Jan 2014 t&g

Inside: Children’s Advocacy Center prepares to open • “12 Months of Giving” series begins

JANUARY 2014

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townandgown.com

Opening

Movements

Nittany Valley Symphony ’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition has helped launch many musical careers, and this season’s winner, Juliette Greer, hopes to be the latest

IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN

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EISENHOWER AUDITORIUM Some of the costumes, dancing, and language might not be appropriate for kids younger than 14. sponsors Lynn Sidehamer Brown and Kimberly Watkins

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January • Featur es 31 /12 Months of Giving Town&Gown begins a new series for 2014 that will look at organizations, groups, and individuals who are a little “under the radar” and do noteworthy work to help others — and who also could use your help in aiding those in need. The series begins with a look at the Food Bank of State College • by Rebekka Coakley

44 44 / Not Losing Sight of Living

36 36 / Opening Movements Through its young-soloist competition, Nittany Valley Symphony has seen and helped launch the start of many musical careers. It’s also encouraged local youth to become more engaged in the world of classical music • by Aimee Morgan

Being born blind or losing your vision later in life can be frightening. But, as many in Centre County show, unable to see doesn’t have to mean unable to try, unable to do, or unable to achieve • by Kerry Royer

52 / The Man Among the Ladies Whether at home with his wife and daughter or at work with the Penn State Lady Lion basketball team, Fred Chmiel is enjoying his life as a husband, father, and coach • by Dan Norton Cover Photo: By Darren Weimert

Town&Gown is published monthly by Barash Publications, 403 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801. Advertising is subject to approval of the publisher. COPYRIGHT 2013 by Barash Media. All rights reserved.

Send address changes to Town&Gown, 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any process except with written authorization from Town&Gown or its publisher. Phone: 800-326-9584, 814-238-5051. FAX: 814-238-3415. Printed by Gazette Printers, Indiana, PA. 20,000 copies published this month, available FREE in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and motels & travel depots. SUBSCRIPTIONS and SINGLE COPIES: $45/1yr; current issue by 1st-class mail, $10; back copy, $15 mailed, $12 picked up at the T&G office. www.townandgown.com

5 - Town&Gown January 2014

Town&Gown January

A State College & Penn State tradition since 1966.

Publisher Rob Schmidt Founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith Editorial Director David Pencek Creative Director/Photographer John Hovenstine

Departments 8 10 20 24

58 60

63

72 74

86 90 92

74

Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz Graphic Designer/Photographer Darren Weimert Graphic Designer Tiara Snare

Letter From The Editor Starting Off On Center: Broadway star Sutton Foster performs at Eisenhower Auditorium Health & Wellness: New Child Advocacy Center brings resources, involved parties together under one roof to support youth in region This Month on WPSU Penn State Diary: Advanced technology brings new challenges to maintaining our past What’s Happening: Rock of Ages, “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” and Jay Z highlight this month’s events From the Vine: Merlot still has magic Taste of the Month/Dining Out: Hundred Degrees Hot Pot brings authentic Sichuan cuisine to region Lunch with Mimi: New Tides director has long felt a need to comfort the grieving State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos Snapshot: New Bellefonte mayor hopes to make a difference and grow community involvement and pride

Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel Business Manager Aimee Aiello Administrative Assistant Brittany Svoboda Distribution Handy Delivery, Tom Neff Senior Editorial Consultant Witt Yeagley

To contact us: Mail: 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801 Phone: (814) 238-5051, (800) 326-9584 Fax: (814) 238-3415 dpenc@barashmedia.com (Editorial) rschmidt@barashmedia.com (Advertising) We welcome letters to the editor that include a phone number for verification.

Back issues of Town&Gown are available on microfilm at Penn State’s Pattee Library.

www.townandgown.com

6 - Town&Gown January 2014

letter from the editor

Why We Fight A loss in the battle against cancer provides inspiration to forge ahead I read the e-mail from home on a Sunday.

Jaime VanOrden wrote that she was in the hospital and was having a procedure done on Monday, and she wasn’t sure when she would be released, which meant our scheduled meeting that Thursday at Cool Beans Coffee and Tea in Bellefonte could have to be postponed.

A few years ago, Jaime had written a story for Town&Gown’s special Pink Zone supplement. While I worked with her on putting the story together, I had actually never met her — I only had talked with her over the phone and written to her through e-mails. But VanOrden with her son, Jackson. Town&Gown wanted to do a follow-up story on her for our 2014 Pink Zone supplement, and this time she and I planned to meet.

The story she had written was about her discovering she had breast cancer in 2011 at the age of just 32, and her fight against the disease, which also had spread to her liver. She had a husband, Bill, and a 2-year-old son, Jackson. She and her family lived in Zion. She went through various treatments and ordeals, but at the end of her story she wrote: “Right before Christmas I received the best present ever! I found out that the tumors in my liver are shrinking and there is no new disease! … I have tons and tons of hope and faith that I will beat this cancer! I have too much to live for to give up!”

The cancer, however, had returned in 2013,

which was why Jaime was in the hospital when she wrote her e-mail. In my response, I wrote that I’d pray for her and hoped everything would go OK, and we would schedule our meeting once we saw how she felt after she left the hospital.

Unfortunately she never left, and we never met. Jaime died two days later at the age of 35.

One of my first thoughts was about the Pink Zone, and all this money that is raised for cancer research and to fight cancer — and yet, all that money and research couldn’t save Jaime. It makes you want to throw up your arms and say, “What’s the point!?”

But Jaime knew the point of such efforts — and it wasn’t just about her. I encourage you to read the story “The Jaime Effect,” which is in this year’s edition of the Pink Zone supplement. It was written by one of Jaime’s best friends, Kristy Weight. The story describes how Jaime, despite her own battle, spent much of her time trying to help others — making possible little acts of kindness that eventually spread to many people.

So I never met Jaime, but her life — her effect — touched me. It shows that this fight against cancer must and will continue — and it’s a fight that we will win thanks to those who have already won their individual battles against the disease, and those such as Jaime who are no longer with us but made sure that we remember to keep fighting for others and never ever give up.

David Pencek Editorial Director dpenc@barashmedia.com

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starting off

What’s

New

Rec Hall will host the 2016 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship.

Ferguson Township among safest cities in state The Web site SafeWise ranked its 50 safest cities in Pennsylvania, and Ferguson Township was ranked No. 38. Cecil Ferguson Township Township near Pittsburgh ranked No. 1.

In the story, SafeWise, an online resource that provides reviews of safety and security products, described Ferguson Township: “Boasting approximately 50,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land area, Ferguson Township is one of the best places in the state to find your own little piece of Heaven on Earth. The rural landscape and calm pace of life keep Ferguson residents fiercely protective of their land and each other. The township reported a surprisingly low number of violent crimes for a town with close to 20,000 residents. With a strong police force of over 20 sworn officers, Ferguson takes the safety and security of its citizens seriously.”

Ferguson Township was the only municipality in Centre County to make the list.

Township police chief Diane Conrad said in a released statement, “We’re pleased to receive this recognition of our community and we will continue to work with our community partners to do the best we can to keep Ferguson Township a best place to live, work, and visit.”

Penn State to host future NCAA championships The NCAA announced host sites for 82 of its 89 championships for the next five seasons, from the 2014-15 campaign through the 2017-18 season. Penn State was selected as a host site for two championships.

Penn State will host the 2016 men’s volley-

ball championship and the 2018 men’s and women’s fencing championships.

The university also was selected to host the men’s and women’s cross country regional championships in 2014 and 2016, and the women’s gymnastics regional championship in 2018.

Penn State already is hosting the women’s gymnastics regional championship this season, on April 5. It also will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament March 23 and 25.

Program grants wishes to seniors in region The 2013 Santa to a Senior program made the holiday season a little brighter for 11 Central Pennsylvania seniors. The program was organized by Home Instead Senior Care and Brookline early last fall. The two organizations asked for nominations of seniors in need in the community. They received 11 wishes, and, with sponsor support, were able to grant each wish.

Some of the top wishes granted were a trailer insulated and reskirted before winter, assistance paying for heating oil for the entire winter, a new furnace, a bedside stand, and others.

This year’s sponsors were Fishers Country Store, Soltis Senior Care Connections-Benchmark Therapies, The Benedict Family, Valley Homes, Central PA Community Action, The Hastings Family, Your Furniture for Less, One 2 One Travel, Foxdale Village, Metzger Animal Hospital, Mount Nittany Veterinary Hospital, Penn State Health and Human Development, Centre County Chamber of Business & Industry, The Kearney Family, Delectable Delights, Wynwood House, Healthsouth, Mid Penn Legal Services, The Zekan Family, The Whitford Family, Clothes Mentor, The Little Family, The Hartman Group, Mazza Law Group, WPSU, Provan Enterprises, and 3WZ. T&G

10 - Town&Gown January 2014

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year from your friends at Village Heights!

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People in the

Community

Molly Kunkel

Molly Kunkel became the new Centre Foundation executive director on December 2. She replaced Al Jones, who retired after serving as executive director for nearly five years.

Kunkel joined the foundation as deputy director in 2008. Previously, she was director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Juniata Valley. She also is a member and immediate past president of the State College Rotary Club.

“I’m excited to lead the foundation forward,” she said in a press release. “ We’ve recently implemented some new ideas and grown substantially. I want to keep that momentum going and take it to the next level.”

Alicia Lai

State College Area High School senior Alicia Lai was selected as a 2014 YoungArts Winner/Finalist in Writing out of 11,000 applicants. She was invited

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to attend the YoungArts Week in Miami in January, along with the other 170 finalists in 10 artistic disciplines.

Lai is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Postscript Journal, a national literary magazine offering high school and college students the opportunity to publish their work.

She has received numerous prizes, scholarships, and awards. She received the 2013 Easterday Poetry Prize from National Poetry Quarterly, 2013 Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize, and first-place awards in the 2012 Brigham Young University High School Writing Contest and the 2012 Penn State University International Writing Contest.

At State High, she also is captain of the mock trial team and Ocean Sciences Bowl team, and helps organize GEM Seminars for Math Club. She also teaches dance at Happy Valley Chinese School and plays the piano.

Lori McGarry Park Forest Elementary School teacher Lori McGarry was named the 2013 Pennsylvania History Teacher of the Year in an award cosponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on behalf of its Preserve America Program, and the History channel.

McGarry has been a teacher at Park Forest Elementary for four years. She attended Penn State.

She has written several articles for Social Studies and the Young Learner, presented at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference, and was instrumental in the development of the Park Forest Elementary Constitution, along with several colleagues and student representatives from each classroom, K-5.

“It is a privilege to work at Park Forest Elementary School, where I can collaborate with passionate and talented educators to create authentic learning opportunities for students every day,” McGarry says. “Last year, in our continued efforts to help students develop skills for meaningful participation in our democracy, we undertook a school-wide project to write a PFE Constitution. By simulating a ‘representative democracy’ and ‘constitutional convention’ within our school, participating students began to see connections between the decisions with which they were wrestling in the present and those of our nation’s founders in the past.” T&G

12 - Town&Gown January 2014

The new Accord is loaded with intelligent technology that’s intuitive and easy to use.

The intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) is standard on every Accord—it’s command central for all kinds of useful information and features when you’re on the road. Honda SatelliteLinked Navigation System™ with voice recognition is available on EX-L models & above.

The ingenious Eco Assist™ technology helps car and driver work together to improve fuel efficiency. Coaching bars around the speedometer change from white to green to indicate how efficiently you’re driving, so stay in the green as much as you can.

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Q&A

Q&A with State College mayor Elizabeth Goreham

By Sarah Harteis When she moved to State College 20 years ago, Elizabeth Goreham didn’t plan on being the mayor of the town. It was when she came to realize her passion for the community that there was no stopping her. In November, Goreham was re-elected State College’s mayor for a second term, and she is excited to bring her plans to life.

She took time to talk with Town&Gown about what some of her plans are for this term.

T&G: When did you first discover your love for politics?

Goreham: When I moved to State College in 1993, I had small-business experience and was a serious environmentalist. I began working on political campaigns, and my husband suggested that I introduce environmental issues to political campaigns and run for borough council. I did, and discovered I loved campaigning. I also discovered I was in sync with the people of this town.

T&G: What does it mean to you to be reelected?

Goreham: It is an honor. It’s gratifying to me because it told me that the bond I feel with the residents of the community is a bond that they feel too.

T&G: What was it that motivated you to run for mayor a second time?

Goreham: Well this is a much broader position than being on the council, and it has taken me four years to learn the job and rhythm of it. This time, I knew I’d be more efficient because I can now utilize all my new knowledge.

It really is almost a full-time commitment, and I truly love it, so that’s another reason that motivated me.

T&G: Can you share with us some of the plans you are working on for this term?

Goreham: Encouraging Penn State graduates to take advantage of the many entrepreneurial opportunities in State College right now is a high priority of mine — young professionals also help strengthen our neighborhoods. I am also touting our environmental collaboration with Penn State, which helps us go green and creates new friendships.

T&G: What are some challenges that come along with being mayor?

Goreham: Expectations of what I can do as well as making sure people who don’t agree with me also feel heard and welcome. I also have a personal challenge of time management that I am working on.

T&G: What do you love most about State College?

Goreham: Three things: there’s a strong sense of community, it’s a place that’s beautiful and offers lots of opportunities and things to do, and it is open to change.

T&G: How would you describe your overall vision for the community you serve?

Goreham: My vision is to help State College fulfill its own potential, have strong neighborhoods, and have a greater diversity of international people living here. My vision also includes having an increasing number of work opportunities for local professionals. T&G

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Thank You for making

Taste of the Town a delicious success!!

CORPORATE SPONSORS GOLD Avant Garden Forever Broadcasting StateCollege.com SILVER Leah Design Lisa Rittenhouse - RE/MAX Centre Realty BRONZE Centre Daily Times Enayal Inc. Ron Gilligan Auctioneering Spectrum Printing Tommy Wareham & Catherine Dupuis sponsored by JazzPA SPONSORED TABLES Anne Ard & Tom Poole Altrusa International of Centre County A W & Sons Cameron Table Centre Cares College West, LLC Dupuis Table Enayal Inc/Spectrum Printing Ferguson Elementary School Forever Broadcasting Happy Valley Hackers and Friends Keller Williams Mammoth Restoration Proforma/Hershey Rittenhouse Table Robinson Table Spats Cafe & Speakeasy StateCollege.com

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. Centre County United Way ccunitedway.org

RESTAURANTS Allen Street Grill Benjamin’s Catering Brown Dog Catering Cafe´ Lemont Clem’s Barbeque Cold Stone Creamery Cozy Thai Bistro Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Edible Arrangements Fasta & Ravioli Company Gemelli Bakers Happy Valley Winery Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering Kader’s Kona Ice Kelly’s Steak and Seafood Legends - The Penn Stater Hotel Mario’s Italian Restaurant Otto’s Pub and Brewery Rotelli Seven Mountains Wine Cellars Spats Cafe & Speakeasy Spruce Creek Bakery Starbucks The Dining Room at The Nittany Lion Inn The Lodge at Tussey Mountain The Tavern The Village at Penn State SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CO-CHAIRS OF TASTE OF THE TOWN Peggy Lynn Walk-Erlich and Lisa Rittenhouse

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Looking Back Centre County history through the pages of Town&Gown January

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The BMW X1 can handle anything you throw at it. With its surprisingly spacious interior, optional xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system and no-cost maintenance, it’s perfect for any situation. And with performance you can only get from a BMW, you’ll have to make up places to go.

1981 “Taskmaster Tommy” looked at the first full-time director of the Penn State Cadet Band (now Blue Band), Wilfred Otto Thompson, who took the position in 1914.

