Town&Gown SEPTEMBER 2016
FREE
townandgown.com
One Team Mayor Goreham and the Nittany Lion have a roaring good time helping town meet gown
Inside: Nittany Valley Symphony celebrates 50th anniversary The lasting impact of Joe Paterno
Since TAV ERN RESTAUR ANT 1948
Stop in for our Award Winning Sunday Brunch Buffet
10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Our menu features fresh veal, seafood, fine steaks, and pasta dishes as well as our famous escargot.
A downtown State College destination since 1948,The Tavern Restaurant serves contemporary classic fare in a historic setting. Roasted Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin Pork Tenderloin Marinated and Cooked in an Island Style Seaoning with Brown Sugar. Sliced Thin and Drizzled with a Savory Hawiian Sauce.
Escargot Escargot Broiled with Herb and Wine Butter.
220 E. College Ave., State College 814-238-6116 • www.thetavern.com
2016 September T&G - 1
Culbertson Financial Services
• Insurance • Investment Services • Employee Benefits
Dan Aiello
LPL Investment Advisor Representative
(814)808-6029 (800)292-3001 (814)808-6054 Dan.aiello@lpl.com 105 West Main Street Boalsburg, PA 16827 www.danaiello.com Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor Member, FINRA/SIPC
4 - T&G September 2016
T& G
features 26 / The Town-Gown Relationship State College and Penn State continue to develop strong connections to help each other • by Tracey M. Dooms
26
36 / A Lasting Impact It was September 1966 when Joe Paterno stood on the sidelines of Beaver Stadium for his first game as Penn State football’s head coach. Now 50 years later, while there is much debate about what his legacy is and will be, there is little debate on the impact he had on the studentathletes he led for so long • by Frank Bodani
46 / Remembering — and Trying to Resurrect — the Rivalry
36
Once bitter rivals, Penn State and Pitt will meet for the first time in 16 seasons on September 10 in Pittsburgh. While the series may not mean as much to the younger generation of fans, longtime supporters of the two programs love to reminisce about what once was • by Frank Bodani
56 / A Golden Musical Family
When it comes to the Nittany Valley Symphony’s first 50 years, it’s not just about the memorable concerts and performances. It’s also about a group of musicians coming together, caring for each other, and creating an important piece of the arts in Happy Valley • by David Pencek On the cover: Photo by Darren Andrew Weimert
56 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 2016 by Barash Media. All rights reserved. Send address changes to Town&Gown, 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any process except with written authorization from Town&Gown or its publisher. Phone: 800-326-9584, 814-238-5051. FAX: 814-238-3415. Printed by Gazette Printers, Indiana, PA. 20,000 copies published this month, available FREE in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and motels & travel depots. SUBSCRIPTIONS and SINGLE COPIES: $45/1yr; current issue by 1st‑class mail, $10; back copy, $15 mailed, $12 picked up at the T&G office. townandgown.com
2016 September T&G - 5
T& G
departments
10 Letter from The Editor 12 Starting Off: The List, People in the Community, Q&A 20 Living Well: A few simple steps taken every day can promote success • by Meghan Fritz 22 Health: Symptoms of prostate problems are common … and do not always mean cancer • by Ravishankar Rao, MD 24 On Center: Seong-Jin Cho to perform Beethoven concerto with Warsaw Philharmonic • by John Mark Rafacz 66 This Month on WPSU
96 69 What’s Happening: Penn State football, Mozart’s Requiem, Nittany Valley Symphony, NHL action, Kanye West, and more highlight September’s events 80 From the Vine: Portugal’s Douro region continues to produce world-class red wines • by Lucy Rogers 84 Taste of the Month/Dining Out: Courthouse Crepes brings varied menu to Bellefonte • by Vilma Shu Danz 96
Lunch with Mimi: Anthony Leach’s life in music has led to founding a special group at Penn State to helping children in South Africa
106 State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos 108 Snapshot: Field hockey’s Char Morett Curtiss has enjoyed a hall of fame career as a player and coach • by David Pencek
84 6 - T&G September 2016
Selling?
Town&Gown September
A State College & Penn State tradition since 1966.
Publisher Rob Schmidt Founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith Editorial Director David Pencek
1kbb.com 1612 N. Atherton St. State College, PA
814.238.8080
Color Lock
2300 S. Atherton St. State College, PA
814.234.4000
Creative Director Tiara Snare Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz Art Director/Photographer Darren Weimert Graphic Designers Cody Peachey, Laura Specht Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel Business Manager Aimee Aiello
®
technology matters.
With it’s incredible scrub and fade resistance, no paint is more enduring or endearing.
Only Benjamin Moore offers Color Lock® technology. Visit benjaminmoore.com
Administrative Assistant Lana Bernhard Intern Elizabeth Low (graphic designer) Distribution Handy Delivery
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.
150 Rolling Ridge Drive
814.237. 3333
acehardware.com 8 - T&G September 2016
Facebook.com/townandgownsc @TownGownSC townandgown.com
T& G
letter from the editor
The Need to Recognize History Marking the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno’s first season as head coach We love our history at Town&Gown. It’s one of the hallmarks of this magazine. Just in the first eight months of this year, Town&Gown has featured stories or devoted entire issues to the 100-year anniversary of the State College branch of the American Association of University Women, new discoveries about the three women credited with starting Memorial Day in Boalsburg, the work the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has done in its 150 years, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts as it hit 50 years, local ties to the Underground Railroad, and, of course, Town&Gown as the magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary in January. It continues in this issue with “A Golden Musical Family,” which helps mark the 50th anniversary season of the Nittany Valley Symphony. This year also is the 50th anniversary of the first Penn State football team with Joe Paterno as its head coach. Whatever one’s opinion is of Paterno, the fact is that, looking back, his becoming the head coach of the Nittany Lions is one of the more significant events in this area’s history. He isn’t the only reason why Happy Valley has grown and prospered the way it has since 1966, but he is a huge reason why. And it’s why the magazine has chosen to mark the occasion with this month’s story, “A Lasting Impact,” by Frank Bodani. In the story, a player from each of the six decades Paterno led the Lions shares how their former coach influenced them and how the lessons they learned from him still play a part in their lives today.
It’s predictable that some may not care for the story, or even like the fact that the magazine has published it. The story isn’t meant to cause another debate about Paterno’s legacy or even about a statue, although it’s difficult to avoid. That aspect can be fought out on message boards, social media, and rants from media personalities. Igniting a debate about Paterno also is as pointless as trying to switch a Donald Trump supporter to vote for Hillary Clinton and vice versa. Many people have carved their opinions about Paterno in stone in their minds. He’s hated by some, while beloved by others. He’s guilty for what he did or didn’t do, or he’s had his name and reputation torn apart by a false narrative and false accusations. Whichever side you fall on, or if you’re one who actually has yet to make up your mind, the story in this month’s issue is simply to recognize the fact that this one person had a profound impact on the young student-athletes he coached, and he changed not just a football program but also a school and a region forever, mostly for the good. Of that, there is little debate.
David Pencek Editorial Director dpenc@barashmedia.com
Fall Means Football!
We Have Penn State Vera Bradley ...and beautiful Fall Decor for your Home!
Tuesday thru Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5 www.squirebrowns.com • 717-667-2556 & Check us out on Facebook at Squire Brown’s, LLC Directions: Milroy Exit off Route 322, turn right at light, 1 mile on right, beside Honey Creek Inn
10 - T&G September 2016
T& G
starting off
The List What to know about September
In 1994, President Bill Clinton declared September to be Classical Music Month. This region offers wonderful opportunities to see and hear classical music performed, including Penn State School of Music, Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, and Nittany Valley Symphony, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. You can read about the symphony in this month’s story, “A Golden Musical Family.”
September also begins Hispanic Heritage Month. The celebration runs September 15 to October 15.
It’s a day of patriotism, reflection, and remembering as the country marks the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Several local events are scheduled, including State College Choral Society performing Mozart’s Requiem at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
While most know the Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, September 17 also is a special day for this country. It’s on this day in 1787 when the US Constitution was completed and signed — and American now celebrates Constitution Day!
Since there are a lot of fans of Pittsburgh’s baseball team in Happy Valley, we need to mark International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19.
Are you ready for some football? Penn State kicks off its 2016 season September 3 when it hosts Kent State.
Summer really comes to an end September 22 with the first day of fall. Summer comes to an unofficial end September 5 with Labor Day. The day became an official national holiday in 1894.
12 - T&G September 2016
Everyone’s favorite German holiday, Oktoberfest, begins September 27 and goes to October 2. Tussey Mountain has its annual Oktoberfest event October 6. T&G
People in the Community John Gardner
John Gardner was appointed to become State College police chief, effective September 1. He replaces Tom King, who had been chief since 1993. Gardner has been with the State College police since 1990 and has served as assistant police chief for the past three years. He has been an active member of the community, serving as a volunteer with the Special Olympics and the United Way. During the press conference to introduce Gardner, borough manager Tom Fountaine said, “Throughout [Gardner’s] career, he has demonstrated leadership in the department.” Gardner said King “set the bar extremely high for this department and this community, and I aspire to do likewise.”
Jan Muhlert
Palmer Museum of Art director Jan Muhlert announced that she will retire in December. She has led the museum since 1996. In the 20 years since Muhlert became director, the Palmer Museum has added 4,000 objects to its collection, undergone a renovation that resulted in a new 3,100-squarefoot gallery, and expanded its outreach programming to include music performances and poetry readings. She also led the museum’s entry into the Association of Art Museum Directors. She is retiring after nearly 50 years of museum experience. Besides the Palmer, she has worked at the Smithsonian Institute, University of Iowa Museum of Art, and Amon Carter Museum. “Thanks to Jan’s leadership, the museum has become a highly respected institution, known not only for its superb exhibitions but also its extensive outreach programming that has drawn many new patrons to the Palmer,” College of Arts and Architecture dean Barbara Korner said in a press release. “She has positioned the museum to continue to grow in visibility and credibility beyond Penn State and the local community to embrace a national reputation.”
Penn State Majorettes
The Penn State Majorettes “Touch of Blue” won the honor of National Collegiate Champions in Dance Twirl and Halftime at the America’s Youth on Parade twirling competition in late July at the University of Notre Dame. It was the team’s 14th year competing at the competition, and it has won a national title 13 times. Blue Sapphire, Rachel Reiss, competed against 70 other twirlers from across the nation and placed sixth in the Collegiate Solo phase of competition and second in Down the Field. She also competed for Miss Majorette of America and placed first runner-up. T&G
14 - 2016 September T&G
Q&A with Tom Penkala, general manager of State College Choral Society By David Pencek The State College Choral Society first performed Mozart’s Requiem on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11. The choral society will mark the 15th anniversary of the attacks by performing the piece again in a concert at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. The concert opens the choral society’s 2016-17 season, and general manager Tom Penkala took time to talk about performing Mozart’s famous piece on such a significant day. T&G: Can you describe how special this concert is, falling on the 15th anniversary of 9/11? Penkala: September 11, Patriot Day, is a special time when America recalls a poignant event that, in fiery catastrophes, took almost 3,000 lives. While physical memorials have been built, it also is important to remember the victims and the heroes by means of the arts, particularly music, which has a poignancy equal to the events. The 15th anniversary, falling as it does on a Sunday, offers us a unique opportunity to mark this solemn anniversary in a noble way, with a concert, a prayer, for those who lost their lives. Our plan is to sing the Requiem on each five-year anniversary. T&G: What is it about Mozart’s Requiem that you feel is a good piece to do for marking the day? Penkala: Mozart’s Requiem, composed in an incomplete form at the end of his life, is an undisputed masterpiece of choral art. Church and civic choirs have sung this work, both as a passionate prayer for the departed soul and as a sublime moment of musical transcendence. T&G: How emotional has it been or do you think it will be for members of the choral society to perform the piece? Penkala: Momentous events, be they triumphs or tragedies, leave clear pictures in our minds of “where we were” at the time. The Kennedy assassination, man walking on the moon, and certainly the 9/11 events. Each of the 100-plus members of the State College Choral Society will bring that last moment to mind, as will members of the audience. These vivid memories will intensify the emotion of Mozart’s amazing music. 16 - T&G September 2016
T&G: What do recall about that day – 9/11? Penkala: I was working in a local business, and at that time, we did not have the social-media connections of present day. I vividly remember a co-worker coming into my office saying, “The World Trade Center is collapsing!” First thoughts were disbelief; this could not be true. But all too soon we learned that the horrors of the day were coming true. Another memory that rings true to this day was at our Requiem concert in 2011. We had a host of first responders that processed into the hall at the beginning of the concert. The audience was spontaneously on their feet, and warm, appreciative applause greeted them. It was a truly memorable moment in time. We always have to remember the fallen of the day and honor the heroes. T&G: How does music help when people think about or try to deal with tragic events? Penkala: Times of tragic death evoke a futility in our response, as we attempt to verbalize the unspeakable. The greater the tragedy, the greater is our frustration. Music, even without words, has the power to express those things we cannot say, to bring to light hidden feelings, to open channels of emotion. When music is profoundly linked to sacred prayer, the articulation of our inmost thoughts is comfortably earnest and sincere. T&G State College Choral Society’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem is 3 p.m. September 11 at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. For tickets and more information, visit scchoralsociety.org.
This Monthtownandgown.com On
• In 5 Questions, Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State director George Trudeau talks about the 2016-17 season. • The Nittany Valley Society presents its final installment of a multipart series examining local efforts to refresh the stories of this region’s past. • A look at the dating life for seniors. • A special recipe for chocolate chip cookies from Courthouse Crepes in Bellefonte. George Trudeau
• Order your copy of Town&Gown’s 2016 Penn State Football Annual. And more!
Visit our Facebook site for the latest happenings and opportunities to win free tickets to concerts and events! Follow us on Twitter @TownGownSC.
18 - T&G September 2016
T& G
living well
New Season, New Habits A few simple steps taken every day can promote success By Meghan Fritz
As the summer season winds down and we enter into a new season and new school year, it is important to be proactive and make healthy changes to promote success, wellness, and good habits. There are several daily habits that successful people honor and have in common. Don't wait to get into a crisis to make positive changes in your life — cultivate good habits to ensure your success in every area of your life! The early bird gets the worm “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” We’ve all heard the quote from Ben Franklin about how starting our day early sets the tone for success in all areas of our life. Research shows that when we tune in our bodies to nature’s clock we sleep better and are more alert and sharp, which helps us avoid brain fog. Train your body clock to hit the hay a few hours after sunset and rise early with the sun. You will notice you feel more energetic and less lethargic after a few weeks of resetting your body clock. 20 - T&G September 2016
Get moving This seems like an obvious one, but exercise really does help our bodies stay healthy and strong. Successful people all swear by exercising in the morning before they begin their workday. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym and get up at 4 a.m. to achieve your fitness goals. Set a small reachable goal of a 15-minute walk or stretching when you wake up. This gets your mind and body ready for the day and helps you start your day by nurturing your health and spirit. Your body will release those feel-good endorphins to help you start the morning refreshed and optimistic about the day ahead. Plan ahead One of the biggest hindrances to meeting your goals is letting your day run you instead of you running your day. Invest in a daily planner and write down your task list for each day (notice I didn’t say put it in your phone!). The act of writing a goal down and crossing it off as you accomplish it creates a daily habit of organization and staying focused. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a list of 10 things you need to do. Write three to five things down and add to your list from there. Stay balanced All work and no play makes us dull, detached, depressed, and exhausted. Don’t make the mistake of running through your day 100 miles an hour and crashing when you get to bed. Have a daily schedule and set a time (remember, before the sun goes down) to end the workday. If you work in an office setting, don’t make the mistake of coming home and beginning hours of chores. Delegate responsibilities to
the entire household and stick to a time that you honor to wind down and relax. This should be a time where you connect with your loved ones, pets, a great book, or a favorite TV program. Don’t watch shows that are fueled with drama and chaos and will leave you feeling stressed out. Choose light-hearted programs that will help you prepare for a good night’s sleep. Declutter An organized space sets the stage for success. All the articles I read on daily habits of successful people suggest taking 15 minutes a day to declutter and organize your work space and home. Research shows that paper piles on your desk and all over your home create a negative work space, lead to procrastination, and promote forgetfulness. Don’t wait until you need a dumpster to get organized. Take 15 minutes daily to go through and complete paperwork, throw away things you don’t need, and keep your space free and clear of chaos.
