Now that we have celebrated the Fourth of July I hope that the nightly sound of fireworks will diminish. What used to be a special, celebratory, exciting activity has now become so commonplace that one day is the same as another. And I really don’t like being startled by loud, unexpected, concussions, especially when I am enjoying an otherwise calm, quiet evening. Is this a sign of advanced age? Hm, I want to think it’s just hoping for residents to consider their neighbors and not assume that only their own entertainment counts.

Our community can be so proud of a young man who is a student at HHS and a local resident. Kade Heckel deserves our congratulations for two recent achievements that are among the highest accolades possible! First we learned that Kade had clinched his Eagle Scout status by renovating the high school’s shot-put circle as his project and for presenting it to the East Lycoming School Board last month. His project involved pouring new concrete and adding new bordering rings, sealer, and paint. Kade also added a custom toe board. He raised money through donations and discounts from businesses for the $1700 project. When the job was finished, he had $230 remaining and gave that to the school board at their last meeting.

While Kade was working on his Eagle Scout badge (something that only one in a thousand Boy Scouts achieves) he was also preparing for the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) National Conference. In May, Kade had earned high honors at the Pennsylvania competition and qualified to compete at the national level. On Saturday, July 2 we received word that Kade won the FBLA National title in Leadership, an open category event! Wow, what an outstanding achievement! This is truly a young man with a bright future, and we can all expect to hear more great things about him. Congratulations to Kade, as well as his parents and family!

July is the height of “the season” in Eagles Mere and July 20 is the date for this year’s Eagles Mere Civic Club, Inc. Flower Show. Entries will be accepted on the morning of the show. The Eagles Mere Civic Club invites you to participate in and attend this long-standing Eagles Mere tradition. For further information and to receive a copy of the program, outlining the rules of the show, please contact the club at P. O. Box 248, Eagles Mere, PA 17731, or contact the Flower Show Chair, Laura Besecker at (570)525-3712. If you live in or near Eagles Mere, a program may be picked up at the EMA Beach desk, the Eagles Mere post office, or the office of Robin Real Estate.

Hughesville events

Thurs. July 14 is opening day at the Hughesville Fair

Tues. July 19 is youth day at the fair, 18 and under get in free until 4 p.m. Sponsored by Jody L. Peterman

Weds. July 20 is Senior Citizens Day, all day at the Lycoming County Fair.

Thurs. July 21 is Military Appreciation day, all day for the Lycoming County Fair.

The non-profit Loose Ties Model Railroad Club is now showing its electric trains in a free display every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver Moon Flea Market on Route 15.