Erie, PA

A snow vista of the Aunt Kitty and Uncle Ron's house.

They were nice (Insane!) enough to house the

Memphis Stephanys over the holidays.

The rest of the holiday was spent with the usual Stephany family traditions. Christmas Eve is spent at Stephany’s Catering. I really can not imagine another way to spend Christmas Eve in Erie. The Catering Place holds so many fold childhood memories. Practically every family gathering, and there were many, was spent there. Significant events like first communions, weddings, wedding anniversaries, and graduation parties. My first job, cutting grass and generally doing whatever my Grandpa said. I remember my first real kiss at a mixer, a dance that my cousins used to host. A mixer is a dance for middle school kids, with a DJ, and lots of music from the 80’s. Octoberfests that my parents used to have where I had my younger cousins, who were about 10 or 11 at the time, grab pitchers of beers for me and my friends. All they had to say if they were confronted with a pitcher was, “We are getting it for Uncle Mike”, and they were in the clear.

AJ and CJ were the most popular Stephanys over the holidays

Jillian working the ice machine behind the bar at the Stephany's Catering

The funerals of Uncle Jack and Grandpa Stephany were also held at the catering place. Ironically enough all of our events have the following constants; eating, drinking, laughing, crying, and family. I knew how to tap a keg well before I even wanted to drink beer (A veeerrry long time ago) My Aunt Sue jokes that when a keg runs out at a family function our clan looks like a NASCAR pit crew when we acquire and hook up another keg.

In this day and age with families so spread out across the country there are not many people lucky enough to grow up in this manner. My first friends were my family. In many ways, my experiences growing up were a bit like a fairy tale.

Grandma Stephany, Jeff, Aunt Patty and Buff share the holiday cheer.

I digress, Christmas Eve was spent talking, eating, drinking, and just basically hanging out. We played a fun gift exchange game that we have done the last few years. Grandpa Stephany gave us all gifts that made us all weepy. Her and the Goat, (Aunt Mary) went through old photo books, closets, and gave us keep sakes. There were old pictures and memorabilia. We all had a great time.

*See note below

*So we all play this "Dirty Santa"or "White Elephant". It usually entails "discussing" the rules until we are confused and then we play. This year Grandma thought the gifts were supposed to be gag gifts so she gave a twin pack of enemas. The funny thing is that is was the only gag gift and cousin Jeff opened it last. Hilarious, only in the Stephany Family does Grandma give the gag gift if enemas!

Erie, PA

We started off the day with the christening of Christopher Boam and AJ Theiss. They are the sons of my cousins Julie and Jeff (sister and brother). They were both adopted last year. The whole story is just great. The neat part of the christening was that in priest’s whole sermonwas about the two boys and their families(Link to sermon) . He made the analogy between the Jesus and Mary, and the stories of the adoptions. It was quite touching. The way I figure it a person usually has only one sermon about them in their lifetime and you’re not alive for it. It was held at the Lutheran Church that Julia and Jeff’s family belong to. It was really nice. I have a link to a photo gallery of the whole trip to Erie right here. (Photo album)

After the church we went with Uncle Ron, Aunt Kitty, Uncle Dave, Big Mike, the Stephany girls to the Greengarden Tavern to watch the Browns/Bengals game. The beer was cold, the food was fried, and the bill was cheap. The Browns ended up in the loss column despite a vallient comeback effort. The loss does not bode well for their playoff aspirations. The rest of the day we all relaxed and I caught up on some much needed sleep.

One of the many taverns in Erie, PA.

Erie, PA

The rest of the week I was free of the responsibilities of teaching and coaching at the “H”. I love my job but the break was much needed and well timed. Not much too specifically report. In general a few of the favorite watering holes were visited with the usual crew including some old favorites who were back in town for the holidays.

On Friday, Buff, Lex, and I hit the road to Erie, we left later in the day in order to avoid traffic, other drivers, and beat an impending snow attack that was heading to Erie. It was a marathon effort. We left around 4pm Central and arrived in Erie around 6 in am on Saturday. A good effort by all in the driving category. This maneuver allowed us to enjoy the Saturday in Erie after a power nap.

We visited with the family most of the day between naps and eating. A successful visit my hometown entails how many of the old eating and drinking establishments are visited while in town. One of the first visits is an Italian sub at Theresa’s Deli. I eat it toasted and with plenty of Italian dressing. The sub is huge and cheap. I have trouble eating the whole thing. Do not be confused here; don’t let “trouble” be associated with “can’t”. Let’s be honest, I knock the whole thing down, but a nap is usually right around the corner.

Theresa's Deli

After some visiting with the “wiser”, read older, members of the family the “cousin crew” went out to some local watering holes. One of my favorites is the Plymouth Tavern. It is a staple of the Erie community and over the holidays it acts a meeting place for running into old friends who either still live in town or are back to visit. We ran into a number of people including one of my old neighbors, classmates from grade school, and teaching colleague of my uncle Ron, Kathy. She was with her husband and we shared some drinks and stories and generally hung out. Seeing old friends and hanging with the Stephany girls (Running five deep) made a fun night. As a small note, an evening of eating and drinking at an Erie bar with over six people, six Stephanys, ran a tab of around $70 bucks. Ridiculously cheap. That is a tab I did not mind covering at all!

The Plymouth Tavern in downtown Erie!

The Cousin Crew running five Stephany girls deep.

After a long night of drinking one usually “requires” a late night snack or “snicket” to tide you over till the morning. We discussed a few spots but when your aunt, “The Goat”, runs a catering place you have an obvious place to go. Besides we would be able to visit and hang out with the family. I laid waste to the cookies my cousin Chrissie made. I ate like a piggy!!!

Late night snacks at Club Goat!