By Ellen Matis
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living and working in Happy Valley, it’s that connection doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s built through the people, stories, and places that make this region so special.
Everywhere you look, there’s a sense of pride in place. It’s in the small business owner sweeping off their sidewalk before opening, the volunteers setting up for a summer concert in the park, and the creators behind the camera capturing it all so others can see what makes our communities shine. Those moments, simple as they seem, add up to the heartbeat of this Valley.
For me, that heartbeat lives most strongly in Bellefonte. Nestled between rolling hills and Victorian architecture, it’s a town that thrives on connection. Here, people still stop to chat on the sidewalk. You’re likely to run into three people you know on your walk to the post office. And when you visit a local shop or café, you’re not just making a transaction — you’re taking part in a relationship that keeps the community vibrant.
Through my work, I’ve had the chance to help destinations and downtowns across the Mid-Atlantic region tell their stories. But I’ve always believed that the most meaningful stories begin at home. When we talk about the power of place, we’re really talking about how where we live shapes who we are, and how we can use that to bring others together.
In Bellefonte, I see that power in action every day. It’s in the way a simple Friday night event fills the streets with laughter and music. It’s in the visitors who discover the town for the first time and immediately start planning their next trip back. It’s in the local creators who photograph, write, and share those experiences, helping others see the charm that’s right here in our own backyard.
That’s what makes Happy Valley feel different from anywhere else. We’re not just a collection of towns and boroughs; we’re a network of communities that care deeply about their people and their places. Whether you’re in Bellefonte, Boalsburg, or another one of our unique communities, there’s a common thread: a desire to make life here better for everyone.
And maybe that’s what living “Happy” in this Valley is really about. It’s not only about what there is to do — the festivals, the football games, or the mountain views — but about the shared moments that make us feel rooted. The stories we tell, the neighbors we support, and the ways we show up for our community again and again.
As we continue to grow and evolve, I hope we never lose sight of that. When we invest in the places we love, when we show up for them, celebrate them, and share them with others, we’re not just building stronger communities. We’re creating connection.
And that’s the true power of this place we call home.
Ellen Matis is the founder and CEO of Hello Social Co., a social-first content studio based in Bellefonte that helps communities grow through purposeful content and bold ideas; and the author of Ellie Mae Explores: Hometown, a children’s book that celebrates rural life and small-town charm.
