/
The Contributors of the Erie Reader
A look behind the bylines of our Reader writers, editors, and artists
2 hours ago
Jessica Hunter
I think a number of our readers would be surprised to learn that in addition to support from our advertisers and subscribers, the Reader is basically kept going by four people – the publishers, Brian and Adam (featured elsewhere in this issue) who started the whole idea and who work to keep the lights on, our photographer and social media queen Jessica, and myself. But who really and truly keeps us going is the throng of freelance contributors who dedicate their spare time to writing the content that makes the Erie Reader what it is.
On this our 15th anniversary as a publication, we felt it was time to pull back the curtain, as it were, and introduce you to some of our long-time, dedicated, freelance contributors. We're taking the opportunity to show you the humans behind the bylines and extend a public acknowledgment of how grateful we are that they choose to spend their time working with us.
This is by no means all of our contributors, and we love and appreciate each and every one of them, whether they're pictured here or not. In addition to the featured folks, we have to thank our current contributors Aaron Mook, Anthony Carson, Amy VanScoter, Ben Speggen, Brad Pattullo, Bryan Toy, Cassandra Gripp, Dan Schank, Dave Tamulonis, Edwina Capozziello, Erica Stewart, Forest Taylor, Gretchen Gallagher Durney, Jeff McCullor, John Bavaro, Julia Carden, Mabel Howard, Melissa Sullivan, Thomas Taylor, and Tommy Link – alongside all the folks who have come before them. You all continue to impress and inspire us and we couldn't do it without your help!
So without further ado, here are the faces and stories of some of the folks who help make the Erie Reader hum. Next time you find yourself attending an event because of a spotlight Cara wrote, enjoying a new album because of a review that Nathaniel wrote, learning some local history from Jonathan, or chuckling at a comic that Nick drew – you'll have a face to put to that invaluable work!
All photos by Jessica Hunter
Listed alphabetically by last name
Jump to a contributor:
Liz Allen, contributing writer
If you live in Erie, you inevitably know Liz Allen. Whether it's through her long-storied career with the Erie Times News (back when it was still locally owned and operated), through her time on Erie City Council, as an usher for the SeaWolves, as a clerk at the Erie County Public Library, or through her nonprofit work with the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Preservation Erie, or any other number of boards and organizations – Liz never stops. She got her first byline at age 16, and after her retirement from the Erie Times News in 2015, she paused for a couple of years before that inner drive to write things down led her to the Erie Reader. She has published 104 pieces of writing in the Reader to date and she shows no sign of slowing down. One could say she's addicted to newsprint.
"By publishing a print edition in addition to online content, the Reader serves Erie people who still enjoy holding something tangible in their hands. The Reader stays true to its arts and culture mission but also provides good human interest stories and thoughtful pieces to make us think," Liz shares.
I got to know Liz more closely because we serve on the board of Preservation Erie together, and have since 2020. Around that time, she agreed to take a walk with me through the neighborhood where she grew up around Lincoln Avenue – she spent three hours with me that day, sharing personal stories and local history. One of the most impressive traits I've noticed in Liz is her ability to make connections between seemingly disparate subjects. It's almost immediate, the way she can hear two pieces of information and immediately connect them into a story idea. It is amazing to witness the well-oiled, deeply experienced brain of someone who has lived and breathed journalism for her whole life – it is a trait that is unteachable.
As I shared above in her list of "retirement" jobs, Liz doesn't just write. When I asked what she likes to do in her free time, she replied, "What free time? Just kidding." Continuing, "I like to spend free time with my family, including my husband Eric, my five younger siblings, my son and daughter-in-law in Maryland, my eight grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and my husband's 10 grandchildren. I watch sports and read for pleasure. I swim laps at the Y and tend a vegetable garden."
"I enjoy having the freedom to pitch story ideas and then pull them together, even though I still stress about deadlines." I can tell you for certain though, she has never missed one.
Mary Birdsong, contributing writer, distribution
One logistical aspect of the Erie Reader that most folks don't often think about is how we get the 15,000 print copies of the paper into 250 distribution locations every time a new issue drops. Mary Birdsong is one of our four fantastic distro folks who make that magic happen every month.
