Lake Erie LifeStyle October 2016

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LAKE

ERIE

2017 XT-5 Crossover

Lifestyle

HEARTBEAT How UPMC Hamot nurses work to keep you well

October 2016

ALSO INSID E

Ride t he ra Wellsb pids in oro Lake E sunse rie's lovely ts on can captured vas, fi lm

LAKE

ERIE

2017 XT-5 Crossover

Lifestyle

HEARTBEAT How UPMC Hamot nurses work to keep you well

October 2016

ALSO INSID E

Ride t he ra Wellsb pids in oro Lake E sunse rie's lovely ts on can captured vas, fi lm

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OCTOBER 2016 // LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE |5

Contents health

OCTOBER ‘16

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 12

THINKSTOCK

36

SAVE THE SUNSET Artist preserves sunsets, more on canvas and film.

Your Health In Every Issue

14 COULD YOU BE DEFICIENT IN D? It could be time to boost your Vitamin D levels. 16 PHYSICAL THERAPY MEMORIES Local physical therapist shares history of his career. 18 LPN SHARES PASSION FOR NURSING Nurse conquers personal medical issues to help others.

Bon Appétit 20 PAWS FOR SOME HEALTHY FRUIT Tropical pawpaw trees grow locally, and the fruit has surprising benefits. 22 WHAT’S BREWING IN THE MOTOR CITY Another industrial city offers homegrown brews aplenty.

Escapes

12 THINGS TO DO Visit Frank Lloyd Wright properties in Buffalo, Step Trek in Pittsburgh, an apple butter festival in Cleveland and Cody’s Wheels of Hope’s Big Bash for Bikes in Erie. 42 ON SCENE We caught up with you at the Hamot Health Foundation Gala and the Poet Laureate of Erie County readings.

LAKE

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Lifestyle On the cover October 2016

ALSO INSIDE

AT HEARTHaBmoEt

Ride the ra rapids in Wellsboro

How UPMC rk to nurses wo ll keep you we

Lake Erie's lovely sunsets captured on canvas, film

26 ALL’S WELL IN WELLSBORO Visit a small town that offers more than you think. 30 CATHEDRAL PILGRIMAGE Writer walks from Paris to Chartres with 10,000 faithful.

Business & Commerce 34 ANTIQUES COME TO LIFE Former G.C. Murphy store brings in business in Warren, Pennsylvania.

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-NEWS

ERIE TIMES

ROB FRANK/

12 CARING REWARDED UPMC Hamot nurses Janelle Rzodkiewicz, B.S.N., R.N.-B.C., Julie Smith, R.N., C.N.O.R., and Ashlee Steger, R.N., C.E.N., pause in the Healing Garden after their shifts.

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OCTOBER 2016 // LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE |7

From the editor October 2016

Healthy changes take time This issue is devoted to healthy living, and after a lot of trial and error, I've learned to eat healthier. I never really had a horrible diet. Well, my brother, Walt Strosser, will tell you I ate a whole chocolate cake when I was younger, but it was a small one. Now I eat chocolate cupcakes, not whole cakes, when I crave chocolate. And I only do that once in a while. No diet works for all of us, but in the past year, I discovered three things work for me: 1. Fruit is my friend. Really it is. Fruit (mainly berries) fills me up, especially if I turn it into mush in the blender with some Trop 50 orange juice and water. And then sip it all morning. I'm serious here. It really gets me through half the day. That and coffee. Then I can eat veggies for lunch and a real dinner. I love roasted vegetables, but I just won't take the time to roast them. I eat a lot of frozen mixed vegetables, but not eggplant. The texture of the frozen stuff makes me gag, unless it's covered in spaghetti sauces and deep fried. Oops, that's not good. 2. The scale is not my friend. I've looked thinner, felt thinner and my clothes fit better, but the scale never budged much this year. Except when its batteries were low. I think I lost eight pounds overnight. 3. Exercise is my friend, but when I ran, played tennis, lifted weights and relaxed with yoga poses every week, I never seemed to improve my appearance. So I figured it's the food that is thwarting my progress toward a healthier me. I stopped killing myself, ate less and felt better. I did a lot of this so I could look great in a dress I had purchased for daughter Kelly's wedding in August. The dress was long and lacy and hot. I bought a shorter, sleeveless backup version that I wore for the event on a 90-degree day because the other one made me sweat just looking at it. I'm still eating fruit and exercising. I'll wear that long dress to some event this winter, but I need to stay away from chocolate cake and deep fried eggplant to do it. Here's to your health. Pam Parker, editor pam.parker@timesnews.com Lake Erie LifeStyle

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Lifestyle

NICHE PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Brenda Martin brenda.martin@timesnews.com EDITOR Pam Parker pam.parker@timesnews.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER/WEB DESIGN Magazine design by Karlee Proctor and Michelle Wallenberg Web design by Ben Smith, Dave Super and Paul Szymczuk PHOTOGRAPHERS Rob Frank, Greg Wohlford ADVERTISING Lynn Dietz, multi-media sales supervisor lynn.dietz@timesnews.com 814-870-1664 CONTACT US 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534 www.lakeerielifestyle.com All content, including the design, art, photos and editorial content © 2016, Erie TimesNews. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

OCTOBER 2016 // LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE |9

Contributors October 2016

“A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.” —Tom Stoppard

A.J. CZERWINSKI finds healthy pawpaw fruit — an unusual tropical fruit — is grown locally. Czerwinski is a freelance writer who has written many articles for the Diocese of Erie. Page 20

MARNIE MEAD finds fun events in Cleveland. She is a lifelong journalist and freelance writer. Page 12

HILARY DANINHIRSCH tells readers about great events in Pittsburgh. She writer for national lifestyle and trade magazines. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and daughters. Page 12

STEVE ORBANEK follows the beer trail to Detroit, Michigan, where many craft breweries abound. He is the marketing communication specialist at Penn State Behrend. Page 22

TRILL DREISTADT takes a trip to Wellsboro, a small town that’s full of fun. Dreistadt is a retired teacher, freelance writer and editor at Jameson Publishing. Page 26

BRIAN R. SHERIDAN meets an artist turned photographer, and she combines her artistry for some appealing creations. Sheridan is a lecturer and chairman of the communications department at Mercyhurst University. Page 36

ROB FRANK shot the cover photos of nurses for this month’s issue. He is the owner of R Frank Photography. Cover

JOLAYNE GREEN finds everything old is new again in Warren, where a former G.C. Murphy store has new life. She is a freelance writer living in Meadville with her family. Page 34

TIGGY MCLAUGHLIN tells readers about how physical therapy got started in Erie — with one of her relatives. McLaughin, an Erie native, is a doctoral student at the University of Michigan. Page 16

JENNIFER SMITH meets an LPN who worked past health issues to earn his degree. Smith is a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Page 18

STACEY WITTIG takes a pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres in France. Wittig is a travel writer who lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. Page 30

COMING IN NOVEMBER HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Our 10th anniversary issue celebrates multiple generations who live and love the Lake Erie lifestyle. It appears Oct. 30 in your home-delivered Erie Times-News and online at www.lakeerielifestyle.com.

Subscribe now by calling 870-1600 or email circulation@timesnews.com.

