Town & Gown March 2013

Inside: Author Tawni O’Dell readies for a big year • State High’s run to a title 10 years ago

MARCH 2013

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Them American Red Cross chapters across the country, including in Centre County, continue to open their arms to those in need

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Features 30 / Lean on Them For nearly a century, the local chapter of the American Red Cross has helped those who find themselves in weakened and shattered states — whether they’re here in Centre County or in other parts of the country. Through blood drives, setting up shelters, and more, these local volunteers open their arms to those in need • by Erin Rowley

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38 / The Roads Less Traveled

60 / A Cinderella Story

Best-selling author Tawni O’Dell has made a name for herself by writing books with strong characters living rough lives in the coal towns of western Pennsylvania. As her fifth novel is set to be published and a movie version of her first book is in the works, O’Dell continues to draw inspiration from the beauty of the hills, mountains, and small-town living of her home state • by Rebekka Coakley

Ten years ago, State High’s boys’ basketball team shocked the state and made history by winning the PIAA title • by Josh Langenbacher

Special Advertising Section 45 / Women in the Community Town&Gown’s 17th annual edition of profiling some of the remarkable women in the region.

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.

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Town&Gown March

A State College & Penn State tradition since 1966.

Publisher Rob Schmidt Founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith Editorial Director David Pencek Creative Director/Photographer John Hovenstine Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz Graphic Designer/Photographer Darren Weimert Graphic Designer Amy Schmalz Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel

Departments 8 10 20 22

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Letter from the Editor Starting Off On Center: “Ninety Miles” Community: Medical center, resource center, and police work together to help assault victims Health & Wellness: Eating right while pregnant is about choices and moderation Guide to Advertisers This Month on WPSU Penn State Diary: Humor magazines once provided many laughs on campus What’s Happening From the Vine: Syrah Taste of the Month/Dining Out: Red Horse Tavern Lunch with Mimi: Barbara Farmer State College Photo Club’s Photos of the Month Snapshot: Cheryl White

Cover Photo: By Jason Colston/American Red Cross.

Sophia Gabor and her mother, Brenda Diaz, receive hot meals from a Red Cross volunteer helping in Long Island, New York, after Hurricane Sandy.

Business Manager Aimee Aiello Advertising Coordinator Bikem Oskin Administrative Assistant Gigi Rudella Distribution Handy Delivery, Tom Neff Senior Editorial Consultant Witt Yeagley Intern Sarah Olah (Editorial)

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.

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6 - Town&Gown March 2013

letter from the editor

Putting Our Money Where Our Hearts Are Community, university fundraising efforts have exceeded expectations The number $12,374,034.46 awed and inspired most people who live here and Penn Staters worldwide last month — and, actually, could have inspired just about anyone and everyone.

That was the amount of money raised during this year’s THON effort. Besides the number setting a THON record, it also put the total raised by THON since 1977 for the Four Diamonds Fund at more than $100 million. That’s $100 million going to help pediatric-cancer patients and their families, and research.

If that wasn’t enough — February was impressive in other ways here when it came to fundraising efforts. The United Way exceeded its goal and raised $2,100,136 for its 2012 campaign. That’s more than $2 million going to help everything from the Centre County Library to the Centre County Women’s Resource Center to the Centre County Youth Service Bureau.

This edition of Town&Gown went to press prior to the Penn State Lady Lions’ annual Pink Zone game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a record amount was raised from it. That money, of course, goes to help the fight against breast cancer.

After the THON total was announced, I know many took to Facebook and Twitter and expressed, in various ways, hope that the national media would share this wonderful story with the rest of the country and world. I don’t know to what extent the national press picked up on THON, but from what I observed it wasn’t much. It simply doesn’t seem to matter to them that Penn State raised that

amount of money to help kids with cancer.

But guess what? In many ways, who cares! Because the money that Penn State students raised matters to the more than 2,000 families the Four Diamonds Fund has helped over the years — with many of those families having no previous ties to Penn State.

The money raised from the Pink Zone matters to those who have or had breast cancer, or know someone who has or has had the disease. The money raised from the Centre County United Way matters to, well, probably just about anybody who lives here since the organization, through its 37 partner agencies, touches so many lives.

Also, these efforts, and the many others that happen here each year, weren’t started to receive favorable coverage from ESPN or CNN or the New York Times. In all honesty, if this community, or anyone for that matter, is going to focus their efforts on trying to please those “news” organizations or others, we’re never going to be happy.

So whenever you’re watching or reading something or someone that disparages this community, go back and look at the photos of the kids from the Four Diamonds Fund at THON or the breastcancer survivors standing on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center. Then you’ll be reminded what your fellow Centre Countians and/or fellow Penn Staters really stand for and represent — and you can be proud of that!

David Pencek Editorial Director dpenc@barashmedia.com

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starting off

Sami Hulings

What’s

New Sue Paterno

Penn State

United Way exceeds goal The Centre County United Way 2012 campaign raised $2,100,136, campaign cochairs Hugh Mose and Nick Lingenfelter announced in early February. The amount exceeded the goal of $2,070,000.

Mose said, “We put together a great team of people who worked hard to reach our $2,070,000 goal. It is evident by our total that they went above and beyond to ensure that our partner agencies can continue to provide quality services to those in our community who need their help. Our results are outstanding, and it is thanks to the generous individuals, businesses, and organizations in Centre County for making it happen.”

Lingenfelter gave credit to the Penn State Campaign, headed by vice president of student affairs Damon Sims. The campaign raised $863,605.

Centre County United Way executive director Tammy Gentzel said, “I was confident that we would get the job done this year. Given the team of volunteers we had working on our behalf, I knew we would reach the goal — surpassing it is icing on the cake.”

The Centre County United Way funds more than 100 programs through 37 health- and human-service partner agencies across the county.

Children’s Advocacy Center to open The board for Mount Nittany Health and Mount Nittany Medical Center endorsed plans to use its facility on Medical Park Lane in Bellefonte for the Children’s Advocacy Center, which will provide a centralized location for all of the necessary services to help children who have been abused and/or neglected.

District attorney Stacy Parks Miller and Judge Bradley Lunsford are spearheading the development of the center.

“This center will promote the healing process for children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse,” Lunsford said in a press release. “This gift from the hospital will also help our wounded community heal.”

Miller said, “The goal of the Children’s Advocacy Center is to be child-focused. This means one interview, one place, one time for children who have been abused or witnessed abuse.”

THON breaks record This year’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, held in February, raised $12,374,034.46 for the Four Diamonds Fund, breaking the record of $10.69 million that was set in 2012. The effort means that since 1977, THON has now raised more than $100 million for the fund.

“We are so proud to have finally reached the $100 million milestone,” Will Martin, overall chairperson for THON, said in a press release.

“This is an achievement that not only present students and volunteers should be proud of, but an accomplishment that all past dancers, students, and volunteers should rejoice in — we were all a part of reaching $100 million.”

The money raised goes toward helping to pay patients’ medical bills and research toward finding a cure for pediatric cancer. T&G

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People in the

Community Julie Del Giorno

Jamie Bestwick

BMX biker Jamie Bestwick of State College is one of six nominees for the 2013 Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award. The Laureus World Sports Awards will be given out March 11 in Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil.

Bestwick won his sixth straight X Games gold medal, tying the record set by Tony Hawk, and his eighth straight NBC Dew Tour title. He is the only tour winner since its inception in 2005.

“To see myself and BMX in the world’s highest awards show is extremely rewarding, and the nomination is a tremendous acknowledgement to my commitment and achievements in action sports, to which I have dedicated my heart and life to,” Bestwick said in a press release.

Julie Del Giorno was named athletics integrity officer at Penn State in late January, and she’ll begin working full-time in her position on April 1.

Del Giorno had been chief of staff at Moravian College and Moravian Theological prior to her hiring. She will be responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of policies and practices within the department of intercollegiate athletics that will “ensure compliance and ethical conduct.”

The position was created as part of Penn State’s work to fulfill the requirements of the Athletics Integrity Agreement entered into in August 2012 among the NCAA, the Big Ten, and Penn State.

“I will commit myself fully to the position and will work diligently to ensure that policies, procedures, and practices are developed and implemented that will ensure Penn State’s compliance with the requirements set forth in the Athletics Integrity Agreement,” Del Giorno said in a released statement.

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Eric Shrive, a redshirt junior on the Penn State football team, was selected for the 2013 Uplifting Athlete Rare Disease Champion Award. The honor is presented annually to recognize “a leader in the world of college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare disease community.

During his Penn State career, Shrive has raised nearly $70,000 for kidney-cancer patients and research. Shrive, who had an uncle diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2011, was one of seven national finalists for the award, with fan voting determining the winner. “ Winning the Rare Disease Champion Award is a great honor,” he said in a released statement. “But in the end, the real winners are the people affected by kidney cancer who I was able to help with the money I was able and will continue to raise.”

Shrive is scheduled to receive the award March 1 at the Maxwell Football Club’s Award Gala. T&G

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Q&A Q&A with Callanish

John Hruschka

By David Pencek

Callanish includes (from left) Gretchen Lee, Louisa Smith, Holly Foy, Carol Lindsay, and Patty Lambert.

For more than 12 years, Callanish has been part of the local music scene, performing traditional Irish and Scottish music. Original members Carol Lindsay and Patty Lambert are still with the group, and they are now joined by Gretchen Lee, who joined in 2006, and Holly Foy and Louisa Smith, both of whom joined in 2010. The group is holding its second-annual Callanish Irish Music and Arts Celebration at the State Theatre on March 17. The day includes other performers and artists, and Irish food. Also that day, the group is releasing its new CD, The Hare’s Paw. Members of the band took some time to discuss the new CD and their love of Irish and Scottish music.

T&G: Can you talk a little about the new CD? What’s on it and what was the recording process like?

Patty: I think this is our best CD yet! There is an equal mix of songs and instrumentals, of slow/sad and fast/energetic tracks, varied instrumentation — and I think it’s obvious that we are having fun. That being said, the recording process is very demanding and requires incredible focus and endurance.

Carol: What I love best about this is that it

includes two original pieces by members of the band. We also added an African drum to a lovely children’s song.

Gretchen: I agree that this is our best album yet! All of us put a lot of energy into creating unique arrangements.

Louisa: The CD represents the culmination of about three years of learning and writing new material. For Holly and me it was our first time recording, which is a totally different process and feeling than performing live for an audience. We worked hard, but I think the result is worth it.

T&G: Callanish has had some different lineups but is still going strong now for 12 years.

What do you attribute that to?

Patty: Two of the original band members are still with the band. Over the years, we have been fortunate that, whenever there needed to be a change in personnel, the right person was there at the right time. We discuss everything, everyone’s input is valued, and we like each other!

Carol: To me, the music keeps the band viable and we, the musicians, keep the music alive.

T&G: What attracted you to the music you perform?

Patty: The music itself makes me happy, and reflects the simple, rural lifestyle of the Irish people in past centuries. Playing from an aural tradition means that one needs to do a lot of listening in order to learn the style, as it cannot be accurately written down.

Carol: Since I am part Scottish, I found that the music really resonated in my soul!

Gretchen: I love fiddling traditions of all kinds. I also love that Celtic music is an aural tradition, as I think learning by ear is the most natural for me.

Louisa: I’ve always loved Celtic and other folk music, but was classically trained. As a teenager I was engaged in the classical music world, and that training has been very helpful for me, but over time I’ve been more and more drawn to traditional music.

I’m especially interested in how much Celtic music has informed American music over the centuries, and I love the purity and simplicity of the vocal style. T&G

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Seated (left to right) Brian Bowser – First Commonwealth Bank Marnie Derabasse – Penn State Federal Credit Union Denise Immel – Citizens Bank Nick Lingenfelter – First National Bank Dianna Meckley – SPE Federal Credit Union Donna Wasilko – PNC Bank Standing (left to right) Greg Wendt – Northwest Savings Bank Michael Owens – M & T Bank Tom Minichiello – Fulton Bank Denise Quinn – AmeriServe Jessica Chobody – Nittany Bank Valerie Ochs – Kish Bank Chris Rex – Susquehanna Bank

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ARRIVED AND CROWNED IN THE SAME BREATH. Fresh on the scene, the new 5 Series is already the most celebrated 5 Series ever, with the critics at CarandDriver.com concluding “The new 5 has us convinced. It’s luxurious, stylish, and fanastic to drive.” Also renowned for having our most generous maintenance plan ever, it’s coverd for everything but gas and tires. You pay nothing. And remarkably, this new 5 Series is recognized as a better value than ever, with a price point comparable to its predecessr. Stop by a BMW center today and experience the king of sport luxury sedans-the all-new 5 Series.

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1974 Town&Gown looked at the history of in Horseshoe Curve for its cover story. Horseshoe Curve opened in 1854. It was only two tracks wide and, eventually, it was necessary to increase the capacity. In 1974, the weight of the rail on the Curve was 155 pounds per yard — the heaviest used by any railroad in the world. The Curve “truly stands as a stalwart monument dedicated to the ingenuity and perseverance of the early pioneers of the railroad industry.”

1994 The State College Woman’s Club celebrated its centennial anniversary in 1994, and Town&Gown highlighted its history with “It All Began with Rhubarb!” The founding members consisted primarily of faculty wives, including Frances Atherton, Emma Butz, Katherine Sparks, and Mary Olds Foster. It was born as the Woman’s Literary Club and it established “lofty goals for the involvement of members in all aspects of life of the college, the town, the nation, and the world.”

2009 As Patricia Best prepared to s te p d o w n as St at e College Area School District’s superintendent, Town&Gown looked back on her career.

She worked for the school district for more than 30 years, with the last 10 as superintendent. “Retiring was a personal decision, after 10 years as supervisor," she said.

“It’s my hope that I’ve been able to give back as much as I’ve gained in this service.” T&G

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This Month On townandgown.com • In 5 Questions, Penn State’s Ted Christopher discusses directing a production of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass for the College of Arts and Architecture’s 50th anniversary celebration.

• Blogs on sports, entertainment, and more.

• A special recipe from the Red Horse Tavern.

• Order copies of Town&Gown’s Penn State sports annuals.

Anthony Clarvoe Ted Christopher

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

And follow us on Twitter at TownGown1.

214 E College Ave State College, PA 16801

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Captain Reception, Thursday, May 30 Individual tickets availalble

17th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament Friday, May 31st at the Penn State Blue and White Golf Courses • One of the top golf events of the season in Pennsylvania • More than 350 golfers participate annually • Great participation gifts and competition prizes • All the food you can eat on and off the course • Penn State coaches, former stars, and celebrities from across the sports world • Morning and Afternoon tee times available • Signature event for Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer organization which has raised more than $1.9 million to fight cancer.

14th Annual CvC 5K Run/Walk Date: March 22, 2013 at 6:00 PM Location: Medlar Field at Lubrano Park (University Park, PA) Registration: www.cvc5k.webconnex.com/race – Registration fee is $15 or $20 with message on the Scoreboard – If you have any questions, email Matthew Jones at msj5081@gmail.com Come to Rotelli for the Pittsburgh Penquins game on Sunday March 17, 2013. The event will feature a special Buffet and Pens raffle and giveaways. Proceeds will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.

on center

Cuban Connection American jazzmen Harris, Payton, and Sánchez find common ground with Havana musicians

By John Mark Rafacz

It isn’t far from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba — just 90 miles or so. But when a trio of acclaimed American jazzmen jam with hot musicians from our island-nation neighbor, the distance and differences between our countries seem even smaller.

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and saxophonist David Sánchez headline “Ninety Miles,” a Cuban-American concert collaboration that defies political boundaries, April 2 at Penn State’s Schwab Auditorium.

The concert takes its title from a 2011 album for which Harris, Sánchez, and trumpeter Christian Scott traveled to Havana to record with leading Cuban pianists and their quartets. The album, and the concert tour it spawned with Payton ably assuming the trumpeter role, provides a satisfying sample of what happens when talented musicians from different cultures come together to communicate in a common musical language.

“He swings,” a New York Times reviewer writes about four-time Grammy Award-nominee Harris.

“And when he plays, he makes you feel good.” A Los Angeles Times critic calls him “one of the most important young artists in jazz.”

Harris, known for his passionate artistry and energetic stage presence, made his Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State debut in September 2009 when he performed one of his compositions with the quintet Imani Winds.

Jazziz, Jazz Times, and Downbeat have honored Harris as best vibraphonist, and the Jazz Journalists Association has named him “best mallet” winner six times.

New Orleans-born Payton stands shoulder to shoulder with the best trumpeters from a city that has nurtured the gold standard of horn players.

The Grammy-winning Payton, who last appeared at Penn State in November 2010 as part of the “New Orleans Nights” concert with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint, is a composer, bandleader, and trumpeter whom the New York Times calls “abundantly gifted” and “a high-wire soloist.”

Raised in a musical family — his late father, Walter, was bassist for Preservation Hall Jazz Band — Payton studied with Crescent City jazz masters Clyde Kerr Jr. and Ellis Marsalis. He came to national prominence in New York City in the 1990s, performing From left, Nicholas frequently at Jazz at Payton and Stefon Lincoln Center and Harris, along with with its artistic director David Sanchez Wynton Marsalis. (not pictured) A native of Puerto headline “Ninety Rico, who moved to Miles" on April 2 New York City in 1986 at Schwab and began studying at Auditorium.

Rutgers University a few years later, the Grammy-winning Sánchez ranks as one of the most progressive sax players of his generation. While Sánchez happens to be of Latin heritage, his exemplary playing transcends Latin jazz. “[Sánchez] has been nurturing his own distinct variety in recent years, one that draws heavily on … Miles Davis and John Coltrane and weaves rhythms in fluid strands,” writes critic Bob Blumenthal. “What results is far closer to the more daring post-pop tradition than to standard Latin music.” T&G Spats Café and Speakeasy sponsors the performance.

Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring Harris, Payton, and Sánchez, is offered in Schwab one hour before the performance and is free for ticket holders. For more 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.

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community

Team Effort

Medical center, resource center, and police work together to help assault victims John Hovenstine (2)

By Amy King

Judy Pleskonko (left) and Elizabeth Berry are part of the sexual-assault nursing team at Mount Nittany Medical Center, and part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that works with the Centre County Women’s Resource Center and local police to help assault victims.

Since 1999, detective Chris Weaver has specialized in investigating sexual assaults for the State College Police Department. For most of those years, he has been part of a collaboration between Mount Nittany Medical Center (MNMC), the Centre County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC), and the police department to improve how reported sexual assaults are handled here.

Weaver and the State College police investigated 60 sex crimes in 2012. The formation of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) has “dramatically improved” how the police respond to victims of sexual assault, and, according to Weaver, it has led to more reporting and better prosecution of offenders.

