Happy New Year! I hope that Santa found everyone’s hearth and home. I know that our household was filled with joy and love with all our children home for the holiday. The visits never seem to last long enough, but it is so nice to reconnect and reminisce. While the winter storm that came the next day was sufficiently forecast in advance, travel reservations made it necessary for us to drive west directly into the worst of the storm. Never again will I do that! We were fortunate to arrive safely at our destination, but the normal 4 hour drive took nearly 9 hours to complete.

While I enjoy watching snow fall when I don’t have any need to go anywhere, I am doubly appreciative of the work done by our snowplow crews, utility workers, and emergency responders who cannot use the storm as a reason to stay at home. I’m one of those folks who figure that if it is going to be cold, if the trees and gardens are leafless and bleak, and the sun will only appear for a third of the day, I want to have at least a bit of snow on the ground to brighten things up. Of course, my patience with snow will wear very thin by the time March rolls around!

High school winter sports are in full swing with events nearly every evening of the week. It’s always fun to cheer on the local athletes and see them compete. If you like to see astronomic events and can do so without freezing, the Quadrantids meteor shower will bring “shooting stars” to our skies Thursday evening, peaking around 8:30 p.m. in the northern sky.

Hughesville events

January’s Pre-school Story Hour at the Hughesville Area Public Library will be held Friday, January 11. From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. this fun event for 3 to 5 year-olds will feature stories, games and craft time with a seasonal theme. The library requests that children be pre-registered so they can have enough material on hand. Please give them a call at 584-3762. Messages can be left on the answering machine if you happen to call when the library’s not open.

Did you get your supply of the tasty Lions Club sauerkraut yet? It’s a great way to perk up your spirits, and reputed to ensure good luck for the year, so you can make it a feature for early January meal planning. While it is selling fast, you may still be able to find this local product at area grocery stores, including TJ’s Market, Lowe’s (Clarkstown) and Springman’s Country Store (Pennsdale), and at the Lycoming Mall.

Thursday, Jan. 31 Town Hall Meeting with Representative Garth Everett at Hughesville Volunteer Fire Company from 7 to 8:30 p.m.