It is great to see Spring Training in full swing in both Florida and Arizona. The first exhibition games from both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues can be viewed on TV. The Boys of Summer can mean just one thing — spring is just around the corner.

This time of year always gets me thinking about my lifetime friend Mr. Bill ‘Buck’ Byham. A lifetime Pirates fan, he would always look forward to his February pilgrimage to the Pirates’ Spring Training camp in Florida. Mr. Byham was as loyal as they come, and his hope always sprang eternal this time of year for the Buccos. I always enjoyed talking to him upon his return, not only about his trip but what he thought the Pirates’ chances were for the upcoming season. The Old Left Hander usually hit it right on the head, and as all baseball folks know, it begins with pitching. He was always quick to point out some young up and comers that would contribute to the Pirates’ efforts.

Unfortunately for all Pirates fans, the current ownership usually gets rid of their talented players right as they’re coming into their prime. They are more concerned with the bottom line than winning. The Pirates have been one of baseball’s worst teams in the past 25 years; at one point, they had accumulated 20 losing seasons in a row.

Buck was definitely not a fan of the current ownership, but that never dampened his spirit for the Pittsburgh Pirates. I miss Mr. Byham; he was one of those folks we were blessed to have with us a long time, you just sort of expected he would always be there. Tip of my Pirates 4th of July hat to his wife Nellie and the Byham family. Thanks for sharing Buck. Hope all finds you well, my friends.

Other signs that spring will be soon upon us is that Valentine’s Day is in the rearview mirror, and a week from today is Ash Wednesday. We already have over an hour and a half more daylight than we did when we kicked off 2020. Daylight savings time will soon be upon us, which I think makes everybody happy.

It always amazes me how much happier everybody is when they can go home in the evening after a long day’s work to some daylight. I definitely fall into this category. Well, I have great news! In about two weeks daylight savings time returns on March 8th. The sun will set that day at 7:07 p.m. that day. Doesn’t that just warm your heart and bring a smile to your face?

I know we can still get a lot of winter weather right on through April in our little corner of Penns Woods. However, it can’t last long; I always view the 1st day of March as my spring kick-off. I have learned over the years to associate the beginning of spring with the first pitch of the local high school baseball season.

There are so many great events going on locally; please do not allow yourself to catch the dreaded cabin fever. Most can be found within the pages of Webb Weekly. Our area high school wrestlers and basketballers are currently competing in District Championship competition. Get out and about and take in some of the great action and support our area’s young athletes.

If you enjoy the outdoors, some great wild game cuisine, and supporting the men and women who provide our freedom, I have just the event for you. Each year, Barry Sones, owner of the Nightingale Hunting Preserve, organizes a big game dinner and night out to benefit our local Wounded Warriors.

This year will mark his 8th Annual Wild Game Dinner and Auction benefitting the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors. The event will take place Saturday, February 29th, at the Hughesville Volunteer Fire hall on the corner of South Railroad and Water streets. Doors open at 4:00 p.m., dinner is served at 5:00 p.m., and a big game hunting slide show is viewed at 6:00 p.m. 

The big game dinner will include a menu of moose barbecue, moose hot sausage, venison Swedish meatballs, bologna, and chili, chukar noodle soup, and much more. Sides will include salt potatoes, salads, and desserts.

There will be a live auction that includes a wildlife print courtesy of Webb Weekly’s own Ken Hunter, a mountain bike donated by Marty’s Bicycle Shop, a Hoyt bow, numerous gift cards, and hunting and fishing themed items. Something new this year will be a Chinese auction featuring over 30 themed baskets.

It’s a great evening of friendship and camaraderie to support our local servicemen and women that have put it all on the line for our hometown way of life. A tip of my Webb Weekly All-American Red, White and Blue hat with the American Flag on the side to Mr. Barry Sones and all that help put on the event. They have raised over $80,000 for the Pennsylvania Wounded Warrior Project.

Tickets for the event are a minimum $15 donation. The donation also gets you registered for some great door prizes. To purchase tickets, make a monetary donation, or to donate an item for the auction, you can reach Barry at 570-419-4749 or Barrysones@gmail.com.

God Bless America.