April is giving us a wild ride this year. Last weekend was a prime example of the vagaries of springtime. I attended a baseball tournament near Reading and nearly roasted on Saturday, then wrapped up in blankets for the Sunday games. There was a nearly 45 degrees of contrast in less than 24 hours. I know I will be happy to see much milder weather — if that ever happens!

This coming Sunday is Earth Day. There will be many observances locally as well as nationally to mark the day and engage in activities that encourage responsible stewardship of our planet, its millions of species of living creatures, and its resources. One of the ways we can improve our immediate area is by planting trees. The Hughesville Rotary Club will be distributing free tree seedlings this Saturday as an encouragement to get started on your Earth Day participation. This is also a great time to look at the many easy ways that we can each make an effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle. I have found that recycling is a simple thing that vastly reduces our family’s amount of trash that goes to the landfill. I don’t want my grandchildren to be paying for more landfill space, just because I was too lazy or uncaring to take plastic, glass or metal containers to the recycling station! Obviously, things are more complicated than this, but we all know that every small act by an individual can have a major impact. I encourage everyone to make plans to reduce the amount of trash generated, to put items to a different use, rather than just discarding them, and to recycle every thing that is acceptable in our local program.

Several people have asked whether the Hughesville Rotary Club is having its annual E-cycle event for recycling of electronic items. They realized there is another group doing a similar undertaking in the Muncy area this spring, so watch for announcements about a Hughesville event in the fall of this year. The Rotary club has its annual fund-raiser, the Pig Roast, coming up on May 5, so the members will be busy with that and preparations for other summer service projects and fund-raisers.

Hughesville Events:

Thurs. Apr. 19 “Wee Make Music” for children aged 12 months to 3 years and their caregivers at Hughesville Area Public Library (HAPL), 146 S. Fifth Street, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Fri. Apr. 20 Pre-school Story Time for children 3–6 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Sat. Apr. 21 Earth Day. Hughesville Rotary Club free tree seedling distribution at the corner of Main and Water Streets, beginning at 8 a.m. First come, first served.

Sun. Apr. 22 Bingo fundraiser sponsored by GHBA starting at 1 p.m. at the Hughesville Fire Hall. Special games and door prizes available.

Mon. Apr. 23 “Wee Tales” for children ages 12 mo. to 3 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Tues. Apr. 24 “Wee Play” for children ages 2 – 6 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Sat. Apr. 28 Little League Opening Day Parade, 9 a.m. Starts at HVFD fire hall and goes to HHS.

Sat. Apr. 28 annual spring tea at Hughesville Friends Church sponsored by the East Lycoming Historical Society. Doors open 1:30 p.m. with tea served at 2. A program will be presented by Patti Gardner who will tell the story of her Native American ancestry in northern Wisconsin. To make a reservation call Sharon Hughes at 584-2244.

Sat. Apr. 28 Lime Bluff Park will be having a spring cleaning day and opening day. The East Lycoming Recreation Authority is looking for volunteers to paint and weed, cut grass, groom trees, etc. to spruce up the park. The authority has plans for the addition of electricity for portions of the park in the near future. Work Day times are 9 a.m. until noon, and a light lunch will be served.