Originally, there were eight holidays that everyone knew about. There were the major holidays of Christmas and Easter, along with Independence Day (July 4) and Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November). The minor ones were: Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12), Washington’s Birthday (February 22), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), and Labor Day (First Monday in
READ MOREIt seems like the subject of invasive species, be they land-based species, aquatic plants, or animals, comes up more frequently these days. As a fisherman, I have noticed several new threats to our waterways, including invasive crayfish, zebra mussels, and the northern snakehead. Other species of fish, like the silver and bighead carp, while not
READ MOREIt wasn’t sweet music to the ears of many of the 72,220 fans filling Houston’s NRG Stadium for college football’s national championship game, but it was a tune frequently played to the delight of all those wearing maze & blue. “Hail to the victors valiant. Hail to the conqu’ring heroes. Hail, hail to Michigan, the
READ MOREThis week’s Weird Words continues its holiday theme with another dozen terms we rarely use at other times of year. Our previous installment focused on religious vocab like manger, noel and Kris Kringle; here are 12 more, with a slightly secular slant. (Remember, in this space we’re concerned not so much with traditions as with
READ MOREA tip of my Webb Weekly cap with the American Flag on the side to the greatest generation. “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy— the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” ~ President Franklin D.
READ MOREBefore I get to the pure evil being witnessed around the world, I want to pick up where I left off last week — the complete debacle regarding the ousting of Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. I think it’s important to note that both locally elected United States representatives, Republicans Glenn “GT” Thompson and
READ MOREIt was a beautiful, sun-drenched, latesummer morning. It appeared all was right in the world. The early day’s sun was still very warm, the smell of fall was in the air. I dropped my sons off for school and daycare. Jimmy had just started kindergarten, and Hunter was a very young preschooler. I was looking
READ MOREIt is hard to tell at the moment what long-lasting impact an event may have. President George W. Bush did not want to impede the rescue work going on after Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005, and thus flew over New Orleans rather than stopping to demonstrate his concern. Katrina haunted him till the end
READ MOREBy Joseph W. Smith III Last week’s “Weird Words” marked installment No. 12; so I took those two digits as a theme and picked out several goodies from pages 1 and 2 of my ever-growing oddball vocabulary list. But I got only halfway through that selection before running out of space. Here is the other
READ MOREMy wife gives away her Southern roots from time to time with her vocabulary, such as when she uses a word like “catawampus.” It means “all screwed up.” I think we might be looking at a “Catawampus Congress” in Harrisburg these days. It started with convening the 2023-2024 legislation session of the General Assembly of
READ MORELegendary Canadian folk artist Gordon Lightfoot died last Monday. He was 84. I would say that he was one of my favs. Gordon and I were well acquainted. I listened to ALL of his songs. I saw my idol in three concerts. Lightfoot even came to Williamsport. Yes. The news hit me hard. The tributes
READ MOREIn the March 1st issue of Webb Weekly, I wrote an article referencing a quote from Henry Ford, “Sorry, Henry, History is Not Bunk.” I used a poll of the “greatest athlete of all time” to prove how weak our country has become in understanding our history. To quote myself, “History is not ours to
READ MOREI am a year late in highlighting the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man considered to be the Father of American Landscape Architecture. Born on April 26, 1822, Frederick Law Olmsted’s most notable accomplishment was constructing Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City and designing 100 other public parks. Olmsted also
READ MOREI request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross. ~President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943 I am a big proponent of the Red Cross. Like a lot of large non-profits, they have their issues, but
READ MOREI could scarcely have imagined that 20 years after writing my first story for Webb Weekly, I would now be looking back at my stories and that it would still be something that people continue to receive and enjoy today. It gives me a great sense of pride and satisfaction to have been a part
READ MOREThe four-day football feast served up by the Thanksgiving weekend provided some savory treats to snack upon. There were upsets; Michigan over Ohio State, South Carolina surprising Clemson, and Texas A&M sending Brian Kelley’s LSU troops back to the Bayou with a 38-23 loss that ended the team’s chances of an NCAA Final Four appearance.
READ MOREIt was a beautiful, sun-drenched, late-summer morning. It appeared all was right in the world. The early day’s sun was still very warm, the smell of fall was in the air. I dropped my sons off for school and daycare. Jimmy had just started kindergarten, and Hunter was a very young preschooler. I was looking
READ MOREJuly 17, 1996, is one of the darkest days in local history. That is the day that 16 Montoursville High School students and five adult chaperones were killed in the explosion and crash of TWA Flight 800. In an effort to reverentially commemorate and remember them, a special Flight 800 Memorial Gardens was erected in
READ MORETrees are virtually everywhere you turn, from your own backyard to nearby parks and forests where you enjoy hiking. They provide shade and beauty, and some even bear fruit. Beyond all the immediate benefits, you may be surprised to discover trees are also a critical key to the future. These facts and tips from the
READ MOREThe Declaration of Independence is a formal document that served as the signatory colonies’ statement that they were now “free and independent States.” It is a vital document in American history. On July 1, 1776, delegates from the original 13 colonies, making up the Second Continental Congress, met in Philadelphia to vote on Richard Henry
READ MOREA backyard pool can be a wonderful summer oasis. Swimming immediately cools people off on hot and humid days, and even provides thorough exercise that works many different muscles in the body. And summer revelers know that swimming and splashing in the pool is an entertaining activity for people of all ages. Though pools are
READ MOREThe leak from the Supreme Court revealed that the justices are leaning toward reversing the Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973. According to Vice President Harris, “What is clear is that opponents of Roe want to punish women and take away their rights to make decisions about their own bodies.” Speaker of the House Nancy
READ MOREHey y’all! Guess what?! Daylight Savings time begins on Sunday! You know what that means right? Well, first, it means you need to check your smoke alarms/CO detectors and make sure they are all in working order. Oh and see if you can finally figure out how to change that clock on your microwave, or
READ MOREMajestic Christmas trees garner the lion’s share of the decorative fanfare when the holidays arrive. Trees may be the focal points of holiday decor, but the humble wreath adorning the front door is the first decoration guests are likely to see when visiting a home. Wreaths may need some care to maintain their beauty all
READ MOREEighty years ago, in 1941, three weeks before Christmas, the United States was “suddenly and deliberately attacked” in a sneak attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, plunging us into an unwanted war. What was supposed to be another routine Christmas holiday season was changed utterly by this. People in the Williamsport area and then
READ MOREI’m sure that over the last couple of months, most of the talk amongst we outdoor types has centered around deer, turkeys, and bears, and thanks to today’s cell phone cameras, we have seen plenty of photos of successful hunters posing with their trophies. What you don’t see in those cell phone photos is someone
READ MOREThere is nothing more important than remembering, understanding, and learning from the history of our great Nation. One of the most devastating and in the same breath, galvanizing, attacks against America took place on Sunday, December 7th, 1941. The Japanese sneak attack that pummeled United States forces stationed near Honolulu. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s address
READ MOREFew things bring family and friends together quite like the holidays, and serving up an elegant, seasonal meal centered around a mouthwatering main dish is a recipe for creating lasting memories with the ones you love. Forging a fabulous holiday experience for the special people in your life starts with choosing a flavorful, tender cut
READ MOREThis year marks the 80th anniversary of the “Day of Infamy,” the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. One former Williamsporter, Joe Lockard is forever connected with the Pearl Harbor story. It might also be noted that two Lycoming County residents lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack—Paul Free and
READ MOREIt’s fall in North Central PA, and that means car shows; specifically, three great car shows taking place in Muncy on September 18th! Whether you are into classic muscle cars, cool Corvettes, or iconic Ford Mustangs, there is something for everyone. Three separate car clubs will be hosting shows, including the North Central Mustang Club,
READ MOREWe have so very much to be thankful for here in the West Branch Valley. We must not allow politics, differing views, and opinions to divide us. This goes double for any virus. I don’t understand today’s social media world when people who have a difference of opinion allow it to create the rage and
READ MOREBack in the forgotten days of real journalism, a big story was described as a ‘front-page story,’ and its importance was shown by the headline’s font size. So, for many newspapers, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, or President Kennedy was assassinated, the headline filled half of the front page, known as ‘above the fold.’ Today,
READ MOREThousands stormed the business district of Williamsport last night as they joyously celebrated the surrender of the Japs. President Truman’s official announcement of peace given by radio at 6 p.m. Eastern War Time set off a demonstration never excelled in this city and probably only equaled by the jubilation which followed the signing of the
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