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Savor, Celebrate, and Support: Centre County United Way’s “Taste of the Town” Returns November 16

Posted on by Jules Slater

State College, PA [October 20, 2025] The community’s most anticipated night of flavor and philanthropy returns this fall! Centre County United Way invites you to the 2025 Taste of the Town, happening Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center (215 Innovation Blvd, State College, PA 16803).

Taste of the Town brings together more than 300 guests for an evening of culinary excellence, community spirit, and collective impact. Featuring 30+ of the region’s finest restaurants, local wineries and distilleries, live entertainment, and exciting auctions, this signature fundraising event is more than a night out—it’s a movement to ensure every neighbor in Centre County can thrive.

A Night That Gives Back
Proceeds from Taste of the Town support Centre County United Way’s work to strengthen health, financial security, opportunity, and community resiliency for over 40,000 of our neighbors each year.


“When you sponsor or attend Taste of the Town, you’re not just supporting one event—you’re investing in a stronger, more connected community,” said Megan Evans, Executive Director. “Together, we’re opening doors, uplifting neighbors, and building a brighter future for everyone in Centre County. Because, United is the Way™.”

What’s New on the Menu This Year

  • Sample food from 30+ of Centre County’s best restaurants.
  • Enjoy wine and spirits tastings from local vendors.
  • Discover new interactive experiences.
  • Mingle with friends who love food, fun, and giving back.
  • Experience added seating and new ticket pricing options.
  • Introducing Taste to Table, a new concierge add-on service.
  • Explore refreshed sponsorship opportunities.

Come Hungry. Leave Inspired. Make a Difference.


Reserve your spot at www.ccunitedway.org.
Sunday, November 16, 2025 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center 215 Innovation Blvd, State College, PA 16803


Media Contact: Megan Evans – Executive Director, Centre County United Way megan@ccunitedway.org www.ccunitedway.org

CBICC Celebrates Excellence in the Business Community at 2025 Centre County Business Awards, Presented by Stuckey Automotive

Posted on by Jules Slater

Six local businesses and individuals honored with awards for outstanding efforts over the past year.

Kate Myers and Tyler Henderson, AmpliFLY Video (Emerging Business of the Year), John Sepp, PennTerra Engineering (Business Leader of the Year), Greg Hayes, Kish Bank (Business of the Year), Greg Scott, President & CEO of CBICC, Rebecca Farmer Force, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA (ATHENA Champion Leadership Award), Christian Baum, Giv Local (Small Business of the Year), and Mary Sorensen, Centre County Historical Society (Nonprofit of the Year).

CENTRE COUNTY, PA – October 24, 2025 – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) in partnership with event sponsors celebrated the achievements of six local businesses and individuals at the 2025 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Stuckey Automotive. The annual ceremony took place in the Nittany Lion Inn Ballroom on October 23.

The event was emceed by CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott, who highlighted the importance of recognizing excellence across the Centre County business community.

“Year after year, this program ensures that the people making an impact in the Centre County business community receive well-deserved recognition and visibility,” said Scott. “This year’s recipients represent the innovation and dedication that drives Centre County’s economy forward and enhances the high quality of life we enjoy.”

The award recipients are as follows:
• Nonprofit of the Year: Centre County Historical Society
• ATHENA Champion Leadership Award: Rebecca Farmer Force, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA
• Emerging Business of the Year: AmpliFLY Video
• Small Business of the Year: Giv Local
• Business Leader of the Year: John Sepp, President, PennTerra Engineering, Inc.
• Business of the Year: Kish Bank

CBICC Board Chair Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director of PICCC, Inc., delivered opening remarks and introduced Matt Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey Automotive, the presenting sponsor of this year’s event.

“Being engaged with the Chamber, both as a member and on the Board, means getting a front-row seat to the collaboration and spirit that define our community,” said Johnson. “This evening is a celebration of that spirit and the excellence it inspires.”

The Centre County Business Awards is a cornerstone CBICC event recognizing outstanding achievement through a peer-led nomination and selection process. This year’s program drew a record number of nominations, which were reviewed and discussed by a diverse panel of community and business leaders serving on the Awards Selection Committee.

The event was organized by CBICC and made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Stuckey Automotive, marketing sponsors The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., and additional sponsors: Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., Penn State Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, First National Bank, Penn Highlands Healthcare, PNC, College Township Industrial Development Authority, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, Geisinger Health Plan, Reliance Bank, Scholar Hotels, Mount Nittany Health, Dreibelbis Development, Kish Bank, Universal Settlement Services, PSECU, Comcast Business, Nittany Valley Sports Centre, Fulton Bank, Ameron Construction Company, Inc., PennTerra Engineering, Inc, and Penn State Transportation Services.

