T&g july 2014

Inside: Special “Parenting” section • Happy Valley Culinary Week prepares for second year

July 2014

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Fantastic Family Fun!

Whether it’s an educational tour, a bike ride, or a festival, Centre County has activities and attractions for the entire family to enjoy together

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28 July Featur es 26 / 12 Months of Giving Town&Gown’s yearlong series continues with a look at Helping Other People Excel (HOPE) • by Rebekka Coakley

28 / Fantastic Family Fun! Whether it’s going on an educational tour, taking in a show or a ballgame, checking out a festival, or playing a round of miniature golf, Centre County has activities and attractions for the entire family to enjoy together. Make a point this summer to check out as many of these offerings as you can!

30 / Educational Fun: School’s out, but learning is still in • by Tracey M. Dooms 38 / Sports & Recreation Fun: Get moving toward a summer of excitement • by Tracey M. Dooms 46 / Just for the Fun of It: Turn your evenings into summer vacation • by Tracey M. Dooms

55 Special Section 55 / Parenting Moms and dads today face a variety of challenges when it comes to their kids. Town&Gown’s special section looks at some of the current issues parents deal with, including choosing a daycare and school, and raising a healthy child

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 2014 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

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95

Town&Gown July

A State College & Penn State tradition since 1966.

Publisher Rob Schmidt Founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith Editorial Director David Pencek

Departments 8 10 20 22

78 80

83

90

95

108

114 116

Creative Director/Photographer John Hovenstine

Letter From The Editor Starting Off On Center: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs a trio of contemporary works in October Health & Wellness: Water workouts are especially helpful to those with muscle or joint problems This Month on WPSU Penn State Diary: A new president could renew school’s efforts to reach and surpass its goals What’s Happening: Central PA 4th Fest, Central PA Arts Festival, Lift for Life, and Happy Valley Culinary Week highlight this month’s events From the Vine: California’s Central Coast region has expansive offerings in white wines Taste of the Month/Dining Out: Happy Valley Culinary Week celebrates region’s finest foods Lunch with Mimi: Dan Carter leads Penn State School of Theatre and Centre Stage through changes and increasing interest and success State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos Snapshot: PSU’s new laureate looks to promote storytelling across the state

Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz Graphic Designer/Photographer Darren Weimert Graphic Designer Tiara Snare Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel Business Manager Aimee Aiello Administrative Assistant Katie Rimmey Distribution Handy Delivery, Tom Neff Senior Editorial Consultant Witt Yeagley

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

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

townandgown.com 6 - Town&Gown July 2014

7 - Town&Gown July 2014

letter from the editor

Our Country’s Best Deserve Our Best It’s a fun-filled month, thanks to America’s finest T h i s m o n t h ’s i s s u e o f To w n &G o wn i s de vote d, in large part, to family fun.

Starting on page 28, you’ll read about some of the wonderful p la c e s to vi si t a nd g re a t activities to enjoy with your family. The stories show, once again, how special Centre County is!

But, if you’ll indulge me for a few moments, I’m going to use much of this space to write about a not-as-fun topic. I’ve written about the men and women in the United States military on several occasions. I’m writing this on June 6 — and my mind goes to what happened 70 years ago this day on some beaches in France. I visited Omaha Beach in 1994 on the 50th anniversary of D-Day. To see in person what our men had to overcome just in terms of the physical landscape to take that beach — not to mention the German soldiers firing down on them — is awe-inspiring.

As I write this, I am finishing up the book Lone Survivor, having also seen the movie when it was released (I highly recommend both). The story shows the heroism and courage of our military personnel. Our area obviously has a connection to the story, as it was during that operation that Penn State alum and Navy SEAL Michael Murphy was killed.

You juxtapose what people serving our country did and went through in France 70 years ago and in Afghanistan nine years ago — just as two examples of what the men and women in our military have done for this country and

other countries through the centuries — with the current news stories about how some of our veterans hospitals have treated some of those men and women of our military, and it’s just sad and shameful.

We’re celebrating the birth of our country this month — the greatest country in the world — yet, what kind of country are we when we don’t take care of the people who have given their blood and so much more to defend us?

The movie A Few Good Men is remembered, mostly, for Jack Nicholson’s “You can’t handle the truth!” diatribe. But it’s a line that Demi Moore’s character actually says that captures why most of us have so much respect for our military. When asked why she is so passionate in defending the two Marines accused of murder, Moore says, “Because they stand on a wall and say, ‘Nothing is going to hurt you tonight — not on my watch!’ ” We can have parades and fireworks and barbecues — and other forms of family fun — because of what the men and women in the United States military have done and are doing.

To paraphrase a popular quote — we’re the land of the free because of those brave men and women. They have given their best, now they deserve the same from us.

David Pencek Editorial Director dpenc@barashmedia.com

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starting off

What’s

New

Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner (middle) shown at the 2013 Blue-White Game, will retire on August 1.

Joyner announces retirement Penn State athletic director David Joyner announced his plans to retire from the university. He has requested that his duties as athletic director end August 1, and has offered to assist with the transition beyond that date.

Penn State President Eric Barron announced that he would name a search committee to work with Collegiate Sports Associates, an executive search and consulting firm based in North Carolina, to recruit Penn State’s next director of intercollegiate athletics. David Gray, senior vice president for finance and business at Penn State, is chairing the search committee.

“We will be seeking candidates who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of NCAA rules and have a track record of success in meeting compliance standards," Barron said in a press release. “They also must have a commitment to academic integrity, and the academic progress and graduation of student-athletes.”

Joyner was named acting athletic director in November 2011. In January 2013, he was named director of intercollegiate athletics.

CVIM joins United Way Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) has become the newest addition to the Centre County United Way’s group of health and human-service partner agencies. By joining the Centre County United Way’s network, CVIM is eligible to receive United Way funding.

Founded in 2003, CVIM provides medical and dental care, case management, and necessary medications at no cost to qualified uninsured and underinsured residents of Centre County. Physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, and other licensed clinicians volunteer their time to provide care to patients.

“The United Way funding we are receiving will allow us to expand our dental program with the addition of a staff dentist one day per week and additional oral-care support,” CVIM executive director Cheryl White said in a press release.

The Centre County United Way most recent addition had been Tides in 2009, and it now has 35 partner agencies.

New honor for Rose Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose recently received more recognition for his accomplishments. Penn State’s Berkey Creamery announced its new flavor of ice cream — Russ “Digs” Roseberry — named in honor of the six-time national champion head coach.

The ice cream is made with black raspberry puree, whole strawberries, strawberry sauce, red raspberry sauce, and pure Wilbur’s chocolate in a vanilla base. The flavor is now part of the creamery’s “hall of fame” of permanent flavors, which pay tribute to Penn State people and institutions that have had significant impact on the university and wider community.

“There are few people at this university who have had a flavor named after them, and when I was first asked, I wasn’t quite sure about the idea,” Rose said in a press release. “But after considering it, [my wife] and I decided to get involved and work with the creamery to perfect the flavor. I am honored to have been approached by the university, and I hope it’s going to be a popular flavor.” T&G

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People in the

Community Jamie Bestwick In early June, BMX biker Jamie Bestwick of State College won his record ninth consecutive gold medal in BMX Vert at the X Games in Austin, Texas. He scored 92.66 points, besting Simon Tabron (89.66 points) and Dennis McCoy (88.33).

Bestwick, who at age 42 was the second-oldest rider competing, now has 13 career gold medals in the X Games. He broke the record with eight consecutive victories last year in Barcelona.

“Part of me looks forward to passing the torch and would like to see one of the younger guys step up and take it because I want to see my sport progress and see some other guys run with it,” Bestwick told ESPN.com after his win. “But another part of me still really enjoys winning … I’m going to keep riding my best for as long as I can.”

Adrian Evans and Emily Giannotti Penn State student-athletes Adrian Evans (men’s gymnastics) and Emily Giannotti (women’s track and field/ cross country) were selected Penn State’s 2013-14 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients.

Adrian Evans First awarded in 1915, the Big Ten Medal of Honor is given to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each Big Ten school who had “attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.”

Evans closed out his colEmily Giannotti legiate career with a top-20 performance at the 2014 NCAA National Championship Team Finals. He earned College Gymnastics Association All-American Scholar-Athlete honors the last three years, and also was an academic All-Big Ten each of the past three seasons.

Giannotti earned All-Region status in cross country in 2012, and helped the Lions earn a berth in the 2013 NCAA Championships. She also helped Penn State win the Big Ten title in women’s indoor and outdoor track and field.

Joe Walker In June, the State College Area School Board approved the appointment of Joe Walker as the next head coach for the State High boys’ basketball team. Walker takes over for Drew Frank, who resigned in March after 18 seasons.

Walker is a science teacher at Mount Nittany Middle School and had been the head coach of the Mount Nittany boys’ team for the last four seasons. He graduated from Central Mountain and Lock Haven University, where he played basketball.

“The [State High] program is rich in history and I look forward to contributing to its continuing success,” Walker told StateCollege.com. “I look forward to sharing my love, energy, and enthusiasm for the game of basketball with my players and the community.” T&G

12 - Town&Gown July 2014

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Q&A

Q&A with Linn Ripka, program director for the Centre County Outstanding Young Woman Program

By Sarah Harteis

For the past 26 years, Linn Ripka has been dedicating her time to recognizing young adult females in the community, and encouraging them to excel and gain selfesteem. Through Centre County’s annual Outstanding Young Woman scholarship program, Linn and other members of the program are able to honor Centre County’s outstanding high school senior girls.

Although the actual program — the 50th in its history — is September 13, finalists will be presenting their performing arts pieces at 4 p.m. July 11 at the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg. This year’s pieces include vocalists, a variety of dance routines, piano and saxophone playing, and martial arts, baton, and monologues. Ripka shared with Town&Gown her thoughts on the program and why it is vital for young women in the community.

T&G: How have you seen the program grow over the years?

Ripka: We have seen our program grow, and we struggled a few years back. In the last three years we have become stronger and will continue

to grow with the help of those in the organization, the finalists, their parents, the volunteers, and all of our sponsors who believe in this great program.

T&G: What does it mean to the girls to be a part of the program?

Ripka: We hear from so many, if not the majority, of past finalists, who say it is not just about scholarships. They improve their public speaking and sharpen interview skills. This program builds character, strengthens values, improves their self-confidence, and helps them to set and achieve their goals. They have also indicated that being part of such a prestigious program is an asset to their resumés.

T&G: What does it mean for you to be able to work with such an inspiring program?

Ripka: It means so much to me to be part of this organization. We have such a wonderful group of people in the organization who are dedicated to this program. It is gratifying knowing that we touch so many young ladies’ lives and make a difference in so many ways.

T&G: What message do you hope to get across to young women in the area?

Ripka: Young women today have many opportunities offered to them. The CCOYW program is one of those in which each finalist has the opportunity to flourish, make new friends, and have an experience of a lifetime, from which they will have memories to last forever. It is definitely an organization that young women would want to be a part of.

T&G: What is your vision/hope for the future of the program?

Ripka: Our vision is to continue to rebuild the organization and help young women in Centre County. Our hope is that there would be a company or companies or someone who understands the passion we have for this organization and the positive influence for these young ladies, and would be willing to support us by coming on board as major sponsors. T&G

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

July 1976 In the first of a two-part series about Mount Nittany, “Who Owns Mount Nittany?” examined the history of Happy Valley’s famous mountain. Lion’s Paw, a secret Penn State honorary, bought two large sections of the mountain in 1945 and 1960. Ross Lehman, an alum of Lion’s Paw, said a visitor once told him, “If you wanted to, you couldn’t have place that mountain in a better spot. It’s just like God put it there.”

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1987 “C’est La Vie” was the second part of a series looking at Penn State’s yearbook, La Vie, which began in 1890. Paul Bealafeld, who was editor in chief in 1967, said La Vie was a vital part of his college career. “I’m sure my grades suffered thanks to La Vie, but I remember the effort and I look at my copy as a proud parent. The hours and hours of work are more than offset by the pride in the finished product. It was the highlight of my college experience and remains one of the most successful undertakings of my life.”

2012 “Home-Festival Advantage” showed how local artists play a vital part in the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which attracts artists from across the country. Kimberly Filkins, a glassmaker in State College, said she invites traveling artists to stay at her home and share meals with her family. “I’ve always been interested in the Arts Festival, being a local," she said. “I thought it would be a dream come true to be part of it.” T&G

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This Monthtownandgown.com On • In 5 Questions, Carolyn Surrick of Ensemble Galilei • discusses In 5 Questions, State College Spikes manager the group’s latest project, First Person:Oliver SeeingMarmol talks about the upcoming season and what it’s like America, which will be performed during the Central managing Pennsylvania the Arts. players at theFestival Class Aoflevel.

• Two recent Penn State graduates write about the history of • the A special recipe for the Greek Restaurant’s roasted leg ofit.lamb.

Old Willow on campus, and work being done to preserve fromentertainment, some of the chefs will be featured • • Great Blogs recipes on sports, and who more. during Happy Valley Culinary Week.

Carolyn Surrick of Ensemble Galilei.

Oliver Marmol Anthony Clarvoe

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

Blogs on sports, entertainment, Penn and more.

• Order your copy of Town&Gown’s 2014 Penn State Football Annual.

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

And follow us on Twitter @TownGownSC.

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on center

Western Pioneers Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs a trio of contemporary works in October

By John Mark Rafacz

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a twenty-first-century dance company. While ballet’s a piece of its name, tutus aren’t a part of its game. And dancing en pointe is only a sometimes technique.

The dual-city company, based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and on the southwestern plateau of New Mexico, was founded in 1996 with a modern-pioneer spirit. It’s developed a national reputation for innovation at a time when the divide between ballet and modern dance has steadily dissolved.

The company, scheduled to perform on Tuesday, October 14, at Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium, is guided by a vision involving global choreographers, groundbreaking works, and virtuoso dancers. Aspen Santa Fe exudes a European aesthetic infused with American vigor.

“Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has two homes and no house choreographer,” writes the New York Times’ Brian Seibert. “Instead, this small and ambitious troupe commissions pieces from outside dance makers, often little-known, and helps those artists by inviting them back. This is noble, necessary work … .”

The ensemble’s Center for the Performing Arts debut features three works. Over Glow, created by Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, premiered in 2011 and moves to music by Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven. Square None, choreographed

by Filipino-American Norbert De La Cruz III, debuted in 2012 and includes music by George Frideric Handel, Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, Michelle Ross, and Aphex Twin. Beautiful Mistake, choreographed by Spaniard Cayetano Soto, premiered in 2013 and features music by Ólafur Arnalds and Charles Wilson.

Artistic director Tom Mossbrucker and executive director Jean-Philippe Malaty, former dancers with Joffrey Ballet, guide the contemporary dance troupe.

Created by Bebe Schweppe, founder of the Aspen Ballet School in her Colorado hometown, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has commissioned almost 30 works.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet visits Eisenhower Auditorium for the first time October 14.

“This chamber-sized company is definitely not staying in its chamber but going out into the wilds of postmodern ballet. It’s the keeper of the flame of the latest edgy international choreographers,” writes Dance Magazine’s Wendy Perron.

The company has made repeat appearances at leading venues such as the American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, New York City’s Joyce Theater, and the Kennedy Center. International tours have taken the dancers to France, Italy, Greece, Russia, Israel, Brazil, Guatemala, and Canada.

“The ballet has found its niche as a nimble touring company that specializes in contemporary ballets, a reputation secured by performances every other year at the Joyce — a rarity for a non-New York company,” notes the Houston Chronicle’s Molly Glentzer. T&G Tickets for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and other 2014-15 music, theater, and dance presentations are on sale. Visit cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255 for information.

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

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health & wellness

Pool (Fitness) Party

By Kerry Royer

Khaki, a 120-pound Great Dane service dog, stands strong next to the edge of the YMCA pool in State College. Marsha Neiderer, of Centre Hall, who has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, braces herself against Khaki and maneuvers herself into the water. Once she is in the pool, she feels like she is on the same level platform as everyone else exercising in the water.

Neiderer tailors her workout to fit her own needs. She treads water and uses weights during her exercise. The natural resistance of the water helps with training and toning. She has been able to maintain the strength of her muscles that have been affected on her entire right side due to her disease.

“I certainly haven’t gotten any worse,” she says. She enjoys the physical part of her exercise routine, but even more than that, she says it helps her overall well-being. “I have gotten to know all of these wonderful people who come to the YMCA at the same time as me. They have become a second family, and the social aspect has helped keep me in a good frame of mind.”

Khaki, who has grown accustomed to her three-day-a-week routine, relaxes by the pool and helps Neiderer to exit when her workout is done. On land, Khaki supports Neiderer’s balance and mobility.

Many people, like Neiderer, have found that exercising in water is a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States.

People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. According to the CDC Web site, people also can exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort, or joint or muscle pain.

“The buoyancy of the water helps take pressure off the joints,” says State College YMCA aquatics coordinator Jamie SanFilippo. “We have a lot of members who use the pools as physical-therapy post

Water-based exercises, like those offered at the YMCA of Centre County, can help people with their physical therapy and just stay in shape.

surgery. A lot of people who have had to deal with orthopedic surgery find that they can get just as good a workout in the pool as they could previously get on land — but without the risk of further injury. We have an AquaMom class where pregnant women can work out and ease any peripheral swelling.

“Swimming is an essential life skill. We try to make the aquatic program as accessible as possible, including services to children with special needs and for those needing assistance to get in the pools. At the end of the day, aquatic recreation and exercise is a huge confidence builder.”

State College YMCA lifeguard supervisor Lori Lange, of State College, starts her workday at 5:30 a.m.

She is impressed by the number of people who arrive that early in the morning to work out in the pool, many of whom are seniors who she says remain active and healthy by swimming. She says that she looks forward to talking with the members who come to swim each day, including an 88-year-old man who swims for 30 minutes every day.

“Water fitness is so good for your whole body, and people seem to be able to continue the workout because it doesn’t worsen any pain,” Lange says. “Maybe someone can only do a few jumping jacks in the gym, but in the water, they can do so many more with the same benefits.”

Adrienne Krasowitz, of State College, ran in

22 - Town&Gown July 2014

Darren Weimert

Water workouts are especially helpful to those with muscle or joint problems

the New York City Marathon a decade ago at age 35. Over the past two years, she has been training for local sprint-distance triathlons.

Aquatics exercise helps her to train because it is especially therapeutic for sore muscles.

“I find that swimming is an essential part of my routine because it is relaxing and a good counterpart to the demands of running and cycling,” she says. “I also find that I can look forward to getting in the pool year-round.”

For those who crave an outdoor pool in the summer, Centre Region Parks and Recreation offers AquaFit at Welch Pool in the mornings.

A swim coach is available to cater workouts for individuals. Aquatics supervisor Todd Roth says that a current channel in the leisure pool offers a low-impact aerobic exercise for water-walking.

“This is a perfect way to achieve a workout that is great for the muscular system without the stress on joints,” he says.

On her 64th birthday, Hetty Seigfried, of Ramblewood, wanted a new challenge: to swim four miles. Just one mile is 72 lengths of the pool at the YMCA. “It took me 3 hours and 20 minutes, but I did it,” she says.

She had been active all her life, but when she was 60, she suffered from painful bursitis in her hip. Generally, people need to rest to allow the inflammation to subside. Seigfried hit the pool at the suggestion of her physical therapist.

“I was able to get a good exercise in the water without any weight bearing on my hip. I could move better in the water and it was easier on my joints,” she says.

She now swims six days a week and has lost a good bit of weight. Swimming regularly — about a mile every day — has enabled her to keep it off. She has eliminated the need for any arthritis medicine.

“I’m in the best shape of my life since I played sports in high school,” she says.

