Inside: Local teacher visits Antarctica • Tastes of Mexico
Town&Gown MAY 2012
FREE
townandgown.com
Country
r oads
A few leisurely drives can show you some of Centre County’s most scenic areas
IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN
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A CLOSE GAME IS GOOD. CLOSE TO THE GAME IS EVEN BETTER. Resort Living Community with Walking Trails Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, Club House Low or No Maintenance Living VIP Penn State Event Access Convenient to Campus & Minutes to Downtown Collegiate Station – Courtyard Homes – From the $260’s Ivy Ridge – Single Family & Carriage homes – From the $260’s Mascot Cove – Condominiums - From the Low $200’s Tradition Point – Single Family Homes - From the $240’s
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VILLAGE AT PENN STATE • 800.238.4703 Directions: From 322 & 220, take the Penn State University exit. Turn onto Park Avenue & continue until you see Beaver Stadium. Turn right onto Fox Hollow Road and follow to first traffic light. At light, make left onto Toftrees Ave. Make a right onto Beaumanor Road. Model ahead on right.
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4 - Town&Gown May 2012
48
34
A Refuge for Refugees Families and individuals from war-torn countries are finding new lives and happiness in Happy Valley • by Rebekka Coakley
40
Good Neighbors Thanks to the work of some local residents, refugees are adjusting to life in America • by Rebekka Coakley
8 10 24
Letter From The Editor Starting Off On Center: Preservation Hall Jazz
26
Community: Lifesharing program
Band and Del McCoury Band
30
48
85 86
56
99
Educational Adventure A few months ago, State College teacher Nell Herrmann traveled with a team of scientists to Antarctica for ongoing research on the continent. What she learned and experienced there is something she’ll never forget • by Nell Herrmann A Home for Champions and Legends About to enter its second decade, Penn State’s All-Sports Museum continues to showcase an extensive collection of Nittany Lion memorabilia as it looks to the future • by Curtis Chan
helps those with disabilities Health & Wellness: Asthma sufferers look to keep the disease from greatly affecting their lives This Month on WPSU Penn State Diary: School and state
have long argued over university ’s status 89 94 96
What’s Happening Guide to Advertisers From the Vine: Wines from the
Pacific Northwest Taste of the Month/Dining Out:
Mexican restaurants 111 114 116
Lunch with Mimi: Kim Steiner State College Photo Club’s Photos of the Month Snapshot: Larry Emigh
78
Country Roads A few leisurely drives can show you some of Centre County’s most scenic areas • by Tracey M. Dooms
Cover Photo Design: John Hovenstine
63 Special Advertising Section
Home & Garden Town&Gown’s special Home & Garden section features the hot trends and tips for gardening, home improvement, and more!
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 2012 by Barash Media. All rights reserved. Send address changes to Town&Gown, Box 77, State College, PA 16804. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any process except with written authorization from Town&Gown or its publisher. Phone: 800-326-9584, 814-238-5051. FAX: 814-238-3415. Printed by Gazette Printers, Indiana, PA. 20,000 copies published this month, available FREE in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and motels & travel depots. SUBSCRIPTIONS and SINGLE COPIES: $45/1yr; current issue by 1st-class mail, $10; back copy, $15 mailed, $12 picked up at the T&G office. www.townandgown.com
5 - Town&Gown May 2012
The all-new BMW 5 Series Sedan bmwusa.com 1-800-334-4BMW
Town&Gown The Ultimate Driving Machine
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May 12
A State College & Penn State tradition since 1966.
Publisher Rob Schmidt
ARRIVED AND CROWNED IN THE SAME BREATH.
Founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith
Fresh on the scene, the new 5 Series is already the most celebrated 5 Series ever, with the critics at CarandDriver.com concluding “The new 5 has us convinced. It’s luxurious, stylish, and fanastic to drive.” Also renowned for having our most generous maintenance plan ever, it’s coverd for everything but gas and tires. You pay nothing. And remarkably, this new 5 Series is recognized as a better value than ever, with a price point comparable to its predecessr. Stop by a BMW center today and experience the king of sport luxury sedans-the all-new 5 Series.
JOY IS THE ALL-NEW BMW 5 SERIES. Joel Confer BMW 120 E. Clinton Ave., State College 814-237-5713
Editorial Director David Pencek Creative Director/Photographer John Hovenstine Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz Graphic Designer/Photographer Darren Weimert Graphic Designer Amy Schmalz Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel Business Manager Aimee Aiello
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Advertising Coordinator Bikem Oskin Administrative Assistant Gigi Rudella Distribution Handy Delivery, Ginny Gilbert, Tom Neff Senior Editorial Consultant Witt Yeagley Interns Samantha Hulings (Editorial)
To contact us: Mail: 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801 Phone: (814) 238-5051, (800) 326-9584 Fax: (814) 238-3415 dpenc@barashmedia.com (Editorial) rschmidt@barashmedia.com (Advertising) We welcome letters to the editor that include a phone number for verification.
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Back issues of Town&Gown are available on microfilm at Penn State’s Pattee Library.
www.townandgown.com 6 - Town&Gown May 2012
SETTING THE PACE FOR THE REGION
49 years of experience... and counting For almost half a century, John Blasko has worked to uphold the highest professional standards for his clients, for Central Pennsylvania‌and for the law firm of McQuaide Blasko. Since earning his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law and then being admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1963, he has been in practice at McQuaide Blasko, focusing on civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration of a wide range of disputes. As John Blasko enters his 50th year in the legal profession, he continues to be a leader in the firm, with both clients and fellow attorneys benefiting from the wisdom and experience that comes from hundreds of trials. The attorneys and staff of this firm are honored to work in partnership with Mr. Blasko and help carry on his tradition of delivering the highest quality legal services. Talk with John Blasko or one of McQuaide Blasko’s 33 other full-time attorneys to learn more about our full range of services.
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letter from the editor
Family Decisions When it comes to raising our children, one size doesn’t fit all Leave it to politicians and political pundits to stir up a debate about moms — stayat-home mothers versus those who work outside the home. That’s what happened in April when on a news network a female pundit stated that the wife of presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Ann Romney, never worked a day in her life. Mrs. Romney had chosen, instead, to stay at home and raise her and her husband’s five children. While I’m not here to take political sides, I think there can be a general consensus that the statement was inane at best and insulting at worst. I’ve had to stay home from work to take care of my son when he’s been sick, and you’re definitely working when you’re at home with a child. But the greater point is that regardless of what parents decide to do — stay at home or work outside the home and have someone watch their children during the day — they are doing what they believe is best for their family and should be respected for their decisions. Because of our financial needs and our careers, my wife and I made the decision that we would send our son to daycare while both of us went to our jobs outside our home. It wasn’t an easy choice since we’d both love to spend as much time with him as possible, and then there’s the thought of someone else caring for
Fore!
our son for about nine hours a day. But it was a decision that made sense for our family, as did the decision my wife made to reduce her work schedule, and therefore our family income, so she could have Fridays off to be at home with our son — call it a compromise of sorts. I’d like to think, given how my son has developed in his nearly three years of life, it’s worked out for us. Any parent who stays at home with their children deserves admiration for what they do — as do parents who work outside the home and are great moms and dads to their kids. You’re a full-time parent even if you’re not with your child full-time. With so many issues dividing this country, you’d think that would be one thing we could all agree on. This month, we celebrate Mother’s Day to honor our moms — all moms — who have done amazing jobs in raising their children. I’ve been blessed to have some amazing moms in my family, including both my grandmothers, my mother, and my wife. Some stayed at home, some had careers outside the home. They all have done incredible jobs in raising their kids. So Happy Mother’s Day to all moms out there! Thank you for all the work you do!
David Pencek Editorial Director dpenc@barashmedia.com
11thAnnual Presbyterian Homes
Foundation Golf Outing
Supporting Charitable Care for the people you care about.
Friday
10:00 a.m.
May 18th
9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
Shotgun Start
Iron Masters Country Club, Roaring Spring, PA For information and registration contact Dawn at 814-693-4086
www.presbyterianseniorliving.org
8 - Town&Gown May 2012
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starting off
What’s
New
Lionettes win first title
The Penn State Lionettes dance team won its first NDA Collegiate Dance Championship. The competition was held in April in Daytona Beach and featured 14 Division I-A teams. The Lionettes led after the first day of competition and scored a 9.777 on day two to secure the victory. Brigham Young finished second with a 9.763. “I am so proud of the girls,” said Dr. Sue Sherburne, who advised the team and is the assistant director at the Morgan Academic Center and academic counselor for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. “They worked hard and fought to win. It was an honor to represent Penn State on a national stage.” The Lionettes’s routine was composed by choreographer Laura King. The Lionettes had finished fourth in 2011 and third in 2010.
CATA general manager Hugh Mose (left) and human-resources manager Julie Hartley.
CATA recognized as workplace leader Earlier this year, the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) was awarded one of nine WLIFE (Workplace Leader In Financial Education) awards granted by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and the Society of Human Resource Management. CATA was recognized for its efforts to increase financial literacy within its workforce. As part of the recognition, CATA general manager Hugh Mose and human-resources manager Julie Hartley were invited to the New York Stock Exchange, where they joined the other winners in April to kick off Financial Literacy Week. They participated in the ringing of the opening bell. “We strongly believe that financial education should be part of any wellness program provided with an organization, and that it should be made to all employees,” Hartley said in a released statement. “It’s an honor to be recognized at a national level for our efforts to help our employees make better financial decisions.”
PSU team reveals hybrid vehicle The Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team (PSU AVT) revealed its final vehicle architecture for the three years of national collegiate competition known as EcoCAR2: Plugging In to the Future. Student engineers must redesign and reengineer a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu into a unique hybrid that increases gas mileage, decreases emissions, and maintains consumer acceptability. The competition is currently in Year One, with the final competition for Year One taking place in late May in Los Angeles. The second year of competition will be integration of components into the vehicle and build a “mule” vehicle. The third year is completion of the vehicle and creating a 99-percent buyoff vehicle that meets current consumer acceptability expectations. The PSU AVT has been competing in advancedvehicle technology competitions since 1988. The team includes undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and community volunteers. T&G
10 - Town&Gown May 2012
109 Creekside Lane
MLS # 35022 $559,000
3161 Halfmoon Valley Road
MLS # 35333 $650,000
MLS # 35657 $424,500
• 4 bedrooms • 1.73 acres • Central air
• 5 bedroom • 2.5 baths • Renovated
• Restored 1825 Home • 5 Bedrooms
625 Severn Drive
1604 Woodledge Circle
2622 Sleepy Hollow Drive
Pri Ne w
Ne w
Pri
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743 McKee Street
ce
355 Johnson Road
MLS # 35508 $495,000 • 4 bedrooms • 3226 sq feet • 10.8 acres
644 Exeter Court
MLS # 35458 $297,500
MLS # 34736 $245,000
• 4 bedrooms • 2.5 baths • Hardwood Floors
• 3 bedrooms • Carport • 2839 sq ft
71 Greenmeadow Drive
4807 W Whitehall Road
ce Pri w Ne
Ne
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Pri
Ne wL isti ng
ce
131 W High St
MLS # 35947 $599,900
MLS # 35504 $329,500
• Renovated Contemporary • 4 bedrooms • 1.3 acres
• 4 bedrooms • 2980 sq feet • Central Air
1421 W Park Hills Avenue
910 Fairmount Avenue
MLS # 35724 $375,000
157 Rosehill Dr
MLS # 35756 $259,900
MLS # 35744 $329,000
• Many upgrades • 4 bedrooms • 2900 sq ft
• 3 bedrooms • 2 baths • 1.7 acres
• 5 bedrooms • 3.5 baths • .67 acres
201 Elmwood Street
264 Kathy Street
550 Brittany Drive
MLS # 34075 $1800/mo
• 4 bedrooms • 2.5 baths • Walkout Lower Level
Lot 4 Stoney Point Drive
Ne
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Pri
ce
MLS # 35829 $429,500
MLS # 34749 $139,000
MLS # 35198 $329,500
MLS # 24705 $145,000
• Commercial • Retail • Restaurant
• 3 bedroom •1775 sq ft • Wood/coal burner
• 5 bedrooms • 3.5 baths • 3400 sq ft
• Lot 4 is 1.15 acre • Larger lots available
1041 Boalsburg Road
Lot 6 & 7 - 169 Bible Road
430 Shiloh Road
442 Sylvan Drive
MLS # 34146 $70,000
MLS # 32754 $325,000
MLS # 35726 $229,500
• 2 acre • Rt 144 • Choose Builder
Commercial Lot • .77 acre
• 3 bedroom • 2.5 bath • Hardwood Floors
673 Severn Drive
177 N Harvest Run Road 529 E Irvin Ave
292 S Osmond Street
106 Glenndale Road
MLS # 35922 $324,500
MLS # 35807 $289,500
MLS # 33434 $240,000
MLS # 35929 $279,000
• 4 bedrooms • 2 baths • Lower level apartment
• 3 bedrooms • 2.5 baths • Gas fireplace
MLS #36035 $230,000 • Restored log home • .57 acre
• 4 bedroom • 2.5 bath • Workshop
Ne w
Pri
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ce
161 Rosehill Dr
• Open Floor plan • Hardwood Floors
Centre Realty 1375 Martin Street, State College PA 16803
(814) 231-8200
Tom’s Cell: (814) 574-4345 Ellen’s Cell: (814) 280-2088 Bob’s Cell: (814) 574-0293 Bob Langton Associate to Tom Cali Ellen Kline
cali.kline@gmail.com • www.statecollegeliving.com
People in the
Community Matthew Dillon, Clayton Filipowicz, Jack Haffner, and Evan Heiser
Four student-athletes from Centre County high schools were among those honored at this year’s Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame awards banquet. The honorees included Matthew Dillon of Bald Eagle, Clayton Filipowicz of Bellefonte, Jack Haffner of State College, and Evan Heiser of Penns Valley. The chapter also honored nine college studentathletes, including Jon Rohrbaugh of Penn State. Each high school student-athlete honored was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. Penn State head football coach Bill O’Brien was the featured speaker. “As you head into the next phase of your life, you need to continue to be a leader,” he said during his speech. He cited six qualities that all leaders must have — good character, confidence, communication skills, courage, a good heart, and “most importantly, honesty and integrity. You can never go wrong by being honest.”
Gabriel Gates
Penn State police and public safety has hired Gabriel Gates to be its new Clery compliance coordinator. Gates began his duties on March 26. He’ll work with various offices at the university to “develop, implement, and oversee new programs that ensure the institution’s overall compliance with the Clery Act and associated regulations at all campuses,” assistant vice president for police and public safety Steve Shelow said in a released statement. Gates is a graduate of Mount Aloysius College and had been a senior financial compliance analyst for Maersk Line Ltd. in Norfolk before coming to Penn State. “The administration has made it clear to me that the safety and security of the Penn State community is of paramount importance and will not be compromised for any reason,” Gates said in a released statement. “My goal as the compliance coordinator is not to ensure that Penn State simply meets requirements set forth by federal law, but rather to become an industry leader in safety and security reporting.”
Megan Schaper
State College Area School District director of food service Megan Schaper was recently selected as the 2012 School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania’s (SNAPa) Director of the Year. She was recognized for her hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to the school nutrition program. She also was recognized for her commitment to improving the district’s food-service program according to ever-changing trends, dedication to staff development, and school and community involvement. She serves as the president-elect for the Clear-Cen Chapter of the School Nutrition Association, is involved in the Pittsburgh Regional Food Service Directors organization, and serves as the regional representative for SNAPa. “Winning this award is really nice, but the fact that my staff felt that I deserve to be nominated for it is what is especially meaningful to me,” she said in a released statement. “As a partner in education, we are committed to providing students and staff with wholesome, appetizing, and nutritious school meals. We strive to promote the health and wellness of students so they can be successful in the classroom.” She will be presented with her award at the annual conference in August in Hershey. T&G
12 - Town&Gown May 2012
Q&A
with Molly Sturniolo, Penn State Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, Centre County Molly Sturniolo has been the master-gardener coordinator for Penn State Extension Centre County for more than six years. During that time, the mastergardener program has seen its membership grow from 51 participants to 110. As the master gardeners prepare for their Garden Fair & Plant Sale on May 19 (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the site for Ag Progress Days), Sturniolo discussed the growth in gardening and its importance to people in the community. T&G: How did you first get interested in gardening? Sturniolo: My grandmother was a gardener, so I have always had an interest in gardening. I didn’t actually become a gardener until the late 1990s when my family moved into an old farmhouse with an overgrown flower garden, and I took a perennial gardening class through Penn State. I have always loved butterflies and when I found out that I could attract them to my gardens by planting certain plants, I was hooked! T&G: How has the master-gardeners program become an important part of Centre County? Sturniolo: The mission of the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners is to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship, which puts us at the forefront of issues involving sustainability, nutritional and mental health, environmental protection, habitat restoration, and pollinator protection and
enhancement. Through our demonstration-garden programs, including the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden Habitat at Tudek Park, Muddy Paws Marsh in Spring Mills, and the Bellefonte Children’s Garden, we directly engage the public with educational programs on-site and through outreach programs with schools and community organizations, establishment of satellite gardens, and participating in community events such as the Great Insect Fair and Wings in the Park. … The master-gardener program also supports research efforts through participation in grants and initiatives of groups and organizations such as the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Center for Pollinator Research, and the Frost Entomological Museum T&G: Have you seen an increase in interest in gardening from the general public and, if so, what would you attribute that to? Sturniolo: In the past five years or so, there has been a dramatic increase in gardening interest — particularly vegetable gardening. In fact, in 2011, an estimated one in three American households grew vegetables, whether that was a single tomato plant or a large garden. People are becoming much more informed and concerned about nutrition while at the same time the state of our economy has caused all of us to look for avenues to cut costs. T&G: What do see for the future when it comes to gardening and the master-gardener program? Sturniolo: Over the next few years, the Centre County Master Gardener Program plans to continue to expand the Garden Fair & Plant Sale — our best fundraiser — to make it the preeminent garden show in our region. Another area of growth for the program is in the development of therapeutic gardens. We are currently working with Mount Nittany Medical Center to establish a community healing garden that will be located next to the new Shaner Cancer Center. … Of critical importance is working with Penn State to create a local master-gardener endowment to support future growth. T&G
1kbb.com Outstanding Client Care has made KBB the #1 choice of buyers and sellers in Centre County year after year. We would consider it a privilege to work for YOU! CCAR Residential, Centre County 1/1/10-3/31/12 1612 N. Atherton St. State College, PA
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14 - Town&Gown May 2012
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15 - Town&Gown May 2012
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Looking Back Centre County history through the pages of Town&Gown May 1981
The Nittany Lion Inn celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1981. In “Welcome Inn,” Town&Gown looked back on the history of the inn. When groundbreaking for the inn took place in 1930, there was concern about the economic problems that had hit the country. Still, the project moved forward. Former inn general manager Louis Silvi wrote in his informal history of the inn, “College officials felt that increased facilities of this type would help to attract a greater number of conference and convention groups to the school for meetings and that would benefit the community by bringing more people to the area.”
1994
“Volunteerin’ on the Railroad” featured some of the more than 60 volunteers who kept the Bellefonte Historical Railroad running. BHRR ran its first excursion trains in 1983. By the end of 1993, it had carried more than 60,000 passengers. Retired Navy Commander Lloyd Warner, who had been the president of the railroad from its incorporation to 1994, said, “We knew 10 years ago that we had an excellent chance to grow, that the potential was there to do something really important for the community and have a lot of fun.”
2008
In “The Youth Vote,” State College Area High School students showed that they were taking an interest in that year’s race for the White House. Senior Laura Gabrovsek said, “My dad is very supportive of my interest in politics and encourages me to keep an open mind about all the candidates, even if they clash with my own view on issues.” T&G 16 - Town&Gown May 2012
banking
running starts
Downtime? Please. That’s the last thing John Pannizzo wants. When he isn’t busy keeping his fast-paced businesses running smoothly, chances are he’s preparing for a marathon. How does he find the time? John gives a lot of credit to his partnership with Kish Bank, which keeps his business finances running as efficiently and productively as he does. With Kish ensuring everything from his financing to his investments to his insurance is on track, John finds more time to lace up his running shoes and go!
How can we keep your business on track?
John Pannizzo Owner, Downtown OIP and Grille
Banking
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Locations in Centre, Mifflin, & Huntingdon Counties
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Travel
This Month On townandgown.com • In 5 Questions, Jimmie Fadden of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which performs May 20 at the State Theatre, talks about how the band has evolved over five decades. • Read about how foster parents strive to make a difference in the lives of their foster children every day.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• Special coupons and recipes from local Mexican restaurants.
Anthony Clarvoe
• More What’s Happening listings, and sign up for Town&Gown’s monthly e-newsletter.
And visit our Facebook site for the latest happenings and opportunities to win free tickets to concerts and events!
18 - Town&Gown May 2012
Golf for the Children Children’s Miracle Network
Golf Tournament hosted by RE / MA X Centre Realt y
Sponsorship Opportunities Available. $160 per person fee (includes cart use, greens fee, lunch, dinner, and prizes.)
Thursday, May 24, 2012 Penn State Blue & White Golf Courses
Alicia and Jeffrey
Anna
Caine
Alicia and Jeffrey of Beech Creek were diagnosed with nephropathic cystinosis and needed kidney transplants at different times. Both have amazing stories of the battles they waged and their unique needs and complications. Children’s Miracle Network funds provide equipment to help doctors treat kids like Alicia and Jeffrey and help fund Camp Kydnie, a specialized summer camp for kids with kidney disease.
Anna of Irvona was born with Downs Syndrome and multiple heart defects that required surgery. She overcame several obstacles including a viral infection, a lengthy stay in the PICU and two heart surgeries all before she was 18 months old. Gifts to Children’s Miracle Network buy recliners and comfort items for the PICU rooms and provide ventilators and monitoring equipment for children like Anna.
Caine of Genesee was diagnosed with cancer at only eight months old. He underwent surgery to remove a large chest tumor that had been near his heart and on his spine. His treatment included follow-up chemotherapy and a second surgery to remove masses from his skull. Children’s Miracle Network funds provides television and comforts items for the family members in the PICU rooms and monitoring equipment for patients like Caine.
