photos submitted Lannie Sones (left) and Debbie Woodside, decades long best friends in Muncy, pose against the backdrop of two fun filled activities; careening across a zip line over the forest floor and relaxing casually on beaches in Hawaii.

(NOTE: Best Friends Day is noted on the calendar as June 8, which spurred on a search to highlight local ‘best friends,’ with another story soon to appear. Contact us for possibly sharing with our readers over the summer, a great time to cultivate friendships).

MUNCY – As preschoolers, Lane ‘Lannie’ Kisner Sones and Debbie Breneisen Woodside began their life’s journey together. Debbie saw Lannie playing in her backyard and having five brothers wanted girl time. Fast forward several decades later, they continue to be a twosome.

The friends do have siblings, Lannie is the middle of three children of Bud and Betty Kisner residing on Penn Street at the time. Debbie is the seventh of eight, who at the time they meet was visiting her aunt Eleanor Miller on Market Street. And as the friends explained, the yards were ‘catty-corner’ to each other. “Growing up together, our families were close. There was a time when we knew everybody in town,” Debbie said.

And so it began, Debbie is a year older but they went through school together, dated future spouses Larry and Woody who were also good friends. Both remain married, Lannie 48 and Debbie 51 years.

In careers, Lannie taught GED courses for 25 years at the State Correctional Institute, Muncy; while Debbie was in banking and other office work.

photos submitted Lannie Sones (left) and Debbie Woodside, decades long best friends in Muncy, pose against the backdrop of two fun filled activities; careening across a zip line over the forest floor and relaxing casually on beaches in Hawaii.

As for later years with children of their own in school, volunteerism included booster clubs and grade parents. Both agreed, “It’s time for us now.” And so they play cards, favorites being 31 and 5-Crown. Twice annually the couples vacation in Florida and the Outer Banks. “Folks in Florida refer to us as ‘the Biker chicks,’ as we ride our bicycles along the beach. The guys spend their time golfing, but they put up with us girls. We’ve never grown up,” Debbie said.

With their adventurous spirits, the two friends sometimes make on the spot decisions. Lannie said that, “Once when Debbie lost two brothers in one year, we decided to ‘get out of Dodge’ and flew to Hawaii on Thanksgiving Day. While the guys golfed, we zip-lined over the rain forest. There are five levels of difficulty and the last was a mile and a half distance, gliding at 60 miles per hour. Though we didn’t have much time to view what was below, we did for and instant, see wild bores.” That’s what the girls did while their guys were on the placid golf range.

In fashion, Lannie is fond of cowboy boots and hats, having several pair; while Debbie is halter tops and shorts. For the latter, what could be more fitting then her car’s front license plate which reads, “Life’s a Beach.”

At Lannie’s home on Lafayette Street, the backyard pool is usually occupied by two golden retrievers, and only grandchild Owen Wade Sones. When the girls include a larger circle of about 20 cross-over friends, Larry is the ‘cabana boy’ serving drinks.

Should Lannie and Larry be away, Debbie keeps up the social atmosphere as ‘pool girl’ and ‘key keeper’ for necessary room use. Should either of the friends have a long trip, the other rides along for company.

It’s almost a constant when daily chores are done in early afternoon, they do in-person visits.

A favorite hangout away from their residences is the Log Cabin Inn where once or twice weekly the couples gather with friends, many retirees from their former work places.

The two friends and their on-the-go activities dare old age to catch up with them. It would seem it has no chance, or at least little chance with these active ladies. Lannie and Debbie continue walking the alleyways, bicycling the sidewalks, and yes, sometimes seen zipping along on their roller blades.