August 2012 ERIE Magazine - Special Edition

AUGUST 2012

eriepa.com

ERIE Magazine

| AUGUST 2012

after hours We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

September 6th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

UPMC Health Plan 109 Boston Store Place Erie, PA

October 8th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Custom Audio 4453 West Ridge Road Erie, PA

what’s inside 3-4

New Investors

8-11

In Every Ceiling, Heaven

Sacred Art Feeds the Spirit

20-23

Artful Dodgers

Finding inspiration - and art - in wheels

From the moment you wake ... and the sun rises to the time the day ends with Erie’s renowned sun sets - we are surrounded by the beauty that is Art in Everyday life, the theme for this year’s 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania.

November 15th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Iadeluca Chiropractic Center 1334 West 26th Street Erie, PA

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 x 146 or cnoble@eriepa.com

FSC Logo here

Art

Around the Clock

1

Everything Is Theatre

| by Barbara Chaffee

“Everything we do in our business has a touch of the theatrical, and as with theatre, the guest must never see the reality behind the performance. Remember also, we are always playing “live” and no matter how much we plan, how many times we rehearse, or how often we have done it before, there is always an improvisational quality — the chance of error, humor or even disaster.”

Some 40 years ago I found the above anonymous quote while working in the hotel and restaurant business and have displayed it in each office throughout my careers; replace the word guest with client, patient, customer, member, student, or a host of others and it still has relevance.

P A R T N E R S H I P

We are each actors! The defense or prosecution attorney has the courtroom as their stage, the jury as its audience. The art of the surgeon saves lives; the doctor and the OR’s critical supporting cast are always faced with the chance of having to improvise in the operating theatre. Teachers have the opportunity to engage and inspire their audience; setting the stage for future productions.

We all set the stage! In retail there is window dressing, for events there is ambiance, for a landscaper or interior designer there is aesthetics.

G R O W T H

We all develop scripts! The insurance broker who identifies the needs of his client and writes the appropriate policies; providing a safety net for the unexpected. The campaign staff, polling, and media scrutiny pushes the politician to produce stump speeches and sound bites with hopes of staying on message; breaking through the cacophony of others defining you.

The business owner’s annual business or marketing plan serves as a script for employees; what actions they must take to achieve their annual projections before the curtain closes at the end of each fiscal year.

A N D

As we celebrate art in everyday life and prepare for We Love Erie Art and the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in September it is fitting to think about how we collectively produce a masterpiece for the Lake Erie Region.

C H A M B E R

In the book The Coming Jobs War author Jim Clifton writes:

“Fixing America’s biggest problems and re-winning the world can only be accomplished

one city at a time ... Ultimately, all solutions are local … Every city requires its own

master plan that is as serious as planning for war.”

Clifton states the following about the focus of master plans:

“Recognize that the most important solutions are local.”

“Have your whole city wage a war for jobs.”

“Align efforts citywide.”

R E G I O N A L

We believe our collaboration with 72 regional partners and with more committing every day to produce our strategic action plan “Destination Erie-A Regional Vision” is one step toward developing our region’s master plan.

Project Jobs is a critical tool, identifying the regions needs so that we can write the script and wage war for a qualified, educated and trained workforce--a key to winning in our globally competitive marketplace.

E R I E

Clifton also writes: “All prosperous cities have a self-organized, unselected group of talented people influencing and guiding them--call them local tribal leaders. These are people who care very much about the success of their city: philanthropists, city fathers and mothers, business leaders, and other deeply invested citizens who get things done for the good of their city. Typically what’s good for the city will eventually be good for the tribal leaders, but those leaders aren’t purely motivated by self interest. They do what they do for the love of the city and the people who live there.”

You, our Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership members are tribal leaders or have the potential to be tribal leaders. As we continue to step up our level of collaboration throughout the region the ERCGP and it’s partners can develop the script, set the stage and act together to create our regional masterpiece. We may produce a few comedies, tragedies and dramas along the way; but together we will work on producing a Standing Room Only performance! We know in the competition among states and nations we must act!