Her husband of 42 years, Bruce, says, “It’s true that a body in motion stays in motion.”

The two head to the YMCA together every weekday where Hetty swims and Bruce waterwalks a mile in the therapy pool.

At the couple’s recent physicals, their physician told them that whatever they are doing, keep it up! T&G Kerry Royer is a freelance writer and author in State College.

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25 - Town&Gown July 2014

12 Months of Giving

Spreading HOPE Organization finds ways to help those in need

By Rebekka Coakley

The Kellander family — Ashley and Nick with son, Chayse, and daughter, Aaylah — of Snow Shoe, received help from HOPE when Aaylah (3) had unexpected open heart surgery in April. The gift helped offset some expenses.

(Editor’s note: This is the seventh of Town&Gown’s yearlong series profiling organizations, groups, and individuals who do noteworthy work to help others — and who also could use your help in aiding those

in need. Each month, you’ll have an opportunity to read about these people and organizations in our communities, and maybe be able and even be inspired to provide some help to them. If you have a suggestion for our “12 Months of Giving” series, e-mail dpenc@ barashmedia.com.)

On March 27, Cherie Miller, of Lewistown, had to face the unimaginable. While she was at work, and her husband, Jeb, and their three kids, ages 12-years to 22-months old, were at baseball practice for their oldest son, their home was destroyed. A six-alarm fire engulfed a block of row homes in Juniata Terrace, ravaging 11 houses and damaging 25 more from smoke and water. By nightfall, Miller and her family had nothing but the clothes on their backs.

“We lived just two doors down from where the fire started, and it spread within minutes. Our house was a total loss due to backdraft explosion that occurred from the smoke. All of our possessions were burnt,” Miller says. “Thank God we weren’t at home during the time because our kids were affected enough by the fire without having to deal with any posttraumatic stress or nightmares.”

While the Lewistown community rallied together to help the families that lost everything, one particular group was of tremendous help to the Millers. Based out of Bald Eagle, Helping Other People Excel (HOPE), a small nonprofit organization that raises money to help others, gave the Millers a $500 Visa gift card. With the money, the family was able to buy clothing, toiletries, and personal items.

“Our family has experienced a lot of sadness and grief over the past few months, but we are able to look forward to the future with hope,” Cherie Miller says. “It helped us to know we’re not going through this alone.”

HOPE began at the start of 2012. Steve and Lisa Stem, along with friends Cheryl and Jeff Walker, had been helping kids within their neighborhood raise money for their schools, and realized they each had a great passion for helping others. The four of them recruited 10 other like-minded neighbors and began HOPE. By October of 2012, their attorney helped them become an official corporation, a 501c nonprofit organization.

Steve Stem, president of HOPE, says when a family in town needed help after a horrific accident, they rallied together to help raise money to alleviate some of the burden. From there they began fundraisers and helping others in need in their community.

26 - Town&Gown July 2014

Some of the people who make HOPE possible include (from left) Bill Lehman, Sue Lehman, Steve Stem, Lisa Stem, Sandy Switzer, Cheryl Walker, Jeff Walker, Janice Heverly, and Curt Heverly. Not pictured are Donald Switzer, Joan Parsons, Luanna Dudish, Chad Marshall, and Mary Ellen Switzer.

“The stories that come to us are heart-wrenching, and we just want to help in some way,” Steve Stem says. “If someone needs help, that’s where we try to be, whether it’s a loss of home from a fire, heating bills that can’t be paid, or transportation money to and from the hospital, we hope we can help.”

So far the group has raised $35,928 from fundraisers. They host chicken barbecues, Bingo nights, auctions, raffles, and more. Because the group meets and works in a barn on the Stem’s property, there is little overhead and almost all the proceeds from the fundraisers go to neighbors in need.

“We have helped 35 people and given away $20,268 so far,” says the group’s treasurer, Cheryl Walker. “We know there are a lot of great organizations out there, but they can’t help everyone. If we hear about someone that is in need, we research their needs and decide how we can help. We have supported people on medical leaves of absence, put money toward utility bills and groceries, plumbing repairs, and contributed to a vacation fund for a family whose mother was terminally ill.”

The organization’s Web site has a link to click so people can submit an application asking for assistance, but most of the people who have received help have been found through recommendations from other members in their communities.

The group’s goodwill recently helped Nicole Snyder of Bald Eagle, whose 3-month-old son, Jonathan, was born with a blood disorder. He needed a blood transfusion, and some of the treatments he had to undergo kept him in the hospital for quite some time. For seven weeks, Snyder

lived in the hospital with her son while her husband traveled back and fourth to visit their two other children, who were staying with relatives.

The cost of the commute to and from Hershey started to add up. It was a stressful time for the Snyders, but luckily, and without their asking, HOPE reached out to lend a hand.

“I had heard about them before, through word of mouth, but I was so surprised and happy that they chose to help us out when we needed them the most,” Nicole Snyder says. “The kind gesture was just so unexpected, it really relieved some of the stress we were going through at the time. I am just so grateful to them.”

HOPE gave the Snyders a Visa gift card to help with the cost of transportation back and forth from the hospital, and also put oil in their furnace to keep their house warm.

“Now that I know what they do and that they’re willing to help anyone in need, I am going to tell my friends and family to attend their fundraisers in order to help others out, too,” Nicole Snyder says.

Jeff Walker, a member of HOPE’s board of directors, says the organization hears about a lot of neighbors in need through other people who have benefited from their services. The past winter was particularly hard on people in the community, and HOPE was happy to help people fill their oil tanks.

“One of our most recent cases was a single mother with a newborn who had no heat. She was using space heaters to try to keep them both warm, but it just wasn’t enough,” says Walker. “When we hear about these circumstances we’ll investigate it to see what we can do to help. I just think it’s important for people to know we will try to support them in their need, if they reach out and ask.”

While the group is always looking for people to help, it is still a fairly new organization trying to establish itself to become a long-lasting organization — a community staple that people can rely on.

“We’re always looking for new members,” says Walker. “We’d love to have more people help us with fundraisers, new and different ideas on how to raise funds, planning events, and getting word out throughout the community about what we do. Surprisingly, our biggest obstacle has been finding people to help.” T&G For more information on volunteering with HOPE or donating money, visit helpingotherpeopleexcel.info/ index.html.

Rebekka Coakley is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia.

27 - Town&Gown July 2014

Fantastic

2828- -Town&Gown Town&GownJuly July2014 2014

Family Fun! Whether it’s going on an educational tour, taking in a show or a ballgame, checking out a festival, or playing a round of miniature golf, Centre County has activities and attractions for the entire family to enjoy together. Make a point this summer to check out as many of these offerings as you can!

29 - Town&Gown July 2014

Educational Fun School’s out, but learning is still in

By Tracey M. Dooms 30 - Town&Gown & &Gown July 2014

F

or kids, summer is all about having fun. That fun also can be educational — just don’t tell the kids! Here are five of our favorite local spots where the whole family can have a great time together on a summer day while also learning about nature, science, books, and more. The best part is that the kids will be too busy enjoying themselves to realize they’re learning.

31 - Town&Gown July 2014

Shaver’s Creek holds “Meet the Birds of Prey" shows Saturdays and Sundays.

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center ShaversCreek.org

Which frog species can jump the farthest?

Which bird is nicknamed the “tiger of the sky?”

Which snake can climb the steepest trees without branches?

Find out at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, over the mountain and through the woods in Huntingdon County. Run by Penn State as a field lab for students, Shaver’s Creek is the perfect place to get close to nature. Admission is free.

1937 North Atherton Street State College, PA 16803 P. (814) 865-7728 P. (800) 828-4636 F. (814) 863-6183 www.PennStateFederal.com

Start your visit at the Discovery Room, open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Penn State students create new interactive exhibits each year, such as a light-up constellation “cave,” a “touch and feel” table, and a game where kids can try to catch “fireflies.” Young kids love the upstairs loft, where they can try on animal costumes and read books.

The Discovery Room also is home to a variety of live reptiles and amphibians. Inhouse educators help visitors learn more about “herps” (from “herpetology,” the study of reptiles and amphibians) such as the American toad, northern leopard frog, timber rattlesnake, and common musk “stinkpot” turtle.

Outside, visit more than 20 birds of prey at the Raptor Center. All the birds are unreleaseable, meaning they couldn’t survive in the wild, often because of injuries that took away their ability to fly or catch food. On summer Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 3 p.m., “Meet the Birds of Prey” shows introduce visitors to resident raptors such as hawks, eagles, and owls.

Make a day of your visit to Shaver’s Creek with a hike through surrounding habitats. Trails range from the wheelchair- and stroller-accessible boardwalk path to the more adventurous 2.2-mile

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32 - Town&Gown July 2014

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Lake Trail. Bring a lunch to enjoy at one of the picnic areas; try to pack your treats in reusable or recyclable containers, since Shaver’s Creek is trying to be a zero-waste facility. You’ll find lots of recycling and compost bins here — but no trash cans!

Oh, and if you want to impress your kids, know that the northern leopard frog is the longest jumper, the great horned owl is the “tiger of the sky,” and the black rat snake has special belly scales that allow it to climb steep trees without branches.

Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania mydiscoveryspace.org

If your family has never been to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, summer is a great time to check out the children’s science museum in State College. On July 9 — Children and Youth Day at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts — admission is just $1, instead of the usual $6.

For the rest of Arts Festival (July 10 to 13) admission is $3 for an air-conditioned fun break at the museum. Again this summer, as a Blue Star

Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania has plenty of hands-on exhibits.

Museum, Discovery Space offers free admission through Labor Day to all active-duty military personnel and their families. Children under 2 always get in free.

Don’t let the word “museum” fool you. At Discovery Space, kids have so much fun with the interactive hands-on exhibits that they don’t realize they’re also learning about science. For example, the gravity exhibit uses an Xbox Kinect to show kids how high their earthly jumping abilities would take them on different planets.

A kid also can be a paleontologist at the dinosaur dig, find their home on an aerial map

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of Centre County, experiment with shapes and colors at the light table, and star in a weather video. Your budding inventor can create a soundscape, and young geologists can check out formations and fluorescent rocks in the museum’s “cave.” New exhibits open periodically, thanks in part to Penn State education and mechanical-engineering students. The museum’s Kids Advisory Board, made up of elementaryschool-age kids, gives feedback to help make sure exhibits offer the most fun.

Discovery Space is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum stays open until 8 p.m. the last Thursday of every month.

Annual memberships give your family unlimited admission for an entire year. The museum is on Foster Avenue in the building with the giant mural on the side facing Sidney Friedman Park and Memorial Field.

Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park pennscave.com

Visitors of all ages have been touring Penn’s Cave since 1885, and learning about life beneath ground level.

Centre County and Central Pennsylvania are home to numerous caves, thanks to the region’s karst geology, but Penn’s Cave is the only allwater commercial cave. That means The wildlife tour at you “see it by boat,” Penn’s Cave & Wildlife as billboards across Park features many the region promise. animals that are native to North America.

Since caves typically maintain a year-round temperature of about 52 degrees, this is a great way to learn something cool on a hot summer day.

As you ride in a slow-moving flat-bottom boat, the tour guide points out stalactites, stalagmites, and other geologic features formed by water more than thousands and even millions of years. The 50-minute tour passes by formations with nicknames such as “Statue of Liberty” and “Garden of the Gods.”

You can combine your underground tour with the ground-level wildlife tour. This 90-minute

bus trip travels through Penn’s Cave’s 1,600 acres of pastures and forests, where you’ll see animals that are native to North America — bears, wolves, elk, deer, bobcats, bison, mountain lion, and more. Along the way, the guide offers info about local biology and geology.

Perhaps not as educational but still plenty of fun are Penn’s Cave’s newer attractions, each available for an additional fee. Prospector Pete’s Miners Maze is a 4,800-square-foot labyrinth that takes the traditional corn maze to the next level.

The by-reservation-only Cave Rock Mountain Tour is an off-road jeep adventure for adults and older kids. Outside the gift shop, kids of all ages can pan for gems, fossils, or arrowheads at Prospector Pete’s Sluice. Inside the gift shop, kids with allowance money burning holes in their pockets can spend quite a long time deciding between kitschy souvenirs such as a lucky rabbit’s foot, rubber snake, or old-fashioned candy.

During the summer, Penn’s Cave is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with each day’s last tour departing at 7 p.m. The cave is located off Route 192 near Centre Hall.

The Penn State Arboretum is scheduled to open Children’s Gate this summer.

Childhood’s Gate at the Arboretum arboretum.psu.edu

At press time, the long-awaited children’s garden at the Penn State Arboretum was scheduled to open by late June or early July.

Check the arboretum’s Web site for the current status of this new campus attraction.

34 - Town&Gown July 2014

Officially called Childhood’s Gate, the children’s garden targets kids ages 3 to 12 but also will give most adult visitors new insight into the plants, animals, and geography of Central Pennsylvania.

Child-development experts worked together with arboretum leaders to design a garden that is both educational and fun.

Kids can explore the hidden passageways of a limestone cave, climb on a giant caterpillar statue, or sit on a “toadstool.” The Discovery Tree, which looks like a huge tree stump but is made of concrete, offers plenty of roots for climbing plus a tube that allows kids inside the stump to talk with family members outside.

To kids, the children’s garden may seem like a playground, but opportunities for learning about our natural region are everywhere. A sandstone ridge forms the backbone of the garden, and a dry limestone creek bed runs through the “valley.” Water drips in the manmade cave to show how rock features form over many, many years, and Fossil Gap features bronze fossils that trace geologic history. The “Up, Down, In, and Out Creek” water feature shows how water flows both above and below ground in the region’s limestone valleys.

As one would expect in a garden, there also are plenty of plants. Willows will grow over metal frames to form huts like those used long ago by Susquehannock tribes. Garden planters in the Central Valley section feature heirloom varieties of crops grown in Pennsylvania. Throughout the garden, native plant species demonstrate the biodiversity of the region.

This summer, guides will be on hand to answer questions and inspire informal learning. Formal programs will be developed as the staff learns which features are most inspiring to young visitors.

Childhood’s Gate and the arboretum are open every day from dawn until dusk, free of charge.

Schlow Centre Region Library schlowlibrary.org

Rainy day? Go to the library. Too hot and humid outside? Go to the library. Everyone in the family wants to do something different? Go to the library.

Schlow Centre Region Library is the place to be all summer long, for both kids and adults. Start with free summer reading programs for all ages by registering online. Read 15 books to your infant or

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35 - Town&Gown July 2014

toddler and choose a free book to keep. Kids ages 3 to 12 earn tickets toward prize drawings for each day they read at least 20 minutes, plus special prizes for reading books in different genres. Teens can enter weekly drawings plus the grand-prize drawing for a Nexus 7 and a $100 Amazon gift card. Adults who log books they’ve read can win prizes donated by local businesses; play book bingo and enter to win a Kindle Paper White and an iPad Mini.

But wait, there’s more! Visit BookFestPA at the library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Meet authors, win more prizes, buy books, learn about writing, and listen to author talks.

Choose a lazy summer day to drop by one of the library’s many clubs to see if you’d like to attend year-round. Meet other locals who enjoy comic books, the game of Go, embroidery, or knitting.

Or join one of Schlow’s book clubs — afternoon book club, evening book club, senior book club, nature book club ….

Check out Schlow’s online calendar for a wide variety of events happening during the summer.

Pet a frog, listen to storytellers, build with Legos, watch a movie (one based on a book, of course),

Other Fun Educational Activities to Try

• Investigate the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center boardwalk.

• Pick up a walking-tour map of historic Bellefonte.

• Go back in time at Centre Furnace Mansion.

• Attend a ranger-led workshop at a state park.

• Sketch your own version of art on display at the Palmer Museum of Art. • Learn about stamp collecting at the American Philatelic Library.

• Walk on the giant floor map at the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center.

• Visit Ag Progress Days August 12-14. or participate in one of many other activities, all at your local library. T&G Tracey M. Dooms is a freelance writer in State College and a contributor to Town&Gown.

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Sports & Recreation Fun Get moving toward a summer of excitement

By Tracey M. Dooms 38 - Town&Gown & &Gown July 2014

L

ast winter was rough, but warm summer weather is finally here. Take advantage of sunny days, no-jacketneeded temperatures, and long summer evenings to paddle, pedal, or putt your way to fun. If stormy or steamy weather hits, cool off indoors on the ice. Not only will you have fun but you’ll also get moving toward fitness.

39 - Town&Gown July 2014

Tussey Mountain Outfitters tusseymountainoutfitters.com

Pegula Ice Arena

gopsusports.com/pegula-ice-arena

Cool off on a hot summer day by skating at Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena. The arena opened last fall as the new home of the men’s and women’s hockey teams — and a state-of-the-art arena for community skating.

Although Big Ten hockey is on hiatus until fall, Pegula staff recently laid a new sheet of ice in the arena in preparation for a busy summer of sports camps, clinics, and public skating sessions. Public sessions are open to all ages and all skill levels — you don’t even have to know how to skate! You can wear your own skates or rent hockey or figure skates for $3. Admission to two-hour sessions is $7 for adults, $6 for kids, and $5 for Penn State students and senior citizens. Admission to 90-minute sessions is $5 for everyone.

Take advantage of special deals to beat the heat at Pegula. Up to three kids get in free with a paid adult during Wednesday afternoon public sessions this summer. Penn State students get in free on Friday theme nights July 11 and 25 and August 8.

Most public sessions take place on the community rink, but on summer Saturdays, you can skate on the varsity rink and imagine yourself surrounded by 6,000 seats full of cheering fans.

Interested in improving your skating skills?

Watch for clinics for different ages of youth hockey players, for girl hockey players, for adults, and for synchronized figure skating. You can pay for clinics as a walk-in or through 10-session passes.

Explore some of Centre County’s sparkling mountain streams this summer via canoe or kayak. You can rent everything you need at Tussey Mountain Outfitters in Bellefonte, and they’ll even drop you off upstream and pick you up downstream.

Most of TMO’s paddle trips run on sections of Spring Creek or Bald Eagle Creek and take about three to four hours. Both creeks flow through picturesque rural scenery, with the opportunity to spot bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, and blue herons. Although this isn’t The River Wild by any stretch of the imagination, Spring Creek water runs swiftly in some spots and requires paddling and rescue skills. Bald Eagle Creek is less demanding. There’s no minimum age requirement except for solo canoes or kayaks — you have to be 14 to paddle a TMO craft by yourself. Rental and shuttle rates vary depending on the trip but include paddles, kayak helmets, and personal flotation devices (life jackets).

In addition to paddling, you can spend part of your outing fishing for trout or bass. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way — perhaps at historic Curtin Village if you’re traveling Bald Eagle Creek.

The folks at TMO can help you figure out what type of outing is best, depending on the skill levels of those you’ll be paddling with that day.

Want to learn more? Take one of Tussey Mountain Outfitters’ classes, such as introduction to canoeing or kayaking, whitewater skills, or kayak rolling. TMO is located next to Sunnyside Paddle Park on Spring Creek. The park features a permanent slalom course for trying out kayaks and canoes. It’s also the site for the Dog Days

40 - Town&Gown July 2014

Slalom on August 13, a great opportunity to watch whitewater racing in the Penn Cup series.

Pools & Lakes for Swimming crpr.org dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks

For most kids — and many adults — summer means swimming. Whether you’re swimming laps, playing “Marco Polo,” or just cooling off, head to one of the area’s pools or lakes.

Centre Region Parks & Recreation completely renovated both of its swimming pools over the past decade to include more fun features as well as modern bathhouses and plenty of grassy spots

for lounging. Together, the two pools attracted 102,130 visits during the 100-day summer swim season in 2013.

Sitting in a grassy hollow down the hill from Park Forest Middle School, Park Forest Community Swimming Pool is surrounded by trees. It features two winding slides, a large pool, tot pool, spray area, and water basketball.

