Parents Do the Darndest Things

PUBLISHER’S NOTES

BY MARK C. PEYKO

Look up. That’s my dad at the top of the page. Back when “Enjoy Summer” was called “Summer Fun,” he struggled with (and conquered) a hula hoop for the cover of our annual summer guide.

My dad passed away last July, but memories of his generosity and fun spirit remain.

Over the years, he found his way onto countless Metro Monthly covers. At various times, he was as a chef, an ice skater and a baker. He once posed on a park bench reading the issue in which he was depicted. He never refused, no matter how silly the request.

But back to the hula hoop. Youngstown photographer Debbie Golec staged the shoot. I couldn’t be there, but I remember the followup call.

Debbie couldn’t stop laughing.

The hula hoop demanded a rhythm foreign to my dad, and it kept falling down. But photography simply requires a moment, and Debbie found it.

It stands as one of my favorite covers.

Happy birthday (June 15) and Happy Father’s Day, dad!

–from your children (Christopher, Mark, Eric and Marshawn).

Metro Monthly cover model – and dad – Bill Peyko

PHOTO BY DEBBIE GOLEC

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