March Town&Gown 2016

Town&GownMARCH 2016 FREE

townandgown.com

From backyards to wooded trails and hot spots, bird-watching has

taken flight in Happy Valley

FeatheredOurObserving

Friends

Inside: Women in the Community • Talent show helps Tides

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Town&Gown is published monthly by Barash Publications, 403 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801. Advertising is subject to approval of the publisher. COPYRIGHT 2016 by Barash Media. All rights reserved. Send address changes to Town&Gown, 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any process except with written authorization from Town&Gown or its publisher. Phone: 800-326-9584, 814-238-5051. FAX: 814-238-3415. Printed by Gazette Printers, Indiana, PA. 20,000 copies published this month, available FREE in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and motels & travel depots. SUBSCRIPTIONS and SINGLE COPIES: $45/1yr; current issue by 1st-class mail, $10; back copy, $15 mailed, $12 picked up at the T&G office. townandgown.com

26 / Observing Our Feathered FriendsFrom backyards to wooded trails and hot spots, bird-watching has taken flight in Happy Valley • by Alissa Pendorf

34 / Ending the NightmaresResidents, officials, and agencies in Centre County are making the effort to raise awareness of domestic violence and to help victims feel safe • by Savita Iyer-Ahrestani

58 / One Talented and Caring RegionThe annual Happy Valley’s Got Talent showcases the gifted performers in Centre County while also raising money for Tides program • by Jenna Spinelle

Special Sections42 / Women in the CommunityTown&Gown’s 20th annual edition of profiling some of the remarkable women in the region

66 / Spring Home & Garden PreviewTime to think about those home-improvement projects you’ve waited all winter to tackle — and the professionals who can help

On the cover: Photo by Alissa Pendorf. A tree swallow is one type of bird that can be found in Centre County.

featuresT&G

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34

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10 Letter From The Editor

12 Starting Off: The List, People in the Community, Q&A 20 Living Well: Dealing with difficult people • by Meghan Fritz

22 Health: While colorectal cancer can happen to anyone, it is preventable • by Joel Haight, MD

24 On Center: Arctic Rhythms takes multimedia journey through landscape of water and ice • by John Mark Rafacz

departmentsT&G

77 This Month on WPSU

79 What’s Happening: Los Lobos, Barry Manilow, SpikeFest, Easter Egg hunts, Hair, and more highlight March’s events

88 From the Vine: Devoting a year to Italian wines yields fruitful results • by Lucy Rogers

90 Taste of the Month/Dining Out: Corner Café & Grill owner latest in family to own a business • by Vilma Shu Danz

102 Lunch with Mimi: As Centre County’s newest judge, Katie Oliver hopes to bring more mediation to civil cases

106 State College Photo Club’s Winning Photos

108 Snapshot: PSU student takes unique path into opera world • by Madison Lippincott

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108

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To contact us: Mail: 403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801 Phone: (814) 238-5051, (800) 326-9584 Fax: (814) 238-3415

[email protected] (Editorial)[email protected] (Advertising)

We welcome letters to the editor that include a phone number for verification.

Back issues of Town&Gown are available on microfilm at Penn State’s Pattee Library.

PublisherRob Schmidt

FounderMimi Barash Coppersmith

Editorial DirectorDavid Pencek

Creative DirectorTiara Snare

Operations Manager/Assistant Editor Vilma Shu Danz

Art Director/PhotographerDarren Weimert

Graphic DesignerCody Peachey

Ad CoordinatorLaura Specht

Account Executives Kathy George, Debbie Markel Business Manager Aimee Aiello

Administrative AssistantHailee Miller

Interns Madison Lippincott (editorial)

DistributionHandy Delivery

Town&Gown March A State College &

Penn State tradition since 1966.

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says in Iyer-Ahrestani’s story. In the story, Iyer-Ahrestani also talks with a local 20-year-old whose boyfriend abused her and with people in the community such as Ard and Barney who are helping to raise awareness about domestic violence as well as helping those who have been abused.

If there is a positive aspect to the piece, that’s it — that there are people in our community who don’t let this issue become forgotten. The staff and volunteers at the Women’s Resource Center, Center for Women Students, and other organizations are there to help those who are suffering from abuse, and they are there to help them feel safe.

Whenever September 11 comes around, as difficult as it is, I feel it’s important to watch the images of that day from 2001. It’s important to remember what happened and how we felt that day.

In the same manner, perhaps it would be of service to watch the video, every now and then, of Ray Rice punching and knocking out his fiancée or look at photos of people who have been abused by their significant other. They can serve as reminders that abuse happens, and this is what it can look like.

They are needed reminders before we hear or read about another Natalya or Nuria.

David PencekEditorial [email protected]

When it comes to the stories that are published in Town&Gown, the overwhelming majority of them are about the positive aspects of Happy Valley, of which there are so many. The people, places, and events that make this region special are why many of us (myself included) love working and living here.

Occasionally, however, we do cover stories that aren’t so positive and spotlight issues that Centre County is dealing with and working to improve. When two local women, Nuria Kudlach and Natalya Podnebennaya, were killed within two months of each other last fall and their respective husbands were arrested and charged with the murders, the issue of domestic violence came to the forefront in this area. In reality, it’s something that is always there because it is happening and continues to happen here and all across the country — just ask the people who work for organizations such as the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.

In Savita Iyer-Ahrestani’s story, “Ending the Nightmares,” Centre County Women’s Resource Center executive director Anne Ard says the center served 1,000 adults for domestic violence cases in 2014-15.

In one sense — knowing there are that many people in our region living in homes where there is abuse happening — the number surprised me. In another sense, it didn’t. My wife grew up in a home where abuse happened, and she has bravely carried those emotional scars with her and has become an advocate for those who have been abused.

Unfortunately, domestic abuse is usually talked about only “when gunshots are fired,” as local attorney Sharon Barney

Showing Our Serious SideLooking at the issue of domestic violence isn’t easy, but is needed

letter from the editorT&G

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The List What to know about MARCH

starting offT&G

March 30 is Take A Walk in Park Day. With around 50 parks in the Centre Region alone, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to take a stroll. T&G

March is Women’s History Month. To learn about some women in history, author Karen Abbott (Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy) will be speaking at the HUB-Robeson Center March 16. Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) also will be speaking at the HUB-Robeson Center March 28.

Penn State spring break is March 6-12. For those who stay away from downtown State College because of the crowds of students, it’s a good chance to enjoy and support downtown businesses.

March 8 is National Pancake Day at IHOP. The day helps raise money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Even more spring — or, at least, signs of spring — baseball is in the air. The Penn State baseball team has its home opener March 18 against Niagara (the softball team plays its home opener March 19 against Hofstra), and the State College Spikes hold their annual SpikeFest March 13 at the Penn State Indoor Multi-Sport Facility.

Fill out your brackets and let the madness begin! The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament starts March 15 and culminates April 2 and 4 with the Final Four in Houston. The women’s tournament has its Final Four April 3 and 5 in Indianapolis.

We all embrace our inner Irish on March 17 and St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy some corned beef and cabbage, and maybe even some green beer.

The first day of spring is March 20. Before that, it’s spring ahead time as we move our clocks up one hour March 13.

March 6 has the oddity of not only being National Oreo Day and National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day, but also National Dentist’s Day. So after enjoying the treats, make sure to brush your teeth.

PSU A

thletics

14 - 2016 March T&G

and also to see the broader astrophysics community actively making Chandra Deep Fields discoveries.”

Brandt will give the Rossi Prize lecture at the 229th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January 2017.

Kyla Irwin In February, State College

Area High School senior Kyla Irwin became the school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball — for boys or girls. During a win over Altoona, Irwin scored 29 points to give her 1,868 for

her career. Chris Dodd, a 1977 graduate, held the previous mark with 1,844 points.

State High head coach Bethany Irwin, who also is Kyla’s mother, said to the Centre Daily Times, “It goes beyond words of trying to explain, as a parent, seeing your kid do what she’s done. She handles herself so well. … She has been double-teamed, triple-teamed, clung to, six hands on her, and she keeps coming out fighting. That’s awesome.”

Kyla Irwin has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Connecticut, where she will be a member of the women’s basketball team.

Wendy VinhageIn January, Wendy Vinhage

became the new executive director of Interfaith Human Services. She takes over for Ruth Donahue, who retired after serving as executive director for five years.

Vinhage is a graduate of the University of West Florida and Florida State University. She served for four years at Skills of Central Pennsylvania, two years at the Juniata Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, and two years volunteering with the State College Young Professionals. She also participates in 100 Women Who Care and Centre Foundation’s Anniversary Giving Circle.

“I’m proud to be able to lend my skills and experience to an organization that works tirelessly to help those in need,” she says.

Interfaith Human Services began in 1968 and is a collaborative effort of now 30 faith communities whose purpose is “to address many unmet social and economic needs for low-income residents.” T&G

People in the CommunityW. Niel Brandt

W. Niel Brandt, the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State, won the 2016 Bruno Rossi Prize, which is the top award given each year by the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the

American Astronomical Society. Brandt earned the award for his research

in using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory to detect X-ray signals at vast distances from Earth. The research has produced the “most sensitive cosmological X-ray surveys (called the Chandra Deep Fields) of the universe to date.”

“The Chandra Deep Fields have provided major insights about the demographics, physics, and ecology of supermassive black holes over most of cosmic time. These advances have come from more than 16 years of work by a superb and large team,” Brandt said in a press release. “It has been an honor to work with the members of this team

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The Graduate Exhibition was established in 1986 as a showcase for Penn State graduate students to present their research to the public. More than 250 graduate students are expected to participate in this year’s exhibition, which is a two-day event — March 18 at 7 p.m. in Esber Recital Hall, which will showcase musical and

theater performances, and March 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the HUB-Robeson Center, which will showcase research presentations through posters and videos. The visual arts component of the exhibition will be on display in the Art Gallery at the HUB-Robeson Center from March 18 to April 24. All events are free and open to the public.

