Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the fine readers of Webb Weekly. Special thanks to those who are fans of this page. I am truly humbled by all of your feedback and praise. Before I begin this week’s recollection, I want to give some love to some friends. Thanks to the boss man Jim and my lovely editor Steph for allowing me to scribe. I am simply a part time writer for Webb and these two folks allow me to improvise. Jim is the big brother I never had. I only hear from him when I do something great or something bad. He has been a great mentor over the years and I appreciate his friendship, encouragement and trust. Although I only see her a few times a year, Steph and I correspond quite often. She routinely keeps me in the loop and she is the brains of our operation.

I have been with the Webb since her beginning. Jim pitched an idea while I was working at WDGC. I provided the copy and designed our weekly advertisements back then. I would update the folks on some of our tournaments and throw in a few stories about some of our charismatic members. I did this every week over ten great seasons. My pages were called “Notes From the Greenside Bunker” and “Coaches Corner.” My proud mother actually made a scrapbook of all of these entries. I often look back and smile. This was the backdrop to our relationship.

Jim and Steph will occasionally ask me to write a cover story. These are always very special assignments on local sporting celebrities. Sometimes it’s a feature on a team or a youngster who claimed recent PIAA gold. There’s a lot more pressure with these projects. I always do the best I can. One of my favorite pieces was on the legendary Coach Frank Girardi’s enshrinement to the College Football Hall of Fame. That little write up won me an award. It’s now in a frame.

My friends give me the freedom to write on whatever. My weekly assignments vary and sometimes I turn some heads. I have covered just about everything with sports. Professional to amateur. I have wrote many articles on local football and basketball. I also chimed in on high school wrestling and baseball. I even told a few tales on some throwers and pickleball too. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know many of the young athletes and coaches in the area. It keeps me in the loop. Last week’s article on my Brazilian foreign exchange student Ricardo is now trending. Our international views are up 1450%.

I do get to scribe about fishing and my love for the great outdoors. Hiking with my son Jensen has been a very popular topic. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I convince my chums to take me on great adventures after I promise to mention their names. Britt introduced me to ice fishing and Ian and I trolled for walleyes. Austin took me bassing and Kennedy saved the day. Never a dull moment. How many others watched the very first MLB Little League Classic from a kayak?

My three-week rant called “Setting the Record Straight” got me in deep trouble and I no longer push the envelope. Several folks applauded my perspective on the County decision to take over the golf course, but two guys got really mad. How is that making out? My boy Alize Johnson has the most tallies. I believe there were six articles on this extraordinary lad. I wrote about him while he was in high school and when he was with the Missouri State Bears. Alize became the first from our area to be drafted by the NBA. He routinely gives back to the community and his new basketball courts earned a full page spread. Alize continues to amaze. He has an annual Thanksgiving benefit to help the less fortunate and provides the players with shoes on three local hoops teams. Scratch that. Two programs. The other is now getting coal.

My favorite subject is my family. Jensen is now ten and he is acting more like his dad. Poor kid. My articles are about his youth sports leagues. Teach doesn’t like the spotlight so I refrain from using her name. I love sharing our stories. Whether it’s X-Box or Fortnite. Elf on the Shelf or Santa. Our trips to Yellowstone or just hanging out in the 17728. They make some interesting copy and my friend Jerry Bragalone approves. Thanks again folks. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Cheers.