William L. Welch Community Swimming Pool lies between the State College Area High School buildings along Westerly Parkway and the Orchard Park bike bath. Although the original pool opened in 1959, the 2011 makeover gave it a total update. Kids love the two waterslides, waterworks area, lazy river, and whirlpool, while adults often head for the lap pool.

Admission fees vary with visitor age, resident status, and time of day. Season passes also are available. Visit CRPR’s Web site for info about family fun nights, including Park Forest Winter Wonderland on July 9, Welch Pool Hawaiian Night July 23, Park Forest Pool-O-Ween August 6, and “Dive-in” Movie at Park Forest Pool August 20. After humans exit the pools as fall approaches, local pooches get their turn to swim during Aqua Dog Day at Park Forest Pool September 7.

41 - Town&Gown July 2014

For sandy beaches and lake swimming, head to one of three area state parks: Whipple Dam, Bald Eagle, or Poe Valley. Bald Eagle State Park has the largest swimming beach, at 1,200 feet. Sandcastle building is popular at the smaller Whipple Dam and Poe Valley beaches. All three parks permit swimming from 8 a.m. to sunset through Labor Day — note that swimming is at your own risk, since no lifeguards are on duty.

Miniature Golf

happyvalleyminigolf.com tusseymountain.com gramandpapsftbellefonte.com pennstategolfcourses.com

Miniature golf is the great sports equalizer for American families. No matter how low Mom and Dad’s handicaps might be on a full-size golf course, the kids have a good chance of winning at miniature golf, thanks to bumps in the “turf,” whimsical obstacles, and channels that might just spit a ball right into the hole.

Minigolf action in State College centers around Happy Valley MiniGolf on South Atherton Street, across from Hills Plaza. In this scenic setup, “fairways” wind through the water

features (also known as “hazards” for those who accidentally send their balls astray), and a lookout tower gives a good overview of the course below. Check out Happy Valley’s online calendar for daily specials — the best deal is Monday Madness, with $3 golf from 2 to 6 p.m.

Head just outside of town to Tussey Mountain Resort for minigolf, driving range, a n d p a r- t h r e e g o l f a c t i o n . T h e 1 8 - h o l e

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There’s nothing like a

Toftrees WEDDING 42 - Town&Gown July 2014

Mountain Mini Golf is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing fun for the whole family. Those who are old enough to hit a little harder can drive balls at the driving range, and the nine-hole par-three course offers a nice opportunity for beginning golfers to get started on “real” golf.

Make an adventure out of your minigolf outing with a trip to Gram & Pap’s Fort Bellefonte Campground, on Jacksonville Road just north of Interstate 80 in northern Centre County. Not only do statues of buffalo and deer oversee your putting, but live goats and chickens also observe from a little barn next door. Call the campground at (814) 355-9820 for hours and rates.

This summer, Penn State Golf Courses are emphasizing family fun with free activities such as minigolf from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through August 17. Try to beat the course record for minigolf, or check out the drivechip-putt challenge. “Snag golf” involves aiming for targets on the driving range, while Golfzilla participants hit hollow plastic balls at targets on a 24-foot-tall inflatable monster.

Centre Region Bike Trails crcog.net/bikes crpr.org

The League of American Bicyclists named the State College-Centre Region area a Bronze-Level

October 5, 2014 Join in on the fun at the Thin Mint Sprint at Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Centre County!

>Thin Mint Sprint 5K

− walkers and runners of all ages

>Tagalong Trot

− half-mile fun run for ages 6+

>Do-Si-Do Dash

− 20-yard dash for ages 5 and under It doesn’t matter if you sprint, dash or trot!

Register today at www.gshpa.org, call 1.800.692.7816 or email development@gshpa.org

State College, PA 43 - Town&Gown July 2014

Bicycle Friendly Community in 2012, citing lots of bike paths, bike lanes, bike parking, and even CATA buses equipped with racks so you can combine bike and bus in the same trip.

Download the Centre Region bike map from the Council of Governments Web site and plan a summer of exploring miles of bike paths and bike routes. Off-road bike and shared-use paths are nice for safe family fun, even if training wheels are still involved. Looking for more adventure?

Pedal BicyclePA Route G, which runs through Centre County on its way from Maryland to the New York border.

Consider Centre Region Parks & Recreation’s summer events as fun ways to get the whole family out on two wheels. July 4 is the annual Kids-on-Wheels Parade, with kids parading on bike, scooter, strollers, and skateboards before singing “Happy Birthday, America” and eating watermelon. On July 16, ride your bike to Tudek Park in the evening for a “bike-in” movie featuring The Croods on a giant inflatable screen. July 26 is the 10th annual “Splash, Pedal & Dash,” with kids competing in triathlons of swimming, biking, and running. Distances vary with the participant’s age, starting with a 50-meter swim, 1-mile bike ride, and 1/4-mile

Other Fun Ways to Get Moving This Summer • Hike Mount Nittany or another favorite route.

• Run or walk in a race listed at nvrun.com.

• Go on a horseback trail ride at Wildfire Ranch.

• Try the zipline, batting cages, or go-karts at Tussey Mountain Resort.

• Play disc golf at Circleville Park.

• Search for geocached treasure.

• Spend a rainy day at the bowling alley. run for 6-year-olds. You can find information on all events at crpr.org.

Before you head out, visit crcog.net/bikes to learn about “Share the Path Centre Region.”

Learn to follow Pennsylvania bike laws such as wearing a helmet if you are under 12 years of age, using bike lights between sunset and sunrise, providing an audible signal when passing, yielding to pedestrians, and not wearing headphones while biking. T&G

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Shaver's Cree

Just for the Fun of It Turn your evenings into summer vacation

By Tracey M. Dooms 46 - Town&Gown & &Gown July 2014

R

Creek

emember when you were a kid and summer was for sleeping in, staying up late, and having as much fun as possible in between? Yeah, you have to go to work now, but you still can have lots of summer fun. Cheer at a ballgame, explore a festival, see a show, go to a walk-in “drive-in” movie, or dine in the fresh air. Basically, do something just because it’s fun.

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The Spikes are looking to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

State College Spikes statecollegespikes.com

If you love baseball, you’ll love State College Spikes games. This is your chance to watch upand-coming players up close and personal in a ballpark where every seat is a short throw from the action. A St. Louis Cardinals Class-A affiliate, the Spikes posted the New York-Penn League’s top regular-season record (48-27) in 2013 and came within one run of winning the league title

after reaching the NYPL Championship Series against the Tri-City Valley Cats.

In the minor leagues, though, the real action has little to do with baseball. After all, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is the place where you can play in a temporary waterpark on Super Splash Day, bring your dog to a game during Bark in the Park, or wear your favorite PJs to the Pajama Party game. Attend the right evening and you could take home a free Spikes fleece blanket, a bobble head of Penn State football head coach James Franklin, or a clear-plastic stadium bag (so you’ll be able to carry your stuff into Beaver Stadium for football games). You also might get to watch Michael Jackson impersonators, meet Mountain Man from TV’s Duck Dynasty, or take part in the Diamond Dash to win a $1,000 jewelry gift card.

You can buy individual game tickets, season tickets, and various combinations in between.

Kids ages 12 and under can join the free First National Bank Spikes Kids Club and receive tickets for 12 home games and other goodies, including one free all-you-can-ride pass to Ike’s Kids Zone for even more ballpark fun.

The Spikes’ 2014 home schedule ends August 30 with a game against the Batavia Muckdogs, followed by a fireworks show at the ballpark.

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Artists of all ages are featured at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

July Arts Festivals

arts-festival.com peopleschoicefestival.com jazzpa.org

July is arts festival month in Centre County, featuring the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts, and JazzPA’s Summer Jazz Celebration.

Visit one, two, or all three for visual arts, performing arts … and great festival food.

Arts Festival starts first, with Children and Youth Day on Wednesday, July 9. This is the day when local kids sell arts and crafts they made, and when the entertainment is family oriented, from marionette shows to sing-alongs to a join-thefun parade of giant puppets through downtown streets. Then, from July 10 through 13 the juried Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, featuring more than 300 artists from around the country, takes over. Last year, Sunshine Artist magazine ranked the event first on its list of the 100 Best Fine Art and Design Shows in America. At the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, you’ll also find a wide variety of music, theater, and dance performances, all taking place in downtown State College and on the Penn State campus. Many performances are free, and a one-price button is your admission to most others.

The People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts always takes place the same week as Arts Festival — July 10-13 this year — so it’s easy to visit both. Held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, the People’s Choice Festival brings together more than 200 artists and craftspeople, all from Pennsylvania. Performances take place on two

49 - Town&Gown July 2014

stages and range from swing to blues to an Elvis impersonator. A special youth area offers kids’ activities each day, including science activities, craft-making, face painting, and rides on the “Little Smilin’ Choo Choo,” as well as young artists selling works they have made. Admission is free to all performances.

JazzPA’s Summer Jazz Celebration takes place later in the month — July 24 at Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art and July 25-27 in Bellefonte and downtown State College. A relative newcomer to the festival scene, JazzPA began in 2005 as the one-day State College Jazz Festival on the grounds of the South Hills School of Business & Technology and has grown ever since. This year, the 10th jazz celebration features guest artist Phil Woods, the Grammy Award-winning alto saxophonist, plus a variety of regional performers at several venues. Admission is free for outdoor events.

Tussey Mountain is a popular place to sit in the grass and listen to live bands.

Wings and Movies on Tussey Mountain tusseymountain.com

gets to vote for their favorites. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and up, then you buy tickets ($1 each) that you exchange for wings, beer, soda, and snacks. Meanwhile, a different band plays each week, finishing up this year with AC/DC tribute band Live Wire at the finals.

Movies on the Mountain at Tussey happens every other Friday evening during the summer — the first July movie is The Sandlot on July 11, and the season ends with The Muppets Most Wanted on August 22. Admission is $2, starting at 8 p.m., and the show begins as soon as it’s dark enough.

While you’re waiting for the opening credits, you can reminisce about putting speakers on car windows or tuning the radio to the soundtrack station at the Starlite Drive-in on the Benner Pike. At Tussey, you’ll have grass underfoot instead of crunchy gravel, but the concession stand still offers movie favorites such as popcorn, candy, and hotdogs.

The Nittany Valley Shakespeare Company presents performances, both indoors and outdoors, each summer. This summer, the company is presenting The Compleat Works of Wm. Shakespeare (Abridged) July 13 at the People’s Choice Festival and King Lear August 21-24 at the State Theatre.

Summer Theater

Wings or movies — take your pick. Head to the Tussey Mountain Resort amphitheater for the area’s best Buffalo wings and live music or for a walk-in version of old-fashioned drive-in movies. Either way, you get to relax outdoors with fantastic views and sunsets. Don’t forget your chairs or blankets!

WingFest takes place at Tussey every Thursday evening from July 17 through August 28, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Each week, several area restaurants pit their wing sauces against each other, with winners of the first six rounds competing for best of the best during the finals the last Thursday in August. Everyone who attends

scctonline.org nittanyvalleyshakespearecompany.com fuseproductions.org

Escape to another world of comedy, music, or tragedy by attending summer performances of local theater groups. Whether you’re in an air-conditioned theater or in the great outdoors, you’ll love the long-standing tradition of summer theater performed by members of the community.

The State College Community Theatre is the grande dame of local nonprofessional theater, having staged plays for more than 50 years. Last year the group left the intimate — and non-airconditioned — Boal Barn for the State Theatre and Mount Nittany Middle School auditorium.

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Already under way, the 2014 summer season continues July 11-19 with Anything Goes, Cole Porter’s classic Broadway musical story of “boy meets girl and hilarious complications ensue.”

Then SCCT gets serious with Rabbit Hole, July 25 to August 2 at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is about a couple’s struggle in the aftermath of their 4-yearold son’s accidental death. The 1960s Broadway show Bye Bye Birdie runs August 15-23.

Shakespeare wrote his plays 400 years ago, but there’s always a new twist in performances by the Nittany Valley Shakespeare Company. Get a rapid-fire, humorous, audience-participation overview of the Bard’s plays through The Compleat Works of Wm. Shakespeare (Abridged) with free admission at the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg, July 13 at 1 p.m. On August 21-24, the company moves to the State Theatre stage for a production of King Lear set in modern Africa, directed by and starring Charles Dumas, Penn State professor emeritus of theatre. The company follows up with Little Lear, a 45-minute version of Shakespeare in the grass, performed by kids August 23-24 in a Centre Region park.

Fuse Productions and Centre Dance combine local student and professional performers with

actors hired through New York auditions to present A Chorus Line August 7-9 at the State Theatre. The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Awardwinning musical focuses on the “unsung heroes” of musical theater — the chorus-line dancers.

Dine Alfresco

See individual restaurant Web sites

After an especially cold, snowy winter here in Central Pennsylvania, it’s refreshing to spend every possible moment outdoors during pleasant summer weather. Here are just a few of the local restaurants where you can relax in the fresh air with freshly prepared foods.

In downtown State College, Mad Mex’s patio is the place for Cal-Mex food and Big Azz margaritas — arrive early for a table in the shade. The Deli goes several steps beyond traditional deli foods with everything from crab cakes to steak to seared tuna ciabatta. If the Tavern Restaurant is a tradition with you, it’s time to try your favorite dishes at a table outside in the pedestrian area.

On College Avenue, indoors is outdoors at Herwig’s Austrian Bistro, where the entire glass front rolls open on nice days; remember to BYOB here. Something’s always happening at Café 210

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51 - Town&Gown July 2014

Other Things to Do … Just for Fun

The Tavern Restaurant is one of the many places offering outdoor dining in Happy Valley.

West; if the front patio is full, look for outdoor seating out back. A stone’s throw away from this student favorite, you’ll find a totally different vibe at serene, upscale Zola New World Bistro’s sidewalk seating.

Atherton Street is another popular corridor for outside dining. Starting at the north end of town, Otto’s Pub and Brewery emphasizes local foods to go along with its locally brewed beers. Champs Sports Grill has plenty of outdoor seating to go with sport-themed specialties such as Slapshot Sliders and the Roethlisberger Burger (with fries on top, of course). On South Atherton, Faccia Luna emphasizes everything Italian, and Clem’s Roadside Bar and Grill menu matches the poolside setting.

Thanks to its renovations, Home D Pizzeria also

• Taste wines at three Centre County wineries — Mount Nittany, Happy Valley, and Seven Mountains.

• Sightsee on a Segway with Happy Valley Tours.

• Catch a sky-high ride at the Julian Gliderport.

• Battle friends at Amazing Lazertag.

• Get a ticket to ride at DelGrosso’s or Lakemont amusement parks.

• Listen to outdoor concerts Fridays in Lemont or Sundays in Bellefonte or the South Hills School of Business & Technology.

• Go up in a Sky’s the Limit balloon. offers outdoor seating.

The area offers too many outside dining options to list them all here — Gigi’s in State College, Duffy’s in Boalsburg, the Governors’ Pub in Bellefonte, and many more. Or, cap off your indoor meal with an outdoor ice cream cone at the Berkey Creamery on campus or Meyer Dairy on South Atherton Street. T&G

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SAVE August 22 DATE T H E

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Parenting

Moms and dads today face a variety of challenges when it comes to their kids.

Town&Gown’s special section looks at some of the current issues parents deal with, including choosing a daycare and school, and raising a healthy child

Penn State Alumni: Support Students

Nittany Lions prepare students for new beginnings.

Our chapter volunteers organize summer “sendoff” picnics to help ease new students’ transition away from home. They also reach out to recent Penn State grads via community networking events to encourage their career journeys.

To learn more about getting involved with a Penn State chapter in your area, visit

alumni.psu.edu/groups

Parenting — Year One Darren Weimert

Town&Gown’s operations manager and assistant editor discovers the new challenges and joys that come with being a mom

By Vilma Shu Danz A year ago in May, my daughter, Elizabeth, was born. Although she arrived five weeks early, she was perfectly healthy at 6 pounds, 2.2 ounces, and 20 inches long. It’s amazing how time flies when you have a child, and even more incredible to watch her grow in that first year.

From week to week, we watched as she learned to roll over, sit up on her own, crawl, and then begin to take her first steps. As a first-time mom, I didn’t know what to expect, and some days I was a total wreck. I am thankful for my husband, Lee, for being very involved in raising our child, and blessed that his family lives nearby.

Looking back at my first year of motherhood, it has been an incredible journey so far — filled with joy as well as a few new challenges.

Like most moms, as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I signed up for the childbirthing and breastfeeding classes, toured daycare centers, and I read almost everything on pregnancy, nursing, and parenting. One decision we made early on was to sign up with a cord-blood bank to have our baby’s cord blood and tissue stored. We had read about how stem cells can be used to treat many life-threatening diseases, including leukemia, certain other cancers, and blood, immune, and metabolic disorders. Cord blood comes from a newborn’s umbilical cord and is collected immediately after birth. Using your own family’s cord blood can have significant advantages in treatments, including fewer complications and improved medical outcomes.

In Centre County, most hospitals and doctors will assist in the collection of your baby’s cord blood provided that you bring in the kit and inform them ahead of time before delivery. The kit can be ordered free of charge online through a number of private or public

Town&Gown operations manager and assistant editor Vilma Shu Danz with her husband, Lee, and daughter, Elizabeth, who turned 1 in May.

cord-blood banks. The initial cost to store your baby’s cord blood is significant, but we felt that it was worth it in the event we ever needed it to save our child’s life.

Up until 30 weeks, I had a normal pregnancy. I had mild morning sickness, a healthy craving for Clementine oranges, and then all of a sudden I started to gain a lot of weight with swelling in the hands and feet. My blood pressure started to rise, and I was told that I had mild preeclampsia. At 35 weeks, my preeclampsia had gotten worse and my fingers were all numb. I was put into induced labor to avoid further complications. Fortunately, I went into labor at the hospital shortly afterward and I delivered a healthy baby girl.

Seeing her in my husband’s arms was one of the most tender moments of my life. We were finally a family of three. My husband and I had struggled for more than two years to have

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a baby, and we almost gave up on trying, so holding our daughter was such a blessing.

The first time I saw Elizabeth I was at a loss for words and was immediately in love. I whispered softly in her ear the same words I had spoken to her for almost nine months, “I love you Lizzy, keep growing healthy, big, strong, beautiful, and smart!” To my delight, she recognized my voice and opened her eyes for a second to acknowledge me. My husband was in complete awe, and we spent the first few hours watching her stretch her little arms out, kissing her tiny fingers and toes, and learning to swaddle her like a burrito. We were so overjoyed that she picked us to be her parents and we couldn’t wait to teach her everything we know.

Once we were home from the hospital, reality set in that we had a baby. Everyone talks about the baby bliss, the joy, and the natural instincts, but not a lot is said about how women really feel about their bodies after childbirth, the difficulties with nursing, and being a working mom. While I certainly felt overjoyed and had an unconditional love for my child, I also felt

exhausted and overwhelmed in the beginning.

There is an expectation for women to get back into shape quickly, go back to work in six weeks, and do it all effortlessly.

A year later, I still carry 20 extra pounds, and finding the time to exercise is always a challenge. I look in the mirror and I know that in time I will lose the weight. However, I feel beautiful in my own skin more so than I did before I had a baby. Even with all my new stretch marks, I am amazed that my body could perform the miracle of producing a baby, go through childbirth, and then heal itself. I have embraced my postpartum body.

Another issue that most women don’t talk about is nursing. There also is a lot of pressure from doctors and family members to breastfeed your baby, and while I was determined to do the best I could, nursing did not come naturally to me. I remember feeling like such a failure because I thought my body would naturally produce what was needed for my child — but it didn’t. And then, going back to work, trying to find time to pump during the

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day, and keeping up with a hungry growing baby was very difficult. After a five-month struggle, I had to give up.

