The Cadets' relocation to Erie County a coup for Erie Sports Center, owner Troy Bingham
Correction: Waterford Heritage Days will occur in July. The month was incorrect in earlier versions of this column.
It’s exciting news that The Cadets, one of the nation’s oldest and most decorated drum corps, has forged a partnership with Erie Sports Center and is moving its operations to Erie County.
Established 89 years ago in Garfield, New Jersey, The Cadets have frequently won the DCI/National Drum and Bugle Corps Championships, considered the most prestigious competition in all of such events.
After moving to Allentown in 2004, The Cadets’ management had to be impressed with the Sports Center, which is located in the Erie Bank Sports Park on Oliver Road. A deal was quickly struck for the Cadets to relocate.
This area has always supported marching bands and drum and bugle corps, as evidenced by the annual Lake Erie Fanfare, which draws large crowds every summer.
Landing The Cadets is a feather in the cap of Erie Sports Center owner Troy Bingham.
How much is too much for a concert ticket?
Sky-high ticket prices commanded by major rock stars these days reminded retired Erie Times-News music writer Dave Richards of a poster he once saw of a show held at the Warner Theatre in 1958.
Bruce Springsteen might be charging $500 for OK seats for his upcoming tour, but tickets for the show in Erie, which featured Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, The Drifters and many others, cost only $3. You read that right.
The show, which was a benefit for St. Boniface Catholic Church, featured the “Show of Stars for ’57,” which mostly traveled by bus from city to city.
More: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band announce stadium tour
A taste of summer in February
It was fun watching all those school kids, sans coats and jackets, racing around the playgrounds during the noon hour Wednesday, as the temperatures climbed into the high 60s. But I wonder if many of them came down with a cold after that one glorious day.
Try it: Take a web-cam tour of Erie-area weather conditions
Will there be a Presque Isle ferry in summer 2023?
That spate of pleasant, sunny weather made me think of ferry service on Presque Isle Bay, which was missing last summer. I hope the new leadership at the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority is making plans to bring the ferry boat back for the summer of ’23.
Erie people of a certain age will recall catching a bus down to the Public Dock and then paying a paltry sum ― I think it was less than 50 cents ― to catch the ferry across the bay to Presque Isle. Many a great summer day was spent that way on the beaches back then.
End of a long career in law
Best wishes to Erie Bankruptcy Judge Tom Agresti, who recently retired after a long and distinguished career as a lawyer and jurist. His late father, the great Dick Agresti, would be so proud of all that Tom accomplished.
Column: Why Erie owes a debt of gratitude to newly retired bankruptcy judge
Fifth and State streets construction update
John Persinger, who heads Erie’s Downtown Development Corporation, sent me some architectural drawings of what the new buildings at Fifth and State Streets will look like when they’re finished. The drawings are impressive ― much better than that giant concrete structure that stands in the center of the development.
Persinger said the buildings should be completed by late summer or early fall. He also hinted at some exciting news about the commercial and residential tenants that will take up residence in the new buildings. He promised to share the news in a bit, so stay tuned.
For subscribers: New apartments, parking garage, coffee shops, climbing gym to open in Erie in 2023
101-year-old's funeral celebrates his rich life
You would never think that the funeral for a 101-year-old man would attract such a crowd, but scores of people turned out at Orlando Funeral Homes last week to celebrate the life of Julio “Gene” Ruscitto. He died Feb. 6.
Gene, a decorated World War II hero who worked as a medic in the Pacific Theater, was one of the best-known and best-liked guys in town. Multitalented, he spent most of his career as a tool-and-die maker, and he could fix anything. Gene even built his own house for Betty, his wife of 58 years, and their five kids. He was a whiz at golf, fishing and hunting, and was always a great conversationalist.
Remembered: Erie Benedictine Mary Lou Kownacki, peace activist, former reporter and poet, dies at 81
Back in Erie, and a book recommendation
Bill Bolash, a longtime certified public accountant, recently moved back to Erie after spending 18 years at The Villages in Florida. Bill said it’s great to be close to family again. He also raves about a baseball book called “Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball,” which includes several flattering mentions of the late Sam Jethroe, the former Negro Leagues and Major League star who spent his last 50-plus years in Erie.
More: MLB's recognition of Negro League records includes Jethroe, others with Erie ties
An honor for an Erie County, St. Bonaventure sports great
At a ceremony scheduled this past Saturday at St. Bonaventure University’s Reilly Center, the jersey number 22, which originally belonged to Erie’s Kathy Lynch, was slated to be raised to the rafters. That’s the Bona way to honor its greatest players.
Kathy, a Villa Maria graduate, served as captain of the Bonnies women’s team for two seasons. When she graduated, she ranked as the school’s all-time scoring champion.
Lynch went on to become one of the nation’s top major college basketball officials and regularly worked NCAA championship games. Her young golfing pupils at Mercyhurst Prep must be so proud of their coach.
Erie County female sports pioneers: Women who have made a difference in area athletics
Waterford Heritage Days are a go
So glad to hear that the Waterford Heritage Days will go on as usual this summer behind the organizing efforts of Legacy Hydroponics. Scheduled for July, it’s one of the best festivals of summer.
Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: The Cadets drum corps relocates to Erie PA from Allentown
