The 26th Annual Victorian Christmas, featured on the cover, can mean only one thing: the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has arrived in the West Branch Valley. Thank you to everyone who has helped keep this event going, showcasing the proud past and beauty of the city of Williamsport. If you’re looking to take a step back in history and attend an event with many happenings, this is a great way to begin the Christmas season.

Next week, we will publish our annual Thanksgiving issue, which will include our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.

Believe it or not, I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. Usually, I wait ‘til Christmas Eve, well, maybe a little bit sooner. I’ve got a major gift out of the way for my son Jimmy. He’s already opened it, put it together, and has it going 12 miles an hour. Nope, it’s not one of those electric bikes or scooters we all almost run into each day; it’s a treadmill. With more features than I could ever figure out, the best part of this gift was that no wrapping or putting together was needed by dear old dad.

Well, I’ve gotten off the beaten path, or maybe I should say treadmill in this instance. Next week’s Holiday Gift Guide will feature great gift-giving ideas from area businesses guaranteed to make everyone smile. And yes, the treadmill was purchased locally, no Amazon delivery required. I encourage everyone to get out and support our local business community. No matter if it’s the smallest family-owned store on the corner or the big box store of your choice, they all employ local people and support our area’s economy.
With that being said, please take the time to check out the small, mom-and-pop stores; they offer amazing service and unique gift ideas that can only be found inside their front doors.

I received an early infusion of that Christmas spirit as I attended the 7th Annual Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast for the Salvation Army last week. Thank you to the Pendle Brass Ensemble for providing amazing Christmas music. With all that is going on in the world, this was much needed for me, as was the hearing of the ringing of the bell.

The Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast is a way for the Salvation Army to raise money lost by the decline of folks going to the brick-and-mortar stores. Mr. Kent Bennett has done a fantastic job with the event since the beginning. This year, the breakfast raised right around $55,000 to help with all the great programs the Salvation Army provides locally. A shout-out to Young Industries, which has been the top contributor for all 7 years.

The programs provided by the Salvation Army are for adults and children. They help families in more ways than I have space to write. However, with what we’ve seen on the news most recently, the food pantry and hygiene closet, as well as the rental and utility assistance, are in much demand.

As most of you know, I do a Red Kettle Remembrance in honor of Dave Sechler. A great friend and an even better person who donated much of his life to the Salvation Army in a variety of ways. When I left the breakfast last week, I picked up the Red Kettle that will greet you upon entering our office in South Williamsport. My staff and I are again honored to match your donation made to The Salvation Army.

I will have more about Dave Sechler and the Red Kettle Remembrance as we get closer to Christmas. If you choose to stop by our office at 280 Kane Street, Jaimie Hoover and my staff will again be ringing the bell and have a cup of Christmas cheer for you. If you would like to mail it in, please make checks payable to the Salvation Army, Williamsport. Our address is 280 Kane Street, Suite 2, South Williamsport, PA 17702. Please do this early enough so it is received by Tuesday, December 23rd. We thank you for helping members of our local community through this fantastic organization.

I will finish this week with a heartfelt salute and thank you to all the veterans who attended our Dolly’s Diner Webb Weekly Veterans Day All-American Breakfast. With the Insinger family growing the chain of Dolly’s to four locations, now including Southside, they served 374 of these very special people. A tip of my cap to all who prepared these meals and provided a smile while serving up the great food and another cup of coffee.

Please, as you’re enjoying the Holiday Season, give a helping hand to whatever is near and dear to your heart. The gift of time is also needed in many cases.

Let’s all be safe out there and help one another.

God Bless America.