Contact Annie Foytack at 814-360-2936 or golfformiracles@gmail.com or www.statecollegehomesales.com for more information
Chamber Membership Benefits Your Business and Your Community
CBICC’s Chamber “U” Program Offers Educational Opportunities for Members Ask a businessperson why he or she joined the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, and the most likely response will be “because of the networking events.” It’s true, the CBICC offers a variety of excellent networking opportunities that allow businesspeople the opportunity to make the personal contacts and develop the relationships that are so important in today’s world. But there’s another program offered by the CBICC that is growing in popularity and importance among its members — Chamber “U”niversity, or ChamberU as it is better known. ChamberU is CBICC’s educational programming that provides members with valuable tools and information that they can take back to their business and utilize in their work environments. The programs are offered monthly and are presented by chamber members with expertise in their fields. Past ChamberU programs have covered such topics as developing and growing your sales staff, how businesses can save money by implementing “green” solutions, human-resource issues, effective organizational communication, and utilizing social networking in your business. This year, the CBICC is offering a special ChamberU series on developing supervisory skills — “Becoming a ‘Super’ Supervisor.” The CBICC has established a standard of excellence for this program that ensures attendees will walk away with tools and knowledge they can apply in their careers. The ChamberU program is sponsored by McQuaide Blasko Attorneys at Law, Nestlerode & Loy, Inc., ParenteBeard LLC, and Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. Their sponsorship support allows the CBICC to offer these programs at rates that are affordable for just about every budget. Information about upcoming ChamberU programs can be found at www.cbicc.org.
Oct. 19-27, 2012
Chamb er of Business & Indust r y of Cent re Count y Join the CBICC for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore exciting destinations in this beautiful and mysterious land! Cost of $2,199 (double occupancy) includes round-trip airfare, 4 & 5 star hotels, 3 meals a day, admission to tourist attractions, fluent English-speaking guide, all in-country transportation, AND transportation from State College to JFK! For more information, contact Jean Gerber at (814) 234-1829 or jgerber@cbicc.org or visit our website at http://www.cbicc.org/china.aspx. Hurry - you don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity! This trip to open to the general public 20 - Town&Gown May 2012
Captain/Sponsor Reception, Thursday, May 31
Individual tickets availalble
16th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament Friday, June 1st
at the Penn State Blue and White Golf Courses • One of the top golf events of the season in Pennsylvania • Morning and Afternoon tee times available • More than 350 golfers participate annually • Great participation gifts and competition prizes • All the food you can eat on and off the course • Penn State coaches, former stars, and captains from across the sports world participate • Signature event for Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer organization which has raised more than $1.7 million to fight cancer.
www.cvcpennstate.org
THE BELLEFONTE INTERVALLEY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Stop in today to see the NEW Spring Styles! 104 N. Allegheny St. Bellefonte, PA 16823 Mon - Fri 10:00 - 5:30 Thurs 10:00 - 7:00 • Sat 10:00 - 3:00 814-353-4258 • www.co2boutique.com
This year, 2012, marks the 74th year the Bellefonte Chamber has served the Bellefonte area. Since its start in 1938, the chamber has expanded beyond Bellefonte to include the much broader Intervalley area and a more diverse membership. But the mission still remains the same: to promote the interests of chamber members specifically, but also to help build a better place to live and a stronger local economy. The more than 220 members of the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber range from large corporations such as Sigma Aldrich Supelco, Inc., to smaller businesses such as M&M Copy Service, and sole proprietors such as Orris Morrison, Jr. Piano Tuning Service. You will find as Bellefonte Chamber members area industries, medical and educational facilities, retail shops, services, restaurants, banks, nonprofit organizations, churches, community and fraternal organizations, and individuals. The chamber concentrates on promoting its members and the Bellefonte Intervalley Area in general with the goal of strengthening the local economy and attracting business and jobs. The chamber also works in partnership with other or-
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ganizations on community events such as the annual volunteer fair and the croquet tournament. The annual membership directory and visitors guide is a major reference full of local information available from the chamber. The Bellefonte Chamber partners with the Central PA Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, and the Borough of Bellefonte to operate the historic Bellefonte Train Station as Bellefonte’s Visitor Center. The train station has several hundred visitors a month — many more in the good weather and holiday months — and has welcomed people from across the United States and around the world. It is generally open to serve visitors and residents with information and referral services seven days a week during business hours and inquiries via phone at (814) 355-2917, or e-mail bellefontecoc@aol.com. The chamber’s Web site is www.bellefontechamber.org.
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on center
Bluegrass Jazz
The high lonesome says “howdy” to the Big Easy in merger of Americana bands By John Mark Rafacz
Much of the history of American music in the last century can be told through two genres. Jazz, more often than not at home in urban settings, and bluegrass, an offspring of country, haven’t often crossed paths. Along with geography, race has separated these musical styles. But in a new collaboration, New Orleans’s Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Appalachian-bred Del McCoury Band find a wealth of common musical ground. The bands came together to record American Legacies, a collection of instrumental and vocal gems described as “Americana nirvana” by Glide Magazine. The iconic ensembles join to bring classics such as Hank Williams’s “Jambalaya,” the soulful “I’ll Fly Away,” and Crescent City standard “Milenberg Joys” — plus a rollicking hillbilly jazz original “Banjo Frisco” — to the concert stage when they kick off the Center for the Performing Arts 2012-13 season September 28 at Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium. “American Legacies sounds exactly like you’d expect a joint album from Del McCoury Band and Preservation Hall Jazz Band to sound,” writes Bryan Rodgers in Glide. “It’s a riverboat full of rhythmically intoxicating Dixieland, blues, bluegrass, jazz, and gospel that draws heavily on standards.” While jazz and bluegrass might seem like they have no similar threads, the genres actually developed on parallel paths. “We’re listening to two types of traditional music,” writes Brian Boyles in Offbeat, “that blossomed alongside each other in the first half of the twentieth century, nurtured by two different sets of poor folks — urban African Americans and rural whites — who shared a talent to swing and a fondness for celebration and mourning. Everything comes down to blues and banjoes, after all.” Bluegrass musician and journalist Jon Weisberger, in the liner notes for American Legacies, asserts that the two musical styles are united in their respect for the past. “Both jazz and bluegrass musicians are expected as a matter of course to serve apprenticeships, learning the history and traditions of their styles, emulating the
Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Del McCoury Band open the Center for the Performing Arts 2012-13 season September 28.
legends who preceded them, and channeling their own originality and contributions through the forms and sounds those giants created. And so, whether one looks at Del McCoury’s service with the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, or the musical lineage of the members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band — like the McCoury outfit, a multi-generational ensemble — the legacies of two profoundly American genres present themselves for our enjoyment.” Dan King, writing for the roots music magazine No Depression, calls American Legacies “an absolute joy. … When I listen to this album I can’t help but picture a vintage bluegrass band on a road trip being blown off course by a powerful twister a la The Wizard of Oz. They land in New Orleans right outside a liquor establishment where a jazz band is in full swing inside. ‘We ain’t in Kentucky no more, Toto!’ Fast-forward an hour and we find the boys jamming, trading licks, and teaching each other songs.” T&G Tickets for Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Del McCoury Band, plus other Center for the Performing Arts 2012-13 presentations, go on sale to center members May 16 and the general public June 4. For tickets or information, visit www.cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255. John Mark Rafacz is editorial manager of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.
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Photo by Steve Tressler
www.vistaprostudios.com
814-234-1800
25 - Town&Gown May 2012
community
Open Hearts Open Homes Lifesharing program helps those with disabilities
John Hovenstine
By Amy King For the past 11 years, Josephine “Joey" Bishop has enjoyed living with the Reich family in Rebersburg as part of Skills of Central Pennsylvania’s Lifesharing program.
Picture caption...
The tiny town of Rebersburg is quite commonplace. Located a little more than 25 miles northeast of State College, its population hovers around 500 residents. Seeing Amish buggies amble by is more the rule than the exception. Gas stations, banks, and grocery stores are few and far between. But in this quiet town there is a woman doing extraordinary things in the life of another. Nicole Reich has selflessly shared her home, her energy, her whole being, for the past 11 years with Josephine Bishop (more lovingly known as Joey), a 68-year-old woman with intellectual disabilities. And it has changed both their lives for the better. Reich and Bishop are participants in Lifesharing Thru Family Living (Lifesharing, for short). It is a program under the larger organization Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Additionally, there are Lifesharing programs with Northwestern Human Services of PA and Community Services Group, Inc. (CSG). All of them contract with the state and the Centre County Office of Mental Health/ Intellectual Disabilities - Drug and Alcohol. Lifesharing offers the opportunity for an individual with intellectual disabilities to live as part of
a familial unit. Willing families open their homes, and, more importantly, their hearts, to someone who requires companionship and love as well as physical aid. The focus is put on the whole person rather than just his/her basic needs. Training, support, and a monthly stipend are provided to Lifesharing families. Reich says that Lifesharing is one of the most beneficial choices she’s ever made. “Family living has been the best thing,” she shares. “I encourage others to really think about participating as well. I know they would get so much out of it. This is a lifestyle that can fit so many different people, from empty nesters to others simply wanting to make a positive impact in the life of another individual. There are so many ways Lifesharing can fit into different people’s lives.” Lifesharing actively promotes itself as a program that fits families of all ages, genders, nationalities, and beliefs. Families could include single people, single parents, two-parent households, or persons with alternative lifestyles. “Families can be anybody,” Lifesharing director Sarah Shaw says. “Your definition of family is our definition of family.”
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The program affirms that family “doesn’t have to mean you are related by blood. Families are those people in your life who want you in theirs by choice. These members love you no matter what and give that feeling of warmth and safety that makes them your family.” Lifesharing provides one who is looking for a family an option about how, where, and with whom they want to live. “We stress key values and mutual interests and strive to match individuals with families they would truly enjoy,” Shaw says. “It gives some personal freedoms [to the Lifesharing individual] in that regard.” Before the commitment is made, the two parties spend some time getting to know one another and begin to forge a relationship. Moreover, there is a screening process for the prospective Lifesharing family that includes personal interviews, home inspections, and background checks. “The regulations are based around the household. Is the home clean? Is it safe? We might find that hand rails need to be added in the shower or that more lighting is needed in a stairwell. These are the sorts of things people can expect at a home visit when they decide they want to be a Lifesharing
participant,” says Lifesharing program specialist Debbie Woolford. Currently in Centre County there are just two involved Lifesharing families (one is Reich’s). It has been a challenge to find families willing to give Lifesharing a try in Centre County, although neighboring counties Blair, Cambria, and Huntingdon have experienced more success in this regard. Deciding to enlist in the Lifesharing program wasn’t the challenging part for Reich — she knew it felt right for where she was in her life, and a friend easily led her to the proper contacts. Instead, the biggest obstacle she faced was getting past the preconceived notions that others have concerning individuals with intellectual disabilities. “At first, it was hard for me to get over how people reacted to Joey. After all, they didn’t know her like I did,” Reich says. “Luckily, it didn’t take long for a full comfort level to kick in. And I knew what a great advantage having Joey was in the lives of my three girls” — ages 6, 7, and 15 when she moved in — “while they were growing up. “It certainly helps that Joey likes to do the same types of things that I do. We enjoy shopping and eating out. Joey adores her stuffed animals and jewelry. She loves her bling!” Reich laughs.
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But more seriously, Reich says, “My friends know that Joey isn’t my job — she’s my family.” Undeniably, Lifesharing is an enormous commitment, but backing is readily accessible. “I don’t ever feel alone,” Reich says. “I’m always fully supported. If I have any questions, I know who to call. Support systems are in place, and people are there to be of assistance.” Additionally, substitute care is available when backup is needed. “Life happens,” says Reich, “and situations may change. Sometimes families go on vacation or there is an emergency that needs tended to. It’s all understandable. If help is needed, it is available.” An added bonus for her is that her own personal backup is her oldest daughter — someone Joey has known and loved for 11 years now. “That aspect does make it easier if I have to leave Joey for any extended periods of time,” Reich acknowledges. Reich’s eldest daughter, Shelby Alterio, says having Bishop as part of their lives has made them that much richer. “We have experienced so many things because of her that others haven’t,” she says. “My own children have learned to see differences in other people and to be accepting of all. They have truly grown from this.” A common misconception many might have © 2012 Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.
about Lifesharing is that they have to be “on” all day, every day. In reality, there is a bit of flexibility. Throughout the day, numerous Lifesharing individuals likely are out and about. Many of them hold jobs in the community or attend different social or school-like settings (for which transportation can be arranged). Because of this, they achieve personal goals and form lasting relationships. For example, Reich and Bishop were shopping one day in Selinsgrove, where Bishop had lived a few years prior. While in the store, several women came over and said Hello. They had remembered Joey and her vivacious personality from when she had lived there. It is simple moments like that that Reich treasures. “There is so much you realize you take for granted when you have someone like Joey in your daily life,” she says. “She’s simply been one of my biggest blessings. She still lights up at birthdays and at Christmas, and she can make me feel like a kid again. This relationship gives so much back — and for that, I’m thankful.” T&G Amy King is a contributor to Town&Gown, and teaches preschool at Grace Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten. She lives in State College with her husband and three children.
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28 - Town&Gown May 2012
The Dix Honda Sales Team:
Bill Elder, Charlie Faris, Mike Shawley, Dave LeRoy, Rick Fisher
2796 W. College Avenue • State College, PA 16801 (814) 238-6711 www.dixhonda.com • Mon., Tues., Thurs. 8-8 • Wed., Fri. 8-5:30 • Sat. 9-3
This Mother’s Day, be on the lookout for the perfect way to say “thanks” to Mom, with a gift of original Gardners Candies.® Choose from a wide selection of Mother’s Day chocolate and candy, boxed candy assortments, chocolate covered pretzels, gift-wrapped assortments and of course, the Original Peanut Butter Meltaway.® Celebrate the wonderful assortment of things Mom does for you every day, and keep your eyes peeled for that perfectly delicious gift, by visiting your local Gardners Candies store or retailer. Visit GardnersCandies.com to order online and find nearby stores & retailers. Or call us at 800.24.CANDY
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health & wellness
Air Pressure Asthma sufferers look to keep the disease from greatly affecting their lives By Samantha Hulings
Stephen Sywy enjoys playing soccer, but oftentimes the senior electrical-engineering student at Penn State finds himself wheezing, coughing, and feeling lightheaded during games. Playing soccer, or most sports, triggers Sywy’s asthma attacks. During these attacks, he says he can’t perform normally due to mucous in his breathing tubes and feeling lightheaded. “I had to stop and catch myself and take a couple minutes to settle down in order to breathe correctly,” he says. Officially diagnosed with sports-induced asthma at age 16, Sywy has a prescribed rescue inhaler to help increase his ability to breathe during games. “I take my inhaler an hour before a game and then I take a second puff 15 minutes before the start of the game,” he says. “If I don’t take my puffer a good 10 to 15 minutes into playing, I start to feel the effects. It isn’t because I’m out of shape, it’s because my airways are smaller.” He adds that he even had to come off the field a few times when he was younger. “You get to a point where it slows down your performance and your ability to breathe,” he says. “You feel like your lungs are on fire. You have to know your limits.” Though there is no known cure for asthma, Sywy and the other 24.6 million Americans suffering from the inflammatory lung disease can manage their condition correctly with proper medication and lifestyle choices. If left untreated or undertreated, however, asthma can cause those with it to miss work or school and have breathing issues, and possibly lead to death. By receiving the right treatment and avoiding asthma triggers to
keep their symptoms under control, patients can almost reverse the disease and have lives that are nearly unaffected by their condition. “Asthma is a disease of the breathing tubes where there is inflammation in the airways causing them to be extra sensitive, which can cause wheezing and shortness of breath.” John B. Cox, MD, a pulmonary/allergies specialist at Mount Nittany Medical Center, says. During asthma attacks, the breathing tubes, or airways, narrow and swell even more, causing extreme shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers may experience wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightening. The attacks may be brief episodes, with symptoms lasting only minutes, or long-lasting with symptoms extending over a period of days or weeks. “If you could look inside the airway [during an attack], it will be inflamed,” Cox says. “This inflammation can be triggered and that will release chemicals called mediators that cause swelling, muscle tightening, and mucous. It makes the airways smaller and it’s more difficult to breath. This is because people have difficulty emptying these airways.” The inflammation of the airways is caused by asthma triggers that depend on the patient’s variation of asthma. Each asthma sufferer has his or her own set of triggers that depend on the environment he or she is in, changes in health, or emotional stress. Common triggers include allergies, respiratory infections such as a cold or the flu, tobacco smoke, exercise, and even some medications. In the past, a variety of asthma subcategories existed, Cox says, but these categories are not used anymore. “Asthma tends to have an important allergic component,” he says. “We categorize people into extrinsic asthma because of an allergic component, and then people who don’t have an allergic component. We try not to use categories anymore because treatment is the same process. We just use allergic triggers, and not because they can guide us toward treatment.” Sywy’s diagnosis came after a pulmonary-function test to check his breathing strength, and a medical-history background check. According to
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Cox, this is the proper way to achieve a diagnosis. “A pulmonary-function test shows the slowing of air exiting the airways,” he says. “For those with asthma, air will come out more slowly and it will be picked up on the test. It is possible to have asthma and have a regular breathing test if the patient is feeling particularly well that day.” If test results show a patient has regular breathing, Cox says those who believe they have asthma should watch for persistent cough, specifically at night, coughing or shortness of breath with exercise, or a cold that consistently stays around. After being diagnosed, patients learn what treatments are best to prevent their airways from becoming inflamed. Cox says patients should try to prevent allergies that cause attacks and use their inhaled steroid or rescue inhaler as prescribed. Because asthma is a chronic disease where patients must pay constant attention to their symptoms, Cox says it requires chronic management. He believes good asthmatic management includes a good partnership between the patient and the health-care provider. Sywy does this through visits with his family doctor and yearly checkups with his allergist, where he retakes the pulmonary-function test and demonstrates how he uses the inhaler. “Many times people use their inhalers incorrectly,” Sywy says. “You have to shake the inhaler, open your mouth, give the inhaler a spray, inhale, and then hold for about 10 seconds before breathing out. If you aren’t doing the treatment right, you aren’t getting it into your system. You want to do it right to get the full effect of the medication.” If it is not taken care of, asthma can negatively affect the lives of those with the condition. Cox states that one of the most common issues with asthma is the amount of school or work that is missed. According to a report in 2008 from the United State Department for Health & Human
Services, 10.5 million children missed school days and 14.2 million adults missed work due to asthma. Cox says pneumothorax, a condition where there is so much air pressure in the airways that there is tearing in the airways and lungs, is a severe consequence of untreated asthma. Respiratory failure and death may occur if severe asthma is left untreated. “Most believe deaths are preventable by doctors and the patients. Medicines fool people into thinking that was all that was needed to cure them, but it wasn’t,” Cox says. “Proper treatment, using medications properly, monitoring patients, and referrals to specialists are needed. Almost all deaths should be preventable through a partnership between the doctors and the patients.” Cox believes that a small subset of patients have poor perceptions of their bodies, causing them to not sense when something is wrong. It isn’t that the patient is denying the presence of asthma, it is simply that the person has a poor physical sense of what is going on with their breathing. “Those people are the ones we have to be careful about,” Cox says. “We need to encourage people to see their health-care provider and keep up with the prevention of asthma attacks. “Asthma is common, but don’t accept getting a cold or missing work. With a greater understanding, you have an improved ability to manage it.” For Sywy, dealing with his asthma was a process. “Now it’s an everyday thing,” he says. “I’m used to it — it’s like wearing glasses. Everyone understands, so that makes it easier. But when I was younger, I thought I was too tough to use an inhaler, so sometimes I wouldn’t. I thought people looked down at people with asthma. Now I see the big picture and it is good to breathe. You need to take care of your health — it’s one of the top priorities in life.” T&G
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Call for a free, no-obligation appointment 814.238.8820 Serving 7 Central PA Counties
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Boalsburg Duffy’ s Tavern Memorial Day
Come and Enjoy New Menu Items, Features, and Specials on the Patio!
Make a day of it at
Duffy’ s!
Located on the Diamond 113 East Main Street Ask about Stagecoach Catering.
On May 28, the Village of Boalsburg continues its Memorial Day tradition that started in 1864 when three townswomen gathered in the cemetery to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. Of course, the holiday has grown since then. The A Day in Towne festival of food, crafts, music, and more is held Memorial Day from 9 am to 5 p.m. The Boalsburg Fire Company also has a parade through the village during the Memorial weekend. It also has a carnival with rides and amusements running Thursday through Monday. In addition, many families hold homecomings and family reunions that coincide with Memorial Day weekend. Christopher Lee founded the Boalsburg Memorial Day committee and served as its first chairman in 1978. He also is currently a member of the committee and is the CEO of the Boal Mansion Museum, where part of the festival takes place along with the village
Reservations 466-6241 Coupons at www.duffystavern.com
The Boalsburg Apothecary The only certified compounding pharmacy in the area
Serving You For 31 Years! Pharmacists Wayne Foster & Carol Younkins 814-466-7937 In the Boalsburg Medical Office Bldg. 3901 South Atherton Street
A unique, eclectic gift shop
Why choose Fair Trade Products?
“Fair Trade” is an internationally recognized approach to the relationship between consumers and producers from developing countries. Nature’s Hue is proud to offer for sale, hand-crafted baskets, jewelry, handbags and other interesting “Fair Trade” items.” 122 East Main Street, Boalsburg, PA 16827 • (814) 466-7181 32 - Town&Gown April May 2012
and the Pennsylvania Military Museum. “The most important part of the day is the 6 p.m. service” — on Monday — “where the community commemorates the sacrifices made by those who went before us to give us the community we have today,” he says. “My personal favorite part of the day is the Civil War battle. It is a gripping portrayal that really brings to life how much was at stake in the Civil War, where almost 630,000 people lost their lives.” The Civil War battle at the Boal Mansion Museum is one of the recent Memorial Day activities that have started over the past few years. Another recent addition is interactive science games for children of all ages. Memorial Day in Boalsburg brings the community together in both a solemn and a festive way. Boalsburg’s identity as the birthplace of Memorial Day also gives it a special identity. “Boalsburg is an excellent example of an American community,” Lee says. “Memorial Day is a fundamental part of our American heritage, and Boalsburg has a leading role in Memorial Day. … It’s important that young people know what went before, and see that participating in and supporting the community is honored.”
