Bill Horlacher
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Local Pastor Dan Nold Offers Observations from His Visit to the Asbury ‘Outpouring’
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What are we to make of the event that began on Feb. 8 at Asbury University? Call it what you will — a “revival,” an “awakening” or “a renewal” (Asbury calls it “an outpouring”) — the explosion of spiritual fervor at the small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky was downright remarkable. It all began with…
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Lifelong Loyalty to State College Schools Prompts Montovino’s Continuing Service
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I cannot imagine anyone in our community who boasts a wider, deeper and longer-lasting knowledge of the State College Area School District than Mary Kay Montovino. She is a woman who studied in our public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Then she sent her own children to those schools. Meanwhile she served as an…
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Strawberry Fields: At Age 50, This Nonprofit Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
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Smiling faces abounded in Good Day Café on one special night last week. Donors to the café’s sponsoring agency, Strawberry Fields, were attending an open house to mark the 50th year of the organization’s existence. With folks enjoying each other’s company, reveling in holiday spirit and celebrating the golden anniversary of Strawberry Fields, there was nary…
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Matt Rhule: Can This Happy Valley Guy Return the Glory to Nebraska Football?
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Maybe you were too distracted during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to focus on a particular development in college football. No, I’m not talking about Penn State’s triumph over Michigan State, as encouraging as that was to Nittany Lion fans. And I’m not talking about Michigan’s 45-23 pounding of Ohio State, as shocking as that was…
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Penn State Wrestling: Broadcaster Byers Looks at New Season for Cael’s Dynasty
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He never had much talent for wrestling. Although his dad was a star grappler for State High and then a coach for Penns Valley High School, Jeff Byers never found glory on a mat. “I was an awful wrestler,” says Byers, who posted a record of 0-16…for the Little Lion JVs. “I loved the sport,…
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Opinion: Nittany Mall Casino Is a Bad Bet for Our Community’s Future
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I’ve written something like 125 columns for StateCollege.com over the last six years. But never a “negative” piece. I’ve always felt it was my niche, even my calling, to lift up Happy Valley’s charitable organizations, groups like Strawberry Fields, Out of the Cold and Centre Volunteers in Medicine. And to salute unsung heroes in our…
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First Impressions? State College Captures Kudos from New International Students
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I make it a point each August to interview many of Penn State’s newly arrived international students. For a few good reasons. First, they are the hidden treasure of Happy Valley, ignored by many despite their brilliant minds and fascinating backgrounds. Second, they represent the greatest untold drama of our community: overcoming remarkable barriers of…
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Joined by Cappelletti and a Not-So-Old Nold, I Feel Better About Going Over the Hill
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They say that misery loves company. And with my 70th birthday approaching on Saturday, I’ve been at risk for feeling miserable. Fortunately, I’ve found some support—my wife, whose age shall go unstated, and other wonderful people who are going over the hill along with me. John Cappelletti, for example. Who could be a better choice…
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A Townie Who Became a Trustee: Alvin de Levie Opens Up on Town and Gown Issues
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Alvin de Levie is a member of a growing local subculture that I call “RTRTs.” Yes, like me and so many others, Alvin was raised as a townie and is now a returned townie. Having graduated from State High in 1969 and Penn State in 1973, de Levie studied law at Villanova University and then…
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Joyce Porter, Mother of 14, Is My Pick for Happy Valley’s Mom of the Year
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She has a zest for life that exceeds anyone else that I know, an energy level that would be impressive for a woman 30 years younger. How to describe her approach to life? I simply can’t avoid a pun that makes a point: “Joyce de vivre.” Only a remarkable woman could raise 14 kids—nine biological and five…