Fireworks lit up the night sky over Hughesville last Friday night. The stunning display of light and sound was the culmination of a full evening. The students of Hughesville High School, along with their coaches, teachers, administration, and staff, organized a program of events before and after the first home varsity football game to express gratitude to the men and women who serve in our nation’s armed forces. Veterans and active military members were recognized before the game ball was delivered by a parachutist, new recruits were sworn in prior to their induction in the various branches of the military, and both Lewisburg High School and Hughesville High School marching bands performed their fall shows. All members of the football team carried an American flag as they made their first entry onto the field.

Best of all, the football game was an exciting contest of well-matched teams. Both squads showed some great promise and also some first game jitters, and the regulation time expired with a tie score. Overtime began with a field goal scored by Lewisburg, giving them the lead, but on the second play, the Hughesville team, led by quarterback Landon Henry, was successful in scoring a touchdown to win the game!

I have to express my delight and gratitude to the team for this victory. During the time (a few years, um, make that decades, ago) when I was a student at HHS, our team was never successful against Lewisburg, and the scores were often very dismal. So watching a victory is really sweet! Thanks, Team!

Have you had a chance to look up and see Mars and Saturn near the star Antares in the southern sky! Mas has been moving (from our vantage point) toward the east over the past week or two, so the pattern of three bright lights has shifted slightly each night. These three, plus Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury low on the western horizon, have been delighting stargazers, so be sure to take time to look for both planetary arrangements. It is uncommon for all five visible planets to be in the night sky at the same time.

School is back in session, and we are celebrating Labor Day and the last “summer” holiday weekend, so good luck to all and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!

Hughesville Events:

Sundays in September Bethany and Christ United Methodist Churches (the Hughesville Charge) will hold joint services at Bethany U. M. Church, 111 South Second Street, Hughesville, at 9:30 a.m..

Mon. Sept. 5 Labor Day. Remember to display your American flag for this national holiday.

Fri. Sept. 9 begins Busy Bee Art Club at the Hughesville Public Library. This is a new program from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 18 months to 3 1/2 years. Art making activities are station based to develop language and fine motor skills. Call 584-3762 to register.