Inside: Girl Scouts celebrate 100 years • Hot breakfasts are served at local restaurants
Town&Gown MARCH 2012
FREE
townandgown.com
Town&Gown FEBRUARY 2012
FREE
townandgown.com
A line of colorful handbags & accessories inspired by seaside living on one of nature’s unspoiled treasures, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. Now Available At A Basket Full Gift Shop & Gift Baskets 121 E. Main St. Boalsburg 466-7788 www.basket-full.com
Inside: The two sides of social media; Meet the judges of the Court of Common Pleas
Town&Gown JANUARY 2012
FREE
townandgown.com
Dynamic Duo
Jamie and Kerry Bestwick are not only living out their dreams here in Happy Valley but also finding ways to help others in need
Soup’s
Joe Paterno
Centre County chefs have some great soups to try out and help you keep warm this winter
1926-2012
IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN
Inside: Home & Garden special section; Athletic tournaments help bring buisness to region
May 2011
On!
IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN
fRee
Inside: Palmer Museum turns 40 • Local runners help CVIM
APRIL 2012
FREE
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townandgown.com
Let’s Get to
Work!
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The New Generation
Actually, Bill O’Brien has been hard at work in his first three months as Penn State’s new head football coach. And the results so far have been impressive
Whether for financial security or other reasons, today’s stay-at-home moms have taken on more responsibilities
If It’s happenIng In happy Valley, It’s In Town&Gown
IF IT’S HAPPENING IN HAPPY VALLEY, IT’S IN TOWN&GOWN
33 - Town&Gown April May 2012
Ken Ramsey/Church World Service
A 2009 photo shows ethnic Karen refugees from Burma in Mae La refugee camp in Thailand.
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A Refuge for Refugees Families and individuals from war-torn countries are finding new lives and happiness in Happy Valley By Rebekka Coakley
A
John Hovenstine
t the University Park Airport during an afternoon in late March, a 30-year-old Iraqi man walks into the terminal. Forced to leave his country in order to stay alive, he is starting a new life in an unfamiliar country — and an unfamiliar town. He initially experiences some confusion over retrieving his luggage, but then sees signs in Arabic that are welcoming him to State College. Five representatives from the local office of Church World Service — Phil Jones, Noel Habashy, Micheal A. Vollero, Stephanie Gromak, and Hanade Abualburak — have been waiting for State College’s newest resident to step off his plane. The man, who is carrying a white bag that all the Church World Service-sponsored refugees carry to hold important documents and medi-
Representatives of Church World Service prepare to welcome a Iraqi man to State College at the University Park Airport. From left, Phil Jones, Michael Vollero, Hanade Abualburak, and Stephanie Gromak. 35 - Town&Gown May 2012
Ken Ramsey/Church World Service
Ethnic Shan refugees from Burma in Wieng Heng refugee camp in Thailand in 2009.
cal information, looks genuinely relieved to see friendly faces to greet him. Knowing an interpreter is there to help him puts a great big smile on his face and he shakes hands with the five-person welcoming committee. Starting a new life in an unfamiliar country — not knowing the language, the culture, or any people — can seem pretty daunting. Knowing you can never return to your family, friends, and home makes it that much more unnerving. In fact, it’s those family members and friends who are still living overseas as to why many refugees don’t want to be photographed or talk to the media. Many refugees fear attacks against their loved ones if it becomes known that they are living in America. For refugees arriving in State College, the community, thanks largely to Church World Service, is doing its best to makes these strangers feel welcome, safe, and wanted. “I’ve spent a lot of time abroad living and working in a new place, I know what it’s like to not know the culture, or any of the people,” Habashy says as he waits for the young Iraqi. “I was grateful to make friends, have someone welcome me to their culture and connect with them. I want to do the same for others.” Just after World War II, in 1946, Church World Service was formed by a number of religious denominations to help feed the poor, take care of the sick, and shelter the homeless. Right after the war, the organization donated 11 million pounds of food, clothing, and medical supplies to war-torn Europe. A lot of the work
Church World Service does today involves working with the State Department, which oversees refugee resettlement. Today, there are more than 15.5 million refugees in the world, uprooted from their homes by persecution and armed conflict. According to Jones, director of the State College affiliate of Church World Service, less than one percent will be resettled. Most are in refugee camps for many years. Church World Service has helped resettle some 450,000 people around the world since its inception. The State College branch of Church World Service opened in February 2011, and the first refugee family arrived on September 20. State College currently hosts two Iraqi families, three single Iraqi men, and one Burmese family. The ultimate goal of Jones and his small staff — Abualburak, who is an Arabic interpreter, and Gromak, who just started as the program case manager in mid-March — is to help make sure refugees become self-sustaining. They help provide ESL (English as a Second Language) training, find them housing, and assist with finding employment, getting children enrolled in school, and getting to doctors for vaccines and medical treatments. When Church World Service had been considering another location in Pennsylvania — it had offices in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh — it met with municipal officials, humanservice leaders, and church groups to discuss bringing in refugees. Based on encouragement from these leaders and ample resources for education and medical attention, Happy Valley was
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chosen as another area for refugee resettlement. Jones hopes to bring about 20 more refugee families to State College by October. They will be primarily from Burma and Iraq. Iraq’s refugees, he says, were “fighting on the ‘wrong side’ ” of the war in Iraq. These men and women were helping US soldiers while the US was fighting in Iraq, and now their lives and their families are in danger. Many Iraqis fled to refugee camps in Turkey. Those that have resettled in the United States have had to pass eight levels of security clearance to come to the United States. Other families will mostly come from Burma (natives of the country prefer the name Burma over the new republic’s name — Myanmar). When Burma was overthrown by the military, some young men from various villages were forced to work for the military and were treated very badly. Through the help of interpreter Dew Kaiser, a State College resident who was born in Burma and spent half her life there and half her life in Scotland, the father of the Burmese family tells
he was forced to work as a porter for the military, not knowing if he’d ever see his wife again. During his time as a porter, he was treated very badly (but didn’t want to go into detail as to how) and ran away from the military. He’d heard about a United Nations agency helping Burmese refugees in Malaysia, so he and his wife escaped to Thailand first, hiding under false floors in rice trucks, then walked through jungles for three days and were in a boat for another day to arrive in Malaysia. The couple were given a priority card, which indicated when they would be resettled into a new country. When they found out the wife was four months pregnant, their priority ranking jumped. After a series of seven or eight intensive interviews and background checks, the couple were given housing — a tiny bedroom, where they lived for four years. Both of their children were born in Malaysia. About 10 months before coming to the United States, they were told they would be relocated to America but were not told when. Despite not knowing, the family was relieved. Even in Malaysia they lived in fear for their lives every day. For three days, the parents were trained for their trip, learning briefly about US culture, the language, the food, and the Church World Service refugee program. When talking about the adjustment to their new culture, the father of the family shrugs it off. He says that Malaysia was so different from what
“I was grateful to make friends, have someone welcome me to their culture and connect with them. I want to do the same for others.” — Noel Habashy, Church World Service
Carol Young/Church World Service
their story. Because they want to ensure the safety of their family members still in Burma, they did not want to give their names. When Burma gained independence from the United Kingdom in the late 1940s, ethnic conflicts and uprisings began within the country. There were seven different ethnicities struggling for power, the father explains, and in the 1960s a coup d’état led to widespread human-rights violations. Due to the conflicts and rising battles in the country, there are now about 160,000 Burmese refugees. The mother, 32, father, 28, and two sons — a smiling, cheerful 3-year-old and his younger brother, a quiet 8-month-old — arrived in State College at the end of last November. The couple met when the father, who had grown up in the northeastern part of the country, was visiting some friends in the northwest. She had lived in the same village as his friends; they met through their friends. He moved to her village and they were married in 2006. Shortly after,
Refugees at Mae La refugee camp have their ration cards checked at a distribution of staple foods.
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Carol Young/Church World Service
Karen Burmese refugee siblings at Mae La camp in Thailand.
they were used to that they were used to adjusting. Although their apartment in State College is small to most Americans, this Burmese family is very happy with their new home. The oldest son’s toys — some trucks and building blocks — are simple, but he’s quite pleased to have them. The family seems quite content, especially for having left their family, friends, and country just
a few months earlier. Jones has worked hard to make sure each family has a furnished apartment to call home, and food stocked in the kitchen for two days, with the promise of a grocery trip with the help of a volunteer within the next day. Everyone in the family has a toothbrush, towels, and other amenities donated by churches and individuals
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Carol Young/Church World Service
in the community. The father has been spending his time walking around the community to familiarize himself with the area, and visiting the library to communicate online with family and friends but also to learn more about his new country. His hope, he says, is to gain more confidence to communicate and get a job, and make sure his children receive good educations. He doesn’t want to just learn the language, he wants to learn the culture, learn how to adapt to his new community. That includes getting used to the food. The family had never had a sandwich before, and after a trip to Subway, they weren’t sure if they liked sandwiches or not. It was just something different that they had to experience — that made them feel more American. Jones says that, with time, he sees each family gain more confidence with their surroundings, excited to try new customs and foods, and make new friends. Coming out of their shells has led to self-sustainability. T&G Refugees from Burma at Mae La camp in Thailand.
Rebekka Coakley lives in Bellefonte, is a freelance writer, and works for Penn State.
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John Hovenstine (2)
Ruth Parrish Sauder (left) volunteers some of her time to help refugees learn English.
Good W Neighbors Thanks to the work of some local residents, refugees are adjusting to life in America By Rebekka Coakley
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hen Jennifer Mastrofski heard about the resettlement of refugees in State College from a friend who worked in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare, she was thrilled. She’d always hoped to help in refugee relief somehow, and the decision of Church World Service to open an office in State College was the perfect opportunity to do so for the retired Penn State associate professor in justice and safety institute. “I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer for such an amazing initiative in our own community,” she says. “Getting to know the families I spend time with has enriched my life and,
hopefully, their lives as well. I am excited about future possibilities to take our relationships in new directions after the families become more established in the community.” Mastrofski has been spending a lot of time with the two Iraqi families who arrived in September 2011. She volunteers to help transport them to various appointments with doctors, school administrators for their kids, and job interviews, plus she takes them grocery shopping and on other errands the refugees need help completing. For her, the experience isn’t just rewarding because she’s helping someone, it’s also gratifying because she gets to see her new friends experience our culture while she learns about theirs. “In many ways I feel like I get the chance to see them experience American traditions for the first time — and they enjoy them,” she says. “It’s almost like I get to see it for the first time all over again, too.” Mastrofski is one of several local residents helping refugee families and individuals who have been relocated to State College become acclimated to living here.
Over the holidays, Mastrofski and her husband took one of the Iraqi families to a Christmas fair in the area. Even though she knew the family did not celebrate Christmas, she thought it would be enjoyable to introduce to them a big part of American culture. “It was just a lot of fun,” she says. “Both the parents enjoyed it and there was a lot of laughter, a lot of smiles. It was a simple event, nothing we had to plan, and they really enjoyed it.” The children had a chance to see Santa on a fire truck, and taste their first popcorn balls, and Mastrofski could tell that the parents enjoyed seeing other people in the community and learning more about their neighborhood. Mastrofski, who does not speak Arabic, says that she has learned a lot about the Iraqi culture through observation — how they sit at the dinner table, who rides where in the car, and even how they say Hello — and using various gestures to communicate. “The father of one of the families wanted a cell phone, so I took them to Walmart,” she says. “I called one of their translators when we were there to make sure we got the right phone
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for them. The clerk was extremely helpful, but it was a really long process. It opened my eyes up to just some of the challenges they’re going through on a daily basis. It was a really good experience for me.” She says the more time she spends with the families the more she realizes how difficult it must have been to leave their country, family, friends, comforts, and culture behind. “It had to take a lot of courage to leave it all
makes me realize just how much of life we take for granted.” According to churchworldservice.org, “more than 15.5 million people around the world are refugees — uprooted from their countries by persecution and armed conflict. Many end up warehoused in camps or struggling to survive in their country.” It’s Church World Service’s goal to welcome the newly arrived refugees and find volunteers to help them become self-sufficient in the United States. Despite everything the Iraqi families have been through, the children are always smiling, Mastrofski says, and very affectionate. While she also sees the frustrations the parents have if they’re not able to communicate, they are always kind and very hospitable. She says they’ve come a long way with their English skills already and are always eager to learn more English.
“To be able to say, ‘This is what I need to do to protect my family — to leave and never look back,’ is a huge sacrifice to have to make.” — Jennifer Mastrofski permanently, but in addition to that, most refugees are in refugee camps for years before they are given a permanent home in a new country,” she says. “To be able to say, ‘This is what I need to do to protect my family — to leave and never look back,’ is a huge sacrifice to have to make. It
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Hanade Abualburak (right) of Church World Service works with a refugee on helping him learn English.
Hanade Abualburak, a Dallas, Pennsylvania, native and Penn State senior is an interpreter for the Iraqi refugees in State College. While she’s majoring in three areas at Penn State — communications, math, and international politics — it was her communications education that introduced her to Church World Service. She interviewed with State College affiliate director Phil Jones for a project, and when he found out she spoke Arabic, he enlisted her as an interpreter. Today, she is employed by Church World Service. She says the work is inspirational and she’s thankful she has a job that she truly enjoys. “It’s beneficial on a personal level,” she says. “Learning what these people have gone through makes you truly thankful to be living in the United States. I’ve been learning so much from them.” Stephanie Gromek, from Watsontown, also employed with Church World Service, is the program case manager. Her interest in working with refugees began when she was a refugee advocate as an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico. She then did an internship at Church World Service in Lancaster, which led
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to the work she does in State College. As the program case manager, she helps Jones prepare for incoming refugees — the organization receives only two weeks’ notice to set up housing, utilities, food, etc., for new arrivals — then works to set up medical appointments and helps them find jobs and other resources in the area. “It’s great to see all the details needed behind the scenes to prepare for each person coming,” she says. “Working with the refugees really humbles you — to see where they’re coming from, what they’ve been through, and, despite all of this, how much they want to be just like anyone else.” Tamra Faterni-Badi and Ruth Parrish Sauder are volunteers working hard to help refugee families learn English, so they can begin to understand more about our culture and find better opportunities for themselves. Faterni-Badi is the program coordinator for Global Connections, a community nonprofit organization affiliated with Penn State and Centre County United Way that fosters intercultural community and understanding in Centre County. When Church World Service began considering State College as a potential site for a new office, it contacted Global Connections, along with other human-service providers in the area, to make sure there were ample opportunities for these families to live, find work, and learn English. “We were all for State College becoming a resettlement area,” Faterni-Badi says. “With the international student and immigrant populations already here, we knew this area would be great for resettlement.” Global Connections acts as an affiliate with Church World Service to provide the English as a Second Language (ESL) component for the
refugees. They also find volunteers to help in ways similar to what Mastrofski does with her families, and they ask for donations for refugees — food, furniture, toys, gift cards to grocery stores, bus passes, and cash donations. “But the greatest need we have right now is for interpreters,” Faterni-Badi says. “We are looking for volunteers who speak Kachin (one of the languages in Burma), Burmese, and Arabic. More refugees from Iraq and Burma will be arriving throughout the next few years.” In addition to interpreters, she says Global Connections would take volunteers who have passed the necessary clearances to watch a family’s children while the parents are in their ESL classes. “A lot of our volunteers are interested in making international friends. They have traveled and know how much it means to feel welcomed in a new community, particularly when everything — the language and culture — are also new,” she says. “A lot of them know the challenge of being an expat.” She stresses that volunteering to work with these families not only puts the refugees at ease and teaches them about the kindness of the State College community, it also helps them feel safer — after a long time without that feeling. And volunteers learn more about families’ countries, cultures, and beliefs. “The world continues to get smaller, thanks to technology, and the more you learn about the world around you, the more prepared you are for the future,” she says. While she says volunteers could be as involved as they want to be, most are eager to get to know their new neighbors. She says the first two Iraqi families are able to communicate more and are starting to understand English. They
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still have to use hand gestures at times, but she says they’ve made a lot of progress. And all the refugees she has met are friendly and very grateful for company. If she sees them in the community, they enthusiastically invite her to come into their homes for visits. And sometimes that’s all a volunteer needs to do, Faterni-Badi says. “We’re looking for conversation partners to help them with their English,” she says. “This is just people from the community having conversations with individuals in English. Our goal is to help them become self-sufficient, and improving their English is a huge part of that. They have visas, which means they can work. Knowing English will help them find good work opportunities.” Having studied abroad in France as an undergraduate at Penn State, Parrish Sauder knows what it’s like to feel isolated and lonely in a new country. But she didn’t have to experience it for too long. She says the people she met while in France treated her well and were generous
hosts. She wanted those experiencing life in the United States for the first time to feel the same warmth she had felt in France. When she found that Church World Service was opening an office and bringing refugees to State College, she was excited. A friend from Rwanda once told her how traumatic it is being a refugee, and this made Parrish Sauder even more eager to volunteer. Besides being an ESL teacher for refugees, she also coordinates other ESL teachers, tutors,
“With the international student and immigrant populations already here, we knew this area would be great for resettlement.” — Tamra Faterni-Badi conversation partners, and classroom helpers. The classes are primarily for adults, since their children are learning English at school, but she has had a chance to know the children well, too. One family showed her pictures of their life in Iraq, and then in the Turkish refugee camp they
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had been living in — and the images are powerful. “They lost a lot; this is a huge adjustment for them,” Parrish Sauder says. “They’re so inspiring. They have taught me about hospitality and they’re more welcoming to me when I feel I should be welcoming them.” She says they have taught her to see the world through their eyes — eyes she’d never have had the opportunity to meet if it weren’t for her vol-
public assistance in terms of medical care and food bank donations, until they’re able to start working, according to Faterni-Badi. Restaurants and hotels in the area have been helpful offering jobs where the refugee families can get by on the little English they know. Once they are more comfortable speaking and listening to English, they may be able to better support their families, perhaps even take some classes. For now, the families are doing the best they can in their situations and trying hard to learn as much as they can about State College — the culture, the language, and the people. For what they’ve been through and what they’ve seen, it’s a transition they seem more than happy to be making. “It’s just so nice to see the kids happy to be in school,” Faterni-Badi says, “and the families knowing they’re now free and safe.” T&G
“They’re so inspiring. They have taught me about hospitality and they’re more welcoming to me when I feel I should be welcoming them.” — Ruth Parrish Sauder unteerism. And she enjoys watching the families gain confidence in their lives in State College — learning to get around, knowing the bus schedule, making friends — as they learn more English and become more independent. Right now, the families are receiving a little
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Educational Adventure
A few months ago, State College teacher Nell Herrmann traveled with a team of scientists to Antarctica for ongoing research on the continent. What she learned and experienced there is something she’ll never forget By Nell Herrmann
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Darren Weimert
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Why Antarctica? It’s a question many people asked me after I had been accepted into the PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program in January 2011. I don’t have a concrete answer to that question, other than that I have a passion for the natural world and for conservation in general — this has been true for as long as I can remember. I grew up in College Heights and used to spend hours watching squirrels and ants in my backyard. I think my love of nature crystallized at Camp Krislund during the summer after seventh grade when I saw my first black bear. In college and graduate school, I studied wildlife and conservation biology, and I’ve been fortunate to participate in research opportunities that have taken me to many beautiful places. I’ve worked in Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Greenland. But the Western Antarctic Peninsula is by far the most magical place I’ve been. The combination of the angle of the light, the colors of the glaciers and icebergs, and the abundant and beautiful wildlife left me completely awestruck. I fell immediately in love with the place and can’t get it out of my mind. My five weeks in Antarctica this winter gave me the experience of a lifetime. My opportunity was possible because of PolarTREC, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and coordinated by ARCUS (Arctic Consortium of the United States), located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The goal of the program is to raise awareness of polar science by
Herrmann with graduate student Kate Schoenrock in the aquarium room at Palmer Station. They are preparing specimens that Herrmann collected while scuba diving for an ocean-acidification experiment.
