Thank you to everyone that has reached out to share a special story about Father John Manno. It’s amazing how many lives he affected and touched in a most positive way. There is no doubt in my mind he will continue to do the Lord’s work through all of us.

A special thank you to Father Charles Cummings for reaching out to me. He shared Father John Manno’s funeral homily via email. Father Cummings and Father John were best friends their whole lives. They grew up together in Williamsport. Father Cummings also shared a picture of the “3rd Street Gang” from back in the day.

If you would like to read Father Cummings’ homily honoring Father John it can be found with this week’s edition at webbweekly.com along with the picture. I apologize it was just a little too lengthy to print, and the picture will view much better online.

A Webb Weekly salute to Loyalsock Township grad Alessia Antonacci. The young lady will continue her education and serve our Nation at West Point. It’s no easy feat for anyone, especially a young lady, to be accepted at West Point; they only take about 250 women a year. Not to mention you’re competing against the best of the best from around the Nation to attend the military academy along the Hudson. Alessia met all qualifications with flying colors.

Alessia could have attended Harvard or the college of her choice. But wanted to follow in her Father’s footsteps and serve in the military for our great Nation. It does my red, white, and blue heart good to share this story with you. Congratulations to Alessia on earning this great honor. West Point is getting a good one. Go get them, girl!

What a great season the South Williamsport baseballing Mounties recently completed. A district championship, final four finish in the state tournament and memories of a season that’ll last a lifetime. See Scott Lowery’s story on page 8 for all the details.

As you know, baseball has always been near and dear to the Webb family. My Father had an unbelievable baseball mind. Some of the best baseball times of my life were when Coach Webb managed my friends and me during our Senior League days in Southside.

One of my Dad’s top guns on the mound at the time was Petey Sinibaldi. Or Tweety Petey as Coach Webb referred to him. Everybody always had a nickname, but that’s a story for another day.

Fast forward to 2019, and there’s another Pete Sinibaldi playing baseball for Southside. See, Tweety Petey went on to marry another good friend of mine Kathy Lynch. The Family can now be very proud of their son Peter’s baseball, athletic, and academic accomplishments. Peter will be continuing his education at Penn State University.

Sorry, you know I often get off track a little bit. A tip of my 1981 Southside Senior Little League cap to Manager Smokey Stover and his public school state champion South Williamsport Mountaineers. This is also a story for another day, but again a PIAA final four consisted of one of our small local high schools and three private, sports recruiting, non-community-based cheaters by the rules.

Smokey Stover has won 680 games during his coaching career. By the numbers, it’s 448 Ws at Lock Haven University, 90 at Jersey Shore High School and 42 as Skipper of the Mounties. Thank you to my good friend Chris Massey for providing me the numbers. In his last three seasons, Smokey has been like a fine wine just getting a little better each season with age. Three District Championship appearances, two District Titles, capping it off with this year’s Webb Weekly public school AA State Championship.

A much more important number recently when it comes to Smokey is 50. As in he and his wife Pam just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Happy Anniversary! That’s truly a lot of wins. And a pretty darn good second week of June this year.

God Bless America.