In addition to bearing the physical brunt of the Reader, you likely know Mary from her fan-favorite column, Bird of the Month (which takes a closer, more personal look at a native resident or migratory bird in Erie). Before she began writing that regular feature, however, she'd already been writing for the Reader since 2014 and cites two pieces as her favorites: "Two Years and 6,000 Tons of Steel in the Making" written in 2016, which told the story of Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair's construction of the ocean-worthy tank barge the Sea-Chem 1 and "Two Nests, Four Small Birds, and Enormous Joy" written in 2017, which marks the first of a series of stories Mary wrote about her work with Piping Plover habitat restoration and conservation breeding programs at Presque Isle State Park.
If you couldn't tell from her name or her column, Mary is a bird fanatic. Her title of lead shorebird monitor for the Erie Bird Observatory only hints at the depth of her avian knowledge. I've had the pleasure of attending multiple hikes to Gull Point with Mary over the years and I am constantly impressed by her comprehensive bird knowledge and the ease and grace with which she offers it up to budding birders.
In her spare time, Mary obviously enjoys birding, but also likes "watching baseball, hiking, reading, traveling, spending time with the kids and grandkids, and napping with my cats."
For Mary, the Reader is an opportunity to learn more about our city. "The Erie Reader shines a light on people, events, and things that typically go unnoticed by traditional media. The pages always introduce me to new people, ideas, and places." And as far as writing goes, "I like writing because the Reader affords me lots of elbow room to write freely. I love sharing my knowledge of birds and helping people see the world in a different way."
Jonathan Burdick, contributing writer
I, probably like many in Erie, knew Rust and Dirt before I realized that handle belonged to Jonathan Burdick – we became internet friends way before I actually met him IRL. His social media accounts, and subsequently his writing for the Reader, centers around uncovering long-buried local history – finding those subjects that actively don't have an internet or published presence and giving life to those stories. His most interesting (and his personal favorite) stories center around people – those people who may have made headlines back in their day, but who have been long forgotten. People like Canada Lee, Connie Hawkins, Kay Laurell – or some of his earliest contributions (starting in 2017) about folks like Leon Ray Livingston, Laura Sterrett, and Thaddeus Stevens. "People are endlessly fascinating and complex. We can learn a lot from other people's journeys," he shares.
In his life outside of niche local internet history projects, he actually teaches history, and enjoys the simple things in life: "I love any and all adventures with my wife, Pam, and two sons, Holden and Brady (and our dog, Ella). I enjoy being with family and friends. I like cooking a good meal, reading a book, and sitting around a campfire."
When it comes to contributing to the Reader, Jonathan is one of our most consistent feature contributors – having a pitch (or two or three) at the ready for every single issue. It's invaluable as an editor to have someone on board who has both a constant stream of inspiration and the work ethic to back it up. "I've always appreciated the unique perspectives and voices in the Erie Reader, which have always felt zoomed in at the street and neighborhood levels. I know anytime I open a new issue, I'm in for some really engaging and distinctive storytelling," Jonathan shares. "Personally, I am thankful that the Erie Reader allows me to share people's stories and how Adam, Brian, Erin, and Nick (Warren, featured below) have always been game for my pitches over the years, even the weirder ones. I want to tell stories that have been forgotten or haven't been told – or tell known stories in a new way or with new perspectives. I hope the folks featured in my stories stick with people afterwards."
Nathaniel Clark, contributing writer
I first met Nathaniel when I attended an event at the Hagen History Center in June of 2023 with our photographer Jessica Hunter (featured herein) called "Women Creating a Legacy." We were introduced to Nathaniel as he was interning with the organization that summer. Nathaniel expressed an interest in contributing to the Reader and I gave him my email address. After he reached out, I checked out his writing with the Behrend Beacon, the student newspaper that has been in publication since 1948, and immediately felt his strong voice shine through in the album reviews he contributed to that paper – and now he lends that strong, young, current voice to our album reviews. In many ways it feels like Nathaniel is the future of that section. "With my position at the Erie Reader, I serve as a musical taste-maker – putting together recommendations of music, both global and local, that should be on the pulse of the Erie area's music listening habits," Nathaniel shares.
Nathaniel has contributed more than reviews over his years with the Reader. "So far, my favorite article that I've contributed to for the Erie Reader has been the one-on-one interview I had with Erie-born musician Roger Harvey in October of 2024. Being able to have a lengthy conversation with a musician, breaking down their writing process and creative inspirations, was an excellent and illuminating opportunity."