He turned out “to be not just a bandmaster but a taskmaster with a high, and rather well-deserved, opinion of himself.” Olin Butt, who played the clarinet in the band under Thompson in the 1930s, said of Thompson, “He wasn’t afraid of man nor beast, and when he blew that trumpet of his, it was louder than the whole band. He was old then, too!”

1991 In “9 for the New Millennium,” some of the leading entrepreneurs in Centre County were featured. One was Todd Erdley, who started Videon Central in 1997. The company develops digital video products for computer applications, and sells designs to major Silicon Valley companies. Erdley started Videon after he sold another company he had started. “I reached a point where I could either write a resumé or start a new company,” he said. “I figured it was easier to start a new company.”

2011 Pianist Svetlana Rodionova talked about her journey from Russia to Happy Valley in “From Russia with Lovely Music.”

While living in Russia with her first husband and then-young daughter, she described how there were food shortages and she struggled to feed her family. She then was accepted into a competition in Spain. “Once I saw the other world, I knew everyone lied to me,” she said. “I always pictured the hardships of people in the free world. But here I was and there were fruit of every kind, blue skies, and an abundance of food and happy people all around.” T&G

16 - Town&Gown January 2014

This Monthtownandgown.com On • In• 5InQuestions, local musician McIntyre discusses putting 5 Questions, State CollegeJason Spikes manager Oliver Marmol together the “Runnin’ Down Aseason Dream” Benefit Concert for Easter talks about the upcoming and what it’s like managing Seals Western Central Pennsylvania and the State Theatre. players at theand Class A level.

• A• special coupon from Hundred Degreesroasted Hot Pot.leg of lamb.

A special recipeoffer for the Greek Restaurant’s

Oliver Marmol Jason Mclntyre

• Blogs on sports, entertainment, and more.

• Blogs on sports, entertainment, and more.

• Order copies of Town&Gown’s 2013 Penn State Football Town&Gown’s 2013-14 Penn State • OrderAnnual copies and of Town&Gown’s Penn State sports annuals.

Winter Sports Annual.

Anthony Clarvoe

And visit our Facebook site for the latest happenings and opportunities to win free tickets to concerts and events!

And follow us on Twitter @TownGown1.

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Announcing: “Front & Centre” CBICC’s newest communications outreach initiative

Launching in 2014, “Front & Centre” is the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County’s new strategic communications initiative designed to showcase the organization’s collective efforts working with public and private investors to champion economic growth — the “good news” that is occurring right here in Centre County.

The campaign will share with members, the business community at large, and the general public information about CBICC’s full economic development scope of work — from behind-the-scenes insights into existing and new business-growth opportunities to timely updates on efforts to create a better business and regulatory climate, foster entrepreneurship, and support the region’s future business leaders.

CBICC is excited about this communications initiative and its potential to spotlight the progress being made to make Centre County a great place to live, work, and do business.

Stay tuned!

on center

Leading Lady Broadway’s Sutton Foster, with her trio, sings February 15 at Eisenhower Auditorium

By John Mark Rafacz

In the market for a romantic evening filled with marvelous music? Sutton Foster, one of Broadway’s brightest young stars, makes her Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State debut in a Valentine’s weekend concert February 15 at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Foster, who won Tony Awards for outstanding actress in the musicals Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie, has performed in 10 Broadway shows. “… For anyone who follows the Broadway scene, Sutton Foster is clearly the go-to gal.

The terrific dancer-singer-actress can even lay claim to a classic 42nd Street-like rise to fame,” wrote a Chicago Sun-Times theater critic. “At 25, tapped to replace the out-of-town lead in the original Broadway edition of Thoroughly Modern Millie, she went on to win the 2002 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. And that was just the start.

“She then created leading roles in four new Broadway musicals in a row: the 2005 Little Women (in which she starred as Jo March), the 2006 The Drowsy Chaperone (as the flamboyant showgirl Janet van de Graaff), Mel Brooks’s 2007 Young Frankenstein (as Inga, the earthy blond who yodels up a storm), and the 2008 Shrek, the Musical (as the wonderfully neurotic Princess Fiona). It’s a record-breaking resumé for any Broadway actress.”

The Penn State performance, featuring Foster backed by her trio, includes popular and show tunes from the singer’s CDs, plus selections from the Broadway productions in which she’s starred.

“The homespun sweetness that emanates from Ms. Sutton like a natural perfume — evoking fields and woods on a clear, warm Southern afternoon — is a quality that can’t be faked, easy though it may be to imitate,” wrote a New York Times critic after taking in a cabaret show by the singer at Manhattan’s Café Carlyle. “One essential ingredient is an element of surprise. It is

Broadway star Sutton Foster has won two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical.

embedded in singing in which her childlike wail suddenly breaks into a wide-open vibrato, and tension is released in a happy gasp of enthusiasm as she breaks into a clearing.”

The actress, who starred in the ABC Family series Bunheads, has made guest appearances on a variety of TV shows, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Flight of the Conchords, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Sesame Street.

As a concert artist, Foster performs across the United States and abroad with her music director Michael Rafter.

“From the start, Foster made the audience feel as if this was going to be a great night of music,” a reviewer for MD Theatre Guide wrote after hearing the singer in concert at a suburban Washington, DC, theater. “… Two things about listening to Sutton Foster in concert that are definite pluses are the quality of her musicians and arrangements.”

Foster has released two solo albums, Wish and An Evening with Sutton Foster: Live at the Café Carlyle. T&G Fulton Bank sponsors the presentation. For information or tickets, visit cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255.

John Mark Rafacz is the editorial manager of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.

20 - Town&Gown January 2014

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Team Approach to Help Abused Children New Children’s Advocacy Center brings resources, involved parties together under one roof to support youth in region

By Lori Wilson

24 - Town&Gown January 2014

Darren Weimert

“Whether it’s justice, healing, or both, we want to focus on what the child needs.” This is the basis of Kristina Taylor-Porter’s vision for Centre County’s first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), set to open early in 2014. Not only motivated by the challenge to bring resources and services to child-abuse or neglect victims, Taylor-Porter, who is the center’s first executive director, also desires to make a difference for children whose cases may have yet to be noticed or acted upon, just because of where they live.

Located in Bellefonte, the CAC is situated at Mount Nittany Health’s Medical Park Lane, and will serve as a As the Children’s Advocacy Center’s first director, Taylorhub for victims, their families, and all Porter is focused on making sure the needs are met for parties involved in investigating and the child victims who will use the center. vestigative team. This team is made up of childtreating cases of child abuse and neglect. Naprotection services, law-enforcement officials, the tionwide, Children’s Advocacy Centers employ district attorney’s office, victim advocates, and a child-centered approach to support children medical and mental-health personnel. Typically, who have been abused, and help them recover members of the team would conduct separate infrom such a physical and emotional tragedy. A terviews with children who are suspected to have CAC is a safe, child- and family-friendly space been the victims of abuse or neglect. Instead, the where kids come on a nonemergent basis for CAC provides a child-focused forensic interview evaluation and treatment of abuse. The centers via closed-circuit equipment. Taylor-Porter exprovide one place where all parties involved can plains that this model, in addition to streamlining convene while focusing on meeting the needs of the communication process between the child the child. and team members, also will help in minimizTaylor-Porter explains that prior to the CAC ing the amount of trauma children of abuse go model, child-abuse victims could be interviewed through in having to retell their experience over anywhere from seven to 21 different times, and over, and therefore relive the tragedy. therefore increasing the likelihood that infor“The more times a child has to talk about mation is forgotten or told in varying ways, potheir experience, the more times they have to retentially because the child may forget or leave live the abuse or neglect then, too,” says Taylorsomething out.

Porter. “If they have to keep telling it over and The CAC will utilize a team model, through over again, there’s a possibility they may forget what is often referred to as a multidisciplinary in-

or recant the information.”

In addition to services surrounding the interview process, the CAC will serve as a place for victim advocates to meet with children and their families, as well. A victim advocate is a professional trained to support victims of crime. They offer victims information, emotional support, and help in finding resources and filling out paperwork. TaylorPorter says that this resource will be helpful to families and victims in guiding them through the process, and also may help in ensuring that cases make it all the way through to prosecution.

“Families can become overwhelmed by the investigation and prosecution process,” she explains. “A victim advocate would help to alleviate some of the stress and information overload that is involved.”

Not only is emotional healing critical in this process, but Taylor-Porter explains the importance of also having medical services to offer victims at the time of their interviews. By partnering with Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics - Bellefonte, the CAC will offer three trained physicians on site to conduct medical exams to ensure the child’s physical health, and also to document any signs of abuse and treat any sexually transmitted diseases that may have occurred as a result of the abuse. Additionally, the medical team can offer referrals for behavioral-health services.

“Our center is adjoined to the physicians group,” says Taylor-Porter. “It’s a great space in that the physicians can just come right over and perform the exam, so the child and their family don’t have to make a special trip.”

There are many advantages to partnering with the physicians group, and Taylor-Porter explains that more CACs are associated with hospitals, not only because of the medical component, but also because of the additional support

and resources such a partnership provides.

She says, “Mount Nittany Health will be able to provide a number of resources that a standalone nonprofit could not do — communications support, fundraising opportunities, and beyond.”

Taylor-Porter explains that these resources will go a long way in helping to raise awareness of the CAC, not only in Centre County, but also in outlying regions.

“If you look at a map of CACs in Pennsylvania,” explains Taylor-Porter, “the central part of the state is underserved in terms of access to a Children’s Advocacy Center. Through our partnership with Mount Nittany Health, we’ll be able to reach out to those counties who would have otherwise not used a CAC due to lack of resources or access.”

Taylor-Porter’s desire to serve the needs of the region ultimately circles back to being able to provide better services for more children. By investigating more cases in a team capacity, she feels the CAC can successfully help bring more cases to light, therefore helping more children.

“I like to say you can eliminate it [child abuse],” she says, “but the premise of child abuse is secrecy — it’s built off of secrecy. I think the more we talk about child abuse, we educate children about their bodies and boundaries, and create open lines of communication with our children, the more difficult it will be for an offender to get away with it, and more reports will be made.” T&G For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center, visit www.mountnittany.org/childrensadvocacy-center.

Lori Wilson is a freelance writer and works in marketing for the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

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Inside the Children’s Advocacy Center The Children’s Advocacy Center will provide a number of resources and services aimed at serving the victims of child abuse and neglect, and their families. Some features of the new facility include: Medical Exam Room: Ensures comprehensive services are provided, including medical services.

• Forensic medical exams conducted by one of the three forensically trained Mount Nittany Physician Group pediatricians.

• Exams completed the same day the child receives their interview.

Forensic Interview Room: Each forensic interview room and adjoining observation room has a one-way mirror, allowing the investigative team to see the interview in action. (Children are aware the interview will be observed and are given the opportunity to meet the team.)

• State-of-the-art equipment, functionality, and design.

• All interviews will be conducted in a neutral, child-focused and child-friendly environment.

• Interviews conducted by a nationally trained forensic interviewer.

Observation Room: Utilized only by the investigative team, which includes appropriate center staff, law enforcement, children and youth services, and a representative from the district attorney’s office.

• Team observes the interview and provides feedback to the forensic interviewer.

• Utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to record each interview, providing additional evidence in the investigative process.

Multidisciplinary Investigative Team Room: Designated space for the team to: • Discuss the case (before and after).

• Discuss how each entity will proceed with the case.

• Discuss how the team may work together during the investigative phase.

• Meet with victim’s advocate after forensic interview.

• Meet with child’s caregiver(s) regarding the case, and offer follow-up guidance/services for the child and family.

Waiting Room: As the first place the child victim enters the building, this space is crucial to the interview and medical-exam process.

• Designed to be welcoming and comfortable for the child and family.

• Intended to be child-focused and child-friendly.

• During the forensic interview, the caregiver meets with the victim’s advocate here.

Safe Space: The Children’s Advocacy Center is designated as a safe space.

• When children are interviewed, they are told that they are in a safe space.

• To ensure the safety of the children and families at the center, individuals can enter the center only after being cleared by staff at the front desk.

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Architecture of the Body, Anatomy of Gender, and the Art of Surgical Pleasure Speaker: David Teplica, MD, MFA, Plastic Surgeon and Photographer Date: January 23, 2014 Location: Ballroom, The Nittany Lion Inn

50th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders Speaker: Bob Zellner, Prominent Civil Rights Activist and Freedom Rider Date: February 4, 2014 Location: President’s Hall, The Penn Stater

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The End: Authorship, Nostalgia, and the Beatles Speaker: Kenneth A. Womack, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Penn State Altoona; 2013-14 Penn State Laureate Date: March 6, 2014 Location: President’s Hall, The Penn Stater

Memories of a Child Survivor of the Holocaust Speaker: Inge Auerbacher, Holocaust Survivor and Author Date: April 2, 2014 Location: President’s Hall, The Penn Stater

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From the staff of Town&Gown, we wish you a happy and healthy 2014!

Town&Gown magazine

12 Months of Giving

We just wrapped up another holiday season — a time marked with amazing charitable acts. But, as many seem to express each yuletide season, why can’t we commit to those acts of kindness and giving throughout the year?

As part of each issue in 2014, Town&Gown will profile an organization, group, or individual who does noteworthy work to help others — and who also could use your help in aiding those in need. Each month, you’ll have an opportunity to read about these people and organizations who are a little “under the radar" in our communities, and maybe be able and even be inspired to provide some help to them.

This month, the series begins with a look at the Food Bank of State College.

If you have a suggestion for our “12 Months of Giving” series, e-mail dpenc@barashmedia.com.

31 - Town&Gown January 2014

Helping the Hungry As it prepares to move into a new location, the Food Bank of State College continues to help provide essentials to those in need

By Rebekka Coakley A single mother of teenage boys working three jobs to make ends meet. A family of four, with the father unemployed and sick with leukemia; the mother working, taking care of him, and struggling to pay for his medicine. A single man, physically disabled, who cannot work and with no family to care for him. A woman living alone, battling cancer while trying to survive on very little to eat.

These residents of Centre County, struggling to stretch their already-tight resources, might be neighbors, co-workers, or friends. The Food Bank of the State College Area, Inc., a food-distribution facility serving people in the State College and upper Bald Eagle Valley school districts, has served all of these people and many more.

“There is a definite need in the community,” says Linda Brown, a Food Bank of the State College Area volunteer and board member. “Food is

a basic need, and the food bank is making a real difference for people here. There are so many stories that touch me — seniors that can’t make it on their allotted income, families facing difficult circumstances. I’m happy to volunteer here and help the community in some small way.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, hunger in the US is at its highest point since 1994, when the agency started keeping thorough records. The US Census Bureau reports that in 2012, 46.5 million Americans were living under the poverty line. While State College enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in Pennsylvania, dwindling jobs and high prices felt all over the country also are being felt in Centre County. Unforeseen circumstances such as illness, unemployment, and disability can happen overnight, to anyone.

Currently located on West Hamilton Avenue, the food bank, a United Way agency, will move to a bigger facility at 1321 South Atherton Street by spring. Carol Pioli, executive director, explains that the purchase of the new building will allow all the food to be under one roof. Right now, the food bank is renting two places — one where cli-

32 - Town&Gown January 2014

ents can pick up food and another where the majority of the food is stored. The new location will enable the food bank to set up a consumer-choice model — similar to a grocery store — with food out on display, and a walk-in refrigerator and freezer.

Having just celebrated its 30th anniversary in State College, the food bank has come a long way since it opened in the basement of St. Andrew’s Church in downtown State College in 1982.