Take a breath Take a few minutes daily (morning is best!) to center yourself and become mindful of the present. A quick and easy way to do this is to focus on your breath. You don’t have to do this for 20 minutes every day to reap the benefits of meditation — simply taking 60 seconds will leave you feeling slightly lighter and refreshed. This is a tool that will declutter your mind and slow down the racing thoughts. Don’t wait until you’re anxious and panicky to slow down. Start your day from a place of peace with mindfulness. Keep it simple As you can see, these are very simple habits that can set the stage for your daily success. Don't overthink or overplan your day. Keep these gems at the center of your day and watch how your life begins to feel more enjoyable, peaceful, and efficient. You are worth it! T&G Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College.
Clear Your Canvas Have your Tattoos Become Outdated Insignificant, or Blurry?
50% OFF Single LASER TATTOO REMOVAL with this ad
Before
After
Blair Plastic Surgery Fanny Louton MD 1952 Waddle Rd., State College (accross from Outback)
BlairPlasticSurgery.com | 234-1420 Expires 12/31/16
2016 September T&G - 21
T& G
health
Don’t Suffer in Silence Symptoms of prostate problems are common … and do not always mean cancer By Ravishankar Rao, MD
Most men experience prostate-related problems at some point in their lives, especially as they reach their retirement years. Many men also worry that common symptoms, such as difficulty urinating and a frequent urge to urinate, mean they have prostate cancer. However, that is not always the case. September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, making this a great time to learn when to consult with your doctor about prostate problems. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Because the prostate surrounds part of the urethra, changes in the prostate can cause urinary symptoms. Signs and symptoms of prostate conditions • Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that may result from a bacterial infection. Almost half of all men are affected by prostatitis during their lifetime. Additional symptoms can include a burning feeling when urinating, blood in the urine, chills, fever, and low back or belly pain. A simple urine test often diagnoses prostatitis, and antibiotics cure most cases. 22 - T&G September 2016
• Enlarged prostate also is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The size of a man’s prostate typically grows with age. By the time a man is in his 60s, his prostate may have grown from the size of a walnut to the size of a lemon. The enlarged prostate often presses against the bladder and urethra, making it more difficult to urinate, while also causing the urge to urinate more frequently. BPH is not linked to cancer. BPH cannot be cured, but drugs can lessen symptoms. Surgery also is a treatment option. • Prostate cancer can be present for decades before symptoms appear. Even though more than half of American men have cancer present in their prostate glands by age 80, most of these cancers never pose a serious health threat. Additional symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer include pain or burning when urinating, blood in the urine, and nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis. Prostate cancer Prostate cancer typically grows slowly. That’s one reason why recommendations vary concerning who should be tested for prostate cancer and how often. The primary test looks for abnormally high prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. When used in conjunction with a physical exam, it can help doctors identify signs of prostate cancer. Talk with your doctor about whether you should have a PSA test. Risk factors for prostate cancer • Age. Your chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. • Race/ethnicity. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry. Asian-American and Latino/Hispanic men have the lowest rates. • Family history. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases your risk. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer specific to men. It’s the second-most common type of cancer in men, after skin cancer. However, prostate-related symptoms don’t necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. If you experience prostate-related symptoms,
Ravishankar Rao, MD
see your doctor. You might learn antibiotics will cure your condition. If you find out that you have an enlarged prostate but no treatment is indicated, you can lessen your symptoms by: • Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day, being sure to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Limiting beverages before bedtime to help avoid nighttime trips to the bathroom. • Trying to take bathroom breaks before the need becomes urgent. • Completely emptying your bladder when you urinate. • Talking with your doctor if you take medications, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or bloodpressure medicine, all of which can make BPH symptoms worse Yes, most men experience prostate problems as they age, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. See your doctor and learn more about your symptoms, your condition, and your options. T&G Ravishankar Rao, MD, is a family medicine and primary care sports-medicine physician with Penn State Medical Group, a part of Penn State Health. He practices at Penn State Medical Group-Windmere Centre in State College. To make an appointment, call (814) 689-4980.
2016 September T&G - 23
T& G
on center
Seong-Jin Cho
Piano Phenom
Seong-Jin Cho to perform Beethoven concerto with Warsaw Philharmonic By John Mark Rafacz It’s an almost 7,000-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean and the United States to get from Seoul to State College. But pianist Seong-Jin Cho, who makes his Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State premiere October 28, has taken an even longer route — by way of Poland — to get to his first United States tour this autumn. Cho, who won the 17th Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2015, is scheduled to perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra at Eisenhower Auditorium. “There are already moments in Cho’s performances that have a sense of something really special,” observes a critic for Britain’s The Guardian. The 22-year-old South Korea native, who has lived in Paris since 2012, recently signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. “Cho has an enviable ability to make every note sound distinct and clear, shaping and balancing each phrase perfectly,” writes a reviewer for the classical music Web site Bachtrack. The orchestra program at Eisenhower also includes Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s Polish Melodies Op. 47, No. 2 and Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, which last performed at Penn State in 2008, returns for its fourth US tour — this time under the baton of music and artistic director Jacek Kaspszyk. The orchestra, “a highlight of the year. … one of the best-kept secrets in the business” (Los Angeles Times), gave its first concert in 1901 and has performed on five continents. Kaspszyk, a graduate of Warsaw Academy of Music, has been at the helm of the orchestra since 2013. In addition to his leadership of Warsaw Philharmonic, he has guest conducted the Berlin, New York, London, Royal, and Prague philharmonics plus other prestigious orchestras around the world. Cho began studying the piano when he was 6. In 2008, at age 14, he earned first prize in the sixth Moscow International Frederick Chopin Competition. The following year, he took first prize at the seventh Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan. He is the youngest winner in the history of the Japanese event. 24 - T&G September 2016
Warsaw Philharmonic
Despite his youth, the pianist has performed with many of the planet’s most significant orchestras, including Royal Concertgebouw, Philharmonia, Mariinsky, Munich Philharmonic, Berlin Radio Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Budapest Festival, Danish National Symphony, Russian National, NHK Symphony, and Radio France Philharmonic. He’s worked with the acclaimed conductors Myung-Whun Chung, Lorin Maazel, Marek Janowski, Mikhail Pletnev, Valery Gergiev, and Vladimir Ashkenazy. He is scheduled to make his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist in February. T&G Dotty and Paul Rigby sponsor the Penn State concert. WPSU is the media sponsor. For information or tickets, visit cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255. John Mark Rafacz is the editorial manager of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.
26 - T&G September 2016
The Town-Gown Relationship State College and Penn State — led by mayor Elizabeth Goreham, the Nittany Lion, and others — continue to develop strong connections to help each other
By Tracey M. Dooms
2016 September T&G - 27
Peg and Don Hambrick’s neighbors include other couples, families, single professionals … and about 40 fraternities. Traditionally, that mix of permanent residents and fun-loving students in The Highlands has caused clashes over late-night noise, trampled lawns, and inebriated revelers. In 2010, the Highlands Civic Association launched the Neighbor to Neighbor program to help head off conflicts by pairing families with fraternities so they can get to know each other better. Paired with Sigma Phi Epsilon for six years now, the Hambricks drop off cookies, invite SigEp leaders for dinner, and say “Hi” when they walk past the fraternity. “We really love our fraternity,” Peg says. “We get to know our boys.” One of those boys is Tim Sonier, SigEp president last year and the Interfraternity Council’s vice president of community relations. “Peg’s a sweetheart,” he says. “She always brings over cookies and things.” In turn, Sigma Phi Epsilon invites the Hambricks to parent and alumni events. “We don’t want it to be that the only time you’re talking to them is when something goes wrong,” Sonier says. “The program makes me feel like part of the community.” Having grown
CBICC president Vern Squier 28 - T&G September 2016
to 28 family-fraternity partnerships, the Neighbor to Neighbor program is one of many ways town and gown work together in State College. Businesses, governments, university officials, and residents recently have taken a more proactive approach to the marriage between Penn State and the local community. Evolving relationship In his 2016 book, The Optimal Town-Gown Marriage, Stephen Gavazzi writes that, just as with a long-term relationship between two adults, a healthy town-gown partnership takes a great deal of ongoing work. The marriage metaphor is a natural one for Gavazzi, who is a professor of human development and family science at Ohio State and director of the university’s Mansfield regional campus. He also is a Penn State alum (BA, psychology) and was born in Bellefonte when his father was a graduate student at Penn State. Gavazzi says that many town-gown marriages — including that between State College and Penn State — begin with a traditional “live and let live” relationship, with campus and community members ignoring each other as they pursue separate goals. Other relationships are conflicted, with town and gown representatives unable to resolve their differences. The most desirable relationship, according to Gavazzi, is the harmonious type, in which campus and community partner across a wide range of undertakings and expend significant effort in strengthening the partnership. He believes the State CollegePenn State relationship is trending toward Penn State president that end of the Eric Barron spectrum.
Project Vive, a speech-assistance technology that aims to give a voice to individuals who cannot talk by providing a low-cost, effective device, was one of the first startups at Happy Valley LaunchBox. Above, CEO and founder Mary Elizabeth McCullouch (right) has on the Vive Press Glove, which is used to control the Vive main box to communicate words and phrases through the speaker on top of the box.
“There’s a lot of interest on the university’s side to make the town great,” he says. “You also have a strong borough manager who’s very interested in town-gown relations.” That borough manager, Tom Fountaine, agrees. “I think we have a harmonious relationship,” he says. “It’s not perfect, but we have a strong commitment on both parts.” Across the country, institutions of higher education and the communities in which they reside are taking a more proactive approach to their relationships. The International Town&Gown Association (ITGA) was founded in 2008 to address challenges, emerging issues, and opportunities; both Penn State and the Borough of State College are members.
Fountaine became State College borough manager in 2003. At that time, he recalls, “There was a lot of communication already with Penn State.” That communication has continued, he says, but town and gown have each committed additional resources and communication to enhance quality of life in the downtown and neighborhoods shared by permanent residents and students. For example, he and Damon Sims, Penn State vice president of student affairs, are both leaders of The Partnership: Campus and Community United Against Dangerous Drinking and 2016 September T&G - 29
Penn State
the State Patty’s Day Task Force. Last year, the ITGA named Penn State and the State College Borough a joint recipient of an ImpACT Award for those collaborative efforts in diminishing the negative effects of State Patty’s Day on the local community. “This award recognizes the persistent incremental progress that has come from a true collaboration between the borough and the university aimed at a significant community concern,” says Sims. “The key to any success we’ve achieved has been the shared ambition of both students and State College residents, all of whom have been deeply committed to securing and sustaining a community for all of us that is safe, civil, and vibrant.”
Sims, along with State College borough manager Tom Fountaine, helped lead the effort to diminish the negative effects of State Patty’s Day.
Boosting business According to the Fountaine, the biggest recent shift in town-gown relations has been a new emphasis on cooperation in economic development. The goal is to grow privatesector business and employment in a region where public-sector jobs — led by those at the university — long have dominated. In May 2015, Penn State president Eric
Don’t Miss Our Great Prices! Free Heat • Free Cooking Gas • Free Parking • Free Basic Cable High Speed Internet • Furnished or Unfurnished Apts. On CATA Bus Routes R, RC and RP Grocery Shopping Across the Street • 24-hour Maintenance On-Site Laundry & Management Office • Tennis and Basketball
238-2600 • 424 Waupelani Drive Open Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-3 • www.lionsgateapts.com lionsgateapts@lionsgateapts.com
30 - T&G September 2016
Barron and Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County president Vern Squier signed a memorandum of agreement for the two entities to work together toward building a nurturing and collaborative environment in which professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses can thrive. One of the early results of that partnership was the announcement this summer that United Kingdom-based Morgan Advanced Materials Mayor Goreham and the Nittany Lion show off their dance will establish a research moves at Baby’s Burgers & Shakes in State College. and development center at Innovation Park at Penn State. serve as a building block for future business “The Carbon Science Center of Excellence investment opportunities in the region.” announcement highlights the benefits Last spring, LaunchBox, a signature program of the collective community partnership of the statewide Invent Penn State initiative, with Penn State to advance economic opened its Happy Valley LaunchBox newdevelopment through job and wealth creation business accelerator on South Allen Street, that was envisioned in the memorandum across from the municipal building. Already, of agreement,” Squier says. “The Center of 15 teams have participated in the 10-week Excellence is a great opportunity, one that can business startup program, with ideas ranging
2016 September T&G - 31
from breath-controlled video games to a buffering agent aimed at reducing fertilizer pollution to a social platform designed to facilitate sport pickup games. “The idea is that we are trying to create a culture of entrepreneurism,” says Lee Erickson, Happy Valley LaunchBox director. “It’s a combination of the entire community that supports the teams. We’re hoping that a lot of these teams will stay in State College and become community members.” The result, she says, will be more jobs, more internships, and a better local economy. In addition, LaunchBox offers free public co-working and conference-room space weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as well as legal advice and more through Penn State clinics and support centers. Information technology and marketing clinics are expected to open there this fall. In another entrepreneur-oriented effort, from November 13 to 17 this year, the CBICC and Penn State are partnering in Global Entrepreneurship Week, with events downtown and on campus. Each day will feature a theme
such as social entrepreneurship or women entrepreneurs, with events including networking, workshops, and “flavor flights” of food from local entrepreneurs. Wide-ranging efforts In recent years, several additional towngown partnerships have been created: • In 2010, the University Park Undergraduate Association began electing a nonvoting representative each year to serve on State College Borough Council. Morgan Goranson, a junior majoring in film and economics, is the current “voice of the students” with local government. Among the issues on his plate are the timing of student lease renewals, housing and meal assistance for low-income students, and safety against hate crimes for the LGBTQA community. “Most of the members of the council have a connection to Penn State in some way,” Goranson says. “They really do take into account the view of students, not just of the community members who live here full-time.”
1518 North Atherton Street, State College, PA
814. 238. 2103 • www.acofloors.com PA #005727
The area’s Shaw Flooring Gallery Karastan and Stanton dealer Visit our extensive showroom to see these and ALL your flooring options!
Only at ACO.
carpet | area rugs | hardwood | laminate Visit us or go online w w w. acofloors.com
32 - T&G September 2016
• Penn State launched its Sustainable Communities Collaborative in 2013 to connect University Park faculty, students, and staff with community partners to address sustainability challenges, ranging from environmental to economic. In 2015-16, 37 projects involved 11 community partners, 20 faculty members, and 373 students. Projects included helping Foxdale Village’s resident-led Green Committee to enhance recycling efforts, collecting traffic safety data on Atherton Street and Park Avenue, and creating tools to assist local leaders in assessing the impact of development on stream health. As the new academic year begins, SCC is reaching farther afield, adding projects in Bellefonte and Halfmoon Township, says Michele Halsell, director. “Students are getting hands-on education,” she says. “At the same time, we’re helping to make sure our communities thrive.” • Two years ago, Penn State’s Office of Student Affairs and the Borough of State College partnered to establish the jointly funded Community Engagement
Office to improve local quality of life and minimize nuisance activities, particularly in the three neighborhoods closest to campus — Highlands, Holmes-Foster, and College Heights, says Centrice Mulfinger, community-engagement manager. “We try to bring together our long-term residents and our student residents to practice what being a good neighbor is all about,” she says. The office’s two major annual events are LION (Living in One Neighborhood) Walk and LION Bash, both in August, when most students return to town. In LION Walk, Penn State and State College representatives — including Barron and State College mayor Elizabeth Goreham, as well as the Nittany Lion mascot — walk through neighborhoods, knock on doors, and talk to residents about being good neighbors. LION Bash brings together student groups, university departments, and community organizations for “engagement stations” where neighbors can play word games, putt a hole in one, take selfies in the back of a police cruiser, and more.
2016 September T&G - 33
Contributed photo
The annual LION Bash helps bring together members of the Penn State and State College communities.
• One of the most recent steps toward better town-gown relations was Penn State’s creation in 2015 of a new position: director of local government and community relations within the Office of Governmental Affairs. Filling the position is Margaret Gray, formerly assistant director of the university’s Social
Science Research Institute; she also sits on the Centre Region Council of Governments board as an exofficio representative. Across the country, more and more communities and colleges are becoming proactive in their relationships. According to Gavazzi, in most college towns, it has become impossible to manage town-gown relations by ignoring each other. “There has to be a partnership,” he says. “That’s the formula for success, and you have that in State College.” T&G Tracey M. Dooms is a freelance writer in State College and a special-projects editor for Town&Gown.
SAVE UP TO $300
when you buy a qualifying fireplace, stove or insert. See salesperson for details. Offer ends 10/2/16.