Gratefully,

2

Board of Directors Peter Balmert John J. Barber Donald L. Birx, Ph.D. John Bloomstine Carl M. Carlotti, Esq. Terrence Cavanaugh Rosanne Cheeseman Gary L. Clark Joel Deuterman Mary L. Eckert Scott Eighmy Barbara Haggerty Thomas C. Hoffman, II Timothy Hunter Thomas M. Kennedy Charles G. Knight John P. Leemhuis, Jr.

Jim E. Martin, Chair Marlene D. Mosco Jack A. Munch James W. Riley James Rutkowski Jr. Matthew Schultz Nick Scott Jr. Gretchen Seth John E. Skory Ronald A. Steele Keith Taylor, Ph.D. David M. Tullio Russell S. Warner, Esq. Michael Weber Thomas J. Wedzik Scott A. Whalen, Ph.D. Jason Wieczorek

John T. Malone

President/CEO Barbara C. Chaffee

Vice President, Chamber Claudia K. Thornburg

Vice President, Economic Development Jacob A. Rouch

Staff Joelyn J. Bush, Director of Marketing & Communications Melanie A. Johnson, Erie Business Action Team Coordinator Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development Coordinator-Training Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator Leslie Orlando, Account Executive Benjamin C. Pratt, Director of Research Linda Robbins, Financial Officer Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

Editor Joelyn J. Bush

Contributing Writers John Chacona Tricia Wood DeMarco

Contributing Photographers Art Becker Brian Berchtold Joe Cottrell Photography Ferralli Studios

Design BENSUR Creative Marketing Group For Advertising Information: Leslie Orlando, Account Executive (814) 454-7191 x 139 lorlando@eriepa.com

Cover Photo Warner Theatre, Erie PA Photo courtesy of Art Becker

E R I E R E G I O N A L C H A M B E R A N D G R O W T H PA R T N E R S H I P ™

New Investors BRONZE INVESTOR

Jefferson Educational Society A non-profit institution founded to promote civic enlightenment and community progress for the Erie Region through the study, research, discussion, of those ideas and events that have influenced the human condition. The Society offers courses, seminars, and lectures which explain the central ideas which have formed the past, assist in exploring the present, and offer guidance to enhance the civic future of the Erie Region.

Mr. Ferki Ferati 3207 State Street | Erie, PA 16508 (814) 459-8000 www.jeserie.org

PROUD INVESTOR

Welcome Proud Investors Braendel Painting Company Painting, wallpapering, carpentry and remodeling, general contracting, signs and murals, historical restoration, roofing and siding.

CIA Engineering Audio and electronics company providing more than 50 years of experience and several patents in electronics design, PCB layout, small quantity manufacture, acoustical design, audio system design, forensic audio studio, contracted equipment repair and “contract only” project/mastering studio.

Mr. Dennis Braendel 2325 Broad Street | Erie, PA 16503 (814) 459-2856 www.braendelservices.com

Mr. Joe Kotyuk 13348 Sanford Road | West Springfield, PA 16443 (814) 922-3713 www.ciaengineering.com

E R I E

R E G I O N A L

C H A M B E R

A N D

G R O W T H

P A R T N E R S H I P

Welcome Bronze Investor

eriepa.com

NEW INVESTORS

3

PROUD INVESTOR

New Investors continued.

Erie County Diabetes Association Services people with diabetes.

P A R T N E R S H I P

Ms. Nicole Wolf 1128 State Street | Erie, PA 16501 (814) 454-0715 www.diabeteserie.org Mega Media Factory

A full service production and creative company specializing in audio/video production, website design and graphic design.

G R O W T H

Mr. Jamey Stewart P.O. Box 9727 | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 314-8887 www.megamediafactory.com Shoe Carnival Shoe store.

A N D

Mr. Seth Mansfield 2070 Interchange Road Suite 270 | Erie, PA 16565 (814) 864-1634 www.shoecarnival.com

C H A M B E R

Stonehouse Step Back In Time Restaurant & Spa A full service restaurant and day spa offering great food and premiere spa services at a nominal price.