“We received our nonprofit status in 1996, and moved to the West Hamilton Avenue location in 2007, but we’ve still had a need for a larger facility. The board has worked hard to find the right building, and with the help of our wonderful supporters, we’re able to move into our own space and keep everything under one roof,” Pioli says.

“We serve the unemployed, underemployed, mental and physically disabled, but we’re more than a food bank, our clients are family.”

— Carol Pioli There are more than 200 food banks in the United States, providing 2.5 billion pounds of food to those in need every year, according to the USDA. In Centre County, area residents donated almost 300,000 pounds of food to the State College Area food bank in 2012, by way of food drives and walk-in donations.

“While we’re grateful to receive so many donations, unfortunately, a lot of that food had expired,” Pioli says. “People purge their kitchen cabinets and drop off their food, which is wonderful — we just need them to check the expiration dates first.”

Additionally, the food bank receives food from the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, State Food Purchase Program, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Feeding America Program), and two food drives organized by Letter Carriers in the spring and the Boy Scouts in the fall.

Food from these organizations, and donations, fed about 821 households, or about 2,126 people, Pioli says. About 37 percent of these homes included children, and 10 percent were for people over the age of 60.

In order for someone to receive food, Pioli says clients have to be referred to the food bank by one of the food bank’s partner agencies: Community Help Center, Salvation Army of State College, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Strawberry

Fields, Women’s Resource Center, and Housing Transitions.

“We serve the unemployed, underemployed, mental and physically disabled,” says Pioli, “but we’re more than a food bank, our clients are family.

We know them, they know us. I’m here to help people, but they have helped me, too.”

She says that she read in the newspaper an obituary for the parent of one of her clients. She put a note in the file, and when the client stopped in to pick up her food, a volunteer told her they were all sorry for her loss.

“She was overwhelmed with this kindness, and appreciated the fact that we recognized she was going through a particularly painful time at that moment,” Pioli says.

Recently, Pioli was at a meeting where another participant pulled her aside to give praise to the bank.

“He had been employed full time in corporate America for a number of years, until this fall when his company downsized and reduced him to part-time status without benefits,” she explains.

“Faced with the dilemma of prioritizing their basic needs, a friend suggested that he and his wife contact the State College food bank. They have been receiving monthly distributions, and he just wanted to express his gratitude to the food bank for the bountiful Thanksgiving distribution and their monthly distributions.”

Pioli explains that when people become clients, they receive services once every 30 days, but during the holidays in November and December, extra holiday bags and turkeys are distributed, as well. The quantity of the groceries corresponds with the number of people in the household. In addition to nonperishable foods, every grocery order contains shelf-stable milk, fresh eggs, and frozen meats. Fresh vegetables, day-old breads, personal-hygiene products, cleaning products, baby food, and baby supplies are provided if needed.

Pioli and Missy Garvin, the operations coordinator, are the only paid staff. The food bank relies heavily on its 60 regular volunteers who help pack bags, sort donations, pick up donations, and more. Pioli reports that their volunteers logged about 8,010 hours in 2012.

The mission of the food bank is “to provide emergency food to needy people in the State College area and to assist the network food pantries in Centre County,” but they try to help in additional ways, too.

In May, the food bank partners with master gardeners who donate plates left over from their

33 - Town&Gown January 2014

Pioli has been at the State College food bank for almost two years.

plant sale, which includes a variety of vegetable plants. The food bank does a Toys for Tots drive during the holidays with help from a Marine Corps Reserve group, and gifts are distributed at a holiday dinner put on with help from the Elks Club. And the food bank takes donations of more than just food — toiletries, cleaning supplies, coffee, and tea, all of these items are needed throughout the year.

Pioli, who has been at the food bank for almost two years, says that July-August is the hard-

Inside: Happy Valley Heroes • At home with Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson

deceMBeR 2013

FRee

est time of year for food banks because school is out and people are on vacation — most organizations are not doing food drives, so the food bank’s supplies run low. She says that it would be great if a few organizations could do food drives during those months, and in February-March, another slow time of the year for the food bank.

In addition to food items, the food bank takes monetary donations for food purchasing. Pioli says it costs the food bank $25 to buy a week’s worth of food, which includes fresh milk, eggs, and frozen meat, for a family of two. Money donated can be in cash, credit card, through the food bank’s secure Web site, gift cards, and gift certificates to help purchase food. In addition, the food bank collects miscellaneous donations such as office supplies, plastic trash bags, 1-gallon foodstorage bags, plastic/latex gloves, hand sanitizer, and outdoor work gloves.

Pioli says volunteers also are welcome, especially during the holidays and in the summer, when there is greater need for help. T&G For more information on the Food Bank of the State College Area, Inc., visit http://foodbank.cen treconnect.org/.

Rebekka Coakley is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia.

Inside: Bike riding in Happy Valley • College of Arts & Architecture celebrates 50th anniversary

townandgown.com

Inside: Children’s Advocacy Center prepares to open • “12 Months of Giving” series begins

Town&Gown

JANUARY 2014

FREE

APRIL 2013

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All Wright!

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Penn State senior and Bald Eagle Area alum Quentin Wright wins his second national title at the 2013 NCAA Wrestling Championships, and clinches the Nittany Lions’ third consecutive national championship

The Joy of Giving

Opening

Movements

Nittany Valley Symphony ’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition has helped launch many musical careers, and this season’s winner, Juliette Greer, hopes to be the latest

During the holiday season, Centre Countians open their hearts even more by helping those in need and those who are far from home

If It’s happenIng In happy Valley, It’s In town&gown

IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN

IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN

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Experience Town and Gown! with Town&Gown magazine

Experience — with Town&Gown magazine —

the Pink Zone!

Tuesday, February 11th • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library (Downsbrough Community Room)

Town&Gown and Schlow Centre Region Library invite you to hear from Penn State Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington and others about the 2014 Pink Zone and the fight against breast cancer!

The annual Pink Zone game has become one of the big events in Happy Valley each year, and this year’s game on February 16 at the Bryce Jordan Center will be no different! Here’s your chance to hear from Coach Washington, Pennsylvania Pink Zone executive director Miriam Powell, a breast-cancer survivor, and others about this important fight and cause.

You’ll also have a chance to win tickets to the game!

For more information, e-mail dpenc@barashmedia.com.

So join Town&Gown and get ready to learn more about why this region is so special!

Town&Gown’s Experience Town and Gown series is where we invite you to come with us to tour unique locations, discuss important issues, and just have an experience with some of the people and places that make the Happy Valley region and the rest of Centre County unique!

35 - Town&Gown January 2014

Darren Weimert (2)

Brian Curtin, 14, has been playing violin for 10 years and he took second place at Nittany Valley Symphony’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition in November.

He’ll perform with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra in February.

36 - Town&Gown January 2014

Opening Movements

Through its young-soloist competition, Nittany Valley Symphony has seen and helped launch the start of many musical careers. It’s also encouraged local youth to become more engaged in the world of classical music

By Aimee Morgan

37 - Town&Gown January 2014

“It can make you laugh and it can make you cry. It touches your emotions in ways that no words or pictures can,” says the 15-year-old passionate violinist Juliette Greer. “My favorite part about playing the violin is the enjoyment of creating music with my own body and having the instrument so close to me when I play — it’s like I’m hugging the violin.”

Greer was this season’s winner of Nittany Valley Symphony’s annual Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition held in November, and she enjoys “discovering incredible new pieces, and conquering difficult techniques or passages that I thought I would never be able to play.”

That’s something Ann Keller, one of the active founders of Nittany Valley Symphony 47 years ago, encouraged.

Executive director for the Nittany Valley Symphony Roberta Strebel and orchestra member Susan Graham say Keller was “a real character, about 5-feet tall with a very dynamic personality. It was amazing that she was so small because she seemed about 6-feet tall.”

Graham describes Keller, who died in 1999, as very encouraging to anyone interested in music, especially young people. There was a real spirit and drive in her personality, and music was central to her life. Helping others to become more involved with music made her very happy. Because of Keller’s encouraging of young people to become interested and involved in music, Nittany Valley Symphony named the young-soloist competition in her honor.

“I really enjoy the excitement of the students competing,” Strebel says. “These are really talented young people, and seeing and hearing their performances is wonderful for me. I am always awed by their dedication, their concentration, their hard work, and their talent. These are exceptional young musicians.”

The competition is in its 30th year and is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12. Competitors come from the Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Snyder, and Union counties.

The winner receives $250, a performance with the symphony, a framed certificate, a professionally recorded CD, and Luncheon with the Maestro. The second-place winner performs with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra and receives a framed certificate.

“This is often the first professional performance for the student, and many of the past winners have gone into music as a career.

This is a big deal for kids, and the level of competition is amazing. I’m grateful not to be a judge,” says competition chair Teri Smith.

Judges include symphony music director and conductor Michael Jinbo, Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra director Ben Firer, and instrument judges as needed (this year was Dr. Steven H. Smith, piano).

“They listen to the performance for artistry, memorization, interpretation, poise, and ‘general awesomeness’ to decide the winner,” says Smith.

Some past winners include Damienne Fenlon (1986, flute), who now lives in France and plays chamber music in Paris; Rebecca Jo White (1987, French horn), who is the principal horn for the St. Louis Wind Symphony and Wind Chamber Players; Ian Hendrickson-Smith (1989 and 1991, flute), who is a jazz musician and recording artist living in New York City; and Amie Weis (1998, violin), who is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and an active performer in New York.

Greer is no stranger to playing in a professional orchestra, as she played with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra in December 2012 and has entered several local and regional competitions in the last three years.

Regarding her performance on January 19 with the Nittany Valley Symphony, she says, “I can’t wait! I’m nervous with excitement.

Performing with orchestra is one of the most exhilarating experiences!”

Her winning performance at the competition was the third movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor.

“It is one of the great romantic violin concertos,” she says. “It has many things that showcase the violin: gushing melodies, virtuosic runs, powerful chords, and rhythmic precision. It has three contrasting movements — the first and the third being more athletic and brilliant, while the second is one of the most gorgeous, lyrical, and romantic slow movements.”

Greer learned about the competition years ago when her brother, Francois, earned second place on piano in 2005. Four years later, her other brother, Emile, took first place on clarinet in 2009. Her mother, Cecilia Dunoyer, has judged

38 - Town&Gown January 2014

Thanks to winning this season’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition, Greer will perform with the Nittany Valley Symphony at its January 19 concert.

the competition many times when she does not have a child or student in the competition.

Dunoyer is a concert pianist; Juliette’s father, Taylor Greer, is a music theorist at Penn State.

“The moment before my name was said, I thought back to that exact moment about three or four years earlier when my brother entered the competition and won first place playing the clarinet. I remembered feeling the same excitement and suspense, waiting to hear his name called, as I felt waiting to hear mine,” says Greer.

Just as in the Greer family, talent runs in the family of this season’s second-place winner, 14-year-old Brian Curtin. His parents, Hyun Ju Curtin and David Curtin, are Steinway Artists, concert pianists.

“My mom works with me sometimes on my pieces and accompanies when possible. I practice almost every day, with an average of 30 to 40 minutes a day,” Curtin says.

He has been playing the violin for 10 years, and

has played in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra first-violin section. In February, with the youth orchestra, he will be playing the violin piece Symphonie Espagnole by Edouard Lalo.

“I can’t wait to play with them — I have never played a solo piece with a full orchestra,” he says.

Curtin has won second place strings division at the Duquesne Young Artists National Competition, first place in the junior division at the Phyllis Triolo Student Music Competition, first place at the Williamsport Young Artists’ Competition, and first place at the Music Teachers National Association state level competition.

Greer and Curtin could become the next talented artists who won or took second in the young-soloist competition and went on to careers in music.

Sarah Shafer won the 2004 competition for piano. She is now in her final year of grad school as a singer at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and she sings professionally.

“I’m the eldest of three sisters, and we all

39 - Town&Gown January 2014

Contributed photo

Sarah Chang (middle) receives her certificate and is recognized for winning the 2011-12 Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition from competition chair Teri Smith (left) and Nittany Valley Symphony director and conductor Michael Jinbo.

grew up in State College playing the piano and studying with our dad. My mom is a music teacher and choir director, so we also grew up singing in her choirs, and were very involved in music at school. Music was always in our house, and I never knew a time when I didn’t want to have music as an important part of my life,” she says.

Her father, Timothy Shafer, teaches studio piano and coordinates the class piano and piano pedagogic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels for Penn State.

Sarah says, “My dad was one of my main musical influences growing up, being my piano teacher. He taught me how to practice and how to listen. He also instilled good technique in my playing from an early age, and I still carry that with me today.”

She says she doesn’t practice the piano very much anymore — singing having taken precedence in her music-making and practice needs — but is very thankful to be able to play.

“I still play every day for my own singing,”

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she says, “and feel very fortunate to be able to play all my accompaniments.”

She entered several competitions before the Ann Keller competition. The previous year, she won the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra competition with the first movement of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, and played the movement with the symphony.

She has been playing the piano for nearly 20 years and started taking voice lessons at 14.

“My favorite thing about music is getting to study the combination of genius and beauty that is great classical music,” she says. “There is no end to the discoveries of the mind and heart to be made.”

She says she also loves when an audience is moved by a performance of great music. “It makes it feel like all the study and practice and frustration is all worth it,” she says.

Before Ann Keller’s passing, the competition for young talent was called the Nittany Valley Symphony Young Soloist Competition, which Jeff Thayer won in 1993.

Thayer, currently the concertmaster of the

San Diego Symphony as well as concertmaster and faculty member of the Music Academy of the West (Santa Barbara), has been playing violin since he was 3. He grew up in Williamsport and studied in State College, where he learned about the competition.

“It’s always a feeling of relief, disbelief, and pride to hear your name mentioned as the winner of anything,” he says. “I remember the whole process making me nervous, so to be named the winner is always magical. There are a lot of good musicians, so I always feel that I’m lucky to receive any honor such as this.”

Like many other competitors, Thayer says his parents were a huge influence on his musical career. His father, Dr. Fred Thayer, also is a musician, a choral conductor and composer, and faculty member at Lycoming College until he retired in June. His mother, Patricia Thayer, is a Suzuki violin teacher, now retired.

After studying with his mother during his formative years, Thayer worked with former Penn State faculty member Raymond Page, and then current faculty member James Lyon.

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He eventually attended the Juilliard School’s pre-college division, then the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

When he was younger he enjoyed singing, thanks to his dad’s work in the choral world.

“When I was quite young I loved singing as a boy soprano, but when my voice changed, I was devastated! My singing days quickly came to an end shortly after that, and the violin took a more prominent place in my life,” he says “I have dreams of being a great banjo player, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

Helping inspire and realize musical dreams are what the young-soloist competition has been about for three decades.

Shafer says the chance to play with the symphony inspired her to practice.

“It gives young people the opportunity and a motivation to work on great concertos, and having learned a great piece, whether you win or not, is arguably as great as playing it with an orchestra!” she says. “I think the key is getting young people excited and inspired about the music they’re playing.”

Thayer adds that the youth competitions such as the Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition not only help the young musicians who compete and perform but also help the symphonies and orchestras who hold them — the classical music world as a whole.

“I think the future of classical music needs communities, big and small, to continue having this sort of opportunity for young people to encourage further development of their art,” he says. “The competition in State College was certainly a boost for me in my process toward becoming a professional musician.” T&G Nittany Valley Symphony’s “The Animated Orchestra” concert featuring Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition winner Juliette Greer is 4 p.m.

January 19 at the State College Area High School South Auditorium. For more information, visit www.nvs.org.

