The true arrival of spring has been welcome, hasn’t it? A few warm days made all my daffodils fairly leap into full bloom. Lilac buds and perennials of all sorts are making up for the slow start, and the hills around our valley are showing the change from brown to palest spring green. It’s great to see, smell, and hear all these welcome changes. How quickly the sounds outdoors have switched from the scrape of snow shovels to the rumbles of motorcycles and lawn mowers!

April 14th through the 21st is National Library Week. Hughesville Area Public Library has joined the James V. Brown Library in offering a special amnesty and reduction of overdue fines for the week, so if you have some overdue books, this is a good time to return them! The library welcomes the change of seasons with some new features and displays, as well as plans for the upcoming summer reading season for children, teens, and adults. This year’s theme is “Beneath the Surface”. Programs, activities, and suggested reading lists are being planned for all ages. Watch for more details as plans are finalized. Meanwhile, Mrs. Joanne Bennett has graciously allowed HAPL to borrow some of her collection of Flower Fairies for the main entry display case. While no footprints, magic dust, or other evidence have been detected, the staff has been informed that the fairies may patrol the library after hours! Visit during April and see this charming collection.

We have seen some strong thunderstorms recently and we all should take a moment to check our emergency preparedness kits and supplies. Checklists can be found online at ReadyPA.org, or through the American Red Cross, the National Weather Service, or the Weather Channel. Be aware, be prepared, be safe!

Hughesville events:

Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hughesville Rotary E-cycle event, across from the HVFD fire hall on South Railroad Street. This collection will include electronics of all sorts, ink cartridges, and cell phones, plus a large-capacity paper shredder will be on site from 10 to noon. Rotarians will also be distributing tree seedlings.

Sat. April 27, 9 a.m. East Lycoming Little League Opening Day Parade.

Sat. April 27, 1:30 p.m. Annual “Victorian” Tea, sponsored by East Lycoming Historical Society at Hughesville Friends Church. This year’s program features American quilts.

Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Sat. Apr. 27th at the Hughesville Borough Office, 147 S. 5th St., Hughesville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sat. May 4, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Annual Rotary Pig Roast fundraiser. Pulled pork sandwiches, platters, take-outs and free delivery by calling 584-3940. Tickets are available at Muncy Bank & Trust and First National Bank or from any Hughesville Rotarian.

Sun. May 5, Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creek will hold their annual Dick Harner Memorial Children’s Fishing Derby at Van Rensselaer Park in Picture Rocks.