By Sue Poremba

For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of being part of a unique community event: the Nittany Valley Handbell Festival. It brings together, on average, 15 handbell choirs from State College, Centre County and throughout Pennsylvania. The choirs play as one on 7 or 8 bell music compositions, and several of the choirs are chosen as feature performers. Each year, a guest conductor is invited to lead the group. This year’s conductor is Kathleen Wissinger, who has arranged 50 handbell pieces and teaches handbell clinics, as well as directs.

If you’ve never heard a handbell choir perform before, you are in for quite a treat. My bell choir has a dozen members, which is about average. Each person in the choir is responsible for two notes, which requires precision to always be on beat with the other 11 people. In addition to ringing bells, we use mallets and other techniques to create different musical sounds — we also play chimes. And if you think we’re doing a lot of work with two bells (or four if we have key changes in the music), you should check out the soloists who play an entire bell piece alone. It’s a feat that takes incredible dexterity and memory to know where each bell is.

The event is held in the State College High School North Building Gym on Westerly Parkway. This year’s festival is April 10 at 7 p.m.

By Sue Poremba

I think it’s time to talk about my favorite restaurant. It’s the place we take out-of-town visitors for dinner. My husband and I have celebrated anniversaries and birthdays there.

This restaurant is The Tavern in downtown State College.

It’s a cozy restaurant, with a Colonial feel to it. Lots of wood tables and chairs, with long benches along the wall, give it the feel of an old-fashioned tavern. But more intriguing is the art that covers the walls. The photos and paintings cover the history of Penn State, State College and Centre County. You can see what College Avenue looked like in the 1890s and read old news clips on Penn State football heroes.

But most people don’t go to a restaurant just to look at the pictures on the wall. The Tavern’s food is basic American fare that ranges from seafood dishes to steak to a pasta meal. What makes The Tavern a little different than other restaurants is that the menu changes. This can be good or bad, depending on your point of view, of course. You may not find your favorite meal on the day of your visit, but it is the opportunity to sample something new.

The best part of choosing the meal is choosing the side dishes. There are about a dozen salad and vegetable dishes, and you can choose as many as you want at no extra price to the meal. I remember one time being at the restaurant with a group of friends and butternut squash was one of the vegetable choices. I had never tried butternut squash before, so I figure this would be a good time to try it. If I didn’t like it, I could get another vegetable from the list. (Turns out, I loved it.)

If we go to the restaurant on a weeknight, we like to linger after the meal in the Adam’s Apple lounge. In the winter, there is often a roaring fire in the fireplace. Or we’ll sit in a table by the windows so we can watch the crowds walk by while sipping an Adam’s Apple special, the Original Sin.

 

It’s a popular spot for alumni and is especially busy on sports weekends. Weeknights are perfect for a leisurely dinner.

By Sue Poremba

When we drove to Ohio to visit relatives over the holidays we took my husband’s preferred route: Route 322, over the mountain through Philipsburg, to Interstate 80.

Philipsburg is on the western edge of Centre County, literally over the mountain from the rest of the county. The community has a very long history, having been founded in 1797 as a western settlement by 12 pioneers, and celebrates its history with annual Heritage Days in mid-July.

Philipsburg has its niche in history, as well. The first church in the world to be lit with electric light was its St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. It was also where the first appendectomy was performed.

The town is home to many Victorian homes and other historic buildings. Visitors can take their own personal walking tours in two areas — the residential district and Front Street.

Thanks to the Main Street program, Philipsburg is on the road to new life and restoration of buildings and new businesses are testament to it; Philipsburg is close to Black Moshannon State Park, as well. You can camp at the park, stay at Black Moshannon Lodge or spend the night at one of the bed and breakfasts in town.

By Sue Poremba

In late December, State College and the surrounding region undergo a transformation. The college students have finished their final exams and are back in their hometowns. Penn State closes its doors for 10 days, and faculty and staff take advantage of the holiday time to go on vacation – many to the Penn State bowl games. For those of us who stick around, it’s a quiet time, perfect for heading into town for dinner and shopping.

