Under the baobab: Pride in community, country after pivotal Election Day
For now, we will keep our republic.
To paraphrase Michelle Obama, I have never been more proud of my country, my state and my community as I was last Tuesday. I was the majority inspector of elections for the 16th precinct in State College. Marianne Kuhns was the minority inspector. Kevin and Lori McGarry, Mary Wujek and Peggy Marsh were poll workers on the early shift. Our day began at 6 a.m., assisting Lara Fowler, the judge of elections, set up the polling place. We worked until 9:30 p.m. Then I went to Innovation Park to help count the ballots, which concluded just before midnight. It was a long day and a good day. The people spoke through their voting and their voices were heard.
We will have several “newbies” representing us in Harrisburg and Washington; John Fetterman was elected U.S. Senator, Josh Shapiro was elected our new Governor, Austin Davis will be our Lt. Governor. Davis is the first African American to serve in that position. Another “newbie,” Paul Takac, will be representing the new 82nd district, which includes part of State College, in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Other local incumbents will remain in place.
The results of elections matter. But what saved our democracy was the fact that so many people turned out to vote. All around the country there were record turnouts, both mail-in and walk-in. Here in Centre County, 58% , 61,898 of Centre County’s 107,425 registered voters, voiced their choice. It was the third highest level of voter participation in any election in the last 10 years. Of the 852 citizens registered to vote in the 16th, nearly 400 came to the polls, another 183 sent in absentee ballots. Over two-thirds of our neighbors voted in this midterm election. Predictably several losers have thus far failed to concede, beginning to spread false rumors of fraud and deception. All I saw were dedicated, hard-working fellow citizens striving to ensure that our democracy continues to operate at its best.
And in the community many good things were happening.
Pearl Gluck and colleagues brought the fourth annual Centre Film Festival back to The State Theatre and the Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg. Dozens of films from all around the world were seen by enthusiastic patrons. Of particular note was the keynote opener, “Holy Spider,” and “Klondike,” a Ukrainian film set during the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2014. The documentary film, “Of Medicine and Miracle,” followed the story of leukemia survivor Emily Whitehead. The film shows the support of her parents and a doctor during an experimental cancer treatment. The family, Emily, Kari and Tom, received the Chandler Living Legacy Award. Stan Lathan, a film and television director and producer was awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Lathan graduated from Penn State in 1967 with a bachelor of arts in theater. He talked about the impact Penn State had on his life, how it prepared him for his career.
Penn State sports teams excelled. The No. 14 football team sprang back with victories over Indiana and Maryland. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams open their seasons with resounding wins. The No. 1 ranked wrestling team opened their season with a 44-3 win over Lock Haven. The women’s soccer team beat Michigan State to win the Big Ten Championship. The No. 8 men’s hockey team upset two No. 1 teams — Michigan and Minnesota. The No. 11 women’s hockey team split a series with Mercyhurst. The No. 16 women’s volleyball team picked up its 20th win by sweeping Indiana.
Sisters and brothers, we have been blessed. But our benefits have come with sacrifices. At 11:11 am on Nov. 11 the university celebrated its veterans, living and deceased. Rear Admiral Stephen Tedford was the keynote speaker. God bless America. It was a good week in Happy Valley.