Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association

Katz Building framed by the Arch at the Arboretum at Penn State

Here is a brief overview of upcoming Chapter events:
1. BOOKMARK THE CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER WEBSITE – For the most up-to-date and detailed chapter information, check out our website at: www.psucentre.org. Bookmark it for easy access.

2. We want to congratulate Roger Williams on receiving The Penn State Award for Administrative Excellence.

3. CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER GAME NIGHT MIXER WITH THE BLUE AND WHITE SOCIETY STUDENTS – At the Hintz Family Alumni Center on Friday, April 5th, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Come and have some fun with the students of the Blue and White Society for an evening of games, pizza, popcorn, Creamery ice cream and good discussions. Share your Penn State experiences with current students. Compare your time at Penn State with their time here. Laugh, interact, make new friends, and play some fun games. RSVP by April 4 to Dale email dhoff128@comcast.net or phone (814) 234-0656 or Ilene email igw2@psu.edu.

4. APRIL HAPPY HOUR – NEW LOCATION PJ HARRIGAN Bar & Grill, located at the RAMADA INN,1450 S. Atherton St., State College, PA. Celebrate spring (if it ever arrives) with good times, good friends, and good food on Friday, April 12, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Reminder: Join the chapter at the Happy Hour & save the $5.00 charge for non-members.

5. SHARE YOUR PENN STATE PRIDE – If you would like to share a few hours, once or twice every few months volunteering at the Hintz Family Alumni Center, we would like to talk to you. Our volunteers receive a brief orientation provided by an experienced alumni volunteer. Upon completion of your training, you may sign up to give tours and share information with visitors to the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Volunteer hours at the Center are typically Saturdays (except home football game days) from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. as well as Sundays during the fall semester from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Volunteer shifts are two hours long. We are looking for volunteers year round so there are plenty of opportunities available. If you are interested in volunteering and sharing your Penn State pride with our many campus visitors, contact Ilene White at 865-6516 or by e-mail at igw2@psu.edu. We look forward to welcoming many of you as new volunteers. Thank you.

6. TOUR OF THE NEW PEGULA ICE ARENA – Join your fellow chapter members for an Inside Look at the new Pegula Ice Arena. A tour of the state-of-the-art facility will be provided to Centre County Chapter members on Monday, April 15. We need to be in groups of 20-25. The first tour will be at 3:45pm and a 2nd tour group at 4.45pm if needed. RSVP to Dale email dhoff128@comcast.net or phone (814) 234-0656. We will schedule members on a first come first serve basis. The tour will take approximately 45-60 minutes. As this is an active work site the meeting location, appropriate dress, waiver and parking instructions will be provided to those scheduled for the tour. Women will need to wear pants; no skirts; everyone should wear flat boots (no heels), or sturdy shoes, no tennis shoes; we will meet at the Mortenson Trailer at the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road; everyone will need to enter the construction site off Curtin Road via the Shields parking lot through the Blue Construction gate. The Mortenson Construction trailer is the one closest to the NE corner of the arena; everyone must sign a waiver release and be issued a hard hat, protective glasses, gloves and a construction vest. This is a walking tour in a construction site so there can be no special accommodations provided at this time.

7. ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP CENTER COUNTY CHAPTER – PENN STATE ALUMNI MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Wednesday, April 10th. Spring should be here and so is our tenth year with the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup program which is now scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Start times: 9:00 A.M. and/or 5:00 P.M. to accommodate different work schedules and retirement activities (approx. two miles both times). Yes, you may choose both times. We will meet at The Assembly of God Church at 2201 University Drive Extension in the lower right parking area. We may need to cancel the 9:00am cleanup if the highway construction has begun so please watch Facebook and your email. First timers and guest are always welcome. Gloves, safety vest, trash bags, and a snack are provided. Please email Al at imabl2u@verizon.net if you will join the fun at either time (please list name, phone and which time) or call at 814-237-1147 (day or evening).

8. CALLING ALL CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER MEMBERS – It’s nominating time for the Centre County Chapter officers and Board of Directors. Are you a member who would like to get more involved in a leadership level? The CCCPSAA is looking for interested members who would like to serve on the Board of Directors and help out with the planning of programs, publicity, student involvement, and other exciting Chapter events. Board members serve a three year term and meetings are held monthly at the Hintz Alumni Center. Please contact Carol Stokes, Board Recruitment Chairperson at stokescarolann@yahoo.com or by calling (814) 353-4142.

9. BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS – As you are doing your spring cleaning and come across Penn State football buttons, please consider giving any extra buttons to the Centre County Chapter. Penn State fans are happy to make donations to the Chapter for buttons to add to or complete their collections. The older buttons are obviously more valuable, but we accept any and all. Don and Carol Miller will be happy to pick up buttons upon request. Phone (814) 234-3719 or e-mail dcmiller@infionline.net.

