Sometimes I have no idea what I want to write about on any given week. Sometimes, I know all week what I am going to write about on Friday. And sometimes, like this week, I have a couple of topics that I want to touch on, but none of them are hearty enough to stand alone. So, we throw everything in the pot and call it gumbo. It’s a mixed bag this week. A little something for everyone.

First, let’s start with the obvious. I’m on the wrong page. Jimmy decided to enjoy a long weekend, so he’s off doing…stuff? It probably involves someone getting sticky buns, his lawn being mowed, and Finn and Buck getting extra pool time. He’ll be back next week.

Next, I want to talk about Larry Stout. Larry has been a writer with Webb Weekly for over a decade. His dedication has brought us all the county news that’s fit to print, along with shining a light on those in our community who are making our area a better place to live. His work has truly made a difference and we are all inspired by his contributions.

Sadly, this week will be Larry’s last week with Webb Weekly. He has his final article on page 8, and I’ll leave his explanation to him, but I just wanted to say that he will be missed. We’ve enjoyed having him on the team. Even though he never intended on being a Webb Weekly writer, and Jimmy kinda, sorta, strong-armed him into the role. We wish him and Debbie the best in the future, and I’ve let Larry know that if he ever has the itch to write in the future, he always has a place in the pages of Webb.

Are you guys feeling a little snacky? A little peckish? If so, I have good news for you. Chick-fil-A opens this week! They are set to open on Thursday, July 31st. So, if you are looking to ‘Eat Mor Chikin,’ you are in luck.

If fried chicken isn’t your game, then I would absolutely recommend you avoid Maynard Street at all costs for the next month or so.

We understand that the traffic on Maynard is going to be a challenge for a while. If you are traveling on Maynard, please be gracious. We all need to have some patience, give ourselves extra time if we need to be in that area, and most importantly, let’s all be considerate of each other. No one benefits from unnecessary stress and frustration. In other words, don’t be an a-hole.

As August hits, we are counting down the last weeks of ‘summer.’ I just want to remind everyone that there is still plenty of time to find some summer fun. Take that trip to Knoebel’s. Or another amusement park. Take the kids to the pool or the crick to splash around. Take your dog for a pup-cup. Decorate your sidewalks with chalk. Take a hike. Get some sunshine. Touch grass.

A lot is going on in the world, but summer only lasts so long, so get out and enjoy it as much as you can. We only have so long before the long, dark days of winter are here, so enjoy the warm moments while you can.

I don’t want to delve too deeply into the back-to-school world just yet, but have y’all heard about what Williamsport Area High School is doing this year? I don’t know why, but I think that it is super cool. If you have an incoming freshman to WAHS, listen up, because this is for you.

WAHS will be starting 9th graders a day before the 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. This way, the 9th graders will have a day at school that is just for them. This will give them the opportunity to find their way around, scope out the best paths to their classes, and get a bit of a feel for the lay of the land before having to navigate around an extra ~1,200 kids.

According to the District, “Williamsport Area High School is launching its new LINK Crew program — an in-house orientation that pairs rising ninth graders with upperclassmen mentors, or LINK Leaders. This dedicated start allows freshmen to connect, build confidence, and get excited for high school.”

I just think this will be a good opportunity to make the transition to high school a little easier for the 9th graders.

Now I need to correct an error. In the article we wrote about the River Valley Film Festival, it was mentioned that the documentary, “Keep Quiet and Forgive,” would be shown. This was not the case. The film is still being processed and is in production.

Finally, let’s talk about that word, gallimaufry, in the title. I usually try to leave the etymology to Joe Smith, but I couldn’t resist using this word when I stumbled upon it. Gallimaufry is a noun, and just means a jumble of things. According to Merrian-Webster, “In the 16th century, Middle-French speaking cooks made a meat stew called galimafree. It must have been a varied dish because English speakers chose its name for any mix or jumble of things.”

So, there you have it. Your gallimaufry for the end of July. Again, go enjoy what remains of summer. Have some fun, and I’m serious, touch some grass. Life is too short to waste time and not enjoy the long days and warm nights.