814.359.2761 www.pennwoodcorp.com Offer available at participating locations only. Dollar values shown in USD. Offer available on consumer purchases only. Valid on qualifying product purchased between 8/13/16 and 11/2/16. Some limitations may apply. See dealer for additional details. Offer not available to employees of Hearth & Home Technologies, its parent or subsidiary companies, divisions or affiliates. ©Hearth & Home Technologies® 2016
34 - T&G September 2016
A Lasting
Impact By Frank Bodani
36 - T&G September 2016
It was September 1966 when Joe Paterno stood on the sidelines of Beaver Stadium for his first game as Penn State football’s head coach. Now 50 years later, while there is much debate about what his legacy is and will be, there is little debate on the effect he had on the student-athletes he led for so long 2016 September T&G - 37
This fall marks the 50th anniversary of the start of Joe Paterno’s head coaching career. Although he’s once again recognized as the winningest coach in big-time college football history, his legacy has not been completely rebuilt since he was fired shortly after the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke. His statue that once stood outside of Beaver Stadium has not been returned, and Penn State has not publicly celebrated him or his 409 victories since November 2011. While his name may never be revered nationally as it once was, he does maintain the support of most of his countless former players, many of whom say his positive impact cannot be overstated, even now. Town&Gown talked with a player from each of the six decades Paterno coached, and they each described what their former coach meant to them, then and now.
1960s — STEVE SMEAR
A defensive tackle and co-captain of the undefeated 1968 and 1969 teams. Played in the Canadian Football League before becoming a State Farm insurance agent — a job he’s held for the past 38 years. Steve Smear remembers one of his first faceto-face meetings with Paterno, a rookie head
38 - T&G September 2016
coach. Smear was a freshman who had just earned a lowly 1.6 grade-point average. “He started with how my mom raised me, and she had nothing more than a seventhgrade education, and how I was going to break my mother’s heart,” Smear says. “He lambasted me. He had to dry that sweat off his face he was so angry with me. “That kind of made me realize why I was there, and he would have done that with anybody who didn’t fulfill their obligations.” Smear says he nearly left Penn State, though, before his sophomore year. He didn’t care for Paterno moving him from tight end to defensive tackle. He says he even talked to good friend and incoming freshman Jack Ham about playing together at IUP. Right after spring practice, though, Paterno called Smear into his office again. “He did know when to stomp on you and when to tell you to hang in there,” Smear says. “He said, ‘Hey, I know you’re discouraged, but we saw some really good signs, and you’re going to do well at defensive tackle.’ And I started the second game of my sophomore year there. A lot of times you don’t get what you want, and that’s OK.” Smear (right) was a captain on the 1968 and 1969 undefeated Penn State teams. Today (left), Smear (second from right) with his wife, Diana, and children (from left) Matt, Maria, Amanda, and Chris.
He said his fondness for Paterno has not waned through the years, even during the charges and unrest since 2011. “One thing I always told my four kids, told them what Joe said, that you either get better or you get worse, you don’t stay the same,” he says. “And keep hustling, because something good will happen. That’s something everybody should follow.”
Fitzkee with wife, Michelle, and son, Brody (far left), and daughter, Bryn (far right).
1970s — SCOTT FITZKEE
A state sprint champion from Red Lion. Developed into a standout receiver and kick returner and even punted at Penn State. He caught the pass short of the goal line in the 1979 Sugar Bowl that eventually set up Alabama’s memorable defensive stand against the Nittany Lions. “I was pretty much in awe of [Paterno], and going there as a freshman I also was scared to death of him and probably was like that for three years,” Scott Fitzkee says with a laugh. “I was scared to make a mistake and scared not to show up on time. I was scared to not get good grades. He motivated you because you wanted to do things right for him. “He was tough at practice. If you were supposed to run a 10-yard pattern to get a first down and you ran it nine yards or eight yards, you were in trouble. If you didn’t do well academically, you were in trouble and you may not play, no matter how good you were.” Fizkee went on to play briefly in the NFL and the CFL, though he enjoyed most of his
Fitzkee catches a touchdown pass in the 1979 Sugar Bowl.
“There was just something about Joe, something he ignited in you that made you want to [succeed].” Andre Collins 2016 September T&G - 39
professional football success with Philadelphia and Baltimore in the USFL. He now runs a commercial roofing business in Maryland. He still comes back to Penn State games regularly, including a tailgate reunion each year with his late 1970s teammates, including quarterback Chuck Fusina. Fitzkee says he thinks of Paterno often. “He had his rules, like if you showed up on time you were five minutes late,” he says. “And he’d say if there were 100 players and you were five minutes late then you just wasted 500 minutes of peoples’ time. Those things stick with you throughout your life. My whole life I want to be on time, and I expect my family to be on time. Those were things you were taught at Penn State. You say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you,’ and you take your hat off when you’re inside. They were always stressed at meetings or when you went away on a trip.” Paterno’s lasting impact on him includes “the friendships we made there and still have and his legacy, the ‘Grand Experiment,’ we were all a part of that.”
40 - T&G September 2016
1980s — ANDRE COLLINS
The former Nittany Lion linebacker started his career by winning a national title with the 1986 team. He would eventually play for a decade in the NFL. He’s worked with the National Football League Players Association for 13 years and helps provide financial, educational, and medical assistance to former players. He was one of 19 kids growing up in a house in Cinnaminson, New Jersey — and the oldest of five young men to play football for Paterno. Gerry, Phil, Jason, and Aaron would follow him. “He was just electrifying,” Andre Collins says of Paterno. “There was just something about Joe, something he ignited in you that made you want to [succeed]. I think it was the work ethic Joe instilled in us. You could come in acclaimed as a player and start at the bottom and really have to scratch and claw and climb that mountain. You didn’t take anything for granted. Where you stand yesterday doesn’t mean that’s where you will stand today. You have to get up and earn it and live in this moment and be willing to work.
Collins (above) became an All-American linebacker at Penn State. Today, he works with the NFL Players Association.
“For me, I just couldn’t wait to get down to the locker room every day, to be in a meeting room for 140 players, to hear what Joe’s message of the day was going to be. ... It was the little things. Joe talked literature to history to so many different things. The way he challenged you with his words, you just believed that if you were willing to try and put in the work to be prepared, you would have success. I clung to that. “He made me believe there’s only one way to do things on the football field, and that was 100 miles per hour. So I was fast. I had to play at 100 miles per hour or I would have gotten killed out there [in the NFL].”
1990s — JUSTIN KURPEIKIS After a brief pro career, the standout defensive end worked his way into the medical field. He now runs Atlas Therapy in State College, with branch offices in Altoona and Mansfield. Justin Kurpeikis grew up wanting to play for Paterno and Penn State — even though he was a high school All-American at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, next to the University of Pittsburgh’s campus.
“I had hoped for him to be demanding, to be tough, to be fair — and he was all of those things,” Kurpeikis says of Paterno. “I think the biggest thing was that though he encouraged us to be great players, it was more important to be the most valuable person and do things the right way, all the time. “Even back then he was trying to tell us that [football] is a small part of your life, which is great, but let’s hope this is the basement, not the ceiling of what you do in life. ... That really set a base of what you can do after [Penn State].” Kurpeikis says he still calls on those lessons in his business life. “Like take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves. And that’s so true, particularly when you feel like you’ve got a lot going on and how do you get it all accomplished?” he says. “There’s also staying the course in life, the steady climb, the saying, ‘You’re never as good as you think you are when you win, you’re never as bad as you think you are when you lose.’ There’s no boom or bust mentality, you never get too high or too low ....
2016 September T&G - 41
Kurpeikis (above) takes down future New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady during a 1999 game against Michigan. Today, he runs Atlas Therapy in State College.
“Outside of my father, I don’t know anyone who’s had a better impact on my life. The stories and the lessons and anecdotes he would say, I find myself drawing on them every day of my life. And that’s a pretty profound effect.”
2000s — GRAHAM ZUG
The walk-on receiver from Manheim Township High earned his way into the starting lineup ... and eventually to a scholarship. He caught three touchdown passes in a memorable victory at Michigan in 2009. During a recruiting visit before his first season in 2008, Graham Zug met the Penn State coaching staff, along with high-profile, national recruits, including quarterback Pat Devlin. Although he wasn’t even up for a scholarship, Zug remembers Paterno bypassing the elite prospects to talk to him. Only later did he understand why. “We were told he did that because everyone there was on the same level,” he says. “There’s no frontrunners, that’s why he did it. If he would have seen negativity from them or me, then he would know we weren’t the right people for Penn State. “Right then, I knew I was in the right place and would be taken care of.” He says the constant focus on academics and personal growth, as much as football, hit home 42 - T&G September 2016
for him at Penn State, and never really left. Some of those lessons, he says, are part of his daily life, such as always walking on the “roadside” of a female. “You should always be protecting your family,” Zug says. “I think he knew if he made us better people and taught us to work with our schooling and families, then football would just come natural. If you have the work ethic for school, you’ll have the work ethic for football.” Those things still stick with Zug, now a salesman for Scott’s Miracle-Gro and offensive coordinator at Palmyra High in Lancaster County. The players he coaches today “constantly want to talk football to you,” he says. “But I try to instill in them about working hard in school and then considering college, a lot of the little things Joe taught us.” “It’s hard to go through a day without something popping up about something he taught us.”
“Outside of my father, I don’t know anyone who’s had a better impact on my life.” Justin Kurpeikis
2010s — DEREK MOYE
He grew up near Pittsburgh and completed the childhood dream of playing for the Steelers. In between, he starred at Penn State with an impressive 18 career touchdown receptions. He now trains high school athletes at Grossetti Performance in New Castle. One Penn State practice will forever be a part of him. Derek Moye was a freshman pushing for playing time when he ran a deep route down the sideline. He dove, hit the ground hard, but couldn’t hold onto the pass. He got up hurting and looked noticeably in pain as he slowly made his way back to the huddle. Paterno saw an opportunity. “Joe was yelling and screaming, saying I need to be tougher, and he made me go right in again,” he says. He ran a slant pattern on the next play and that, too, fell incomplete. Later, he found out his collarbone had been broken. “It was his old-school mentality, that if you’re hurting and you can still play, you try to make the most of it,” he says. “I wasn’t going
Moye is the fourthleading receiver in Penn State history with 2,395 receiving yards.
Zug (above) went from being a walk-on to finishing with 18 career touchdown receptions at Penn State. Today, he is a salesman and also the offensive coordinator for Palmyra High. 2016 September T&G - 43
to be the freshman to say I’m hurting and can’t play to Joe Paterno.” Moye played in Paterno’s last season. Though Paterno didn’t run all aspects of the program like years before, “he still would go around to every player on the team and talk about personal things, ask you how you’re doing and how your family’s doing, how’s your mom, how’s your granddad,” Moye says. “He knew about each and every person on the team. We knew he cared about us.” His player rules, though, had not changed. Moye ticked off the ones about not wearing hats, earrings, or facial hair in the football complex and on road trips. “At the time, they were just a hassle, but they did apply to you in real life,” he says. “You realized we were there for more than football and more than getting an education. He was preparing us for life after football and life after college.” T&G
These days, Moye trains athletes at Grossetti Performance in New Castle.
Frank Bodani has covered Penn State sports for the York Daily Record/York Sunday News since 1994.
111 Village Drive, State College, PA 16803 (814) 235-1020 · Fax (814) 235-1388 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/pa421
132 Village Drive, State College, PA 16803 (814) 235-1900 · Fax (814) 234-5530 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/pa276 Located On Property
ALL SUITES HOTEL W/PULLOUT SOFAS
ALL NEW “DESIGN TO DREAM” GUESTROOMS
FREE “Your Medley” Hot Breakfast & Waffle Station FREE Local & Long Distance Phone Calls FREE HBO & Expanded Cable FREE Wireless High Speed Internet Access Refrigerator, Microwave & Safe in Every Room Fitness Center Complimentary Airport Shuttle 100% Non-Smoking
44 - T&G September 2016
FREE “Your Morning” Hot Breakfast & Waffle Station FREE Local & Long Distance Phone Calls FREE HBO & Expanded Cable FREE Wireless High Speed Internet Access Refrigerator, Microwave & Safe in Every Room Meeting Room, Fitness Center, Indoor Pool /Hot Tub Complimentary Airport Shuttle 100% Non-Smoking & Pet Friendly
Join Us Now! The official Men’s Basketball Booster Club
g n i r e b m e m Re to Resurrect
—
46 - T&G September 2016
and Trying — the Riva
lr y
Once bitter rivals, Penn State and Pitt will meet for the first time in 16 seasons on September 10 in Pittsburgh. While the series may not mean as much to the younger generation of fans, longtime supporters of the two programs love to reminisce about what once was
By Frank Bodani
2016 September T&G - 47
Penn State
Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge runs toward the end zone during the 1981 game at Pitt. 48 - T&G September 2016
University of Pittsburgh
Editor’s note: This story first ran in the November 2007 issue of Town&Gown. When he was growing up, linebacker Sean Lee had heard the stories about the mystique of the annual Penn State-Pitt football game. Lee, now a star Nittany Lion, grew up in Pittsburgh, attending Upper St. Clair High. He had heard about the bragging rights, the trash talking, playing for pride. About how those high school stars from Pittsburgh who dared to play college football in State College could barely endure the trips back home if they had lost the late-November battle. The thing is, none of these current Lions and Panthers have truly felt what that was like. It’s been 15 years now since the series officially ended, back when Penn State was about to join the Big Ten. The teams played a four-game set from 1997 to 2000, but there has been little serious talk about renewing the rivalry since. That doesn’t mean a few guys like Lee wouldn’t want to. His older brother, Conor, is the Panthers’ kicker. “I’d love to try and block a kick against him,” Sean Lee says with a smile. “There definitely is a rivalry because I know a ton of those kids on the Pitt team. I played against them when I was young.” Conor says, “It’s unfortunate we can’t play. I don’t understand it, but that’s just the way it is.
Pitt celebrated a 12-0 win over Penn State when the team’s last met in 2000.
You look everywhere in football and they play their rivals — and we don’t.” So the game still does mean something. But now it’s a matter of money — and maybe pride, in a different kind of way. Since joining the Big Ten, Penn State has less room to schedule opponents than it did as an independent, but it still does have four nonconference games each year. That’s why fans rant about having to pay to sit through glorified scrimmages against teams such as Youngstown State, Arkansas State, and Coastal Carolina. The problem is that Penn State officials desperately want three of those games to be played in Beaver Stadium each year. That way they can sell more than 100,000 tickets each week and “net north of $4 million a game,” says athletic director Tim Curley. Certainly, the football program supports the funding for most every other varsity sport on campus. “It doesn’t financially make sense to go off-campus too many times if you’re able to sell 100,000 seats,” Curley says. So Penn State officials claim that a homeand-home series with the Panthers won’t work. They don’t want to travel to Pittsburgh every other year while there are other opponents out there and with alumni across the country to satisfy. The Lions played at Nebraska in 2003, at Boston College in 2004, and at Notre Dame in 2006. They will play at Temple this season and at Syracuse next. Alabama is coming up, too. Curley says the schedule is filled through the 2016 season.
And, of course, Pitt officials aren’t about to agree to make two trips to Beaver Stadium for every one game in Pittsburgh, at least not yet. There is pride on that end — and with Joe Paterno, too. The 80-year-old Penn State coach brings up the story — at least a few times each year — about how he wanted to start an all-sports conference in the East that included Pitt some 25 years ago, and how Pitt officials apparently refused. It still seems to grind him. Plus, he knows that any future decisions about playing Pitt probably won’t be made during his tenure. When recently asked if he would approve of a hypothetical 10-game series, with six of the games played in Beaver
Stadium, he deferred to Curley. “I have no problem playing Pitt,” Paterno said. “If they could get a home-and-home with Pitt and still get seven home games and still do all of the things that have to be done, I think it would probably be good. “Do you know how many friends I’ve recruited in Western Pennsylvania?” Says Curley: “The last conversation we had, [Pitt officials] wanted to play home-and-home, and I respect that. I haven’t talked to them recently about anything different.” Pitt athletic-department spokesman E.J. Borghetti says, “We repeatedly are on the record about wanting to continue the series. I’m not sure we have much more to add on that front,
Memorable Moments
November 22, 1975: Though the Lions trailed 6-0 for most of the game at Three Rivers Stadium, Steve Giese scored on a 28-yard run with 6:42 remaining to lift them to a 7-6 victory. Tom Odell’s block of Pitt’s extra-point attempt in the second quarter proved to be the difference. The Panthers also missed three field goals on the day. November 26, 1982: The Lions moved on to the national title game against Georgia by surviving the wind and rain in State College for a 19-10 victory. Somehow, Floridian Nick Gancitano didn’t seem affected by the elements and kicked four short field goals to provide the winning points. Punter Ralph Giacommaro also was a hero of sorts, crushing one of his punts 51 yards into the wind. Lion running back Curt Warner rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries. Pitt quarterback Dan Marino completed 18 of 32 passes for 193 yards and an interception. September 6, 1997: After a five-year break, the two teams resumed play in Beaver Stadium in the season-opener. The Nittany Lions began the year as Sports Illustrated magazine’s No. 1 team in the nation and showed why they deserved the ranking, at least for the first week of the season, with a 34-17 victory over the Panthers. September 11, 1999: With No. 2 Penn State clinging to a 20-17 lead, the Panthers attempted a 52-yard field goal in the final seconds that would tie the game. Linebacker LaVar Arrington, a Pittsburgh native, blocked the kick to preserve the Lions’ victory. Earlier in the game, Arrington received two personal foul penalties for his altercations with Panther punter Greg DeBolt and receiver D.J. Dinkins.
