Oeuf Boeuf et Bacon maintains the diner decor of the former Baby's Restaurant and adds a French twist (photo by Hannah Pollock). Chef Gillian Clark came to State College from New York for a new opportunity. When it didn’t work out, she sought out a new venture—opening her own restaurant downtown. Clark had successfully operated restaurants and worked in the industry and wanted to create a new dining experience like no other.

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, gift giving and, of course, cookies. Everyone can find unique versions of their favorite cookies at State College’s sweetest new addition, Crumbl Cookies. Crumbl offers a rotating variety of gourmet cookies and ice cream at its storefront on Colonnade Way in State College, one of the newest outlets of the popular national chain. The cookie confectionary opened in late September, drawing a strong following, according to co-owner Adam Coughran.

Skye Chang noticed something was missing from the food offerings in downtown State College. He saw an opportunity for sharing the sweet and savory baked goods he enjoyed at bakeries in Taiwan and from his mother’s kitchen. He’s now filling that gap—one bun at a time—with Chew Chew Bun, an Asian bakery that offers Taiwanese-inspired baked goods. “This is how we grew up in Taiwan,” Chang explains. “If you walk down the street, almost every couple of blocks, there’s an Asian bakery.”

Professional chunkers launch pumpkins into the lake at Bald Eagle State Park. (Photo by Tim Weight) The community can participate in free family fun, support a local fire department, and watch pumpkins take flight at the annual Howard Fire Company Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival on October 22.

Steve Strouse crafts Shaker boxes, kitchen utensils, keepsakes, and other items from wood taken from memorable Centre County trees. (Photo by Chuck Fong) Where a homeowner may see a mess to clean up, Steve Strouse sees an opportunity to create meaningful art. He finds his canvases in what many consider to be disposable fallen trees, transforming them into boxes, kitchen tools, clocks, and more.