Friday, February 10, 2006 Matthew Germ / CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 80's tribute band Son of Glam performed a variety of classic metal songs, such as the Twisted Sister anthem "We're Not Gonna Take It," in Erie Hall last weekend for Behrend's first Mini-THON. Behrend's First Annual Mini-THON raises cancer awareness The Mini-THON event at Behrend raised over $lOOO in the fight against pediatric cancer. The 24-hour dancing session to raise money for charity last weekena was Behrend's part of the largest student-run charity in the world. The Lake Erie Chapter of the Alumni Association contributed a donation of $5OO. The 24-hour dancers included Amanda Kinross, Courtney Straub, John Bigus, Dominique Davis, Colleen Applebaugh, Ryan Westwood, Mandy Daniels and Lashondra Fronce. These dancers we able to raise roughly $450 alone. The rest of the money was contributed at the door by students participating in the program. Penn State behrenci's basketball Homecoming Friday reb 17tli - Homecoming Games King and Queen Crowning at Men's Halftime 9 p.m. -12 a.m. Casino Tables, DJ & rood in Junker To Vote for King & Queen Go To: https://secure.ba-psu.eciu/komecoming Questions? Contact jm667B@psu.eclu (Jr By Greg Lanich staff writer gdl 118(a psu edu srcl Annual Women @ 6 p.m. Men @8 p.m. J' Ur) frr'[ Mini-THON organizer Meredith Straub said, "Mini- THON was a great success" adding, "I really hope to see this become an annual program." The events that took place, including a performance by Son of Glam, were intended to get people excited about the event and to help the participants stay on their feet. Meredith Straub added, "I would like to say a special thanks on behalf of THON to LEB and SAF for hosting Son of Glam, the Matchbox Players, Men's and Women's Lacrosse Teams, the Behrend Cheerleaders, Greek Life, SGA, Behrend Alumni and everyone who helped out." Meredith also thanks Ken Middlemiss, the Assistant THON Director for his help in organizing the event. Every year, THON at Penn State University Park gets more populated, more exciting and more charitable. Barnes and Noble Bookstores, organizer of 23 on cam pus bookstores, including Behrend's, donated $200,000 this year for The Four Diamonds Families. THON at The little bookstore that could By Sean Mihlo student life editor smm4Bo@psu.edu Katheleen Cantrell never thought she'd be the owner of a bookstore. Over twenty-five years later, Cantrell has turned what was once the storage basement of a late 19th century manufacturing factory into the fru gal person's Barnes and Noble and Starbucks all rolled into one. Before it became a cozy, around-the-cor ner bookstore, The Erie Bookstore didn't specialize in books at all. Founded in 1921 by an Englishman named Albert Nash, the store sold mainly gift cards, with a few books here and there. Cantrell's father start ed working for Nash in the 19405, and the store slowly began to center around the sale of literature. Nearly a decade later, Cantrell's father purchased the store from Nash and introduced his daughter into the world of books. When Kathleen was a young schoolgirl, she would occasionally help her father out on the weekends, working at the store to earn some extra spending money. By then, the seed had been planted. Throughout the 1960 s and '7os, Cantrell pursued her post-high school education, earning a degree in English and Spanish at Wooster College in Ohio and received her teaching certificate from Gannon University. She also lived in South America on and off for fifteen years throughout the aforementioned decades, taking some class es at the University of the Andes in Colombia, teaching English as a Second Language and, particularly worth mention ing, giving birth to her son. Just as Cantrell was returning to the States from South America in 1978, her father had decided to sell the bookstore. When her father suggested that the store be shut down and the books be liquidated, she couldn't help but offer to buy it. In 1979, she offi cially became the owner of The Erie Bookstore. "I love children's books," the timid and soft-spoken Cantrell says as she zigzags across the store. Right smack-dab in the center of the store is the children's section, which is relatively small but packed with literature for kids. And while the rest of the store is traditionally split into sections according to genre (from sports to fiction to new releases), the store's true identity is hidden amongst the J.K. Rowlings and - ni - r 1 r 1 _ll University Park had raised over $3O million dollars. THON broke the $2 million dollar yearly milestone in 1998, over $3 million in 2000, and the four million dol lar mark last year. Last year, over 700 dancers partici pated, with a rise in interest this year. According to the official website, "THON, the world's largest student-run philanthropy, is scheduled to take place Feb. 17-19 in Rec Hall on the University Park campus. Last year the event raised $4.1 million for the Four Diamonds Fund, which provides support to pedi atric cancer patients, their families, researchers and staff at Penn State Children's Hospital, located on the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus." Additionally, THON pledged $lO million to create the pediatric cancer pavilion in the proposed new Penn State Children's Hospital building. Steven Kings. "We're particularly strong in U.S. history and Americana, but particularly strong in local," says Cantrell about the store's main attraction. Besides the wide-range of obscure and out-of-print books, the drawers upon drawers chock-full of maps (some dat ing all the way back to the 15th century) and newspapers from over two-hundred years ago, Cantrell maintains that her focus is on the local and unrecognized. "We do a lot of promoting local authors," she says, "and we make it a point to carry their books." By organizing events centered on local authors, including book signings, readings and autograph sessions, the store represents the epitome of that little shop around the corner. The store also offers many other events, including a weekly open microphone poetry forum and the occasional auction for non-profit organizations. In addition to an eclectic collection of books and historical items, the store also has its own café, which offers fresh pastries daily and coffees and cappuccinos. Next to the café is a lovely, mini-lounge where cus tomers can sit at a table, enjoy a book, have a drink, and keep warm near the old-fash ioned fireplace. So, maybe now you're asking yourself, "Why haven't I ever heard of this place until now?" Well, the answer is simple: advertis ing. With a staff of five and a customer base comprised of only the dedicated, the small time Erie Bookstore is not financially capa ble of the advertising that many of the major bookstores are. Aside from an ad in the newspaper once in a while, the store relies on stories like this and word-of-mouth for promotion. Although they can't advertise like the big time bookstores can, the Erie Bookstore's personal service and relationship with its customers is unbeatable. "We know our cus tomers, and we try harder," Cantrell responds to why people should shop at her store. "We really search out things for peo ple," she continues, "and I often order books with certain customers in mind." The bond between customer and store is one that isn't easily achieved, but with Cantrell's kind ness, positive attitude and knowledge of books, the Erie Bookstore will continue in its fight to keep the local business alive. The Erie Bookstore is located in Lovell Place on 137 E. 13th Street The Behrend Beacon I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers