yourdailylocal
Your Daily Local is pleased to introduce a new feature series, Pieces of the Past, exploring interesting people, places, and events from throughout the region’s history.
Guest contributor Ron Reiff will present the series for Your Daily Local. In this first installment, we’ll let Ron introduce himself.
The Truth by Ron Reiff
I was born at Warren General Hospital in February 1951. I was born to Dick and Dee Reiff and for 18 years shared a bedroom with my twin brother Rick. We both spent much of our spare time trying to become radio broadcasters. Lucky for us Roy Schneck had twins of his own and the door to a career starting at WNAE-WRRN was open to us. Having a cousin, Dave Jones at the station to help train us didn’t hurt.
After five years of working nights, I looked for a day job. That eventually led to being the first live morning man on SE-93. Sometimes things don’t work so I left for a job in Corry. Art Arkelian, the station’s owner thought “Ron Reiff” sounded like reefer and decided to call me Ron Smith. For better than 40 years of my life, I was Ron Smith.
Since 1974 listeners have heard Ron Smith on WWCB in Corry. They heard my voice on TV for Marine Bank (now P.N.C.) I was the voice of Loblaws, Erie Sports Store, and dozens of other businesses. If you went to Stateline or Eriez from 1984-2000 you heard me on the P.A. systems at each track
About four years ago I decided to try my hand at writing historical short stories. I missed Roger Thelein’s stories. I truly idolized him as a police officer and author. I began writing “Pieces of the Past” to honor Roger.
Now you have the history of who I am and who I became. I still live in Warren County and proudly tell people I have lived here for 69 of my 71 years of life. I hope you enjoy reading more about our area’s past. You’ll get more than just Warren too. Stories of the region’s first modern refinery. The daring pilot who flew under the 8th wonder of the world and the crazy history of how Columbus got its name.
