Smells and sights of early spring continue in April

April 8, 2026

by David Thompson Signs of spring were evident well before March 20 when spring officially started. One sign that wasn’t visible was the unmistakable smell of a striped skunk whose mating season was underway. It may have sprayed an attacker with potent musk in self-defense while searching for a mate at night. Rarely seen because of being nocturnal, skunks begin to mate in February. Then and more often in March, their odor spreads across my neighbor’s open field bordered by large oak trees and conifers. Among the trees at the top of a creek’s steep bank are numerous burrows dug ...

Trout fishing season opens Saturday rain or shine

April 1, 2026

The most popular fishing day of the year happens April 4 which is opening day of trout season for all anglers statewide. If the weather cooperates and waters are in decent shape for fishing, Saturday will be a good day to catch some of the 3.2 million trout being stocked this year. Your job is deciding where to fish. You could return to your favorite place or try a new one. Some anglers end up traveling from one creek to another and also stopping at a lake. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s trout stocking schedule is available on the agency’s website (fishandboat.com). ...

Saying goodbye to a hometown favorite

March 28, 2026

For the second time in my life, I have to look for a new restaurant. After I turned 44 in 1994, I decided I wanted to find a restaurant that I could go to on a regular basis. It took a while, but I finally landed at Miller's Restaurant outside of Mill Creek. It ...

The Origins of the Humble Easter Basket

March 27, 2026

Easter is quickly approaching, and I find myself once again in preparation mode. All eight Easter baskets, one for each of my grandchildren, are lined up neatly across the dining room table, like a row of cheerful little bunnies and chicks waiting to be filled. These are the very same baskets they received on their first Easter, a small but meaningful way to create continuity, memory, and tradition. While the contents may change from year to year, the baskets remain the same, white bunnies for the girls and yellow chicks for the boys. As I set them in place, I began to wonder: Why do ...

Youths with mentors await ‘Trout Day’ on March 28

March 24, 2026

Anglers age 15 and under are looking forward to Mentored Youth Trout Day being held for one day on March 28. This annual event gives youths the opportunity to catch trout before the opening of the regular trout fishing season for adults on April 4. Youngsters who are avid anglers have their fishing tackle and fishing clothing and boots ready to go. They also have the required Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. These documents are available online from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at HuntFish.pa.gov Youths are not required to buy the trout permit ...

More renovations at MCL

March 21, 2026

By now, you probably know that Mifflin County Library is undergoing additional renovations. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. I am very grateful to the county commissioners for valuing library service to Mifflin County and for valuing the work that we do. Because winter was so cold and so long, construction didn’t begin until mid-February. But once it started, it started in earnest. If you drive along North Wayne Street, you will see fencing and erosion control logs. Trees and shrugs have been removed as well as the top soil. The goal is to save this top soil for a later ...