Fun Guide: Football Preview 2015

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PENN STATEPENN STATE

Hackenberg, Akeel Lynch

Hard-hitting Nyeem Wartmanleads Linebacker U

Position-by-Position Breakdownof Nittany Lions!

Big Ten Breakdown

Players to WatchPlayers to Watch

Away Game Fun!

2015

SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE • FREE

SUMMER FUN!-Arts Festival

-Top Events Listings-Wineries / Breweries

... and more!

SUMMER FUN!-Arts Festival

-Top Events Listings-Wineries / Breweries

... and more!

Still Standing: Christian Hackenberg and Penn State’s offense's plan to bounce back this fall

Still Standing: Christian Hackenberg and Penn State’s offense's plan to bounce back this fall

FOOTBALLPREVIEW

Inside:

• Nyeem Wartman-White is ready

• Position-by-position analysis

• Big Ten teams breakdown

• Big Ten Players to Watch

PLUS

New tailgate tips!

Travel guide for away games!

Vintage photos and much more!

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There’s nothing like the slow‑paced days of summer in Happy Valley. Add chef‑inspired, grilled tapas and craft beers to the equa‑tion and you have the perfect way to kick off a summer weekend. Friday evenings throughout the summer, The Nittany Lion Inn invites you to PA on the Patio—a culinary experience centered around a summertime favorite—grilling. Featuring a full tapas menu and the best in Pennsylvania microbrews, PA on the Patio will be the best after‑work meet‑up in town. Beginning at 5:30, enjoy all‑you‑care‑to‑eat, delicious tapas, prepared on the wood‑fired grill. Grab a local craft brew, and relax with friends. “We’re excited for PA on the Patio this summer,” says Tom Neely, general manager of The Nittany Lion Inn.

“Chef Andrew Monk will have some great local foods that will pair perfectly with the best micro brews and distilled beverages PA has to offer.” Come back to the patio often, all summer long (weather permitting). Each Friday will feature different local foods and producers, so you never know what tasty new favorite you’ll discover! No reservations are necessary. The Nittany Lion Inn offers valet parking, or park in the convenient Nittany Deck and get your ticket validated at the front desk.

Dine Outdoors with Local Microbrews Enjoy PA on the Patio at The Nittany Lion Inn

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HappyValley.com is the comprehensive online guide to fun in the beautiful Happy Valley region. To advertise on HappyValley.com, contact Anita Woodman, [email protected]. To submit content, contact Jodie Dello Stritto at [email protected].

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Jonathan Dougherty, Jodie Dello Stritto, Travis Johnson, Amy Shawley, Erin K. Shields,

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Vintage: Penn State Football Annual

The Apartment Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Bellefonte B&Bs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Center for the Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . 42Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts 46Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife . . . . . . .51ESSpa at the Carnegie Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery . . . . . . 56Happy Valley VIP Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Heritage Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Hoag’s Catering at Celebration Hall . . . . . .31Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau . . 62, 63Ingleby Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Kelly’s Steak & Seafood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery . . . . . 54

Palmer Museum of Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Pedro's Wine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Penn State Homecoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Penn State Hospitality

(Nittany Lion Inn/Penn Stater) . . . . . . . 2Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park . . . . . . . . . . 64Port Matilda Hotel and Tavern . . . . . . . . . . 69Seven Mountains Wine Cellars . . . . . . . . . 55State College Spikes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Tussey Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Vamos Lion Chariot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67VisitStateCollegeNow .com

PSU Hotel/Ticket Package . . . . . . . . . . . 9Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Player Profile: Nyeem Wartman-White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Penn State Football Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10A Legacy to Shape the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Following the Nittany Lions on the Road? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16The Big Ten’s Top 10 Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Joe’s Pants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22The Portable JoePa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Big Ten Power Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Throwing a Tremendous Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Staying Off the Beaten Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32It’s Special Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36You Don’t Need a Big City to Catch a Big Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42New in Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452015 Festival of the Arts! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Two Festivals Make for a Happy Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Escape to ESSpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49The Best Places to Eat (and Drink!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Refreshments and Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Welcome to Victorian Bellefonte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar Has Summer Delights for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60#RaystownPerfect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Happy Valley Kids Summer Bucket List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Summer Fun on the Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Eat, Play, Live in Happy Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Celebrating a Decade of Minor League Baseball in Happy Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

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2015 Penn State Football Schedule

Schedule subject to change.

2016 Football ScheduleSeptember 3 Kent State HomeSeptember 10 Pittsburgh AwaySeptember 17 Temple HomeOctober 1 Minnesota HomeOctober 8 Maryland HomeOctober 15 Michigan AwayOctober 22 Ohio State HomeOctober 29 Purdue AwayNovember 5 Iowa HomeNovember 12 Indiana AwayNovember 19 at Rutgers AwayNovember 26 Michigan State HomeDecember 3 Big Ten Championship Game

2017 Football ScheduleSeptember 2 Akron Home September 9 Pittsburgh Home September 16 Georgia State HomeSeptember 30 Indiana HomeOctober 7 Northwestern AwayOctober 14 Iowa AwayOctober 21 Michigan HomeOctober 28 Ohio State AwayNovember 4 Michigan State AwayNovember 11 Rutgers HomeNovember 18 Nebraska HomeNovember 25 Maryland AwayDecember 2 Big Ten Championship Game

September 5 Temple Away

September 12 Buffalo Home Community Heroes Day; 1959 Liberty Bowl Team Reunion; Youth

Football, Cheer and Dance

September 19 Rutgers Home Stripe Out; Medical Employees Appreciation Night; Penn State

Parents Family Reunion

September 26 San Diego State Home Unrivaled Band Jam

October 3 Army Home Military Appreciation Day; Seats for Servicemembers

October 10 Indiana Home Homecoming; Varsity `S’ Day; Celebrate Agriculture

October 17 Ohio State Away

October 24 Maryland Away

October 31 Illinois Home All-U Day; THON Game; Faculty and Staff Day; Scouts Day

November 7 Northwestern Away

November 21 Michigan Home Senior Day; White Out

November 28 Michigan State Away

December 5 Big Ten Championship Game

Single-game tickets are to go on sale July 7!

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Welcome to first ever HappyValley.com Penn State Football Preview, housed in a special double issue of our Fun Guide, covering summer and fall 2015! Look around State College in summer 2015 and you’ll see something unexpected: cranes. Big ones. Downtown is booming with development. Construction crews are popping up everywhere, putting up housing, retail and office space, and digging into the road construction that comes with it. Why? Students, young professionals, families, and retirees are flocking to Happy Valley—State College and all of its surround‑ing boroughs, townships, villages, and towns—to enjoy life in the 2nd best college town in America, according to the 2015 Niche Rankings, based on criteria like things to do, outdoor recreation, schools, safety, and more. Every year, more and more people find out what Penn State alumni have known forever… Happy Valley is a special place and plays a major role in the Penn State experience. In this issue we talk to Penn State alums and season ticket holders who recently purchased a second residence in State College. Although it was originally intended for football weekends, it’s turned into a year‑round destination for Arts Fest, First Night, lacrosse camp, wrestling matches, volleyball and more. As the 2015 football season approaches, we’re thrilled to share our season preview plus all the best in Happy Valley’s events, attractions, restaurants, accommodations and more. After last year’s record crowds and Pinstripe Bowl appearance, the #1 alumni network in the world (according to College magazine and more than 631,000 living alumni around the globe) is ready to cheer on their Nittany Lions at home in Happy Valley and abroad. Wherever YOU are, we love our job of bringing the special place that is Happy Valley to you.

For the glory,

Greg Woodman ’83Publisher ([email protected])

PS. If you or your organization wants your story told in print and online, we at Affinity Connection specialize in keeping people connected to their affinity groups.

Happy Valley is a Special PlaceAmerica's 2nd Best College Town Attracts More than Just Students: Professionals, Families, and Retirees are Flocking to Happy Valley

Football Preview 2015

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When Bob Shoop turns on the film from last season he notices Nyeem Wartman‑White‑White lining up next to then middle linebacker Mike Hull. Before the ball is snapped Wartman‑White is shouting toward Hull and gesturing. “[Nyeem] understands where all 11 players are, why we’re call‑ing a particular defense in a certain situation,” Shoop, Penn State’s defensive coordinator, said. “Honestly, I’m not sure if he won’t ultimately do a better job with that stuff than Mike. Mike put it on and he could play the game, but there are times where you watch the film and you’ll see Nyeem sometimes in a game tapping Mike because he knew the check that was supposed to be made and sometimes Mike’s locked in and you’ll see Nyeem going, ‘Hey Mike.’ You can’t hear him, but you can seem him doing it and then Mike will make the check. “I think Nyeem enjoys that part of it,” he added. Wartman‑White, a redshirt junior who started 12 games at outside linebacker last season, is slated to be Hull’s replacement at middle linebacker this year. Linebackers coach Brent Pry and Shoop worked with the 6‑foot‑1, 243‑pound Wartman‑White on the transition starting in the winter and it carried through spring ball where teammates said the biggest transition from Hull, the Big Ten’s Butkus‑Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, to Wart‑man‑White came down to differences in terminology. Delivering a quick, succinct message to his teammates, plus being able to make all the necessary pre‑snap adjustments, is a part of the game Wartman‑White’s eyes light up when talking about. For a kid who didn’t play organized football until he moved from Philadelphia to Scranton in ninth grade, Wartman‑White fell in love with the strategy of the game by playing the popular Madden

video game. A Philadelphia Eagles fan, Wartman‑White credits the video game for helping him learn more about different de‑fenses, game management strategies and the split‑second decisions that players — whether sitting behind a controller or suited up in helmets and shoulder pads — must think through. He says since wide receiver Allen Robinson departed for the NFL in 2014 he holds the team’s title as the best Madden player. He might not be an angry, controller thrower with his video games — he laughs and said teammate Austin Johnson might take that crown – but on the field Wartman‑White’s demeanor is fiery. He sways side to side in pre‑game warmups, swatting his hands off his thick thighs as his eyes and his downward pointed eyebrows let teammates know it’s go time. They recognize that look, one they’ve seen time and time again on fall Saturdays.

Just seated in the Lasch Football Building in the spring and talking about his emotions before kickoff is enough for Wart‑man‑White’s voice to start to grow louder and his eyes go wide. “Everyone has individual goals, but I’d rather put the team goals first,” Wartman‑White said. “We can win a Big Ten champi‑onship and I can have a below average year and I’d take that over

Player Profile: Nyeem Wartman‑WhiteThe Newest Addition to Linebacker U Embraces a New Role in Penn State’s DefenseBy Audrey Snyder

“Everyone has individual goals, but I’d rather put the team goals first. We can win a Big Ten championship and I can have a below average year and I’d take that over the most outstanding individual year. I’m a team‑first guy, I’d sacrifice myself.”

2015 Football Preview

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the most outstanding individual year. … I’m a team‑first guy, I’d sacrifice myself.” “We talk about the foxhole,” he added. “I’m a foxhole guy.” Don’t mind the teammates shooting pool at the table next to him or the alarm on his phone ringing, signaling another meeting; Wartman‑White is wrapped up in a conversation about who needs to line up where and what technique they should use. It’s the Xs and Os again. Wartman‑White won’t say he knows 100 percent of the defense for fear that Shoop might throw a new wrinkle at him and catch him off guard, but he grins and adding that he doesn’t want to brag, says he could line all 11 players up and say where they need to go and what techniques they should use. The full 11‑on‑11 chess match keeps him glued to his iPad where he watches game film, all the while wondering what Penn State could do differently. Where could the pressure come from? Why did Shoop call it a certain way? Did an NFL team use a dif‑ferent variation of something similar that they could try? “Defense is a puzzle,” Wartman‑White said. “You’ve got to find the missing pieces and the strengths and weaknesses of every defense you just need to know them and how can you be exposed, know your weaknesses and what the opponents are trying to figure out. That’s why I feel coach Shoop’s defenses, the way he disguises it, they all look the same but it’s all different.” So he texts Shoop, at all hours of the day and night, with ideas. The linebacker appreciates that the coordinator entertains his thoughts. Shoop welcomes the dialogue and said it’s what makes the defense better because it shows that the players are invested in the scheme. “Nyeem probably has even more suggestions than Mike,” Shoop said. “When I’d go through the package with him in the winter program and things like that when we were meeting and discussing the defense, he would have ideas. He would say, ‘Well

what if we did it this way? What about that?’ I like those things and I don’t always agree with him, but we discuss them, and he and [safety] Jordan [Lucas] and really another person who is really good with that stuff is [safety] Marcus Allen.” Wartman‑White’s football IQ grew leaps and bounds after he moved out of Philadelphia to Archbald, Pa., where he went to Valley View High School. Rather than taking hits playing pick‑up football after school with friends in Philadelphia without pads, he got a taste of the real thing when he suited up for the first time. Some players recall being nervous or at least a little uneasy their first time giving and taking hits, especially those late to the game.

“The hits hurt less with pads,” he said with a laugh. “It was great.” Valley View High School Coach George Howanitz said Wartman‑White quickly made a name for himself where his thumping hits were watched over and over by coaches and team‑mates. Sometimes he could read the plays so well that Howanitz said even a few years removed he’s still not certain a high school linebacker will put together a tape with more explosive hits than Wartman‑White’s. Wartman‑White played middle linebacker from 10th grade on.

“Defense is a puzzle. You’ve got to find the missing pieces and the strengths and weaknesses of every defense you just need to know them and how can you be exposed, know your weaknesses and what the opponents are trying to figure out.”


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And once the hits started coming so too did the scholarship offers. Unlike most players, Wartman‑White didn’t attend a recruit‑ing camp and said he didn’t really know how the process worked. He recalled general inquiry letters from schools, but set them to the side, saying they were “just those random letters that everyone gets.” He thought maybe a smaller school was where he’d have a chance to play. Other schools saw a player who was a Division I‑A talent, whether Wartman‑White at the time realized it or not.

“I was thinking I was going to go to a division I‑AA school like Bucknell or Colgate; I’m thinking that and then out of nowhere I just started getting offers,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting

“The pull to attend Linebacker U was too much to ignore. He saw the names of those who came before him etched in stone and their framed pictures plastered on the All‑American wall in the football building.”

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it, wasn’t like I was looking for a D‑I offer, out of nowhere they started offering me after my junior season. It started with two one week, then another, it was four I think when Penn State offered. … it went to 14 by the end of that month.” The pull to attend Linebacker U was too much to ignore. He saw the names of those who came before him etched in stone and their framed pictures plastered on the All‑American wall in the football building. He knew they were who he aspired to be and forget offers from the likes of Boston College and Rutgers. He would be close enough to home so his family could make the drive from Scranton and Penn State’s success producing NFL linebackers made sense to him.

It still does now more than ever. The legacy and tradition of Linebacker U is part of what still drives Wartman‑White as he embraces his opportunity to be a leader at a position where so many have excelled before him. It’s not filling in the big shoes vacated by Hull — whose team‑best 140 tackles and lead‑by‑example style that coach James Franklin said won’t be accomplished by just one player — that concerns Wartman‑White. Hull told his replacement he’ll be fine and Wartman‑White has 12 starts under his belt and plenty of “good film” from Hull to continue to learn from. Wartman‑White wonders where he will fit in when his college career is all said and done and what this group of linebackers, the ones he’ll be making the checks for, pointing at and firing up, can achieve. Will he end of up the All‑America wall one day? Will this defense continue to thrive? “Linebackers come to Penn State for that fraternity,” he said. “It’s like a challenge to me. Can you be remembered in that fra‑ternity or will you be getting passed by?”

“Linebackers come to Penn State for that fraternity. It’s like a challenge to me. Can you be remembered in that fraternity or will you be getting passed by?”

Audrey Snyder covers Penn State football for the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette. Follow her on Twitter @audsnyder4.


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Penn State Football PreviewBreaking Down the Nittany Lions, Position by PositionBy Travis Johnson ([email protected])

Meet the teaM

Angelo MAngiro ‑ Center JordAn lucAS ‑ Safety AuStin JohnSon ‑ defensive tackle

There may be three months before the college football season kicks off but it’s never too early to look ahead. Penn State will open training camp in August and until then, HappyValley.com will get you ready by taking a look at a different position group each week. We’ll start up front where most of Penn State’s struggles last season could be traced.

oFFenSive line The Nittany Lions experienced plenty of tough weekends last season as a young, relatively inexperienced group of offensive linemen slogged through a handful of growing pains and injuries while dealing with a bench low on game‑ready players. Penn

State fans should expect improvement this season due to multiple factors. But if the Blue‑White Game is any indication, patience is key as this unit is still a work in progress and could very well have wrinkles to iron out well into the season. A first team comprised of tackles Paris Palmer and Andrew Nelson, guards Brian Gaia and Brendan Mahon, and center Angelo Mangiro allowed five sacks in the spring game. That won’t cut it for a group that gave up a program‑worst 44 sacks last sea‑son. All but Palmer — a junior college transfer — started games last season. Guard Derek Dowrey is also back after starting games on the inside. Their combined experience should have them on better footing with what the coaching staff expects and what the offensive schemes require when training camp begins. Last season, it was information overload for a lot of players — Mahon, Gaia, and Dowrey especially — who were playing their most extended action to that point. And Penn State can bank on the fact that Mangiro and Nelson can both play multiple positions. After a spring practice period in which Nelson spent most of his time at right tackle, it appears he’ll line up there in the fall. But that’s contingent on Palmer pan‑ning out at left tackle as Donovan Smith’s replacement. Palmer certainly has the size desired for a player expected to protect quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s blind side. At 6‑foot‑7, 278 pounds, he’s a good enough athlete for the coaching

Continued on page 12


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What is your legacy? If you went to Penn State, it’s probably part of your answer. It has left indelible marks in our relationships, our careers, our lives. The 2015 Homecoming Celebration unites the Penn State community of alumni, students, and future students with the week of activities that explore our pride and reflects on the lifelong impacts this university has left on all of us. So what does the week hold? Read on!

Sunday, october 4: Homecoming Week kicks off with our dance competition and concert, where student dance teams showcase their talents and we invite a special guest to pump up students for the upcoming week. Monday, october 5: On Monday, Pollock Party welcomes new students in the residence halls. tuesday, october 6: Tuesday, October 6th, the HUB will be taken over by our Past to Present celebration where alumni and students remember the past and enjoy the current successes of the university, students, and alumni. Wednesday, october 7: The Best of Penn State Carnival will

take over the HUB lawn on where the fun is welcome to all in the community. Friday, october 9: The party moves over to the Hintz Alumni Center for the Student and Alumni Ice Cream Social. That evening will be the Homecoming Parade featuring our partici‑pating organizations, Honorary Grand Marshal, Grand Marshal, and community members. Saturday, october 10: Come out early for the Tailgate Com‑petition before the Nittany Lions take on Indiana at noon. Join the fun this fall with Homecoming and celebrate all of the legacies that are shaping the future!

A Legacy to Shape the FutureWeek of Fun Marks PSU’s 2015 Homecoming Celebration October 4‑11!


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staff to think he can move with some of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten, but Palmer appeared to struggle with inside rushes in spring ball and will need to add weight to his frame to become more immovable. Strength and conditioning coach Dwight Galt said early in the spring period that Palmer was still getting accustomed to Penn State’s strength training programs as he had never lifted as hard as Penn State does before. Galt is a master at getting the most out of players in the weight room and oversaw a productive winter conditioning period where 56 players exceeded 300 pounds in the power clean with 17 more turning in vertical jumps of 35 inches or more. Expect Palmer to be much bigger and much more explosive the next time you see him.

The good news? There appears to be a Plan B and — a Plan C — for that matter. Nelson did pretty good filling in on the left side last season when Smith was hurt. So if offensive line coach Herb Hand has to, he can feel good about moving Nelson over if Palmer struggles on the left. Fellow tackles Albert Hall, Sterling Jenkins and Chance Sorrell also had strong spring sessions and could factor in

earlier than expected. The other piece is former Stanford center Kevin Reihner who signed with Penn State in May as a graduate transfer. He is eli‑gible to play immediately and will be given a shot to earn a start‑ing job. If he can catch on in training camp at center, Hand could shift Mangiro virtually anywhere. Mangiro played every position up front except for left tackle last season. Although Reihner only appeared in 10 games for the Car‑dinals, he has size at 6‑foot‑3, 312 pounds, should be relatively fresh — and extremely hungry — to get going. The question remains — can a re‑tooled front five get the of‑fense going, however? This group already has a head start.

QuArterbAckSChristian Hackenberg enters his third year hoping to cash in on the newfound stability on campus. For starters, the strong‑armed quarterback will be taking his cues from the same head coach, position coach and offensive coordinator for the first time. Hackenberg built plenty of chemistry with receivers Geno Lewis, DaeSean Hamilton, Saeed Blacknall, and Chris Godwin last season and isn’t lacking for talented receivers. An improved offensive line with an effective running game should do wonders for Hackenberg, too. Last season he absorbed a program‑worst 44 sacks, a number that will have to be dramatically reduced for Hackenberg to put up big numbers. One of the brightest quarterbacks in college football, Hack‑

Meet the teaM

chriStiAn hAckenberg Quarterback

dAeSeAn hAMilton ‑ Wide Receiver MArcuS Allen ‑ safety

Continued from page 10

“The question remains — can a re‑tooled front five get the offense going, however? This group already has a head start.”


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enberg is a noted film rat and has all the tools to put together a spectacular season. His arm strength isn’t lacking despite the wear and tear from last year and his accuracy appeared to be pinpoint during the spring practices open to reporters. But he hasn’t been immune to mistakes and many of them have come when he’s tried — or been forced — to do too much.

After tossing 20 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions as a freshman, Hackenberg fired a Big Ten‑worst 15 picks with just 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. After Week 3 last fall, Hackenberg had already dropped back 35 more times than he did as a true freshman. He finished with 92 more attempts last season — glar‑ing evidence of an offense that was oftentimes rendered one‑di‑mensional. While Hackenberg’s status as the starter is unquestioned, the situation behind him has become murkier. Sophomore Trace McSorley got plenty of practice reps last season and looked good in spring practice before an injury forced him to miss the Blue‑White Game. If he isn’t ready to play when camp starts, Penn State will enter the season with true freshman Tommy Stevens and walk‑on redshirt freshman Billy Fessler in line to take snaps if Hackenberg goes down. Stevens has plenty of arm strength but ideally isn’t ready to step into the huddle in Beaver Stadium. McSorley on the other hand is a dangerous runner, deceptively explosive athlete and is well‑versed in offensive coordi‑nator John Donovan’s schemes thanks to a year‑plus of practice.

Wide receiverSThere is plenty of talent in this group with more on the way this summer as Penn State will welcome big men Juwan Johnson and Irvin Charles to the fold. For now, Penn State has plenty of ca‑pable players for Hackenberg to throw to. With Geno Lewis back, DaeSean Hamilton also returns after a strong freshman season. Chris Godwin and Saeed Blacknall also got plenty of reps last season and Godwin dominated in the bowl game. Hamilton didn’t get much work in the Blue‑White Game but did appear to be fully recovered from the hamstring injury that limited his effectiveness down the stretch last season. Hamilton is currently the team’s top target. He’s got a good blend of size, speed, and athletic ability. He’s strong‑handed and is capable of

gaining yards after the catch split out or in the slot. He ran a lot of the same routes last season and could handle more workloads with a more varied route tree. Lewis looked back to form in the spring game with six catches — many of them tough grabs in traffic — and Penn State needs him to return to his hallmark physical style. Godwin and Blacknall both have size athletic ability that helped them play as true freshmen. Godwin could develop into a legitimate downfield threat with more experience. Redshirt freshman DeAndre Thompkins was unable to play in the Blue‑White Game but should be ready to go once the season begins. He’s usually regarded as the fastest player on the roster and his 5‑foot‑11, 187‑pound frame allows him plenty of shifty qualities in open space.

running bAckSAfter playing sparingly in 2013 and getting more playing time last season, Akeel Lynch looks ready to step into the breach as Penn State’s featured running back. And he has the tools to do so effectively. A straight‑ahead runner who can make quick, decisive cuts and pull away from defenders in the open field, Lynch is a well‑rounded back. He started to be used more as a receiver out of the backfield late last season and could bring more of that this fall. If he can improve in pass protection and help mentor some of the younger backs, he should have a nice season. Behind Lynch the picture is a bit uncertain. Big backs Johna‑than Thomas and Brandon Johnson both missed most of spring practice with injuries. In that span, Nick Scott and Mark Allen spelled Lynch. Scott turned in a blistering 51‑yard touchdown run in the Blue‑White Game and coaches were generally pleased with what they got out of the shifty, 5‑foot‑7, 186‑pound Allen who could develop into a dangerous player to be moved around in different packages. Again, they’ll need an improved effort from the offensive line to have real success.

tight endSAlthough Jesse James decided to forgo his final year of eligibil‑ity, Penn State still has plenty of experience at the tight end spot. The Nittany Lions are still looking for that dominant blocker to emerge at the position, however. Kyle Carter, Mike Gesicki, and Brent Wilkerson all return after catching passes last season, and Adam Breneman could be back in time for training camp despite missing most of spring practice. Whether or not Breneman will be fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out last fall remains to be seen,

“After playing sparingly in 2013 and getting more playing time last season, Akeel Lynch looks ready to step into the breach as Penn State’s featured running back. ”


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however. For now, Gesicki, Carter and Wilkerson will handle the heavy lifting. Carter is the most reliable downfield target and looked like his old, sure‑handed self in the bowl game. But he’ll need to post similar results consistently. At 6‑foot‑6, Gesicki should give defensive coordinators fits in terms of red zone matchups. Wilkerson is a reliable spell and gives the offense some versatility in heavy or goal‑line packages as he can line up in the backfield as an extra blocker if needed. Breneman’s return sans setbacks would huge for this team, though. He appeared on the way to developing a solid rapport with Hackenberg toward the end of 2013 and could emerge as the all‑around, blocking, pass‑catching tight end the coaching staff covets.

deFenSive linePenn State notched 31 sacks last season and was one of the best defenses in the country thanks in large part to a fearsome front seven led by a dominant defensive line. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer’s “Wild Dogs” often owned the line of scrimmage, pro‑

viding room for Penn State’s linebackers to attack downhill. Ex‑pect more of the same this fall as the Nittany Lions are plentiful up front again where arguably the two best players overall on the roster line up. Tackles Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel could be the best inside tandem in the country. Each has a non‑stop motor, can track sideline‑to‑sideline and possess the ability to take on — and shed — multiple blockers at once. Carl Nassib and Garrett Sickels appear to have spots locked down on the ends. Both were standout players during spring ball and Nassib, a former walk‑on, has played a lot the last two seasons and earned a scholarship during Bill O’Brien’s tenure. But with three of its top ends from last season — C.J. Olaniyan, Deion Barnes, and Brad Bars — moving on, Penn State is pretty green behind Nassib and Sickels. Redshirt freshman Torrence Brown will likely be counted on to provide depth and junior Evan Schwan is in the mix along with sophomore Curtis Cothran. There’s plenty of depth at tackle, however. Don’t sleep on backups Parker Cothren and Tarow Barney as they’re capable of more than simply spelling Zettel and Johnson for a handful of plays. Both played well last season despite playing primarily


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reserve roles. Cothren has the potential to develop into a top‑tier run stuffer and Barney came on gradually after returning from a broken hand last season.

linebAckerSNyeem Wartman‑White is now the man in the middle of Penn State’s defense. And while it will be pretty tough to replace a stal‑wart like Mike Hull, Wartman‑White is up to the task. He’s the hardest hitter on the team and blossomed last season on the outside while flanking Hull and Brandon Bell. Although he looked hesitant at times in 2013, Wartman‑White broke out last season and emerged as one of the defense’s most instinctive players. Wartman‑White has the size at 6‑foot‑1, 243 pounds to be an effective run‑stuffer and is athletic enough to shift to the outside if defensive coordinator Bob Shoop needs him to. His knowledge of the defense was even on display last season as Wartman‑White would help Hull get the defense in the correct alignment at times. Bell may be one of the most exciting players to watch this season. He’s well‑rounded defensively, the team’s best blitzer and plays with an edge and is capable of lifting his teammates up with a big hit or tackle for loss. Sophomore Jason Cabinda — like Wartman‑White — has the size to play in the middle if needed an the athleticism to lineup outside on either the strong or weak side. Both Bell and Cabinda missed time with injuries toward the end of last season and their absences gave junior Gary Wooten more time with the first unit. Expect Wooten to be in the rotation more this season. Also keep your eyes on redshirt freshmen Troy Reeder and Koa Farmer. Both used redshirts last season but were each close to playing. Farmer is undersized for a linebacker at just 219 pounds but won’t likely be used as a prototypical backer. Instead, the former safety will play the STAR position — a hybrid role much like the one Adrian Amos played last season, lining up in the box as part of the front to give Penn State more flexibility in certain situations.

SecondAryPenn State’s pass defense was pretty good last season as opponents scored just 10 touchdowns through the air. And although the Nittany Lions lost three of their top safeties in Amos, Ryan Keiser and Jesse Della Valle, Penn State shouldn’t fall off much, if at all. For one, former cornerback Jordan Lucas has moved to safety where he’ll join sophomore Marcus Allen to form what could be the most talented safety tandem Penn State’s had in quite a while. Lucas has been a mainstay on the backend for the last three seasons and will enter his senior season with a good chance to be

the secondary’s best player. A well‑spoken, thoughtful teammate, Lucas is captain material. Allen on the other hand burst onto the scene as a true fresh‑man who earned a lot of playing time last season when Keiser was hurt. And Allen played well and with an edge at times. He was utilized well as defensive coordinator Bob Shoop worked Allen into multiple schemes and felt plenty comfortable sending the rookie on blitz after blitz. Fourth on the team last season with 58 tackles and a sack, Allen built plenty of confidence and should be a good player for quite a while for the Nittany Lions. Meanwhile, Trevor Williams returns at one of the corner spots while the other will likely be played by either sophomores Grant Haley or Christian Campbell. Williams has developed well the last two years and was rarely beaten last fall. Haley and Campbell joined Allen as the team’s most productive true freshmen and contributed heavily on special teams. Expect to see sophomore Troy Apke get into the secondary rotation, too.

SPeciAl teAMSPenn State may not have a scholarship kicker or punter on the roster but the Nittany Lions do have options. Redshirt freshman Joey Julius raised eyebrows during spring football not only for his 244‑pound frame which is out of the norm for his position, but for his kicking abilities, too. After a kicking competition to begin the Blue‑White Game, Julius appears to have a leg up on sophomore Chris Gulla and redshirt freshmen Tory Stivason and Tyler Davis. Daniel Pasquariello and Robby Liebel will likely duel for the punting job through camp. Pasquariello eventually wrestled the job from Gulla last season, increased his yards per punt average slightly and finished with a 37.3 average. For context, 84 Division I punters averaged at least 40 yards per punt. This is an area Penn State badly needs to improve in.

Travis Johnson joined the HappyValley .com team this year and brings a fresh and fierce perspective on all things football . A veteran reporter, he’s covered Penn State for nine seasons and will be bringing you the breaking news, commentary, analysis that you need . Want to talk football? Start the conversation with him at travis@happyvalley .com!


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Football season is around the corner, which means forget about planning a summer vacation — it’s time to plan your Penn State away game trips. If you know you’ll need to book a flight, start searching early and often. According to a 2014 report from Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation, the best time to book a domes‑tic flight is between 50 and 100 days before departure. Bonus tip: The report found that Tuesdays are the best day to purchase airfare. Keep an eye out for sales and sign up for deal alerts on sites like Airfarewatchdog.com to help you hold on to even more of your money.

When it comes to accommodations, there are a few ways to save. First off, since Penn State fans travel in droves, it’s a good idea to book your accommodations now before they sell out. Renting a home through Airbnb.com or HomeAway.com could help you cut costs if you’re traveling with a big group. For hotels, check sites like GoSeek.com, which combs coupons and discounts across the Web and compares them with real‑time hotel prices to show the best deals available for booking.

Another way to keep your budget intact? Try booking lodging a little further from the stadium or downtown area. You may have to sacrifice convenience but you’ll have some extra cash to spend on exploring the city’s dining scene and nightlife. Penn State opens the season with five straight home games. Then, the road slate kicks off. The Nittany Lions will visit the City of Brotherly Love first before making trips to Columbus, Ohio, College Park, Md., Evanston, Ill. and East Lansing, Mich. Take this guide with you or let it get you started on your planning.

SePt. 5: Penn StAte At teMPle (PhilAdelPhiA)Where to stay: Budget options include the Holiday Inn Philadel‑phia Stadium, which is just a mile north of Lincoln Financial Field, the Radisson Blu Warwick and the DoubleTree by Hil‑ton Philadelphia Center City (both about four miles north of the stadium). If you’re look‑ing to splurge, book a stay at one of the top hotels in Philadelphia. Hotel Palomar Philadelphia and The Ritten‑house Hotel, both about four miles north of Lincoln Financial Field, are two properties that impress travelers and experts.

Following the Nittany Lions on the Road this Season?We’ll Tell You How to Get There and What to Do (Besides the Game, Of Course!)By Erin K. Shields

“Football season is around the corner, which means forget about planning a summer vacation — it’s time to plan your Penn State away game trips.”


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What to do: While Saturday may be spent tailgating, Sunday should be saved for sightseeing. Philadelphia is home to plenty of things to do, many of which are free to enjoy. Plan to take a stroll through Rittenhouse Square and stop by the Reading Terminal Market to see the various Philly vendors selling everything from flowers and housewares to fresh produce, meats, and cheeses. And you can’t miss catching a glimpse of the city’s iconic Liberty Bell, especially since it’s free to tour the Liberty Bell Center and snap a photo.

Food and fun: Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteaks, so you’d be remiss if you didn’t try a sandwich from one of the city’s famed institutions: Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s Steaks. Tony Luke’s and Campo’s Deli are two other popular eateries that serve this Philly staple, just with a little less fanfare. Reading Terminal Market is another place to grab a bite for lunch, snack or an early dinner, since there are so many food options to choose from. Wash down your meal with a beer at Tavern on Broad or Mad River, two of Philadelphia’s most popular Penn State bars.

oct. 17: Penn StAte At ohio StAte (coluMbuS, ohio)Where to stay: Columbus, Ohio, is a rather compact city and most hotels in town and the surrounding areas are within a 15‑mile radius of the Ohio State campus. Accommodations on the more affordable side include the Hampton Inn and Suites Columbus Hilliard and La Quinta Inn & Suites Columbus West. Hotel options that are a little closer to the action (and a little pricier) are the Westin Columbus Downtown, the Renaissance Columbus Hotel and the Hilton Columbus Downtown.

What to do: Ohio’s only public market is in Columbus and certainly worth a walk through. North Market was first established in 1876 and is home to more than 30 vendors selling a range of products, including fresh meat, produce, baked goods, cheese, and flowers. Fan of flora? Kids and adults alike will appreciate the colorful plant collections and exhibits at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Another Columbus hot spot to check out is the German Village, named for the immigrants who settled here in the 1800s. The neighborhood — and its parks, narrow streets, and antique stores — is best explored on foot.

Food and fun: Chances are when you hear Columbus, you don’t

automatically think foodie destination — but this Ohio town has a plethora of good eateries. Bodega serves up snacks, sandwiches (like its famous grilled cheese) and craft beer (47 varieties), while Northstar Café offers unique items made with organic ingredients; its menu also features several vegan and vegetarian options. Meanwhile, some upscale options include the Spanish atmosphere and tapas at Barcelona and the Italian plates and extensive wine list at Rigsby’s Kitchen.

oct. 24: Penn StAte At MArylAnd (At M&t bAnk StAdiuM, bAltiMore)Where to stay: Properties near the Inner Harbor come attached to a hefty price tag; so be mindful when booking your stay. Budget‑friendly Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center is about five miles east of the stadium. Travelers wanting to bed down closer to the stadium and the city’s attractions should consider lodging like the Hyatt Regency Baltimore or the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, or the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore for a real treat.

What to do: While you won’t likely explore Maryland’s campus since College Park is 30 miles southwest of downtown Baltimore, Charm City has lots to offer in the way of sightseeing. The internationally recognized Walters Art Museum (where admission is free), the National Aquarium (which offers half‑price Friday nights) and Fort McHenry (which inspired Francis Scott Key to pen The Star‑Spangled Banner) are all located here. What’s more, the city’s neighborhoods come to life with farmers markets and festivals on fall weekends.

Food and fun: Fuel up with a hearty breakfast or brunch at Miss Shirley’s — whether you crave savory or sweet, this self‑proclaimed “upscale‑casual” restaurant has something on the menu for everyone. Come lunch or dinner, Maryland prepares a mean crab cake: Gertrude’s, Faidley Seafood and Mama’s on the Half Shell are some downtown eateries that dish out tasty Old Bay‑dusted delights. Visitors seeking nightlife revelry after the game should head to Federal Hill just south of the stadium. Here, you’ll find lively bars for the younger crowd in their 20s and 30s. Mother’s, Mad River and Ropewalk (all located along South Charles Street) are some of the most popular spots. Those looking for a more laid‑back evening should instead venture to


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PowerPlant Live, which includes a smattering of bars, lounges, and concert venues. Piano bar Howl at the Moon is a particular local and visitor favorite.

nov. 7: Penn StAte At northWeStern (evAnSton, illinoiS)Where to stay: If you’re planning to take the weekend to explore the Windy City, your best bet is staying in or near Chi‑town and commuting up to Evanston for the game via car or public transportation. Northwestern’s Ryan Field is about 15 miles north of Chicago, and you can use the L train to make your way up to the field for game day (take the Purple Line toward Linden to the Central Street station). The good news is this is Chicago’s low sea‑son, meaning you should be able to find a deal on accommoda‑tions: rates at Hotel Lincoln and the Days Inn Chicago are on the more affordable side. If you want to splurge, try the Park Hyatt Chicago, Thompson Chicago, or The Langham.

What to do: Head to Millennium Park to get a photo with the infamous Cloud Gate sculpture (aka “The Bean”) and spend some time at the Art Institute of Chicago to see the museum’s extensive collection of work. Then, make your way north to the Magnificent Mile to find respite from the chilly weather by popping in and out of the area’s ample shops. 360 Chicago is another popular attraction

for first‑time visitors: this observatory towers more than 1,000 feet over the city, offering impressive views (and photo ops) through floor‑to‑ceiling windows. There’s always blues to be heard in Chi‑cago and Buddy Guy’s Legends club is a consistent hot spot.