Nearly every Penn State — and Pitt — fan remembers the 1981 game between the two rivals. One has to only say the score, 48-14. But here are a few other notable games from the series. December 2, 1950: The game was originally scheduled for November 25 at Pitt Stadium, but a heavy snowfall postponed the contest by a week. The problem was that Penn State head coach Rip Engle, first-year assistant Joe Paterno, and their players already had been stranded in Pittsburgh for two days because of the weather. Apparently, many of the fans, coaches, and players could communicate to their families back home only by ham radio, according to Ridge Riley’s book, Road to Number One. Engle even lost his wallet on Saturday night after falling into a snowdrift — and from then on, always wore a money belt, according to Riley. The Lions headed back to State College on Monday morning, only to return to Pittsburgh to play the game the following weekend, this time at Forbes Field, where there was sufficient snow-removing equipment. Penn State led 21-0 at halftime before Pitt rallied to within 21-20. The Panthers, though, missed the extra point, and Engle’s team finished the season at 5-3-1. December 7, 1963: Another game that was postponed. Originally scheduled for November 23, the game, along with all college games that weekend, was postponed a week following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas. When Penn State and Pitt met at Pitt Stadium, Lion kicker Ron Coates missed a 37-yard field goal in the final moments in the 22-21 loss in Pittsburgh. The kick was long enough but sliced left.
2016 September T&G - 49
beyond the fact that it would be good, not only for the institutions but good for football in the state and in the East.” He says athletic director Jeff Long did not wish to comment. Of course, fans and ex-players and sportswriters seem to want to talk about it all the time. Chet Parlavecchio has told his Pitt story so many times, and yet it never seems to tire. It was the Penn State-Pitt moment. A late-November Saturday afternoon in 1981. Pitt was No. 1 in the nation behind quarterback Dan Marino and his great receivers and an NFLcaliber offensive line. Penn State was ranked 11th, a year away from its first national title. Of course, Parlavecchio, a linebacker and outspoken team captain, went ahead and gave the 10-0 Panthers some bulletin-board fodder anyway before the game. He said publicly what a lot of others around State College were thinking: that Pitt had built its success on a lessthen-formidable schedule.
50 - T&G September 2016
“Maybe they’ll schedule Thiel next,” Parlavecchio said in the days leading up to the game. He talked about “smashing” the Panthers. Before the game, he heard crowd boos and not-so-nice language directed at him from the stands in Pitt Stadium. During the game, “Let’s just say some words were said across the line of scrimmage,” he says now, with a laugh. Then, the Panthers “come out and they’re on fire. Dan Marino is throwing lasers all over the field. All I remember thinking [about myself] is, ‘You’re the biggest (expletive) in America today, pal. We’ve got to make something happen.’ ” The Panthers were ahead 14-0 and driving when Pitt’s Dwight Collins caught a sideline pass and Parlavecchio drilled him out of bounds, sending Collins flying into the bench. A flag was thrown. A scuffle ensued. Harsh words were exchanged. But, suddenly, the Nittany Lions awoke and began rallying for one of their most historic victories. Marino was intercepted soon after the Parlavecchio hit, and the Lions went on to stun the Panthers, 48-14.
Parlavecchio still gets asked about it every year — a sign, to him at least, of how this series should go on. “I think it’s terrible,” he says of the series’ not continuing. “It’s part of what made Eastern football. I understand everybody has their obligations, but there’s certain things you should find a way to do. Everybody’s got extra games on their schedule. I can’t imagine that if two teams
Pittsburgh native LaVar Arrington had a memorable game in 1999 against the Panthers and became an All-American linebacker at Penn State.
INVESTMENT • ADVISORS, L.L.C.
1375 Martin Street, Suite 200, State College, PA 16803 Ph: (814) 867-2050 FAX: (814) 867-2063
wanted to do it bad enough why it can’t be done.” Others know those feelings, too. Former Penn State receiver Terry Smith grew up in Pittsburgh and played in those games in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also coached high school football in Pittsburgh. “For me, it was everything,” he says of the game. “That’s all we talked about growing up. I knew half the players on Pitt, and it was an ongoing battle of smack talking. It was backyard. It was bragging rights for 364 days a year. “And when it ended, it left the state a little empty.” Penn State linebackers LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short grew up in Pittsburgh, too, before playing for Penn State. They were lucky enough to take part in those late-1990 games. Penn State won the first three of those, as expected. But Pitt won the finale, 12-0, in 2000 in Three Rivers Stadium. “I was a Pitt fan,” Short says. “It was engrained in you as a child. It was like two brothers or two cousins getting into a fistfight every year.”
A Team You Can Count On!
Through objective investment advice, exhaustive due diligence and research, and professional portfolio management, Vantage provides a comprehensive approach to asset management for high net worth individuals, trusts, IRAs and qualified pension plans. Vantage utilizes individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and institutional money managers to create a personalized asset allocation and investment portfolio for each client, taking into consideration their specific investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
VANTAGE:
offers a comprehensive approach to investment management. emphasizes versatility and customization in the structure of client portfolios. has access to 9,000 mutual funds and 350 institutional money managers. allows clients continuous access to information on their accounts through its website, www.vantageadvisors.com.
CONTACT: Robert R. Thomas, CFA, CFP® (rob.thomas@vantageadvisors.com) or Jill W. Sutt (jill.sutt@vantageadvisors.com)
2016 September T&G - 51
As time passes, though, some wonder if the game is missed less. Players in their late teens are now too young to remember much. They don’t know that the teams played every year from 1900 through 1931 and from 1935 through 1992. Or that after all of those games the series is still close, Penn State holding a 50-42-4 lead. For example, Penn State cornerback Justin King grew up around Pittsburgh and he “doesn’t know anything about that rivalry and that tradition,” says Smith, his stepfather. “He has no idea it was like the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.” Now, fans mostly get fired up to play those two Big Ten opponents. But any Penn State rivalry now is pretty much one-sided, if not manufactured. Penn State is probably fourth on Michigan’s list of enemies, behind OSU, Notre Dame, and Michigan State. The Lions may be second to Buckeye fans. Instead, the Lions now play Michigan State each year as the season finale, the winner taking home the huge, unsightly Land Grant Trophy. No one is fooled.
As for Pitt, certainly, there are mixed feelings. Dennis Onkotz, an All-American Penn State linebacker from the late 1960s, says the PSU coaches “wanted to beat Pitt more than anyone. I didn’t understand the rivalry, but they recruited against Pitt. They prepared for that game a little more special than the other games.” However, he says, “I’m not sure anyone really cares anymore,” after being in the Big Ten for so long. Both teams have had their rough spots since, as well. The Panthers, in particular, have had few truly memorable seasons since the end of the series, “and that takes some of the luster out of the rivalry,” Parlavecchio admits. And, at least for now, the Lions will continue making do without a true rival. Same for the Panthers. “It is sketchy,” Sean Lee says, when asked about remembering the series. “It’s more my father’s stories about the games and how fun they were.” T&G Frank Bodani rooted for Pitt as a kid but has covered Penn State football for the York Daily Record/York Sunday News since 1994.
Visit www.Best wickFoundation.org to purchase tickets.
52 - T&G September 2016
The 2016
Season is Here! Get to know the Lions more with a copy of Town&Gown’s 2016 Penn State Football Annual!
Giant Leap Forward Saquon Barkley hopes to lead the new fast-paced Nittany Lion offense into Big Ten contention
$8.95
On newsstands or order your copy at barashmedia.com pg CVR.indd 1
6/30/16 9:15 AM
2016 Penn State Football Schedule September 3.......................................KENT STATE September 10.................................... at Pittsburgh September 17............................................. TEMPLE September 24.......................................at Michigan October 1............................................MINNESOTA October 8..............................................MARYLAND October 22..........................................OHIO STATE October 29..................................................at Purdue November 5........................................................IOWA November 12.............................................at Indiana November 19...........................................at Rutgers November 26.........................MICHIGAN STATE
A Gol Musical F 56 - T&G September 2016
lFamily den When it comes to the Nittany Valley Symphony ’s first 50 years, it ’s not just about the memorable concerts and performances. It ’s also about a group of musicians coming together, caring for each other, and creating an important piece of the arts in Happy Valley
By David Pencek
2016 September T&G - 57
Clockwise from top, the Nittany Valley Symphony, under the direction of Michael Jinbo, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this season; Juliette Greer was a two-time winner of the symphony’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition; four of the original members of the symphony who are still playing today include, from left, Jan Deihl, Diane Gold Toulson, Grace Whitfield Steele, and Mary Alice Graetzer.
Sure there’s the exceptional music and performing pieces written by Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky — you name it. Concerts that include concertos and symphonies and overtures, pop and classical. After all, that’s what’s expected from a symphony of any stature. When it comes to the Nittany Valley Symphony, however, it’s not just the music but also the family aspect that comes through and takes some by surprise. And with this symphony, “family” means in the literal sense and also 58 - T&G September 2016
the atmosphere created by the members who make up an orchestra that is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the 2016-17 season, appropriately titled “Fantastic at Fifty!” “Many of the musicians and [music director and conductor] Michael Jinbo have played together for a long time … and that, in and of itself, fosters a family feeling,” says executive director Roberta Strebel, who is starting her 10th season with the symphony. She lists the actual family members who are part of today’s orchestra. There’s violinist Eileen Christman and her brother, Roger, who is a cellist. Then there are several husband-and-
Nittany Valley Symphony’s “Fantastic at 50!” Season September 18 “Love and the Sea”
Expressions of lost love and the mysterious power of the sea. 4 p.m. at Mount Nittany Middle School Auditorium Richard Kennedy, Tenor Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave), Op. 26 Chausson: Poème de l’amour et de la mer [Poem of Love and the Sea] for Tenor and Orchestra, Op. 19 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, Pathétique
October 16 “Best of Broadway”
Favorite musicals from Broadway’s Golden Age and beyond. 4 p.m. at Mount Nittany Middle School Auditorium
wife pairings: Tom (violin) and Shirley (cello) Fonda, Eleanor (violin) and Steve (viola) Schiff, Bob and Maxine Levin (violinists), Jean (clarinet) and John (bassoon) Balogh, Herb (principal trumpet) and Susan (trombone) McKinstry, Diane Gold (principal flute, and an original member) and Smith (principal clarinet and assistant conductor) Toulson, Barry (principal oboe) and Susan (flute) Kroeker, and Matt Patten (principal horn) and Svetlana Rodionova (a pianist who has performed as a soloist with the symphony). Maybe having family members work together is to be expected, too, from an organization that is hitting its golden anniversary. But then talk with violist Matthew Kumjian, a 30-year-old from Virginia Beach who moved to State College in January 2014 and began performing with the symphony a month later. “I was struck by how close-knit many of the musicians in NVS are,” he says. “Many have been playing in the orchestra together for numerous years. Yet, as a newcomer, I was greeted as one of the ‘family’ right from the beginning. This welcoming spirit meant a lot to me.” Juliette Greer has twice won the symphony’s Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition, named for one of the active founders of the symphony who died in 1999. The 17-year-old violinist has performed with the symphony as a soloist and as part of the string section. “Even though I played with Central PA Youth Orchestra for five years, being in the NVS violin section brought me a very
January 29 “Dynamic Duo”
Shakespeare’s pair of young lovers and two dynamic soloists. 4 p.m. at Bellefonte Area High School Theatre James Lyon, Violin Timothy Deighton, Viola Berlioz: Scène d’amour [Love Scene] from Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17 Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K.364/320d Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
February 26 “Mr. Smith’s Bowl of Notes”
A program for the entire family featuring a piece for actor and orchestra, plus the winner of the annual young soloist competition. 4 p.m. at Bellefonte Area High School Theatre Mark Ballora, Actor Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition Winner Smith: Mr. Smith’s Bowl of Notes Remainder of program TBA
March 26 “Golden Jubilee”
Gala 50th anniversary concert. 4 p.m. at Eisenhower Auditorium Steven Herbert Smith, Piano Shostakovich: Festive Overture, Op. 96 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 Rachimaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
April 23 “Slavic Celebration”
Music from Russia and Bohemia. 4 p.m. at Mount Nittany Middle School Auditorium Lisa O. Bontrager, Horn Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36 Gliere: Horn Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 91 Dvorak: Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60
For tickets and more information, visit nvs.org. 2016 September T&G - 59
Kumjian started performing with the symphony in 2014 after he had moved to State College.
different musical fulfillment,” says Greer, who graduated from State High this summer and is a freshman at the New England Conservatory of Music. “It was more like a family, several generations sharing the special moments that only music can bring, including struggling to get it right! It was inspiring to be a part of such a ‘we’re in this together’ attitude ….” When Diane Gold Toulson was diagnosed with cancer about six years ago, her extended symphony family came through for her. “Flutist Cathy Herrera organized dinners for my family during the roughest times of chemo,” she says, “and I feel so grateful for the orchestra family.” It’s a family Toulson has been with since it began in 1967 during the first Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. At that time, a chamber music group called the Music Guild formed the “nucleus of the first program at the first Arts Festival.” Toulson says small groups performed at what is now Esber Recital Hall, and the program ended with a larger group performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 for string ensemble, solo flute (Toulson was the flutist), and solo harpsichord. The 17-member group performed at the second Arts Festival in 1968, and it 60 - T&G September 2016
soon formed the State College Chamber Orchestra, with Ernest Peterson, a graduate student studying meteorology at Penn State, conducting. According to a story in the November 1968 issue of Town&Gown, the orchestra “plans to present two or three concerts each year and eventually would like to add a woodwind and brass section in order to perform classical symphonies.” Those sections, obviously, were added, as were a few more concerts — the symphony now has six each season, many of which are performed at Eisenhower Auditorium. Violinist Jan Diehl, who continues to perform with the symphony, remembers some of the early concerts. “We volunteered to play almost anywhere,” she says. “We appeared as a string group playing Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in a church, as a ‘touring’ orchestra for several concerts at Raystown Lake, complete with flies — [it was] hard to play and shoo them away — a few concerts at Lewistown Steel, and locally.” In the late 1980s, the symphony had grown and had 55 to 60 members (which is approximately the number it has currently), and it hired its first paid conductor in Barbara Yahr, who also had been assistant manager of the Bronx Opera
Company and instructor of conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In 1990, the symphony performed a children’s concert with guest conductor Michael Jinbo. A few months later, Yahr left to become the assistant conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Nittany Valley Symphony hired Jinbo to replace her. “I had two main goals,” Jinbo says. “One goal was for the orchestra to perform a wide variety of works that stretched their ability and improve their technical level of playing. I felt that my job was not only to cater to the audience but to satisfy the musical lives of the players. The other goal was to increase audience size and support for the orchestra. We’ve had success in both areas, though audience size and support has ebbed and flowed over the years.” The 2016-17 season will be Jinbo’s 27th of directing the symphony. Diane Gold Toulson says he has led the symphony into performing larger, more challenging pieces than it had done before his arrival. Newer members have become quickly
For more information visit www.nvs.org or call 814-231-8224
impressed with Jinbo’s leadership. “I have played under a number of different conductors, and what strikes me about Michael Jinbo is how clear his vision is for every single piece he conducts,” says bass trombonist Nick Smarcz, who joined the symphony last September. “It’s great to sit in the orchestra under him and watch how he shapes each phrase. He is not afraid to try things faster, louder, slower, softer. He knows what he wants, but he also is not afraid to push the musical envelope from time to time. “The first rehearsal with new music after a concert, he comes in more prepared than any conductor I’ve ever seen.” Jinbo says he thinks the symphony has enhanced the community in many ways, especially being an outlet for musicians in the area. He also says when he thinks of his first 26 seasons with the symphony, many performances stand out to him. “We’ve performed with many excellent soloists and with other fine local organizations, such as State College Choral Society and the Nittany Valley Children’s Choir,” he says. “I enjoyed the
LOVE AND THE SEA Sunday, September 18, 2016 • 4:00pm Mt. Nittany Middle School 656 Brandywine Drive, State College Richard Kennedy, Tenor Works by Mendelssohn, Chausson, Tchaikovsky Tickets: Adults - $22 Students - $5
2016 September T&G - 61
Bass trombonist Smarcz joined the symphony last season.
many opportunities to conduct Mahler symphonies with the orchestra. Our presentation of live music with Charlie Chaplin’s film, City Lights, is another fond memory. For several years we presented staged musicals, such as The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, On the Town, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly!, and The King and I. Though they were exhausting endeavors, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to both conduct and stage direct the musicals.” When he’s asked about his future plans for the symphony, he says he obviously wants to bring more people to the concerts and solidify the audience base and finances. One way the symphony is trying to solidify the audience base — both now and for the future — has been through its outreach programs, particularly with younger people. The symphony’s youth outreach includes the Youth Flute Choir, which “allows students to explore music written for groups of flutists in a friendly, challenging, and educational atmosphere,” and it performs several times during the year; the State College Concert Percussion Academy was founded 10 years ago by Dr. James Lattern, professor of music at Juniata College and
Joel Confer BMW 120 E. Clinton Ave. State College, PA 16803
Joel Confer BMW 120 E. Clinton Ave. State College, Pa. 16803 814.237.5713 The Ultimate Driving Machine
We are completely renovating our BMW Dealership to a modern luxury feel to accommodate our loyal and future customers by providing them with a premium and unique BMW experience. We are pleased to announce that the renovation process has started and will continue for 2016. Come out and visit us today to see the construction and the most exciting vehicles ever built! Leading Premium Luxury Vehicle sales for the 4th straight year, BMW is The Ultimate Driving Machine. Please make sure to enter through the Toyota Entrance!
