I was fortunate to observe the Hughesville Spartan Band in their “Parent Preview” on their last day of Band Camp. Once again the student musicians and color guard have put together a great band show that will entertain everyone in attendance at the Varsity football games. This year’s theme is “The Mask of Zorro” directed by Drum Major Hayden Doty. The band alone is worth the price of admission! (I really enjoy watching the football game, too!) I encourage everyone to support the student athletes in all the teams. There will be many opportunities to watch great contests in both Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity and JV Soccer, Girls’ Tennis, and Jr. High Softball, along with the four levels of football: Varsity, JV, 9th grade and 7th-8th grades.

This weekend will also see the 161st Sullivan County Fair. The official opening time is 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 29. Thursday is Senior Citizens Day with reduced admission price before noon, and Sunday will be Kids Day. School age children will enjoy an admission price of $6.00 which includes all rides all day until 5 pm.

Saturday is also the day of the 30th annual Labor Day Market on the Green in Eagles Mere and the Country Arts and Craft Show at the Railroad Station in Dushore. I plan to enjoy the cooler temperatures up on the mountain. The last major event for the season in Eagles Mere will be the Annual Bi-Planes, Trains and Antiques Cars festival coming up on October 6th.

This time of year I’m not surprised to see birds beginning to gather in spectacularly large flocks, or to smell skunks exploring town yards after dark, or even to see a moderately large black bear (on Rock Run Road near Glen Mawr recently). What did surprise me was to see a good-sized brindle-colored PIG running along Route 220 near Pennsdale! I am not nearly quick enough with the camera to record such events (no, I wasn’t driving), but it made for some animated conversation with the 911 dispatcher. I hope the little porker found his way home.

Children who participated in Summer Reading at the Hughesville Area Public Library are reminded to take their reading logs to the library to claim their prizes and add their own star to the wall. School has started so everyone needs to be extra-cautious and aware of children walking and biking (and driving) to and from school, and also to observe all traffic laws concerning school buses.

Hughesville events

Wed., August 29-Mon., September 3, Sullivan County Fair, Forksville

Saturday, September 1, 9 – 4, 30th Annual Labor Day Market on the Green, Eagles Mere, children 12 and under free

Friday & Saturday, September 7th & 8th, church fundraiser at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Main Street, Hughesville.

Saturday, September 8, 9 to 3 fundraiser and membership drive for the East Lycoming Historical Society Museum, South Main Street, Hughesville

Saturday, September 14, Moreland Township Bicentennial celebration