Food and fun: Chicago’s deep‑dish pizza is legendary. Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s are highly praised pizzerias with multiple loca‑tions throughout Chicago. (Lou Malnati’s also has a location in Evanston.) If you’re looking for a spot to grab drinks, A.J. Hud‑

son’s Public House is a notorious Penn State haunt so you’re sure to find fellow Nittany Lions tipping back a pint there. Rooftop venue Vertigo Sky Lounge should be your go‑to if you’re ready for a rowdy night and speakeasy‑style Drumbar will appeal to those seeking a more laid‑back option. Visitors sticking around Evan‑ston should try Ward Eight for its creative cocktails or Tommy Nevin’s Pub for a beer.

nov. 28: Penn StAte At MichigAn StAte (eASt lAnSing, MichigAn)

Where to stay: Causeway Bay Hotel and the Red Roof Inn Lansing‑East are solid choices for a cheaper stay for the Michi‑gan State game. Meanwhile, the pricier Candlewood Suites and Marriott East Lansing at University Place are closer to Spartan Stadium.

What to do: East Lansing is situated smack dab in the middle of Michigan, and its campus is quite large (5,192 acres to be exact). You can learn about the university’s begin‑nings as a land‑grant institution as well as the Great Lakes region at the Smith‑sonian‑affiliated MSU Museum. Also on university grounds, the collegiate gothic‑style Beaumont Tower commem‑orates College Hall, the first structure built on campus and the first in the U.S. to be dedicated to instruction of agricul‑ture. If you’re up for a brewery tour, the area is home to a wealth of craft breweries, includ‑ing Midtown Brewing Co., EagleMonk Pub, and Brewery and Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.

Food and fun: If the craft breweries, wineries or distilleries around town aren’t quite what you’re looking for, mingle with the stu‑dents at popular nighttime spots like Rick’s, The Riv, or HopCat. When it’s time for a bite to eat, hit up Woody’s Oasis Bar & Grill for Mediterranean fare or Black Cat Bistro for a French‑inspired meal. Plus, Michigan State is home to its own Creamery of sorts: the MSU Dairy Store specializes in homemade cheese and ice cream (try the Nittany White Out, named in honor of Penn State’s Nittany Lions).

Erin Shields is a Penn State alumna and a travel editor at U.S. News & World Report. Follow her on Twitter @erinkshields.


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The latest Big Ten divisional alignment has been questioned because of the imbalance of power between the East (home of Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State) and the West. Not surprisingly, the imbalance between teams applies to individual players as well. Any ranking of the Big Ten’s best players in 2015 will lean heavily on the East, centering on the defending national cham‑pion Ohio State Buckeyes, who had zero underclassmen leave early for the draft this offseason. So, here are the Top 10 players in the conference entering this fall, keeping in mind that these are current college rankings, not necessarily based on pro potential.

1. Joey boSA, de, ohio StAtePotentially the No. 1 player on NFL teams’ draft boards in 2016, Bosa made a quick impact in Columbus upon arrival in 2014. Drawing endless comparisons to J.J. Watt, Bosa is a freakish athlete adept at defending the run while also serving as an exceptional pass rusher. Opposing offenses clearly game plan around him, often running to the opposite side of the field. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer landed Bosa all the way from Fort Lauder‑dale, Fla., and the 6‑foot‑6, 275‑pound junior has racked up 21 sacks and 34 ½ tackles for loss in his first two seasons.

2. ezekiel elliott, rb, ohio StAteIn a conference loaded with productive running backs, Elliott didn’t even earn all‑Big Ten honors last year. However, he broke out after the league awards were distributed, putting together an aston‑ishing run of production in big games: 220 yards vs. Wisconsin, 230 yards vs. Alabama and 246 yards vs. Oregon to close out the national championship. Elliott is now firmly

established as one of the nation’s best running backs – and best players overall – with a chance to get picked in the first round of next year’s draft.

3. ohio StAte QuArterbAckSPick a quarterback, any quarterback. Senior Braxton Miller has finished in the Top 10 of the Heisman voting twice. Sophomore J.T. Barrett finished fifth last year, ranking second in the nation in passer rating upon unexpectedly replacing the injured Miller. It’s possible that neither will be the starting quarterback this season. Cardale Jones replaced the injured Barrett for the Big Ten title game and the College Football Playoff, and he showcased arguably the strongest arm in the nation and powerful running ability. It’s an embarrassment of riches, and Meyer can’t go wrong at the position this fall.

4. Anthony zettel, dt, Penn StAteZettel broke out as part of Penn State’s dominant defense under new coordinator Bob Shoop last year. After spending the begin‑ning of his career as a reserve defensive end, Zettel moved inside and wreaked havoc on opposing backfields as a starting tackle.

The Big Ten’s Top Ten PlayersTwo Nittany Lions Make Elite List of Best in the ConferenceBy Matt Brown

Anthony Zettel

“While only 278 pounds, Zettel boasts the strength and quickness to be a force at the tackle position.”


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While only 278 pounds, Zettel boasts the strength and quickness to be a force at the tackle position, which led to eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss in an All‑Big Ten perfor‑mance as a junior in 2014.

5. JAck conklin, ot, MichigAn StAteConklin has come a long way in a short period of time. Origi‑nally a walk‑on, he’s started 26 games after redshirting as a freshman, quickly develop‑ing into the Big Ten’s best left tackle. The 6‑foot‑6, 317‑pounder will be coveted by NFL teams, as he has allowed only 2 ½ sacks in his Spartans career, helping to pave the way for an offensive surge by the Spartans in protecting the blind side of quarterback Connor Cook.

6. chriStiAn hAckenberg, Qb, Penn StAteGiven that he could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft, Hackenberg may fly up this board with a strong junior season in 2015. Still, he’s not quite as proven – based on results

thus far – as those ahead of him on this list. After a promising freshman season, he was inconsistent as a sophomore – in many ways understandably so, as he dealt with a surprise coaching change, young receivers

Christian Hackenberg


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who struggled to get separation and, most importantly, a dire situation on the offensive line. The franchise quarterback version of Hackenberg still made some appearances, like in the Pinstripe Bowl, and with better help around him he could be poised for a huge rebound season in which he hits more consistent highs.

7. dArron lee, lb, ohio StAteListed at only 195 pounds out of high school, Lee has trans‑formed himself into an All‑America candi‑date at linebacker, now weighing in at 235. After a redshirt season, Lee blossomed in his Buckeyes debut in 2014, finishing with 81 tackles, 16 ½ tackles for loss, 7 ½ sacks, two interceptions and two fumble returns for touchdowns. Lee is one of the most athletic linebackers in the nation, and he thrives in the space that playing behind such a talented defensive line helps create for him.

8. connor cook, Qb, MichigAn StAteThe Spartans got off to a dreadful start to the 2013 season on offense, but they’ve never looked back since Cook won the starting job. They rode a mid‑season turnaround on offense to the Rose Bowl that year, then followed with a stellar Cotton Bowl season last year. Cook remains a bit inconsistent and occasionally inaccu‑rate, but he’s a strong pocket passer who has the arm to make things happen downfield, opening the door for what’s been a steady running game.

9. ShiliQue cAlhoun, de, MichigAn StAteA run of defensive touchdowns in 2013 caused Calhoun to be a bit overhyped last preseason, and while he still led a stingy Spartans defense with eight sacks, he was not nearly as dominant as hoped. That doesn’t mean Calhoun can’t have a dominant senior season. Even with the departure of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, a big spring has expectations rising once again for the All‑Big Ten end.

10. MAliek collinS, dt, nebrASkASomeone has to break up the Big Ten East’s dominance of this list. Most of the league’s talent is, in fact, in the East, but there are still plenty of names to keep an eye on in the West Division. While pass rusher Randy Gregory drew the most attention on the Huskers’ defense last year, Collins tied for the team lead with 10 ½ tackles for loss. With Gregory gone, the 300‑pound junior will become Nebraska’s defensive star.

Connor CookMatt Brown is a national college football writer for Sports On Earth. Follow him on Twitter @MattBrownCFB.

runnerS uP:Taylor Decker, OT,

Ohio State

William Likely, CB, Maryland

Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers

Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State

Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State

Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin

Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin

Drew Ott, DE, Iowa

Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin

Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State .

Do you agree with this list? Do you think it’s too Buckeye heavy? Who else would you add from the Lions? Scan this QR code to access the online version of this article to tell us what you think!

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For the past two seasons, Joe Paterno has had more things on his pants than a baby eating Gerber’s without a bib. First, there were the whales of 1982. Then the new Penn State logo of 1983. That was followed by a come‑back of the whales. And finally, the madras plaid pants of the Aloha Bowl. Where will it all stop? Knickers in ’84? Hot pants in ’85? A snowsuit and mittens on a string at Minnesota in ’86? Joe’s pants. Today’s Penn State fans cannot only criticize his play‑calling, they can second‑guess his wardrobe as well. Paterno wore tan pants with the little blue whales on them twice in the Nittany Lions’ 1982 season. First, in a season‑opening win over Temple. And then against Alabama. The whale pants—a gift from his daughter and purchased at the seashore—disappeared for the rest of the season. After two losses and just nine points to open the ’83

season, Penn State needed something flashy and some‑thing fast. The next week against Iowa, Paterno donned a pair of khaki pants embossed with the new Penn State logo. The pants were a gift from a State College busi‑ness, and although they didn’t bring the Nittany Lions a victory, Penn State’s offense awakened for 34 points and 492 total yards. Paterno toned down his outfit until Nov. 11, the day before Penn State hosted Notre Dame. At a pep rally that evening, Paterno dusted off his whale pants and twirled them overhead. The Rec Hall crowd went wild. But Paterno saved his biggest dressing coup for Hono‑lulu and the day of the Aloha Bowl. As the Nittany Lions were beating Washington 13‑10, the Penn State coach paced the sidelines in typical tourist garb—he wore a casual shirt, borrowed from his son, and plaid slacks that looked as if Joe had bought them in the hotel lobby gift shop.

Reprinted with permission from the Penn State Football Annual, 1984

1984 A Look Back: Joe’s PantsYou Can Dress Him Up, But You Can’t…

a Look Back

Wait, wait, there's more! We found a treasure trove in our archives, and they didn't make it into the guide! Go to HappyValley.com and find "Flash-backs" at the bottom of the page. We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we did!

Photo courtesy John Tecce

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on cocky players: I don’t care if they’re a little cocky… as long as they aren’t showboaters… I think it is obvious that there is a cer‑tain type of person who gets along better here than another type… that’s why we keep our uniforms simple; don’t put their names on the backs, they’re not flashy and I think gives a message that this is a disciplined, conservative program. I want to make sure he under‑stands what we expect, and what he should expect from us.

on the book every young person should read: Lincoln on Lead‑ership. Just a little book, but shows how Lincoln… what kind of leader he was and how he handled certain situations.

on the importance of poetry: Poetry; I mean, people don’t read poetry… the sense of words… as I’ve said making speeches… you know good coaches should remind you that English teachers showed you how poetry is so concise. The choice of words is so important – discipline goes into a good poem. I don’t know where to get them anymore, unless we read.

on god’s mission for his life: Well, I never felt I was that im‑portant [laughs]. I think there’s a reason why He does things and hopefully He wants me to do certain things and hopefully I’m doing what He wants me to do.

on authenticity: I fight like the dickens not to be a phony.

on fans: I think a fan oughta do whatever he wants to do. I think

you go to the game to enjoy it.

on routing cincinnati 81-0 in 1991: Aw, that the most horrible experience I’ve been through. Nobody gets any good out of it when you win and the other guy gets embar‑rassed.

on being conservative: People like to think I’m a con‑servative coach. I'm not conser‑vative. I’m not a conservative coach. I create the perception. That doesn’t bother me if people say we don’t take chances. Let them think that… it makes it easier to be successful when you are un‑conservative.

on a worthy opponent: I used to have a guy around here by the name of Aaron Druckman, who was a philosopher. And he got into sports philosophy. He came in my office. He was a guy with a beard, long hair… he looked like a mountain man. One day he came in and said, ‘I just came back from skiing. I had the greatest ski run. I came down from that mountain and I looked at the mountain and said, ‘Mountain, I love you. I love you.’ He said, ‘Because if that mountain hadn’t been there, I could not have skied it. And that’s the way the competition oughta be. If the other guy isn’t good, there’s no fun to it.’

The Portable JoePaPaterno On The Book Everyone Should Read, Being Authentic, and Conservative Coaching

a Look Back

They were renovating the football office that day in 1992 when writer Scott Ott sat down with Joe Paterno; his secretary was wearing a dust mask while she typed letters. Leaned back in his leather chair with his feet up on his coffee table, Coach Paterno gave traditional answers to traditional questions, but was most enthusiastic about questions about God, poetry, his wife, and what Penn State football means to a fan. For this entire gold-mine of an article, go to http://tinyurl.com/portablejoe, and then tell us what you think. What is your favorite memory, photo, game or quote from JoePa? Tell us.


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1. ohio StAte buckeyeS (14-1, 8-0, FirSt in big ten eASt, big ten chAMPionS, nAtionAl chAMPionS)The Buckeyes won the first College Football Playoff and return 14 starters from that national championship squad. But that only counts one of the three quarterbacks — Braxton Miller, J.T. Bar‑rett and Cardale Jones — players who would likely start for just about every other team in the country. Now, who will start for the Buckeyes? There may not be a wrong choice. Barrett got the most playing time before an injury ended his season and was consistently great. Jones’ performances in just three starts — the Big Ten title game, Sugar Bowl and National Championship Game — had pundits wondering if he’d enter the NFL Draft. Miller’s abilities are unquestioned as a multiple time Big Ten Player of the Year winner. But his shoulder issue — his season was lost before it began when he injured it throwing — is a concern. Whoever starts will have a handful of vaunted offensive linemen protecting them. All three interior linemen are back — guards Billy Price and Pat Elflein and center Jacoby Boren. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker is also back. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best in the conference and seemed to get better when the stakes got higher. He rushed for 696 combined yards against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon. The Buckeyes will need new receivers to step up as Devin Smith and Evan Spencer are both gone. Seven starters are back on a defense that features one of the most explosive defensive linemen in the country. Defensive end Joey Bosa is a beast who finishes plays demonstratively and im‑pacts a game simply with his presence — offensive coordinators

try to avoid his side at all times. He easily led the conference with 13.5 sacks. As for the schedule, Ohio State faces Michigan State on Nov. 21 and gets Penn State inside the Horseshoe on Oct. 17. The Buckeyes get a chance to avenge their only loss last season — to Virginia Tech — when they travel to Blacksburg, Va. to face the Hokies in the season opener. Ohio State will be heavily favored and that will be a theme that continues throughout the season as the Buckeyes have a le‑gitimate shot of winning the Big Ten and chasing a playoff repeat.

2. MichigAn StAte SPArtAnS (11-2, 7-1, Second in eASt) The Spartans have won at least 11 games in five of the last six seasons and will enter 2015 with a squad capable of getting to that threshold again. But can Michigan State recreate that success without its mas‑termind defensive coordinator? Michigan State returns 17 starters to a team that romped its way through the regular season and a Cotton Bowl title. Along the way, the Spartans were led by an explosive offense and backed up by the nation’s eighth‑best defense coached by Pat Narduzzi who left to take over at Pittsburgh. But although Narduzzi is gone, the Spartans get back most of a defensive line that finished ninth in the country with 42 sacks. Shilique Calhoun led the team with eight sacks and is back as is pass‑rushing linebacker Ed Davis who finished with seven.

Big Ten Power RankingsHappyValley.com's Resident Sports Expert Gets Real about the Most Dangerous Team and the Players to Watch this FallBy Travis Johnson


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Michigan State scored 35 points or more in 10 games last season and will have its triggerman — quarterback Connor Cook — back, too. Cook is widely regarded as a future first‑round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. But it’ll be up to him to keep his stock high while working with a new cast of skill players. Michigan State lost its two most effective wideouts including last year’s Big Ten Receiver of the Year Tony Lippett.

Meanwhile, the running game will be without workhorse Jer‑emy Langford who accounted for 40 touchdowns and 2,944 yards in two seasons. Whoever wins the starting job — it’ll be between Madre London and Gerald Holmes with L.J. Scott and T.J Har‑rell factoring in — will be running behind an offensive line with a good amount of experience. Michigan State lost both starting guards but get back center Jack Allen and tackles Jack Conklin and Kodi Kieler. Donavon Clark wasn’t an every down player but does have starting experience at guard. This is a dangerous team and one that will contend for the league title. After all, head coach Mark Dantonio has proven year after year that Michigan State no longer rebuilds, it reloads.

3. WiSconSin bAdgerS (11-3, 7-1, FirSt in WeSt)The Badgers have dealt with plenty of turnover since the 2012 season where three different head coaches — four if you count ath‑letic director Barry Alvarez subbing in bowl games — in that span. Now, Paul Chryst takes over a team that has solid talent on the roster but will very much be looking for an offensive identity early. With Melvin Gordon gone the Badgers are faced with the prospect of having to replace 58 percent of their rushing output. Luckily, Corey Clement is back and appears to be plenty capable. He chipped in 949 yards on just 147 yards last season but will now be running behind three new starters on the offensive line. Gordon was the type of player who could carry an offense on his back. And he had to as the Badgers’ passing game was abys‑mal, accounting for just 148 yards per game. It remains to be seen if Clement can do the same. Luckily, the Badgers should get plenty of help from a defense that finished ranked fourth in the country. Linebackers Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert should get plenty of chances to attack as Chryst and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will want to run an attacking defense. Cornerbacks Darius Hillary and Sojourn Shelton return along with safety Michael Caputo after helping the

Badgers field the stingiest secondary in the Big Ten. Coaching changes can always come with speed bumps. But Chryst is a Wisconsin man through and through, understands expectations and has plenty of talent to work with. Oh, and that schedule looks pretty easy save for a season‑opener against Ala‑bama.

4. nebrASkA cornhuSkerS (9-4, 5-3, third in WeSt) The Cornhuskers have a new coaching staff too. But like Wiscon‑sin, Nebraska also returns a strong, experienced lineup with eight starters back on defense and seven more on offense including quarterback Tommy Armstrong. Also like the Badgers, the Cornhuskers have to replace a primary running back as Ameer Abdullah is gone. Abdullah ac‑counted for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns. But Armstrong is a capable signal caller and will start three returning offensive line‑man and a trio of tight ends who can block too. New coach Mike Riley may be a new face around Lincoln, but he’s not new to the coaching world. He’s got 41 years of patrolling sidelines under his belt and will bring a pro‑style offense with him. It should benefit Armstrong who has always been a dual‑threat type. Now, he’ll have to be a more polished passer. He’ll try to be one without talented, physical wideout Kenny Bell, however. Defensively the Badgers have veterans to lean on as those with less playing experienced juggle increased playing time with the stress of learning a new system. Linebacker Zaire Anderson will be tough to replace but Nebraska has the bodies. Expect Josh Banderas and David Santos to claim linebacking jobs while Michael Rose‑Ivey will return after missing 2014 with a knee injury. Rose‑Ivey has played all three linebacker spots and gives Nebraska plenty of flexibility. Marcus Newby will also factor in at linebacker. Safety Nate Gerry is another veteran and provides good coverage skills with a physical ability to play near the line of scrimmage and stop the run. A lot of pieces are in place but new coaches need to push the right buttons.