When he's not listening to music, writing about music, or attending a live show, Nathaniel works as an English as a Second Language teacher at Erie High School and is an activist and member of "Men 4 Choice, an organization that gets pro-choice men off the sidelines and into the fight for reproductive freedom." In his spare time he enjoys "listening to new music, watching new films, and reading new books to refine and develop my artistic diet. Outside of media, I am quite active with weightlifting and walking. I also dabble in cooking and creative writing," having his poetry recently included in the Gannon University's publication Iconic: The Anthology of Erie Poets.
Chloe Forbes, contributing writer
Chloe has been within the Erie Reader's orbit since 2015, when she had a job shadowing experience with former Managing Editor Katie Chriest – and she's never really left. "I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize [that experience's] role in shaping my career. It showed me at a young age that there are other possibilities, even when people claim that print news is a dying industry."
Her official internship with the Reader began in 2019 when she interned herself into becoming a regular contributor. And the Erie Reader isn't the only media outlet that benefits from Chloe's hard work and commitment to the printed word, she is also a reporter, editor, and page designer at The Meadville Tribune and an editor and writer for the Jefferson Educational Society's publications division.
Chloe's writing is always intensely researched, and her journalistic background means she leaves no stones unturned in her pursuit of a good story – often interviewing multiple people involved with an issue to get a full picture. The story of which she's most proud, and one that perfectly demonstrates these characteristics, is "Erie's Child Care Crisis: Women, Children Bear the Brunt," which was published in Dec. 2023. "It was one where I was truly welcomed into peoples' hectic lives as they took the time they didn't have to tell me about the lack of child care access and discriminatory employment practices that were making it hard for women to be in the workforce, especially after the pandemic. It was one that took months of research and hundreds of conversations."
When she's not typing away at her computer, "I bake a lot with my kitchen support staff (my cat Dolly) and make time to read. I live right on Edinboro Lake, so I take after-dinner walks and blasting jazz through open windows very seriously. I'm a lover of the arts, whether that's music, fine arts, cinema, or the art of a good hockey fight."
Jessica Hunter, photographer and media editor
Jessica has a quality about her that sets people at ease. This is an absolute resume requirement for a portrait photographer, and one that only the most successful in that field possess – Jessica has it in spades. I first met Jessica when I came on as managing editor in 2022, but I got to see that quality in action during my first go-round of our popular 40 Under 40 issue. Organizing and photographing 40 people is no small feat, but Jessica makes it look effortless – and always makes folks (existing in various degrees of comfort and photogenicity) feel comfortable, and perhaps most importantly, look their best. She is a portrait wizard.
"I began at the Erie Reader by taking photos, managing some social media, and helping launch the first Best of Erie City Guide. From there, I saw an opportunity to start a column called Gem City Style, which started in October of 2022." With that column, her ease-putting quality is on show, as Jessica shares, "My 'why' has always been about highlighting local people who are making an impact in creative and meaningful ways. Erie has so many hidden gems – talented, passionate people who are quietly doing incredible things – and I love being the one to shine a light on them."
When she's not behind the lens or dealing with the back- (and often spirit-) breaking work of managing our social media, she enjoys "cooking, working out, and hosting friends and family – whether it's for a special occasion or just because. I also have a real passion for travel and have been fortunate enough to explore many different countries and continents."
She has, to date, completed 42 individual interviews with her Gem City Style column – that's 42 local entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, makers, performers, and creatives that have had a moment in the spotlight because she noticed them waiting to step into it. "If my column can inspire someone to support a local business, discover a new artist, or simply feel proud of where they live, then I've done my job."
Ally Kutz, contributing writer
Ally has been writing for the Reader since September of 2020. During the throes of the pandemic, when we were all at home filling our time with whatever entertainment could be contained within four walls, Ally came to the rescue by providing timely book reviews to help us get through it all. All those reviews led to Ally becoming the co-founder of the Erie Reader Book Club at Werner Books and Coffee. "I'm an avid reader, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise since I helped Erin start up the Reader Book Club at Werner Books two years ago," Ally shares. That book club has been such a lovely experience and has gathered together a dedicated membership – connecting us to real Reader readers in a meaningful way.
These days, Ally does a lot of event spotlight writing, as well as writing the monthly print announcement of our book club selections. Her favorite contribution to the Reader so far has been an interview she conducted with the Bacon Brothers last year: "Getting to interview them was definitely a highlight of my time with the Reader."
Given how bookish Ally is, one might be surprised that in her day job, she works mostly with numbers. And she's going to be experiencing a big life change soon: "I'm actually in the process of switching careers – after nearly nine years with my current employer, I had a great opportunity with another company that fell into my lap and was too good to pass up. It's scary and exciting all at once to start over, but I'm looking forward to this new chapter in my professional career."