Nowadays, there are a lot of working mothers like me who feel the mommy guilt, and we envy stay-at-home moms. However, as difficult as it is, the decision to go to back to work is not only a financial one, but also a choice for women to maintain our sense of identity. I am a wife, a mother, and a professional working woman. I admit that my home is not as clean as it used to be, and some days I am extremely exhausted and irritable. Nevertheless, I enjoy knowing that I am contributing to my family’s finances and that I can continue to pursue my dream as a writer.

Every day when I pick up Elizabeth at daycare, I sneak in quietly and watch her play with her friends for a few minutes. I hear her laugh and giggle. It makes me feel a little better that she is having fun, being social, and interacting with other children her age.

I am amazed at how much she has grown already in this past year. At 10 months, she was crawling everywhere, and she is currently learning to walk. Her sweet personality is starting

to show, and she is so determined to master her new skills. Every evening, she demands our attention to practice walking by holding our fingers on each side for balance. She chases the cat and the dogs around the house, reaches for objects that she shouldn’t touch, and examines all her toys to figure out what they do.

Her first word was “Dada,” followed by “Mama,” then it was “Kitty,” and now it’s “Uh oh” every time she drops her toys.

Having a baby changes your life completely.

Watching my daughter discover the world around her has taught me to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the little things that I have long forgotten, such as the water droplets on the windows when it’s raining and the intricate patterns of the wood grains in our furniture.

My relationship with my husband is stronger than ever and we cherish the time we get to spend alone together after the baby goes to sleep at night. I respect my parents and my inlaws, and love them in a whole new way.

A year later, I love being a mom and I can’t wait to celebrate more milestones with our sweet Elizabeth. T&G

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Parenting Tips (Source: Mount Nittany Health)

Childproofing your home • Make sure cleaners, bleach, and razors are out of reach.

• Use a knob cover on the bathtub so children can’t turn water on themselves.

• Keep window blind cords out of reach by looping around the top of the blinds.

• Use childproof locks on all cabinets and drawers.

• If you have a fireplace, use a gate.

• Use edge cushions on sharp corners.

• Consider a garage door with a sensor that prevents closing if something/someone is underneath.

Children and ticks • Ticks need to attach themselves to the skin and draw blood — usually for 12 to 48 hours — before they can begin to transmit possible infection.

• Remove a tick as soon as you find it on your child’s body. Being careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, g ` ently grab the tick with a pair of tweezers as close to the skin as you can and slowly lift it away from the body. Once the tick is removed, wash the bite area and apply an antiseptic lotion.

• Ticks love to hide, so after your child plays outdoors, be sure to check his or her armpits, scalp, and between fingers and toes and the groin area.

• If your child develops a rash, fever, or illness in the days and weeks following, call your physician.

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Careful Planning for Child Care For working parents, finding the right place for their children requires some legwork and asking inquisitive questions

By Brittany Svoboda Out-of-home child care isn’t for everyone, but it’s needed for the increasing number of households that have two working parents.

If you choose to send your child or children to a daycare, there are some key things to consider.

Like how should parents, especially firsttimers, go about finding the right one for their child or children?

“Child care can be a wonderful support to a working family, an academic family, and to students,” says Linda Duerr, an instructor of early-childhood studies in Penn State’s human-development and family-studies department. “What a gift to be able to go to work or school and feel good about where your child is when they’re not with you!”

Some of the main reasons parents choose child care include socialization with other children and exposure to activities and materials that the programs provide.

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial in setting them on the right path for learning.

Since many children spend a majority of their waking hours in child care, Rhian Evans Allvin, executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, says that it’s important for parents to do their research before settling on a place.

“You not only want it to be a safe and healthy place, but a good early-learning experience,” she says.

Duerr says she’s personally a fan of child-care programs that have a mixed-age group. This gives infants and toddlers the opportunity to learn from older children and mimic what they’re doing, she says. It also

provides a platform for older children to learn about how to care for younger children.

Erin Hostetler, a mother of two who lives in State College, says she knew that she was going to be a working mom, so she began looking for child care while she was pregnant with her first child, Abby, who is now 4. The first step she took was talking to coworkers and friends about their experiences, which is how she ended up choosing which places to visit.

“It’s important to speak to those who have already done it,” says Hostetler, who also has a 2-year-old daughter, Jackie. “Get as much information from parents. What do they like? What do they not like?”

Families should start thinking early about what type of child care they will choose, Duerr suggests. Many programs have waiting lists, which many expecting and new parents

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need to factor into their plans and decisions.

“Different programs have different policies,” Duerr says. In some cases, you might be able to get on a waiting list while you’re expecting. If this is your first child, however, it might be a good idea to wait and visit the centers with your baby to see how he or she will fit in there.

“Visit,” Duerr suggests. “Go and see. Take your children.” While it allows parents to see how their children will do in a particular program, it also gives them the chance to learn about the program’s qualifications and what type of curriculum they have.

Observing how the teachers and children interact with each other is one of the best ways to tell what kind of a care center a place is.

Although it may seem awkward, it is one of the best things parents can do, Allvin says. Visiting will be much more informative than reading a brochure about the center.

The cost and accessibility of child care also are two of the biggest factors for families.

“You can’t deny that that’s going to weigh in on the decision,” Duerr says. “You have to look at what’s affordable and accessible for you and say which of these choices are best for me and my family.”

Early on in her search, Hostetler says she needed her choice to fit her budget, so she had to rule out some centers because of cost.

Before parents even visit a child-care center, they can check to make sure it has proper licensing and follows regulations. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Keystone STARS program, Duerr suggests, are good places to go for that information.

Another thing parents can do before visiting centers is reflect on their child’s personality. Is he or she outgoing? Maybe they should target large child-care centers. Or is he or she shy and reserved? A smaller center or familybased setting might be a better way to go.

A great resource is the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Duerr says. On the NAEYC Web site, there is a section titled “For Families,” which provides parents with a free guide to finding a quality program and articles about

finding child care for age-specific children.

Better Kid Care through Penn State Extension also provides a free checklist on how to make an appointment with a center and what to ask and look for when you go.

“The risks are high if you aren’t careful and aren’t inquisitive and interested in what’s going on or maybe understanding what to look for,” Duerr says.

To narrow down the list of potential centers, Hostetler says she contacted directors and simply asked questions about the programs, such as what type of curriculum they had and their policies on different things. She says, “I asked questions that let me know about their philosophies.”

After hearing from other parents that some programs require parents to pick their child up if there is a biting incident, Hostetler says she made sure to ask about it.

“I had to keep the working mom in mind,” she says. While she understands that it’s a regular part of development, she says she can’t go pick her children up every time something like that happens.

While still pregnant, Hostetler toured five child-care centers. While at each, she paid attention to how staff interacted with the children. She also considered how close each place was to where she works — both Hostetler and her husband, Dan, are Penn State employees — in case of an emergency.

Pay attention to the sounds of the children, Duerr suggests. Expect to hear an array of sounds, from crying to laughing, at any child-care center. But if children seem unhappy or uninvolved in activities, it might be a place to avoid.

“Ask the school about the curriculum,” she adds. Good, general questions to ask about curriculum, she says, are What will my child learn here and What will my child be doing here?

Look for evidence of what children are doing and learning, such as artwork and other projects.

“People are looking for that product-based learning, and with very young children,” Duerr says. “You want to see a very close relationship developed with the care provider.” As children get older and become mobile, however, “there should be materials in the room that are safe for them to pull up on and cruise.”

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Continued on page 65

Set Standards To help families with their decisions on

child care, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has identified 10 standards to programs 1. Relationships: Positive relationships between all children and adults should be a top priority. Teachers should help newcomers adjust to the program so all children feel welcome. In addition, teachers should be willing to help children solve conflicts by discussing feelings, problems, and solutions.

2. Curriculum: Child-care centers should promote a curriculum that develops the following areas: social, emotional, physical language, and cognitive. Always ask about a program’s curriculum to see how well it will address all aspects of a child’s early development.

Children should be given the opportunity to explore new ideas and concepts through play, which will help them develop their reasoning, problem solving, tolerance, and language skills.

3. Teaching: Programs should use developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches to enhance a child’s learning and development.

To coincide with the program’s curriculum, children should be given the opportunity to play inside and outside (weather permitting) and the option to work individually or in a group. Children’s work also should be displayed throughout the child-care center so they can reflect on and extend their learning.

4. Assessment of Child Progress: A child-care program should support a child’s learning using a variety of assessment methods, including observations, checklists, and rating scales. These methods should be appropriate per the child’s age and level of development and should encompass all areas of development. Families also should receive updates on their child’s development and learning on a regular basis.

5. Health: Programs should promote good nutrition and health practices of children.

Furthermore, children and staff should be protected from illness and injury. It is recommended that teachers and staff have first

aid training, implement regular hand washing and surface sanitizing practices, have a plan for responding to illness, and provide nutritious snacks and meals.

6. Teachers: Programs should employ and support teaching staff with educational qualifications and the professional commitment to promote children’s learning and development. Parents can ask teachers about their teaching qualifications and staff development.

7. Families: To foster a child’s development in all settings, programs should maintain a relationship with the child’s family based on mutual trust and respect. Teachers should talk to families about their family structure and views on childrearing. This information should be used to adapt curriculum and teaching methods. Programs also should communicate with families in a variety of ways, including conferences, new family orientations, and individual conferences.

8. Community Relationships: Programs should establish a relationship with the local community. This relationship will extend to museums, parks, libraries, zoos, and other community resources. Teachers and staff should develop professional relationships with community agencies and organizations to further the program’s capacity to meet the needs and interests of the children.

9. Physical Environment: Wellmaintained indoor and outdoor environments should be a priority of any child-care program. This includes facilities, equipment, and materials. Areas should be designed so staff can supervise children by both sight and sound. They also should have necessary furnishings that fit a child’s needs, such as child-size chairs and tables. An assortment of materials and equipment should be provided based on the child’s age and stage of development. These objects also should be kept clean, safe, and in good condition.

10. Leadership and Management: Programs should effectively implement policies and procedures that support staff. The program administrator should have the necessary educational qualifications. The program also should be licensed and regulated by the required state agency, have written policies and procedures that are shared with families, and have appropriate children-to-teacher ratios. T&G

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Continued from page 63

Curriculum, Duerr said, should move from relationship-based to sensory-and developmental-based.

Once the decision about child care has been made, there are ways to find out if your child is developing correctly based on their age.

“Curriculum in infant care is based on building trust with your care provider,” Duerr says. There also should be developmentally appropriate materials for children to safely explore that will begin to build their sensory skills.

Parents, Duerr explains, should have as good a relationship with the caregiver or givers as their children do. This is especially necessary if a parent has a concern.

Parents should feel comfortable asking the caregiver anything. If you’re uncomfortable with the responses, Duerr suggests visiting the center and observing your child or children to see what’s happening. Then, it might be necessary to set up a meeting with an administrator, usually the center’s director or assistant director, to discuss the concerns further.

“A good program will work through these things, whatever it may be,” Duerr says.

“It may be something is missing in the classroom, or it may be something the parent doesn’t understand or see. It may be a lot of things, but you have to feel comfortable talking with the people who are caring for your child.

That communication has to happen.”

Communication, Allvin says, depends on parents taking the time to really get to know their child or children’s caretakers.

When Hostetler does have a concern or would like more information about something one of her daughters said, she says she has no worries about going to any of the staff at the center her daughters attend.

“They are very approachable,” she says.

Communication also helps parents become involved in and supportive of what their child is doing at the center they attend, something Duerr advocates.

“It shouldn’t just be a drop off and pick up,” she says. “Know what’s going on. I think parents can learn a lot from a good child-care center.” T&G

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One Education Doesn’t Fit All Parents have options when it comes to choosing the best place for their children to learn

By Samantha Hulings All parents want the best education for their children. With options ranging from homeschooling to private schools and everything in between, choosing the right type of schooling can be an overwhelming world of questions and worries.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as of the 2010-11 school year, there were almost 99,000 public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, within the United States. The organization also reported nearly 6,000 charter schools in the same school year. In the 2011-12 school year, the Council for American Private Education reported there were close to 31,000 private schools in the country. Also for that year, the NCES reported about 3 percent of all school-aged children, ages 5 to 17, were homeschooled.

With all these choices, Karen McChesney Johnson, PhD and assistant professor of earlychildhood education at Penn State, says the things parents need to consider most are who their children are and what kind of education they think would be the most profitable for their children. If parents are thinking about sending their child to a public, charter, or private school, she advises parents to visit the school and meet with teachers and administrators.

“You need to go into the school and classroom and make sure there is a good match between the child, the classroom, and just the ambiance of the whole school,” she says.

She says parents also should question whether the school feels welcoming, and what its parent-visitation policy is, and how those two fit in with their goals for the child. Though

each school may provide different things, McChesney Johnson firmly believes that no type of schooling is better than another — it is simply what type of schooling a parent is looking for and what works best for the child.

The most common option in the country is that of public schools. Public schools operate with funding from federal, state, and local tax dollars, meaning each school is free and open to all students within the school district. Most, including public schools in Pennsylvania, are traditional schools that follow educational standards set by the state. But, because public schools receive funding only from the government, when funding is reduced, schools can suffer. Programs can be cut, the quality of books and school supplies can decrease, and the school can be in need of many updates. Because they do admit all, public schools may often seem overcrowded, with an uneven teacher-to-student ratio.

But Dr. James E. Johnson, professor and program coordinator of early-childhood education at Penn State, says public

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schools still have their advantages for students. He explains that John Dewey, a philosopher of education more than 100 years ago, said that the strength of a nation can be measured by how much people care about other people’s children.

“I think what John Dewey was getting at matches the philosophy of the public schools. It is very inclusive and concerns our general public and our form of government,” he says. “We really do need to have public schools. That’s where you’re likely to have the greatest exposure to the prospects of what our country is all about — to fulfill potentials of all the kids served.”

Though Marisa Zerby believes there is no right or wrong answer for school choices in the Centre Region, she will be sending her son to kindergarten at a private Christian school next year.

“What we’ve been reminding ourselves is that raising a child and providing them with an education are two separate things. Teaching them values, morals, and common courtesy is and always will be our responsibility as a parent,” she says.

Private schools rely on funding from outside sources such as tuition, grants, donations, and endowments. Often, private schools also seek education funding from alumni, businesses, and community organizations. Religious schooling institutions such as the one Zerby’s son will attend also may receive funding from the church with which it’s associated.

Because private schools don’t receive funding from the government, they are free to offer religious education and a curriculum that is not regulated by the state.

For Zerby, she hopes this type of education will provide her son with a solid foundation built on biblical principles.

“We are happy that our son will be getting a classical education,” she says. “I can’t say that it makes it right or wrong, but our hope is that it will be the best method for our son.”

Another type of education to consider is charter schooling. Charter schools are considered to be an educational hybrid, a combination of public and private schooling.

Like public schools, most charters are free

to attend and can’t discriminate based on race, religion, gender, or disability. But like private schools, students must apply to enroll, and space is often limited. Charter schools also are independently run, and may receive funding from private businesses or different fundraising options. All charters do receive funding from the government though, allowing them to be regulated. Whether it is the state, county, or district government that provides the charter, charter schools must follow the basic curricular requirements of the state, but they tend to be less regulated than public schools, allowing some charter schools to specialize in technology or the arts, or target gifted or disabled students.

Johnson cautions parents that special options at private and charter schools might not always be best for every child.

“Don’t be fooled by the surface appearance,” he says. “Private schools and maybe even charter schools have a lot of whistles and bells and attractive things, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s [the education] for you.”

He encourages parents to search for and choose a school with a “human touch.”

“I think the quality of teaching and the feel you have for the director or the administrator, that’s important,” he says.

For some, the perfect way to add this human touch is to homeschool their children.

Due to her husband’s busy schedule as a pastor, and her wants for a faith-based education and an emphasis on family, Leigh Anne Rufener decided to use her middle school teaching degree to homeschool her sons.

“It gives us the flexibility we need,” she says. “We wanted them to look at life through the lens of faith and how we make decisions is through that lens.”

Homeschooling even allowed her to catch her son’s auditory-processing disorder early, something she isn’t sure would have been noticed as quickly in a public school setting.

The one-on-one attention she is able to provide also helps in creating curriculum that works well with her son’s disorder.

Focusing on what is known as a classical education, Rufener’s homeschool curriculum

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includes Latin, reading, writing, and math.

Each year, she must submit her teaching plan with details to the state, including how she will address topics and what materials she will use. At the end of the year, she must submit a portfolio that includes proof her sons attended 180 school days, that they each hit the benchmarks they are expected to for their grade, and a professional evaluation from a Pennsylvania licensed teacher.

Though it may seem a bit more challenging than sending her children to a public, private, or charter school, Rufener says, “It works best for our family.”

McChesney Johnson agrees that homeschooling can be very beneficial for families such as the Rufeners.

“Who knows [a child] better than their parents? They know the child’s interest. They are able to determine what is a good time of day for that child,” she says.

According to Johnson, homeschooling allows parents to reinforce the idea that each child’s education needs can be matched.

But he believes that even parents who homeschool should have high values for the other types of education, something Rufener agrees with wholeheartedly.

“One of the biggest things we should keep in mind as a parent is the end goal, and that includes choosing education for our kids,” she says. Whatever that end goal is, Rufener believes that education all boils down to one thing. “The chief purpose of it is that kids will come out having a strong sense of knowing what is right and wrong. Do what is best for your family as a whole.”

Like Rufener, Johnson believes the end goal is providing education in the best way possible.

No matter the schooling style, he believes it is possible to receive a good education from all these different forms, with caring about education as the common denominator. T&G Samantha Hulings is a contributor to Barash Media and a freelance writer living in Chicago.

68 - Town&Gown July 2014

Parenting Tips (Source: Mount Nittany Health)

Which immunizations are necessary for school-aged children?

• All of the vaccines that are currently required by the state for children to attend school are from the official recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• All of these vaccines are safe and well-tolerated and are very important to keep your children and the children around them free of these preventable diseases.

• Any vaccine can have potential side effects, and if any do occur, these are typically mild and short-lived.

• There are also some vaccines that are recommended but not required by the state, mostnotably Hepatitis A, influenza, and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccines.

• There are some sources that claim that immunizations are to blame for multiple chronic illnesses, including These conditions have been htrib seg a nerdlihc roautism, f sgnineerdiabetes, cs latnempoleand ved eceliac erf reffodisease. eW 5 hguoht blamed on specific vaccines, specifically the .measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in connection with autism. Exhaustive studies have been done to look at these issues and they noitnevretnI ylraE ytnuoC ertneC :tcatnoc 3 ega ot htrib roF have all concluded vaccines ro 0603 .txe 6that 876-5 53 )418( are not linked to these or any specific chronic illnesses. ylraeto /vonot g.apyimmunize tnuocertnec.w ww school-aged child, there is a process at most schools to • If you wish your file for antiexemption — religious or otherwise. nU etaidemretnI lartneC ehT :tcatnoc 5 ot 3 ega roF ro 0603 .txe 5733-289 )008( gro.01uic.www

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69 - Town&Gown July 2014

Hit the Books with Your Children Parent involvement is vital for children’s education

By Samantha Hulings A 2012 study done by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 73 percent of the country’s approximately 40,000 public school students reported parents who attended a school or class event in the 2011-12 school year. At private religious schools, 88 percent of the nearly 3,300 students reported a parent or another household member had attended a school or class event in the same school year. At public schools, 74 percent of students reported a parent or another household member had regularly attended parent-teacher conferences, and 85 percent of private religious school students reported the same.

But what do all these statistics mean?

