Category: State College

In the last few weeks, a friend has encouraged me to join her a few mornings a week at Planet Fitness. I know I need to adopt some kind of regular exercise but for some reason, I never seem to make time to do it on my own. Plus, exercising with a friend at a gym sounded like a way to give me some structure to the activity.

Of course, I knew where Planet Fitness was located…in the Nittany Mall outside of State College. The Mall has steadily lost various stores over the last several years so I wasn’t sure what stores were left. The anchor stores of Sears, Macy’s, J. C. Penney and BonTon have closed up.

The space left by Sears is now a huge Rural King. It seems to be competition for Tractor Supply just down the road. The store is always busy and is focused on the needs of the surrounding rural community. It anchors one end of the Mall, but is separate from the Mall. There is no access inside the store to get to the inside of the Mall.

The other end of the Mall where Macy’s was is now all boarded up, waiting for approvals to open a Casino. Who knows when that will materialize.

The entrance to the Mall nearest Rural King is still available and leads you to a few office fronts and a restaurant and on into the Mall.

The whole side of the building inside that used to house various clothing stores, is now occupied by Planet Fitness! It’s quite a facility that extends from where Sears used to be, clear up to the hallway taking you to the Public Restrooms.

So, when my friend said, I’ll meet you at Planet Fitness, I was sure I knew just where to go!

However, with all of the glass advertising that Planet Fitness was inside…nowhere could I find a DOOR! In fact, in the first photo above, the one door says, “Not an Entrance.” Great! I sat down and texted my friend. “Where are you? There is no door!” She said, “You have to get back in the car and drive around the end of the Mall (past Rural King) to the back entrance.” That entrance used to take you into the Mall…now it just goes to Planet Fitness! Oh My!

I would love to show you some pictures of the inside of Planet Fitness, but one of the rules is no photos! (Go online to see the inside of some of the facilities.) So, let me tell you…for a person like me that has never been inside ANY gym, this place was overwhelming. So many machines…and so many different kinds of machines. Treadmills looked familiar! Beyond that, people were riding bikes, rowing, stepping, etc. The best part, nobody cared what I was doing. My friend let me follow her around and showed me how to use a few machines.

My first impulse was to be careful. I didn’t want to fall off anything or stretch the wrong way. Most of the machines were pretty self-explanatory…a diagram with the muscle group highlighted, and an illustration of how to do the exercise. Luckily my friend showed me how to adjust the weights and how to sit down on the machine. Let me tell you, I really needed to see someone do it first.

Next came the challenge of signing up! I could use my Silver Sneakers card…but of course it was very out of date. So, I said I would check it out with my insurance company and would come back. Turns out, I could sign up online and was issued an ID number. The next day, I returned with my number in hand and went through all the rules and signed a dozen places. I was told to download the Planet Fitness app and I’d be set to sign in like everybody else…showing a code on my phone. Sure.

I finally got the app downloaded but I could see I needed one more step…the gym needed to sync my information with the app so it would recognize my information. The next time I went to Planet Fitness, a young man took my phone and synced everything! Yea! I could now check in!

The third day, I actually had time to try the machines on my own. I handled the treadmill fine except I discovered I wasn’t coordinated enough to walk and open a bottle of water at the same time. Oops! I can see I have a way to go! One day at a time!

More about the Nittany Mall

I don’t really know exactly how many stores are left in the Mall. Just wandering a way up the Mall I saw many boarded-up store fronts. Looks like American Eagle Outfitters is still there, along with Spencer’s.

The Centre Region Active Adult Center is just across from the windows of Planet Fitness. They were busy with many seniors playing cards and visiting. I stopped in and picked up their schedule. Who knows, maybe I’ll try out some line-dancing when I get a little more coordinated!

One of the downsizing challenges for quilters and crafters alike is what to do with our piles of assorted materials. Like many of you, I have materials for quilting like cotton fabric and batting. As a crafter, I also have assorted materials like zippers, bias binding, ribbon, elastic and thread. My giant tub of neckties (cut apart and sorted by color) has become part of a night stand until needed for a craft project! Of course, lately my interests seem to have morphed into beading bracelets! Oh my!

My biggest concern has been what to do with all my stuff if I’m faced with the challenge of downsizing. Might not happen this year, but eventually I’ll need to make some decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. I just can’t see all this stuff going in the garbage to live forever in a landfill!