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Calendar

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1. Cleveland: Butter up for fall The 68th annual Apple Butter Festival takes place in Burton, Ohio, about 85 miles west of Erie, the weekend of Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at Century Village Museum, a representation of an 1800s authentic Western Reserve Village that sits on 65 acres. Come stir the pots of apple butter simmering in copper cauldrons, and take home some jars to remember the taste of fall. Cost is $7 for adults (free parking); $4, children 12 and younger. More info: www.ohio.org/events/68th-annual-apple-butter-festival. While there, drive about a mile to Sunrise Farms Fall Festival, 13115 Kinsman Road, Burton, Ohio, which runs through Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There you can pick apples, find a perfect pumpkin and enjoy a corn maze. Free parking and admission. More info: www.ohio.org/ events/fall-festival-weekends-at-sunrise-farm.

3. Erie: Wheel into help Cody’s Wheels of Hope celebrates its fifth annual Big Bash for Bikes on Oct. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Perry Hi-Way Hose Company on Oliver Road. The event is a Dice Walk, loosely based on dice/ poker runs. Admission is $10 per person and includes beverages and buffet. Music is provided by DJ Ray, Taylor Maid, Lindsay Vendetti, Eric Brewer, Jessie Lenea and Dickie Buckel. Founded in 2004, Cody’s Wheels Of Hope provides bicycles and other wheeled toys to children with life threatening illnesses. The nonprofit was named for Cody Scott Filson who died in 2004 at age 5 of cancer. For more information, call 814-460-8228 or visit www.cwoh. org/newevents. aspx.

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2. Pittsburgh: StepTrek Step up to extraordinary city views during the 16th annual StepTrek in Pittsburgh’s South Side, sponsored by the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association. Scheduled for Oct. 1, the event invites patrons to climb 68 sets of steps, or just a few of them. It includes a self-guided tour with maps and information about the neighborhood steps. The adventure begins at 11 a.m. and is suitable for all ages, from casual steppers to hardcore fitness enthusiasts. Visitors will want to see the Oakley Street Mosaic Steps Public Art Project, part of a $100,000 grant designed to repair and refurbish steps before installing the mosaic created by neighbors working together. Advance tickets are $13 and can be purchased at www.showclix.com/event/ steptrek. Children 12 and under are free; day of ticket sales cost slightly more. For additional information, visit www.southsideslopes. org/steptrek or call 412-246-9090.

4. Buffalo: All Wright The All Wright All Day trolley tours return starting Oct.7, and the tours give fans of Frank Lloyd Wright an opportunity to visit Wright properties in the Buffalo area all in one day. The tours had been on hiatus during restoration work at the Martin House Complex. Tours include stops at the Martin House, the lakeside Graycliff Estate, a Wright-designed gas station inside the Pierce Arrow museum, the Fontana boathouse, Forest Lawn’s Blue Sky Mausoleum and two private residences: the Walter V. Davidson House and William R. Heath House. The tour runs Oct. 7, 22, Nov. 4 and 19. It runs all day from 8:30 a.m to 5:15 p.m. Reservations are required and close at 8 a.m. three days in advance of the tour. Cost is $125 per person, and space is limited. Call 716-856-3858 for reservations. Visit www.darwinmartinhouse.org for more information on this and other tours of individual Wright properties.

SP ONSOR E D CONTE NT

Education, Magnet designation help nurses meet health challenges for registered nurses in hospitals by 2020. At UPMC Hamot, more than 60 percent of the nurses hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. UPMC Hamot is working toward a goal recommended by the Institute of Medicine to increase the proporAmong the trends: tion of nurses with bachelor’s degrees or higher to 80 percent of the staff by 2020. Nurses are Patients are much sicker than often offered tuition reimbursethey’ve ever been before. Diann ment and scholarships to assist Cooper, a UPMC Hamot clinical with the financial costs of returneducation specialist and a profesing to school. sor at Gannon University’s Villa Nursing involves lifelong Maria School of Nursing, says as learning, says Jim Donnelly, RN, the cost of health care increases, BSN, MBA, UPMC Hamot’s chief patients are often unable to get nursing officer and vice president the care they need to prevent of patient care services. “With chronic illnesses and diseases today’s changes in the health from developing. An increase in care industry, recruitment can be the life expectancy of patients has challenging,” he says. also led to how patients are cared That’s one of the reasons for. UPMC Hamot sought Magnet ® Nurses must learn interRecognition, one of the highest disciplinary skills so they accomplishments in professional can coordinate care among a nursing, from the American variety of clinicians and comNurses Credentialing Center. munity agencies. Cooper says “Magnet designation strongly that nurses have to be able to reccorrelates with an ability to ognize the needs of patients who attract and retain well-qualified are chronically ill and the needs nurses who are committed to of a diverse and aging population. providing excellence in patient They have to be able to anticipate care,” Donnelly says. UPMC the needs of patients not only Hamot joins just 7 percent of while they’re in the hospital but Linda Caputo, R.N.-B.C. and Maggi Stoica-Abraham, B.S.N., R.N.-B.C. hospitals in the nation to achieve once they return home, as well. work on patient information in foreground, while from left, Janelle the designation. “A more educated nursing work- Rzodkiewicz, B.S.N., R.N.-B.C., Julie Smith, R.N., C.N.O.R., and Ashlee Steger, R.N., C.E.N., review a report. “When dining out, you look for force is better equipped to meet a five-star restaurant,” Cooper the demands of an evolving health says. “Why wouldn’t you want care system,” says Cooper. a five-star health care provider, Advancements in technolthe need for registered nurses. Registered too? That’s what Magnet is.” ogy and communication have changed nurses are one of the largest segments of the nursing. Consumers seeking health care are United States workforce as a whole, and nursmore educated than ever about their health. ing is among the highest-paying categories of For example, patients know more about occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of BROUGHT TO YOU BY good nutrition, exercise and increasing their Labor Statistics, it is projected that by 2025, UPMC Hamot longevity. the nursing shortage will grow to more than 201 State St., Erie PA 16550, To adapt to the changing environment, 260,000 registered nurses. It is predicted 814-877-6000 hospitals have experienced more demand in there will be a 36 percent rise in the demand Nurses working in hospitals are adapting quickly to a changing health care landscape in the United States that has seen a variety of trends affecting how health care is provided and what people expect when receiving that care.

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YOU NEED

Vitamin D Do you or someone in family or circle of friends have a vitamin D deficiency? And how would you know? Lake Erie LifeStyle asked Debbie DeAngelo, of UPMC Hamot, to give us the lowdown on how low your Vitamin D level can go. Q. Can you explain what Vitamin D deficiency is? What are the gold standards?

drinking milk or taking calcium supplements will boost Vitamin D levels — yes or no?

Vitamin D is both a vitamin and a hormone. It’s considered a vitamin because we need it to absorb calcium and a hormone because our body manufactures it in response to exposure of the skin to sunlight. The only way to know your vitamin D level is with a blood test. Most labs report normal as being above 30; however, experts on vitamin D recommend keeping the serum (blood) level above 50 for optimal effects.

Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium, not visa versa. Milk is one food that is fortified with vitamin D, so that the calcium in the milk is more readily available to our bodies. Keep in mind that milk is not the only source of calcium.

Q. Does a deficency affect men and women equally? Although osteoporosis affects more women than men, the evidence hasn’t unequivocally shown the same gender preference with vitamin D. This may be due to the fact that there are many contributing factors to bone loss, of which vitamin D insufficiency is but one.

Q. Some folks might think that

mackerel) and fortified foods (dairy products and any other foods to which the manufacturer has added vitamin D). A combination of vitamin D containing foods, using a dietary supplement and getting 15-20 minutes of sun exposure daily without sunscreen (unless you burn or have melanoma) is best. Please note that I’m talking about sensible sun exposure here.

Q. Are there any warning signs of vita- Q. Are there any stats regarding the incidence of low Vitamin D? min D deficiency? Typically, it will be asymptomatic, unless you’re looking at a severe issue and rickets develops, but this is unusual in developed countries. In retrospect, some deficient people have experienced bone pain and muscle weakness.