Each day, many parents send their children off to school, consciously expecting them to work hard and do well — and one of the most important factors in a child’s education is parent involvement. Children notice when parents are involved and engaged in their education, and it can make all the difference.

Dr. James E. Johnson, professor and program coordinator of early-childhood education at Penn State, thinks it is very motivating for kids to know that their parents care about and are involved in their schoolwork. He believes a great way to be engaged within your child’s education is to have a working relationship with the school and other parents, ultimately creating a better community.

“Are the school and parents partners in the child’s education? Parents should feel invited.

The school is not a fortress,” he says. “You can be better partners, professionally, with other agencies in the community when you have a three-way partnership among the family, the community, and the school.”

Karen McChesney Johnson, PhD and

assistant professor of early-childhood education at Penn State, agrees, saying these working relationships relate to better grades and social experiences.

“The literature says if the children see a good relationship between the home and the school, they do better academically and they do better socially,” she says. “They are just more motivated to go to school.”

Within this working relationship should be a stream of feedback, both negative and positive.

McChesney Johnson says teachers should give feedback when a child is struggling or misbehaving, and also when a child excels and does well. This consistently updates parents, keeping them involved and engaged.

“They should make a rule that there should be positive communication to all families,” she says.

She says when concerns do arise and teachers respond at the time of the concern and they follow up, parents also tend to feel more engaged.

More than anything, Johnson believes there is a reinforcement of learning that takes place from the classroom to the home environment when parents show interest in their child’s education.

“Giving good examples is reinforcing their value for education,” he says. “It’s important for children to know their parents care about education and schooling.”

One of the many ways for parents to set a good example for their children is to be involved with a parent-teacher organization. For parents to truly be engaged in education, McChesney Johnson says the organizations must be involved in the actual decision-making for the school.

“Schools need to take into consideration where the children are coming from, what their homes are like, and let the parents have more of a role in what’s happening at a school,” she says.

Johnson recommends parents serve in an advisory capacity in terms of the school’s

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policies, giving their views at parent-teacher organization meetings on things such as a school’s disciplinary rules. “[The schools] should be taking [the parents’ views] at least under advisement, if not part of the school governance itself,” he says.

Other ways parents can be involved with their children’s education include volunteering in the classroom and on field trips, helping to plan special events, and visiting the school.

Johnson recognizes that though it may be difficult for working parents to attend events held during or directly after school, they can still be very involved with their children’s education without overtly participating in events.

“I think they shouldn’t be made to feel guilty about that,” he says. “They should be encouraged to do what they can, and certainly in the area of providing technical support like supplies and an area for homework and giving their child socio-emotional support or encouragement at home.”

McChesney Johnson recommends special events that can be set up during evenings or weekends be planned to make sure working parents have the opportunity to be involved.

Teachers also can plan interactive homework that engages the entire family.

When it comes to homework and lessons, parents should be involved to an extent.

Depending on what the homework is, a parent’s help can be necessary.

Johnson says the best kind of homework is the kind that must be done at home. An example is children talking with parents to learn about family histories or to write essays about a funny family member.

When homework seems like busy work, McChesney Johnson says it isn’t worth having.

She feels that to be true homework, it should be engaging and challenging. It shouldn’t simply carry schoolwork to the home setting.

If this does occur, Johnson believes parents should feel equipped and empowered to talk with teachers and administrators, especially if homework begins to disrupt important family time and events.

“I think parents have a right to put forward their concerns for family happiness,” he says.

When relevant, engaging homework is

assigned, McChesney Johnson says parents can be involved simply by sitting with children and completing some of their own paper work.

“If your child does have to have some help, then you help in the best way you can,” she says.

Outside of the classroom, Johnson encourages parents to take children on educational trips that are recognized by the school to educate in new and exciting ways.

But it is important that parents know when to draw the line. Being too involved can be just as devastating as not being involved enough.

Parents must find the happy medium between the two.

“If you make the distinction between participation and caring or being involved in your child’s education, I think you have to answer it both ways,” Johnson says. “In terms of being engaged in your child’s education, being involved in your child’s education, I don’t think there is a limit to that. In terms of participating, sure, you can become a nuisance if you are always there.”

According to Johnson, teachers and administrators recognize these parents and refer to them as “helicopter parents.”

“There is such a thing as too much of that over-participation. Then there is caring for your child’s education, which is unlimited how much you can do that,” he says.

Ultimately, Johnson and McChesney Johnson believe that for parents to be involved in their child’s education the right way, they need to be actively engaged in the education, not just physically involved in school activities and events. Asking the right questions, being involved in teachings at home, knowing when to step back, and understanding the boundaries of physical involvement are much more important than attending every single event the school sponsors.

According to McChesney Johnson, there are always ways for parents to be engaged and involved. They just need to find what works for them and stay concerned with their child’s education.

“To be concerned with their child’s education,” McChesney Johnson says, “that’s what it’s all about.” T&G

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Start Them Young Good habits such as healthy eating and being active start at an early age

By Samantha Hulings Proper nutrition and exercise are essential to a child’s well-being. But for many parents, it can be a struggle to make sure their children are eating well and staying active. With the hectic pace that comes with everyday life today, oftentimes eating right and staying active may take a back seat to fast food, quick-preparation meals, and less exercise. To ensure children have healthy adult lives, healthy habits must begin early.

According to Scott Ludwig, personal trainer, boot-camp instructor, and nutritionist at Kinetik Fitness in State College, health, or lack thereof, is cumulative. Because of this, it is extremely important for children to be healthy and active.

“Our habits as a child affect our health as an adult,” he says.

Pointing children down the right path can be easier said than done. Ludwig says children are drawn to sweets and fats because people need those nutrients and calories for survival. Fruits and healthy fats such as egg yolk, nuts, and seeds provide these, but the allure and availability of cakes, cookies, and other junk foods attract children.

“As parents, we have two roles in this,” Ludwig says. “One, don’t have these foods in the house as much as possible. Two, lead by example, choosing healthy snacks ourselves like fruits and vegetables.”

To start children off right, Ludwig, who holds a degree in nutrition science from Penn State, says their diets should include a variety of “real” foods such as fruits and vegetables, and protein sources such as lean meats and fish and dairy products.

“The foods provide the nutrients children need for proper growth, brain function, immunesystem support, and energy to play,” he says.

Marisa Zerby of State College agrees, saying she began teaching her children very early how important it is to eat healthy.

“The earlier you can set them up to lead a healthy lifestyle, the better off they’ll be longterm,” says Zerby, who has a 5-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.

Angie Wallace, a nutritional consultant and certified gluten practitioner at BeWell Associates, adds that protein foods such as grass-fed beef and organic chicken and eggs help to optimize brain potential and aid in muscle and tissue growth and repair.

These are critical body functions, especially for children as they grow.

She also says healthy fats, such as nuts, and avocados help regulate hormones and cell function. Complex carbs such as leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables help provide various nutrients to the body and increase energy.

Since her family began its health journey about 10 years ago, Leigh Anne Rufener of State College says they have focused on eating these whole foods that Wallace and Ludwig suggest.

“We taught the kids that they eat ‘healthy grow foods,’ the foods that give you the strength to do what you’ve got to do,” says Rufener, who has three sons ages 9, 6, and 3.

To keep the focus on healthy food for her children, she lets her sons help pick out many of the healthy grow foods that the family eats. She believes this allows her sons to have responsibility for their bodies.

She uses the idea of rainbow foods, foods based on a specific color, to make grocery shopping trips interesting and fun.

Zerby also believes in making healthy eating fun as a way to reinforce it.

“Kids love to dip, so instead of offering ranch dressing with their veggies, they dip them in hummus,” she says.

Her kids also love smoothies made from foods such as spinach, different fruits,

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yogurt, and seeds such as chia or flaxseed.

Ludwig encourages parents to follow Rufener and Zerby’s examples. He says to find healthy foods children do enjoy and make them even better tasting and fun.

“If your child will eat broccoli if you put cheese on it, then put cheese on it,” he says.

“If he or she would eat an apple every day if you put peanut butter on it, then by all means, do that.”

Wallace says making healthy eating fun can make it easier to find foods for even the pickiest of eaters.

“Ask the child to help prepare dinner.

Have a taco bar in which the child can help choose a variety of foods that are colorful and fun,” she says.

For kids who aren’t fans of vegetables, she recommends parents hide some different kinds in certain dishes to raise the nutritional value.

“Add shredded carrots or zucchini to pizza or spaghetti sauce,” she says. “Add some greens to a fruit smoothie.”

In addition to eating properly, children need exercise to be healthy. According to Wallace, though it may vary child to child, even just 20 to 30 minutes of physical exercise each day can be beneficial.

Ludwig encourages parents to try to push for an hour of physical activity for their kids.

“This amount of time will give them ample calorie burn, muscle tone, and heart and lung exercise, depending on the type of activities,” he says.

Playing and running are two of the easiest ways for kids burn off their energy and calories.

Zerby says now that the weather is warm, she will try to have her kids outside to exercise and play as much as possible.

“We hit the playgrounds and they’ll ride their scooters and bikes. They enjoy swimming, which is great during the summer, and my son is a soccer fanatic,” she says. “To be honest, it’s difficult to keep my kids still.”

Rufener agrees, saying she too will have her sons outside riding bikes and scooters, playing with their plastic swords, and simply running around.

“To me, that’s exercise, when you are running around,” she says.

She has even talked to her boys about NEAT, or “nonexercise activity time.” She will often park far away from a store when then can, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. She then explains to her boys the purpose of their choices.

“We teach them that everything they do in life has a purpose,” she says. “Even rest has a purpose.”

Both Zerby and Rufener say they limit watching TV and playing video games, and encourage physical play instead.

“When it’s not an option, they’re forced to be creative, and once they’re playing, they have a blast,” Zerby says. “For their ages, playing is exercising, not work like it is for us adults.”

Rufener also stresses that, in addition to eating right and exercising, many other factors aid in a healthy lifestyle, something she encourages other parents to teach to their children.

“It’s managing your stress. It’s getting good sleep,” she says. “It’s not just food. It’s not just exercise. It’s everything. It is a whole big picture.” T&G

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Parenting Tips (Source: Mount Nittany Health)

Ask the physician: Craig Collison, MD, pediatrics, Mount Nittany Physician Group How can you tell if your child’s cough is due to illness or asthma?

Coughs vary greatly and can be caused by many different issues. In trying to determine the cause of the cough, we have to look at many different characteristics in order to figure out the cause and then formulate the appropriate treatment.

Coughs caused by illnesses, such as a cold, allergies, or even pneumonia, tend to sound wet, mucusy, and productive. Coughs you would describe as dry and tight are more likely to be caused by asthma. Coughs caused by croup also can be a tight, dry cough, but are caused by viral illnesses. This cough is usually described as barky or sounding like a seal. It is not always this simple to diagnose, but just the sound of the cough can be a good clue as to what might be causing the problem.

If a patient already has a diagnosis of asthma, then the question would be whether the asthma is contributing to the cough or not. Asthma is a chronic condition caused by inflammation in the airways of the lungs. This causes constriction of the airways and leads to wheezing and coughing of varying degrees. Wheezing is a noise heard in the lungs with a stethoscope, although at times can be heard by the unaided ear. It sounds like the whistling noise of air trying to get through a constricted tube. If we hear wheezing during our exam, then we can feel pretty confident that asthma symptoms are contributing to the cough. T&G

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Kentucky Blues Sponsors:

Nancy & Galen Dreibelbis Derby Silks Sponsors:

*John & Karen Walizer, Felix Boake & Kelly Grimes, and John Cocolin & JoAnn Lew* *Eddie & Susan Lauth and Wayne & Michele Sebastianelli* Soiree Sponsor:

Hope Lodge Auction Donors:

Tammy & Craig Ahles, Mark & Regina Aydin, Phil & Kathy Bosak, Steve & Mary Brown, Tom & Kristine Charles , John & Karen Conroy, Zerick & Michelle Cook, Scott & Amy Crownover, Marc & Taylor Decker, Jerry & Kathy Dittman, James & Leasa Freije, Blake & Linda Gall, Neil & Sharon Herlocher, , Michael & Adrianne Hodges, Jack & Karen Infield, Charles & Ashley Kranich, Eddie &Susan Lauth, Tom & Debra Leithauser, Dave & Sharon Lieb, Zach & Heather Lowe, Myranda Martin, Bob & Lori O’Donnell, Jay & Kelley Paterno, Mike & Lisa Petrine, Jim & Miriam Powell, Scott & Yvette Richards, Frank & Janet Schachtner, Brad & Joanne Scovill, Wayne & Michele Sebastianelli, Joe & Judy Shulman, Tom & Tiffany Stabley, Jeff & Chelle Tambroni, Pete & Mary Toner, Chris & Andrea Wharton, Andy & Laura Zimmerman, and Brandon & Christina Zlupko.

In Kind Sponsors:

Advanced Color Graphics, Allen Street Grill, Best Event Rental, Best Line Equipment, Big Spring Spirits, Blake & Linda Gall, Bosak Construction, Catering with Style-Dan Rallis, Chuck Fong Studio 2 Photography, Centre County Gazette, Centre Daily Times, David Zentner, George’s Floral Boutique, La Carta Luna Wedding Planning & Design, Mike’s Video, Tv, and Appliance, Robinson’s Portable Toilets, Sammis Greenhouse, Sprinter of State College, The Tavern Restaurant, Town & Gown Magazine, and Zola’s New World Bistro.

And a very special thank you to our hosts, Blake and Linda Gall!

Thank you to our 2014 Race Day Soiree Committee

18th Annual Children’s Miracle Network Golf Tournament held on May 22, 2014 at the PSU Golf Courses

Centre Realty

ThANk yoU to our SPoNSorS Title Sponsor

RE/MAX Centre Realty

Platinum Sponsors

Scott Yocum & Marc McMaster, RE/MAX Centre Realty Linda Lowe & Ryan Lowe, RE/MAX Centre Realty Jacki Hunt & Brian Rater, RE/MAX Centre Realty Mary Lou Bennett, RE/MAX Centre Realty Nittany Settlement Company First Affiliated Insurance Group, representing Erie Insurance Group

Gold Sponsors

The Foytack Family Tom Cali & Ellen Kline, RE/MAX Centre Realty Veronesi Building & Remodeling Rick & Ginger Swanger, RE/MAX Centre Realty Universal Settlement Services of PA, LLC Tom Wilson, Resident Experts, LLC Nancy Ring & Tom Ring, RE/MAX Centre Realty Blaise Alexander Hyundai Mazda Blaise Alexander Chrysler Jeep Dodge JoAnn Lew, RE/MAX Centre Realty RESTEK Corporation Poorman`s Auto Body Town & Gown Urish, Popeck & Company, LLC National Penn Fiore, Fedeli, Snyder, Carothers, LLP Susquehanna Bank CHEMCUT Corporation Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Subway Bestwick Foundation

Cocktail Sponsor

MidState Closing Company

Silver Sponsors

Sponsors/Donations

RE/MAX of Pennsylvania & Delaware Steven Bodner, RE/MAX Centre Realty Penn Terra Engineering, Inc. McQuaide Blasko Centre Daily Times Mount Nittany Health Eclipse Resources

Volunteers

Bronze Sponsors Rider Construction Laird Ritter, Ritter Real Estate Inspections Nancy VanLandingham, RE/MAX Centre Realty Shirley Hsi, RE/MAX Centre Realty Galen & Nancy Dreibelbis George McMurtry, America’s Carpet Outlet Todd Costello, RE/MAX Centre Realty Ford McNutt, Professional Choice Mortgage The Hanahan Family Miller, Kistler & Campbell Tony Ghaffari, Central PA 360 Nittany Property Management Nittany Office Equipment The Munar Mortgage Team The Poole Foundation Loviscky & Associates Epic Settlement Services, Inc. Roger Baker, Dwelling Diagnostics Mortgage Source PA, LLC

Special Thanks Domino’s Pizza Olive Garden Nittany Beverage Dave Reid, Boar’s Head Meats Nittany MinitMart Triangle Building Supplies Best Event Rentals The Tavern Restaurant Dairy Queen, State College Seven Mountains Wine Cellars Tait Farm Foods B 94.5 /WBHV FM/Results Radio WTAJ – TV 970 WBLF Penn State Athletics Forever Broadcasting Rich Swanger, St. Innocent Winery Ryan Grimshaw, Washington Wholesale Shaner Hotel Group Strickler’s Ice, Water and Cold Beer Herlocher Foods Mike’s Video, TV & Appliance Tom & Esther Cali

Greg Kight, Waffle Shops, E. College Avenue & Bellefonte Bill & Lynn Carey Dean Blythe, State Farm Insurance Giant Food Stores, State College Northland Bowl & Recreation Center Dennis Rallis, Nittany Embroidery & Screenprinting CVS Pharmacy UTZ Quality Foods Team Blue Hand Car Wash Track n Trail, Inc. Altoona Curve State College Spikes The Atherton Hotel Daphne Mark, Silpada Designs Integrative Bodywork Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State Irene Moss, RE/MAX Centre Realty S.J. Miska Goldsmiths & Jewelers El Jalisco W.R. Hickey Beer Distributor, Inc. The State Theater, Inc.

Ed Everett, MD Dennis McIlnay, Seven Oaks Press StateCollege.com Erie Insurance Nittany Beverage

Ron Whitmer Matt Wolfel Noah Hanahan Amy Elliott Lauren Elliott Ellen Kline Lynn Carey Brenda Nolan Erica Nolan Bob Hunt Jake Langton Julia Rater Kim Ring Mary Lou Bennett Laird Ritter Destiny Hansel Curran Johnson Vanessa Houser Melanie Swartz Kathryn Miller Jess Cummins The Reese Family The Ippolito Family The Olsen Family Megan Yocum Gig Yocum Charles Dawson Caitlin Bly Lori Marchese Warren Kearns Randy Lowe Bethany Heitzenrater Tonya Briggs Stephanie Fike Linda Contino Eric Contino Jody Confer Juliet Clouser Gretchen Knipe Diane Sweetland Shannon Stiver Jie Peng CrossFit LionHeart Jody Confer Moyer Jewelers Otto`s Pub and Brewery First National Bank LVTech Yvonne Smith, One 2 One Travel John E. Carder, DDS Chico`s of State College Rita`s of Happy Valley www.EpicArtGallery.com Jon & Malicent D’Amore Salon Beautiful Janet Sulzer Judy Loy, Nestelrode & Loy YMCA of Centre County Redline Speed Shine Rapid Transit Hotel State College The Original Waffle Shop 409 Pizza & Wings The Home Depot Mike Martin

2014 Children’s Miracle Network Committee Members

Greg Copenhaver • Annie Foytack • Kris Hanahan • Jacki Hunt • Curran Johnson • Linda Lowe • Ford McNutt • Brenda Nolan • Karli Nolan Jennifer O’Neill • Brian Rater • Tom Ring • Tara Shaffer • Ginger Swanger • Kate Tosto • Nancy VanLandingham

Join the CBICC for our annual golf tournament held at Toftrees Golf Resort on Friday, July 25! Enjoy a light continental breakfast and networking starting at 8 a.m. when the registration table opens. The tournament will be scramble format, with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

Boxed lunches will be provided on the course, featuring food from some of Centre County’s best restaurants and caterers.

The afternoon will close with a barbeque-style 19th Hole Mixer starting at 3 p.m. The mixer is open to all CBICC members - raffle prizes and awards will be presented. Funds raised from the tournament support the CBICC’s economic development initiatives.

Register at cbicc.org or by calling 814-234-1829 Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available!

Special thanks to this year’s Presenting Sponsor!

ThisMonth on A Capitol Fourth

Friday, July 4, at 8 p.m.

Two-time Emmy Award–winning television personality Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars) returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to host A Capitol Fourth, leading an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances. With 20 cameras positioned around the city, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the Washington Monument, viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. The program also can be heard live in stereo over WPSU-FM.

