Chris Gives Us A Tour of Erie, PA

My son Chris agreed without hesitation when I suggested we visit The Tom Ridge Environmental Center during our visit to Erie, Pennsylvania. Although Chris had worked at a bait shop nearby, he hadn’t accepted the invitation on the marquee encouraging people to visit the Center and to see the “Mysteries of The Great Lakes” and “Journey Into Amazing Caves” movies showing on the Big Green Screen. That was something tourists do, not folks who live in the Erie area. I ask, “Why not?”

Why wouldn’t people want to enjoy these local opportunities? Does local mean that it can’t be good enough to merit a visit? In all of our 10,000 Mile Grand Tour, I have found an apologetic hesitancy in people’s response to my inquiry: “We are traveling through your community. What do you suggest we see or do?”

Often, I hear a list of ideas but when I ask about their own visit to an attraction or engagement in a possible experience, I am surprised at the rather common answer. “I’ve never been there myself.” When I ask, “Why not?” Folks just smile sheepishly and shrug.

I would like to propose that people become tourists in their own communities. This simply makes good sense for several reasons. First, you don’t have to drive great distances to enjoy a venue. Second, it supports the local economy. Third, you might reach beyond the false mentality that “there’s really nothing to do around here.” And, finally, you become an ambassador for your own community who can give visitors a red carpet welcome when they roll into town.

Perhaps the Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and State Tourist Offices need to spend less of their budget on slick brochures and booths in far away cities. Familiarization tours need to begin in their own region. Just start with folks manning the registers at the convenience stores where the majority of travelers stop for a bottled water, newspaper or bathroom break. Perhaps a Community Day just for people in town might work too.

If folks in town really think “there’s nothing to do” or continue to have “never been there”, I fear that someday local venues will be lost or forgotten.

We enjoyed our visit to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, our walk along the downtown Erie pier, and our time at the sandy shores of Lake Erie's Presque Isle State Park. Thanks, Chris for showing us around Erie!

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) opened in May 2006 as the “Gateway to Presque Isle State Park.” Exhibits showcase the history of Presque Isle, its nature, animals, fish, unique sand formations, birding migration points, and endangered flora and fauna. The interactive and whimsical Asher Family Three Towers Exhibit for kids is fun for adults too. An elevator ride up the TREC 75 foot tower provides an unobstructed view of Lake Erie & amusement park – Waldameer Water World. There’s a snack bar and Nature Gift Shop on site as well. Up to three film choices per day are available on the Big Green Screen in the theater seating 175 people. TREC has free admission; the theater has a modest admission fee.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center

“Gateway to Presque Isle State Park”

www.trecpi.org

814-833-7424

Welcome to Mama Mia's Pizzaria - The Best Pizza In Erie

“I’m hungry for pizza. How about everybody else?” asked Ed. Chris, Betty Anne and I gave a unanimous response in support of pizza so Chris began driving in the direction of a place known for its delicious pizza. When we parked the car, Ed noticed a Chinese restaurant in the plaza.

“Hey, let’s go to the Chinese place!” he suggested. “No, you said pizza. We’re going for pizza,” came back a strong veto from Chris who hates Chinese food. He led the way to Mama Mia’s Pizzaria. “You won’t regret this. Trust me, Dad.”

From behind the counter, Tony assessed our party of four. “You’ll need two large pizzas. What would you like as toppings?”

Tony and his wife own Mama Mia’s Pizzaria, where the pizza crust and sauce are homemade. Folks in town like Tony’s recipe so much that it’s acclaimed as the #1
place in Erie, Pennsylvania for pizza.

“Come on into the kitchen,” Tony invited us with robust hospitality. In the kitchen, shelves sagged with containers full of sauce and the ovens
radiated heat. Tony gave us a show tossing the homemade dough in the air, spinning and catching it in midair until it stretched to a large doughy crust. He spiraled the sauce on the dough evenly from center to the edge. Then, he added the fresh grated cheese blend and generous amounts of toppings – mushrooms, pepperoni, and sausage.

While we waited for our pizzas, Tony talked about fishing on Lake Erie and boats. What else do you talk about in Erie, right? Without the buzz of a timer, Tony knew exactly when to pull our pizza from the oven.

He delivered both to our table with a stack of paper plates and napkins. We helped ourselves to the “pop” in the cooler. “Let me know what you think of the pizza,” grinned Tony.

“Thank goodness, we didn’t go for the Chinese! This is the best pizza I ever ate!” proclaimed Ed. So let’s add a category to that vote. The “out-of-towners” think Mama Mia’s Pizzaria is #1 too!

