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Faith Q&A: Does God Exist?0
- Faith
- February 21, 2024
Part Two The famous author, H.G. Wells, once observed, “If there is no God, nothing matters.” His statement was the topic of my previous “Does God Exist?” article. Previous articles are always available online at http://www.webbweekly.com. Wells’s quote included a second observation: “If there is a God, nothing else matters.” Remember, only one person can
READ MORELove-Words for Word-Lovers: A Bouquet of Valentine Vocab0
- Valentine's Day
- February 14, 2024
Happy Valentine’s Day to lovers — especially word-lovers! I’m sure that doesn’t sound too romantic; but you might be surprised at the many love-related terms that permeate our language. In part, this is because so much English derives from Greek and Latin, with both languages offering several base-words for love. Perhaps the best-known of these
READ MOREWeird Words No. 34: Carcajous, Lorikeets and Wickiups0
- Weird Words
- February 7, 2024
This week, Webb’s “Weird Words” attempts to set its own record by offering no less than 34 oddball vocabulary terms — thereby matching the number of columns we’ve reached so far in this pawky series. Here goes: Acus (AY-kuss, noun) – A needle used in surgery. Relatedly, it’s a shortened synonym for aculeus, which dictionary.com
READ MOREThe Bookworm Sez: “Soundtrack of Silence: Love, Loss, and a Playlist for Life” by Matt Hay0
That one Prom Song always does it for you. Just a few notes and you’re reminded of sweaty hands and wilted corsages, awkward poses for parents with cameras, arms around your date, and tiny steps while swaying in a circle. A song sure can be a memory-tickler. In the new memoir, “Soundtrack of Silence” by
READ MOREAttention Word Buffs: A Few More “Engineful” Etymologies0
- Weird Words
- January 31, 2024
Did you know that the word ingenious is related to engine? That vermilion is spelled with only one “L” and thus not tied to million — but rather to worm and vermicelli? Or that a saucer is so named because it once commonly held — well, sauce! We’re in the realm of etymology, or “word
READ MOREThe Roving Sportsman… Teaching Proper Hunting and Firearm Safety0
- Outdoors
- January 31, 2024
Any long-time hunter or gun owner has an inherent obligation to pass on his knowledge to an upcoming hunter or firearm enthusiast — whether they are a young person such as a son, daughter, grandchild, or neighborhood acquaintance or perhaps an adult who has become interested in hunting or gun ownership. It is critical to
READ MOREPies, Polecats and Pomegranates: Food-Related Etymologies0
- Weird Words
- January 24, 2024
This week, after a couple of typical columns on oddball vocab, “Weird Words” once again takes up the related field of etymology; that is, where words come from, what they used to mean and how they acquired their current definitions. Here are eight terms related to food or eating, all with an origin that’s unusual
READ MORECounty Hall Corner: Woke or Dream?0
- Uncategorized
- January 24, 2024
Sadly, Martin Luther King Day came and went with as much attention as National Pet Day (April 11th, for those who are wondering). Part of the reason for the lack of attention is undoubtedly because Dr. King’s principles are now considered quaint at best and dangerous at worst. His dream was for equality among races,
READ MOREInvasive Species in Our Waterways0
- Outdoors
- January 24, 2024
It seems like the subject of invasive species, be they land-based species, aquatic plants, or animals, comes up more frequently these days. As a fisherman, I have noticed several new threats to our waterways, including invasive crayfish, zebra mussels, and the northern snakehead. Other species of fish, like the silver and bighead carp, while not
READ MOREBeating the Winter Blues0
- Editorials
- January 17, 2024
It’s official. We are at a pretty dreary time of year. The weather ain’t great. I’m fairly sure it rained for 27 hours straight last week. It’s cold, it’s dark, the post-holiday blues are rearing their ugly heads. I know the last thing you probably want to do is go outside. But the best way
READ MOREWeird Words No. 31: A Little “Zhuzh” for Your Week0
- Weird Words
- January 17, 2024
As I work on the weekly “World of Weird Words,” it’s always tough to sort through the 2300 terms on my oddball vocab list, figuring out which ones to offer this time. Last week marked our 30th installment, so I decided to factor that figure: two sets of 15, both restricted solely to five- and
READ MOREGoing Over the Hill: Weird Words Turns 300
- January 10, 2024
In this second week of the new year, Webb’s Weird Words happily notches its 30th installment. Meanwhile, your humble wordsmith keeps trying various themes to help select from the 2,300 oddball terms on his ever-expanding list of weird words. In this case, the number 30 suggested a mathematical framework: Let’s go with four factors of