Herrmann traveled from Chile to Antarctica on the Laurence M. Gould research vessel. She took this photo from the zodiac while the group was at Cierva Point.
funding K-12 teachers from across the United States to participate in research in the Earth’s polar regions. Through blogs, webinars, and other types of outreach, teachers serve as a conduit between scientists and the general public to share information about the important studies happening in the Arctic and the Antarctic. All expenses are paid for PolarTREC teachers, including the costs for substitutes, travel, food, lodging, and medical expenses incurred during the extensive battery of exams required for Physical Qualification, or “PQ,” before deployment. My friends Eric Post and Pernille Boving, Penn State scientists who do research in Greenland, told me about the program and encouraged me to apply. I figured it was a long shot, but applied in October 2010 and was surprised that I’d been selected as one of 12 US teachers for the program. I received the phone call at school during my eighth-period class and was so excited that I burst into tears. I’ll never forget the reaction of the students who were there when I got the call — they gave a great cheer, which made me even more teary eyed. In February 2011, I flew to Fairbanks for the training and met the other 11 PolarTREC teachers. This group of kindred spirits was amazing and we quickly became friends. Since 2007, PolarTREC has paired 12 teachers a year with different scientists. Each teacher travels to a different place to work on a different project. Some of my PolarTREC colleagues traveled to McMurdo Station — the largest of three US Antarctic research stations — others to the South Pole Station, and still others to Greenland, Alaska, or Norway for their expeditions. I traveled to Palmer Station Antarctica on the Western Antarctic Peninsula. I was paired with two marine biologists, Dr. Chuck Amsler and Dr. Jim McClintock, both from the University of Alabama
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Herrmann’s first view of Palmer Station.
at Birmingham. I also worked with Dr. Amsler’s wife, Maggie, and two graduate students, Julie Schram and Kate Schoenrock. All were outstanding and will be lifelong friends. I am lucky. Getting to and from Palmer Station was no small feat. I flew from State College to Detroit and then to Atlanta. From there, I flew to Santiago, Chile, and next was to go to Punta Arenas, Chile, but I missed my connection in Santiago, which was a bit stressful. At that point I’d been awake for about 30 hours. I was much too excited to sleep! I eventually caught a plane to Punta Arenas. From there, I boarded the American Science Research Vessel (ASRV) the Laurence M. Gould (LMG) and departed for Antarctica. As I look back at my journals recorded on the PolarTREC site, I can hear the enthusiasm in my “voice” increasing with each journal entry. On the day we pulled out of Punta Arenas I wrote a journal entry titled Adios Patagonia! My first words were, “Yahoo! We are underway! We left the dock at 8 a.m. and I am SO EXCITED I can barely contain myself!” I remember how I felt that
day — ready to burst at the prospect of seeing a place I’d only dreamed about before. I spent much of the day on the deck of the ship jumping up and down and telling everyone how happy I was. Most of the people on the LMG had been to Antarctica multiple times and found my excitement somewhat amusing, but I didn’t care! It took a day to travel through the Strait of Magellan and three more days to travel through the Drake Passage, the body of water between the tip of South America and the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Spending time in such close quarters and in such an unusual environment breeds camaraderie quickly. I was pleased that all of the scientists were willing to talk with me about their research, often providing images and journal articles for me to share with my students in the
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Learning Enrichment and Gifted Support Program at State High. Before the trip, I was worried that I’d find the scientists intimidating, but they weren’t at all. While on my journey I posted a photo-journal entry each day. State College students in grades 3 to 12 wrote to me through a tab on the Web site called “Ask the Team.” I was impressed by the questions they asked and was particularly touched that several of my high school students wrote to me every day. Before I had left for Palmer Station, Dr. Amsler, the principal investigator with whom I was paired, came to speak with about 500 students at State High, focusing primarily on the marine-biology research he does at Palmer Station. The feedback I received from students who attended the presentation was tremendous. Dr. Amsler’s pictures of penguins, seals, underwater marine life, glaciers, and icebergs were captivating. Before leaving, I also developed a club at State High called the Polar Ambassadors. The group includes 20 students in grades 9 to 12 who meet with me weekly after school to talk about polar science. So far we’ve done outreach to both Park Forest Elementary and Park Forest Middle School, and we have plans to do even more outreach in the future. Some of the lesson plans we’ve developed are about ocean acidification, the focus of the research
I took part in at Palmer Station. Dr. McClintock refers to ocean acidification as the “other CO2 problem.” Most people are aware that the increase in carbon-dioxide emissions since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution has been linked to climate change, but fewer realize that carbon-dioxide emissions also have caused the ocean to become increasingly acidic. Ocean acidification has a negative impact on organisms that have calcium carbonate in their tissues, including some types of algae, some plankton, any animals with shells, sea stars, sea urchins, and many others. The project I worked on at Palmer Station focused on the effects of changing pH and temperature on four different organisms: a limpet, a snail, a crustose coralline algae, and a fleshy algae, which are all important parts of the Southern Ocean food web. Changes to populations of these organisms could have potentially catastrophic effects on other organisms that rely on them for food or habitat. My responsibilities at Palmer Station included working as a dive tender on a zodiac, or small inflatable boat, for Dr. Amsler and Dr. McClintock’s project. The divers were Dr. Amsler, his wife, and the two graduate students. Being a dive tender is serious business, especially in Antarctica where water temperatures
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are dangerously low and aggressive leopard seals are abundant. Leopard seals are solitary ambushing predators, which have been known to attack scuba divers, at times fatally. Dr. Amsler spent a couple hours on the LMG showing me a PowerPoint presentation and explaining my role as a tender while we traveled through the Drake Passage. Although I was confident I could fulfill my duties, I was somewhat nervous about the different aspects of the job. As one of two tenders, I either drove the zodiac or assisted the divers as they put on their gear and got into and out of the water. I also had to watch for leopard seals — if I saw one, I needed to put an alarm in the water to alert the divers to come to the surface. Because they were diving at depths up to 110 feet, ascending quickly involves a risk of getting the bends. To counteract this, a Divers Alert Network (DAN) kit containing an oxygen tank was always on board the zodiac. During my time at Palmer Station, we had only one leopard seal recall, but it was scary. I was tending that day with Julie Schram and we noticed a third set of bubbles near the bubbles of Kate Schoenrock and Maggie Amsler, who were underwater at the time. Shortly thereafter, a leopard seal surfaced and made frighteningly direct eye contact with me. The seal had extremely bloodshot eyes and was intimidating. We got the divers back
into the boat successfully, but my heart was racing for about an hour afterward. In addition to working as a dive tender, I also had the opportunity to go in the field with geologists, entomologists, ornithologists, and a physicist who studies phytoplankton by using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) called Slocum gliders. The gliders are used to collect data about phytoplankton abundance near Palmer Station, and are valuable because they allow real-time data collection. They fly near a submarine canyon responsible for nutrient-rich water that results from upwelling. This water is responsible for causing phytoplankton blooms, which provide food for krill. Small crustaceans that eat phytoplankton, krill form the base of the Southern Ocean food chain and are eaten by penguins and some seals, the top predators in the area around Palmer Station. Collecting data about the upwelling from the submarine canyon allows scientists to test various food-web interaction hypotheses as well as providing information about how those interactions are being impacted by changing climate, which is all part of a 20-yearold study called the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program. Data from the LTER has shown that the Western
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Herrmann (back row, far left) with the group of scientists and support staff that she worked with on her trip. They called the day “Operation Fun Haul." They hauled drilling equipment and other supplies up the hill for the permafrost drilling project being done by the geologists from University of Wisconsin and the University of Lisbon (in Portugal).
Antarctic Peninsula is changing rapidly because of warming air and sea temperatures. A 2009 issue of the journal Nature included an article describing the Western Antarctic Peninsula as the most rapidly warming place on Earth. I didn’t realize this before leaving for my PolarTREC expedition, and after falling deeply in love with the region I was beyond distressed to learn this. The warming trend has caused dramatic changes to the peninsula in the past 50 years. The Marr Glacier, behind Palmer Station, is breaking up, or “calving,” at an increasingly rapid rate. Aerial photos and GPS data show that the glacier has retreated more than 500 meters since 1963. Dr. McClintock told me that when he first started working at Palmer Station in the 1980s, glacial calving, which sounds like thunder or a cannon being fired, was a rare occurrence. When it happened, he said, “everyone would get up, leave their offices, and go outside to look.” That’s not the case nowadays. While I was at Palmer Station, the loud crashing of a calving glacier left the experienced “Palmerites” unfazed. I had to ask the people I was in the field with what the sound was the first time I heard it. Nobody made a big deal about it. Warming trends also are responsible for changes in penguin populations on the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Adelie penguins, which are dependent on sea ice for breeding areas, are experiencing increased mortality rates. In parts of Antarctica, the population of Adelies has fallen by almost 90 percent. The mean winter air temperature of the Western Antarctic Peninsula has risen 10.8 degrees Fahrenheit in the past 50 years, delivering more snowfall that buries the rocks the Adelie penguins use as nesting sites each spring. Gentoo penguins, which prefer areas of more
open water, are replacing Adelie penguins in the areas around Palmer Station. Increased glacial melting also adds more freshwater to the ocean, changing the salinity of seawater. This shift is responsible for changes in phytoplankton communities, which are having detrimental effects on krill. Changes in the krill population affect all the animals that eat krill, including penguins and seals. My five weeks in Antarctica seem a bit like a dream now. I was truly sorry to leave, but despite the magic and beauty of the place, I was happy to get home. I am completely readjusted to being home and am glad to see trees! There are no trees in Antarctica, only two low-growing species of plants. I also am thrilled to see my students and to share what I’ve learned with them. Many people have asked me if my PolarTREC expedition to Antarctica has “changed” me. My answer is a resounding Yes. I am incredibly motivated to share what I’ve learned about the Western Antarctic Peninsula and the threats it faces with anyone and everyone who will listen. Conservation of this part of the world is at the forefront of my mind. T&G Nell Herrmann is a Learning Enrichment and Gifted Support Specialist at State College Area High School. Before assuming this position, she taught seventh-grade science in rural Maine and at Park Forest Middle School. She is the coach of several of State High’s academic quiz teams, including National Ocean Sciences Bowl, National Science Bowl, and Knowledge Masters. She also is the creator and advisor of the Polar Ambassadors Club. She lives in State College with her husband, Jeff Beck, a visual art teacher in the State College Area School District.
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The head of the Nittany Lion mascot uniform that Doug Skinner wore during the 1987 Fiesta Bowl is one of the “hidden gems" at the Penn State All-Sports Museum. 56 - Town&Gown May 2012
A
Homefor
Legends and
Champions About to enter its second decade, Penn State’s All-Sports Museum continues to showcase an extensive collection of Nittany Lion memorabilia as it looks to the future
By Curtis Chan Although it’s tucked in the southeast corner of Beaver Stadium, the Penn State All-Sports Museum stands virtually alone in the landscape of college athletics. According to Ken Hickman, the facility’s director, the museum is one of the rare institutions that is entirely devoted to a university’s sports history. “At the college level, it’s hard to find,” he says, adding that most are for single sports or an entire history of the university. The University of Alabama has a museum dedicated solely to legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. A museum at the University of North Carolina focuses on the school’s rich basketball heritage. And for Buckeyes alumnus and famed golfer Jack Nicklaus, there’s a museum dedicated to him on the Ohio State campus. Some universities have halls of fame, such as the University of Iowa. But according to
Hickman, Penn State’s museum is unique. This year, the All-Sports Museum celebrates its 10th anniversary. The idea for the museum, however, stretches back much further and wasn’t always a sure thing. Ellen Perry, who served as assistant and then associate athletic director, says the notion had been discussed as far back as the mid-1980s. “It became apparent as athletics was spreading around campus, some of the history was being lost,” she recalls. Some pieces were cataloged and preserved in the Penn State Archives, under the careful direction of Jackie Esposito and Lee Stout. Other relics were on display around campus in trophy cases in places such as Rec Hall. Still others were stashed in nooks and crannies across campus. Although the museum became part of the athletic department’s strategic plan, finding
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The museum showcases plenty of Penn State’s football history.
funding for it was a constant challenge. “There were moments that we could see we could do it and have the revenue, but then there were other times …” Perry says. When football coach Joe Paterno proposed the idea of a northeast sports conference, the museum was put on the back burner. Although the conference never came to fruition, Penn State’s transition into the Big Ten needed to be financed, and the museum was once again put on hold. “Was this really a priority?” Perry asks. “Or could we do what we had been doing and just find places to store it?” Creating a museum was deemed a priority, and a committee that included Perry, archivist Stout, and other athletic officials was charged with realizing the vision. From the outset, the group wanted every team represented, not just football, Perry says. The site of the museum was a trickier question. The original proposal called for a freestanding structure located at what is today a parking lot in the Bryce Jordan Center’s northwest corner. The cost of building a stand-alone museum proved prohibitive, so the museum was eventually integrated into the 2001 expansion and renovation of Beaver Stadium.
To design the museum, Gerard Hilferty and Associates, an Athens, Ohio, company whose credits include the College Football Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Derby Museum, and the U.S. Golf Association Museum and Library, was brought on board. Though Hilferty was tasked with designing the new facility, the athletic archaeological effort of assembling the collection fell to Lou Prato, a 1959 Penn State journalism graduate who had written a book on the university’s football history and was on the stadium-expansion committee. Perry says, “We spent a lot of time figuring out where things were.” The collection maintained by the university archives was something that had gradually grown over the years. Says Stout, who retired in 2007, “People gave stuff to the old Penn State Room. It just sort of accumulated. There wasn’t a conscious effort to collect the stuff.” For Prato, it meant not only working with Esposito and Stout at the archives, but also scouring hidden rooms, forgotten closets, and dingy basements for two years. “It meant crawling through a lot of dusty places,” the 74-year-old Prato recalls. But as he dug through boxes and waded through rooms and closets, he unearthed a number of gems that had long since been forgotten.
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A rugby ball signed by the founding members of the 1962 rugby team.
In the basement of White Building, he found materials from Penn State’s 1909 baseball team. And in a room underneath the grandstands at Rec Hall, he discovered a trove of trophies, including the third-place trophy from the men’s basketball team’s sole Final Four appearance in 1954. “That was the Holy Grail,” Prato says proudly, explaining that the NCAA had once played a consolation game to determine third and fourth place in the tournament. Many of the object materials — baseballs, footballs, trophies, batons, and so on — were transferred from the archives to the new museum, according to Stout, though the library still maintains many photos, films, videotapes, and paper files for research purposes. But not everything in the museum’s collection was found on campus. Some of the All-Sports Museum’s most prized possessions were donated by former student-athletes years after their playing days ended. For years, Prato had asked Horace Ashenfelter III for his gold medal from his 3,000-meter steeplechase upset victory at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. The 1949 graduate wasn’t quite ready to relinquish his medal — his grandchildren enjoyed taking it to school for show-and-tell. Finally one day, Ashenfelter called Prato,
telling him the museum could have the medal and that he’d put it in the mail. “I told him ‘No, I’m going to drive over and pick it up,’ ” Prato says. When Prato arrived at the former Olympian’s Glen Ridge, NJ, residence, Ashenfelter gave him his medal and the spikes he was wearing for the steeplechase. As Prato recalls, Ashenfelter then asked him if he wanted any of the other “stuff” in a box that would otherwise be thrown away. In it were his shorts, shirt, and warm-up outfit from the 1952 Games. Ashenfelter’s entire outfit, along with the gold medal, are now preserved and on display at the museum. “Getting that was a great thing,” says Prato, who also served as the museum’s first director until his retirement at the end of 2005. Today, 10,000 square feet and two levels are devoted to Penn State’s athletic past and present, encompassing 19 varsity-sports programs. Unlike a hall of fame where people are voted in, the museum’s format allows curators some latitude in deciding what goes in. “There are some things that are no brainers — national championships, new school records,” Hickman says. “Some are historic achievements in their own rights. Some are situations that need to be recognized.”
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Museum director Ken Hickman says the museum has about 350 items on display at any one time — and about 5,500 items in storage.
A display dedicated to Horace Ashenfelter, a 1949 Penn State graduate who won the 1952 Olympic Gold Medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The 1928 Women’s Hand Book shows how women were once issued different materials than their male counterparts.
He continued, “If you’ve got someone special like [former men’s basketball player] Talor Battle, that person needs to be recognized.” Since opening in 2002, the museum annually draws about 20,000 visitors. Admission is free, but a suggested donation is encouraged. Donation revenue is used to fund special exhibits, programming, and tours. Many visitors marvel at John Cappelletti’s 1973 Heisman Trophy, and others among Hickman’s favorite pieces are the museum’s collection of national-championship trophies from many sports, the football playbooks from the 1920s, and the soccer uniforms and balls from the 1930s through 1950s when Penn State was a national soccer power. In addition to the pieces on display, the museum has a trove of materials in storage waiting to see the light of day. “No museum displays its entire collection,” Stout says. “In fact, most museums display only about 10 percent of their collection.” Hickman says the museum has about 350 items on display at any one time — and about 5,500 items in storage. One of the hidden gems is the Nittany Lion mascot suit worn by Doug Skinner when Penn State won its second national title in football at the Fiesta Bowl in January 1987.
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“He just called out of the blue,” Hickman remembers. “ ‘By the way, I have my entire lion suit from that night.’ He asked, ‘Is this something you’re interested in?’ In the euphoria of winning the title, he just took the suit with him. It was hanging in his closet for the last 25 years in his home in Exton, Pennsylvania.” Hickman says he hopes to one day expand the mascot display to include Skinner’s suit, as well as additional photos and bits and pieces of uniforms. Space is one of the museum’s biggest issues. Although Hickman’s staff is constantly updating the existing displays, those who have been involved with the museum would love to see an expansion in the future. Hickman’s own office is filled with boxes of memorabilia, including pieces from the original Old Main, the game ball from men’s basketball head coach Patrick Chambers’s first win, blue football game buttons, and metal lunchboxes. He hopes to borrow part of the recruiting lounge next to the museum’s second level or some other space for a rotating exhibit area. “If we could get a nice blank-slate kind of room,” he muses. “We certainly have enough stuff in the back.” One of his upcoming challenges will be finding
space for an expanded ice-hockey section as the men’s and women’s teams move into varsity status next season. There’s also the matter of representing new head football coach Bill O’Brien in the museum. Hickman says there are the obvious things: a game program, the game ball from O’Brien’s first game, and the game ball from his first victory. “I’d like to think those would be one and the same,” Hickman laughs. But since O’Brien hasn’t coached a down yet at Penn State, it’s difficult to predict exactly what else the museum would want for display. “We’ll see what he decides to coach in for his attire,” Hickman says. Paterno had his trademark Coke-rimmed glasses, rolled up khakis, and black Nikes. Hickman asked of O’Brien, “What is his signature ‘thing?’ What becomes iconic with him?” The museum staff has worked hard to educate coaches and equipment managers to save items that could be of historic value. “If something historic is going to happen, they’ll grab a program or a game ball,” he says. He says Brad “Spider” Caldwell, the football team’s equipment manager, is especially diligent
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about preservation. “If Joe changed into a new pair of Nikes, we’d get a call from Spider asking if we wanted them,” Hickman says. The sheer volume of Paterno paraphernalia and historical achievements could easily fill its own museum. “We could do a trophy room for all of Joe’s trophies,” Hickman says. The early bowl trophies “are large, impressive pieces.” The museum has pieces from Paterno’s office prior to the stadium renovation as well as his old wooden locker. Museum staff also collected and preserved many of the items left by fans and alumni at the Joe Paterno statue immediately after the former coach’s death. The poor weather that week destroyed some of the items, unfortunately. But, Hickman says, “We were able to save 80 to 85 percent of the paper left there.” Materials such as sympathy cards, handwritten letters of four and five pages in length, and other objects have been archived for future display. “I would think we’ll have a permanent Joe exhibit sometime down the road,” Hickman says. But with the legendary coach’s recent death and Jerry Sandusky trial set for summer, it’s a bit too soon.
“We’ll have to let things play out a bit.” For the immediate future, Hickman says the museum will add new display cases that will kick off with an anniversary exhibit. Also planned is a new system of computer touchscreens with more capabilities. The system, he says, will allow visitors to search year-by-year results for every sport as well as find varsity letter winners. “My goal is to have a photo with each winner,” Hickman adds. The system launched during this year’s BlueWhite Weekend, though the database of varsity letter winners will start off with the Big Ten era or 1990 to present, depending on the sport. Also on Hickman’s staff to-do list: updating the wrestling display to include the 2011-12 national championship. “When you look back, it’s something that’s permeated back to the beginning — success with honor,” Hickman says. “And the story keeps on going.” T&G Curtis Chan is coordinator of college relations for the College of Engineering at Penn State. He also is an adjunct instructor in the College of Communications, and graphics advisor for the Daily Collegian.
From left, a program from the 1959 College World Series signed by members of the Penn State team and support staff, a basketball for the 2006-07 Lady Lions — the final season under head coach Rene Portland, and a volleyball signed by the 1999 women’s volleyball team that won the national championship. 62 - Town&Gown May 2012
Home & Garden
Discover some hot tips on making improvements to your home — inside and outside
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Home & Garden
Breathing
New Life Top home-improvement trends for 2012 By Sarah Harteis Let’s face it, the words “home improvement” can be overwhelming. What projects do you take on? Which ones will have the most impact on your home’s value? What can you afford? To homeowners, these questions can seem exhausting. Luckily, research on the topic is conducted annually to help and guide homeowners in the best directions toward successful home improvements. Listed below are the top trends in home improvements for 2012.
Update dated light fixtures, sink faucets, cabinet/door hardware. Some of these updates also can seem small, but according to Dolan, are extremely worth it in the end. It also can be an inexpensive way to make a big impact on the home. For example, updating your bathroom’s faucet and lighting can completely change the feel and look of the room. Energize your exterior. Research from Power Home Remodeling Group (PHRG), the nation’s fourth-largest home-remodeling company, has shown that this trend is the way to go when it comes to return on investment. The company believes that projects such as updating your siding can have a huge effect on your home’s curb appeal. It has even found that seven of its top 10 home-improvement projects for 2012 are exterior projects, garnering anywhere from 69 to 78 percent return on investment — the highest of any projects this year.
Update windows and doors. Jessica Dolan of Room to Breathe Home & Office Organizing believes that updating these small areas are simple and absolutely worth it in the long run. Sometimes a project that seems miniscule has more impact on a home than one realizes. Also, updating your windows or doors will significantly increase your home’s curb appeal.
Choose bold and bright finishes. PHRG has found that fiberglass entry and garage doors are a popular alternative to their pricey wooden counterparts in 2012. A fiberglass door is weather resistant, durable, and, above all, maintenance free. This material allows you to achieve the stylish look of an elegant craftsman or rustic design with decorative glass at the fraction of the price. PHRG also has noticed that bright, bold exterior colors are popular this year. “Make your curb appeal pop by choosing a shade of tangerine, yellow, or deep purple for your entry door to give your home a cheery look heading into spring,” the company suggests.
Simplify Spaces. “Functionally designed and efficient use of all spaces is so important,” explains Dolan, “and it is definitely appealing to homebuyers.” You can start by going through your clothes, kitchen appliances, files, or anything else in the home and weed out what you no longer need. Another way to simplify is to take the time to organize everything, one step at a time. Dolan also believes that not only does simplifying your spaces increase your home’s appeal, but it also decreases your stress level and allows you to regain time for yourself.
Energy efficiency is still supreme. According to PHRG, the top green-home trend for 2012 is renovating to reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs. It suggests making the most of an empty attic space by adding a bedroom, or at least finishing it with insulation, as a great way to keep conditioned air from escaping through the roof. It also has found that updating the attic happens to be this year’s third-most cost-effective home improvement, garnering a 72-percent return on investment, and adding living space without increasing a home’s footprint is an ecofriendly way to gain more square footage.
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Landscaping. Angie’s List research reveals that basic landscaping is often overlooked. Well-designed landscaping can add seven to 14 percent to your home’s value by enhancing its curb appeal and even making it more energy efficient. Easy first steps are to start with a yard cleanup, take care of your lawn, pick the perfect plants, add mulch, and plant a tree.
Aesthetic home improvements. Each year Angie’s List, a user-run Web site that collects consumer reviews of service companies, surveys its customers to find out what home-improvement plans they have for the year to boost their home’s appeal — and this is one of them. According to its findings, if you are working with a smaller budget but still want to boost your homes’ appeal, consider replacing your lighting or painting. These items go through more wear and tear, and updating can give your home the facelift it needs.
Repair and maintenance. Home repairs and routine maintenance can go a long way and save you money in the long run. If handy work isn’t your specialty, look to possibly hire a handyman or handywoman service. They may be able to do multiple projects for you in one visit. Fix or replace appliances. Get the most for your money and take care of your home appliances. Basic maintenance helps keep appliances running longer. Be sure to keep owner’s manuals for appliances so you can refer to them and see what may need to be fixed. T&G
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Home & Garden
More with Less Many homeowners are looking for ways to live comfortably in smaller spaces By Sarah Harteis While most of us once dreamed about having everything “bigger” — a room, a car, and a home — what many are realizing is that bigger is not always better, and having more space is not always the answer. In fact, the recent trend is that new homes being built today are smaller than homes built a few years ago. Still, there is always the concern of not having enough space inside a home. Jessica Dolan of Room to Breathe Home & Office Organizing and Scott Brown of SPACES Design Center have worked with many families, couples, and individuals who claim to “not have enough space” in their homes. What they have come to find, however, is that there is in fact plenty of space and that the real issue lies in perceptions. Like anything, it takes learning, hard work, and acquiring new skills to be able to live comfortably and stress-free in a small home. “You need to determine what specific activities need to take place in the room and assess your natural tendencies,” says Dolan. “From there, you can really develop systems that work for you and the room.” Changing our habits and ways of thinking will not come easily. Making a conscious effort to track our natural day-to-day actions is a very crucial first step to figuring out how to fix this problem — or any problem for that matter. “Take a few moments every day to put things back where they belong and really watch what you bring into your home in the first place,” Dolan adds.