“The most important part of SART is the services and treatment the victim receives, which helps them to deal with what has occurred and provides them with the support they need to continue on with the investigation and prosecution,” Weaver says. “Without SART and our partnerships with the CCWRC and MNMC, we would not be able to effectively handle the number of assaults we investigate.”

Judy Pleskonko (RN; BSN; SANE-A) is a

staff nurse with more than 25 years of experience in the emergency department at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She is certified by the International Association of Forensic Nursing and is the codirector of the sexual-assault nursing team at MNMC. She was instrumental, with many others, in the formation of SART. “SART combines law enforcement and the medical community in being proactive in cases of sexual assault,” she says.

Nurses across Pennsylvania receive SART certification after taking a 40-hour class where attendees learn from guest lecturers — qualified specialists ranging from CCWRC to the State College Police Department to the state police crime lab in Harrisburg, among others. Upon completion, participants need to pass a written test given by the International Association of Forensic Nurses to fulfill the certification process.

According to Pleskonko, every nurse in the emergency department that is a Mount Nittany employee goes through the training. When working in the emergency department, a vital part of the job is being ready for anything — including having victims of sexual assaults entering the hospital.

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Pleskonko breaks down the thoroughly involved process a patient will experience when brought in for a SART call.

“If we know a patient is coming, we will take them straight to an interview room,” she explains.

“There is no need to enter through the main hall if we know they’re on their way. We try to respect privacy as much as possible.”

(It should be noted that the SART at Mount Nittany Medical Center treats patients aged 14 and older; younger children who have been sexually assaulted are primarily referred to Danville, Hershey, or Harrisburg. Evidence can be collected up to 96 hours post-circumstance, so the travel time for any of these destinations is not a hindrance.)

Once in the interview room, the patient will watch a short video detailing the next several hours (a SART patient can expect to be at the hospital for anywhere between four and six hours).

During this time, the team — including the forensic nurse (defined by Pleskonko simply as a nurse who works with law enforcement), an Detective Weaver says advocate from CCWRC, SART has improved and an officer from the how police respond to police department in the sexual-assault victims. jurisdiction the assault occurred (ie: State College, Philipsburg, Penn State University) — and all needed equipment are being assembled.

Upon completion of the video and triage (where vitals are taken and the patient is checked to make sure they are not medically hurt and in immediate need of a doctor — “The health and well-being of the patient is our main interest,”

Pleskonko is quick to point out), an interview with the gathered team commences.

“During this time, we try to limit the amount of people in the room,” Pleskonko says. “Sometimes the patient wants a friend to stay for support, which is understandable, but the nature of our questions is very personal and intimate. No matter how close you are with someone, you might not want to answer all of our questions in front of them.”

The nurse takes initiative during the interview, which can last anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. “The patient is in control during this time,” Pleskonko conveys. “Anytime she needs a break, she just has to say so.”

Pleskonko notes that, although welcome to ask questions at any time, the involved police officer generally remains in the background during the interview. “Law enforcement would rather the nurse take charge,” she says, “and patients are often more comfortable talking to nurses than they are talking to police officers.”

After the interview is complete, evidence collection begins. The police officer leaves but is called to return and collect the evidence kit upon completion (after an informed consent has been signed by the patient agreeing to turn the evidence over) as it cannot be stored at the hospital.

Pleskonko says the exam is purely forensic and medical in nature. “We are there to collect evidence. We are completely nonbiased,” she says.

Clothing is gathered and labeled in detail (name of patient, date, and time collected) in several separate bags; if something is not collected, it is up to the nurse to explicitly explain why not.

CCWRC provides new undergarments, and the hospital has paper scrubs and footies on hand that the patient is able to wear and take with them.

Photographs are taken through the duration, starting from when the patient is fully dressed.

Roth with her teacher, Jess Cowan.

23 - Town&Gown March 2013

“If the patient is wearing the clothes worn during the assault, we want a picture of that,” explains Pleskonko. “We want to see if anything is wrong with the clothing or footwear.”

As the photos are being taken, the nurse is all the while looking for injuries. A dye helps administer this process by adhering to the nuclei of the cells of any abrasions, making it easier to see when a specific photo should be taken.

Several bodily swabs, fingernail scrapings, a vaginal exam, and a urine test will be undergone, but if the patient is hurt, the nurses listen. “We never put her through a piece of evidence collection if she is in pain,” Pleskonko says.

When the examination is complete, everything will be reviewed with a doctor. Medications, if needed, can be ordered at this time, and any additional concerns (such as HIV or pregnancy) are addressed; a secondary exam by the doctor is not necessary. “The doctors respect the nurses and the work that we do,” Pleskonko proudly says.

Once protocol is complete, discharge instructions are given to the patient and copies of the evidence kit (and toxicology kit, if necessary) are dispensed to the police officer from the proper jurisdiction; CDs of the photos are burned as well. “Once we seal the

kit and toxicology, we hand those over to the police.

It’s extremely important to maintain the chain of custody through the process,” Pleskonko says.

She recognizes the gravity of the situations she is involved with, but when working a sexual-assault call, she tries to keep the atmosphere as light as possible. “I use a lot of humor when I do any type of nursing,” she says. “I certainly realize this is a very serious subject, and I use humor when appropriate.”

She also appreciates the partnership MNMC has experienced with CCWRC. Having an advocate on hand allows the nurses to do what they have to do, and everyone is aware of the parameters of their role during the procedure, allowing for as smooth a practice as possible.

Dee Hall, the director of volunteer programs at CCWRC, became involved with the work she does by starting Hall wants victims to in the very volunteer know they don’t have to program where she is go through things alone.

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now employed. Her education (bachelor’s degree in criminal law and justice from Penn State) and personal background led her to be established in her profession.

“Like most people who are interested in working for the CCWRC, I want to give back to my community in a way that has a lasting effect,” she explains. “The people we provide services for in the hospital, for instance, are often alone, scared, and intimidated, and it’s my job to help them through an invasive, exhausting process.”

It is the hope of an advocate that, upon their arrival to the hospital, the victim has watched the video and has a basic understanding of what is about to happen. At that point, it is explained what the advocate can do for the victim.

“Nobody expects they’re going to be in this position,” Hall says, “and when we arrive, the victim, for obvious reasons, tends to be closed down. But when you start talking to them, they become more welcoming. At that point, I try to help them understand that they don’t have to go through this alone.”

She elaborates, “In the end, we want to go and provide a service that’s going to encourage the victim to seek more support when she leaves the hospital.”

Each advocate (whether a volunteer or on staff at CCWRC) who does this job performs in the

manner they’re most comfortable with. Hall says she strives to make a patient more at ease mainly by engaging in small talk.

“I try to take her mind off of what’s going on and what still has to happen,” she says. “I ask questions.

It’s basic conversation with a person you’ve never met before.”

Beyond the medical team and the advocates from CCWRC, a third element of SART includes law enforcement. Both Pleskonko and Hall are animated with their admiration for Detective Weaver.

His position was created just as SART was being established, and he has been involved from the onset.

“We work great as a team around here,” Pleskonko praises. “The hospital is wonderful about whatever we need, and we know they will back us completely. If everyone stays in their role, things go very smoothly. Our partnerships are and will remain strong. … I truly feel we are benefiting the patient.

We are doing something good for them.” T&G Amy King is a contributor to Town&Gown, and teaches preschool at Grace Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten. She lives in State College with her husband and three children.

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Baby Talk Eating right while pregnant is about choices and moderation

By Sarah Olah

It may not be what you are craving to hear, but being pregnant does not give someone the excuse to give into any guilty pleasure. Pickles and ice cream cannot be the sole source of any diet.

Jessica Snyder, 29, is about five months into her first pregnancy. She says she completely cut out soda, caffeine, and alcohol from her diet, and eats five to six small meals a day because she is always hungry. She advises other pregnant women to “indulge in your cravings, but in a good way.” She will eat her ice cream, but in small portions.

The biggest change she has noticed in her diet is she is constantly drinking milk,

something she never really did before becoming pregnant. She also suggests eating lots of fruits and vegetables daily, as well as working out.

“I was pretty healthy before my pregnancy, so I didn’t want to lose that, and I want to go back to it after I have the baby,” she says.

Snyder is doing many of the things that physicians recommend for women when they are pregnant.

Eating healthy foods is more important than ever when you are pregnant, according to Joyce Whitford, Geisinger Health System’s registered dietician for the Centre Region. She says it is a good opportunity to eat healthy even if your eating habits weren’t the healthiest prior to the pregnancy.

“Children are going to look to their parents as role models,” she says. “That’s how they learn to eat.”

She adds that a lot of women surprisingly crave healthy options such as fruits and vegetables when they are pregnant, so that’s all fine. Unhealthier cravings such as ice cream and red meats can be eaten, but in moderation.

Whitford recognizes that a lot of pregnant women have trouble holding down certain foods because of all the changes their bodies go through, and in these cases, she says to eat “whatever you can hold down.”

Dr. William Crowder, OB/GYN physician at Geisinger-Lewistown clinic, says that a healthy balance is the goal both during pregnancy and after the birth of a child. In terms of cravings, he says to eat everything in moderation.

He adds that the most important eating tip is to not eat beyond your hunger level — meaning don’t eat more than you are hungry for. The best way to eat is to have five or six small meals a day. The key is to wait 30 minutes after a meal to see if you’re still hungry before eating more.

A common misconception is that you will need to consume more calories when you are pregnant, but Crowder says you are not eating for two — you are eating only for one.

26 - Town&Gown March 2013

“You are just supplying the building blocks to what they need,” he says.

He says hormones may increase hunger level, but it does not necessarily mean that you need more. Even over the course of the pregnancy, you don’t need to change or increase your eating habits. In the first months of the pregnancy, nausea may occur because of morning sickness, which might make you eat less, but your body still requires the same amount.

Whitford says a pregnant woman may need up to 300 more calories a day, but these calories should be from foods packed with nutrients and not empty calories, adding that not all calories are equal. She encourages women to drink

more low-fat milk, and eat fruits and vegetables and more whole-grain foods. Eat foods that are “sensible” for you and the baby, she says.

Your body also needs more protein, iron, and calcium when you are pregnant.

In terms of nutrients, Whitford says to make sure you’re getting 400 to 800 micrograms of foliate acids, which could prevent birth defects such as spinal defects, among other things.

Foods high in foliate acids include dark, leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, and broccoli. Calcium is important because it helps a baby’s bones and teeth to form. Whitford recommends women have 100 milligrams of calcium per day, which can come from low-fat

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dairy such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.

She also recommends Vitamin D as well as prenatal vitamins, adding that all women of “child-bearing age” should be taking prenatal vitamins even if they are not trying to get pregnant. She says the vitamins will help in the first few weeks of a pregnancy when everything is being formed.

“The foods that you eat are the main source of nutrients for the baby,” she says.

It’s also important to note that each woman handles pregnancy differently. Some may not recognize much change, but others will see more drastic changes in terms of their diets and reactions to certain foods.

Crowder says that some women don’t do well with some foods during pregnancy while others are fine — if you can handle and like spicy foods, then you can have them. It just depends on your reaction.

“Spicy foods do not go directly to the baby, but it depends on how the mom reacts to it,” he says. “The diet generally tends to be a bit more bland.”

He says not to increase salt intake too much, and caffeine should be cut out or at least

minimized. He says it is a drug, and while it may not lead to a “big, major problem,” it is not good for the baby or the mother.

“It’s surely not a disaster to have a little bit of caffeine, but cut back,” he says.

Whitford also says to avoid beverages with sugar, including soda and regular iced tea, during pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy already elevate blood sugars, so the body will not need any more. She cautions against eating seafood high in mercury, which would come from fish such as mackerel, shark, and tilefish.

Make sure all of your meats are fully cooked, and avoid lunch meats unless you cook them in the microwave first.

In the early stages of pregnancy, you shouldn’t expect much difference in your weight, but during the last six months, a woman usually gains about three to four pounds per month, according to Whitford. She says a woman of average weight should expect to gain 25 to 30 pounds during her pregnancy.

She says a woman should confirm these numbers with her health-care provider, and should do what is healthiest for herself and her baby. T&G

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chives (2) University Ar Penn State

Katharine Sparks, founder of the local Red Cross chapter.

Red Cross volunteers make bandages for soldiers in World War I in the President’s House on the Penn State campus.

30 - Town&Gown March 2013

Lean on Them For nearly a century, the local chapter of the American Red Cross has helped those who find themselves in weakened and shattered states — whether they ’re here in Centre County or in other parts of the country. Through blood drives, setting up shelters, and more, these local volunteers open their arms to those in need

By Erin Rowley 31 - Town&Gown March 2013

Darren Weimert (4)

Caroline Fye marked her 70th birthday not with her closest friends and family, but in Toms River, New Jersey, assisting victims devastated

by Hurricane Sandy. Fye is one of about 46 local individuals who are trained to deploy to disaster areas, and one of about 16 who do so regularly through the Centre Communities Chapter of the American Red Cross.

That excursion of about two weeks in January was Fye’s second Hurricane Sandy-related deployment. In November 2012, she traveled to Queens, New York, where she fed needy residents out of a truck. And though she’s deployed for other disasters, she says of her time in Queens: “That was probably the worst damage I had ever seen in any of my experiences.”

Becoming a septuagenarian while deployed to a disaster area isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but, like the other dedicated Central Pennsylvania residents who are temporarily

willing to put their lives on hold to assist others, Fye finds satisfaction in helping people in their greatest moments of need.

The local Red Cross chapter has been working with volunteers such as Fye for almost 100 years. Chapter executive Virginia Brown has been there for nearly 30 years. According to Brown, the Centre Communities Chapter of the American Red Cross, which covers all of Centre County and the eastern third of Clearfield County, began in 1917. Katharine Cotton Sparks, wife of Pennsylvania State College president Dr. Edwin Sparks, was inspired to start the chapter as a way to support American troops serving in Europe during World War I. The organization was originally headquartered in the President’s House, which is now part of the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The Centre Communities Chapter now resides at 205 East Beaver Avenue, Suite 203, in State College, in a building whose past life as a swimming-pool shelter can be “We are there to help you on your first steps to seen through the ceramic tiles recovery, and act as a bridge to get you from that still line the walls of the this total devastation on that path to recovery ...” bottom floor.

— Romayne Nayor ••• If those walls could talk they’d tell of countless frenzied phone calls, culminating in volunteers snapping into action to help the people of Centre County, or in the case of volunteers such as Fye, people across the country.

It’s Romayne Naylor’s job to make sure those calls get made.

Naylor, who is the emergencyservices manager for the Centre Communities Chapter, has been recruiting, training, and deploying local Red Cross volunteers for almost eight years. She herself has deployed to disaster-struck areas of the country 13 times, to situations as diverse as floods in Pennsylvania, wildfires in Southern California, tropical storms Irene and Lee in New York, and more.

In addition to volunteers who deploy nationally, Naylor also oversees five Disaster Action Teams, consisting of four to five volunteers 32 - Town&Gown March 2013

Nikki Shariat started volunteering with the Red Cross in December, 2011, about a month after she moved to State College.

She was inspired to take part in disaster-relief efforts after firsthand experience with flooding in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2010.

“It was the first time I’d just seen people volunteering and helping for a disaster and it kind of hit me right to the core,” she says. “It restored my faith in humankind.”

She worked five six- or seven-hour shifts at the shelter for those displaced because of the Do-De Hotel fire, and doing so gave her more reasons to have faith in humanity.

“I can tell you one of the sweetest things that I ever saw,” she says. “While I was there, there was one client that was at the shelter and he had lost everything ... I guess he had been given a client-assistance card to go and buy Shariat has volunteered with the local Red Cross some essentials by the Red Cross. And since 2011 and worked at the shelter for people who he went and got his essentials and with were displaced because of the Do-De Hotel fire. the spare money that he had left over he went and bought more clothes and he brought them all to the shelter and just put them on a table and just said to everybody ‘Whatever you want, please help each, that rotate being on-call to respond to local yourself.’ And that to me — it gives me goose disasters. In 2012, Naylor’s volunteers responded bumps now when I talk about it.” to 37 local incidents that impacted 62 family units Naylor has her own “sweetest thing I made up of 131 individuals. ever saw” story. It involves volunteer Anita In Central Pennsylvania, disaster is Morris, who has been volunteering with the synonymous with fire. The fire that destroyed Centre Communities Chapter for almost the Do-De Hotel in Bellefonte was one of a decade. Morris is inspired to volunteer the biggest stories of 2012. That fire displaced because of her faith and her appreciation for 27 people, 20 of whom stayed in a Red Cross people who aided her in her own times of shelter located at Trinity United Methodist need. She scours stores for deals on necessities Church in Bellefonte. The community rallied such as coats, toiletries, and blankets that she to the victims — so much so that every meal can donate to local charities, including the and many other items were donated by other Red Cross. She also estimates that she’s made nonprofits and individuals, giving the victims and then donated 300 to 400 blankets. a better chance at a fresh start.

“If I don’t do it, I don’t feel good,” Morris “We are there to help you on your first steps says of volunteering. to recovery, and act as a bridge to get you from One night, Naylor put one of Morris’s this total devastation on that path to recovery, blankets around a woman who was standing using a little bit of help from the Red Cross in the cold, watching her apartment go up and a whole lot of help from resources within in flames. The woman looked at it, asked “Is the community,” Naylor says. “And that’s this homemade?” and burst into tears. what Red Cross does.”

33 - Town&Gown March 2013

Morris has donated 300 to 400 blankets to local charities, including the Red Cross.

“Now she’s standing there watching her apartment building burn down, everything she owns is going up in flames,” Naylor says. “And she was perfectly okay until it was this handmade blanket.”

Through tears, the woman told Naylor: “It’s like a handmade hug from somebody that doesn’t even know me.”

••• Sometimes a disaster requires that Red Cross volunteers provide support locally and across state lines.

Such was the case with Hurricane Sandy.

The Centre Communities Chapter opened two shelters in anticipation of the storm, one in Centre County and one in the organization’s area of Clearfield County, under directive from Governor Tom Corbett. Luckily, Sandy did not hit Centre County as hard as had been expected; just two people came to the shelter at Bald Eagle Area High School for fear their mobile home might not be able to withstand strong winds. (Their home was fine and they were able to return the next day.)

Many areas were not so lucky, so 10 local Red Cross volunteers deployed to a “mega-shelter” at East Stroudsburg University, at which many

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New Jersey residents sought shelter from the storm. Volunteers were given just 12 hours’ notice that they were needed at the shelter.

Four volunteers drove down at 3 a.m., with the rest of the volunteers following later that day.

These volunteers provide direct client services such as feeding, operating shelters, helping people sign up for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance and more. As of the end of January, for Hurricane Sandy alone, the local Red Cross had deployed 11 individuals, many of whom took multiple 2-3-week deployments, for a total of more than 180 days of deployment.

••• The Centre Communities Chapter benefits in multiple ways from the tens of thousands of students who attend Penn State at any given time.

Students tend to be young and healthy, making them the perfect candidates to donate blood. The organization also benefits from having dedicated student volunteers who take time out from their busy class schedules to help organize blood drives and other Red Cross activities. According to the Penn State Student Red Cross Club’s president, senior Melissa Hubley, the club had 53 active members during the fall 2012 semester, with

“active” meaning they dedicated at least 15 hours to the club over the course of the semester.

But many of those students dedicate more than the required 15 hours, and with all the activities the club participates in, it’s easy to see why. The club members run programs in local schools that teach children about health and safety. They staff blood drives, sometimes incorporating programs such as Holiday Mail for Heroes, which encourages blood donors to sign cards thanking military service members.

They team up with the Delta Sigma Iota fraternity to sponsor two bone-marrow-registry campaigns. They’re also working on getting students trained for deployments, so town and gown can unite when the next disaster hits somewhere across the country.

Not being able to deploy didn’t stop the club from assisting victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Each year, the club holds two blood-donation challenges against other Big Ten schools, one in April against Ohio State and another in November against Michigan State. The Michigan State drive in 2012 happened to fall right after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast.

Initially, it seemed as if the bad weather

35 - Town&Gown March 2013

As Penn State Student Red Cross Club president, Hubley has helped the Penn State chapter become the hub club for its division, which runs from Pennsylvania down through South Carolina.

would keep people away from the drive, and Penn State was losing every day of the challenge until the very end, when 414 people showed up on the final day. Penn State went on to beat Michigan State by just 21 units of blood, but more important than bragging rights was the fact that between the two schools

3,599 units of blood were collected. Since Michigan State and Penn State are in the same blood region as the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy, that blood was available to victims who desperately needed it.

“A couple hundred blood drives had been canceled in response to Hurricane Sandy because if you don’t have electricity, or if there are unsafe conditions, they won’t have them,” Hubley says.

“So the timing of our challenge was really great because that’s right when they needed it the most.”

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And like most other Penn State student organizations, the Red Cross Club participates in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world — THON. The group has four dancers, and holds special THON blood drives in the winter, at which, for every unit of blood donated, $4 is given to the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps children battling cancer. Blood donation goes hand in hand with THON’s mission, Hubley says, as many THON children receive blood transfusions during the course of their treatment.

The hard work these students put in hasn’t gone unnoticed. In the last year, the Penn State chapter was named the hub club for its division, Division 6, which runs from Pennsylvania down through South Carolina.

“So they recognize our club as being a very prominent club in the country,” says junior Melissa Zaleski, the club’s collegiate officer.

“We’re very proud of that.”

••• One of the many framed Red Cross posters in Naylor’s office reads: “You may never work harder. Or get dirtier. Or get paid less. But it will be the best job you never got paid to do.”

What makes volunteers feel that way?

Whether they’re giving blood, manning blood drives, making blankets, rushing to the scene of a local fire, deploying to help people affected by disasters across the country, or lending the organization a pet camel for fundraising events — (you read that right; her name is Kylee and she has her own Red Cross vest) — Red Cross employees and volunteers are united in their desire to help people in need.

“Helping someone rebuild after a flood when they’ve lost everything, helping someone after a fire, it’s just an amazing experience,” Shariat says.

“What’s one night in January to get called out to help a family? It really is nothing.”

Naylor agrees.

“To know that you did something to be a bright part of somebody’s very bad experience, there’s just something very fulfilling about that,” she says. “At the end of the day I know I’ve done something to make a difference. I’ve left the world a little bit better than I found it that morning.” T&G Erin Rowley is a Penn State graduate living in State College. She is a program assistant at Centre Foundation.

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The Roads Less Traveled

Best-selling author Tawni O’Dell has made a name for herself by writing books with strong characters living rough lives in the coal towns of western Pennsylvania. As her fifth novel is set to be published and a movie version of her first book is in the works, O’Dell continues to draw inspiration from the beauty of the hills, mountains, and small-town living of her home state

By Rebekka Coakley

39 - Town&Gown March 2013

Connor adds, “When my mom is finishing a book, her obsession is displayed quite clearly. Mostly this comes through in how scatterbrained she is at that point. I can think of multiple times when she has put a dictionary in the fridge, or a notebook in my lunch.”

O’Dell’s preoccupation with the men and women in her novels hasn’t come without rewards. She and her books have earned positive editorial reviews, including Back Roads receiving an Oprah Book Club endorsement and the New York Times giving O’Dell bestselling author recognition for that novel as well as her other three published books, Sister Mine, Coal Run, and Fragile Beasts.

The author credits her success to writing about what she knows. She was born and raised in the coal-mining region of western Pennsylvania in Indiana. Like many who grow up in small towns, she dreamed of escaping, and did so, first to Northwestern University where she studied journalism, then to Chicago where she lived for many years. But her childhood stuck with her.

And the characters that were in her head

Contributed photo

At the moment, it’s good to be Tawni O’Dell. Not just because the State College resident and best-selling author is in preproduction for her first published novel, Back Roads, to be made into a film directed by Adrian Lyne, but also because she’s finished her latest novel, Prosperity’s Ghost. And, according to O’Dell, when she finishes a novel, it’s a colossal liberation. She can get back to her own life, instead of focusing on her characters.

“This last book was really difficult for me, I didn’t want to write anymore, but these characters were dominating my brain,” she says from her State College home. “My work is character-driven, and they’re always in my head while I’m writing about them.”

O’Dell’s kids, Tirzah and Connor Stashko, 21 and 18 respectively, notice their mother’s absorption when she’s fully engaged in writing.

“Her obsession with her characters while she’s writing is not all in her mind,” says Tirzah.

“She talks to us about them occasionally, and we always know their names well before the book is finished.”

When O’Dell traveled to Ireland she had a chance to visit some coal mines. Her latest novel, Prosperity’s Ghost, has a back story about Irish miners who emigrated to the America in the 1800s.

40 - Town&Gown & &Gown March 2013

also stuck with her, and drove her to the success she has achieved. When the first four novels that she wrote were not picked up by publishers, O’Dell says she should have quit writing then and there.

“But it wasn’t up to me,” she says. “It was my passion. These characters were in my head and I needed to get them out.”

Her first attempts at a published novel were about people and places O’Dell thought other people would want to read. They weren’t about anything she had a connection to or even cared about. Then came her fifth attempt, Back Roads, and this time she set the story in the coal-mining region of western Pennsylvania.

And while she didn’t know a Harley, her main character in Back Roads, or an Ivan from Coal Run, she knew the towns where they grew up and knew people with similar traits because she had grown up in a coal town herself. Sometimes she even incorporates what she’s going through into what her characters are going through: when she was returning to her roots, her character Ivan was returning to his as well.

“I don’t think you get over what you experience as a teen — those are your formative years, so that really affects who you are,” O’Dell says. “I remember the house I grew up in better than the house that my kids grew up in.”

Her daughter sees her mother in each of her books.

“I’ve read all of my mother’s books. She is my favorite author, and I think one of the reasons that I enjoy her books so much is that they definitely do reflect her personality.

I pick up on little things in her books that I recognize from our own lives, things that people who are not family or friends might not notice,” Tirzah says. “She writes about what she knows, and it definitely shines through when I read her books. They are very true to the places and the people she writes about.”

O’Dell’s agent sees it too.

“Her books reflect aspects of her personality: her dark bleak humor mashed together with cold-eyed wickedly funny descriptions of human frailty are so distinctive, and I think her books will always have that,” says Liza Dawson of Liza Dawson Associates, O’Dell’s agent for all five of her books.

O’Dell’s latest book, Prosperity’s Ghost, is again set in Pennsylvania coal country, and she describes it as having a ghost-story element to it and a back story based loosely on the Molly Maguires, a nineteenth-century secret society whose members were mostly Irish-American coal miners.

Maybe the process of writing her first published book reminded O’Dell of what she used to have because soon after her divorce to Connor and Tirzah’s dad, and Back Roads had come out, O’Dell became more aware of her homesickness and wanted to surround herself with family and the beauty of Pennsylvania.

The flat terrain of the Midwest wasn’t inspiring her, so she and her children packed up and moved to State College, where her mom and stepfather, Judy and Roy McCullagh, lived.

“I think the move gave her what she needed as a writer — more space, more close family, along with a less frantic way of life,” says Dawson. “But I don’t think it changed the way she looks at the world she writes about.”

That was almost 10 years ago. In a 2005 interview with Dory Adams for Word Riot, a blog for up-and-coming writers and poets, she said of Central Pennsylvania: “Happy Valley is a beautiful, beautiful area of the state. It took me a long time to realize that part of my depression when I was living in the Midwest was, in fact, tied to the flat landscape. When I would drive home for a visit and get to the eastern edge of Ohio, I would cross that certain point — now I can’t remember the exit, but I used to know it — where all of a sudden you start to see the hills, and it would be a great uplifting feeling. I used to think it was because I was going home to visit my family and the comfort of all that, but I came to realize over time that it was definitely tied to the land as well. When you grow up in an area with mountains and hills, and then you go live somewhere else — it’s no different than for people who grow up next to the sea, and then end up going somewhere landlocked. They always have that longing where they miss the water. It happened to me over and over again, until I finally understood it was really part of the reason I was depressed all the time.”

And while she considers leaving in the fall to avoid empty-nest syndrome when Connor

41 - Town&Gown March 2013

leaves for college — Tirzah is already settled in New York City — she doesn’t have definitive plans to go. For now, she communicates with Lyne, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director for Fatal Attraction, over the phone and Skype, while occasionally flying to Los Angeles preparing for the film version of Back Roads.

“I love Adrian. He’s done some great, big movies [Unfaithful, Fatal Attraction, Flashdance, 9 ½ Weeks], but he’s not American, he isn’t immersed in the Hollywood culture,” says O’Dell. “I consider him a friend and I trust him.”

According to O’Dell, Michael Ohovan, producer of Capote, Push, and Saved!, adored Back Roads and optioned it to become a movie. Lyne’s wife read the novel and urged her husband to do the same. After he read it and fell in love with it, he signed on as director. Currently, they’re looking for the perfect actor to represent the book’s main character, Harley, “an orphaned child with the responsibilities of an adult and the fiery, aggressive libido of a teenager,” as he is described on O’Dell’s Web site. So far, Lyne has auditioned actors that include Robert

Pattinson and Zac Effron, but perhaps the two men didn’t fit the dark, agonizing pain Harley exhibits after the murder of his physically abusive father, the arrest of his mother, and the responsibility he has of raising his three younger sisters, for Lyne’s liking. The female roles may be easier to fill, and Jennifer Garner, Marcia Gay Harding, and Kristen Stewart each has expressed interest in being a part of the film.

For O’Dell, the production of her first published novel also meant she would be adding a new section on her resumé, should she ever find herself finished with novel writing and in search for a new career: screenwriter. Lyne enjoyed O’Dell’s writing so much he asked her to write the screenplay for it as well, a rare opportunity for a book author. He sent her other movies scripts and all she did was follow their format.

She says as she was working she saw in her head the action that would take place in the film, which made the process easier in some respects, though it was hard for her to cut out a lot of key components of the book. Still, she says screenwriting felt pretty

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natural to her and she’d love to write the scripts for her other books if they’re ever turned into movies.

Because Back Roads was such a huge success, many of O’Dell’s fans beg her to write a sequel novel, letting them know where each of the characters is today. O’Dell has considered bringing back Harley and the others from her first best-selling novel. She says she always has ideas percolating about each, but admits she doesn’t want to see what happened to them, and her readers would not either.

“I won’t sugar coat it, and those characters won’t be happy. I don’t want to go back there,” she says.

Instead, for her, her characters live on inside her, and sometimes as family pets. Her sister named her cat Harley, and her daughter named the family cat who just recently passed away, Ivan, from Coal Run. When asked how else O’Dell’s work influenced their lives, Tirzah and Connor have well thought-out answers, proving they’ve reflected a lot about their childhoods.

“I think that having any type of artist for a parent, whether or not they are

successful, makes for an unusual childhood,” says Tirzah. “My mother has always been deeply committed to her work and to being a mother. My brother and I lived a pretty normal childhood compared to friends, with the exception of the occasional trip to Europe to visit our foreign-translator stepfather and his family. As for my mother’s traveling, I didn’t think it was really any different from anyone’s parents traveling because of work. For the most part, no one knows that my mother is a best-selling novelist until I tell them, especially since we have different last names. And then people are intrigued and ask questions.”

Connor notes that her skills helped him develop his own.

“Having her there to proofread papers has helped my writing develop tremendously,” he says. “Besides her pointing out to me flaws in my writing, too much repetition of the same word, weak transitions, etc., just knowing that I would be showing her my work led to a much more refined product, so as not to disappoint her. On reading, my mom always pushed my sister and me to read in our spare

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time, especially during trips to Europe when we didn’t have cable or video games.”

As a mother, O’Dell seems to have done right by her kids — Tirzah graduated a semester early from New York University and works in New York City as a chef.

“My decision to be a chef and to do something artistic was partially influenced by having an author for a mother,” she says. “I never questioned whether being a chef was possible or a noble enough profession because my mother’s an artist, and she’s successful and doing what she loves, and so I feel good and optimistic about what I’m doing.”

And Connor has applied to several Ivy League schools where he intends to study engineering.

According to Dawson, Connor and Tirzah have helped their mother’s writing skills as well.

“The narrator of her first novel was 17-yearold Harley. Tawni’s children were toddlers then. I think those incidents were linked,” says Dawson. “The temperaments of teenagers and toddlers overlap, and I bet running after her children might have inspired some of Harley’s runs through the woods.”

She adds that as the children have started to branch out on their own, the worlds O’Dell has been creating are bigger now too.

“They are always set in western Pennsylvania, but there are more characters, more story lines and more themes,” she says.

It’s always about the characters for O’Dell.

She often receives requests to teach creative writing to classes or groups. She believes, however, that she wouldn’t make a good teacher because her characters live within her until they come out on the page.

“I don’t even use an outline,” she says of her writing process. “Because my work is characterdriven and they tell me the story, I might write five drafts — one about each character — before I can write the novel.” T&G For more information on Tawni O’Dell and when her latest book, Prosperity’s Ghost, will be released, or to keep up on the film production of Back Roads, Like her on Facebook or check out her Web site, tawniodell.com.

Rebekka Coakley lives in Bellefonte, is a freelance writer, and works for Penn State.

Come join me for the

Sustainable Housing Series Roundtable Tuesday, March 19, 2013 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the State College Municipal Building

Scot Chambers ABR, e-Pro, GREEN

Learn how to save money,improve the value of your home, and create a healthier world.

(814) 272-3333 ext. 6079 ScotChambers@KW.com

740 S. Atherton Street State College, PA 16801

Each office is independently owned and operated

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Women in the

Community For the 17th year, Town&Gown honors some of the amazing women of our region

special advertising section

Women in the Community Arc Women Create Forever Home

Local individuals who have an intellectual disability and Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have a new living option, thanks to the efforts of four Arc of Centre County, Pa., Inc. staffers. These four women — Amy Bennett, Jessica Herzing, Effie Jenks, and Cindy Mayes — worked for the past year to make The Arc’s new Forever Home a reality.

Opened on January 19, the Forever Home is a licensed community home whose environmental and programmatic design reflects current best practices in the care and support of individuals who have both an intellectual disability and Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Such a home had long been a goal of Arc CEO Effie Jenks. For design expertise,The Arc turned to well-known professionals including Dr. Kathy Bishop of Rochester University and staff of The Arc of Schenectady, N.Y. Funding is through the Centre County MH/ID Office and United Way of Centre County; The Arc is a United Way member agency.

The most immediate environmental changes to the chosen Forever Home have included painting areas to create visual contrast, replacing existing door knobs

with easy-to-use lever handles, using larger rocker light switches instead of typical toggle switches, and incorporating lighting that is glare-free and therefore more soothing. Although subtle to the untrained eye, these modifications help provide a less confusing and more secure environment for residents. For example, many traditional bathrooms have white appliances and light-colored paint and floors. By painting the wall behind the appliances in a contrasting/bright color and by changing out the white toilet seat cover for a different color, the bathroom becomes a much less confusing environment for the person with ID and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Programmatic, sensory, and behavioral supports will be tailored to meet residents’ needs. Each person will have a “Dementia Support Plan” that will address care and support needs specific to their Alzheimer’s/ dementia diagnosis. Also, “Life Story Books” will be created for each person to stimulate happy memories and perhaps provoke discussion. Sensory activities may include music, art, and physical therapies.

Based on Effie Jenks’ vision for Forever Home, Cindy Mayes led the research phase and was responsible for physical modifications to the house.

Amy Bennett is responsible for directing residential personnel in the appropriate program planning and sensory and behavioral suppor ts. Jessica Herzing learned about state-of-the-ar t training materials from the New York par tners and implemented trainings with Arc of Centre County personnel.

Ultimately, The Arc hopes to use its experiences to teach others how to better suppor t individuals living with both an intellectual disability and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

1840 N. Atherton St., State College, PA 16803 (814) 238-3225 www.taocc.org s p e c i a l

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Women in the Community

Emilee Spokus (3)

Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology

In honor of Women’s History Month, the College of Information Sciences andTechnology (IST) is celebrating the contributions of female IST faculty, staff, and students on Tuesday, March 12. The day’s activities include: • Presentations by female faculty members during IST classes so that both male and female students can learn about women’s research and contributions to the field.

Girls’ Technology Camp • Announcement of poster contest winners.

All students were invited to submit posters on the theme “Women pioneers in the field of technology.”

Finalists’ submissions will be on display through lunchtime.

• Presenting of the third annual Women of Distinction awards to females for achievement and service to IST faculty, staff, and students.

The College of Information Sciences and Technology strives to attract a diverse population of the best and brightest students, faculty, and staff. A major ongoing effort involves two free annual summer camps for youths. Girlz Digital World, which helps middle-school girls learn technology-related skills, will be held June 17-21. iTech Academy for high school girls and boys focuses on IST and SRA (Security and Risk Analysis) and takes place July 15-19.

Faculty Staff and Guest

Women in IST

For more information about the reception, summer camp, or other activities, contact: IST Office of Multicultural Affairs 332 Information Sciences and Technology Building (814) 865-0077 • diversity@ist.psu.edu • ist.psu.edu s p e c i a l

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Women in the Community

Mary Lou Bennett Ext. 315

Shirley Hsi Ext. 330

Jacki Hunt Ext. 317

Linda Lowe Ext. 305

Ellen Kline Ext. 308

Women of RE/MAX Centre Realty

The women at RE/MAX Centre Realty are a force of nature with careers that have spanned decades with an average of 22yrs.

Along with the more than full time business of marketing real estate, these professional women have been community leaders in numerous local and national charities and also have a strong presence in community activities and non-charity organizations Nancy VanLandingham such as Nittany Valley Symphony, CBICC and the Penn State Ext. 333 University Women’s Club.

