What a weather rollercoaster we’ve been riding! We had a huge change in just one week, from bone-chilling cold on Valentine’s Day to shirt-sleeve-warm sunshine this past Saturday. By the time you are reading this we may be in the middle of another winter storm, although forecasts at the time I write indicate that we will only experience some cold rain. There certainly has been nothing boring about our weather in the past few weeks.

One hopeful sign was the flock of robins that I spotted on Sunday morning along the Old Clarkstown road. They were happily scratching the ground in search of something to eat, and paid little attention to me as I drove by. I was pleased to see them and hope they won’t get caught in a late season cold spell. I have been keeping my bird feeders filled and there are many regular visitors. It was also a welcome arrival when the seed catalogs began to show up in the mail.

Hughesville High School athletes are showing that they can achieve at a very high level! The Varsity Cheerleaders competed and won recognition for their excellent teamwork and spirit. Congratulations to the whole squad! The Lady Spartan Basketball team made us all proud with their qualification for District playoff competition. They faced a very tough, top-seeded Mt. Carmel team in the first round and, while they did not win that game, showed us what teamwork and personal effort can accomplish. Last Friday the Boys Basketball team was victorious in the first round of District playoffs, defeating Loyalsock in front of a packed house. The “Big Bad Balcony” was also packed and made a huge show of school spirit in support of the team.

On clear evenings, you might notice the “Winter Circle” of bright stars that are quite noticeable in the sky toward the southeast. From the stars in the Orion constellation, to Castor and Pollux, and around to Aldebaran, there are several that form a ring of bright, glittering spots of light. My source tells me that each one has a slightly different color that can be detected by the unaided eye. Happy stargazing!

Hughesville Events:

Tues. Mar. 1 meeting at Wolf Township Municipal Building to view preliminary plans for bridge construction on Dark Hollow Road over Big Run and Green Valley Road over Sugar Run. Meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m.

March 4, 5 and 6 “There’s No Place Like Home” 2016 quilt show at the Hughesville Fire Hall. Friday, 6-9, Saturday, 10-5, Sunday 11-4. Sponsored by Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, March 10, 11, 12, at 7 p.m. the annual musical production at Hughesville High School. Students from grades 7-12 will perform one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway delights. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available from cast members or by calling the HHS office between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at 570-584-5111.