Brown doesn’t doubt the challenge that comes along with creating and sticking with these new habits. “It’s like dieting,” he says. “Being motivated to reach the goal is sometimes easier than maintaining. People don’t always realize that a plan for once you’ve reached a goal is just as important as the plan to get there. Things don’t magically take care of themselves once you reach your goal — you have to keep working.” Dolan believes that most people tend to get busy in their everyday lives, making organizing a lower priority than it should be. They also often fail to realize that taking a small amount of time each day to get organized will actually save a lot of time in the long run. “I also think people aren’t sure what to do with the things they don’t want or need anymore,” she adds. So why is it so hard for people to dispose of belongings that they know are not serving purposes in their home? And more importantly, how do you even know when you have too much “stuff?” Brown shares some of his insight on the subject. “It’s the challenge of breaking the emotional connection to ‘stuff’ into a functional, healthy outlook,” he says. “To be fair, there are people who have a reasonable amount of ‘stuff’ but an inefficient way to store it, so it seems like they have too much.”
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Dolan adds that when a room fails to provide a calm feeling upon entering or isn’t allowing one to find items in less than 10 seconds, that’s how they can know they have too much “stuff.” She shares how she has helped people with small homes make this process easier by providing ways to get started, getting through things, assisting in knowing what to sell or donate, removing the unwanted items, and selecting appropriate and functional furniture or storage spaces. “Basically, we take the guessing game out of the process and guide you more quickly toward a working solution,” she says. Brown agrees that it is all about taking it one step at a time, and coming up with a plan. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was your closet overstuffed overnight,” he jokes. “And sometimes a healthy purge can offset the perceived need to ‘maximize’ your space, meaning that in everyone’s ‘clutter bloat’ there is likely a healthy percentage of fat that needs to be trimmed. Trim that first and you’re off to a healthy start.” He also adds that you need to be honest with yourself about what you have now and whether or not you really need it — which is easier said than done.
“I always tell people that I can put a fabulous, beautiful closet into their space, but if they have too much stuff it’s just going to look junky,” he says. “At some point, you have to step back and take a closer look at your habits.” One small tip that Dolan shares with her clients is the concept of using mirrors and reflective surfaces to help make a room feel larger. When it comes to color choice, however, both Dolan and Brown agree that it is a common misconception that dark colors make a room feel small and light
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colors make it feel larger. “It’s all about correct color choice and using it to make the features of a room stand out,” says Dolan. With outdoor spaces, Dolan believes that they are just as important as the inside spaces. “It’s so nice to pull into the driveway of a home that is well maintained and offers areas to relax, entertain, or play,” she says. The same goes for inside — it’s very welcoming to enter a home that features spaces adapted for the best possible uses. Clutter, which, according to Dolan, can be papers, toys, clothes, knickknacks, yard debris, overgrown landscaping, etc., is not only physically but also mentally draining. By getting rid of the clutter, she
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Home & Garden
Green Thumbs
All Around Top garden trends for 2012
By Samantha Hulings With the return of spring comes the time of year when gardeners begin planting their favorite flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The start of the new season brings with it new ways to plant, decorate, and socialize in garden settings. Through research and interviews, here is a list of top garden trends for 2012.
another way to bring a garden indoors. Vertical gardening systems designed for kitchens allow herbs to flourish in the indoor room where you need them the most. Having miniature gardens, herbs, or general houseplants in the home boost oxygen levels and works to clean the toxins out of indoor air.
Make it personal. Extend your interior-room style out the back door and into your outdoor living space. Anything goes outside, so make your space as comfortable as your indoor family room. Create a cozy personal atmosphere with a smaller, more intimate outdoor space.
Warm up next to a fire pit. Ensure that you have created an intimate outdoor living space with the installation of a fire pit. According to Better Homes and Gardens, gathering around a fire pit or firepot with family and friends is more comfortable than gathering around a large outdoor fireplace. Fire pits create the atmosphere of togetherness, making your outdoor living space more appealing to friends and family.
Out with the new, in with the old. Reused and repurposed materials are becoming focal points in gardens. Furniture and plant containers with aged, rustic looks highlight the “used and abused” garden look. The colors of oldfashioned plants such as tea roses and lilacs are being revamped in order to have that oldfashioned feel with a modern twist. Repurposing used garden materials such as broken water features and wheelbarrows as homes for your old-fashioned plants or flowers is a great way to add even more old-world flair to your garden oasis. Bring the outside inside. If you don’t have the outdoor space for a garden, don’t fret. Create something on a smaller scale indoors. Miniature gardens allow you to design a smaller yet personal garden for your home, office, or small patio. Growing fresh herbs in your kitchen is
Help out the environment. Lessen your carbon footprint by choosing organic garden products, collecting rainwater to use for irrigation, and composting with yard clippings, leaves, and foods such as egg shells, fruits and vegetables, and coffee grounds and tea leaves. Choose plants that draw in birds, butterflies, and bees to control insects and aid in flower pollination. Add feeders to your garden to entice birds to make their homes among your flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Less is more. Better Homes and Gardens believes small-space gardening became easier with the introduction of smaller versions of plants and flowers. Hydrangea plants are a fa-
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vorite that are now available in smaller sizes for those with less space to garden.
plant succulents along stone steps or retaining walls or around patios.
Color, color, color. Heirloom fruits and vegetables, or vegetables grown for centuries, are once again becoming popular as gardeners strive to become more organic. Old-fashioned varieties of tomatoes, melons, carrots, lettuce, and apples add pops of color and better tastes to gardens. Gardeners have begun to can, dry, and pickle these heirloom fruits and vegetables, along with the fruits and vegetables of today, in an attempt to become more self-sufficient. Fresh-cut bouquets also have become popular, and add a splash of color and an enticing aroma inside.
Garden outside the box. Gardeners should be creative when it comes to flower and vegetable gardening. Instead of growing vegetables in a straight line, plant or transplant the vegetables in a curve. Plant flowers next to vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Use different materials to construct flower and plant beds. Design your garden as an extension of your personality to display your style in your outdoor living space and garden.
Spellbound by succulent. Water-retaining plants adapted for arid conditions know as succulents have become mainstream over the last few years due to low maintenance and high plant return. Gardeners can use the plants in tabletop containers or vertical gardens. Many have begun to use succulents in their gardens as the plant “creeps” similar to ivy. Others
Support local farmers. Shopping at farmers’ markets are a great way to support local farmers and gardeners. Knowing where your food comes from is a luxury many Americans have forgotten, but farmers’ markets have brought this comfort back into the homes of many local residents. Buying local aids in the development of a strong local economy and reduces your carbon footprint, all while having fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers to enjoy. T&G
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Home & Garden
Inside
Out
Many homeowners are looking to bring their indoor comforts to the great outdoors By Samantha Hulings
For those wanting to add space to their home, building an addition may not be necessary. More people are extending their homes to the outdoors by bringing the comforts of the indoors outside. They can create personal oases in their own backyards. Creating a living space outdoors allows homeowners’ personalities and imaginations to escape out through the windows and doors of their homes. Pennwood Home and Hearth president Jeff Bolze believes people can use their imaginations to make their own little paradises, depending on what they do with their outdoor spaces and how they add their own personal touches. The outdoor room “provides an opportunity for people to spend more time outside than they otherwise would,” Jere McCarthy, owner of State College Design and Construction says. “For some, the space may create a sense of
peace and connectedness. For others, it may be a place that has all the features they need to ensure that they and their guests have a memorable evening. An area around a pool may include a kitchen, an outdoor sound system, and some ceiling fans. A place for a family to sit and connect may include special attention to seating and lighting arrangements, a fireplace, and a small pond or soothing fountain.” The homeowner’s personal touch and intentions for the room affect the look of the outdoor space greatly. Joe Stitt, a landscape designer at Moon Brothers Landscaping, says the floor to an outdoor space may consist of a patio, deck, or grass, and the walls may be sides to a patio or railings to a courtyard or deck — it just depends on what the client wants and what is actually possible. “It is a part of the landscape where you have concentrated the developed landscape to use for a specific function, making it more defined by boundaries and more separated from the rest of the landscape,” he says. When it comes to the actual design and creation of an outdoor room, the amount of design variety allows people to make the space their own by combining architecture, landscape architecture, and interior-design concepts with nature. McCarthy uses these concepts to design a room after he has interviewed his clients to learn how they intend to use the space. “I learn how they will be interacting with the space, what they hope to gain from the space, and I observe their unique style. I then combine all of this information with the functional requirements of the space, and design a room to the client’s budget,” he says. He believes the design of the space will evoke an emotional response when the homeowner and the space interact simultaneously with the changing seasons, the weather, and day and night. For many a client, these designs are of a multifunctioning outdoor space that will serve as a comfortable entertaining space, complete with an outdoor kitchen and outdoor living area. Bolze begins to plan an outdoor space by defining what that space will be. “The outdoor extension should feel comfortable, like a part of the rest of the house,” he says. “The definition should include how you
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intend to use it, what kind of entertaining you would do, and how to make it so everything can be done at an outdoor kitchen.” Stitt believes that in order to make sure the designs include everything that a client wants, it is necessary to keep him or her involved in every aspect of the outdoor-room planning. Like McCarthy, he interviews his clients to learn everything he can about their personal style and taste. Once he has completed a design that he feels matches their wants and needs, he presents the design to his clients and makes any necessary changes. “Very rarely does the design come out exactly like you planned,” he says. “You are dealing with nature, and things change because of the evolutionary process. You need to be flexible both working with nature — because nature doesn’t bend — and working with customers because sometimes their wants change.” Once the design for an outdoor space is completed and approved, the construction of Courtesy Moon Brothers Landscaping (2)
the room begins. McCarthy says the construction process of an outdoor room tends to differ somewhat from a typical construction process because the materials and methods used in the construction have to be able to withstand weather elements. Materials such as stone, wooden beams, and steel are often used to create outdoor spaces because they can stand up to weather conditions. By combining these materials in the outdoor design, McCarthy says an inviting and warm place that draws people into the space is created, all while complementing the natural environment around the space. When choosing materials for an outdoor space, Stitt recommends clients in the State College area pay attention to the freeze-and-thaw cycles, especially when deciding on flooring for their outdoor space. “I prefer to use a paver or stone over poured slabs of concrete because of the freeze and thaw of Central Pennsylvania,” he says. He also advises clients to look into fabric choice for outdoor rooms because nonUV resistant fabrics will be bleached by the sun. If using lumber to construct a frame or floor, both Stitt and Bolze recommend a treated lumber such as cedar because it will last over time. Treated lumber does require maintenance and may raise the cost of an outdoor room. After choosing the correct materials to create the framework of the outdoor room, McCarthy says it is important to equip the room with the proper features to enhance the customer’s outdoor-room experience. Feature trends include outdoor kitchens, pools or fountains, fire pits, outdoor bars, and heirloom flower gardens. Bolze has noticed a surge in outdoor kitchen features that include pizza ovens, natural charcoal grills, and smokers or other ceramic-type
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cooking options. Stitt says these outdoor-kitchen trends have to do with the want to have an entire kitchen at the client’s fingertips. “You can have all types of cooktops, charcoal grills, gas grills, and smokers. Clients want sinks, outdoor fridges that go under the counters, and wine coolers so their selection is right there,” he says. In order to have a working outdoor kitchen, it is necessary to have the correct setup for gas, water, and electrical lines. Bolze says a client must know local jurisdictions and codes to follow when installing any line for their outdoor space. “The biggest mistake is not planning,” he says. “If you put down a gas line that is undersized, then that fire feature that you paid a lot of money for won’t show — the flame will only be a few inches instead of a few feet. You have to maintain clearances depending on the size of a fire pit. Many people aren’t properly prepared. They go on the Internet and don’t take into consideration the size of the line and the gas consumption needed.” Because of the scope of the installation, Stitt recommends those thinking of creating an outdoor room seek the advice of a professional. “There is a lot more that goes into an outdoor room than people realize,” he says. “Sometimes a professional can tell you from the initial contact what is possible and what isn’t. It’s better to get with a professional from the beginning because they can create a design and give you a better estimate of the project.” With the help of a professional, a homeowner is given more opportunities to create the oasis they want. They have the expertise of someone who can create a minivacation at their fingertips. McCarthy believes outdoor spaces are im-
portant because they can provide homeowners with quick getaways from the fast-paced life so many live. “Today, we live a very hectic life and it has become important to plan relaxation and rejuvenation to achieve a sense of balance,” he says. “An outdoor room does this in a way that other spaces cannot.” Though an outdoor room will add value to the home, this is not what Stitt is after. “In these specific outdoor rooms it is more about having a place to stop and reflect. It’s necessary to give the homeowner a space to enjoy what is happening in nature because nature is always changing. That is what I really stress when I’m working with customers — all the different aspects of nature.” T&G
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Inside: Girl Scouts celebrate 100 years • Hot breakfasts are served at local restaurants
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Dynamic Duo
Jamie and Kerry Bestwick are not only living out their dreams here in Happy Valley but also finding ways to help others in need
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Same Great Tradition! Get ready for a new season — and a new era — of Penn State football by ordering a copy of
Town&Gown’s 2012 Penn State Football Annual! This year’s Annual continues its great tradition of in-depth stories written by award-winning writers from across the state who cover the Nittany Lions. The 2012 edition includes a look at the Nittany Lions’ new head coach Bill O’Brien and what changes he’ll be bringing to the program. Player features have all the positions covered. A look at this season’s opponents. And special coverage on Joe Paterno.
Orders for Town&Gown’s 2012 Penn State Football Annual will be taken 77 - Town&Gown April 2012 starting June 1 at www.townandgown.com. The Annual is due out July 11.
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78 - Town&Gown May 2012
Millheim Narrows Road is one of the scenic country roads in Centre County.
Country
r oads
A few leisurely drives can show you some of Centre County’s most scenic areas By Tracey M. Dooms
Warm weather is back, which means it’s roadtrip time. Follow one of these routes for a leisurely afternoon’s drive on Centre County country roads. Each drive can be done in an hour if you don’t stop — or an entire afternoon if you go for the complete shopping, stopping, and savoring experience. Or if you get lost — like I did.
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Cows & ducks & buffalo, oh my!
My dog, Toby, joined me on this drive. We started in Boalsburg near Kelly’s Steak and Seafood, soon realizing that the oversized bovine on the roof was a sign of things to come. As we headed east on Route 45 through Penns Valley, we passed farms and fields, with Toby’s nose glued to the window as he spotted brown cows, black cows, blackand-white cows, and even more cows. He Neff Round Barn didn’t care about the famous red Neff Round Barn (no cows), built in 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Past Centre Hall, we took a little side trip into Spring Mills. Toby unhappily waited in the car while I popped into the Fairlawn Stores, which, as far as I can tell, is only one store. It’s an old-fashioned country store, complete with a handwritten “Live Bait” sign in the window and a “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco” thermometer on the porch, right next to a modern ATM. Inside are creaky wooden floors, a potbellied stove, and a penny-candy counter, although the candy costs more than a penny nowadays. Fortified by a 50-cent bag of “Red Dar- Fairlawn Store lin’ Marlins,” we drove around Spring Mills, which surrounds sparkling Sinking Creek. We parked behind the Grace United Church of Christ and took the footbridge across the creek. Nothing exciting was on the other side, but if Toby had opposable thumbs, he would have given the bridge a thumbsup for the view of the ducks below. Back in the car, we continued down 45 to Millheim. For those who don’t speak German, a sign translates the name to “Home of the Mills.” Although the mills are gone, we parked at the gazebo and walked back to the little mill race (more ducks!). We also spotted our first Amish horse and buggy of this trip. On Main Street (also known as Route 45), good places to linger are the Elk Creek Café, Green Drake Arts Center, and Good Scents Candle Co. be At the light, we made a left onto North Street, which becomes Route 445, or Millheim Narrows Road. Once out of beauti town, the road winds along Elk Creek through a beautiVal ful forested mountain gap and then into Brush Valley. (Toby: Horses! Horse manure on the road!) We turned left on Route 192/Brush Valley Road to Madisonburg, where the main attraction seems to be Fishers Shoe & Saddle Shop, which advertises Muck Boots, Skechers, and “The Advanced Technology Dewormer.” Neither Toby nor I wanted to learn more about this advanced technology, so we headed back out on 192. 80 - Town Town&Gown May 2012
Penn’s Cave (well, actually, its gift shop) is a mandatory stop for me on this route. Note that it’s “Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park,” which meant a big winner for Toby’s window view — buffalo! I parked by the 1885 Penn’s Cave House and walked past Prospector Pete’s Panning for Gems to the gift shop (sorry Toby, “No Pets Allowed”). This is a place where any kid would be happy to spend his allowance on things such as stick candy, a 3-footlong gummy snake, Necco wafers, or a little bag full of “gems.” Gazing down on it all is a gigantic stuffed bear with a fake fish in its mouth. After I spent my grown-up’s allowance, we continued down Route 192 through Centre Hall to Sammis Greenhouse to buy spring flowers. There’s no sign, but it’s not hard to spot — a big green- A buffalo from Penn’s Cave and house on the right side of the road. This is where Wildlife Park my mother buys her annual hanging floral basket that grows to amazing lengths. Although people tend to pronounce the name as “Sammy’s,” it’s actually named after owner Leo Sammis. There’s no Sammy. Or Sammi. Toby loves to help with flower shopping. Loaded with flowers, our trip ended by going through the tiny burg of Linden Hall and back to Route 45. Later I planted flowers, and I presume Toby dreamed of cows, ducks, horses, and buffalo. Penn’s Cave House
Beyond MapQuest
I wanted to see one of the parts of Centre County that looks kind of blank on a map, where there are no highways and only very thin lines that make me squint to discern whether they’re roads or creeks. I do, however, want to stay on paved roads, having made the mistake one winter of taking a “fun” drive from Livonia to Woodward via Stover Gap Road, which turned out to be little more than an ice-covered mountainous path with no room to turn around once I realized the error of my ways. So I plotted a route from Howard to Yarnell on MapQuest, but MapQuest recommended that I go out of my way to Interstate 80 rather than the “crosscountry” route I wanted. I clicked “avoid this road,” and MapQuest responded with a different route involving I-80. Clearly, MapQuest did not recommend this trip. Now I had to prove the faceless experts of MapQuest wrong, so I set out on a route of my own design, albeit nervous about another Stover Gap Road-type white-knuckle drive. 81 - Town&Gown May 2012
I started in Bellefonte, enjoying a quick visit to Pure Imagination Toys on East Bishop Street before I headed out into MapQuest-forbidden territory. I love this store; it carries all kinds of toys I used to have such as Colorforms and Tickle Bee and a potholder loom. It also features random toys such as the glow-in-the-dark zombie action figures I bought for my nephew, plus classic candy such as Pop Rocks and Clark’s Teaberry Gum. I headed out of town on Howard Street, which becomes Jacksonville Road. After a bit of traffic near I-80, suddenly I was driving through the countryside past the Bellefonte Campground (hmmm, mini-golf opportunity) and KOA Campground. It was a pleasant country drive, and easy to find my next turn, left onto Walnut Street/Route 26. Suddenly, I was in the quiet forest, with Bald Eagle Mountain rising on either side as I drove through the gap into the town of Howard and out onto the bridge over Foster Joseph Sayers Lake. Here I took a little side trip, turning right onto Route 150 and poking around Bald Eagle State Park for a while. This is a great place to spend a summer day, with a beach big enough to build sandcastles or bury someone in the sand. Stop at the park office for a Leaving Bellefonte trail map — the 1.5-mile Butterfly Trail offers an easy walk through habitats cultivated to attract butterflies, and the rocky Lakeside Trail follows the shoreline on the opposite side of the lake, offering a 3-mile trail or a 4.4-mile loop. I checked out the park’s new Nature Inn and decided I want to get away from it all here sometime. It feels luxurious in the absolute middle of nowhere, with a peaceful view of the lake and mountains from its deck. After exploring the park, I went back down Route 150 to the point where I had come across the bridge out of Howard, and I turned right off 150 (which would have been straight ahead if I hadn’t gone to the park) onto Howard Divide Road. I quickly figured out why MapQuest didn’t want me to go this way: It’s definitely not a quick route from Point A to Point B, but it was perfect for my main goal of seeing the countryside on a brilliant sunny day. The road winds up and then down the mountain, with many arrows sternly warning of sharp turns. Down in a valley, I came to a T in the road, apparently in the town of Romola, although the only indication was a sign saying that the Romola Bible Church welcomed me. I turned left on Marsh Creek Road, namesake of the creek running along it; the road becomes Little Marsh Creek Road and then Yarnell Road. By this time, I wished I had bought some oldtime candy at Pure Imagination, since my stomach was growling and there was no source of food in sight, unless I wanted to try and catch a fish with my bare hands. Eventually, I came to the town of Yarnell, which seemed to consist of a church, a farm, a few houses, and — yes! — tiny Jack’s Snack Shack. I wasn’t sure if the old wooden picnic table outside belonged to Jack’s or the home next door, but I sat there to eat an ice cream bar and get checked out by a couple of friendly hound dogs that had the run of the place.
Bald Eagle State Park
82 - Town&Gown May 2012
Back in the car, I continued on Yarnell Road under I-80. I then could have taken a right onto Thomas Hill Road and left on Route 144 for an easy ride down the mountain, but instead I chose what seemed to be a continuation of Yarnell Road that actually became Moose Run Road. After all those warning arrows earlier, I chuckled at a sign reading “WindJack’s Snack Shack ing Road Next 4 Miles” — and then I learned to listen to the folks who put up the signs. This was a beautiful drive up and down the mountain, down to Route 220 and 144 back into Bellefonte — where I could buy lunch at an actual restaurant.