Our Town Marathon Friday, July 4, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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

For additional program information visit wpsu.org

WPSU-FM and Palmer Museum of Art present Jazz @ the Palmer For each concert, doors will open to the Palmer Lipcon Auditorium at 7 p.m. and performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are FREE and limited to four tickets per address. Reservations for each concert will open the first day of the month before the concert. wpsu.org/jazzatthepalmer July 24 Jazz PA presents Pittsburgh Trombone Project with Kevin M. McManus and Bob Matchett, “A Tribute to J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding” August 28 Organ Trio East with Jay Vonada September 18 The Rick Hirsch 4

Relive some of your favorite episodes of WPSU-TV’s much-loved Our Town series.

From Williamsburg to Warren, Ebensburg to Philipsburg, explore the people, places, and stories of Central Pennsylvania as told by the residents of these communities.

wpsu.org U.ED OUT 14-0618

October 16 Penn State Student Ensemble The Jazz at the Palmer performances are made possible, in part, by The Penn State Bookstore with additional support from Friends of Palmer Museum of Art.

J U LY

NEED SOMETHING DELIVERED? BIG OR SMALL, YOU SHOULD CALL

814-355-5555

We provide dependable courier service throughout Central PA!

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BuyHereLiveHere.com 79 - Town&Gown July 2014

Penn State

penn state diary

Accomplishing Its Mission A new president could renew school’s efforts to reach and surpass its goals

By Lee Stout

Penn State’s 18th president, Eric J. Barron, has now completed about seven weeks of what we hope will be a long and successful tenure. Dr. Barron has the advantage of having previously spent about 20 years here in a variety of roles from faculty member to college dean. As both a distinguished teacher and researcher, he brings with him knowledge of the university that should enable him to quickly initiate programs to keep Penn State moving ahead.

The shocking upheavals of the last three years have been extraordinarily challenging, and yet Penn State seems to have weathered them remarkably well. The recommendations of the Freeh Report are now mostly in place and anti-child-abuse programs underway. The $2 billion fundraising campaign has been successfully completed, and undergraduate applications for admission remain high. Even the football program, despite penalties designed to weaken and dishonor it, demonstrated heroic character under head coach Bill O’Brien, and is showing exciting promise for the future under new head coach James Franklin.

According to the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “Man’s character is his fate.” Could this aphorism also apply to an organization? Penn State might be an example of an institution with a strong character that is illustrated in its rich and interesting history. In addition, as a major research university, it represents a type of public institution that is more diverse in mission and in its potential for public good than almost any other kind. As such, are there elements of that history that contribute to its character?

In the distant past, when Penn State was a small isolated college, few people thought much about it at all. Those who did referred to it as that cow college up in the mountains. Its designation

Eric Barron became the 18th president in Penn State history in May. He looks to move ahead and grow the university as it continues to achieve its mission.

as the state’s Land Grant institution in the 1860s did little to change that impression at first. But, gradually, its legal warrant expanded beyond just instruction of the youth to research and extension, fulfilling Evan Pugh’s dream of a “great industrial university” that would support the expanding economy and prosperity of the state.

Inseparable from this mission was the opening of higher education to the working and middle classes of American society. The Land Grant Colleges exemplified democratic, egalitarian education, which gradually became the model for almost all of American higher education. Thus while Penn State may not have been unique among Land Grant Colleges, its specific Pennsylvania circumstances helped it develop its own distinctive features.

For example, the state of Pennsylvania is rich in colleges. In 1855, when Penn State was founded, Pennsylvania had 44 colleges, more than any other state in the union. Thus Penn State has always been in competition for students, but, with its unique mission as a Land Grant school, it has succeeded in drawing students of all backgrounds, from all across the state, and, even in the nineteenth century, from beyond our state and national borders.

Another distinctive aspect of our past comes from Pennsylvania’s Quaker heritage. As a result of their experiences of religious persecution, William Penn and his colleagues chose to make government close to the people so that they could more easily exercise control over it. This small-town state thus emphasizes small-scale

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government with small districts for legislators and numerous counties, cities, boroughs, and townships, not to mention authorities, school districts, and all manner of regional bodies.

With such relatively decentralized government, there is always competition to spread public resources as widely across the state as possible for the public good. For example, in 1855, counties from across Pennsylvania competed to be the home of the Farmers’ High School. In the 1860s, Penn State’s designation as the Land Grant College was contested by many Pennsylvania colleges that wanted all or part of its federally funded endowment. In addition, Penn State has always faced competition from other schools for legislative appropriations. It has often had insufficient funds to meet the many demands that people place on it.

A response to this competition might be seen in the growth of Penn State extension — county agents stationed in every county seat and a variety of special educational programs, including technical institutes placed in a number of industrial centers. These culminated in the system of Penn State campuses, which in design and fulfillment is unique among all the states.

Penn State has always had to compete to accomplish its unique mission, and for public recognition of its ability to succeed in that mission. It has always had to make the most of inadequate resources to do what needed to be done. That it has been able to grow dramatically while still achieving those goals, while maintaining its integrity, has been a distinctive character trait of Penn State.

So if Heraclitus is correct, if our integrity is our destiny, our character is our fate, and reflection should always be on our agenda. A new presidency is a good time to reconsider how Penn State can achieve its mission. President Barron’s goal is to move ahead and grow — it can’t afford to remain in stasis or to decline.

Judging from its history, it will always have to struggle, but Penn State’s challenge is not to reinvent itself or fundamentally change, rather, it is to renew itself, building on the quality of its character to realize its destiny of excellence and service. T&G

Get to know...

Michael Paul: Shooting for the Moon Michael Paul has been interested in space flight since his dad took him to see Star Wars when he was 5. “My head has always been above the clouds,” says Paul, a space systems engineer at the Applied Research Lab who is leading a team of students planning to land a craft on the moon. “It’s not a job; this is a calling for me.”

Paul previously had a mission-control seat in 2004, when he was spacecraft systems engineer for the launch of NASA’s MESSENGER Mission to Mercury while working at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. “I got to be part of a groundbreaking exploration in space,” he says.

In 2009, Paul joined Penn State’s ARL, where he works on advanced autonomous vehicles and space system development. Realizing the stiff competition for research funding, he recalls thinking, “This university is big enough and smart enough and strong enough that we should be leading our own missions.” So he launched the Lunar Lion Mission to land an unmanned craft on the moon and win the Google Lunar XPrize.

More than 120 students in majors from aerospace engineering to theater have joined the Lunar Lion team, with funding from hundreds of private donors and corporate partners. “The value that the university is getting out of this is without question the amazing students who have gravitated to this and who they are becoming.”

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

Lee Stout is librarian emeritus, Special Collections for Penn State.

81 - Town&Gown July 2014

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

Coming to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park

July 4-6 Spikes vs. Jamestown 1 p.m. Fri., 7:05 p.m. Sat., 6:05 p.m. Sun. 9-11 Spikes vs. Brooklyn 7:05 p.m.

12-14 Spikes vs. Staten Island 7:05 p.m. Sat., 6:05 p.m. Sun., noon Mon. 22-23 Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley 7:05 p.m.

24-26 Spikes vs. Auburn 7:05 p.m.

30-August 1 Spikes vs. Aberdeen 7:05 p.m.

82 - Town&Gown July 2014

what’s happening

July Deadline for submitting events for the September issue is July 31.

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Discover some of the great food in Happy Valley with the second Happy Valley Culinary Week, which runs through July 20.

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4 Celebrate America’s birthday at Central PA 4th Fest!

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Philipsburg Heritage Days begin and run through July 13.

The Central PA Festival of the Arts returns to State College and Penn State and runs through July 13.

The PA Military Museum hosts the People’s Choice Festival through July 13.

Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes hold their annual Lift for Life at 11 a.m. at Penn State Lacrosse Field.

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Satirist Mark Russell offers his unique political commentary at the State Theatre.

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Tussey Mountain begins its weekly WingFest each Thursday through August 28.

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Phil Woods headlines JazzPA’s annual Summer Jazz Celebration, which runs through July 27 in Bellefonte and State College.

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

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Academics

Classes & Lectures

2 – Penn State, Second summer semester begins.

4 – Penn State, No classes.

1 – Central PA Civil War Round Table: “Lincoln and the Constitution,” by Dr. Mark Neely, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 7 p.m., 861-0770.

1, 15 – “A Joint Venture,” information session on hip or knee replacement 11 a.m. July 1, 7 p.m. July 15, 278-4810.

11 – Gallery Talk: “Seeing America: Photographs from the Permanent Collection” by Dana Carlisle Kletchka, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

18, 25 – “Summer is for Learning: Focus on the Collection,” by Jessica Baker Kee, Pierette Kulpa, Jessica Tkach, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 12:10 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

19 – “Painting Alla Prima,” Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, noon, palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Children & Families 1, 15, 29 – Everybody Storytime, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 10:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org.

2 – Gross in the Garden, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Baby Explorers, Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum, S.C., 10:30 a.m., mydiscoveryspace.org.

3 – Fizz, Bang, Boom!: The Science of Fireworks, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Story Time, Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum, S.C., 10:30 a.m., mydiscoveryspace.org.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – Science Adventures, Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum, S.C., 11 a.m., mydiscoveryspace.org.

5, 12, 19, 26 – Saturday Stories Alive, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., schlowlibrary.org.

8, 15, 22, 29 – Discovery Days, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., schlowlibrary.org.

16 – Buzz, Tweet, Squeak!, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

17 – Boomin’ Like a Bull Frog, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

21 – Legos in Action, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 9:30 a.m., schlowlibrary.org.

23 – Great Big World of Bugs, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

24 – Our Berserk Bodies, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

26 – “Western Places and Spaces,” Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10:15 a.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

26 – “Discover 3D Printing with Rick Winscot,” Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., noon & 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

30 – Stroll the Arboretum, Arboretum at Penn State, PSU, 2:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

31 – “Design It, Build It, Use It: Discover Origami and Engineering,” Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 1 p.m., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Club Events 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – State College Rotary Club, Nittany Lion Inn, S.C., 5:30 p.m., statecollegerotary.org.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – State College Sunrise Rotary Club mtg., Hotel State College, S.C., 7:15 a.m., kfragola@psualum.com.

2, 16 – Outreach Toastmasters Meeting, The 329 Bldg. Room 413, PSU, noon, kbs131@ psu.edu.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – State College Downtown Rotary mtg., Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar, S.C., noon, http://centrecounty.org/ rotary/club/.

3, 17 – State College Toastmaster’s Club, South Hills School of Business & Technology, S.C., 6 p.m., statecollegetoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org.

7, 21 – Knitting Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

8 – Women’s Mid Day Connection Luncheon, Mountain View Club, Boalsburg, 11:45 a.m., 404-3704.

9 – 148th PA Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Group mtg., Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, S.C., 7:30 p.m., 861-0770.

10, 24 – Embroidery Club, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., schlowlibrary.org.

15 – Coffee/Tea with Women’s Welcome Club of State College, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, S.C., 8:30 a.m., womenswelcomeclub.org.

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16 – Nittany Mineralogical Society, 116 Earth & Engineering Sciences Bldg., PSU, 7:30 p.m., www.nittanymineral.org.

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

Community Associations & Development 10 – Centre County TRIAD: Correction Facility Tour, Centre County Correctional Facility, Bellefonte, 8:30 a.m., 238-2524.

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

23 – Patton Township Business Association, Patton Township Municipal Building, noon, 237-2822.

Exhibits Ongoing-31 – Passages: Recent Paintings by Alice Kelsey, HUB-Robeson Gallery, PSU, studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/ artgalleries.

Ongoing-August 10 – Seeing America: Photographs from the Permanent Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Ongoing-August 24 – Mining the Store: American Prints from the Permanent Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Ongoing-August 31 – Food Glorious Food, Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Bellefonte, 1-4:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., bellefontemuseum.org.

Ongoing-August 31 – The Veiled Arts of Victorian Women, Centre Furnace Mansion, S.C., 1-4 p.m. Sun., Wed., & Fri., centrehistory.org.

Ongoing-August 31 –THIS Window VILMA/JOHN&CREW: IS COPY on FORthe West: Views from American Frontier JUL ’14 RED the CROSS AD – from the Phelan Collection, Palmer PLEASE LOOK LIKE THIS, Museum of Art,MAKE PSU,IT10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.WITH EQUAL SPACES TOP & BOTTOM Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., palmermuseum.psu.edu.

Ongoing-November 14 –OR Rural IF IT DOESN’T FIT VERTICALLY HORIZONTALLY, Landscapes: Rural PLEASE EMAIL Exploring WITT – HE WILL MAKE Heritage IT FIT Through the Art of the Farmland Preservation Artists of Central PA, 2014-07 JUL RedS.C., Cross1-4 p.m. Sun., Centre Furnace Mansion, Wed., & Fri., centrehistory.org.

FOR MAX LINE WIDTH:

Red Cross Honor Roll of Milestone Blood Donors Mimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimimmimi 39 gallons: Keith Forrest 18 gallons: Eugene Bennett 16 gallons: Raymond Gmerek 15 gallons: Ruth Markle 13 gallons: Robert Jensen, Michael Patrick 11 gallons: Robert Fishburn 10 gallons: Joanne Aller, Jerry Wettstone 9 gallons: Justin Frear 8 gallons: Joseph Kulick, James Masden, Jo Ann Sengle, Lisa Smeltzer 7 gallons: Diane Irwin, James Maras, D Scott Young 6 gallons: Grant Davis, Leann Lorenz, Kenneth Meinert, Timothy Rickert 5 gallons: Robbie Ball, William Carlsen, Stephen Harvey, Debra Howe, Edgar Martinez, Levi Stoltzfus 4 gallons: Pamela Arbogast, Timothy Bastian, Judy Dyke, John Hawkins, Jeffrey Holden, Sherry Lucas, Judith Meder, Russell Rockwell 3 gallons: Zane Douglass, Todd Farrell, Michael Jen, Joseph Novak, John Sprankle, Amos Yoder 2 gallons: Lynda Bennett, Cathey Chaffee, Barbara Crawford, Kelly Forest, Shyam Lakhani, Jay Paterno, Michael Peck, Barbara Saxton, Sharon Strunk, Edward Turner, Karen Wing

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1-30 – Juried Exhibition, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., schlowlibrary.org.

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

4 – Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group, Schlow Centre Region Library S.C., 1 p.m., 234-3141.

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

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

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

8 – Brain Injury Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 7 p.m., 359-3421.

9 – Senior Center Diabetes Support Group, Centre Region Senior Center, S.C., 10:15 a.m., 231-3076.

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

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

13 – Ostomy Support Group of the Central Counties, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 2 p.m., mountnittany.org.

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

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

17 – Parents-to-Be: The HEIR & Parents Hospital Tour for Expectant Parents, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6:30 p.m., mountnittany.org.

21 – Cancer Survivor Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 11:30 a.m., cancersurvive.org.

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

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

Music 4 – Friday Concerts on the Village Green: Doug Irwin Family and Friends, Lemont Village Granary, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., lemontvillage.org.

6 – Summer Sounds: Coburn Brass, Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, 7 p.m., bellefontearts.org.

6 – South Hills School Music Picnic Series: Deacons of Dixieland, South Hills School of Business & Technology, S.C., 6 p.m., southhills.edu.

11 – Friday Concerts on the Village Green: Robin Yukiko, Lemont Village Granary, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., lemontvillage.org.

13 – Summer Sounds: Tommy Wareham, Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, 7 p.m., bellefontearts.org.

18 – Friday Concerts on the Village Green: River Road, Lemont Village Granary, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., lemontvillage.org.

18 – The Machine, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m., thestatetheatre.org.

20 – Summer Sounds: Jay Smars, Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, 7 p.m., bellefontearts.org.

20 – South Hills School Music Picnic Series: State College Municipal Band, South Hills School of Business & Technology, S.C., 6 p.m., southhills.edu.

25 – Friday Concerts on the Village Green: Erin Condo and the Hoofties, Lemont Village Granary, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., lemontvillage.org.

27 – South Hills School Music Picnic Series: Keystone Society of Swing, South Hills School of Business & Technology, S.C., 6 p.m., southhills.edu.

27 – Summer Sounds: Tussey Mountain Moonshiners, Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte, 7 p.m., bellefontearts.org.

Special Events 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Tuesday State College Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, S.C., 11:30 a.m., statecollegefarmers.com.

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Boalsburg Farmers’ Market, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 2 p.m., boalsburgfarmersmarket.com.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Lemont Farmers’ Market, Coal Sheds, 2 p.m., centralpafarmers.com.

4 – Central PA 4th Fest, BJC/Porter Road, PSU, 9 a.m., 4thfest.org.

4 – CRPR “Kids-on-Wheels” Parade, East Foster Ave. & Locust Lane, S.C., 10 a.m., crpr.org.

4, 11, 18, 25 – Downtown State College Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, S.C., 11:30 a.m., statecollegefarmers.com.

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5 – Garden Party for the Declaration of Independence, Boal Mansion, Boalsburg, 1:30 p.m., boalmuseum.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 – Bellefonte Farmers’ Market, Gamble Mill parking lot, Bellefonte, 8 a.m., centralpafarmers.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 – Millheim Farmers’ Market, Millheim American Legion Pavilion, Millheim, 10 a.m., centralpafarmers.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 – North Atherton Farmers’ Market, Home Depot parking lot, S.C., 10 a.m., centralpafarmers.com.

8-13 – Philipsburg Heritage Days, Philipsburg, philipsburgheritagedays.com.

9-13 – Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Downtown State College and Penn State campus, arts-festival.com.

10-13 – People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, peopleschoicefestival.com.

10-13 – Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival, Grange Fairgrounds, Centre Hall, remingtonryde.com.

11 – Movies on the Mountain: The Sandlot, Tussey Mountain Amphitheatre, Boalsburg, 8 p.m., tusseymountain.com.

11, 12 – Visiting Artist Debbie Brooks, Aurum Jewelers and Goldsmiths, S.C., 1 p.m.

Fri., 11 a.m. Sat., aurumjewelers.net.

12 – Lift for Life, Penn State Lacrosse Field, PSU, 11 a.m., upliftingathletes.org.

13 – “Meet the Bees: Native Bees of SBG,” Snetsinger Butterfly Garden, S.C., TBA, snetsingerbutterflygarden.org.

14-20 – Happy Valley Culinary Week, various locations in Centre County, happyculinaryweek.com.

17, 24, 31 – WingFest, Tussey Mountain Amphitheatre, Boalsburg, 5:30 p.m., tusseymountain.com.

19 – Wings in the Park, Snetsinger Butterfly Garden, S.C., 10 a.m., snetsingerbutterflygarden.org.

19-20 – Vietnam Revisited, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 10 a.m., pamilmuseum.org.

19-20 – Friends of Black Moshannon State Park Summer Festival, Black Moshannon State Park, Philipsburg, visitpaparks.com.

24-27 – JazzPA Summer Jazz Celebration, State College & Bellefonte, jazzpa.org.

25 – Movies on the Mountain: The Lego Movie, Tussey Mountain Amphitheatre, Boalsburg, 8 p.m., tusseymountain.com.

26 – “CRPR Splash, Pedal, and Dash” Youth Triathalon, Welch Pool, S.C., 8 a.m., crpr.org.

ONE STOP SHOPPING for all your Water & Coffee needs.

Full line of water including: • Premium Spring • Purified • Distilled.

Full Coffee Service with rent free* equipment.

1.877.914.Water (9283) * Certain restrictions apply.

87 - Town&Gown July 2014

27 – Alphabet Marsh Family Scavenger Hunt, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, 1 p.m., crpr.org.

27 – Last Cruise & Motorcycle Show, Downtown State College, 1 p.m., ccysb.com.