5. Penn StAte nittAny lionS (7-6, 2-6, Sixth in eASt)Imagine what the Nittany Lions could’ve done if their offensive line was only half as bad last season. But the same troubles kept Penn State from finding much success in the conference last season despite fielding one of the country’s most dominant defenses and having a strong‑armed quarterback under center. That quarterback, junior Christian

“Michigan State no longer rebuilds, it reloads”


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Hackenberg, didn’t get much help. This season should be better as Penn State only has to replace two offensive linemen. Returning guards Brendan Mahon, Derek Dowrey and Brian Gaia should all be better in Year 2 of the James Franklin era and center Angelo Mangiro can move around up front as needed. Like Cook, Hackenberg is widely regarded as one of the best quarterback prospects and could be a first‑round NFL pick. He’ll try to up his value with a junior season filled with improved fundamentals and better decision making. Of course, all of that is easier if he can stay off his back. Last season saw Hackenberg dropped 44 times. He’s got a host of young skill players to lean on and one could make a case that Penn State is deeper at running back with Akeel Lynch and a host of athletic youngsters ready for touches behind him. Defensively you can bet on Penn State dropping opposing quarterbacks. Even though Deion Barnes, C.J. Olaniyan and Brad Bars are gone, the Nittany Lions still return a host of defend‑ers eager to get into Bob Shoop’s aggressive rotations. Returning reserve end Carl Nassib is primed to step into an every‑down role while Torrence Brown and Garrett Sickels could be poised for breakout seasons. The men in the middle — defensive tackles Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel — will make their transitions easier as Johnson and Zettel are arguably two of the best inside defenders in the league. There are still plenty of questions, however. This team is still low on game‑ready linebackers and an injury to any of the starters could cause a myriad of problems for Shoop. Nyeem Wartman appears ready to step into the mike spot with Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell flanking him. Troy Reeder and Gary Wooten offer some depth, although Reeder is coming off a redshirt year and Wooten hasn’t seen much game action. Expect special teams to be a work in progress as walk‑on kicker Joey Julius replaces Sam Ficken and the coaching staff continues its seemingly endless search to find a full‑time punter and field adequate return and coverage teams.

6. MinneSotA golden goPherS (8-5, 5-3, Second in WeSt)The Gophers played a lot of close games last season and argu‑ments could be made either way — they won some they should’ve lost and they lost some they could’ve won. But Jerry Kill got the most out of his team early and although Minnesota lost three of its last five games including a bowl game loss to Missouri, they nearly upset eventual NCAA champion Ohio State, mounting a furious rally only to run out of time and lose by a touchdown.

This team returns six starters on offense and seven on a defense that has to replace standout linebacker Damien Wilson. Quar‑terback Mitch Leidner will have to be better than his 51 percent completion percentage in order to carry this offense, however.

7. MichigAn WolverineS (5-7, 3-5, FiFth in eASt)The Jim Harbaugh era has begun but it’s going to take more than excitement to get the Wolverines on the right track. But Harbaugh has already gotten started by piecing together a solid recruiting class. While those players won’t see the field for a while, the Wolver‑ines still have plenty of talent. They did last year too. They also had major turnover problems, weren’t good on third down and never really seemed to find an offensive identity. In Brady Hoke’s last season Michigan finished at ‑16 in the turnover margin — only three FBS teams were worse, converted just 39 percent of third downs and averaged less than 340 yards of offense per game. How long until this team sees major improvements? Harbaugh is a talented coach and with 10 starters back on offense and 10 more returning on defense, he could lead quite the turnaround with a relatively favorable schedule. Michigan won’t face a major contender until it hosts Michigan State on Oct. 17.

8. ioWA hAWkeyeS (7-6, 4-4, Fourth in WeSt)The Hawkeyes ended last season with a whimper. Kirk Ferentz’s squad started the season strong and despite a close loss to rival Iowa State in Week 3, sat at 5‑1 after a homecoming win over Indiana. But Iowa lost five of its final seven including a mauling at the hands of the Tennessee Volunteers in the TaxSlayer Bowl. That was bad. Overall, the Hawkeyes have been pretty medio‑cre for the past five seasons. They’ve gone a ho‑hum 34‑30 in that time but that includes a 19‑21 mark in Big Ten games. Ferentz, the Big Ten’s longest‑tenured coach, will try to lead the Hawkeyes to the top of a wide‑open West with 14 starters back. C.J. Beathard will lead an offense that lost both starting tackles and that could be problematic for an offense that thrived when the coaching staff opted to open it up and air it out. Iowa’s passing offense was fourth in the conference last year and Beathard has the receivers to attack downfield. Will he have the time, however?

9. rutgerS ScArlet knightS (8-5, 3-5, Fourth in eASt)All things considered, last season was a promising one for a squad


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many thought would get ransacked in a rough‑and‑tumble Big Ten. Sure, Rutgers got pulverized by conference heavyweights Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin — in a brutal back‑to‑back‑to‑back stretch — and Michigan State, but the Scarlet Knights hung with Penn State, edged Michigan and pulled away from Indiana and Maryland. This year will likely be harder. Gone is longtime quarterback Gary Nova and save for standout defensive end Kemoko Turay, there aren’t enough playmakers on a defense that gave up 442 yards and more than 30 points per game last season. And Rutgers gets another savage stretch of games that starts on Oct. 24 against Ohio State. From there the Scarlet Knights will have to travel to Wisconsin and Michigan before hosting Nebraska. They don’t even get an off week in between any of those games.

10. MArylAnd terrAPinS (7-6, 4-4, third in eASt)The Terrapins were hit hard by turnover and must replace almost an entire defense. That doesn’t bode well for a squad still adjusting to a 4‑3. In addition to losing six of his starting front seven defenders, coach Randy Edsall must replace quarterback C.J. Brown and leading wideouts Stefon Diggs and Deon Long.

11. illinoiS Fighting illini (6-7, 3-5, FiFth in WeSt)Those who watched Illinois last season likely saw glimpses — this offense looked pretty solid and even dangerous at times. It should have plenty of firepower this season too with strong‑armed Wes Lunt back along with running back Josh Ferguson capable of wearing down defenses. The key question remains: When will star wideout Mike Dudek return from an offseason ACL injury? Also, can Lunt stay healthy? He missed time with a broken leg last season and the Illini’s sack total — Illinois quarterbacks were dropped 37 times — is no way to support a quarterback with as much talent as Lunt has. Replacing offensive linemen Simon Cvijanovic and Michael Heitz is still a priority as is improving a defense that was embarrassing last season. The Illini allowed 456 yards and 34 points per game last season — both good for worst in the league.

12. northWeStern (5-7, 3-5, Sixth in WeSt)The Wildcats didn’t really figure out who their starting quar‑terback will be when the season opens and it appears it’s still a

three‑horse race. Zack Oliver, Clayton Thorson and Matt Alviti are all vying for the job. The winner will start behind an offensive line replacing two starters and without a lot of proven playmakers around them. Defensively the Wildcats didn’t do much to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season. They managed only nine sacks in eight Big Ten games with four of those coming against Penn State early in the season. This could be a season wherein Pat Fitzgerald’s team is scratching and clawing at bowl eligibility.

13. indiAnA (4-8, 1-7, Seventh in eASt)Indiana alternated wins and losses before its season took a nose‑dive with a season‑ending shoulder injury to quarterback Nate Sudfeld in Game 6. From that point on the Hoosiers lost all of‑fensive identity aside from hard‑running Tevin Coleman — who’s now on to the NFL — and finished the season having averaged just 141 passing yards per game. The one‑dimensional attack wasn’t effective and neither was a defense that allowed 434 yards and 33 points per game. At least Sudfeld will be back and he’s got some new weapons in the form of two transfers. Running back Jordan Howard set a single‑season record for UAB last season with 1,587 yards on 306 carries. Wideou Marqui Hawkins also comes over from UAB and should be fresh after sitting out last season due to transfer rules.

14. Purdue (3-9, 1-7, Seventh in WeSt)The Boilermakers didn’t do anything well last season despite improving their win total by two games in coach Darrell Hazell’s second year. Hazell has choices to make at pretty much every position. Doubling the win total again would be a realistic goal. It’ll be hard though as this program has a long way to go.

Starting this season, HappyValley.com is proud to bring you a new perspective on Penn State football from a veteran reporter on the beat . Travis Johnson has covered Penn State for multiple publications for all or parts of nine seasons and will provide college football fans with plenty to take in with in-depth features, hard-hitting analysis, commentary and breaking news Penn State fans have come to expect .

Got a question about the upcoming season or how the team is shaking out this offseason? Email Travis at travis@happyvalley .com . Do you think Penn State should be higher or lower in these rankings? Why?


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10. PlAn AheAdThere is nothing worse than arriving at your prime parking spot on game day only to find out that your gas grill tank is empty or you forgot the spatula or worse yet, the beer! Advanced planning is critical to ensuring a great game day experience. Our group of dedicated tailgaters created a blog using one of the many free websites, where we post the menu for the tailgate and ask those attending to indicate what they plan to bring and how many guests will be coming. If you have an RV, many of the comforts

of home are already packed inside the house on wheels, but those kicking it old school and using an actual tailgate on the back of a pick‑up truck would benefit from preparing a tailgate tote. For years, before we had the RV, we had our tailgate tote (an 18‑gal‑lon Rubbermaid container) filled with all the essentials from paper goods to grilling utensils to matches and a wine cork. The tote was a great way to keep everything together (and dry during those rainy games), and on Fridays as we would leave for Happy Valley you could throw it in the back of the car and be on your way. Just remember to check the tote and replenish items from week to week.

Top Ten Tips for Throwing a Tremendous TailgateFrom the home office in the Beaver Stadium overnight RV parking lotBy Jonathan U. Dougherty

blueberry cruMb cAkeRecipe courtesy of Marge Enright of Greenfield Township, PA

This is a great crumb cake to serve at a breakfast tailgate or as dessert. Tailgaters always come back for a second piece! And if you really want to wow them, add a scope of Creamery ice cream on top!

IngredIents 4 cups flour1 cup unsalted butter,

melted1 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking

powder2 eggs, beaten1 pinch of salt

FrUIt FILLIng3 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen3 tablespoons corn starch1/2 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon lemon juiceNote: you can substitute canned pie filling, if desired.

Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring until it thickens.

dIrectIons Cream together with a fork the melted butter and the dry ingredients. Add the beaten eggs and mix. Mixture should be lumpy. Lightly put half of mixture into bottom of 9x13 cake pan. Pour in filling. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top. Bake the crumb cake @ 350 for 30 minutes.

Delicious fooD is a muSt!


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9. develoP A theMeSome tailgaters base their theme off of Penn State’s opponent for the game (for example, consider serving Turtle Soup the next time we play the University of Maryland in Beaver Stadium), while others might base it off the food being served or an upcoming holiday or special event. When a home game falls close to Hal‑loween, we do a Jack‑O’‑Lantern contest, and everyone attending our tailgate is encouraged to bring a carved pumpkin. We ask passers‑by to vote on their favorite pumpkin and give prizes based on the votes, and there is always a big bowl of candy for everyone to enjoy a treat. However you plan it, a theme can be a fun way to start the celebration long before kickoff.

8. be nice to the PArking AttendAntS neAr your SPotThese dedicated folks are there to help ensure safety and that everyone gets to their appropriate parking location. It is always a good idea to make friends with the parking attendants, offer them a cold drink in September and a warm cup of soup in November. Remember, they are there to help make the tailgate experience enjoyable for everyone.

7. get everyone involvedPreparing for a tailgate, whether it is a small group of 5 or a large group of 35, can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Maybe someone coming to the tailgate is known for making delectable desserts or maybe someone is not much of a cook but can bring the paper goods for the party. Take advantage

of your attendee’s strengths, and keep in mind that this should be a fun experience and not a daunting task. People want to feel like they have contributed. So, spread the tasks around.

6. be reSPectFul oF your tAilgAting neighborSWe love to pack in the cars and RVs in the crowded lots around Beaver Stadium, so please be respectful of your neighbors when setting up your tents, tables, chairs, corn hole games, etc. And remember, if they are wearing blue and white and even if they aren’t, it is always neighborly to invite them over to share in a warm bowl of chili or your favorite dessert!

texAS SouP Recipe courtesy of Sarah (PSU ’09) and Mike Gavalla (PSU ’05) of Clarksburg, MD

This delicious and easy to prepare soup can be served with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips for a hearty meal during those chilly late October and November home games.

IngredIents1 1/4lb of lean beef (ground

turkey can be substituted)1 onion, chopped1 green pepper, chopped1 large can crushed

tomatoes1 small can diced tomatoes1 small can Rotel1 can pinto beans,

undrained

1 can corn, undrained1 package taco seasoning1 package Hidden ValleyRanch dressing mix1/2 cup water

dIrectIonsSauté the ground beef, onion, and pepper in skillet until beef is cooked

and onion and pepper are semi‑soft. Put rest of ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Add meat mixture and simmer 10‑15 minutes.

Delicious fooD is a muSt!

Scan this code to go to the online version of this article and tell us about your tailgate tips and stories!


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5. AlWAyS be PrePAred For unexPected gueStSThis is the fun part of tailgating…who will show up next? If you are a long‑time tailgater, you know that unexpected guests are the norm, and it is always great to connect or reconnect with old friends before and after a football game, and especially after a Penn State win! So, as you prepare for the tailgate, throw a few extra sodas in the cooler. If you are like us, there will already be plenty of food.

4. ShoW your Penn StAte PrideWhether it is a decorative flag that serves as the beacon of your tailgate or some blue and white tableware, showing your love of the Lions is a must. In the tailgating lots, you will see everything from inflatable lawn decorations to Penn State tents to streamers and balloons. Our fans love their Nittany Lions and this Univer‑sity, and they aren’t afraid to show it!

3. creAte A SignAture cocktAil or MocktAilOur tailgate would not be complete without our signature cock‑tail, The Floating Lion, affectionately named after the Blue Band’s signature drill. This blue cocktail (would you expect any other color?), made simply of a shot of Maui Blue Hawaiian schnapps, topped with lemon‑lime soda, and served over ice is a tailgate staple every week, and we joke that if you have too many you will float right into the stadium. As the chilly air of late October and November games is upon us, warm apple cider or homemade hot chocolate, whether simmering in a slow cooker or keeping warm in a thermos, makes for a wonderful fall treat. Whether it is a Floating Lion, a growler of your favorite brew from Happy Val‑ley Brewing Company, or a glass of Tailgate Red from Mount Nittany Winery, be sure to always drink responsibly.

loAded bAked PotAto diP Recipe courtesy of Katy Whalen (PSU ’09) of Baltimore, MD

This dip is a crowd pleaser and can be served with your favorite potato chips or pretzel thins. IngredIents 16 oz sour cream (you can

substitute half of the sour cream with lowfat Greek

yogurt if desired)12 oz package of bacon,

cooked and crumbled8 oz shredded sharp

cheddar cheese1/3 cup chives or scallions

(best with fresh, but can use dried)

dIrectIons Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Garnish with more shredded cheese, bacon, and chives.

“Our fans love their Nittany Lions and this University, and they aren’t afraid to show it!”


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Jonathan U. Dougherty, PhD earned his Bachelor’s degree and PhD in Architectural Engineering from Penn State. He taught at PSU from 1999‑2005 earning two teaching awards. He currently serves on the Penn State Wilkes‑Barre Advisory Board and the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society Board of Directors. Jonathan is President of the Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers and mentors students both at the University Park and Wilkes‑Barre campuses. In 2014, he was recognized as the Penn State Alumni Association’s Volunteer of the Year. You can see Jonathan as “The Button Man” in the annual Penn State homecoming parade and follow him on twitter @JUDougherty.

2. deliciouS Food iS A MuStIt is funny how regardless of the weather or the outcome of the game, after a really good tailgate, not everyone will remember the score of the game, but for sure they will remember the delicious food that was served. Tailgate fare ranges from simple to elabo‑rate. It can be a few hoagies and some beers around the back of a car or it can be a full on spread that will rival any restaurant buf‑fet. We love when our friend and head tailgate chef, Bob Ehlers, makes made‑to‑order omelets to start the day and prepare us for a victory in the stadium. And in relation to the themes mentioned above, food can play a major role. From Mexican to Italian to Polish (I mean what Pennsylvania tailgate is complete without pierogies?), get creative for your next tailgate, and don’t be afraid to take some help from fellow tailgaters and the prepared food section of your favorite grocery store.

1. hAve Fun This is a no‑brainer, but make sure you have a good time whether it is seeing family and friends or reconnecting with fellow alums and old classmates. The only bad tailgate is the one that doesn’t happen!

“I mean what Pennsylvania tailgate is complete without pierogies?”


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Every fan who comes back for home games has a must‑do list for the perfect Penn State football weekend: ice cream at the Penn State Berkey Creamery or Meyer Dairy, a grilled sticky at The Diner, lunch at The Corner Room, or perhaps a photo at the Nit‑tany Lion Shrine. Coming home to the place of your glory days is an experience you hope will feel the same each time. But you can heighten that experience by changing it up. Keep your Penn State traditions, but dont be afraid to reboot your football weekend by staying somewhere off the beaten path. Your choices will depend on whether you want to camp out, tailgate in a luxury RV, rent one of the many luxurious Penn State houses and condos available to rent, or spend the weekend in an inviting lodge. What would you say to tailgating at the stadium all weekend long, and camping out in an RV to start your tailgate as soon as you wake up? Everything is set up for you, so you can come as you are and relax. Or, roughing it in a Stone Valley cabin, where—hallelujah—Lake Perez has returned! And by roughing it, we mean getting cozy in a tiny cabin that sleeps 4 or 6 and having to walk (or run when nature calls) to the public restroom and showers. How about vacationing in Amish countryat a beautiful bed and breakfast or lodge? The views are as serene as they are spectacular. Start looking and booking as early as possible now; many of these fill up a year in advance.

rent An rvNittany RV Valet, a sports venue and stadium vendor, offers the Penn State RV Tailgreat Weekend at Beaver Stadium, with 30

RVs available to rent in the Penn State overnight RV parking lot behind the Ag Arena. We specialize in providing a turn‑key, hassle‑free visit to Happy Valley for the entire football weekend, says Sharon Frazier, co‑owner with her husband Jeff McClellan. We will deliver an RV to the stadium for you to occupy from Friday at noon through Sunday at noon. Arrive Friday, move in for the weekend, and instantly start enjoying your football weekend in a clean RV—it’s like having a vacation home at Beaver Stadium! Sharon said she offers a complete professional set‑up service. We take care of the parking pass for the RV, which is set up, serviced, and ready to enjoy the second you arrive.

Amenities: Nittany RV Valet delivers a safety‑inspected RV with full, fresh water tanks, full propane tanks, a cold refrigerator, and heating/air conditioning. Each rental also includes lean bedding and bath towels, a full kitchen including all the appliances and tableware youll need, a full bathroom, a large awning, outdoor chairs, a table‑top grill and fuel, a large outdoor carpet, and an outdoor table. In addition to the RV awning, youll find a compli‑mentary 10 x 10 EZ‑UP canopy set up and tailgate ready. All you need to bring are food, beverages, and the expectation of having a fun weekend. For an extra charge, Nittany RV will arrange for catering or stock your refrigerator with groceries. Additional services including an outdoor set‑up with 40’ HDTV/ satellite service, coolers with ice, and large patio grills. Their motor homes

Rent an RV

Staying Off the Beaten PathBeyond Hotels: Happy Valley Offers a Variety of Lodging Options for Your Weekend GetawayBy Diana Walker Griffith


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are also available for tailgate rentals in the client’s Day of Game RV parking spot. Nittany RV Valet is onsite and available 24 hours a day. Check out the 30 different models, which sleep from three to 10 people. nittanyrvvalet.com/index.php/rent‑a‑tailgate‑rv

best reason to move in for the weekend: Theres no need to get up early, find a restaurant, or sit in game day traffic. Everything you need is steps away from the stadium, and you have your own place to relax.