As with most medical problems, it varies by population. Risk factor for vitamin D deficiency includes aging, dark skin pigmentation, being overweight and low levels of outdoor activity related to sun exposure.

Q. What foods are high in Vitamin D?

Q. Is it true that aging has an impact on Vitamin D levels?

It is extremely difficult to significantly boost vitamin D levels through diet alone. Foods that can deliver vitamin D include mushrooms, egg yolks, fatty fish (salmon,

Aging is a risk factor for several reasons. After age 50, our body’s ability to manufacture D from the sun declines. Also, many seniors tend to have poor nutrition and spend

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Sunshine is a natural way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. THINKSTOCK

Your Health

Your Health more time indoors. Because they are frequently colder, they tend to cover up even on warm, sunny days.

Q. If people are low in D, how should they take Vitamin D? When taking a vitamin D3 supplement, it’s important to team it with Vitamin K2. They work together to absorb calcium and distribute it where it needs to be deposited in the body, specifically the bones and away from the arteries and kidneys. I recommend that my health coaching clients have a blood test as a baseline. From there I recommend a dosage. After taking the dose daily for eight to 12 weeks, I recommend another blood test. Vitamin D3 does not have to be taken in multiple doses but is best absorbed with a snack or meal that contains some healthy fat. There are some medications that interact with vitamin D, so be sure to consult your pharmacist. Preliminary research is revealing that optimizing Vitamin D levels may boost the

immune system and play a role in decreasing the risk of chronic disease. When discussing bone health, it’s vital to note that there are many facets to maintaining bone density and preventing fracture risk. It’s not just about calcium or Vitamin D.

There are plenty of natural foods that can boost your Vitamin D levels. THINKSTOCK

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Your health

Erie’s FIRST PHYSICAL THERAPIST recalls early years By Tiggy McLaughlin Contributing writer

W

hen I visited my great-uncle Ange LaFuria at his physical therapy practice as a little girl in the 1990s, “physical therapist” was something kids wanted to grow up to be, like dentist or actor or teacher. That was not the case when Uncle Ange was a kid, however, or even in the 1950s when he first began working as Erie’s first professional physical therapist. A poor child of an Italian immigrant, without a mother and raised by his three older sisters, Angelo LaFuria, now 85, received a life-changing inheritance after his father died in his last year of high school. The $2,000 he inherited allowed him to attend Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1949, where he studied physical education and biology, with a goal of becoming a teacher and coach. Always a lover of athletics, LaFuria played sports at Slippery Rock, but that is not what led him to physical therapy. Sports medicine did not yet exist, and physical therapy was a young profession dating only to World War I in its modern form. It was reserved almost exclusively for those wounded in war and disabled children. It was by chance, then, that LaFuria encountered the service that would become his life’s work.

“In my senior year in our curriculum,” he recalled, “we had to visit a hospital, and I got into this hospital and started looking at all these handicapped kids, and what they were doing for them, and I asked one of the aides, ‘Is this a profession I could get into?’ and he said, ‘Physical therapy is going to be one of the biggest things in the future.’” Teaching degree in hand, LaFuria instead pursued physical therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. After finishing school, the Erie native was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to the 97th General Hospital in Germany, where he worked as a physical therapist from 19541956. There he treated medical injuries “like paratroopers would tear up their knees when they come down,” he said. Another frequent injury was among tank operators. “Every time you pull that lid down, somebody would have their hand there, and they’d pull the lid and crush his hand,” he said. In 1957, he moved home and started work at the former Hamot Hospital, which was an adjustment after his experience in the Army. Hamot didn’t quite know what to do with its first physical therapist. “When I got to Hamot, they gave me a room with only a bed and a whirlpool. Nothing else, and my hands,” LaFuria said. Doctors were also wary of referring patients to him for therapy. It was not until Hamot came under new

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administration that he started getting referrals from the orthopedic surgeons and the arthritic department. After a while, Hamot started hiring more physical therapists and established a physical therapy center with LaFuria as its director. At the same time, he worked at the Erie County Crippled Children Society, taking care of children with cerebral palsy, congenital defects and juvenile arthritis. Over the next two decades, LaFuria started the amputee unit at Hamot, the head trauma unit at Medi Center, physical therapy programs in nursing homes, and centers for physical therapy in industry, including those at GE Transportation and the former Hammermill paper company. Along with practicing and directing physical therapy, he also taught it to teachers and coaches in the Erie area, lecturing in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and therapeutic exercise at what is now Mercyhurst University. In 1982, LaFuria stepped back from his various administrative roles and opened a private practice. It was a long way from the tiny room with only a whirlpool and bed. But to this day he says that the most important piece of equipment for a physical therapist is your hands. “Today we have incredible diagnostic tools and machines to speed healing,” he said. “However, the body communicates a wealth of information through your hands. Treating

Your health

Angelo LaFuria, right, celebrates his grandson Joe’s graduation from high school in Virginia in 2013. His wife Carmella is at left. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

people today with your hands is a dying art.” When orthopedic surgeon Tom Fessler began practicing in 1989, he started referring patients to LaFuria. “Ange always gave the personal touch,” Fessler said. “He spent a lot of time with the patients and got to know them. I think that when the patient knows the therapist they get a lot of confidence, and it really motivates them to get better.” LaFuria, who now lives in Fairview and still plays tennis at the Kahkwa Club during the summer and at Westwood Racquet Club during the winter, said the same thing. “I was so interested in my patients,” he said, “and I think they sensed that when they saw me and I talked to them.” He also worked closely with doctors and other health care professionals to help patients get better. Gannon University president Keith Taylor, also a physical therapist, said that physical therapy training now takes place in the context of interdisciplinary teams working together on a single patient. When asked what sort of lesson he wanted to impart to students training to be physical therapists today, LaFuria repeatedly emphasized a personal connection with patients. “I think the greatest part is your hands, and having some empathy and an attitude about how to take care of these people,” he said. “Some patients, you can only help them this much, and that’s it. But you’re gonna make them feel good and you’re going to give them a lot of encouragement.” LEL

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Your Health

o d n Ca reer a c g n i s r u n s e v i attitude dr ith

o by Jennifer Sm

Story and phot

Adam Danis, 19, graduated from the 12-month practical nursing program at Mercyhurst North East in August. Danis has cerebral palsy, a lifelong physical condition that affects his mobility on his right side.

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f you had to make a list of the characteristics required for someone pursuing a career in health care, Adam Danis would tick all of the boxes. The 19-year-old is a good listener, patient, empathetic and determined to study, practice and work hard. His high school years were spent gaining hands-on knowledge and experience in the medical assistant program at Central Tech Career & Technical School. A few months ago, Danis even came to the rescue of a woman in a parking lot who was slumped over her steering wheel having a seizure, saving her life and earning the praise of the paramedics who responded to his 911 call. Yet despite all these attributes, a few wondered whether Danis would be a good fit for nursing since he was born with cerebral palsy, a lifelong physical condition that affects his mobility on his right side. That doubt makes his successful completion of the 12-month practical nursing program at Mercyhurst North East in August all the more sweet, he says. Ultimately, nobody else’s opinion matters, said Danis, who put in more than 1,670 hours of classroom, clinical and study time to master the duties of a practical nurse, which include reading labs, taking vital signs, working with feeding tubes and catheters, and more. “It’s up to you,” said Danis. “If you think you can do it, you can do it.

