I appreciate the thoughts and openness from those who reached out to me about my last column, “A Tough Topic to Talk About.” If you missed it, you can visit webbweekly.com and find the current publication as well as anything you’d like to catch up on from the past.

The tough topic to talk about was definnitely that. The column was to raise awareness of the increasing suicide rate in our area, which can be included as part of a national mental health crisis.

A couple of numbers I would like to provide you with this week are for individuals who may need somebody to talk with immediately. In my conversation following up on the column, Coroner Kiessling would like me to get those out there. Phone: 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or 844-707-3224 (Center for Community Resources), Text: 63288, Walk In Center: 800 W. 4th St., Williamsport, PA 17701.

September will be National Suicide Prevention month, and Editor Steph provided me with a good idea. This will be one of our feature issues that month to bring awareness as well as to get the information right from those who deal each and every day with folks’ mental well-being. Our columnist, David Bellomo, has already begun working on this.

Next is something Editor Steph covered last week, I will add in my thoughts regarding Larry Stout. Larry is a true gentleman and worker in the name of good. I am very honored he is part of our Webb Weekly family and team. His weekly column will be missed within our pages as he, along with his wife Debbie, are taking on some of life’s toughest challenges. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and I ask you to add them to your prayer list.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you, Larry, for always giving 100% to anything I asked you to spend your time on. This, even when I didn’t know how to explain what I wanted you to spend the time on. You just took the ball and ran in the most positive way. As time has passed, I now understand what tough positions I put you in at times. Please remember you always have a seat at the Webb Weekly Christmas Party, whether you’re penning columns or just providing your great friendship.

Moving right along as I drive by the school each day, it’s great to see the Loyalsock Township High School band out practicing and getting ready for the upcoming school year. The football fields across the county have come back to life as the teams prepare for Fall Friday Nights. This can also mean only one thing: the first pitch of the Little League World Series is about to take place up on the hill. What a great time to be a sports fan and live where we do.

There’s still a lot of baseball to be played on our local fields before high school Friday nights and Penn State Saturdays, but it’s approaching fast. Which makes it a perfect time to slide in another Williamsport Crosscutter Grand Slam Giveaway.

I will lead off with a couple curveballs. If you have won a Webb Weekly contest this year, you are not eligible to win again. And the games available are August 7th, 8th, 9th, and 21st. When you call, please know the game you would like to attend, and it will come off the board. So, simply put — first winner, first choice.

A quick look at the lineup card, a Grand Slam winner receives four tickets, $40 in Cutter Cash, four hugs from Rhashan, the Director of Smiles, and a great night out at Historic Bowman Field. Call or text me directly at 570-337-0755, and I’ll make you a winner. Please, again, know the game you are choosing when I answer, and no repeat winners.

As I am penning this, the Cutters are currently sitting in second place, only one game out. They will need to win the second half title of the split season to have a chance to repeat as MLB Draft League champions.

I’ll finish up this week with the opening of the 13- to 16-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri. Jamie Spencer did a great job featuring the boys from the West End this past week. He, along with my staff, are all keeping an eye on them as they begin the quest to bring back a World Series title. Good luck to the West Enders and safe travels to all.

Let’s all get out and about and enjoy all the great things our area has to offer. There is, without a doubt, something for everyone.

God Bless America.