Erie, PA
Saturday, July 21st

I woke up and went to my cousin Matt’s softball tourney. The tournament was the Pennsylvania modified pitch softball championship. If you were wondering, modified pitch rules in essence state that the pitching can be as fast as the pitcher can “bring it” but the are limitations to their motion, which limits the spin and therefore decreases the difficulty of the pitch to hit. He plays with a bunch of guys who vary in age from Matt, who is 18, to guys in their early forties. It is pretty competitive and fun to watch. The tourney was double elimination and all the games were going to be at two fields on the east side of Erie.

Every town has their direction driven demarcations of what is the good and bad parts of the city. Most of them take on a pejorative of some sort. Well in Erie that is the “East side”. Well that is the “old neighborhood” for my family. Now mind you when my dad was growing up the east side was simply the blue collar part of town where most of the folks were only one or two generations removed from a trip from Europe. They all had great manufacturing jobs at the machine shops, steel mills, and of course the paper mill, which was the largest employer in Erie and where all of males in family worked for at one time or another. Well as those jobs went away the neighborhoods suffered. My first residence in Erie was the house that my parents rented from and eventually bought from my grandparents. Over the last few years their have been some attempts to revive the area but with the mill gone and little prospect for solid jobs that is a difficult task. We moved from the east side when I was in the first grade.

After the first game I went to visit with my cousin Jules and her husband Mikey Boam. They were having a garage sale so we just kind of hung out for about an hour before I went back to the east side to meet up with Aunt Sue and Uncle Dave for lunch. On Aunt Sue’s excellent suggestion we went to a place called Clancy’s on East Avenue. The place dates back to the 1800’s. The wood work is excellent and the ceiling has the old school tin tiles on it. There was tons of great stuff on the wall. The original owners were German and then eventually through different owners it became Clancy’s. The current owners are friends of the family. Mr. Lundstrom is about my dad’s age and he bought about fifteen years ago when the paper mill shut down and he like thousands of others lost their jobs. Mr. Lundstrom’s dad worked with my Grandpa Stephany at the mill. The three of us shared a pitcher and had sandwiches. I chose the pizza sub. Although certainly not unique to Erie, Pa this culinary delight is certainly done quite well here and Clancy’s version is certainly no exception. Mr. Lundstrom came out from the kitchen and hung out for a while as he and my uncle Dave shared stories of life on the East side and the mill days.

A picture of Clancy's from the early 1900's

Clancy's today

After our lunch we went to Matt’s next game which was played at Roman Blaszczyk Field. Not sure who this was but it shows the heavy Polish influence on the east side of Erie. The group that had it dedicated to Roman “let’s buy a vowel” Blaszczyk was the Moniuszko Club of Erie, one of the many polish clubs on the east side. Matt’s team lost a close game where the umpires lost control of the game. The team, Parker Pools, is sponsored by a woman named Shirley who in addition to keeping the book provides a substantial food spread after each and every game. Her husband passed away years ago and the team has become “her boys”.

Evidence of the Polish influence on Erie's east side

Shirley and "her boys"

For dinner, yes more food, I had a heated combination sub from Theresa’s Deli. A visit to Erie that doesn’t include a stop here simply did not happen. One time I risked missing a flight out of Erie to grab a combo sub. I was eating it during my layover in Detroit and a guy came and asked me, “Are you from Erie?” I responded affirmatively and he subsequently said, “That has to be a Theresa’s sub, man I haven’t had one of those in years.” Suffice to say the sammies are good luvin’. I took a “nap” for a couple hours. Not really sure you can call it a nap when you go to bed at 7pm. As requested Aunt Sue woke me up around 9:30pm so I could over to another cousin’s house, Jon and his wife Lisa. They just moved into a new house about a week ago and it is quite nice. They are expecting their first child in January. I have to say that all of my cousins have married people who are over the top, sick, twisted, hilarious, and really out of control. They REALLY fit in well with out family.

Washington, DC to Erie, PA
Friday, July 20th

I knew it was time to leave DC because as I was ready to walk out of room the maintenance crew knocked and said that they needed my bed. Talk about closure. I grabbed some coffee from the cafeteria and hit the road. The drive is relatively easy, especially with the PA turnpike. It amounts to about five and a half hours. My iPod was on the fritz so I listened to CD’s and talked on the phone. Both items helped me pass time on the road. The last three years that I have left DC I have felt like I did not thank people enough. Realizing that although my work schedule was quite busy I was able to get to do a lot of things and see a great deal of people. I regret not getting out to Graham’s house, I could have spent more time with friends, and there were a lot of people I did give proper good byes to. Nobody is perfect, especially me, who at best is interestingly flawed.