Your Health “I may not be able to walk the same as everybody, but I can try as hard as everyone else and not let anyone tell me I can’t do this.” It was that determination that left an impression on his instructors both at Central Tech and Mercyhurst North East. “Adam will work harder than any student I’ve seen to master a skill,” said Jessica King, R.N., medical assistant instructor at Central Tech, recalling all the extra hours Danis put into practicing skills and delving deeper into concepts at home. “He doesn’t cut himself any slack,” said Marion Monahan, R.N., director of the practical nursing program at Mercyhurst North East, noting even the death of his father midway through the year didn’t derail his determination. Decades ago, Danis wouldn’t have been a candidate for admission, Monahan said. Today, he serves as a role model and example of how much the nursing profession has changed. There are so many jobs out there, that nurses can choose the area of practice that best suits their needs, regardless of what those needs are, said Monahan. And that’s just what Danis plans to do. “I’m just that type of person that is helpful, caring,” said Danis, who hopes to work with geriatric or pediatric patients as soon as he passes his board exams. “Everyone goes through a lot of things in life … I like helping people out when they are in a bad situation. I feel people need that support, that friend that is there for you.” LEL

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Bon Appétit

PAWPAW… T the paw-sitively perfect fruit By A.J. Czerwinski | Contributing writer

ropical fruit growing right here along the shores of Lake Erie? Is that even possible? Yes. The pawpaw is a tropical fruit with a sweet, creamy texture that you might expect to find growing in a rainforest in Brazil, yet it can be found in 26 eastern states, including Pennsylvania. Many people have never heard of this silly sounding fruit, and author Andrew Moore is doing his best to change that fact. He recently published his first book, "Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit." Moore, from Pittsburgh, was nominated for the 2016 James Beard Foundation Writing and Literature Award. After attending a Pawpaw Festival in Ohio six years ago, Moore was fascinated with the tasty treat, and wanted to learn all about it. “I didn’t know anything about pawpaws,” he says, “so I researched the fruit and its history. I love the fact that the story of the pawpaw tells us a lot about American history and culture.” So, what is it about this fruit that makes people want to write books about it, or ABOVE: The pawpaw tree at Bruce Miller’s home doesn’t look like a celebrate it with an annual festival? The reason may be that it tropical tree. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/BRUCE MILLER | LEFT: Author Andew is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill fruit. It is tropical, yet it Moore wrote a book about pawpaw trees and their fruit. He will thrives in a climate with four distinct seasons. And the reason for speak in Erie Sept. 25 at the Whole Foods Coop. ANDREW MOORE that is woven through an important part of our country’s history. Pawpaws were once found in abundance along Lake Erie from New York to Ohio. Native Americans and early explorers transported the trees and their seed along these trade routes. Lewis and Clark enjoyed the sweet fruit as they traveled, and when their food supplies ran low, they depended on the pawpaw to survive. Towns, streets and rivers were named after the sweet fruit. Thomas Jefferson loved it so much that he named a valley at Monticello “Pawpaw Valley." Locally, it is surprising how many people either have a pawpaw tree, or know someone who does. Bruce Miller lives in North East, and has several planted on his property. “We get about a bushel of fruit each year,” he says. “We eat the fruit directly or make pies. The flesh can be canned or frozen for later use. It has a soft banana-like texture and a lemony-banana taste that gets more aromatic with each day of ripening.”

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Andrew Moore, author of “Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit,� is from Pittsburgh and was nominated for the 2016 James Beard Foundation Writing and Literature Award. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ANDREW MOORE

Just like many fruit trees indigenous to our area, the seasonal fruit is ripe for about 30 days in the fall. And it’s green. “This is a tree that growers in our region can raise without pesticides and herbicides,� says Moore. “The fact that it can be grown in a healthy, clean organic way is exciting.� Most people don’t live in the woods where the pawpaw trees grow, and more farmers are raising them in orchards and making them available to sell in grocery stores. In his book, Moore talks about Neal Peterson, who has spent close to 30 years developing the best quality pawpaw trees possible. “His selection of pawpaws on these experimental orchards resulted in six varieties of fully-tested, quality fruit,� says Moore. We know that the pawpaw tastes good and comes with an interesting story, but is it good for you? Robert Brannan, an Ohio State University food scientist, has researched the pawpaw extensively. Brannon’s work does confirm that the pawpaw is high in the same antioxidants as red wine, red grapes, dark chocolate and cranberries. It tastes good, it is good for you, and you can grow it in your own backyard. And according to Moore, that is not where the benefits end. “It is a beautiful tree, and in some ways it is a symbol of the possibilities and wonders that surround us. These trees are in the woods in 26 Eastern states, and in some ways we have missed out on their possible benefits, like the joy of growing a healthy fruit that doesn’t need chemicals. I think it is a hopeful reminder that there is so much to appreciate and in some ways discover in the landscapes that surround us and sometimes become common.� To learn more about the pawpaw tree, stop by Whole Foods CO-OP, 1341 W. 26th St. in Erie today, September 25, at 12:30 p.m. Moore will be giving a lecture, followed by a pawpaw tasting. Call 456-0282 for more information. LEL

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Bon Appétit

Motor City is brewing Story and Photos by Steve Orbanek

There’s something about beer and industrial, blue-collar cities that seem to go hand in hand. It’s almost a reflection of the fact that beer was established as a working person’s beverage. Knowing that, it should come as no surprise that some of the cities in which craft beer has carved out a large footprint are former industrial giants. Nearby Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo are three examples of cities that have embraced the craft beer movement, using it to spur both economic development and downtown revitalization. These cities are not alone. Another nearby city that’s following the trend and is now starting to enjoy its own beer renaissance is Detroit. It’s not a finished process, but it is a process that’s well underway. More than 30 craft breweries are already in the Detroit urban area, and more are on the way. Just a short four-hour drive from Erie, Detroit is an ideal spot for a quick weekend getaway. Here are six craft breweries, all located close to downtown Detroit, that are worth a visit should you decide to make the trek to the Motor City.

Batch Brewing Co. 1400 Porter St. Detroit, MI 48216 Since opening in February 2015, Batch Brewing has grown significantly. It’s a small brewery, and there are no televisions, but that’s part of its charm. Its atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect place to strike up a conversation with both staff and patrons. At any one time, you can find 12 beers on tap, and there are a variety of options available. That’s ambitious for any brewery, let alone one that has not been open for even two years, but variety has become a trademark of Batch Brewing. “We have rules for how we brew, but we don’t have rules for what we brew,” said Stephen Roginson, co-founder of Batch Brewing. “We brew beer for the experience that we want customers to have when they walk in the doors. We like having a dramatically diverse group of beers represented. We brewed 40 different beers this year, and we’ll do that next year too.” Batch Brewery has already gained considerable success in its brief history. It was voted the thirdbest brewery in Michigan by MLive.com.

ABOVE: Motor City Brewing Works is Detroit’s most well-known craft brewery. It’s been in operation since 1994 and was built partially from salvaged equipment and scrap from Detroit’s industrial era.

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Brew Detroit 1401 Abbott St. Detroit, MI 48216 Located literally across a park from Batch Brewing is Brew Detroit, which is about as innovative of a brewpub concept that you’ll find. Brew Detroit is a 68,000-square-foot brewing facility that is capable of producing more than one million cases of beer per year. That’s a lot of beer for any one brewery, and that’s why Brew Detroit is technically not just one brewery. It’s actually a brew co-op. Other breweries, such as the well-known Atwater Brewery and Motor City Brewing Works, use the facility to expand their operations. Essentially, it’s a good way for those breweries to grow without having to purchase a new facility. The Brew Detroit staff also brews and sells its own beer there, but only in nano-batches of eight kegs or less. Brew Detroit’s 7,000-square-foot taproom allows guests to enjoy beer from both the nano-batches and the more-established craft breweries. As much as any other establishment, Brew Detroit is indicative of the emerging beer renaissance in Detroit. It actually opened on the same day as Batch Brewing. “There’s a really collaborative network here, and we work together,â€? Roginson said. “In five years, there will probably be 10 more new breweries. It’s a lot of work to get a brewery out of planning and into existence, but I have high hopes (for this region).â€?Â

Batch Brewing Co. in Detroit was voted the third best brewery in Michigan by MLive.com.

