Staff report
| Erie Times-News
Jerome Bettis was in Erie for Sunday’s autograph session at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis pulled into Erie on Sunday for an autograph session as part of Dick’s Sporting Goods’ reopening within the Millcreek Mall.
Mike Copper, Erie Times-News
When the Millcreek Mall celebrated its grand opening half a century ago, a handful of celebrities of the day helped draw shoppers through the doors.
The mall’s grand opening was marked Nov. 10, 1975, with a ribbon-cutting by Miss USA 1976 Tawney Elaine Godin, who’d been crowned just two months earlier. The McDowell High School marching band performed alongside her at the ceremony.
Kokomo Jr., the chimpanzee who supplanted J. Fred Muggs as NBC’s “The Today Show” mascot in 1957, performed three times daily Nov. 10-15.
Rocky Bleier, the Pittsburgh Steelers running back and U.S. Army veteran, signed autographs Nov. 10. The Steelers were in the midst of the four world championship titles they’d win in the six seasons between Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl XIV.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson and linebacker John Skorupan also signed autographs that day.
Cleveland Browns tight end Milt Morin greeted fans Nov. 11, and Buffalo Sabres center Don Luce was the guest Nov. 13.
The Fabulous Conti Family, a touring band from Detroit, performed twice daily Nov. 11-13.