David Silber
Welcome to Coleville
All I ever see of western Centre County is what’s along Route 322 as I drive to Philipsburg on my way to I-80, so I decided to find out what else is there. Starting in State College near the airport on Fox Hill Road, I drove north on Fillmore Road to connect straight across 550 with Purdue Mountain Road and then Unionville Pike. At least, that was my intention. Instead, at the top of Purdue Mountain, I went right at the Y and drove along the top of the ridge for quite a few miles, thinking about the wonderful views the few people who live up here get to enjoy, and how they’d better have four-wheel drive to get home in the winter. Thinking it was about time to come down off the mountain into Unionville, I found myself in Coleville instead, on the outskirts of Bellefonte. Darn! Back up the mountain and along the ridge to take what originally would have been a left at the Y onto Unionville Pike. Now, you can laugh at my unintended detour, but be careful. Even after I gave our photographer an explicit warning about the Y in the road, he also ended up in Coleville. But, hey, if you’re just out for a scenic drive, what’s the harm in a little side trip? Note that in these mountain roads, when a sign reads “Curve, 10 mph,” this is good advice. (I wonder, though, how the powers-that-be decide that one curve is safe at 10 mph while 15 mph is OK on the next curve.) I drove down the mountain on my intended route of Unionville Pike, through the front-porch town of Unionville, home of the Unionville Café’s homestyle cooking and the bright pink Antique Store (that’s its name — “Antique Store”). I continued my journey on Route 504/Rattlesnake Pike (I Black Moshannon State Park did not see any rattlesnakes); close to the mountain summit is a pull-off where you can stop safely to take in the gorgeous view. I learned that this part of Centre County is just beautiful as I traveled through the Moshannon State Forest and down into Black Moshannon State Park, 83 - Town&Gown May 2012
Contributed photo
where the lake of the same name glinted in the sun on either side of the road. I turned left here onto Beaver Road (Julian Pike), which followed the lake before heading back over the mountain and down into tiny Julian. Here I was pleased to find Grandville Hollow Pottery, which makes hand-thrown mugs, plates, and much more. Several years ago, I helped sell specially made Grandville pieces to raise money for the construction of Tudek Dog Park, but I never knew it Dan Harvey of Grandville Hollow Pottery. was made so close to home! From Julian, I continued on the Julian Pike (apparently, in Centre County, “pike” means “winding road over the mountain”) back to Route 550 and State College. Country roads, take me home. T&G Tracey M. Dooms is a freelance writer in State College and a contributor to Town&Gown.
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ThisMonth on PBS, YOUR DESTINATION FOR EXPLORATION Tune in Wednesday nights for a fullnight lineup that explores nature, science, and technology anchored by Nature at 8 p.m., and NOVA at 9 p.m.
PENN STATE PUBLIC BROADCASTING
*For additional program information, log on to wpsu.org
MASTERPIECE: MYSTERY! SHERLOCK, SERIES 2 Sundays, May 6, 13, and 20, at 9 p.m.
Sherlock is unleashed — again! The struggle goes on in 21st century London as the updated team of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson battle the worst that modern criminality has to offer, including a computersavvy arch-villain who wants to rule the world. Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) returns as the world’s foremost consulting detective, with Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Office UK) as the stalwart, if edgy, Dr. John Watson, and Andrew Scott (Lennon Naked) as the unassuming mastermind of evil, Jim Moriarty. Each of the three episodes in the new season is pegged to a classic Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle — delightfully, weirdly, wittily, and briskly updated.
BURT BACHARACH & HAL DAVID: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song — In Performance at the White House Monday, May 21, at 9 p.m. Enjoy a star-studded tribute to the songwriting team who penned such classic tunes as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” “Walk on By,” and “Alfie.” Composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David’s extraordinary collaboration has produced numerous hits and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, with songs featured in the Austin Powers films and on an episode of Glee.
wpsu.org U.Ed. OUT 12-067/12-PSPB-TV-0018
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT Sunday, May 27, at 8 p.m.
PBS unites the nation with an evening that has become an American tradition. This multi-award-winning program honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women in uniform, their families at home, and all those who have given their lives for this country. Join co-hosts Gary Sinise (CSI: New York) and Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) in a night of remembrance, featuring an all-star lineup of dignitaries, actors, and musical artists in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra. The 23rd annual broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, and to our troops around the world on the American Forces Network.
M AY
penn state diary
Status Debate School and state have long argued over what university is
Penn State — public or private? That’s become an increasingly common question recently. As state appropriations tumbled last year, and more cuts were proposed this year, PSU’s budgets struggled to stay even. With tuition rising continuously, Penn State has become one of the most expensive land-grant schools. Administrators and alumni alike ponder, should we or could we become a private institution? Are we, in fact, already one now? The school’s official status is that it is a staterelated university, as opposed to state-owned or state-aided. But what does that mean and how did that happen? Others ask, “Doesn’t being Pennsylvania’s land-grant school make us a public institution?” What’s really going on? When Penn State was chartered in 1855 there were no public colleges in Pennsylvania in the modern sense. It was a private institution that received occasional aid from the state, like most of Pennsylvania’s other colleges. This changed in 1863, when the state legislature accepted the Morrill Act and designated Penn State as the land-grant institution for Pennsylvania. In doing this, it pledged the “faith of the state” to maintain the institution. This was the first time that the commonwealth had obligated itself to continuously support an institution of higher education. From 1855 up to 1887, the legislature occasionally appropriated money to buy land and equipment, and build buildings for Penn State. By 1867, it also had sold the federal land provided by the Morrill Act and invested the proceeds in state bonds to form an endowment for the school. However, there were virtually no funds provided to support educational programs. Tuition, fees, and loans kept the school going then. In 1887, president George Atherton and governor James A. Beaver finally persuaded the legislature to provide a regular appropriation, although, initially, it was still mainly for buildings. When trustee Andrew Carnegie offered funds to build a campus library, he set the condition that
Penn State University Archives
By Lee Stout
Pennsylvania governor Gifford Pinchot (left) and Penn State president John Martin Thomas didn’t agree on the state’s role in helping the school.
the legislature must put a line item into the college budget for books. The legislature refused even this modest request. In fact, from the 1860s to the 1960s, legislators, and sometimes even governors, questioned whether or not Penn State was a public institution and what the state’s responsibility was to fund it. The debate was not only about the role of state government in education but also a matter of local politics as other colleges competed for bigger shares of the funding pie. Since 1863, Penn State has argued continuously that it was public. The Atherton administration routinely emphasized this. The appointment of president John Martin Thomas in 1921 marked the launching of the school’s first private fundraising campaign for new buildings to accommodate growing enrollments. Thomas had even more expansive ideas, proposing that The Pennsylvania State College should become the state university and the “capstone” of public higher education. Governor Gifford Pinchot, countering that the state needed to economize, vetoed higher appropriations for Penn State, arguing that it was not actually a state institution.
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In the 1960s, the state began to do master planning for higher education, and early drafts criticized Penn State’s autonomy. The president and board of trustees countered, citing numerous examples to show that Penn State was a public educational corporation — an “instrumentality of the commonwealth.” Opinions of the attorney general as far back as 1921 identified it as “a state institution” and a 1955 court decision stated “its action ... must be regarded as State action ....” At the same time, the legislature vested the school’s internal operation and management in the board of trustees. This included determining institutional policy, planning and financing physical facilities, and developing its own budgets. The board was empowered to acquire, hold, and dispose of real property on its own authority. In addition, there was no state control of selection or retention of faculty and staff. Before the 1960s, Penn State was unique as the land-grant college, with mutual obligations between it and the state. But then, the private universities — Pitt, Temple, and later Lincoln — were saved by the state from bankruptcy and closure. Our status as “state-related” resulted from state government grouping the four different institutions together into one funding category, as a convenience for managing the stateappropriation process. Being all “state-related” does not make the others “the same as Penn State” in the most meaningful sense of mission and heritage. So the question of “public or private” is not a simple dichotomy. It is important to understand that the nature of our status as a “public” institution has changed over time. For the last 50 years, the uneven qualities of the relationship have resulted in a “quasi-public” status. Could we become private again? History suggests that such a decoupling would be extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible. Are there more effective ways to function as a “quasi-public” institution? There is no single model for land-grant universities, so perhaps some adjustments to the relationship are possible. Only time will tell how, or if, the university or the state will seek change. T&G Lee Stout is Librarian Emeritus, Special Collections for Penn State.
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Barb Meeker-Ettaro, Graduation Guru On May 4-6, more than 9,000 University Park students graduate during 12 ceremonies. That means Barb Ettaro wears her academic gown from noon Friday until 9 p.m. Sunday, going home each night only to catch a few hours’ sleep. As director of campus and community affairs, Ettaro oversees commencement for the University Park campus, from stage set-up through “Congratulations, graduates!”…and then it’s on to the next ceremony less than an hour later. This entails helping parents find hotel rooms when everything in town is booked, and making sure a graduate can make it across the stage on crutches due to a sprained ankle…and then amending to include a wheelchair when the same graduate breaks her leg a few days before the ceremony. Ettaro applauds the many faculty and staff members who help make commencement happen. In 1996, Ettaro began assisting with commencement — the Graduate School ceremony at which Bill Clinton spoke was her introduction to these events — and she became director in 2001. She worked her own ceremony when she received an associate’s degree (she’s since earned a bachelor’s from St. Francis University and is working on a PSU master’s). This year, she was fielding commencement emails while caring for newborn daughter Ally (she and husband Andy also have a 3-year-old, Kaylee). It’s all worth it, she says, when she witnesses the joy of new graduates and their families. “I get to see the end result of what everybody works so hard for.” The Penn State Bookstore thanks Barb Ettaro and all faculty and staff who carry out the university’s mission every day.
www.psu.bncollege.com 814-863-0205
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COMING TO THE
Bryce Jordan Center/ Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
May 4-6 Penn State Commencement Bryce Jordan Center 8 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m., noon, 3, & 6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m., 1:30, & 4:30 p.m. Sun.
31 Riverdance Bryce Jordan Center 7:30 p.m.
Coming in June 19, 21 Spikes vs. Williamsport Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 7:05 p.m.
22-24 Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley Medlar Field at Lubrano Park 7:05 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; 6:05 p.m. Sun.
May For more “What’s Happening,” check out townandgown.com.
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Seymour Lipkin performs during the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra’s Grand Finale of the season at Esber Recital Hall.
AAUW’s annual Used Book Sale begins and runs through May 15 at the Snider Agricultural Arena.
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Announcements of general interest to residents of the State College area may be mailed to Town&Gown, Box 77, State College, PA 16804-0077; faxed to (814) 238-3415; or e-mailed to dpenc@barashmedia.com. Photos are welcome. 89 - Town&Gown May 2012
Academics 4-6 – Penn State University, commencement. 27 – State College Area School District, no school grades K-12.
Children & Families 2 – PA One Book Club Party: Meet the Author of Stop Snoring Bernard, Zachariah O’Hora, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 – Music Together free trial class for young children 0-2 and a parent, Houserville United Methodist Church, S.C., 10:45 a.m. Tues., 9:30 a.m. Wed., 466-3414. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 – Music Together free trial class for children 0-5 and a parent, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, S.C., 9:30 a.m. Thurs., 10:45 a.m. Fri., 466-3414. 5, 19, 26 – Music Together free trial class for children 0-5 and a parent, Houserville United Methodist Church, S.C., 9:30 a.m., 466-3414. 7, 21 – Drop-in Knitting, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 15 – Evening Book Discussion Group: Conquistador by Esmeralda Santiago, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 6:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 22 – Afternoon Book Discussion Group: Please Look After My Mom by KyungSook Shin, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2:30 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org.
Classes & Lectures 1 – Central PA Civil War Roundtable Lecture: “First Stride of the Giant – First Days of the Peninsula Campaign,” by John Quarstein, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 7 p.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. 1, 15 – “A Joint Venture,” a free class on hip and knee replacements, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 11 a.m. May 1, 7 p.m. May 15, 278-4810. 2 – “NATO’s Afghanistan Training Mission (preliminary),” PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 7:30 p.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. 3 – “Land Records” presented by Charles M. Colony, Latter-day Saint Church, S.C., 7 p.m., www.centrecountygenealogy.org. 3, 10, 17, 24 – “Life with Diabetes,” a four-day education series on managing diabetes for yourself or a loved one, 120 Radnor Rd., S.C., 1 p.m., 231-7194. 5 – “Growing Great Tomatoes,” Tait Farm Foods, Centre Hall, 10 a.m., 466-3411.
6, 26 – Spring Creek Homesteading: Backyard Chickens, 2:30 p.m. Sun. at State College Friends Meeting House, S.C., noon Sat. at Hamilton Ave., S.C., 237-0996. 8 – Nittany Valley Writers: Open Reading, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 7 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 11 – McCann Cooks featuring Mike Benjamin, C. Barton McCann School of Art, Petersburg, 6 p.m., 667-2538 or www.mccannart.org. 12 – “Fabulous Floral Planters,” Tait Farm Foods, Centre Hall, 10 a.m., 466-3411. 13 – Spring Creek Homesteading: Canning Strawberry Jam, State College Friends Meeting House, S.C., 2:30 p.m., 237-0996. 13 – Spring Creek Homesteading: Weaving Potholders, State College Friends Meeting House, S.C., 2:30 p.m., 237-0996. 17 – Family Medicine Seminar Series: Child Sexual Abuse, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6 p.m., 234-6738. 19 – Spring Creek Homesteading: HandsOn Beekeeeping, Warriors Mark or Zion, 2 p.m., 237-0996. 26 – Spring Creek Homesteading: Intro to Hugelkultur, Matilda Ave., Lemont, 10 a.m., 237-0996.
Club Events 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Centre Squares Dance Club, Pleasant Gap Elementary School, Pleasant Gap, 8 p.m., 238-8949. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – S.C. Sunrise Rotary Club mtg., Hotel State College, S.C., 7:15 a.m., kfragola@psualum.com. 2, 17 – Outreach Toastmasters Club mtg., room 413 in the 329 Building in Penn State Innovation Park, noon, http://outreach.freetoasthost.us/. 3 – Central PA Observers mtg., South Hills School of Business and Technology, S.C., 6 p.m., 237-9865. 3 – S.C. Lions Club mtg., Damon’s Grill, S.C., 6:15 p.m., www.statecollegelions.org. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 – S.C. Downtown Rotary mtg., Damon’s Grill, S.C., noon, http://centrecounty.org/rotary/club/. 8 – Women’s Mid Day Connection Luncheon, Elk’s Country Club, Boalsburg, 11:45 a.m., 355-7615. 9 – Women’s Welcome Club of State College, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, S.C., 7 p.m., www.womenswelcomeclub.org.
Community Associations & Development 10 – Centre County TRIAD mtg., Centre LifeLink EMS, S.C., 10 a.m., 237-8932.
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10 – Business After Hours hosted by Pure Urban Spa, 1760 S. Atherton St., S.C., 5:30 p.m., 234-1829 or www.cbicc.org. 15 – Spring Creek Watershed Association mtg., Patton Township Mun. Bldg., 7:30 a.m., www.springcreekwatershed.org. 15 – CBICC Membership Luncheon, Hoag’s Catering/Celebration Hall, S.C., 11:45 a.m., 234-1829 or www.cbicc.org. 22 – Business After Hours hosted by Country Inn & Suites, 1357 E. College Ave., S.C., 5:30 p.m., 234-1829 or www.cbicc.org. 23 – Patton Township Business Association mtg., Patton Township Mun. Bldg., noon, www.ptba.org. 30 – CBICC Business Before Hours, Hoag’s Catering/Celebration Hall, S.C., 8 a.m., 234-1829 or www.cbicc.org.
Exhibits Ongoing-13 – Painting the People: Images of American Life from the Maimon Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu. Ongoing-13 – Hogarth Restored, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu. Ongoing-27 – Me, Myself, and the Mirror: Self-Portraits from the Permanent Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu. Ongoing-November – Foodways, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, www.pamilmuseum.org. 1-31 – Creative Works by Clay Artist by Linna Muschlitz, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., www.schlowlibrary.org. 22-August 19 – Color My World: Color Photographs from the Permanent Collection, Palmer Museum of Art, PSU, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., www.palmermuseum.psu.edu.
Health Care For schedule of blood drives visit www.cccredcross.org or www.givelife.org. 3 – Grief Support Group, Centre Crest, Bellefonte, 6 p.m., 548-1140 or amboal@co.centre.pa.us. 7 – Breast Cancer Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 4:30 p.m., 234-6175. 8 – Alzheimer’s Support Group, The Inn at Brookline, S.C., 6:30 p.m., 234-3141 or 235-2000. 8 – Brain Injury Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap, 7 p.m., 359-3421. 8 – The Parent Support of Children with Eating Disorders, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 7 p.m., 466-7921.
10 – The Diabetes Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6 p.m., 231.7095. 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 – The free H.E.I.R. & Parents class and tour of the maternity unit for expectant parents and support people, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 6:30 p.m., 231-7061. 20 – Ostomy Support Group, Mount Nittany Medical Center, S.C., 2 p.m., 234-6175. 21 – Cancer Survivor Support Group, Centre County United Way, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.cancersurvive.org. 29 – Stroke Support Group, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Outpatient Entrance, Pleasant Gap, 1 p.m., 359-3421.
Music 2-3 – Jill Jayne, State Theatre, S.C., 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 3 – Community Percussion Circle, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 5 – The Nittany Knights Barbershop Chorus, State College High School North Bldg., 7:30 p.m., 355-3557 or www.nittanyknights.org. 5 – Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra: Grand Finale, Esber Recital Hall, PSU, 7:30 p.m., 234-8313 or www.centreorchestra.org. 12 – Acoustic Brew: Tish Hinojosa, Center for Well Being, Lemont, 7:30 p.m., www.acousticbrew.org. 11-12 – Berkobin and Corson with special guest Jason Davoli, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 19 – Allegria Chamber Ensemble, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 11 a.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 19 – Essence of Joy Alumni Singers, State Theatre, S.C., 8 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 20 – Easterly Chamber Players, Centre County Library, Bellefonte, 2:30 p.m., www.bellefontearts.org. 20 – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 27 – Todd Rundgren, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m., www.statetickets.org.
Special Events 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Tuesday State College Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.tuesdayscfarmers.com. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Boalsburg Farmers’ Market, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 2 p.m., 466-2152.
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3 – Meals on Wheels 7th Annual “A Meal that Matters” benefit dinner, Nittany Lion Inn, S.C., 6 p.m., 360-6571 or www.scmow.org. 4 – Innocence for India: A Benefit Concert, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Friday State College Farmers’ Market, Locust Lane, S.C., 11:30 a.m., www.statecollegefarmers.com. 5 – American Cancer Society’s Race Day Soiree, presented by Mount Nittany Health System, 131 Blackberry Lane, Boalsburg, 4:30 p.m., 234-1023. 5 – Free Comic Book Day, Schlow Centre Region Library, S.C., 2 p.m., www.schlowlibrary.org. 5 – Central PA Native Plant Festival and Sale, Shavers Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, 10 a.m., www.shaverscreek.org. 5-6 – The Gardener’s Open House, Tait Farm Foods, Centre Hall, 466-3411. 5, 12, 18, 19 – Centre County Women’s Resource Center Twilight Dinners, Centre County Women’s Resource Center, S.C., 234-5050 or www.ccwrc.org. 5, 12, 19, 26 – Bellefonte Farmers’ Market, Gamble Mill Parking Lot, Bellefonte, 8 a.m. 6 – First Sunday Public Reception, Bellefonte Arts Museum, Bellefonte, 1 p.m., www.bellefontemuseum.org. 6 – An Educational Wine Tasting to benefit Center for Alternatives in Community Justice, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4 p.m., 234-1059. 9,16, 23, 30 – Lemont Farmers’ Market, 133 Mt. Nittany Road, Lemont, 3 p.m., www.lemontvillage.org. 12 – 17th Annual Plant Celebration and Sale, Centre Furnace Mansion, S.C., 9 a.m., 234-4770. 12 – Bridge of Hope Centre County 3rd Annual Mother’s Day 5K Fun Run/Walk, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 9 a.m., www.bohcc.org.
Available at over 400 locations
12 – Music at the Boal Mansion, Boal Mansion Museum, Boalsburg, 7 p.m., http://boalmuseum.com. 12-15 – 51st Annual AAUW Used Book Sale, Snider Agricultural Arena, S.C., 9 a.m., www.aauwstatecollege.org. 12, 19, 26 – Millheim Farmers’ Market, Millheim American Legion, 10 a.m. 12, 19, 26 – North Atherton Farmers’ Market, Home Depot Parking Lot, S.C., 10 a.m., www.nathertonmarket.com. 18 – Palmer Museum of Art Gala 2012, Nittany Lion Inn, S.C., 6:30 p.m., 863-9182. 19 – End of the Mountain 5K Run/Walk, Lemont Green Village, Lemont, 9 a.m., www.lemontvillage.org/home/end-of-the-mountain5k-run-walk. 19 – Garden Fair and Plant Sale, Ag Progress Days Site, PA Furnace, 9 a.m., www.extension.psu.edu. 19 – Health Fair, The Bellefonte Moose, Bellefonte, 9 a.m., 574-0184. 20 – A Celebration of Service: Honoring Pennsylvania Veterans, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 12:30 p.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. 21 – Walk MS 2012, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, PSU, 1 p.m., 1-800-227-2108. 21 – Central PA Regional Career Fair, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, S.C., 2 p.m., programs.psu.edu/careerfair.
Preserve Your Personal History Former Town&Gown editor will interview you or your family member to capture personal histories for future generations.
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92 - Town&Gown May 2012
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26 – Service Canteen – “Andrew Sisters Tribute Show,” PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 3 p.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. 26-27 – World War II Revisited, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 10 a.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. 28 – A Day in Towne Festival, Boalsburg, 9 a.m. 28 – Allegheny Mountain Region A.A.C.A. Car Show, PA Military Museum, Boalsburg, 9 a.m., www.pamilmuseum.org. June 1-3 – 24-hour Basic Mediation Training (registration deadline May 23), University Baptist & Brethren Church, S.C., 9 a.m., 234-1059.
Sports For tickets to Penn State sporting events, call 865-5555. For area high school sporting events, call your local high school. 4 – Jim Thorpe Open, men’s and women’s track & field, Nittany Lion Track, PSU, 3 p.m. 10-12 – NCAA Regional Championships, women’s golf, Blue & White Courses, PSU, TBA. 11-12 – PSU/Ohio State, softball, Nittany Lion Field, PSU, 4 p.m. Fri., 2 & 4 p.m. Sat. 11-13 – PSU/Illinois, baseball, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, 6:05 p.m. Fri., 2:05 p.m. Sat., noon Sun.
