GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Family Matters
Pages 17-20
August 11-17, 2016
Pages 21-25, 29-32
FREE COPY
Volume 8, Issue 32
CENTRE COUNTY SPOTLIGHT
Oberheim ends long tenure as manager of Ag Progress Days By HARRY ZIMBLER correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE — Following a 25-year career as the manager of Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs, Bob Oberheim has decided to retire this year. “My goals for Ag Progress have been accomplished,” Oberheim said. “We have seen record high numbers of exhibitors and many new programs and buildings. I want to go out on top and hand the show over to someone new.” This year’s Ag Progress Days event is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16, through Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Russell Larson Agricultural Research Center. The event will focus on many issues facing agriculture in Pennsylvania. Speaking about his legacy, Oberheim is hopeful that people will view his tenure as well managed. “I am very proud of the site itself and also of the team we have created to produce this show,” he said. “I enjoyed working with both the ag industry and Penn State. I have no regrets. “But, those 25 years went by so fast. It was my goal to do more shows than my predecessor.” That
TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette
FOR A GOOD CAUSE: The Penn State 8v8 Soccer Tournament was played over two days at the IM Fields at University Park. The proceeds from the tourney go to the Easter Seals and the United Way.
HARRY ZIMBLER/For the Gazette
STEPPING DOWN: After 25 years, Bob Oberheim is retiring as manager of Ag Progress Days.
goal was reached nine years ago. Oberheim worries about the future of farming in Pennsylvania. “Agriculture is in decline in this state. It’s a sign of the times. The loss of family farms, and the fact that people don’t look to Penn State for ag advice and information are signs of the decline.” Oberheim, Page 8
INSIDE: For more on Ag Progress Days 2016, see story on Page 13.
8v8 soccer tournament benefits local charities By CHRIS MORELLI
editor@centrecountygazette.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — For any type of sports tournament to run like a well-oiled machine, everything has to go as planned. Volunteers and teams have to show up on time. The fields have to be prepped and ready to go. Perhaps most importantly, the weather has to be perfect. Those in charge of the Penn State 8v8 Soccer Tournament got the perfect storm Aug. 6 and 7 as it went off without a hitch at the university’s Intramural Fields. Jeff Steiner is the executive director for Kicks 4
Kids, the organization that ran the tournament. “It was incredible,” Steiner said. “We had good weather. Give us good weather and we put on a really great tournament.” A total of 145 teams took part during the twoday tourney. Games kicked off Saturday morning and ran throughout the day. On Sunday, they did it all over again. According to Steiner, the tourney went off without a hitch. Games ended, teams cleared the fields and, within minutes, another game was ready to roll. Kicks 4 Kids, he said, has its tournaments down to a science. Soccer, Page 4
Arts and crafts fair will energize Talleyrand Park By JODI MORELLI correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
BELLEFONTE — Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte will be alive with music and art this weekend. On Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13, the park will serve as the setting for the 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair. Local musicians, artists and food vendors will be on hand both days, along with a full schedule of activities. The schedule includes a silent auction, an ambulance and fire department display, youth artist displays and sales and a wide
IF YOU GO
Gazette file photo
BELLEFONTE TRADITION: The 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair will be held on Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13 at Talleyrand Park. Opinion ............................ 9 Health & Wellness .......... 10
Education .................. 11, 12 Ag Progress ............ Days 13
Community ............... 14-16 Arts & Crafts Fair ....... 17-20
What: 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair When: Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13 Where: Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte Cost: Admission is free More info: www.bellefontefair.org Back to School ........... 21-25 Sports ......................... 26-28
array of children’s activities. These activities are happening in addition to musical entertainment on two stages, as well as a variety of art and food sales. The admission, entertainment and children’s activities are all free of charge. Additionally, there is free parking at the high school and a free shuttle service that stops at both sides of the park and on the Diamond downtown. Information stations are located at the Water Street entrance to the park and at the Historic Bellefonte booth. Debbie Hamilton has been a member of the fair committee since 2001 and has been fair director for 10 years. “The fair began on the sidewalks of downtown Bellefonte by Dona Goldman and Jeri Galaida, progressed to closing the streets and having the fair there. Moved to Talleyrand Park five years ago, and the serene park Fair, Page 8
INSIDE: For more on the 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair — including a schedule of events, see Pages 17-20.
Around & In Town .... 33, 34 What’s Happening ......... 35
Puzzles ............................ 36 Business ..................... 37, 38