People

What a milestone—125 years of service for the Presque Isle Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Erie, PA. The chapter celebrated with a luncheon and celebration at the historic Kahkwa Club on Saturday, October 22, 2022.  I am the vice-regent (former treasurer) of the Presque Isle Chapter and volunteered to…

As one who has done a fair amount of research on World War One and whose great uncle died in that war, I was especially eager to read Bill Welch’s book, Duty, Terror and Survival: The World War One Diary and Art of Doughboy Cp. Harold W. Pierce. Bill and I were part of the Erie…

Would any of us today in North America have the fortitude to resist a fascist government or dictatorship? To withstand prolonged periods of cruel torture? To lose our lives? To see our children killed before our eyes because of our own actions, though noble? Thousands of Italian women during World War II said yes. Of…

It’s been a long time coming, but the Dimorier Project finally has something to show for decades of research and writing and thousands of dollars to honor a good man—William E. Dimorier. After numerous efforts to get William’s story published in the traditional way, I finally decided to publish his biography myself. It is now…

When an infuriated ex-soldier took a Veterans Administration official hostage in Erie, Pennsylvania, Sgt. Leo J. Waldinger and Patrolman Walter R. May rescued the victim and sacrificed their own lives.

If only I could go back and hand this girl the list. . .

The feelings that come like a flood when mothers face the impending empty nest are universal and timeless. Whether they have stayed at home, or have enjoyed rewarding careers, many mothers feel varying degrees of loss and confusion as their children head out into the world. Recently, I wrote about what it means to be a…

I’ve always wanted to walk across the country. Now, I’ve met someone who’s actually done it—in the name of happiness. I will probably never walk across the country, but I did drive it solo once on Route 66—so I have that at least. My big walk, if I had ever done it, would have been merely…

Recently, I visited the Heritage Room at Blasco Library and came across some interesting information that had nothing at all to do with why I was there. But such is the way of research. You often find treasures you weren’t looking for, and as long as you don’t get carried away with your detours, it’s just fine to…

Peace Pilgrim was a remarkable woman who walked across America many times spreading a message of peace, beginning during the Korean War in 1953 and ending with her death in 1981. She vowed to keep walking until there was peace in the world, and she walked more than 25,000 miles before she stopped counting. After her death, Peace…