When Ally's not reading, writing, or working (in addition to her day job and the Reader, she works part-time at Erie Apparel and serves scoops at the Double Dipper in the summertime), she "enjoys crafting hobbies like cross stitch and knitting. I also love spending time with my 3-pound rescue chihuahua, Bernice."
Alana Sabol, local government correspondent
A few years ago, I got a message from our ever-lovable comic artist Tommy Link letting me know that a co-worker of his, who studied journalism in college, was interested in writing for the Reader – and that was how Alana Sabol came to be a part of the Erie Reader team.
Starting off writing short features and event spotlights in 2023, when the funding became available to hire a part-time reporter, Alana threw her hat into the ring. And she's been attending and covering every single county and city council meeting since then, in addition to taking on local newsworthy and breaking coverage – an area of the Reader that has not been as strong since moving from biweekly to monthly during the pandemic.
"Erie Reader is a great arts and culture alt that adds a unique, community-led voice to Erie's news landscape. But more than that, the Reader has the potential to become a prominent voice in local and independent journalism. I am very honored and excited to write The Reader Beat and contribute articles around local politics and events," Alana shares.
To date, Alana feels her coverage of the Justice for Chello movement has been her most impactful. "I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to the folks from Justice for Chello coalition last summer and write an article about the unfolding investigation and public response to the tragic death of Marchello Woodard."
When she's not working the beat, Alana enjoys climbing and slacklining at ASCEND Erie, drawing, doing crosswords, and taking long walks. "I love learning languages and I am proficient in Spanish. I frequently troll secondhand websites and stores for vintage finds – my best find to date is my beloved pair of '70s-era Lee bell bottoms."
Be sure to keep an eye on The Reader Beat section of our website to stay informed about the behavior of our local government and elected officials. This kind of reporting is invaluably important in a rapidly shrinking and politically-influenced mediascape. "Writing impactful stories and learning more about my community are some of my favorite parts about being a journalist."
Cara J. Suppa, contributing writer
Cara is one of the most consistent and dependable writers the Erie Reader has had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Starting with the Reader in 2017, she's been nearly a decade at spotlight writing, local event-boosting, community communications, and deadline making and we're so thankful to have her. One of her personal favorite articles was a feature on local drag brunches featuring the queen, Rebecca Mae. "That is an oldie but a goodie! Tom is a friend, so getting to interview him was chaotic fun."
And we're not the only ones who get to enjoy her words on paper – her day job is as a freelance writer, mostly centering on food writing.
Cara is always the most enthusiastic when it comes time for our annual 40 Under 40 bio writing tasks. "I can honestly say that the interviews are the very best part of the job; I've gotten to communicate with a lot of movers and shakers in this city, and I'm continuously in awe of what they accomplish for themselves and this community."
When she's not writing for us or for someone else, "I'm a reader, a home cook, a TikTok enthusiast, a nice stroll appreciator, a mom (to a human and two dogs). Newbie fan of the San Jose Sharks (this fandom is a prison), and I love attending the local sporting events in Erie."
When it comes to the Reader, Cara is not only a contributor but a fan: "I feel like the Erie Reader has its finger on the pulse of most things happening in the city, and it offers readers thoughtful perspectives on a variety of topics. It's been my honor to report on Erie events for nearly a decade."
Let me tell you with relative certainty, there is no one else on Earth (or at least in Erie) as thorough and knowledgeable about AP style as Matt Swanseger. Here at the Reader, that knowledge is invaluable. He makes everyone's work look, read, and sound better (which is a feat, because it's usually already great) and he makes our publication more professional through his (seemingly) effortless work. A good copy editor is hard to find these days (did someone say AI?), and Matt is as good as they come.
Nowadays, we only get to have Matt for two-ish days per month, when we're in production for our monthly issue, but he was once a full-time fixture on the Erie Reader scene. He began working for our publication back in 2015, "after a former classmate at my 10-year high school reunion relayed me to Ben Speggen, who in turn referred me to Katie Chriest. I cut my teeth on a spotlight about Rob Zombie coming to The Warner Theatre."
And he's not just a crack copy editor, Matt has written scads of articles and features since his baptism by shock rock, including Year in Review and Shop Local features, basically creating the very first Best of Erie City Guide from the ground up, and (something that was always appreciated) being game for writing those things that just needed to be written. His personal favorite feature to write was "The Real Wizard of Oz," which told the history of Harry Kellar, and how Bobby Borgia brought his magical legacy to life with the opening of Kellar's Modern Magic and Comedy Club back in 2020.
