Twas a few days before Christmas all thru the town
Last minute shoppers saw store inventories down
Some family households had worry and fret
While for still others holiday plans were all set
At Montoursville’s airport the runways lay vacant
Would-be passengers were told they had to be patient
Travelers heading out and those coming in
Made things very difficult to be with their kin
But miles away where Santa does shelter
The pace of activities is a bit helter-skelter
The elves are all busy, their work in a frenzy
All hoping the weather is not breezy or hazy
When from the workshop there came such a clatter
Santa’s advisors asked, “What is the matter?”
It seems they had a bit of an inventory crunch
From letters received from the Lycoming County bunch
“What is it with these folks,” one elf did question
“Asking for sports stuff is all they do mention”
The advisors all listened and broke out in smile
They knew in an instant, that’s been true for awhile
They were checking the lists and packing the sleigh
With all kinds of gifts so the people could play
There were the usual things, rackets, clubs and balls
Requests were increased due to the closing of malls
“You must understand for the people down there
Sports are a big deal and the people do care”
With the elves in agreement, they went back to work
Each gift was wrapped and checked by the clerk
There were a bevy of packages stacked by the door
Each wrapped in orange destined for Jersey Shore
The gifts were stamped ‘handle with pride’
Football fever was packed inside
Down in the Township where CI does rule
Were boxes of polish meant for the school
It was needed for the work that had begun
Shining the state trophy his hoop team had won
Across the river on the South Side
Its female athletes were brimming with pride
Led by Olivia & Piper, they’d risen to the top
The softball team hopes it doesn’t stop
In Montoursville some teams have new coaches
Hoping to continue their championship approaches
On the football field, courts or the mat
The blue & gold rarely fall flat
Over the Mountain where the Red Raiders reside
A young coach named Diggs heightened community pride
And inside the gift of its Community Center
Athletes of all sports work to get better
Off to the east just a few miles away
Muncy’s shiny new facility is on display
Its court and its weight room are quite the sight
And the tribe full of athletes is up to the fight
In Spartan land the wrestlers have long bragged
On the basketball court they are driven by Tag
New faces lead teams on the field & the track
Working hard to bring the green & white back
On the asphalt of Penn Street sits a small school
Ignoring their hoop team and you’d be a fool
But the Knights of SJ Neumann have made noise with their bats
The sports scene has noticed and sends their congrats
The gifts are quite plentiful for the school on the hill
Where Millionaire Magic fills the sports bill
Their athletes and coaches have left legendary marks
On the fields, courts, pool and at the ballparks
Fans of the Cutters will get a treat
More games to witness and a scoreboard that’s sweet
Gabe will be doing his usual things
Providing the joys that summer baseball brings
In the days that remain until the big day
Surely some sports gifts will be coming your way
No matter where you live or who you root for
If you don’t have a chimney, just open the door
Santa’s had a flu shot, two COVIDS and a booster
He’ll depart by dusk and return before the crow of the rooster
As you awaken Christmas morning and meet by the tree
May the true meaning of the season be there for you to see!
Wishing you all a very Merry, happy & healthy Christmas!