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Detroit Beer Co.

Detroit Beer Co. is located inside the 113-year-old Hartz Building and offers beer names that include The Boo-ya White IPA, Hop Grenade and more.

1529 Broadway St. Detroit, MI 48226 Since 2003, Detroit Beer Company has been a staple of the Motor City. It’s located right near Comerica Park and Ford Field, so it’s the perfect place to visit if you’ll be seeing a Tigers or Lions game during your visit. The brewery is located in the 113-year-old Hartz Building, and the aesthetics of the building are very much part of the brewery’s appeal. It’s a nice feeling to take in a little history while enjoying some high-quality brews. Detroit Beer Co. offers eight beers on tap, and many of them have names that in some way pay homage to the area. The Boo-ya White IPA is a nice mix of a traditional IPA and wit beer. The Hop Grenade was also especially impressive and has gained quite a reputation among IPA lovers. It boasts a 3.955 out of five rating on the Untappd Drink Socially app.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales opened in 2004 in Dexter, Michigan, and opened three more locations, with the latest in Detroit.

441 West Canfield St. Detroit, MI 48201 Located across the street from Motor City Brewing Works is Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. The original Jolly Pumpkin actually opened in 2004 in Dexter, Michigan, but the brewery has done so well that it has since expanded to three additional locations with the latest Detroit location opening in spring 2015. Within the past year, we’ve seen sour beers explode in popularity, and Jolly Pumpkin was actually really ahead of the curve in this regard. The brewery offers several great sours, and all of its beers have a unique flavor to them. That could be because Jolly Pumpkin ages its beers in wine barrels. It creates a unique flavor that the brewery describes as “leathery, earthy, wild, funky, or even sweaty horse hair character.” Either way, it’s good. Of course, you do not have to take my word for it. The Detroit location was visited by President Obama in January 2016, and the seat that he sat in is marked to commemorate his visit.

Traffic Jam & Snug

The Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant dates back to 1965 and was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” 24 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E / / w w w . l a k e e r i e l i f e s t y l e . c o m

511 West Canfield St. Detroit, MI 48201 Also located on Canfield Street, just a block down from Jolly Pumpkin, is Traffic Jam & Snug, which dates all the way back to 1965. In 1992, the establishment made history when it became Michigan’s first brew-pub. Since then, it’s gained much notoriety and was even featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Traffic Jam & Snug is unique because it does not look like a craft brewery. It’s dark inside and resembles a traditional dive bar. In actuality, it’s probably one of the last places where you would expect craft beer to be brewed. However, that’s what makes it unique. It also only brews small batches of its beer, and all of them are high-octane brews, so be sure to check the ABV before you start guzzling these down.

Dogtoberfest at Erie Brewing Company

IF YOU GO Hallowine Oct. 22–23, Niagara Wine Trail The Niagara Wine Trail will again host its annual murder mystery October 22-23. Participants will collect clues and interview a different suspect at each participating winery to solve a murder mystery. This year’s theme is “It’s Mervelous!: A Talk Show Murder Mystery!� Tickets are $30 per person and only available online prior to the event. The $30 cost covers all three days and includes a tasting of three wines at each participating winery, a commemorative wine glass from your starting winery and clues to solve the mystery. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit niagarawinetrail.org/hallowine.

Detroit Beer Co. is located inside the 113-year-old Hartz Building and offers beer names that include The Boo-ya White IPA, Hop Grenade and more.

Motor City Brewing Works 470 West Canfield St. Detroit, MI 48201 Located in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood is Motor City Brewing Works, which along with Atwater Brewery has the distinction of being Detroit’s most well-known craft brewery. Motor City Brewing Works is more than just a name. The brewery, which has been in operation since 1994, was actually made from salvaged equipment and scrap from Detroit’s industrial era. It is also home to what might arguably be Detroit’s most widely-consumed craft beer, Ghettoblaster English Style Mild Ale. It’s sold just about everywhere there, and it probably will not be long until it makes its way here to Erie as well. LEL

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Wine & Chocolate Pairing Every Friday in October, Presque Isle Wine Cellars at the Colony Every Friday in October, Presque Isle Wine Cellars at the Colony invites guests to sample red wines and chocolate. Samplings will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. and are free of charge. For more information, call 814-315-6537.

Oct. 22, Erie Brewing Company From 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, bring your well-mannered, leashed pooch with you to Erie Brewing Company as you enjoy some fall brews. Proceeds will beneďŹ t the ANNA Shelter. For more information, visit www. eriebrewingco.com.

Autumn Wine Affair Oct. 22, Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton, Ohio Enjoy a day of wine tasting at the historic Liberty Aviation Museum. Attendees can enjoy tastings from 11 regional wineries at one of two sessions, one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Participating wineries include 1285 Winery, Chateau Tebeau, Firelands Winery, Gillig Winery, Heineman’s Winery, It’s Your Winery, John Christ Winery, Klingshirn Winery, Matus Winery, Mon Ami Historic Winery and Paper Moon Vineyards. Adams Reserve cheese will be served with the wine. Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased by calling the Ohio Wine Producers Association at 440-466-4417.

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Sports and Adventure

Wellsboro is a Pennsylvania paradise Story by Trill Dreistadt Photos by Pine Creek Outfitters

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rab your gear, clean out your canoe, pack your panniers and head east to Pennsylvania’s premier outdoor recreational mecca. Located just 3½ hours east of Erie, Wellsboro, home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, promises sports enthusiasts of all kinds an adventure to remember. For biking enthusiasts, Pine Creek Rail Trail winds along a 6-mile converted railbed through the pristine Pine Creek Valley. Running northsouth from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey Shore, this level, crushed limestone pathway is an easy ride. Daytrippers can choose to bike round-trip or one way, using a shuttle service to return to town. Overnight bikers travelling with panniers or gear totes will find ample overnight accommodations along the trail for camping or staying over in a B&B. After a 26-mile cruise from Wellsboro Junction to Blackwell, enjoy the warm country hospitality of Ludwig’s Trailside B&B. Innkeepers Joyce and Jim Ludwig offer quiet, comfortable en suite guest rooms in a peaceful, country surrounding. “We start to get busy when trout season begins mid-April,” Joyce Ludwig says, “and bikers get pretty serious about their sport by May.”

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Where to go in Wellsboro:

A dauntless rock climber ascends into the tree tops at Asaph Wilderness Area in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon to enjoy a picture-perfect bird’s-eye view of the gorge’s wild beauty.

