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Penn State Minnesota Alumni Chapter

Archived Event Recaps

*** 2007 Outback Bowl Game - January 1, 2007 ***
   We had approximately a dozen fans at Champps-Richfield to watch the Outback Bowl Game. Even though it was an early game (10AM!), we had an enjoyable time watching our Tony Hunt lead the Lions to a victory over Tennesee. Those in attendance also all got a 2006 Penn State Football Poster.

*** 2006 TV Tailgate Summary ***
   For the third straight year, Champps-Richfield (790 W 66th Street) was the host venue for our TV tailgate gatherings. Even with new management and a change to the layout of the restaurant's back area, Champps did another excellent job of accommodating our group. Champps aired all 12 PSU games and occasionally even provided our group with free desserts.

   Despite an up-and-down season on the field, our group's attendance at Champps was consistently higher than in the previous two years. Not including the Minnesota and Wisconsin games - when many of our regulars were attending the game - we averaged 22 people per week. Attendance was higher during the early portion of the schedule, with an average of 29 people per game for the first three weeks (including a season high of 32 for the Youngstown State game on September 16). Our group's attendance was consistently around 19 people per week for the Big Ten season (not including Minnesota and Wisconsin) and the Temple game.

*** PSU vs MN Football - October 2, 2006 ***
   A huge thanks to Megan and Marc Feeser for setting up Friday Night's extended Happy Hour. We had the place hopping from 6pm until well past 10pm. The Pep Band was our formal guests of honor and we were then surprised with an appearance by the Penn State Cheerleaders and the Nittany Lion.

   On Saturday morning, the parent Alumni Association sponsored the Penn State Pep Rally right across the street from the Metrodome. Roger Williams led the event with guest speakers including JoeBa (Joe Battista) Nittany Lion Club Executive Director, Tim Curley, Athletic Director and David Han, Vice President of the Alumni Association. The Pep Band provided some rousing tunes while the Cheerleaders and the Nittany Lion pumped up the crowd.

   And of course, everyone will remember the thrilling battle on the gridiron that was settled in the first OT period with the Nittany Lions capping a thrilling weekend.

*** "Happy Hour" at Lord Fletcher's - June 24, 2006 ***
   The PSU Minnesota Alumni Chapter held a "happy hour" at Lord Fletcher's in Spring Park, MN this past Saturday. Although the weather didn't cooperate, it started raining soon after arriving and continued until we all left; we had 19 die hard Penn Staters show up for some good food, good drink and some time to catch up with each other. We were lucky enough to get a couple of tables under the awning so we were able to sit outside and enjoy the day, even if it was raining. Of the 19 people we had 3 new people show up, though one is moving back to Pittsburgh this weekend.

   As we wrapped up our day out we all were looking forward to upcoming chapter happenings. We have the Annual PSU MN Chapter Picnic / Freshmen Send-OFF on Saturday, August 5th and the Annual Big Ten Alumni Softball Tournament on Saturday, August 26th. We look forward to seeing everyone at these events.

*** 2006 Orange Bowl Game - January 3, 2006 ***
   We had about 25 people at Champps-Richfield to watch the FedEx Orange Bowl Game(we were in the back area). There were a lot of our older members in attendance (Bob Urban, Al Starkey, etc.), but there were also some new people who had seen the event posted on our chapter's website. By the time Penn State kicked the field goal in the third overtime, (shortly after midnight) there were only about seven of us remaining. Some of our group had been there for six hours!

*** Annual Big Ten (Alumni) Softball Tournament - August 27, 2005 ***
   Once again, our faithful softball players showed up to play in the Annual Alan Paige Softball Tournament. We allowed two Purdue players to join us when the rest of their team didn't show up. After a quick win in the first game, the Lions got blown out by Indiana in typical fashion. The third game was much closer, but we still ended up losing to Michigan. In addition to the familiar faces, we had 6 new alumni turnout for the game. We look forward to seeing them all again!

*** 2nd Annual Summer BBQ - August 6, 2005 ***
   Approximately 30 alumni came out for the 2nd Annual Summer BBQ on a beautiful Minnesota Saturday afternoon. An abundant amount of food was available to all and great conversations could be heard all afternoon. Chris Dore arranged for the Plymouth Fire Department to bring one of their fire trucks for display. The kids loved being able to sit on the truck and see the various apparatus the firemen use. In addition, the kids had a ton of fun bouncing around on the moon walk. The highlight of the afternoon came when announcing our annual scholarship winners. This year the Board Members decided to honor Craig Johnson and his family for his years of work and dedication to the Chapter by naming the scholarship in memory of his son, Daniel Johnson.

*** Habitat for Humanity - April 2005 ***
   As we have for the past 3 years, we assisted Habitat for Humanity as our spring service project this year. In the previous 2 years we were at actual Habitat home jobsites and mostly did painting or finishing work. This year we worked at the Habitat warehouse and assembled framing for future Habitat homes, a project which mainly involved hammering pre-cut pieces together to form walls for a future house. Habitat currently completes all of their frames at the warehouse and then trucks them to the jobsite for final assembly.

   We had a really good turn out. There were 17 or 18 of us in total (which included one future homeowner and 5 Purdue friends who joined us). The Purdue folks had met us at a tailgate party and as they have a relatively small Twin Cities contingent, asked if they could join us. We escaped relatively unscathed (except for one Penn Stater (who will remain anonymous) whose thumb couldn't stay out of the path of the hammer, but at least we made it throught the day without having to call 911. I forget exactly how many interior and exterior frames we completed but I think Mike , the site supervisor, said we that we completed about 3/4 of a house which was extremely good for a one day session. As tradition dicates, we went out for a few adult beverages after work and were joined by some of our Purdue friends.

*** PSU Night Out on the Town - February 2005 ***
   This year's PSU Night Out on the Town was held on February 26 at Kafe 421 in Dinkytown. Music was provided by Bill Hammond, a Minnesota-based guitarist and vocalist who has two CDs and influences run the gaumut from classical composers to blue wailers and country-style flat-pickers.

   Kafe 421, an international flair restaurant boasted their fantastic food and warm atmosphere. New to this year, we paired the evening with a Wine Tasting Event. Dave Kuennen of Brightwines.com in North St. Paul presented wines throughout the evening.

   As always, the night concluded with our annual silent auction of Penn State related items and Twin Cities gift cards that support the Scholarship Fund (now known as the Daniel Johnson Scholarship). The Silent Auction brought in over $1700 for this year's scholarship. Thank you to everyone who participated and made their bids. A special thank you goes to those who donated all of the items.

   Listed below are the wines from the evening's wine tasting. Contact Dave at Bright Wines for ordering information.