What a great time to get out and about and enjoy all the happenings early Spring has to offer. There is definitely something for everyone that calls the West Branch Valley home. It is so nice to hear the singing of the robins in the morning and enjoy the sunshine upon returning home in the evening. You can even smell Spring has sprung as grilling season has come back to life.

Our cover tells you it’s time for the 60th Annual West Branch Susquehanna Builders Home Show. The event just seems to get bigger and bigger with each passing year. The Lycoming College Rec Center is the perfect host for everything to help make your corner of the world exactly what you want it to be.

It’s hard for me to believe this will be the 17th year you can greet us at our Webb Weekly booth – #266. Make sure you stop by, say hello and register to win all that’s needed to get your own grilling season underway.

My Father loved the meet and greet of the Home Show. As do my staff and I. We have carried on his tradition of the Webb Weekly yardsticks — available in his and her models if you need to resolve differences at home. And of course, we have the traditional candy. I love to give the little ones as much as they want, get them sugared all up and send them home. It’s the least we can do for the kiddos that have patiently walked around the Home Show.

After the Home Show, make sure you stop at your favorite pub and enjoy all that is St. Patrick’s Day weekend. There is great Irish tradition to be found in every community. In Williamsport, my favorite stop is the Shamrock. If going there, make sure you partake in the corned beef on rye. I always look forward to my mother-in-law Teresa’s St. Patrick’s Day tradition of corned beef and cabbage. Even though she’s Italian, she’s got the Irish dish down. It goes perfectly with the early rounds of NCAA basketball’s March Madness.

Speaking of March Madness, it’s time to get those office brackets filled out, good luck; I don’t think I’ve ever seen more parity in college basketball. I wonder just how many folks will be skipping work Thursday and maybe Friday to enjoy a combination March Madness, St. Paddy’s Day party? Maybe we can have someone install a TV and dish for us at the Home Show?

If high school hoops or wrestling are your cup of tea, what a great time of year. Local hoopsters and grapplers are trying to navigate the tournament gauntlet and complete the dream of a state championship. What a great first Saturday in March it was for Loyalsock basketball. The boys and girls teams swept a doubleheader held at Montoursville to win both District 4 Class 3A championships.

It was CI’s 22nd District Crown as head coach of the Lancer’s boys. On the girls’ side of things, it was the husband-wife duo of Head Coach Curtis Jacobson and Assistant Kerri Jacobson’s 1st District Championship. Believe me, many more will follow. What a special day for the Loyalsock community.

A tip of my Webb Weekly cap to Athletic Director Evelyn Wynn and the good folks of Montoursville that hosted Championship Saturday. The cross-creek rivalry was put on hold for the day as the red carpet was rolled out for the Lancers. A shout out to the MC/PA announcer Mark Mussina — he made it a memorable day for all the teams competing.

What a magical Championship Saturday for the Gee family. Hal and Lisa have endured watching way too many injuries to their kids in recent years. There have been more games/seasons lost by daughters Kayla, Cassie and son Derek than any family should have to go through. One common injury for all three has been a torn ACL.

With Mom, Dad and older sis Kayla watching sophomore Cassie and senior Derek both won District Championship gold medals. A sister, a brother, same day, same site, back to back Gee family accomplishment for the ages. The sweat, tears, and toughness for the achievement are immeasurable. It is a good thing Lisa Stopper Gee is a great physical therapist.

Back to that toughness thing. Derek returned during football season, has competed during basketball season, and will play centerfield for the Lancers this Spring with a torn ACL.

Cassie lost her freshman season, had the surgery and is looking better than ever raining down threes for the Lady Lancers.

Kayla has fully recovered from her injury. The sophomore recently hit her first collegiate home run for Lock Haven University.

But wait there’s more. As Cassie and Derek were celebrating in the Warrior’s High School gym, just a short distance away at McCall Middle School, the youngest Gee was also winning Gold. Tyler and his Lancer teammates defeated Williamsport in Montoursville’s Annual 8th Grade Tournament. Tyler is a 7th grader.

The Gee family has always exemplified the phrase, ‘there is no I in the word team.’ They would be the first to give credit to their teammates for their accomplishments. However, no family has ever been more deserving of a Championship Saturday afternoon like this one. They are a great example of faith, family, and community. What a great approach to the everyday game we call life. Way to have yourself a day, Gee family.

God Bless America.