And for those of us still in town, State College gives us a New Year’s celebration. Joining in dozens of communities around the country, State College hosts First Night on December 31 and January 1. First Night is a non-alcoholic, family-friendly celebration of the upcoming year.

The highlights of State College’s First Night are ice sculptures. There are small sculptures in front of sponsoring businesses all around downtown. The 100 block of South Allen Street is shutdown for the large ice sculptures.

There will also be fire sculptures, ways to share your resolutions and artwork that reminds us of the importance of sustainability. The youngsters will enjoy the live reindeer, and for the more athletic among us, there is a 5K run.

Most outdoor events, but indoor entertainment, provided by local musicians, and carriage rides will require a First Night button. It’s $8 for the button, which can be used for all button events throughout the celebration.

By Sue Poremba

In front of Schlow Library in downtown State College, there is a new sculpture by Centre County native Mark Pilato. Walk around town a bit and you’ll find Pilato’s artwork brightening otherwise dull brick buildings.

The murals in State College and Millheim were nominated as Centre County Hidden Treasures and it’s a darn shame they didn’t make the final cut. But then, hidden would be a misnomer. The art in town is anything but hidden (but it is truly a treasure).

In the alley near the Tavern Restaurant is a statue of a mother pig and her babies. It was dedicated in honor of State College’s centennial a decade ago, a reminder of how far town has come in the past 100 years.

Over a Calder Way shop is a mosaic of mirrored glass, a student’s project and gift to revive the street.

But perhaps the most stunning art in town is the mural on the Hiester Road side of The Student Book store, across the street from the Deli Restaurant. The mural includes portraits of some of the area’s most influential residents, as well as representation of the arts, sciences and agriculture that form the community. It isn’t uncommon to see visitors — and residents because I like to do this as well – stand in front of the Deli, trying to put names to all of the faces. Some of the faces are easy to recognize — I think everybody finds Joe and Sue Paterno first — but others require real familiarity with the area. In any case, it’s a fascinating tribute to Central PA — just as all the art is.

By Sue Poremba

Someday I’d like to be a wine snob, but the truth is, I have a long way to go before I know that much about wines. So for now my goal is to taste different wines, learn the subtle differences between them, and figure out what I like and what might be good to serve to friends.

One place to learn more about wine is at Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering, the restaurant at the Hilton Gardens along East College Avenue (Route 26). Every Wednesday night between 6 and 7 p.m., Harrison’s holds a wine tasting of four different wines, as well as the opportunity to mingle with other wine lovers and to learn more about wines with the restaurant’s wine director and other experts. Harrison’s also has Wine Flights: you get to choose 4 wines from Harrison’s selection and create your own personal tasting. There are also wine happy hours every weekday from 5 to 6 p.m. I’ve also been to several events where Harrison’s provided the catering and the wine selection. I find myself taking notes on the different wines I’ve tried at these events so I can try them again at home.

By Sue Poremba

Christmas is definitely in the air . . . well, it has been in the air for months at department stores. But now as the calendar turns to December and decorations have been hung, a number of Pennsylvania communities are in final preparations for special Christmas celebrations.

In Centre County, Bellefonte takes center stage with its annual Victorian Christmas December 11-13, 2009. It kicks off with an opening ceremony at the County courthouse steps at 6:45 p.m., followed a candlelight caroling procession. Throughout the weekend, there will be an arts and crafts show, opportunities for children to visit with Santa, Victorian teas for adults and children, horse-drawn carriage rides and concerts of holiday music.

In Union County, Mifflinburg will host its 21st annual Christkindl Market (http://www.mifflinburgchristkindlmarket.com/), December 10-12. Christkindl (German for Christ Child) Market is based off a 700-year-old German tradition and is a community effort that brings together local churches, organizations, schools and residents. It begins on Thursday evening at 5 p.m. with the ringing of bells, a trumpet fanfare and a procession led by St. Nicholas. Throughout the weekend, there will be presentations of holiday music, activities for children, buggy rides and, of course, the market where you’ll find many unique Christmas items for sale.