The exhibition “celebrates research and creative scholarship, in all its aspects, as an essential and exciting part of graduate education at Penn State.”

Suzanne Adair, assistant dean of the Graduate School, notes the importance of the event and how the exhibition has changed and grown over the years.

T&G: Is the Graduate Exhibition a way for graduate students to show off their research to potential future employers?

Adair: The point of the exhibition is for our graduate students to present their work to a general audience so that others can learn about all of the research that our students are involved in. The students get the opportunity to practice presenting their work to an audience that isn’t in their disciplinary field, which is an important skill as they prepare for careers beyond their graduate degree. In light of that, potential employers are certainly a welcome audience, but we welcome community members, alumni, students, faculty, and staff, as well.

T&G: I understand that you know in advance what people are going to be presenting. What’s something that exhibition-goers can expect to see there?

Adair: The musical and theater performances on Friday night are a wonderful opportunity for the community to see our students in concert. You can see someone

Q&A with Suzanne C. Adair,assistant dean of the Graduate School at Penn StateBy Madison Lippincott

singing a piece from a famous opera to someone playing a tuba and wearing an outfit that might symbolize the period of music that they’re playing from. On Sunday, the research posters and videos range in disciplines from chemistry to history to biobehavioral health. Students in the visual arts area may present a photography exhibit or a particular sculpture that they’ve recently completed.

T&G: How have you seen the exhibition evolve?

Adair: The event has definitely increased in size over the years, and we may outgrow the current space at some point, which is certainly a good problem to have. And we added the video component last year to provide an alternative way for students to present their work. These are two-minute videos [where] students have the opportunity to describe their research and discuss why it’s important to our society.

T&G: This isn’t just an exhibition, it’s also a competition. Do the winners receive anything?

Adair: There is a monetary prize. We do have first-place, second-place, and third-place winners. But for a lot of students, it’s not about cash prizes — it’s about the ability to present their graduate research to the community. They also get an opportunity to further develop their presentation skills and get some feedback on their work from others. T&G

For more information about the Graduate Exhibition, visit gradschool.psu.edu/exhibition.

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Visit our Facebook site for the latest happenings and opportunities to win free tickets to concerts and events!Follow us on Twitter @TownGownSC.

• In 5 Questions, author Karen Abbott, who will visit the HUB-Robeson Center March 16, discusses her book, Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, which is this year’s Centre County Reads selection.

• Nittany Valley Society looks at its efforts of being stewards of the history of Penn State and Happy Valley, and how these stories are relevant in the twenty-first century.

• A special offer from Corner Café & Grill in Pleasant Gap for $2 off an order of $15 or more for breakfast or lunch.

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stems from their subtle attempt to break you down and make you feel that you are the one in the wrong. Guilt and condemnation are the tools they use to feel in control and in charge. They have difficulty admitting when they are wrong and will manipulate every situation to put the blame on you. Relationships with these types of people can leave you feeling empty, confused, and depressed.

If you have someone in your life with a personality disorder, recognize that their issue has absolutely nothing to do with you. This is a complex, deep-rooted mental-health disorder that developed in their childhood as a way to feel fulfilled. When you detach from internalizing their lack, you begin to see the person as someone who suffers from an illness, which in turn, enables you to see the picture more clearly. This detachment protects you from the inner turmoil that occurs from being around this toxic energy.

The key to communicating with someone who has a personality disorder is to stick to the facts. They will attempt to use a circular communication style that leaves you scratching your head and feeling beyond confused. Stick completely to the facts and do not let them enfold you into their web of manipulation.

For example, if you feel frustrated and want to express your feelings use this approach:

“The fact is you were late and it’s disrespectful.”

“The fact is I sent you the report you asked me to complete one week ago, and you have not responded.”

“The fact is I will not engage in this discussion with you, as I have done nothing wrong.”

Using this simple phrase takes the emotional charge out of the

We have all had the experience of dealing with difficult people. Whether it’s a parent, colleague, spouse, or friend, having to interact with a difficult person can be extremely challenging and exhausting. Having a strategy to deal with these types of people is the key to keeping yourself healthy as well as keeping your energy level free of drama and chaos.

Usually people that are difficult to deal with have some kind of personality disorder, which is most likely to develop when a person has no sense of self-worth or inner strength. They rely on others for constant admiration and attention and resort to manipulative techniques to always get what they want.

In most cases, personality disorders develop when a person fails to receive love and approval from one or both parents. In an attempt to create that love and security that was lacking, they rely on other people to fill up this emptiness. The relationships become parasitic in nature as the person with the personality disorder needs a “host” to fill up their empty core.

If you are dealing with someone who has a personality disorder, you will most likely second-guess yourself constantly and feel exhausted, confused, criticized, and manipulated. Communication is circular in nature, and you can’t ever seem to get a clear picture of what is going on. You may feel that your energy is completely drained after an interaction with this type of person. This draining feeling

living wellT&G

Dealing with Difficult People Stick to the facts to help avoid the web of manipulationBy Meghan Fritz

2016 March T&G - 21

interaction and enables you to remain in a place of neutrality and strength. Emotional drama to people suffering from a personality disorder is like putting lighter fluid on a gasoline tank. It keeps them warm and comfortable because they are in charge of your emotions and reactions. Sticking to the facts cuts the wires to the bomb that is about to ignite.

When using this style of communication, pay attention to how the other person responds to your factual way of communicating. This keen awareness will completely disable their ability to spin you in a circle. You may find that the person becomes completely frustrated and angry once you stop engaging in the game.

I am often asked if people with personality disorders can be treated and cured. The fact is they have to want to make the changes necessary to get healthy and develop a strong inner core. Without the desire to change, there is very little chance that the person will get healthy.

It often takes a compelling event to wake up this type of person. Death of a loved one, loss of a job, or a life-threatening illness can be a trigger to push them to deal with the emptiness they

Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College.

feel. They need to develop insight into their manipulative behavior, and once this insight is found, the road to recovery can be successful.

The best treatment for this type of person is in how you interact with them. Once you stop the cycle of dysfunction, they don’t have a willing participant to engage in the dysfunctional pattern of a parasitic relationship.

Remember, if you feel confused, frustrated, anxious, full of self-doubt, and drained, you are most likely interacting with someone who has a personality disorder. Take a step back, assess the situation, detach from any emotion, and stick to the facts. This will protect your self-esteem and put a stop to the manipulation that the person with a personality disorder thrives upon.

Don’t spend another minute being held hostage to emotional manipulation — get the clarity and help you need to break free and live in peace. You are worth it! T&G

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health

Colon CareWhile colorectal cancer can happen to anyone, it is preventableBy Joel Haight, MD

T&G

Every 10 minutes, someone in the US dies of colorectal cancer. That’s a higher death toll than that of breast cancer and AIDS combined. Although no one wants to have a colonoscopy, the benefits far outweigh the risk and discomfort. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, making now a great time to learn more about your own risks and, if necessary, schedule a screening.

The difference between colorectal cancer and any other type of cancer is simple: It is preventable. By knowing the symptoms and the facts, you can save a life that might be your own.

Know the facts:• Nearly 132,700 new cases of colorectal

cancer occur annually, with slightly more than half — nearly 69,100 — in men, and a little more than 63,600 in women.

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, surpassed only by lung cancer.

• The risk increases with age, never plateauing or decreasing over time.

• Three-quarters of colon cancer cases occur in people with no risk factors or family history.

• Cancers found before symptoms appear have a significantly higher cure rate, but often produce no symptoms. Therefore, everyone should be screened for a better chance of a cure.

• The majority of colon cancers are diagnosed after the onset of symptoms.

• About one-third of people diagnosed with colon cancer will die of the disease.

In addition to being screened, you also can lower your chances of getting colon cancer by avoiding certain risk factors: • Don’t smoke. Although you may think

smoking is bad only for the heart and lungs, it also increases the risk of developing colon cancer and dying from it.

• Be physically active. Individuals who are physically fit have a lower risk than those with a sedentary lifestyle.

• Don’t ignore symptoms. These include changes in bowel movements, discomfort when having a bowel movement, frequent gas pains, losing weight without dieting, and constant fatigue.

Colon cancer is not selective. It can happen to anyone. Caucasian men and women should be screened for colon cancer beginning at the age of 50, with African Americans beginning screening at age 45. Folks with risk factors such as inflammatory bowel disease, personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps, and hereditary polyps’ syndromes, among others, are known to increase risk and may require more frequent testing.

State College native Sandy Schuckers shares her story: “The year I turned 50, my birthday gift to myself and my loved ones was to get a colonoscopy. After putting it off for four months, at the recommendation of my loved ones, I finally made an appointment at Penn State Hershey Endoscopy Center at Colonnade. The staff at the endoscopy center was very professional and treated me as if I was the only person in the building. Dr. Haight welcomed me by first name and explained to me what was going to happen next. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience — except for the pre-prep pink drink (laughing)! I wanted to share my story; this screening saved my life. Dr. Haight found polyps that could have turned cancerous, but they were caught in time. If I had waited another few years, my story could have had a very different ending. Prevention is key.”

Statistically, colon and rectal cancer favors the 50 and older population. However, it can strike at any age, any gender, and any ethnicity, as evidenced by this list of celebrities who have battled the disease:

2016 March T&G - 23

Darren A

ndrew W

eimert

For more information on Penn State Hershey Gastroenterology services or to schedule your next colonoscopy, call Penn State Hershey Medical Group-Colonnade at (814) 272-4445.

Joel Haight, MD, is the medical director of Penn State Hershey Endoscopy Center, located in State College, and serves as assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology with Penn State College of Medicine. He has been serving patients in the Central Pennsylvania area for nearly three decades.