Christina Vosters and the Penn State women’s golf team will look to compete at the NCAA Regional Championships held at Penn State May 10-12. Red Cross Honor Roll of Milestone Blood Donors
ONE GALLON: Roni Buck, Douglas Buckel, John Chaddon, Sean Confer, Courtney Decker, Sharon Deplato, Amanda Dickert, Sarah Douglas, Thomas Dutrow, Nicole Eckhardt, Harriet Feinstein, Donald Flory, Eric Funk, Elizabeth Gamble, J P Gardner, Carmen Gass, Eric Gmerek, Benita Guiser, Sean Haggerty, Danielle Haines, Brandon Hallowell, Margaret Hay, Margaret Herbstritt, Amber Hess, Jeremy Hesson, Elizabeth Hoesly, Christi Holzapfel, Robert Hopkins, Matthew Johnson, Lisa Josephson, Harry Kauffman, Kirsten Kerr, Denise Kowalski, Chun Yi Lee, Janet Lenze, Luke Lolla, Chrissy Long, Walter MacNeal, Justin Malloy, Tiffany McClenahan, Cameron McKinney, Andrew McKinnon, Stephen Migloire, Keith Miller, Sonya Miller, Richard Missett, Janet Morris, Mark Naylor, Melissa Oatley THIS AD IS SPONSORED BY
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Theater 4-5 – Murder on the Nile, Park Forest Middle School Auditorium, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.scasd.org. 8-9 – Singing Onstage Studios presents Merrily We Roll Along, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 18-19 – Cheaper by the Dozen, State College Area High School South Auditorium, S.C., 2 & 7 p.m., www.classactproduction.weebly.com or classactproduction@gmail.com. 19-20 – Singing Onstage Studios presents Once On This Island, State Theatre, S.C., 7 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., www.statetickets.org. 21 – Charlotte’s Web, State Theatre, S.C., 12:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 22 – Singing Onstage Studios presents 13, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. 25-26 – Nittany Theatre Company presents The Royal Gilberts, State Theatre, S.C., 7:30 p.m., www.statetickets.org. T&G The classic children’s story Charlotte’s Web will be performed at the State Theatre May 21.
Guide to Advertisers ATTRACTIONS, EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT Bob Perk’s Fund .............................93 Bryce Jordan Center .....................55 Center for the Performing Arts ................... Inside Front Cover Coaches Vs. Cancer ......................21 Palmer Museum of Art ...................88 Penn State Centre Stage ..............61 RE/MAX Children’s Miracle Network........19 Seven Mountains Wine Cellars ......97 Standing Stone Golf Course .......44 State Theatre....................................95 Toftrees Resort ................................28 AUTOMOTIVE Dix Honda .........................................29 Driscoll Automotive ...... Back Cover Joel Confer BMW .............................. 6 BANKS, FINANCIAL SERVICES Diversified Asset Planners ...........84 Frost & Conn Insurance .................. 4 Kish Bank ..........................................17 Penn State Federal Credit Union ..............................................38 State College Federal Credit Union ............................................113 BELLEFONTE SECTION Black Walnut Body Works............23 Confer’s Jewelers ...........................22 Mid State Awning & Patio Company .......................................22 Penn State Federal Credit Union ..............................................22 Pizza Mia............................................23 Reynolds Mansion ..........................23
BOALSBURG A Basket Full ....................................33 Boalsburg Apothecary ..................32 Duffy’s Tavern ..................................32 Natures Hue .....................................32 N’v........................................................33 Tait Farm Foods...............................32 BUSINESS, INDUSTRY Blair County Chamber Of Commerce ....................................53 CBICC .................................................20 CONSTRUCTION S&A Custom Built Homes............... 2 DINING Autoport .......................................... 107 Cozy Thai Bistro ........................... 106 Damon’s Grill................................. 107 Dantes ............................................. 105 Faccia Luna ................................... 106 Gamble Mill Restaurant.............. 107 Herwig’s .......................................... 107 Hotel State College ..................... 103 India Pavilion ................................. 104 Meyer Dairy Store & Ice Cream Parlor ........................................... 109 Mount Nittany Inn......................... 109 Otto’s Pub ...................................... 105 PSU Food Services (Hub Dining) .............................. 109 Tavern Restaurant............................. 1 Wegmans.........................................110 Westside Stadium ........................ 109 Whistle Stop Restaurant ............ 108 Zola New World Bistro................ 107
HOME AND GARDEN Black Hawk Homstead Nursery....70 Clean Sweep Professional Cleaning Services, Inc. .............64 Clinefelters Flooring .......................76 E.B. Endres Inc ................................64 Happy Valley Curb Appeal...........70 Hoag’s Catering ..............................64 JRS Landscaping, LLC .................72 Moon Brothers Landscaping ......75 Pennwood Corporation .................69 Shunk’s Kitchen Inc .......................67 State College Design & Construction .................................65 Tubbies ..............................................74 LODGING Hospitality Asset Management Company .................................... 104 Penn State Hospitality ..................... 4 MEDICAL Ginger Grieco, DDS ......................... 6 HealthSouth / Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital ..........................................16 Lewistown Hospital ........................41 Mount Nittany Medical Center ...... 3 Penn State College of Medicine/ Milton Hershey Medical Center ...13 The Circulatory Center .................... 9 PHOTOGRAPHY Vista Pro Studios ............................25 PRINTING, COPYING, MEDIA Bechtel Media, LLC ........................92 Centre County Gazette ............ Inside Back Cover Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU)...........................................85
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REAL ESTATE, HOUSING Cali, Tom-RE/MAX ..........................11 Hurvitz, Eric- RE/MAX....................16 Kissinger Bigatel & Brower ..........14 Lions Gate Apartments .................52 RETIREMENT SERVICES Foxdale Village ................................25 Home Instead Senior Care ..........31 Presbyterian Senior Living ............. 8 SERVICES Blair Plastic Surgery ....................115 Centre County Airport Authority ................................ 42, 43 Centre Elite Gymnastics, Inc ......... 4 Cuddles and Care Pet Sitting .....28 Green Irene.......................................39 Handy Delivery ................................45 Koch Funeral Home .......................92 McQuaide Blasko ............................. 7 P2P Computer Solutions ..............18 Red Cross .........................................93 SHOPPING, RETAIL America’s Carpet Outlet ...............15 Aurum Jewelers & Goldsmiths ....52 Capperella Furniture ......................47 Collegiate Pride ...............................38 Degol Carpet ....................................27 Gardners Candies ..........................29 Home Reflections............................28 Moyer Jewelers ...............................15 Penn State Bookstore ...................87 Squire Brown’s ................................46 VISITOR INFORMATION Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau................................................12
www.thestatetheatre.org (814) 272-0606 130 W College Ave Downtown State College
SINGING ONSTAGE STUDIOS PRESENTS: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Tue, May 8 @ 7:30p Wed, May 9 @ 7:30p Cost: $13
BERKOBIN & CORSON Fri, May 11 @ 8p Sat, May 12 @ 8p Cost: $25 (plus $2 ticket handling fee)
(plus $2 ticket handling fee)
(UPPER STUDIO)
Sat, May 19 @ 7p Sun, May 20 @ 2p Cost: $8
(plus $2 ticket and handling)
(plus $2 ticket handling fee)
ESSENCE OF JOY Sat, May 19@8p Cost: $15, $5 student
SINGING ONSTAGE STUDIOS PRESENTS: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND Sun, May 20 @ 7p Cost: $38 Gold Circle, $33 Orchestra, $28 Balcony
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Sat, May 19 @ 11:30p Cost: $5.00 ($2 ticket handling fee)
NITTANY THEATRE SINGING ONSTAGE CHARLOTTE’S WEB COMPANY PRESENTS: Mon, May 21 @ 10am & 12:30p STUDIOS PRESENTS: “13” THE ROYAL GILBERTS Tues, May 22 @ 7:30p Cost: $5 school groups Fri, May 25 @ 7:30p Cost: $13 (plus $2 ticket handling fee) Sat, May 26 @ 7:30p (plus $2 ticket handling fee) Cost: $20, $16 students & seniors $10 General Admission (plus $2 ticket handling fee)
(plus $2 ticket handling fee)
from the vine
Northwestern Exposure
Wines from the Pacific Northwest offer some wonderful tastes By Lucy Rogers
The Pacific Northwest wine region of the United States, essentially Oregon and Washington State, is a relative newcomer to the world of serious winemaking, in spite of more than a century of efforts in the industry. It wasn’t until the latter half of the twentieth century that the area’s true potential was finally being explored and expressed in the wines produced in the region. The state of Oregon has 16 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), the broadest and most famous of which is the Willamette Valley AVA, located along the Willamette River in the northwest corner of the state. This sprawling AVA is made up of six smaller AVAs: Chehalem Mountains, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton District, Dundee Hills, McMinnville, and Eola-Amity Hills. In each of these AVAs, Pinot Noir is the grape that has put Oregon on the wine map. Located on the same geographic parallel as Burgundy, France, the Willamette Valley’s volcanic and sedimentary soils give Oregon Pinot Noir its unique expression, all the while establishing the region’s reputation as one of the world’s best for producing Pinot Noir. In addition, Oregon grows many other vinifera grapes but has had arguably the most success with Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. With Chardonnay, the white grape of Burgundy, it makes sense that a region that succeeds with Pinot Noir would succeed with Chardonnay. But Pinot Gris — the French pronunciation of Pinot Grigio — truly shines in Oregon. Richer and more full bodied than an Italian Pinot Grigio, Oregon Pinot Gris wines have lots of freshfruit flavors and lively acidity, making them a great utility wine — easy to drink on their own but also a great pairing for many types of food, especially anything with some heat or substantial spice. Washington’s modern wine history began in the 1960s with essentially two companies — Associated Vintners, who eventually became Columbia Winery, and the American Wine Growers, a company that is now known to the world as Chateau Ste. Michelle. (Interestingly, Columbia Crest Winery, which produces the most wine in the state of Washington, is actually owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates). These two pioneering companies were started in the belief that European vinifera grapes could not only grow in Washington, but also could thrive and produce excellent wines. And that belief became a reality, thanks
Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley produce primarily the Pinot Noir grape that is used in wine production.
not only to the men who started those companies but also to the extended warm and dry sunny days of the eastern Washington climate that allow grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen beautifully, and where the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake rivers provide the means of much-needed irrigation. Additionally, the Cascade Mountains serve as a rain shield but still allow for cool nights so necessary for balanced grape-growing. There are more than 20 vinifera grape varieties being grown in Washington, but assuredly the most success has come from the very rich and berry-like Merlots and Cabernets the state can produce, as well as excellent Rieslings and Chardonnays. Below are the panel’s notes on some Pacific Northwest wines we tasted. We tried to get at least a representative sample of the major grapes grown, but obviously it would not be fair to judge the entire Pacific Northwest wine industry on what we tasted here. Dunham Shirley Mays 2010 Lewis Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, WA (PLCB code 39090, $24.99) — Light bodied with pear, honey, and apple flavors in a very restrained style, i.e., not a lot of butter or oak. Elegant, but something peculiar we can’t put our finger on. Some like it, some don’t. Anne Aimee Cuvee Amrita 2010 Willamette Valley Oregon (PLCB code 22208, $14) — Slightly frizzante? This wine smells like canned peaches but tastes like pink grapefruit with good acidity. Lots of sweeter fruit notes up front while
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Mama Mia, That’s Good!
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars Introduces Pinot Grigio! This Italian variety offers rich aromas of tropical fruit, banana and citrus, followed by delicate floral notes on the palate. Fresh and well-balanced, perfect for Spring and Summer get-togethers. Tasting and Winery Tours available at our beautiful Seven Mountains Lodge. Unique wine accessories, gifts and gift baskets. Shipping Available.
New! Mother’s Day Spectacular, featuring music from Brattman and Little Floyd. Join us Sunday, May 13th. Check web-site for details. www.sevenmountainwinecellars.com Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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
the grapefruit is in the back; substantial body with some richness, finishing dry (37-percent Viognier, 32-percent Chardonnay, 31-percent Pinot Blanc). Kiona Dry Riesling 2010 Washington (PLCB code 39080, $15.99) — With a nose of lemon pledge and/or lemon lollipop, we were surprised by the lack of acidity in this wine. In spite of the “Dry Riesling” moniker, this wine was decidedly “off dry” and had a fruit cocktail syrup quality about it. There was simply nothing dry about this wine. Efeste Evergreen Riesling 2010 Columbia Valley Washington (PLCB code 27848, $16.99) — Lots of petrol, natural gas, and nectarine in the nose, with lots of citrus, tart peach, and acidity. Much more like a dry Riesling than the Kiona. Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2008 Columbia Valley Washington (PLCB code 8775, $11.99) — Now this is more like it! Still with the burnt rubber and tire on the nose so common among many German Rieslings, this is a richer, rounder wine with a great mouthfeel, but that still finishes with vibrant citrus flavors and balancing acidity. Great for the price. Cristom Pinot Gris 2010 Willamette Valley, Oregon (PLCB code 39260, $16.99) — Again, burning oil/petroleum on the nose, but eventually it fades and there is a definite aroma of freshbaked coffee cake and cinnamon. Easy drinking, good fruit, medium bodied, decent acidity. Not my favorite Oregon Pinot Gris, but definitely tastier and more interesting than ... Chehelam Pinot Gris 2010 Willamette Valley Estate, Willamette Valley Oregon (PLCB code 39260, $16.99) — This had a peculiar funk to it, mixed with a floral and perfumey nose. Too much like fruit cocktail syrup for my taste. Cristom Sommers Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 Willamette Valley Oregon (PLCB code 39258, $41) — Interestingly, there is a cinnamon/hotball-candy component to the nose of this wine, as there was in the Pinot Gris by the same winery. At any rate, this wine had typical Oregon Pinot Noir bouquet of must and dampness and then cinnamon; hearty flavors of tart cherry all left us feeling that this was a well-made, interesting wine. Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007, Willamette Valley, Oregon (vintage not available in PA. Depending on vintage, this wine can run anywhere from $20 to $45) — This was a startling disappointment. The wine was light in color, very light in body, empty, and wimpy. We followed the tasting of the 2007 vintage with a tasting of the 2009 vintage of the same wine, and while it was
slightly more present, with hot-strawberry flavors of lollipops, it wasn’t much better than the ’07. Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Columbia Valley Washington (PLCB code 24355, $43) — A beautifully made wine with typical cab notes in the nose, full and rich on the palate. Not much talk about specifics here, it kind of hushed the crowd because it stood out above all the other wines. Penner-Ash Syrah 2008 Oregon (PLCB code 39060, $32.99) — Easy and not too complicated, this wine shows promise up front with its richness, but the wine disappears mid-palate and the somewhat metallic finish falls off dramatically. Snoqualmie 2010 Merlot Washington (PLCB code 23997, $10.99) — We tasted this Merlot two months ago for the column on Merlot and the wine had a tough time standing up against all the other Merlots. However, when serving as the sole Washington Merlot in the tasting, it stood by itself just fine, particularly for the price. It is an easy-drinking, uncomplicated little wine, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Chatter Creek Cabernet Franc Alder Ridge Horse Heaven Hills 2007 Washington (PLCB code 14396, $22) — Cabernet Franc is probably best known for its herbal and vegetal notes (well, that and being a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon). This offering from Chatter Creek was no exception; in fact, I thought it was vegetal to a fault with lots of dill and a medicinal, kind of band-aidy nose that continued on when it got to the palate where it was so vegetal it couldn’t help but have a green quality to it. Food and/or cheese would help this wine show what it can do. Seven Hills Planing Mills Red 2009 Columbia Valley Washington (PLCB code 32420, $12.99) — Lots of floral elements in the nose, and cinnamon baked goods. This 65-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18-percent Syrah, 7-percent Malbec, 7-percent Merlot, and 3-percent Cabernet Franc was easy drinking and full of flavor. A great value for the price. Columbia Crest Grand Estates “Amitage” 2008 Washington (PLCB code 28142, $13) — Nose exhibits burnt rubber but also graphite and then tastes of ripe plums in the front, a bit of acid but then simply disappears. Still, for the price it is pretty user friendly (64-percent Merlot, 19-percent Syrah, and the remaining balance comprised Malbec, Cab Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon). T&G Lucy Rogers teaches wine classes and offers private wine tastings through Wines by the Class. She also is the event coordinator for Zola Catering.
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John Hovenstine (9)
Taste the
of
Month
> Visit www.townandgown.com for: < • Rey Azteca’s recipe for tamales. • $2 off any entrée at Baja Fresh. Entrées include Burritos, Taco Platters, Baja Bowls, Fajitas, and Quesadillas. Excludes single tacos. • $2 off the Mad Mex Burrito at Mad Mex.
99 - Town&Gown & &Gown May 2012
Mondo Combo Fajito with margarita chicken and adobo shrimp at Mad Mex.
South of the Border Restaurants serve up delicious Mexican dishes By Vilma Shu Danz Cinco de Mayo — the fifth of May — is a date observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. In Mexico, in the state of Puebla, the holiday is called The Day of the Battle of Puebla to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces on May 5, 1862. Many Americans celebrate this holiday by eating Mexican dishes and drinking margaritas. Town&Gown highlights three restaurants in State College serving up a variety of Mexican specialties.
Mad Mex
240 South Pugh Street, State College • (814) 272-5656 • Madmex.com/happyvalley Mad Mex is best described as funky Cal-Mex, drawing from the West Coast’s attitude of fun and healthy eating with big, bold Mexican-inspired flavors, and of course, good tequila and margaritas. Mad Mex’s unique décor adds to the funky atmosphere with original paintings by Pittsburgh-area artist Rick Bach. “When you are in here at night, you can really see how much of a cave-like atmosphere this place is with all the funky paintings and installations,” says general manager Molly Wisniewski. Owned by the Big Burrito Restaurant Group, there are 11 Mad Mex restaurants located in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, State College, and Columbus, Ohio. Corporate head chef Bill Fuller’s menu at Mad Mex is a culinary mash up of Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Spanish. “He wanted to incorporate a lot of vegetables into the menu, and I think we have one of the largest vegetarian and vegan menus in State College,” explains Wisniewski. The most popular item is the Chicken Chimi, which is basically marinated chicken, red peppers,
Chicken Tacos
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portabella, Spanish onions in a secret sauce, and Monterey Jack cheese rolled in a tortilla and deep fried. “We are a college town, and students seem to really like a late-night deep-fried Chicken Chimi,” says Wisniewski. The huge burritos also are a big hit with students and locals alike. There are more than 15 different varieties from the classic Mad Mex Original that comes with your choice of chicken, steak, shrimp, portabella, or marinated tofu to the Thai Curry Burrito with toasted peanuts, fresh pineapple in a Thai curry sauce, and topped with bean sprouts and sweet-n-sour slaw. And, of course, there are the house margaritas on the rocks or frozen with fruity flavors such as black cherry, kiwi, mango, raspberry, and strawberry. “Monday night is the busiest night of the week at Mad Mex because we run our all-you-can-eat mini burritos for $5, and $5 margaritas!” says Wisniewski.
Baja Fresh
404 East Calder Way, State College • (814) 272-6800 • www.bajafresh.com Owners Bruce and Jenny Fowler opened the Baja Fresh franchise in State College in February 2011 with the goal to serve madeto-order Mexican favorites with no fillers, no prepackaged processed foods, and no preservatives — just quality fire-grilled all-natural meats and farm-fresh produce. “We make everything fresh daily — from Nachos our salsas and guacamole to trimming our beef and chicken and frying our chips constantly throughout the day,” says Bruce Fowler. The most popular entrées at Baja Fresh are the burritos, and you can choose from eight different varieties, including the Ultimo, Nacho, and Diablo and a choice of fire-grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, Wahoo fish, slow-roasted Pork Carnitas, or farm-fresh grilled veggies. In addition, there are fajitas, nachos, and taco platters on the menu. “When you order our tacos, you have the choice of Baja or Americano style,” says Bruce. “The Baja-style taco is in a corn tortilla with salsa, onions, and cilantro. The Americano-style taco is in a flour tortilla with salsa, lettuce, chopped tomato, and cheese.” Every entrée is served with chips, so customers are encouraged to sample the six different salsas in the salsa bar. The most popular salsa is the mild-flavored Pico de Gallo with chucks of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The Baja salsa has a chipotle smoky flavor, the Six Chiles is a blend of spicy peppers and sweet tomatoes, the Molcajete is a chucky-style hot sauce, and the Salsa Verde has a tangy, refreshing flavor that comes from the tomatillos, green chiles, and onions. “We also have a seasonal salsa, and right now it is pineapple with Serrano peppers. In the summer, we will have a mango salsa, and in the fall, we have a cranberry salsa,” explains Bruce.
Ultimo Fajitas
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Rey Azteca
485 Benner Pike, State College • (814) 238-8700 • www.reyazteca.net
Enchilada Supreme
Grande Especial
Owned and operated by the Rubio and Palacios families, who are originally from Hidalgo, Mexico, Rey Azteca serves up large portions of authentic Mexican cuisine at family-friendly prices. Rey Aztec opened its first location in 2004 in Butler and now has five locations, including the one in State College, which opened in 2010. The name Rey Azteca, meaning Aztec King, comes from Aztec mythology about a princess named Iztaccihuatl, who fell in love with one of her father’s warriors, Popocatépetl. In the story, Popocatépetl returns from war to find that Iztaccihuatl had died, and in his grief, he carried her body to a spot where the gods decided to cover both of them in snow and turn them into mountains. Today, Iztaccihuatl is the thirdhighest peak in Mexico and resembles a woman sleeping on her back. Popocatépetl is an active volcano and the second-highest peak in Mexico, raining fire on Earth for the loss of his beloved. Owner and manager Gustavo Rubio explains, “When you come to Rey Azteca, you will see a number of paintings on the walls of Popocatépetl carrying Iztaccihuatl and other decorations from Guadalajara, Mexico, that adds to the atmosphere of the restaurant.” The menu at Rey Azteca is extensive with Mexican favorites from fajitas, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas to chiles rellenos, chalupas, and tamales. There are a number of combination platters that give diners a chance to sample one of each item on the menu. There also is a glossary on the menu to help customers with descriptions of the Mexican dishes. The most popular item on the menu is the Enchilada Supreme, which consists of four enchiladas, one each of chicken, beef, cheese, and bean, all topped with an authentic red-enchilada sauce and served with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. “Everything on the menu is authentic Mexican food, not Tex Mex, and they are all family recipes,” says Rubio. “As soon as you come in, we serve you chips and salsa that is made fresh every morning, and our salsa is mild, but if you like it spicier, you can request it.” T&G
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Dining Out Full Course Dining Allen Street Grill, corner of Allen Street and College Avenue, 231-GRILL. The food sizzles. The service sparkles. The prices are deliciously frugal. The menu is classic American grill mixed with popular influences from Mexico, Italy, and the Far East. AE, D, MC, V. The Autoport, 1405 S. Atherton St., 237-7666, www.theautoport.com. The all new Autoport offers exceptional dining featuring local produce and an extensive wine list. Tapas menu and special events every week. Catering and private events available. Live music. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar. Bar Bleu & Bar Q, 113 S. Garner St., 237-0374. Authentic Kansas City Barbeque featuring smoked ribs, pork, wings, plus down-home sides and appetizers. Roadhouse & Sports Lounge upstairs. Upscale martini bar downstairs featuring live music 7 nights a week. Open for dinner every night at 5 p.m. AE, D, DC, ID+, MC, V. Full bar. Always Bill Pickle’s Tap Room,106 S. Allen St., 272-1172. Not for saints…not for sinners. AE, DIS, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.