PINE CREEK OUTFITTERS 5142 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901 570-724-3003 www.pinecrk.com email: info@pinecrk.com Open daily March-October; November to February by appointment Hours: March 3-June 1, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. June 2-October 30, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. LODGING IN WELLSBORO Sherwood Motel 2 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 800-626-5802 www.sherwoodmotel.org Penn Wells Lodge 4 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 866-271-5022 www.pennwells.com WEST END MARKET CAFÉ 152 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 570-605-0370 Hours: Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturdays 8 - 11:30 a.m.; Sundays closed SURVIVAL GUIDEBOOKS FROM PINE CREEK OUTFITTERS "Edible Mushrooms" "Don’t Forget the Duct Tape" "The 2 Oz. Backpacker" "The Don’t Die Out There Handbook" "The Complete Book of Fire" INDIGENOUS BIRDS OF PINE CREEK GORGE Bald eagle Wild turkey Sharp-shinned hawks Red-eyed vireos Scarlet tanager Hermit thrushes PANNIER ESSENTIALS FOR OVERNIGHT BIKERS ON THE TRAIL Sunscreen Rain gear First aid kit Energy snacks Camera Bike repair kit Water

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Joyce Ludwig will accommodate dinner options for her biking guests. “We’re glad to get take-out at our local Crossroads Tavern,” she says. Jim Ludwig keeps the grill on the back porch in fine working condition for guests who show up carrying dogs and burgers in their side packs. “We get that grill smoking and have a great time talking about trail adventures,” he says. Or Cedar Run Inn is a short 3-mile bike down the trail with a creative cuisine that would make the trip worthwhile. You might try their smoked shad with salsa and stone-ground crackers or poached salmon with seasoned spinach and raspberry sauce. Joyce Ludwig’s special country breakfast of caramel sticky buns, baked apple French toast, and homemade baking soda biscuits will give you the perfect boost for the day’s ride. With four major backpacking trails and thousands of miles of short trails, this is a hiker’s paradise. The area’s most popular is the West Rim Trail, which traverses the western side of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. This 30-mile trail is a perfect weekend length, offers many established campsites with stone fire pits and clearings to pitch tents (camping permits are free), and has plenty of fresh water sources. Backpacking enthusiasts find a spectacular natural environment of steep-sided canyon walls, pristine waterfalls and stunning vistas of the 1,000-foot deep, 50-mile long Pine Creek Gorge, which was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968. John Dillon, owner of Pine Creek Outfitters, is gearing up for another great season. “We always hope the weather cooperates,” he laughs. “This area is a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts who arrive each season looking for the perfect getaway.” Dillon’s licensed instructors and trained guides ensure that these experiences are safe and memorable adventures. Guided rock climbing in the magnificent forests of the Asaph Wilderness Area plateau, called Blue Run Rocks, promise thrilling bouldering, sport climbing and top roping on exposed sandstone boulders. A certified guide will teach you how to climb, rappel, tie knots, and use belay techniques. With no experience required and perfect for beginners, who could pass up an exhilarating climb up a vertical stone wall?

Bicyclists enjoy the peace and silence while cycling the 64-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail along the picturesque Pine Creek Valley.

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Whitewater rafters enjoy the invitorating rush of class II turbulence on Pine Creek.

PINE CREEK Outfitters offers a wide array of half-day and full-day guided river tours in your choice of raft, canoe or kayak. Be aware, however, that the best paddling seasons are spring and late September through early November. Pine Creek is always cold (40 to 50 degrees) and tends to be shallow in the summer. The Upper Pine features class I/II rapids that are quite manageable for beginners. More experienced rafters will choose the bracing rush of class II/III on The Canyon run. Licensed instructors will teach you all the paddling techniques you need to operate your kayak or raft skillfully. A guide with extensive CPR and first aid experience accompanies you to provide any assistance needed. Full-day guided raft tours include a buffet lunch, wetsuit rental and return transportation at day’s end. The quaint village of Wellsboro, situated at the north end of the gorge, is picture-perfect for an afternoon stroll along

brick-fronted shops and charming outdoor eateries. Stop by the West End Market Café for specialty soups, salads and sandwiches using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and fair trade coffee. A cozy outdoor patio offers a perfect spot to try their caprese flatbread pizza with pumpkin seeds, craisins and basil dressing. Or take an evening stroll past Victorian gas-lit street lamps and mansions dating to the 1800s to the Arcadia Theatre, a 1920s cinema that’s also a performing arts venue for local musical productions. Saunter a bit farther to Wellsboro Brewery and try their Blitzkrieg Hop German Alt or their Fuggle in the Jungle brew with a cherry Amaretto finish. Specialty appetizers such as drunken shrimp and halfmoon mozzarella are sure to tingle your taste buds. Call out your spirit for adventure and take a walk on the wild side at Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, an exciting addition to your “I did it and loved it” list. LEL

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Escapes

Pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres takes in

60 miles

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Escapes There was time for conversation and time for contemplation. But really, this was about seeing the countryside and taking part in a time-honored trek between two historic cathedrals. Story and photos by Stacey Wittig

I

n May, I took part in a walking pilgrimage between two of France’s iconic cathedrals, Notre Dame de Paris and Notre Dame de Chartres, spaced sixty-some miles apart. The pilgrimage of about 10,000 people has been happening every year for the past 34 years. I’d discovered the pilgrimage online when researching for a historical novel that I am

writing about the daughter of a Chartres cathedral builder. The modern day pilgrimage’s roots lie in the 12th century when Christians walked to sacred sites, usually cathedrals, to receive blessings and absolution of sins. I felt pulled to go and experience the medieval exercise for myself. I learned online that I couldn’t just show up on Pentecost weekend and walk with the hordes. I had to find a chapter group that I could join. Because many chapters, complete with their local priest, come from all over the world to join the processional, it wasn’t difficult to find one that would accept me. The St. Patrick’s Chapter of Dublin welcomed me with open Irish arms. The fact that I was American with Scandinavian and German ancestry didn’t seem to bother them; the fact that I was Protestant, I left unrevealed. When we met at a Parisian restaurant the night before our three-day pilgrimage, I learned that the Irish chapter was actually quite international and made of a wee bit more than a dozen Irish lads and lasses. The Irish group was rounded out with two Germans, two French, two English and me, the lone

Yank. We readied our St. Patrick’s banner, green, of course, the Irish flag and a metal Celtic cross all mounted on tall carrying poles. I learned that we were a small group compared to the other chapters that averaged 40 pilgrims strong. “We will follow the Bretagne Chapter from France whilst the Bavarian group from Germany will be at our rear,” explained Ciarán, one of our coordinators. I didn’t understand at the time how those words would come to haunt me. “They are strong singers and make up for our weakness in the category,” he laughed as he lifted his glass of Château Rayssac Côté Ouest, a fine French red. As I would discover, Ciarán, an Irishman, who lives in Paris, was quite the wine connoisseur. Paris was all atither early the next morning. Security guards and vehicles were out in force as 10,000 pilgrims gathered before dawn at Notre Dame de Paris, France’s most photographed monument. Large freight trucks parked on the plaza seemed out of place in front of the Gothic cathedral built between 1163 and 1272. Surrounded by an energized crowd of expectant pilgrims carrying colorful

The pilgrimage from Notre Dame de Paris to Notre Dame de Chartres covered 60 miles and it included 10,000 people from various countries.

