I was excited when my afternoon assignment was the second annual aqua dog day at the Park Forest pool. With a crowd double the size of last years there was so many adorable four legged friends splashing and paddling through the water. Before the pool gets drained from it’s summer of giggling youngsters pups of all kinds and sizes got their chance at a nice afternoon and fora good cause. Money raised at the event will help for trees to be planted around the areas dog parks.
The unofficial last day of summer has arrived way to soon, for myself, and most here in Centre County. After a cooler than normal summer today’s dreary Labor day seemed like a fitting end. A reporter and I headed to Bald Eagle State Park as families tried to enjoy the last moments of freedom before school year gets in full swing. We chatted with fishers and hikers to sailboaters and tubers to reflect on the summer.
Rubber ducks floating down the creek, pressure bottle rockets flying through the air and the smell of delicious foods took over Coburn Park this afternoon. It was my first time at the park in the small rural community but was welcomed with the festivities of the day and the draw of local foods and involvement. Despite the off and on weather it was a successful and knowledgable event. 
As I wondered through the tents from my car to the animal barns a came across the sunshine club singing and dancing for all to enjoy.
Next came my mission for the day. To spend time at the junior market beef show. Youngsters work all year on raising cattle to show in hopes of winning a ribbon and a monetary prize. Then the animals are sold, and as the announcer said, these cattle can fill your freezer…
Despite the dreary weather to start the day the Centre County Grange Fair and Encampment was bustling today. The weekend at the fair is a big time for family picnics and fair goers from far away to enjoy the activities.
I started out by the tractor pulls, then wondered the grounds and the tents before ending my afternoon there on the ferris wheel for a new perspective of the grounds.
Before the Grange Fair officially starts, there needs to be a Grange Fair Queen ready to take on a long list of duties for the week. Tonights pageant featured six young ladies sharing their favorites about the fair and agriculture. A surprised and thrilled high school senior accepted the crown as her dress shimmered on stage.
After a tough come back and two extra innings Clarence ended their 10 year drought to win the County League title.
After missing most the summer I’m jumping in at the end of baseball season. With the county league in playoff games I headed to Philipsburg to capture the Spike Island Pirates beat the Blanchard Bees to move on to the championship series.
I know the calendar might say we still have a few weeks till summer starts, but in my mind it is here! Folks of all ages took their first splashes into the water as the Centre County Parks and Recreation pools opened for the season. A dreary morning cleared to a beautiful afternoon and great water temperatures for pool fun.
It has been the most exciting season for the State College Spikes since they came to the area. Tonight they played in the final game of the New York Penn League Championship Series. With high hopes the team took to the field but couldn’t get the ball on the bat. In the ninth inning, the fans rallied hoping they could pull back the win like they have on limited outs all summer. With the final strike out the season came to an unwanted ending.
