Sydney Sweeney, Nittany Mall, and the Question We’re Avoiding
The American Eagle store at Nittany Mall is closing.
That news lands at the same moment the brand is riding one of the biggest awareness waves of the year. A national campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney. Massive reach. Cultural relevance. Constant attention.
Here’s the part that should give us pause. In just a few months, a casino is opening in that very same mall. You could hardly ask for a stronger magnet for foot traffic.
If awareness and proximity were enough, this store should have been positioned to benefit.
Instead, it’s shutting down.
HAPPY VALLEY UPCOMING EVENTS
Current listing of events in Happy Valley.
Christmas in Philipsburg is Epic
A billboard on the western edge of Philipsburg greets Route 322 motorists with a photo of Santa Claus exiting a bright yellow helicopter. The message above it: “Christmas in Philipsburg is Epic!”
Situated on the banks of the Moshannon Creek, Philipsburg is unlike any other town in Centre County. It’s an old coal town that still mines some coal. It’s a working-class town that’s still a little scrappy. It’s a town of deep history and immense heart. And it’s definitely a town of characters.
And so goes Philipsburg’s Christmas celebration.
December in Happy Valley: Your Guide to the Best Events of the Season
As the semester winds down, it’s the perfect moment to step outside, connect with friends, and enjoy what’s happening around Happy Valley. From live music and holiday traditions to theatre, sports, and New Year’s celebrations, December is packed with can’t-miss moments that showcase the warmth, creativity, and heartbeat of our region.
Gratitude in Our Blue-White Zone
In our blue-white zone, gratitude is more than a sentiment. It’s a way of life. While Happy Valley is celebrated for its scenic beauty and Penn State pride, the true soul of our community shines through in our everyday expressions of thankfulness and the many ways we practice it together.
A Place Time Might Have Forgotten, Until the Dreamers Moved In
Over the past decade, something remarkable has been happening in Pine Grove Mills. What was once a quiet crossroads of farmland and forests has transformed into one of Centre County’s most inspiring stories of local entrepreneurship, food, and culture. It’s all driven by neighbors serving neighbors. It began in 2013, when the beloved Watkins Dariette […]
The Fountain of Youth Is Hiding in Banana Suits and Smiles
When my son was little, I spent countless hours volunteering at Ferguson Township Elementary. Honestly, I had more fun my second time through grade school than the first. Now, scrolling through Facebook, I notice that half my friends are half my age, and many are from those Ferguson days. It makes me wonder if that’s why I still feel so alive.
Maybe staying young isn’t about chasing youth, but staying close to it.
Stop On By: Celebrate Local Makers & Science at the 6th Annual Rivet Winter Market in State College
This weekend, take a break from the usual and step into a celebration of creativity, curiosity, and community. The 6th Annual Rivet Winter Market returns on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1224 N. Atherton Street, and you’re invited to stop on by for a weekend that’s anything but ordinary
Teammates for Life: Love, Leadership, and the Classroom Beyond Class
I walked into the “Teammates for Life” Power Hour knowing there would be energy. When Char Morett-Curtiss is involved, there always is. What I didn’t expect was to be so moved by what unfolded in that single hour. It became a living lesson in leadership, resilience, and the power of love over fear.
