Tailgating in State College, Pa.

State College, PA. - More than 80 people from the Warwick area participated in the fifth annual “Warwick Valley Meets Happy Valley” Weekend at Penn State Sept. 15-17 where Joe Paterno’s State Nittany Lions defeated Youngstown State by a score of 37-3. The group of Warwickians enjoyed a weekend of friendship, football and food at Sports Illustrated’s No. 1 tailgating venue in the country. A special treat this year was that the families were able to sit directly on the field of the Beaver Stadium; with the capacity of 104,000 people, the stadium is the second largest football venue in the country. The trip started several years ago as a weekend retreat for the children and has now turned into an annual pilgrimage that represents more than a football game. The children eagerly anticipate the event all year and the amount and variety of food that is prepared has become legendary. Although everyone contributes, significant contributions from Marie Joanow, Vicky Uckermark, Carol Downing, Beth Grogan, Madelyn Layng and Kim Bamberge. “The children have fun from the time they leave Warwick until the time they return,” said Dr. Alex Joanow, the trip’s organizer. Another highlight of this year’s trip was that the group was pleased to welcome The Silent Auction Winners from The Brian Ahearn Children’s Fund Dinner Dance. Next year’s trip is already planned. Perhaps, in a few years, the admissions department of Penn State will be pondering why there is such an abundance of applications of students from Warwick, N.Y.