The extreme heat seems to have bypassed our area for a while, but it did give

us the push to get our pool set up and ready for the summer. Things in my yard and garden are growing and sprouting so quickly that I can barely keep up, but I do love the chance to sit outside and just enjoy the calm and quiet, even in a yard in town. While I can hear the occasional whine of motorcycle and lawn mower engines, the repetitive jingle of the ice cream trucks, and the rumble of semis on Route 220, it still is such a treat to be

outdoors.

I had a great time gathering singers for the “Civic Choir” that sang for Memorial

Day and want to thank Pam Lamb for adding a beautiful flute accompaniment. She made it really a special rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic. I also remind the singers to be sure to attend the Civil War tribute at Mt. Zion on Monday, June 17 where we will present the same music.

My husband and I (and the dog) had a wonderful leisurely hike last Sunday afternoon

to the “Haystacks” area of Loyalsock Creek. There is a nice parking area with restrooms located near the eastern trailhead of the Loyalsock Trail north of Laporte, and two trails that lead to the creek, a distance of about 2 miles. I had never seen this geologic feature, an area where different rock layers meet and have eroded at different rates. The boulders and ledges are amazing and it is a nice, moderately difficult hike. Most of the way

is on an old railroad bed, but there are some steep uphill and downhill sections. It was a great afternoon outing, and so close to home!

Although there was some rain during the Firemen’s Carnival last week, most evenings I saw a

lot of folks enjoying themselves and providing the fire company with some much

needed support. I did get a chance to have several of my favorite foods, including some great pie! Now that the carnival is over, as well as the Billtown Blues Festival, Hughesville will be a bit quiet until the opening of the Lycoming County Fair July 12. If you haven’t picked up a booklet about how to place entries in the Fair, they are available at the fairground

office.

It’s time for summer reading activities at the Hughesville Area Public Library so be sure to visit the library and register. There will be many different things going on all summer long, so pick up a copy of the upcoming events. This is a great chance to read something just for fun, or to try a new author or category. The library also has a monthly feature table with many books and movies to pique your interest in topics related to the current month. You will also see regular changes in the glass display case near the library’s main entrance.

Lillian Foust is going to be sharing her collection of all sorts of chickens (not live ones!), so make it a point to visit the library soon, choose a book, magazine, or movie, maybe put a few pieces in the in-progress jigsaw puzzle, and enjoy yourself.