E R I E

R E G I O N A L

Mr. Michael Linhart 4753 West Lake Road | Erie, PA 16505 (814) 833-0615 www.spaatstonehouseinn.com

4

U Pick 6 Tap House Specializing in craft and import beers with 22 beers on tap and a beer engine! The Tap House offers half-gallon growlers for drafts and a great selection in 12 oz. bottles and bombers. Select liquor and wine is available by the glass. Full menu with specialty pizzas, salads, sandwiches, appetizers and more! Two outdoor patio areas and outdoor bar, one courtyard and the other right on State Street… all in the heart of downtown Erie!

Mr. Russ Stachewicz 333 State Street | Erie, PA 16507 (814) 520-5419 www.upick6.com Ye Old Sweet Shoppe Locally owned bakery in downtown Erie, satisfying Erie’s sweet tooth for over 29 years! The Sweet Shoppe was awarded as one of “Erie’s Favorite Tastes” by the Erie TimesNews for delicious and unique cookies! But, there is so much more than sweets! Other offerings include desserts like éclairs, cannolis, pies, cake pops, brownies, and breakfast items of all kinds. Find them out and about in the community in the new cookie and cupcake truck - Street Sweets!

Lea O’Connell 402 State Street | Erie, PA 16501 (814) 456-8755 www.facebook.com/yeolesweets

Art

Around the Clock

Dawn breaks over the county’s woodlands.

Dance of the waves at Presque Isle.

The major-key melody of artisanal coffee.

The ballet of spinnakers on the Bay.

Erie School District artists in the 21st Century.

Busy A.M. Newsroom.

Ethereal art Beauty in the day ahead.

E R I E

R E G I O N A L

C H A M B E R

A N D

G R O W T H

P A R T N E R S H I P

™

In Every Ceiling, Heaven Sacred Art Feeds the Spirit

|

by John Chacona

Some of the most inspiring and transformative art in Erie is not found in galleries or museums. This art is neither painting nor sculpture, though both of those art forms may be its materials.

One can argue that this exceptional art cannot really be seen nor touched, nor apprehended by the senses in the ordinary way we experience most art.

have ‘transporter rooms,’ rooms that would not only transport you symbolically to heaven but also in space and time,” he says, citing St. Stanislaus, St. John the Baptist and St. Mary’s, all basilica-style Roman Catholic churches in the center city, as examples of how immigrants brought the ecclesiastical spaces to the New World.

This art is space itself, but a space filled with such resonance and meaning that it makes an indelible impact on our souls and has the capacity to alter the way we react with the world in the way that all great art can do.

“More than looking at windows and art, this is a place where we hear the story of faith”

This art, this space is sacred space, and Erie is rich with powerful examples of such art that tells us not only who we are and who we will be, but also who we were.

Michael E. DeSanctis, Ph.D. is professor of fine arts and director of the Honors Program at Gannon University, a gold level investor with the ERCGP. His books and popular and academic writings concentrate on the topic of contemporary Roman Catholic church architecture, and he is a member of the Commission on Sacred Art and Architecture for Diocese of Erie. He is also a liturgical designer and has lectured on Erie’s sacred spaces for the Jefferson Society, a bronze level investor with the ERCGP.

Erie, like most Rust Belt cities, benefits from a rich collection of sacred buildings that, in the core of the city, replicate architectural forms brought from Europe.

The immigrants who financed and built these churches brought their memory of sacred architecture from Europe, “So you have in Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church a building that would look at home in Tuscany,” DeSanctis says. “Italian congregations built churches in the Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine styles, and Temple Anshe Hesed, an octagon, is built on a Byzantine plan.”

Some of the oldest structures on the planet had a sacred purpose—places of worship and veneration, tombs that were a vehicle for the afterlife. Sacred spaces and history are impossible to separate, even in a relatively young community such as Erie. But even here, DeSanctis says, history speaks.

The whole of Christianity, DeSanctis suggests, can be linked to geography. “Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism are warm-blooded religions. They emphasize worship that involves the senses. You can call it ‘smells and bells’ worship.

Judaism, to a certain extent, is like this, too. In the Protestant tradition--one that was born north of the Alps—God is apprehended less through the senses than through the word.”

“Erie grew up during the industrial revolution and during that time, people had the notion that to preserve faith, you had to

The most spectacular example of the sensory nature of sacred space is the Old Orthodox Church of the Nativity on East Front

3Saint Patrick Parish, Erie PA. Photo courtesy of Ferralli Studios.