Celebrities Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer: How many do you recognize?Audrey Hepburn .................................. Actress Babe Zaharias ...American Olympic track athlete and professional golfer Charles Schulz ....................Creator of Peanuts Corazon Aquino .. President of the Philippines Elizabeth Montgomery .........Star of television show Bewitched Jay Monahan ...........Husband of news anchor Katie Couric John Foster Dulles ............................ Secretary of State under President Dwight Eisenhower Robin Gibb ..............Member of the Bee Gees Ronald Reagan..........................40th US President Vince Lombardi ....Coach of the Green Bay Packers Jackie Gleason ......................Actor, comedianTip O’Neill .................... Speaker of the House from 1977 to 1986 Ted Knight ........................................ Actor on Mary Tyler Moore Show Pope John Paul II..................... Served as pope from 1978 to 2005 Sharon Osbourne ................ TV celebrity and talk show host Darryl Strawberry ... Professional baseball player.

However, there is some good news. In the last few years, the rate of screenings has increased as the rate of new colon-cancer diagnoses has decreased. Now,

most insurance companies recognize that it is more cost-effective to pay for screening than to incur the costs of treating colon cancer and complications of the disease. Having this barrier lifted has made preventative care much easier to obtain.

Penn State Hershey has the largest, most experienced and comprehensive colorectal surgical care group in Pennsylvania. Based on data reported by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, the team is rated “exemplary” in surgical outcomes by nationally defined quality-of-care criteria. Board-certified colorectal surgeons Evan Messaris, MD, and Frances Puleo, MD, see patients at Penn State Hershey Medical Group–Colonnade. T&G

Dr. Joel Haight (left) serves as medical director of Penn State Hershey Endoscopy Center in State College and as assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology with Penn State College of Medicine.

24 - T&G March 2016

Miller says.“Talk to … New Yorker Paul D.

Miller for too long and you start to feel like a dimwit,” writes a reporter for the Sunday Star Times of Auckland, New Zealand. “This man is as brainy as a Mensa meeting, sharp as Zorro’s sword, funny as Falstaff. He is Einstein with a better haircut, a streetwise black Tolstoy, a revved-up Renaissance man for the digital age, obsessed with art, information, and digital technology.”

Miller has previously collaborated with an array of musicians, including Metallica, Chuck D, Steve Reich, and Yoko Ono.

MIT Press published his award-winning book, Rhythm Science, in 2004. The Village Voice, The Source, and Artforum have featured his writing. He’s also the editor of Origin Magazine.

His installations have appeared in the Whitney Biennial, the Venice Biennial for Architecture, Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum, and other museums and galleries around the world.

“I was never planning on being a musician,” Miller tells the National Geographic Society. “I was planning on being a diplomat who enjoyed art and technology. Instead, I became an artist/musician who enjoys diplomacy. The irony of it all.” T&G

Sandra Zaremba and Richard Brown sponsor the presentation. The Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment and the William E. McTurk Endowment provide support. The Polar Center at Penn State is a program partner. For more information or tickets, visit cpa.psu.edu or phone (814) 863-0255.

John Mark Rafacz is the editorial manager of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State.

Revered in the hip-hop world as a master turntablist, Paul D. Miller — better known by his stage name DJ Spooky — is a sonic artist who hears music in everything from visual forms and economic theory to the great outdoors.

In Arctic Rhythms, which comes to the

Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State March 23, the composer, author, musician, and 2014 National Geographic Emerging Explorer harnesses his eclectic artistry for an unparalleled portrayal of the polar regions.

“… Miller’s multimedia performances, recordings, art installations, and writings immerse audiences in a blend of genres, raising awareness about climate change, sustainability, global culture, the role of technology in society, and other pressing environmental and social issues,” notes the National Geographic Society Web site.

In 2007 and 2008, Miller undertook two expeditions to Antarctica to shoot a film and create an acoustic portrait of the rapidly changing continent. That led to his celebrated 2011 publication, The Book of Ice, and his 2013 album, Of Water and Ice.

Sponsored by the Sierra Club, Miller traveled to the Arctic Circle in 2014 and came away with the inspiration for another volume of music, Arctic Rhythms.

Accompanied at Eisenhower Auditorium by a Penn State School of Music graduate student string quartet — violinists Gabriella Stout and Michael Divino, violist John Roxburgh, and cellist Liu Pai — he creates an evocative trip through the Arctic landscape. The Arctic Rhythms stage production juxtaposes images with live and recorded hip-hop, electronic, and minimalist music to create a unique experience.

“Music and art can be vehicles for provoking thought, overcoming inertia, and helping people engage with issues that are exponentially reshaping our information-driven world,”

on center

Chill Out Arctic Rhythms takes multimedia journey through landscape of water and iceBy John Mark Rafacz

T&G

Paul D. Miller brings his Arctic Rhythms show to Eisenhower Auditorium March 23.

2016 March T&G - 25

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26 - T&G March 2016

From backyards to wooded trails and hot spots,

bird-watching has taken flight in Happy Valley

Story and Photos By Alissa Pendorf

Observing our Feathered

Eastern Phoebe

Magnolia Warbler

Friends

2016 March T&G - 27

Observing Our Feathered Friends

Magnolia Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Story and Photos By Alissa Pendorf

Observing Northern Flicker

28 - T&G March 2016

Many birders have a “spark bird”— a single species that begins a lifelong interest in birding. My own spark wasn’t so much a bird as it was a bird feeder, which I was given several years ago. At the time, I didn’t know a warbler from a chickadee, much less how to feed, watch, and identify the more than 350 regularly occurring species in Pennsylvania. Very quickly, however, I had two epiphanies: Birds are incredibly addicting and learning about them is a lifelong pursuit.

Today, I can attribute much of what I know to an abundance of local resources, because if Centre County is one thing, it’s bird-centric. The region, through the community and Penn State, has a prominent bird club, a large raptor sanctuary, and a multitude of avian. Enthusiasts can be found banding birds to collect data, sharing sightings on social media, and competing annually to find the most birds in a day. And rare migrants, such as the Rufous hummingbird of 2013, can impel a stream of traffic to an otherwise quiet neighborhood. In addition, annual citizen science events such as the Big Sit, Christmas Bird Count, and Hawk Mountain Migration Count help assist organizations such as the National Audubon Society in gathering valuable data on a local scale.

For the uninitiated, this legion of activities might seem surprising, but they are actually a microcosm of a larger whole. In its most recent “Birding Trends” survey, the US Department of Agriculture reported birding to be the 15th most popular outdoor recreational activity in the United States, practiced by more than 46 million people. This phenomena is no less apparent than in Centre County, where for many, birding is a way of life.

One such person is Doug Wentzel, program director and naturalist at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. A 1989 graduate of Penn State with a degree in wildlife and fisheries science, he recalls becoming interested in birds after seeing an Eastern phoebe for the first time. Since then, he has endeavored to share his knowledge of birds — as well as trees, plants, and wildflowers — with others.

“The mission of Shaver’s Creek is to connect people to the natural world,” he says.

“We provide places where they can see birds and fall in love with them.”

Every fall and spring, he leads guided trail tours called Migration Mornings, which have introduced hundreds of visitors to Pennsylvania birds during the past 17 years.

Although most birding begins in the field, there are exceptions. College student Saleem Salahuddin was inspired by The Big Year, a movie that chronicles a real-life competition among birders.

“I love to travel,” he says. “When I saw the characters trekking across the world to see as many birds as possible, I realized it was something that I could do.”

For a novice birder, Salahuddin has big dreams: “My goal is to see every bird out there,” he laughs, “and maybe, if I’m lucky, find something that no one knew existed.”

Fortunately for students such as Salahuddin, and the community as a whole, Penn State is committed to advancing avian education as part of its outreach efforts. Dr. Margaret

MAs program director at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Wentzel enjoys sharing his knowledge of birds and helping people connect to the natural world.

2016 March T&G - 29

1. American Goldfinch: Bright yellow in the summer, the American goldfinch molts into

tan feathers in the winter, making it difficult to distinguish males from females. Like many

finches, American goldfinches fly in an up-and-down “roller-coaster” pattern.

2. American Robin: Known for laying bright, beautiful blue eggs, the American robin is credited

with heralding spring. However, many robins are year-round residents and can be found foraging for

berries in large winter flocks. 3. Black-capped Chickadee: The black-capped

chickadee was named for its black head coloration and its nasally chick-a-dee-dee-dee call. The more dees the

bird adds, the more alarmed it is. 4. Blue Jay: Unlike most birds whose colors are formed by pigment, a blue jay’s feathers

are not really blue. They appear so when light refracts through the keratin nanostructure

that makes up its feathers. 5. Downy Woodpecker: Like many woodpeckers,

the downy woodpecker has a reinforced skull cavity that allows it to drum its beak more than 20 times per

second and protect its brain. In the winter, it joins with other birds, such as chickadees

and titmice, to form feeding flocks.6. House Finch: The house finch is a common suburban feeder bird that has a penchant for

building its nest in hanging flower baskets. House finches can be found across North America, with a

population estimated between 267 million and 1.4 billion.

7. Northern Cardinal: A recognizable feeder bird, the Northern cardinal can be easily attracted to

feeders by offering striped sunflower seeds. This bird can be heard singing a clear cheer, cheer, cheer in the

summer to attract a mate. 8. Red-tailed Hawk: One of North America’s

most widespread and common hawks, the red-tailed hawk ranges from Central Alaska, south

through the US, to Mexico and the lowlands of Central America. In filmmaking, sound editors often dub over an eagle’s not-so-majestic call

with the more “raptor-like” piercing cry of a red-tailed hawk.

9. Tufted Titmouse: Tufted titmice are bold, feisty birds that have been known to pluck fur from

sleeping animals to line their nests. Their name comes from Old English words tit and mase, literally

meaning “small bird.”10. White-breasted Nuthatch: The white-breasted

nuthatch is far more common in Pennsylvania than the red-breasted nuthatch. Its name comes from

Middle English word nuthak, meaning “nut hacker,” referring to the bird’s habit of splitting

open seeds with its bill.