10. SAVE THESE DATES
· Spring Mixer with the Blue & White Society students @ Hintz Family Alumni Center, Date: Friday, April 5, 2013, Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

· ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP When: Wednesday, April 10th Start times: 9:00 A.M. and/or 5:00 P.M. Watch Facebook for more information.
· April Happy Hour at PJ Harrigan’s Bar and Grill (1450 S. Atherton St, State College, PA) – Date: Friday, April 12, 2013, Time: 5 pm—7pm

· The Centre County Chapter 2013 Annual Meeting – Date: Sunday, June 23, 2013, Location: Lubrano Park with a SPIKES Home Baseball game

· SPEND A SUMMER DAY 2013 – Dates: Friday July 26, Monday July 29, Thursday August 1, Friday August 2, and Monday August 5.

*Please consider a tax deductible gift to the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship or Emergency Grant Funds. For information contact us at cccpsaa@gmail.com.

11. ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK? Become a fan of the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association page on Facebook? You will find chapter updates, events, and more. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/psucentre.

Arboretum at Penn State in Winter

1.  BOOKMARK THE CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER WEBSITE - For the most up-to-date and detailed chapter information, check out our website at: www.psucentre.org.  Bookmark it for easy access.

2.  CCCPSAA Third Annual April Fool’s 5K - Get ready for our third April Fool’s 5K to benefit the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund Location:  Medlar Field, Date:  Saturday, March 30, 2013, Start time: 10:00 a.m.; registration begins at 8:00 a.m.   The race course is on the Penn State Campus and is mostly flat. There will be prizes for the top three overall winners, both male and female as well as awards for the top two in every age group. The age groups are 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+.   Door prize raffle included along with the area’s best goody bag. Registration is held at Lubrano Park at Medlar Field beginning at 8:00. This year we are adding the a prize for the “Biggest April Fool”. Most importantly, the proceeds of this event go to our endowed scholarship fund for Penn State students from Centre County high schools.  Early Registration Closing Date is Wednesday, March 27, 2013 @ 11:59 PM US/Eastern.  Register online at:  http://www.active.com/5k-race/uversity-park-pa/april-fools-5k-2013.  All runners have a chance to win a private party for 12 at Seven Mountains Winery.   We will need many volunteers again this year to fill goodie bags, at the registration table and check-in, water point, street marshals and the finish line. For information contact Dale Hoffman,dhoff128@comcast.net  (We will be contacting all of last year’s super volunteers soon!)

3.  PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES - The Centre County Chapter supported the “town and gown partnership” which included many key student leaders at University Park who worked to bring an end to the troubles caused by ‘State Patty’s Day’. I’m very excited and proud that the members of the Tavern Association of State College were able to stand together in support of our community by supporting an alcohol-free day on Saturday, February 23. To that end we would like to encourage our chapter membership, families and friends to support the 34 businesses that created the alcohol-free zone. Here is the full list of the 34 businesses: The Saloon, Inferno Brick Oven and Bar, bar bleu, The Hopshop Beer Market, The Deli Restaurant, Z Bar, The Lion’s Den, The Shandygaff, The Tavern, The Gingerbread Man , The All-American Rathskeller, Spats Café and Speakeasy, The Phyrst, The Clover, Brewsky’s Bottle Shop at The Day’s Inn Penn State, Rotelli, Levels, Bill Pickle’s Tap Room, Indigo, Allen Street Grill, The Corner Room, Zeno’s, Chumley’s, Zeno’s ToGo, Sharkey’s Bar & Bottle Shop, The Brewery, The Darkhorse, Kildare’s, Duo, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Café 210 West, Mad Mex , Zola New World Bistro, The Atherton Hotel.

 Please mention that you are a member of the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.

4.  CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER  RECOGNIZED WITH ‘THON AWARD’ - The Centre County Chapter’s Dancer Package Drive was honored as the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group 2013 Fundraiser of the Year!  Pictured with Chapter Vice President Marti Franklin Duffy and Immediate Past President Janet Harvey Campolongo are Four Diamonds Fund Founders Stacia Millard Bird and Charles Millard. A big thank you to the DMAIG and to the chapter members who helped with putting together and packing the care packages.  There are plans to continue this successful project next year so look for details when THON season rolls around. Read the rest of this entry »

Pattee Mall in Winter

Here is a brief overview of upcoming Chapter events:

1.       BOOKMARK THE CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER WEBSITE - For the most up-to-date and detailed chapter information, check out our website at: www.psucentre.org.  Bookmark it for easy access.

2.       CCCPSAA THIRD ANNUAL APRIL FOOL’S 5K -Get ready for our third 5K to benefit the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund at Medlar Field on Saturday, March 30, 2013 start time: 10:00 a.m.; registration begins at 8:00 a.m.   We will need many volunteers again this year to fill goodie bags, at the registration table and check-in, water point, street marshals and the finish line. For information contact Dale Hoffman, dhoff128@comcast.net  (We will be contacting all of last year’s super volunteers soon!)

3.       IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! - THON Weekend is only a couple weeks away and the Centre County Chapter has arranged many ways you can support our students in their quest to conquer pediatric cancer. On Friday, February 15th we will be part of the “human tunnel”  to cheer on the Hope Express runners as they complete their 135 mile journey from the Hershey Medical Center to the Bryce Jordan Center.  We plan to meet at the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road beneath the electronic sign around 5:15 pm. Watch our Facebook page for additional information, changes to meeting location, or change to the time we will meet as February 15 approaches.   To find out more about the Hope Express, visithttp://thehopeexpress.org.

