BOOK REVIEW: Going Local, Volume 2

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a book signing by Ken Hull, go! Ken is the author of the Going Local books and his enthusiasm is contagious. His informative books list the locally owned eating places with a critique and a bit of history on each place. GOING LOCAL, VOLUME 2 has just been released and therefore Ken is doing the book signing circuit.

Ken is very vocal about the importance of supporting our local establishments; or, as Ken puts it, “Un-chain yourself.” To help us to do just that, Ken has drawn a 75 mile circle in the center of Pennsylvania, using Boalsburg as the center. Within this 360 degree area he has highlighted some of the most interesting places to eat.

For example: People who call Bellefonte home have been familiar with Bonfatto’s. Those of us who have been here for some time remember when it was a small grocery store; after they started to sell a sandwich that was trademarked as the “Bonanza”, we watched Bonfatto’s grow to become a full restaurant. The family’s interesting history is included in the book as well as comments on the food.

Opening GOING LOCAL to any page and you find an eating place that needs to be checked. The best use of this publication may be that of a guide book. If you want to take a day trip to Renovo, you will know that Darlene’s Country Cottage is waiting for you. Just reading about Darlene’s Campfire Breakfast made me consider this a destination stop.

The book includes a map that makes finding these places easy and also includes the important information on each: owner’s name, type of cuisine, price range, hours, location, contact numbers, as well as nearby attractions and accommodations. Ken has given us all of the material we would need to make a trip for a good meal, an adventure.

The book is also fun to read. If you do get a chance to meet Ken, you will quickly see how he gets so much information from the people at each restaurant. His love of what he does, as well as his pure joy of doing all of this on his trusty motorcycle, is catching. Reading the book is like sitting down with a friend while he shares these passions with you. Open GOING LOCAL, pick a location, take a day, and enjoy.