"The playful manatee warms your heart."

- TV's Jack Hanna

RANGER REPORT - December 2017 The Official Newsletter Of The Mighty Manatees "Celebrating Over 30 Years Of Fun Loving" Our motto: "Motto's are for sissies."

DANCE WAREHAM GETS NEW LUNG! - It's true! On the day after Thanksgiving, our long-time Manatees friend and frequent guest musician, Dance Wareham, received a lung transplant! The operation was performed by the amazing team at the Hospital at The University of Pennsylvania (HUP). Dance is recovering nicely and yesterday was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He is expected to be back home by Christmas! What a gift! We all want to wish Dance a quick and full recovery and a big shout out to Dance's wife Jeannette who has been his true champion.

RANGER WILL & THE GIFTED HICKS PLAY LANDHAVEN'S LAST SHOW! - Unfortunately, this is true. The legendary Landhaven Bed & Breakfast in Barto, PA, which has hosted countless concerts over the years will finally close it's doors at the end of this month. It is the end of an era but we plan to help it go out with a bang! The 5th Annual Ranger Will & The Gifted Hicks Holiday Concert will take place on Saturday, December 9 at 8:00 PM. Jim Cavanaugh on drums and percussion, Randy Wagner on bass and harmonies, Jozo on acoustic guitar and harmonies, and myself on acoustic guitar, harmonica and ACCORDION! Special Guest: KARL FRICK on keys! These Gifted Hicks shows only happen once or twice a year. It is a night of original acoustic songs, stories, and jokes, in the warm rustic setting of this former country store. Come on out, be a part of this annual holiday show, help us celebrate this wonderful music venue one last time, say goodbye to Ed and Donna, and thank them for the many years they spent supporting live music in this area. www.landhavenbandb.com
https://tinyurl.com/LandhavenLastTwo Rooms available.

A MIGHTY NEW YEAR'S EVE! - And speaking of 5th annual, for the 5th consecutive year, we have been asked to play New Year's Eve at Hotel Fiesole in Skippack, PA. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight! Free admission! Freak freely! Special guests! The only elevator in Skippack! Showtime: 9 - 1 Rooms available.

MIGHTY MANATEES LIVE-STREAMING! - Many of our recent shows have been live-streamed on Facebook. This is the work of Super Fanatees Roger Goff. If you would like to watch one of our shows but cannot attend the event, you can watch on-line by becoming "friends" with Roger Goff on Facebook. We are very grateful to Roger who is helping to spread our music around the globe!

STOCKING STUFFERS! - Long-time Manatees friend and occasional songwriting partner of mine, Brian Hassett, has just published a new book. It's called, "How The Beats Begat The Pranksters & Other Adventure Tales". It's partly about how writer Jack Kerouac and his tribe hooked up with writer Ken Kesey and his tribe back in the mid-sixties. The beatniks meet the hippies! This book and Brian's previous books are available on Amazon and make a great gift.

Well, that's about it for now. Season's greetings from all of us here at Mighty Manatees Headquarters!

Happy Holidays,
Ranger Will


IN PASSING -

David Cassidy
Jim Nabors


DECEMBER 2017

2 - Sat - PRIVATE PARTY 8 - 12 Jamison, PA

6 - Wed - West End Pub, Quakertown, PA 7:30 - 11

8 - Fri - Justin's, Skippack, PA 8 - 12

9 - Sat - RANGER WILL & THE GIFTED HICKS 5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW! LANDHAVEN'S LAST SHOW! Landhaven B and B, Barto, PA 8 - 10:30

14 - Thurs - Rising Sun, Telford, PA 9 - 12:30

15 - Fri - Cedar Hollow Inn, Malvern, PA 9 - 12

16 - Sat - Ron's, Exton, PA Will, Brett & Jozo acoustic trio 9:30 - 1:00

21 - Thurs - Bridgeport Ribhouse, Bridgeport, PA Will & Randy acoustic duo 6 - 10

22 - Fri - TBA

23 - Sat - TBA

24 - Sun - Christmas Eve Concert, New Church, Mitchell Performing Arts Center, Bryn Athyn, PA 5:00 - 6:00

25 - Mon - CHRISTMAS

27 - Wed - West End Pub, Quakertown, PA 7:30 - 11

28 -Thurs - Rising Sun, Telford, PA 9 - 12;30

29 - Fri - TBA

30 - Sat - The Local, Point Pleasant, PA 8 - 12

31 - Sun - NEW YEAR'S EVE! Hotel Fiesole, Skippack, PA 9 - 1