Phil English, Chris English to preside at revival of Erie's Barber Christmas Ball
With the easing of pandemic restrictions, many big events in Erie are returning after a year’s hiatus. The Barber Beast on the Bay is set for Presque Isle State Park on Sept. 11, and the annual Barber Christmas Ball, a mainstay on Erie’s social calendar for more than 50 years, will make a big comeback on Dec. 11.
Former U.S. Rep. Phil English and his wife, Chris, will serve as chair couple for the ball, which was started by Gertrude Barber in 1965. Phil English, who represented northwestern Pennsylvania in Congress from 1995 to 2009, is now a senior government relations advisor and co-chairman of the government relations practice for Arent Fox, a law firm supporting nonprofits, trade associations and coalitions.
English maintains a home in Erie and remains active in his hometown, which is a reminder how nice it was to have a congressional representative who lives in Erie.
• Many local businesses and organizations suffered when they were forced to take a year off because of the pandemic. I was surprised during a recent visit to the Erie Zoo to see that it could use a bit of love. Scott Mitchell and his crack staff always make the zoo such a pleasant place to visit and an asset for the community, but it’s clear the facilities need an infusion of cash.
It’s also a disappointment that some of my favorite animals are gone. The giraffes have been relocated to Wisconsin, but could return when a home for them at Erie’s zoo is upgraded. I was also reminded that so many longtime leaders of Erie’s zoo, such as Ted Junker, Jack Quinn, John Cochran and others, who worked so hard as volunteers over the years, have died.
• Tippy Pohl, who died July 7 at 76, was one of my favorite Erie athletes when I was a kid. He did it all at East High, winning 16 varsity letters while starring in football, basketball, baseball, golf and track and field. Tippy was one of those athletes who was so skilled that his coaches would have him dash from one sport to another on the same afternoon.
He won a football scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he started as a hard-hitting safety from 1964-66. Tippy’s many friends enjoyed seeing him when he’d return to Erie from his home near Pittsburgh to play in various golf events. He was a good guy who will long be remembered as one of Erie’s greatest sportsmen.
• The Smith Carillon Concert Series has returned to Penn State Behrend, where it attracts appreciative crowds on Thursday nights. Some of the nation’s best carillon musicians perform at the concerts, which start at 7 p.m. Frank DellaPenna, a nationally-known carillon player, will perform on Thursday.
As you lounge on the college’s beautiful grounds, free hot dogs are refreshments are available, making it one of the best deals in town.
More:Carillon concerts at Penn State Behrend to feature music from Broadway, Beyonce, more
• Broadway and film star Betty Buckley is set to return for an Aug. 7 performance at Mercyhurst University’s D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. She has always been a big hit in Erie during previous shows here.
More:'SNL' alums Martin Short, Ana Gasteyer, singer Vanessa Williams among MIAC's live lineup
• The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on Wednesday unanimously approved the consolidation of six universities into two regional campuses. Poor enrollment and stagnant funding over the past five years prompted the state system to push for a redesign.
Students, alumni, and school faculty have protested the integration Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University and California University of Pennsylvania into one campus in the west. In the eastern part of the state, Lock Haven, Mansfield and Bloomsburg will merge.
More:2022 consolidation approved for Edinboro, Clarion and California universities. Here are the details
There is already concern that athletic programs at the current schools could be threatened, and I was surprised by Erie native Dave Leisering’s decision to leave his post as sports information director at Bloomsburg to become marketing coordinator at Dyco, Inc., in Bloomsburg.
Dave is the son of longtime Mercyhurst University athletic official John Leisering, now retired, and is well respected nationally in the sports information field. Dave Leisering has spent the past 17 years in college sports information.
• If you’re a baseball fan who’s upset about the current state of affairs in MLB, look online to find a recent column by George Will. A longtime Chicago Cubs fan who has written several books about baseball, Will offers interesting ideas for changes to help modernize the game.
• I got a kick out of the players at the recent All-Star game in Denver who were wired for sound during play. It all went well until a foul-mouthed relief pitcher uttered several four-letter words during his inning of work.
• Speaking of baseball, one of the best sportswriters in the business, Washington’s Tom Boswell, recently retired after more than 50 years on the beat. A great writer, Boswell, 73, always seemed younger than his years. I will miss his columns.
Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.