We are getting pretty close to the dog days of summer. The kids have no schedule and are eating popsicles for breakfast. The pool is a perfectly acceptable replacement for a shower. The wi-fi is begging for a break. Everyone is just a little feral this time of year. But this is also when the
READ MOREWe know that when you get a CT scan or experience other kinds of medical imaging, the staff taking the images needs to protect themselves by leaving the room. Think about when you need an x-ray at your dental office — they put that heavy layer of protection on you just for a picture of
READ MOREI know many folks are looking for my column to see what my take was on last week’s debate. Well, I don’t want to disappoint any of my readers; this includes Republicans, Democrats, and whoever else may be reading. Let me first say I’ve already spent more space on the debate than it deserves. I
READ MOREDowntown Williamsport will again be set ablaze with the beautiful and awe-inspiring fireworks display that is the keystone of the annual “Set the Night To Music” July 4th celebration in Williamsport. Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter speaks enthusiastically about this now-annual event. “The City of Williamsport is looking forward to our annual 4th of July Set
READ MOREThe Uptown Music Collective, the area’s premier nonprofit school of music, is now accepting scholarship applications for its 2024-2025 school year, which will begin in September. This year, the Collective is offering 14 needs- and merit-based scholarships to currently enrolled students, as well as new students wishing to enroll in the school for the upcoming
READ MOREMy family and I just got back from Southern California. It was a short trip to see my rents in West Hollywood. My folks moved out six years ago. They help raise my two beautiful young nephews. Los Angeles is a very busy place. Gorgeous people and fancy cars are everywhere. All walks of life.
READ MOREThis week, on July 5, marks the 10th anniversary of when my beloved wife, Mary’s soul, left her body. Those ten years have been very sad and very difficult for me. In addition to her loss, I have suffered the loss of my father, my younger sister, my brother-in-law, and my first cousin, as well
READ MOREWhen the confirmation of the news of the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Cuban waters came on the night of the Fourth of July there was a disposition to get up an impromptu celebration. A movement was organized but no band could be acquired for the event, and a celebration without music is seldom
READ MOREFamily-friendly activities, food and craft vendors, musical entertainment of various kinds, and good fellowship are all hallmarks of Muncy’s “Fourth Friday” activities, which take place monthly at the Today Farm, the former Tom Styer’s farm in Muncy. Ann Baker was one of the organizers and has been involved with the event since it began 15
READ MOREThe Guinness record for most live albums from a single artist is held by the Grateful Dead. As of 2019, that figure stood at a whopping 167 — and many more have been released since then. In part, this ongoing flood is due to the ensemble’s virtually nonstop touring over its three-decade tenure. (Indeed, remnants
READ MORE(I’m sorry for this column’s personal references. I’m sending this open letter to the fifteen players on this year’s South Williamsport High School softball team.) Dear Alizabeth, Lily, Abby, Gianna, Kendall, Sage, Emily, Emma, Mikiaya, Maddie, Alyssa, Allison, Lilliana, Jewelanna & Carly: I know all of you are way past the stage in your lives
READ MOREThe area’s finest minor leaguers aged 7-10 recently gathered at our magnificent complex off State Route 973. Massive crowds traveled some 50 miles to Cogan Station to witness many spectacular performances and stellar plays. We welcomed teams from Jersey Shore, Muncy, WALL, South Williamsport, Hughesville, Loyalsock, Montgomery, and Montoursville. Several fans pitched their tents to
READ MORE“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.” Gordon Granger
READ MOREWhile the Saint John’s School of the Arts may have a new home at the First United Methodist Church in Williamsport, this move is a testament to their commitment to the arts. Their new location offers enhanced facilities and resources, allowing them to provide an even better arts education experience for their students. Since its
READ MOREJersey Shore band, The Cadillac Cats, and solo artist Shippensburg resident, Nick Andrew Staver have been selected the winners of the BBA’s Annual Audition Concert. Both winners will appear on Saturday June 22nd. Both winners are now eligible to participate in the International Blues Challenge in early January 2025 in Memphis TN. The 34th Annual
READ MOREMuch like my Mother’s Day list, my Father’s Day list changes and flow and gets a few edits along the way, but I think it’s a pretty good list. So much like Dads usually appreciate, let’s not get fussy and get on with it… First and foremost, Happy Father’s Day to Steve. You are an
READ MOREThere are two wonderful ladies I hear from on a regular basis. I believe both give me way too much credit for my writing, creativity, and ability to reach people in a special way. Both pray for me, encourage me, and let me know I’m loved. Both tell me I have a gift that I