They are wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends and neighbors but above all are true to themselves and those they serve. It is that commitment that has made them the best in their profession, willing to work hard to help you reach your goal. Each of them is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, and each of them adheres to those ethical standards. However it is their own personal ethics which further sets them apart.

Ginger Swanger The Women of RE/MAX Centre Realty are your REALTORS® Ext. 353 if you want the best in the business.

Shannon Stiver Ext. 340

JoAnn Lew Ext. 304

Jacki Rutter Ext. 375

Cathy Flood Ext. 374

Cindy Minteer Ext. 337

Lisa Rittenhouse Ext.321

Irene Moss Ext. 313

Nancy Ring Ext. 331

1375 Martin Street, State College PA, 16803 (814) 231-8200 s p e c i a l

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Women in the Community Associated Realty Property Management has 15 full-time highly experienced women as part of its staff to handle all your property management needs. ARPM has been managing properties for more than 35 years with over 1,600 properties including residential, commercial, student rentals and homeowner associations.

This full-service company has a record of top-quality service and the experience needed to manage your rental property.

456 East Beaver Ave., State College • (814) 231-3333 • www.arpm.com

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Women in the Community

Janine Andrews

Anne Ard

Board Member Centre Communities Chapter American Red Cross 205 E. Beaver Ave., Suite 203 (814) 237-3162

Jeanie has followed in a family tradition of affiliation with the Red Cross. As a board member and past board chair, she is committed to the Red Cross mission of helping neighbors and other communities around the globe in times of need. Jeanie is a Penn State Smeal College of Business alumna, is earning her master’s in public administration, and works in the Office of the President at Penn State.

Sponsored by Stover McGlaughlin Gerace Weyandt & McCormick, PC

Executive Director, Centre County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC) 140 W. Nittany Ave., 238-7066 Hotline: 234-5050 (State College) 1-877-234-5050 (toll-free)

For over 30 years CCWRC has provided confidential, free services to women, men and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Services include counseling, advocacy, emergency shelter and prevention education for community/ school groups. Join us for a celebration of Women’s History month at the LUNAFEST film festival on March 28th at the State Theatre!

Sponsored by CCWRC Board and Friends

Jennifer Bierly

Ashear Barr

Donor Relations Coordinator Centre County United Way 2790 W. College Ave, Suite 7 (814) 238-8283

Ashear and her family have lived and worked in Centre County for over 30 year s. She is active in several community organizations, and has served on the boards of the Women’s Resource Center and the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. After working in development at Penn State and public broadcasting, Ashear joined Centre County United Way in January and is proud to be par t of the team developing community resources in suppor t of United Way agencies.

Shareholder Babst Calland 330 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 302 (814) 867-8055

As a shareholder in Babst Calland’s Litigation Ser vices group, Jennifer focuses her practice on family law. The Centre County native is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Centre County and a board member of the Child Development and Family Council of Centre County. Jennifer has been recognized by The PA Business Central as one of its top 100 people in business, was featured in its “Top Four Under Forty” and was named one the state’s up-and-coming lawyers by Philadelphia magazine.

Kym Burke

Andrea H. Boyles

CEO, Youth Service Bureau 325 West Aaron Drive (814) 237-5731 Overseeing a $4 million budget with 14 distinct programs, 100 paid staff, and more than 300 trained volunteers, Andrea Boyles works to make sure the needs of children and families are met with respect and dignity.

A 2010 graduate of Leadership Centre County and CBICC Ambassador, Andrea enjoys her role in connecting local community members and business leaders to the YSB mission. She welcomes any oppor tunity to share information about YSB!

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One on One, Fitness Consultants Inc. 424 W. Aaron Drive (814) 234-1625 www.fitnessconsultantsinc.com

Kym has been a personal fitness trainer and VP of One on One since 1987. She spent most of her childhood committed to gymnastics, earning a spot on the USA National Gymnastic Team and Collegiate AllAmerican status. Today, her creativity and commitment to human performance fuel her passion for seeking real solutions to individuals’ fitness/wellness challenges. Kym supports the Centre County Youth Service Bureau and CentreVolunteers in Medicine through the“Give Back” initiative she and husband Bruce created. The Burkes have two children, Ryan and Callie.

Sponsored by Veronesi Building and Remodeling

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Women in the Community Mimi Barash Coppersmith

Jo Chesworth

VP & Managing Editor, Seven Mountains Scientific P.O. Box 650, Boalsburg 466-6559

Jo edits and sells advertising in three technical magazines. She wrote the State College history book Story of the Century and has had 300+ bylines in Town&Gown and The Penn Stater. She and Tom, her husband are cer tified wine judges. She also helped to found the 50 Fabulous Females networking group in 1988 that after a shor t hiatus is still going strong.

Volunteer Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania 350 Hale Ave., Harrisburg (717) 233-1656

A longtime suppor ter of Girl Scouting, Mimi has chaired regional capital campaigns and served on the board of directors of Girl Scouts of the USA, helping to empower girls throughout the country. Honoring her leadership, the new Mimi Barash Coppersmith Fund will suppor t camp scholarships for girls throughout central and nor theastern PA. To contribute, contact Centre Foundation, www.centre-foundation.org.

Merrill David

Dawn Deppe

Office Manager Sepich Eye Care, P.C. 100 Oakwood Ave, Ste. 300 (814) 272-0262

Executive Director, Global Connections 427 Boucke Building University Park www.global.psu.edu/gc

Merrill directs Global Connections, a United Way member agency that builds community across cultures with education, direct assistance, cultural exchange, and community outreach programs that serve the Centre Region. She has greatly expanded Global Connections’ existing programs and developed new community collaborations that bring internationals and Americans in our area together and promote global-mindedness.

Sponsored by Fulton Bank

Since 2007, Dawn is typically the first face patients see at Sepich Eye Care.

She welcomes everyone as she helps them sort through healthcare benefits and coordinates care with other doctors and services. Through her service, many people enjoy a better quality of life from improved vision. Dawn is a 2011 Leadership Centre County graduate, membership chair and board member of the Centre County Senior Center Coalition, and represents Sepich Eye Care in the Centre County Link to Aging and Disability Resources.

Dr. Teresa Dolan

Barbara I. Dewey

Dean University Libraries & Scholarly Communications, Penn State 510 Paterno Library (814) 865-0401

Now in her third year as dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, Dean Dewey continues to be energized by Penn State’s passion for and the Libraries’ role in creating knowledge and educating students to be leaders and problem solvers for a complex world. Advancing the components for the 21st-century Penn State Libraries continues to be her goal.

Sponsored by The Penn State Bookstore

Medical Director PinnacleCare Private Health Advisory 250 W. Pratt St., Suite 1100, Baltimore (814) 777-3984

A board-certified emergency medicine physician,Teresa is Assistant Director of the Emergency Department for Altoona Regional Health System.

She has been featured on The Discovery Channel website and Voice of America and has lectured nationally. As PinnacleCare Medical Director,Teresa brings new medical advances to the company’s health advisor teams throughout the nation and helps arrange second and third opinions with PinnacleCare’s Centers of Excellence network and Medical Advisory Board.

Sponsored by Vantage Investment Advisors

Carolyn Donaldson

Marie Doll

Executive Director Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania 818 Pike St., Lemont (814) 234-2740 www.artalliancepa.org

Marie helped found the Ar t Alliance in 1968 and returned to the nonprofit eight years ago as executive director ; she loves meeting and working with ar tists. Marie is a past president of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Ar ts and is a longtime board member for Penn State Centre Stage. She enjoys jogging through her Park Forest neighborhood.

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WTAJ-TV News Anchor cdonaldson@wtajtv.com

C a r o ly n i s a g r e a t c o m mu n i t y ambassador on so many fronts. She is a talented news anchor and reporter.

She actually began her career at WTAJ in 1982 as a Weather Anchor. Carolyn is active in many non-profit organizations including the Children’s Miracle Network, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA, March of Dimes, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Altoona Community Theatre, and many others. She’s very involved with church activities where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Vacation Bible School Teacher.

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Women in the Community Tracy Ewing

Leslie A. Dutchcot

Director of Marketing Operations HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital 550 W. College Ave., Pleasant Gap (814) 359-3421

Magisterial District Judge 1524 W. College Ave. (814) 237-4981

Elected in 2007, Leslie presides over cases in College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, and Patton Townships. With the cooperation of the President Judge, she implemented the Veterans Diversion Program. She serves on the Redistricting Committee of the Special Cour t Judges Association of PA, instructs at the Justice and Safety Institute’s Deputy Sheriff Academy, and completed Centre County’s Crisis Intervention Team training. Leslie is a Leadership Centre County graduate and State College Meals on Wheels board member.

Representing a local and national leader for hospital rehabilitation outcomes, Tracy focuses on HealthSouth Nittany Valley’s critical role in our community’s continuum of care. She works with the interdisciplinary care team to promote rehabilitation programs and services and identify new opportunities to collaborate with community partners to advance Centre Region healthcare initiatives. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State and is enrolled in the master’s of health sciences program at Saint Francis University.

Linda Gall

Leslie Finton

Executive Director Tides www.Tidesprogram.org (814) 692-2233

Community Volunteer

With a master’s degree in social work, Leslie was working for Brookline HomeCare and Hospice when a preschool classmate of her daughter lost his father. Realizing the area had little suppor t for kids like him, Leslie gathered a dedicated team of volunteers to launch Tides in 2003 as a suppor t program for grieving children and the people who love them. “We’re humbled to do this work, and we learn so much from the families and children,” she says.

Sponsored by Kim Neely, Chair of the Tides Board

Heading Linda’s extensive community volunteer experiences are current roles as member of the Centre County United Way, Bob Perks Fund, Galaxy and Pink Zone boards. As a Penn State volunteer, she is a member of the “For the Future” campaign Executive Committee and the Schreyer Honors College and Palmer Museum of Art advisory boards. She and her husband, Blake, have two daughters and two sons-in-law who are Penn State alumni, and are proud new grandparents.

Janice Graci

Jean Galliano

Vice President Corporate Banking Division Fulton Bank 1952 Waddle Road, Suite 106 814-234-1893

With 23 years of experience in commercial lending, Jean enjoys her role at Fulton Bank as a Relationship Manager. Since 1992, Jean has provided a full range of banking services, including lending and cash management products, to businesses in the Centre Region. Jean has served on both the Grace Prep High School and Nittany Christian School Boards and remains involved in both organizations. Jean, her husband, and three children reside in State College.

Partner & Sales Manager Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS 1612 N. Atherton St. (814) 238-8080

KBB has stood for EXCEPTIONAL client care since 1933. It is Jan’s job to organize the effor ts of staff, 50 professional REALTORS, management, and use market knowledge to represent their clients. We are a team. Celebrating 80 years, we thank our past and present clients for making us the market leader. Our community involvement and personal ser vice will take us through the next 80 years. Real estate is local, and the business is personal.

Michelle Grove

Kelly Grimes

Community Volunteer

As soon as Kelly retired from her Wendy’s restaurant franchise, she happily began a second career : volunteer activities. She coaches State High girls’ golf, volunteers in MNMC’s emergency depar tment, and ser ves on the boards of the Centre Foundation and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, plus the athletic committee of Penn State’s For the Future campaign. A former member of Penn State’s women’s golf team, Kelly and her husband, Felix Boake, cheer on Penn State at many spor ting events.

Sponsored by Felix Boake

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Director of Human Resources and Finance Home Instead Senior Care 2330 Commercial Blvd., Suite 500 (814) 238-8820

Michelle joined Home Instead Senior Care in 2004 and has played an integral role as our company and territory have grown. Michelle is Director of Human Resources and Finance for both our State College and Saxton offices. She is responsible for billing, payroll, unemployment, worker’s compensation, benefits as well as general Human Resource concerns. Michelle’s wide-ranging knowledge helps to keep our office up and running smoothly on a daily basis! We admire her enthusiastic return to Penn State to complete the last few credits and earn her B.S. in Accounting this year. Michelle lives in Mill Hall with her dog, Roxy.

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Women in the Community Carol Herrmann

Connie Hayes

CEO, Kish Travel Vice President for Administration, Kish Bank 2610 Green Tech Drive (814) 861-4660, ext. 8269

Community Volunteer chayescooking@comcast.net Connie joined this community almost ten years ago, moving here with her husband Bill of Kish Bank.

Connie uses her creative brand of fundraising to benefit many organizations. Currently she is on the advisory board for the Palmer Museum of Art. Along with many efforts her main activities involve Easter Seals of Central Pa. Sponsored by Designer’s Studio

Carol, newly appointed CEO of Kish Travel, leads Kish’s travel division in delivering Kish’s “expect more” touch to provide travelers remarkable and memorable moments, be it the family trip of a lifetime, a romantic honeymoon, or efficient, timely business travel. Carol and her team partner with Kish’s family of businesses — Kish Bank, Kish Insurance, and Kish Financial Services — to provide clients a one-stop shopping center for their travel and financial service needs.

Cheryl M. Johnson

Patricia House

Executive Director Bellefonte Art museum for Centre County 133 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte (814) 355-4280

Pat retired from her museum career in the Western U.S. and moved to Bellefonte to be close to grandchildren but found that she missed her work. So she began turning the historic John Blair Linn House into a free-admission ar t museum. Today the museum has five galleries of Pennsylvania and world art, a children’s creative center, 200 members, and a new kids’ camp this summer. Pat enjoys traveling to Africa every winter as par t of a safari company.

Executive Director, PICCC Inc. 2595-1 Clyde Ave. (814) 237-8998

A recognized leader, Cheryl champions workforce development, economic development, and youth career growth and participates in partnership activities that strengthen businesses, individuals, and communities throughout the USA. A certified senior professional in human resources, she works with local, regional, and national entities.

She volunteers with several community organizations, has been one of PA Business Central’s top 100, a Town&Gown Citizen of the Year, Bedford Chamber 2012 Excellence in Education, and presenter/facilitator for many organizations.

Sangeeta Kishore

Patty Kunes

coolBLUE Events Coordinator Innovation Park 101 Technology Center, University Park (814) 865-5925

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Kish Bank

A veteran financial executive with over 20 years in banking, Sangeeta focuses her exper tise on growth strategies for Kish Bancorp, as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a member of Kish’s senior management team. She also serves on various management committees. Sangeeta earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business after completing master’s in economics and MBA degrees from two institutions in India: Lucknow University and the Birla Institute of Technology.

Patty plans social and networking events at Innovation Park so both Penn State and corporate employees in the “coolBLUE Community” can get to know one another and have a great time. She earned a PSU bachelor’s in recreation, park, and tourism management, was a conference planner for Penn State Hotels, and then helped get coolBLUE started five years ago. She and husband Greg have two sons, Jake and Matt.

Sponsored by Penn State Hotels

Susan D. Leath

Jo Ellen Lash

Volunteer, Penn State Public Media, WPSU

Jo Lash’s love of music permeates every facet of her life. A former music educator in the Mifflin County and State College Area School Districts, Jo has given her time and talents to State College Choral Society, Essence 2, and the Chancel Choir of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Giving many volunteer hours and serving on WPSU’s Board of Representatives, Jo lead the way in helping WPSU launch an annual December concer t, Winterfest, celebrating its four th year in 2013 featuring Essence of Joy.

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Publisher Centre Daily Times 3400 E. College Ave. (814) 238-5000

Susan is the President and Publisher of the Centre Daily Times. She serves on the Board of Directors and Government Affairs committee for the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association.

Susan is a Newspaper Association of America Media Executive Leadership Fellow as well as a Newspaper Association of America Foundation Power Mind Mentor. In addition, she serves on the Pennsylvania Pink Zone Board of Directors. Susan and her husband, Randall, have two daughters—Randi,18 and Taylor, 16—and a son, Randall, Jr. 13.

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Women in the Community Milagros Ponce de León,

Elinor Lewis

Assistant Professor of Scenic Design, School of Theatre, Penn State University.

Milagros, a scenic designer from Peru, moved to the State College area with her husband and their two young children in 2010 to join the Design & Technology Faculty of the School of Theatre at Penn State. She has been a freelance scenic designer for over 12 years and continues to work locally, in the Washington DC/Baltimore area and internationally in Lima, Peru.

She was trained as a fine artist for over 10 years, in both Peru and the USA before she discovered her passion for scenic design.

Since then she has been twice nominated for the Helen Hayes Award in Scenic Design and currently combines her interdisciplinary training to teach scenic design, painting and rendering to the Design and Technology Students at Penn State.

Board Member Nittany Valley Symphony Honorary Chair of the NVS Fashion Show

Ellie began playing the violin as a schoolgirl and later performed with the Bucknell University Orchestra.

Currently, she plays on a violin made by her nephew, Bob Childs. Ellie invites you to attend the Wor th New York fashion show to suppor t the symphony from 11:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at CHCC. For info or reser vations, call NVS at 231-8224.

Sponsored by Pat Williams,Worth New York

Debbie Linnes

Pamela C. Long

Chief Operating Officer, Mount Nittany Health

The first chief operating officer for Mount Nittany Health, Linnes provides operational leadership for Mount Nittany Medical Center and Mount Nittany Physician Group. Linnes joined the health system with an extensive background in healthcare executive leadership, most recently serving as president and CEO at Southeast Health in Missouri. At Southeast Health, Linnes developed and implemented a regional development strategy, constructed a comprehensive cancer center, defined and developed a physician alignment strategy and led Southeast to be in the top performing hospitals for quality of care in the country in several clinical categories. Linnes is a member of several professional organizations, including The American College of Healthcare Executives, and has consistently been active in community service. Linnes and her husband have three children.

Foundation Director, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. 341 Science Park Road (814) 238-3245

Pam directs development and fundraising initiatives that enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness supported by the many programs and services of Skills of Central PA, Inc. in Centre and 15 other counties.

A graduate of Leadership Centre County (Class of 2009) and a member of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County’s Board of Directors, Pam enjoys bringing people together that share her passion for helping others and building a stronger community.

Dr. Kathryn O

Livnat (Livi) Maldonado

Owner, Centre Hall Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 2130 Earlystown Road Centre Hall • (814) 364-3113

Commercial Accounts Manager, P2P Computer Solutions 214 E College Ave. (814) 308-8404

Livi’s sales job took her from her native Israel to Florida, where she met her husband, Juan. In his hometown of State College, the couple opened P2P Computer Solutions. Livi’s background with the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) allows her to focus on relationship management and customer ser vice. She enjoys meeting new people and making new connections, while her main goal is to provide personal attention to each and ever y customer.

