Lions in the Snow

After seeing the real Nittany Lion with a dusting of snow [Pulse Opener, Jan./Feb., p. 10], I decided to take a picture of my Nittany Lion with 4–6 inches of fresh snow. The Nittany Lion greets all visitors to our Mentor, Ohio, home. It was a gift from my wife’s cousin who lives in Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa. 

Hiram Reppert ’70 Eng
Mentor, Ohio

Gluten Avoidance

I read your article [Club Hopping, Jan./Feb., p. 14] with interest. About two years ago, I was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity. I’d never heard of gluten until then. I’ve had to adjust to a lot. I found out that not many places, restaurants, etc., make accommodations for gluten-sensitive folks. Grocery stores have a limited number of items. I just returned from a trip to London and Budapest. There it was different. In Budapest, I found gluten- free restaurants and bakeries. The items were very good. I haven’t seen such things in the U.S. The U.K. eateries always asked me if there were any allergy concerns, and U.K. Five Guys had a strict routine to follow when I announced my gluten problem. Even in Thailand, they’re aware of gluten problems. (I worked there for 12 years, teaching at a university in Bangkok.) I think there’s a strong need for gluten problem awareness.

Du Wayne Meliotes  ’66 Lib, ’74 MS Edu
Winter Park, Fla.

Lot 80 ID?

I saw that photo again in the recent Penn Stater of the guy shoveling out his Mustang in Lot 80 [Nov./Dec. 2022, p. 21]. Have you confirmed who that is? I’ve been wondering if it was me since you printed it originally a couple of years ago. I parked there in ’73 and ’74 with my ’66 forest green Mustang through several snowstorms. Just thought it looked like me and my car. Let me know if you’ve already confirmed who it was. Thanks.

Ray DePaola ’75 A&A
Mullica Hill, N.J.
 

Words Matter

I have an editorial challenge for you. I have read every word of every Penn Stater magazine since I joined the Alumni Association in 2008. There’s been an uptick in recent years of the use of the word “iconic.” Every issue, except one in recent memory, has used and abused the word “iconic” at least once. But, for example, was Kunkle Lounge really iconic? Can the Penn Stater go three whole issues without printing the word “iconic”? That’s my challenge for you. Save “icon” for the Nittany Lion!

Chandler Brenneman ’07 Bus
Philadelphia

70 Years Strong

We thought it might be interesting to share these photos. The original photos were taken in the fall of 1954. The current photo was taken in our living room prior to our 70th wedding anniversary. Go Lions!

Dick Greenwald ’56 Bus
Brigie Reinkraut Greenwald ’57 Edu
Hagerstown, Md.
 

Memorable Return to Campus 

I spent my 50th birthday at Penn State with my dad, Al Brower ’62. It was so much fun to tour the campus, see his dorms, classrooms, library, and have ice cream at the famous Creamery. When he was at Penn State in the late 1950s, the old stadium was called Beaver Field; these were the days before Beaver Stadium. Beaver Field was one-third of the size of today’s stadium. Walker was the president when my dad attended, and Walker lived at the Alumni Center house, which is now where alums have their bricks. It was interesting to learn countless facts about how Penn State has changed over the years and to reminisce about his college days. He remains a huge fan and a proud alum. It was a memorable 50th birthday and a great bonding experience to cherish.

Dana Harris
Denver, Colo.