Well, there’s no doubt that autumn has arrived! The last week has seen the full splendor of the season, and has also brought significantly colder weather than we have seen in many months. Last weekend’s morning temps in the teens were a bit extreme, but hopefully we won’t see too much more of that before winter officially arrives more than a month from now.

My favorite website about our celestial neighborhood, EarthSky.org tells me that next year, 2018, will feature Mars in close proximity to Earth. We can expect to see it gleaming in our night skies through much of the year. Just two years later, NASA will be sending a new rover to the “red planet,” building on the exploration that was begun with the 1997 rover, Sojourner. The newest rover will feature 23 cameras that will have advanced capabilities that will create the most spectacular images we have seen, and assist many scientific instruments as our knowledge of this neighboring planet increases. Watch for Mars as it moves closer to us next year.

Hughesville Events:

Weds. Nov. 15 The Christian Ladies Group will meet today 1 p.m. at Tivoli United Methodist Church. The program will feature Ed Dammer, who will speak about holiday traditions of long ago. The public is encouraged to attend.

Thurs. Nov. 16 “Wee Make Music” for children aged 12 months to 3 years and their caregivers at Hughesville Area Public Library (HAPL), 146 S. Fifth St., 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Fri. Nov. 17 Pre-school Story Time for children 3–6 years and their caregivers, at HAPL from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Fri. Nov. 17, 6 p.m. Turkey Raffle at Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall. There will be lots of fun and plenty to do at this annual fire company fund-raiser. Put the day on your calendar!

Sat. Nov. 18 The doors at the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department social hall will open at 4 p.m. for this year’s Turkey Dinner and Charity Event sponsored by the Messiah/St. James Lutheran parish. After a great meal, attendees will have the opportunity to place bids for a huge variety of themed baskets, children’s items, and donated antiques, handmade goods, and collectibles in both silent auctions and a live auction. Also featured is the much-anticipated Quilt Raffle, in which one lucky person will win a beautiful, unique, hand-quilted, heirloom-quality bedcovering that will last for generations. If you haven’t attended in the past, bring the family and enjoy this evening. The churches sponsor this yearly in order to raise funds to help alleviate hunger in our local area and through the wider-reaching Lutheran World Relief.

Sat. Nov. 18 Hughesville Baptist Church, Santa’s Warehouse fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come browse lots of Christmas decorations, and enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa.

Mon. Nov. 20, 7 p.m. The East Lycoming Historical Society will host Mr. Charles Libby and hear him tell stories of his WWII and CCC Camp experiences. During WWII, he served in the 628th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Some of the actions he participated in were the liberation of Luxembourg, assault on the Siegfried Line, the battles fought in the Hurtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. The meeting site is the social hall of Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Main and Academy Streets, Hughesville. Please plan to attend.