It’s summer time! The warmer temperatures make it nice to do some stargazing, so I hope for clear late evening skies. I need to review my map of the constellations and see if I can learn to identify a few more stars. This year I have finally understood what is meant by the asterism “the Summer Triangle” and have seen it in the northeastern sky after sundown. (An asterism is any shape that one can spot in the night sky that is not a named constellation). The Summer Triangle is simply three bright stars: Vega, the brightest star in Lyra (the Harp), Deneb in Cygnus (the Swan), and Altair in Aquila (the Eagle). Vega is at the top of the triangle, Deneb on the left, and Altair to the right and closer to the horizon. Look to the northeast and enjoy this harbinger of the season. Happy Solstice, everyone!

This weekend be sure to visit the Lycoming County Fairground for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing event that is a fund-raiser for Megan’s Box Foundation, a local homegrown charity. Begun by Megan Murray when she was a young teenager who wanted to enrich the Christmas holiday for under-privileged children, Megan’s Box was named for the plastic tub in which she stored the gifts she purchased in those first years with her allowance money and cash gifts. In 2016 the effort provided Christmas gifts for over 1700 children in our area and has vastly outgrown her family’s home storage areas. This event will feature not just horse-racing, but many games, craft and food vendors, and lots of fun for the whole family.

Work is progressing on the rebuilding of Water Street. I took my grandson over to watch the “diggers” and dozers the other day and we watched the workers for a while. I am glad that the project seems to include replacement of everything under the street, as well as new base rock, curbs, etc. I was rather surprised, however, to observe that it appears the street will not actually be any wider that it was before all the work began. I was under the impression that making more space was one of the parts of this construction, but I guess that was a misapprehension on my part. I’m sure it will be a great improvement for motorists and residents alike.

Hughesville Events:

Sundays in June, 9:30 a.m. Hughesville United Methodist Charge worship services are being held at Christ U. M. Church, 146 South Main Street.

Weds. June 21, 1 p.m. The Christian Ladies Group (CLG) will meet at Tivoli United Methodist Church. Randy Watts will talk about the Appalachian Trail. Women and men of the area are invited to attend the meetings of the group on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Thurs. June 22, 10:30- 11:15 a.m. “Wee Make Music” program for children ages 12 months to 3 years and their caregivers at Hughesville Area Public Library, 146 S. Fifth St.

Fri. June 23, 1030-11:15 Pre-School Story time for 3-6 year old children and their caregivers at the Hughesville Area Public Library.

Sat. June 24, noon – 3 p.m. Fiber Fillies, fiber arts guild, meets at the East Lycoming Historical Society museum, 66 S. Main Street, Hughesville. Beginners and experts are always welcome.

Sat. & Sun. June 24 & 25 PA Harness Racing and Megan’s Box Foundation fundraiser at the Lycoming County Fairground. Free admission. Sat. opens at 3 p.m. & Sun. at 11 a.m.

Saturday, June 24, &Tuesday, June 27, 10:30-11:30 A.M.: “We Build Block Party,” a self-directed activity for children ages three and up, hosted by the Hughesville Area Public Library. For more info, call 570-584-3762.