In my ongoing quest to find local organizations that accept donations of household goods I’ve already explored the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and the CentrePeace Showroom. They are set up to accept clothing, small appliances and furniture and then offer these items for sale to the public. Each organization has a charity who benefits from these sales. You can read about them here:

https://marykisner.com/exploring-the-st-vincent-de-paul-thrift-store/

https://marykisner.com/exploring-the-centrepeace-showroom/

About Scraps & Skeins

Last week I took the time to explore the Scraps & Skeins shop in State College.

Their printed literature says Scraps & Skeins is a creative reuse store…meaning they accept donated items such as fabric, yarn, quilting supplies, knitting needles, books, patterns and even refurbished sewing machines! These items are organized and repackaged for resale to the public. This store provides employment opportunities for adults with mental health challenges. This is a win/win as far as I can see!

Scraps & Skeins was officially opened in 2015 under the umbrella of Strawberry Fields with the mission to create employment opportunities for adults with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and mental health issues. All proceeds support Strawberry Fields Inc., a United Way affiliate.

Since 2015, Scraps & Skeins has grown from a single showroom and store room into the six-room shop and workspace located behind the Strawberry Fields’ administrative office. It now employs a store manager and multiple employees.

Exploring Scraps & Skeins for Donation Ideas

The colorful displays of fabric are enticing! It feels like a fabric store! I wanted to see what items they displayed compared with my pile of stuff so when the time comes to downsize, I’m donating the right things to them.

I found beautiful displays of fabric:

Even my sewing machines could be donated here!

Patterns are accepted too!

This would be a great place to donate my quilting and crafting books.

I have a whole bin of vintage fabric and I was pleased to see they displayed vintage items…looks like the stuff I have. I’m glad I can donate it here!

They had a whole room filled with notions…like thread, sewing needles and knitting needles. The room was crowded so I just peeked in…I don’t like to get between folks and their search for the perfect spool of thread!

I asked about donations of beading materials. They said they have found the resale value was too small to bother. After looking around, my bin of necktie material would probably not be accepted either. Good to know!

The Benefits of Donating and/or Shopping at Scraps & Skeins

Now I have a better idea of what I could donate to Scraps & Skeins. I also see the opportunity to go shopping for some lovely fabrics, books and yarn…when the need arises!

It feels good to support this store…I’m able to keep my sewing and crafting stuff out of landfills and by shopping here I’m supporting local adults who are learning valuable employment skills. You can do your part by donating and/or shopping at Scraps & Skeins in State College!

Finding Scraps & Skeins in State College

Their store is a little difficult to find the first time, but when you find it…you’ve found a treasure! Their address is 2766 West College Ave., State College, PA 16801. To get there I find it easiest to turn off West College Avenue onto Bristol Avenue and then turn right onto Enterprise. The first right takes you behind and between the buildings and when they are open, they put out a sign that really helps!

They even put out a bin for small donations in case you just want to drop off a small bag of stuff!

The store is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am to 2 pm, and every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-2. Donations can also be dropped off Wednesdays from 10-2, although the shop will not be open then.

You can reach Scraps & Skeins at 814-234-1435; or email at scrapsskeins@gmail.com.

You can read more about them at https://scrapsskeins.shopsettings.com.

Helpfully, they also post regularly on Facebook to remind you of their hours and new stuff they have! Check them out!

I’ve been watching with interest as Apple Hill Antiques relocated recently. It had been at the top of the hill on Gerald Street, just off Rt. 26 (E. College Ave.). You can see from this map that they didn’t move too far…the star on Rt. 26 is their new location. They are now in the building that was the former Tubbies Mattress Store. It does have a second floor, so the whole shopping experience felt like there was lots more to see.

Here is their new brochure:

Usually, I shop at antique stores for specific items…like I did in 2021 for vintage fabric (see https://marykisner.com/finding-vintage-fabric-at-apple-hill-antiques/). The way many places are organized it’s pretty easy to walk down an aisle and scan the shelves. If I was looking for Red Ruby glassware, it would be visible from the aisle.

This time, I wanted to give you an overview of the many kinds of things they had available. The smaller size of this new facility meant sellers had smaller booths and they were often tucked around corners or placed back to back. Walking through the aisles was a slower process…which meant I saw more cool stuff. It felt like sellers did a great job keeping their stuff less cluttered. I suspect items are rotated more frequently. I’m sure many of these sellers also have booths at other antique co-ops.