Aimee Morgan is a freelance writer in State College. She enjoys sharing the beauty of the town with friends, family, and her two dogs, Willy and Danny.

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Not Losing Sight of Living Being born blind or losing your vision later in life can be frightening.

But, as many in Centre County show, unable to see doesn’t have to mean unable to try, unable to do, or unable to achieve • By Kerry Royer

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The Star News

Adams participated in the Indo Jax Surf School’s camp for blind children last summer.

S

tate College teenager Devin Adams skis Tussey Mountain in the winter. She surfs in the Atlantic Ocean in the summer. She’s an accomplished horseback rider who participates in state competitions. Just like any other middle schooler, she effortlessly navigates her iPhone to text with friends or share videos.

The 13-year-old Adams also was born legally blind, and is one of an estimated 3,202 people who are “visually impaired” and living in Centre County. She’s also one of many who haven’t let their lack of vision affect how they live their lives.

Adams, who can see colors and shapes, participates in programs such as the Sight-Loss Support Group (SLSG) of Central PA, which is designed to assist the blind. The organization provided support to 170 individuals during 2012-13.

State College resident Rana McMurray Arnold founded SLSG due to a desire for individuals to know what is possible when faced with sight loss.

“I wanted to help provide an opportunity and a resource for others so that they can gain confidence by knowing what is possible, and find the training they need to live more independently,” she says.

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John Hovenstine (3)

There are a number of apps for smartphones, tablets, and other technologies that use voice commands to help people with sight loss live more independently. State College Area School District (SCASD) offers some early-learning opportunities. Adams, an eighth grader at Mount Nittany Middle School, meets with a SCASD teacher of the visually impaired who specializes in vision loss, orientation, and mobility. In elementary school, Adams was taught braille, how to navigate with her cane, and computer-access skills.

Now that she is in middle school, she meets with the teacher only one to two times a week during her free period to go over certain areas of teaching.

“This week she helped me to get clarification on the Nemeth Code for ‘greater and less than,’ ” she says. Nemeth Code is the braille code used for mathematics.

Adams needs to know how to read and write in braille and in Nemeth Code in order to translate her work on the computer so that her teachers can grade her work in print.

Adams belongs to the choir at school and plays the clarinet in band, but says that her favorite place to be is the barn. Ever since she was age six, she has taken horseback-riding lessons locally.

“It’s a rewarding experience,” she says.

As was her surfing in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Indo Jax Surf School in North Carolina and its camp for blind children and their sighted siblings. Adams attended the camp last summer and is planning to attend again this summer.

Michelle McManus, blind since birth, has lived in State College independently for more than a decade and works for Penn State as an information technology consultant teaching and testing accessibility for Web sites. She

Rana Arnold (left) founded the Sight-Loss Support Group of Central PA, while Josie Kanter Smith is now the organization’s executive director.

serves as president of the Happy Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).

Growing up outside Memphis, everything was a far distance for McManus. State College offers a vibrant community where work and play is more accessible.

“Transportation is key,” she says. “I can live in town, walk to work, and take a bus, or use other services to get to wherever I need to go. There is always so much going on.”

She encountered a challenge recently, but it ended up a refreshing experience. She ascended the step of a CATA bus and didn’t realize it was one of the few older-model buses, which have three steps compared to just one step in the new buses. She tripped and she fell. Then she gathered herself and climbed the stairs. When the bus driver knew McManus was okay, he did something that truly amazed her. He said nothing — not a word.

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McManus has been blind since birth and is the president of the Happy Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. She also works for Penn State as an information technology consultant.

“He was actually really cool,” McManus says.

“Sometimes strangers act overly concerned about me to the point that it makes me uncomfortable. It was great that he just let me be.”

According to the NFB, “It is estimated that over one million persons in the US are blind, and each year 50,000 more will become blind. Studies show that only AIDS and cancer are feared more than blindness. However, blindness need not be the tragedy, which it is generally thought to be.”

SLSG executive director Josie Kantner Smith recognizes that “anyone facing sudden blindness or the diagnosis of a progressive eye disease is overwhelmed, often fearful, and may feel that their

whole world has been thrown for a loop. We help people answer the question, ‘What do I do next?’ ” The SLSG steers people to the services that teach them the skills needed to regain independence.

“The other vital aspect is peer counseling and support, connecting with other individuals with sight loss, sharing experiences, and recognizing that you can still do all the things you’ve always done, but in a different way,” says Smith, who has “low vision.” “We help people embrace a new mindset — they can still live their life, a very full life. But so many people never find their way to vision-rehabilitation services, and we need to change that.”

The causes of vision loss are varied. Some people can be born completely blind, and others deal with slowly worsening vision over their lifetimes. A majority of visual impairments can be avoided or cured with early detection.

“Our goal as ophthalmologists is to restore sight as best as possible and to prevent loss,” says David Werner, MD, of Centre Eye Physicians and Surgeons. “New research and technology allows for advancement in the intervention of declining vision. For patients who are diagnosed with sight loss, we help point them toward the many Pennsylvania associations charged with supporting and assisting the blind in the state.”

Being characterized as legally blind means that one can see 20 feet in front of them what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet, or 20 degrees of peripheral vision or less.

“It’s important to remember that the issue is not so black and white — there are varying degrees of sight loss,” says Arnold, with the help of Fred Carlin, MD, a local eye doctor. “People with sight loss may be completely blind or they can see color, contrast, or shadow. There is also light perception and projection. People function with various levels of vision.”

As to what term people facing blindness prefer, “I can’t answer for anyone but me,” says Arnold.

“It is a deeply personal issue. Some people would say they are ‘blind’ — other terms are ‘visually challenged’ or having ‘low vision.’ I prefer the term ‘sight loss.’ ” SLSG strongly believes that sight loss should never stand in the way of living a full life. Arnold, who was born in Chicago, with two degenerative eye diseases, could see only eyelash distance away as a child, but she could see brilliant and bright colors.

“My parents created a kaleidoscope world for me, taking advantage of the Chicago Art Institute, Goodman Theater, symphonies, operas, and travel to Central and South America,” she says. “I learned

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Contributed photo

Len Codispot volunteers as a Festival Eyes guide and uses the guided-touch technique to help a person with sight loss experience the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. very young that visual impairment does not equal cultural impairment.

“In State College, we have the benefit of the theater, university productions, Center for Performing Arts, and what Eisenhower Auditorium draws.”

Arnold helped to start View Via Headphones, the live-audio description service used to help sightimpaired patrons more fully experience theater, musical, and dance productions — the first such

service in Pennsylvania.

Audio describers use equipment that transmits via radio signal to earphones of individuals in the audience. People with low vision will still be able to enjoy the exciting crackle of live performances and take in the atmosphere of a cultural event — the lights, sound, color, powerful voices, the hush of the crowd the moment the lights dim, and other aspects.

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Nanette Anslinger of Altoona coordinates the View Via Headphones program. She says that audio describers devote about 20 hours of time training and practicing for the role. People who appreciate the arts learn how to help narrate the action on stage with the goal of allowing low-vision individuals to make their own inferences of the production. The narrators clarify visual details and provide background information. It is a fine balance of using an expressive voice and not interfering with other significant audible elements of a performance.

Another SLSG activity using this approach is Festival Eyes where people with sight loss can attend the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts with a trained guide. They also schedule guided touch experiences at galleries, studios, and cultural and historical events.

SLSG holds a monthly luncheon for people at different stages of sight loss to share experiences and support each other.

“We have to recognize that although we try to remain positive about what we can do, facing sight loss is frightening, and not without heartache,” Smith says. “There is no better way to share those feelings than with people who are going through it themselves — to talk about problems and try to help offer solutions.”

The people at the lunch offer understanding and

empathy. There are highs and lows in the room and all agree that humor is the best way to deal with frustrations that come with daily life and sight loss.

In an effort to bring awareness to access and equality issues that blind people are dealing with, Penn State senior Zach Brubaker of Lancaster County organizes “Cane Walks” on campus where sighted and low-vision individuals practice skills together using white canes and sleep shades to enhance the simulation.

The event is part of a university diversity program in partnership with the Penn State University Alliance of the Blind and Sighted, which Brubaker, who was born legally blind, founded. He also serves as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Blind Students.

“This activity brings sighted and blind people together to learn how to navigate using a long white cane,” he says. “People can discuss how losing a sense does not make your life impossible — it just changes it. Sometimes people see a blind person heading to the edge of a walkway or toward a wall, but what they don’t realize is that person is simply orienting themselves. It’s better to know exactly where that edge is.”

He says that university student organizations to which he belongs offer other ways to support each other.

“Blind students share ideas and tips on how to

49 - Town&Gown January 2014

make life as a blind student ‘normal’ and stress free. We share our experiences to encourage others to achieve greatness,” he says.

Successfully employed blind individuals — including lawyers, doctors, scientists, teachers, and business owners — strive to help others obtain their career dreams.

“Most importantly, we put forth efforts to educate the sighted community about the abilities of blind people. Everyone can learn much and help others at the same time,” Brubaker says.

“ We have to recognize that although we try to remain positive about what we can do, facing sight loss is frightening, and not without heartache.” — Josie Smith Brubaker, who received a scholarship from the NFB, says that he and others have worked to pass legislation that will give blind people equal opportunities to succeed. They participated in the democratic process by working with Congressman Glenn Thompson supporting a bill they drafted calling for fair wages for workers with disabilities.

The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act H.R. 831 is under review in committee. Under current law, certain employers can legally pay less than minimum wage to blind workers.

“We got to witness the interworking of the floor of the House to see action on this bill,” Brubaker says. When he was young, Brubaker was told he should consider getting a job in a factory that does not pay fair wages. Now this mathematics and physics double-major student plans to start his career in the private sector and then finish graduate school to specialize in his field. He relies on his strong sense of leadership to blaze a bright trail for others who might face these prejudices. “With the proper training and opportunity, blind people can be as, or more, competitive than their sighted peers,” he says.

One aspect he says that he wouldn’t change is the fact that he lives his life legally blind.

“I don’t think I would take my sight back if given the option. It has given me a unique perspective and has made me a fiercely independent person,” he says. “It is respectable to be blind!” T&G Kerry Royer is a freelance writer and author. She recently relocated to the State College area from Mount Gretna.

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Man Among The Ladies Whether at home with his wife and daughter or at work with the Penn State Lady Lion basketball team, Fred Chmiel is enjoying his life as a husband, father, and coach

By Dan Norton

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Darren Weimert

53 - Town&Gown January 2014

When Julie Chmiel found out she was pregnant, she hoped for her husband, Fred, it would be a boy.

Instead, she had a little girl named Skylar, now a 3-year-old “diva” that Fred can only laugh about.

Julie says he was super-excited when Skylar was born, and he’s fantastic at raising her now.

“I’m not saying I’m a diva,” Julie insists. “Just Skylar. [Fred] would think she gets it from me.”

One reason Fred, 42, is so good with his daughter is he’s around women almost constantly.

The Penn State Lady Lions assistant coach, now in his fourth season with the team, wakes up with

When Skylar’s in her late teens, Chmiel will have the advantage in that father-daughter relationship — he’s already been dealing with the 18-to-22 age group for years.

While Chmiel began his coaching career coaching the men’s teams at junior-college schools Feather River College and Lassen College, both in California, he’s been working in women’s basketball now since 2005. His long-term exposure to the men’s and women’s sides of the game has given him a strong understanding of the latter. “[Women] are better listeners,” says Chmiel, Penn State Athletic Communications (2)

Lady Lion guard Maggie Lucas (right) gives a lot of credit to Chmiel for helping her with her game. She says he’s one of the best coaches she has played for.

Skylar and Julie at their home in State College.

He had been going to work with fellow assistants Maren Walseth or Kia Damon, since he couldn’t drive after rupturing the patella tendon in his left knee at practice in November. At the Bryce Jordan Center, he works closely with the likes of Maggie Lucas and Candice Agee, as well as attends meetings run by his boss, Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington. Finally, he’ll return home to Skylar and Julie.

And the cycle repeats itself.

who played point guard for two seasons at Division II University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

“They’re better at executing things. The athleticism is catching up. It’s interesting I’ve seen that part of it catch up.

“I still have the same type of relationships with [the Lady Lions] that I did with the guys.

Sometimes, you have to worry about feelings. But to me it doesn’t seem like they hang onto it too much. I yell at them, they forget about it.”

His ability to engage with female athletes

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caught the attention of Washington in 2010. She had an opening on her staff after Itoro Coleman left to become the head coach at Clemson.

Chmiel was an assistant for the San Diego State women’s team at the time, fresh off an improbable Sweet 16 run in the NCAA Tournament.

Washington flew him cross-country to State College for a daylong interview, but the field was very competitive. There aren’t many coaching vacancies in NCAA women’s basketball, so applicants are always looking to move up. When Chmiel returned to California, Julie couldn’t quite gauge how the interview had gone.

“He’s not one of many words,” she says.

The Penn State job opening was the perfect opportunity for the Chmiel family to move back east. They wanted to be closer to Pittsburgh — Julie’s hometown — to settle down for the first time as a family.

Fred was born in Alaska — actually, he says, he was almost born in a Cessna that was on its way to Anchorage from a fishing village. The pilot had to make an emergency landing, and he was born in the town of Ninilchik. “Don’t ask me how to get there,” he says.

His father had a commercial fishing boat, and Fred says, “As soon as I could fit in a life vest I traveled to villages in Alaska called Naknek and Egegik in the Bristol Bay where my dad would fish all summer long for salmon.”

When he was a teenager, Chmiel worked on a vessel and fished and shrimped with his dad, uncles, and aunt. During his college days, he would return to work to make some money.

“It was hard and dangerous work but served me well for the future,” says Chmiel, who has a sister who still lives in Alaska and a brother who lives in North Dakota. “Out on the water there are no excuses, breaks — and there are no lapses in focus and judgment, or people get hurt or worse. Not to mention the fact that you can’t make money!”

Eventually, Fred moved to California to begin his coaching career. After a decade spent coaching at the junior-college level, he then went to the professional and women’s ranks — he was an assistant coach for two seasons with the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting, was head coach for a season for the NWBL’s San Jose Spiders, and went back to the WNBA and was an advance scout for three seasons for the Detroit Shock.

In 2006, he accepted an assistant-coaching

position with the women’s team at Temple University. On a road trip to Duquesne, he met Julie through a mutual friend. They kept a crossstate relationship alive for a year before Julie met up with Fred in Philadelphia. By 2010, they were in San Diego, married with a three-month-old daughter, waiting to hear back from Penn State and Coach Washington.

Once the Lady Lions coach offered Fred the job, the Chmiel family picked up their life yet again, and moved it to Happy Valley. They quickly assimilated into the State College community.

Washington (right) says the Lady Lions’ defense has “flourished” under Chmiel since he joined the program in 2010.

“This is the first place that I feel like has actually been home,” Julie says.

Julie and Fred continue to travel week-byweek as a part of their jobs. She leaves town for longer periods than he does. As the senior project director for a consulting firm called Tripp Umbach, she plays an integral role in the establishment of new medical schools across the country. She spends about half of every month on the road.

During the Lady Lions’ off-season, Fred helps

55 - Town&Gown January 2014

Contributed photo

Fred Chmiel (left) enjoys his time with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Skylar.

to shoulder the load at home. He can take Skylar to and from daycare, and cook spicy Mexican dinners. Julie says Fred does most of the cooking, and he’s really good at it.

“He can make literally anything, which is just weird, because if he wasn’t a coach I’d swear he’d be a chef,” she says.

But Julie knows Fred will never stop being a coach. During the season, her husband’s schedule is tied to the Lady Lions’. He’s even busy at points in the summer with recruiting.

