GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Mature Lifestyles
The Gazette’s special section includes a little bit of everything for Centre County seniors, including a look at staying active with alternative exercises, eating healthy, diet and how to leave a financial legacy. Pages 13-20
August 6-12, 2015
Volume 7, Issue 31
Bellefonte remembers Mason
Brown chosen as Renaissance Fund honoree By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — Steven E. Brown has been selected as Penn State’s 2015 Renaissance Fund honoree. Brown is the President and CEO of Mount Nittany Health. He will be recognized in November at the 39th annual Renaissance Fund dinner. Brown said he was overwhelmed by the honor. “My first thought was ‘I can’t believe they’ve chosen me,’” Brown said. “I got invited to a breakfast here with members of the committee who make the selection. I wasn’t sure why I was STEVEN BROWN there. When they told me, I couldn’t believe they were honoring me with this.” Each year, the Renaissance Fund honors an individual or couple who, through a lifetime of service, has contributed greatly to the Penn State and State College communities. In its selection process, the fund’s board of directors seeks to recognize individuals who have deep roots in the Centre Region, close relationships with civic and University leaders, and a commitment to philanthropy. Brown will be honored at a recognition dinner on Thursday, Nov. 19, at The Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel on the University Park campus. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7. “Steve’s investment in patient care, community service, and medical education in the region is outstanding,” George Henning Jr., president of the Renaissance Fund’s board of directors, said in a release. “He has united local and University communities in a way that is enhancing the quality of life for many. Steve exemplifies thoughtful leadership, and is a great choice for this year’s award.” Brown has been a member of the State College community since 2010, when he arrived at Mount Nittany Health. His resume is impressive. Brown was the first in his family to go to college. He studied biology and natural science at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. At the suggestion of a close friend, he decided to pursue a graduate degree in health care administration. In 1977, he earned a master of public administration degree in health services administration from Penn State. After working as the director of ambulatory services at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Brown continued his career through senior leadership positions at Akron General Medical Center in Ohio and Inova Health System in Northern Virginia. Prior to landing at Mount Nittany Brown, Page 6 Police ................................ 2 Opinion ............................ 7
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By CHRIS MORELLI
editor@centrecountygazette.com
spired Parks Miller to request a grand jury in Centre County after seeing how effective it was in her own case.
BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte continues to mourn the loss of one of its most beloved residents. Frances Mason died on July 22, and friends, family and community members have paid tribute to her in different ways. Mason was extremely active in the community. She helped coach Bellefonte Teener League for many years alongside her beloved husband, Denny. She also served on the board of directors for both the Centre County Youth Service Bureau and the Centre Community Foundation. “Frances Mason was the best person I have ever known,” said one of her best friends, Gloria Jackson. “Knowing her was both a privilege and a precious gift. Her influence on me made me a better person. Fran was my best friend. She knew, unFRANCES MASON derstood and accepted my strengths and flaws. She was my sounding board, secret keeper and trusted adviser on numerous issues in my life.” Mason was not a native to Centre County, though it certainly seemed like it. She moved to Centre County in 1971 to begin work as a secretary for National Capital Companies. She married Denny in 1975 and immediately became immersed in the Bellefonte Teener League. She first helped coach the Fauble Insurance Company team and later its successor, The Hartman Group. She was known for taking care of her players. One of her great joys in life, according to her friends, was attending the graduations, weddings and special events in the lives of the young men she helped mentor. “I was 15 when I first met Frannie,” said Terry Glunt. “I didn’t know at the time that I had just met someone who would have such a profound and positive impact on my life, the lives of my four children and hundreds of other kids in our community. There have been so many of us ‘kids’ that were treated to Fran’s love, warmth and generosity over the past four decades.” Glunt said that Mason was a great role model for the Bellefonte youth. “She was an extraordinary influence, a perfect role model and she will always be remembered for her commitment to our town and its youth,” Glunt said. In 2000, she was recognized for her commitment to youth when the Frances E. Mason Community Service Award for Volunteer Excellence was established to
Grand jury, Page 6
Mason, Page 4
Submitted photo
RIDING TIME: Biking enthusiasts are hoping for an “open streets initiative” in State College, which would open traffic flow for cycling in downtown. CentreBike is one of five finalists for a Centre Inspires $100,000 grant.
CentreBike pushes for vehicle-less roads By ZACH BERGER StateCollege.com
STATE COLLEGE — College Avenue is completely rid of cars. The two-lane, one-way street that acts as State College’s main drag sheds its usual purpose as an automobile passageway through town. Instead, it becomes a playground. Cyclists pedal down the street. Yoga enthusiasts lay down their mats on the pavement. Runners dash down the white lines in the center of the road. It sounds crazy, but if CentreBike wins a grant from the Centre Foundation, this “open streets initiative” could soon become a reality.
Anna Nelson, the vice president of CentreBike, addressed the State College borough council on Aug. 3. Her organization is one of five finalists for the Centre Inspires grant. The grant will provide up to $100,000 to fund projects that meet a major need in the community. This year’s theme is “health and social services.” “In a very high level nutshell, a lot of cities are doing these open street initiatives,” Nelson said. “You essentially shut down the streets for an amount of time and allow them to be open for biking, walking, or whatever else. It’s a great way of engaging the community in physical activity and promoting health and wellness.” CentreBike, Page 4
District attorney petitions for investigating grand jury By MICHAEL MARTIN GARRETT StateCollege.com
BELLEFONTE — Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller had her name cleared of forgery allegations by a grand jury last week, and now she wants to bring an investigating grand jury to Centre County. On Tuesday, Parks Miller submitted a petition to Centre County President Judge Thomas Kistler. She wants Kistler to appoint a supervising judge to form an investigating grand jury “to consider at least one unsolved murder, and a recent series of other cases the scope of which cannot be determined without the powers granted to a county investigating grand jury.” On July 31, a statewide grand jury released a report that cleared Stacy Parks Miller of allegations that she had a forged a judge’s signature. According to a news release from her office, this experience in-
Health & Wellness ............ 8 Education ......................... 9
Community ............... 10-12 Mature Lifestyles ...... 13-20
MICHAEL MARTIN GARRETT/StateCollege.com
MAKING A STATEMENT: Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller speaks at a news conference last week with attorney Bruce Castor. See related story on Page 5.
Sports ......................... 21-26 Arts & Entertainment .... 27
What’s Happening ......... 28 Puzzles ............................ 29
Business .......................... 30 Classified ........................ 31