"Almost all my middle-aged and elderly acquaintances, including me, feel about twenty-five, unless we haven't had our coffee, in which case we feel 107." - M. Beck THE RANGER REPORT - JANUARY 2026 The Official Newsletter of Your Friendly Neighborhood Mighty Manatees "Now Celebrating Our 40 Year Ruby Jubilee!" Greetings and salutations! Happy New Year! We made it to the Year of the Horse. All of us here at Mighty Manatees World Headquarters would like to wish all of you and yours a most excellent 2026. FORTY YEAR MIGHTY MANA-VERSARY!?!? - It's true! Who would've believed it? Certainly not us. Yet here we are, still standing. Praise Jah! We will be celebrating this mighty milestone on the weekend of June 12/13 at mighty Pete's Barn in East Norriton, PA.. This will be a two day event with vendors and overnight camping. We have sent invitations to all the musicians who have ever played in or with The Mighty Manatees in the last four decades! Also appearing over the weekend will be our brother bands One Man Dog, San Noche, Mike Greer, Bob Tomlinson, Mike Guldin and Rollin' & Tumblin', and many others. Please make sure you mark this weekend on your calendars. HAVE A CIGAR! - This Thursday, January 8, the acoustic duo will perform at Cigar Republic in Conshohocken, PA. Showtime isn7:00 to 10:00 PM. Thanks to Paul. http://www.thecigarrepublic.com FARACOS PLAY - Will Hodgson, Randy Wagner, and Tom Mussleman will return to Faracos in Quakertown, PA, on Sat, Jan. 17. Thanks to Andrea. THE WATER TOWER OF POWER - We are pleased to announce our return to The Water Tower in Oaks, PA. This is the club that sits inside a state-of-the-art fun center which includes a go-kart track, a bowling alley, laser tag, billiards, blacklight mini golf, axe throwing, and a movie theater. Bring the whole family! Our showtime is 8:00 to 11:00 PM. http://www.thewatertowerlive.com LANDHAVEN 2019 - Longtime Mighty Manatees fan and friend Ann Ferentz just produced a limited edition live CD from a 2019 Ranger Will & The Gifted Hicks show at Landhaven in Barto, PA. The album was recorded by Karl "K-Jo" Frick and is called "Landhaven 2019". It contains a dozen of my songs as well as a lot of amusing in-between-song band banter. The CD is available at our shows while supplies last. Thanks to Ann. VIDEO OF THE MONTH - And speaking of San Noche...this month's video is from Wesley Rast and San Noche's new album and it's a song is called "World-A-Reggae". https://youtu.be/v9NB6BMj8Ww?si=q8_0IfAbfcTR7p-E Days are getting longer, Ranger Will JANUARY 2026 - 3 - Sat - Chambers 19,Doylestwon,PA 7:30 - 11:30PM 8 - Thurs - Cigar Republic, Conshohocken, PA 7:00 - 10:00 PM 11 - Sun - Wedding 17 - Sat - Faracos, Quakertown, PA 6:00 - 9:00 PM 24 - Sat - The Water Tower, Oaks, PA 8:00 - 11:00 PM 25 - Sun - NCL, Bryn Athyn, PA 10:30 - 11:30 AM http://www.newchurchlive.tv IN PASSING - Betty Bellucci...Russ Lambert...Steve Cropper...Jimmy Cliff...Joe Kleinschmidt...William Gates...Michael Urbaniak...Bridgitte Bardot...Joe Ely...Perry Bamonte...Gabe Hirschfeld...Melanie Watson...Jubilant Sykes...Raul Malo...Mick Abrahams...Judy Cheeks...Chris Rea...Peter Arnett...Jo Ann Allen Boyce...Richard Smallwood...Don Bryant...Scott Richardson...Brie Bird...Tom Stoppard...Adam The Woo...Danny Seagreen...Charles Shay...Betty Reid Soskin...Gordon Goodwin...Bobby Rousseau...Carl Carlton...Rafael Ithier...Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton...Rob Reimer...Antone "Chubby" Tavares...Andrew Bodnar...Tiggy & Sweet Pea (cats) Be excellent to one another.