Why do people put crap like this in/on the back of their cars?

Upon arriving in Erie, the town of my youth, I headed to the McGarrey’s Oakwood Tavern in my old neighborhood. In addition to having the BEST Reuben’s known to man it was also the location to countless end of the season parties from youth baseball, football, and basketball teams. The beer is cold and cheap and the food is great. Besides the reuben sandwich, it almost pains me to write that, the perch sandwich is the next most well known menu item. I met my Uncle Dave, the father of Alexis, Buff, and Matt the other Memphis Stephanys, for a beer. It was decided to have a small cook out at their place. I picked up Grandma at the family catering place and went to Uncle Dave and Aunt Sue’s for burgers and Smith hot dogs. If in the next few posts that relate to Erie you sense a gastrointestinal theme you are right. When one gets back to Erie there are certain spots and foods that must be attended to. The weather was quite mild in fact I was chilly outside for the first since last April in Memphis. We had a great time catching up.

Random Post - Warning very immature!!!

Topic - Poop Dollar
This is easily the most immature activity I engaged in the entire time I was in DC. For anyone who knows me…, I loved it. What does it entail? As the name implies the two necessary ingredients are poop and a dollar bill. The third ingredient is implied, a group of idiots. Here is the game as described and demonstrated to me. A strategic location is chosen for its proximity to drunken people walking home and the ability to watch the location in stealth. The pile of dog poop, preferably large, is placed in rather plain view. A dollar bill is placed/wedged on top of the pile of dung so the currency can not move unless altered by drunken human greed. The dollar bill obscures the view of the dog poop so all that the drunk sees is the dollar. A location frequented by drunken walkers is key because their senses of judgment and smell are weakened. When the drunk picks up the bill the group jumps out, points excitedly, and yells at the top of their lungs, “POOP DOLLAR!!! POOP DOLLAR!!!” and runs away before the victim realizes the implications of the fecal stained transaction. It is quite juvenile and quite fun. Who taught me this? All I will say is that is was not Norm. I would have guessed him also.

For anyone who wanted a visual

Washington, DC

Wednesday, July 18th
I rode back into town with Ryser. It only confirms to me that if I ever move to DC I will not live in the suburbs and taking it up a notch, probably will not own a car. Nothing against the burbs I just do not have the patience for traffic. After returning to Albans I began packing in earnest. I had to catch up on laundry and pack in two ways. I needed to pack stuff that I will not touch again until Memphis. I also needed a bag that I will operate from for the next two weeks. I did not do that at the beginning of the trip and it caused me some problems.

After getting stuff ready I took the Metro’s Orange line out to Fairfax to meet with the old family friends. Amy is the daughter of my parents’ best friends in Erie, the Bestwicks. Amy and her husband, Marc and their two sons Jack and Evan live in Virginia out past Dulles Airport in Aldie, VA. Our two families go way back to when my Dad taught German and coached football for Amy’s Dad. Our family’s relationship continued even though my dad left teaching twenty seven years ago. We have taken family vacations and spent numerous holidays together. Amy picked me up from the metro stop and we headed out to their house.

Besides hanging out with the whole family one of the most fun things was going to Jack’s baseball practice with Marc. One of Jack’s baseball leagues has a great way of handling early baseball. The kids are only one year removed from T-ball so their skills are not that developed. What they do is take the kids, 30 are signed up to with only 20 to 25 showing up on regular basis, and they split them into two groups on two fields. Different dads run drills with the groups and then they play a very informal three inning game. The kids rotate positions and everyone gets to hit. It is so rational that I was sure what to do. There was not any of the over the top parent competitiveness that usually accompanies youth baseball. I jumped in the fray and ran the infield drills for one of the groups. It was a blast. I really miss coaching baseball and that age seems natural to coach. The kids seem to have the most fun, which IS the whole point.

