As the Jefferson Educational Society gears up for its summer programming, it won’t be going dark in the interim; instead, it’s shining a light on its satellite locations with 16 programs across four locations in Erie County. From economics to leadership, history, well-being, and political power, the wide-ranging topics will be explored at the Corry Higher Education Council, Lincoln Community Center Library, Erie Center for Arts and Technology, and Harborcreek Township Building.
JES Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth, Ph.D., will discuss his new book “How to Be a Highly Effective Leader: A Primer” at several locations. Whether running for office, organizing neighbors for a shared goal, taking on a project at work, or starting a business, Roth maintains that the key to local prosperity is by developing strong leadership. While leadership books are not in short supply, Roth argues that good leadership is. This primer is meant to spark the flame that fuels great leadership in an anecdote-filled, honest, and engaging way.
The theme of leadership continues with past and present leadership. On June 18 at ECAT, the Rev. Jerry Priscaro will speak about the East Avenue/Hess Avenue Neighborhood Watch and its role in public safety for the past 15 years. The Rev. Charles Mock will speak on identity politics and unifying the country with Identity Matters on June 25 at ECAT. Then hear from Mayor Jeff Fike about the Positively Corry strategic plan and its progress so far on June 30 in Corry.
On July 1, historian Richard Arthur turns back the clock with Revisiting the 1976 American Bicentennial: ‘It was a Really Big Deal!’ taking a look back at the 1970s, when celebration and joy still rang through the despair of the Vietnam War, Watergate scandal, runaway inflation, and local deindustrialization — an example of the unification power of patriotism. Back by popular demand, JES Scholar-in-Resident David Frew, Ph.D., will host another two-hour guided tour — Accidental Paradise Tour: Presque Isle History, Geology, and Nooks and Crannies — on June 29 based on a history book he wrote about Presque Isle.
Diving into the realm of wellness, JES Raimy Fellow, licensed counselor, and educator, Curtis Taylor, Ph.D., will present Turning Pain into Purpose: Building a Movement for Authentic Wellness & Empowerment on June 9 at Corry Hi-Ed and June 22 at Lincoln Community Center Library. Then, on June 23 in Corry, LECOM Health’s Stephanie Irwin will host Your Home, Your Independence: How to Make It Safer as You Age, drawing on her experience as an occupational therapist to help aging residents maintain their independence at home safely.
Other events take a closer look at Erie County-specific topics, including Reflecting on the Effect of the Polish Immigration on the Erie Community with Regina Jaworski on June 4 at ECAT; JES Scholars with Pardon Project of Erie: Resolution, Restitution, and Redemption on June 11 at ECAT; and JES Scholar-in-Residence David Frew, Ph.D., with The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Data Centers on Lake Erie — Could Yacht Clubs, Marinas, Fishing, Shopping, and Presque Isle be at Risk? on June 15.
Looking to Erie’s future, Kenneth Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie, breaks down complex data to map The Region’s Path to Prosperity on June 1 by answering questions like: What’s the current state of Erie’s economy as it continues down the path of revitalization? How does Erie compare to the state and nation? Is Erie falling behind? Then, on June 3, Louie heads to Harborcreek to talk aboutInflation and Its Impact on Real Earnings.
