It's no secret the sluggish economy affects the job market -- even for teenagers trying to land a part-time position at a seasonal restaurant or snack bar. In today's Erie Times-News, veteran reporter Gerry Weiss captures the voices and the enthusiasm of Erie, Pa. teens as they hustle to snag jobs for the summer to help put a little gas in their cars.

The job situation is not a friendly one, as Weiss learned in interviews with employers and young workers at two popular seasonal food places. Rachel Smith and Jessica Tarasovitch, both 16, said they feel fortunate to be employed at Rita's Italian Ice in Millcreek Township. Rita's proprietor, Marilyn Majewski, said she probably won't be hiring as many young people this year as she usually does. Majewski said tougher economic conditions will force her to get behind the counter herself more in 2008 than in previous seasons.

Sean Candela, owner and operator of Sara's, at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, employs dozens of teenagers at his busy restaurant, which looks like something out of "American Graffiti." About 90 percent of Candela's young staff will return for another season, and I have to say I always enjoy watching the kids hustle behind the counter during the busy days and nights -- once Erie's weather warms.

Not only is getting a summer job important to kids who want to have money to spend with their friends, many who are enrolled at private schools feel the need to help out with expenses. In Erie, the tuition at Catholic high schools is moving closer to $7,000 a year.

Weiss' descriptions and the teenagers in his story, as well as excellent photos by Janet Campbell, give this story package real flavor. It even manages to take old fogeys like me -- guys in our 50s -- back to the days when we scraped together every penny to keep gas in our '66 Ford Fairlaines. And gas was only 48 cents a gallon back then!

-- Kevin Cuneo