Congratulations to Brandt Harer and Austin Johnson on bringing home state gold earned through their efforts on the wrestling mat. For my money, wrestling is the most demanding sport on the athletes participating. Almost all who finish their high school careers at Hershey have put in more blood, sweat, and tears since they were knee-high to a grasshopper than most can even imagine.
The tradition of Pennsylvania wrestling guarantees there’s no sure thing upon reaching Chocolate Town. No matter how high you’re seated or even if you’re a defending state champ, upsets always occur because of the level of competition. That makes Brandt’s and Austin’s efforts even sweeter.
There’s also that wild card of staying healthy that no wrestler likes to talk about, and if you play multiple sports at the high school level, the chance of injury is obviously increased. I think wrestling through pain and sometimes injury is just more accepted by those within the wrestling community. They’re just flat-out tough.
Congratulations to the Montgomery girls for bringing home a team title in wrestling. What a great combined effort. I can’t wait until we have our first local lady wrestler celebrating an individual gold on our cover. We’ve had some amazing performances over the last couple of years by the girls. My staff does a great job putting the wrap on the wrestling season in the pages ahead.
Another sign that spring has sprung, it’s time for the West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association Home Show. We are proud members of the Builders Association and look forward each year to having a booth at the event. For us, it’s a great meet and greet to show our support for the West Branch Builders. Many of them use our pages throughout the year to promote their business. They are hard-working people who can provide almost everything you need to make your house a home. And maybe, more importantly, keep it fixed up just like your spouse wants it.
My staff and I will again be providing a smile and some conversation to go along with the traditional Webb Weekly yardsticks and pens. And yes, there will be plenty of candy and an opportunity to win a gas grill package to kick off this beautiful weather. Thanks to Elery Nau for the grill, complete assembly, and providing a tank of gas. There’s no way I have the patience to put it together.
My longtime friend Mikey Rupert provides a $50 gift card for some of his great products when you fire up your new grill. I always look forward to taking home something amazing to eat, some laughter, and a little bit of ribbing when I stop by Rupert’s Specialty Meats.
Then there’s old Chet Ruth down at Frosty Beverage, who throws in a $50 gift card to add to your grilling experience. I have known Chet and his family for a lifetime, and they’re all about taking care of people and providing you with the best service and products possible. They will also carry whatever you’re drinking out to the car for you.
The West Branch Builders Home Show will again be held at the Liberty Arena this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please check out all the details, a complete list of vendors, along with some features on their products in our Home Show section pages 31-37. This can help you plan your way around the event or maybe trigger an idea of something that needs to be done.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Moving right along, it’s time to get your brackets filled out for March Madness. This has become a long-standing tradition not only at home but in the American workplace, and it’s no different at our Webb Weekly office. We actually do both a men’s and a women’s bracket. That adds twice the fun and gives you double the opportunity to win, even if one bracket gets blown up early by upsets.
Last year, Editor Steph won on the men’s side, and Wes Sones on the ladies’ side. It’s always competitive and usually comes down to the Elite 8 and Final Four to determine the winner. I hope DOGE doesn’t investigate inefficiency in the office place caused by March Madness, as I am an encourager. That was intended for a good laugh, not to upset anyone.
In closing things out this week, a tip of my Webb Weekly hat with the American flag on the side to the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company as they celebrate 100 years of service. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all who have served for a century. This also includes their families who are on call right along with the person who shows up at whatever time someone is in need. In many families, emergency service is truly a family business as more than one in the household or generations of first responders share the same last name.
Where would we be without these selfless individuals?
God Bless America.