Right Out Your Window Some common birds you may

find in your backyard

1

3

9

7

4

6

8

510

2

30 - T&G March 2016

Salahuddin was inspired to take up bird-watching after seeing the film, The Big Year.

Brittingham, a Penn State professor of wildlife resources, teaches ornithology classes, educates visitors about the university’s bird-banding program, leads campus bird walks (open to both students and the general public), and oversees avian curriculum at the Arboretum at Penn State.

“We want visitors to become excited about birds,” she says, “because through them, people can explore everything from pure nature to ecological questions to just enjoying birds for their beauty.”

Her own interest in birds stems from a scientific bend.

“As an avian ecologist, I use birds as a tool to address questions about the environment, from climate change to natural gas development,” she explains. “In many ways, birds are bioindicators, which means they give us clues about the health of their ecosystems — and ours.”

Despite her analytical skills, she fondly remembers her own spark bird, a Northern flicker, that was the impetus of her career as an ornithologist.

“When you think about it, birds are a part of art and science and nature, so they appeal to people on many levels,” she says. “What’s truly amazing is that we’ve had kids who have attended our activities and then gone on to become wildlife majors in college.”

With a new generation of birders comes an evolution in birding. Today, user-driven databases such as eBird and NestWatch have largely fueled the growth of online citizen science programs. Traditional field guides and paper checklists are making way for digital applications and social-media collaboration. Even John Mackin, a local hobbyist birder, has replaced his pocket field guide with a smartphone identification app, and birders often bump into each other on avian Facebook pages. But Mackin believes that digital tools will never become substitutes for the real thing.

“Birds are like little jewels when I’m out in nature,” he says, with a glimmer of awe, sharing his wonder at seeing a harlequin duck for the first time. “There’s a joy in finding something I haven’t seen before because

2016 March T&G - 31

birds in their natural environment are full of color and life. I come from a faith-based background, and seeing purpose behind such beauty encourages me every day.”

This sense of excitement, whether scientific or spiritual, seems to permeate the psyche of all birders.

Much of the thrill for enthusiasts is discovering where to find birds locally. With its woods, fields, marshes, and streams, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in State College attracts a delightful array of spring species, including red-winged blackbirds, Eastern bluebirds, and tree swallows. In Bellefonte, the fish hatchery and legendary fishing locale called Fisherman’s Paradise has been home to a nesting pair of bald eagles for several years. Other popular territories include Toftrees and Walnut Springs, but Scotia Barrens, a favorite among birders, is perhaps one of the most visited hot spots. Here, birders can find snow geese and other migratory waterfowl through March, and come early May, one may spot kinglets, flycatchers, and a host of colorful warblers.

Mackin says the beauty of birds “encourages me every day."

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Occasionally, birders also gather here to witness American woodcocks practicing their unique courtship displays. Another popular location with varied habitats, Bald Eagle State Forest often boasts migrating tundra swans in the spring, as well as resident species such as belted kingfishers, killdeer, and American kestrels.

“March is an exciting time for new arrivals coming through,” Wentzel says. “One of my favorites is the ruby-crowned kinglet — it’s such a small bird with a tremendous song.”

Yet perhaps one of the most inviting aspects of birding — unlike many other hobbies — is that it can be enjoyed almost anywhere. For those who simply want to observe birds from their homes, very little is needed: an entry-level pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a bird feeder.

“The best way to begin birding is by learning the common birds,” Brittingham suggests. “Pay attention to the robins, the grackles, and the starlings. Once you start becoming aware of them, you’ll become more aware of the uncommon ones.”

Salahuddin agrees that having a feeder can be a good “rehearsal” for more serious birding later on, or simply a way to relax after a busy day. He points out that the expense of birding “just depends on how hardcore you want to be. After you have binoculars and a guide … well, the birds are free!”

For those who aren’t quite ready to venture into backyard birding, Shaver’s Creek and the Arboretum at Penn State offer free alternatives. Their feeding stations are open year-round and attract a variety of birds during every season. Additionally, morning bird walks and introductory identification classes at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center offer great opportunities for novices and enthusiasts alike.

Regardless of one’s preference for bird-watching — in the field, at home, with a friend, or by oneself — the allure of our feathered friends is how they connect us to the natural world. The “spark” that birds generate in our lives inspires us to see above and beyond our everyday existence in new and exciting ways.

“Letting birds into your life and putting yourself into a position to see them is an excuse to get outside, to go to places where you’ve never been before,” Wentzel explains. “We can be better neighbors just by learning the names of the things that inhabit our world, as we inhabit theirs.”

As he talks, he watches tufted titmice flitting from branch to branch as the sun filters through the trees.

“Magic happens all the time, and we are often simply not paying attention,” he muses. “I try to encourage people to observe the life that’s around them, and birds are great ambassadors for doing that. They’re here with us always, they’re beautiful, they’re lively, and they enrich us with their song. So just be curious. Allow them into your landscape, and who knows — they might just change your view of the world.” T&G

Alissa Pendorf is a freelance graphic designer, photographer, writer, and student at Penn State. As a volunteer at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and avian educator at the Penn State Arboretum, she enjoys combining her love of birds with a passion for the arts.

Bird-banding programs across the country are essential to bird conservation and help collect data on millions of birds.

2016 March T&G - 33

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RESIDENTS, OFFICIALS, AND AGENCIES IN CENTRE COUNTY ARE MAKING THE EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TO HELP VICTIMS FEEL SAFE

BY SAVITA IYER-AHRESTANI

NIGHTMARESENDING THE

2016 March T&G - 35

NIGHTMARESENDING THE

36 - T&G March 2016

There she was in the lobby of the courthouse in Bellefonte — a woman with four children in tow,

her face badly bruised. As she set eyes on the woman, Isabelle (her name has been changed for the purposes of this article) stopped suddenly. She wondered — and not for the first time — if she was taking the right step.

After all, she bore no visible signs of abuse. She was young, unmarried, and had no children. Given all that the mother of four had evidently been through, did Isabelle have any right at all to be in that courthouse that day, undertaking legal proceedings against her ex-boyfriend?

“I spoke to the woman, and she reassured me that I was doing the right thing,” Isabelle, 20, says. “She told me that I had been hurt, that what I’d gone through wasn’t my fault, and that even if my situation was different from hers, I was still doing the right thing.”

That day, the Bellefonte court granted Isabelle a protection from abuse (PFA), a legal document that, for a specified period of time, offers victims of domestic violence, such as herself, protection from their abuser. Among other aspects, it prevents her abuser from having any contact with Isabelle for its duration.

The document ended a nightmare that had been going on for months — one that Isabelle had been aware of throughout and one that she knew she should not be living, but that, like so many victims of domestic abuse, she never brought herself to end it. That was partly because she was afraid that taking action might provoke her boyfriend — who, on an almost daily basis, had abused her both verbally and physically — to become more violent, and partly because she was not sure that what she was enduring actually qualified as abuse.

“I can’t tell you why I stayed — because to this day, I still don’t know,” she says.

Leaving is a lengthy processIsabelle, though, isn’t alone in her uncertainty,

and she isn’t the first or the last victim of domestic abuse to delay action. For almost everyone, taking the first step to break out of an abusive situation is extremely difficult, says Anne Ard, executive director of the Centre County Women’s Resource

Center (CCWRC) in State College, which, among its services, operates a 24-hour hotline and has a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

“Leaving a domestic-violence situation is a process,” she says, “and because it is a process, it is not unusual for a victim to reach out more than once — maybe make an initial call on our hotline or come into the shelter and spend some time here, and then their domestic partner swears they will never be violent again, which then leads to the victim saying, ‘Let me go back. I will make it work.’ ”

Leaving and going back to a situation of abuse several times is, in Ard’s view, only to be expected because “it is hard to put together the resources you need to leave in terms of housing, childcare, finances, and so on, and also in terms of one’s own emotional and psychological needs,” she says. “Making a break from a relationship takes time and energy, so we should not be surprised that it takes time for people in a violent situation to leave.”

But every time a victim of domestic violence calls the CCWRC’s 24-hour hotline, telephones a friend, or comes into the shelter at 140 West Nittany Avenue, they are “building up and adding resources to the tool box they will eventually need to make the break and make it safely,” Ard says. “Just calling the hotline requires immense strength and courage, and we want [the callers] to know that that courage can be built upon.”

Today, the broader system — including the legal and justice systems — also has evolved to such an extent that it is easier for victims of domestic violence to come forward and get the help and support they need. But even so, advocates believe strongly that domestic violence merits greater attention than it gets, not least because it really comes to the fore only when it culminates in a homicide or, as in the case of former NFL running back Ray Rice, a video shows the abuse.

Last fall, in the span of two months, Centre County had two murders that were attributed to domestic violence. In reality, domestic violence is an ongoing issue, Ard says, something that, even if it isn’t always visible, is happening all the time and that cuts across race and socioeconomic lines.

According to its annual report, the CCWRC served 1,000 adults for domestic violence cases in the 2014-15 period. That includes adults (both men and women) but

2016 March T&G - 37

Center for Women Students at Penn State204 Boucke Building, University Park(814) 863-2027 studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter

Centre County Child Access Center310 North Allegheny Street, Bellefonte(814) 548-0034 or toll free: 1-877-258-0076

Centre County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC)140 West Nittany Avenue, State College24-hour hotline: (814) 234-5050 or toll-free: 1-877-234-5050ccwrc.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence1-800-553-2508pcadv.org

State College Police Department: Victim Centered Intensive Case Management Unit (VCICM)243 South Allen Street, State College(814) 272-4148

• • •

General Crisis ServicesCentre County CAN HELP A 24-hour crisis hotline available to Penn State students.1-800-643-5431

Medical FacilitiesMount Nittany Medical Center Emergency Department 1800 East Park Avenue, State College(814) 234-6110

Where to Find Helpdoes not include the 97 children and 51 significant others — family members, friends of victims — who also were served.