Availability: At press time, only the Rutgers game weekend was sold out. Homecoming and the Michigan game are also popular and are likely to sell out soon.

rent A cAbinhuntingdon AreAPenn State Stone valley recreation Area, Petersburg athletics.psu.edu/stonevalley/sv_cabins.shtmlThis beautiful area, home to the newly restored Lake Perez, offers four‑ and six‑bed rustic cabins, 11 in all.

Amenities: Each cabin is equipped with most of the basics: heat as needed, as well as a fan, a good‑sized refrigerator and two‑burn‑er electric hot plate, water jug, dresser, table and chairs, and bunk beds to save space. Outside, your cabin amenities include a picnic table, charcoal grill, and bench.

You must bring your own bed linens cooking and eating utensils, as well as anything else youll need. Keep in mind that Stone Valley does not allow renters to use cabins for parties. Guests are expected to keep the noise at a level considerate of your cabin neighbors.

reservations and Availability: Peak rates are in effect for PSU Home Football Games, the Arts Festival, Antlered Deer and Trout seasons. Cabin reservations are accepted the first business day following January 1 of each year. Penn State Football weekends require a two‑night reservation for Friday and Saturday, and you must pay in full by May 31. Rates at the website are for 2014; for peak events, they ranged from $196.35 for two nights for the four‑bed cabin, $257.25 for two nights in the six‑bed cabin. Call the office at 814‑863‑1164 for current rates and availability. athletics.psu.edu/stonevalley/sv_cabins.shtml

best reason to move in for the weekend: Its beautiful and quiet, and affordably priced.

distance: Stone Valley is 28 minutes from Beaver Stadium.

PennS vAlleythe cottage at over the Moon Farm, rebersburgoverthemoonfarm.com/cottage.htmlHeres a lovely and quaint country cottage in the heart of Amish country, secluded on a woman‑run organic farm. Its the ideal getaway before and after the game, if you want peace, quiet, and no electronic stimulation of any kind (that includes Internet as well as TV). You are free to walk the grounds and take in the sights of this working farm. A short drive takes you to Millheim, where you can explore the small shops and enjoy a drink at the Elk Creek Cafe or the Millheim Hotel.

Amenities: Three rooms and an attached porch, with a kitchen‑ette that includes a small fridge, microwave, and single burner propane stove. The bed comfortably sleeps two, and the cottage also includes a futon. Tents are permitted. The bathroom is fully equipped with a shower, sink, and composting toilet. Bedding and towels are provided, as well as hammocks, picnic tables, and a bonfire area stocked with firewood. If your vehicle has a roof rack, you can also borrow a canoe. Add $8 per person a day and a delicious farm fresh continental breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. each morning. A dog is permitted. Keep in mind you are likely to smell manure and hear farm machinery. Penn State Stone Valley Recreation Area


34

reservations and Availability: 2015 reservations accepted for May 15 through October 16, weather permitting. Rates are for two or three‑night weekends, four‑night weekdays, or a full week, for one or two people only. If more than two adults want to stay, the cost is $20 per night and they are welcome to pitch a tent outside.

distance: Over the Moon Farm is 45 minutes from State College.

StAte college AreAAikens cabins at bear Meadows, boalsburgaikenscabins.comBear Meadows is a beautiful spot, adjacent to Rothrock State For‑est and Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. Each of these five well‑con‑structed and beautifully appointed cabins feature all the comforts of home. Take a walk down the drive and over to the nearby pond as you explore the area.

Amenities: Each cabin features a living room with electric fireplace, fully equipped eat‑in kitchen, two bedrooms and two

baths, a porch, and DirecTV. The facilities include a picnic table, charcoal grill, and fire ring. Firewood, linens, blankets, towels,

Hill Store Guest Cottage and Event Place


35

and paper products are all provided. Grocery and beverage shop‑ping are offered for a nominal charge. Each cabin accommodates up to four persons. Smoking is not permitted; alcoholic beverages may be consumed in moderation. Up to two dogs are permitted. Please consult pet guidelines.

reservations and Availability: A two‑night minimum stay is required for all football and graduation weekends. Call or e‑mail for availability.

For more cabin options, check our list at happy valley.comhappyvalley.com/category/21‑lodges‑cabins‑and‑campgrounds

big vAlleyhill Store guest cottage and event Place, belleville hillstoreguestcottage.com This 1853 general store, restored by owners Tom and Ann McNabb, is located in the heart of Amish country, in scenic Big Valley. It offers proximity to state parks and forests, hiking and mountain biking trails, wineries, antique stories, and farmers markets. The property includes two rental units: a freestanding farmhouse and a guest cottage. The Greenwood House is five minutes from Greenwood Furnace State Park.

Amenities:the greenwood house: Two bedrooms (one queen, one double), full bath on each floor, two sofa beds on first floor, washer and dryer ($5 a load), full kitchen, landscaped deck, air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, and large‑screen TV.

the cottage: Three bedrooms and a pull‑out sofa for sleeping up to five. The cottage also features a private bathroom and shower, full kitchen, washer and dryer ($5 a load), living room with flat screen TV, central air, and WiFi. Make it yourself breakfast

includes in‑season local fruit, cereals and oatmeal, coffee, tea, orange juice, and half moon pies.

reservations and Availability: The earlier you book, the better. Hill Store also offers a large event space and will gladly arrange for caterers, photographers, florists, and entertainment.

distance: Belleville is 41 minutes from Beaver Stadium.

StAy in A lodge or bed And breAkFAStthe nature inn at bald eagle, howard natureinnatbaldeagle.comThis place in The Wilds is a bed and breakfast and a whole lot more, designed with the environment in mind. At The Nature Inn, walls of windows, huge decks, and private patios and balconies await you, and you can bird watch from a personal bid scope on the deck. Take in the view of a pair of bald eagles in their nest. Youll also have access to year‑round land and water activities just steps from your door. The decor features illustrated prints by John James Audubon as well as Pennsylvanias naturalist Ned Smith. With beautiful lake and forest views, The Nature Inn offers a true getaway.

Amenities: Single and double rooms, as well as spacious family suites are available, each featuring refrigerators and flat‑screen TVs. A complimentary hot breakfast is served.

reservations and Availability: Guest rooms fill up fast, so book early by calling or making your reservation online. Special pack‑ages are available.

distance: The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle is a short drive from historic Boalsburg and Beaver Stadium.

ingleby lodge, inglebyinglebylodge.comThis three‑story mountain log home on one acre is located be‑tween Woodward and Coburn.

Amenities: Accommodations include a spacious master bedroom, loft bedroom, and private bath upstairs; a full kitchen, dining room, great room with fireplace, half bath, and laundry room on the main floor; and a private bedroom, full bath, and home theater entertainment room downstairs. Have a seat on the porch or on the patio.

The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, Howard

Continued on next 37


36

For season ticket holders, finding a hotel, bed and breakfast, or rental is an all‑too familiar job. But what if you never had to book a room again? After ten years of driving in to Happy Valley for home games and other weekends, alumni Haley Locher Butler (B.S. ’96) and husband Dennis (’95 MA Mech. Eng.) decided to do just that. They bought a townhouse in Toftrees, and have turned it into a meeting place for family and friends. “Every weekend, we were paying for 3‑4 nights at a hotel, and after a few years we asked ourselves, do we really want to keep spending this money when we could own a place and use it year‑round?” Haley said. Even though they originally bought the townhouse for the football weekends, it has turned into a year‑round destination for family and friends while they celebrate First Night with ice skat‑ing and dinner, Arts Fest, lacrosse sports camp, and more. Friends stay over for wrestling matches and volleyball.

So what does the perfect weekend look like for the Butlers? Friday is for board games, hiking Mount Nittany with the dog, going to Café 210 or Dino’s Pizza‑Teria, and walking around campus. Saturday morning is eggs on the grill, breakfast casseroles, and mimosas. They hold six season tickets, so they frequently have friends come with them who have young children. Haley

recommends care.com to connect with college students who can babysit while they are at the game. The sitters get some Creamery ice cream and head back to the townhouse with the younger set while the parents go to the game, and everyone is happy! On Sunday morning, they join the line outside the Waffle Shop for the perennially perfect Happy Valley breakfast. To those thinking about buying a house for game weekend, Haley advises, “Take time. Realtor Mindy Rosenblum Sabol was the best realtor ever. Get recommendations. Decide whether you want to be close to town or the stadium. Look everywhere. Look at everything. It took us about a year to find something that worked for our family. Once you’ve found a place, make sure you’ll be there often enough to be able to check on it. If you can’t be there often enough, be sure to find a service that can come make sure pipes don’t burst in the winter, and things like that.” “Happy Valley will always have a special place in our hearts,” Haley said. “Even if our kids don’t attend Penn State, they will always understand how special it is here.”

It’s Special HereSeason Ticket Holders Swap Hotels for Homes to Get Year‑Round Access to the Best of Happy Valley By Cara Aungst

“Happy Valley will always have a special place in our hearts,” Haley said. “Even if our kids don’t attend Penn State, they will always understand how special it is here.”


37

reservations and Availability: Weekend rates are for up to four guests and a two‑night minimum. Check the Ingleby Lodge Calendar for availability.

distance: Ingleby Lodge is three miles from Millheim, 30 min‑utes from Beaver Stadium.

Weve got a list of bed and breakfast recommendations you can consult at happyvalley.comhappyvalley.com/category/22‑bed‑and‑breakfasts

rent A hoMeRent from an enterprising homeowner who understands the demand for luxury housing on home football game weekends

and youre likely to find an awesome place to stay, many within convenient walking distance of campus.

Flipkey lists single‑family homes, cabins, vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, condos, and townhomes, ranging from $110 to more than $1,000 a night. flipkey.com

rent like a champion takes you to the event weekend you want to book for, from each scheduled home game to the Arts Fest and more. Prices range from $800 to $2,800 or more. rentlikeachampion.com

Airbnb, which promises unique places to stay, at press time of‑fered 126 vacation rentals in the State College area, with rates from $30 to $125 a night for a private bedroom, guest suite, or apartment. airbnb.com

vrbo (Vacation Rentals By Owner) at press time listed 26 vaca‑tion rentals in the State College area, with rates from $120 to $1,000 a night. vrbo.com

Staying Off the Beaten Path… Continued from page 35

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Where to Eat

PH HU C WA

Pegula Ice ArenaEisenhower

Auditorium

Surrounding Communities

Hublersburg Inn hublersburginn.comThe Way Cafe and Bakery wayfruitfarm.comThe Chatelaine B&B chatelainebandb.com

Ingleby Lodge inglebylodge.comBelinda’s Port Matilda Hotel & TavernFairfield Inn and Suites Huntingdonraystownlakehotel.com

PMWA

FIC

18. Arena Restaurant thearenabarandgrill.com23. Bar Bleu dantesinc.com/locations/bar‑bleu6. Carnegie Inn & Spa carnegieinnandspa.com24. Deli Restaurant dantesinc.com/locations/the‑deli‑z‑bar25. Down Under Steak House toftrees.com/dining_downunder.php

4. Gardens thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu/ ThePennStaterHotel/dining/ the‑gardens.cfm

26. Gigi’s Restaurant and Wine Lounge gigisdining.com27. Qdoba Mexican Grill qdoba.com28. Hi‑Way Pizza dantesinc.com/locations/ hi‑way‑pizza29. Hoag’s Catering at Celebration Hall hoagscatering.com

30. Inferno Brick Oven & Bar InfernoBrickOvenBar.com31. Kelly’s Steak & Seafood kellys‑steak.com4. Legends thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu/ ThePennStaterHotel/dining/legends.cfm32. Liberty Craft House dantesinc.com/locations/ liberty‑craft‑house33. Mario’s dantesinc.com/locations/marios11. The Nittany Lion Inn: The Dining Room & Whiskers nittanylioninn.psu.edu/ NittanyLionInn/Dining/Whiskers.cfm34. Lodge at Tussey tusseymountain.com13. P.J. Harrigan’s ottospubandbrewery.com35. The View at Mountain View Country Club mtviewcountryclub.com/theview36. Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar zolabistro.com

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Where to Stay1. Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

book.bestwestern.com2. Fairfield Inn & Suites

marriott.com/hotels3. Holiday Inn Express

hiexpress.com4. Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu5. Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Center

toftrees.com6. Carnegie Inn & Spa

carnegieinnandspa.com7. Comfort Suites

comfortsuites.com8. Days Inn Penn State

lioncountrylodging.com9. Hilton Garden Inn

lioncountrylodging.com10. Nittany Budget Motel

lioncountrylodging.com11. Nittany Lion Inn

nittanylioninn.psu.edu/NittanyLionInn/Dining/Whiskers.cfm

12. Quality Inn lioncountrylodging.com

13. Ramada Conference Center ramadasc.com

14. Rodeway Inn rodewayinn.com

15. Sleep Inn sleepinn.com

16. Super 8 lioncountrylodging.com

17. Country Inn & Suites countryinns.com

18. Northland Motel northlandbowl.com/motel.html

RROFPM QIEL RMQU

Hampton Inn hamptoninn.comSpringHill Suites marriot.comBed and Breakfast at the Rock Garden therockgardenbandb.comHampton Inn & Suites statecollegehamptoninn.com

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19.

20.

21.

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Bellefonte AreaEcono Lodge‑Bellefonte econolodge.comPizza Mia! bellefontepizzamia.comThe Queen B & B thequeenbnb.comQuality Inn Milesburg choicehotels.com/pa660

Our Fair Lady Bed & Breakfast ourfairladybnb.comReynolds Mansion reynoldsmansion.comRiffles and Runs rifflesandruns.com

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Summer Fun

July 4 Central PA 4th Fest

East campus of Penn State University

4thfest.org

July 26Last Cruise-Best of

The Best ShowDowntown State

Collegeccysb.com

July 9ArtsFest

Downtown State College and

University Parkvisitpennstate.org

August 14 Bellefonte Arts &

Crafts FairTalleyrand Park

bellefontefair.org

Thursdays State College Spikes

WingFestTusseyMountain.com

August 18Penn State Ag Progress Days

Russell E. Larson Agricultural

Research Centeragsci.psu.edu/apd

State College SpikesMedlar Field

statecollegespikes.com

September 12Penn State vs. Buffalo

Beaver Stadiumgopsusports.com

42 Summer Fun Guide

Summer

2015

Broadway comes to the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State in a big way with the State College debut of “Jersey Boys,” the story of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons. The 2015–16 season at Eisenhower Auditorium also features the musicals “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and “Chicago.”

“Jersey Boys” reveals how four blue‑collar kids became one of the most successful groups in pop music. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds, and sold 175 million records. “Jersey Boys” features the hits “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The Tony Award‑winning best musical, recommended for ages 12 and older, runs Nov. 3‑8. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amaz‑ing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a family musical about the trials and triumphs of Israel’s favorite son, reimagines the Biblical story

of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colors. This new production, on stage Feb. 13, includes “Go Go Go Joseph,” “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

One of the most beautiful love stories ever told comes to life Feb. 23 in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” Based on the Oscar‑winning film, the show overflows with unforgettable characters, lavish sets, incredible costumes and dazzling production numbers. “Chicago” has everything that makes Broadway great: a tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; show‑stopping songs; and astonish‑ing dancing. No wonder “Chicago,” at Eisenhower April 11 and 12, has been honored with six Tonys and countless standing ovations.

“Jersey Boys” is on sale now. The others go on sale Aug. 4. For information and tickets, visit cpa.psu.edu or call 814-863-0255.

You Don’t Need a Big City to Catch a Big Show‘Jersey Boys’ and More of Broadway’s Best Coming to Happy Valley

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Jersey Boys

"One of the most beautiful love stories ever told comes to life Feb. 23 in 'Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.'"

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Summer

2015

JulyJuly 3*State College Spikes vs. West Virginia Black BearsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 3 & 5Swans and RavensThe State Theatrethestatetheatre.org

July 4 Central PA 4th FestEast campus of Penn State University4thfest.org/

Central PA 4th fest VIP Viewing with Craig MorganBJCbjc.psu.edu

July 9ArtsFestDowntown State College and University Parkvisitpennstate.org

*State College Spikes vs. Connecticut TigersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 9, 2015 ‑ July 12, 2015Remington Ryde Bluegrass FestivalCentre County Grange Fairgroundsremingtonryde.com

July 10*State College Spikes vs. Connecticut TigersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 11*State College Spikes vs. Tri‑ City ValleyCatsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 12*State College Spikes vs. Tri‑ City ValleyCatsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 17Electric Hot TunaState Theatrethestatetheatre.org

July 18State College Spikes vs. Batavia MuckdogsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

Knowledge Kafe ClassSouth Hills School of Business & Technologysouthhills.edu

July 19*State College Spikes vs. Batavia MuckdogsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

July 23‑25JazzPA jazzpa.org

July 24An Evening with Jim BrickmanState Theatrethestatetheatre.org

July 26Last Cruise‑Best of The Best ShowDowntown State Collegeccysb.com

July 31* State College Spikes vs. Lowell SpinnersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

AugustAugust 1* State College Spikes vs. Lowell SpinnersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

Summer

2015

1. It’s on a Saturday this year! No need to wake up early for work the next morning. Stay the weekend and have a Happy Valley‑cation!

2. You can be a VIP You can catch two great shows if you have a VIP pass. First, country star Craig Morgan will

perform live on the Independence Stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Following the concert, the famous fireworks begin! VIP seats will enjoy brand new ground‑based effects that remain lighted closer to ground level, creating cool images that complement the fireworks.

3. You get free cake! Every year, a 14‑foot flag cake provided by GIANT Foods is cut and served by employees of local company RESTEK, a long‑time 4th Fest sponsor. The line forms in Stadium West among the celebration activities around 5:30 p.m. At 5:58, the crowd sings Happy Birthday, America and everybody gets a slice.

The Top 5 Reasons to Not Miss the 2015 4th Fest!

Best Bet Best Bet

June 26 An Evening with Paula Poundstone

State Theatre | thestatetheatre.org

Calendar of Events

Continued on next page

44

August 2* State College Spikes vs. Lowell SpinnersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

August 9* State College Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley ScrappersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

August 14 Bellefonte Arts & Crafts FairTalleyrand Parkbellefontefair.org

August 15* State College Spikes vs. West Virginia Black BearsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

August 16* State College Spikes vs. West Virginia Black BearsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

August 18Penn State Ag Progress DaysRussell E. Larson Agricultural Research Centeragsci.psu.edu/apd

GypsyState Theatrethestatetheatre.org

August 21‑29Grange FairCentre Hallgrangefair.net

August 28* State College Spike vs. Auburn DoubledaysMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

August 29* State College Spike vs. Auburn DoubledaysMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

September 4* State College Spike vs. Batavia MuckdogsMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

September 5* State College Spike vs. Williamsport CrosscuttersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

September 6* State College Spike vs. Williamsport CrosscuttersMedlar Field at Lubrano Parkstatecollegespikes.com

September 12Penn State vs. BuffaloBeaver Stadiumgopsusports.com

September 16Zappa Plays ZappaThe State Theatrethestatetheatre.org

September 19Penn State vs. RutgersBeaver Stadiumgopsusports.com

September 26Penn State vs. San Diego StateBeaver Stadiumgopsusports.com

September 27Whose Line is it Anyway?Bryce Jordan Centerbjc.psu.edu

September 30Jonny LegThe State Theatrethestatetheatre.org

* For the full Spikes schedule, go to statecollegespikes.com

Summer

2015

Summer

2015

4. Patriotic pride You can celebrate our hometown heroes as they march through downtown State College and Penn State’s campus beginning at 2 p.m. in front of the State College Municipal Building and ending at the BJC. To pick your spot, check out the full parade route.