Conservation Biologist ClearWater Conservancy 2555 N. Atherton St. (814)237-0400

Katie joined ClearWater Conser vancy in 2000. She manages the development and implementation of the organization’s conservation and restoration strategies and has led the way on many of ClearWater’s recreational access successes, including the conservation of Musser Gap and a portion of Galbraith Gap, two important gateways to Rothrock State Forest. Katie holds a B.S in environmental resource management from Penn State and an M.S. in wildlife biology from Frostburg State University and serves as chairwoman of the Harris Township Shade Tree Commission.

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With degrees from Penn State and the ASHS Division of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. O started her practice in Centre County nine years ago. Her office in Yeagertown was voted the most favored hearing center in Mifflin/Juniata counties. Her offices have a very caring, sincere atmosphere and specialize in geriatric audiology, hearing aids, assistive devices, and batteries.

GoPhoto

Katie Ombalski

Just past the Elks Country Club on Rte. 45

Keri O’Shea

Volunteer American Cancer Society 123 S. Sparks St. (888) 227-5445

After her father became a cancer survivor two years ago, Keri began volunteer ing for the Amer ican Cancer Society. For the Relay For Life, she is sponsorship chair, team captain for the Cancer Survivors’ Association and chair of the Relay Recess Program, teaching schoolchildren how to help prevent cancer by making healthy choices. Keri and husband Justin are proud of their children, Maya and Aidan, who are on their own Relay team May 31-June 1.

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Women in the Community Barbara Palmer

Susanna Jech Paul

Benefactor, Palmer Museum of Art Curtin Road, University Park (814) 865-7672

Barbara joined the Friends of the Museum of Ar t, as it was known originally, a few years after the museum opened in 1972.

She served as president of the group and continues to serve on the museum’s Advisory Board. In 1987 the museum was renamed in honor of Jim and Barbara Palmer for their lead gift made towards the museum’s expansion and renovation, which was completed in 1993. Thanks to a multitude of gifts, the Palmer Museum of Ar t has grown into an unparalleled cultural resource for central Pennsylvania.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art

Development & Community Relations Coordinator Housing Transitions, Inc. 217 E. Nittany Ave. (814) 237-4863

Susanna is director of development at Housing Transitions, Inc., a United Way partner agency that provides a continuum of housing services to Centre County residents in need. She has expanded the donor base and broadened the community’s understanding of the ways Housing Transitions promotes greater self-sufficiency among its clientele. Susanna is an active volunteer at the State College Area Food Bank, joined by her school-age children in the summer.

Doreen Perks

Liz Piazza

REALTOR/Marketing Manager Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS 1612 N. Atherton St. (814) 238-8080 www.1kbb.com

President Bob Perks Fund P.O. Box 313 (814) 231-2692

After Doreen’s husband, Bob, local Coaches vs. Cancer co-founder, died of cancer in 2005, she helped develop the Bob Perks Fund to provide financial relief to families with a loved one fighting cancer. BPF allocated over $160,000 in 2012 to help families with basic necessities. Doreen, a Penn State alumna, lives with her two sons, Garrett, 11, and Ryan, 8.

Sponsored by Linda & Blake Gall

Liz is a licensed REALTOR and the Marketing Manager at Kissinger Bigatel & Brower. She is delighted that as KBB celebrates its 80th year, their market share has increased to 42%*. The success for these buyers, sellers, business owners and investors, combined with the dedication of her colleagues at KBB, make her job a pleasure. *CCAR MLS-Centre County; residential, 1/1-12/31/12

Miriam Powell

Executive Director Pennsylvania Pink Zone pennsylvaniapinkzone.org (814) 380-2856

A former teacher and girls’ basketball coach, Miriam helped launch the American Cancer Society’s local Race Day Soiree before becoming Pink Zone executive director in 2011. Her year-round efforts focus on the fight against breast cancer, culminating in each February’s Pink Zone Lady Lions basketball game at the Bryce Jordan Center. Last year, PA Pink Zone distributed $203,000 to breast cancer organizations and facilities.

In addition, she is currently a volunteer track and field coach at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Boalsburg.

Sponsored by Lion’s Gate Apartments

Polly H. Rallis

Property Manager

Polly manages her real estate i n ve s t m e n t s a n d i s a n a c t i ve community volunteer. She ser ves on the boards of the University Club, Nittany Valley Symphony, and The State Theatre and works tirelessly with Coaches vs. Cancer to fur ther the organization’s growing impact.

Polly is a past president of the Friends of the Palmer Museum, past treasurer and board member of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Ar ts, past board member of Pennsylvania Centre Stage, and has co-chaired United Way for the Borough of State College.

Sponsored by P&R Associates

Barbara Rolls

Joyce Robinson

Board Vice President Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A (814) 237-3682

Joyce first experienced the Arts Festival 20 years ago when she moved to State College. In 2010, she joined the board and in 2012 was a juror for the Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition. With a PhD in ar t history, she is curator of the Palmer Museum of Ar t and enjoys exposing the public to quality ar t via the museum and the Festival. Joyce chairs the committee preparing for the Festival’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

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Helen A. Guthrie Chair & Professor Nutritional Sciences, Penn State 226 Henderson Building (814) 863-8572

Barbara is also a professor in the Depar tment of Biobehavioral Health, the Intercollege Graduate Program in Physiology, and the Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program. She is a faculty member of Penn State Hershey College of Medicine’s Neural and Behavioral Sciences Program and the MD/PhD Program. She is the author of over 250 scientific articles and six books, including The Ultimate Volumetrics Diet.

Sponsored by Barbara Palmer

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Women in the Community Patricia W. Savage President & CEO, Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries 915 Hickory Street Hollidaysburg (814) 696-4500

Pat Savage leads a health and human services agency serving the generations in an eight-county area.

Locally, ALSM provides adult day services at the Senior Daily Living Center in State College and senior living at The Oaks at Pleasant Gap and Lutheran Commons at Pleasant Gap. For more information, visit ALSM at www.alsm.org.

Stephanie L. Schmidt, DBIA

Executive Vice President Poole Anderson Construction 2121 Old Gatesburg Road 237-6667

With more than 25 years’ experience in the construction industry, Stephanie leads Poole Anderson, now one of the largest contractors in Central Pa. and is a member of the Pennsylvania Council of General Contractors. She believes in giving back to the community and serves on the board of directors of the CBICC, State College YMCA, and the Associated Builders & Contractors.

Michele Steinbugl

Nancy Silvis

Assistant Vice President of Business Lending Penn State Federal Credit Union 1937 N. Atherton St. (814) 865-6439

Volunteer, Penn State Public Media, WPSU

WPSU thanks Nancy Silvis for her inspiring volunteer spirit. As community chair of the WPSU Wine Festival, her leadership has elevated the event to become the region’s premiere boutique wine event. In addition to her role in the WPSU Board of Representatives, Nancy has contributed her boundless energy to the Four th Fest, Center Volunteers in Medicine, American Cancer Society, and the State Theatre. A pharmacist by trade, Nancy completed the Smeal Executive MBA program and is a Leadership Centre County graduate.

Michele has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Francis College and over 24 years of experience in the financial industry. Helping business members attain their financial goals through Penn State Federal gives her great satisfaction. Michele belongs to many professional organizations and spends time volunteering through the United Way, CBICC, SCLL, and the YMCA, where she serves as vice chair for the State College Managing Board. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Centre County.

Coquese Washington Head Coach Lady Lion Basketball 146 Bryce Jordan Center (814) 863-2672

Coquese is finishing her sixth season as Lady Lions head coach after guiding the team to the Big Ten regularseason title and the NC AA Sweet Sixteen, earning Big Ten Coach of the Year honor s along the way in 2012. She holds a law degree from Notre Dame, played pro ball, assists with the Pink Zone fight against breast cancer, and created Coquese’s Drive for the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.

Sponsored by Andrew M. Moore, Tree Surgeon

Linda M. White

Assistant Vice President & Branch Manager First National Bank 1667 N. Atherton St.

As assistant VP and branch manager of First National Bank of Pennsylvania’s Nor th Ather ton Office since 1986, Linda is responsible for managing branch operations and sales, including new business development and customer service. She is business development co-chair and loaned executive for the United Way of Centre County and treasurer of the Patton Township Business Association. Linda volunteers with the CBICC, Builders Association of Central PA, State College Lion’s Club, and SCAHS football team.

Donna Reich Woolley

Ella J. Williams

Assoc. Broker, CRB, GRI Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower, REALTORS® 2300 S. Atherton St. 814-280-3607

Ella has been serving her clients’ real estate needs in Centre and surrounding counties for over 35 years. She has been recognized nationally as a top producer and takes meeting her buyers’ and sellers’ needs personally.With the extensive resources of KBB Realtors and her experience, Ella can offer a higher level of service and experience to sellers and buyers for residential, commercial, and investment real estate.

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Director of Nursing Foxdale Village 500 E. Marylyn Ave. (814) 238-3322

Donna became a nursing assistant at Foxdale 21 years ago, when she was studying at Penn State for bachelor’s degrees in nursing and premedicine, and she has cared for residents of the retirement community ever since.

She is cer tified in gerontological nursing and wound care and is a member of the Centre HomeCare community advisor y board. Donna lives on a Potters Mills farmette with her husband, Paul Woolley, and enjoys traveling frequently to Europe.

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Women in the Community Dottie Yukish

Natalie Xanthopoulos Insurance Specialist Kish Bank 2610 Green Tech Drive 861-5050

With 14 years of insurance experience, Natalie writes personal and smallto medium-size commercial lines of insurance. She enjoys working for an independent agency like Kish so she can look to multiple companies to find the best insurance at the best prices for her clients. Originally from Penns Valley, Natalie and her husband, John, live in Lewistown with their two children.

Board President Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau 800 E. Park Ave. (814) 231-1400

Dottie graduated from State High and earned a Penn State bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s in instructional systems design before teaching in Western PA for 33 years. She retired here in 2004 and lives in the home in which she grew up. Dottie began volunteering at the Visitors Bureau front desk in 2001 during summer visits and now is board president. She loves promoting the wonderful community that contributed to her professional success.

Mary Ziegler

Assistant Head of School State College Friends School 1900 University Drive (814) 237-8386

Mary has been affiliated with Friends School since her son was a student in the first class in 1980. In 1985, she became a par t-time administrative assistant, and over the past three decades she has done just about every job at the school, from janitor to interim head. As assistant head, Mary enjoys meeting with prospective students and their families and explaining Friends School’s philosophy of education.

Sponsored by Mary Lou Bennett

These women at Barash Media work hard to make Town&Gown and the Centre County Gazette successful and enjoyable products for our readers. They are: (seated, from left) Debbie Markel, account executive; Amy Ansari, account executive; Gigi Rudella, administrative assistant. (standing, from left) Vilma Shu Danz, operations manager/assistant editor; Bikem Oskin, advertising coordinator; Marjorie Miller, staff writer; Aimee Aiello, business manager; Amy Schmalz, graphic designer; Kathy George, account executive.

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A Cinderella Story Ten years ago, State High’s boys’ basketball team shocked the state and made history by winning the PIAA title

By Josh Langenbacher

State College Area High School boys’ basketball coach Drew Frank, for nearly three years, heard a regular knock at the gym door as he ran practice. On the other side was junior high schooler Willie Morse pleading for a glimpse of the varsity team.

“Willie had his nose up against the gym door saying ‘Coach, can I come in?

Can I come in?’ ” Frank recalls. “And Willie was the player who shared the vision I had that we could win a state championship.”

That mindset, Frank says, was rare. In a State College community overshadowed in its own town by Penn State athletics, and scholastically by the control Philadelphia and WPIAL schools in and around Pittsburgh had exhibited, district titles represented the ceiling. And if, by chance, a team was to advance in the PIAA playoffs, well, that was gravy.

Not for Morse. He wanted gold.

“No player had ever come through willing to say that,” Frank says. “Prior to that, it was like if we win the district championship, that is a successful season.”

On March 22, 2003, Morse and Frank fulfilled their vision, in no small part due to the 33 points Morse poured in during State High’s improbable 76-71 overtime win over Chester in the PIAA Class AAAA state title game as the

Little Lions became the first District 6 Class AAAA team to win gold.

Although State College regrouped from a loss to Altoona in the District 6 title game to eventually upset the most storied basketball program in Pennsylvania history, for Morse, the magnitude of the achievement wasn’t realized when a gold medal was placed around his neck, or even when he scaled a ladder to help snip down the net inside the Giant Center in Hershey.

No, as Morse reflects 10 years later, he says the feat didn’t sink in until he was years into a coaching career of his own.

“It crystallized for me years later,” says Morse, now a high school coach in Connecticut. “At least five years later, I looked back and said, ‘Man!’ As a coach, now I can look back and appreciate the whole experience.”

It’s an experience that, despite the contributions of five future Division I athletes and two future NFL players, nearly didn’t happen without an incident that left Frank wondering if the team was breaking down during the regular season.

State College hosted Penn Hills, itself a PIAA playoff team that year, and jumped out to an early

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John Hovenstine (2)

Drew Frank, who is now in his 17th season as head coach of State High’s boys’ basketball team, says he’s still amazed at how his team performed in the 2003 PIAA title game against Chester.

lead. But the Little Lions squandered it and lost, 66-60, for their third setback in five games.

Afterward, Frank was irate.

“We really had total control of the game, and it seemed like for some reason the guys took their foot off the pedal and thought, ‘We’re good enough. We really don’t have to play to our highest level to be successful against good teams in the state.’ We ended up losing that game, and I thought there was no excuse for that,” Frank says.

Although the passage of 10 years has claimed a specific recollection of what was said, one of Frank’s comments in the paper the next day drew the ire of the team. And some players, already tiring of what they perceived as too much negativity from Frank, became fed up.

Point guard Jordan Norwood says the Little Lions were “on the verge of self-destructing.”

So the senior leaders — including starters Jon Stupar, Gabe Norwood, and Matt Shetler — and underclassmen starters Jordan Norwood and Morse met at the Norwood residence to air their grievances.

Gabe Norwood encouraged the group to write down their concerns and present the list to Frank.

“It was definitely wild,” Gabe says. “Now looking back on it, it might have been an ambush on [Frank] rather than just sitting down man-to-man and trying to talk things out. After that, nothing was resolved, basically. Guys were walking out thinking, ‘Uh oh. Did we say too much? How’s this gonna affect us?’ ” Turns out, the meeting galvanized the team. The players learned to trust Frank more, respecting their head coach for taking the time to listen to their concerns. And Frank remained strict but relaxed more.

The next game took State College on the road to Central Mountain, a place that had historically troubled the Little Lions.

“The guys had a tremendous response,”

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Jon Stupar with wife, Laura

Where Are They Now? Catching up with some members of the 2002-03 State High boys’ basketball team: Jamil Allen Works for Alcoa Inc. in Los Angeles as an environmental engineer.

Ross Baker Graduated from Penn State in 2008.

Now lives in Washington, DC. C.J. Burman Lives and works in Hawaii.

Gabe Norwood with fiancee, Lei, and sons, Cassius and Orion.

Matt Cooper Works at Temple and is pursuing a master’s degree.

Keith Hardin Recently re-enrolled at Penn State.

Matt Shetler with his wife, Lauren.

Frank says. “Once I saw the team game the guys played at Central Mountain, it was very clear they were back together and they were refocused. We were playing, I thought, with a sense of urgency and focus that I had not seen in them before.”

State College never looked back as Frank’s bunch lost only one more game the rest of the way: to Altoona, 39-37, in the District 6 championship game. Much like the Penn Hills loss, the setback to rival Altoona united the team.

“When we lost that district championship, that was a bitter disappointment,” Frank says.

“You could tell that just touched our guys to the core. That hurt.”

Facing the harder road to Hershey as the second seed out of District 6, State was forced to play Hempfield in the first round of the PIAA playoffs at Greensburg-Salem High School — a venue so close to the Spartans that Frank says some of Hempfield’s players literally walked to the game. But the Little Lions overcame that, winning 56-54 on Stupar’s last-second putback.

“I air balled a shot, he caught it and tipped it in, and he made a comment that he had been cleaning up my trash for years,” Morse says, laughing at the memory.

From there, the resilient State High squad beat Plum, 45-42, and then Upper St. Clair, 44-37. That set up a rematch with Altoona in the Western final at St. Francis University’s DeGol Arena. This time, State College dominated, winning 59-35.

“I’ll tell you what they were,” says thenAltoona coach Kraig Hetz. “They were ridiculously talented. They had five Division I players that year.”

Still, statewide banter pitted State as a supreme underdog against Chester. Frank refused to let his players follow media reports in the days leading up to the title game. Not that he could do anything to mitigate Chester’s skill level.

“I remember as a team we were watching film on them the day before the game and for the first time seeing their players,” Stupar says.

“They were all 6-7 and they were dunking every other play. It was kind of like, ‘Oh boy, are we playing a college team tomorrow, guys?’

I remember not being scared, but it hit us that this is a state-championship game.”

But as one of Frank’s bread-and-butter plays showed, the bunch from State College was for real.

State High led 32-27 at halftime but Chester scored the first six points in the third quarter

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Brady Hart Working toward his MBA at Ohio University.

Matt Shetler Works for Credit Suisse in Manhattan.

Eric Meister Works for an insurance company in Greenville, South Carolina.

Ian Stringer Works for Camelback Ranch, the spring training facility for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

Willie Morse Varsity head basketball coach at South Kent School in Connecticut.

Gabe Norwood Plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Jordan Norwood Member of the Cleveland Browns. Lives in State College in the off-season.

Hayato Sasaki Was a Japanese foreign-exchange student who has since returned to Japan.

to take the lead and, seemingly, control of the game when the Norwood brothers silenced the Clippers and sent the Giant Center crowd — predominantly State College supporters, with Gabe saying, “It seemed like all of Central Pennsylvania was in the arena” — into a tizzy after Gabe slam dunked an alley-oop pass from Jordan following a timeout. The play was one the Little Lions had run about 15 to 20 times during the season, Gabe says, and one often summoned in big moments.

“It was just an exciting play,” he says. “In a sense, it let Chester know, ‘OK, these guys from Central Pennsylvania can play a little bit, and we’re in for a battle.’ ” Adds Frank: “In that one play between those two brothers, they put Chester back on their heels, and I turned and said to the coaches, ‘That’s it, guys. Game on!’ ” Chester still took a 52-44 lead into the fourth quarter. The Little Lions went on a 16-7 run to take a 60-59 lead. But just as regulation time ended, Gabe Norwood was called for a foul on Chester’s Kenny Tribbett following a scramble for the ball under the basket. Tribbett hit one of two free throws to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Jon Stupar Works for Biomet Surgical, an orthopedic sales group, in Pittsburgh.

Dan Ward Works for a sports-marketing agency called Octagon, which is located in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Nate Yocum Lives in State College and is very involved in the Christian community.

Morse opened the scoring in overtime with a field goal, and State High never trailed after that.

Morse scored eight of the Little Lions’ 16 points in OT, with six of those coming on free throws that helped clinch State College’s first state championship in basketball in school history.

