So, clearly, I’m not Jimmy. Jimmy had a technological mishap. He had his article all but finished when it disappeared into the ether. Even I couldn’t figure out what happened and recover his story. Due to rising frustration levels, we decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest to just take the L. Now
READ MOREThe month of January has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in January 1924. Millionaire oil broker Courtland S. Dines is shot in the abdomen at his home on January 1. When police arrived on the scene, they found alcohol on
READ MOREBefore you ask, no, I do not have everything done for Christmas. Most of the shopping is done. I still have dinner stuff to buy, but I don’t even want to think about what’s ahead for wrapping. But it’s OK. It’s totally fine. I’ll get everything done — probably. I do have my priorities though,
READ MOREMiniclover is drought-tolerant, simple, stunning and sustainable with low-to-no maintenance That lush, green lawn most strive for is struggling to survive as our climate experiences “weather whiplash,” meaning abrupt swings in weather conditions from one extreme to another. Last season, drought conditions were so dire in California billboards shouted, “Brown is the New Green.” This
READ MOREThe home renovation industry is booming, and that’s reflected in the cost to upgrade a home. Home Guide says remodeling a kitchen, costs $25,000 on average, and a bathroom renovation runs around $10,000. Though rates fluctuate depending on a host of variables, renovations can cost $15 to $60 per square foot depending on the project.
READ MORETis the season, folks, and instead of sharing a story on sports, I’ve decided to chime in on something that is much more important. Yes. It’s time to talk about The Elf on the Shelf. For those of you without young children, this article might help explain that creepy little butthead that has been flooding
READ MORETrees are virtually everywhere you turn, from your own backyard to nearby parks and forests where you enjoy hiking. They provide shade and beauty, and some even bear fruit. Beyond all the immediate benefits, you may be surprised to discover trees are also a critical key to the future. These facts and tips from the
READ MOREMy thoughts remain with Yellowstone. My favorite National Park experienced a major flood. While repairs are underway, the impacts of this extraordinary event are still in the mix. The park received three inches of rain and over five inches of snow during the first week of June. Temperatures rose, and it created a historical “high
READ MOREDuring this week, 50 years ago, Lycoming County and the rest of the area of the Susquehanna River Basin were in the throes of the most destructive and severe flooding seen in the area up to that time. The flood was caused by heavy rains from June 20 to 24, 1972, from the remnants of
READ MOREFlood waters continue to recede along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River today, but leave in their wake a toll of destruction in Williamsport and Lycoming County, unmatched since the monstrous flood of 1936. Since cresting at an official National Weather Service level of 31.36 feet at the Market Street Bridge at 3 PM
READ MOREWhile the 99 argumentative days between MLB and the MLB Players Association cast serious doubt on if or when the 2022 Major League Baseball season might begin, that anticipated day for baseball fans commences this Thursday, April 7. Although never officially a holiday, there have been many school days and workdays skipped over the years
READ MOREHaving just finished up about a 3-month stint as an assistant coach in the hugely successful Upward Basketball League, run jointly by Faith United Methodist and Northway Community Church, a big thank you to the Pastors of both Churches for allowing me the opportunity to dip my toes back into the coaching arena after an
READ MOREEighty years ago, in 1941, three weeks before Christmas, the United States was “suddenly and deliberately attacked” in a sneak attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, plunging us into an unwanted war. What was supposed to be another routine Christmas holiday season was changed utterly by this. People in the Williamsport area and then
READ MOREOn Friday, October 8th, US Congressman Fred Keller led a group consisting of the three Lycoming County Commissioners, Williamsport’s mayor, and a number of other local officials along with representatives of the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to tour the Williamsport Levee. They were all there to do
READ MORENeedless to say, for those of us who are severely “hooked on fishing,” we have somehow managed to fish during all twelve months of the year, and even the dead of winter doesn’t deter us. Normally, the spring and summer months are great for catching a variety of species from trout to bass, walleyes, panfish,
READ MOREThe 2021 trout season is off to a great start, minus the weather. But the fishing has been grand. My friends and I are having a blast. I have stayed mostly local, but several have ventured out. A lot of credit goes to the STATE and other local organizations. There is one, in particular, that