“When you add those in, the number becomes 1,148 people who have been victimized in some way by domestic violence,” Ard says. “It’s hard to know if that’s because there is more domestic violence in this community or whether it’s due to the fact that sexual violence is so vastly underreported, but our numbers indicate that there is a predominance of domestic violence here.”

Since it’s inception, CCWRC has served more women from low-income backgrounds, “but we have had people in our shelter who are university professors with strong professional careers who have come here because this is the safest place for them,” Ard says.

An ideal relationship — at firstIsabelle’s boyfriend was the kind of boyfriend

every high school girl dreams of having. He was romantic, attentive, caring, and, very quickly, he swept her off her feet. He wanted to be with Isabelle all the time.

“He described a perfect day as, ‘Driving me to class, picking me up from class, doing homework together, and spending the evening together,’ ” she says. But soon enough, that 24/7 togetherness began to suffocate her. She’d always been independent, she says, focused on performing well in school and college, eager for a career. And yet, “I seemed to lose all sense of [independence] when I dated him.”

She also ignored early warning signs of trouble, including her boyfriend’s admittance of an alleged mental illness, which he would use as an excuse each time he called her degrading names.

“I learned to grow with it and get over it, even though this behavior was clear manipulation,” she says. “The mental abuse furthered, and my behavior seemed to mold to his expectations to avoid his mean words.”

She broke up with her boyfriend once, but ended up falling prey to his charms again and his repeated assurances that he had changed. That “change,” however, lasted only a brief time, and before long, Isabelle was once again under her boyfriend’s complete control, spending most of her nights in his apartment.

And then the physical abuse began — the shaking, the pushing, the throwing. In his

38 - T&G March 2016

rage, her boyfriend broke bedroom doors and destroyed a large painting on the wall of his apartment. The anger and abuse lasted for months, settling into a routine of sorts.

“We would go about our days normally, and at night, he would fight me,” Isabelle says. “And then his roommate would have to get involved. Or I would hide in a closet — scared for my life — as he screamed and kicked things and broke objects. By day, he was ‘perfect’ and put on a show for my family and for me, but by night, he was a monster.”

Today, months after their relationship finally ended, with ongoing support from the CCWRC and with her PFA tucked safely into her backpack, Isabelle is a stronger person, but the memory of the trauma she had endured still lingers in her mind. Almost every day, she wonders why she put up with the abuse for as long as she did, and why she was so afraid to come forward.

But as much as she questions herself, she also wonders why no one else came forward to offer their assistance and support. Of course, her friends and her family had advised her to break up with her boyfriend on multiple occasions, but,

“to this day, I am surprised that the cops were never called to his apartment,” she says.

Her boyfriend’s roommate had, on several occasions, witnessed the abuse Isabelle had endured, and yet he, too, seemed unaware of what was really going on. That kind of inaction is in large part due to the lack of education around domestic abuse, despite the efforts made by advocates to raise public awareness of the issue and foster a conversation that both victims of domestic violence and members of society at large can participate.

The data shows that at least one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime, and one in three will be exposed to it, and yet “one of the things I have learned from working in this field is that public awareness of both the commonalities and complexities of domestic abuse is much lower than I ever realized,” says Jill Engle, a professor at Penn State and director of the university’s Family Law Clinic. “Every time I give a presentation on this topic, I get feedback in either the form of a disclosure about someone’s experience with abuse or a statement from someone who was in the audience who did not understand how widespread domestic abuse is until they saw the statistics I shared with them, and that it affects people of all races, classes, and genders.”

Many people also believe that, when it comes to domestic violence, the systems have evolved to such a point that they can take care of everything. However, the systems are far from perfect. State funding has dwindled, leading shelters such as Huntingdon House to close down, pro bono attorneys are loaded down with cases, and the criminal-justice system is not an answer in and of itself.

“There’s a belief that domestic-violence

“The [State College] proclamation encourages law students and local communities to think of domestic-violence prevention as something that requires grassroots efforts and involvement to be dealt with properly.”

— Jill Engle, director of Penn State’s

Family Law Clinic

As director of Penn State’s Family Law Clinic, Engle gives many presentations on the topic of domestic violence.

Dar

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And

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Wei

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t (2)

2016 March T&G - 39

victims or rape victims just need to make a call to the police and then everything will be taken care of. In reality, there are many reasons why victims don’t want to go through the criminal-justice system, including that less than 4 percent of rape cases are prosecuted, and it takes months, if not years, to go through a case,” says Sharon Barney, an attorney in State College who works on domestic-violence cases.

For a victim of domestic abuse, it can sometimes be difficult to obtain a PFA from the court if they have not undergone a significant physical event, she says. And yet the emotional and psychological scars of domestic abuse are often the most damaging and hardest to heal.

In her career, she has seen cases where victims have been sometimes charged with filing false documents and victims whose safety concerns have not been taken seriously. If children in a domestic-violence situation have not been directly harmed, “the issue is generally explained away or not considered relevant anymore, and even if the child has witnessed ongoing domestic violence from one parent to another, that sometimes isn’t taken into

account when deciding custody,” she says. The justice system aside, she also believes

that domestic abuse should remain a topic of conversation that’s front and center for any community, this one included, and not just an item that’s highlighted in the news “when gunshots are fired.”

“By believing that the criminal-justice system is the only route victims of domestic violence or sexual violence have means we’re not seeing all the numbers,” she says. “At the end of the day, most survivors of domestic violence are not looking for an overarching sense of justice. They are just individual people who want to make sure they are in a safe place, that their children are in a safe place, that they have a warm bed and food, that they can go back to class, finish their degrees, move on, and gain financial security.”

Those things will happen only if society collectively keeps the conversation going and looks to be part of a “holistic solution” to end domestic violence. That holistic solution would include prevention, education, accountability, support, and resources for survivors.

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“There’s a belief that domestic-violence victims or rape victims just need to make a call to the police and then everything will be taken care of. In reality, there are many reasons why victims don’t want to go through the criminal-justice system, including that less than 4 percent of rape cases are prosecuted, and it takes months, if not years, to go through a case.” — Sharon Barney, attorney

A community effort for a paradigm shiftIn October 2015, State College mayor

Elizabeth Goreham and the State College Borough Council passed a proclamation declaring that freedom from domestic violence is a fundamental human right. The proclamation — which more than 25 other cities across the nation also have passed — is the fruit of an undertaking by students in Engle’s family-law clinic and was inspired, she says, by the 2013 death of Clearfield County resident Traci Raymond Miscavish in a domestic-violence shooting.

“The proclamation encourages law students and local communities to think of domestic-violence prevention as something that requires grassroots efforts and involvement to be dealt with properly,” Engle says.

As much as top-down efforts, including presidential proclamations, are important, “it’s when we can engage the local community that we can have a real paradigm shift,” she says.

Strides are being made in Centre County, though, and Ard believes that the close

collaboration between the CCWRC, the police department, the legal and justice systems, and the health-care systems is going a long way toward building a social safety net for victims of domestic violence such as Isabelle and toward increasing awareness of the issue in the community.

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2016 March T&G - 41

Barney says domestic abuse should remain a topic of conversation that’s front and center for any community … and not just highlighted in the news “when gunshots are fired.”

“The collaboration was made possible by the willingness of community leaders to work together to address a community problem,” Ard says. “Each brought different perspectives to the table, and each agency had slightly different goals, but all were working to end domestic violence. The other key component was a willingness to listen and to understand that while we may approach the work in different ways, we have many of the same goals.”

Barney adds, “The more we make survivors feel safe, the more stories we’ll hear and the more we will understand what domestic violence actually looks like.” T&G

Savita Iyer-Ahrestani is a freelance journalist in State College who has worked as a full-time business journalist in New York, and, as a freelancer, has reported from both Europe and Asia. Her features on a variety of topics have appeared in many publications, including Business Week, Vogue (Mumbai, India edition), and on CNN.com.

129 McAllister Alley, State College, PA 16801 | 814 .234.8946

Great dinners......great bread

WomenCommunity

in the

For the 20th year, Town&Gown profiles some of the remarkable

women in the region

special advert is ing section

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The Women of RE/MAX Centre Realty--committed to their clients and our community. Call one of them today for all your real estate needs.

Shirley HsiExt. 330

Mei Guo-Kaplan

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Jie PengExt. 368

Lassie MacDonald

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Marcia Martsolf-Miller

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Nancy RingExt. 331

Kim RingExt. 356

Diane SweetlandExt. 380

Jacki RutterExt. 375

Dawnyelle SweeleyExt. 302

Lisa RittenhouseExt. 321

Jennifer RothExt. 354

Kris HanahanExt. 389

Ginger SwangerExt. 353

Irene MossExt. 313

Kate TostoExt. 314

JoAnn LewExt. 304

Irene HicksExt. 372

Lori MarcheseExt. 384/329

Shannon StiverExt. 340

Jacki HuntExt. 317

Cindy MinteerExt. 337

Mary Lou BennettExt. 315

Maryam FrederickExt. 303

Ellen KlineExt. 319

Tracy WagnerExt. 324

Bethany JudyExt. 322

Tonya CornwallExt. 343

Nancy VanLandingham

Ext. 333

Annie FoytackExt. 325

Cathy FloodExt. 374

Jenn NeelyExt. 376

Linda LoweExt. 305

Amy DoranExt. 369

Dayna DannExt. 348

Mariam LoweExt. 336

Shirley DunlapExt. 335

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Special Advertising Section - 45


Associated Realty Property Management has 17 full-time highly experienced women as part of its staff to handle all your property management needs. ARPM has been managing properties for more than 35 years with over 1,700 properties including residential, commercial, student rentals and homeowner associations. This full-service company has a record of top-quality service and the experience needed to manage your rental property.