“My wife and I pull [the tape] out every once in awhile, and the amazing thing is I still get nervous because I know the game and where the critical points are,” Frank says. “I watch these guys compete and think, ‘How did you guys find the inner resolve and strength to do what you did?’ It amazes me how those kids performed on that stage.”

Truth be told, the champs still wonder themselves.

“Anytime we get together, we definitely reminisce about it just because of how rare it was,” Stupar says. “I’d really like to see the odds before the season of State College High School winning the Quad-A boys championship.

You couldn’t have made up a better story with everything that happened from halfway through the season and us all coming together with Coach Frank to the playoff run to losing the district championship game to Altoona to getting a rematch with them in the same

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Road to a Championship 2002-03 State High Little Lions Season Nov. 29 Nov. 30 Dec. 3 Dec. 6 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 23 Dec. 27 Dec. 28 Jan. 7 Jan. 10 Jan. 14 Jan. 18 Jan. 21 Jan. 23 Jan. 24 Jan. 28 Jan. 30

Severn North Penn DuBois at Shamokin Williamsport at Notre Dame (Va) vs. Harriton Oliver Central Dauphin Indian Valley at Huntingdon Central Mountain at Franklin at Hollidaysburg at Harrisburg Shaler at Altoona at Williamsport

W W W W W L W L W W W W W W L W L W

57-32 56-35 71-46 49-46 50-45 53-71 87-76 66-68 66-47 63-35 63-30 54-35 72-57 65-43 37-64 72-51 41-57 36-34

Feb. 1 Feb. 4 Feb. 7 Feb. 12 Feb. 14 Feb. 20

Penn Hills at Central Mountain Lewistown at Bishop Guilfoyle Hollidaysburg Altoona

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60-66 59-55 68-49 58-52 68-63 56-46

District VI Tournament Feb. 26 March 1

Hollidaysburg Altoona

W 60-31 L 37-39

PIAA State Tournament March 8 March 12 March 15 March 19 March 22

Hempfield Plum Upper St. Clair Altoona Chester

W W W W W

56-54 45-42 44-37 59-35 76-71

Our Product Is Service Commercial Insurance Personal Insurance Financial Services

info@frostandconn.com 1301 N. Atherton St. • 237-1492

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Studio 2

Members of State High’s 2003 championship team were: First row (from left), manager Ashley Stillwagon, Hayato Sasaki, Jordan Norwood, Jon Stupar, Brady Hart, Ian Stringer, and trainer Wes Pedersen. Second row (from left), manager Curtis Fenton, manager Luke Wrye, Matt Cooper, C.J. Burman, Nathan Yocum, Jamil Allen, Daniel Ward, and trainer Stacey Beech. Third row (from left), coach Dennis Bender, head coach Drew Frank, coach Joe Hart, Gabe Norwood, Matt Shetler, Keith Hardin, Eric Meister, Ross Baker, Willie Morse, and manager Sara Roser-Jones.

building, going on the hard road. It was one of the most unbelievable runs. It’s almost like the new-age Hoosiers story. That’s kind of what it felt like.” T&G

Josh Langenbacher has covered Penn State sports for several newspapers. He currently works the news copy desk at the Altoona Mirror.

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guide to advertisers

ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT Bob Perks Fund ..............................75 Bryce Jordan Center .....................79 Center for the Performing Arts ................... Inside Front Cover Centre County Women’s Resource Center.............................................64 Coaches Vs. Cancer ......................19 Palmer Museum of Art ...................70 State Theatre....................................77 Toftrees Resort ................................34 AUTOMOTIVE Dix Honda .........................................13 Driscoll Automotive ...... Back Cover Joel Confer BMW ............................16 BANKS, FINANCIAL SERVICES Diversified Asset Planners ...........76 Frost & Conn ....................................64 National Penn Bank ......................... 1 Penn State Federal Credit Union ..............................................65 State College Federal Credit Union ..............................................34 BELLEFONTE SECTION Confer’s Jewelers ...........................21 Mid State Awning & Patio Company .......................................21 Penn State Federal Credit Union ..............................................21 BOALSBURG A Basket Full ....................................29 Boalsburg Apothecary ..................29 Duffy’s Tavern ..................................29 Nature’s Calling Lawn Care .........29 Natures Hue .....................................29 Tait Farm Foods...............................29 BUSINESS, INDUSTRY Blair County Chamber Of Commerce ....................................73 CBICC .................................................17 DINING Autoport .............................................87 Bella Sicilia .......................................91 Cozy Thai Bistro ..............................89 Damon’s Grill....................................87

Dantes ................................................84 Faccia Luna ......................................90 Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering ...93 Herwig’s .............................................91 Hotel State College ........................85 India Pavilion ....................................88 Luna 2 ................................................90 Meyer Dairy Store & Ice Cream Parlor ..............................................90 Mount Nittany Inn............................87 Otto’s Pub .........................................86 PSU Food Services (Hub Dining) .................................89 Tavern Restaurant............................. 1 The Greek .........................................88 Wegmans...........................................92 Westside Stadium ...........................90 Zola New World Bistro...................87 EDUCATION State College Friends School .....43 The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School ............................................11 LODGING Hospitality Asset Management Company .......................................86 Penn State Hospitality ..................... 4 MEDICAL HealthSouth/Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital ..........................................96 JC Blair Memorial Hospital ..........44 Meadows Psychiatric Hospital....28 Mount Nittany Medical Center........................................3, 99 Sepich Eye Care .............................36 The Circulatory Center .................... 9 PRINTING, COPYING, MEDIA Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU)...........................................67 REAL ESTATE, HOUSING Berks Homes....................................16 Chambers, Scot-Keller Williams ...44 Kissinger Bigatel & Brower ..........37 Lions Gate Apartments .................24 Perry Wellington Realty............... Inside Back Cover Traditions of America .....................97

RETIREMENT SERVICES Elmcroft of State College..............23 Foxdale Village ................................34 Home Instead Senior Care ..........27 Presbyterian Senior Living ............. 8 Village at Penn State........................ 2 SERVICES Centre County United Way ..........15 Centre Elite Gymnastics, Inc ......... 4 Clean Sweep/Doug’s Rug Spa...42 Goodall & Yurchak..........................96 Handy Delivery ................................25 Hoy Transfer .....................................95 McQuaide Blasko ............................. 7 P2P Computer Solutions ..............18 Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics .........................................59 Red Cross .........................................75 SHOPPING, RETAIL Aurum Jewelers & Goldsmiths ....36 Collegiate Pride ...............................65 Penn State Bookstore ...................69 Squire Brown’s ................................42 Your Perfect Fit .................................. 4 VISITOR INFORMATION Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau............................................12 WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries .......................................57 American Cancer Society ............55 ARC of Centre County ...................46 Art Alliance........................................52 Associated Realty Property Management ................................50 Babst, Calland Attorneys at Law..................................................51 Bellefonte Art Museum of Centre County ............................................54 Bennett, Mary Lou-RE/MAX.........58 Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau............................................58 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts...........................................56 Centre County United Way ..........51 Centre County Women’s Resource Center.............................................51 Centre County Youth Service Bureau............................................51 Centre Daily Times .........................54

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Centre Hall Audiology & Hearing Aid Center .....................................55 Clearwater Conservancy ..............55 Designers Studios ..........................54 Dutchcot, Leslie...............................53 Felix Boake .......................................53 First National Bank .........................57 Foxdale Village ................................57 Fulton Bank .............................. 52, 53 Gall, Linda .........................................53 Gall, Linda & Blake .........................56 Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA .....52 HealthSouth/Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital ..........................................53 Home Instead Senior Care ..........53 Housing Transitions .......................56 Karcher Family ................................47 Kish Bank .................................. 54, 58 Kissinger Bigatel & Brower ... 53, 56 Lions Gate Apartments .................56 Moore, Andrew M-Tree Surgeon57 Mount Nittany Medical Center ....55 Neely, Kim .........................................53 P&R Associates ...............................56 P2P Computer Solutions ..............55 Palmer Museum of Art ...................56 Palmer, Barbara ...............................56 Penn State Bookstore ...................52 Penn State Centre Stage ..............55 Penn State Federal Credit Union ..............................................57 Penn State Hospitality ...................54 Penn State School of Information and Technology...........................48 Poole Anderson Construction.....57 Private Industry Council of the Central Corridor ..........................54 RE/MAX Centre Realty ..................49 Sepich Eye Care .............................52 Seven Mountains Scientific .........52 Shute & Coombs Financial Advisors .........................................50 Stover, McGlaughlin, Gerace, Weyandt & McCormick..............51 The Skills Foundation....................55 Vantage Investment Advisors LLC ..................................................52 Veronesi Building & Remodeling...................................51 Williams, Ella-Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower............................................57 Worth Collection..............................55 WPSU Public Broadcasting ........................ 54, 57 WTAJ ...................................................52

ThisMonth on

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS!

It’s Dr. Seuss’s 109th birthday on March 2, and PBS KIDS is celebrating with new content on-air, online, and on mobile beginning March 1. Viewers can join everyone’s favorite cat in two new episodes of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on Friday, March 1, at 8:30 a.m.

Kids will be able to continue the science adventure with the new “Swirly Whirly Pearl Hunt” online at pbskids.org/catinthehat, and on mobile. Kids can also take part in NEA’s “Read Across America” — so grab your hat and read with the Cat!

P E N N S TAT E P U B L I C M E D I A

For additional program information visit wpsu.org

and continues to follow Poplar’s community of exceptional midwives and nursing nuns.

The new series stays true to its roots — viewers can expect to see more births, babies, and bicycling, plus blossoming romance from an unexpected quarter.

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC: MR. SELFRIDGE

Premieres Sunday, March 31, at 9 p.m.

Call the Midwife, written by Heidi Thomas and based on the best-selling memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth, returns for a second series beginning March 31 at 8 p.m.

Extended to eight episodes, BBC One’s most successful new drama since ratings began sees the return of all its well-loved characters as well as some new faces. Nonnatus House opens its doors to warmly welcome the audience back into 1950s East End London

Based on the life of colorful retail magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge, this new eightpart series stars Jeremy Piven (Entourage) as a wheeling-dealing American who shows early 1900s Londoners how to shop. Fancy window displays, cosmetics counters, merchandise you can touch, and other marketing breakthroughs had to start somewhere, and they sprang from the genius of Chicago native Selfridge, who combined guile, taste, boldness, the poise of a swindler, and the seductive charm of a Casanova — qualities that spelled success but also trouble.

CALL THE MIDWIFE

MR. SELFRIDGE

CALL THE MIDWIFE, SEASON 2 Premieres Sunday, March 31, at 8 p.m.

Season 2

wpsu.org U.Ed. OUT 13-0372/13-PSPB-TV-0014

MARCH

penn state diary

Comic Relief Humor magazines once provided many laughs on campus

By Lee Stout Penn State University Archives (3)

Last month’s column traced the history of the Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student newspaper, from its earliest antecedent, the September 30, 1859, handwritten issue of The Anonymous.

However, news may not have been its primary concern. The opening page concluded, “Our motto is ‘Catch me if you can’ and if anyone should be fortunate enough to catch us, he will please let us know of it. As to our proper address we would close by saying to all persons who would wish it, ‘Don’t you wish you may get it!’ ” Given their interest in playing “the mysterious cello of nonsense,” as they put it, perhaps they also should be credited with being the ancestor of our campus humor magazines. The first example of this genus was The Lemon, subtitled “A squirt of astringent juice for everyone in State College.”

The first issues appeared in the spring of 1907, with a second “crop” in the spring of 1908. The entire staff was anonymous; however, it finally became known that the chief instigator was Harrison “Joe” Mason ’07. Mason is known today as the original proponent of the Nittany Mountain Lion as Penn State’s mascot. In fact, The Lemon was where the idea was first suggested in print.

While humor abounded, there was a more serious purpose as well. President George W. Atherton died in 1906, and President Edwin E. Sparks didn’t take office until 1908. In between those two events, the college was wracked by “indecision, squabbling, and lack of leadership” in the opinions of many. The board of trustees president James A. Beaver battled the faculty over the treatment of students, and the micromanaging college vicepresident Judson P. Welsh battled the deans over budgets and expenditures.

The Lemon’s writers observed the spectacle, poked fun at both town and gown, and advocated for a renewal of college spirit and pride. On the town side, they joked about the “nondescript” name of our town, the endless rides to the outside world on the Bellefonte Central Railroad, and about the attitudes of local merchants. They chastised some of the faculty for inept teaching, arbitrary grading,

Above, the staff of the Penn State Froth from circa late 1930s.

Below, an early edition of Froth.

Above, The Lemon first appeared in 1907.

and a lack of consistent policies across courses.

Generally, however, it was the lack of spirit among their fellow students that stands out.

With the 1908 arrival of President Sparks, who proved to be extraordinarily popular with the students, the problems quickly began to diminish, and The Lemon, the humor magazine with a mission, squeezed its last drop.

However, there was still a need for cheery satire. In the late spring of 1909, the Penn State Froth appeared. The editor, A.W. Fisher ’10, sought “to bring some sunshine into the too often gloomy academic life.” It was likely patterned on the Harvard Lampoon, which had begun in 1876, modeled on Punch, the English humor magazine.

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According to the Harvard Lampoon’s Web page, its mascot was the jester, and it specialized in comic illustrations, written satire, and jokes. Parodies of other publications were a cherished part of its repertoire.

Froth included the same features. Its jester mascot, Frothy, hoisted an overflowing mug of beer. Whether his name came from student social habits or a Shakespearean “foolish gentleman” in Measure for Measure named Froth, is open to debate. Naturally, Froth’s writers were frequently in trouble with the administration for their jokes, whether too ribald for the times or too pointed at easily recognizable faculty members.

As a continuous publication, Froth flourished for 60 years and managed to just limp into the early 1970s. As an undergraduate, I especially liked its parody issues. The “Daily Collision,” for example, was particularly memorable for its puns, double entendre, and generally wacky stories. Since then, attempts have been made periodically to restart the magazine, but what was once seen as nearly cuttingedge, but still situated among the locally absurd, has not been able to keep up with the competition.

The highly political and counter-cultural Bottom of the Birdcage brought the underground newspaper phenomenon to Penn State in 1968. But it was the National Lampoon that probably did as much as anything else to doom Froth.

Three Harvard Lampoon alumni licensed the “Lampoon” name and began publication in 1970.

They broke barriers that Froth could only brush up against. Adults may have called National Lampoon “rude and crude,” but its stories, jokes, photos, and comics tested the boundaries of nudity and good taste with humor and satire that seemed right on to young adults. Parodies, such as its high school yearbook, and then films such as Animal House, cemented it as a franchise even though the magazine ceased publication in 1998.

Looking back from 2013, with our continuing debate over the moral qualities of today’s television, films, and other media, the Penn State Froth is like a gentle poke in the ribs. It now seems charming, perhaps even a bit naïve. Adulthood may bring wisdom; but we’ll still say we wouldn’t have missed those days for anything! T&G Lee Stout is Librarian Emeritus, Special Collections for Penn State.

Get to know...

Kate Fox: Go Global!

Kate Fox found her career passion during a summer study-abroad program in Salamanca, Spain. Three weeks into the program, she was tracking down the coordinator to find out about job opportunities in international education. “I thought, what a wonderful field to work in,” she recalls.

She finished her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish at Niagara University, taught English in Chile, and then returned for a master’s in higher education administration from Marywood University. After graduation, she landed her dream job as an education abroad adviser for Penn State. Together, the university’s four education abroad advisers assist more than 1,600 students who study in other countries each year. “It’s great to be working with colleagues who have such rich experiences in international education,” she says.

Fox is responsible for PSU programs in Austria, Germany, Italy, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. She meets with students considering foreign study, helps them with applications, conducts orientations, and answers questions from “What kind of classes can I take?” to “Who will I be living with?”

Although that summer in Spain was Fox’s only studyabroad student experience, her job has taken her to the Dominican Republic and Cuba, and this year she’s doing a study-site visit in Tanzania. Her best advice for students?

“If you have the slightest idea that study abroad might be for you, then come meet with an adviser. When you do go abroad, embrace every opportunity for learning, whether inside the classroom or not.”

The Penn State Bookstore thanks Kate Fox and all faculty and staff who carry out the university’s mission every day.

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

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COMING TO Bryce Jordan Center

March 10 Nittany Lion Basketball vs. Wisconsin noon

15-17 Builders Association of Central PA’s Home Show 3-8 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 20-21 Spring Career Days 11 a.m.

March

what’s happening

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Saving Time begins.

The annual Builders Association of Central PA Home Show takes place March 15-17 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Penn State

men’s basketball team plays its final regular-season game by hosting Wisconsin.

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St. Patrick’s Day. Callanish presents its annual Irish Music and Arts Celebration at the State Theatre.

Celtic Woman visits Eisenhower Auditorium.

Shaver’s Creek hosts its annual Maple Harvest and Pancake Breakfast, March 23-24.

Penn State’s baseball team opens their home Big Ten schedule with the start of a three-game series against Purdue.

31 Easter

Announcements of general interest to residents of the State College area may be mailed to Town&Gown, Box 77, State College, PA 16804-0077; faxed to (814) 238-3415; or e-mailed to dpenc@barashmedia.com. Photos are welcome.

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Compiled by Sarah Harteis

For more “What’s Happening,” check out townandgown.com.

Academics 4-5 – State College Area School District, K-12, no school, spring break.

4-8 – Penn State University, no classes, spring break.

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

27-29 – State College Area School District, K-12, no school.

28 – Discovery Days: Sun Catchers, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

29 – Discovery Days: Wind Catchers, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

30 – World Stories Alive: Hebrew, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

Classes & Lectures

Children & Families 2, 9 – Stories Alive, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

4 – Discovery Days: Kite Creations, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

5 – Discovery Days: Floating and Sinking, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

6 – Discovery Days: Grow Your Own Flower, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

13 – Parent Discussion Topics: Temperament and Parent-Child Relationships, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., noon, www.schlowlibrary.org.

13, 20, 27 – Toddler Learning Centre, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:15 & 10:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

16 – World Stories Alive: Portuguese, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

17 – St. Patrick’s Day at Schlow, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

19, 26 – Baby and Me Lapsit, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

19, 26 – Nursery Rhyme Toddler Time, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 10:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

20 – Parent Discussion Topics: Friendship Skills, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., noon, www.schlowlibrary.org.

20, 27 – Threes, Four, Fives – Stories Alive!, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

20, 27 – Everybody Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 10:30 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

24 – Signing with SLO, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

26 – Windy Days, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

27 – Discovery Days: Create Your Own Book, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

27 – Parent Discussion Topics: How Much is Enough and How Much is Too Much?, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., noon, www.schlowlibrary.org.

