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Happy Valley Chapter Conservation Banquet
At The Penn Stater, the Happy Valley Chapter hosts its annual conservation banquet celebrating the Keystone Elk Country Alliance and its mission of conservation and education in Elk Country. The evening pairs live music from The Arthur Arkestra with raffles, games, a silent auction, a live auction, and a full course dinner with a dessert buffet. A cash bar will be available. Families will find thoughtful touches, including gifts for children, and the program includes recognition for veterans. Proceeds support projects in Pennsylvania’s Elk Country. Several updates are planned this year. A beer ticket package will be sold at a dedicated table, offering a strip of general raffle tickets along with three beer tickets for a $20 purchase. Online applications are handled through Zeffy without a required credit card fee, with an optional contribution at checkout, and credit card payments made at the banquet will include a processing fee. The Habitat Donation Campaign will be hosted at the Progressive and Life Member Table, and each $100 donated that evening earns an entry for a chance to attend an elk calf capture experience for two conducted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for KECA. An early bird offer doubles general raffle tickets and also enters buyers into a special drawing for a Tikka T3x Hunter in 300 Win Mag paired with a Leupold VX Freedom 4 12x40 CDS scope and Leupold bases and rings for every $200 in general raffle tickets purchased. This offer is not available the night of the event. The Gold Table Sponsor package includes 10 meals and 10 KECA memberships, plus $1000 in general raffle tickets, 50 bonus tickets, 30 Top Shelf tickets and a table raffle opportunity at the sponsor’s discretion. Someone seated at each Gold Table Sponsor table could take home a $500 Visa gift card, and sponsors receive recognition throughout the program. New Sponsor and Life Members are eligible for a drawing featuring a Kimber 1911 .45 ACP package with custom KECA grips, and for every five new members at these levels an additional firearm package is added to the drawing. The Progressive Raffle returns with a chance to win a Christensen Arms Evoke 7mm at the banquet for $20 per ticket or six for $100. That rifle winner is then entered with winners from other chapter events for a chance at a free range, fully guided companion elk hunt for two, one bull and one cow, at Fishtail Ranch in Chama, New Mexico. The hunt winner will be drawn at the Elk Expo in Benezette. A KECA custom engraved Henry Long Ranger .308, limited to 13 produced, will be raffled with tickets available before and during the banquet at $20 each or three for $50. Live auction highlights include a stay for up to 10 guests at the Elk Mountain Homestead adjacent to the Elk Country Visitor Center meadow with access to the overlook silo, an Elk Country After Dark experience, and a reserved horse drawn wagon ride for up to 22 people that offers 45 minutes of up close elk viewing during the rut, along with many other items. The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center is offering a discounted overnight rate for banquet attendees.
The Penn StaterReclaiming Yourself in Menopause through Meditation & Movement
Reconnect with yourself in a supportive workshop for women navigating menopause. Through breathwork, ecstatic dance meditation, and a body scan practice, participants explore mindful ways to tune into the body and emotions. An informative discussion covers hormonal changes, nutrition, and the importance of exercise during this life stage. A guided reflection invites each woman to meet herself anew, focusing on self and relationship connection rather than trying to change what the body is experiencing or reclaim a younger version of self. The emphasis is on acceptance, self compassion, and embracing one’s own strength and beauty. The workshop is led by Molly Jacobsen of Mindful Molly Wellness Coaching, a certified holistic nurse health coach and registered nurse with over 14 years of experience. She is a certified meditation instructor with three years of personal practice who enjoys leading meditation classes and workshops. Drawing from her own menopause journey and nursing background, Molly shares how meditation and movement can decrease anxiety, rebuild self confidence, and help midlife women reconnect with their bodies. Cost: $45
Dancing Tiger Movement and MeditationSwing Into Spring
An all-swing workshop and dance weekend in State College hosted by the Penn State Swing Dance Club features intermediate lessons in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and West Coast Swing taught by Carla and Rye Crowen. The festivities also include live music from Crooner & Co Swing Band along with sets by local DJs. Expect warmups as doors open, back-to-back intermediate Lindy Hop and Charleston classes, a dinner break, then an evening lineup with a beginner Lindy Hop lesson, a live band dance, and a late-night blues and fusion session. The next day focuses on West Coast Swing with two intermediate lessons followed by a social dance. All passes are sold at the door by cash, check, or Venmo, and there is no pre-registration. Weekend pricing is $10 for Penn State students with ID and $30 for non-students. Dance-only entry is free for students with ID and $10 for non-students. The weekend takes place at 3 Dots Downtown. Paid parking is available a short walk away at the McAllister St. Parking Deck or the Pugh Street Garage. For questions, contact CJ Witherell at cjw6701@psu.edu. This program is funded by the Student Initiated Fee and Penn State Educational Equity.
3 Dots DowntownShanna in a Dress
Shanna in a Dress delivers smart, candid songwriting that blends humor and heartbreak. Her performance can shift from laughs to tender moments, sometimes within a single song. The sound nods to John Prine and Ingrid Michaelson with a playful touch reminiscent of Phoebe Buffay, carried by a sweet voice and supported by guitar, piano, and ukulele. Tickets are $20.
University Mennonite ChurchYour morning shortcut
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