When neither of them is home, Julie says her parents, who are retired, have kept up a sense of normalcy by taking care of Skylar.

Fortunately for the Chmiels, the Lady Lions are a very family-oriented team — one of the reasons they were so excited that Fred accepted the job. Washington has a family, so her young children, as well as Skylar, often take full advantage of postgame on-the-court privileges that come only with being a coach’s kid.

The Chmiels also got to spend this past Thanksgiving in the Bahamas with the Lady Lions, who were playing in a tournament there.

Julie says Washington has always been very

open to her coaches’ and players’ families.

That policy certainly helps, because most of the time, Fred is deep in his work, mentoring these Penn State women’s basketball players.

“My 4-year-old daughter … I see these girls more than I see her,” Chmiel says. “Thank goodness my wife understands. She knows the commitment involved, and I couldn’t do it without her.”

Chmiel’s style is the most vocal of Penn State’s coaches. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

As the Lady Lions let their championship hopes slip away against Connecticut in the Sweet 16 of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, he laid into them. He told them — explicitly on the sidelines — how badly they were playing, and why they were playing so badly.

A screaming Fred Chmiel is not an uncommon sight at any game or practice.

“I tend to get after it a little bit. Get the kids going,” he says. “Sometimes they have it inside them and they just need a little jumpstart.”

His fire derives from his playing days at Alaska-Fairbanks. A 5-foot-9 point guard, he says he matched up against other backcourt

56 - Town&Gown January 2014

players who were six or seven inches taller. He took his fair share of hits to the face.

His specialty is defense. Usually, he’s very actively involved during practices, demonstrating techniques and guarding his own players. That’s been more difficult for him since he ruptured his patella tendon, but Washington says he’s still invaluable to the team.

“He’s a bad patient, let that be known,” she says. “He’s been a tremendous addition to our staff. The energy that he brings, the intensity, the focus, especially to the defensive end. Our defense has flourished under him.”

Lucas, Penn State’s senior guard, adds, “I love Fred. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for. He’s my position coach. I owe so much to that man.”

At Chmiel’s rate of success, he could soon draw head-coaching interest from other schools. The possibility of running a squad of his own one day has always been in the back of his mind — and he says he’d be open to coaching a men’s team again. It’s something he talked about with Washington before he took the Lady Lions assistant job.

Washington was able to offer him some advice based from her own experiences: Wait for the right job. That’s what she did when she was an assistant at Notre Dame, and things have worked out pretty well for her at Penn State.

Things are working out pretty well for Chmiel at Penn State, too, which is what makes his prospects as a head coach so conflicting. The family would have to move, again. And this time, their daughter is old enough that it would affect her.

But if anyone can seamlessly manage such a transition, it’s Chmiel. And if anyone can understand why he would want to make that transition in the first place, it’s Julie.

“He’s very fortunate to do something that he loves,” she says, “because not a lot of people get that experience.” T&G Dan Norton is a senior at Penn State who covered the Lady Lions in 2011-12 for the Daily Collegian. He currently serves as a sports editor at the Collegian, while covering football for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Downtown State College Turns Pink!

The week leading up to the Pink Zone game on February 16, many businesses in downtown State College will be getting into the spirit.

Participating stores will be donating their windows for nonprofits to decorate in support of the eight annual Pennsylvania Pink Zone. At the checkout counter will be a box for donations and also a box to register for great prizes. Each business also will be featuring a special item on sale. Anyone can participate in the prize drawings at any of the downtown locations. The winners will be chosen during pregame at the Pink Zone game. Prizes to be drawn are: $1,000 downtown gift card to be used at participating businesses, dinner for four at five downtown restaurants, and two floor season tickets for the Penn State Lady Lions 2014-15 season.

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ThisMonth on GREAT PERFORMANCES FROM VIENNA: THE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION 2014 Wednesday, January 1, at 8 p.m.

Hosted by stage and screen legend Julie Andrews, continue the cherished tradition of ringing in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic at the opulent Musikverein.

Under the direction of guest conductor Daniel Barenboim, the performance features the favorite Strauss Family waltzes accompanied by the beautiful dancing of the Vienna City Ballet. In addition to the Musikverein concert setting, the broadcast will feature a picturesque range of Vienna landmarks.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: DOWNTON ABBEY Sunday, January 5, starting at 8 p.m.

The award-winning, global phenomenon returns for its fourth season on January 5.

At 8p.m., Secrets of Highclere Castle reveals how all the inhabitants of Highclere lived, from the aristocrats who enjoyed a life of luxury to the army of servants toiling “below stairs.” The season IV premiere begins at 9 p.m., and is immediately followed by the premiere of After Abbey. The local call-in show allows viewers to discuss that night’s episode with topic experts.

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MASTERPIECE MYSTERY: SHERLOCK Sunday, January 19, at 3:30 p.m.

Relive the exciting moments from season II in a marathon on January 19, leading up to the season III premiere of Masterpiece Mystery “Sherlock” at 10:30 p.m. Season III features three new episodes of the contemporary reinvention of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic, written and created by Steven Moffat (Dr. Who) and Mark Gatiss (Game of Thrones).

GET IN THE GAME: PENN STATE SPORTS January on WPSU-TV

WPSU-TV’s special sports programming will feature Penn State men’s and women’s basketball. Courtside with Coquese takes viewers on an all-access tour of Lady Lion Basketball, with head coach Coquese Washington. Penn State Baskeball: In the Paint follows the Nittany Lions on and off the court. On January 17 and 24, also tune into the award-winning In the Game, a studentproduced, in-depth sports series from the Penn State College of Communications.

J A N U A RY

58 - Town&Gown January 2014 Photo credit: Courtesy of ©Carnival Film and Television Limited 2013 for MASTERPIECE

penn state diary Contributed photo

Dissecting Digital Archiving Advanced technology brings new challenges to maintaining our past

By Lee Stout

Last month’s column on taking up genealogy in retirement left some dangling thoughts that there just wasn’t space to consider. My main concern is preserving your documentary treasures — and the changes from caring for letters, photos, home movies, and other such “analog” objects to preserving these things in digital form.

Of course, this has direct relevance to genealogy and our “digital legacy.” The problem of how to save our paper documents, photos, and audio-visual materials hasn’t disappeared. But people today seem to have an easy solution — just scan or digitize it.

This does work, especially for sharing these treasures with family members and others who are interested. You can make CDs or DVDs and give them copies, or you can add the files to Web sites such as Flickr or even post them into Ancestry.com or other genealogy Web sites. It’s probably cheaper and quicker than having actual copies made, as had to be done in the past.

Even then, you still had to deal with questions of proper storage environments in which to keep the originals; obsolete equipment to view or listen to home movies, videotapes, or audiotapes; and the fact that these things carried the seeds of their own destruction. Acidic paper would become brown and brittle; poorly developed and printed photos would turn orange or fade away; and magnetic tape would literally fall apart.

These are still problems, and for poor-quality photos and deteriorating magnetic tapes, the only choice is to copy the information, and digitzing

The author’s grandfather (bottom right) and his Double Trouble Lumber Co. baseball team, circa 1900. This picture had become very dark and was digitally enhanced.

makes the most sense; the originals simply won’t survive and, besides, equipment to play old tapes is becoming scarcer. This is where we leave the analog and enter into the digital era.

For those who think scanning or digitzing preserves our information artifacts, it turns out that, in a different way, digital information is just as volatile and requires that we pay more frequent attention to the electronic files than we did the original objects.

Both software and hardware can become outdated, and offline storage media can actually deteriorate and become unreadable. I’ve found 5.25-inch floppy discs, zip drives, and similar artifacts in my accumulated stuff, but no drives to play them. I hope none of the files were important.

I also have found documents in ancient versions of Word or in programs that no longer exist. While there are still collectors of antique computing machinery and software who might be willing to help, they can’t help everyone.

Plus there are CDs and other media that can become defective through careless handling or actual media failure. The solution is usually unwelcome news — you need to routinely (at least once a year) “exercise” these old files, transfer them to new media or new program versions before it’s too late. Or perhaps we just let it all go and don’t worry about the past. If you’ve accumulated 10,000 e-mails, how many of them do you want to keep for the future?

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However, today’s “digital natives” live life on the Internet. We have our photos and videos stored online or in the cloud. Ancestry.com has my family tree online and I can access it through my laptop, tablet, or smart phone. All of these services seem reliable to us, as do Facebook, Linkedin, and other social-media applications.

Again, much of this material may be ephemeral in the long run, not worth keeping despite the “archives” of blog posts and other status changes the sites provide. Hardly anyone “weeds” things out of their personal accounts — we’re too busy adding more to the pile.

Eventually, a company may fail, or more likely change its way of doing business, and suddenly our files may disappear. More certain is the eventual death or disability of the user of these services. This is the “digital legacy” issue, and with more elderly people using social media to keep in touch, it is rapidly becoming an issue. A few states have passed laws that permit a “digital executor” to remove or close sites to all but memorial postings.

Service providers are starting to recognize that privacy policies don’t account for the possible death of the client, and may impede removal of the account’s information. And what of the online genealogy that has become so popular?

In the past, Aunt Minnie’s paper family-history files, collected over a lifetime, could be tossed by uninterested relatives. Now they may be mostly digital, and, if stored on a laptop, material could be lost just as in the past. If online, can it be transferred to another interested family member before it’s too late?

Just making everything digital doesn’t solve all the problems. We need to be more diligent about saving family-history and personal-legacy materials in a digital environment. Keeping your family history may be easier in some ways now, but new challenges have arisen that we may not even recognize until it’s too late. T&G

Lee Stout is Librarian Emeritus, Special Collections for Penn State.

Get to know...

www.psu.bncollege.com 814-863-0205

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Coming to Bryce Jordan Center

JANUARY 8 Nittany Lion Basketball vs. Minnesota 7 p.m.

11 Nittany Lion Basketball vs. Indiana 12 p.m.

12 Lady Lion Basketball vs. Purdue 2 p.m.

Forging Alliances January 7–May 11, 2014

16 Lady Lion Basketball vs. Ohio State 7 p.m.

17 Winter Jam 2014 Tour 7 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION Museum Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays and some holidays

Special Hours: Thursday, January 2, through Sunday, January 12, noon to 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please call 814-865-7672.

Above: Sadao Watanabe, Pentecost, 1965, stencil print. Transfer from The Pennsylvania State University Libraries Print Collection, 2009.346.

The Palmer Museum of Art receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

22 Lady Lion Basketball vs. Indiana 7 p.m.

23 Nittany Lion Basketball vs. Nebraska 8 p.m.

24 WWE Live 7:30 p.m.

26 Lady Lion Basketball vs. Minnesota 1 p.m.

31 Jay Z 8 p.m.

January

what’s happening

1 Deadline for submitting events for the March issue is January 31.

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Happy New Year!

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Penn State’s men’s ice hockey team hosts Minnesota in its first Big Ten game at Pegula Ice Arena.

19 The State Theatre shows the film Betsy, which looks at the unsolved murder of PSU student Betsy Ruth Aardsma.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Palmer Museum of Art opens its exhibit Surveying Judy Chicago: Five Decades. The show runs through May 11.

The popular musical Rock of Ages returns to Eisenhower Auditorium

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25 Local artists perform their favorite Tom Petty songs in “Runnin’ Down A Dream,” the concert benefitting Easter Seals and the State Theatre.

31 Jay Z brings his Magna Carter Tour to the Bryce Jordan Center.

Announcements of general interest to residents of the State College area may be mailed to Town&Gown, 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801; faxed to (814) 238-3415; or e-mailed to dpenc@barashmedia.com. Photos are welcome.

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Academics 1 – State College Area School District, Winter Holiday, no school K-12.

13 – Penn State University, classes begin.

17 – State College Area School District, no school K-12.

20 – Penn State University, Martin Luther King Day, no classes.

Children & Families 4 – Kindermusik, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 10 & 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

11, 18, 25 – World Stories Alive, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

15 – Pajama Concert, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

15, 22, 29 – Toddler Learning Centre, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:15 & 10:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

15, 22, 29 – Baby Explorers, Discovery Space of Central PA, S.C., 10:30 a.m., wwwmydiscoveryspace.org.

15, 22, 29 – Tuning into Kids, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., noon, www.schlowlibrary.org.

16, 23, 30 – Story Time, Discovery Space of Central PA, S.C., 10:30 a.m., www.mydiscoveryspace.org.

16, 23, 30 – Science Adventures, Discovery Space of Central PA, S.C., 11 a.m., www.mydiscoveryspace.org.

17 – Discovery Days, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

18 – National Kazoo Day Celebration, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

18 – Saturday Story Time, Discovery Space of Central PA, S.C., 3 p.m., www.mydiscoveryspace.org.

19 – Block Party, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

20, 21, 27, 28 – Baby & Me Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

20, 21, 27, 28 – Tales for Two, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 10:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

22, 29 – 3s, 4s, 5s Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

Classes & Lectures

22 – Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Keynote Speaker: Angela Davis, Schwab Auditorium, PSU, 7 p.m., mlk.psu.edu.

23 – Penn State Forum Series: “Architecture of the Body, Anatomy of Gender, and the Art of Surgical Pleasure,” by David Teplica, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, PSU, 11:30 a.m., pennstateforum.psu.edu.

24 – Gallery Conversations: “Feminism(s) in the Gallery" by Dana Carlisle Kletchka, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 P.M., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

28 – Interdisciplinary Lecture Series: “Representing the Extraordinary Body: Stravinsky’s Aesthetics of Disability”

by Joseph Straus, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 2:30 p.m., cmp.psu.edu.

31 – Gallery Conversations: “Futures of Feminist Past” by Karen Keifer-Boyd, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Club Events 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – State College Sunrise Rotary Club mtg., Hotel State College, S.C., 7:15 a.m., kfragola@psualum.com.

2 – 148th PA Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Group mtg., Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, S.C., 7:30 p.m., 861-0770.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – State College Downtown Rotary mtg., Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar, S.C., noon, http://centrecounty.org/rotary/club/.

7, 14, 21, 28 – State College Rotary Club, Nittany Lion Inn, S.C., 5:30 p.m., statecollegerotary.org.

8 – Women’s Welcome Club of State College, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, S.C., 7 p.m., www.womenswelcomeclub.org.

14 – Women’s Mid Day Connection Luncheon, Mountain View Country Club, Boalsburg, 11:45 a.m., 355-7615.

15 – Outreach Toastmasters Meeting, The 329 Bldg. Room 413, PSU, noon, kbs131@psu.edu.

21 – Coffee/Tea with Women’s Welcome Club of State College, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, S.C., 9:30 a.m., www.womenswelcomeclub.org.

21 – State College Bird Club, Foxdale Village, S.C., 7 p.m., www.scbirdcl.org.

22 – Applique Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m., 237-0167.

7, 21 – “A Joint Venture,” a free class on hip and knee replacements, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 11 a.m. Jan. 7, 7 p.m. Jan. 21, 278-4810.

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Community Associations & Development 9 – Centre County TRIAD meeting: Tour & Explanation, Centre LifeLink EMS, S.C., 10 a.m., 237-8932 or 237-3130.

21 – Spring Creek Watershed Association mtg., Patton Township Mun. Bldg., 7:30 a.m., www.springcreekwatershed.org.

30 – CBICC Business After Hours hosted

by GN Associates Executive Offices, 5:30 p.m., www.cbicc.org.

Exhibits Ongoing-January 26 – Annual Arts Show and Sale, Bellefonte Art Museum of Centre County, Bellefonte, 1-4 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 1-4:30 p.m. Sun., www.bellefontemuseum.org.

