Two front-page stories in today's Erie Times-News reminded me why I enjoy newspapers so much. Even though newspapers cover news on a daily basis, the depth of background in many stories often gives you a sense of history.
Take Robb Frederick's story about Rainbow Gardens, the old-time dance hall at Erie's Waldameer Park. Another huge crowd -- more than 1,400 people -- jammed into the hall on Saturday for the annual Barber Christmas Ball, which has been a fixture there for 42 years. With the new bayfront convention center just months away from opening, however, a question has arisen over the future of Rainbow Gardens.
Certainly, the hall has enjoyed an impressive past. Rudy Vallee performed there in the 1920's, Tommy Dorsey's band played there, as did the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the very peak of its popularity in 1942. It was a regular stop for jazzmen such as Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and others.
You always seem to get a feel for this type of background in newspaper stories. That's because a paper offers the space for a reporter to give you the "full" story, as well as experienced staffers to prepare the reports. It's also a plus for readers, who can sit down with their daily paper, sip a cup of coffee, or lean back in their easy chair and check the news.
Rainbow Gardens was joined on page 1 by a story about the comeback of Erie Brewing Company, which went bankrupt a year or so ago. Now, under new management, business is booming and the company might be able to return to the black soon.
If you've lived in Erie for a long time, you might remember the Koehler Brewery on State Street, between 22nd and 24th Street. Before closing in 1978, it was a fixture there for nearly a century, as workers brewed Koehler products with "a Dutch Touch." Thanks to its rich German heritage, Erie also boasted other breweries through the years.
Today's stories provided a reminder of Erie's industrial and entertainment past. It's the kind of information, you probably wouldn't be able to get from too many other news sources. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
-- Kevin Cuneo