The Corner Room Restaurant, corner of Allen Street and College Avenue, 237-3051. Literally first in hospitality. Since 1855, The Corner Room has served generous breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to the community and its guests. AE, D, MC, V. 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. The area’s largest menu! Soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, Mexican, Cajun. Dinners featuring steaks, chicken, seafood and pastas, heart-healthy menu, and award-winning desserts. AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar.
Fresh Flavors
Key
AE ...........................................................American Express
Carnegie House, corner of Cricklewood Dr. CB ..................................................................Carte Blanche D ................................................................ Discover/Novus and Toftrees Ave., 234-2424. An exquisite boutique Lunch, Dinner & Sunday BrunchDC........................................................................Diners Club hotel offering fine dining in a relaxed yet gracious Excellent & Affordable Wine Selection ID+ ................................................ PSU ID+ card discounts atmosphere. Serving lunch andPiano dinner. Prix Rooms/Kitchen Fixe LCOpen ............................................................................ LionCash Bar/Private Late menu and à la carte menu selections available. MAC .......................................................................debit card 231-GRILL A LLENnow S TREET G RILL . COM MC .......................................................................MasterCard AAA Four Diamond Award recipient for lodging and V ......................................................................................... Visa fine dining. Reservations suggested. AE, MC, D, V. .............................................. Handicapped-accessible Full bar.
To advertise, call Town&Gown account executives Kathy George or Debbie Markel at (814) 238-5051.
Always
Fresh Flavors
EST SINEHSS UNC
Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch
Excellent & Affordable Wine Selection A LLEN S TREET G RILL . COM
Piano Bar/Private Rooms/Kitchen Open Late
C ORNER OF C OLLEGE A VE . AND A LLEN S T . • 231-GRILL 103 - Town&Gown May 2012
India Pavilion Exotic Indian Cuisine
Carry Out Available
Open Tuesday thru Sunday Lunch Buffet: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Closed Monday
The Dining Room at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., 865-8590. Fine continental cuisine in a relaxed, gracious atmosphere. Casual attire acceptable. Private dining rooms available. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Full bar. Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern, On the Diamond, Boalsburg, 466-6241. The Boalsburg Tavern offers a fine, intimate setting reminiscent of Colonial times. Dining for all occasions with formal and casual menus, daily dinner features, specials, and plenty of free parking AE, MC, V. Full bar. 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.
222 E. Calder Way • 237-3400 • www.indiapavilion.net
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Galanga, 454 College E. College Ave. 237-1718. Another great addition to Cozy Thai Bistro. Galanga by Cozy Thai offers a unique authentic Thai food featuring Northeastern Thai style cuisine. Vegetarian menu selection available. BYO (wines and beer) is welcome after 5 p.m. AE, D, DC, MAC, MC, V. Gamble Mill Restaurant & Microbrewery, 160 Dunlop St., Bellefonte; 355-7764. A true piece of Americana, dine and enjoy our in-house craft beers in a historic mill. Experience bold American flavors by exploring our casual pub menu or fine dining options. Six to seven beers of our craft beers on tap. Brewers Club, Growlers, outdoor seating, large private functions, catering. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Dinner 5-9/10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. “Chalk Board Sunday’s” 4-8 p.m. All credit cards accepted. 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.
We love People, Beer & Local Foods Bringing you craft beer and fresh food using local products in a family friendly, casual atmosphere.
Food & Beer TO GO!
Bottles • Cases • Kegs • Growlers ring Now offe e ad locally m dy, , can be er soap ! & mugs
2235 N. Atherton St. State College 814.867.6886 www.ottospubandbrewery.com
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Herwig’s Austrian Bistro, where bacon is an herb, 132 W. College Ave., herwigsaus trianbistro.com, 272-0738. Located next to the State Theatre. Austrian Home Cooking. Ranked #1 Ethnic Restaurant 5 years in a row. Eatin, Take-Out, Catering, Franchising. BYO after 5 p.m., D, MC, V. Hi-Way Pizza, 1688 N. Atherton St., 237-0375. Voted best pizza. Twenty-nine variations of pizza, entire dinner menu and sandwiches, strombolis, salads, spectacular desserts, and beer to go. 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, (call ahead.) MC, V. Inferno Brick Oven & Bar, 340 E. College Ave., 237-5718, www.infernobrickovenbar.com. Casual but sophisticated atmosphere — a contemporary brick oven experience featuring a lunch and dinner menu of old- world favorites and modern-day revolutions. AE, D, MAC, MC, V. Full bar.
We continue the Luna tradition by using only the freshest ingredients!
1229 S o u t h A t h e r t o n S t r e e t S tAt e C o l l e g e 234-9000 A
true neighborhood hAngout highly
regArded for itS populAr And AuthentiC
n ew y ork - Style
wood - fired pizzA
And Commitment to quAlity .
A wArd - winning pizzA . And i tAliAn CuiSine homemAde with only the beSt And freSheSt ingredientS . www . fACCiAlunA . Com
We offer wood-fired pizza, fresh homemade pasta, as well as wood-grilled items such as Baby Back BBQ Ribs, homemade meatloaf, various fish and seafood and our soon to be award winning burgers!
www.luna-2.com 2609 E. College Ave. • State College, PA • 234-9009
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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. Luna 2 Woodgrill & Bar, 2609 E. College Ave., 234-9009, www.luna-2.com. Wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta, wood-grilled BBQ ribs, seafood, burgers, and don’t forget to try the homemade meatloaf! Sumptuous salads and desserts. Full bar service. Outside seating. Sorry, no reservations accepted. Dine-In, Take-out. MC/V. Mario’s Italian Restaurant, 1272 N. Atherton St., 234-4273. The Italian tradition in State College. Homemade pasta, chicken, seafood specialties, veal, wood-fired pizza, calzones, rotisserie chicken, roasts, salads, and sandwiches, plus cappuccino and espresso! AE, D, DC, LC, MC, V. Full bar. The Mt. Nittany Inn, 559 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Centre Hall, 364-9363, mtnittanyinn.com. Perched high above Happy Valley at 1,809 feet, the Mt. Nittany Inn offers homemade soups, steaks, seafood, and pasta. Bar and banquet areas available. AE, CB, D, MAC, MC, V. Full Bar.
Herwig’s Austrian Bistro As seen on ESPN’s “Taste of the Town”
Pre-Show Dinner Discounts
Truly Unique Dining Experience Authentic Homestyle Austrian Cuisine Mon-Wed: 11am-8pm (last seating) Thu-Fri: 11am-9pm (last seating) Sat: 11:45am-9pm (last seating) Eat-in, Take-out, Catering and Franchising.
Family friendly dining for all the sports enthusiasts.
7 big screens all now in HD, NHL, NBA, March Madness, catering tailgate and party packs available.
14 New Craft Beer Selections!
We Now Make Our Own Bread!
Now accepting reservations for our Mother’s Day buffet and Spring Graduation.
NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS!
132 West College Ave, Downtown State College (next door to the State Theatre) • 814-272-0738
Check out our new outdoor patio!
1031 East College Ave. 814-237-6300 • damons.com
STATE COLLEGE’S BEST OUTDOOR SEATING! Award Winning Food • Poolside Service Fire Pits • Nightly Specials • Entertainment Happy Hours 7 Days a Week 5-7 Working Women Wednesdays Starts 5/16!
Mother’s Day Buffet Sunday, May 13th Reservations recommended
1405 South Atherton St. • State College, PA 16801 • www.theautoport.com • 814-237-7666 107 - Town&Gown May 2012
Otto’s Pub & Brewery, 2235 N. Atherton Street, 867-6886, www.ottospubandbrewery.com. Our new location provides plenty of parking, great ales and lagers, full service bar, signature dishes made with local products in a family-friendly, casual atmosphere. AE, D, DC, LC MC, V, Full bar. The Tavern Restaurant, 220 E. College Ave., 238-6116. A unique gallery-in-a-restaurant preserving PA’s and Penn State’s past. Dinner at The Tavern is a Penn State tradition. Major credit cards accepted. Full bar. 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. Whistle Stop Restaurant, Old Train Station Corner, Centre Hall on Rte. 144, 15 minutes east of State College. 364-2544. Traditional dining in an 1884 Victorian railroad station decorated with railroad memorabilia. Chef-created soups, desserts, and daily specials. Lunch and dinner served Wed.-Sun. D, MC, V.
Zola New World Bistro, 324 W. College Ave., 237-8474. Zola combines comfortable, modern décor with exceptional service. Innovative, creative cuisine from seasonal menus served for lunch and dinner. Extensive award-winning wine list. Jazz and oysters in the bar on Fridays. Catering. AE, D, MC, V. Full bar.
Good Food Fast HUB Dining, HUB-Robeson Center, on campus, 865-7623. A Penn State tradition open to all! Eleven restaurants stocked with extraordinary variety: Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Higher Grounds, Joegies, Mixed Greens, Burger King, Panda Express, Piccalilli’s, Sbarro, Sushi by Panda, Wild Cactus, and more! V, MC, LC. Meyer Dairy, 2390 S. Atherton St., 237-1849. Stop and get your favorite flavor at our ice cream parlor. We also sell a variety of delicious cakes, sandwiches, and baked goods.
Taste of the Month Town&Gown’s Monthly Focus on Food
The Ri-pear-ian from Fiddlehead
If it’s happening in Happy Valley, it’s in Town&Gown! 108 - Town&Gown May 2012
Taco Bell, 322 W. College Ave., 231-8226; Hills Plaza, 238-3335. For all the flavors you love, visit our two locations. Taco Bell, Think Outside the Bun! 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. T&G
MEYER DAIRY STORE & ICE CREAM PARLOR MILK • ICE CREAM • EGGS • CHEESE • JUICES POP’S MEXI-HOTS • BAKED GOODS • SANDWICHES ICE CREAM CAKES • & MORE!
Open Daily 8:00 a.m. - 11 p.m. 2390 S. ATHERTON STREET • 237-1849
State College’s newest hangout
Try our onsite Smoked Pork Sandwich!
1301 West College Ave. • 814-308-8959 www.westsidestadiumbarandgrill.com Open 7 Days a Week for Lunch and Dinner
Decks Now Open! • Business Lunches and Dinners • Birthday and Anniversary Parties • Weddings and Receptions • Retreats/Reunions • Award Banquets • Rehearsal Dinners
Casual Fine Dining Take-out beer available
Watch spring unfold from our view! Try our New Lunch and Dinner Menus, featuring Homemade Soups, Certified Angus Beef, Seafood Specialties and More!
www.mtnittanyinn.com Reservations 814-364-9363 • 559 N. Pennsylvania Avenue • Centre Hall, PA 16828
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Try Our New York-Style
thin crust pizza
345 Colonnade Boulevard State College, PA 16803 (814) 278-9015
lunch with mimi
Plant Planner Arboretum director looks to make facility a destination for garden enthusiasts John Hovenstine
Kim Steiner was eight years old when he planted his first tree. Originally from Alton, Illinois, he studied forest biology and genetics in Colorado and Michigan before joining the Penn State faculty in 1974. As a professor in forest biology, he teaches, supervises graduate students, and maintains an active research program focusing on the regeneration of native forests. Now, as the director of the Arboretum at Penn State, a 370-acre teaching-and-research facility, he supervises the staff, fundraises, and oversees the planning and construction of projects. The most recent project underway at the arboretum is the construction of the Children’s Garden, which was made possible by generous gifts from Edward R. and Helen S. Hintz and from Charles H. “Skip” Smith for the endowment to maintain the garden and develop its educational programs. Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith sat down with Steiner at the Original Waffle Shop in State College to discuss how he became involved with the arboretum and how individuals can help fundraise and volunteer there. Mimi: Welcome. You’re the guy who has helped to make the arboretum happen. How does a guy interested in chestnut trees turn to flowers? Tell me about the chestnut trees first. Kim: The chestnut tree was at one time the most common tree in Pennsylvania, but it was killed by the blight over the past century. Mimi: Now, what got you interested in chestnut trees? Kim: Well, it’s a long story, but when I was a graduate student at Michigan State University, I wrote a breeding plan to create a blight-resistant chestnut tree as a class project. There is no resistance within the species. It is almost uniformly susceptible, so it’s doomed for extinction unless we do something. So, about 15 years ago some people who were starting a Pennsylvania chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation badgered me to become involved with the foundation because of my background in forest genetics. I finally agreed and one thing led to another. I was asked to participate in a national committee for the foundation and I became more and more
Town&Gown founder Mimi Barash Coppersmith (right) talks with Kim Steiner at the Original Waffle Shop in State College.
involved with what they were doing. I’m now on their board of directors. The fascinating thing for me about their work is that there had already been two large government efforts to save the chestnut and they had failed. So, what has happened is that a nonprofit group with a good plan is succeeding with volunteers in a project that the government or private industry could not, or would not, do because of the two major failures decades ago. Mimi: How did you get involved with the arboretum? Kim: Actually my first job interview, when I was about to finish my PhD, was at the New York Botanical Garden. I didn’t get the job but I’ve always been interested in botanic gardens and arboreta. I was put on an arboretum committee when I was a young faculty member at Penn State. We didn’t really get anywhere, but I always had that interest. When the committee was resurrected in 1994, it was chaired by the department head in horticulture. Then, he left and no one else wanted to chair the committee, so I took it over. We developed a plan and presented it. I asked the administration for some money to do a real plan, and we hired a firm to do that. Mimi: And who did the real plan? Kim: Sasaki Associates, a consulting firm with landscape architecture and campus
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Contributed photos (2)
planning expertise out of Massachusetts. Mimi: Do you remember what that cost? Kim: That was $60,000. It was finished in 1999 and I presented that to Dr. Spanier and the President’s Council that spring. I remember meeting in 201 Old Main and it was fairly intimidating for me. There was a lot of discussion around the table. At the end, it was summarized that we’d go forward if I could raise $10 million. Rod Erickson appointed me director that September or October, part-time. Mimi: Did you have any help? Kim: Oh, yes. The University Development Office was very helpful. The dean of agriculture, Bob Steele, was very helpful and supportive. Mimi: Now, you need a lot more money to go to the next stage. How are we going to do that? Kim: We do, and of course, we are always looking. You know that we have gotten two gifts recently, from Skip Smith again and the Hintzes. Mimi: May I ask how much? Kim: A total of $4.1 million. Mimi: Wow! Kim: With that money, we’re going to start late this spring, maybe early this summer, on construction of the Children’s Garden. It’s going to be really neat. Mimi: Well, the fact that the arboretum was able to launch because of the generosity of a local businessman, who facilitated getting it under way, it’s a moment in history. Kim: He made it happen. Mimi: Now, there are more people like him out there that love nature, want to honor their heritage, and want to have something that benefits the whole community. I think, from my perspective as someone who has been here for almost 62 years, it’s probably the best example
that I’ve seen of the potential for town and gown to hold hands and do something that transforms the overall potential of the community. The arboretum is only just beginning. What are some of the dreams for the arboretum? Kim: Well, one of the things we would like to do is a conservatory. Mimi: Tell me a little bit about that. Kim: That would be a 10,000-square-foot glasshouse. We would probably feature tropical plants in there — something that you can’t see otherwise in State College. It would be a place to go in the winter, a contrast to the brown gardens outside. Mimi: And when is that scheduled in the plan? Kim: Whenever we get the money. That will probably cost $20 or $25 million. Conservatories are really complicated things. They’re not just greenhouses. The heating, cooling, and air circulation are especially complex. Also, we set aside a portion of capital gifts to endow long-term support and maintenance. We also want to do a visitors center. That would be probably the same amount of money. It would be a visitors center for the gardens, for the arboretum. We are calling it an education center because it would have classrooms in it and conference rooms and we’d be able to host daytime meetings, evening seminars, and weekend conferences. Mimi: Now you’re a guy who’s head of the arboretum, which is pretty much horticulture. Are you real smart in horticulture or do you lean on others? Kim: Lean on others, for sure. Mimi: And who are the others who work behind the scenes and have made this glorious place that we can all enjoy? Kim: Well, on the staff is Andrew Gapinski, who is the horticulturist and he is really good. He also runs our volunteer program. Then, we have a really good gardening staff that we hire through the Office of Physical Plant. In the summer, we have a couple of interns that we pull typically from horticulture and landscape architecture. I have a plant-materials committee of faculty from five or six different departments on campus. People who are really interested in plants, know about plants, want to help us create a really distinctive collection of plants — something that stands out among universities, that makes this a bit of a destination for botanicgarden people because of what we have.
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Mimi: In addition to that, it’s a new venue to get married, have parties. I can’t be enthusiastic enough about what you have brought. Kim: Weddings are usually on Saturdays and we’ve got every one of them booked up and most of them for next year already. Mimi: Well, that’s pretty amazing. Kim: People love it. Mimi: What are other ways, other than money, that people in the community can help you? Kim: We have excellent volunteer opportunities. We’ve got a core of two- or threedozen folks who volunteer. Some do gardening, some serve as docents for tour groups, and others serve as greeters on football weekends. Mimi: And you’ve started a Friends of the
Arboretum. How’s that going? Kim: That is a means for us to find out who in the community is interested in the arboretum. A “Friend” is anyone who makes a monetary gift to the arboretum, small or large. Mimi: Can you give me some information on how people, in any amount, can contribute to the future growth of the arboretum? Kim: You can go online to our Web site — www.arboretum.psu.edu. Also, we make gift cards available at the Overlook Pavilion in the gardens. Mimi: Well, I want to tell you, you’ve brought us beauty and happiness! Kim: I’ve really enjoyed this. I’m very glad that I started on this mission. T&G
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State College Photo Club’s Photos of the Month 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. Here are the winning photos from the March competition.
Special Category (Stones)
“Dingle Ruins” By Elizabeth Phillips
“Ruins along the coast of Ireland’s ‘Ring of Dongle’. Photo taken February 2009.”
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Open Category
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“Steam Power” By Benjamin Willis
“I took this picture of a fully operational steam locomotive last fall while visiting Silverton, Colorado. For a railroad enthusiast, such as myself, Colorado is a veritable treasure trove of relics from the time when steam power was king.”
A copy of either of these photos may be obtained with a $75 contribution to the Salvation Army of Centre County. Contact Captain Charles Niedermeyer at 861-1785. You can select any size up to 11-inches wide. The State College Photo Club meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Foxdale Village Auditorium. Visit www.statecollegephotoclub.org for more information about how to join and how to enter your photos in competitions. 114 - Town&Gown May 2012
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Making America Aware
Local resident readies for cross-country bike ride to raise awareness of dyslexia By Samantha Hulings
Two years ago, Growing Tree Toys owner and 40-year State College resident Larry Emigh had decided to take his love of helping and teaching children further than the educational toys available in his store. Because of his involvement as chairman of the board of governors for the Children’s Dyslexia Center in State College, he focused on raising awareness of children with dyslexia. He is about to take his awareness efforts across America. On May 14, the 70-year-old Emigh will begin his Tour for Dyslexia — a 3,415-mile bike ride across the United States that he will use as a fundraiser for the Children’s Dyslexia Center in State College. His journey will begin with his rear bike tire in the Pacific Ocean at Manhattan Beach, California. Seven weeks later, on June 29, Emigh hopes to place his front tire in the Atlantic Ocean at Revere Beach in Boston, Massachusetts. The Dyslexia Center provides children with a two-year program where they attend two 55-minute tutoring sessions per week. Though it costs the center a little more than $5,000 to tutor a dyslexic child for just one year, all tutoring is done at no cost to the family. Because the State College center serves 15 counties, Emigh prides himself on the fact that all donations made to the center never leave the area. All corporate and administrative costs are covered by dues of members of the Masonic Scottish Rite. Emigh began training for his ride across America in January 2010. Each day, he arrives at a local fitness club at 6 a.m., where he rides a spin-cycling bike for about an hour. From there, he travels to another local fitness center where he lifts weights. After completing his weightlifting, he heads back to the first center to spin cycle again. He walks a little on the treadmill, but never runs. After leaving the fitness center, he eats a light lunch and then goes for a ride or climbs hills in the afternoons. Emigh, a retired Pennsylvania State Police officer, says the bike tour is mind over matter, and that when he thinks he can’t accomplish something, he puts his mind to it and sticks it out. “I have just resigned myself that this is a long distance,” he says. “I have been mentally train-
Larry Emigh Family: Wife, Kay; son, Jonathan; daughter, Jennifer; granddaughter, Adelyn. What makes biking great: “It affords you the opportunity to process some thoughts of tasks you might be trying to work out or landscaping you might be trying to do. It’s just an opportunity to clear your head.” Favorite quote: “I like to quote Lance Armstrong, ‘Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever.’ ” ing for it, as well as physically training. I know there will be many days of climbing mountains out west, and the desert. Hopefully I’m preparing myself mentally.” He plans to keep himself physically and mentally motivated during the tour by paying attention to his food intake with proper meals and power or energy bars, and drinking plenty of liquids. Completing the tour, he hopes, will bring increased awareness of children with dyslexia. “There are many children living with dyslexia living a life of loneliness,” he says. “They are not accepted by their friends. It is very sad. They withdraw, every hour of every day, and we lose them. We need to build awareness of children with dyslexia so more programs can be developed to help them read.” For more information about the Children’s Dyslexia Center, visit www.childrensdyslexiacenter.org. Follow Emigh’s bike tour on Twitter: @TourforDyslexia. T&G
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