We certainly have had a gentle beginning to this year’s growing season. There hasn’t been any late frost and our local area has not experienced any of the more damaging storms. It’s truly wonderful to see the constant shift of blooms and blossoms on trees, shrubs, and in gardens all over town. Each week brings another wave of color and accent to our yards. I hope everyone else is enjoying the ?show? as much as I am!

This week is high school graduation, with most schools in our area ending the term this Friday. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors! I have the privilege of becoming acquainted with students at Hughesville High School because I am both an occasional substitute teacher and also work with the high school musical. It is delightful to watch the students grow and evolve into young adults and I feel really blessed to have worked with them. I was able to attend the annual Baccalaureate service on Sunday afternoon and was very impressed with the commitment and outlook of the many seniors who planned and presented the service.

This week is also the annual Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department Carnival. It’s such fun to not only get to sample all the great food items, but also to walk around the carnival and see friends and neighbors. Our local fire companies are such a blessing to our communities ? be sure to support these volunteers who help us all.

I had a nice drive up on to the Allegheny Front last weekend, ferrying supplies to several family members who are hiking the Loyalsock Trail. Just a few minutes from town one can experience the true ?Pennsylvania Wilds?, with stunning views and the serenity of state forest land. While my arthritic knees won’t allow me to indulge in the more strenuous ventures, I enjoy shorter hikes in the state parks and have set a goal to visit at least one new state park each year.

As the summer begins, there are many churches in the area that are adjusting service time schedules to ?beat the heat?. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on South Main Street will hold Sunday worship services at 9:30 a.m. through the summer, then return to their regular 10:30 time on September 14. Hughesville Friends Church will hold one worship service on Sunday mornings for the summer and then return to two morning services in the fall. Be sure to check with the church of your choice so you arrive at the best time.

Have a great week! Enjoy all the week’s many events.

Hughesville Events:

Sat. June 7, 5 p.m. Firemen’s Parade, Main Street, Hughesville

Sun. June 8, 3 p.m. Annual Memorial Service at Old Immanuel Lutheran Church on Lime Bluff Road

Sun. , June 8, all day Billtown Blues Festival at the Lycoming County Fair Grounds in Hughesville

Sat. June 14, World Wide Knit in Public Day, with special events all afternoon at the East Lycoming Historical Society Museum, 66 South Main Street, Hughesville