5. There’s fun for everyone There are plenty of family‑friendly activities to fill your day, 4th Fest is your ticket. Start the day at 9 a.m. with the Firecracker 4K. Register in advance if you can. Later, meet Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, and Betsy Ross at the Characters tent, take a tethered hot air balloon ride, visit Shaver’s Creek’s display at Stadium West, and grab a 4th Fest Freedom Frank, free from 4 to 8 p.m. on Curtin Road near the BJC (donations are appreciated).

September 27Whose Line is it Anyway?

Bryce Jordan Center | bjc.psu.edu

Continued from previous page

Calendar of Events

45 Summer Fun Guide

Summer

2015

All across Happy Valley, there are dozens of great restaurants and bars that have been open for decades. You always know where to get the best dinner or the coldest beer. But every once in a while, it’s nice to check out some place new (in this case, brand new!). We’ve got the list of Happy Valley’s newest hot spots.

The Cidery at Good Intent CiderGood Intent Cider innocently started in 2010 when the founder attended a week‑long cider making class at the Cornell Ag Extension. Not long after, Adam was all‑in on the cider business, and Good Intent Cider was born. The most recent addition to the Good Intent Cider business is The Cidery on South Potter Street in Bellefonte. Open on Fridays from 3 until 9 p.m. and Saturdays from noon until 9 p.m., The Cidery offers each of their four delicious ciders for sale by the glass, the bottle, and, coming soon, growlers. And if you’re in the mood for a few snacks, The Cidery offers local cheeses, crackers, and fruit products that pair perfectly with a glass of cider! 167 South Potter Street, Bellefonte | 717‑778‑8171 | goodintentcider.com

Liberty Craft HouseThere is no shortage of beer bars in State College – but very few have the allure and variety of the new Liberty Craft House on East College Avenue. While the beer list and tap system will have your head spinning (in a good way!), Liberty also features house made artisan breads, rare craft cheeses, and charcuterie in addi‑tion to their 100 percent made‑from‑scratch menu items. Liberty Craft House isn’t just a great place to have a craft beer with friends; it can also be a great location for a date night! 346 East College Ave., State College | 814‑954‑4923 | dantesinc.com/locations/liberty‑craft‑house

Moe’s Southwest GrillThere’s a new place in town trying to stake its claim of being known for Happy Valley’s best burrito. Popular national Mexican chain Moe’s Southwest Grill is ready to throw its hat into the burrito battle royal. Moe’s makes a great burrito but their menu also features kids’, vegetarian and low‑calorie options – and best of all, they all come with free chips and salsa! The new Moe’s at 211

Patriot Lane is one of more than 500 Moe’s locations across the country and abroad. And if you’re looking for a deal, head out to Moe’s for Moe Monday – where you’ll get any burrito, chips and salsa, and a drink for only $5.55 – or on Tuesdays when kids eat for free! 211 Patriot Lane, State College | 814‑862‑9315 | moes.com

Seven Mountains Wine CellarsIf you’ve never been to the original location of Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, located one mile off Route 322 between Lewistown and State College, it is definitely worth the trip to tour their wine cellar and enjoy a glass of wine in their beautiful tasting room. However, sometimes, we just don’t have the time to take a day trip and really need a glass of wine. Seven Mountains just recently opened a new shop open on the Diamond in Boalsburg to make it really convenient for State College residents to get Seven Mountains wine. The new shop will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon until 6 p.m. and from noon until 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The wine at Seven Mountains has won numerous awards – and one of their newest, a Dry Riesling was just chosen as the Best White Wine in PA at the Pennsylvania Wineries Association competition. There are plenty of places to get a good beer in State College, but now Seven Mountains Wine Cellars is making it easier to get a great glass of Pennsylvania wine closer to Happy Valley. 101B North Main Street, Boalsburg | 814‑808‑6635 | sevenmountainswinecellars.com

New in TownCidery, Craft Beer Bar, and More!By Jeff Cavanaugh

46 Summer Fun Guide

Summer

2015

The 49th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts—the premier event of State College’s summer—kicks off on Wednesday, July 8 with a day filled with kid‑sized fun at Children & Youth Day. The main event starts July 9 and runs for the next four days in the heart of downtown State College and the Penn State campus. Details about the Festival’s artists, performers, and all of the attractions can be found at happyvalley.com or arts‑festival.com. Many of your local and regional favorites are back this year based on popular demand, but we also strive to bring in a diverse

mix of new talent for Festival fans to sample and enjoy. Not to be missed this year are Alex & the Kaleidoscope Band for kids on Wednesday; a workshop series produced by Penn State NU Musical Theatre throughout the Festival at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center; Phyllis Chapell & Siora and Calan on Thursday; Patrick Coman, Cadillac Jazz, the (718) Electric Jazz Trio, Parsonfield, and The Appleseed Collective on Friday; and Ted McCloskey & the Hi‑Fi’s, Entrain, The Ultra Kings, The Unbanned, and Shake, Shake, Shake on Saturday. Also new this year is comic Ross Bennett and high‑energy acrobatic dance trio Galumpha at Schwab Auditorium and the silent film The Mark of Zorro, accompanied by live music pre‑sented by Not So Silent Cinema at the State Theatre. Enjoy all special performances with the purchase of a Festival Button for $10. Purchase one and show your active support of the arts in our community and our nationally‑renowned annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts extravaganza!

2015 Festival of the Arts!Not‑to‑be‑Missed Acts, Bands, and Talent

47 Summer Fun Guide

Summer

2015

Happy Valley’s two summer arts fests were both created to celebrate lo cal artists and each had humble beginnings. The first started in 1966 at the foot of campus, along The Wall on College Avenue, and ultimately grew so large that it attracted a national following featuring artists from all over the country. The second fest started in 1992 as an alternative to the first to put the local back in arts. Today, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and the People's Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts, peacefully co‑exist and mutually support each other. The audiences for both actually overlap, doubling your fun and your opportunities to en‑joy art, crafts, live music, children’s activities, and let’s not forget, great food. From Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12, these are the two places you need to be. Heres an at‑a‑glance guide to fully

experiencing both, from making sure you’re at the performances you want to see, to sharing it all on Facebook, Instagram, or Twit‑ter. Don't forget to check in wherever you are. We want to see statuses from the Allen Street stage, the Old Main Lawn, Penn‑sylvania Military Museum, the Creamery booth on campus, wherever you go. Don't miss a moment.

ARTS FeSTivAl DATeSFirst, the dates youll want to book this year, next year and the fol‑lowing year for both tests:

2015: 49th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, July 9 ‑ 12 on the Penn State Campus and in Downtown State College Children’s Day, July 8. BookFest, July 11. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thurs-Sat; noon - 5 p.m. Sun.

Mark your calendar now for the next two years. 2016: 50th year! July 14 - 172017: July 13 – 16Note: Arts Festival is always held during the first full week after the Fourth of July. People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts is held the same days.

NEWS & UPDATESYou’ll find the newest press releases and arts fest publicity at the website, including the 2015 festival poster; a walking tour of public art in Downtown State College, and information on a new policy that bans the sale of weapon‑like toys from the Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale.

SOCIALStay connected at the website. Follow on Facebook and Twitter. To share your experiences, photos, videos from the Central Pa. Arts Fest, use the hashtag #artsfest.

SIDEWALK SALES CPFA’s Sidewalk Show and Exhibition featuring 300 artists is nationally recognized as one of the best fine art and craft shows in the nation. Every element of it comes together seamlessly, from its starting point at Pollock Road on the Penn State campus to its conclusion at Fairmount Avenue in downtown State College (or the other way around, if you prefer to view it as town over gown).

Two Festivals Make for a Happy Summer in Happy ValleyYour Guide to Fully Experiencing BothBy Diana Walker Griffith

48 Summer Fun Guide

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MUSIC HEADLINERSThe Arts Festival features renowned regional, national, and international artists on 10 stages. Check the website schedule for Wednesday through Sunday, as well as the location key for each performer. Performances marked with a “B” require a Festival Button. Buttons are $10 each and help support the Festival each year. They’re available at local merchants, information booths, and at button‑required performance venues.

Some highlights:Festival Button required: Musical Theater: “Radioactive,” the love story of Marie and Pierre Curie. “As the Curies work together to understand radioactivity and to isolate pure radium, they unlock a force that…changes our understanding of the universe forever.”

Phyllis Chappell & Siora (jazz/world), sings in 13 languages. Jazz Times calls her one of the top jazz vocalists of all time, and The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, “(She’s) an elegant singer who will steal your heart away if you let her.”

Groove to your favorite local and regional bandsWhat you may not know:

✓ Guitarist David Zentner has toured with Johnny Paycheck, Merle Haggard, and Loretta Lynn.

✓ The Lonely Heartstring Band started as a wedding band, hired to play only Beatles songs on traditional bluegrass instru‑ments. These are conservatory‑trained musicians who deliver a great Appalachian show.

✓ J.R. Mangan Band (rock)—this year is his 25th performing at Arts Fest

✓ Archie Blue (jazz/rock), formed by the jazz pianist Arthur Goldstein, provided the soundtrack for an award‑winning film called “Magic in the Afternoon”

✓ Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats (rock/blues) opened for B.B. King in 2013 and for comedian Jay Leno this year. Miss Melanie has been compared to Etta James.

✓ Pure Cane Sugar (Americana) features three songstresses. One of their fan favorites is Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”

✓ Ted McCloskey and the Hi-Fi’s (rock). His award‑winning music has been featured on AMC’s The Walking Dead and Mad Men, NBC’s The Voice, and many other national broadcast venues.

✓ Jackie Brown and the Gill Street Band—a nine‑piece classic funk/soul/R&B band. Ms. Brown has been compared to Chaka Khan.

✓ AAA Blues Band (blues) actually formed for the 1990 Arts Festival.

✓ The Earthtones (reggae) have traditionally closed the Arts Festival for more than 25 years. Featuring lead singer R.T. Thompson, The Earthtones have shared the stage with Burning Spear, Ziggy Marley, The Wailers, Yellow Man, and Culture.

FOODThis is your chance to taste your way through central Pennsyl‑vania, including Penn State’s Berkey Creamery ice cream, local restaurant fare, and artisanal specialties.

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Tucked away in the serenity of Toftrees, ESSpa, Happy Valley’s state‑of‑the‑art destination day spa, will trick your senses in the very best sense of the word. It’s the perfect way to destress before a great weekend, spend a whole day with a bevy of indulgences, or recover from golf, tennis or a strenous workout with one of their sports massages. Their extensive services are catered to fit your needs, from gentle Swedish massage, hot stone massage to Olympic Sports Deep Tissue Massage. Massage is one of the core offerings at ESSpa, and for good reason. They believe in it as a treatment for reducing anxiety, stress and insomnia, they are good at it, and they know that it will feel good and be good for you. In addition to massage therapy, they are the only Aveda Spa Resort in Centre County. ESSpa is nationally known for their Hungarian Facials and AntiAging Peels, and also provides mani‑cures, pedicures, and hair removal services. You can choose from an a la carte menu of services, or choose a

package like “Happy, Healthy and Wise” that includes an organic champagne facial, 90‑minute massage and a pedicure – the perfect antidote to the looming stress and stress‑related illnesses in our lives! ESSpa is dedicated to helping you look and feel better. Check out their specials and packages, and add one (or two, or four!) of their offerings to your next Happy Valley getaway or staycation.

Esspa.us; 100 Cricklewood Dr, State College; 814‑380‑9772

Escape to ESSpa!

PeOPle’S CHOiCe DATeS2015: 23rd Annual People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts, July 9 ‑ 12 on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Pa.Festival hours are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; noon - 5 p.m. Sunday.

Mark your calendar now for the next two years. 2016: July 14 - 172017: 25th Year! July 13 - 16

SOCIAL Follow People’s Choice at facebook.com/PeoplesChoiceFestival for up to date information on artists and performers, new booths, best foods, and more.

ARTISTS From blown glass, leatherwork, jewelry to homemade brooms, see the works from some of the best of Pennsylvania’s artists and artisans.

MUSIC HEADLINERSLocal and regional performers on two stages, including Pure Cane Sugar, AAA Blues Band, J.R. Mangan Band featuring Olivia Jones, the Stray‑ers, Urban Fusion, Velveeta (80s cheese hits), the David Zentner Trio, and the Cliff Turner Band.

FOODOMG! We’re about to make your mouth water: Crab cakes, down‑home rice pudding, crepes, maple‑glazed kettle corn, local wines, and artisanal goodies. What’s your favorite People’s Choice food? Go to HappyValley.com and tell us!

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While the best thing to do in State College is arguably tailgating outside of Beaver Stadium before a big Penn State home game, Hap‑py Valley is jam packed with great restaurants and brewpubs that offer up delicious food, cold drinks, and plenty of fun year round. Here is a look at some of the best places in Happy Valley to hit this summer for outdoor dining, seasonal food specials, and locally‑brewed craft beer!

The Deli Restaurant & Z BarSince 1973, The Deli has brought an authentic taste of New York to State College. From matzo ball soup to high‑stacked pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, The Deli does not disappoint. And is there anything better to wash their famous Triple Decker Deli Reuben down with than an ice cold draft beer? The Z Bar of‑fers 57 continually rotating drafts, a cask‑conditioned “real ale” hand‑pump beer engine, and a gigantic 150+ bottle list. If you can’t find a beer at Z Bar, you probably weren’t looking for a beer in the first place – but fear not, they are fully stocked with wine and spirits too! 113 Hiester St., State College | 814‑237‑5710 | dantesinc.com/locations/the‑deli‑z‑bar/

Elk Creek Café + AleworksJust about a half hour east of downtown State College, the Elk Creek Café + Aleworks in Millheim is one of the best kept secrets in all of central Pennsylvania. With a focus on using local products as much as possible in the brewery and in the kitchen, you will be hard pressed to find a fresher cuisine or beer. All of Elk Creek’s delicious burgers, chicken, cheese, and most of the beef and eggs are raised on local, sustainable farms. All of Ale‑works beers – six year‑round standards and their great selection of seasonal brews – are brewed in house and carefully crafted by head brewer Tim Yarrington. Since Elk Creek opened, they’ve brought their Nouveau Dutchie cuisine and craft‑brewed ales to

satisfied customers, and have also provided the perfect venue for live local music and local art. On Thursday and Saturday nights all summer, Elk Creek will host some of the best local and re‑gional roots, jazz, and blues artists. When you’re looking to step a little outside of town for a great dinner, a cold beer, and some live music, look no further than Elk Creek Café + Aleworks! 100 West Main Street, Millheim | 814‑349‑8850 | elkcreekcafe.net

Happy Valley Brewing CompanySince 2012, Happy Valley Brewing Company and head brewer Josh Davies has built a loyal following of craft brew lovers with their wide selection of delicious year‑round and seasonal beers. And if you aren’t a beer drinker, HVBC has an extensive wine list and a great variety of cocktails that includes their own Auntie Pooch’s Sangria – a twist on red wine sangria complete with tequila, brandy, and fresh fruits and juices. On the menu, Happy Valley Brewing Company offers everything from tasty, shareable appetizers like the Short Rib Nachos to wonderful dinners like Hillbilly’s Hatchet – a 20 oz. wood grilled, bone‑in free range bison ribeye. While the food and atmosphere at the remodeled barn is awesome, it is the beer that keeps HVBC every day of the week. The Tailgater Pale Ale, Barnstormer IPA or the seasonal HayDay wheat ale are sure to cool you down on a hot summer day! 137 Elmwood St, State College | 814‑234‑4406 | happyvalleybeer.com

The Best Places to Eat (and Drink!) this SummerOur Top Picks for Outdoor Eats, Seasonal Foods, and Craft Beer!By Jeff Cavanaugh

Liberty Craft House on East College Avenue

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Kelly’s Steak and SeafoodIf you are in search of the best steaks and seafood in Happy Val‑ley, look no further than the fabulous Kelly’s Steak and Seafood in Boalsburg. And while in most cities, premier is synonymous with pricy – here in Happy Valley, Kelly’s serves up the best steaks and seafood at a great value for family dinners, special occasions, and everything in between. But the real attraction in the summer is their expansive outdoor deck. Kelly’s outdoor deck and Tiki Bar allows all of us in Central Pennsylvania pretend that we are on a tropical vacation – offering a great selection of tropical cocktails, frozen drinks, and beer that brings to mind the sun and the sand. There really is nothing better than sitting outside on a beautiful summer night and enjoying a frozen Pina Colada and Kelly’s 20 oz. bone‑in Delmonico topped with a bleu cheese Portobello cap and a tomato‑pepper relish! 316 Boal Ave., Boalsburg | 814‑466‑6251 | kellys‑steak.com

Happy Valley Brewing Company

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Liberty Craft HouseThere are countless places in Happy Valley to grab an ice cold beer, but only at Liberty Craft House can you find the famous Moscow Mule on one of their 47 taps. Served in a copper mug, the mixture of vodka, lime juice and ginger beer is a perfect drink for a hot summer afternoon. In the kitchen, the Liberty Craft House is another of the growing number of restaurants that is dedicated to buying local, natural, sustainable, and organic ingre‑dients for their delicious dishes. Some of the biggest hits at one of State College’s newest bars are their flatbread pizzas and their delicious Bavarian pretzels. 346 East College Ave., State College | 814‑954‑4923 | dantesinc.com/locations/liberty‑craft‑house/

Pizza MiaLet’s face it, most of us absolutely love pizza – but at Pizza Mia in historic Bellefonte, they put a whole different spin on the love of pizza. The story goes that Mel opened Pizza Mia in 2003; shortly after, Johnnie met Mel, tried a slice of her pizza, and now they live happily ever with their three kids and a house full of pets. The pizza at Pizza Mia really is that good. All of the pizza dough is hand‑tossed and their vegetables are all grown in local gardens allowing Pizza Mia to boast the freshest pizza in town. While they offer hard‑to‑beat specials all week, on Wednesdays Pizza Mia has a great 50 cent wing special on their signature oven roasted wings in your choice of sauce. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, pasta, or picking food, you’ll absolutely love Pizza Mia! 106 North Spring St. Bellefonte | 814‑355‑3738 | bellefontepizzamia.com

Otto’s Pub and BreweryIf you are looking for a vast selection of authentic, locally brewed beer in State College, Otto’s Pub and Brewery on North Atherton is the spot for you. With a beer fit for everyone’s taste, Otto’s is a go‑to spot for local craft brew connoisseurs. While they brew everything from hefeweizen to IPAs and lagers, there simply may be no better summer beverage than Otto’s Apricot Wheat. And Otto’s isn’t just a place for beer – their kitchen serves up some of the best food in the area. If you’re in the mood for a pizza, Otto’s uses a wood fired oven to perfectly cook their 10 pizzas made with beer infused dough and house made tomato sauce. Otto’s offers a wide range of food and drink specials every day, including a different beer‑infused chili topped with cheddar jack cheese. And don’t miss out on Firkin Fridays at Otto’s – every Friday at 5 p.m. a tap is hand‑driven into the firkin with a mallet opening a small hole at the top to let the beer flow! 2235 North Atherton St., State College | 814‑867‑OTTO (6886) | ottospubandbrewery.com

Zola Kitchen and Wine BarIn and around State College you can find your fair share of brewpubs and breweries, but only at Zola Kitchen and Wine Bar can you find a jaw‑dropping wine list that features a selec‑tion of wines from across the globe. The new and improved Zola features a menu full of fine food and wine pairings – and still offers a few of the local favorites from the original Zola menu. While the focus is certainly on fine dining and exquisite wines, Zola also has a very affordable and no less delicious lunch menu that includes a mouth‑watering blackened chicken sandwich on grilled sourdough dressed with local cheddar, Asian slaw, fried jalapeños and a chipotle aioli. 324 W. College Ave., State College | 814‑237‑8474 | zolakitchen.com

What’s your favorite outdoor dining spot in Happy Valley? Go to Facebook.com/happyvalleyPSU and tell us! Tag your post #happyvalleyfun and you could win a gift card to some area food or fun!