27 – 7 Mountains Summer Music Fest, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, Spring Mills, 4 p.m., centreorchestra.org.

1 – Registration deadline for The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center Bridgearama, 237-0649.

The Spikes have 16 home games in July.

Sports For tickets for the State College Spikes, call (814) 272-1711 or visit statecollegespikes.com.

4-6 – Spikes/Jamestown, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 1 p.m. Fri., 7:05 p.m. Sat., 6 p.m. Sun. 9-11 – Spikes/Brooklyn, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 7:05 p.m.

12-14 - Spikes/Staten Island, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 7:05 p.m. Sat., 6:05 p.m.

Sun., noon Mon. 22-23 – Spikes/Mahoning Valley, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 7:05 p.m.

24-26 – Spikes/Auburn, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 7:05 p.m.

30-31 – Spikes/Aberdeen, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 7:05 p.m.

Theater 9 – Read It, Watch It Summer Series: Despicable Me, State Theatre, S.C., noon, thestatetheatre.org.

The Read It, Watch It Summer Series at the State Theatre continues with five movies in July, including Despicable Me on July 9.

11-19 – State College Community Theatre presents Anything Goes, Mount Nittany Middle School, S.C., 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. matinee on July 19), scctonline.org.

16 – Read It, Watch It Summer Series: Time Bandits, State Theatre, S.C., noon, thestatetheatre.org.

17-20, 24-27 - The Next Stage presents The School for Lies, State Theatre, 8 p.m.

Thurs.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., thestatetheatre.org.

23 – Read It, Watch It Summer Series: Over the Hedge, State Theatre, S.C., noon, thestatetheatre.org.

24-Aug. 2 – State College Community Theatre presents Rabbit Hole, Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, S.C., 7:30 p.m., scctonline.org.

27 – Mark Russell, State Theatre, S.C., 3 p.m., thestatetheatre.org.

30 – Read It, Watch It Summer Series: E.T., State Theatre, S.C., noon, thestatetheatre.org. T&G

88 - Town&Gown June 2014

Come Home to The State www.thestatetheatre.org • (814) 272-0606 130 W. College Ave. • Downtown State College

Read-It, Watch-It Series presented by Schlow Library and the State Theatre Wednesdays this Summer @ 12 noon

The Machine Friday, July 18 | 8pm

Mark Russell Sunday July 27th | 3pm

New Wave Night /w The Fixx Saturday, August 2nd | 7pm

Centre Dance/FUSE Productions The Machine A Chorus Line Friday, July 18 | 8pm August 7th - 9th

from the vine

More Than Just Chardonnay California’s Central Coast region has expansive offerings in white wines

By Lucy Rogers

Similar to the findings in our exploration of California’s Central Coast red-wine production (Town&Gown, May 2014), there also is a wide range of white wines being produced there — in varied styles and at varying price points. From San Francisco in the north to Santa Barbara in the south, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, white Rhone varieties such as Marsanne, Viognier, and Roussane, and even Albariño, among others, supplement the Chardonnay that is so abundantly produced in this enormous winegrowing region. Because Chardonnay seems to do well across all the different subregions of the Central Coast, it follows that it represents 50 percent of the wine produced there.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for other white wines, or that other white grapes can’t thrive in some part (or several parts) of the Central Coast AVA. And the same grape grown in one region will most likely result in a white wine with a different style than when produced in another subregion. Terroir — the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate — rears its beautiful head again and demonstrates how wines express a specific time and place. Take Albariño, for example. Originally from the coastal Rias Baixas region of northwestern Spain, Albariño grapes grown in Rias Baixas produce a wine with stonefruit flavors, a round mouthfeel, and an everpresent serious dose of acidity that gives the wines their distinctive vibrancy. Pan halfway across the globe to Lodi, California, east of San Francisco, and find Albariños that, because of the warmer growing season and further distance from cooling ocean breezes, are quite ripe and rich with stonefruit flavors and are highly aromatic, but with less acid than their Spanish counterparts. Then zip

south to the Central Coast where temperatures are 20 to 30 degrees warmer, but vineyards are situated closer to the Pacific Ocean, and Albariño takes on a more typical Spanish profile, particularly in locales known for more minerality in the soil.

White Rhone grapes have been doing quite well in the central Central Coast AVA as well.

Rich, fruit-forward Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier can all be found across the region.

Tablas Creek was one of the pioneers with Rhone varietals, bringing cuttings from France to Paso Robles in the late 1980s. Qupe and Bonny Doon also have been committed to producing wines from Rhone grapes. Overripeness can sometimes be an issue with these grapes in some vintages and in some locations because of warm temperatures, but producers are managing those issues with better vineyard site selection and improved harvest management, so that grapes when ripe are picked but not cooked.

It follows that with a land area so large, there would not only be variety in the grapes grown but also a variety in the expressions of the same grapes from different subregions. But what that means to consumers is that there is always something new to try, and a ridiculous array of wines from which to select. Figure out which subregions produce the wines you most favor and then work on finding your favorite producer. Thankfully, you’ll have no shortage of options, not even in Pennsylvania.

90 - Town&Gown July 2014

Seven Mountains Wine Cellars

Fun and Festive

“The People’s Choice!”

Andrew Thorton

“Fishing” for something new this summer? Try Stonefly! Stonefly is a unique blend of two classic grapes, creating a wine with luscious aromas and flavors that are bright and crisp, richly fruity, with just a touch of minerality.

Enjoy Stonefly on the porch at our beautiful Seven Mountains lodge, or visit us at “The People’s Choice Festival”.

Sun - Thurs 11:00-5:00, Fri and Sat 11:00-7:00

Join us July 11th & July 25th, 6-9 p.m. for Campfire Fridays!

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

Below is a list of what our panel tasted to give you a head start, and what better time than the hot summer months to get started!

Mirassou Chardonnay 2012 Monterey County (PLCB Code 7782, $14). Clean linen on the nose.

Overly ripe fruit bomb with just a tad of finishing acid, making it borderline flabby.

Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2011 Santa Barbara and Monterey (PLCB Code 2826, $21). Aromas of coconut and pineapple, and the taste follows suit with plenty of pineapple flavor in the middle of this rich, full-bodied wine that finishes with lots of coconut.

Estancia Chardonnay 2012 Monterey County (PLCB Code 4700, $11). Bouquet of apple/ peach pie, this is almost like dessert, with a bit of acid coming from just a flutter of lime.

Mer Soleil Chardonnay 2012 Santa Lucia (PLCB Code 48368, $23). Vanilla and cinnamon in the nose, with a profile most expect from California Chardonnay — rich, round, buttery, and oaky.

Eberle Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 Paso Robles (PLCB Code 48199, $20). A little acetone (nailpolish remover) upon first sniff, but this pineapple-y Chardonnay is a little more complex than its counterparts, if not a little light bodied. Nicely balanced.

Treana Marsanne/Viognier 2011 Monterey County (PLCB Code 46961, $20). Beautiful lychee and honey, a hint of almond in this 50/50 blend of grapes. Fruit forward with lots of peach,

vanilla, and honey throughout.

Bishop’s Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Edna Valley (PLCB Code 80041, $17). Pleasant, rich, and round with a touch of minerality. Pear, star fruit, and just the slightest bitter/zest note.

Bridlewood Viognier 2011 Santa Ynez (PLCB Code 33206, $16). Canned apricot and candiedlemon flavor, but there is something that’s out of character about this Viognier. Having said that, it would pair with spicy food just fine.

Bonny Doon Vineyards My Favorite Roussane Bee’s Wax Vineyard, 2010 Arroyo Seco (PLCB Code 32637, usually lists at $20, currently three bottles in the state store listed at $8). Quite lush with white peach and ripe pear. Although it’s not as oily as some Rousannes can be, it is still missing some expected finishing acidity.

Longoria Albariño Clover Creek Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley 2011 (PLCB Code 39692, $23). A little bit of grapefruit, unripe pear or pear skin; still, well made and crisp with good acidity.

Margerum Riesling 2011 Santa Barbara, (PLCB Code 46623, $22). Not unlike a Sweet Tart candy with lots of lemon and lime, and decidedly off-dry. T&G Lucy Rogers is the tasting room manager of the newly opened craft distillery Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte. She can be reached at lucy@bigspringspirits.com, or you can find her in the tasting room.

92 - Town&Gown July 2014

Friday, proof ra

August 22, 2014

2013

CVIM MARATHONERS

Penn State Blue Course

“Thank you CVIM Staff and ConAll proceeds from this event will benefit The Centre tributors for all your help and support!

It has been crucial County Women’s Resource Center.

I my health and ongoing recov-

For more information or to register, please has given me ery. Your generosity hope.

Hope in myself and the visit www.goPSUsports.com/coquesesdrive

world. I am honored and touched to have such care and consideration. I will carry that in my heart forever.” proof ra - Bethany S.

Restaurant Site with Liquor License

FOR MEDICINE For Lease

Why Centre Volunteers in Medicine?

Why? Because no one should have to choose between food for their table or life saving care. There are more than 11,000 individuals in Centre County without medical insurance and more than 33,000 without dental coverage.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) provides free medical and dental care, case “Thank management you CVIM services, Staff and and Conprescription assistance to our hard working neighbors without health care coverage.tributors for all your help and

CVIM MARATHONERS

2013

This 2.13 acre parcel consists of twosupport! commercial/ It has been crucial I my health and ongoing recovretail/ restaurant sites, each ery.

Your generosity has given me Supporthope. theHope 2013 CVIM in myself and the Marathoners for Medicine Challenge I am honored and touched comprising toworld. approximately have such care and considerI wish to donate $ ation. I will carry that in my heart half of the entire parcel. to Centre Volunteersforever.” in Medicine in support of the - Bethany S. 2012 Marathoners for Medicine FOR MEDICINE Each site is being offered Name: Why Centre Volunteers in Medicine? at Address: $5,000/month net, net, Sponsored Member: net withTeaman additional cost Support the 2013 CVIM for the liquorMarathoners license. for Medicine Challenge Why? Because no one should have to choose between food for their table or life saving care. There are more than 11,000 individuals in Centre County without medical insurance and more than 33,000 without dental coverage.

Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) provides free medical and dental care, case management services, and prescription assistance to our hard working neighbors without health care coverage.

Photo by Chuck Fong, Studio 2 Photography

Team Members with Honorary Coaches Front row: Fred Wright, Marty Klanchar, George Lesieutre, Sue Paterno Honorary Women’s Coach, Cheryl White Executive Director CVIM, Tom Cali, Michael Renz, and Tara Murray.

Standing: Dean Capone, Jeff Smucker, John Domico, Greg Fredericks Honorary Men’s Coach, Russ Rose Honorary Head Coach, John Wilcock, Mark Lee and Andy Maguire.

Sponsorships Available I wish to donate $ to Centre Volunteers in Medicine in support of the Diamond Level ❏ $10,000 + ................................

2012 Marathoners for Medicine ❏ $5,000 - $9,999 ................Distinguished Level ❏ $2,500 - $4,999 ........................Platinum Level ❏ $1,000 - $2,499 .............................. Gold Level Silver Level ❏ $500 - $999 ...................................

Sponsorships Available Diamond Level ❏ $10,000 + ................................

Bronze Level ❏ $1 to $499 ..................................

MLS #40894

All Marathoners for Medicine Team Members • Boston Marathon - April 15th: Tom Cali, Roy Christini, Robert Crowe, Matthew Doutt, Sarah Farrant, Aroline Hanson, Jerry Harrington, Marty Klanchar, George Lesieutre, Allison Machnicki, Andrew Maguire, Costas Maranas, Jim Moore, Michael Renz, Nina Safran, Seth Senior, Jeff Smucker, Michael Sullivan, Steve Williams, Yu Zhang, and Lauren Philbrook

Team Members with Honorary Coaches

Name:

Address:

Sponsored Team Member:

Photo by Chuck Fong, Studio 2 Photography

• Philadelphia Half George Marathon - Sue Paterno Honorary Women’s Front row: FredODDyssey Wright, Marty Klanchar, Lesieutre, Coach, Cheryl White Executive Director CVIM, Tom Cali, Michael Renz, and Tara Murray.

May Standing: 5th: Gina Ranieri Dean Capone, Jeff Smucker, John Domico, Greg Fredericks Honorary Men’s Coach,

Directions: All Marathoners Team Memberson left at I-99 to Shiloh Road exit.for Medicine Property corner of Shiloh Road and Premiere Drive 2520 Green Tech Drive, Suite D

• Cook’s Forest Half Marathon - March 30th: Fred Wright 1:44:18

Russ Rose Honorary Head Coach, John Wilcock, Mark Lee and Andy Maguire.

• Pittsburgh Marathon - May 5th: Will Appman, Grant Bower, Dean Capone, ❏ $5,000 - $9,999 ................Distinguished Level Mark Lee, David Moyer, Tara Murray, Liz $2,500 - $4,999 ........................Platinum Level Please mail ❏ this form & check (to CVIM) to: Novack, Rich Olsen, Thomas Stitt, and John ❏ $1,000 - $2,499 .............................. Gold Level • Boston Marathon - April 15th: Tom Cali, Roy • Philadelphia ODDyssey Half Marathon Wilcock Silver Level ❏ $500 - $999 ...................................

Centre Volunteers In Medicine May 5th: Gina Ranieri Christini, Robert Crowe, Matthew Doutt, Sarah Farrant, Aroline Hanson, Jerry Harrington, ❏ $1 to $499 .................................. Bronze Level • Pittsburgh HalfGeorge Marathon May 5th:• Pittsburgh Marathon - May 5th: Marty Klanchar, Lesieutre,-Allison Will Appman, Grant Bower, Dean Capone, Machnicki, Andrew Maguire, Costas Maranas, Kary Blaschak, Jennifer Hamvas, RyanMark Lee, David Moyer, Tara Murray, Liz State College, PA 16803 Please mail this form & check (to CVIM) to: Jim Moore, Michael Renz, Nina Safran, Seth Novack, Rich Olsen, Thomas Stitt, and John Hogan, Derek Hoover, Mimi Kirk, Stacey Senior, Jeff Smucker, Michael Sullivan, Steve Wilcock Centre Volunteers In Medicine Williams, Yu Zhang, and Lauren Philbrook Krupski, , Katie Schmiech, Kaitlyn Spangler online go to cvim.net.

• Pittsburgh Half MarathonTo - May donate 5th:

Tonya Briggs,

Tom Cali, ABR, CRS, Assoc. Broker

• Orange County, CA Marathon - May 5th: Grace Burns

• Cook’s Forest Half Marathon - March 30th:

Kary Blaschak, Jennifer Hamvas, Ryan Fred Wright DC’s 1:44:18 Rock n’ Roll Marathon • Washington Hogan, -Derek Hoover, Mimi Kirk, Stacey

Cell: (814) 574-4345 March 16th: Mike Martin 3:38:21

• Philadelphia Broad Street 10 Miles - May 5th: Kate Thompson

• Orange County, CA Marathon - May 5th: Grace Burns

Ellen Kline, ABR, CRS, GRI

Ad provided by : Platinum Sponsor Cell: (814) 280-2088

• Philadelphia Broad Street 10 Miles - May 5th: Kate Thompson

Cell: (814) 574-4345

Mount Nittany Medical Center Bethany Heitzenrater

Unlicensed Assistant 1375 Martin St. State College, 16803 1375 Martin St. StatePA College, PA 16803 (814) 231-8200 (814) 231-8200

Tom Cali, ABR, CRS, Assoc. Broker Cell: (814) 574-4345

Ellen Kline, ABR, CRS, GRI

1375 Martin St.Ellen State Kline, College,ABR,PA 16803 • (814) 231-8200 Bob Langton, CRS, GRI Cell: (814) 280-2088 www.StateCollegeLiving.com www.StateCollegeLiving.com Cell: (814) 280-2088

Cell: (814) 574-0293

Bob Langton, Associate to Tom Cali & Ellen Kline Cell: (814) 574-0293

To donate online go to cvim.net.

Mount Nittany Medical Center SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSOR:

• Washington DC’s Rock n’ Roll Marathon March 16th: Mike Martin 3:38:21

Ad provided by : Platinum Sponsor

Tom Cali, ABR, CRS, Assoc. Broker

2520 Green Tech Drive, Suite D State College, PA 16803

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSOR: Unlicensed Assistant

Krupski, , Katie Schmiech, Kaitlyn Spangler

Associate to Tom Cali & Ellen Kline

Join us at the 24th Annual

Mount Nittany Medical Center Golf Classic Proceeds benefit The Healing Garden at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Saturday, August 16, 2014 Penn State Golf Courses

Healing Garden

• Shotgun start at 11 a.m., four person scramble tournament • Breakfast, lunch and dinner included in registration • Closest to the pin contest • Golfers of all skill levels are welcome • Over $2 million raised to advance Register online at healthcare in our region One lucky registered golfer will win $10,000 or a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze.

give.mountnittany.org/golfclassic or call The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center at 814.234.6777.

Taste of the Month 95 - Town&Gown July 2014

A Celebration of the Region's Finest Foods Happy Valley Culinary Week returns for its second year with more events and special offerings

By Vilma Shu Danz

Highlights from Happy Valley Culinary Week 2013.

Chicken-tamales plate

96 - Town&Gown July 2014

Gamble Mill’s scallops entrée. ravioli in the Dining Room at the Nittany Lion Inn, a strawberry steak salad entrée at the Corner Room, and a turkey bruschetta sandwich at the Down Under Steak House.

“Our Culinary Week is an opportunity for restaurants to thank the community, and we encourage locals and visitors to dine out and experience what Centre County has to offer,” For the second consecutive year, the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau is teaming up with local restaurants and businesses for Happy Valley Culinary Week, a seven-day celebration of the art of cooking, local foods, and the chefs who prepare them.

During the week of July 14 to 20, 17 participating restaurants will offer a discounted threecourse fixed-price menu for lunches and dinners along with their regular menus. Fixed-price meals for lunches and dinners will include an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and a nonalcoholic beverage.

Lunch prices are $6, $10, and $13. Dinner prices are $15, $22, and $30.

Some unique menu items include a fried-goat ravioli appetizer and a consommé with oxtail

Dante’s Restaurant’s triple chocolate cake.

97 - Town&Gown July 2014

> Featured Selections <

Rotelli’s Italian sausage and peppers appetizer. says Lori Miller, director of visitor and member services at the CPCVB. In addition, there will be events and chef demonstrations scheduled daily at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center at noon and at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the chefs, ask questions, and sample some of the tasty treats. All events are free. However, a different nonprofit will be featured each day with a chance to purchase a raffle ticket for door prizes.

New for this year’s Culinary Week, the South Hills School of Business & Technology, located at 480 Waupelani Drive in State College, will host an all-day event on Wednesday, July 16, with music, farmers’-market vendors, and chef demonstrations. Local chefs will prepare dishes with ingredients donated on-site from the local vendors.

“We would like to make this an annual community event and continue it in the future with more participants and events,” says Miller.

Some downtown State College stores also are getting involved by hosting special events such as product demonstrations at Kitchen Kaboodle, and olive oil and balsamic-vinegar tastings at Reflections. For a complete list of daily events, demonstrations, and menus, visit HappyCuli naryWeek.com.

For chef recipes from Happy Valley Culinary Week, visit townandgown.com. T&G

Participating restaurants: The Allen Street Grill Carnegie Inn & Spa The Corner Room The Deli Restaurant The Dining Room at The Nittany Lion Inn Down Under Steak House Faccia Luna The Gamble Mill Restaurant and Microbrewery Gigi’s Harrison’s Wine Grill Hi-Way Pizza Home D Pizzeria Mario’s Italian Restaurant Rotelli Spat’s Café & Speakeasy The Tavern Zola’s New World Bistro Special Event: July 14: Former White House chef John Moeller will hold a book signing at Kitchen Kaboodle, from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a presentation at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center at 5:30 p.m.