4.       SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO A THON DANCER! - During the 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping THON weekend, the dancers get one of the biggest morale boosts from receiving dancer mail. In coordination with the THON Morale and Donor and Alumni relations Committees, CCCPSAA is offering pre-made care packages available for purchase to send to dancers during Mail Call.  The packages contain quality novelty products and premium national brand snacks, plus if you wish too, you can have include a personalized note.  For full details or to place an order, visit http://www.psucentre.org/centre/thon. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear CCCPSAA Member,

I would like to wish all of our great Chapter members a very Happy Holiday and thank you for all your support throughout 2012.   Looking  forward to another great year in 2013.

Your Centre County Chapter President,

Dale Hoffman

For the Glory!!!

1.       BOOKMARK THE NEW  CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER WEBSITE - As we reported last month, our webmaster, Greg Halpin, updated our Centre County chapter’s website. It is very user friendly and has links to chapter activities, membership forms and even an easy way to pay for events and membership through PayPal.   For the most up-to-date and detailed chapter information, check out the new website at:  www.psucentre.org.  Bookmark it for easy access.

2.       Centre County Chapter Holiday  HAPPY HOUR - Our  Last  Happy Hour Get  Together For 2012  will be at Pickles again!   Note time and location -  Friday,  December 14, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.   Location:  Bill Pickle’s Tap Room, 106 South Allen Street.  We have had a great turnout in the past few months and look forward to having more members join us for a relaxing evening and provide recommendations  for our Happy Hours in 2013.  $5.00 charge for non-members is waived if you become a member at the Happy Hour!

3.       LAST TOUR OF NEW PENN STATE CHILD CARE CENTER  in 2012 - The chapter organized tours of the new Childcare Center @ Hort’s Woods, Penn State University, located on the Corner of Park Avenue and Allen Road.  Our first tour was exciting and very educational.  The staff of Hort’s Woods is very proud of their new facility and we all departed with a better understanding of how the new facility was designed to better care for children.  We have 4 openings for the next tour scheduled Friday, December 7, 2012 at 10:00am.  Contact Dale at dhoff128@comcast.net  or phone 814.234.0656  with your name, date, email and phone number.  Spots be filled on a first come first serve basis.  If we have enough additional interest, we will try to organize additional tours for spring.

4.       SPEND A SUMMER DAY 2013 - With the onset of winter, warm yourself up with thoughts of….SPEND A SUMMER DAY.  Mark your calendars and save these dates:  Friday July 26, Monday July 29, Thursday August 1, Friday August 2, and Monday August 5. Read the rest of this entry »

1. BOOKMARK THE NEW CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER WEBSITE – As we reported last month, our webmaster, Greg Halpin, updated our Centre County chapter’s website. It is very user friendly and has links to chapter activities, membership forms and even an easy way to pay for events and membership through PayPal. For the most up-to-date and detailed chapter information, check out the new website at: www.psucentre.org. Bookmark it for easy access.

2. TOUR OF NEW PENN STATE CHILD CARE CENTER- The chapter has organized a tour of the new Childcare Center @ Hort Woods, Penn State University, located on the Corner of Park Avenue and Allen Road. Two dates are available and strictly limited to 15 members in each group. The limited size is so we don’t upset the children. There are two times available, Friday, November 16 at 11:00am to Noon or Friday, December 7 at 11:00am to Noon. Contact Dale at dhoff128@comcast.net or phone 814.234.0656 with the name, date , email and phone number. Spots be filled on a first come first serve basis. If we have enough additional interest, we will try to organize additional tours for spring.

3. HAPPY HOUR – November Centre County Chapter Happy Hour will be at Bill Pickle’s Tap Room (106 South Allen Street around the corner from the Corner Room. We will be around the back of the bar) – Note new time and location! Friday, November 9, 2012 Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Come join us for a few hours of fun and friendship with your fellow Alumni! Reminder: $5.00 charge for non-members.

4. Homecoming Parade – Congratulations to Ilene White for the CCCPSAA winning theme ‘Linking the past to the Present’ , thanks to Marti Duffy for the decoration ideas and much thanks to Amy Farkas for organizing our marchers every year. We won 2nd Prize and $250 for our Endowed Scholarship fund. Thanks to all of our great members that marched in the parade. Read the rest of this entry »

3.       MARK YOUR CALENDAR - for our October Centre County Chapter HAPPY HOUR – When: Friday,  October 19, 2012 – Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – New Location: Café 210 West (210 West College Ave, downtown State College, directly across from Hammond) Come join us for a few hours of fun and friendship with your fellow Alumni!   Reminder: $5.00 charge for non-members.

 4.       Much Thanks to Shari Erickson for hosting our CENTRE COUNTY CHAPTER SCHREYER OPEN HOUSE on 15 August, 2012.  We had a great member turn-out, beautiful weather and an opportunity to tour the house and enjoy the beautiful grounds.  Thanks to everyone who participated. Read the rest of this entry »