Homegrown Happy Valley

1.) Eat a fresh-from-the-brick-oven Gemelli pizza. We’ve seen Gemelli’s divine pies at the farmer’s markets in Boalsburg and Millheim. Now you can also pick up a pie at the restaurant that just opened next door to the State College shop. Bringing home? Better buy two. Trust us, you won’t get your garlic scape pesto pie past the parking lot.

2.) Connect with farmers in Central PA at the 5^th Annual Central PA Farm Tour. Pack a cooler for local goodies and a camera to show your city friends what they’re missing.

3.) Turn off the Food Channel and head over to Tussey Mountain’s Wing Fest. Starting July 15 and continuing every Thursday night, local restaurants put their wings to the test. Watch the action from your blanket, then settle in for some funnel cake and live local music.

4.) Head to the Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests for the 10^th Annual Wilderness 101: a 101 mile backcountry mountain bike race on Saturday July 31st.  Don’t wear spandex? Volunteer and enjoy the great grub and beautiful surroundings.

5.) Spend an afternoon lifting your spirits at Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery or Seven Mountains Wine Cellars. Both offer tasting, tours, and the requisite souvenir wine glass.

6.) Enjoy a taste of Italy while supporting Fasta & Ravioli Co., a local pasta maker. Pick up some of its fresh pasta at the farmer’s market and create your own dish. We highly recommend the raviolis, from the tried-and-true cheese to the more adventurous New Orleans Voodoo.

7.) Have Saturday brunch on the farm. From build-your-own omelets to pancakes made from scratch, Way Fruit Farm does breakfast right. Check the site for the mouth-watering menu.

8.) Soak up some sun at Whipple Dam. Challenge friends to a game of Marco Polo or feed the ducks, but be sure to stop at Doan’s Bones Barbecue.  This family owned restaurant, located on Whipple Dam Road, has an air-conditioned dining room, picnic seating and a take out counter.  All of the family recipes are original. Try “The Whippler,” a $5.25 summer treat packed with pulled pork, coleslaw and homemade fries.

9.) Enjoy a great cup of coffee while your child explores paint, clay and other art mediums. Starting next week, local Jill Seigworth will hold art classes for kids ages 2-8 at Cool Beans Coffee and Tea in Bellefonte. Pick a Wednesday or Thursday session in three different time slots, broken down by age: 8:45-9:15 for 2-year-olds, 9:30-10:15 for 3- and 4-year-olds, and 10:30-11:30 for 5 to 8 year olds. To inquire about availability and fees, e-mail Jill Seigworth at jseigworth@verizon.net.

10.) Treat your body with a Sunday “Detox Flow” at Lotus Center Yoga and a smoothie from The Enchanted Kitchen, which specializes in raw food. Stick an umbrella in your Tropical Oasis and prepare for complete relaxation.

11.) Read HomegrownHappyValley.org and join the discussion on Facebook. We’ll keep you informed and—most likely—hungry.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 16th, 2010 at 1:50 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.