I tried to take pictures of most of the displays but as I wandered out the door, I realized I missed a few completely! I’ll just have to go again!!

For example, there wasn’t just one booth with lots of books. Almost every booth had a few books, often relating to the rest of the items…like a few cookbooks stacked near antique cookware displayed on a kitchen cupboard. Since I was thinking about picking up a few old books for my grandson it became a game to find all the books tucked into corners.

Even the offerings of vinyl records were scattered throughout the booths. A collector’s dream!

Here’s an example of what it means to have Fine Antiques and Collectibles in a Gallery Setting:

Even doll house miniatures are in a display doll house!

I didn’t expect to find this bear rug looking at me as I came in the door! (Made me think of all the times Bert went bear hunting and did not get a bear. So glad I didn’t have to figure out where to put a full-size bear rug. This one was backed to be hung on the wall!)

This stuffed baby bear was upstairs, holding the seller’s cards! Clever!

From glassware to antique tools and vintage linens to collectible figures, I saw many beautiful things.

Of course, can’t forget collectible coins!

Vintage wedding dress and baby seat:

Remember Paper Dolls?

How about guitars and an accordian:

And my favorite surprise…a cow cookie jar that made me smile!!

So many wonderful booths to explore. I found many familiar items from my mother’s kitchen and favorite books from my childhood. If only I had saved them! Oh well, come to the new location of Apple Hill Antiques and explore the past through lovely vintage collectibles! Enjoy!

In my continuing quest to find great places in the area that accept donated household goods, last week I visited the CentrePeace showroom just outside of Bellefonte (although they have a State College address). This site was suggested to me by the folks at the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store as a place that accepted donations of larger household goods and furniture, since the thrift store can handle only clothing and small household goods. (See https://marykisner.com/exploring-the-st-vincent-de-paul-thrift-store/)

CentrePeace is a non-profit organization created in 1975 to support inmates at nearby correctional facilities with their social and communication skills. (See www.centrepeace.org). Their most visible program, Project Restore, created in 1984, is a joint venture between CentrePeace, the Centre County Correctional Facility and the community. All goods are donated by the community to CentrePeace, keeping them out of landfills. Trainees and staff repair and restore pieces that are then resold to the public. The CentrePeace showroom now occupies a 7,000 sq. ft. showroom space at 3047 Benner Pike, State College… quite close to Bellefonte.

Benefits to Trainee Inmates

From the CentrePeace brochure I learned: “Trainees learn skills to repair and restore furniture, small appliances and other goods, while learning valuable job skills. The staff is able to mentor trainees by modeling behavior such as communication and social skills as well as enforcing a good work ethic.”

Benefits to the Community

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are welcomed to help work with customers and keep the show spaces looking great. Any volunteer with experience in woodworking, upholstery or appliance repair is welcome to help others learn those skills.

Downsizing Opportunities

Need to downsize YOUR stuff? Consider donating items to CentrePeace. Items can be delivered to their showroom…there is a sign as you enter the parking lot. If items are large or you can’t transport them, give them a call at (814)353-9081 and they will make an appointment for pick up, usually within a week.

Buying Opportunities

Interested in gently used or restored furniture and appliances? Check out their showroom! See photos below!

Tour of the CentrePeace Showroom

And finally, very important Mission Statement and Goals are defined in their brochure. Makes me want to step up and support this organization. How about you?

Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.

Are you thinking about spring cleaning, or at least cleaning out your closet and dresser drawers? Do you wish you could just box up tired decorating items and pass them off to someone without having to set up a garage sale? It’s unacceptable for me to just toss things in the trash to be buried in a landfill. It would be nice if someone could benefit from my cast offs. I started exploring places in my area where I could donate these items. Of course, Goodwill stores seem to be in every community, but I had also heard about the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store in State College. I decided to check it out yesterday.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization of lay Catholics, called to serve the poor in local communities. The most important activity they do is to work with folks in need by providing material assistance such as rent, utilities, food or clothing, job training and emotional support. In south central Pennsylvania (Centre, Blair and Cambria counties) there are eight thrift stores, five food pantries, two food distribution warehouses, a youth ministry program, and two Family Kitchens! Their major fundraising activity is their network of Thrift Stores around the world. Donations of money, clothing and small household items are accepted and sold to support their work. The money stays in the local community.

