My Personal Blog

Dear Mr. Claus: I say, I say, it's that time of year again? Even though I celebrated a milestone in my life in July 2025 (my 40th birthday), the year in general had too many changes (becoming an uncle, loss of employment, the launch of Zipelly, five personal losses in a two-month span, e.g.) to count.  I deserve a Christmas miracle of all miracles. As you might already know, I am known in the Shenango Valley as "The Balloon Man", handing out helium balloons to the children at different events such as the Hermitage Arts Festival, Buhl Day, e.g. What I want to do starting in 2026 is be able to show the folks who are not able to make it to these festivals is for them to see me in action at these events from my point of view.  I would like a GoPro camera that I can attach to my waist or atop my ever-present Penn State hat to take these action videos from my point of view. In 2025, the Covenant Speed/Power softball team for the ninth consecutive season, retained the Chet Camer...

The most recent post was about the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about the bond between Jackson Pryts and Cassie Day.  In this epilogue to the story, Cassie is graduating summa cum laude from Penn State, as class valedictorian determined by her classmates, becoming a meteorologist, getting married, having a baby boy named Jackson and presenting Jackson Pryts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Four years had passed quietly, but the memories never dimmed. A soft breeze swept across the rolling green hills of Happy Valley as the bell tower of Old Main chimed the noon hour. Cassie Day stood in her blue cap and gown, her hands trembling slightly as she approached the podium to address the graduates. The same hands that once held balloons in a hospital room would soon hold her degree in meteorology from Penn State University — summa cum laude, class valedictorian as determined by her classmates, and forever a Nittany Lion. Her family filled the stands, waving and calling her name. In the fro...

The previous post talked about how Jackson Pryts and Cassie Day served as co-grand marshals of the Holiday Light Parade in the city of Hermitage.  This one talks about ESPN's 30 for 30 about Jackson and Cassie's bond. The lights dimmed, and the familiar theme of ESPN Films: 30 for 30 played across living rooms and theaters across America. A simple title card appeared: “Small Battles, Big Victories.” The documentary opened not on the field, but in a quiet hospital room — a nine-year-old girl in a hospital bed, her small hand gripping a Penn State football glove that Jackson Pryts had given her. From there, the story unfolded like a living memory — real footage, raw emotion, and interviews that stitched together the bond between Cassie Day and Jackson Pryts, from her battle with cancer to his championship promise. Scene One — “The Beginning” The first segment traced back to April, years ago, when Cassie was first diagnosed. Her parents, still teary even years later, recalled the ...

The most recent post talked about how the movie about the bond between Jackson Pryts and Cassie Day swept the major Oscar Awards.  This one talks about Jackson and Cassie being honored as co-grand marshals of the City of Hermitage Holiday Light Parade just before Thanksgiving.  And among past grand marshals, yours truly is a part of this chapter! The November air in Hermitage carried a crisp chill that hinted at winter’s approach, but the warmth of pride and celebration filled every corner of the city. Blue and white streamers danced above State Street, banners of We Are fluttering from lampposts, and children clutched hot cocoa cups with mittened hands as they waited for the first floats to appear. This wasn’t just another parade. This was the parade — the grand celebration of a year that had brought the Shenango Valley together in triumph, perseverance, and heart. It was November 23, and the people of Hermitage were there for them — for Cassie Day and Jackson Pryts.  WK...

The last post talked about the national spotlight on the bond between Cassie and Jackson, having come full circle back to State College where it began.  This one talks about premiere night of the movie about that bond that swept the major Oscars. Finally, the night of the red carpet premiere of CASSIE STRONG arrived.  But it was not a typical red carpet premiere in Los Angeles.  It was in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.  Cassie arrived in a navy blue dress, and Jackson looked dapper in a sharp suit.  Entertainment Tonight sent hosts Kevin Frazier and Nichelle Turner, who had just recently returned from her vacation, to the Shenango Valley to cover the event. Dignitaries such as city manager Gary Hinkson, governor Josh Shapiro, state representative Parke Wentling, congressman Mike Kelly, football coaches Bill Dungee, Terry Smith and Mike Tomlin, Lara Spencer from Good Morning America, Kirk Herbstreit from College Gameday, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell were in atten...

The previous post brought Cassie Day's journey full circle to Happy Valley where it had begun.  It became her home where she would study meteorology.  A moment during homecoming with her and Jackson Pryts during halftime that went viral.  This post brings the national spotlight to the story. By morning, the moment had gone viral. An official Penn State press release honored CASSIE STRONG with the halftime tribute, sharing the story of Cassie’s battle with cancer as a nine-year-old to her journey to Happy Valley as a student in meteorology.  Coach Terry Smith gave his kudos by saying that Cassie embodied the very best of what it meant to be a Penn Stater.  “Her strength, her positivity, and her spirit continue to inspire our program, our community, and the entire Nittany Lion family,” said Coach Smith. The Athletic reported: You could feel it in the air before kickoff—the anticipation, the tradition, the spectacle of another Penn State White Out. But when the car...

The most recent post talked about how Jackson Pryts got drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cassie graduating as class valedictorian at Hickory High School.  Now, Cassie is headed to Happy Valley, bringing her journey full circle, leading to a moment that would soon bring the national spotlight to the story. It was August in Happy Valley, and a warm, golden haze floated over campus as thousands of freshmen hauled boxes into dorms and waved tearful goodbyes to parents. Among them was Cassie Day, suitcase in hand, heart full of hope. The once-fragile nine-year-old who had fought through cancer now strode across the Old Main lawn with purpose — Penn State’s newest meteorology student, ready to chase clouds, storms, and dreams. Her journey had come full circle. This was the place that had lifted her spirits when she was a child in a hospital bed. The place that had brought her and Jackson Pryts together. And now, it was her home. As she looked up at the Nittany Lion Shrine, she whis...

In the last post I talked about Cassie being declared cancer free in time for her tenth birthday, where she was surprised with balloons and her very own national championship ring from her big brother Jackson Pryts and the stately Nittany Lion mascot.  This post tells of Jackson being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cassie going on to become valedictorian of her high school class at Hickory High School. The morning sun stretched across Hermitage, turning the streets gold and bright — a perfect prelude to a day that would define Jackson Pryts’s life. For years, Jackson had dreamed of this — the chance to take his game to the highest level. Now, surrounded by family, friends, and a few familiar faces from Happy Valley, he sat nervously waiting as the NFL Draft continued to unfold. And right beside him — smiling, strong, and full of pride — was Cassie Day, cancer-free and thriving, her eyes sparkling with the same unshakable belief that had carried them both through so much. “...