My plan to extend August didn’t work, so I must accept the fact that we have reached the last week before all the school-year busy-ness begins. Of course, for many students, teachers and coaches, things have been underway for most of the month. Last Friday that was demonstrated when the teams, cheer squads, and the marching band, were presented at “Meet the Spartans” night at Hughesville High School. I wasn’t able to get an accurate, precise count, but I am confident that there were more than 250 students who were introduced as participants in one or more of the extra-curricular activities. It was wonderful to see so many active Spartans! Be sure to pick up a schedule and enjoy some of this fall’s sporting events. Girls Varsity Tennis began their regular season matches on Monday, August 20 and Boys Varsity Football begins this Friday. All others begin competition next week.

The staff members of East Lycoming School District are doing everything they can to make sure that the coming school year gets off to a great start, but Mother Nature has thrown a few complications into the mix, particularly for the grounds crew at the Ashkar elementary school playground, and for the teachers and coaches whose rooms and offices are in the lower levels of the high school. G-wing, which is the lower floor in the junior high section near the north end of the football field, and the basement of F-wing were both flooded with multiple feet of water after the soaking rains of the past weeks. As of last Friday, access to those areas was limited to maintenance staff, so several teachers are expecting to do a lot of evaluation and preparation before classes begin on the 23rd. We can all hope that we are going to have a dry, breezy, autumn.

In June, local resident and avid cyclist David Harman signed up for the Great Cycle Challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the U.S, and over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year. David logged 302 miles in June and raised over $800 for this worthy cause. Thank you, David, for your devotion to helping others!

This summer, on those evenings when the sky cleared and stars were visible, we have been treated to a wonderful sight. The four most viewable planets have been gracing our nighttime sky, strung across the dome of space like jewels on a crown. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars (visible from west to east) have all treated us to a lovely sight. Mars is especially brilliant this year, as its orbit and Earth’s are at the closest proximity in years. I know it’s hard to know when we might be able to see the stars, but keep watching!

Hughesville Events:

Thurs. Aug. 23 First day of school for students in the East Lycoming School District.

Thurs. Aug. 23 Mars and the moon will appear very close to each other in the late evening sky.

Fri. Aug. 24 “Busy Bee Art Club” for children aged 18 months to 4 years and their caregivers at Hughesville Area Public Library, 146 South Fifth Street, from 10:30 11:30 a.m. This activity is a station-based art exploration program that encourages children to make decisions, develop their language skills, and hone their fine-motor skills. All materials are supplied, no registration required.

Fri. Aug. 24 First Varsity Football game, HHS versus Mifflinburg, Away at 7 p.m. The first Home game will be on Sept. 7 versus South Williamsport. That game will feature the Military Appreciation festivities.

Mon. Aug. 27 Town Hall Meeting, White Deer Community Park building, 992 White Deer Pike, White Deer