â I realized the magnitude of this game and what it means not only to Jordan’s football career, but to his development as a young man as well.
He’ll spend an entire week in Hershey, PA with a host-family that will transport him back and forth to practices, as well
as doing his laundry and keeping an eye on him for the week. He’ll meet with the media, have photo sessions, and even autograph sessions. On the Friday night before the game, he and his team mates will take the stage at banquet in front of 1,500 families, sponsors, and fans…and on Saturday night, play in front of a nationally-televised audience as well as the 15,000 fans at Hershey Park Stadium.
But that’s nothing…compared to the chance to change a child’s life: check this out -
As much as I love music – you’d be surprised at my collection – I have to say that nothing really beats a great “live” band.
The Guy From Erie – sorry to refer to myself in the third person – gives an enthusiastic “thumbs-up” to Stiletto. If you live in Erie – or you’re just visiting – “Stiletto” is as good as it gets for live music here. I’ve really loved them every time I’ve seen them perform, and not going to see this great Erie “girl band” would be, well…uncivilized.
Hmmm…the Guy From Erie – and Yoga?
The Guy From Erie always brings you the best. I like to deal with experts with experience, and I assume my readers do, too.
All I know is that after a session at Plasha Yoga Studio, my head seems a little more clear, my back doesn’t feel so stiff, and I’m just a little bit blissed out. Â Unlike joining a scary fitness center, Plasha Yoga Studio doesn’t make you sign a contract and the entire experience is low-key, enjoyable, relaxing, and…affordable!
With so many folks out there either running their own “brick and mortar” businesses or trying to get started in the business world working from home, I can tell you from over 20 year’s experience that your best friend should be – or eventually will be – Â the person that does your “books” and files your taxes for you.
When I was an apprentice at the late great Anson Tools & Gages a thousand years ago – I seem to use the phrase “late great” way too much as we’ve lost so many manufacturers – I learned how to run huge milling machines called Hydro-Tels, which don’t even exist anymore…
In those days, you apprenticed under an expert and learned the ropes for a few years before they would even let you “touch” something important. As the months – and years – went by, I eventually became an expert Hydro-Tel operator, first using my experience at Anson’s to land a job at Tetra Tool Company in Erie, and later to become one of Little Tikes Toys main vendors for toy molds that needed to be made from 3-D patterns.
Over the years, quite a few guys in Erie – still in the Tool & Die business – learned the basics of milling from running my beautiful green Hydro-Tel…I run into some of them from time to time, and it warms my heart to hear them tell me how much they learned from me at Kerner Tool & Die. We were damn good at what we did!
Most small business owners and entrepreneurs are on a budget, and I know that I remember the “sticker shock” that I experienced when I decided to advertise for the first time. The problem is of course that I had no idea of what I should have been paying and added in the anxiety that comes with wondering if anyone would even see or respond to my “expensive” ad. Add in artwork, layout and insertion charges and it gets overwhelming.
The Marketplace Gazette is published bi-weekly and each issue – all 5,000 copies – is distributed to over 75 businesses throughout the Erie region including most local hotels and restaurants as well as many other small buisnesses.
If you’re a “do it yourselfer” like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to print your own stuff at home in order to avoid having to go to a print shop and maybe even save a few bucks at the same time.
Chris’s shop still has the charm of a small business, but the forget the old stereotypical “printer” walking around with an apron on and his hands stained dark with ink. Printing today is almost 100% digital and he uses only the latest equipment designed for maximum speed and efficiency.
One of the most beloved things about living in Erie, PA – and one of the things that people miss the most when they move away – are the old “mom & pop” places to shop and eat at. Anyone who has traveled knows that these kind of places are getting harder and harder to find because they’re all getting clobbered by the big guys and slowly leaving the American business landscape.
The pepperoni bread that we all love was the creation of Rose Arnone in 1956…and the pepperoni balls were created by Liborio Arnone in the early 1970′s. While Nick downplays the creative process – “My grandmother just stuffed some pepperoni in some dough and baked it” – he admits that Arnone’s were the originators of both.
When you live in Erie, PA the temptation to buy a boat gets pretty strong during the summer months. Boating on Presque Isle bay and on Lake Erie is simply awesome…of course, the temptation to buy a “sailboat” is one the first signs of senility setting in.
In fact, the Guy From Erie rents one from owner Rob Oreleski every Father’s Day for a few hours just to prove to my kids I love them and would never drown them on purpose. We always have a great time, and the rates are very affordable.
