My family was divided for this year’s Thanksgiving. We had two nice dinners with loved ones, one here and one near Golden, Colorado. It was a blessing to share the time with folks that we don’t see very often, but it is good to be home, getting the house ready for the holidays still to come.?There are some nice things coming up in Hughesville to get us truly in the holiday mood and also just to give us a nice treat. On Sunday afternoon, December 2, Hughesville will be the scene of the annual Christmas parade led by the Spartan Marching Band and featuring the arrival of Santa Claus. Children will be able to visit with the “jolly elf” after the parade. Look for later details regarding the American Legion’s Christmas party, and the Greater Hughesville Business Association’s “5 to Drive” promotion has begun, with many exciting prizes to be awarded on Sunday. Have you seen the beautiful onyx green Dodge Caravan that is the first prize? Look for it next to Doug Spotts’ Appliance store on Main Street.

The party with Santa at 2 p.m. will be at the fire department and is hosted by the American Legion and the GHBA.?As a participating member of the GHBA, the East Lycoming Historical Society will have open hours at the museum on Friday and Saturday this week and next. It’s a great chance to see all that the museum offers, and you can do some gift shopping while you’re there! The Pine Summits “Polar Express Magic Mountain Disappearing Train Layout” will be on display at the museum this weekend, ending Sunday at 5 p.m.?Don’t forget that you still have a chance to see the Hughesville High School Jr./Sr. Class play, “Twelve Angry Jurors”. Reservations are necessary for this “drama and dessert”, to be held in the high school cafeteria on December 9 & 10 (Sunday and Monday) at 7 p.m. Call the school’s office at 584-5111 between 9 and 4 weekdays to reserve your seats.?It’s easy to let all the busy-ness of this time of year worry us – will we get done with the shopping, the decorating, the baking, etc.? Be sure to take time to reflect on the reason we do all these things. May your Advent truly be a time of preparation and thankfulness for all the blessings we enjoy and which we can use to bless others.

Hughesville Events:

Sunday, Dec. 2, 1:00 p.m. Hughesville Christmas parade followed by a children’s Christmas party at the Hughesville Fire Hall. Parade will end at the fire hall and begin at the Hughesville High School parking lot.

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 1 & 2, 7 & 8, 10:00 to 3:00, Open house at east Lycoming Historical Society Museum, 66 South Main St., Hughesville.

Sunday & Monday, Dec. 9 & 10, 7 p.m.: HHS Jr./Sr. Class Play, “Twelve Angry Jurors”, HHS cafeteria.