WWW.JOELCONFERBMW.COM
Special lease and finance offers will be available by Joel Confer BMW through BMW Financial Services.
62 - T&G September 2016
®
principal percussionist of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra; NOTES (Nittany Valley Symphony Outreaching Traveling Educating Series) helps students who may be in schools that have “minimal music programs, no orchestras, and no classical music opportunities” and exposes these students to classical music in a “fun-filled, educational atmosphere;” and the Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition, which is held each fall, and the winner performs with the symphony during its annual family concert in winter. The competition has been a springboard for many young musicians to continue their pursuits in music. Violinist John Thayer won the competition in 1993 and is now the concertmaster for the San Diego Symphony. Cellist Stephen Feldman won in 1983 and is a music professor in Arkansas. Sarah Shafer won in 2004 as a pianist, and she’s now a renowned soprano performer who tours across the country. “The Ann Keller Competition has given me the opportunity to play a solo work with the orchestra three times throughout my high school career,” Greer says. “All three performances have been major milestones in
2016 September T&G - 63
my development as a violinist and musician. … It is a sheer joy and privilege to play with a group of people who love and appreciate music with all their heart and encourage and support young soloists’ success and development.” Jinbo and symphony members have sheer pride when they think about the orchestra’s performing for a half-century, and they have hope for a strong future for the organization they love. “It’s no small feat for a symphony to last for 50 years, and it would be a shame if it didn’t thrive far into the future,” Jinbo says. “I hope the Nittany Valley Symphony will thrive well past my tenure.” Diane Gold Toulson adds, “My emotion is total pride in helping start this orchestra 50 years ago and seeing how far it has grown since the humble beginnings. … I now have a 1-yearold great-granddaughter and hope music will become part of her life — it can be flute or any instrument at all. We musicians don’t really stop, because music is part of our soul and body.” T&G David Pencek is editorial director of Town&Gown.
64 - T&G September 2016
This Month Unrivaled:
on
The Penn State Football Story
Our Town: Penns Valley
Fridays, starting September 2, at 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 15, at 8 p.m.
Returning for its third season, this weekly preview show chronicles the Nittany Lions’ journey throughout the 2016 football season.
Digging Deeper (formerly Higher Education in Focus) Sunday, September 11, at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Penn State President Eric Barron returns to host another season of this half-hour talk show, which centers around key topics in higher education. For additional program information, visit wpsu.org.
Volunteer storytellers from the Penns Valley area share stories about The Grange, Old Gregg School, farms, monuments, artifacts, art, divining for graves, and so much more. Find out what makes Penns Valley a great place to live! Out-of-town friends and family can watch the premiere live, online at wpsu.org/live.
Conversations Live! Get Your Garden On
Thursday, September 29, at 8 p.m. Host Patty Satalia and expert guests discuss steps you can take this season to ensure your garden thrives for years to come. To join the conversation, email questions to connect@wpsu.org, tweet @WPSU with hashtag #WPSUconversations, or call 800-543-8242 during the program.
Save the dates: Candidate Debates WPSU will host two live public political debates in October, simulcast on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM, plus streamed live online. The October 15 debate will feature candidates Kerith Strano Taylor and incumbent Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, competing for the 5th Congressional District. Details about an October 6 debate will be announced on wpsu.org. Watch for registration details at wpsu.org in mid-September, and visit wpsu.org/vote16 for more voter resources and important election dates and events.
wpsu.org U.Ed. OUT 17-0006/17-PSPB-TV-0001
SEPTEMBER
Coming to Bryce Jordan Center/Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
SEPTEMBER 4 Spikes vs. Williamsport Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 6:05 p.m. 25 WWE Live Bryce Jordan Center 1 p.m. 30 Kanye West Bryce Jordan Center 8 p.m.
OCTOBER 3 Theresa Caputo Live! Bryce Jordan Center 7:30 p.m. 5 Disturbed Bryce Jordan Center 7 p.m. 7 Rascal Flatts Bryce Jordan Center 8:30 p.m. 9 Impractical Jokers Bryce Jordan Center 8 p.m. 20 Jeff Dunham Bryce Jordan Center 7:30 p.m. 68 - T&G September 2016
T& G
what's happening
September
18
3 Penn State football opens its 2016 season hosting Kent State at Beaver Stadium.
The Nittany Valley Symphony begins its 50th anniversary season with “Love and the Sea” at Mount Nittany Middle School.
25 Professional wrestling returns to the Bryce Jordan Center with WWE Live!
10
26
The Great Insect Fair returns to Snider Agricultural Arena.
The NHL visits Happy Valley when the Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild play a preseason game at Pegula Ice Arena.
11 The State College Choral Society helps remember the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a performance of Mozart’s Requiem at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
21 The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State opens its 2016-17 season with Cirque Eloize’s Saloon, A Musical Acrobatic Adventure.
27
25 15
Bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs performs with his band Kentucky Thunder at the State Theatre.
Happy Valley’s version of Comic Con, Nittany Con, is at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center.
Fuse Productions opens its production of the musical Assassins at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. The show runs through October 1.
30 Rap star Kanye West performs at the Bryce Jordan Center. To have an event listed in “What’s Happening," e-mail dpenc@barashmedia.com. 2016 SeptemberT&G - 69
Children & Families 10 – Elementary Explorers, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 10, 17, 24 – Saturday Stories Alive, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 11 a.m., schlowlibrary.org. 11 – Where in the World Does a Dog Say “Meong, Meong!” Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 12, 19, 26 – Baby & Me Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 9:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 – Tales for Twos Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 10:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org. 13, 20, 27 – Toddler Learning Centre, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org. 13, 20, 27 – 3s, 4s, 5s Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 9:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org. 13, 20, 27 – Tuning Into Kids, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, noon, schlowlibrary.org. 18 – Johnny Appleseed Day, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 24 – Manga Lessons with Misako Rocks!, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 1 & 3 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 25 – Whoo’s Ready To Sign?, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.
Classes & Lectures 1-2 – Gallery Talk: Lou Prato, Penn State All-Sports Museum, PSU, noon, gopsusports.com/museum. 4 – “Elements of the Nineteenth Century: Pennsylvania Interiors” by Dick Pencek, Centre Furnace Mansion, SC, 2 p.m., centrehistory.org. 6 – Step Up for Mental Wellness Launch, Bellefonte Courthouse, noon, janamariefoundation.org. 6, 20 – “A Joint Venture,” information session on hip or knee replacement, Mount Nittany Medical Center, SC, 11 a.m. Sept. 6, 7 p.m. Sept. 20, 278-4810. 7 – Panel Discussion: “Documentary Photography in a Photoshop World,” Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 4:30 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 7 – Richard Koontz Memorial Lecture Series: “The Battle of Dong Ha: South Vietnam” by Col. (Ret.) Vincent J. Tedesco Jr., PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 7:30 p.m., pamilmuseum.org. 70 - T&G September 2016
8 – Penn State Forum Speaker Series: “Can Free Enterprise Solve Climate Change” by Bob Inglis, Nittany Lion Inn, PSU, 11:30 a.m., sites.psu.edu/forum. 9 – Gallery Talk: “The Gentle Satire of Adolph Dehn” by Adam Thomas, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 9 – Paper Views Conversation: “Animalia” by Joan Landes, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 11 – Docent Choice Tour: “Greek and Roan Mythology” by Dotty Ford, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 2 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 16 – Gallery Talk: “Still Moving: Photographs by Steve McCurry” by Joyce Robinson, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 18 – Docent Choice Tour: “The Men of the Palmer” by Lauren Grego, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 2 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 20 – Straight Talk for People Who Care about Kids by Dr. Peter Montminy, Mount Nittany Middle School, 7 p.m., janamariefoundation.org. 25 – Docent Choice Tour: “Saints Alive!” by Mary Jo Everhart, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 2 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 29 – Gallery Talk: Char Morett-Curtiss, Penn State All-Sports Museum, PSU, noon, gopsusports.com/museum. 30 – Gallery Talk: “Recent Acquisitions: Gifford Beal in Rockport” by Patrick McGrady, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.
Club Events 1, 8 – Comics Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 3:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – State College Downtown Rotary, Ramada Inn & Conference Center, SC, noon, centrecounty.org/rotary/club/. 3, 10, 17, 24 – Chess Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 3 – Go Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 5, 19 – Knitting Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 5:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 6 – Penn State University Women’s Club Fall Reception, Nittany Lion Inn, PSU, 6:30 p.m., personal.psu.edu/org/uwc. 6, 13, 20, 27 – State College Rotary Club, Nittany Lion Inn, SC, 5:30 p.m., statecollegerotary.org.
7, 21 – Outreach Toastmasters, The 329 Building, Room 413, PSU, noon, outreach. toastmastersclubs.org 7, 14, 21, 28 – State College Sunrise Rotary Club, Hotel State College, SC, 7:15 a.m., kfragola@psualum.com. 8, 22 – Embroidery Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 5:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 14 – 148th PA Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Group Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, SC, 7:30 p.m., 861-0770. 17 – Lego Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 2 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 19 – Parrot Owner’s Group, Perkins, 525 Benner Pike, SC, 7 p.m., 237-2722. 25 – Mother/Daughter Book Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 3 p.m., schlowlibrary.org. 28 – Applique Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, SC, 6 p.m., schlowlibrary.org
Community Associations & Development 8 – CBICC Business After Hours: Ricoh, 5:30 p.m., cbicc.org.
Adolf Dehn’s lithograph, “She Said, That You Said, That I Said, That They Said,” is part of the exhibit, The Gentle Satire of Adolf Dehn, at the Palmer Museum of Art through December 18. 20 – Spring Creek Watershed Association, Patton Township Municipal Building, 7:30 a.m., springcreekwatershed.org. 28 – Patton Township Business Association, Patton Township Municipal Building, noon, 237-2822.
2016 September T&G - 71
Exhibits Ongoing – Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, Boalsburg, 1:30-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun., boalmuseum.com. Ongoing – Underground Railroad: A Journey to Freedom, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Bellefonte, noon4:30 p.m. Fri-Sun., bellefontemuseum.org. Ongoing-7 – Artes Exempli, Robeson Gallery, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/ galleries. Ongoing-11 – Kiana Honarmand, HUB Gallery, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/galleries. Ongoing-18 – Art by Vesco, Art Alley, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/galleries. Ongoing-18 – Still Moving: Photographs by Steve McCurry, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu. Ongoing-25 – Cuban Art, A Family Workshop, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Bellefonte, noon-4:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., bellefontemuseum.org. Ongoing-October 15 – Arts Festival at Fifty: Stories of the Early Years, Centre County Historical Society, SC, 1-4 p.m. Sun., Mon., & Wed., centrehistory.org.
Ongoing-December 18 – Recent Acquisitions: Gifford Beal in Rockport, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu. Ongoing-December 18 – The Gentle Satire of Adolf Dehn, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 9 – Paper Views: Animalia, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.
Health Care For schedule of blood drives visit redcross.org or givelife.org. 2, 13 – Juniper Village at Brookline’s Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group, Mount Nittany Dining Room at The Inn, SC, 1 p.m. Fri., 6:30 p.m. Tues., 231-3141. 7 – Amputee Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 5 p.m., 359-5630. 13 – Brain Injury Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 7 p.m., 359-3421.
Bellefonte fall festival When:
Annual Fall Festival and Halloween Parade is Saturday, October 15th, 11am to 4pm
Where: Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, PA
Fall Festival Activities: Fall Festival Activities & Halloween Parade: October 15th,Entertainment, Children’s Activities including Photo Booth, in the park from 11am to 4pm Halloween parade judging and line up at the Bellefonte YMCA at 12:30pm Parade down High Street to Talleyrand Park at 1:30pm for awards and treats
www.bellefontechamber.org www.visitbellefonte .com 72 - T&G September 2016
14 – The Fertility Issues and Loss Support Group, Choices (2214 N. Atherton St.), SC, 6 p.m., heartofcpa.org. 15 – Better Breathers Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 2 p.m., 842-6026. 15 – Parents-to-be Orientation, Mount Nittany Medical Center, SC, 6:30 p.m., 231-3132. 19 – Cancer Survivors’ Association, Mount Nittany Medical Center, SC, 11:30 a.m., 238-6220. 21 – Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, Foxdale Village, SC, 1:30 p.m., 867-6212. 21 – Alzheimer’s Support Group, Elmcroft Senior Living, SC, 6:30 p.m., 235-7675. 25 – Neuropathy Support Group of Central PA, Mount Nittany Medical Center, SC, 2 p.m., 531-1024. 26 – Heart Healthy Support Group for Heart Failure, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 4 p.m., 359-3421. 27 – Stroke Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 4 p.m., 359-3421. 27 – Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 6 p.m., 359-3421.
Music 1 – G. Love & Special Sauce, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 2 – Penn State School of Music: School of Music Graduate Student Recognition Recital, Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 7:30 p.m., music.psu.edu. 10 – Penn State School of Music: Flute Day, various locations, PSU, all day, music.psu.edu. 11 – State College Choral Society presents Mozart’s Requiem, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, PSU, 3 p.m., scchoralsociety.org. 13 – Yo La Tengo, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 14 – Penn State School of Music: Solomiya Ivakhiv (violin), Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 7:30 p.m., music.psu.edu. 15 – Thursday Afternoons with the Second Winds, American Ale House & Grill, SC, 3 p.m., 237-9701. 15 – Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 18 – Nittany Valley Symphony presents “Love and the Sea," Mount Nittany Middle School, Boalsburg, 4 p.m., nvs.org. 18 – John Mayall, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 20 – The Revivalists, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org.
You Deserve the Best.
FREE pick-up and delivery service.
We’re not your typical dry cleaner. Our customers are our priority. Pair that with the highest quality cleaning and our professional integrity and you’ll be set. Your clothing will never have looked this good after coming back from the dry cleaner. We guarantee it.
814.237.7661 www.balfurd.com
2016 September T&G - 73
21 – The Art of Music: Going for Baroque, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 21 – Greensky Bluegrass, State Theatre, SC, 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 22 – Jazz at the Palmer: Ryan Kauffman Quartet, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 7:30 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 24 – Raven & The Wren, Center for Well-Being, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., acousticbrew.org. 25 – Penn State School of Music: Faculty Spotlight Concert Series I, Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 4 p.m., music.psu.edu. 30 – Kanye West, BJC, PSU, 8 p.m., bjc.psu.edu.
Special Events
Raven & The Wren open Acoustic Brew’s fall season with a performance September 24 at the Center for Well-Being in Lemont.
