Although Dave Sechler left us nearly seven years ago, his work for the Lord continues through many of you. A heartfelt Webb Weekly thank you to everyone who took time the week between Christmas and New Year’s to either stop by the office and make a Red Kettle donation or drop it in the mail. Before totaling it up, I gave the USPS a little extra delivery time.

Just a quick reminder, my Webb Weekly staff and I match all that has been generously donated. I am very proud to share with you we received donations of change from children, all the way up to a couple of more than kind checks. This is obviously done by folks from every walk of life. This is exactly how Dave would want it. The amount given would never even have been thought about by Sech. He would have greeted everyone with a smile and then a thank you and been grateful for each penny — the more involved, the better — especially when it included young people.

For those of you that didn’t know Dave, he was a kindhearted, always positive and smiling gentleman. Whether he was working at Canada Dry or The Salvation Army, he was always working hard. Much of his time for the latter was volunteer. Dave loved and cared about people no matter what he was doing and always made you feel that way.

As I have gotten older, I have a much better understanding of my friend. He was always happy and never allowed anything to get him down; I never saw him angry. He was truly grounded in his Christian faith. He completely got it and understood his journey.

As you know from reading me, I love listening to music. Often folks listen but don’t actually hear the words. Dave completely got the message that shines through the Carrie Underwood song, “Temporary Home.”

“This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows in rooms that I’m passin’ through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary home.”

Please Google and give the song a listen. It is absolutely beautiful, just reading the lyrics doesn’t get it.

The inner peace and understanding Dave had can be found by all. As we continued to ring the bell for him, it is most important to understand who Dave was ringing the bell for. The importance of finding, living, and sharing this message in the world of today cannot be overstated.

So, what was the total that reached our office? $4,873.80! And again, a tip of my Webb Weekly hat with the American Flag on the side to all, thank you! My staff and I rounded the match up, so the donation totaled an even $10,000. We like nice round numbers here at the Webb Weekly. If any late-arriving mail reaches our friendly confines, we’ll do the same.

A final answer that I can’t provide you with just quite yet is who the winners of this year’s Webb Weekly Uncle Ron’s Monster Buck Contest are. It was a great year locally for hunters of all ages. This is clearly reflected by the over 100 entrants and the smiling faces of those who took the time to register. This also brings a smile to my face because, if you remember, we always donate to the MS Society for every buck registered in the name of the hunter.

One thing I can guarantee you is Uncle Ron Mingle is hard at work along with Dana Poust and his sidekick, Sam, measuring them all up. Hopefully, I have the answers for you next week, along with the winner of the Remington 783-gun package courtesy of Sauer’s Trading. Everyone who took the time to enter has a random shot to take this home.

The monster buck wins a free shoulder mount done by the artistry of Poust Taxidermy. 2nd through 4th places receive a $100 gift certificate for delicious venison processing by the good people at Thompson’s in Jersey Shore. Stay tuned for the winning pictures and the tale of the tape.

It is hard to believe January will soon be in the rearview mirror. Get out and about and enjoy all that’s visible during winter. The best way to avoid cabin fever is to get on up and out of the cabin.

God Bless America.