Jonathan Burdick

I could talk about the ABA, the Pittsburgh Pipers, and Connie Hawkins ALL DAY (and there are plenty of #EriePA connections too). In print today and online soon. #basketball #history #skystorians

They weren’t even cool but somehow we were all convinced they were cool.

January 28, 1939. When Philly discovered pizza: “What is pizza? Well, it’s just a big open-faced pie, filled with tomatoes, anchovies, muzzarella cheese, peppers, or what have you — and baked while you wait.” #history #NationalPizzaDay #skystorians

I’ve been waiting for Disney to finally figure out what to do with The Muppets. Keeping my fingers crossed for more!

My Super Bowl aired earlier this week. #TheMuppets

Do People Even Read Anymore? How our reading habits have – and haven't – changed over the years

Here’s my latest: “Why read John Steinbeck talking about some trip he took with his dog when we can watch a celebrity eat increasingly spicy chicken wings on YouTube? To be fair, Sean Evans is a great interviewer.” #booksky #readsky #literature

www.eriereader.com/article/do-p...

I still watch Too Many Cooks at least once a year and somehow it gets funnier every time.

Protests followed outside of the Erie HQ until certain guarantees were met. After CT Vivian, MLK’s close friend & SCLC associate, arrived in Erie to negotiate, Hammermill signed an agreement, publicly committing Hammermill to hiring Black workers & advocating for voting rights. #MLKDay #history

Erie Daily Times. March 17, 1965. During the Civil Rights Movement's Selma Campaign, #EriePA found itself in national headlines when Hammermill Paper execs cozied up to "segregation now, segregation forever" Governor George Wallace during an announcement of the company's proposed plant in #SelmaAL.

Penn State students write letters in the student newspaper following Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. #MLKDay #history #skystorians

My wife: “You have no fashion sense.”
Me: “Pfft. Oh YEAH?!” #gamersky #gaming

Erie's Year in Review: 1975 A look back at a monumental year in Erie, 50 years ago

My latest: "There's a few new shows everybody's been talking about around the water cooler. Folks seem to really enjoy Wheel of Fortune, but that whole Saturday Night Live thing that the kids seem to love? There's no way that show lasts." #history #skystorians

www.eriereader.com/article/erie...

I second this. I use this with my high school students after we read and discuss the White Rose and the final minutes of this movie leaves many of them viscerally moved and even changed.

For sure. I believe this is currently getting a remake.

That was my first thought. A lil’ existentially bleak humor to lighten the mood.

I call this genre “Humanity Needs to Figure Its Shit Out ASAP.” What third movie would you add to complete the trilogy? #FilmSky #Skystorians #HATM

100%.

#ScholarSunday Thread 250! (11/16/25) – Black and White and Read All Over Here it is, a very special--& especially supersized—250th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Please add more ...

Here it is, a very special--& especially supersized—250th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Please add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️

blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

I’m all for talking about my research & writing process when asked, but it’s, uh… a bit unconventional & chaotic & probably won’t make much sense even if it all makes perfect sense in my brain. Here’s a time-lapse that’ll give you a peek at how my latest story came together. #writersky #skystorians

True Community Theater: A History of the Erie Playhouse The dramatic evolution of Erie's local theater scene

Here's my latest story which includes a history of the Erie Playhouse in #EriePA. "For a town that they say is beer and bowling … the Playhouse is doing real well," executive director David Matthews said in 1983. #theatersky #history #skystorians

www.eriereader.com/article/true...

How to Get to Sesame Street: The History and Future of Public Television Despite touching lives beyond count, value of children's programming still needs spelled out

On this day in 1969, the greatest television show of all time, Sesame Street, premiered. Here’s a story that I wrote about the show (and public television) last year. Seems more relevant than ever: www.eriereader.com/article/how-...

#history #skystorians #sesamestreet

Finishing off #Halloween with the GOAT. I used to say it was the original Halloween, but I think I’m ready to admit that it’s A Nightmare on Elm Street.

LMAO. Can’t believe how bad this one is. I remember renting this one on VHS in maybe 1998 or ‘99. #Halloween #SpookySeason

I really enjoyed Weapons (but I also equally enjoyed his divisive Barbarians). #Halloween #FilmSky

Having not watched these in about 25 years, I can confirm that three is absolutely awful, but four really holds up. #Halloween #SpookySky

A Hero in the Midst of Cowards The righteous rage of John Brown

On this day in 1859, John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry began. A few years ago, I wrote this story about Brown, his final days, & the influence of his time spent living in Pennsylvania. If you missed it, I hope you’ll check it out. #history #skystorians

www.eriereader.com/article/a-he...

Tonight’s #Halloween horror classic:

Ending this night with this absolute 80s classic. So bad it’s good. #Halloween

Tonight’s #Halloween season double feature. I’ve actually never watched A Quiet Place *and* I’ve managed to avoid any spoilers about it.

I missed this one when it came out somehow. While watching it tonight, I thought to myself that it sure seemed like a zombie movie as if directed by Jim Jarmusch. It turns out… it was a zombie movie literally directed by Jim Jarmusch. 🤦🏻‍♂️ #halloween #spookysky