The More Things Change: A Sunday Morning at Bubba’s
Community often starts with something small.
Last Sunday, it started with a text.
“Hey, who wants to meet at Bubba’s Sunday at 11:30? Who’s in?” Mark Griffin wrote.
By late morning, five couples were sliding into vinyl booths at Bubba’s Eggs Steaks & Shakes, curious to see what the new ownership had done with a place that holds decades of Happy Valley memories. Griffin and his wife Karen have a quiet gift for organizing these moments. A text here, a suggestion there, and suddenly people are gathered again, reconnecting in one of the community’s cherished third places.
THON Weekend and a Full Slate Across Happy Valley
February does not exactly tiptoe through Happy Valley. It shows up with teases of sunshine, full parking lots, and lots of opportunities to get out.
This week, the energy centers around one of the most recognizable weekends of the year. THON returns to the Bryce Jordan Center, and alongside it comes a strong lineup of sports, live music, lectures, and performances.
Here are some highlights…
Think We not Me Community Food Program
According to Feeding America, Centre County has more than 15,000 individuals who are food insecure, which means they “do not have enough to eat for an active, healthy life.” Think We not Me (TWnM) Community Food Program provides freshproduce at no cost to food-insecure individuals in Centre County. In 2025, it did this through 32 food banks, pantries and prepared meal centers spread throughout the County. Items donated by the TWnM to the food charities include apples, cabbage, corn, potatoes, melons, salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplant, zucchini and more.
Why You Matter More When You Show Up: The Case for Connection in Happy Valley
We have been sold a lie about the good life.
Somewhere between our grandparents’ era and now, we traded necessity for convenience, obligations for options, and showing up for staying in. We told ourselves this was progress. In many ways, it was. But we forgot something crucial along the way. Humans are not just built for comfort. We are built for connection with a purpose.
The data tells a stark story.
We’re Winning at Winter, and No One Does Four Seasons Like Happy Valley
Let’s be honest, we’re crushing it.
While others are dreaming of warmer weather, Happy Valley is out here winning at winter. From packed trivia nights and buzzing brewpubs to snowy hikes, ski runs, and full house crowds cheering for Penn State sports, the energy is real.
And this is just the start. In Happy Valley, we don’t just survive the seasons, we celebrate every single one.
Now, with Spring Break and Daylight-Saving Time both landing on March 8, it’s the perfect moment to fill your calendar with connection, creativity, and pure local joy.
The co.space: An Ongoing Experiment in Connection, Community, and Becoming
Over a decade ago, we started an experiment in downtown State College.
It began with a few simple questions:
What might be possible if people were more intentional about how—and who—they lived with?
What if housing wasn’t just a place to land at the end of the day, but a place that actively shaped who you were becoming?
What if we could retain creative young professionals in our town—through a unique housing model—who were passionate about making Happy Valley an amazing community to call home?
Those questions became the seed of the co.space.
The Four Who Honored October in January
Mark Wimmer ’94 drove from Boston. Seven hours each way.
Brian Laird ’89 and Steve Brown ’90 came from Pittsburgh.
Steve Balkey ’88 was the local. The boots-on-the-ground logistics lead. The quiet cruise director who knew where to go, when to arrive, and how to make the weekend work.
All four were student-athletes under legendary Penn State coach Harry Groves. Distance runners with three competitive seasons; Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track and field. Full school year competition, full commitment. They learned delayed gratification, time management, and how to show up when your body tells you to quit.
That was 35+years ago.
Snow Day!
Snow Day in Happy Valley.
Your Weekly Guide to Getting Out in Happy Valley
Winter Storm Fern dropped a serious blanket of snow across Happy Valley this weekend. If plans were canceled or changed, we hope you stayed safe, enjoyed the quiet beauty of the storm, and maybe leaned into the slower pace for a day or two.
Now it’s time to unbury.