READ MOREA multi-organizational partnership has generated more than $430,000 to officially bring a new, all-inclusive Kids United Community Playground to life this summer at Cochran Primary School. The effort has been in the works for about two years, led by the Williamsport Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, in partnership with the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation,
READ MOREMy hopes for the LION column (Leaders in Our Neighborhood) were to make 2020 the Year of the Volunteer, focusing on all the various places that volunteers have faithfully served in our area. Through the year I have highlighted some extraordinary people, but there is one person that I wish to declare my LION of
READ MOREFor centuries the unanswered question, “what came first, the chicken or the egg,” has been debated. Although it has nothing to do with sports, a similar thought crossed my mind while attending a high school football game with no visiting fans in the stands. Fan rooting interest has long provided the spark that makes athletics
READ MOREFall is a great time to tackle projects around the house. The weather each fall allows homeowners to make improvements to their homes’ exteriors without worrying about extreme heat or cold, while interior projects like painting are made easier because homeowners can open the windows to allow for proper ventilation. Fall also marks a great
READ MOREJensen and I are always looking for an outdoor adventure. This past weekend we headed north for something new and exciting. It was a gorgeous morning outside of Bodines, PA. My 11-year-old agreed to unplug his FORTNITE for a small fee. We met up with a few friends along Slack’s Run Road. Mike and Gavin
READ MOREPresident Trump has likened the present Corona Virus pandemic crisis to being in a wartime situation and at times if feels like that. It might be good to look back and remember another Eastertide that took place in a real wartime situation. Easter 77 years ago was in many ways typical, but it was not
READ MORESay what you will about Christmas, but I absolutely adore this time of year! No one else in the world gets to experience Little League baseball like we do. No one else gets to open their community to kids and families from all over the world quite like we do. Alas, with all of the
READ MOREWilliam Penn, the founding father of the Keystone State, was a huge believer in local government. For that reason as much as any other, government entity boundaries were developed around the idea that a person should be within an hour’s ride on a horse from their local government office. Out of this came the very
READ MORESimon sat on the bow of the boat and watched the eastern sky begin to reveal the first light of day. They had been on the water all night long and had absolutely nothing to show for it. Simon couldn’t sleep because he was confused. Deeply confused. Simon was a fisherman. Bold and confident, he
READ MOREWith spring underway, I should be writing about gobbling turkeys instead of ruffed grouse, but the declining grouse numbers have been getting a lot of attention lately. I’ll admit that I am not a real avid grouse hunter, but in years past I would occasionally head out to the nearby woodlots in search of that
READ MOREAs many of my readers probably already know I am also a wildlife artist and illustrator. As a wildlife artist, I have painted and sketched quite a variety of critters like our commonly seen deer, turkeys, bears, and songbirds. My wildlife art has taken me to some interesting, maybe even strange places like black bear
READ MOREI was sorry to hear that Gerry Ayers passed away so soon after writing his last column. It reminds me of Charles Schultz and his last “Peanuts” column. Mr. Schultz, among other things, was a sports fan. He particularly liked ice-skating and hockey, starting, later in life, an over-75 hockey league! All the more a
READ MORELycoming County is unique in a number of ways, and one of which is the prevalence of local banks. The banking industry continues to consolidate nationally and even internationally, but in our area, Woodlands Bank, Jersey Shore State Bank, and Muncy Bank and Trust Company have survived and even grown as local entities. These banks
READ MOREWell, summer is in the rearview mirror, and autumn is officially upon us. Hopefully also left behind is all that wet weather we’ve been having. In the big scheme of things, we’ve been pretty fortunate. Yes, we’ve had some flooding in our area, but it definitely could have been a lot worse. I can’t even
READ MORENew improved premium seating in the grandstands, a new amusement ride company and the sale of wine on the grounds of the Fair for the first time, are among the most notable changes occurring at the 163rd Bloomsburg Fair to be held from Saturday, September 22 to Sunday, September 30. “We are very excited about
READ MOREPsychologists tell us that our mind cannot hold two contrary thoughts in our mind and believe that both are true. But, unfortunately, many homeowners in our area must do just that very thing. Here it goes — a person knows they cannot afford flood insurance for their home, and they also know that there is
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