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I spent most of my time at The Sentinel behind the sports desk, where I made most of the acquaintances I have in Mifflin County.
Out of all those I've met, two stand out, because of their desire to do something for the community's children and their future (and not their own kids!).
"No one is more passionate about Babe Ruth baseball than Ray Wilde."
I'm quoting myself there, from a column I wrote in 2014. But there's a better way to say the same thing: Few people care more about the young people of this community -- at least, the ones who play baseball -- than Ray Wilde.
Ray's commitment to Babe Ruth baseball borders on insanity at times. He spent most of 15 years driving me crazy, sometimes worse.
But he did it with a devotion rarely seen in any pursuit, and the history he will eventually leave behind will be fondly remembered by generations of Mifflin County residents whose names -- and statistics -- appear in his archives.
We recently lost the second of a three-generation Babe Ruth family, and one of Ray's best friends, in Scott Reigle. Scott's father is credited -- blamed? -- for creating the passionate monster that is Ray Wilde.
The community remains lucky to have him.
The other is Tish Maclay, longtime field hockey coach and, for more than half of its brief existence, Mifflin County High School's athletic director.
The first time I showed up on her sideline, Tish surely thought I was just another sports guy who didn't care about what, at the high school level, is a girls-only sport.
She couldn't have been more wrong, and I think over the years I proved to her that I had an appreciation for, albeit not her knowledge of, the sport she loves.
Tish as a coach was tough as nails and demanded the best from her players. To be honest, I was a little bit afraid of her at first (and we've since laughed about that).
She's playing the same role today in her effort to leave something behind, something better for the students of the future in Mifflin County, in the form of a new and modern stadium facility.
Whether a private fundraising project comes fully to fruition remains to be seen.
But replacing aging Mitchell Field and the substandard plots of grass in the school district is something Tish first pushed for as far back as 2016 (I know, I covered the meeting).
Like the legendary exploits of the local Babe Ruth league, the ambitious stadium project would be a source of pride for Mifflin County.
And if I know Tish, she won't be satisfied until it's built. I hope she succeeds.
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You may be wondering what prompted this outburst, my first on the opinion page in some time -- I believe the first since I ascended to the post of interim managing editor after several years on the lifestyles beat.
This will be the last thing I write as a member of The Sentinel's staff, and this is the last edition I will oversee.
While I'm looking forward to a new adventure, which begins with the new year, I will fondly remember the friendships made, and relationships built, since arriving in Lewistown.
Thanks to all who were a part of it.
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Jeff Fishbein has been a member of The Sentinel's staff since March 2005. Feel free to contact him at jlfish@riverweb.com.