02/04/2025
WINTER TERM KICK-OFF EVENT UPDATE
The Jefferson Educational Society’s Winter Term kick-off event, hosted in partnership with the Hagen History Center’s Doris Becker Lecture Series, will feature a new presenter: Bob Green, local wine historian and professor at Penn State Behrend.
Green will present, “History Uncorked: Exploring Wine’s History, Staying Power, and Role in North America,” covering what wine is; chemistry’s role in its stay power; wine’s route from the Black Sea region through Europe to North America; and a timeline of events in the Lake Erie region with regards to vineyards and wine.
The previously scheduled speaker, Rod Phillips, a professor at Canada’s Carleton University and wine writer, historian, and judge, has postponed his engagement due to the impending tariffs on Canadian goods announced by the Trump administration on Saturday, Feb. 1.
“I was very much looking forward to coming to Erie to talk about the history of wine in this region and to taste and write about local wines,” Phillips said. “Millions of Canadians come to the United Stares every year on vacation, to study, to play sports, to attend conferences, and for business. We take it for granted, as do Americans coming to Canada. But the tariffs on Canadian imports announced by President Trump are an attack on Canada that has made me and many others unwilling to travel to the United States except when absolutely necessary.”
The Hagen History Center and JES teams remain committed to working to reschedule Phillip’s appearance in Erie in the future.
“We understand and respect Dr. Phillips’ decision and know these are trying and uncertain times impacting many,” said Ben Speggen, JES vice president. “We are grateful to our partners at the Hagen History Center for helping to ensure our Winter Term kick-off event, and the Doris Becker Lecture Series program, remains on the civic calendars of those throughout the Erie region by securing another speaker to take the stage.”
“From his decades of experience – from working in the industry to teaching about it at the college level – Bob Green’s name is synonymous with wine in the northwestern Pennsylvania region,” said Caleb Pifer, Hagen History Center executive director. “We are incredibly grateful to be blessed with some talent, knowledge, and expertise in our area, and even more so for Mr. Green’s willingness to step in on short notice so that we can continue with this event.”
The event, held at the JES, 3207 State St., remains free and open to the public, and will begin with a wine tasting hosted by Mazza Wines, and a light reception at 6 p.m. Mr. Green’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m.
If you were registered for Phillips' event, your registration has been transferred to the new event. If you still need to register, you can do so on the JES website: jeserie.org/events/details/in-partnership-with-the-hagen-history-center-doris-becker-lecture-series-how-the-wine-industry-started-in-north-america
Educate and inform the whole mass of people … They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. - Thomas Jefferson
