As it has done for years, Hershey’s Giant Center ushered in spring’s arrival, rolling out the red carpet and hosting the annual Pennsylvania private & charter school invitational, formally known as the PIAA State High School basketball finals. Twenty-four teams, 12 boys and 12 girls squared off in the six PIAA classifications, aiming to take
READ MOREHappy official Spring to everybody! Like me, most see March 1st on the calendar as the beginning of the season that moves us out of winter. Some may recognize it as the first pitch of Spring Training baseball, while for others, it may be Saint Patrick’s Day. I know one thing: the weather this past
READ MOREOn March 16th at 7:30 p.m., the Uptown Music Collective will bring a one-night-only musical experience, “Rattle and Hum: A Celebration of U2 and Irish Rock,” to the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This event, presented in partnership with UPMC North Central Pa and UPMC Health Plan, celebrates
READ MOREBack when Mike Rafferty started this tradition (back in 2012 if you’re keeping score), he used to come up with clever puns for each of the predictions. I’ve tried to do this over the years, but 1. I’m not as clever as Raff and B. Even if I were that clever, this piece has grown
READ MOREThe Uptown Music Collective has been a musical laboratory and teaching entity that has mentored, taught, and developed the talent of numerous young people in various aspects of popular music genres for more than 20 years. During this time, they have presented many excellent musical concerts demonstrating their talents. They have saluted various popular musical
READ MOREDo you miss coaching? This is a question that I often entertain. Whether I am at work or Wegmans, the answer is very clear. No. But there are certain aspects that I will always crave. Not being able to interact with my guys remains a major void. Building relationships with my players was what it
READ MOREThe last Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting of 2023, held on December 28th, was sort of like watching the third film in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Every time it seemed to be over, one more scene popped up. The “Return of the King” lasted three hours and twenty-one minutes, and when the commissioners’ meeting
READ MORENo matter how much a person may have studied or prepared for a new job or occupation, the cold water of reality hits almost immediately. Sooner than later, many ask themselves, “Dear God, what have I got myself into?” In previous columns, I have noted my own awakening to serving in local government. For this
READ MOREExchange week. Party week. Travel week. Rest-up week. Whatever these December days between Christmas and New Year’s may be called where you reside, you can be assured of one thing when it comes to the media; its broadcasts and pages will be filled with a lot of ‘year-in-review’ lookbacks. With so much increased violence, corruption,
READ MOREGather ’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 MOREOne of the joys of scribing is getting to know so many great kids involved with sports. We would get to know one another in high school, and then we would stay in touch. Sometimes, I will do a college or professional follow-up. Yes. It is always fun. There is an impressive list. This keeps
READ MOREEven the more casual viewers of sports, especially at the college and professional levels, have noticed the increasing amount of ‘bling’ hanging around the necks of players. Following South Williamsport’s football team’s win over Muncy for the District IV Class A championship, the Mountaineers trainer, Chelsey Rieppel, was kidded about the added hardware she is
READ MOREThanksgiving is the time of year when families gather far and near It’s been a tradition since 1620 that includes a feast of plenty, There’re many hugs for those we hold dear and football teams for which to cheer, Pause and reflect those memories great, enjoy the day, and celebrate! If your family’s Thanksgiving is
READ MOREOn November 10th and 11th at the Community Arts Center in Downtown Williamsport, the students of the Uptown Music Collective will present their first show of the school’s 2023-2024 Performance Season with It Came From the ’80s: New Wave to Pop Rock. The performance, presented in partnership with UPMC North Central Pa and UPMC Health
READ MOREWilliamsport’s Brandon Park has hosted many baseball games throughout its long history. Driving by the venerable location these days, if one looks closely, it might be possible to spot the immortal bird Phoenix, which is said to obtain new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. From the park’s northeast corner, a transformation
READ MOREIt is that time of year again. The time in which one of the most anticipated events that takes place in this area, particularly the Endless Mountains area, happens. It celebrates the beauty of the autumn canopy of leaves that appear throughout the region and locally and throughout the rest of the state as well
READ MOREDisclaimer. We are a weekly publication. My articles are submitted on Friday mornings. I do my best to hit these extended deadlines. The paper is usually done and everything is ready to be sent to the printers. My lovely editor is often waiting for Sporting Matters by Jamie Spencer. I will occasionally leave her hanging.
