In most English-speaking countries, the letter Z — our recent focus here in Webb’s “Weird Words” — is pronounced “zed”; and that’s because it originally derives from the Greek letter zeta. In some regional dialects, Z can even be styled as “izzard”; but of course, American English uses “zee.” In this way, Z rhymes with
Oh, by gosh, by jingle; it’s time for carols and Kris Kringle… … plus car rides and complaining kids! Yes, it’s that time of year … when so many folks head over the river and through the woods … on very long trips to grandmother’s house. And as in 2023, Webb’s resident book-lover herewith suggests
’Tis the season — Little League World Series season, to be precise: that time of year when local writers and sports fans love to reflect on America’s favorite pastime. But despite a generous schedule of games in those lovely Southside stadiums, one can’t spend all one’s time at the ballpark. (I know, I know; if
“I’ve always wanted to take a long train trip.” Local travel-writer Joseph W. Smith III hears this wistful wish about once a week—especially from folks who’ve seen one of his social-media posts about riding Amtrak through the Southwest, the Rockies or the Appalachian wilds. But long-distance rail-travel is not easy from Central PA, where our
Sometime in the next few days, TV listings and internet sites will begin to burst with Christmas-film suggestions. But before we get swept away in a flood of Scrooges, wonderful lives and Red Ryder BB guns, how about a few films for Thanksgiving? Here’s a six-course movie-meal for the upcoming holiday: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
“Encores” is the Williamsport version of New Horizons Band, an international organization offering “entry points to music-making for adults, including those with no musical experience.” That’s from the NHB mission statement, which also invites older folks who once played an instrument but haven’t done so since they were young. And it even covers those who
