GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Star in the making?
Bellefonte’s Callie Veach Dixon, who works as a barista by day, recently released her first album, “Oh Love.” The local musician has hopes of making it big as a singer/songwriter./Page 25
June 30-July 6, 2016
Volume 8, Issue 26
CentreBike goes for silver-level designation
CENTRE COUNTY SPOTLIGHT
Ganter takes on groundbreaking role with Pirates
By G. KERRY WEBSTER kwebster@centrecountygazette.com
By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — It’s not Iowa, it’s Pittsburgh. And it’s not the famed “Field of Dreams,” it’s PNC Park. But for State College native Chris Ganter, working for the Pittsburgh Pirates is truly a dream come true. Ganter was recently hired by the Pirates. He is the manager of youth baseball initiatives. The position is a new one with the longtime National League club. “The Pirates are really on the forefront of wanting to get out in the community in western Pennsylvania and increase (youth baseball) participation numbers,” Ganter said. “My job is really the first of its kind with the Pirates. It’s pretty cool. I get to do a lot of great things. I’m extremely excited.” Ganter’s position is part of Major League Baseball’s “Play Ball!” initiative. With participation numbers in youth baseball dropping, the MLB is trying to turn that around. “Numbers have been dropping across the board, especially in inner cities and minority communities. That made people sit CHRIS GANTER up and take note and try to figure out what’s going on. This is a major initiative by Major League Baseball. We want to make the sport fun again for kids and do anything we can to make that happen,” Ganter said. Ganter — a State College Area High School and Penn State University graduate — grew up cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates. To call PNC Park his office? Well, it doesn’t get much better than that, he said. “This is a dream job for someone like me. I’ve always loved Major League Baseball, baseball in general. Even though I played football in college, there’s always been something about baseball that attracts me. I’ve always followed the Pirates very closely.” For Ganter, the road to PNC Park wasn’t exactly a smooth one. The State High grad, of course, played quarterback at Penn State. At Penn State, he was a three-year letterman and a three-time academic All-Big Ten selection. He was also selected as the Ridge Riley Award recipient, which is presented annually to “the senior member of the football team who best displays sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership, and friendship.” At Penn State, he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and completed his MBA in 2007. He had a few jobs after graduation, including working for Merrill Lynch in New York in its Global Markets division. He also worked for Sun Ganter, Page 6 Opinion ............................ 7 Health & Wellness ......... 8, 9
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PATRICK MANSELL/Penn State University
IT’S LIT: Fireworks are the feature attraction at the Central Pennsylvania 4thFest, which has become a tradition in Centre County.
4thFest ready to light up the State College sky By G. KERRY WEBSTER kwebster@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — In just a few short days, the skies above the Penn State University sports complex will erupt in sight and sound as more than 10,000 rockets, shells and fireworks are ignited over Happy Valley. And, for the first time in the history of the Central Pennsylvania 4thFest, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy two days of celebrating the birth of the United States of America with plenty of live music, food and craft vendors and entertainment, all in a carnival-type atmosphere, Sunday, July 3. “Being the Fourth of July is on a Monday this year, we thought we’d take advantage of that long weekend most people have and open some things up on Sunday, too,” said Karl Libhart, executive director of the 4thFest committee. “There’s going to be lots of live music and performances on two separate stages on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m., and we’re copromoting with the (State College) Spikes. They are having a game at
Education ....................... 10 Community ............... 11-15
Central PA 4th Fest ... 16-18 Community Spotlight .... 19
6 p.m. that night. After the game, we’re planning a street dance. “We have a lot in store for those coming.” And, come they will. Libhart said the typical crowd for the 4thFest activities is around 80,000 people, depending on Mother Nature’s mood. “We had rain last year so our numbers were down a bit,” said Libhart. “However, I think opening it up to two days this year will bring even more. We hope the weather cooperates.” Sunday’s festivities begin at 5 p.m. when Garbrick Amusements opens its carnival on the midway. There will be plenty of concessions open, as well as the information and souvenir stations. Live entertainment also kicks off at 5 p.m. on two stages. On the Centre Stage, Down to the Wire will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Soul Project from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
STATE COLLEGE — The Centre Region sure is friendly to the community’s bicycle riders. In 2012, the League of American Bicyclists deemed it so, awarding it a bronze- level designation in its Bicycle Friendly Community program. Four years have passed, and it is again time for the nonprofit organization CentreBike, along with the Centre Regional Planning Agency, to reapply for designation with the LOAB. This time, they’re looking to pedal it up a bit. “I am optimistic we’re going to get the silver designation this time,” said Trish Meek, senior transportation planner at CRPA. “They’ve changed the application a little, but I’m confident with the work CentreBike has done in the bicycling community that we’re going to be recognized for the efforts. They’ve really done a great job.” Anna Nelson is president of CentreBike. Formerly known as the Centre Region Bicycle Coalition, the group was later rebranded and now works intently with local communities, businesses and, of course, bicyclists to provide education and opportunities throughout the pedaling community. “Back in 2001, the town began growing larger and there were more cars around,” said Nelson. “We wanted the State College area to have more of a village feeling to it with more bicycle riders, so we really started pushing hard for the bicyclists in the area. We promoted education and began designating certain paths and areas strictly for bicycles.” She said the bicycling community started to grow, as did CentreBike. It began working with local governments so the community could have a voice in road-planning processes. It worked with local law enforcement officials and riders concerning bicycle safety and the laws governing bicyclists. It raised money and acquired grants to place bike racks throughout the communities with the intent of promoting more bicycle riders. That hard work paid off when the group applied for designation in 2012, and was rewarded for it. Right in step, Penn State University applied for CentreBike, Page 6
4th Fest, Page 5
INSIDE: For more on 4thFest, including a schedule of events, see Pages 16-18 Sports ......................... 20-24 Around & In Town .... 25, 26
Submitted photo
RIDING TIME: CentreBike members participate in the 2015 “Family Fun Ride” around State College. What’s Happening ......... 27 Puzzles ............................ 28
Business ..................... 29, 30 Classified ........................ 31
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