READ MOREOvercoming Defiance0
- Faith
- January 10, 2024
Note: This is the twelfth article in a series called Overcoming the Five Failures of Us. Previous articles are always available at http://www.webbweekly.com. Revelation 3:14-22, To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds,
READ MORELet’s Call it 20240
- Editorials
- January 3, 2024
Happy New Year! Three easy words to say — let’s hope and pray they ring true for 2024. I wish everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. The year 2024. I have trouble wrapping my thoughts around that, even though I’ve been blessed to live my way there for over half a century. It
READ MOREWeird Words for 20240
- Weird Words
- January 3, 2024
Seeking an appropriate new-year theme for this week’s Weird Words, I finally landed on my newest dictionary — the 13th edition of Collins, which I bought in July. A mammoth volume offering roughly three times as many words as most standard dictionaries, it contains a ton of terms you won’t find elsewhere — partly because
READ MOREOvercoming Duplicity0
- Faith
- January 3, 2024
Note: This is the eleventh article in a series called Overcoming the Five Failures of Us. Previous articles are always available at http://www.webbweekly.com. Revelation 3:1-3, “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds;
READ MOREMore “Gobbledygook” to Leave You “Astonied” (Or Maybe Give You “Collywobbles”)0
- Uncategorized
- December 27, 2023
By Joseph W. Smith III As Webb’s Weird Words wraps its first year in print, I couldn’t quite manage a relevant theme this time around; in keeping with the idea of “end,” however, I did at least finish harvesting words from the very first of the 27 pages in my running list of oddball vocab.
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FAST MAZ0
- Sports
- December 27, 2023
Marilouise Mazzante and I have been friends for a long time. We first met my sophomore year at Williamsport High. I was in her classroom for honors History. Maz was outstanding, passionate, and tough. I learned a great deal, and she is easily in my top five. She was a fantastic teacher. A terrific motivator
READ MOREA Christmas Wish of Hope, Love, and Compassion0
- Editorials
- December 20, 2023
A very Merry Christmas to everyone! Let’s all be careful out there while enjoying all that is a blessed Holiday Season. Please remember to say thank you to all that prepare the perfectly delicious Christmas feast. Absolutely no political discussions until after the New Year. And let’s keep the conversation around the table joyous and
READ MORE“Not Such a Bad Little Tree”: A Charlie Brown Christmas0
Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts has inspired no less than 50 different television specials; but of course, the best and most beloved is the one that started it all: A Charlie Brown Christmas. Last week in Webb, I named that as my single favorite holiday movie; so now let’s expand a bit with background and trivia
READ MOREA Partridge in a … Perdrix? Unwrapping Holiday Words, Pt. 20
- Weird Words
- December 20, 2023
This week’s Weird Words continues its holiday theme with another dozen terms we rarely use at other times of year. Our previous installment focused on religious vocab like manger, noel and Kris Kringle; here are 12 more, with a slightly secular slant. (Remember, in this space we’re concerned not so much with traditions as with
READ MOREMerry Christmas & Happy Holidays!0
While driving to go to look at Christmas lights, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on the radio, and Kenzy started to sing, but not the correct words. She sang, Oh, my momma, she is famous She does work from her computer! It goes in the paper, and people love her She gets lots of
READ MOREThe Elves and the Shoemaker0
- Uncategorized
- December 20, 2023
Once, there lived a kind, but exceedingly poor shoemaker. He was an honest, hard-working man, but he had fallen on hard times. So hard, in fact, that he could no longer make ends meet. All that remained in his workshop was enough leather to make a single pair of shoes. In the light of the
READ MORERoad Trips0
- Sports
- December 20, 2023
The high school basketball season is in full swing. Yes. I have already seen some of you in the local gyms. I appreciate all the kind words, folks. I sincerely do. I ENJOY THOSE ARTICLES will always get you a fist bump or a hug. Kids under the age of 10 will score a $5
READ MORERemembering The Yuletide of 19300
- Local News
- December 20, 2023
When Christmas was celebrated 93 years ago in 1930, the country was in the middle of a dire economic downturn that would become known as the Great Depression. The year 1930 saw men, women, and children waiting in breadlines and going to soup kitchens in order to receive basic sustenance for their bodies. Those who