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About the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is a dynamic membership organization that champions the interests of private and public organizations. As the region’s leading economic development entity, the CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation. Learn more at www.cbicc.org.

Geisinger Health Plan announces Medicare Advantage plans for 2026

Posted on by Jules Slater

Seniors have until Dec. 7 to sign up for a plan that helps fill coverage gaps

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) announced its Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which includes benefits for members featuring premiums starting as low as $0 per month.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7. During this seven-week window, eligible seniors can evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the upcoming year. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, prescription benefits and long-term care.

“Health care should be at the top of everyone’s mind — especially for seniors,” said Roger van Baaren, Geisinger Health Plan chief sales officer. “Now is the time for older adults to review their Medicare coverage for 2026. Everyone’s health and health care needs look different, which is why Geisinger Gold offers a variety of plans that fill the gaps people might have in their current coverage. People can live healthier lives when they have access to the extra services and programs that make managing their health simpler and more affordable.”

Geisinger Gold offers access to a comprehensive care network with more than 30,000 doctors, 180 hospitals and 3,000 pharmacies. It also includes perks like wellness programs, prescription discounts, financial assistance and Silver Circle membership, a free program designed for men and women 55+ that promotes physical, emotional and social well-being. 

Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and HMO D-SNP plans are offered by Geisinger Health Plan/Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company/Geisinger Quality Options, Inc., health plans with a Medicare contract. Continued enrollment in Geisinger Gold depends on contract renewal. Geisinger Health Plan, Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company, and Geisinger Quality Options, Inc. are part of Geisinger, an integrated health care delivery and coverage organization. Risant Health is the parent organization of Geisinger.

Centre Film Festival Celebrates Seven Years of Cinematic Storytelling: An Expansive Lineup, Community Honorees, and International Must-Sees

Posted on by Jules Slater

State College, PA — Oct. 14, 2025 — The Centre Film Festival returns for its seventh season, November 10–16, 2025, bringing global stories and local voices together across five cherished venues — UEC Theatres, The State Theatre,  and The Rowland Theatre as well as the Carnegie Cinema and the Foster Auditorium at Penn State University.

This year’s celebration opens with a proclamation from the Borough of State College, recognizing the festival’s cultural and economic impact on the region and its role in connecting community, art, and storytelling. As Mayor Ezra Nanes affirmed in the Proclamation, “The Centre Film Festival celebrates the world-class talent, artistry, and storytelling found right here in Centre County—proving that our region is rich with screen-worthy stories and the creative skill to bring them to life.”

Attendees are invited to participate in post-screening discussions, explore Pennsylvania-based filmmaking through the “Made in PA” series, and connect with creatives shaping the future of film.

PRE-FESTIVAL SCREENINGS:
This year, audiences can get an early taste of the festival with two pre-fest screenings held at Foster Auditorium on the Penn State campus:

Tuesday, November 4 at 6pm — How To Build A Library (Kenya; 2025), directed by Maia Lekow and Christopher King.
Thursday, November 6 at 6pm — The Librarians (USA; 2025), directed by Kim A. Snyder.

PENN STATE STUDENT CELEBRATION
The Festival will honor Penn State students and alumni filmmakers at its annual Tailgate Screening on Sunday, November 9 at 6pm at Carnegie Cinema.

OPENING NIGHT FILMS
The festival launches with Free Leonard Peltier, directed by Academy Award–nominated filmmaker David France (How to Survive a Plague, Welcome to Chechnya) and Oglala Lakota filmmaker Jesse Short Bull (Lakota Nation vs. United States). A post-screening discussion will follow with co-director Jesse Short Bull and representatives from our local Prison Journalism Project. Paired with the opening feature is the poetic short film from Kosovo, Five Seasons of My Childhood, directed by Besim Ugzmajli.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
This year includes the first-ever VR collaboration with the Palmer Museum of Art, featuring immersive experiences from France, Germany, South Africa, and the United States. The event takes place Thursday, November 13, from 1pm – 7pm and is curated with Diane Akpovwa and creatively furnished by Shindig Alley of Philipsburg, PA.

HONOREES:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Don Roy King — Penn State alumnus and one of live television’s most celebrated directors, including sixteen seasons of Saturday Night Live.

Chandler Living Legacy Award: Jerrie Johnson — Penn State alum, actor (Harlem, Survival of the Thickest), writer, and creative force whose work bridges artistry, activism, and radical joy.

FESTIVAL SECTIONS & NEW ADDITIONS:
This year, the festival is proud to inaugurate a new signature series: Disability on Screen, featuring award-winning documentaries Life After, Row of life, Disposable Humanity and other international shorts and features. The festival will also continue to celebrate its hallmark series: Sports on Screen, Made in PA, Pride on Screen, and the Industry Awards.