#erieart

IN EVERY CEILING, HEAVEN

3 9

In Every Ceiling, Heaven (continued).

This church was fairly recently built by the standards of inner city churches, yet it is only the occasional English text in the painting that suggests this church is not in a Russian town. “In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, certain forms cannot be changed,” DeSanctis explains. “This holds for architecture, iconography and even liturgy.”

By contrast, Luther Memorial Church on West 10th Street can seem austere, a reflection of the reform movement in Christianity.

“More than looking at windows and art, this is a place where we hear the story of faith,” says Pastor Bill Coleman. “We have a lectionary tradition and hymnody that pulls us through the story of this journey.”

As Erie expanded and changed, especially in the period after World War II, so did the nature of its sacred spaces. In these spaces, DeSanctis suggests, one can find mainstream faith communities experimenting with modernist architecture. Saint George Catholic Church, Wayside Presbyterian and Westminster Presbyterian churches, all in Millcreek, are an example of this trend.

In the most recent period, this trend has accelerated. “In the last 25 years, in the far reaches of the suburbs, you find buildings completely wrapped in paved parking spaces,” DeSanctis says, and this has important consequences.

C H A M B E R

A N D

G R O W T H

P A R T N E R S H I P

Street. Every surface of the interior of the sanctuary is covered with representations of saints and church fathers, episodes from scripture, and in the great dome, Christ Pantocrator, the traditionally central image of Orthodox iconography.

Pictured Above: Russian Orthodox Old Rite parish, Church of the Nativity of Christ which has overlooked Erie’s bayfront since the church’s completion in 1919.

R E G I O N A L

In contrast to the older buildings, newer churches, DeSanctis said, resemble theaters. Where soaring leaded glass windows once let in as much light as possible, some newer churches have awnings or blinds designed to keep the light low so that big-screen televisions used in worship can better be seen. O tempora o mores (oh the times! oh the customs!).

E R I E

Erie has two cathedrals, and though the word often connotes size and majesty, DeSanctis says that is not necessarily the case. “Cathedral comes from the Latin cathedra, which is the bishop’s throne. A cathedral is determined by function, not size.”

St. Peter Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Erie (An investor with the ERCGP), is by any measure grand. Construction of the Gothic cathedral and its 265-foot tall central tower began in 1873 with $9,000 and wasn’t completed until 20 years later. Four blocks north, the Cathedral of St. Paul Episcopal is on a slightly more modest scale, though it is the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

St. Patrick Church on Erie’s lower east side is notable for its open plan with no load-bearing columns, a novel idea when it was opened in 1906. Luther

10

Memorial Church, another stone church in the city’s center, is in the vernacular German style, and The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is a soaring, Gothic-style church that was nonetheless built during the Great Depression. “How did they do this?” DeSanctis wonders.

DeSanctis wonders if the comfortable circumstances of our current culture give us “less desire to transcend the here and now.” Certainly the presence of cars changes the character and scale of every location where they must be accommodated.

And he wonders whether technology is changing our response to physical space, “We now inhabit a virtual world,” he said. “I gave a talk to the local American Institute of Architects chapter where a lot of the architects wondered if there will be no need for architecture in the future because people are being desensitized to actual physical space.”But not all the newer buildings seem bland in comparison with their older brethren. DeSanctis offers St. James A.M.E. Zion Church, a church filled with light, as one of the most inspiring sacred spaces in Erie. He counts the city’s two synagogues, Temple Anshe Hesed and Congregation Brith Shalom, as places where he “feels the presence of God in the openness and the presence of light, and I certainly feel the reverence for the Word.”

Ultimately, it is the nature of sacred spaces that will change, not the need for them. “Ground Zero in New York is a new kind of sacred space,” DeSanctis says.

“It reflects the human instinct to declare certain spaces as qualitatively different than others. I like to say that human beings make spaces ‘radioactive’ with meaning.”

“The carvings in the St. Joseph’s [Roman Catholic] church are very special,” he says. “They were made by Germans for this German parish and they are museum-quality.” He also points out the ceiling, which is recently restored and painted sky blue with twinkling stars. “The word ceiling comes from the Latin cielo, which means ‘heaven,’” he points out. “Every ceiling reminds us of heaven.” b

eriepa.com

We Congratulate Our Local Honorees

2012 Patron Award Susan and Tom Hagen The 2012 Patron Award recipients Susan and Tom Hagen of Erie have generously supported arts, culture and a variety of other organizations in the Erie community for more than four decades.