1 – Gallery Talk: “Drawn to Paint” by Patrick McGrady, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

5, 19 – “A Joint Venture,” a free class on hip and knee replacements, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 11 a.m. Mar. 5, 7 p.m.

Mar. 19, 278-4810.

6 – Friends’ Richard Koontz Memorial Lecture: “Civil War Patriotic Envelopes as Weapons of War,” PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 7:30 p.m., www.pamilmuseum.org.

13 – The Art of Poetry: “Shift” by Alyse Bensel, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

14 – Dickson Lecture in Art History: “Rewriting the Narrative: New Re-discoveries and Updates on the Armory Show” by Laurette McCarthy, 112 Borland Building, PSU, 6 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

15 – Gallery Talk: “American Modernists: 100 Years Since the Armory Show” by Laurette McCarthy, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

17 – Free community talk on “The Science of Christianity,” by Mary Alice Rose, First Church of Christ, S.C., 3 p.m., www.abouthealing.org.

19 – Penn State Forum Speaker Series: Charles Figley, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, PSU, 11:30 a.m., pennstateforum .psu.edu.

19 – Sustainable Housing Series: Open Discusssion, State College Municipal Building, S.C., 7 p.m., scotchambersrealestate@gmail.com.

20 – The Art of Music: “The Classical Saxophone: From Historic to Modern,”

by David Stambler, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

22 – Perspectives Unbound Gallery Talk: “The Act of Judith” by Christian Brady, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

25 – Introduction to the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m., fertility.appreciation@ gmail.com.

29 – Curator’s Choice Gallery Talk: “Julie Heffernan: Complicating the Gaze” by Dana Kletchka, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

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Club Events 4, 18 – Knitting Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

5 – Central PA Civil War Round Table: “Meade’s Breakthrough at Fredericksburg – The Assault of the Pennsylvania Reserves,” Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church, S.C., 6 p.m., 861-0770.

6, 13, 20 – Centre Squares Dance Club, Pleasant Gap Elementary School, Pleasant Gap, 8 p.m., 238-8949.

6, 13, 20, 27 – S.C. Sunrise Rotary Club mtg., Hotel State College, S.C., 7:15 a.m., kfragola@psualum.com.

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

7, 14, 21, 28 – S.C. Downtown Rotary mtg., Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar, S.C., noon, http://centrecounty.org/rotary/club/.

12 – Women’s Mid Day Connection Luncheon, Mountain View Country Club, Boalsburg, 11:30 a.m., 355-7615.

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

14, 28 – Embroidery Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.

Community Associations & Development 14 – Centre County TRIAD meeting: Fraud from the Eyes of the Sheriff, Patton Township Municipal Building, 10 a.m., 237–8932 or 237–3130.

19 – Spring Creek Watershed Association mtg., Patton Township Municipal Building, 7:30 a.m., www.springcreekwatershed.org.

28 – CBICC Business After Hours hosted

by EsSpa at the Carnegie Inn, 100 Cricklewood Dr., S.C., 234-1829 or www.cbicc.org.

Exhibits Ongoing-April – Masquerade – Ceremonial and Traditional Masks from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, 1-4:30 p.m. Fri.–Sun., www.bellefontemuseum.org.

Ongoing-May 5 – Drawn to Paint: The Art of Jerome Witkin, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Ongoing-May 5 – Varied and Untried: Early Twentieth-Century American Paintings from the James and Barbara Palmer Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

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“The Art of Judith" by Jerome Watkin is part of the Palmer Museum’s exhibit Drawn to Paint: The Art of Jerome Witkin.

Ongoing-May 19 – Lit with Piercing Glances: Linocuts by James Mullen, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Ongoing-April 28 – Shedding Light on the Past: Lighting Devices of the 18th & 19th Centuries, Centre Furnace Mansion, S.C., 1-4 p.m. Wed., Fri., & Sun. 1-31 – Home and Away: Images from a Well-Traveled Life, by Patrick Casher, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Bellefonte, 1-4:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., www.bellefontemuseum.org.

10-Dec. 22 – A Common Canvas: Pennsylvania’s Post Office Murals, Centre Furnace Mansion, S.C., 1-4 p.m. Wed., Fri., & Sun. 29 – Paper Views: Pop, Fluxus, and the 1960s, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.

12 – Brain Injury Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 7 p.m., 359-3421.

12 – Parent Support Group for Children with Eating Disorders, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 7 p.m., 466-7921.

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

14 – The Diabetes Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6 p.m., 231-7095.

18 – Cancer Survivor Support Group, Centre County United Way, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.cancersurvive.org.

19 – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Outpatient Entrance, Pleasant Gap, 6 p.m., 359-3421.

21 – Better Breathers Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 2 p.m., 359-3421.

21 – The free “Parents–to–Be: The HEIR & Parents Hospital Tour for Expectant Parents,” Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6:30 p.m., 231-3132.

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

Music 12 – Beethoven Orchestra Bonn Stefan Blunier, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., 863-0255 or www.cpa.psu.edu.

19 – Afro-Cuban All Stars, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

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

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

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

7 – Grief Support Group, Centre Crest, Bellefonte, 6 p.m., 548-1140 or amboal@ co.centre.pa.us.

10 – Ostomy Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 2 p.m., 231-3132.

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

The Afro-Cuban All Stars perform March 19 at the State Theatre.

20 – Celtic Woman, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., 863-0255 or www.cpa.psu.edu.

22-23 – Jazz Festival, Esber Recital Hall, PSU, all day, music.psu.edu.

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23 – Acoustic Brew Concert: Long Time Courting, Center for Well Being, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., www.acousticbrew.org.

Special Events 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – State College Farmers Market, State College Municipal Building, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.statecollegefarmers.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 – Boalsburg Farmers Market, Boalsburg Fire Hall, Boalsburg, 2 p.m., www.boalsburgfarmersmarket.com.

9 – Military Movie Madness Festival, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 10 a.m., www.pamilmuseum.org.

10 – Charter Day, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 10 a.m., www.pamilmuseum.org.

15-17 – 2013 Builders Association of Central PA’s Home Show, BJC, PSU, 3 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. Sat. & Sun., www.bjc.psu.edu.

16 – Coaches Vs. Cancer 5K Run/Walk, Intramural Building, PSU, 11 a.m., cvcpsu.com.

16 – The Unitarian Fellowship’s Service and Silent Auction, UUFCC, S.C., 6 p.m., 238-1288.

17 – Callanish Irish Music and Arts Celebration, State Theatre, S.C., 2 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

23 – Spring Into Fashion – a benefit luncheon & fashion show, Centre Hills Country Club, S.C., 231-8224.

23 – Living Local: Health & Wellness Expo, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, PSU, 10 a.m., livinglocalexpo.com.

23 – Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the State College Elks Club, Mountain View Country Club, Boalsburg, noon, 777-2033.

23-24 – Maple Harvest Festival and Pancake Breakfast, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, 10:30 a.m., shaverscreek.org.

28 – Luna Fest … Connecting Women Through Films, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

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

2 – PSU/Ohio State, men’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, noon.

2 – PSU/Ohio State men’s lacrosse, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, 1 p.m.

6 – PSU/James Madison, women’s lacrosse, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, 4 p.m.

9 – PSU/New Hampshire, Temple, Penn, women’s gymnastics, Rec Hall, PSU, 4 p.m.

10 – PSU/Wisconsin, men’s basketball, BJC, PSU, noon.

Red Cross Honor Roll of Milestone Blood Donors

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16 – PSU/Michigan, men’s gymnastics, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

16 – PSU/Kentucky, women’s gymnastics, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.

17 – PSU/Vanderbilt, women’s lacrosse, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, noon.

20 – PSU/Akron, baseball, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 6:05 p.m.

22 – PSU/Indiana, men’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 2 p.m.

23 – PSU/Saint Joseph’s, men’s lacrosse, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, 1 p.m.

24 – PSU/Purdue, men’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, noon.

29 – PSU/Iowa, women’s tennis, Sarni Tennis Center, PSU, 6 p.m.

29-31 – PSU/Michigan, softball, PSU, 6 p.m.

Fri., 2 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun. 29-31 – PSU/Purdue, baseball, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 6:05 p.m. Fri., 2:05 p.m.

Sat., 1:05 p.m. Sun. 30 – PSU/Florida, women’s lacrosse, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, noon.

Theater

16 – The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD presents Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini, State Theatre, S.C., noon, www.thestatetheatre.org.

17 – Hitler’s Daughter, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 2 p.m., www.cpa.psu.edu.

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

21, 23 – Penn State Thespians present The Lorax, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m. Thurs., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Sat., www.schlowlibrary.org.

24 – Classical Music Project Film Series: Tous les Matins du Monde, State Theatre, S.C., 2 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org.

27 – The Landowner’s Gift, Grace Lutheran Church, S.C., 7 p.m., 238-2478.

28-April 7 – The Next Stage presents Harper Regan, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m.

(2:30 p.m. matinees March 31 & April 7, 2 p.m. matinee April 6), www.thestatetheatre.org.

31 – Greats at The State Film Series: 2001: A Space Odyssey, State Theatre, S.C., 2 p.m., www.thestatetheatre.org. T&G

2 – The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD presents Wagner’s Parsifal, State Theatre, S.C., noon, www.thestatetheatre.org.

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Come Home to The State www.thestatetheatre.org • (814) 272-0606 130 W. College Ave. • Downtown State College MARCH 17 CALLANISH IRISH MUSIC AND ARTS CELEBRATION Irish Festival - 2-5:30 Irish Dancing, Crafts & Storytelling - 2-3p Callanish Concert - 3-5p

MARCH 19 AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS | 8P A unique orchestra devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music!

MARCH 28 LUNAFEST | 7P Short films by, for and about women.

Sponsored by the Centre County Women’s Resource Center

MARCH 21 NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE PRESENTS: PEOPLE A new play by Alan Bennett, one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights

MARCH 28 - APRIL 7

NEXT STAGE PRESENTS: HARPER REGAN, DIRECTED BY ROBERT W. SCHNEIDER A PLAY BY SIMON STEPHENS

Check out thestatetheatre.org for dates and times

from the vine

Location, Location, Location More than most grapes, Syrah shows that where a wine is made can make all the difference

By Lucy Rogers

As you probably already know, a wine made in one part of the world will taste one way, and a wine made from the same grape made in a different part of the world will taste another way. While there are many variables that go into making a bottle of wine — time of grape harvest, winemaker, fermentation process, aging process — the most fundamental is the concept of terroir — that a wine made in a certain place reflects that place — its climate, its soil, i.e., its geographical identity. This oenological proposition is demonstrated no more clearly than with the grape Syrah. While the grape seems to be able to grow all over the world, it expresses itself quite differently in different wine-growing regions.

The oldest known plantings of Syrah (also known as Shiraz in Australia and South Africa, among other places) are in France’s Rhone Valley. It was once thought that the Syrah grape had been brought to France from Persia, where there was (and is, in what is now Iran) a city called Shiraz. There also were theories that the Roman Emperor Probus brought the grape to France from Siracusa (Syracuse) in Sicily. These days, however, modern science has debunked these theories and has determined that it is most likely that Syrah is indigenous to the Cotes du Rhone region of France.

The only red wine grape grown in France’s Northern Rhone Valley, Syrah can produce wild wines with strong gamey, animal-like aromas and exotic and intense flavors of meat, dark fruit, leather, and pepper. The climate is typically cooler than in other Syrah-growing regions such as California’s Central Coast or Australia’s Barossa Valley.

Rhone winters are cold and wet, and the grapes need southern exposure in summer in order to ripen fully. Traditional winemaking methods also play a role here as well — many Northern Rhone Syrah grapes are fermented together with their stems, which results in a

significant increase in the amount of tannin found in the wines, something that also distinguishes Syrah from the Rhone from Syrah from the rest of the world. (Syrah also is grown in the Languedoc region of France, as well as the Southern Rhone Valley where it is most typically blended with Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Carignane, and a number of other grapes.)

The best Northern Rhone wines are produced in the subregions of Cote-Rotie and Hermitage, where old vines yield less fruit but the grapes that are produced are highly concentrated. The two wine-growing regions are very small in area, and the wines can be exquisite if quite expensive. Cornas, St. Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage are the other Northern Rhone regions where Syrah is grown. Cornas, known for producing wines with very distinct burnt and leather flavors, is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of wine. CrozesHermitage is a much flatter and larger region (10 times that of Hermitage), farther away from the banks of the Rhone River, where the vines are higher yielding and therefore

78 - Town&Gown March 2013

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often producing a little lighter and less concentrated wine. But these are wines that will give you a taste of the Rhone for less money. It has been my experience that Northern Rhone wines can definitely be an acquired taste.

However, when you go to the other side of the globe and look to Australia, Shiraz is the grape that made the world conscious of the fact that Australia even had a wine industry. (Okay, well, Chardonnay, too.) Yellowtail took the market by storm a little more than 10 years ago, exceeding initial distributor sales expectations ten-fold. Yellowtail introduced a style of wine that is quite different than that of the Northern Rhone, but was broadly appealing to those in the American wine-drinking market. Soon dozens of “critter” wines appeared on the shelves — warm-climate wines that were typically jammy, ripe, and mouth-filling and packed with fruit flavors (and also remarkably affordable).

Suddenly Shiraz was everywhere and everyone was drinking it. But demand for Australian Shiraz has begun to wane in recent years as the wine-drinking public is looking elsewhere for the next “newest thing.” Australian sections of the local wine store are steadily shrinking. But that doesn’t mean that good Australian Shiraz is no longer being made. What it does mean is that while there are fewer of those more coarse, “cheap” (under $10) wines on the shelves, you may have to look a little harder (and pay a little more) to find Australian Shiraz that is fruit forward with plum or boysenberry but perhaps nuanced with mocha, mint, spice, and/or black pepper, and is both well-balanced and easy drinking.

California had increased its Syrah plantings and production in more recent years, in part no doubt in response to the Australian Shiraz boom. Some wineries even used the term Shiraz instead of Syrah to make it more identifiable to the American market. But American Syrah continues to struggle to make a name for itself, since it seems no one producer is known for its varietal bottling of Syrah. Regardless, Syrah from California and Washington are almost what you would expect in terms of a warmclimate Syrah flavor profile. Dark-colored, rich, round, and friendly, California Syrahs can be easy drinking and layered with fruit and spice flavors. There are quite a number

of producers in California’s Central Coast, like Eberle (who was a pioneer, planting the grape as far back as the mid-1970s) but also in Sonoma. We particularly enjoyed Dutcher Crossing’s Proprietor’s Reserve 2008 Dry Creek Valley (not available in PA), as well as the Bearboat 2008 Syrah from the Russian River Valley (PLCB code 18506, $20).

Another region emerging in the Syrah/ Shiraz market is Chile. Styles vary widely due to where in the country they are grown, i.e., cool climate vs. warm climate, and it can be sometimes hard to find in the state store. Our panel tasted Syrah from just one producer (Concha y Toro’s Casillero del Diablo line), from two successive vintages. While both wines had herbal characteristics in the nose, the flavors were quite different from each other. Not exactly a representative sample, but it did go to show how much a wine can change from vintage to vintage.

Syrah is a wine worth exploring, if only to experience firsthand the concept that a wine’s terroir is important: you may like the jammy Shiraz of Australia but not care for the wild, untamed, gamey Syrah of the Rhone Valley, or vice versa. Or you could try something such as Domaine Terlato Chapoutier Shiraz Malakoff Pyrenees 2006 (PLCB code 19630, $30), which is the result of a joint effort between California’s Anthony Terlato and Michel Chapoutier (of the centuries-old Rhone Valley winemaking Chapoutier family). The grapes are grown and the wine produced in the Pyrenees wine region of Australia: California meets France in Australia.

Whichever style you decide you prefer, many of the Syrahs we tasted were well served by aeration, some even tasting significantly better the following day. And also remember to keep track of the wines you like and where they are from — it will always help you focus on areas you want to explore, and keep you from buying wines that are unlikely to appeal to you. Cheers! 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.

80 - Town&Gown March 2013

John Hovenstine (4)

Smoked-brisket sandwich from the Red Horse Tavern.

of Taste the

Month

81 -81 Town&Gown - Town&Gown March March 20132013

Feelin' at Home

New Red Horse Tavern owners bring comfort foods to forefront

By Vilma Shu Danz

Converted to a restaurant and bar in the 1950s, the Red Horse Tavern is a Centre County landmark that was originally built in the 1940s as a residential home. New owners and chefs Justin Leiter and Courtney Confer took over the Red Horse Tavern, located at 104 North Main Street in Pleasant Gap, in June 2012, and, after months of renovations, reopened its doors in October.

The new menu focuses on local, fresh ingredients and offers diners a simple and casual selection of American comfort foods, all prepared inhouse, from a classic burger to a house-smoked brisket sandwich.

“We wanted a menu that was simple, but done right and consistently, so whether you are a business professional coming in for lunch or a family looking for a bite to eat for dinner, you can come here once or twice a week and find something on the menu that becomes your favorite,” says Leiter.

Leiter’s inspiration for the menu comes from his experience working at many of the area’s premier restaurants. Growing up in Bellefonte, he always had an interest in cooking, and after high school, he went to the Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh. After graduating in 1996, he returned to the area and did an internship at The Atherton Hotel in State College.

“After my internship, I went to work as a sous chef at the Gamble Mill Restaurant in Bellefonte for 10 years and that’s where I met Courtney Confer, who owned it at the time,” explains Leiter. “Then, I worked at the Carnegie House for two years before going to cook at the Village at Penn State, where I met my wife, Renee, who coincidently went to the same culinary school I did.”

Some popular and unique dishes at the Red Horse Tavern include the tuna burger made

with house-smoked tuna and served with peppers, southwest spices, and adobo sauce on a Kaiser roll; the pork tenderloin served with a wild mushroom and bacon ragout; and the Louisiana shrimp sautéed with herbs, lemon juice, and barbeque butter served with a smoked gouda polenta cake.

“One of our popular sides is Mom’s Beans, and it’s a dish that my mother and Confer’s mother used to make for us growing up. Some people here call it Calico beans, and it’s basically BBQ baked big butter and kidney beans with beef and bacon,” Leiter says.

Chocolate caramel with Meyer Dairy vanilla ice cream

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ShrimpLouisiana scampi shrimp BBQ

As the restaurant evolves, Leiter plans to add items to the dinner menu that change with the seasons to utilize the fresh produce and ingredients found locally.

For a special recipe for BBQ Louisiana shrimp with smoked Gouda polenta, visit www.town andgown.com. T&G

> Featured Selections < Hours of Operations: Lunch: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Dinner: Monday-Saturday, 4-9 p.m.

Closed Sunday Weekly specials include braised short ribs with sweet-potato hash on Thursdays, and beer-battered fish, stewed tomatoes, and macaroni and cheese on Fridays. Check the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blackboard for specials for lunch and dinner.