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Summer has arrived, and what better way to cope with those steamy days and sultry nights than to have some fun in the sun and enjoy a cool beverage or two with friends? Luckily you don’t have to travel far to find all the best summer beverages and entertainment; local vineyards and breweries will treat you to the best cultivated fare home to Centre County.

Happy Valley WineryLocated on Foxpointe Drive in State College, Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery is also a vendor at the popular North Atherton Farmer’s Market, where you can find the best local produce and summer treats in the area. Happy Valley Winery prides itself on producing the wine with grapes that are cultivated in the soils and vineyards of Centre County, creating an authentic taste of the area. Now spanning nine acres, Happy Valley Winery offers 23 red and white varieties that are well‑adapted to the seasonal Centre County climate.

You can make a day of it by touring their facilities and sam‑pling some of their favorites from full and medium bodied reds like the slightly spicy Three Sisters, or fruity white varieties like Vidal Blanc. Many wines are award winners and bring with them a unique local flavor.

On Fridays, enjoy live entertainment and a selection of locally made cheese and crackers to enhance the flavor, culminating in an evening that is pure Centre County magic. thehappyvalleywinery.com; 814‑308‑8756

Refreshments and EntertainmentThe Best Local Libations Come from Happy Valley Wineries, Distilleries, and BreweriesBy Amy Shawley

Happy Valley Winery

“Now spanning nine acres, Happy Valley Winery offers 23 red and white varieties that are well‑adapted to the seasonal Centre County climate.”

Happy Valley Wineries & Breweries

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Seven Mountains Winery Located in Spring Mills, the vineyard is open for tastings, tours, and events. This summer is even more special with their camp‑fire series, featuring a campfire and music by local musicians on Friday evenings. Sample their fine wine from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and bring your lawn chairs, blankets and a friend and enjoy some sweet sounds on a sweet‑smelling summer’s eve. Wines vary from dry, like Blackberry Merlot and Rattlehead Red, to sweet wines, such as Afternoon Delight and Tickled Pink, to dry whites Black Tie and Stonefly. With so many varieties, there’s something for everyone! The newest award winner is the Riesling, a dry white that combines various floral aromas and ends with a crisp clean finish. Upcoming events include the Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine and Food Festival, June 20 and 21, at Split Rock Resort. You can sample wines and enjoy local foods, crafts, and music at this two‑day outdoor festival. sevenmountainwinecellars.com; 814‑364‑1000

Seven Mountains Winery Courtesy Kristen Connolly


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Mount Nittany Vineyard and WineryA participant of the Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Festival and also the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg, Mt Nittany is another vineyard that makes its home in Centre County. Located six miles from Penn State in Centre Hall, Mount Nittany Winery has been a family‑owned business for three generations. Spanning 65 acres, the family has had a long time to perfect their craft and it’s evidenced in the product. With six varieties of grapes cultivated here in the microclimate, south‑facing environ‑

Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery Courtesy Kristen Connolly

“What better way to spend a summer afternoon than to pack a picnic, buy a bottle and enjoy the beautiful Tussey Mountain surroundings at a picnic table surrounding the scenic ponds or on their covered decks.”

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ment with conditions ideal for grape growing, their award‑win‑ning flavors will suit any palate. Amid the ambiance of a beautiful mountain scenery, stop in for a tasting of their popular semi sweet white Bergwein (white wine) for an affordable price, or their sweet Mountain Sunset or dry red Montage. What better way to spend a summer afternoon than to pack a picnic, buy a bottle and enjoy the beautiful Tussey Mountain surroundings at a picnic table surrounding the scenic ponds or on their covered decks. The Vitner’s Loft private room is available for rentals and is where events take place, including food and wine pairing events, wine trails, and their annual Harvest Festival. mtnittanywinery.com; 814‑466‑6373

Mt. Nittany Vineyard and Winery, Happy Valley Winery and Seven Mountains Wine Cellers will be vendorsat the 23rd annual People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg, July 9 to 12, celebrating local artists in Centre County, it also brings together the best in local culinary delights, wine, crafts and much more. So come out and enjoy local wineries and a whole lot more. Big Spring Spirits If you’re looking for a little home grown spirit, check out Big Springs Spirits in Bellefonte. Open for tastings and guided tours, you can sample rare finds like rye and white whiskeys. With an outdoor seated area, you can enjoy drinks while overlooking the beautiful scenery of Talleyrand Park. Food and

entertainment is available on the weekends, with upcoming spe‑cials like Irish Music and World Gin Day. bigspringspirits.com; 814‑353‑4478

Happy Valley Brewing CompanyThe Happy Valley Brewing Company offers local favorites and craft beer bound to get you psyched for summer with like Tail‑gater Pale Ale (ideal for picnics) and Phyrst Family Stout (though dark in color, it’s a seasonable favorite). Located in State College, the establishment offers craft beers in a unique barn setting with an aim of keeping the traditional farming roots of this growing town alive with Ed the pig as their mascot.

Enjoy a craft beer with some live entertainment in the barn along with food ranging from pub grub to steaks and sandwiches (perhaps pork, in honor of Ed the pig). happyvalleybeer.com; 814‑234‑4406

Otto’sIf craft beer is what you’re after, look no further than Otto’s in State College. With live music on many evenings, there’s also a quiz night and food and drink specials. With local brews, merchandise and American bistro food, Otto’s prides itself on the fact they buy local. Their menu includes home‑made beer pretzels and many varieties of Otto’s towering burgers. Beers include Mt Nittany Pale Ale, Spruce Creek Lager, and Black Mo Stout; Otto’s celebrates the local area with local ales, ciders, and more. The kiddos can also join in the festivities with Otto’s home‑made non‑alcoholic root beer, the perfect ingredient for those classic root beer floats, especially ideal for a steamy Pennsylvania summer day! ottospubandbrewery.com; 814‑867‑6886

Fondue night at Big Spring Spirits

“Located in State College, [Happy Valley Brewing Company] offers craft beers in a unique barn setting with an aim of keeping the traditional farming roots of this growing town alive with Ed the pig as their mascot.”

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Looking for a weekend getaway close to home that’s filled with culture, charm and small

town hospitality that can’t be beat? Look no further than Bellefonte, Centre County’s county seat, for heritage home bed and breakfasts, award‑winning restaurants, culture and entertainment only miles from the heart of Penn State. Located about 15 minutes from State College, Bellefonte is home to the Centre County Courthouse, an impressive piece of architecture in itself, but did you know the area is also known for its lavish Victorian properties and has become referred to as “Central Pennsylvania’s Victorian Secret.” You’ll find this quaint Victorian town tucked away with bed and breakfasts that retain all the character and beauty from the Victorian era, with many period homes that have been transformed into renowned bed and breakfasts. Victorian properties decorate Linn Street, including the Reynolds Mansion (reynoldsmansion.com) with roots dating back to 1885. This lofty Victorian combines Gothic, Italianate and Queen Anne style with an interior tastefully decorated with classic wood styles, ornate paintings, a billiard room

and a “snuggery” (a room where gentlemen once escaped to enjoy brandy and cigars). Your stay includes the luxuries of a three‑course breakfast and 800‑thread‑count sheets. Our Fair Lady (ourfairladybnb.com), another regal Victorian Linn Street bed and breakfast property, offers queen size feather beds, full breakfast and afternoon cheese and wine delicacies included in your stay. The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast (thequeenbnb.com), is also located on Linn Street and features fireplaces, a Victorian parlor with stereoscopes, Victrola and player piano. Enjoy a slipper tub or massage jet shower in your unique guest room. The lavish garden and outdoor patio area are a perfect place to while away a summer afternoon. Want to stay a little longer? Extended stay accommodations are also available. Riffles and Runs (rifflesandruns.com) is located on Spring Street, and features rooms decorated with Victorian antiques and is within easy walking distance of town. Innkeepers Connie and Steve McCulley chose the name “Riffles and Runs” because of Steve’s love of fly‑fishing. This classic Victorian is two blocks from the center of town and Spring Creek can be viewed from their backyard. Mornings at “Riffles and Runs” welcome guests to a home‑ cooked delicious breakfast in a sunny dining room

Welcome to Victorian BellefonteBy Amy Shawley

Bellefonte

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Our Fair LadyA Victorian Bed and Breakfast

313 E. Linn St., Bellefonte814‑355‑1117

ourfairladybnb.com

The Queen A Victorian Bed & Breakfast

176 E. Linn St. , Bellefonte 814‑355‑7946

thequeenbnb.com

The Reynolds Mansion 101 W. Linn St., Bellefonte

814‑353‑8407 reynoldsmansion.com

Riffles and Runs Bed & Breakfast

217 N. Spring St., Bellefonte 814‑353‑8109 | 814‑880‑7821

rifflesandruns.com

furnished with period antiques. Bellefonte local amenities include restaurants and pubs located near the courthouse in downtown Bellefonte, excellent fishing and fly fishing facilities, Talleyrand Park located near the centre of town with its historic railroad and park, as well as the spring creek in which to feed the fish in a picturesque setting. Talleyrand Park is the scene of many annual events (visitbellefonte.com) like the summer Children’s Fair, the Bellefonte Cruise that features a parade of classic vehicles, live entertainment and a sock hop, the Bellefonte Arts and Crafts on August 14 and 15 with over 100 artists and crafters, live entertainment and food stalls, and an Antiques Fair in September. Christmas is an especially exciting time to experience Bellefonte’s Victorian heritage. There are various activities for adults and children, including dinner with Charles Dickens, Victorian high tea, festival of trees, arts and crafts, Victorian property tours and much more. This summer, add the quaint, luxurious accommodations, good eats and beautiful architecture of Bellefonte to your ‘must‑experience’ list. You’ll be glad you did.

This summer, add the quaint, luxurious accommodations, good eats and beautiful

architecture of Bellefonte to your ‘must experience’ list.

Bellefonte

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It’s been a great month! The new Zola Kitchen and Wine Bar had a soft opening in April and then their grand opening at the beginning of June saw their liquor license implemented and a new summer menu filled with seasonal treasures! Plus, now the patio is open, so you can indulge in one of their seasonal libations while watching a perfect Happy Valley sunset. Not in the mood for out‑

door dining? Their newly renovated, bright and open dining room is decorated with the work of local artists, making their local, seasonal vision of New American Cuisine all the more on point.

New American CuisineZola Kitchen & Wine Bar maintains its dedication to using exceptional local, seasonal ingredients to create new American cuisine. This means that its menu rotates seasonally to take advantage of the best foods of each time of year. This summer, try a salad, like burrata and heirloom tomato or pickled watermelon rind with feta. Local sweet corn takes a bow in their sweet corn risotto; the sous‑vide filet of beef features blue cheese and spinach gnocchi and grilled fresh asparagus. Whether you are in the mood for seafood (ceviche with baby octopus), beef (beef carpaccio with capers, moldon truffle oil, and micro greens) or pasta (edamame ravioli with braised rabbit), Zola has reimagined favorite summer flavors in a crazy good new way. Stop in! 814‑ 237‑ 8474; 324 W. College Avenue, State College.

The New Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar Has Summer Delights for YouTempt Your Tastebuds with Fresh Seasonal Foods and Perfectly‑Paired Libations

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My husband and I got married in the Old Stone Church in Manor Hill in Huntingdon. We wanted an off‑the‑map venue and were captivated by the building, and its stories. There were doors, for instance, on each side of the pulpit, through which no living person ever went. Caskets shuttled in the door on the right, and after the funeral, they went out the one on the left, into the graveyard. We ourselves came in the back doors – the ones for the living – and stood on that cold wooden floor, 23 years old, cau‑tiously hopeful, helplessly in love. It was unseasonably cold that September, and everyone wore parkas over their wedding clothes and sat in shuttered pews. We decorated with pots of chrysanthe‑mums, and when we were done, we tucked them in our arms and took them with us. And then we went to Raystown. We changed out of our wed‑ding duds, picked the flowers out of my hair, and played. All of us – the old college roommates, the new relatives, the aunts, the babies, and the coworkers. We ate picnic food – a cheeseball the size of a kid’s head, summer’s‑end fruit, locally‑catered roast beef, and salads. We played volleyball, took boat rides, and ran under the trees that had turned a million colors of autumn just for that day. It was 2000, and those were the days before every moment was parsed and Instagrammed, but I remember the technicolor moments of that Raystown day as though each one had been hashtagged #RaystownPerfect. I have an affinity to Raystown, and not just for that day. It has outlined our life together. The early years with babies slathered in SPF 50 and an absurdly heavy swim bag. Kids in the boat. Packed lunches, bald eagle spotting, feeding the carp, lazy Sundays, san‑dals, sun tans, and kids falling asleep on the way home with pine cones in their laps. To feed a love of hiking, boating, kayaking, biking, tenting … heck, LIVING… Raystown has been just an NPR radio program away from State College – close enough to go for just an afternoon or a weekend and yet worlds away. Just ask Matt Price, Executive Director of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau. “If Happy Valley is home,” he says, “the Raystown Lake region is the coolest backyard ever.” It’s been voted one of 100 Best Scenic Views in America by ReserveAmerica.com’s The Camping Club, and it needs to be part of

your summer. Take an extra day or two to kick back, reconnect and enjoy one of central PA’s happiest places! You can go for a boat tour and be back in time for your reservation at Kelly’s, or come in town for Arts Fest and stay for a long weekend at one of Lake Raystown Resort’s exclusive villas. Where to start? We have a few ideas...

STAYThe Raystown Lake surrounding area boasts over 200 vacation homes, cottages, and cabins. And the fact that ‘cottages and cabins’ is our reigning #2 search on HappyValley.com tells us that this is a very good thing (The number one search is always Penn State football!). For a complete listing of accommodations, you can go to raystown.org/lodging. Here are a few notable mentions:

Lake Raystown Resort The Lake Raystown Resort has a variety of overnight options. They feature a 52‑room lodge, villas nestled in the woods in their own peninsula, pine cabins, and house boat rentals. Raystown is the only lake in Pennsylvania where you can rent a houseboat, so add this to your bucket list! Choose from houseboats at Lake Raystown Resort, or go to the Seven Points Marina (7pointsmarina.com; 814‑658‑3074), where they have 19 houseboats in their fleet. Insider tip: At both marinas, you will get the same price for four nights midweek as you would for three nights on the weekend. rvcoutdoors.com/lake‑raystown‑resort; 814‑658‑3500

The Inn at SolvangThis Southern Colonial bed and breakfast sits on 80 acres,

#RaystownPerfectNature’s Playground in Our BackyardBy Cara Aungst

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#RaystownSelfie

Explore the Raystown LakeRegion!Pennsylvania

...InSeasonEveryDirections from PSU to Raystown Lake:

http://bit.ly/PSUtoRLR

features a full gourmet breakfast, and offers all rooms with private bath, whirlpool, jet shower, and feather beds. solvang.com; 888‑814‑3035

Windfall FarmLocated on the Frankstown Branch of the Little Juniata River, this bed and breakfast features walking trails, fishing, beautiful scen‑ery, and a quiet atmosphere. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in historic manor house. windfallfarmbandb.com; 814‑669‑4234

Gage Mansion Bed & BreakfastThis historic getaway is located in downtown Huntingdon. Under new management and recently renovated, this luxurious Victorian retreat will be a high point of your Happy Valley visit! gagemansion.comcastbiz.net, 814‑506‑8411

PLAYThe possibilities are literally endless, but we’ve come up with a few favorites! Take advantage of the easy rentals of boats,

kayaks, watercraft, house boats, and more to enjoy a spontaneous weekend on 30 miles of pretty great water. Off the water, there’s geocaching, hiking, biking, and more. Read on!

Take the crew water-skiing on a pontoon boat! Seven Points Marina, 5922 Seven Points Marina Drive. Hesston, PA 16647, 814‑658‑3074, 7pointsmarina.com

Proud Mary Showboat cruise offers a memorable adventure. Public sightseeing, and breakfast and dinner cruises are available, as well as private charters. rvcoutdoors.com/lake‑raystown‑resort

Rothrock Outfitters offers a group tour that includes four kayaks, shuttle service and guiding on this placid, beautiful portion of the Juniata River. Top off your trip with a lunch at Standing Stone Coffee Company in Huntingdon. While you paddle these historic waters, you’ll see interesting rock formations, and if you are lucky, a bald eagle! 814‑643‑7226

Take a hike on hundreds of miles of walking trails. For an easy

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to moderate trail, we recommend the Greenside Pathway – a two‑mile loop in Seven Points Recreation Area past beach. With the trail made of 38,000 recycled tires, this walkway is easy on the knees and is navigable with strollers and wheelchairs. Tak‑ing the next step up? Try the Old Loggers Trail, a five‑mile loop of varied terrain with an exquisite view of the lake.

Ride a bike – the Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake have trails for all skill levels of mountain bikers.

Tour the caves – It’s the 85th anniversary of Lincoln Caverns, and you can celebrate at the 11th Annual DISCOVERY DAYS at Lin‑coln Caverns and Whisper Rocks on June 27 and June 28, 2015 from 9:00 a.m.‑5:00 pm. Enjoy special historic tours, workshops, children’s activities, and fun for the whole family at special prices! lincolncaverns.com; 814‑643‑0268,

Swim at the beaches of Raystown Lake. Two public beach areas are a great place to visit during your “Raycation.”

Ride Lower Trail – This 17‑mile bike track is on an old railroad bed along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River, mostly flat and great for hiking, biking, cross‑country skiing, horseback riding, and nature viewing!

Hike 1,000 Steps Trail ‑ Originally built by quarrymen as a means to commute to work, this is now an iconic Huntingdon County hike. More than 1,000 stone steps run from the base to the top of the mountain (800+ feet of elevation change). But the climb is well worth it—the views of the Juniata River and surrounding mountains is spectacular.

Where else but in Happy Valley can you plan a weekend that will include a Broadway show, world‑class food and festivals, and an otherworldly mountain getaway only minutes away? Plan those days, pencil them in and fill them with things you’ll remember for a long time. I hope they turn out to be as filled with as much food, friends, and unmitigated fun as my favorite Raystown week‑end was, 15 years ago.

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Ah, summer… around here, it doesn’t last long, but for parents, it can be daunting to think about filling those long, steamy days with worthwhile activities. As the parent of a grade schooler, I read something recently that stuck with me: “kids won’t remember their best day of TV.” Summer in Happy Valley is the perfect time to make memories with kids. What’s on your summer bucket list this year? Please share in the comments below so we can help our readers make the most of these precious three months. Here’s my list. Let me know what you think!

