Erie Times-News, Pa., Kevin Cuneo column [Erie Times-News, Pa.] (2024)

Oct. 21--Downtown Erie really rocked with activity Thursday night as large crowds turned out for the Rascal Flatts concert at the new Erie Insurance Arena, and to see Sally Struthers in "Hello, Dolly" at the Warner Theatre. "Carrie, The Musical" also opened at the Erie Playhouse, which meant you had to hustle to find a parking space. Such events bring people downtown not only for the entertainment, but also for dinner and drinks. It's always nice to see so much going on downtown. ... Mercyhurst University certainly snagged a major attraction when former Gov. Tom Ridge and his wife, Michele, decided to house their archives at the Erie college. It's a massive collection that will delight people who followed Ridge's career from his days as an assistant Erie County district attorney all the way up to his service as the first secretary of homeland security. Clearly, the close friendship the Ridges enjoy with longtime Mercyhurst board member Marlene Mosco and her husband, Homer Mosco, played a role in the decision to house the collection at Mercyhurst. The university should take advantage of the gift and display it in a prominent place for everyone to see. ... AMC's decision to feature a new unscripted TV series called "King of Arms" will bring the show to Erie. It will chronicle the lives of the members of arm wrestling clubs in Erie; Baton Rouge, La.; New York City; Sacramento, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Locally, arm wrestling enthusiasts always think first of the late John Heynoski, who built a national reputation as a champion arm wrestler. Sadly, he was only 46 when he was killed in a 2008 motorcycle accident. Team Heynoski, a group of Erie arm wrestlers named in his honor, captured the 2009 team title at the Arm Wrestling Nationals in Somerset, Ky. ... Former Erie SeaWolves manager Tom Brookens, now the Detroit Tigers third-base coach, came in for some criticism Thursday from Tigers manager Jim Leyland after Miguel Cabrera ran through Brookens' stop sign and was easily thrown out at the plate in the game against Boston. Brookens flashed the stop sign a bit late, but Cabrera should have stayed at third. These days, it's easier to blame a coach than a multi-million-dollar superstar. ... Earlier in the week, when Detroit right fielder Torii Hunter disappeared over the fence, as he tried in vain to rob Boston'sDavid Ortiz of a grand slam home run, it reminded Erie'sRichard Laurie of the great 1963 catch by Cleveland'sAl Luplow at Fenway Park. The difference is that Luplow caught the ball. Unfortunately, only about 6,000 fans saw Luplow's great play, while much of the world watched Hunter's valiant try. ... Monsignor Henry Kriegel is exploring the idea of moving Erie's Irish Festival from Rainbow Gardens to an outdoor area near St. Patrick Catholic Church. Streets would be closed and heated tents would be set up -- kind of like the Zabawa Polish festival hosted by Holy Trinity Catholic Church. It's an idea worth investigating. ... ZooBoo, already packing them in at the Erie Zoo, runs through Oct. 30.

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