The Hagens have been regular and generous supporters of the Erie Philharmonic, Erie Playhouse, the Inner-City Neighborhood Art House, Young People’s Chorus of Erie, and a host of other arts and cultural organizations, as well as the annual united arts fund drives conducted by the Arts Council of Erie and the Erie Downtown Arts & Culture Coalition. Their support of the Erie Art Museum is recognized in the Hagen Family Gallery.

In addition to their personal support, they have assured that Erie Insurance, the Fortune 500 company for which Tom serves as chairman of the board, has been an outstanding corporate citizen, supporting the arts in myriad ways. As well as leading the company to its decision to remain in downtown Erie, Tom Hagen has overseen the creation of a corporate campus that is sensitively integrated into its downtown neighborhood, preserving and incorporating some of the city’s most architecturally significant and historic buildings. Both Susan and Tom have demonstrated cultural leadership through extensive board service in addition to their philanthropy. Tom Hagen is Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and Co-Founder and first Chairman of Team Pennsylvania Foundation. Their numerous awards and honors include Susan Hagen’s 2010 Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award from the Pennsylvania Society as well as the Erie Community Foundation’s 2009 Edward C. Doll Award.

ARTICLE TITLE

7 3

#erieart

13

Art

Around the Clock

Study in Green: at the turn.

Nourishing the senses.

Music at midday.

Art of food – The Culinary Cab as a mobile gallery.

Music in the chamber of the outdoors.

The sweetest music: a child’s laughter.

Making sculpture that works on the GE line.

Study in Color, natural and man-made.

Relishing the artistry in local jewelry.

The delicate art of medicine.

(Very) Large-Scale Masterpiece

Presque Isle – Pas de Deux (Steps of two).

Great architecture starts with enduring craftsmanship.

Fish Story, Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

Machine age sculpture gallery: Harley Davidson of Erie showroom.

Geometric Color Study No. 1: Rhythm.

Sea scene.

The Brig Niagara in irons.

Art of handmade chocolates, Romolo’s.

The art of, well, Art: Bestor Plaza, Chautauqua Institution

Harvest masterpieces.

Ultra-Large Scale Steel Sculpture: Donjon’s Lakes Contender.

Mother and daughter at the Erie Zoo.

Kinetic Sculpture No. 1.

Studio Hue.

Study in public service (red and black); Erie Firehouse Engine No. 8

Study in solids, maroon and gold, Gannon University.

™

eriepa.com

P romoting local growth

15

E R I E

R E G I O N A L

C H A M B E R

A N D

G R O W T H

P A R T N E R S H I P

™

Artful Dodgers Finding inspiration - and art - in wheels

Howard Krack’s collection of beautiful antique automobiles has a bunch of real doozies in it.

Literally.

That’s because the American slang word is the direct result of an the country’s obsession with the horseless carriage and “doozie” refers to the huge Duesenberg – a classic car made from 1927 to 1934 in Indiana – which Krack describes as featuring gigantic proportions, power, and beauty of design.

Another way to look at it is that a doozie is the best of everything, elegantly supersized. They were the choice of movie starts such as Clark Gable, who had quite a collection of cars.

Made from 1913 to 1922 by brothers Fred and August Duesenburg in St Paul, Minneapolis, the company went bankrupt in ’22, but the hand-crafted Duesenberg didn’t die with it. In 1925, Cord Automobile bought the company to produce luxury cars – the Models J and SJ. According to an About.com Classic Cars article, “of 481 models produced between 1928 and 1937, 384 are still around – four of them being owned by Jay Leno.” Cars like these are valued at well over one million dollars.

Although Krack doesn’t own a Duesenburg, his collection is still a doozie by any standard. His first collectible was a 1941 Plymouth Coupe – with its original 19,000 miles – having been stored on axels for many years. Krack put another 28,000 on the blue-gray beauty.

