My son recently had his fourth birthday. I looked back from the first pictures of this tiny thing with a puff of black hair and big dark eyes, and marveled at how he has grown into a busy blur of motion with a wicked laugh and insatiable curiosity.

I can do the same with Philipsburg.

This year marks the borough’s 215th birthday. We can read in the oldest accounts of the first explorers and settlers of how the town was originally a clearing in the middle of the trees, nestled between what would come to be known as the Moshannon Creek to one side and Cold Stream to the other.

Today, that original handful of settlers and smattering of hewn-log buildings has grown to thousands of residents sprawling over two counties, five municipalities, and two school districts, all receiving their mail with a Philipsburg zip code.

The area’s oldest business, John Henry Simler’s old tavern, still stands on the corner of Second and Laurel streets, now maintained as a museum, one of America’s oldest known examples of a two-story log cabin. A block away, one of Philipsburg's newest businesses, PenDale’s Resales, has recently opened its doors and is hoping for that kind of longevity.

There was probably not a lot of cake and ice cream in Philipsburg in those early days, but sweet treats aren’t hard to find now, between three grocery store bakeries, restaurants from fast food to fine dining, and the So Sweet candy store offering everything from penny candy to rich dark truffles.

So what do you get the borough that has everything?

Well, like all older grande dames, she would probably just appreciate a nice visit. Come see her for the day, spend a few hours, maybe have dinner, sit and have a chat. She has stories to tell, if you just take a walk with her and listen.

Happy birthday, Philipsburg. And many more.

Lori Falce writes weekly for the Rush Township/ Philipsburg area. Send comments to sendlorinews@gmail.com.