Columns
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The Lonely Moment of the Home Football Season’s End
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Shortly after the final whistle sounds for the final game in late November, the exodus begins. Fans walk out of the gates, senior football players gather on the field for a few last pictures in their home stadium and the staff and workers under the stadium begin to close up for the year. In the…
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Of Gratitude and Inquietude
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I’m across the bay from San Francisco this week, visiting the newest member of the crew and the first grandson, Marcus James, born last month, thriving and calm. Marcus is only the latest manifestation of my family’s knock-on-wood luck: generation after generation of healthy babies, growing up in a land largely spared the ravages of…
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Still Thankful and Counting the Blessings
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone — with an emphasis on “thanks.” I hope that today’s column will inspire you to take intentional quiet time to do an accounting of all the blessings in your life. I know some of you already do this on a daily basis, so keep up the good work. I also know that…
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Nature’s Ways: Norway Spruce — A Stately Naturalized Tree
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Norway spruce (Picea abies) is Europe’s most valuable conifer. It favors cooler climates and higher altitudes. This spruce is widely planted in North America — so much so that it has become naturalized in Pennsylvania and other northern states. It is very common to see a pair of the tall spruces standing guard in front…
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Our Family’s Literal and Figurative Marathons
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The modern marathon race traces its roots to the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who, in 490 B.C., ran from Marathon to Athens with the news of a Greek victory over an invading army of Persians. After making his announcement, the exhausted messenger collapsed and died. To honor his run and sacrifice, the inaugural…
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Poorman’s All-22: James Franklin Fires (Another) Offensive Coordinator in Mike Yurcich
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We interrupt this All-22 of Penn State’s 24-15 loss to the Harbaugh-less Michigan Wolverines to bring you the All-22 on the firing on Sunday of (former) Nittany Lion quarterback coach and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich by head coach James Franklin. And off we go: 1. Franklin is big on acting quickly to change a narrative…
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Penn State Wrestling: Jeff Byers Goes Bold as He Predicts a Historic Achievement
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Maybe you think that Jeff Byers has seen all there is to see in collegiate wrestling as he enters his 35th year of broadcasting the action for Penn State. Indeed, the man they call “Ironhead” has witnessed lots of thrilling achievements, including 10 national titles for Penn State within the last 12 NCAA competitions. And…
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Looking Back at College Football’s Past Helps to Understand Its Future
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“If you know your history, then you would know where you’re coming from.” –Bob Marley, “Buffalo Soldier” As big-time college football enters its biggest month at a time of massive change, it seems a good time to look at some history to understand where we’re coming from and where we’re headed. And sticking with the…
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Summoning the Ghosts of Elections Past
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The obvious solution to Joe Biden’s over-the-hill problem: We rewind to 2008 and pull a switcheroo. Make Uncle Joe the presidential nominee and Obama the running mate. That way, we get Biden at a much sprier 65 from 2008-2016 and Obama at a more seasoned 55 when he succeeds Biden in 2017. And then Obama…
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Thank a Veteran Today
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I am asking you for a favor. It’s actually a pretty simple one and it will be more appreciated than you may realize: Reach out to a veteran today and say a heartfelt “thank you.” Give them a hug, a high-five or a fist bump. If you can’t thank them in person, call them, Facetime…