Currently, Epic Web Studios is lucky to get Matt full-time, where he works as the director of content. When he's not writing, editing, or turning em dashes into en dashes, you will likely find him cooking or baking, hitting the gym, walking or hiking outdoors, or listening to, watching live, or playing music.
He shares, "The Erie Reader has been a tireless cheerleader and advocate for a community that hasn't always consistently had one. It exists to enthusiastically remind Erie that this is a place with sights worth seeing, things worth doing, people worth knowing, and a history worth recording."
Nick Warren, contributing editor, writer, graphic designer, and comic artist
I took up the mantle of managing editor from Nick Warren in 2022, and let me tell you, I had some big (checkerboard) shoes to fill. The Erie Reader largely looks and feels the way it does because of Nick's creative vision and hard work. Nick joined the Reader in November of 2015 by contributing two album reviews – and it was all downhill from there.
Currently working in marketing and communications for a local business, Nick has previously served as a marketing director, a full-time graphic designer, and is a prolific local musician. He's currently involved with FilmErie, curating local music acts for the annual Arts and Drafts festival, doing custom illustrations, writing an original play, working in the local theater scene (having previously served on the board of directors for Dramashop), and compiling a local comic artist anthology funded through Erie Arts and Culture. Oh and on top of all of this, he writes monthly reviews, spotlights, and features, creates a comic, and lays out (and often draws) the covers for the Erie Reader. I'm not sure we all actually have the same 24 hours.
"The Reader feels essential here. Signal boosting original works, new local albums, local political issues, and local businesses making a difference creates positive waves in a community. The people who work for and contribute to the Reader know that, and they just have to do it. They're driven. They wrote before the Reader and now they're getting paid to do it, and have a collected platform that's distributed for free across our county and beyond. That's pretty cool," Nick shares.
"Misfits finding a home" is how Nick summarizes his experience with the Reader. When Nick penned his final "From the Editors" in October of 2022, a tear came to his eye. In that edition he wrote: "So far, my time at the Reader has been perhaps my greatest joy. I'm also grateful to say that I've found my chosen family amongst the weirdos, artists, and musicians of Erie. I've been here a while. As I step down, I'm the longest-serving managing editor. I've written the most articles. I've designed the most covers. The Reader is going to be hard for me to leave. So, I won't."
I suppose we could do this all without Nick, but I wouldn't even want to try. He's indispensable and we're very lucky to have him stay put with us all these years.
Larry Wheaton, contributing writer
I've known Larry, at least peripherally, since high school when he was sporting a foot-tall mohawk and playing trombone in the ska punk band, the Go Go Rays. And he's really never left my circle – if anything, he's snuggled in a bit tighter. In terms of the Reader, Larry has been contributing his voice, largely covering locally-relevant music events and album reviews, since 2018.
When we have a nationally-touring musician coming through Erie, Larry is always up for an interview or concert review – from John Mellencamp to Tom May of the Menzingers (featured elsewhere in this issue). Among his favorite writing experiences so far were his interview with Joe Travers, an archivist and Erie native who compiled Zappa/Erie, a collection of performances by Frank Zappa from his time in Erie and Edinboro or his interview with Tommy Stinson from the Replacements ahead of his intimate performance at Lavery's Bunker. These opportunities really only come through the Reader and offer Larry, not only a chance to share his voice in print, but also to meet and talk with music legends. "Contributing to the Reader is a way to help build up the community. When any person is successful in this town, we all benefit," Larry shares.
Larry's local music involvement certainly didn't stop with that early-adulthood stint in the Go Go Rays – he is currently the trombonist in the long-standing local outfit This American Song as well as with Logan B & Dirty Leaf (and has had guest appearances/recordings with countless bands throughout the years). He also co-hosts Sonic Sounds on WQLN Radio and serves on the board of Erie's Blues and Jazz Festival.
When Larry's not writing, attending a local show, or playing live, he's pretty much never not thinking about music, "I enjoy going to see live music, listening to my record collection, or occasionally DJing around town" and also spending time with his wife. "I wouldn't have the confidence or courage to do the things I enjoy in life, without the support of my wife Emily."
Erin Phillips, who feels honored to have the privilege of knowing all of these incredible people, can be reached at erin@eriereader.com