456 East Beaver Ave., State College • (814) 231-3333 • www.arpm.com

We appreciate all of the dedicated women who work extremely hard at Balfurd to ensure the company’s success. Thanks to our employees, Balfurd can deliver the highest quality garment

cleaning services to every customer, with professional integrity.

From left to right: Linda Bowman, General Manager Monika Manter, VP of Retail Operations Heather Strait, Office Manager Lori Stem, Customer Service Supervisor Chris Igo, CRDN Account Manager

814.237.7661www.balfurd.com1223 N. Atherton St. & 215 S. Atherton St.


Housed in the historic Linn House, The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County has become a destination: a community for artists, families, and patrons. We offer art exhibitions, classes, children’s camps, and educational programs designed to enrich the lives of our visitors. In addition to seven galleries of art exhibitions, we offer creative experiences in a variety of disciplines, including poetry and music. We also help local artists market and sell their works.The museum attracts approximately 7,000 visitors a year, has 465 members, and showcases more than 145 artists on its juried Artists Registry. The not for profit museum operates thanks to more than 85 volunteer curators, docents, and attendants, plus three women who oversee operations: Executive Director Patricia House, Gallery Manager Lori Fisher, and Member & Visitor Relations Manager Amy Koll.

133 N. Allegheny St. P.O. BOX 125

Bellefonte, PA 16823814.355.4280

www.bellefontemuseum.org


The Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Centre County, charged with promoting the area to leisure, meeting/convention, sports, and group travelers. Our staff includes six full-time highly driven women with a diverse set of skills that are vital to fulfilling our mission to develop, promote, and engage in travel related activities and coordinate visitor services designed to enhance the economic activity and quality of life within the county and thereby contribute to the commonwealth. If you are a business or event and would like more information on membership, or need

help executing a successful meeting, please reach out to us. We’re happy to help!

Left to right, front row: Shirley Smith (Director of Sales), Brenda Hall (Sales Manager), Lori Miller (Director of Visitor and Member Services). Back row: Kate Khoury (Creative Design & Technology Manager), Betsey Howell (Executive Director), and Judy Maurer (Receptionist/Fulfillment Coordinator).

800 E. Park Ave., State College, PA 16803 visitpennstate.org 814.231.1401


Penn State Federal Credit Union has three convenient locations

in State College, Bellefonte and on the University Park campus. Our team located in the HUB-Robeson Center is ready to help you obtain your financial goals. Whether they’re helping you with a loan or presenting an informational seminar on campus, you’ll always have a first-rate experience.

LL009 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park, PA 16802

814-865-7728 www.pennstatefederal.com


These wonderfulwomen keep you smiling at

State College Orthodontics!

(Pictured, from left) Bobbie Jo-Clinical Assistant, Keelie-Clinical Assistant L.A.-Clinical Assisatant, Ashley-Scheduling CoordinatorDr. Diane Ray-Orthodontist, Debbie-Financial Coordinator Caitlin-Clinical Assistant, Sheridan-Marketing Coordinator Ashley-Clinical Assistant, Jennifer-Treatment Coordinator

2565 Park Center Blvd. State College, PA 16801

814 .308.9504www.StateCollegeOrtho.com


The Arc of Centre County1840 N. Atherton St.

814.238.3225

Erika Smith, Director of Nursing: Erika, a Penn State graduate, became a Program Specialist/RN at The Arc 12 years ago. Now as The Arc’s Director of Nursing, she oversees four medical-model residential group homes (including a new program opening in April) for persons with complex medical needs and an intellectual or developmental disability. She thrives on making community living a reality for those served by The Arc. Erika lives in Port Matilda with her husband, Howard, and their four teenage children.

Angela Hazel, LPN, Nursing Supervisor: Angela began working at The Arc six years ago as a sleep aide and certified nursing assistant. After earning her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate, she began her career as a LPN at The Arc; last year she was promoted to Nursing Supervisor at The Arc’s Forever Home- a residential program specifically designed for aging persons with a disability, focusing on specialized programming for those with an intellectual disability and Alzheimer’s disease/dementia. A Bald Eagle High School alumna, Angela lives in Port Matilda with her teenage son and daughter.

The University Club

The University Club is a 100-year-old building and organization that provides both housing for scholars and a wonderful social experience for almost 100 Social Members who gather monthly for relaxation, conversation, and volunteerism. The Club has been revitalized over the past few years by Katrina Miller, our General Manager, and Gretl Collins, our Social and Membership Chair. Katrina has worked at The University Club since 2011, and in the past two years as General Manager has overseen more than $200,000 in improvements and updates to the building and grounds. Gretl’s unbounded energy and warmth has combined with the efforts of her other volunteer committee members to create a vibrant, dynamic place for all members to enjoy social and intellectual interactions. Her vision has made our Christmas Gala and Kentucky Derby events into the most anticipated times of the year for our members. We salute Katrina’s and Gretl’s dedication and volunteerism! Visit www.universityclubstatecollege.com for more information about Club membership and services, such as wedding and event venues.

331 W. College Ave. • 814 .237.6576

Georgia AbbeyA University of Michigan alumna, Georgia moved to Centre County in 1984. She has over 30 years’ experience as an organizational leader, networker and facilitator and puts her talents to good use serving Leadership Centre County (LCC). That organization has grown from just under 100 to nearly

800 under her guidance and direction. She feels strongly about LCC’s mission – to increase the awareness and capacity of those who volunteer and lead in Centre County’s nonprofits. She has a vision for a thriving, compassionate and sustainable community – right here in Central PA! She is on the board of directors for both Discovery Space and New Leaf Initiative.

Sponsored by Benson Lichtig of Lion & Cub

Colleen AndreychikOperations Manager Discovery Space of Central PA112 W. Foster Ave.(814) 234-0200After graduating with a marketing/business management degree from South Hil ls, Colleen worked

as a fl ight attendant for US Airways, based out of Philadelphia. She moved back to State College with her two children in 2010, and continued her interest in creating great exper iences for children and families. She began working at Discover y Space in 2014 and is its fir st operations manager. Colleen is enjoying helping the museum grow, along with the children who visit .


Sandy BarbourDirector of Athletics Penn State101 Bryce Jordan Center(814) 865-1086Sandy began her leadership of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics in 2014, bringing to Penn State more than 30 years of

experience as a collegiate administrator and coach, with a record of championships, academic success, and enhancing the student-athlete experience. In 2015, Forbes ranked her No. 24 among its Most Powerful People in College Sports and No. 11 among the Most Powerful Women in Sports. In her first 18 months at Penn State, she has re-organized ICA and launched strategic planning and facilities master planning studies.

Sponsored by the Penn State Bookstore

Mary Lou BennettABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, ‘At HomeWith Diversity’ REALTOR®

RE/MAX Centre Realty1375 Martin Street, State College, PA(814)231- 8200 ext. 315A REALTOR in State College since 1973, Mary Lou’s involvement in Centre

County is extensive. She has been active in the Centre County Association of REALTORS, having served on it’s Board of Directors for 15 years and twice as it’s President. Currently she is a Board Member of the Penn State Renaissance Fund and is a Docent at the Arboretum at Penn State.

Sponsored by Mimi Coppersmith

Maggie BishopCommunications & Development Assistant Centre County United Way126 W. Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills(814) 238-8283Prior to her arrival in Happy Valley, with her family, Maggie established 2

small businesses, co-authored the book “Feeling Safe by Autumn Grace and Mom,” and as a development specialist volunteered for a variety of nonprofit agencies, including the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County and Autism Speaks. In 2003 she was appointed by the Bush administration to the Federal Interagency Coordinating Councils for education and autism. In 2015 she earned a BA in rehabilitation and human services at Penn State.

Lynn Sidehamer BrownNVS Guild Board President Nittany Valley Symphony814 -231-8224Lynn is completing her second term as president of the NVS Guild Board, and is the Guild representative on the Symphony Board. She serves on the Community Advisory Council of the Center for the

Performing Arts at Penn State, where she is on the sponsorship committee, and also on the Music at Penn’s Woods Advisory Council, where she serves on the development committee. As a proud Penn State alum, she is a member of the President’s Club and an avid Lady Lions Volleyball fan. Lynn is the Honorary Chair for the Guild Fashion Show at noon on Saturday, March 19, at Centre Hills Country Club where she will model fashions by Worth NY. For reservations call the NVS office- 231-8224.

Sponsored by Pat Williams- Worth New York

Kym Burke One on One, Fitness Consultants Inc.424 W. Aaron Drive(814) 234-1625www.oneononefit.comKym has been a personal trainer and VP of One on One since 1987. She spent most of her child-hood committed to gymnastics, earning a spot on the USA National Gymnastic Team and Col-

legiate All-American status. Today, her creativity and commitment to human performance fuel her passion for seeking real solutions to individuals’ fitness/wellness challenges. Kym serves on the Centre County Youth Service Bureau board of directors. She and husband Bruce created “Give Back” benefiting YSB and Centre Volunteers in Medicine. The Burkes have two children, Ryan and Callie. Sponsored by Veronesi Building and Remodeling

Mimi Barash CoppersmithVolunteer/ConsultantMimi is a longtime suppor ter of both town and gown in the State College community. She recently accepted the Centre County Historical Society’s Preservation Award for Excellence in Education and Advocacy, honoring 50 years of service by Town&Gown, the

magazine she founded in 1966. Also this year, at the Lady Lions Pink Zone game, she received the newly renamed Mimi U. Barash Coppersmith Pink Zone Champion Award, presented annually to someone who makes significant contributions toward raising awareness for breast cancer education, prevention, and research for a cure.

