Millheim, the heart of Penns Valley, is a town that surprises. Look at the bare description – 900 people, a traffic light, named for mills that have been gone for a hundred years – and you wouldn’t expect much. A quick drive-through town probably wouldn’t change your mind.

Skip the major retailers and find something truly unique during your next shopping trip to Happy Valley. Whether you want a taste of the region’s agriculture and local food products, the best gear for your next outdoor adventure (and Happy Valley certainly has lots of outdoor adventure to offer!) or a perfect gift for your favorite person, you’ll find it at one of these six spots.

Many of us dream of wandering in the kind of charming, provincial communities we see on holiday cards at this time of year, but one needn’t travel overseas to London, Brussels, or Paris to make that vision a reality. While the “wilds” aspect of the PA Wilds gets much of the focus in our modern tourism industries, the storied towns that comprise the PA Wilds are just as worthy of a visit, offering guests the chance to unplug, reset and experience the holidays in places that welcome strangers and foster a genuine sense of community during the time of year that we crave it most.

Shopping for holiday gifts? Come to the Palmer Museum store! Holiday merchandise is 50% off and increasing to 75% off on Tuesday, December 13! Also, check out the soon-to-close exhibits, Looking at Who We Are: The Palmer at Fifty and The Art of Remembering: A Selection of Gifts, before December 18!

Black Friday marks the official start to holiday shopping, and Small Business Saturday, held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, reminds us to support local businesses by shopping small. On Saturday, November 26, find special promotions and discounts at many businesses in downtown Bellefonte.

On Friday, September 30th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Downtown Bellefonte will be celebrating the second to last Friday in the 'Fonte of the year. Bring your lawn chair and blankets and stop by the Centre County Courthouse to listen to live music by Granma Ben and check out many local vendors.

For sports fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Football returns and with it comes tailgate season. These days, tailgating has moved well beyond the stadium parking lot and into homes everywhere. Here are our best suggestions to easily satisfy an appetite for victory and great food.

For Fritz Smith, president and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the love for hospitality started at a very early age, in a place fueled by tourism.

“I grew up in Washington, D.C., a place where the two major industries were government and tourism,” he said. “You saw thousands of people visiting the Washington Monument and going in and out of the Smithsonian Museum buildings almost year-round. Something inside me said, “I bet those people are spending a whole lot of money while they are here!”

As summer approaches, there is no better way to cool down and relax in the late afternoon or evening than with a cold, tasty, sweet treat perfect for the whole family. Our ideas are not only super satisfying, they will create a fun family activity with kids, grandkids, or just those young at heart.