Erie Reader

The year 2020 has beeninteresting, to say the least. With a pandemic bringing our lives to a complete halt followed by a new normal of masks, social distancing, and self-quarantining, many were left feeling stuck while staying at home. Luckily, 2020 also brought with it an astounding number of great books to help pass the time in isolation and escape to new worlds. Read the top five books of 2020 by Ally Kutz at the link below.

There have been 261 total deaths due to COVID-19 reported in Erie County. More than 70% of Erie County's total deaths have occurred during the month of December.

DEP Awards $248K in Coastal Zone Grants Grants will fund seven vital projects in the Lake Erie Coastal Zone #LakeErie #EriePA Read more by Matt Swanseger at the link below.

Our beloved local minor league club, the Erie SeaWolves were recently invited to continue their relationship with the Detroit Tigers. Surviving the MLB's nationwide cuts, it looks like Erie will remain the SeaWolves city for some time.

The Pennsylvania Governor is so far asymptomatic and has gone into quarantine at home.

272 new COVID-19 cases were reported today, along with 15 new deaths. The cumulative positive cases and number of deaths in Erie County have doubled in 15 and 12 days, respectively.

Erie's Best Local Albums of 2020 Three top full-length records from local artists Chauncy Billsup, Human Animal, and This American Song. Read more by Nick Warren at the link below.

Looking for a festive cocktail? Keep your spirits bright and try our drink of the week, the Yule Mule! #DrinkLocal https://www.eriereader.com/article/sunday-spirits-yule-mule-

These days, when you take a trip to upper Peach Street, it can be hard to imagine how this area of our town looked 100 years ago. Passing by car dealerships, chain restaurants, and massive superstores, it feels impossible that this area was once farmland and wilderness, with horses and buggies trudging through unpaved, sparsely populated dirt roads. There is, however, one surviving relic from those simpler times. Sandwiched between the corporate sprawl of the Millcreek Mall and the expanding reach of LECOM developments, sits the unassuming old storefront of Books Galore (five-time Best of Erie Winner for Best Comics and Collectibles Shop and Best Independent Bookstore). Read more by Erin Nemenz Phillips at the link below.

Whether you've had your Christmas decorations up since the last light left your jack o'lantern or the process has yet to begin, one thing is sure we could all use a bit extra holiday cheer this year. Download a link for Erie Philharmonic’s holiday concert and enjoy beautiful holiday music and decor all December long.