At age 64, I remain convinced that deep in the soul of every middle-aged man, there’s a 12-year-old boy who never grew up. That’s why grandpas still crack gas-gags with their grandsons. And it’s also why Dav Pilkey’s riotous “Captain Underpants” books were a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. (After all, that series features
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