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Escapes

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Pilgrims walked 60 miles from Paris to Chartres. The pilgrimage from Notre Dame de Paris to Notre Dame de Chartres covered 60 miles and it included 10,000 people. The pilgrimage from Notre Dame de Paris to Notre Dame de Chartres covered 60 miles and it included 10,000 people.

flags from their countries, our blood pumped, our hearts raced, and our knees shook a bit as we hoisted our overnight bags into the trucks. We had to trust that somehow we would be reunited with our essentials once we arrived at our campsite that evening. The early morning hours were cold and damp, and the wind whipped the flags and banners in a colorful frenzy. “L'Irlande (Ireland),” called the voice on the megaphone and we followed the Bretons into the dark cathedral carrying our flag, banner, cross and daypacks with lunch and rain gear. Once inside, we recited a high Latin

Mass as the tall stained glass windows told their tales above. I couldn’t quite keep up with the young Bavarians surrounding us as they energetically sat, stood and kneeled on the cold stone floors. After almost two hours, we processed out of the iconic church into the streets of Paris, again following the Bretagne Chapter, with the Bavarians behind. Walking through Paris is a great way to experience the spectacular city, even though we were the spectacle for tourists and bystanders. Traffic control and security police were everywhere opening the way along streets and boulevards. “Ciarán was right,” said Thomas, one of the young Germans in our Irish Chapter as we left the Parisian suburbs and marched into the green countryside. “These Bavarians really can sing.” We’d been listening to their acapella renditions of German hymns and marches. At times their large group sounded like a chorus of angels. At other times, they shouted like soldiers their marching songs. “But can you imagine what some of these old French villagers think when they hear all these boots marching and German singing coming through their towns?” asked Thomas. He and I were at the tail end of our Irish group, so small that we really couldn’t carry much of a tune. I felt protective of

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the group’s other middle-aged women who would sometimes get swallowed up by the teenaged Bavarians pushing at our rear. So I stayed at the back, trying to be a buffer. The Germans were efficient walkers and were, of course being from Bavaria, used to hiking in the mountains. Our Dublin-led assembly was made of a bunch of flatlanders, and stragglers at that. We were supposed to keep healthy gaps between chapters, but the Germans kept encroaching on and over-running our small troupe. By late evening us oldsters were still walking, but the young Jerries had much more spring in their steps. Twenty-five percent of the blood pumping through my veins is German, and even with the Deutsch surname of ‘Wittig,’ I couldn’t keep the youngsters at bay. They had lowered their banners and flags and carried them perpendicular to the ground like long lances. The first time I was poked in the butt by a pole, I thought it was an accident. But after half a dozen times, I went to the front of our group and announced, “I’m getting sick of these German guys shoving their poles up my arse.” “As long as that is all they are trying to shove,” laughed Grainne, a plucky lass whose Irish name means ‘grace.’ Slap-happy

Escapes

ABOVE: Writer Stacey Wittig participated in a pilgrimage through the countryside from Notre Dame de Paris to Notre Dame de Chartres. RIGHT: Pilgrims arrived at Notre Dame de Chartres after a 60-mile walk from Paris.

from our exhausting 25-mile walk that first day, we all giggled while Grainne added a “God forgive us.” The next day when the Bavarian youth resumed their attack from the rear, Thomas, who worked in Munich, the state capital of Bavaria joked, “It’s like the Blitz all over again.” I shot a glance to the older Englishwoman walking with us to see her reaction, but she stayed focused on her thoughts as she walked. The 60-mile pilgrimage through the French countryside to Chartres opened the way for plenty of contemplation. Being out of our comfort zone for two nights in rustic wooded encampments — along with 10,000 others — made the journey a somewhat

penitential exercise. But on the third day, when we first spied the spires of Chartres Cathedral rising out of the wheat fields on the western horizon, our hearts jumped with joy. We knew that we were just hours away from walking into the grand monument, one of the best preserved Gothic churches in Europe. The triumph of our entrance into Chartres with banners from all over the world flying covered the sting of our feet. Hundreds were there to welcome us, including the bishop of Chartres. “What? You’re a Protestant?” asked Thomas incredulously after asking why I wasn’t going up for communion. I smiled at the question, and then the young German gave me a hug. LEL O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 / / L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E | 33

Business & Commerce

By JoLayne Green Contributing writer

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bout a century ago, shoppers began going to the G.C. Murphy building at 306 Second Ave., Warren, Pennsylvania, to make purchases. The main difference these days is the items shoppers buy might be as old as the building itself. Since September 2013, the former G.C. Murphy building has housed Second Avenue Exchange, a multi-floor venue for antique, craft, vintage and new furniture, as well as gift vendors. The venture has saved the building from being on the chopping block. “It was in danger of being destroyed,” says Tony Thrift, 41, of Warren, who manages Second Avenue Exchange, of the building, which was restored by its owner from Boston. The rehabilitation brought

back many of the original features of the building, and the main structure was preserved. “The owner was able to salvage the old tin ceiling,” says Thrift. Thrift, whose occupation is real estate, became involved when he met the owner through a friend, and they hatched an idea for an antiques mall. Thrift was raised in South Carolina and had never even heard of G.C. Murphy's, which was founded in McKeesport in 1906. Thrift had his interest piqued and decided to get on board, despite having no background with antiques, although he has a retail background. The operation began with six vendors and has grown to more than 70. The store started in just half of the lower level of the building and now encompasses the majority of that level as well as an upper level made accessible after renovation and the addition of a staircase. “The public is very responsive,” says

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Thrift of the addition of so many vendors in three years. “We have a good variety of used items and items of the past that may otherwise have been lost,” says Thrift, adding that people may be able to find lost pieces from dishware sets or other replacement pieces. “We have real antiques to cool little items from the '60s and '70s,” he says. The wide variety of types of merchandise is what makes it a unique shopping experience. “It might be plates you are missing one of to an old can opener — just different things people don't see anymore,” says Thrift. Joan Ramsey, of West Millcreek, operates Timeless, Treasures and Giftware at Second Avenue Exchange. She isn't the only one who travels. Some of the vendors come from as far as West Virginia. Using a central cashier at the store allows vendors that flexibility. “We have everything from new, discounted giftware and

Business & Commerce

The G.C. Murphy building at 306 Second Ave. in Warren, Pennsylvania, has new life as an antiques mall. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SECOND AVENUE EXCHANGE

furniture to antiques 200 years old,” says Ramsey. Many people come to sell and shop from Erie. Some, like her, end up staying. “We were just driving by one day and I stopped in and I liked it,” says Ramsey. Thrift has room for more vendors on the upper level as well as space on a lower level that also offers storage units. He donates space to Habitat for Humanity, which sells excess inventory and appliances it has. On the third floor of the building are apartments, operated as a separate enterprise. Ramsey and Thrift can envision more shoppers making Second Avenue Exchange a destination with so much to choose from in

the many different sections of the store. It also can be a good side-stop for a day trip to the Allegheny National Forest. Thrift also suggests visitors can make it a day of antiquing by combining the Second Avenue Exchange with a trip to the large Salamanca Antique Mall in New York. Thirft hopes to branch out and increase traffic that already comes from nearby areas as well as out of state. “Most of the people know the name G.C. Murphy pretty well,” he says of the historic building. One day maybe Second Avenue Exchange will be just as popular. LEL

IN THE KNOW Store hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information is available at www.secondavenueexchange.com.

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Arts & Entertainment

A C C E R B E E L R SAM

L

Story by Brian R. Sheridan Photos by Rebecca Samler

ABOVE: This is one Rebecca Samler’s favorite sunset photos. TOP: Sunset at Rebecca Samler’s home creates a color explosion.

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ake Erie has inspired countless artists who paint, draw and photograph the Great Lake. For Rebecca Samler, a painter turned photographer, the lake drew her from a 100-yearold Millcreek farmhouse to a modest cottage on Lake Erie’s shoreline, where every day she marvels at the scenery in her own backyard. Samler, and her husband Ken, have spent the last three years turning the cottage into a home. “I have always wanted my ‘shack on the lake,’” Samler says. But she says she is not exactly sure what drew her to the water’s edge in Harborcreek Township. “Maybe it’s just the calm feeling that comes along with watching the water. And our Lake Erie sunsets are something us locals tend to take for granted sometimes. We’re very lucky,” she says. For 24 years, the Samlers saw a very different view in Millcreek. She says they never saw a sunrise or a sunset. Her property was “pretty, but secluded.” Now their view is wide open and she has used her camera to make sure she doesn’t take sunrises and sunsets for granted. Samler fears she has possibly become a little obsessed with the view.

