What Problem Are We in Love with Solving?
Let’s just say it out loud.
I do not know if this will work.
I do not know if Connect Happy Valley will truly change behavior, shift habits, or rebuild something that feels like it is slipping away.
But I do know this.
I am in love with the problem.
Connecting the Dots with Chris Bucanani
“America’s #1 Small College Town” Photo courtesy of Downtown State College photo by Jim Cheney, UncoveringPA.com Watch video on YouTube State College, Pennsylvania, was just named America’s No. 1 Small College Town by USA Today. That’s nice. But it’s not the story. The real story is why this place works, especially at a time when […]
Live Music, Earth Day Events, and More Happening in Happy Valley This Week
Mid-April ushers in Earth Day and outdoors-oriented events across the area. This week you’ll find a strong lineup of performances, community gatherings, and the first wave of spring festivals beginning to take shape.
Recently named the best college town in the country by USA Today, State College has a calendar that continues to reflect it. Here are a few highlights to help you make some plans.
A Full Week of Performances, Film, and Spring Events in Happy Valley
Moving further into April brings a steady mix of performances, campus events, and early spring activity across the area, with a strong lineup across music and live performances in particular.
Spring has arrived, although temperatures continue to fluctuate, with a few colder stretches, but trends are looking up with sunny days encouraging us to step outside.
Here are a few highlights to help you plan your week.
1,500 Served. One Dinner. That’s Happy Valley.
Here’s the truth most regions would love to claim but can’t:
Happy Valley isn’t just a place. It’s a pattern of behavior.
This past Saturday, 1,500 people were served at a fire hall in Hublersburg for an Amish Wedding Dinner. Sit-down and takeout. Noon through evening. No celebrity chef. Just something better: Amish chefs who have been perfecting these meals for generations. No big promotion. Just word of mouth, tradition, and trust.
And yet, it filled up.
That’s not normal. That’s Happy Valley.
A Packed Week in Happy Valley: Live Music, Theatre, and Easter Weekend Events
April gets underway with a full calendar as Easter weekend approaches and Passover begins. It’s one of those weeks where everything starts to overlap, with more outdoor events returning while the performance schedule stays strong across town.
Here are a few highlights to help you plan your week.
When the Grid Goes Down, Happy Valley Stands Up
The Connect Crew gathered around the table last week, watching the news with the same unease everyone feels these days. Gas prices are climbing again. Supply chain warnings. Talk of power grid vulnerabilities. Extreme weather battering communities that thought they were safe.
What happens if things really fall apart? What happens if the trucks stop coming, the lights go out, and we have to figure out how to take care of ourselves?
“We could actually do this. Right here. Better than almost anywhere else.”
Connect Happy Valley Survey Results
What Our Community Values—and How to Get Involved
What People Value Most
Survey responses consistently highlighted five core elements of life in Happy Valley:
East End Social: Summer 2026 Pop-Up Park and Vote for State College
State College, Pennsylvania has been nominated for Best Small College Town in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards!
Fun vibes. Unexpected dining. Local shopping. Arts, culture, and community. Sound familiar?
Now it’s up to all of us.
