From the Warwick Valley to Happy Valley and back

WARWICK-A group of families from Warwick just returned from their fourth-annual pilgrimage to Penn State University in State College, Pa. - otherwise known as Happy Valley. The weekend is about Penn State football and tailgating at what Sport Illustrated.com called the No. 1 tailgating venue in the country. “The trip started a few years ago on a whim with 30 people and has grown to over 80 people this year,” said Dr. Alex Joanow, the trip organizer and sponsor. “It takes a lot of work to plan a tailgating party for 80 people over 200 miles away in the middle of a field,” Joanow added, “but that’s the fun part. Although everyone contributes, significant contributions by Carol Downing, Beth Grogan, Marie Joanow, and Vicky Uckermarck make the weekend a success. The smiles on the kid’s faces make it all worthwhile.” By the way, the Nittany Lions defeated the University of Cincinnati 42-24 before nearly 100,000 fans at Beaver Stadium - including 80 or so who call Warwick home.