SPOTLIGHT FILMS & VISITING FILMMAKERS

  • Mr. Nobody Against Putin— Directed by David Borenstein and Pasha Talankin about A Russian teacher who secretly documents his small-town school’s transformation into a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion, an official submission to the Oscars from Denmark
  • Row of Life — Paralympian and Marine veteran Angela Madsen’s inspiring solo-row journey. Post-screening Q&A with Angela’s partner, Debra Moeller.
  • Tatami — Co-directed by Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv; a tense and visually stunning drama set in Tehran.
  • In Excess (Made in PA) — Directed by Melissa Langer, a locally filmed documentary exploring waste and displacement in Philadelphia.
  • Luz — Starring Isabelle Huppert, a Sundance favorite hypnotic exploration of desire, delusion, and transformation.
  • The Fisherman — An offbeat Ghanaian allegory about myth, power, and corruption. Director Zoey Martinson will be in attendance.
  • Holding Liat — A family’s endurance and empathy in the wake of abduction.
  • A Letter to David — Written by David Cunio’s brother while David was held in captivity; screening coincides with David’s release.
  • The Wolves Always Come at Night — Directed by Gabrielle Brady, a Mongolian docu-fiction hybrid and Australia’s Oscar submission.
  • Just Kids and Speak — two documentaries amplifying the courage and creativity of young voices.
  • Sneak Peek with WPSU: The American Revolution — Featuring Friedericke Baer (Penn State Altoona), who appears in the film, followed by a community discussion.

…and so much more. The full festival schedule will be available on October 22nd on www.CentreFilm.org


ON-CAMPUS & DAILY SCREENINGS:
Lunchtime Screenings at the Library: Every day, 12 PM – 2 PM.
UEC Morning Screenings: Daily mornings leading up to the weekend.

GLOBAL REACH:
90 Pennsylvania Premieres
11 North American Premieres
22 U.S. Premieres
18 World Premieres
3 International submissions to the Oscars
26 Made in PA films!

FESTIVAL DETAILS:
Where: UEC Theatres 12, The State Theatre, The Rowland Theatre, Carnegie Cinema, and Foster Auditorium at Penn State (Closing Night Ceremony at the Rowland)
When: Monday, November 10 – Sunday, November 16, 2025
Tickets: Students Always FREE | Individual Tickets $10 | All Access Pass $60 — 20% off pre-sale. Opening Night Tickets Available Now!

Tickets & Schedule: www.Centrefilm.org
Press Contact: Pearl Gluck, Artistic Director — pearl@centrefilm.org

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
The Centre Film Festival is made possible through the generous support of many organizations, students, volunteers, and film lovers including the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the Borough of State College, Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, the College of Arts and Architecture, the School of Theatre, Jewish Studies, and the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity at Penn State.

Penn Highlands Tyrone Leader Volunteers in the Community

Posted on by Jules Slater

(October 14, 2025, DuBois, Pennsylvania) – Penn Highlands Healthcare leaders spend a large portion of their time ensuring that the people in the communities served have access to high quality healthcare. When their workday is over, on weekends and when they take PTO, many volunteer with diverse organizations to help those in need or to strengthen our communities.

Throughout the health system many leaders are involved with church, school and civic organizations. In Central Pennsylvania, many organizations and people benefit from the service provided by leaders and employees at Penn Highlands Tyrone, Penn Highlands Huntingdon and Penn Highlands State College.

April Layton, RRT, the Cardiopulmonary Manager at Penn Highlands Tyrone, has been actively volunteering at the Juniata Valley Gospel Church, in Hollidaysburg, for as long as she can remember. For the past 10+ years she has been in charge of decorating and “undecorating” for the church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS).

“There is a good bit of planning and preparation time before the actual week of activities begins each year,” April explained. “It usually takes me about five or so hours to set up the stage we use and most nights I am there from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.”

April, who is the mother of two sons said that VBS students range in age from pre-K to 7th grade.

“The kids in our congregation are growing up and becoming volunteers themselves — it’s a natural progression,” she said.

She continued, “My parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins have all been active in the church so volunteering there was just something I grew up doing. Whenever something needed to be done or an event was taking place, everyone just pitched in to help. Throughout my life, where there is a need for something, if I can help in any way, I do. I guess it’s just my way of teaching my boys to help out in the community where they can.”

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011 and is comprised of nine hospitals. Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College is a new state-of-the-art hospital that opened in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with approximately 6,200 employees in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,396 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 849 physicians and 427 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare a great choice for healthcare in the region.