1-30 – Harvest Photo Contest, Mount Nittany Winery, Centre Hall, noon, mtnittanywinery.com. 2 – First Friday, Downtown State College, 5 p.m., firstfridaystatecollege.com. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Downtown Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, SC, 11:30 a.m., visitpennstate.org. 3, 10, 17, 24 – Bellefonte Farmers’ Market, Gamble Mill parking lot, 8 a.m., visitpennstate.org. 3, 10, 17, 24 – Millheim Farmers’ Market, Old Gregg Mills Farmers’ Market, Spring Mills, 10 a.m., visitpennstate.org. rd icha or R rect d di Ban
Centre H ills $1,950,000 Custom, quality detail throughout. Beautiful guest house included Really special, a must see property!
FREE
D
Town&Gown
townandgown.com
tow
APRIL 2016
townandgown.c
MAY
tow
RENOVATE OR REPLACE?
nand
tU
igh
L The
om
2016
gow
n.co
m
holds for Beaver State What the future home of Penn discussed Stadium, the debated and football, is being
All the Right
Notes
n
aso
Se the
Gif t s Gaorfd enin g
Hitting
p
m
.co
wn
go
nd
na
FREE
ul erf ond rry n! st w Me y mo r — app Gow the yea nd H wn& It’s e of as aFR m To tim ristm s fro EE h ay C lid Ho
land Besides sc ma the aping or king fo groc r attra help er y ing the ctive to envir store, onme garden save mo ney nt s ca in a at n varie and co mm benefit ty of ways unities
The School of Music at Penn State has become its own creative “neighborhood” of singers, musicians, composers, educators, and more
MLS # 48557
ent em retir for EE ies FR read
e Blu s• eroe yH Valle 014 py R2 Hap BE de: EM Insi EC
Inside: Penn State AD Sandy Barbour’s love of leading • Pie recipes for the holiday season
NOVEMBER 2014
dy Bun
Town&Gown AUGUST 2016
Inside: Men in
the Community
• Bob Perks Fund
marks 10 Years
Insi
de:
Th
Beset
OCTOBER 2014
Inside: Special Advertising Section
townandgown.com
FREE
— Nonprofits of Centre County
(@TownGownSC)
Town&Gown
Renaissance Honoree
Inside : Uncov ering the Unde rgrou nd Railro • Nonp rofits ad of Centr e Coun ty
Follow Town&Gown on Facebook & Twitter N
74 - T&G September 2016
VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOW
Website: www.1kbb.com For more info TEXT 4532044 to 79564
Year
of theYear
Associate Broker Cell: (814) 404-6800 Email: realtorlw@aol.com Phone: (814) 234-4000 x 3329
Dan Hawbaker has spent much of his life building positive relationships at Penn State and in Centre County
IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY
Larry Walker,
Ever
FREE
townandgown.c Cent re om • Th Gives help e st ory s behi local no nd In the Boalpastnpyear, rofit Penn State sb ur n’ss with wome soccer head g an coachd Mem fundra isin Erica Dambach oria l Da g effo has enjoyed y rts a remarkable ride that has includ ed a national title, marriage, and a new addition to the family
3, 10, 17, 24 – North Atherton Farmers’ Market, Home Depot parking lot, SC, 10 a.m., visitpennstate.org. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Tuesdays State College Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, SC, 11:30 a.m., visitpennstate.org. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Boalsburg Farmers’ Market, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, PA, 2 p.m., visitpennstate.org. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Lemont Farmers’ Market, Lemont Granary, Lemont, 2 p.m., visitpennstate.org. 8-11 – Nittany Antique Machinery Association’s Fall Show, Penn’s Cave, Centre Hall, nitanyantique.org. 10 – Great Insect Fair, Snider Agricultural Arena, PSU, 10 a.m., ento.psu.edu. 10 – Pop Up Ave, Garner Street Parking Lot, SC, 10 a.m., popupave.com. 10 – An Evening of Hope, Healing and Remembrance, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, SC, 5:30 p.m., janamariefoundation.org. 10 – Gourmet Granary Dinner, Thompson Granary, Lemont, 6:30 p.m., 238-1288. 10-11 – Then & Now Living History, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 10 a.m., pamilmuseum.org. 11 – Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania presents Good Spirits, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, SC, 3 p.m., artalliancepa.org.
Penn State’s men’s soccer team has four home games in September. 15 – SCASD Music Boosters Used Instrument Sale, State High Cafeteria, SC, 8 p.m., 237-3747. 18 – Bark for Life, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 1 p.m., relayforlife.org/barkcentralpa. 24 – Apple Harvest Festival and Car Show, Market St., Milesburg, 8 a.m., 355-9647. 25 – Nittany Con, Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, SC, 10 a.m., nittanycon.com. 25 – WWE Live, BJC, PSU, 1 p.m., bjc.psu.edu.
Sports For tickets to the State College Spikes, call (814) 272-1711 or visit statecollegespikes.com. For tickets to Penn State sporting events, visit gopsusports.com or call (814) 865-5555. 2 – PSU/James Madison, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 7 p.m. 3 – PSU/Kent State, football, Beaver Stadium, PSU, 3:30 p.m. 4 – Spikes/Williamsport, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 6:05 p.m. 5 – PSU/Oakland, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 7 p.m.
2016 September T&G - 75
The State College Spikes play their final regular-season home game September 4 against Williamsport.
9 – PSU/San Diego St., women’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 5:30 p.m. 9 – PSU/St. Francis, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 8 p.m. 10 – Spiked Shoe Invitational, cross country, Penn State Golf Courses, PSU, 10 a.m. 11 – PSU/Lock Haven, field hockey, Penn State Field Hockey Complex, PSU, noon. 11 – PSU/LaSalle, women’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 1 p.m. 13 – PSU/Bucknell, field hockey, Penn State Field Hockey Complex, PSU, 7 p.m. 13 – PSU/Ohio State, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 7 p.m. 16 – PSU/Rhode Island, women’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m. 17 – PSU/Howard, women’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 10 a.m. 17 – PSU/Temple, football, Beaver Stadium, PSU, noon. 17 – PSU/Clemson, women’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m. 23 – PSU/Wisconsin, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 5:30 p.m. 23 – PSU/Iowa, women’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 8 p.m. 25 – PSU/Nebraska, women’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 1 p.m.
Check out Town&Gown’s
Senior Living 2016
Town&Gown’s
Senior Living 2016
— a special insert with the September issue! Inside are stories on: • Modern-Day Grandparenting • Senior living communities transform dining • Creative art programs help those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias • A list of senior living options that can be found in Happy Valley
And more!
Town&Go
Senior Livi ng wn’s
Modern-Day Grandparenting Kathy and Steve Lose of Howard take on an active role as grandparents to their grandkids, Miley and Owen
Find us on
2016
Modern-D Grandpareay nting
Kathy and Steve Lose Howard of take on an active role as grandpa rents to grandkid their s, Miley and Owen
ONLINE
Read it for free online by visiting townandgown.com and clicking on the cover! 76 - T&G September 2016
Sphinx Viruosi presents Latin Voyages: Viajes Latinos September 29 at Schwab Auditorium.
30 – PSU/Illinois, women’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 6 p.m. 30 – PSU/Michigan State, women’s volleyball, Rec Hall, PSU, 7 p.m.
Theater
Nittany Theatre at the Barn’s production of The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (abridged) runs through September 10 at the Boal Barn Playhouse in Boalsburg. 26 – NHL Preseason Hockey: Buffalo/ Minnesota, Pegula Ice Arena, PSU, 7 p.m. 27 – PSU/Temple, men’s soccer, Jeffrey Field, PSU, 7 p.m. 30 – PSU/Michigan State, field hockey, Penn State Field Hockey Complex, PSU, 5 p.m.
Ongoing-10 – Nittany Theatre at the Barn presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), Boal Barn Playhouse, Boalsburg, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., nittanytheatre.org. 2 – Almeida Live HD presents Richard III, State Theatre, SC, 7 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 3 – Film En Plein Air: Girl with a Pearl Earring, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 8 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 10 – Film En Plein Air: Big Eyes, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 8 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 16 – Branagh Theatre Live HD presents Romeo & Juliet, State Theatre, SC, 7 p.m., thestatetheatre.org. 17 – Film En Plein Air: Pleasantville, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 8 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 21 – Cirque Eloize presents Saloon, A Musical Acrobatic Adventure, Eisenhower Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., cpa.psu.edu. 24 – Film En Plein Air: Basquiat, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 8 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu. 27-October 1 – Fuse Productions presents Assassins, Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, SC, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., fuseproductions.org 29 – Sphinx Viruosi presents Latin Voyages: Viajes Latinos, Schwab Auditorium, PSU, 7:30 p.m., cpa.psu.edu. T&G 2016 September T&G - 77
T& G
from the vine
Bold and Beautiful Portugal’s Douro region continues to produce world-class red wines By Lucy Rogers
When talking about Portuguese wines, most wine drinkers are usually referring to Port, the fortified wine that has made Portugal famous. As exclusive producers of Port for centuries, Portugal has benefitted greatly from the world’s demand for this delicious dessert wine. Made from indigenous grapes (usually some combination of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão) grown in Portugal’s Douro wine region, Port is usually quite fruit forward, with notes of dark plum, dark berries, sometimes prune, and often layered with cocoa and/or tobacco. In the production of Port, the grapes are harvested from steeply terraced hillside vineyards, pressed, and then their fermentation begins with the addition of yeast. Before the fermentation is complete (before the yeast is able to consume all the sugars and turn all of the sugar into alcohol), brandy is added to the mix, which stops the fermentation process, leaving a significant amount of residual sugar in the base wine and boosting the alcohol content to about 18 to 20 percent alcohol by volume. This process of fortifying Port wine was the solution to a problem. In the late 1700s, the British had turned to Portugal to import red wine, as they were at war with France and were boycotting French wine. But the wine would spoil in the barrel in the ship’s cargo before it ever arrived in 80 - T&G September 2016
Britain, so the addition of brandy to keep the wine from spoiling became the norm. The Brits fell in love with the resultant sweet red wine, and soon the British were running the Port trade in Portugal. Grapes were harvested in Douro, shipped down the Douro river to merchants and exporters in Vila Nova de Gaia, where the base wine was made, fortified, barreled, and stored until it was time to be bottled and shipped. Only the best grapes were selected for Port production, and lesser quality grapes were made into unfortified table wines for the general populace to drink. Wine growers were focused on supplying the export market, which was solely Port, for many centuries — unfortified wines seemed to be an afterthought. But all that changed significantly in 1986 when Portugal joined the European Union. With increased investment in Portugal’s wine industry, a modernization of the country’s wine laws, and a world-wide resurgence in the interest in making — and drinking — higher quality wine, a new mindset emerged among Portuguese grape growers, one that had them thinking beyond supplying the Port trade. With newly upgraded equipment and the adoption of more modern wine-making techniques, the Portuguese realized that they had all the components to make world-class wines — soils of granite and schist, vineyards exposed to hot summer days and shifting winds, and full-flavored grapes that thrived in the terroir. In other words, the Douro region. The Douro region of Portugal is located in the northeastern section of the country, sharing its western border with Spain.
Red...
White...
and NEW!
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars is now offering select, local, Pennsylvania Craft Beers on tap! Enjoy your favorite brew or wine at the Seven Mountains Lodge…only 20 minutes from State College, on your way in or out of town! Open 7 Days a week. Sun-Thus 11-5, Fri & Sat 11-7
Welcome Fans! Pick up your favorite tailgate wine at “Mountains on Main”, Seven Mountains Wine Bar! 101 B Main Street, On the Diamond in Boalsburg, only minutes from Downtown State College. Fall Hours: Wed-Thurs 12-6, Fri-Sat 12-7, Sun 12-5 Check our Web Site for Special Fall Events, including September Campfire Fridays and Football Weekend Sundays! 107 Mountain Springs Lane • (814) 364-1000 • www.sevenmountainswinecellars.com Only 20 minutes from State College, 1 mile off 322 near Potters Mills/Decker Valley Road
There are more than 230 different wine grapes grown in Portugal, 80 of which are found in the Douro. More than 83,000 vineyard properties stretch out over hillsides carved out by the river, some with inclines ranging from 35 to 70 degrees, all exposed to dry summer heat. Changes in sun orientation, elevation, twists in the river, a host of microclimates, a variety of growing conditions, and soil so hostile you can only grow grapes in it all mean the Douro is built for creating great unfortified wine. As we saw in the late twentieth century, modernization changed the wine industry around the world. We saw it in Chile, Austria, and Argentina. Winemakers in these countries realized that they, too, had the right conditions for making world-class wines if they were willing to adapt to a new philosophy and focus on quality over quantity by limiting vine yields to increase flavor concentration and implementing improved winemaking and storage techniques. And those newly revitalized markets flourished. They were no longer supplying only their own country with simple table wines — they found a huge market around the world, particularly in the United States, for their well-made, high quality-to-price ratio wines, and business boomed. 82 - T&G September 2016
Portugal, however, in spite of having made many of the same changes and investments as these other emerging markets, lagged behind. Interestingly, wine critics around the world have been saying for more than two decades that Portugal provides some of the best values in red wines on the market, yet Americans seem largely unaware. One possible explanation for this lack of world-wide/American acceptance may be the wine grapes. Portuguese reds from the Douro (and all over Portugal, for that matter) are made from grapes most Americans have never heard of; grapes, for the most part, grown only in Portugal. What do Americans know of Touriga Nacional or Touriga Franca? Perhaps we just aren’t that adventurous when it comes to choosing a bottle of wine. Thirty years ago, Chile emerged with Cabernets and Merlots and Chardonnays that showed tremendous potential for the American market. But Portugal (and I say this thankfully) was not inclined to rip out its indigenous grapes to plant Cabernet and Merlot. To its credit, it is committed to making world-class wines that showcase a very distinct terroir that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the word. This is reason enough to seek out a red from Douro. If that’s not incentive enough, consider our experience tasting several Douro reds. All were blends using the five most commonly planted grapes, representing several vintages — one as far back as 2008. Every one of the wines was beautifully, deeply purple in color with beautiful noses. They were all rich yet elegant enough, when they could have been flabby and/or even clumsy with their big character. So much dark fruit flavor of plum and blueberry, and I had to admit I was surprised how approachable the wines were, even without food. Even the young ones, which could have been overly tannic but weren’t, had structure, but they weren’t woody or sharp. To be honest, it’s a rare experience to be exposed to something so unique and come to it with few preconceptions. I know come winter I will be scouring the liquor store shelves for red wines from the Douro to keep me warm. How about you? T&G Lucy Rogers is the tasting room manager for Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte. She can be reached at lucy@bigspringspirits.com, or you can find her in the tasting room.
Lucky White PSU Shirt
Blue & White Shakers
Tailgate Red
Football Traditions should always include a trip to Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery! Celebrating over 25 years of making award-winning wine
Tues. - Fri. 11- 5pm, Sat. 10 -5pm, Sun. 12:30- 4pm
300 Houser Rd., Centre Hall, 16828 (7 miles from Penn State) www. mtnittanywinery.com • 814. 466. 6373 2016 September T&G - 83
Taste of the Month
Positive Judgment on New Eatery
Courthouse Crepes brings varied menu to Bellefonte
84 - T&G September 2016
By Vilma Shu Danz Photos by Darren Andrew Weimert
An assortment of cookies, muffins, and gluten-free chocolate chip bread
S
ince the Bellefonte Cruise in June, Courthouse Crepes, on the corner of South Allegheny Street and West High Street in Bellefonte, has been creating a buzz with its wafer-thin crepes and mouthwatering halfpound burgers. Just steps across the street from the historic Centre County Courthouse, the 1,300-square-foot restaurant is quickly becoming popular with locals and visitors alike. Courthouse Crepes is a labor of love, owned and operated by a unique partnership between former radio personality Gary Miller, designer Justin Melanson of Melanson Designs, and his wife, Shanna. Born in Massachusetts, Justin Melanson was raised Amish in Scottsville,
Strawberry, blueberry, lemon crepe
Kentucky, until he was 16 years old. He owned his own Italian restaurant when he was 21 and credits his Amish upbringing for his skills in construction and all the recipes for his delicious food. Popular in France and other parts of Europe, a crepe is essentially a very thin pancake that can be sweet or savory, depending on the filling. Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Courthouse Crepes offer diners fresh, madeto-order crepes and build-your-own burger combinations. There are 15 to 18 different types of daily crepes, and each can be ordered glutenfree. The most popular crepes on the menu are the strawberry-banana-Nutella, the apple pie, chicken-tomato-spinach-ranch, and the ham and Swiss with mustard. “Our gluten-free crepes look and taste like our regular crepes, and we also have gluten-free chocolate chip bread,” says Shanna Melanson. “All our muffins and cookies are also fresh and made from scratch.” 2016 September T&G - 85
Chicken, tomato, spinach, and ranch crepe
Courthouse Crepes owners (from left) Shanna and Justin Melanson and Gary Miller.
