It’s too bad that we have given up on trains as a major portion of our transportation. We had a nice time riding the rails on the Great Pumpkin Express last weekend. While it was not a long trip, only traveling from Maynard Street in Williamsport to the airport in Montoursville and then back, it provided a different view of the river and Bald Eagle Mountain, and was a delight for the many youngsters on board.

There will be a lot of delight and some frights this weekend as we celebrate Halloween. The Spartan Marching Band will lead the annual parade beginning at 5:30 and Trick or Treating will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Most communities in the area will observe the same hours. It looks like the weather will be great for getting the kids dressed up and going from door to door, with little likelihood for the need for a snowsuit or boots. It’s always hard to get a costume to look good when it has to fit over a snowsuit!

I finally worked my way through approximately two bushels of apples, some from near Canton, and others from a neighbor’s trees right here in town. I haven’t done a lot of that in past years, but have missed the applesauce that my mother used to make so I decided it was time for me to “step up to the plate.” This year’s apples seem to be not only abundant, but also especially flavorful. I’m looking forward to enjoying that flavor all winter long.

There are some nice events coming up in the area in early November. Next Saturday you can enjoy all the wonderful crafts and creations by artists from throughout the region at the annual St. Nick’s Novelties craft show sponsored by the local AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) at the Hughesville High School.

November 6-8 is advertised as The Ultimate Musical Theater Weekend in Dushore, Sullivan County. The Celtic Martins will perform on Friday. Bob Milne, billed as “the world’s foremost ragtime pianist,” is featured on Saturday evening. Sunday’s culminating presentation is The Roving Hysterical Theater Vaudeville Revival and Old-Time Nonsense Revue, a new take on old ideas of song & humor. It sounds like a lot of fun! All performances take place at St. Basil’s Hall on Churchill Street in Dushore. There is an admission fee and you can get a discount with a weekend pass. The whole event is sponsored by the Sullivan County Council on the Arts. You can get more info on their website www.sullivanarts.org.

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on October 31, so after all the Halloween festivities are over, turn all your clocks back one hour and enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Hughesville events:

Sat. Oct. 31 Bethany United Methodist Church will offer a Hospitality event immediately following the borough Halloween parade.

Sat. Nov. 6 St. Nick’s Novelties Craft Show at HHS.

Sat. Nov. 14 Messiah and St. James Lutheran Churches will be having their annual charity event and raffle to be held 7 p.m. at the Hughesville Fire Hall. A turkey dinner will be served from 4 to 6:30.

Mon. Nov. 16 program at Trinity Lutheran social Hall, “Fire at Rishel Furniture Factory” by Garman Zehner, 7 p.m.