The profusion of blooming shrubs and spring bulbs has really been dazzling this past week. I’m so glad we are finally getting mild weather, and hope I can spend plenty of time outdoors enjoying it this month. It’s great to reduce the number of layers of clothing I wear, too!?

Using the word “reduce” reminds me that I need to be watchful about the amount of plastic that I am using. As someone who grew up before the proliferation of plastic, I know that there are many ways I can store food, protect items, and entertain my grandchildren that don’t require the purchase, short-term use, and disposal of this marvelous product which has quickly become a huge problem for our planet’s environment. Plastic pollution may seem to some to be a far-off problem, but regardless of the eventual disposal site, the fact that it can take hundreds of years for something as small as a drinking straw to decompose completely makes me examine my true need to use one. I am encouraging everyone to think about reducing, or rejecting, the use of products that cannot be recycled. ?

Several business sites in Hughesville are finding new life with some businesses relocating, and others building new spaces. Cheri’s House of Flowers moved across Main Street to the former Donna’s Gifts and Gallery site. Now there is renovation taking place at the vacated building that has been home to several concerns over the years. A short walk on Main Street can still give us many options for gifts, household items, apparel, and good things to eat. Don’t forget to check out the variety of things available here in our downtown.?

The planet Mars is not a local site, but we will be viewing it in our nighttime sky for the next several months. By July, Earth will be “catching up” to Mars’ orbital path so that the two planets will be at their closest positions. Mars will appear brighter than it has in 15 years. Next week NASA and the Jet-Propulsion Lab are launching a new Mars mission, Mars InSight, that will include new deep-space satellite technology that promises to provide vastly improved communication means between planets. ?

Hughesville Events:

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

Fri. May 4 Pre-school Story Time for kids 3-6 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Fri. May 4 “Spring Fling” at Ashkar Elementary. This annual event, sponsored by the Ashkar PTA, features a Talent Show and lots of food and fun activities. 4 to 7 p.m.

Sat. May 5 Annual Rotary Pig Roast at the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Dept., at the intersection of Railroad and Water Streets. This is a tasty meal and the funds raised help to support our Rotary’s many community service projects. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mon. May 7 “Wee Tales” for children ages 12 mo. to 3 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Tues. May 8 “Wee Play” for children ages 2 – 6 years and their caregivers at HAPL, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Sat. May 12 East Lycoming Education Foundation’s 5th Annual “Carz and More” show and festival beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at 2 p.m. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors will be displayed and prizes will be presented, including a “people’s choice” award. There will be food and craft vendors on site.