Jerry Lee Lewis: “You suck.”
Two tales of meeting rock’n’roll legends
By Steven J Athanas | The Homewreckers’ Frontman
In my opinion (and after all, that is what this column is), meeting ‘famous’ people is highly overrated. It’s bound to be fun and exciting initially, but, as they say, they all put their pants on one leg at a time, and they all should get their Covid vaccinations, just like us.
I’ve met my share of rock stars (never mind who – I’m not telling you now, as it may be fodder for future columns), but none of those run-ins has ever changed my life.
. . . OK, OK, OK, I’ll divulge one of the nicer ones I met. After my 25th high school reunion, I took a friend to catch her plane at Detroit Metro. After dropping her off, heading back to the parking garage to my car, I crossed paths with someone who looked remarkably like someone. I approached her.
”Aren’t you Ronnie Spector?” I inquired discreetly. Now, mind you, she wasn’t wearing any Hollywood sunglasses, strutting down the travelator with an obsequious entourage lagging behind. There was no one else staring, pointing at her. She was just a woman, on her own, carrying a small handbag.
Her answer was unique, in my estimation. “Why, yes, who are you?” she said.
Her response was not snobbish, not trying to brush me off, it seemed genuinely . . . curious, sweet. She smiled.
”I’m just a fan, Ronnie, and it’s so nice to meet you,” I gushed.
She thanked me, we traded a couple niceties, and we each went our way.
A very sweet encounter. I didn’t feel the need to ask for her autograph. It seemed enough to have that endearing, simple moment. And then in 2022, she left us.
Others aren’t as accommodating.
As has been established, I have had more than my share of bands, as well as solo and duo excursions. Some of these bands I am quite proud of, some were filler between two good ones, and some weren’t so hot.
One of those tepid conglomerates happened in 1981-82. It was after The Best and morphed into The Wet Shavers. The band was called PLZ. The name was a bland effort to tap into the energy of XTC, one of the greatest under-recognized bands of all time and one of my faves. Other than that, the name referenced nothing – maybe I should’ve taken that as a clue.
PLZ’s set list was more or less a continuation of The Best: A lot of new wave, Motown, rock’n’roll, with a smattering of originals thrown in. We played the usual venues: The Brass Bell, The Longhorn Saloon, etc.
The one venue where we did have a chance to play that was impressive was The Second Chance in Ann Arbor. It was also known as The Nectarine Ballroom for a while. From Cab Calloway to Iggy Pop to Sam & Dave to Patti Smith . . . the list of performers/bands goes on, and is quite awe-inspiring.
Needless to say, you won’t find PLZ on that website page, but we played on an off night, a Sunday, I think. Not much of a crowd; the bouncers (a lot of U of M football players) were behaving themselves, and we were tryin’ to get somethin’ goin’ on.
After our second set we took a break. Second Chance had one of the nicer break rooms of any club I’d ever played in. In the basement, it was a spacious room with unblemished furniture and tables (bands can be merciless on their break rooms). I imagined the famous rumps that have sat on those chairs and sofas! B.B. King! Gil Scott Heron! Chuck Berry! Robert Fripp! O, my!
During the break, most of the band was sitting in the break room. Suddenly, the two doors swung open and in comes two big luggos; atypical bodyguards, muscular, sneering, doing their job. Sandwiched between these two behemoths was a well-coiffed dude, smirking like he owned it all . . . the one, the only, the Ferriday Fireball, rock’n’roll’s first great wild man, THE KILLER, Jerry Lee Lewis!
As I recall, he just stood between the two hunks, smirking, as though to say, “I’m here, whaddya gonna do about it?” My jaw dropped, I couldn’t have imagined anything more bizarre than his presence in that room, at that time.
Apparently, he had played an early show in Detroit, and, no doubt because of Second Chance’s reputation, he thought he’d drop by to see what was cookin’.
I don’t recall what I initially said, in no small part because of my shock, as I stood there looking at a true legend. I was closest to the doors and to his entrance. We small-talked a bit, maybe I offered him a seat – he declined.
As implied at the beginning of this piece, I’ve met my share of rock stars, but (mostly) never felt inclined to ask for an autograph. But JesusJoseph&Mary! this was a true icon, one of the founders of the art form that I chose to etch out a living!!
In my mind, I had already decided I would ask him for his signature – break my stride of no autographs. The problem was, as I looked around the room, and for the life of me I couldn’t find a blank piece of paper!! I don’t know if the other band members were totally scared or what, but it seemed I was the only one carrying on this conversation. Perusing the room again, with a sense of urgency, I spotted an empty styrofoam cup sitting on the table next to me.
Without thinking (and before he decided to split) I grabbed the cup, put it in his face and asked him if he would sign it. Without saying a word, but giving me a look that said, “What kinda fukkin’ asshole would ask me to sign a styrofoam cup?” The Killer took the cup and pen and begrudgingly signed it.
Then, again, he just stood there with that smirk. An awkward silence followed, and not ready to give up his presence in the break room (not sure why) I asked him . . .
WAIT! STOP THE PRESSES!! I asked Jerry Lee Lewis, the man who recorded at Sun Studios with Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, yes, THAT JERRY LEE LEWIS . . .
I had the audacity, the naivety, the kahunas to ask him, ”So, what’d ya think of the band?”`
Without missing a beat, he looked me straight in the eyes, with a piercing look that I’ll never forget till the day I die, and said . . .
”Son, you suck, your band sucks and you’re in the wrong business.” Verbatim; one doesn’t forget that review from that source.
I was told sometime later by a friend – what would I have expected him to have said? It was Jerry Lee Lewis. “Hey, Steve, you guys’re great. I really enjoyed your set. Could I maybe set in with y’all?”
Hell no, that ain’t the Killer. He was known for his bluntness, his meanness, lookin’ for a fight.
Does that make me feel any better? Not really, but I get it. I lived to fight again, and at least in Northwest Ohio kinda proved him wrong. At least that’s what I tell myself.
VID: “Be My Baby,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’”
PIC: PLZ
Issue 9: Mayoral term limits
Voters to decide if Toledo mayors can serve 3 terms
Issue 9 will appear on the ballot as follows: Proposed charter amendment City of Toledo. Shall the proposed amendment set forth by citizen-initiated petition to Chapter VI Section 87S of the charter of the City of Toledo to limit the number of consecutive four-year mayoral terms to three from two, to be consistent with the term limits applied to Toledo City Council be adopted?
TOLEDO – When you pull into the Early Voting Center on Sylvania Ave. to cast your ballot for the Nov. 5 election, you’ll drive through dozens of political yard signs. It’s apparent from the many ‘Vote No on Issue 9’ signs that this issue is one of the more controversial ones Toledo voters will decide on in November.
BJ Fischer, the spokesman for the issue, explained that Issue 9 is a proposed amendment to expand the Toledo mayor’s term limit from two to three, or 12 years, to be consistent with city council terms. The proposal first appeared on the ballot last year “along with a dozen or so charter changes.” The issue was included with other charter proposals, resulting in its defeat at the polls.
Fischer said there had been some criticism about the items being lumped together on the ballot, so this year it was separated as an individual item for voters to decide. A citizen petition ensued earlier this year and enough signatures were obtained to place the proposal on the ballot.
He said there are advantages to extending it, particularly with Toledo’s strong mayor form of government. Approved by voters in 1993, this type of government gives Toledo mayors a large degree of control and responsibility.
Fischer brought up Columbus as an example, noting the mayor is limited to four terms, or 16 years. The extended time allows for better regional prosperity, increased stability in leadership and the ability to implement long-term initiatives. He emphasized that extending the term limit does not mean Toledo voters will reelect a mayor.
“In general, Toledo voters change mayors after one term,” he said, noting that only Carty Finkbeiner and current Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz have been elected to a second term since the strong mayor government was approved.
Fischer also acknowledged concerns by those who believe the term limits should remain at two.
Matthew Boyd is one of those voters who has concerns. On Friday, as he stood in a long line outside of the Early Voting Center, he shared his opinion on why he is voting no on Issue 9.
“Issue 9 is the charter amendment to extend consecutive terms for mayor from two to three. I think that is not necessary,” he said.
“An executive power for governor and presidency of two terms should be consistent at the local level, as well,” Boyd reasoned. “I think that every now and again we need new leadership, a new person to have a chance to take it in a different direction. I mean, some things that are going on right now are good, some things are not so good.
“So, I’m just looking to keep consistent because every other mayor in the past had two terms, like Carty. He ran and then he ran again a couple years later. Just two terms for consecutive terms and then you have to get out,” Boyd said.
Fischer said that whether or not Issue 9 passes is up to the voters. “The people should have the right to decide. The choice remains in the hands of voters.”
Owens earns accreditation
Early Childhood Education program continues legacy
PERRYSBURG – The Owens Community College Department of Teacher Education and Human Services has received a seven-year accreditation for its Early Childhood Education Technology program through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Owens was the first institution in the state to receive NAEYC accreditation more than 20 years ago, and it is still one of only three in Ohio to have the designation. Across the United States and Canada, Owens has one of 214 accredited programs.
“We’re pretty proud of that,” said Michelle Arbogast, chair for Teacher Education and Human Services. “Their standards are tough. They look at everything from your college president to your curriculum to your admissions, your faculty, your support services. It’s very thorough.
“It’s validated all of the hard work and preparation, that we know our students are prepared when they leave here,” Arbogast said.
In addition to the associate degree in Early Childhood Education Technology, the Department of Teacher Education and Human Services offers degrees in Community & Family Service, Education Transfer Concentration and Social Work Transfer Pathway, and certificates in Advanced Instructional Technology and Design, ASL Interpreter Preparation and Foundations in Instructional Technology and Design.
The YWCA of Northwest Ohio and Owens have a partnership allowing students in the YWCA program to transition into the Owens Early Childhood Education program. Upon completion of the CDA certification, students can receive up to six credit hours of college credit toward their Early Childhood Education associate degree.
According to a news release from NAEYC, the accreditation “serves as a mechanism for ensuring a consistent and high level of program quality.” The organization sets “national standards for programs that prepare early childhood teachers of children from birth through age 8.”
To retain accreditation, programs must demonstrate the following:
- They meet NAEYC’s standards
- Respond to the unique needs of their degree candidates and communities
- Provide intentional learning experiences to allow their degree candidates to obtain the knowledge and skills to be effective
- Continually assess and reflect on their degree candidates’ performance.
While the Owens program is reaccredited through 2029, there are annual and biannual reports it must submit to NAEYC.
Arbogast said the bulk of the work came down to her and fellow Teacher Education and Human Services faculty, professor Mindy Gray from the Findlay-area Campus and adjunct instructors Kimberley Fisher, Belinda Costin and Nehama Miller.
However, she said the process involved the entire team.
“It took a little bit of everybody, from the president to our faculty and secretary and staff,” Arbogast said.
Arbogast said NAEYC commended the Owens team for how thoroughly it reviewed its program. The first report they submitted was 118 pages.
“It’s such an introspective on your program that you not only look at where you are now but what is the vision for the program going forward,” Arbogast said. “It validated the things we do well, our team and the support system we have at Owens.”
For more information on the Owens Department of Teacher Education and Human Services, visit Teacher Education.
Padua Center perseveres
Empowering education in Toledo’s Junction neighborhood
Story and photos by Laurie Bertke
TOLEDO— Since its founding in 2006, the Padua Center has gone through several phases, and a few programs have come and gone. Two things that have remained consistent have been its focus on education and the steady leadership and guidance of its director, Sister Virginia Welsh.
The huge brick home that stands in the shadow of St. Anthony Church was originally built in 1906 to house Catholic priests who served the Polish immigrants of the Toledo neighborhood, then known as Kuhschwanz.
A century later, the Gothic-style church, with its iconic 250-foot steeple, was no longer operational, and Sister Virginia Welsh was tasked with developing a new mission for the old rectory on Nebraska Ave.
The Diocese of Toledo wanted to keep a Catholic presence in Toledo’s Junction neighborhood, but Welsh told representatives from the Diocese of Toledo that she was not interested in operating a social service agency that gave away food, clothes and money for bills.
“I was originally trained as an educator, and if we’re going to change it so people aren’t coming here every month looking for food and all that; we have to educate,” she recalls saying.
Thus, the Padua Center and one of its central programs were born. Welsh, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, began planning for after-school programming in October 2006, and the center welcomed the first children the following January.
Today, 23 attending K-8 at nearby public, private and charter schools are enrolled in “Nia,” a free after-school tuturing program. Daily transportation to the center is included.
Many of those students attended the annual Peaces of Art Celebration held Oct. 6 at the Sullivan Center at Gesu Church, which serves as a primary fundraiser for the Padua Center. The youth greeted guests and witnessed a live auction of artwork they created for the event, which raised around $20,000. The center is entirely funding by grants and donations.
Community activist and former Toledo mayor Carty Finkbeiner was first introduced to the Padua Center at this event years ago. He later joined its board, and says one of the most important things the center does is to teach young people to respect themselves and others.
“It all starts with respecting yourself,” said Finkbeiner. “That’s what I think our program is teaching — one human being to respect another. Not to be afraid of another, but to be respectful and caring; and as long as you’re respectful and caring in this world, you’re going to get along and there’s going to be a place for you.”
Prioritizing youth and education
Padua Board president Dennis Jarrett notes that all of its youth programs are offered free of charge to participants. “We reach out to youth — that’s our number one priority — and families,” he said. “Everything we do is aimed at empowering people from the community to achieve maximum potential.”
On a recent Monday afternoon, the third floor of the center was filled with the voices of children. In one room, four kindergarteners gathered around a Henry and Mudge book, following the words along to an audio recording of the story. In another, volunteer Donna Kwik-LeFebvre assisted third-grader Indica Rudolph and fourth-grader Ices Nicholson with their homework.
For those students who finished their homework, it was Reading Day in another room. Tutoring director Teresa Allen plans different assignments daily to help the children practice core skills in subjects, such as math and language arts.
Most of the children come from economically disadvantaged families, and Welsh says they strive to expose the kids to a variety of new experiences. Free summer camps are offered in the summertime, and they include field trips to parks, museums and other cultural spots in the region.
Weather permitting, there is usually time to play outside and visit with the center’s flock of chickens. Toward the end of the afternoon, the children gather for a light supper provided by Connecting Kids to Meals, and by 5:30 p.m. parents arrive to take them home.
Fostering a sense of care for the environment in the children is another integral part of the center’s mission. Over the years, it has acquired enough adjacent vacant lots from the Lucas County Land Bank to create the Ujima Park and Garden at the corner of Junction and Nebraska. Crops produced in the garden beds and the hoop house are sold at the Toledo Farmer’s Market and used by neighbors. Gardening programs for the children are held in the summer.
Along with its youth programs, the center hosts meetings for a neighborhood concerns group, and provides office space for several other community organizations and charities.
Operating on faith
After starting out under the umbrella of the Diocese of Toledo, the Padua Center became affiliated with nearby St. Martin de Porres Parish in 2008. At one point, it was in danger of being demolished with the crumbling St. Anthony Church, but public outcry in 2018 saved both the church and the center from the wrecking ball. The Diocese of Toledo bequeathed both properties to the Lucas County Land Bank, which in turn deeded the rectory to the Padua Center.
Around this time, the Padua Center became an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Welsh — known by all as Sr. Ginny — has remained as the part-time director, while also serving as pastoral leader of St. Martin de Porres. A small, dedicated group of part-time employees and volunteers assist her in carrying out the Padua Center’s mission.
Maintaining a building that is more than 100 years old is no easy task. There is rarely money for anything extra. “It’s a tight budget. I write a lot of grants,” said Welsh. “The most important thing is the kids are getting a good experience.”
She recalls one time when she didn’t know how she was going to make the next payroll, then she came into her office after a board meeting to find a check for $25,000 on her desk. “You just have to operate on faith. You can’t worry about it,” she said.
Welsh is modest when asked about the impact the center has had over the years. In the interview, she keeps returning to discussing areas she would like to see developed further — more programs to connect children to the environment; more volunteers to help with education; more engagement with neighbors.
But she also tells a story about a day when she was working in the garden and someone suddenly approached her while she had her back turned.
“I turned and it was one of our little kids who had gone away, gone to the Army and gotten out of the Army,” Welsh recalled. “He came back and he saw me and he grabbed me and gave me a big hug. The kids do come back sometimes.”
Nature’s Nursery Critter Crawl
Creepy and spooky, but important to our environment
WATERVILLE – Some animals are just naturally spooky, eerie and even downright scary, but that doesn’t mean they should be feared or – worse yet – mistreated. That’s why Nature’s Nursery and BluSky Renovation are inviting the public to meet up close and personal the animals most associated with Halloween.
Critter Crawl will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, at BluSky’s facility at 1300 Michigan St. in Waterville. It’s family friendly and free, but guests are encouraged to donate an item to Nature’s Nursery.
The purpose of the event is to have the public “learn about and interact with a variety of animals that don’t always get the love they deserve: bats, toads, snakes and more,” said Allison Aey, Nature’s Nursery executive director. “While often associated with the spookiness of Halloween and fall, these animals are not nearly as scary as the season portrays them to be.”
Nature’s Nursery is a local nonprofit that provides care for injured, orphaned or ailing wild animals, and conducts conservation educational programs for the public. Its wildlife experts will be at Critter Crawl to “introduce you to these fascinating creatures, bust some myths and give you a chance to meet them up close,” Aey said.
“Bats get such a bad rap,” she said, adding they’re good for the ecosystem because they eat insects that harm crops. The local bat population is down about 80 percent in Northwest Ohio, she said, which has resulted in a rise in insects. Farmers are using more pesticides to kill the bugs, “but pesticides are bad for crops and other insects, and they run into waterways,” she explained.
According to Aey, misunderstanding of bats and other creatures the public tends to fear leads to their being trapped or killed “because people don’t understand their purpose to the ecosystem. Our goal is to teach people that they’re not so scary and not so creepy and the value they bring to the environment.”
Nature’s Nursery’s wildlife experts will share fun facts and give informative talks.
BluSky is opening its site for the event, not only for people to see and learn about the animals, but to showcase its facility. BluSky restores homes damaged by floods, fires and other disasters. BluSky representatives will provide pumpkin decorating, coloring and other fun activities.
Brittany Bostdorff, BluSky’s business development manager, said that in December longtime company J&R Restoration became part of BluSky, a national business. “We want to show the Waterville community that we’re still the same people, the same company,” she said. “We’ve just grown.”
Bostdorff added, “We want to show people our space and have them get to know us, see the animals, get to know Nature’s Nursery; they can always use more donations. We are excited for that exposure for both of us.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring items such as paper towels, cleaning supplies, wood chip animal bedding, piddle pads and grocery store gift cards to help Nature’s Nursery.
Aey said Nature’s Nursery rescues, rehabilitates and releases into the wild about 3,000 animals a year. In its busy season, as many as 800 animals are at their facility at one time. The nonprofit is transitioning from its longtime Whitehouse base to its new location in Waterville.
“We want to teach people to have a cautious respect for these animals, not a fear,” Aey said. “They’re still wide animals, and they can bite. If you see them in the wild, appreciate them, but let them be. Understand the job they do in the environment.”
Nature's Nursery's mission: To improve the well-being of Northwest Ohio wildlife populations and habitats through public education and rehabilitation with an emphasis on coexistence.
Sylvania hosts fall fest
Businesses, community gather for parade, crafts, games
Story and photos by Steven Bieber
SYLVANIA – Thousands of people gathered on Main Street this weekend for fun, live music and a parade at the 38th annual Sylvania Fall Festival.
A highlight of the weekend fest was the Nite Lite Farmers Market, featuring crafts and vendor booths illuminated by colorful, festive lights. There were about 65 booths on Saturday and 100 on Sunday, including Sweet Stache Farms, Shaman and the Bear, Timbo’s Licorice Ropes and A&J Landscape.
Attendees could participate in the 4th annual cornhole tournament and the annual Dino Dash, which involved young kids and adults dressed in dinosaur costumes and competing in races. There was also a Trick or Treat on Main Street and a Pumpkin Patch for the kids.
The main event of the festival was the annual parade, which showcased approximately 30 organizations from the community. Town crier Mike Lieber was the grand marshal, and participants included Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough; marching bands from Northview, Southview and Evergreen; Lourdes University cheerleaders; and dinos.
Tiffany Bosch, president and CEO of the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce since 2021, said this is a good time to hold the fest.
“I think it’s a fun time of the year in the midwest. The leaves are changing; there’s a huge push for apples, apple cider, pumpkins, pumpkin spice lattes; and it’s just a fun time that everybody really enjoys before the holidays,” she exclaimed.
Bosch discussed how the festival has grown and its ability to bring people from northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan together.
“It’s a great way for us to highlight Sylvania during a very busy time of the year for festivals and markets,” she said.
Although the festival has been going on for 38 years, the Chamber of Commerce has been coordinating the festival since 2017. Bosch explained that it’s their job to help facilitate the committee that involves community members, organizations, and first responders.
Bosch said the festival is good for Sylvania because it puts the city on the map.
“There’s tens of thousands of people from all over who come enjoy this. It’s not just for our residents, but it’s a way for Sylvania to be highlighted,” she said.
“They might not purchase anything that day, but they’re coming back. There is huge tourism, and visitors push from outside of the Sylvania area that attend, so it’s a great way for us to highlight our community and really showcase who we are every year.”
Bosch added that the festival offers something for everyone. The Saturday Nite Lite Farmers Market could make for a great date night, while the events on Sunday make for a great family outing with the kids. She also mentioned that the parade gets bigger every year.
Don and Lori Claar traveled from Northwood to attend the festival and watched the parade. The couple heard about it from a friend who owns Olive’s on Main restaurant.
Don said the festival is “something to do on a nice, beautiful day like this. I couldn’t just sit around watching football.”
