Mark Brackenbury, Town&Gown

These are challenging times for all nonprofits, with a national focus on the pandemic and so many people struggling financially. The search for a new executive director added even more to the mix at Pink Zone, which helps lead the fight against breast cancer by raising funds and mobilizing resources in central Pennsylvania. But…

As we’ve traveled along the winding, pothole-laden road to the fall of 2020, much of the focus locally – including in this space – has been on Penn State. As Karen Walker reported last month, many in downtown State College greeted the students’ return in late-August with a mix of optimism and concern. Optimism…

For the first time since 1886, there will be no Penn State football games played this fall.  The annual tradition began November 12, 1887, with a 54-0 win at Bucknell. It grew for 132 years, through a 53-39 win over Memphis in the Cotton Bowl on December 28, 2019. It’s a…

On a beautiful, warm summer night earlier this season, my wife and I took a trip back in time: We headed to the drive-in. In this Summer of COVID, we have to get creative in finding entertainment. Sometimes, it’s right in front of us – or, in this case, a pleasant 40-minute drive along…

It’s been an eventful stretch since Ron Filippelli was sworn-in as State College mayor in December. Filippelli, the ceremonial head of the municipality and something of a public ambassador, has helped the borough respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the heightened calls for racial equity following George Floyd’s killing by police in Minneapolis. …

Terry Watson’s family has a rich history in law enforcement. His great-grandfather Moses P. Cobb was the first black police officer to have a full career in New York City. His great-uncle Samuel Battle was the first African-American detective in the NYPD. Their experiences helped inspire Watson, of State College, to develop a speakers…

The news was delivered with little fanfare on a quiet Sunday evening, June 14. But its impact is huge. Penn State leaders announced that the university will resume in-person classes for the fall semester, which begins August 24. After a hiatus that stretches to the weekend of March 6 – when spring break started…

A few observations while looking forward to my next haircut…   On a short hike at Bald Eagle State Park on sunny Mother’s Day, we saw a couple of small groups – they appeared to be families – picnicking at separate outdoor pavilions, safely apart. We enjoyed the smell of one family’s…

There’s nothing typical about this issue of Town&Gown, just as there’s nothing typical about this time in which we are living. As I write this, I haven’t set foot in our South Allen Street offices in about three weeks. The mess of papers on my desk undoubtedly remains untouched. Instead, most of us…