Corn, peaches and peppers, oh my: August is great for fresh produce around Erie County
For those who love fresh fruit and vegetables, August is a great month in Erie. Cool, rainy weather earlier this summer was hard on the strawberries, but the corn, peaches, melons, peppers and other produce available at local stands are excellent.
There was a time years ago when you could get great sweet corn in this region for only a couple of weeks in late July. By mid-August, it was mostly past its prime, with ears of oversized kernels that seemed better suited for cows and pigs. But science has helped modern farmers grow tasty corn through the end of August.
Good cooks have also found ways to freeze corn, making it a treat in the months ahead. I don’t know how the farmers and cooks do it. All I know is that we’re in the midst of a great year for corn on the cob.
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● Craig Murphey sends word that one of Fairview High School’s most distinguished graduates, Edward “Ted” Decker, will be honored at a reception Sept. 21 at the Kahkwa Club. Decker, who is chairman, president and CEO of Home Depot, graduated from Fairview in 1981. He will receive the Fairview School Foundation Distinguished Alumnus Award.
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● It felt like a serious blow when the TOPS market on West 26th Street closed recently, but it’s clear that a lot of money has been diverted to the TOPS store on East 38th Street and the one across from the Liberty Plaza. New facades make the stores appear much more appealing, and customers can now buy gasoline there.
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● The group headed by Erik Hengelbrok, Dick Homovec, Ed Tropper, Terry Dunn and other former Erie Lions hockey players convinced more than a dozen ex-Lions to attend a big reunion weekend.
One of the best players from the Lions, Rick Chartraw, who went on to star on several Stanley Cup championship teams in the NHL, sent word that he planned to come to Erie for the reunion.
Back in the 1960s and early ‘70s, when the team played every Friday and Saturday night at what was then known as the Erie Ice Rink, crowds of 1,000 or more fans always turned out for every game. The Lions helped fire up fans in Erie who became devoted followers of the hockey teams that have followed.
● So many area tennis players are mourning Ricky Harden, who died at 75 on July 31. Harden was a great teacher who turned scores of youngsters on to tennis during his decades at the Westwood Racquet Club. He taught there after putting in a full shift as a toolmaker at Swanson Erie.
I remember Ricky from his days as an excellent basketball player for the legendary coach Ralph Calabrese at Strong Vincent High School.
Sadly, Harden was the last survivor of his 12 siblings. He was a really good guy and a great coach.
● Beatles fans won’t want to miss a performance by Abbey Road on Wednesday at Lake Erie Community Park in Lake City. The 7 p.m. show is part of the Music in the Park series.
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● Old friend and classmate Jim Griffey points out that the Angola, New York, rest stop on Interstate 90 is closed. You can still buy gas there, but the restaurants and restrooms inside the iconic structure that stretches across I-90 are gone. It appears that major renovations are planned for the building, but, like Jim, I hope they keep the building the way it is.
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● I understand that officials of Cathedral Prep’s Sports Hall of Fame have invited Kathy Lynch, who starred in basketball for Villa Maria Academy and St. Bonaventure University, to join the hall. Kathy would become the first Villa alumnus to be inducted if she decides to accept the invitation.
Villa athletes would add a lot to the hall of fame, and I’m glad somebody had the good sense to reach out.
● I remember so well when MaryBeth Ford gave birth to her son, James, back in 1984. His dad is the original Jim Swoger. It came as a terrible shock when young Jim Swoger died of cancer Aug. 7. He’d been a proud journeyman of the Steamfitters Local 449 and was talented in so many ways.
My sympathy to MaryBeth and Jim Swoger, and James’ wife, Jennie, and their twins, Cara Lynn and James Walker Swoger.
● Leave it to the Benedictine sisters to find an earth-friendly way of clearing overgrown trails at their Glinodo property on Route 5. On Aug. 26 from 1-3:30 p.m. they will welcome a herd of goats to take care of the trails.
So many people seemed fascinated when the goats were first used to clear the trails in 2022 that the sisters decided to hold a Glinodo Goat Fest, which will include a storybook trail, nature art, snacks and games. Kids will even get a chance to meet the goats.
Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: For fresh fruit and vegetable lovers, August a great month in Erie PA