In his book, Dining at the White House: From the President’s Table to Yours, Moeller gives an insider’s view of dining at the White House. He describes his most memorable moments cooking for three presidents, their families, and special guests such as Tony Blair, Nelson Mandela, and Julia Child. It includes more than 100 one-of-a-kind recipes, featuring his trademark use of fresh seasonal ingredients inspired by his classical French training with an American twist. Useful chef notes help adapt fine French cooking techniques for the home cook.

98 - Town&Gown July 2014

Dining Out 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 City-style barbecue is smoked daily on-site. AE, D, DC, ID+, MC, V. Full bar.

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

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

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

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

Clem’s Roadside Bar and Grill, 1405 S. Atherton St., 237-7666, www.clemsbarandgrill.com. Chef/owner Greg Mussi combines forces with infamous griller Clem Pantalone to bring you a mix of classic BBQ and other signature dishes featuring local produce and an extensive wine list. Central’s PA’s unique “whiskey bar” and extensive wine list. Happy hours every day from 5 to 7 p.m. State College’s largest outdoor seating area. Groups welcome.

Catering and private events available. Daily specials listed on Facebook. Live music. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.

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

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

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

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.

100 - Town&Gown July 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

102 - Town&Gown July 2014

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

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

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

Gigi’s, West College Ave. on the Corner of Cato Ave., 861-3463, gigisdining.com. Conveniently located 5 minutes from Downtown, 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.

Let Us Plan Your Celebration!

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

- Convenient free parking

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

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

www.hoagscatering.com 103 - Town&Gown July 2014

The Greek, 102 E. Clinton Ave., 308-8822, www.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. Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering, 1221 E. College Ave. (within the Hilton Garden Inn), 237-4422, www.harrisonsmenu.com. Traditional seasonal favorites prepared extraordinarily. Fusion food, sharing plates, and fresh seafood. Extensive wines-by-the-glass, full bar, moderate prices. Lunch/Dinner. Exquisite catering.

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

Sense of humor required. D, MAC, MC, V.

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

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

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

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

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Check out our new weeknight specials like Monday burger day and Tuesday all you can eat ribs!

Damon’s Delivers Everyday!

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

Check out our all new Whiskey Bar! Chef/Owner Greg Mussi and the Artisan Griller Clem Pantalone have joined forces to bring you some of the best wood-fired Southern comfort food in town!

Come dine with a view on our outdoor patio!

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Mon - Thurs till 11pm Fri & Sat till Midnight Sunday till 9pm

1405 South Atherton St. State College, PA 16801 814-238-2333 www.clemsbarandgrill.com 104 - Town&Gown July 2014

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.

Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 1272 N. Atherton St., 234-4273, MariosItalianStateCollege.com. Fresh specialty dishes, pasta, sauces, hand-tossed pizzas, and rotisserie wood-grilled chicken all made from scratch are just a few reasons why Mario’s is authentically Italian! At the heart of it all is a specialty wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie that imparts rustic flavors that can’t be beat! Mario’s loves wine, honored with six consecutive Wine Spectator awards and a wine list of more than 550 Italian selections. Mario’s even pours 12 rotating specialty bottles on its WineStation® state-of-the-art preservation system. Reservations and Walk-Ins welcome. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar.

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

AE, D, DC, LC MC, V. Full bar.

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 (member only).

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 New World Bistro, 324 W. College Ave., 237-8474. Zola combines comfortable, modern décor with exceptional service. Innovative, creative cuisine from seasonal menus served for lunch and dinner.

Extensive award-winning wine list. Jazz and oysters in the bar on Fridays. Catering. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar.

India Pavilion

Fo od & Beer TO GO! Bringing you craft beer & fresh food using local products in a family friendly, casual atmosphere.

Exotic Indian Cuisine

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

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Carry Out Available

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Ou r two patios are n ow open !

Weather Permitti ng .

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

2235 N. Atherton St. State College 814.867.6886 www.ottospubandbrewery.com 105 - Town&Gown July 2014

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

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Fiddlehead, 134 W. College Ave., 237-0595, www.fiddleheadstatecollege.com. Fiddlehead is a soup-and-salad café offering soups made from scratch daily. Create your own salad from over 40 fresh ingredients.

HUB Dining, HUB-Robeson Center, on campus, 865-7623. A Penn State tradition open to all! Starbucks, Mixed Greens, Panda Express & Sushi, and Sbarro will be open this summer during HUB renovations.

V, MC, LC. I r v i n g ’ s , 11 0 E . C o l l e g e Av e . , 2 3 1 - 0 6 0 4 , www.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!

PANDA EXPRESS

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

SUSHI BY PANDA

Fresh made sushi, a variety of California rolls, salads, Miso soup and Boba teas.

HUB Robeson Center On-Campus 106 - Town&Gown July 2014

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

Take-out and bottle shop. Outdoor seating available.

D, V, MC. Full Bar.

Dolce Vita

where every cake is a work of art.

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your cake order in July.

Check out our cake art gallery! dvdesserts.com.

Specialty Foods Hoag’s Catering/Celebration Hall, 2280 Commercial Blvd., State College, 238-0824, www.hoagscatering.com. Hoag’s Catering specializes in off-site catering, event rentals, and on-site events at Celebration Hall. We do the work, you use the fork — large and small events. T&G

812 Pike Street Lemont • 814-470-6046

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

Bella Sicilia

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

Both locations closed Mondays

Taste of the Month Town&Gown’s monthly focus on food

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

107 - Town&Gown July 2014

lunch with mimi

Lights Continue to Shine Brightly John Hovenstine

Dan Carter leads Penn State School of Theatre and Centre Stage through changes and increasing interest and success For the past 20 years, Dan Carter has been a professor and director of the School of Theatre at Penn State and artistic director of Penn State Centre Stage. Born in northeast Arkansas, he received a BA in Dan Carter (left) chats with Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash theater from Illinois State and an Coppersmith at the Deli Restaurant in State College.

MFA in theater directing from Florida State.

Mimi: You’re here today because this month He was formerly associate dean of the is festival month. Festival suggests art and School of Theatre at Florida State, and chair culture. I’d like to talk about Mass, which was of the Department of Theatre at Illinois done about a year ago, and in my opinion, has State, where he also served as producing to be the most incredible production I’ve seen director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. in the 64 years that I’ve been here. Describe to A full-time freelance theater artist for our readers what it was and tell us a little bit 14 years between undergraduate and about how it came about. graduate school, he worked extensively as Dan: Well, Mass is an oratorio by Leonard an actor, stage manager, director, and fight Bernstein, and it was commissioned for choreographer before entering the world of the Kennedy Center, and it’s rarely been university administration. done. We were looking for something big As an actor, he worked with many and special that would highlight the unique notables, including sharing the stage with talents of the college — the School of Al Pacino, Martin Sheen, Farrah Fawcett, Theatre, School of Music, and Center for the Orson Bean, and Judith Ivey, and the screen Performing Arts. We wanted something that with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Ed Harris, would take all of us to do, something that Lloyd Bridges, Brian Keith, and Dom none of us probably could do by ourselves.

DeLuise.

And at one of the Big Ten theater chairs He is past president of the National meetings, we meet once a year, and Rives Association of Schools of Theatre and the Collins, who was then chair at Northwestern, National Theatre Conference. He was was talking about their production of Mass, inducted into the College of Fellows of the which was wonderful, and what a great American Theatre in 2008. experience it had been for everyone, and that Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash set me to thinking. So, I came back and I Coppersmith sat down with Carter at the put Mass on the table for what we would do Deli Restaurant in State College to discuss together. People got familiar with the music the School of Theatre at Penn State and and agreed to do this. We put together Ted upcoming events this summer at the Penn Christopher, head of the School of Music State Downtown Theatre Center.

108 - Town&Gown July 2014

prep program, to direct it. We put Matt Toronto and Spence Ford from the School of Theatre on the team. Travis DeCastro from the School of Theatre served as the producer.

And it turned out to be a really great team.

Mimi: Did you make any money on that production?

Dan: Honestly, I don’t know what we brought in. It was our obligation to stay within the budget we were assigned, and we did that. We sold more tickets than we anticipated, so I hope we made money. And it also set into motion the idea of doing something like this again.

Mimi: So, it was a motivation to create a production for the completion of the capital campaign that had the potential to showcase the collaborative and artistic capabilities of the talent in the College of Arts and Architecture. Is it available on disc?

Dan: It was recorded. I don’t know if it’s available or not.

Mimi: I think everybody should have a chance to see it.

Dan: It was wonderful. It was great to work with all the people from the development office, the people at the Center for the Performing Arts, music, and theater. Once again, Travis DeCastro was the producer of that and contributed invaluable insight and creativity in terms of the overall look and feel of the piece. As you know, the campaign was called “For The Future,” so he came up with the idea of “Back to For the Future,” which was based on the film Back to the Future, so that’s why we rented the DeLorean and created the first film with the people at WPSU featuring Peter Tombros and the Nittany Lion, so that was a great deal of fun. All of our design and technical people were able to put that spectacle together with that huge video wall and working with Tom Keiter, who created many of the alumni videos. Our own design and technical team really did a great job with the capital campaign getting the content working, creating the mechanical systems to get the DeLorean on and off stage. Eric Rouse, Curtis Craig, Dan Robinson, William Kenyon, and their grad students just did a great job.

Mimi: I think both of these collaborations between and among all the different facets of the producing arts within the College of Arts and Architecture are a remarkable example of our potential when we team up with people who

normally are competitive with one another and want to be the stars. It’s a wonderful statement about the capacity to take all of this talent and have it be a love affair. Is there anything unique about the college that brought this about?

What’s the engine that drove change?

Dan: I think a couple of things. At the college level, I would say that under Dick Durst, we started thinking like a college, and under [Dean] Bobbi Korner, we started acting like a college. And I think that’s where Mass came from because, as you say, part of this is just inertia. School of Music, I don’t know how many hundreds of events they do every year. Center for Performing Arts is the same. School of Theatre, not as many, but still very busy. We’ve all got plenty to do. So, the idea of doing something together, the stars have to align. Honestly, with Bobbi wanting it to happen and with the 50th anniversary of the college happening, there was no good reason not to do it. And when we did it, we enjoyed it, we found it artistically satisfying, and so that’s why we went through with it.

Mimi: Change is difficult, but change happens. There are changes now happening in summer theater for the university. Tell us why and how that’s happening.

Dan: Primary reasons are that, again, the community has changed. It used to be that in the summer, there was Music at Penn’s Woods, Penn State Centre Stage, and the Boal Barn, and that was it. Now, there’s the Next Stage, the Shakespeare Company outdoor shows, Fuse Productions, State Theatre’s summer events, and the Spikes are here. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to want to go see a Spikes game. The Arts Festival has grown, and that’s contributed to the sense of State College as a home for the arts, so there are a lot of things.

There are now seven theater companies in town, and there used to be two. There’s something to do every night, and we know about 5 percent of the population attends live theater, but in a community like State College, it’s likely higher because we know the more educated a community is, the more they attend.

Mimi: Right.

Dan: So, there is a very vibrant audience here. But we just feel that it’s time for us to do some other things in the summer. What happened was we have an incredibly loyal small audience, and those are the people I feel that we’re disappointing. We had another share

109 - Town&Gown July 2014

of the audience that when we had something that people were really excited about, suddenly we’d get a lot more people, but the core of the audience is that small group, and that core audience is just not enough to sustain us.

Mimi: Are they mostly older people?

Dan: I would say certainly half are, and those are the people I feel badly about. Basically, the rule of thumb is the ticket pays for Act One. And the university has put money into this, and that was more justifiable when we needed to create opportunities for our students. Now, our students are in demand elsewhere during the summers, so we can’t always rely on them. We think it’s good for our students to go somewhere. Go to the Utah Shakespearean Festival, go to Wichita, St. Louis, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, or one of these wonderful summer companies. That’s good for them because they bring that experience back, and also spreads the word about Penn State, because our students are not only talented and hardworking, they’re also great ambassadors for the university.

Mimi: I would agree. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of them, and they’re remarkable people. So, this summer you have a series of things. What are they?

Dan: We’re reinstituting our free noontime series downtown. We are letting State High do its performance of Alice. They will be doing a couple performances in the Downtown Theatre Center. And then, in late July, State College Community Theatre will do their production of Rabbit Hole in the Downtown Theatre Center.

Mimi: You’re partnering more with the community.

Dan: Yes. One of the things we want to do is to be involved in outreach that way. The last thing we want is for our theaters to be empty.

Mimi: And the last thing you want for the performers is for the theaters to be empty.

Dan: Exactly. And the State College Community Theatre is without a permanent home right now.

Mimi: What haven’t I asked you that I should have asked you?

Dan: You’ve seen the way our recruitment has grown and we want to do that with all of our areas. Certainly musical theater is prominent. We see 600 students for a class of 14. And I tell people when I talk about recruitment, the best students who have ever

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been at Penn State will always be among the best students anywhere. It’s never about raising the top level. There have always been fabulous students here. So, we’ve been asked for years in recruitment, by parents and by high school students, if we have a summer camp to attend. We’ve always said No. We’ve had to refer them to other university summer programs. We need to run a summer program, and we’re looking to start that. We have a number of other things we want to do. We’ve been approached by some companies in Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago to help put our students there. Well, we need the time and energy to be able to do that.

Mimi: To help your students get in?

Dan: Right, and these would be theater companies that we’d become connected with, and we have to explore that. You never know how these things are going to work out.

Mimi: Right. It’s also a perk for your program.

Dan: It is huge for our students. We are a professionally oriented program, and we put people in their profession. That’s who we are and what we do. We have outcome assessments. Last year, 87 percent of our

Keegan-Michael Key, who earned his master’s degree from Penn State in 1996, stars in the Comedy Central series Key & Peele.

111 - Town&Gown July 2014

BFA students had jobs in the industry within two weeks of graduation. This year, I haven’t done the final count yet, but it’s virtually the same. The students that come out of our BFA stage-management program, our design and technology program, and, of course, our musical-theater program, they go to work.

Mimi: Well, I think it’s fascinating that you have the guy that is at the top of the crowd in Modern Family.

Dan: Ty Burrell. Keegan-Michael Key of Key & Peele, who were on the cover of Time magazine about three weeks ago, was just named in the 100 most influential people in America. That is extraordinary. Bob Clendenin is a regular on Cougar Town. Those are the stars, those are the visible people.

Mimi: And not many people can claim people at that level — not many institutions.

Dan: We have had four people go through The Book of Mormon. We have 12 or 14 students on Broadway right now. And that’s just actors, it’s not all of the stage managers and design technicians, it’s not television,

g Comin 014 2 r e Summ Way, wknest 100 Ha nte Bellefo

film, regional theater, national tours, international tours, and Disney, it’s just Broadway. So, I counted up all the contracts on Broadway to see what that really meant, and then I converted to a percentage. I did the same exact thing for NBA, the NFL, and Major League Baseball, and what I determined was that the number of students we had on Broadway was the equivalent of half of a roster in each of those other sports.

Eight people in the National Basketball Association, 24 people in the NFL, 13 people in Major League Baseball. I mean, that’s incredible.

Mimi: That is incredible. I congratulate you and your college. It’s really a remarkable accomplishment.

Dan: Thank you. I tell everybody it’s a great time to be at Penn State, but I suspect it always has been a great time to be at Penn State.

Mimi: On that note, thank you so much.

Dan: Thank you so much. It’s great to see you again, as always. T&G

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we make it easy to Use Your Time Wisely Whether you’re reading in-depth analysis of local issues, catching up on sporting events or planning your weekend, the time you spend reading our weekly newspaper is quality time that enriches your life with knowledge, news, insights and much, much more.

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814-238-5051 • www.centrecountygazette.com

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

Shown this month are the first-place winners from the judged April photo-essay competition. Each photographer was asked to submit one photo representative of an entire body of work from their multimedia photo essay.

Themes for each photo essay are of the photographer’s own choosing.

April Photo Essay First Place

>

“Kickboxing”

by Roel Fleuren

“My essay was about kickboxing in Pennsylvania. I just love the martial arts world — training all over the world to learn valuable skills and all the friendships I’ve made by being part of it.”

April Photo Essay Second Place “OH H O SMITH (Up-close and colorful)”

by Sami Sharkey

>

“I was so pleased with the digital intensity of colors of the bananas and cannas at the Penn State Arboretum that I had to share them in my photo essay. Special thanks to the Smith family and Penn State for this wonderful gift to our community.”

A copy of either of these photos may be obtained with a $75 contribution to the Salvation Army of Centre County. Contact Captain Charles Niedermeyer at (814) 861-1785 and let him know you would like this image. You can select any size up to 11 inches wide.

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

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

114 - Town&Gown July 2014

snapshot

Stories to Tell New laureate looks to promote storytelling across the state

By Jennifer Babulsky

He needed the meeting, so he got in his car on a recent morning and drove from New York City to Penn State to meet with his former theater professor, Susan Russell. He needed to hear that what he was doing in life was worthwhile and that she was right when she praised him in class last year. After the half-hour meeting, the two hugged and the student got back in his car to drive home.

Minutes later, Russell says she has the best job ever, and meeting with students is all part of her passion for teaching, mentoring, and life.

“The twenty-first century has dispersed mentorship to technology,” she says inside her office on the second floor of Penn State’s Theatre Building. “I find that the foundation of teaching rests in mentorship, so I am always talking to people about their greatest possibilities.

It’s the job of a culture to keep you asleep, and it is the job of a teacher to wake you up to who you can be.”

Russell, associate professor of theatre, has been named the Penn State laureate for the 2014-15 academic year.

She succeeds Kenneth Womack, senior associate dean for academic affairs and professor of English and integrative arts at Penn State Altoona. The Penn State laureate, an honorary position established in 2008, is a full-time faculty member in the humanities or the arts who is assigned halftime for one academic year to bring an enhanced level of social, cultural, artistic, and human perspective and awareness to a broad array of audiences.

As laureate, Russell plans to focus on how storytelling can be used to improve creativity and communication, and how storytelling can bring communities together to talk about the social issues that define the twenty-first century. She will utilize social media as part of her laureate journey, and write a daily blog about the stories she finds along the way.

“We are all works in progress,” she says, “and every story we tell creates our personal and collective histories.”

Between educational pursuits, she experienced a 25-year career as a professional actor on and off Broadway — including five years in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera — in regional theater, and with opera companies across the country.

She joined the Penn State faculty in 2006, and in 2007 she founded Cultural Conversations, a new works

Susan Russell When are you happiest? “I am most happy working in my yard and garden. I love to mow and dig and plant and prune and weed.”

What would someone be surprised to learn about you?

“Like most actors, I am quite shy.”

What were your best and worst moments of being an actor in New York City? “My best moment was my opening night as Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera. My worst moment was the morning of 9/11. However, because of that day, I value every second of every moment in ways I never thought possible.”

festival devoted to issues of local and global diversity. The only university festival of its kind in the United States, the weeklong event features new artwork by Penn State School of Visual Arts students, new dance pieces choreographed by students and faculty, and new plays written by local, national, and international playwrights.

The core programming of Cultural Conversations is “Body Language,” a storytelling and performance program that has brought middle school, high school, and university students together with community members to talk about the social issues that define growing up in the twenty-first century.

Her work with “Body Language,” she says, is her proudest achievement thus far. “ ‘Body Language’ has taught me how simple the act of communication is, and how complex the task of talking can be,” she says. “My greatest teachers, by far, are the young people I work with. They have answers to questions we don’t even know how to ask.” T&G Jennifer Babulsky is a freelance writer based in State College, and programming coordinator of the Center for Women Students at Penn State.

116 - Town&Gown July 2014

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