For most collectors, classic cars are not moneymakers, Krack says, unless you wheel, deal and/or get lucky. He doesn’t divulge everything in his collection. People, mostly men, start collecting “for all kinds of reasons, but the important thing is to have fun,” Krack emphasizes. Street machines, muscle cars, are 3 Just one of Howard Krack’s collectible cars, a 1914 REO Speedwagon.

#erieart

|

By Tricia Wood DeMarco

the most popular, and the most affordable. “In my day, ladies didn’t drive machines,” says Krack, who grew up near 30th and Raspberry and is retired from the Millcreek School District where he taught “technology education” for many years. “But there are many women now getting more involved in the hobby” as evidenced by attendance at local shows and clubs, including Cruise the Bay, a family oriented gathering of “rodders” most Monday evenings during the summer beginning at 6 p.m. at Liberty Park, rain or shine. There you will find a huge variety of cars to look at, hear a DJ or live band each week, sample food vendors, and participate in a raffle that benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation. There are many additional area gatherings listed on callingallrodders.com.

One local business owner who helps back Cruise the Bay financially, and is an enthusiast, is the owner of Contemporary Motor Car, an investor with the ERCGP, at 4910 Peach Street in Erie, George Lyons.

In addition to selling Accuras, Mazdas and sport utility cars, Lyons carries Mercedes Benz, with a “long history of building very specialty type cars,” Lyons says. “Along with a line of very reliable and safe sedans and trucks, some of their early cars are clearly viewed as artwork with cutting edge styling, performance and technology for the day.”

Mercedes is still one of the few automobiles to build cars customized right from the factory to an owner’s desire, he points out. Lyons has ordered specially made Mercedes for clients over the years, with a market that stretches south to I-80 and into New York and Ohio. And he does see some high-end classics that grow in value and are considered works of art. “Investing in collector cars can be rather complicated, but one rule that never seems to change is buying the best example of a sought-after, collectible car,” he says.

Lyons, a collector himself, is particularly attracted to the cars of his youth, early Corvettes, 60s American muscle cars, classics from Chevrolet.

ARTFUL DODGERS

21

Artful Dodgers (continued).

A long-time member of what he considers to be the most significant automobile clubs in the U.S., Krack has belonged to:

He also recommends: • The Classic Car Club of America which features models made from 1927 to 1934. www.classiccarclub.org Krack thinks the ultimate symbol of the evolution of American automobile classic design can be found in the Chrysler Airflow, made from 1934 – 1937. A ‘concept car’ that didn’t sell well, the Airflow never-the-less had a huge impact on design. “It was a breakthrough in styling,” Krack explains,“the waterfall front, the beautiful grill and rounded fenders where a big change from the rather boxy style up until that point.” But people didn’t have the money to buy it and sales were abysmal.

• The Antique Automobile Club of America for 43 years.

Chartered in Philadelphia in the late 30s, sponsor events all over the country, including judge training and refresher courses. The local chapter holds an annual event the second week of June in Waterford.

www.aaca.org

“some of their early cars are clearly viewed as artwork with cutting edge styling, performance and technology for the day.”

• The Veteran Motor Car Club of America for 38 years.

A touring car club featuring cross-country tours.

www.vmcca.org

Concept car shows are still a staple of the industry, including annual events in Cleveland, New York and Detroit.

Another concept of art on wheels is that of the bicycle, which is “kind of time-tested,” says committed rider, Dan Kern, who is also the executive chef and owner of 1201 Restaurant, an investor with the ERCGP, located at 12th and State. at 12th and State. “I’m crazy about racing and

• The Horseless Carriage Club of America for 20 years.

Buggies with brass-era engines from the beginning of the auto industry in the 1850s.

www.hcca.org

E R I E

R E G I O N A L

C H A M B E R

A N D

G R O W T H

P A R T N E R S H I P

Shedding more light on the hobby, Howard Krack points out that people used to drive cars until they stopped running. Now, partly because of standards set by Toyota and Honda, cars are made to last hundreds of thousands of miles, without rusting. But Krack’s collectibles are All-American. Among his cars, Krack has family treasures including his grandfather’s 1927 Chrysler Imperial, blue with black fenders, plus a 1947 Dodge, red with black fenders, that his other grandfather used as his roofing-business truck. He also has a 1914 REO Speed Wagon (which is how the band got its name).

