Roamy in PA!!....

As Roamy, the roaming gnome travels the last legs of his journey, he landed here in Central Pennsylvania, a bit weary from all of his globetrotting. But we all know there is no place like gnome for the holidays, so a bit of Christmas cheer and New Year celebrations got him re-energized for his final destinations.

Roamy's bed of peanut butter fudge

made by local Amish bakers really hit the spot.

The chocolate covered whoopie pies and snickerdoodle cookies

also helped him to gain back his strength...

Roamy got to stay in a rather unique place: a theatre-turned-to-home-but-soon-to-be-home-and-theatre! The history of the building intrigued him, so a picture with a plaque made by the local historical society seemed to be a good idea...

 

Roamy really liked his stay here, but he did believe the title of

the next movie should be "Gnome With The Wind!"

Lots of history packed into this place.

"Gnown" for its amazing story of how a group of women in 1917

worked together to create this amazing building, it's cornerstone

marking its 1923 completion, its doors opening to the public in 1924.

The theatre has inspired its current owners in many ways. It is home to a family of seven very busy people, an office for a computer consulting firm bringing the meaning of "mom and pop shop" to a whole new level, and the inspiration for a blog whose words and photographs are the foundation for a cobbled memory lane. 110 Penned is how the author, Cyndy, met some of the great people that Roamy has visited, and the very reason how this meeting came to be.

Numbers that inspired words and photographs and many friendships, including Roamy.

Roamy rang in 2012 with great expectations for a wonderful new year! He knows it is going to be tough to beat the amazing experiences he had in 2011, but he is looking forward to it!

"..we've wandered many a weary foot...

seas between us broad have roared..

auld lang syne.."

While Roamy enjoyed the rest in this tranquil rural town, we thought a quick visit to the local university would help put his visit on the map in a grander scale. We visited the statue of Joe Paterno on the University Park campus of Penn State University. This would have been a must-go-to-photo-stop months ago, but now with the controversy that overshadows both Paterno and the university due to accusations of child abuse by a former football coach, a shadow looms large over the whole university. Joepa, as he is affectionally known to Penn State fans, was tangled in the ugly web of deception and forced to retire after being the head coach of the Nittany Lions for 46 years (on the sidelines at PSU for 62 years).

While Roamy really didn't care to get involved

with the details of the controversy, he could not argue that

Joe Paterno was, indeed, larger than life.

The next stop on campus was the Nittany Lion Shrine. Roamy could feel the pride and tradition of the school were as strong as its limestone icon, even if there were a few cracks.

The day began with a little snow, but then the

afternoon sun shone brightly, making it perfect for a little rock climbing.

Roamy stopped here to "paws" and catch his breath...

The holidays would not have been complete without a little of the white stuff, provided by a 'lake effect" storm. Since we are protected by the Allegheny Mountains and have a little distance from the shores of Lake Erie, we often only get a couple of inches of snow during these storms. It is the Nor' Easters that come from Roamy's New England home that really pile the stuff on...

Roamy wanted to make some snow angels, but he made this wish first...

Oh, my! Look at the time! Roamy really needs to get on his way to his next destination. We had seriously considered Mexico, but his host was going to be traveling abroad so instead he is own his way to Illinois to visit another great cyber friend, Susan.

Bon voyage, Roamy! Thanks for stopping by, and, remember: You've (always) Got a Friend in Pennsylvania!" - Cyndy