The décor in the restaurant can best be described as comfort meets industrial chic. Justin painted some of the walls with a broom to give it a denim look, repurposed hemlock on the floors, and custom-made the coffee tables with solid walnut countertops, as well as the chandeliers with Edison-style lights. “I build drones, and I did some drone photography of downtown Bellefonte,” explains Justin. “They are large meaningful art pieces that we proudly display on our walls, and we have some for sale, too, if people are interested.” This fall, Courthouse Crepes will be offering three different styles of bread every week, such as artisan, gluten-free, and Amish. “My goal is to make three soups a week, and with each bowl, guests can choose their slice of bread,” says Shanna. “In terms of soups, we plan on having lobster bisque, spicy chili, and homemade chicken noodle.” Gary Miller adds, “We will also have seasonal crepes of the month and incorporate flavors such as pumpkin for the fall or perhaps a Thanksgiving-inspired one with turkey and stuffing. Starting in the fall, we will have our espresso machine and a barista, so we will be able to offer lattes and other espresso beverages.” Regularly brewed coffees are currently available and playing on the courthouse theme. Cafe 86 - T&G September 2016
Lemont roasts a special batch of coffee beans for Courthouse Crepes with original names such as the Not Guilty (decaf), All Rise (medium roast), and Grounds for Divorce (dark roast). In addition to the crepes and coffee, there are salads, burgers, and Meyer Dairy ice cream on the menu. “We have our basic Courthouse Burger, but we tell our customers that what they see on the menu is just a suggestion. We encourage people to create their own burger, so if you want a fried egg, we can do that,” says Shanna. The restaurant offers free WiFi, USB connections in the outlets, and a small children’s library. There are plans for bringing in live acoustic talent and other live entertainment. Miller says, “We’re going to make this place a destination to come to in Bellefonte!” T&G For more information, call Courthouse Crepes at (814) 424-7229. Vilma Shu Danz is operations manager/ assistant editor of Town&Gown.
For a special recipe for Courthouse Crepes’ Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Ever, visit townandgown.com.
T& G
dining out
All restaurants are in State College or on the Penn State campus, and in the 814 area code unless noted.
Full Course Dining 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 Citystyle barbecue is smoked daily on-site. AE, D, DC, ID+, MC, V. Full bar. Barrel 21 Distillery & Dining, 2255 N. Atherton St., 308-9522, barrel21distillery. com. A new dining experience brought to you by Otto’s Pub & Brewery, Barrel 21 presents a tapas menu featuring fusion cuisine highlighting our local resources. Menu inspirations will celebrate new culture and cuisine brought to Central PA from around the world. Tapas-style dining from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Sundays, brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tapas from 4 to 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays. The distillery is in full operation and the tasting room is now open with our bottled craft spirits available for purchase during the restaurants hours of operation. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar. Carnegie Inn & Spa Restaurant, 100 Cricklewood Drive, 234-2424. An exquisite boutique hotel offering fine dining in a relaxed yet gracious atmosphere. Your dining experience begins with a wide array of appetizers and entrees that compare to the best restaurants of the largest cities in the United States. Additionally, the Carnegie Inn & Spa Restaurant wine list is one of the best in the area and features a wide variety of wines from California, France, and other countries. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, D, V. Full bar.
Cozy Thai Bistro, 232 S. Allen St., 237-0139. A true authentic Thai restaurant offering casual and yet “cozy” family-friendly dining experience. Menu features wide selections of exotic Thai cuisine, both lunch and dinner (take-out available). BYO (wines and beer) is welcome after 5 p.m. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. The Deli Restaurant, 113 Hiester St., 2375710, The DeliRestaurant.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. Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern, On the Diamond, Boalsburg, 466-6241. The Boalsburg Tavern offers a fine, intimate setting reminiscent of Colonial times. Dining for all occasions with formal and casual menus, daily dinner features, specials, and plenty of free parking. AE, MC, V. Full bar.
Key AE............................................................American Express CB ...................................................................Carte Blanche D ................................................................. Discover/Novus DC.........................................................................Diners Club ID+ ................................................ PSU ID+ card discounts LC............................................................................. LionCash MAC........................................................................debit card MC........................................................................MasterCard V.......................................................................................... Visa ............................................... Handicapped-accessible
To advertise, call Town&Gown account executives Kathy George or Debbie Markel at (814) 238-5051. 88 - T&G September 2016
Faccia Luna Pizzeria, 1229 S. Atherton St., 237-9000, faccialuna.com. A true neighborhood hangout, famous for authentic New York-style wood-fired pizzas and fresh, homemade Italian cuisine. Seafood specialties, sumptuous salads, divine desserts, great service, and full bar. Outside seating available. Sorry, reservations not accepted. Dine-in, Take out. MC/V. Galanga, 454 E. College Ave., 237-1718. Another great addition to Cozy Thai Bistro. Galanga by Cozy Thai offers a unique authentic Thai food featuring Northeastern Thai-style cuisine. Vegetarian menu selection available. BYO (wines and beer) is welcome after 5 p.m. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. 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 special- ties. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. Full bar, beer.
FANTASTIC CUISINE EXCEPTIONAL ATMOSPHERE
Gigi’s, W. College Ave, on the corner of Cato Ave., 861-3463, gigisdining.com. Conveniently located 5 minutes from downtown State College, Gigi’s is a farm-to-table dining experience inspired by the hottest southern trends. Outdoor Patio. Lunch & Dinner. Full Bar. AE, D, MAC, MC, V. The Greek, 102 E. Clinton Ave., 308-8822, thegreekrestaurant.net. Located behind The Original Waffle Shop on North Atherton Street. Visit our Greek tavern and enjoy authentic Greek cuisine. From fresh and abundant vegetables to the most succulent kebabs, each dish has been perfected to showcase genuine Greek flavors. When we say “authentic,” we mean it. Full service, BYOB. D, MC, V. Herwig’s Austrian Bistro, “Where Bacon Is An Herb,” 132 W. College Ave., 272-0738. Located next to the State Theatre. Serving authentic Austrian home cooking in Central PA. Ranked #1 Ethnic Restaurant in State College for 8 years in a row. Eat-in, Take-Out, Catering. Glutenfree options available. Bacon-based dessert. Homemade breads, BYO beer or wine all day. Sense of humor required. D, MAC, MC, V.
LOCALLY GROWN...SOUTHERN INSPIRED
Voted Best Fine Dining
ot color sion
cess sion
‘ Corner of Cricklewood Dr. and Toftrees Ave.
carnegieinnandspa.com | 814.234.2424 90 - T&G September 2016
T & G June 2016 Ad - 1/2 Pg Ad
W. College & Cato Ave 814.861.3463 gigisdining.com
SOUTHERN TABLE
Hi-Way Pizza, 1688 N. Atherton St., 237-0375, HiWayPizza.com. The State College tradition for nearly 50 years, nobody does it better than Hi-Way! Offering more than 29 varieties of hand-spun pizzas made from scratch offer an endless combination of toppings. Its vodka “flaky” crust and red stuffed pizzas are simply a must have. Hi-Way’s menu rounds out with pasta dishes, calzones, grinders, salads, and other Italian specialties. Eat-in, take-out, or Hi-Way delivery. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar. India Pavilion, 222 E. Calder Way, 237-3400. Large selection of vegetarian and nonvegetarian dishes from northern India. Lunch buffet offered daily. We offer catering for groups and private parties. AE, D, MC, V. 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 transi- tions 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.
India Pavilion Exotic Indian Cuisine
Open Daily
Carry Out Available
Lunch Buffet: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
222 E. Calder Way 237-3400 www.indiapavilion.net
Delivery Available
GET THE
HANDY TAXI APP FOR A SAFE RIDE!
NOW HIRING for
TAXI & DELIVERIES!
Don’t Get Ubered! Stay Safe, Stay Local! A proud local business partner with PSU Athletics! PUCA 107326
2016 September T&G - 91
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. Liberty Craft House, 346 E. College Ave., 954-4923, LibertyCraftHouse.com. A worthy destination inspired by their passion for knowledge, skill, and small-batch artisan goods. Liberty is a humble neighborhood joint with design cues from the industrial revolution that provides a comfortable post for a few drinks, food, and good times. A one-of-a-kind, worldclass digital-menu-driven draft system features nitro-coffee, craft sodas, cocktails, wine, ales, lagers, and hand-pumped cask ale. Specializing in American whiskey, Liberty boasts a bottled beer, wine, mead, cider, and spirits list that would make your buddy jealous. Hungry? Liberty’s menu focuses on small-batch, local, organic, and artisan food made 100 percent in-house, fresh from scratch. Charcuerie, fromage, and flat breads are at the heart of the menu that is complemented by many other classic gastropub favorites. Open 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. every day (kitchen ’til midnight). AE, D, MAC, MC, V.
Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 272 N. Atherton St., 234-4273, MariosItalianStateCollege.com. Fresh specialty dishes, pasta, sauces, hand-tossed pizzas, and rotisserie wood-grilled chicken all made from scratch are just a few reasons why Mario’s is authentically Italian! At the heart of it all is a specialty wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie that imparts rustic flavors that can’t be beat! Mario’s loves wine and is honored with six consecutive Wine Spectator awards and a wine list of more than 550 Italian selections. Mario’s even pours 12 rotating specialty bottles on its WineStation® state-of-the-art preservation system. Reservations and walk-ins welcome. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar. Otto’s Pub & Brewery, 2235 N. Atherton St., 867-6886, ottospubandbrewery.com. State College’s most awarded craft-beer pub and brewery featuring more than a dozen fresh, house-brewed ales and lagers on tap as well as fine, affordably priced, local American food with vegan and vegetarian offerings, a kids’ menu, weekly features, and seasonal menu. Open for lunch and dinner in a family-friendly, casual atmosphere. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar.
Award-winning pizza and Italian Cuisine. Homemade… with only the best and freshest ingredients. 1229 S. Atherton St., State College
234-9000
W W W. F A C C I A L U N A . C O M 92 - T&G September 2016
Philipsburg Elks Lodge & Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Philipsburg, 342-0379, philipsburgelks.com. Restaurant open to the public! Monday-Saturday 11-9, Sunday 9-3. Member-only bar. New golf-member special, visit our Web site for summer golf special. AE MC, V. Full Bar (members only).
Taste of the Month
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. Whiskers at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., 865-8580. Casual dining featuring soups, salads, sandwiches and University Creamery ice cream. Major credit cards accepted. Full bar. Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar, 324 W. College Ave., 237-8474. Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar features ingredient-driven, seasonal, new American cuisine paired with an extensive wine list, certified wine professional, and exceptional service. Zola’s also features a new climate-controlled wine room, premium by-the-glass wine pours, fine liquor, and craft beer at its full-service bar. Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. Reservations recommended. Catering. Free parking after 5:30 p.m. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.
Each month, Town&Gown highlights a local place to eat and offers a glimpse into the great dining of our community.
If it’s happening in Happy Valley, it’s in Town&Gown!
Thai Papaya Salad
INGREDIENT DRIVEN • SEASONAL • NEW AMERICAN CUISINE EXTENSIVE WINE LIST • BY THE BOTTLE & GLASS
PHOTOS BY ART MARGAUX
814 . 237. 8474
ZOL A KI TCHEN .COM
MON. - THUR. 11: 30 -9PM • FRI. - SAT. 11: 30 -10 PM • SUN. 11: 30 - 8PM
available at
COZY THAI BISTRO 232 S. Allen Street. State College, PA 16801 Tel: 814.237.0139 E-mail: cozythai@gmail.com 2016 September T&G - 93
Good Food Fast Baby’s Burgers & Shakes, 131 S. Garner St., 234-4776, babysburgers.com. Love poodle skirts, a jukebox playing the oldies, and delicious food cooked to order? Then Baby’s Burgers & Shakes is your kind of restaurant! Bring the entire family and enjoy a “Whimpy” burger, a Cherry Coke, or delicious chocolate shake, and top it off with a “Teeny Weeny Sundae” in our authentic 1947 Silk City Diner. Check out Baby’s Web site for full menu and daily specials! D, MC, V, MAC, Lion’s Cash. Barranquero Café, 324 E. Calder Way, 954-7548, barranquerocafe.com. A locally owned coffee shop specializing in authentic Colombian coffees and specialty drinks. Works closely with its coffee suppliers in Colombia to ensure that it receives only the highest quality coffee beans the region has to offer. Also serves fresh fruit juices, empanadas, and more! Hopes to bring a little piece of Colombia to Happy Valley! Summer Hours: Tues.-Sat. 8a.m.-8p.m., Sun. 10a.m.-5p.m. Closed Monday.
Fiddlehead, 134 W. College Ave., 237-0595, fiddleheadstatecollege.com. Fiddlehead is a soup-andsalad café offering soups made from scratch daily. Create your own salad from more than 40 fresh ingredients. HUB Dining, HUB-Robeson Center on campus, 865-7623. A Penn State tradition open to all! Enjoy 12 different eateries in the HUB-Robeson Center on campus. Jamba Juice, McAlister’s Deli, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Grate Chee, Sbarro, Soup & Garden, Diversions, Blue Burrito, Mixed Greens, Panda Express, and Hibachi-San by Panda.V, MC, LC. Irving’s, 110 E. College Ave., 231-0604, irvingsstatecollege.com. Irving’s is State College’s finest bakery café serving award-winning bagels, espresso, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. Meyer Dairy, 2390 S. Atherton St., 237-1849. A State College Classic! Meyer Dairy is the perfect choice for a quick, homemade lunch with fresh soups and sandwiches or treat yourself to your favorite flavor of ice cream or sundae at our ice cream parlor. Fresh milk from our own dairy cows (we do not inject our cows with BST), eggs, cheese, ice cream cakes, baked goods, and more! Plus, Meyer Dairy is the best place to pick up your Town&Gown magazine each month! T&G
Serving authentic Colombian coffees
fresh juices, empanadas and more! Come relax at 324 E. Calder Way, Downtown State College Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
got milk? Get yours at
Meyer Dairy Milk • Ice Cream Eggs • Cheese • Juices Candy • Pop's Mexi-Hots Baked Goods • Sandwiches Ice Cream Cakes & More!
Open Daily 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. 2390 S. Atherton St. - (814) 237-1849 94 - T&G September 2016
T& G
lunch with mimi
Capturing the Essence of Joy Anthony Leach’s life in music has led to founding a special group at Penn State to helping children in South Africa
Essence of Joy founder and director Anthony Leach (left) talks with Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith at the Allen Street Grill in State College.