READ MORE“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
READ MORE“Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” – President Barack Obama Monday will mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the US. After you enjoy your weekend with friends,
READ MOREThe Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation (WASDEF) has named four Williamsport Area High School alumni who will receive its 2023 Distinguished Alumni awards. The following individuals have been notified of their selection and have been invited to accept their award at WASDEF’s first Cherry & White Appreciation Night on Sept. 21 at the Trachte
READ MOREThere will be quite a collection of local and former local musical talent performing at the Community Arts Center on Thursday, September 7. They will be on hand to perform at the Third Annual “Live United” concert, which will raise money for the Lycoming County United Way. This concert will feature some of the brightest
READ MOREThis will be the sixth MLB Little League Classic. No. I did not score a ticket. No worries. I have already been there and done that. I was in the stands for a few, and they were simply fantastic. But the games I remember were the ones from the outside. Those experiences were great, and
READ MOREI would personally like to congratulate ALL of the teams who made it to the 2023 Little League World Series. Kudos to you and your families. This is a highlight for me as our lovely landscape provides the backdrop for an incredible sporting showcase. I look forward to heading over to Lamade and Volunteer for
READ MOREJimmy has headed down the shore for a little vacation, so I’m taking up the helm this week. No worries, he’ll be back next week! In his absence, it only seems fitting that we should talk about all things sports. I’m not usually a sportswriter, but I think I can handle it. Maybe. We’ll see.
READ MOREYou won’t find it written in any rule book, but the hard facts of life for any team sport played, unless you are able to win the ultimate game at the conclusion of each season — your season is going to end with a loss. It matters little how hard your team works, how many
READ MOREFour years ago, an enthusiastic group of parents, fans, and supporters gathered in the parking lot of South Williamsport’s AAA office to send off an excited team of pre-teens to the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon. The wide-eyed youngsters were members of the Little Mountaineer Softball All-Star team, which was about to
READ MOREAs we prepare for Memorial Day 2023, once known as “Decoration Day,” it might be good to look back at an organization that once had an integral and important role in the observance of the holiday for many years into the 1940s. For many years during the 1940s and 1950s and perhaps before, the post
READ MOREOn Friday April 28th, and Saturday April 29th the Uptown Music Collective & UPMC North Central Pa will present “The Show Must Go On: The Music of Queen” at the Community Arts Center in Downtown Williamsport. There are very few bands in rock and roll history whose music is as unique, exciting, entertaining, and unforgettable
READ MOREAs the high school softball game wouldn’t be starting for another hour, very few fans had gathered at the field. As the teams were beginning their pre-game routine, a woman greeted me with a warm smile while stating, “Isn’t this wonderful!” Thinking she was referring to the beautiful day that had unfolded, I returned the
READ MOREOne of the most interesting and unique fundraising events that benefits worthy causes in the area is the annual “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” event that benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which serves the Lycoming County area. It takes place Saturday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.at Faxon Bowling Lanes. Bowl for
READ MOREThe game flashing across the TV screen was a bit of an afterthought as our conversation centered on the day’s activities. Suddenly, Jean pointed out, “That’s Dwight refereeing this game.” The game was the PIAA Girl’s 3A state championship game between Dunmore and River Valley from Hershey’s Giant Center. That Dwight was longtime friend and
READ MOREIn the field of business statistics, there is a term called the “long tail” to describe the phenomena of unexpected occurrences that occur from a “head” or central point of distribution of the product or service. The ‘long tail’ that has emerged from the COVID shutdowns and virtual education is a very strong parental backlash.
READ MOREHigh School Fishing He’s felt the tension of playoff soccer. Enjoyed the 60-foot 6-inch challenge of trying to get a batter out. He’s experienced the excitement of sinking 3-pointers in raucous gymnasiums. But for South Williamsport senior Zach Lynn, it is the fourth sport he plays that gives him the most satisfaction. For many, the
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