WATERFORD, Pennsylvania — In and around this tiny Erie County borough in northwestern Pennsylvania, the handful of broad-windowed storefronts, generous sidewalks, and the gazebo located in the middle of the town square function quite nicely without much attention.

A favorite of my family on trips to Lake Erie was a backroad visit to Betty’s Dinor. Yes, it was spelled “dinor.” Here in northwestern Pennsylvania, diners are almost always spelled “dinor.” Why? Well, no one knows exactly why. The Erie Times speculated several years ago it might be a unique translation of “diner” or an advertising ploy to lure passersby.