A pianist, organist, singer, and composer, Anthony Leach came to Penn State in 1991 to work on his PhD in music education. Shortly after his arrival, he founded Essence of Joy, which has become renowned locally and across the country (and even internationally) and has since expanded to include Essence of Joy Alumni Singers and Essence 2, a community choir in State College. Organized in November 1991, Essence of Joy is one of 10 choral ensembles in Penn State’s School of Music. The choir is composed of undergraduate and graduate students from many academic programs and performs sacred as well as secular music from the African/African-American traditions. Annual campus events include fall and spring concerts. This fall’s concerts are October 9 and December 10, both at Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. Essence also has performed across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia. It has had international tours to Krakow, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; and South Africa, Spain, and France. A native of Washington, DC, Leach holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Lebanon Valley College in Annville. He earned his master’s and PhD in conducting and music education at Penn State. He currently teaches graduate courses in music education. Mimi: It is a real honor to talk with you about how you’ve 96 - T&G September 2016
become the giant that you are. What’s the single incident that sent you on this remarkable path? Anthony: When I was 3 years old, I asked my mother if I could learn to play the piano, because she was studying piano at that time, and she said No I was too young. And I kept asking until I was almost 7. The piano teacher showed up, and the rest is history as far as music is concerned. My mom was a church musician, so she was working with various church choirs the whole time we were growing up. Mimi: Tell me about your piano lessons. Anthony: I realized within my first year of playing piano that there were some things that I could transfer from one piece to another piece. My mom would always have music pieces around, and so one day I decided to just open the hymnal and start playing hymns. The piano teacher showed up early and said, “Was that your mom playing ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flock by Night’ ?” I said, “No, that was me.” She says, “Well, I didn’t assign that to you.” I said, “You didn’t have to assign it to me. I just opened up the books and started playing it.” She says, “Well, play it again.” I played it again. She says, “Can you play it in any other key?” I said, “What key do you want it in?” Mimi: How did you know all that? Anthony: That’s just how I function, to this day. Mimi: Now you grew up in Washington, DC. Did your parents grow up there? Anthony: No. My mom was born in North Carolina and my father was born in South Carolina. My mom’s family moved to DC in the late 1930s. My father and his youngest brother came to DC after World War II. Mimi: As far back as you can remember, could you try to explain to me what it was like to be a young,
Penn State (2)
Leach has led Essence of Joy since he founded the choral ensemble in 1991.
black person in a very white community? Anthony: Oh wow. On one level we were kind of insulated from that because everything that we needed occurred in the black community. Now my first piano teacher was Caucasian. She was
actually from Pennsylvania and moved to the DC area to do her graduate degree in piano at the University of Maryland. Mimi: I am the child of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, and I can remember in elementary school one particular boy in the class called me a “dirty kike,” and I will never forget it. I will never forget how hurt I felt, and I would imagine along the path of your early years, what were some of your experiences that you had to deal with to become the guy you are? Anthony: Probably the first negative encounter that I remember was my grandmother took me with her to downtown DC to shop, and we got on the streetcar and I sat down in the front. She told me to come to the back — We can’t sit there. So I got up and we went to the back. I couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years old. The next time that it was an issue was when my father took me to South Carolina when I was in fifth grade. This was 1960. We drove late afternoon into the night, and he stopped at a gas station to call his brother. I needed to go to the bathroom. For the first time, I saw “white” and “colored,” and I thought, “Oh okay. That’s what that’s about.”
2016 September T&G - 97
College because their parents or someone had gone to LVC. When I met with my guidance counselor just to talk about all the university opportunities, she mentioned that the recruiter from Lebanon Valley College was going to be stopping at our school. And when I got done with our meeting I said, “Sure! Great!” I scheduled an audition. It’s the only audition that my Essence of Joy performs at several events during the academic year. parents attended with Mimi: Now tell me how you landed at me. In April of my senior year, my mom said, “We Lebanon Valley College? Why didn’t you come to need to talk.” She was pregnant. I said, “What do Penn State? you mean you’re pregnant?” Because it was me, Anthony: I didn’t know anything about Penn my oldest brother, my brother Darnell, and then State. When I transferred high schools in the Teddy, who is seven years younger. I was like, “You middle of my junior year, I became friends with can’t be pregnant!” She says, “I’m pregnant, and kids who had connections with Lebanon Valley you’re going have to stay home and go to school
98 - T&G September 2016
in Maryland.” I said, “Oh no!” So I got Lebanon Valley fever because it was away from home. Mimi: Tell me a little bit about life at Lebanon Valley College as a college student? Anthony: LVC originally was a school with the United Brethren in Christ Church and is now affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is a small school, less than 1,000 students. I was one of a very few male students of color my freshman year. Two guys came in from Baltimore; they were on the basketball team. One guy came from New York; he was a football player. And then there was me — a music major. And only two of us graduated — Donnie Johnson from Baltimore and me. And so, freshman year was okay because I had gotten involved in cheerleading my senior year in high school, and so that got me involved with a bunch of things I would have never been involved with, like cheering for four years at LVC. Mimi: I love watching you and listening to those you lead over a lot of years. It is truly the “essence of joy,” but the most recent one was at the Arts Festival, and it was spectacular! Anthony: Thank you! Mimi: And here you are in a phased period of retirement. Tell me a little bit about what led you to that and how does it feel? Anthony: I want to do a few “me” things because I have been committed to others all of my professional life, and, for instance, last academic year I actually completed three articles, a book chapter. I could not have done that two years ago. Mimi: Because you had a teaching load. Anthony: Exactly. It’s not until I stepped away from my teaching load that I realized how much energy, planning, and coordination I had been manifesting for 40-plus years. Mimi: Your mother’s musical experience and her journey certainly passed on to you. Anthony: Oh yeah! Mimi: The spirit that comes with the beautiful voices, and you’re physically active, leading and playing at the same time creates an unbelievable picture of pleasure. Anthony: I’m always in the moment, but I’m also very aware of the dynamic of the choir because I never know what’s happening behind me in the audience. I gauge that from the choir’s, reaction to what the audience is or is not doing. And often, of course, a listener is just absorbing something, and it’s not until they have the opportunity to talk to
Get to know...
Bennett Samuel: Sharing Penn State Pride Bennett Samuel thought he would attend a small college. A Penn State tour helped him realize that a larger university would be a better fit for him and inspired his avocation of leading tours as a Lion Ambassador. Now president of this group of “ordinary students with extraordinary pride,” Samuel says, “I understand how much Penn State has given to me, so I want to give back as much as I can.” Samuel does the trademark Lion Ambassador backwards walk while leading campus tours for students, alumni, visitors, and private groups. He also participates in events such as the Be a Part From the Start freshman pep rally, Guard the Lion Shrine, Old Main tours, and ghost tours. Although he enjoys telling ghost stories such as the legend that Frances Atherton haunts the windows of Old Botany to keep an eye on the grave of her husband, George, across the street, Samuel’s favorite tour moments are when participants do a “we are” chant. “You can see that look in their eyes like they’re home. That’s something special to be a part of.” A senior majoring in marketing, Samuel worked for Ricoh last summer in Philadelphia and this year in London. On walking tours of the British city, he was surprised when the guides all walked facing forward. “I thought that was the most bizarre thing in the world.” The Penn State Bookstore thanks Bennett Samuel and all faculty, staff, and students who carry out the university’s mission every day.
www.psu.bncollege.com 814-863-0205 2016 September T&G - 99
Contributed photos (2)
Leach with Nominee Siyaka, owner and chef of Mzansi Restaurant in Langa Township, South Africa.
me at the end of the concert or to applaud to have any idea that, “Oh yeah, you’re really sharing this thing with others.” Mimi: When did you start Essence of Joy? Anthony: 1991. Mimi: That wasn’t long after you came to Penn State. Anthony: That’s right. I came back to Penn State in 1991 to start the PhD in music education, and not long after I was here that fall semester, the president of the Forum on Black Affairs was told that I was here, and she contacted me about doing music for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet, which was at the HUB at that time. Mimi: Now you and Essence of Joy have travelled to a lot of places. Anthony: Yes we have. Mimi: How do you fund that? Anthony: Well, when we leave campus, whoever invites us is responsible for our transportation and a performance fee on honorarium. When we travel internationally, the kids pay, but the university may provide us support for the coach. If we’re invited to a national 100 - T&G September 2016
conference, as we have been many times, the university may fund our hotel or provide a coach to get you to the conference. In some cases, they would even pay the students’ registration in case they wanted to attend the conference. … We are planning international travel for next year. Mimi: Where? Anthony: I want to take as many of our students as are available to go, so I’ve asked our travel agent for destinations closer to home at a cost that will enable more of our students to go. I’m waiting on itineraries for Cuba and Canada. Mimi: That would be interesting. Anthony: Oh yeah. And the West Coast, in particular, Seattle; Victoria, Vancouver. So we’ll see. Mimi: Why is South Africa special in your experiences? Anthony: Let me tell you about South Africa. My former pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC, Walter Fauntroy, was also the congressional representative from DC at the time. He, along with Randall Robinson and others, launched a movement called Free South Africa, on
Leach takes time to dance at the Mogashi School in Ga-Matlala, South Africa. Essence of Joy raises funds for the school every year.
Thanksgiving Day 1984. They went to the South African embassy, got arrested, and the rest is history. The Free South Africa Movement (FSAM) was a coalition of individuals, organizations, students, and unions across the United States of America who
sought to end apartheid in South Africa. And so for four years or so, you had representatives from South Africa coming to New Bethel, like Dr. Allan Boesak, a South African Dutch Reformed Church cleric and anti-apartheid activist, as well as Bishop Desmond Tutu. Dr. Boesak was so impressed with my music ministry that he made arrangements for his director of music from Cape Town to come Thanksgiving 1986. He brought his whole family and stayed with our congregation for three months. We provided housing, transportation, and you name it. At one point, I said to him, “I can’t go to South Africa, but I am so glad that you are here.” But, I said, “When we can come to South Africa, we’ll be with you.” So, in 2005, we made our first trip to South Africa with Essence of Joy and a constituency from my church and had wonderful encounters from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Grahamstown, and then down to Cape Town. Mimi: Wow! Anthony: North, about three or four hours out of Johannesburg, is the Mogoshi Elementary School in Polokwane. That encounter not only opened our eyes but opened our hearts and our pocketbooks. Since 2008, the Essence of Joy
Make Thursday, Your Day to pick up The Centre County Gazette Here are just a few locations:
Burkholder’s (indoor) Centre County Visitors Center (indoor) Dairy Queen (indoor) The Deli (outdoor) Downtown Improvement District (indoor) Giant (indoor) IHOP (outdoor) Jersey Mikes (outdoor) Meyer Dairy (indoor) Minit Mart West College Ave (indoor) Nittany Lion Inn (indoor) Northland Bowl (indoor)
102 - T&G September 2016
Ollie’s at Hills Plaza (indoor) Penn State HUB (indoor) Penn State Conference Center (indoor) Schlow library (outdoor) Snappys (indoor) The State Theatre (outdoor) Uni-Marts (indoor) University Park Airport (indoor) Waffle Shops (indoor) Walmart (indoor) Weis Markets (indoor) Wegmans (indoor)
ensembles started to provide financial support for this school. Here we are, in 2016, just completed a tour with the Alumni Singers, and we began in Cape Town and then north, back to the Mogoshi School, just to check to see the improvements that they have made. They now have toilet facilities, a technology lab, an administrative suite, and a soccer field. Now the next phase will be for a kitchen and a dining room facility. Mimi: Good for you. One quick last question, how do you feel about the current conditions of politics? Anthony: Well, I know what it is to feel safe and what it is to feel not so safe. Because I grew up in southeast Washington, DC, I always carry in my mind where I’m at and who’s around and what do I need to be aware of. And as I move around the world, which would go beyond the United States, whether it’s personal travel or with a choir, people always want to engage us, as in the case in South Africa, on aspects of politics. A pastor at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg said in his closing remarks, “We look to the United States for leadership. Let’s hope they do the right thing when it comes to voting in November.”
Mimi: Some people feel there’s not a right thing. Anthony: Let’s hope that we make a decision on behalf of right, fairness, equity, and justice, which begins with people being aware of those that have no sense of justice, no vision for anything beyond the control and containment that has occurred in all aspects of our society. Violence is not the answer, there’s no question. Mimi: Violence is not the answer. Anthony: But at the same time, politicians right now have an awesome responsibility to act on behalf of people as opposed to lobbyists. Mimi: To heal the nation. Anthony: Thus the song that we sang with Essence, “To heal our lands, heal our lands, we need to reconcile.” Nobody’s talking about reconciliation. We need to move that forward in our vocabulary, because if we could reconcile a few of our differences, things that separate us, that can contribute to our everyday lives being better. Mimi: That’s a fine note on which to thank you very much for your thoughtful interview. I really appreciate it. Anthony: Thank you! T&G
Protect what’s important now ...for them.
Plan now for your second half of life...
Julieanne E. Steinbacher, Certified Elder Law Attorney H. Amos Goodall Jr., Certified Elder Law Attorney
328 S. Atherton St., State College • 814-237-4100 104 - T&G September 2016
Mount Nittany Medical Center Golf Classic raises more than
$144,000
Chuck Carroll Photography (from left to right): Anthony Cardell, MD, Mount Nittany Physician Group Cardiology; Matt Hardy, Foundation director; Gene Stocker, Golf Classic committee member and tournament founder; Albert Zoda, MD, Mount Nittany Physician Group Cardiology and tournament co-chair; and Christopher Yingling, MD, Mount Nittany Physician Group Urology and Golf Classic chair.
The 26th Annual Golf Classic raised $144,000 for renovations to the catheterization lab at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The event was held at the Penn State Golf Courses on August 13th.
Sponsored by Stocker Subaru
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. The club also holds a bimonthly competition. Town&Gown is pleased to present the winning images from the club’s competition. Shown this month are “Winners’ Choice” photos. For each competition held during a program year, judges score each photo submitted on a 1-10 basis. The cumulative points scored by each individual are then tallied, and winners are declared for the year in May. For this month, the club has given the first- and second-place winners the option to choose their favorite photo.
“Glass” by John Sharkey
>
First Place Winners’ Choice
“This is a macro image of a piece of art glass at the Corning Museum of Glass. The glowing colors and flowing structure reminded me of an abstract landscape, which stood out from all the other pieces in the display.”
“Tommy Emmanuel at Infinity Hall” by Jan Anderson Second Place Winners’ Choice (Tied)
>
“Legendary Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel in concert at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Connecticut. This is one of my favorite shots because the background and lighting were ideal — and his expression conveys the joy that his performance brings to him and his audience.”
“Tennessee Mountains” by Ernest Erdeky
>
Second Place Winners’ Choice (Tied)
“This is an infrared photograph taken in the Tennessee mountains. I just liked the cloud structure and the shadows they cast on the forest below.” A copy of many photos taken by members of the State College Photo Club may be obtained with a $75 contribution to the Salvation Army of Centre County. Contact Captain Charles Niedermeyer at (814) 861-1785 for more information. The State College Photo Club meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Foxdale Village Auditorium.
Visit statecollegephotoclub.org for more information about how to join. 106 - T&G September 2016
Visit www.Best wickFoundation.org to purchase tickets.
Winners must be at least 18 years old. The winner is required by law to pay the Bestwick Foundation both Federal and State income tax withholdings before the prize can be awarded. Any taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Drawing held under the authority of Centre County Permit #407 - License #3675. The official registration and financial information of the Bestwick Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Please consult a tax professional on all tax-deductibility questions.
T& G
snapshot
Pennsylvania and Penn State Proud Field hockey’s Char Morett-Curtiss has enjoyed a hall of fame career as a player and coach By David Pencek Many times, the best players in a sport don’t make the best coaches. Char Morett-Curtiss has been the exception to that for more than three decades now. Penn State’s field hockey head coach is in her 30th season of leading the Lions. With 483 career wins, which include the 34 victories she had in three years as head coach at Boston College, she is closing in on becoming just the fifth Division I coach in her sport to reach 500 victories. She has taken two Penn State teams — 2002 and 2007— to the national-title game and led the program to seven Big Ten regular-season titles and five Big Ten Tournament titles. All this from someone who is considered one of the best field hockey players in Penn State history. A 1979 alum, Morett-Curtiss is the program’s only three-time first-team AllAmerican and scored 50 goals during her four-year career. Next month, Morett-Curtiss, a native of Aldan, will be inducted, along with former Penn State football player Craig Fayak, into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Erie. “I am a very proud Pennsylvanian and have always cherished the opportunity to compete and coach for my state university,” she says. “To be inducted with so many other athletes and coaches who represented Penn State is special to me.” Following her playing career at Penn State, MorettCurtiss competed internationally as a member of the US Olympic team. She was on the 1980 team, but wasn’t able to play in the Olympic Games in Moscow because of the US boycott. Four years later, she was on the team that won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Los Angeles. During that time, she also was a graduate assistant for one season at Penn State, under her coach and mentor Gillian Rattray. She then became an assistant for four seasons at Old Dominion, under head coach Beth Anders, before becoming head coach at Boston College in 1984. Three years later, when Rattray retired, Morett-Curtiss returned to her alma mater to lead the program she had once played for. 108 - T&G September 2016
Char Morett-Curtiss
“There have been a ton of memorable moments in 30 years, sharing the sideline so long with my assistant, Lisa Love, has been fun!” she says. “Also, when we played for the national championship in 2002 and 2007, both journeys to the Final Four were exciting!” Among Penn State’s current head coaches, Morett-Curtiss is second only to women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose for longevity. She has seen and experienced so much change at Penn State during her time. “I think of the passionate people who have made the athletic program and university so successful, and who have done it with great integrity,” she says. “Joe Paterno and Tim Curley are the first people I think of when I think of the success of our athletic program and the deep personal commitment they have made to our athletes. … I love this university. It’s the people who truly care about our student-athletes that make it easy to enjoy my job every day. And we have the best fans!” While some may wonder about how much longer she plans to coach, Morett-Curtiss says she actually doesn’t hear that question a lot from players she’s recruiting. She says, “Hopefully they still see and feel my passion for this program and Penn State!” T&G