By Sue Poremba

 

In my house, it just isn’t December without some performance of The Nutcracker. When my kids were young, I would take them to Eisenhower Auditorium on Penn State’s campus to see the show performed by a touring professional ballet company. As she got older, my daughter was the one on stage, performing with her dance school’s production.

A few years ago, State College’s Ballet Theatre of Central Pennsylvania decided to modify The Nutcracker a little bit to make it a truly local production. The result was A Central Pennsylvania Nutcracker and it has become so popular that it is now featured as Eisenhower Auditorium’s annual Nutcracker performance.

A Central Pennsylvania Nutcracker takes place during the Civil War and the guests who arrive for the holiday party represent the families who shaped Centre County and Penn State. The trip to Candy Land in the Second Act really has a Pennsylvania flavor to it, with a representation of some Pennsylvania favorite sweets and a delightful local take on the Mother Ginger dance.

I had the pleasure of being a bit part of the show last year, as I was asked to be one of the “angel voices” that sing during The Waltz of the Snowflakes. There was a live orchestra of local musicians who performed the music – again a wonderful addition to the production, since the music for every other performance I’ve ever been to was prerecorded.

Because this is a dance school production, expect to see dancers of all ages and skill level. But that’s part of the show’s charm and what makes it a true local event.

A Central Pennsylvania Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday, December 13, with shows at 3 and 7 p.m.

By Sue Poremba

Let’s face it; Thursday isn’t the most exciting day of the week. The highlight is that Thursday is at least on the down slope toward Friday.

However, downtown State College has joined with other communities from around the country to add some excitement to at least one Thursday each month.

First Thursday is an opportunity for people to come downtown and explore the cultural side of Happy Valley. In fact, the tag line for First Thursday is “A Celebration of the Arts” – founding members include the local theaters, local art galleries, the Nittany Valley Symphony and other arts-related organizations.

Thursday has traditionally been the night of the week geared to attract people to downtown. Many stores stay open late on Thursday nights, and metered parking is free. So it isn’t a surprise that the downtown community has embraced First Thursday, with a number of businesses holding special events in conjunction with the music and arts presentations. For example, in November, Webster’s Bookstore Café hosted best-selling local author Tawni O’Dell to speak, Jezebel’s Boutique had a Ladies’ Night (I went to one of those once – a fun time!) and Growing Tree Toys invited children to make their own foam turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Participating venues will be marked with a poster and, unless otherwise noted, events are free.

By Sue Poremba

Last week I talked about the drive along Route 45, heading east from State College, and the little towns you pass along the way. I told you about Aaronsburg. This week, I’ll tell you a bit about Millheim.

Millheim always feels like an Old West town to me, with the buildings built snug against each other with stately looking storefronts.

In the 20-odd years I’ve been traveling this road, Millheim has changed more than any other community, from businesses along Route 45 even to that beautiful Victorian house by the creek that used to be covered in Christmas lights in December. The house is still there; the holiday decorations, at least when I’ve driven by, are not. Over those years, I’ve seen businesses leave, businesses come in, businesses move from the center of town to the little shopping plaza on the western outskirts.

One staple in downtown Millheim is the Millheim Hotel, built around 1794 and rumored to be the home of the ghost of President Millard Fillmore’s mistress. The place is truly a dying breed of Americana – a hotel and restaurant that relies on its heritage and old-fashioned service to attract customers. It doesn’t have a website, but you can get more information by calling 814.349.5994.

A relative newcomer to downtown Millheim is the Elk Creek Café and Aleworks. I haven’t been there yet, but my friends rave about the place and tell me I must go for the handcrafted beers, the food, and most of all, the music. Elk Creek Café is quickly gaining a reputation for its intimate setting for jazz, folk, and blues music. Sounds like my kind of night out.