READ MORELet’s Find Some Holiday Fun!0
- Editorials
- December 13, 2023
Gather ’round the Christmas tree, friends; it’s time to sort out the remainder of the Holiday Season! I know that we are all hustling and bustling, and having bushels of fun finding those perfect gifts, but let’s take a break from that and find some fun things to do! Luckily for you, I’ve done all
READ MORE“It’s Time for Carols and Kris Kringle”: Weird Words for the Holidays0
- Weird Words
- December 13, 2023
With the holidays upon us, Webb’s Weird Words returns to its fall-season focus on etymology — that is, word origins. This week and next, I’ll unpack two dozen terms we rarely use except at Christmastime: words like noel, manger, poinsettia and egg nog, for example. Our first batch below is largely religious, with secular terms
READ MORERepasz Holiday Concert 20230
- Music
- December 6, 2023
Carols, classics, love songs, movie scores, Russian music, pop tunes, medleys, jazzy Christmas versions and even a waltz. “There is something for everyone,” says conductor Jeff Dent, describing this year’s free holiday concert by Williamsport’s world-famous Repasz Band. Slated for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Community Arts Center, the ensemble’s annual Christmas-season performance
READ MORE“Tickety-boo” and “Schwarmerei”: Another Dozen from the World of Weird Words0
- Weird Words
- December 6, 2023
Having spent some fall columns on related language matters like etymology and doublets, we’re back to our titular subject last week and this. As promised in the previous installment, here’s a second set of 12 weird words to chew on; after these, we’ll move on to something more seasonal for mid-December. As usual, we’ll look
READ MOREA Red Kettle Double-Up0
- Editorials
- November 29, 2023
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go across the West Branch Valley. This Christmas carol seems perfect as we head into December. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years with different musical styles. I’m still old school and like Bing Crosby’s version the best. The song
READ MOREThe World of Weird Words0
- Weird Words
- November 29, 2023
Over the last month or two, Webb’s Weird Words has taken a largely thematic approach, with columns on animals, etymology, alcohol and a little-known linguistic item called a doublet. So now, let’s get back to our eccentric English exploration: plain old-fashioned oddball words. Here are 12, with another dozen forthcoming next week: Assegai (noun, ASS-uh-guy)
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Taber Museum Hosts Dazzling Array of Ornaments Made by Regional Artists and Opening of ‘Stars’ Exhibit0
- Events, Local News
- November 29, 2023
The Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society is pleased to announce the opening of their holiday exhibit, ‘Stars’, in conjunction with their annual ornament sale. Members of the museum will have the opportunity to preview the holiday exhibit and purchase ornaments at a Members’ Only Sale, Friday, December 1, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
READ MOREA Real Rich Royal Reign: More Treasures from the Thesaurus0
- Weird Words
- November 22, 2023
By Joseph W. Smith III In honor of last week’s 22nd “Weird Words” column in Webb, we looked at an obscure but interesting phenomenon called a doublet. These are sets of synonyms with similar sound and spelling — usually in pairs, like frail and fragile, fire and pyre, frantic and frenetic; or sometimes more than
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WILLIAMSPORT WEATHERPublisher & Editor
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Steph Nordstrom
EDITOR
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Jim Webb
PUBLISHER
Columnists
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Dave Bellomo
AUTHOR
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Charlie Gizenski
AUTHOR
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Lou Hunsinger, Jr.
AUTHOR
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Joseph W. Smith III
AUTHOR
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Bernadette Ulsamer
AUTHOR
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Larry Stout
AUTHOR
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Jon Pries
AUTHOR
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Ken Hunter
AUTHOR
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Scott Lowery
AUTHOR
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Jamie Spencer
AUTHOR
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Tim Hartzell
AUTHOR
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Andrea McElroy
AUTHOR
