We can all be relieved that Sunday’s tornado warnings were merely precautionary and that we did not become a nasty statistic in the national news. It’s rather unnerving to have that kind of message show up, and I’m grateful that it doesn’t happen with any regularity. Let’s hope that the weather pattern will settle down and we will have some calm, warm summer days. My gardens are well-saturated and I won’t need to use any water from the hose to keep things growing. I may need an over-size wheel barrow to haul away all the weeds that are threatening to get ahead of me. It’s been difficult to carve out time between rain showers to pull any weeds, and now it’s getting to the critical stage! My old nemesis, purslane, is once again asserting its dominance.

Summer Reading has officially begun at Hughesville Area Public Library. Readers of all ages, as well as anyone who may have shied away from picking up a book, but would like to try it out, are welcome to register for prizes and fun. Your library’s staff will help you make your summer reading fun as well as enlightening. Remember, the library is open from 9:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Of course, their website, hughesvillelibrary.org is always available for reading ebooks, reserving material, renewing your checkouts, or other information.

Whenever the evening sky is clear, or at least only partly cloudy, be sure to look toward the west where Venus and Jupiter, two of the brightest objects in the sky, are appearing to be closer and closer together each night. From Earth’s viewpoint, Venus will soon appear to have passed by Jupiter, and July 18, they and the moon will make a striking group in the western sky shortly after sunset. Let’s hope for clear skies for that celestial treat!

Please be extra careful driving and stay alert for highway construction flaggers. There are many local road improvements underway, or nearing completion, and we want everyone to stay safe.

Hughesville events:

Sun. June 21 Father’s Day and the First Day of Summer

Tues, June 23, 7 p.m. The first Summer Reading program for grown-ups at Hughesville Area Public Library, 146 South Fifth Street. Wes Egli, local Audubon Society representative, will present a slide show and discussion on “Breeding Birds of Lycoming County.” Visit the library or call (570)584-3762 to register for this event.

Fri. June 26 the 17th annual GHBA golf tournament, Mill Race, Benton. Registration at 11:30 a.m. Meal at the Moose following the tournament. For more information contact Pauline Barber at 584-2101 or Tom Donofrio at 584-3954.