Sponsored by Rob Thomas of Vantage Investment Advisors

Bonnie DykeAmerican Red Cross205 E Beaver Ave, Suite 203(814) 237-3162Bonnie, a retired registered nurse, began volunteering for the local Red Cross chapter in 2007. She counsels other volunteers on the

health factors involved with disaster response, so each volunteer can be ready to do their par t. She engages local volunteers and organizations in projects such as installing smoke alarms to help prevent fire-related deaths. Bonnie has been deployed throughout the state and countr y to respond to natural disasters.

Sponsored by Stover McGlaughlin Attorneys at Law

Donna M. Fick, PhD, RNDirectorPenn State Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence201 Nursing Sciences Building(814) 865-9325After being co-director since 2007, Donna recently took over as director of the Penn State Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence,

working to improve health care for older Americans. She is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Nursing and is the Elouise Ross Eberly Profes-sor of Nursing. Donna’s research focuses on two major geriatric issues, potentially inappropriate medications in older adults and delirium superim-posed on dementia. She has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health since 2006. Sponsored by Barbara Palmer


Linda GallCommunity VolunteerLinda has been excited about the idea of a local children’s museum since Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania was exactly that — an idea tr ying to find a home. She and her husband, Blake, are major donors for the museum and have

served as honorar y chairs of A Night to Discover, an event to raise funds and awareness. Linda has high hopes for the future growth of Discovery Space and looks forward to spending many special hours there with her two grandsons.

Sponsored by Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania

Connie HayesCommunity Volunteer [email protected] is a native of the region, moving to State College twelve years ago with her husband Bill, of Kish Bank. Connie uses her creative brand of fundraising to benefit many organizations. Currently, she is

on the advisory board for the Palmer Museum of Ar t and a member of the committee for the annual Mount Nittany Medical Center Charity Ball.

Sponsored by Designer’s Studio

Kathy HertzlerBranch Manager Kish Bank1961 S. Atherton Street(814) 861-5680, ext. 2203Kathy leads the team at the South Ather ton branch of Kish Bank and will also manage the newest

Kish location coming soon on Allen Street. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School of Banking and Leadership Flight School, and with over 30 years in the field, she puts her experience to work helping individuals and small businesses fulfill their banking needs. Kathy is the Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Pink Zone Fund Raising Committee and a fund raising committee member of the Bob Perks Fund.

Sandy HoodBusinesswoman and Community Volunteer Sandy is co-owner of HoodCo and Total Door Service. She has ser ved on the boards of the CBICC, Mt Nit-tany Medical Center, Good Sheperd Catholic Church, among others, and

is currently president of the Palmer Museum of Ar t Friends Board of Directors. Sandy is passionate about the museum’s mission to serve as a vital, educational, and admission free resource for everyone. She and her colleagues are excited about the for thcoming annual fundraiser Gala scheduled for May 13.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art

Jane IrwinJane Irwin is the Coordinator for the Practical Nursing (LPN) and Nurse Aide (CNA) Programs at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI.) Both programs meet a critical workforce need in the community and provide employment opportunities

in health-related careers for adults. Mrs. Irwin also serves as a fiscal agent for other regional nursing programs and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators, currently serving as Scholarship Chairperson. With over 40 years of nursing experience in many different areas, Jane sees the value of quality education and strives to impact each student at CPI, reminding them that taking care of others is not just a job . . . it is a “calling.”

Abbie JensenExecutive Officer Builders Association of Central Pennsylvania2149 E. College Ave.(814) 231-8813Since joining the Builders Association staff 6 years ago, Abbie has enjoyed many

roles, from volunteer coordinator to fundraiser, activist to author. Her favorite is event planner ; the April 1-3 Home & Garden Show at the Bryce Jordan Center is taking up the bulk of her time now, with the Centre County Cornhole Classic and the Bricks & Sticks Golf Classic not far behind. In between those fun events, Abbie, her husband Reidar, and their daughter Pippin look forward to welcoming a new family member in May! Sponsored by S&A Homes

Cheryl M. JohnsonExecutive Director, PICCC Inc.2595-1 Clyde Ave.(814) 237-8998A recognized leader, Cheryl champions workforce development, economic development, and youth career growth and participates in partnership activities that strengthen businesses, individuals, and communities throughout the USA. A

certified senior professional in human resources, she works with local, regional, and national entities. She volunteers with several community organizations, has been one of PA Business Central’s top 100, a Town&Gown Citizen of the Year, CBICC Volunteer of Year 2015, and presenter/facilitator for many organizations.

Kristie Kaufman, MDPediatrician, Mount Nittany Physician Group Dr. Kristie Kaufman has been practicing pediatrics for 19 years and is trained to provide medical care and evaluation at the Mount Nittany Health Children’s Advocacy Center of

Centre County. Dr. Kaufman serves as a board member for the Mount Nittany Health Board of Directors, as secretar y for The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center Board of Directors, and as chair of the Women’s Resource Center Board of Directors.


Norma KellerExecutive DirectorBob Perks Cancer Assistance FundP.O. Box 313 State College, PA 16804(814) 571-9715 Since it was established in 2006, the Bob Perks Fund has raised and distributed more than ONE MILLION

DOLLARS for the rent, utilities, food, and gas expenses of local cancer patients facing serious financial challenges. When the heavy burden of unpaid bills is lifted, cancer patients are better able to focus on their health and recovery. Norma enjoys her close working relationships with donors who show their heartfelt concern for their neighbors by generously supporting the Bob Perks Fund.

Barbara “Bobbi” KornerDeanPenn State College of Arts and Architecture124 Borland Building(814) 865-2591Bobbi oversees the College’s

academic units plus the Center for the Performing Ar ts, Palmer Museum of Ar t, and Penn State Centre Stage. She is co-director of the Leadership Institute of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and chaired the PSU United Way Committee. In addition to theatrical roles, she performs women’s historical materials.

Sponsored by Penn State Retail Campus Dining

Ellen Kyzer, MPAChief Executive Officer Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania350 Hale Ave., Harrisburg717-233-1656Girl Scouts in the Hear t of Pennsylvania is excited to announce

Ellen Kyzer as the nonprofit’s new CEO. Ellen has over 17 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and fundraising field and is excited for the oppor tunity to influence young women and girls across central and nor theastern PA. “Empowering women leaders star ts with mentoring and developing girls as leader from an early age,” said Kyzer. For more information on how to make a difference in girls’ lives, visit www.gshpa.org.

Kristie McKnightAVP, Commercial Relationship Manager Kish Bank2610 Green Tech Drive(814) 861-4660, ext. 8413Kr istie has been with Kish Bank for near ly eleven years, providing solutions for businesses as a par t

of the Centre County commercial lending team. Pr ior to joining Kish Bank, Kr istie attended Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics. Kr istie has successfully completed the Pennsylvania Bankers Association school of Banking and School of Commercial Lending. Kr istie also graduated with the 2015 class of Leadership Centre County.

Irene MillerDevelopment & Events Coordinator, Centre FoundationCentre-Foundation.org(814) 237-6229Irene has been with Centre Foundation for over two years. Her passion for politics translated to a love of place; she now

enjoys working with local community members to achieve their philanthropic goals. “Hearing people detail how they became involved with a cause and then seeing their endowment funds flourish is incredibly rewarding, especially knowing these resources will available in perpetuity.” Whether playing softball, at a SCYP mixer, or a CBICC event, don’t be surprised if she invites you to the next Centre Foundation event! (CentreGives.org May 3-4, 2016!)

Sponsored by Centre Foundation

Tammy MillerOwner/CEO Tammy Miller Auctions, LLCTammy Speaks, LLC(814) 360-4031Tammy Mi l l e r i s the Owner and CEO of Tammy Mi l l e r Auct ions and Tammy Speaks .

Her compan ies o f fe r LOC AL and GLOBAL auct ion and speak ing ser v i ces . As an Auct ioneer, her team spec ia l i zes in rea l es ta te and bene f i t auc t ions . An in ter na t iona l speaker, Tammy can prov ide a keynote , wor kshop and emcee ser v i ce for your next event . F ind out more a t TammyMi l l e rAuct ions . com and TammySpeaks . com.

Char MorettHead Coach,Penn State Field HockeyA 1979 graduate of Penn State , Char Morett was the field hockey program’s only three-time fir st-team All-Amer ican. A two-time Olympian, Char returned to PSU in 1987 to coach. She won a bronze

medal at the 1984 Olympics. She is an NFHCA Hall of Famer, 2010 NFHCA Division1 Mideast Region Coach of the Year, and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year 5 times. In 28 years has compiled a record of 440-170-8 and led the team to 26 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Dr. Kathryn OOwner,Centre Hall Audiology & Hearing Aid Center2130 Earlystown Road Centre Hall • (814) 364-31132 miles past the former Elks Country Club on Rte 45With degrees from Penn State and the ASHS Division of Kirksville College

of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. O started her practice in Centre County 11 years ago. Her office in Yeagertown was voted the most favored hearing center in Mifflin/Juniata counties. Her of-fices have a very caring, sincere atmosphere and specialize in geriatric audiology, hearing aids, assistive devices, and batteries.


Judge Katie OliverCentre County Common Pleas Court102 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte(814) 355-6727A Bucknell alumna, Katie graduated summa cum laude from the Dickinson School of Law and then practiced law

for 20 years with McQuaide Blasko, where she became a par tner. She was elected to the bench in November 2015 and looks forward to putting her legal skills to work both in the cour troom and by enhancing mediation programs. She and her husband, Christopher, have two daughters, Gwen and Tia, and Katie is a longtime Girl Scout volunteer.

Sponsored by Mary Lou Bennett, RE/MAX Centre Realty

Katie OmbalskiConservation BiologistClearWater Conservancy Inc.2555 N. Atherton St.(814) 237-0400Having joined ClearWater Conservancy in 2000, Katie helps oversee the development and implementation of the organization’s

land conservation initiatives, including science-based development and prioritization of landscape-level initiatives. She also manages the organization’s Riparian Conservation Program, which was recognized with the 2014 Western PA Environmental Award from the PA Environmental Council. Katie holds a B.S in environmental resource management from Penn State and an M.S. in wildlife and fisheries biology from Frostburg State University.

