When Lake Erie freezes over, 'Beyond the Gates', Jonathan Larson
Plus: The seventh wealthiest man in the world says those who "get the short straws in life ... deserve better."
Hello, dear readers,
February has always held a special place in my heart — not just because it’s my birthday month but because it’s filled with many milestones.
I was born on my grandmother’s birthday — a bond I’ve cherished my whole life.
My grandfather was also a February baby, and together, my grandparents built a love story that started with a February wedding anniversary.
My parents followed in their footsteps, celebrating their anniversary this month.
Despite being the shortest month of the year, February never feels rushed.
Outside of the holiday season, it’s the month I enjoy most. For the most part, it still feels wintry (especially, and finally, this year!) — and, of course, my Christmas tree remains lit to enjoy the snowy nights.
And while I’ve never been one to go all out for Valentine’s Day, I know it holds a special meaning for many. Whether it’s a time to celebrate love, friendship or just an excuse to indulge in chocolate (no judgment here!), February has a way of reminding me to appreciate the people who matter most.
So, as February nears its end, I hope you find warmth in the things and people that bring you joy. Here’s to making the most of this special time of year!
🍒
When Lake Erie freezes over
There’s something uniquely captivating — not to mention dangerous — about the idea of walking across a frozen Lake Erie. The vast, icy expanse stretches out before and underneath you, offering both an exhilarating sense of freedom and a silent threat.
Last month, I ventured out across Presque Isle Bay — a tame experience compared to those crazy brave enough to have crossed the frozen tundra of Lake Erie.
With the below-freezing temperatures the Great Lakes region has experienced over the past several weeks, Lake Erie — with its shallow depth — is more than 92 percent ice-covered.
The Erie Times-News revisited stories of those who have made the trek across the frozen lake over the years.
Likely due to the effects of climate change, ice coverage on the Great Lakes has dropped 70% since the early 1970s, according to the Erie Times-News, which cited a 2017 study by researchers at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Michigan.
Surprisingly, only a few people have been known to make the trek since 1912 — the first known crossing.
The most recent known crossing was in 1978, according to the Erie Times-News.
But February 1977 seemed to be a popular time to cross the lake as a total of four men made the harrowing trip within a span of just a few days.
Two of those men were Craig Latimer and John Ziesenheim, who began their trip on Feb. 22 of that year.
"We played hockey on the lake and went skating on the lake. Walking across it was something that occurred to me from time to time," Ziesenheim told the Erie Times-News.
After asking his friend Latimer, the two agreed to head out for Canada, crossing the frozen lake.
The two men expected to make their way from Lake City, Pennsylvania, to the Long Point peninsula in Ontario, planning to walk 25 miles. (It was later they realized their math was wrong and that the 25-mile stretch is from North East, Pennsylvania, to Long Point.)
Some 18 hours after first setting off on their trip, the two friends finally saw a lighthouse, which they’d later learn was still two hours away by foot.
Some 65 years earlier, a 19-year-old Walter Lick crossed the lake in what is considered the first known crossing, according to a published report in the Feb. 21, 1912, Erie Times, which said: “no one knew for an absolute certainty, until he demonstrated the fact, that the lake had ever been actually frozen from shore to shore."
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‘Beyond the Gates’: New soap opera set to debut Monday on CBS
CBS will launch a new daytime soap opera on Monday — the first Black-led soap. It’s also the first new daytime drama since “Passions” first aired in 1999.
“Beyond the Gates” premieres at 2 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 24 and will stream live and on-demand via Paramount+.
Set in a gated community near Washington, D.C., the series revolves around the Dupree family — an affluent and complex household led by matriarch Anita Dupree, played by Tamara Tunie, and patriarch Vernon Dupree, portrayed by Clifton Davis.
Watch a five-episode preview of “Beyond the Gates.”
Amazon MGM takes creative control of Bond
Amazon MGM has assumed creative control of the James Bond franchise, marking a significant shift after decades under family ownership. The studio this week announced that longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will step back from their hands-on roles in the franchise.
The change comes as part of a new joint venture between Amazon MGM and the producers, in which both parties will co-own the James Bond intellectual property, though Amazon MGM will have creative control. (AP)
7th wealthiest man in the world says those who ‘get the short straws in life’ ‘deserve better’
Warren Buffett, the seventh wealthiest man in the world, just keeps getting wealthier.
But Saturday in his annual letter to shareholders, Buffett celebrated the successes of Berkshire Hathaway’s companies while also giving some advice to Trump, urging the government to be responsible with the money his companies send it.
“Thank you, Uncle Sam. Someday your nieces and nephews at Berkshire hope to send you even larger payments than we did in 2024. Spend it wisely. Take care of the many who, for no fault of their own, get the short straws in life. They deserve better. And never forget that we need you to maintain a stable currency and that result requires both wisdom and vigilance on your part,” Buffett wrote.
The multinational conglomerate holding company — Berkshire Hathaway — has amassed a lengthy list of subsidiaries, including Kraft Heinz, Duracell, Dairy Queen, Pampered Chef and Pilot Travel Centers. (AP)
Courts are unlikely to protect democracy from threats posed by Trump and Musk
Legal scholars suggest that federal courts may be ill-equipped to counteract the administration's excessive and illegal overreach, given the judiciary's limited power and the challenges in addressing executive actions that threaten democratic principles. (The Conversation)
Tracking Trump
Here’s an exhausting nonexhaustive look at what’s happened over the last week.
Reports: Musk’s shadow government flubbed government ‘savings’ figures
The so-called "wall of receipts" shows a fake savings of $8 billion by canceling one Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract that was actually worth a maximum of $8 million. The NYT, CBS News and CNN each did individual analysis of the shoddy work of “DOGE.”
Spam emailing 2.3 million federal workers
President Dictator Musk spam emailed 2.3 million federal employees demanding a weekly account of their accomplishments under threat of termination. The spam email was sent Saturday afternoon and workers were given until the end of Monday to reply. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) said: “This is the ultimate d‑‑‑ boss move from Musk – except he isn’t even the boss, he’s just a d‑‑‑.” (The Hill)
Trump loyalist tells FBI not to respond to Musk’s spammy email
Newly-confirmed FBI director Kash Patel, a “deep state” conspiracy theorist and Trump loyalist, who was recently confirmed to lead the FBI told bureau employees on Saturday to hit "pause" on responding to that spammy email from the Office of Personnel Management that Musk sent demanding an account of weekly accomplishments. (HuffPo)
Other things to know…
Here’s a look at other stories I’ve read recently:
Pennsylvania
Two more staffers quit John Fetterman's office (NBC News)
University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty (WESA)
A celebrated Philly illustrator died before he could finish his last project. Then his son stepped in. (Philly Inquirer)
News about the news
MSNBC to drop Joy Reid from primetime lineup; ‘The Weekend’ anchors and Jen Psaki eyed for nighttime slots (Deadline)
A new local news empire, built on newsletters, is growing in the United Kingdom (Poynter)
Mississippi judge ignores constitution to order takedown of editorial (Freedom of the Press Foundation)
Economy
Surging egg prices are pummeling America’s bakeries (CNN)
Talk of a ‘Feb 28 Economic Blackout’ is spreading on social media. What is it? (CBS News)
Inflation, Tariffs Turn Consumers Sour on Trumponomics (US News & World Report)
Entertainment
Inside the ‘toxic’ culture of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise as crew deals with fallout of ‘Bachelorette’ pause (Deadline)
Finding a common thread in Jonathan Larson’s unheard music (NYT)
‘SNL50’: How the celebration of a golden TV milestone became a test for NBCUniversal (Variety)
And, finally…
Yum.
