Yes, we live in northwestern Pennsylvania after all! For all of the snow lovers, you are breathing a deep sigh of relief. For the rest of us, we knew it was coming, we just hoped it wouldn’t! However, the fact that the “real snow” stayed away until we welcomed 2012 is a phenomenon we will marvel at in the years to come.

What else does January bring to us beside snow days and cold temperatures? Yes, you are correct – basketball! And we have it for all ages this year. Once again the Conneautville Church of Christ is hosting Upward Basketball for elementary age children. Their games begin on January 15 at 3:00 PM at the Koinonia Center in Conneautville.

The CVHS boys and girls teams have been warming up for their season over the holidays, but welcome one and all to their games beginning last week. Check out the Conneaut School District web site for schedules at:

http://www.highschoolsports.net/school/Conneaut-Valley-High-School-Conneautville-PA/

And of course the CV Sports Boosters could use help with fundraising during the winter as well.

Personally, the winter months bring an opportunity to read, learn, and discover new opportunities. So don’t forget to stop by your local public libraries if you are looking for something to read or if you want to use your time to learn a new skill; they have all types of books for enjoyment, learning, and helpful information.

Watch for the Story Hour notifications published herein by the new children’s library assistant, Wanetta Samuels. She will keep you up to date on Story Hour activities and new books at Stone Memorial.

The Springboro Library publishes new publications information on their web site.

If you have decided to become more active in your community your local borough and township meetings are a great place to start. Conneautville, Springboro, and Beaver Center have meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in order to learn what is happening locally.

The Conneaut Valley Homecoming Association is always looking for volunteers to help plan the annual event in July. They meet the second Thursday of the month at the Living Hope Christian Church fellowship hall at 7:00 PM.

So, if you want to do more than watch snow, watch television, and/or watch the new Dollar Store being constructed this winter, here are just a few suggestions for your time and energies.