For information about catering, call (814) 359-2082.

Chef and co-owner Justin Leiter 83 - Town&Gown March 2013

Dining Out Full Course Dining Allen Street Grill, corner of Allen Street and College Avenue, 231-GRILL. The food sizzles. The service sparkles. The prices are deliciously frugal.

The menu is classic American grill mixed with popular influences from Mexico, Italy, and the Far East. AE, D, MC, V. 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 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. Bill Pickle’s Tap Room,106 S. Allen St., 272-1172.

Not for saints…not for sinners. AE, DIS, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.

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.

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.

85 - Town&Gown March 2013

We love People, Beer & Local Foods!

Proudly Serving Our Dedicated, Loyal Customers For 10 Years

Bringing you craft beer and fresh food using local products in a family friendly, casual atmosphere.

Food & Beer TO GO!

Bottles • Cases • Kegs • Growlers

Chili’s Grill & Bar, 137 South Allen Street, 234-5922.

Chili’s is like “no place else” — Southwestern menu features sizzling fajitas, “the Best Burgers,” baby-back ribs, steaks, and Margarita Madness.

The Corner Room Restaurant, corner of Allen Street and College Avenue, 237-3051. Literally first in hospitality. Since 1855, The Corner Room has served generous breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to the community and its guests. AE, D, MC, V.

ring Now offe ade locally m dy, , can beer soap ! & mugs

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.

2235 N. Atherton St. State College 814.867.6886

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.

www.ottospubandbrewery.com

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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.

FINE COUNTRY FOOD & DRINK

g rin te le a C b te la Si i n- va O A

LOCAL ...

SEASONAL ...

RUSTIC ...

COMFORT

Patrick Chambers Basketball show live from the clubhouse every Thursday from 6-7pm!

MARCH MADNESS IS ON HERE! 7 Big Screen in HD • Free WiFi Follow Your Brackets Here 3 private banquet rooms available for your holiday parties.

Damon’s Delivers Everyday!

Order online at lionmenus.com

WWW.MTNITTANYINN.COM • 814.364.9363 559 N. PENNSYLVANIA AVE CENTRE HALL, PA BANQUET/MEETING FACILITIES

1031 East College Ave. 814-237-6300 • damons.com

Local Owners Local Ingredients GREAT FOOD!

Blueplate Specials Daily!

Daily Lunch Deals Hot Sandwich & Homemade Soup

1405 South Atherton St. State College, PA 16801

ONLY $6.99

www.theautoport.com

814-237-7666 87 - Town&Gown March 2013

Duffyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

India Pavilion Exotic Indian Cuisine

Open Tuesday thru Sunday Closed Monday Lunch Buffet: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

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

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.

Carry Out Available

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.

222 E. Calder Way 237-3400 www.indiapavilion.net

BreakFasT

LUnCh

Dinner

Let Us Do The Cooking For Youâ&#x20AC;Ś

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

88 - Town&Gown March 2013

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.

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., herwigsaus trianbistro.com, 272-0738. Located next to the State Theatre. Austrian Home Cooking. Ranked #1 Ethnic Restaurant 5 years in a row. Eat-in, Take-Out, Catering, Franchising. BYO after 5 p.m., D, MC, V. Hi-Way Pizza, 1688 North 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.

89 - Town&Gown March 2013

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, (call ahead.)

D, MC, V.

Taste of the Month Town&Gown’s Monthly Focus on Food

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

Fresh from the Farm Every Day! MILK • ICE CREAM • EGGS • CHEESE • JUICES • POP'S MEXI-HOTS • BAKED GOODS • SANDWICHES • ICE CREAM CAKES • & MORE!

MEYER DAIRY STORE & ICE CREAM PARLOR

Sun. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. 2390 S. ATHERTON ST. • 237-1849

State College’s newest hangout

Try our onsite Smoked Pork Sandwich!

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.

1301 West College Ave. • 814-308-8959 www.westsidestadiumbarandgrill.com

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.

We offer wood-fired pizza, fresh homemade pasta, as well as wood-grilled items such as Baby Back BBQ Ribs, homemade meatloaf, various fish and seafood and our soon to be award winning burgers!

www.faccialuna.com

www.luna-2.com

1229 South Atherton St. • State College • 234-9000

2609 E. College Ave. • State College, PA • 234-9009

90 - Town&Gown March 2013

Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar, 2609 E. College Ave., 234-9009, www.luna-2.com. Wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, wood-grilled BBQ ribs, seafood, burgers, and don’t forget to try the homemade meatloaf! Sumptuous salads and desserts. Full bar service. Outside seating. Sorry, no reservations accepted. Dine-In, Take-out. MC/V.

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.

Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 1272 North 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.

Good Food Fast

The Mt. Nittany Inn, 559 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Centre Hall, 364-9363, mtnittanyinn.com. Perched high above Happy Valley at 1,809 feet, the Mt. Nittany Inn offers homemade soups, steaks, seafood, and pasta. Bar and banquet areas available. AE, CB, D, MAC, MC, V. Full Bar. Otto’s Pub & Brewery, 2235 N. Atherton Street, 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., 238-6116. 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.

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 Street, 2371849. 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.westsidestadiumbarandgrill.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. T&G

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.

The Very BesT In AusTrIAn home CookIng

Dine-in or take-out.

Specialty pizzas, pastas, salads, strombolis, calzones, subs, & desserts. Live music the 2nd Sat. of each month.

“Where Bacon is an herb”™

Voted #1 Ethnic Restaurant 8 Years in a Row!

AT GRECES! PRI

2782 Earlytown Road, Centre Hall • 364-2176 Dining Room in rear, open 7 days 91 - Town&Gown March 2013

Try our homemade

BREAD

U n iq u e D in in g Experie nce!

Pre-show Dinner Discounts

Mon-Wed 11:45am-8pm | Thu-Sat 11:45am-9pm

132 W. College Ave. | 814-272-0738

Eat In • Take Out • Catering • Franchising

lunch with mimi

Breaking Barriers for Future Generations Multicultural-affairs director is on a mission to help others receive fair treatment and know they belong Darren Weimert

As director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, Barbara Farmer is on a mission to develop a welcoming and nurturing climate to foster diversity. Through the programs she has facilitated or created, which include the Girlz’ Digital World Middle School Summer Camp and the Women of Distinction reception, held this year on March 12, she helps with the interaction and communication between students, faculty, and staff.

Originally from Newport News, Virginia, Farmer graduated from Hampton University with a degree in business Mimi Barash Coppersmith (right) chats with Barbara Farmer education. She earned her master’s degree in at Mario’s Italian Restaurant. administration/supervision from the North Carolina A&T State University, and a doctorate of Mimi: It’s just delightful to have lunch with education degree in educational leadership from the you! I’ve admired you for a long time from afar.

University of North Carolina. She moved to State Barbara: Thank you! The feeling is quite mutual.

College in 1996 after her husband, Edgar, accepted Mimi: I’m reminded as I read your resumé a position as associate professor in the College of that you lived in a historic period in American Education at Penn State. history for African Americans.

Prior to assuming her current position, she Barbara: Absolutely. served as the first African-American principal in the Mimi: And your first two degrees were from State College Area School District, at Houserville/ black institutions. Can you talk about your Lemont Elementary Schools for 11 years. Recently, experiences as a child? Place it in a decade for us.

Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith Barbara: It was about 1958. I was in eighth grade. sat down with Farmer at Mario’s Italian Restaurant All of my public school education was segregated. in State College to discuss her growing up as an And I didn’t hit desegregated schools until I went African-American woman and how she has used her to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. experiences to make a difference in how minorities I was sheltered. I was in a cocoon. And because I are treated at Penn State. was so loved, trained, and protected, some of the

Presents...

Rustic Italian See our February Feature Menu Online!

HarrisonsMenu.com • 1221 E. College Avenue • 814.237.4422 93 - Town&Gown March 2013

things that were happening in the larger outside world where I lived didn’t impact me as hard as they might have somebody else around me.

Mimi: And this was in Virginia?

Barbara: Yes, Newport News, Virginia. I didn’t even realize until I was an adult. I guess I didn’t want to face it. I was born and raised in the city projects, but since ours was a different style of housing, the assumption was it wasn’t the projects like the people lived in downtown.

Mimi: You could believe it was better.

Barbara: Right. I didn’t live downtown in what we would call today the urban part of town. At the time when I was growing up in the projects, the doctors, the lawyers, the teachers, and everyone lived in the same community. And then of course as they became more prosperous, they began to move out and build in the suburban areas.

Mimi: Now, were your parents formally educated?

Barbara: No. My dad said he went to school for two days — one for him and one for his brother. But he was educated in terms of the world and common sense. And for 15 years he worked two full-time jobs. He worked in the Newport News Shipyard and he worked as a repairman/caretaker on a whitehousing project — remember, there were housing projects for white people and housing projects for black people. He worked on the one for whites to avoid having my mother go to work since there were six children. So, he did that and then he had a little construction handyman business on the side. He could open your water pipe. He could build things.

He would paint. He was intent that we would live well enough because at the time we didn’t even know we were blue collar.

Mimi: He couldn’t vote either?

Barbara: He couldn’t vote.

Mimi: We forget that.

Barbara: We forget that. Wow, you’re absolutely right. But my mom went to school until either sixth or eighth grade because after that you had to go to a boarding school away from your community. My parents were born and raised in South Carolina.

So, it was an even different environment there.

Mimi: Totally segregated?

Barbara: Totally, except of course working for the white farmer. My mother actually had 11 children, but five died in birth. And my father said his children were not going to be raised to

be farmers — pardon the pun on that — so he moved to Newport News and that’s where I was born. And he was determined that we would live well, so after we moved out of the housing project my father started buying homes for our family to live in.

Mimi: And remodeling them?

Barbara: Yes, to the degree that they needed. When people talk about the back of the bus, that wasn’t a familiar place with me because we always had cars — my daddy was determined that we weren’t going to ride the bus. So, in our community we stayed within the parameters of safety and acceptance. Now, who I did get to know were Jewish merchants.

As I was growing up during that time and went downtown to shop, there was Kramer’s Department Store. They owned retail stores, and all the Jewish merchants were selling to black people. Then, if you went over the bridge, you went over town and that’s where the white people shopped. So, we went downtown on Saturdays.

Mimi: So were they Jewish merchants also over the bridge?

Barbara: Yes, they were Jewish merchants as well.

Mimi: They worked both sides of the streets.

Barbara: They did — they really did. But we were the only folks that were shopping in the downtown stores. The white people didn’t come downtown to our side of town to shop.

However, we went on their side of town to shop. So, that’s where my mother and I went.

In my secure world downtown, my church was a few blocks down in that area. We lived in our community, went to the schools in my community. So, I had a level of cultural protection.

Mimi: You were sheltered.

Barbara: I really was. But then my mom and dad knew the rules to keep us safe when we went outside of our community. By that I mean when we would go over town to shop, my mother and I would dress up. She would have us put on either our Sunday clothes or something nice because when you went into the white shopping area of stores, if you wanted them to give you attention and think you were worthy to be there, you’d have to look a certain kind of way. My momma believed in going anywhere. She said her money could be spent anywhere. So, we would go all over town, and we always had a nice car because that was the way my daddy took care of us. And

94 - Town&Gown March 2013

we would go in those stores and shop. And my mother was also a very good person in interacting with other people, no matter who they were.

Mimi: You learned that from her. Now, can you give me a couple examples of instances in your work life as a teacher and an administrator where you’ve been able to take that solid foundation that your parents helped build in you to make this, State College, a better place?

Barbara: Absolutely. One thing comes to mind. I hope this fits in terms of an answer. I was in a workshop out at Shaver’s Creek and they put out all of these different pieces of fabrics for you to choose a piece that most represented you and why. I chose a piece that had all kinds of colors and designs because I thought it was pretty, and what it represented for me was that in the midst of any color I knew how to survive and I know how to get along with people. That comes out of the basic training through my parents and my family. Looking at the heart of people and discerning that no matter our outward differences, we have a lot of things in common inside of us that we care about. As a teacher and administrator, my belief has always been that people send us the best children they have. As a teacher and as an administrator, if people are sending us their best children, then we’re supposed to give them our best because children don’t come programmed.

Mimi: Tell me a little bit about your job. Part of your job is to bring down barriers.

Barbara: Absolutely. I love it! I am the director of multicultural affairs, and I just love it because I’m in the people business. My office is in the dean’s suite, so students are constantly coming in and out of there. Among them are a lot of minority students, and the people in that office love them and treat them so well. The

barriers come down for students and they see that they are being treated like everyone else.

Mimi: Well, there are people who believe that the whole department’s a waste of money.

Barbara: Oh, don’t get me started on that!

Oh, my goodness! We have a black president!

We have had a black governor, mayors, and people in Congress, so that means we have arrived. Therefore, there are no radical groups floating around — though Pennsylvania has the largest number of hate groups — on campus because it seems like it’s calm and we don’t have a lot of overt racism. Then, that means everything must be all right. But we know better because everything is not all right.

Mimi: It’s all a charade.

Barbara: Well, I don’t want to call it a charade exactly because I do believe there are honest, sincere efforts to make it better, and it is better. So, I don’t want to label it as a charade, but I don’t want people to get confused just because there’s calm in the atmosphere.

People are still being mistreated. People are still not feeling like they belong. And it’s not just students. It is faculty and staff whom I encounter, minorities as well as women. I’m on a mission for people to be whole and free, and in the midst of that, coming to realize that they are valuable and that they are worth their place in the space.

Mimi: I’m on your team.

Barbara: When I encounter people who have either low self-esteem or low confidence it sends me into the gear of passion and mission. I’m responsible for helping to change the climate in my building and enhance community. I work on that with my peers, implementing different kinds of activities and programs.

Mimi: Are you making progress?

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Barbara: We are making progress.

Mimi: Can you give me some examples in terms of policies, actions, or activities?

Barbara: Interesting, when you say Policy or Practice. I had a student who was outwardly gay and he wanted a diversity statement placed in the class syllabus. This concern resulted in having the dean and professors embracing this change and placing the statement in the syllabus as well as having the statement framed and posted on classroom walls. Everyone’s now aware, and that warmed my heart.

Mimi: He needed reaffirmation that was really a part of the nondiscrimination policy.

Barbara: Yes, absolutely. We have a dean who’s wonderfully open and supports that which is best for students and the programming we do through our office. David Hall is the dean of Information, Sciences, and Technology.

Mimi: And it is a college that attracts diversity.

Barbara: Absolutely! So it has been a real joy and a real pleasure being there. And that’s why, when people asked me when my husband was retiring, “What are you going to do?” I told them, “I’m going to keep going to work because

I love it!” We’ve even started certain kinds of activities like the Women of Distinction Day Celebration that we’re having this month because it’s Women’s History Month. We’re embracing ways to celebrate the women in the college. We are having a poster contest for all students to highlight the historical and current presence of women in technology. We are also having a WOD Award Contest for women in the college to be nominated in the areas of service and academics. The major highlight this year, however, is having female faculty members make presentations during classes on this special day [March 12] by sharing their research areas and journey into IST. We’re trying to increase our numbers of female students in the college, and view this day as one of awareness, appreciation, and recruitment. In the last three to five years, our numbers have increased. We’re up to 18 percent females this school year.

Mimi: Thank you for spending this time with me. I hope our readers enjoy it as much as I have.

Barbara: Well, I hope so, and I thank you for just even selecting me to do this. It’s been a pleasure. 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 December meeting competition.

December Meeting First Place: Theme “Landscape”

“Gardens” by Jan Anderson

>

“This was shot in April 2011 shortly after sunrise on the first morning of a photography workshop at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The sky was clear, the steam was rising from the lake, and the sunlight was just beginning to touch the trees and the blue water. The peaceful, quiet moment was enough to remind me that every sunrise is miraculous.”

December Meeting First Place: Open Category

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“Fire Circle” by Gary Perdue

“I took this shot at the Penn State Arboretum during a State College Photo Club workshop on macro/close-up photography in August 2012. The original shot framing included the whole flower, which I cropped to emphasize the circular center with its fire-like pollen.”

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 861-1785. 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. Guest and new members are welcome.

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

98 - Town&Gown March 2013

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Community Provider CVIM director grateful for those who give of their time and money to provide medical services to those in need

By Sarah Olah

Tucked away in the woods of Seven Mountains is the log-cabin home where Cheryl White lives with her husband and Bernese mountain dog, Dewey. White, executive director for the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, is the kind of person who hand-signs every “Thank You” note. She jokes and says that Christmas is a busy season for her.

“One of my favorite parts of my job is being able to say Thank You to the donors for their support,” she says.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine is a nonprofit center that provides residents in need in Centre County free medical and dental services. It also provides case management and medication for patients. The center relies solely on donations from fundraisers and other donors. There is both a paid staff and a staff of volunteers. The volunteers fill most roles at the center, including social workers, case managers, nurses, and dental hygienists, among others, according to White.

“They’re truly amazing people,” she says. “They make my job easy.”

The clinic is currently celebrating its 10th year as a free clinic.

White describes her job as overseeing the dayto-day management of CVIM, adding that her job includes a little bit of everything. She says she works with committees and is responsible for the overall development as far as fundraising.

She took the position of executive director in December 2010, and prior to that she worked on the board of directors.

She says that while she was on the board, she had an interest of what was going on at the clinic when the director at the time stepped down.

White then stepped down from the board and applied for the position and received it.

Prior to her work with CVIM, she worked at HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital as a nurse liaison, adding that she is a registered nurse. The CVIM job is her first time working in the nonprofit world.

Cheryl White How do you relieve your stress? “A long walk with my Bernese mountain dog. He’s big at 120 pounds. Dewey’s my stress reliever and he pretty much demands to be walked everyday.”

What is the best advice you ever received? “If you don’t like what you’re doing, change it.”

What’s your favorite movie? “This is going to sound sappy, but I love that movie Love Actually. It’s such a chick flick. That and Sabrina.”

“You fund raise every dollar that goes into the clinic, and at times it’s very challenging,” she says. “But the Centre County community is very good to us.”

White, who was born in Greenville, graduated from Penn State in 1980, and has lived in the Centre Region since 1994. She and her husband, Bruce, who is director of operations for Hospitality Asset Management Company, have two sons, a daughter, and a granddaughter.

“I was one of the Penn State students that thought it would be great to live in this town and get a real job here,” White says. “That’s how we ended up back here.”

Each year, CVIM has three major fundraising events as well as two mail solicitations.

“We always need money — we don’t have a source of income other than what comes to us through donations,” White says.

The need for money is always there because the need for CVIM’s services continues to be there.

White says, for example, that CVIM has more than 2,000 people on its waiting list for dental care.

“It’s rewarding when patients thank us for what we do,” she says. “The majority of patients are very grateful.” T&G

100 - Town&Gown March 2013

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