The local Thrift Store has 140 volunteers who collect, sort, price and sell tons of donated items. Even the managers are unpaid volunteers! You can read more about the beginnings of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at https://ssvpusa.org/ and about the State College store at https://stvincentstatecollege.org/.

The St. Vincent de Paul State College Thrift Store recently (2019) moved to a large building on the Benner Pike. It shares the building with Dick’s Homecare and is near the new Centre Crest facility. My specific goal was to see what they had so I had a better idea of what kinds of things I should donate.

Entering the store feels like entering a quality Boutique! It does not feel like a Thrift store or a flea market. Very nice!

I was able to talk with the manager on duty who was very clear what kinds of things they accepted…clothing and accessories and small household items. Larger appliances and furniture would be passed on to Centre Peace…another charitable organization nearby. I think I’ll check them out soon. Prices were very reasonable…I was able to get a silk scarf for $1.00.

What wonderful service in this community! Selling items like these keeps them out of landfills, offers bargains to one and all, and the profits benefit the local community! A win all around!

So, if you are wondering where to donate your gently used clothing and household items, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will gladly help you out. If you’re looking for bargains to redecorate or add to your wardrobe, the Thrift Store may have just what you’re looking for! If you need assistance with anything, give them a call. If they can’t help you, they are well connected in the community to help you find what you need! Here is their contact information:

So, let’s get started on cleaning out all our “stuff” now that we know a place to pass them on! Enjoy!

Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.

For several years I’ve been wanting to stop by the home I grew up in (224 Ridge Avenue) to take some pictures. My family moved to State College in 1947. My sister, Jean, was ten years old and my brother, Mark, was seven. I was born in November of 1946, so I was just six months old when we moved from New Jersey.

When my mother passed away in 1988, Dad moved to Foxdale Village in State College. The home has had several owners in the last 30 years and it has been remodeled and updated over those years. While Dad had some contact with the folks that first bought the house from him, after a year or two he felt he didn’t need to stay in touch with subsequent owners.

The house was a Sears, Roebuck & Co. craftsman home built in 1926. Here are some pictures I have of the house around the 1950’s.

In the 1960’s Dad had the house remodeled inside and out. The front porch was enclosed with huge windows and a fireplace. The back porch was turned into a landing that led to an enclosed room with lots of windows that became Dad’s office. I don’t know exactly how long the construction lasted, I just remember having to step over construction materials as I went through the back door in my senior prom dress!

I’ve been able to check the property out on Google over the years and lately I noticed the most recent renovation drastically changed the roof line of the house. Obviously, an addition to the back of the house increased the living space of the structure. I think a second story was added to the room my Dad used as an office. Here are two screen shots from Google maps:

I stopped by the house this week to take some pictures. I rang the doorbell, but no one answered. So much for thinking I could see the inside of the house!

First, I checked out the front steps…I know when the concrete was poured on the steps in the 1960’s, I signed my initials and placed a 1964 penny there. I guess it’s been covered up. These steps look much better!

I saw this plaque by the front door:

From the porch, looking down the driveway to the garage, the view is certainly filled with green plants.

When I turned around to go to the front sidewalk, I realized how HUGE the tree in the front yard was! I don’t even remember if there was a tree there at all. There may have been a large pine tree there when I was much younger. This tree has to be almost 30 years old, but it’s beautiful.

The people living here certainly like lots of plants and privacy hedges.

When I stood back closer to the curb to take a side picture, I can barely see the brick chimney on the right with the overhang from the tree in the front yard. Yellow siding and white painted brick certainly changes the whole look of the house. However, it is the best kept house on the block.

The Adams house next door is still there but doesn’t look like it’s been upgraded at all. Next to that is the brick apartment house on the corner of Burrows Street. From the evidence of assorted stuff outside the house, it looks like student housing.

As I drove down Atherton Street toward Boalsburg I was stopped at the light at Atherton and College Avenue. Imagine my surprise to see giant high rise apartment buildings on either side of the intersection! Things have certainly changed! I guess I should drive through town now and then just to keep up!

I guess things stay the same only in our memories! To my family, I hope you enjoyed the updated pictures of 224 Ridge Avenue! To everyone else, treasure the memories you have of the places you’ve lived! Enjoy!

Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.