State College Stories
Groups Save With Spikes Memorial Day Special
Book a group for a Spikes game by May 31 to enjoy FREE hot dogs and medium sodas
(STATE COLLEGE, PA)—The State College Spikes are offering groups of 20 or more fans a Memorial Day Special that is sure to tempt taste buds. From now until Friday, May 31, book a group of 20 or more people for a Spikes game this summer, and everyone in the group receives a FREE hot dog and a FREE medium soda.
In addition, a group member will get the opportunity to toss a first pitch before the game, and the group will be recognized on the scoreboard in left field.
Spikes’ Paint the Park Pink Night Jerseys to Honor Breast Cancer Fighters
Fans can e-mail Spikes through June 1 to nominate family and friends to be placed on game uniforms
(STATE COLLEGE, PA)—Over the past seven seasons, Paint the Park Pink Night has become one of the Spikes’ staple events by raising awareness of the fight against breast cancer. In 2013, the Spikes will join together with the Central PA community to put a personal touch on the battle, as fans can nominate family and friends affected by breast cancer to have their names commemorated on the Spikes’ special pink jerseys worn during the August 3 game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Starting today, and extending through June 1, fans will be able to e-mail the Spikes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the names of anyone who has battled breast cancer. The first 200 names e-mailed to the Spikes will then be printed onto the Spikes’ pink jerseys, which will be worn by the team for the eighth annual Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health.
End of Summer Family Tradition: The Centre County Grange Encampment & Fair
It started as a one-day picnic in 1874 so members of the
Grange could invite their neighbors to be introduced to
the benefits of the Grange Organization in Centre Hall.
That first “picnic” had over 3,000 people in attendance.
This August 22‑29 will mark the 139th anniversary
of that tradition, now known nationally as the Centre
County Grange Encampment and Fair.
Thousands of tourists descend upon the small
community of Centre Hall at the end of each summer to
see what is considered one of the country’s most unique
country fairs.
As the largest agricultural tenting fair in the nation, the Grange Fair is expected once again to attract more than 200,000 visitors to the 270 acre site. This end of the summer tradition contributes more than $2 million to the local economy and during the fair employs 375 people locally.
Fun with a Purpose! Non‑Profit Events Bring the Community Together
Centre Volunteers in Medicine: Cycling for Care
Each day, Centre Volunteers in Medicine
(CVIM) makes a difference for
local residents without health insurance
by providing free medical and dental
services to those in need. CVIM patients
are hardworking Centre County residents
that make too much to be on assistance,
but not enough to pay for health care. At
a time when more than 86 million Americans have been
uninsured over the last two years, support for charitable
health care organizations is imperative.
CVIM’s Cycling for Care event is a non‑competitive,
scenic bike ride set up for all levels of cyclists. There are
three courses through some of the most beautiful parts
of Central PA: a Metric Century (62 miles), a half‑Metric
Century (31 miles) and a 13K (8 miles). All courses start
and finish at the Fairbrook United Methodist Church in PA
Furnace on June 29.
“The need does exist here in Centre County, and there
are individuals on a waiting list for our care,” said Sue
Forster, CVIM’s marketing, events and communications
coordinator.
“All of our patients are grateful for the care we are able
to provide, and our volunteers are so wonderful to work
with.”
CVIM is celebrating 10 years of serving Centre County
residents.
“We are excited to have been here for our patients and
hope to be here well into the future,” Forster said.
Find them online at cvim.net.
Meals on Wheels: A Meal That Matters
The award‑winning State College Area Meals on Wheels
program has served more than a million meals since
it was founded in
1971. A staff of three
and an army of
volunteers prepare,
package, and
deliver the food to
qualified, homebound
individuals
throughout the
State College School District. Each client receives one hot meal and a bag
supper meal on delivery days.
On May 16, Meals on Wheels will host their annual
Meal That Matters dinner. In addition to great food, the
event includes a speech from Penn State Head Football
Coach Bill O’Brien and an extensive array of auction offerings.
Watch for upcoming details on State College Area
Meals on Wheels’ website, scmow.org.
Centre Foundation: CentreGives
The Centre Foundation was created in 1981 as a charity
dedicated to assisting individuals, families and businesses
throughout Centre County in conducting charitable giving
conveniently, effectively and with minimum tax benefits.
Since then, they have distributed more than $7 million in
grants to more than 250 organizations that make Centre
County a great place to live,
work and raise families.
In 2012, the Centre
Foundation debuted
the CentreGives event, a
county‑wide online fundraiser
that resulted in more than
2,800 gifts totaling $415,000 to 74 nonprofits that serve
Centre County. The Centre Foundation also provided an
additional $110,000 in matching funds and prizes.
This year’s CentreGives will take place from 6 a.m.
on May 22 to 6 p.m. May 23. This year, the Foundation
will also pay management fees for the event’s website,
CentreGives.org, meaning that donations are subject to
only 3% credit card fees.
2013 is also a special year for the Centre Foundation
as executive director Al Jones plans to retire. Jones said
that his fondest memory from his time in the position was
starting CentreGives, admitting that even he was stunned
by the event’s meteoric success in only its first year.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was exhilarating,” Jones
said. “I believe in the community foundation concept
passionately.”
He added that what he will miss most about the
Centre Foundation is “knowing that what I do every day
makes the community a little better – that I help make a
difference.”
Spikes Single-Game Ticket Sales and Kickoff Party
Seats for all 38 Spikes 2013 home games are available starting at 4 PM Friday! Come and celebrate with
Ike and the gang on Friday night at Damon’s! Standard single-game ticket prices range from $6-$12,
perfect for family fun and fans on a budget!
There are three ways to purchase tickets:
- Online at State College Spikes.com (Fans choosing this option can securely purchase and print their tickets)
- By phone at (814) 272-1711 or toll-free at (877) 99-SPIKES
- In person at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
- Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or on Spikes home game days from 9 a.m. thru the completion of that night's game
Golf Courses as Beautiful as they are Challenging
You don’t have to fly south to enjoy a game of golf on a
beautiful, challenging course. With beautiful landscapes,
resorts, par threes and more, Happy Valley has courses to
meet needs of golfers at all levels.
Penn State is known for its beautifully maintained Blue and White courses. These courses are home to Penn State’s golf team and also open to the public. Both courses offer specials throughout the season. You can find them on their website at pennstategolfcourses.com and sign up for their email list to stay up to date. Both courses plus the driving range are open and waiting to hear from you to set a tee time. Set your tee time online or call 814‑865‑GOLF.
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