Big-name speakers bound for Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit in Erie

It’s October, which means the Jefferson Educational Society’s Global Summit will soon be in full swing.

PNC’s Jeff Szumigale, University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari and Sports Illustrated editor Jon Wertheim will lead off the conference on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Cathedral Prep’s auditorium. Szumigale played on the same Clarion basketball team with Calipari and they’ve remained close friends through the years.

Calipari, who visited Erie in 2021 to scout a local high school basketball player, will be interviewed by Wertheim, a familiar figure on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

Other big-name speakers set to take part in the summit include Karl Rove on Oct. 23, Fiona Hill on Nov. 4, Jim and Debbie Fallows on Nov. 10, John Dickerson on Dec. 11 and Judy Woodruff on Dec. 12.

My favorite is humorist Tom Bodett, who will speak Nov. 2 at the Jefferson. I always get a kick out of Bodett’s radio commercials for Motel 6, in which he promises, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

● These are heady days for Monsignor Tom McSweeney, who with Dr. Maureen Carey Barber last week presented a program on the cause for sainthood for the late Dr. Gertrude Barber. It drew a large crowd, which is no surprise considering the many friends and admirers of Barber, who in 1952 founded what is today the Barber National Institute.

Several days before that program, McSweeney was invited to return to Gannon University where he was surprised by university officials who dedicated suites in his honor at the beautiful offices in the school’s new communications center. Classic photos of McSweeney adorn the rooms.

Many of McSweeney’s former students came in from all parts of the country to be on hand for the dedication. They told fascinating stories about how he started the communications department while leading the school’s theater program and radio and TV stations. All while he taught a full class load. The affection for McSweeney by his former students, many of whom were inspired to go on to great success, is a tribute to the man.

● Author, journalist and social observer Fran Lebowitz will appear Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Mercyhurst University’s Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. Lebowitz, known for her acerbic views on current events, was featured in a 2021 series on Netflix, 'Pretend I's a City', along with film director Martin Scorsese.

● Mercyhurst University just concluded a 50th anniversary celebration of its Hospitality Management Department, which is led by Pete Zohos. Daryl Georger, a former chairman of the department who played a key role in building it, has been with the university for 40 years.

● Dick Martin’s death at the age of 98 on Sept. 16 rekindled many fond memories of the dozens of trips he and his wife, Mary, helped organize during his time as travel chairman for General Electric’s Exempt Retirees group. Dozens of people toured the world, thanks to Dick, Mary and the other GEER volunteers.

Dick earned many medals, including two bronze stars, during his service during World War II. The Martin family is well known throughout the region, and Dick and Mary were always at the center of all the fun.

● The expansive new Sheetz complex at the corner of W. 38th and Liberty Streets is now open and it’s an impressive addition to that neighborhood. It looks to be first class in every way.

More: New Sheetz opens on Erie's west side

● The final playoff games for the Erie SeaWolves at UPMC Park rank among the most entertaining ever played at the baseball stadium. The big crowds made the games special. The games concluded just before the weather turned cold and rainy, and they were a fitting ending to a great Erie baseball season.

● Several days of heavy rain in the region turned normally gentle streams into raging rivers. The back of our house in Millcreek borders the usually placid Beaver Run, which this time flowed over its banks.

It reminded me of a storm many years ago when our kids tossed our snow tires, which were piled up behind our shed, into the fast-flowing current. I drove all over trying to find the darned tires, but they were long gone.

More: Erie sets record for rainfall; flooding reported; 2 rescued from creek

● Chilly temperatures and swollen streams are ideal for coaxing the big steelhead trout out of Lake Erie. They return to the creeks to spawn, attracting anglers from several states and Canada who come to Erie to try their luck. It’s a multi-million dollar business in this region.

More: Steelhead fishing will draw big crowds to Pennsylvania's Lake Erie tributaries this fall

● During a recent visit to Primanti Bros. restaurant at the Millcreek Mall to watch Sunday afternoon football, I was taken with the big mural that features so many Erie football stars including Fred Biletnikoff, Mike McCoy and others. Ann B. Davis and other prominent local folks are also pictured in the mural.

● The Erie Philharmonic Orchestra will kick off its symphonic season on Oct. 22 at the Warner Theatre with Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy.” Conductor Daniel Meyer and the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, while the Philharmonic’s chorus provides the singing.

More: Sheena Easton, violinist Midori, 'Toy Story' among Erie Philharmonic's 2022-23 season lineup

You’ve got to give credit to Meyer, who always seems to choose works that audiences recognize and really enjoy. A couple of former conductors preferred to select more obscure works to help educate the audiences, but Meyer’s way is better ― at least to this bourgeoisie listener.

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Global Summit brings big-name speakers to Erie