Letters: Loss of a Centre Region legend who left a big impact
Loss of a legend
The Centre Region lost a beloved son last month. Dan Rallis, owner of Catering With Style and the famous Grilled Sticky passed away on April 30. Dan established his brand of being the best caterer in the region by providing exquisite food products for parties of all sizes and presenting them in a distinctive manner. Additionally, Dan owned Ye Olde College Diner and still delivered the iconic Grilled Stickies.
In concert with being the consummate caterer, Dan was extreme in his passion for giving back to Centre County. We were partners with Jamie Bestwick in the Bestwick Foundation, where over $750,000 was directly distributed to individuals, families and other nonprofit organizations. This was just one of the many organizations that Dan supported. In fact, it’s difficult to think of any charitable event in the region to which he didn’t contribute.
The Bucket Club, the brainchild of Paul Suhey and Dan, epitomizes Dan’s influence in Centre County. Monthly this group of the area’s leaders feast on Dan’s treats, enjoy fellowship and raise money for our neighbors. That was Dan’s signature. Have fun but enjoy it with purpose and class. Dan’s PSU tailgates, never pedestrian, were notorious for serving lobster tail and lamb chops to whoever showed up. We will miss Brother Dan immensely.
Dan’s generosity and impact in the region will be missed. Personally “Uncle Danny” was part of every Greer family gathering. His passing left a huge hole in our lives, something that will take a long time to heal.
Right to life?
The Republican Party claims to be the “right to life” party working tirelessly to pass anti-abortion laws protecting “the life” of the unborn, the nonviable cells forming within a woman’s womb. But I would like the reader to consider the following number, 202. There have been 202 mass shootings this year to date, more than 1.59 mass shootings per day.
What has been the Republican Party’s responses; it’s not the guns, “we just need more good guys with guns.” There were 400 “good guys with guns” at Uvalde and that didn’t make any difference. “It’s not the guns but mental health problems, the border issue, the drug problem.” OK, what legislative action have Republican legislators proposed to address any of these issues? None, not one legislative initiative.
What about the 202 mass shooting victims’ “right to life?” They were viable breathing lives! What about their “right to life” or the next victims’? It is just so hypocritical to tout “right to life” for non-viable cells and to do nothing to protect the “right to life” for the viable, living citizens of this country. What about their right to life? Don’t their lives have any significance or importance?
Get serious, not political
How should we react to our growing national debt? The chaos in Congress is just beginning. We have a $31 trillion debt. We’re out of money. Our government may have to eliminate 1/4 million jobs, cut, cut, cut.
But, wait a minute. Not so fast.
In Manhattan, on a wall not far from Times Square, the “debt clock” ticks higher. After climbing for so many years with no obvious economic fallout, it’s easy to ignore. Indeed, the “clock” was moved from its location on a busy street corner to a quiet passageway.
The “debt ceiling” is a political creation. It has no fundamental economic meaning. But, we do need a “political” solution. Congress is in gridlock. Plans to combat climate change have been gutted by Republicans. Democrats have offered a “discharge petition” to increase the debt ceiling, but Republicans say no.
An increase in the debt limit would not authorize any new federal spending. It would allow Congress to pay for what Congress has already approved. Suspend the debt limit. Work a deal.
It is time to get serious, not political.