3-18 – Annual State College Area School District K-12 Art Exhibition, HUBRobeson Galleries, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/ hub/artgalleries.

7-May 4 – British Watercolors from the Permanent Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

7-May 11 – Forging Alliances, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

11-April 30 – Canvas Unconscious, New Paintings by Art Margaux, Commonplace, 115 S. Frasier St., S.C., 234-2000.

21-May 11 – Surveying Judy Chicago: Five Decades, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

28-March 2 – On the Wild Side, HUB Gallery, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/ artgalleries.

31 – Paper Views: The Wood Engravings and Graphic Novels of Lynd Ward, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Health Care For schedule of blood drives visit www.cccredcross.org or www.givelife.org.

3 – Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group, Mount Nittany Dining Room at the Inn at Brookline, S.C., 1 p.m., 234-3141.

6 – Cancer Caregiver Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 10:30 a.m., www.cancersurvive.org.

BuyHereLiveHere.com 65 - Town&Gown January 2014

6 – Breast Cancer Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 5:30 p.m., 231-7005.

8 – The Diabetes Support Group, Centre Region Senior Center, S.C., 10:15 a.m., 231-7095.

8 – The Fertility Issues and Loss Support Group, Choices (2214 N. Atherton St.), S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.heartofcpa.org.

9 – The Diabetes Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6 p.m., 231-3076.

12 –VILMA/AMY/JOHN&CREW: The Ostomy Support Group, THISMount IS Nittany Medical COPY Center,FOR S.C., 2 p.m., 234-6195.

14 – Alzheimer’s/Dementia JAN’14 RED CROSS Support AD – Group, Mount Nittany Dining Room at the Inn at Brookline, S.C., 6:30 p.m., 234-3141.

MAKE IT LOOK LIKEGroup, THIS. 16 –PLEASE Better Breathers Support IF IT DOESN’T VERTICALLY OR HealthSouth NittanyFIT Valley Rehab Hospital, HORIZONTALLY, PLEASE EMAIL WITT – Pleasant Gap, 2 p.m., 359-3421.

16 – The free “Parents-to-Be: HE WILL MAKE IT FITThe HEIR & Parents Hospital Tour for Expectant Parents,” Mount Nittany Medical Center, 4-pt XTRA SPACE BETWEEN GAL S.C., 6:30 p.m., 231-3132.

GROUPS AS SHOWN 20 – Cancer Survivor Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 11:30 a.m., 2014-01 JAN Red Cross www.cancersurvive.org.

21 – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, HealthSouth Valley Hospital, 4ptsNittany between galRehab groups Outpatient Entrance, Pleasant Gap, 6 p.m., 359-3421.

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Red Cross Honor Roll of Milestone Blood Donors

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27 – Heart Failure Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 4 p.m., 359-3421.

28 – Stroke Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 4 p.m., 359-3421.

Hot Tuna visits the State Theatre January 11.

Music 11 – Hot Tuna, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

17 – Winter Jam 2014 Tour Spectacular, BJC, PSU, 7 p.m., www.bjc.psu.edu.

18 – Acoustic Brew Concert Series: Burning Bridget Cleary, Center for WellBeing, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., www.acousticbrew.org.

We Care about our families

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66 - Town&Gown January 2014

29 – Jeremy Denk, Schwab Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., www.cpa.psu.edu.

30-February 1 – African American Music Festival, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, PSU, music.psu.edu.

31 – Guitar Passions, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., 863-1118.

31 – Jay Z, BJC, PSU, 8 p.m., www.bjc.psu.edu.

Special Events

Burning Bridge Cleary performs at Center for Well Being January 18.

19 – Nittany Valley Symphony: “The Animated Orchestra,” State High South Auditorium, S.C., 4 p.m., www.nvs.org.

19 – PSU School of Music: Faculty Recital, Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 8 p.m., 863-1118.

25 – “Runnin’ Down A Dream” Benefit Concert, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

26 – Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra: “Winter,” Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 3 p.m., www.centreorchestra.org.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Downtown State College Farmers’ Market, State College Municipal Building, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.centralpafarmers.com.

4 – Bellefonte Elks Local Hoop Shoot Contest, Bellefonte High School Gymnasium, Bellefonte, 9 a.m., 355-2828.

4, 11, 18, 25 – Millheim Farmers’ Market, Old Gregg School Farmers’ Market, Spring Mills, 10 a.m., www.centralpafarmers.com.

7, 14, 21, 28 – Boalsburg Farmers’ Market, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Boalsburg, 2 p.m., www.boalsburgfarmersmarket.com.

11, 25 – Mystery Dinner, Duffy’s Tavern, Boalsburg, 466-6241 (for details and reservations).

21 – Project Serve: Unmet Needs of the Homeless in Centre County, Faith United Church of Christ, S.C., noon, www.faithucc.info.

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Taste of the

Month

Each month Town&Gown highlights a local place to eat and offers a glimpse into the great dining of our community.

If it’s happening in Happy Valley, it’s in Town&Gown!

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D.J. Newbill and the Nittany Lions have three home games in January.

24 – WWE Live, BJC, PSU, 7:30 p.m., www.bjc.psu.edu.

Sports For tickets to Penn State sporting events, visit www.gopsusports.com or call (814) 865-5555. For area high school sporting events, call your local high school.

8 – PSU/Minnesota, men’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 7 p.m.

10-11 – PSU/Colgate, women’s ice hockey, Pegula Ice Arena, PSU, 7 p.m. Fri. & 2 p.m. Sat. 11 – PSU/Indiana, men’s basketball, BJC, PSU, noon.

11 – PSU/Army, men’s gymnastics, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

11 – Penn State Relays, track & field, MultiSport Facility, PSU, all day.

12 – Penn State Invite, men’s & women’s fencing, White Building, PSU, 9 a.m.

12 – PSU/Purdue, women’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 2 p.m.

12 – PSU/Purdue, wrestling, Rec Hall, PSU, 2 p.m.

12-13 – PSU/Minnesota, men’s ice hockey, Pegula Ice Arena, PSU, 7 p.m.

16 – PSU/Ohio State, women’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 7 p.m.

17 – PSU/IPFW, men’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

18 – PSU/Cleveland State, women’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 9:30 a.m.

18 – PSU/Bucknell, women’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 2 p.m.

18 – PSU/Cornell/Southeast Missouri State/UIC, women’s gymnastics, Rec Hall, PSU, 4 p.m.

18 – PSU/Ball State, men’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 8 p.m.

18 – Nittany Lion Challenge, track & field, Multi-Sport Facility, PSU, all day.

19 – PSU/Navy, women’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 2 p.m.

19 – PSU/Northwestern, wrestling, Rec Hall, PSU, 2 p.m.

22 – PSU/Indiana, women’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 7 p.m.

23 – PSU/Lehigh, men’s lacrosse (exhibition), Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, 5:45 p.m.

23 – PSU/Nebraska, men’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 8 p.m.

24 – PSU/William & Mary, men’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 4 p.m.

24 – PSU/Illinois, wrestling, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

25 – PSU/Boston College, men’s ice hockey, Pegula Ice Arena, PSU, 7 p.m.

26 – PSU/St. John’s, men’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, noon.

26 – PSU/Minnesota, women’s basketball, BJC, PSU, 1 p.m.

31 – PSU/Mount Olive, men’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

Dara Taylor and the Lady Lions have four home games in January.

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31- February 1 – PSU National Day, track & field, Multi-Sport Facility, PSU, 6 p.m. Fri & all day Sat. 31- February 1 – PSU/RIT, women’s ice hockey, Pegula Ice Arena, PSU, 7 p.m. Fri. & 2 p.m. Sat.

Theater 11 – Metropolitan Opera Live HD presents Verdi’s Falstaff, State Theatre, S.C., 1 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

12 – Greats at the State Film Series: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, State Theatre, S.C., 3 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

13-19 – 365 Days: A Year in Happy Valley, State Theatre, S.C., 4 & 7:30 p.m. Mon.Fri., 4, 7:30, & 10 p.m. Sat., 4 p.m. Sun., www.thestatetheatre.org.

19 – Betsy, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

22 – Rock of Ages, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., www.cpa.psu.edu.

23-24 – Spike and Mike’s Festival of Animation, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 & 10 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

26 – Contemporary Play Reading Series: Speech & Debate, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

The State Theatre shows the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD presentation of Verdi’s Falstaff January 11.

30 – National Theatre Live presents Coriolanus, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

30-February 1 – Penn State School of Theatre presents Dance Concert, Playhouse Theatre, PSU, 7:30 p.m., theatre.psu.edu. T&G

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Rock The t i f e n e B t r e c n o C

March 22

7pm - @ T

, 2014

he State T

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The Bob Perks Fund provides financial support for basic necessities to individuals and families dealing with cancer.

heatre

Come Home to The State www.thestatetheatre.org • (814) 272-0606 130 W. College Ave. • Downtown State College Met Opera Falstaff Saturday, January 11 | 1p Hot Tuna Saturday, January 11 | 8p

365 Days: A Year in Happy Valley January 13-19 | Various Times

BETSY Sunday, January 19 | 7:30p

Spike and Mike Festival of Animation Runnin’ Down a Dream: January 23-24 | Various Times Celebrating the Music of Tom Petty To benefit Easter Seals & The State Theatre Saturday, January 25

“Speech & Debate”

By Stephen Karam Contemporary Play Reading in The Attic Sunday, January 26 | 7:30p

from the vine

Merlot Still Has Magic Popular red wine may not have been a hit in Sideways, but it still has plenty to offer

By Lucy Rogers

It seems that even nine years since the release of the film Sideways, Miles’s retort about not drinking Merlot still arises in any conversation about the popularity of this particular red wine. If you recall the film about a trip to Santa Barbara wine country, Miles is in pursuit of the noble Pinot Noir, and his contempt for Merlot has been interpreted as an indictment against mediocre wines consumed by the masses.

Since then, the film has been seen as having a huge impact on Merlot’s sales in the marketplace. In a 2008 study done by Steven S. Cuellar, PhD, of Sonoma State University, sales data was analyzed for both Pinot Noir and Merlot in the years following the release of the film.

While Pinot Noir sales were noticeably higher in every category — from low end to high end offerings over the span of the study — it was determined that while Merlot sales did dip, it was mainly in the lower-priced bottlings, meaning that the film’s effect was seen as helping Pinot Noir sales more than it hurt Merlot sales.

But since the film’s release, vintners have realized that Miles’s contempt for Merlot wasn’t against the grape itself, but directed at the many poor representations of Merlot that existed and had flooded the market. Because the grape was so popular, it was being planted everywhere in California, in places it shouldn’t have been planted, and wines were being produced by people who just wanted to get in on what was the number-one selling red wine in America.

It is important to remember the qualities of Merlot that made it so popular in the first place.

Traditional expectations of Merlot are that it produces a wine that is soft and easy with lots of plush fruit. With lower tannin levels than Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is ready to drink sooner

than Cabernet, meaning it needs less time to age, and can show quite well at a younger age. It also is generally less expensive than its Cabernet counterparts produced in the same viticultural region. In terms of food pairing, Merlot can go well with many hearty dishes but also has the ability to be enjoyed quite well without food, making it an excellent choice as a cocktail wine.

Because it had become somewhat “uncool” for wine lovers to order Merlot, our panel set out to revisit this popular grape and see what was being produced around the globe. And to be honest, most of us were surprised by what we found. We tasted Merlot from upstate New York, Sonoma, Napa, Long Island, Chile, Italy, and both the Languedoc-Rousillon and St. Emilion regions in France. What we found were wines that consistently featured lots of cherry and sour-cherry flavors and soft easy tannins, which we expected, but we also were surprised by the variety of styles and some unique flavors that were surely expressions of the wine’s terroir. None of the wines we tasted exhibited any of the insipid qualities one expects from a wine meant to please the masses. And interestingly, our favorites did indeed come from California from wineries that make excellent wines of many varietals. As one vintner in California stated, wineries that have always been committed to Merlot redoubled their efforts to continue to make quality Merlot wines that showcase Merlot’s unique characteristics that made the grape popular to begin with.

Here are our notes on the wines we tasted.

Ravines Glen Eldridge Vineyard Merlot 2007, Finger Lakes, NY (not available in PA). Iron/ mineral notes on the nose, light-bodied with light cherry flavors reminiscent of a Smith Brothers cough drop. Soft tannins, a little green mid-palate.

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Ghost Pines Merlot 2010, 71% Sonoma, 29% Napa, (PLCB code 5108, $18). A more vegetal nose with just a touch of vanilla and raspberry, cherry vanilla, medium to full bodied, a bit medicinal in the finish.

Fat Bastard Merlot 2012, Languedoc-Rousillon (PLCB code 9951, $9). An odd nose of something vaguely fishy, dirty socks (!), and smelling a bit hot. Woody/cedar on the palate with some tobacco notes, medium bodied.

Wolffer Estates Merlot 2008, Southampton Long Island (PLCB code 39034, $18). Notes of cinnamon and smoked meats, but very light bodied and not a lot happening on the palate, very subdued and somewhat lean and underwhelming.

Wing Canyon Vineyard Lolita Merlot 2007 Mt. Veeder Napa Valley (PLCB code 45991, $33). A little green bell pepper in the nose, medium bodied and well-balanced cherry and vanilla. A nice representation of Merlot.

Dutcher Crossing Bennett Valley Sonoma Merlot 2008 (not available in PA). Again, this winery produced one of our favorite wines of the tasting. A little funk in the nose that eventually dissipated. Light bodied, easy drinking, elegant, and quite well balanced.

Carmen Gran Reserva Maipo Alto Merlot 2010, Chile (PLCB code 45797, $15). Lots

of unique petrol/diesel/burnt rubber on the nose and dried fruit flavors that really distinguished this Merlot from the others. Easy drinking with soft tannins.

Carpineto Valcolomba Merlot 2012, Maremma, Italy (PLCB code 32718, $12).

Quick nose of caramel/cooked sugar and buttered popcorn with just a hint of petrol, this wine was light bodied and drier than the others, but again, soft tannins.

Robert Sinskey Organic Merlot Napa Valley 2008, (only 16 barrels produced, not available in PA). Iron/mineral in the nose with then lots of cherry. Flavor of candied fruit, but also a tad sour, and light bodied with a nice finish.

Chateau Ste Jean Sonoma Merlot 2005 (vintage no longer available in PA, $15-$20). This was a nicely balanced wine with good fruit, good acidity, and great vanilla accents that didn’t overtake the wine. Surprising for its age.

Chateau Fayan Puisseguin St. Emilion 2010 (PLCB code 32720, $15). Overwhelming vanilla in the nose, this 90-percent Merlot exuded cherry-vanilla flavors that some of us liked and others thought was just too over the top. T&G Lucy Rogers teaches wine classes and offers private wine tastings through Wines by the Class. She also is the event coordinator for Zola Catering.

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John Hovenstine (7)

Tasteof the Month

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Hundred Degrees Hot Pot’s spicy diced chicken with chili

Rising Temperatures Hundred Degrees Hot Pot brings authentic Sichuan cuisine to region

By Vilma Shu Danz Hundred Degrees Hot Pot Restaurant & Karaoke, at 428 Westerly Parkway, is not just another Chinese restaurant in State College.

The unique concept of a hot pot dates back more than 1,000 years in China where frozen, thinly sliced meats and vegetables are prepared for cooking in a pot of bubbling savory or spicy broth. Friends and family sit together around a cooking pot in the middle of the table and use chopsticks to add the ingredients to the hot broth. Cooking time may vary depending on what is added to the broth, and ingredients may include beef, pork, chicken, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, dumplings, noodles, and an assortment of vegetables.

