Once again the Bill Jones Memorial Tailgate was the highlight of the Michigan game day. Loud Mouth, a fantastic band from Philipsburg entertained several hundred fans. As usual the tailgate provided a warm reception to old friends, many from as far back as grade school.  Over the years the Penn State games themselves have played second fiddle to the tailgates. New friendships formed and many more renewed each fall. This game was no different. The Philipsburg contingent showed up strong especially the Cimino family to hear Brother John entertain the crowd. Keith B. traveling from Lexington KY has not missed a home game in years. Seeing the Bailey Boys and the original McCamley family (ex wife Cheryl included). Talking to Cindy and Lisa G. brought back memories of a dear friend we lost to throat cancer 10 years ago. Larry “Leroy” Mason was Philipsburg’s eternal teenager. He even made sure that his job allowed him the summers off so he could spend time in his lounge chair near the beach at Black Mashannon State Park. By the 4th of July, Leroy had a tan most girls would kill for. To this day a memorial stone marks Leroy’s spot at the Park. That conversation sparked my visit to Leroy’s spot on a beautiful fall Sunday late afternoon. The reflections off the lake made for some great photos as the sun went down. Leroy’s friends could not have picked a more beautiful spot to memorialize his memory. The Philadelphia crew saw Little Rob J. bring 18 of his closest friends from school. Charley's crew from over Huntingdon way provided all of the logistics and support for the band and his son acted as film crew to provide video for us at a later date. Kurt B. and Drew T. kept a watchful eye on Old Bill Jones and acted as a personal security detail in order to reduce Bill’s risk management concerns given his icon status. 

Well on the eve of the Penn State-Michigan game Amy is busy preparing food for the largest tailgate of the season. The Bill Jones Memorial Tailgate (Alg’s younger brother) consists of four reserved RV spaces on the corner of Fox Hollow Road and Park Ave on the northeast corner of Beaver Stadium. Bill’s roommate from college Rob J.'s RV parked on one end and Bill’s high school friend Kurt B.'s RV parked on the other end leave two full spaces for a large tent to house all of the food and a stage to accommodate the live band that play will play from 3:00 until 7:00 before the game at 8:00. Last year’s Ohio State night game drew almost 300 guests, most not known to us, however all had a great time. There have been claims made that as a result of the fun had by all at the Bill Jones Tailgates last year; Penn State decided to ban the consumption of adult beverages at tailgates while the game is going on in the stadium.  Not only did Penn State enact a new law, Bill Jones laid the law down, no longer could we call our tailgate, “The Bill Jones Tailgate” due to the risk management issues. That was the day we laid the old Bill Jones to rest and hence the new name “The Bill Jones Memorial Tailgate”. In closing if any of you find yourself at Beaver Stadium for a football game, stop by and pay your respects to the friends of the Old Bill Jones.