22

the new equipment, but a bike is still a bike. It’s simple, two wheeled, powered by a person. It is the purest expression of freedom.” “You can ride it and go wherever you want, and although your body is busy, your mind is free of the stresses of everyday life,” Kern adds.

Kern’s parents bought his first bike from Pete McMaster who owns Competitive Gear, 3501 West 12th Street in 1994. It was a Trek 820 blue-and-silver mountain bike that was a bit pricey but Dan begged his parents for it.

Since then, he has graduated to the ultra-light, ultra-fast Trek Madone Project One, which he had custom made, but “I still see the beauty in it.

It brings back the childhood excitement and memories. It has led to professional networking when riding in groups and competitions.”

Biking, in fact, has changed who Kern is.

“I’m a different person because of bike racing.

I complain a lot less about things in my life.

I’m more durable, resilient.” b

Dan Kern rounding the bend on North Park Row in downtown Erie, while racing in the 2011 Downtown Criterium. Photo courtesy of Dan Kern.

We Congratulate Our Local Honorees

2012 Artist of the Year Susan Hale Kemenyffy Recipient of the Artist of the Year Award, Erie’s Susan Hale Kemenyffy is a renowned artist whose creative gifts are evidenced in every aspect of her life, career and public service.

Her work spans more than four decades and multiple media. As an artist, she produces work installed, exhibited and sold internationally – ranging from pen and ink drawings, large and small-scale ceramics, landscape projects and gardens, to textiles using a variety of materials including fabric and linoleum. As a lecturer and essayist, Kemenyffy shares her knowledge and experience of multiple arts media along with her philosophy on the influence of art in settings from public lectures to her website and publications. For many years, she collaborated with her husband and artistic partner, Steven Kemenyffy to produce their well-known ceramic works combining her painting and drawing talent with his capacity for clay and sculpture. She continually explores and develops expertise in new areas of artistic expression and skill. A tireless community volunteer, she advocates support for the arts and generously gives her time, talent and most frequently her art work to advance the availability of art in traditional and non-traditional settings. Among her public installations in Erie are the garden at the InnerCity Neighborhood Art House and the multiple media installations at Harding Elementary School.

Governor Tom Ridge, one of her nominators for this award, named Kemenyffy chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 1996. He described his confidence in her ability to bring “a passionate infusion of energy, innovation and support to the Council’s mission” and her attention to the needs and desires of smaller communities and programs.

Kemenyffy has exhibited internationally and her works are in numerous public and private collections, including The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Smithsonian Institution, the Cincinnati Art Museum and the International Ceramic Museum in Hungary.

Congratulations to the 2012 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania Award Recipients

Distinguished Arts Award Peter Q. Bohlin FAIA

Arts Leadership and Service Award Bruce Katsiff

Arts Innovation Award Jane Golden and the Mural Arts Program of the City of Philadelphia

eriepa.com

P romoting local A R T I Cgrowth LE TITLE

17 3

Our Online Resources Are Just A Click Away.

eriepa.com

takeactionerie.com

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

tapintoerie.com

Join our ERCGP Linkedin Group

Visiting the ERCGP? Check in on Foursquare!

PC

Art

Around the Clock

A palette from nature’s harvest.

The artist in his studio: The chef’s Table at 1201 Kitchen.

24 Ways of Looking at the News.

Art all around.

Gallery Night, July 2012.

Performing arts at the highest level: Theater in Erie

Painting the Corner: 3 & 2 Fastball at Jerry Uht Park.

Beer of all kinds, the art of craft and artisanal brewing.

Study in Form and Color, Sunset Beach.

Still Life.

Erie’s Most Sublime Artist.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #298 Erie PA

208 East Bayfront Parkway Suite 100 Erie, PA 16507

T he E rie R egional C hamber and G rowth P artnership A N D T he E rie D owntown A rts and C ulture C oalition S ay :

Thank You T O 2 0 1 2 G O V E R N O R ’ S AWA R D S F O R T H E A R T S I N P E N N S Y LVA N I A S P O N S O R S

MacDonald Illig A T T O R N E Y S

Roger and Nedra Richards