Tussey MountainYou’ve skied, you’ve snowboarded, you’ve eaten wings and drunk craft beer. Load up the kids because Happy Valley’s favorite mountain hang‑out has fun for kids, in fact it’s called The Fun Centre and it’s open every day. Take your pick from mini‑golf, batting cages and the skate park. The zipline is open by reserva‑tion only, so call ahead. Don’t forget Friday night movies on the mountain; showing this summer: Field on Dreams on June 12 and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Bring your blankets and chairs, food and beverages are available for purchase.

If you go: Pack a cooler and your fishing pole and head down to the fishing pond for lunch.

Del Grosso’s Amusement ParkMy favorite thing about Del Grosso’s is its size—it’s perfect for families with kids in various age ranges. Spend as little as three hours and cover the whole park, or take it slow and wrap up the day on a lounge chair by the pool. There are rides for every age, including Kids’ Kingdom, games, and of course, the waterpark, which has a wading pool for the littles and fun slides for bigger kids. A lazy river and wave pool will be opening in 2016. Free parking and free admission? Yes please. All‑day ride passes are affordable at $19.95 (including the water park) and individual tickets are perfect for Grandma. Vying for parent of the year? Surprise your kid with a spontaneous weeknight trip—the

Happy Valley Kids’ Summer Bucket List— What’s on Yours?By Jodie Dello Stritto, Editor

Del Grosso’s Amusement Park

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Sundowner Pass is available for $12.95 Monday through Friday after 5 p.m. Del Grosso’s is a super easy daytrip, just 30 miles south of State College on I‑99 I Tipton.

Parent perk: the food, OH, THE FOOD. No wilted fries and flat Coke here. Del Grosso’s, after all, is known for its locally‑made tomato sauces, and you can enjoy it in the park on freshly‑made pizza, sold by the slice or by the pie. (Sometimes we drive over just for dinner, it’s THAT good.) Every Wednesday, all summer long, it’s “Spaghetti Wednesday,” featuring NOT merely spaghetti, but homemade Italian specialties like gnocchi, stuffed shells, lasagna, sweet sausage over bow ties, meatballs, eggplant parm, and a crazy‑long list of Italian feasts that are so good, it’s actually kind of weird to be eating them off a disposable plate at an amusement park. But you’ll do it anyway. And you’ll love it.

Penn’s Cave and Wildlife ParkHey, that stalactite looks like bacon. No, seriously. Take a boat tour of Penn’s Cave and you’ll see George Washington, the Statue of Liberty and other uncannily familiar rock formations. It’s America’s only water cavern—meaning it’s one of a kind, and it’s right here in Happy Valley, 5 miles past Centre Hall on Route 192. You’ll marvel at the constant 52‑degree temperature in the cave, and the legend of star‑crossed lovers Princess Nitanee and a French fur trader will give you goose bumps on your goose bumps. Penn’s Cave is nestled among 1,600 carefully preserved acres of forest and field and you can see it up‑close (from the comfort of an open‑air bus) on the 90‑minute Farm, Nature and

Wildlife Tour. Guides offer interesting history and facts, and the wildlife are out in full display.

Special treat: Kids will love panning for semi‑precious gem‑stones, fossils and arrowheads from around the world at Prospec‑tor Pete’s Sluice. You can grab lunch or snacks in the Cave Café, or pack a picnic and eat in the pavilion.

Northland BowlYou’ve undoubtedly dropped the kids at Northland Bowl for birthday parties or class outings, but when that inevitable rainy day arrives, lace up some shoes for the whole family. No matter your skill level, bowling is a blast, and usually involves lots of sil‑liness and laughter. Before you go, have the kids fill their change bags with quarters for the arcade. Kid‑friendly food is plentiful, and the Arena Bar & Grill next door serves grown‑up food, too. Check the website for daily specials and coupons.

Fun with friends: Make a date with another family for fun and a little friendly bowling competition. It’s become an annual sum‑mer tradition for us.

WildRiver Waterpark at Lake Raystown ResortIf you live in Happy Valley and you’ve never been to Raystown, don’t miss out on another season of summer fun in this outdoor recreation paradise. The WildRiver Waterpark is located in Lake Raystown Resort and is open to the public. Featuring two, 380‑foot twisting slides, the White Water Innertube Ride, the Atomic Blaster, a heated swimming pool and the Children’s Splash and Play Pool, WildRiver has cool fun for kids of all ages. The All‑Day Ultimate Blast Pass is just $14.95, and Mondays offer carload pricing at $55 for up to six people, and $9.95 for each additional person.

More family fun: Lake Raystown Resort is ideal for a family get‑away that will get the kids off their screens and into the great out‑doors. Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, the list goes on. Accommodations range from rustic to all‑the‑com‑forts‑of‑home and are available for weeklong or long‑weekend rental. Up for a cool experience? Rent a yurt or a houseboat.

Don’t forget to share your Happy Valley summer bucket list on facebook.com/HappyValleyPSU!

WildRiver Waterpark at Lake Raystown Resort. Check out happyvalley.com for daily specials and coupons.

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Enjoy an action‑packed summer with sports and entertainment for all ages at Tussey Mountain. You’ll find activities to suit the whole family and with the Fun Center open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can make a day of it!

1. Get in line for the zipline: If high speed thrills are what you’re after, give the zipline a try! Propel your way down the mountain by wire, with terrific aerial views. It’s reservation only, so plan ahead for this fun!

5. Golf and Go-Karting: There is golfing for the whole family with minigolf (free for kids age 4 and younger!), Par 3 golf for the seri‑ous golfer, and driving range facilities for the novice to experi‑enced golfer. There are also batting cages and a skate park to keep the kids active and entertained while you tee off. Or rent some go‑karts and have a blast racing each other around the track!

3. Catch a cool band: Tussey Mountain Ampitheater brings the best in big name band entertainment to the area with the Pitts‑burgh based rock and world sounds of Rusted Root on July 3rd, with fireworks after the show!

4. Wing out: From 5.30 p.m. on Thursdays all summer, pick your favorite wing at Wing Fest, where the best local restaurants vie for the title of wing champion. You get to sample and vote amid a stun‑ning sunset mountain view, live music, and your favorite beverage.

5. Catch a cool flick: Movies on the Mountain is a surefire way to end an action‑packed summer’s day. From 8 p.m., grab a blan‑ket and join your friends for a top‑notch film, like the upcoming showing of Willy Wonka on June 26.

With the best seasonal entertainment year round, Tussey Mountain is the place to be for family fun! (TusseyMountain.com; 814‑466‑6266)

Summer Fun on the MountainIt’s Much More than Just Skiing: Top Five Ways to Have a Blast at Tussey this Season!

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Where to ShopBeer and Winebar bleubar‑bleu.com814‑237‑0374

Beer Belly’s Beveragebeerbellysbeverage.com814‑237‑2739

Belinda’s Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern814‑692‑4097

Brewsky’s Bottle Shop814‑272‑1074

Happy Valley Brewing Companyhappyvalleybeer.com814‑234 4406

Happy Valley Vineyard & Winerythehappyvalleywinery.com814‑308‑8756

The HopshopTheHopshopBeerMarket.com814‑308‑9808

Liberty Craft Housedantesinc.com/locations/liberty‑craft‑house/814‑954‑4923

Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winerymtnittanywinery.com; facebook.com/ mtnittanywinery814‑466‑6373

Otto’s Pub & Breweryottospubandbrewery.com814‑867‑6886

The SaloonHomeOfTheMonkeyBoy.com814‑234‑1344

Seven Mountains Wine Cellarssevenmountainswinecellars.com814‑364‑1000

ShoppingHappy Valley Ticketshappyvalleytickets.com814‑237‑5204

Northland Bowlnorthlandbowl.com814‑237‑1500

OrderUporderup.com

Dwellingsdwellingsboutique.com814‑272‑5652

What to doArts and CultureBellefonte Art Museum of Centre Countybellefontemuseum.org814‑355‑4280

Bryce Jordan Centerbjc.psu.edu814‑863‑5500

Central PA Festival of the Artsarts‑festival.com

Center for the Performing Artscpa.psu.edu814‑863‑0255

FUSE Productionsfuseproductions.org

Happy Valley’s Got Talentwww.tidesprogram.org814.692.2233

Palmer Museum of Artpalmermuseum.psu.edu814‑865‑7672

The Porterfield Grouptheporterfieldgroup.com814‑404‑7554

The State Theatrethestatetheatre.org814‑272‑0606

Golf CoursesMountain View Golfmtviewcountryclub.com814‑466‑7231

Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Centertoftrees.com800‑252‑3551

Tussey Mountaintusseymountain.com814‑466‑6266

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Around Happy Valley4th Fest4thfest.org814‑404‑8777

Huntingdon County Visitors Bureauraystown.org814‑658‑0060

Lincoln Cavernslincolncaverns.com814‑643‑0268

Nittany Mallshopnittanymall.com814‑238‑8037

Penn State All-Sports Museumgopsusports.com/all‑sports‑museum/psu‑all‑sports‑museum.html 814‑865‑0044;

Penn State Homecominghomecoming.psu.edu814‑863‑4299

Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Parkpennscave.com814‑364‑1664

Shaver’s Creek Environmental Centershaverscreek.org814‑863‑2000

State College Spikesstatecollegespikes.com814‑272‑1711Tussey Mountaintusseymountain.com814‑466‑6266

Vamos Lion Chariotvamoslion.com814‑404‑2782

Where to StayHotelsBelinda’s Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern814‑692‑4097

Carnegie Inn & Spacarnegieinnandspa.com814‑234‑2424

Comfort Suitescomfortsuites.com814‑235‑1900

Country Inn and Suitescountryinns.com814‑234‑6000

Days Inn Penn Statelioncountrylodging.com814‑238‑8454

Econo Lodge Bellefonteeconolodge.com814‑355‑5561

Fairfield Inn & Suites State Collegemarriott.com/hotels814‑238‑3871

Hampton Inn & Suites State Collegehamptoninn.com814‑231‑1899

Hilton Garden Innlioncountrylodging.com814‑272‑1221

Holiday Inn Express State Collegehiexpress.com814‑867‑1800

Lock Haven Fairfield Inn and Suites filockhavenhotel‑px.rtrk.com570‑263‑5034

Milesburg Quality Innchoicehotels.com/pa660814‑355‑7521

Nittany Budget Motellioncountrylodging.com814‑238‑0015

Nittany Lion Innnittanylioninn.psu.edu800‑233‑7505

The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotelthepennstater.psu.edu814‑863‑5000

PA Reservationspa‑reservations.com

Quality Inn Penn Statelioncountrylodging.com814‑234‑1600

Ramada Inn & Conferance Centerramadasc.com814‑238‑3001

Raystown Lake Fairfield Inn & Suitesraystownlakehotel.com814‑643‑3672

Sleep Innsleepinn.com814‑235‑1020

Spring Hill Suites State Collegemarriott.com814‑867‑1807

Super 8lioncountrylodging.com814‑237‑8005

Toftrees Golf Resort & Conference Centertoftrees.com800‑252‑3551

Bed and BreakfastsBed & Breakfast at the Rock Gardentherockgardenbandb.com814‑466‑6100

Chatelaine Bed & Breakfastchatelainebandb.com814‑238‑2028

Our Fair Lady Bed & Breakfastourfairladybnb.com814‑355‑1117

The Queen Bed & Breakfastthequeenbnb.com814‑355‑7946

Reynolds Mansionreynoldsmansion.com814‑353‑8407

Riffles and Runs B & Brifflesandruns.com814‑353‑8109

Lodges, Cabins and CampgroundsIngleby Lodgeinglebylodge.com814‑360‑5145

Living/Relocating

Local ServicesCatholic Campus Ministrypsucatholic.org

Central PA Conv & Vistors Bureauvisitpennstate.org800‑358‑5466

State College Community Land Trustscclandtrust.org814‑867‑0656

RealtyThe Apartment Storeapartmentstore.com866‑746‑3511

Associated Realty Property Mgmtarpm.com814‑231‑3333

Fine Line Homesfinelinehomes.com814‑237‑5581

Heritage Realty Groupheritagerealty

statecollege.com814‑231‑0101

Salons, Spas & GymsA Step Beyond Massage Therapyastepbeyondmassagetherapy.com814‑441‑9331

Athletic Clubs of State Collegeathleticclubsofstatecollege.com814‑237‑1510

ESSpa at the Carnegie Inn & Spaesspa.us814‑380‑9772

Where to EatRestaurantsAmerican Ale Houseamericanalehouse.net 814‑237‑9701;

The Arena Bar & Grillthearenabarandgrill.com814‑237‑8833

bar bleubar‑bleu.com814‑237‑0374

Carnegie Inn & Spacarnegieinnandspa.com814‑234‑2424

Champs Sports Grill champssportsgrill.net814‑238‑7788

The Deli Restaurant TheDeliRestaurant.com814‑237‑5710Dickey’s BBQ Pit, Inc.facebook.com/

statecollegedickeys814‑867‑2124

The Dining Room (at The Nittany Lion Inn)nittanylioninn.psu.edu814‑865‑8590

Down Under Steak House toftrees.com/

dining_downunder814‑234‑8000


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The Gardens Restaurant (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑863‑5090

Gigi’s Restaurant & Wine LoungeGigisdining.com814‑861‑3463

Good Seed Baking Cogoodseedbaking.com814‑238‑1133

Happy Valley Brewing Company happyvalleybeer.com814‑234 4406

Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering harrisonsmenu.com814‑237‑4422

Hi-Way PizzaHiwayPizza.com814‑237‑0375

Hublersburg Inn hublersburginn.com814‑383‑2616

Inferno Brick Oven & Bar InfernoBrickOvenBar.com814‑237‑5718

Kelly’s Steak & Seafoodkellys‑steak.com814‑466‑6251

Legends (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑863‑5080

Liberty Craft House Dantesinc.com814‑954‑4923

Long John Silver’s/A&W Rootbeerawandsons.com814‑237‑0363

Mario’s Italian Restaurant MariosItalianState

College.com814‑234‑4273

OrderUporderup.com

Otto’s Pub & Brewery ottospubandbrewery.com 814‑867‑688

Pizza Miabellefontepizzamia.com814‑355‑3738

P.J. Harrigan’spjharrigans.com814‑235‑300

Qdobaqdoba.com814‑861‑3288

Rotellirotellistatecollege.com814‑238‑8463

The SaloonHomeOfTheMonkeyBoy.com814‑234‑1344

The View at Mountain View Country Clubmtviewcountryclub.com/

theview814‑466‑7231

Way Cafe and Bakery wayfruitfarm.com/

deli.php814‑692‑5211

Whiskers (at The Nittany Lion Inn)nittanylioninn.psu.edu 814‑865‑8580

Zola Kitchen & Wine Barzolakitchen.com814‑237‑8474

Catering/Group EventsArena Bar & Grill, Thethearenabarandgrill.com814‑237‑8833Champs Sports Grillchampssportsgrill.net814‑234‑7700

Dante’s Restaurants, Inc. dantesinc.com814‑234‑1344

The Gardens Restaurant (at the Penn Stater) thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu 814‑863‑5090

Gigi’s Restaurant & Wine Lounge gigisdining.com814‑861‑3463

Harrison’s Wine Grill & Cateringharrisonsmenu.com814‑237‑4422

Happy Valley Catering by Pizza Mia! bellefontepizzamia.com814‑355‑3738

Hoag’s Catering at Celebration Hallhoagscatering.com814‑238‑0838

Kelly’s Steak & Seafoodkellys‑steak.com814‑466‑6251

Lodge at Tussey Mountaintusseymountain.com814‑466‑7976

Mountain View Country Club mtviewcountryclub.com814‑466‑7231

Penn State Hospitalitypennstatehotels.com800‑233‑7505

Qdobaqdoba.com814‑861‑3288

Ramada Conference Center ramadasc.com 814‑238‑3001

Rotellirotellistatecollege.com814‑238‑8463

Zola Cateringzolakitchen.com814‑237‑8474

CSAs / Farms / Farmers Markets / Buying ClubsDowntown State College Farmers Marketstatecollegefarmers.com

PA Organicspaorganic.org814‑422‑0251

Way Fruit Farmwayfruitfarm.com814‑692‑5211

BakeriesGood Seed Baking Co.goodseedbaking.com814‑238‑1133

For a complete listing of restaurants, hotels, caterers and so much more, go to HappyValley.com


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Since 2006, the State College Spikes have been a Happy Valley institution – keeping our sports‑crazed population entertained and cheering from June through September. In this, their 10th season, and as they embark on their first ever title‑defense season after capturing the elusive New York‑Penn League Championship, there is no better time to buy tickets and head out to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a Spikes baseball game! This season, the Spikes have a lot of great events and promo‑tions planned for area fans. But first, let’s focus on the food. There is no better ballpark menu in the state of Pennsylvania than the one at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. And there are some great new items on the menu as the Spikes kick off their 10th season. For starters, Nuts For You will be debuting their outstanding cinnamon‑roasted almonds, cashews, and pecans this summer. Af‑ter trying out this new tasty treat, you’ll want to wash them down with an ice cold Fear the Beer – a smooth American lager brewed through the Spikes partnership with Robin Hood Brewing Co. Even though Spikes’ opponents will once again “Fear The Deer,” Spikes fans are surely going to cheer for Fear the Beer. The Spikes also know that there is no better place to take a family than to a baseball game. To make the experience more friendly to your family budget, the Spikes have reduced their al‑ready reasonable prices on select children’s food items throughout the park, including kids sodas and hot dogs. For those of us that love ballpark food, the Spikes have a new sandwich to tempt your taste buds: “Sloppy Joe Putnam,” named in honor of Spikes radio broadcaster and Media Rela‑tions Manager. Other outstanding new additions to the park’s

13 concessions stands include pizza from Rotelli in downtown State College, Buffalo Chicken Sausages from Dietz & Watson at Smokey’s Sausage Shack behind home plate, and Oreo Churros at the Flashpoint Grill behind Section 103. New and delicious food and drinks are hardly the only reasons to come out and support the State College Spikes at their 38 home games this year. The home schedule is loaded with fun giveaways and promotions for fans of all ages. In addition to 13 fireworks nights, the Spikes will host two “Bark in the Park” nights on July 2 and August 1, during which fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark. The biggest promotion of the year will be held on Sunday, Au‑gust 9, when the Spikes will throw one of the biggest celebrations in Pennsylvania to honor Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis – a member of the Spikes’ ownership group since the franchise’s inception – for his induction into Canton that same night. The first 1,000 fans at the Spikes game will receive a Jerome Bettis Gold Jacket Bobblehead, plus there will be a Jerome Bettis Gold Jacket Jersey‑off‑the‑Back Auction benefiting Children’s Miracle Network! Other great promotions include an appearance by ’80s movie star Corey Feldman on July 19; a Paint the Park Pink Night on August 2, during which fans will have the opportunity to paint selected ballpark areas pink to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer; and the return of the always popular Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Saturday, August 15. Don’t miss the State College Spikes in their 10th season in Happy Valley! The New York‑Penn League title defense kicks off at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, June 19 against the Williamsport Crosscutters! After the Spikes look to start the summer with a big win, stick around for a spectacular, extended fireworks show to celebrate the 2014 champions and kick off the 2015 season!

Celebrating a Decade of Minor League Baseball in Happy ValleyState College Spikes to Commemorate 10‑Year Anniversary with Delicious Menu Additions and Exciting PromotionsBy Jeff Cavanaugh

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Documents

Fun Guide: Football Preview 2015