READ MORECole Brothers-Clyde Beatty, the second largest circus in the world is in Williamsport today. It was around 8 o’clock last night when the Cole-Beatty Circus arrived in town. Thousands waited from noon to witness the unloading and the thousands were either at Third and Rose streets or the Maynard Street grounds when the rest wagons
READ MOREI had an experience I would like to share with you to honor those who have given all for our great Nation by shining the light of freedom on a truly patriotic moment. Hopefully, I can paint the picture, and you can hear the music and feel the true American spirit as you close your
READ MOREIn its second consecutive year, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is thrilled to announce its continued partnership with the Hughesville Area Public Library (HAPL) for the organization’s annual outdoor concert in Hughesville. Set against the backdrop of the Lycoming County Fairgrounds, the event is scheduled on June 2nd, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., with activities commencing
READ MOREThe 34th Annual Billtown Blues Festival officially begins Friday, June 21st at 6 p.m. The music continues at 12 noon on Saturday, June 22nd offering world class blues music from twelve performances. All festival detail including ticketing options, onsite camping accommodation, a link to our host hotel in downtown Williamsport, and our downtown bus service
READ MOREAt a recent Lycoming County Republican Party meeting, State Representative Joe Hamm shared the difficulties that the PA Assembly is having over the next state budget. As with all budgets, everyone has their ideas of what is necessary, but there is also the struggle on how much is affordable. Politicians must walk a fine line.
READ MOREThe Rev. Ben Lander, pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Muncy, has chosen the theme “Gospel I.Q.” for the Annual Memorial Service at Old Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2633 Lime Bluff Road, Muncy. The service will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Mrs. Joy Barto will accompany the service on the
READ MOREFrom the early morning services at the Soldier’s Monument and burial plot in beautiful Wildwood Cemetery, to the impressive Marine Memorial Service on the Market Street Bridge in the evening, Williamsport’s observance of Memorial Day eclipsed all previous events of the kind. The day was one and the same a fitting tribute to America’s heroic
READ MOREJourney Bank is pleased to announce the top 14 finalists from local area high schools who will perform at the 14th Annual Journey Bank Teen Star Musical Competition. The live finale is set for Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Bloomsburg University’s Haas Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Tickets to the event
READ MORENo surprises here, it’s time for my annual Happy Mother’s Day list! Every year I think about doing something different, but I think this is the ultimate list. No matter what kind of Mom you are! And to all the Moms out there, if no one has told you lately — you’re doing an awesome
READ MOREThe first time you saw it, you knew you’d have to see it again. You were obsessed with the comedy. You couldn’t get enough of the music. You still remember the first-third-fifth time you saw the movie, alone or with friends, in a theater or on TV. And in the new book, “The Blues Brothers”
READ MOREWriter-director Woody Allen recently notched his 50th film — but this Woody has no buzz … not even for such an impressive milestone. The once-beloved auteur behind such landmarks as Annie Hall, Manhattan, Sleeper, and (my favorite) Crimes and Misdemeanors, Allen holds a record 16 Oscar noms for screenwriting. But he’s now essentially been canceled,
READ MOREWith fear of jinxing its permanent arrival and hoping against a reversal of fortunes, it appears that spring has finally made its way to our neck of the woods! Being imbedded in sports all my life, the changing of the seasons has had more to do with which sport was coming up next than with
READ MORESeven has been called a magic number. There are seven days a week, seven colors in the rainbow, seven musical notes in a scale, seven wonders of the ancient world, seven continents, seven major seas, and even psychologists tell us we can only take in seven ‘bits’ of information at one time. So, it is
READ MOREThe Pajama Factory is Hosting a Day of FREE Live Music, Vendors and Open Studios including Food Trucks, Raffles and even a local Brewery-all to Celebrate Spring! The Pajama Factory is thrilled to be hosting a full day of festivities throughout our building complex on Saturday, April 27th. The event itself will be scheduled 12-4
READ MOREIf you heard someone described as “a man who could take almost any amount of pain,” you might assume it was an athlete, a first responder, a Navy SEAL — or maybe a Hollywood stuntman. But while the last phrase is technically accurate here, that “indestructible man” was in fact Buster Keaton — a silent-film
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