Evan and Jack prepare for the morning commute

When we returned home we had a fantastic meal. I am so spoiled. After eating and hanging out Jack showed me how to play the Wii video game, it was a lot of fun. I only briefly got into video games in high school, not really my style but if I had one I could get used to a Wii. In the end I’m way t cheap to buy one of those, besides it would cut into my beer drinking time. Unacceptable. Marc and had a few beers and shot the bull. It was a great visit, so glad I did it.

Thursday, July 19th
Marc gave me a ride to the Metro and headed back to Albans. I loaded up the car with everything except a day bag for the drive. It is weird not knowing if I will be back at the program next year. I suspect I will.

I then took the bus down to Adams Morgan/U District to meet Todd for a few beers. He has a great little place right off the bus line. We went to Stetson’s, a great little dive around the corner for a few beers. I have really enjoyed getting to know Todd he is fun guy. He is coming through Memphis in about month on a cross country trip. My guess is that a few beers will be consumed. Norm met me there and Pete was handed off to the next bar hopping partner.

The patio bar of Local 16

Norm and went basically next door to a place called Local 16 for supper. Another great meal was consumed along with a few beers. The place has great atmosphere, especially its rooftop bar and patio. My idea for an early take off quickly and realistically went the way of the Do-Do bird. From Local 16 we went downtown to meet Bannach and Fran at Rocket Bar for shuffle puck and drinks. It was a great send off from DC.

When you get a chance to wear a fake mustache you do it.

The shuffle puck master at Rocket Bar

Washington, DC

Sunday, July 15th - Tuesday, July 17th
Rather than try to update each day I’m going to try to catch up on the goings on of Pete since the School of Public Service has ended. The rest of the wek is coming

Sunday, July 15th
After a rather lazy morning and day for Pete the faculty and staff got together for a program debriefing in the afternoon. The goal is to go over all the information from the exit interviews that were conducted on Friday. The session went well with some great suggestions for next year. After the session there was cook out in one of the courtyards of the St. Albans. The cook out included steaks, brats, burgers, corn, and potato salad on the side. The cookout was a great way to end the program.

Monday, July 16th
Spent the day lounging around DC. In a way it seemed like two days. I woke up this morning around 5:30am and drove down to the Lincoln Memorial to watch the sunrise. Yes, I know a bit cheesy but it was well worth the early wake up call. It is nice to be there when it has virtually no other people. Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, watching the sun rise, while drinking a cup of coffee, awesome. I went back to Albans pretty soon after sunrise to beat any traffic and went back to bed.

After knocking around I met Norm, Virginia, Fran, and Norm’s Mom and friend fro a couple of drinks at the Hotel Monaco in downtown DC. The Monaco is where Norm and Virginia’s wedding will be. It looks like a great place for a wedding and the location is ideal. After drinks we went back to Fran’s, a block and half up the street, for dinner. Fran outdid himself. The menu; steamed mussels in a tarragon cream sauce, broiled potatoes, and crab cakes. The food was scrumptious. We hung out and had a few drinks. Another great night.

Tuesday, July 17th
Tuesday was a great day. Woke up late and spent the morning drinking coffee and reading the Washington Post. After seeing Amelia, a fellow SPS staff member, off for the summer Todd, Hilary, Melissa, and I went to lunch at the Tombs down in Georgetown. I went there earlier in the summer for beers and wanted to eat there at least once. I made quick work of my roasted turkey club with red onions and avocado. We saw Melissa off as she headed back to Richmond, Va.

Hilary dropped me off at the Metro where I timed my meeting with Ryser perfectly to head to her and Micah’s place in Germantown, MD for dinner. While Ryser and Micah did a conference call for a project they are working on I went to the grocery to pickup Micah’s supplies for the meal. I followed Micah’s orders and chopped some stuff up and then got out of the way. The menu; Cucumber Soup, served chilled, BBQ Burgers, a Ryser family recipe, and homemade strawberry and rhubarb pie with ice cream. The crust was made with about a stick of butter. Got to love the French style cooking. Billy and Amanda drive out to have diner with us. The food was incredible. I am quickly becoming very spoiled in the culinary area of my life.

What I enjoy the most about my month stint in DC is getting to do precisely this stuff. I get to hang out with two of my best friends from high school. We have known each other over twenty two years. I always leave DC wishing I had more time to hang out with all of them. On top of all that both Ryser and Billy married incredible people. They do not come much better than Micah and Amanda. Days like this are why I look forward to DC and miss it when I’m gone.