Arts & Entertainment

RT A S IND

R E H IN

U O R SU R

S G N I ND

“Just getting to watch the sunsets every night is spectacular to the point where I think I’m boring people when I post pictures of it to Facebook, but I can’t help it. Friends tease me about a tree that is in every picture and how I should be paying it royalties,” she says. When she isn’t on the patio photographing, or just admiring, the view, the Samlers have spent the past three years working on the inside of the house, turning it from a cottage into a home. Rooms were remodeled. The loss of square footage, however, meant that storage space became scarce. It inspired Samler to take 10 of her favorite pieces that once were in her basement as inventory and hang them in her home office. In her living room, competing with lake view is the photo Samler is most proud of, a large picture of the Brig Niagara in full sail. The photo represents a turning point in Samler’s artistic life. In 2012, Erie Arts & Culture chose the image for its awards at the group’s “Fall for the Arts” dinner. Samler felt honored that her picture, which she had for sale at Glass Growers, was chosen. For the previous decade, Samler had been learning the art of photography after retiring from her position as a secretary Artist and photographer Rebecca Samler, 61, regularly takes sunset shots of for the Pennsylvania Office of Lake Erie from her Harborcreek Township home. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS Vocational Rehabilitation. She says she got “serious about it because I had the time to do it.” Samler had studied art at Mercyhurst College in 1973, but left for a secure civil service job before she could graduate. Being self-admittedly timid, she felt the job offer from the Commonwealth was a sign that a career in art “was a pipe dream.” She still regrets that decision.

F

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These front row seats for sunsets are some of Rebecca Samler’s favorite spots.

ABOVE: A view from inside the lighthouse provides an unexpected look at a landmark building’s details. RIGHT: “Nearing Sunset” is one of the many beautiful sunset creations Rebecca Samler cherishes.

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So after retiring, a friend of Samler’s took her to Presque Isle for a nature photography class taught by Robert McConnell. He saw her work and encouraged her to join the Erie Photography Club. “I’m thinking ‘I’m not a club joiner. It was really nice of this guy (to ask),’â€? Samler recalls. “The next day I went out to the beach and started taking some shots and wound up with about 100 photos, and I was hooked.â€? McConnell, who Samler calls “a man who never stops giving,â€? became a mentor. However, what became the helpful and the stressful for Samler were competitions the club held among its members. “I dreaded the competitions because I don’t like attention, but that is where I have learned the most. They have critiques, and you have to have a thick skin. I have seen people drop out because they don’t want to hear negatives about their work. ‌ But it’s a great learning tool,â€? she says. Eventually, the feedback from competition judges, hard work and advice from friends and other photographers helped Samler take first place, which she says, “embarrassed her, but did add to my self-confidence.â€? A few years ago the Photographic Arts Society of NWPA asked her to join.

“My biggest heroes are my mentors such as Patty Raydo, Ellen Anon and Amanda Sisson, to name a few. My friends in the Erie Photography Club and Photographic Arts Society of NWPA have been invaluable in building my confidence and teaching me, probably to the point of frustration at times when I just wasn’t a very quick study,� she says. Samler, who has a website at www.rebeccasamlerphoto.com, decided to take her nature pictures to Glass Growers, the Maritime Museum gift shop and the Nature Shop at the Ridge Environmental Center. She still can’t believe she had the confidence to sell them, but her shots of Erie landmarks like the Niagara and the lighthouse have been well received. Samler believes it is the work she did in painting that helps her take unique photographs. She enjoys using technology to improve or enhance her images. “I prefer to have a picture I can play with and if it’s good right out of the camera, that’s icing on the cake. If it’s just OK but I can see something of impact that I can bring out, that’s my kind of picture. I think that’s where I come from is (my interest in) painting. It is where I differ from my other photographer friends,� she says.

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She has often thought about returning to painting because “there is something more pure about painting because once you touch that brush to that canvas, you are committed to it.â€? But, she adds, she still enjoys photography more. Through the camera lens, Samler says she began “looking for patterns and colors and slices of light ‌ and found joy.â€? The sense of elation increased when she discovered that her work could bring joy to someone else. Now the sunrises and sunsets she sees from her home also bring her, and her husband, that joy. “Ken and I have a nightly ritual now of stopping whatever we’re doing, just as the sun is starting to touch the horizon. The show at sunset is different every single evening. And if you wait for it ‌ the ‘golden hour’ is glorious. That’s the time right after sunset when the sky changes hues by the minute until it’s totally dark. Some nights, we find it hard to come back into out little house for fear of missing what’s coming next,â€? Samler says. And if we are lucky, she has her trusty Canon camera ready to capture and share that priceless magic that nature provides.

Rebecca Samler enjoys photographing more than sunsets as this colorful photos proves.

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On Scene

Poet finalists

read for title

B

lasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium was alive with poetry while a dozen applicants who want to be the next Poet Laureate of Erie County read for the chance to be named as one of five finalists. Greg Brown, of Mercyhurst University, acted as the master of ceremonies. County Council Chairman Andre Horton welcomed nearly 100 people to the event. Cee Williams gave his final reading as the county's top poet. The winner of the competition will promote awareness of the art form in Erie County. Finalists included: Tracie Morell, poet and author of "Matilda’s Battle Waltz" (Crisis Chronicle Press, 2015); Marisa Moks-Unger, poet and author of "Mud and Stars" (Night Ballet Press, 2015); Corey Zeller, poet and author of "Man Versus Sky" (Yes Yes Press, 2013); Monica Igras, spoken word artist and contributor to the "Wordstock Anthology" (Poets Hall Press, 2016); and Kat Giordano, poet and contributor to "Up the Staircase Quarterly," 2016. Below is one of the readings from poet Marisa Moks-Unger, who was named poet laureate at the end of the competition.

“Until” For my husband, Tom Unger It was not until the girls grew up, drew henna lines on their hands, pierced their bellybuttons, dyed their hair, and left home for art school, trade school, and beyond that I knew that the steel drums made your favorite symphonic sound. And the calypso band playing in the park left you sinking, satisfied, into your camp chair. Until then it hadn’t dawned on me that American Picker was not a show,

Gerald Beck, Susan Beck, Pamela Beck and J. Bradley Bellotte attended the Hamot Health Foundation Gala. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ TIM ROHRBACH

but a religious experience for you. Or waking up in the middle of the night and softly sighing at your advances would make you tremble like a teen’s first time. Until we had the mother-of-all garage sales I didn’t realize that simple things like a dog-eared animal match up game would make you misty eyed and nod knowingly. Until I took the heartbeat to notice the blades of green grass shooting up behind your words, words growing even now, did I really get to know and appreciate you.

UPMC Hamot Aid Society honored

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The five finalists to be Erie County’s next poet laureate were announced in Erie. They include, from left, Tracie Morell, Marisa Moks-Unger, Corey Zeller, Monica Igras and Kat Giordano. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/CASSANDRA UNGER

More than 400 people attended the Sixth Annual Hamot Health Foundation Gala at the Bayfront Convention Center on Aug. 27. The event had an Elizabethan/Shakespearian theme and honored the UPMC Hamot Aid Society with 28 UPMC Hamot Aid Society members in attendance. During the program, the Hamot Health Foundation pledged $40,000 to send 40 nurses to the National Magnet Conference.

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