January 21, 2026
At its core, Connect Happy Valley has a simple goal. We aim to connect guests into the community assets that make this place work. Those assets are our hosts. The locally owned venues, educators, creatives, nonprofits, and gathering places that quietly hold the town together.
This past week, that idea moved from concept to proof.
Across two real life events at Pine Grove Hall, 48 people showed up and validated our experiment. When given a clear invitation, a welcoming host, and a meaningful reason to gather, people choose connection.
The setting mattered. Pine Grove Hall lives inside a fellowship building originally built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, long before screens, feeds, or notifications existed. These rooms were designed for conversation, learning, and shared purpose. That intention still holds today. As owner Elizabeth Grove continues to demonstrate, opening the doors with care creates the conditions for people to show up fully.
In our first session, Pine Grove Hall served as the host, Nittany Ai Alliance presented the gathering. Andy Gatto led an accessible conversation about artificial intelligence rooted in real world questions. Afterward, he shared, “Connecting with the community is at the heart of what we do. It is always special when we can get our students out of the lab and into the community to share what they have learned. The back and forth during the Q and A felt like a true open forum and was the highlight of the night.”
The second gathering, Stirred, Not Stuck, followed the same formula. A trusted host. A clear invitation. Time and space to reflect together. In her post event reflection, Melissa Hicks wrote, “The room was buzzing. People were sharing real stories and getting thoughtful feedback from partners they had just met. There was laughter, honest moments, and a lot of ‘I never thought of it that way.’” Twenty six people from different stages of life left with something small and meaningful to try.
The series continues.
Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Understanding AI, Session 2
https://pinegrovehall.com/event/6379400/747501524/understanding-ai-session-2-tools-people-are-using
Sunday, February 15, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Stirred, Not Stuck, Session 2
https://pinegrovehall.com/event/6411475/749658222/stirred-not-stuck-session-2-energy-on-tap-rethinking-your-daily-fuel
Connection does not happen by accident. It happens when hosts open their doors, guides share what they know, and guests choose to attend. That is the work we are here to stimulate.
If you are hosting or planning an event where heart to heart connection is the point, we want to hear from you. Conversations that matter. Workshops that invite reflection. Music, learning, service, or shared experiences that bring people into the same room with intention.
Share your gatherings where real connection is planned, and we will help amplify them by adding them to the Connect Happy Valley calendar. Our goal is simple. Make it easier for guests to find hosts and for hosts to find the people who need what they are offering.
When invitations are clear and doors are open, connection follows.
