Are you ready for this month’s celestial special events? The Perseid meteor shower, a yearly display of “shooting stars,” will be occurring this weekend. While there has been some misinformation circulating in social media saying that this year’s Perseid shower will be “the brightest in 96 years,” that is not correct. While last year’s event was projected to be exceptional, astronomers expect that this year will have a usual likelihood of visible meteors, but the moon will rise late in the evening, making many meteors hard to see. However, it’s always exciting to see even a few of these brilliant streaks across the night sky, so be sure to get your chair set up in a dark spot and look up between sunset and moonrise, which will be around 10:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 p.m. on Saturday. I hope that the clouds will be scarce those evenings!

Then there is the solar eclipse coming up on August 21. This is one of those rare times when those of us in the United States are able to see this passage of the moon between the earth and sun. This eclipse is more unusual in that the path of totality spans the whole continent, from Oregon to South Carolina. Here in central Pennsylvania we will not see the full coverage of the sun, but the moon will obscure nearly half of the sun and create a significant darkening of the sunlight during the middle of the day. Please be sure to use only certified “eclipse glasses” or approved filters that will block all harmful rays, or watch the eclipse online or on television. We don’t want to have anyone experience vision loss from looking at the sun, even for just a few moments.

Recently I decided that I should set up the soaker hose in my vegetable garden so that I can make sure the soil has enough moisture to keep things growing. However, every time I get ready to do that, we get some more rain. I think Mother Nature is trying to tell me to quit worrying and let her handle things.

Have a great week! Enjoy these lovely days of August!

Hughesville Events

Thurs. – Sat. Aug. 10-12 Hughesville Fire Department celebrates 125th Anniversary at the Hughesville fairgrounds. There will be a parade on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. and activities held all weekend. The fire department is hosting the Central District Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention. Activities are open to the public.

Thurs. Aug. 10 “Wee Make Music” program for children ages 12 months to 3 years and their caregivers at Hughesville Area Public Library ( HAPL) from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Fri. Aug. 11 Pre-school Story Time for children 3 to 6 years and their caregivers at HAPL from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Fri. & Sat. Aug. 11 & 12 Perseid meteor shower.

Sat. Aug. 12, HAPL will hold this month’s All Together Saturday Storytime for all ages, no registration required from 11-11:30 a.m. Also, from 1-2 o’clock, “Make something fun and easy,” a craft event for all ages.

Sat. & Sun. Aug. 12 & 13 10 The 47th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival on the Village Green in Eagles Mere starting at 10 a.m. This is a great place to find unique fine arts and crafts items for yourself, your home, or as gifts. There is a low admission fee for those over age 12. Closes Sat. at 5, Sun. at 4.

Mon. Aug. 14 “Wee Tales” for children ages 12 months to 3 years and their caregivers at HAPL from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Tues. Aug. 15 “Wee Play” for children ages 2 6 years and their caregivers at HAPL , 10:30 11:30 a.m.

Weds. Aug. 16 The Christian Ladies Group (CLG) will meet at Tivoli United Methodist Church. The program will feature singer Nick Biddle, singer of religious songs. Women and men of the area are invited to attend the meetings of the group on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Mon. Aug. 21 History Buffs will meet at the Brass Pelican restaurant in Sullivan County at 9 a.m. for a program by Wilson Ferguson on History Quest 2017. This group meets the third Monday of every month.