After Sarah Anne Wharton graduated from Juniata College, she launched to Maine, New Mexico and Brooklyn, New York, never expecting to land back in Central Pennsylvania. Today, she proudly calls herself a Happy Valley local. She’s a champion for the area’s unique mix of outdoor adventure, vibrant research and — as communications specialist for the Palmer Museum of Art — art for everyone.

In opening Juana’s Cuisine in downtown State College, owner Ady Martinez wanted to bring more than Venezuelan food and culture to Happy Valley, PA. She wanted to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who walk through the door of the cozy, lively restaurant on Fraser Street.

On Wednesday, March 29, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau teamed up with 3 Dots Downtown and the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) to host “Wonder Women of Hospitality,” an event that highlighted women who live and breathe Happy Valley Hospitality in the downtown State College community.

If you visit Philipsburg and make your way to the new Moshannon Valley Heritage Center (we highly recommend that you do!), you’ll inevitably run into Tom Laird. He is, after all, a lifelong Philipsburg resident, original member of The Cold Stream Beach Bums, and can regale you with stories of old dams, forgotten ruins, hollows and hills of the area. “It sings to me,” he says.

State College, PA, March 6, 2023 – The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), 3 Dots Downtown and the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) will host a lively evening to celebrate a few standout women from some of downtown State College’s most popular dining establishments and watering holes.

The Nittany Mountain Bicycling Association and State College Cycling Community are excited to welcome Pennsylvania’s first Director of Outdoor Recreation to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Dr. Reigner will be speaking at JL Farm & Cidery on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Gary Abdullah Jr. was born in the shadow of Beaver Stadium, went to State High, and married his childhood crush who lived down the street … but he never intended to stay in Happy Valley. Today, he will tell you that he has made Happy Valley his place — and it’s his life’s work to make it a place for everyone. Because in his words, “Happy Valley isn’t happy for everyone.” And he wants to change that.

When Tanya Campbell was a little girl, her grandmother walked her dogs on Charcoal Flats, a trail in Shingletown. Tanya, her mother, and her daughter also enjoyed hiking along this same trail. The trail, just past Pine Grove Mills near the small town of Shingletown, is known for its series of four charcoal flats — large, circular flat areas where logs would be piled and allowed to smolder to create and one that was used to make iron ore. Or, in the words of little girl Tanya, it’s a place that is “rocky and awesome.”

We Are Inn
Owner and Chef Pat Romano is a long-time Penn State super fan who built his Philipsburg inn and restaurant with his family around the theme of the university. His love for his family, career, Penn State, visitors and patrons is evident in all his work, and is one reason he received the inaugural Peter Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau in fall 2022.