July 1, 2008

Mama Mia’s Pizzaria, 5154 Peach Street, Erie, PA
814-864-3718

Family Fun In Ingersoll

What do you say to an 80+ year old woman who says, “I’d like a tattoo?”

After you get over the initial surprise and give it some thought, you say, “Yes, Mame!”

That’s exactly what happened during our visit to Ingersoll, Ontario when my mother-in-law Jean Lonsbary looked over the selection of Canada Day memorabilia offered by her daughter Betty Anne.

Mom could have selected any trinket: the miniature Canadian flag, the socks with a maple leaf applique, patriotic pens, or even a hat; but she spied the red & white tattoo with a maple leaf centered in its heart-shape.

I handed Mom the tattoo in is little cellophane wrapper. Then, she said, “Patty will you put this tattoo on me?”

“Sure, where do you want it?" I asked.

“No, I want it right here.”She pointed to her cheek. I was thinking she’d point to her hand.

“Are you sure you want it on your face?” I quizzed.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “I want it right here where everyone can see it!”

That’s exactly what I did hoping and praying as I applied the tattoo that I wouldn’t lose the directions for its eventual removal. My biggest fear was when I took Mom back to the assisted living facility, the nurses would look at her and look at me, and they would question my sensibilities as a responsible adult never letting me sign Mom out for the afternoon again!

Mom’s tattoo was just one of the joyful things that happened when we were visiting Ed’s family.

One of the other joyful things that occurred was that my sister-in-law Betty Anne had an opportunity to shine. She hosted the family for this early Canada Day celebration and gave Ed and me a chance to see family members all under one roof. The pot-luck visit was very well planned and enjoyed by all, including the four Shih Tzu dogs.

I learned a lot about Betty Anne that day. I learned that she is a fabulous hostess, that she can prepare some really terrific food, and that she is a woman who really loves, appreciates, and enjoys her family bonds. During our visit, she played a continuous loop DVD of pictures that Ed sent her of our family and as well as pictures from a trip she had made to our former home in Whitehouse, Texas. The entire afternoon was a remarkable family experience. Even more remarkable was what happened at the end of the day.

Betty Anne and I were in her kitchen when I ask about her plans for the rest of the week.

She smiled and said, “I’m on holiday. I am taking some time off from work to just enjoy myself.”

“Are you going somewhere?” I asked.

“Oh no, I am just going to spend time at home.”

All of sudden the idea sprang in my head. Spontaneously, I said, “Betty Anne, come with us on the coach. We’ll be pulling out in a couple of days and I’d love to have you join our adventure.”

She paused for a moment and looked a little surprised; then, I could see she realized my offer was sincere.

She said in a very thoughtful way, “I’ll think about that.”

She did think about it. And, Monday morning she came over to our coach to talk to Ed and I about just how this could happen, where we were going, and when she could move aboard the coach to enjoy a holiday with us.

Betty Anne’s trip would come to be memorable experience for all of us. She even extended her holiday because our destination was in the extreme west - Banff National Park. Betty Anne’s son Chris lives just south of Banff in Canmore, the gateway city to Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Betty Anne’s trip would eventually take her to Chris in Canmore. She would get there via stops along the way like Smashed-In- Head Buffalo Jump, Writing-on-Stone-Provincial Park, a win at the Montana casino playing Keno, and a fireworks display in South Bend. She’d pass through Calgary, ride a gondola, and walk through a July snowfall on a mountain top. She’d wander through the Fairmont in Banff. She’d visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. All these things unfolded to her because I asked how she was spending her holiday and we were able to take her on a journey to see her son.

We were so very happy to have Betty Anne on board. She taught her brother to say “please” and “thank you” again. She helped with the coach and learned a bit about hooking up water and electricity at a campsite. Although she still needs practice navigating with a map, we never got lost. She had a fabulous, extended visit with her big brother Ed. And, as a bonus, she and I got to know each other much better. Incredibly, one afternoon of family fun in Ingersoll evolved to be much, much more fun!

June 28, 2008

Recommended campground for traveling through Ingersoll, Ontario:

Lake Whittaker Campground

5840 Whittaker Lane

Harrietsville, ON, Canada

From Hwy. 401 near London, Ontario…On Lake Whittaker Road, off Avon Road/Country Rd. 37

www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca

519-269-3592

15, 20, 30 amp/water

Playground; Laundromat; 214 Campsites; Day Use Area