Sponsored by Scot Chambers

Barbara PalmerBenefactor The State Theatre 130 W. College Ave.(814) 272-0606A patron of both the fine ar ts and the performing ar ts, Barbara has generously suppor ted The State Theatre’s mission as a community-

owned theatre since before it opened in 2006, helping to create this vibrant hub of music , cinema, dance , and theatre in downtown State College . Recently, she created a special fund that wil l al low deser ving local ar ts groups to perform on stage at a reduced rental rate .

Sponsored by The State Theatre

Doreen PerksFounderBob Perks FundP.O. Box 313(814) 231-2692After Doreen’s husband, Bob, local Coaches vs. Cancer co-founder, died of cancer in 2005, she helped develop the Bob Perks Fund to provide financial

relief to families with a loved one fighting cancer. Since the inception in 2006, the BPF has allocated over $1,000,000 to help families in our community. Doreen, a Penn State alumna, lives with her two sons, Garrett, 14, and Ryan, 11.

Sponsored by Linda & Blake Gall

Lisa Peters,Owner Epic Abstract, Inc. and Epic Settlement Services, Inc.2160 Sandy Drive, Suite CState College, PAEpic special izes in tit le insurance , closings and abstracting research for

purchase and refinance real estate transactions. Lisa is the chairperson for the Central Chapter of Pennsylvania Land Title Association. She is currently ser ving as a member of the Board of Directors for the State Theatre .

Liz Piazza,Associate BrokerKissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS(814) 238-8080As Sales Manager for Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS, her KBB agents produced over $345,000,000 in

sales volume last year. Liz is on the board of the Centre County REALTORS, a member of the Pennsylvania Stateweide Professional Standards Committee and chairs the MLS Committee. She is also an active member of the CBICC. Liz has years of management experience, loves her job and loves working with the very best professionals in the business.

Miriam PowellDirector of Community OutreachLady Lions Basketball146 Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State(814) 865-3086A former teacher and girls basketball coach, Miriam served as Pennsylvania Pink Zone executive director for five

years before signing on with Lady Lions Basketball this year. She facilitates community outreach opportunities for players, coaches, and staff, from volunteering at the food bank to reading to schoolchildren to supporting sexual violence awareness week. Miriam also is the team’s liaison with groups such as the Lady Lion Cager Club, Nittany Lion Club, and Pink Zone.

Sponsored by Lion’s Gate Apartments

Denise QuinnVice President, Commercial Relationship ManagerKish Bank2610 Green Tech Drive(814) 861-4660, ext. 8248Denise is a par t of the Kish Bank commercial lending team, with

over 30 years of experience in banking. At Kish, Denise provides solutions for clients’ financial needs and is a valuable resource for businesses in Centre County. Outside of Kish, Denise is active in community organizations, such as the CBICC and Leadership Centre County. Denise is currently President of the Central PA Chapter of Risk Management Associates.


Annette RatliffProgram Coordinator Housing Transitions(814) 237-4863217 E. Nittany Ave.Originally from West Virginia, Annette began working for Housing Transitions more than 17 years ago

as shelter manager. In her current role as program coordinator, she oversees human resources, grants, and financial operations. Although she loves interacting with HT’s clients, she primarily works behind the scenes to ensure the successful operation of programs including emergency shelter and food pantr y, case management, suppor tive housing, and transitional housing.

Kathleen RaupachBoard Member Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts403 S. Allen St.(814) 237-3682Since 2004, Kathleen has guided her Penn State Recreation, Park

and Tourism Management students in planning special events to benefit local nonprofits, state parks, and campus organizations. She loves event logistics and understands the benefits of special events to individuals and communities. A State College native and Penn State alumna, Kathleen grew up attending the Ar ts Festival. She volunteers weekly with Centre County PAWS as an adoption counselor and has fostered many PAWS dogs.

Judge Pamela A. RuestCentre County Common Pleas Court102 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte(814) 355-6727Pamela began serving as the first female judge on The Cour t of Common Pleas of Centre County in

January 2008. She is in her second term as an appointed member on the Statewide Judicial Ethics Committee. She is also a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership group, Altrusa, and the board of the Child Access Center. She chairs the Centre County Children’s Roundtable and par ticipates in the Regional and Statewide Children’s Roundtables.

Sponsored by Nancy Ring & Tom Ring, Re/m ax Centre Realty

Barbara RyanMinitab1829 Pine Hall Road, State College814.238.3280As CEO of Minitab Inc., Barbara Ryan sets the company’s strategic, technological, and operational di-rection. Ryan and two colleagues from Penn State’s statistics depar t-

ment first developed Minitab Statistical Software in 1972, and Minitab became a company in 1983. Under her leadership, Minitab has become the lead-ing software for quality initiatives worldwide. Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a doctorate in mathematics from Cornell University. She is a fellow of the American Statistical Association.

Stephanie L. Schmidt,DBIAPresident Poole Anderson Construction2121 Old Gatesburg Road237-6667With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, Stephanie leads Poole

Anderson, one of the largest commercial contractors in Central Pa. A 1998 graduate of Leadership Center County, she currently serves on the Pennsylvania Council of General Contractors and both the local and national Board of Directors of the Associated Builders & Contractors. Stephanie was chosen as the 2014 Inductee into the PACE Construction Hall of Fame, an honor awarded by her peers in recognition of her achievements and dedication to the building industry.

Michelle Stroud, RN, BSNChief Nursing Officer HealthSouth Nittany ValleyRehabilitation Hospital550 W. College Ave., Pleasant GapAs Chief Nursing Officer, Michelle is responsible for leading the hospital’s nursing, pharmacy and respiratory teams.

With more than 20 years of professional experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, her goal is to ensure that quality care is delivered. Focused on safety and education, Michelle is proud of her patient care team. Michelle holds an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Mount Aloysius College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Penn State. She is looking forward to her pursuit of an MBA in the fall. She lives locally with her husband and two sons and enjoys running and cooking.

Pam StrouseDevelopment & Marketing Manager Discovery Space of Central PA112 W. Foster Ave.(814) 234-0200Pam joined the Discovery Space team in 2012 and loves seeing children and families explore the children’s science

museum while learning and developing a love of science. She is delighted by the growing number of member families and par ticipants in programs, camps, and outreach activities. As development and marketing manager, and longtime Centre County resident, Pam enjoys developing par tnerships with suppor ters, local businesses, and organizations to help Discovery Space continue to grow as a great community asset.

Erica VezzaHome Care Consultant Home Instead Senior Care814 -238-8820As Home Instead’s home care consultant, Erica meets with families one-on-one so their loved ones can remain at home independently. Erica also leads community outreach efforts, including: the Weekend Winedown (for Alzheimer’s)

and Clearfield County’s Anne Thacik Auction. In her spare time, Erica volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Walk, the Geriatric Interest Network and PSU’s Healthy Aging Series. Developing and maintaining positive relationships comes easy for Erica. Nothing is more important to her than giving back to others. Erica is highly regarded for her compassion and understanding of clients’ needs. She resides in State College, which is also where she grew up.


Erica WalshHead CoachNittany Lion Women’s Soccer262 Recreation Building(814) 863-5372In 2015, Erica coached the Nittany Lions to the NCAA title for the first time in program history and was

named NSCAA National Coach of the Year. In her nine years at Penn State, the Nittany Lions have won the Big Ten regular season title eight times and advanced to the College Cup Final twice. Erica was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2009, 2012, and 2014.

Sponsored by Rick Tetzlaff of Wells Fargo Advisors

Coquese WashingtonHead Coach Lady Lion Basketball146 Bryce Jordan Center(814) 863-2672Coquese is finishing her ninth season as Lady Lion head coach. She guided the team to three consecutive Big Ten regular-season

titles in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths (2011-14), and has won three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. Coquese holds a law degree from Notre Dame, played eight seasons of professional basketball (including seven in the WNBA), assists with Pink Zone’s fight against breast cancer, and created Coquese’s Drive for the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.”

Sponsored by Andrew M. Moore, Tree Surgeon

photo: Kish Bank

Ella J. WilliamsAssoc., Broker, ABR, GRI, CRB, CNEKissinger, Bigatel & Brower REALTORS®The Ella Williams Team 2300 S. Atherton St • State College, PA 16801 Direct 814-280-3607 • 814-234-4000 ext 3142www.1kbb.com/ella.williamsElla has been awarded and recognized

among her peers as a multi-million dollar top producer and for serving her clients real estate needs in Centre Co and surrounding areas in residential, commercial and investments. With her experience as an Associate Broker, and her resources at KBB Realtors, she offers her clients the highest level of service, knowledge, and expertise. Making your Real Estate experience an enjoyable one!

Denise WoodKeller Williams Advantage RealtyRealtorDenise recent ly celebrated her 26th year as a l icensed Realtor ! Her long-t ime exper ience as an honest , dependable , and tr ust-wor thy real estate advocate , ex-

tends to both res ident ia l and commercia l sa les and proper ty management . She g ladly ser ves c l ients in 5 count ies , inc luding Centre , Cl inton, Clearfie ld , Hunt ingdon and Mif f l in County. Denise ’s pass ion for real estate is only surpassed by her love of ani-mals ! She volunteer s weekly for Fonda’s Foundl ings , a cat rescue in State Col lege .

Mimi Barash CoppersmithVilma Shu DanzAimee Aiello Hailee Miller

Tiara Snare Laura SpechtDebbie MarkelKathy George Katie Myers

Amy Ansari

These women at Barash Media work hard to make Town&Gown

and The Centre County Gazette successful and enjoyable products for our readers.



Amy Ansari



Keller Williams - World’s Largest Real Estate Franchise!

814.272.3333740 Atherton Street, State CollegeContact Us Today!

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