We know the summer is half gone when the Lycoming County Fair has finished. While “fair week” once again coincided with what seemed like both the hottest and wettest weather in July, those folks who plan and organize the Fair really did a wonderful job! So many people displayed talents and abilities of all kinds. I was impressed by the variety: the school art projects, the food and fabric creations, the livestock of all sizes and types, and the many stage and track entertainments. Despite the HOT weather, and the occasional rain, it was a great fair. And how about those FIREWORKS!!!?

Once the fair is over, the Main Street traffic subsides to its usual levels. In years past, that meant very few cars or trucks during most of the daytime hours, but now that the Marcellus shale formation is attracting so much attention, the difference in traffic flow is much less noticeable. It’s truly a blessing for Main Street traffic flow that PennDoT completed the widening of the Main and Water Streets intersection just in time for the gas-industry boom — now, if they’d just install a traffic light at the junction of routes 405 and 220. . .!

As I ride my bike around town, I really love to see all the beautiful shade trees that line the streets. I can’t imagine Hughesville without the rustle of leaves and the variation in shades of green between the maples, the oaks, and the evergreens that we enjoy. Unfortunately, I notice that there are a number of trees that are dead or dying and becoming a hazard for property owners and passersby. While it is expensive to have large trees safely removed, it is necessary for everyone’s safety. Please check your shade trees and make sure they are healthy and trimmed to the appropriate height above streets, alleys, and sidewalks.

Don’t forget that the Hughesville Area Public Library is a wonderful resource for our community. You’ll find not only books on almost any topic plus most of the bestsellers, but also Wi-Fi for your mobile electronic devices, and an ongoing jigsaw puzzle when you want to just enjoy the cool surroundings. Dust off your library card and make it a new habit to visit your library often.

Be sure that you, your children, and your pets stay well-hydrated through this hot summer weather.

Upcoming Hughesville events:

Two Summer Reading events for kids in Grades K-6 at Hughesville Area Public Library, 146 South Fifth Street – Thursday, July 26 “Be a Clown”, and Tuesday, July 31 “Terrariums”. Call 584-3762 for more information and to register.

“The Guys”, a new play performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the DeWire Center, 891 Laporte Avenue, Eagles Mere, Saturday, July 28, at 8:00 p.m.

Trinity Evangelical and Mt. Zion Lutheran churches and Christ and Bethany United Methodist churches will celebrate a joint worship service on the lawn between Trinity and Christ, South Main Street, Hughesville, on Sunday, August 5 at 9:30 a.m. The service will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion.