Erie's Barber Christmas Ball expected to draw another big crowd

This is the most social of seasons in Erie as parties, concerts and holiday celebrations take us right up to Christmas.

Perhaps the most popular dance of the year is the Barber Christmas Ball, which always draws in excess of 1,000 people, and this year’s event will be no exception. The Barber Ball, with its “Christmas in the City” theme, is set for Saturday at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Erie Insurance CEO Tim NeCastro and his wife, Lisa, will be the chair couple for the ball, now in its 57th year. It originally took place at Rainbow Gardens before moving to the bayfront about a decade ago. While many celebrations like this one fade away after a few years, the Barber Ball seems to grow in popularity, and many of the celebrants are following in their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps.

Good food and drink, fancy Christmas decorations and a lively band are always part of the draw, but the cause is what matters most. Proceeds will help fund the $3 million renovation of the multi-use swimming pool at the Barber National Institute, which provides therapy and recreation for clients and their families.

● The Christmas Ball always rekindles fond memories of the late Gertrude Barber, who founded the center that bears her name. It’s always a joyous event, although this year’s celebration will be tinged with sadness because Gertrude’s top lieutenant for many years, Irene Smerick, died on Nov. 29.

1923-2022: Irene Smerick

Nobody was a more loyal assistant than Smerick, who originally took her daughter, Rosie, to see Gertrude Barber to learn if any services offered there could help. Rosie thrived at the Barber Center, and Irene went on to assist in so many important roles there. In all, she served nearly five decades, helping to make Erie and the Barber Center a valued resource for those with disabilities and their families.

Irene was a wonderful lady in so many respects and she’ll be greatly missed by her scores of friends and admirers.

Related: ‘Historic moment’ as sainthood sought for Erie’s Barber

● Longtime customers at the Edinboro Hotel Bar were pleased to see that a CBS sitcom recently borrowed a photograph of the exterior of the building to set the scene in “The Neighborhood.”

Fictional signs were added to the photo of the hotel bar, but there was no mistaking that it was the landmark in Edinboro. Pat Hargest, owner of the hotel, is certain that the place featured in the TV show is his.

All the publicity made me think of the late Kip Allen, who died in Florida at the age of 74 in 2021. Kip owned the Edinboro Hotel for years and he built it into the tradition-rich institution that so many Edinboro graduates would frequent every time they returned to town.

2021: 'Kip's Way' was public service, in Edinboro, in Pennsylvania and nationwide

● Former Morning News city editor Bill Welch shares reports about the Roger Blough, an 858-foot ore carrier that has been permanently laid up in Conneaut, Ohio. A major fire on the ship caused more than $20 million in damages, putting the future of the carrier in doubt.

The Roger Blough was launched shortly before Erie’s 1,000-foot Stewart Cort went into service. The Blough and Cort were thought to be two of the largest carriers on the Great Lakes. The Roger Blough wintered in Erie in 2016.

● Best wishes to Joe Kloecker on his retirement after 56 years of working in downtown Erie. Joe, a respected financial advisor for most of those years, recently received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Gannon University, his alma mater.

● Bill Goodwill was the kind of auto salesman who had you hooked the minute you walked through the door. With Bill, who died Nov. 22 at 84, it wasn’t a matter of just buying a car, you almost felt as if you should buy two.

Seriously, he was a gifted auto dealer who ran Roth Cadillac for many years. Even after he retired, he kept active in the business. And his customers loved him for his personality and charm. Bill was especially close to his daughter, Dawn Goodwill, and her husband, Rich Forsgren.

1938-1922: William Charles “Bill” Goodwill

● Lori Colvin and Lee Steadman collaborated on a terrific new children’s book, “A Quiet Conversation with the Snow.” It’s the beautifully illustrated tale of a father and son’s magical winter walk to their secret spot deep among the snowy woods and streams.

Colvin will sign copies of the book on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m, at Pressed Bookstore, 1535 W. Eighth St., and on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Dragonfly Sweets/Straw Hat on West Main Street in North East.

● Vickie Fabrizio, who died Nov. 21 at 75, worked as a reporter for the Erie Times-News and the Sunday paper for many years. Vickie always seemed to know everyone in the region, and she had great sources all over town.

1947-2022: Victoria Caroline Beyer Fabrizio

● Congratulations to Rina Irwin, CEO of Child Development Centers, Inc., who recently was awarded the prestigious Difference Maker Award at the annual What’s Right in Education Conference in Pensacola, Florida. Only 10 people have received the award since its inception.

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

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie's Barber Christmas Ball expected to draw another big crowd