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
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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