At Hundred Degrees Hot Pot, customers can choose to share a pot or get an individual pot.

All tables are equipped with either one large burner in the middle or four individual burners with temperature controls. The first step when ordering a hot pot is choosing a broth. There are many different varieties of broths, including chicken, seafood, vegetable, spicy, and kimchi. After choosing the broth, customers make selections from the extensive menu of meats and vegetables to dumplings and noodles. The choices are endless, and part of the dining experience is dis75 - Town&Gown & &Gown January 2014

Spicy sliced pork belly

Cucumber and country style wood ear (Mushroom)

Sautéed mixed mushroom

covering how different the meats or vegetables taste depending on which broth it was cooked in. In addition, there is a large condiment station that is included with the hot pot where customers can sample the different sauces on their own or combine them to create their own dipping sauces to take their hot-pot experience to the next level. Sauces include peanut, ginger, sesame, soy, chive, and garlic.

Opened in November, Hundred Degrees Hot Pot is a family-owned restaurant. Owner Jing Mei Jiang and his daughter, Michelle, also own Fuji Jade Garden and My Thai on Westerly Parkway. Originally from Fuzhou, China, the Jiang family has been in State College for the past 10 years.

“We specialize in Sichuan cuisine, so in addition to our hot pots, we also have over 200 items on our à la carte menu,” explains Michelle. “We have spicy dry pots served in a sizzling mini-wok, stir-fried dishes, ginger-roasted duck, foil-wrapped beef or lamb, smoked pork with wild mushrooms, diced chicken with chili

Owner Jing Mei Jiang (middle) and his daughter, Michelle (left), with chef Hu Ming.

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pepper, and Chengdu jumbo shrimp. So, there are a lot of different dishes to choose from.”

Many of the ingredients and dishes such as pork belly, beef tendon and tripe, wood-ear mushrooms, tofu, duck, rabbit, and frog, may seem unique and unusual but are very common in Asian cuisines.

“We serve authentic Sichuan cuisine because the Asian population here has grown, and they want what they grew up eating,” says Michelle.

“A lot of our dishes are spicy, and it is indicated on the menu with a pepper symbol.”

The restaurant also has several private karaoke rooms for reservation on an hourly basis.

The rooms include comfortable couches, tables, state-of-the-art sound systems, touch-screen karaoke machines with English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean songs, microphones, and 60inch flat-screen TVs. For more information about Hundred Degrees Hot Pot Restaurant and Karaoke or to make reservations, call (814) 308-8208.

For a special offer from Hundred Degrees, visit www.townandgown.com. T&G

> Featured Selections < Hours of Operations: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Karaoke rooms are available by reservation until 2 a.m. Call (814) 308-8208 for details and rates.

BYOB.

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Dining Out Full Course Dining The Autoport, 1405 S. Atherton St., 237-7666, www.theautoport.com. The all new Autoport offers exceptional dining featuring local produce and an extensive wine list. Tapas menu and special events every week.

Catering and private events available. Live music. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar. bar bleu, 114. S Garner St., 237-0374, bar-bleu.com.

Socializing and sports viewing awaits at bar bleu. Don’t miss a minute of the action on 22 true 1080i HDMI high-definition flat-screen monitors displaying the night’s college and pro matchups. The bar serves up 16 draft beers in addition to crafted cocktails, including the “Fishbowl,” concocted in its own 43-ounce tank! Pub fare featuring authentic Kansas City-style barbecue is smoked daily on-site. AE, D, DC, ID+, MC, V. Full bar.

Bella II, 135 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, 353-4696.

Cozy and charming, yet affordable, Bella II’s specialty is good food! Fresh, classic pasta dishes with homemade sauces, large dinner salads, and in-house, hand-crafted desserts, top the favorites. Plan to try Bella II’s lunch buffet, Tues.-Thurs., featuring pasta, pizza, wraps, and desserts. BYOB welcomed! Take out available. Hours: Sun. 12-9, Tues.-Thurs. 11-9, Fri.-Sat. 11-10, Closed Mondays. AE, D, MC, V. Bella Sicilia, 2782 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall, 364-2176. An Italian kitchen where food is prepared from scratch and with love! Featuring traditional recipes of pasta dishes, calzones, Stromboli’s, subs, salads, and extraordinary pizza! Try Bella Sicilia’s stuffed, Sicilian, Chicago, or 16 varieties of thin-crust specialty pies, including seafood pizza with shrimp, clams, calamari, mussels, and margherita sauce! Take-out or enjoy our beautiful dining room, located in the back of our building.

Feel free to bring your own beer and wine. Lunch buffet Mon.-Fri. Check us out on Facebook. AE, MC, V, MAC, D. Carnegie House, corner of Cricklewood Dr. and Toftrees Ave., 234-2424. An exquisite boutique hotel offering fine dining in a relaxed yet gracious atmosphere. Serving lunch and dinner. Prix Fixe menu and à la carte menu selections now available.

AAA Four Diamond Award recipient for lodging and fine dining. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, D, V. Full bar.

Cozy Thai Bistro, 232 S. Allen St., 237-0139. A true authentic Thai restaurant offering casual and yet “cozy” family-friendly dining experience. Menu features wide selections of exotic Thai cuisine, both lunch and dinner (take-out available). BYO (wines & beer) is welcome after 5 p.m. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar, 1031 E. College Ave., 237-6300, damons.com. Just seconds from Beaver Stadium, locally owned and operated, Damon’s is the premiere place to watch sports and enjoy our extensive menu. Ribs, wings, burgers, steaks, apps, salads, and so much more. AE, D, MAC, MC, V, Full bar.

The Deli Restaurant, 113 Hiester St., 237-5710, TheDeliRestaurant.com. Since 1973, The Deli has served up New York-style deli favorites on an American menu offering everything from comfort food to pub favorites, all made from scratch. Soups, breads, sauces, and awardwinning desserts are homemade here early in the morning folks. Look for its rotating menu of food-themed festivals throughout the year. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar.

The Dining Room at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., 865-8590. Fine continental cuisine in a relaxed, gracious atmosphere. Casual attire acceptable. Private dining rooms available. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.

Down Under Steakhouse at Toftrees, One Country Club Lane, 234-8000, www.toftrees.com. A casual restaurant with unique dining featuring hearty appetizers, delicious entrees, fresh sandwiches and salads in a comfortable scenic atmosphere. Outdoor seating available. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.

Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern, On the Diamond, Boalsburg, 466-6241. The Boalsburg Tavern offers a fine, intimate setting reminiscent of Colonial times.

Dining for all occasions with formal and casual menus, daily dinner features, specials, and plenty of free parking. AE, MC, V. Full bar.

Key

AE ...........................................................American Express CB ..................................................................Carte Blanche D ................................................................ Discover/Novus DC........................................................................Diners Club ID+ ................................................ PSU ID+ card discounts LC ............................................................................ LionCash MAC .......................................................................debit card MC .......................................................................MasterCard V ......................................................................................... Visa .............................................. Handicapped-accessible

To advertise, call Town&Gown account executives Kathy George or Debbie Markel at (814) 238-5051.

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Faccia Luna Pizzeria, 1229 S. Atherton St., 234-9000, www.faccialuna.com. A true neighborhood hangout, famous for authentic New York-style wood-fired pizzas and fresh, homemade It.alian cuisine. Seafood specialties, sumptuous salads, divine desserts, great service, and full bar. Outside seating available. Sorry, reservations not accepted. Dine-in, Take-out. MC/V. Galanga, 454 E. College Ave., 237-1718. Another great addition to Cozy Thai Bistro. Galanga by Cozy Thai offers a unique authentic Thai food featuring Northeastern Thai style cuisine. Vegetarian menu selection available. BYO (wines and beer) is welcome after 5 p.m.

AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Gamble Mill Restaurant & Microbrewery, 160 Dunlop St., Bellefonte, 355-7764. A true piece of Americana, dine and enjoy our in-house craft beers in a historic mill. Experience bold American flavors by exploring our casual pub menu or fine dining options.

Six to seven beers of our craft beers on tap. Brewers Club, Growlers, outdoor seating, large private functions, catering. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Dinner 5-9/10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. “Chalk Board Sunday’s” 4-8 p.m.

All credit cards accepted.

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The Gardens Restaurant at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, 215 Innovation Blvd., Innovation Park, 863-5090. Dining is a treat for breakfast, lunch and dinner in The Gardens Restaurant, where sumptuous buffets and à la carte dining are our specialties. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. Full bar, beer.

The Greek, 102 E. Clinton Ave., 308-8822, www.thegreekrestaurant.net. The Greek Restaurant is located behind Original Waffle Shop on North Atherton Street. Visit our Greek tavern and enjoy authentic Greek cuisine. Full service, BYOB. D, MC, V. Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering, 1221 E. College Ave. (within the Hilton Garden Inn), 237-4422, www.harrisonsmenu.com. Traditional seasonal favorites prepared extraordinarily. Fusion food, sharing plates, and fresh seafood. Extensive wines-by-the-glass, full bar, moderate prices. Lunch/Dinner. Exquisite catering.

MC, V.

Herwig’s Austrian Bistro, “Where Bacon Is An Herb,” 132 W. College Ave., 272-0738. Located next to the State Theatre. Serving authentic Austrian home cooking in Central PA. Ranked #1 Ethnic Restaurant in State College for 7 years in a row. Eat-in, Take-Out, Catering. Gluten-free options available. Bacon-based dessert. Homemade breads, BYO beer or wine all day.

Sense of humor required. D, MAC, MC, V. Hi-Way Pizza, 1688 N. Atherton St., 237-0375, HiWayPizza.com. The State College tradition for nearly 50 years, nobody does it better than Hi-Way! Offering more than 29 varieties of hand-spun pizzas made from scratch offer an endless combination of toppings. Its vodka “flaky” crust and red stuffed pizzas are simply a must have. Hi-Way’s menu rounds out with pasta dishes, calzones, grinders, salads, and other Italian specialties.

Eat-in, Take-out, or Hi-Way delivery. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar.

India Pavilion, 222 E. Calder Way, 237-3400. Large selection of vegetarian and nonvegetarian dishes from northern India. Lunch buffet offered daily. We offer catering for groups and private parties. AE, D, MC, V. (call ahead.)

BreakFasT

LUnCh

Dinner

Let Us Do The Cooking For You…

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch at The Original Waffle Shop and Dinner at The Greek!

WeST

NORTH

THe GReek

1610 W. College Ave. 814-235-1816

1229 N. Atherton St. 814-238-7460

102 E. Clinton Ave. 814-308-8822

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13CL0020_T&G_ad.pdf

1

12/3/13

10:13 AM

Inferno Brick Oven & Bar, 340 E. College Ave., 237-5718, InfernoBrickOvenBar.com. With a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, Inferno is a place to see and be seen. A full-service bar boasts a unique specialty wine, beer, and cocktail menu. Foodies — Inferno offers a contemporary Neapolitan brick-oven experience featuring a focused menu of artisan pizzas and other modern-Italian plates. Lunch and dinner service transitions into night as a boutique nightclub with dance-floor lighting, club sound system, and the area’s most talented resident DJs. AE, D, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.

Legends Pub at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, 215 Innovation Blvd., Innovation Park, 863-5080. Unwind with beverages and a casual lounge menu. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar.

Let Us Plan Your Celebration!

Specializing in: • Catering for Home & Office Parties • In House Banquets & Lunches • Wedding Receptions - Great menu options available - On & off site -Full breakfast, lunch & dinner menu packages Several wedding packages to choose from!

- Convenient free parking

Hoag’s Catering & Event Rental’s Superior Food & Service Truly Allows Our Clients to be Guests at Their Own Party!

814-238-0824 • 2880 Commercial Blvd., State College

www.hoagscatering.com 82 - Town&Gown January 2014

Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 1272 N. Atherton St., 234-4273, MariosItalianStateCollege.com. Fresh specialty dishes, pasta, sauces, hand-tossed pizzas, and rotisserie wood-grilled chicken all made from scratch are just a few reasons why Mario’s is authentically Italian! At the heart of it all is a specialty wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie that imparts rustic flavors that can’t be beat!

Mario’s loves wine, honored with six consecutive Wine Spectator awards and a wine list of more than 550 Italian selections. Mario’s even pours 12 rotating specialty bottles on its WineStation® state-of-the-art preservation system. Reservations and Walk-Ins welcome. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar.

Otto’s Pub & Brewery, 2235 N. Atherton St., 867-6886, www.ottospubandbrewery.com. Our new location provides plenty of parking, great ales and lagers, full service bar, signature dishes made with local products in a family-friendly, casual atmosphere. AE, D, DC, LC MC, V. Full bar.

The Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave., 2386116. A unique gallery-in-a-restaurant preserving PA’s and Penn State’s past. Dinner at The Tavern is a Penn State tradition. Major credit cards accepted. Full bar.

A true neighborhood hangout highly regarded for its popular and authentic New York-style wood-fired pizza and commitment to quality. Award-winning pizza. and Italian cuisine homemade with only the best and freshest ingredients.

www.faccialuna.com 1229 South Atherton St. • State College • 234-9000

Something New is Happening in 2014...

PLEASE STAND BY 1405 South Atherton St. State College, PA 16801

www.theautoport.com

814-237-7666

For an Important Message

Warm up with hot chocolate from

Meyer Dairy

Store & Ice Cream Parlor

g rin te e Ca bl te la Si i n- va O A

Milk • Ice Cream • Eggs Cheese • Juices Pop's Mexi-Hots • Baked Goods • Sandwiches Ice Cream Cakes & More!

Check out our web site for all our daily specials.

Your place for the NFL playoffs, NHL hockey and the college bowl games!

Check out our New 2 for $25 menu..

1 app and 2 entrees all for $25!

Open Daily 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

2390 S. Atherton St. (814) 237-1849

Damon’s Delivers Everyday!

Order online at lionmenus.com 1031 East College Ave. 814-237-6300 • damons.com

83 - Town&Gown January 2014

Whiskers at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., 865-8580. Casual dining featuring soups, salads, sandwiches and University Creamery ice cream. Major credit cards accepted. Full bar.

Zola New World Bistro, 324 W. College Ave., 237-8474. Zola combines comfortable, modern décor with exceptional service. Innovative, creative cuisine from seasonal menus served for lunch and dinner. Extensive award-winning wine list. Jazz and oysters in the bar on Fridays. Catering. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar.

Good Food Fast Baby’s Burgers & Shakes, 131 South Garner St., 234-4776, www.babysburgers.com. Love poodle skirts, a jukebox playing the oldies, and delicious food cooked to order? Then Baby’s Burgers & Shakes is your kind of restaurant! Bring the entire family and enjoy a “ Whimpy” burger, a Cherry Coke or delicious chocolate shake, and top it off with a “Teeny Weeny Sundae,” in our authentic 1947 Silk City Diner. Check out Baby’s Web site for full menu and daily specials! D, MC, V, MAC, Lion’s Cash.

HUB Dining, HUB-Robeson Center, on campus, 865-7623. A Penn State tradition open to all! Eleven restaurants stocked with extraordinary variety: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Higher Grounds, HUB Subs, Mixed Greens, Burger King, Panda Express, Piccalilli’s, Sbarro, Sushi by Panda, Wild Cactus, and more! V, MC, LC. Meyer Dairy, 2390 S. Atherton St., 237-1849. A State College Classic! Meyer Dairy is the perfect choice for a quick, homemade lunch with fresh soups and sandwiches or treat yourself to your favorite flavor of ice cream or sundae at our ice cream parlor. Fresh milk from our own dairy cows (we do not inject our cows with BST), eggs, cheese, ice cream cakes, baked goods, and more! Plus, Meyer Dairy is the best place to pick up your Town&Gown magazine each month!

Westside Stadium Bar and Grill, 1301 W. College Ave., 308-8959, www.westsidestadium barandgrill.com. See what all the buzz is about at Westside Stadium. Opened in September 2010, State College’s newest hangout features mouthwatering onsite smoked pork and brisket sandwiches. Watch your favorite sports on 17 HDTVs. Happy Hour 5-7 p.m.

Take-out and bottle shop. Outdoor seating available. D, V, MC. Full Bar.

India Pavilion Exotic Indian Cuisine

Now Open 7 Days a Week Lunch Buffet: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Dinner: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

222 E. Calder Way 237-3400 www.indiapavilion.net 84 - Town&Gown January 2014

Carry Out Available

Specialty Foods Hoag’s Catering/Celebration Hall, 2280 Commercial Blvd., State College, 238-0824, www.hoagscatering.com. Hoag’s Catering specializes in off-site catering, event rentals, and on-site events at Celebration Hall. We do the work, you use the fork — large and small events.

Hogs Galore, 330 Enterprise Dr., Philipsburg, 342-7060, www.hogsgalore.com. Locally raised farmto-table pork producer since 1979. Family owned and operated. Fresh and smoked meats on-site processing.

Catering, BBQ restaurant, retail market, and wholesale meats. T&G

Taste of the

Month

Each month Town&Gown highlights a local place to eat and offers a glimpse into the great dining of our community.

If it’s happening in Happy Valley, it’s in Town&Gown!

Bella 2 is now OPEN! 135 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte • 353-4696

Bella Sicilia

2782 Earlytown Road, Centre Hall • 364-2176 Dining Room in rear.

Both locations closed Mondays

We love People, cal Beer & Lo Fo ods!

Food & Beer TO GO!

Bottles • Cases • Kegs Growlers • Beer Soap Candy • Mugs Bringing you craft beer & fresh food using local products in a family friendly, casual atmosphere.

2235 N. Atherton St. State College 814.867.6886 www.ottospubandbrewery.com

85 - Town&Gown January 2014

lunch with mimi

A Call to Help Those Who Have Lost New Tides director has long felt a need to comfort the grieving

Healthy Resolutions are easy at

86 - Town&Gown January 2014

John Hovenstine

Suzanne Thompson became the executive director of Tides after founder Leslie Finton stepped down to pursue a new job. Tides’ mission is to provide a safe and nurturing peer-support program for children, adolescents, and their families who have experienced the deaths of loved ones.

Thompson, a former elementary school counselor in the Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith (left) talks with Tides Bellefonte Area School District, has been a director Suzanne Thompson at Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College. volunteer at Tides since 2008, and received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2011. In her new how she became involved in grief counseling, what role, she heads up the organization’s fundraising resources are available to local families through and speaks on behalf of Tides for Penn State, local Tides, and how the organization has helped businesses, and other United Way partners. She families recover from loss. also cofacilitates an adult-child loss group and Mimi: So, you volunteered with Tides and helps to connect grieving families with people in were recognized as Volunteer of the Year two other parts of the county. years ago. How did you get involved with the Born and raised in Bellefonte, she began her organization? college studies at Penn State in 1988. However, Suzanne: When I was in grad school, I it wasn’t until she returned as an adult student in took a death-and-dying class because I had 1997 that she was able to graduate with a bachelor an interest in it, and I don’t know that I can of science degree and went on to receive her really explain that interest. It was just a piece master’s in counselor education in 2001. of who I was. I connected with Reverend Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash George Burn, who is the former chaplain Coppersmith sat down with Thompson at at Mount Nittany Hospital. He was there Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College to discuss as a guest speaker, and after class I went up and spoke to him. There was an instant connection, and he offered me the opportunity to come and sit in on a grief-loss group that he ran, and I jumped at the opportunity. I went once and was hooked. He invited me back to be his cofacilitator of adult groups. I did that a number of times, and then he retired, so that opportunity went away. Knowing that the grief help and support was something I was extremely interested in, I reached out to Leslie Finton, the former executive director and founder of Tides. I told her what I had done and what I was looking to do. So, that’s how it came together.

Mimi: So you were a volunteer for how long with Tides?

Suzanne: Since 2008. I still cofacilitate an adult child-loss group that I started with in 2008.

Mimi: What is the toughest part of your job?

Suzanne: Boy, that’s a good question.

Probably hearing the stories of what brings a family to Tides — people experience great tragedy. But then making the shift of: It might have been horrific but how are we going to help? How is Tides going to be able to help this family? What are we going to be able to offer?

Mimi: That’s tough, especially if you’ve lost a child.

Suzanne: Absolutely.

Mimi: In my mind, that has to be the most challenging of any loss one can suffer.

Suzanne: Agreed.

Mimi: So, what are your keys to being helpful?

Suzanne: Creating a safe place where people are willing to share and feel comfortable sharing is important. That begins with the first phone call. If you create that, they’ll hopefully share their story and some healing can begin. It is all about creating the opportunity for them to want to share.

They don’t have many opportunities in their daily life to do that. And so I think, first and foremost, we create that environment to allow people to share what they’re willing to share when they’re willing to share it, and then secondary to that is being a good listener. I can’t fix what they’ve experienced. I can’t take it away, but I can listen and sit with them in their journey.

Mimi: It’s got to be the most painful job.

Yet, the reward on the other hand has to be particularly satisfying when you feel you are providing the impetus for such recovery to occur.

Suzanne: Absolutely. It is extremely rewarding because, in reality, our families teach us how to live.

Mimi: Do you have a family?

Suzanne: I do. I have a husband of almost 20 years and a daughter who is almost 9. I have been a better mom and wife since being in my position.

Mimi: How wonderful to be working at the one thing that gives the most meaning to your working hours.

Suzanne: There’s no greater joy really. It’s been life-changing for me, personally.

Mimi: Does Tides interface with the mental-health network that we have in the county?

Suzanne: Well, we do our best. It’s always a work in progress. I think there is a stigma to the mental-health community that I, as a former elementary school counselor, was always up against with parents and kids trying to get them some help. And I see it as less of a struggle now than it was in my former professional life. But, yes, we reach out and support, because sometimes we need to realize that depending on where families are functioning, we might not be the first stop for people.

Mimi: Well, in the house and in the era that I grew up in, there was a very definite stigma connected to seeking mental-health assistance. I tragically lost two husbands and decided I was superwoman and didn’t need counseling even though I had dear friends who were really trying to encourage me to do that.

Until I was involved in a divorce and I put my hands up in the air and said, “I give up!” it was bigger than I. I had tremendous reliable, helpful, and caring counseling. I honestly don’t believe I would have gotten through that loss, if that’s what we call it, without something terrible happening. But it took me a lifetime to understand that the mentalhealth community has a lot of help they can give to us if we take the time to seek it.

Suzanne: Absolutely. I think we have come a long way, but I still think that stigma exists.

And when people are in the therapeutic relationship, they’re still vulnerable. Tides is a place where, again, the safety that people hopefully feel is a little bit less threatening.

Mimi: Well, you know there are other people struggling with the same thing.

Suzanne: Yes, and we grow our own community within Tides. There are people who come into our group who have lost a child within the last six weeks, and there are others who are five years out. It’s a great opportunity to bring people together to help each other.

Mimi: We learn from one another, perhaps

Eat WEll! HarrisonsMenu.com • 814.237.4422

87 - Town&Gown January 2014

more than we do in any classroom. I had the pleasure of being part of a plan that benefitted Tides tremendously. Hats off to Koch Funeral Home, which is celebrating 100 years in business, and they wanted to do something significant to impact the community. They chose to sponsor the December 2013 State College Choral Society Concert and also to put up a match that puts Tides in a much more sound financial position. Has this changed your operating at all? Has it made it possible for you to do a few things you’ve been yearning to do?

Suzanne: Sure. I’m still new to the position, but having that opportunity in front of us will give us opportunities at Tides that maybe have never even been imagined yet. Having been in the executive-director role just since June, I feel like I am learning every day, and reaching out and thinking of the different possibilities of expansion, and continuing to provide for Tides’ families free of charge.

Mimi: No charge at all? Nobody pays a thing?

Suzanne: Nope. Isn’t that wonderful!

Mimi: So, you depend on donations to sustain and grow.

Suzanne: Every day, yes.

Mimi: It makes the contribution more significant. It contributes to your longevity.

Suzanne: Absolutely it does. It’s enormous.

Mimi: Is there such a thing as a success story? Are there any of those stories or are they all private?

Suzanne: There are many success stories.

The other piece of Tides is that we’re an open program. Families come in when they can, and they stay as long as they need to. We run September to May, and when you have a family you reach out to in August to say “Hey we’re starting up again next month,” and they come back and say, “You know what, we’re good right now. We’ve learned a lot.

We’re going to try it on our own now.” That’s a success story and a compliment to the work that we do. Sometimes people walk back through the doors to get a little boost when they’re faced with first, second, and third anniversaries or the holidays or another death.

We welcome them with open arms.

Mimi: Holidays and birthdays.

Suzanne: It’s all of those things. But most of the time it’s a boost for people, and then they step out again. We also have families who have been there since I started in 2008, and it’s not to say they haven’t grown and aren’t in a better space.

Mimi: But it’s a part of their therapy.

Suzanne: It is. There is one family where the parents have done a lot of hard work and

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don’t necessarily need Tides anymore, but they have placed their daughter’s experience above their own and they continue to come for her because she wants to be there. And yet, we’ve had people who have left the nest, so to speak, and they are off flying. One person, in particular, lost a child and experienced a divorce all within a short amount of time.

That person was with us two years. Then she reconnected with an old friend. She moved out of the area and she got a new job.

Mimi: Do you still hear from her?

Suzanne: On occasion, and she’s really doing well.

Mimi: I wish my readers could see the look of satisfaction on your face. How long has Tides been around?

Suzanne: Ten years.

Mimi: Ten years, and a real force in the community.

Suzanne: Yes, and it wouldn’t be successful without the partnerships. I think the one thing I’ve said over and over again since coming on board is that I’ve never before had an experience where everybody is coming together to do nothing but good for an organization.

Mimi: And for this valley. To have this kind of resource that stays on the high road consistently is a pretty good statement about our community.

Suzanne: Yes, and what Leslie Finton has done from inception to her stepping down.

She’s just an amazing woman. I can only hope that I can lead with the same intensity and passion, and keep it going down the right road.

Mimi: Well, I’m placing my money on you.

Suzanne: That’s a lot of pressure! But I can guarantee that I will always do my best.

Mimi: I’m hoping that our readers will consider some contributions to Tides. It’s an important seed in the community. It grows good health for people who have had serious damage. It’s something we should all support and pray for because we never know when we’ll need it. And when we need it, you’re there.

Suzanne: Yes. Mimi: Well, I wish you the best, and God bless. This is the second great leader of Tides.

A remarkable organization.

Suzanne: You’ve very generous. Thank you so much for all of your support, both professionally and personally, in every way. It means so much. T&G

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State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos The State College Photo Club provides photo enthusiasts with the opportunity to share their passion for photography with others and to provide an environment for learning and developing new skills. The club welcomes individuals from amateurs to professionals. One of the club’s activities is to hold a monthly competition. Town&Gown is pleased to present the winning images from the club’s competition.

Shown this month are the first place winners from the judged October meeting competition.

October Meeting First Place: Theme “Fear”

>

“ESP” by Che Hale

“The picture is of the barber chair in the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It was shot with a Lensbaby, which gives it the eerie feeling.

A flash with grid spot was pointed at the chair.”

October Meeting First Place: Open Category

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“The Fly” by John Sharkey

“The image was taken at the Botanic Gardens at the Penn State Arboretum in early August. It was late morning and I was waiting for the light to change with clouds moving in. The fly was sitting on a lily pad and it seemed reluctant to move despite people walking in close proximity. The brass-like color on its back made it stand out from the various shades of green of the pad. I shot 18 images, gradually working closer with each one. In processing, I severely cropped the image until I had a balance of textures and colors that made the fly the center of attention.”

A copy of either of these photos may be obtained with a $75 contribution to the Salvation Army of Centre County. Contact Captain Charles Niedermeyer at (814) 861-1785 for more information. You can select any size up to 11 inches wide.

The State College Photo Club meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Foxdale Village Auditorium. Guests and new members are always welcome.

Visit www.statecollegephotoclub.org for more information about how to join.

90 - Town&Gown January 2014

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The Band Together event will also feature a Silent Auction of sports and celebrity memorabilia on the BJC concourse.

Auction begins when the doors open at 3:15pm.

All proceeds from T-shirt sales and the auction benefit CVC.

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Hometown Love and Service New Bellefonte mayor hopes to make a difference and grow community involvement and pride

By Amy Ross

It takes getting away from home to appreciate what you have — at least that was what Bellefonte mayor Tom Wilson believed when he left his hometown to join the military.

The Navy veteran left his lifelong home in Bellefonte when he signed up to join the military during the Vietnam War. He traveled nationally, as well as to many countries overseas.

However, he didn’t realize how much he really appreciated his town until one specific drive up from South Carolina.

“There’s not a lot of towns the size of Bellefonte that have architectural beauties like it,” he says while admiring his small town. He gained a lot of appreciation by observing the mountains and Victorian-like buildings, enjoying one of the cleanest water systems in the nation, and experiencing the cultural benefits of nearby Penn State University.

Wilson became mayor of Bellefonte last November. Former mayor and close friend Stanley Goldman approached him about running for office when he had to retire due to health reasons.

Being fifth generation in town, Wilson took up the offer and challenge after serving on council for four years.

As mayor, he is responsible for overseeing the police department, and he knows it’s important to maximize the services within the town’s budget. Other important issues are the protection of citizens and preservation of viable historical architecture of the town.

He also strongly believes and hopes that the youth should be more engaged in trying to serve their community. If more young people participate in town events and projects, then they’ll feel pride in their community, he says. He is working with school officials to encourage students to help out with community projects such as the Arts & Craft Fair in August, Victorian Christmas, and the Historic Bellefonte Cruise in June.

Tom Wilson If you could talk to any historical figure, who would it be? “Davy Crockett.

He helped expand the United States west.

He was an independent person who had to fend for himself and live off the land. I admire people that have nothing and can make much of it.”

What do you consider the perfect vacation? “Sitting on the beach in St. Maarteen.”

What is the most interesting place that you’ve traveled to? “The Parthenon in Athens, Greece.”

“The mayor is the ambassador of the town,” says Wilson. He describes his position to be more hands-on and ceremonial than political. “The political side is nonexistent. It’s more about trying, as a group — council along with the mayor — to do the best we can do for the community with resources that we have to work with.”

The love he has for Bellefonte inspires him to give back to his town and also bring along others who feel the same way.

“There are seeds that are planted that need to make a difference,” he says. “I’m involved, I care about the town, and I want to make a difference. … It’s not what I think, it’s what the people think. I have to look at what’s good for the whole, not me.” T&G

92 - Town&Gown January 2014

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• The Advisor did not pay a fee to be considered for the J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. “Advisor of the Year award.

• The “Advisor of the Year” award is not indicative of the Advisor's future performance. Working with the “Advisor of the Year” is not a guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee the selected Advisor will be awarded this accomplishment by J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. in the future.

• The inclusion of the Advisor as the “Advisor of the Year” award should not be construed as an endorsement of the Advisor's investment management skills by J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. or any of its affiliates.

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• The “Advisor of the Year” selection committee is not acting in the capacity of an Investment Adviser and therefore the reference to this award should not be considered financial advice.

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