In just three weeks we’ll be getting ready to sit down to a great American tradition, Thanksgiving dinner. I know mine will feature the usual dishes and desserts, and we’ll be with extended family members. It’s one of my favorite holidays, nearly free of the push to compete to have the best decorations, the best gifts, or the best (worst?) sweater. This year I’ll be helping prepare the meal at my in-laws home, so working in a different kitchen will undoubtedly result in some interesting times. It will be great to share the time with folks whom we see too infrequently.

Last week’s rain and wind certainly brought down many leaves, although our oak tree is stubbornly holding on to the majority of its summer foliage. It will drop leaves gradually from now until spring, just enough so that my husband gets exasperated that he can never feel like he has cleaned up all the leaves for the season. I think he needs to invest in a leaf sweeper that attaches to the lawn tractor. He enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, so I don’t think he really minded the chore this past weekend when the weather was so nice.

If you weren’t in Montoursville for the high school football game, you missed one of the best contests I’ve seen in a while. It was exciting right to the end and truly gave these student athletes a chance to demonstrate the skill and determination they have worked to develop. We can all be very proud of these young men! The biggest rivalry of the year, the game with Muncy High School, takes place this Friday, November 6 at HHS. See you there!

Congratulations to Jacob Fry, Cody Rathmell and Brady Taylor for attending the most recent plastics conference in Pittsburgh sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineeers Blow Molding Division.

Hughesville’s soccer boosters are putting the final touches on preparation for the annual St. Nick’s Novelties Craft show that takes place this Saturday in the high school. This is always a great opportunity to shop for gift giving or for some really nice items for your home. There is so much to see and admire!

Hughesville Events

Sat. Nov. 6, 9-3: St. Nick’s Novelties Craft Show at HHS.

Mon. Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Hughesville Garden Club’s November meeting will include a special program on invasive plant species. The public is encouraged to attend and those interested in becoming members of the club can get member booklets and sign up. The meeting will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Social Hall, 121 South Main Street, Hughesville.

Sat. Nov. 14, 3 p.m. doors open for Annual Charity Auction, Quilt Raffle, and Dinner sponsored by the Messiah (Clarkstown) and St. James (Pennsdale) Lutheran Parish. Featuring a great turkey dinner, followed by the drawing for a handmade quilt and an auction of a variety of items. Proceeds are split between the two churches, with 50 percent earmarked for local food banks and worldwide organizations that fight hunger. This is always a fun event.