(3/2021) It is March 2021. Correct? The reason why I am asking – when I sent in my February column to the Emmitsburg Journal, I mistakenly sent in the February 2017 submission. I could claim there was a break in the spacetime continuum. Spacetime is a mathematical concept used to understand our universe and how it works. We know it has four dimensions comprised of three spatial dimensions – length, width, height, and one temporal dimension – time. It was the time I had a problem with. Simply put, in fewer words, I made a mistake. Apologizes! I did learn a valuable lesson. When sending an attachment via email, before you click ‘Send,’ take the time to check the attachment name.

Last year, on March 6, Governor Tom Wolf signed an emergency disaster declaration to provide increased support to state agencies involved in response to the COVID-19 virus. At the time of signing, there were nearly 100,000 cases worldwide, including more than 3,300 deaths. There were 233 cases and 12 deaths in the United States. On February 19, Governor Wolf signed the fourth renewal of the disaster proclamation. This declaration runs through to May 19th. At the time of this signing, approximately 111 million cases worldwide have been reported, including more than 2.45 million deaths. There were 28 million cases and 495 thousand deaths in the United States. As of February 19, there are 783 906 confirmed cases in Pennsylvania and 23,480 deaths reported. In Adams County, 6,089 confirmed cases and 148 deaths were reported. The advice continues to be: wear a mask (mandated), do social distancing, wash your hands, and as much as possible, do not gather in crowds.

The National Weather Service has reported as of February 2nd that over 16 inches of snow have fallen in the Carroll Valley area. Maybe the Punxsutawney Groundhog prediction is correct this year – he saw his shadow and so six more weeks of winter. Don’t forget that March 5th is Employee Appreciation Day. It is a day to celebrate and recognize employees.

March 5th is also the day bingo comes back to our community. Friday, March 5th, doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and bingo starts at 8 p.m. At the Fairfield Fire Company fire Hall. A limited menu will be available for players to choose from. In the new Bingo schedule, there will be no bingo on the first Thursday of the month. For subsequential Thursdays, the door opens at 5:30 p.m., and bingo starts at 6:45 p.m. On First Fridays, the doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and bingo will begin at 8:30 p.m.

On March 12th, we celebrate the creation of the Girl Scouts. Remember to turn your clock forward one hour to mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on March 14th at 2 a.m. The NCAA March Madness begins on March 14th, with the Final Four scheduled for April 3rd and 5th. The "Ides of March" is March 15th. You know the saying "Beware of the ides of March." We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. Watch out for that green beer. The Vernal Equinox is Tuesday, March 20th at 5:37 a.m. Spring starts. Equinox means "equal night." The day and night are approximately equal (12 hours each).

The March Carroll Valley Library Program consists of the following: March 10th @ 11 am – Strawberry Hill Education & Outreach Coordinator, Lizzy Ryan, shows how you the process of making maple syrup, from tap to table; March 17th at 11 a.m. watch how to make Hot Chocolate Bombs and you will be able to pick up the supplies at the Carroll Valley Library, and March 24th at 11 a.m. – Personal Trainer, Holly Forrest, discusses ways to stay fit in the spring. The dates shown are the date the video will premiere on the Carroll Valley Library Facebook page and the Adams County Library’s YouTube channel. These videos will be available to watch any time after that the premiere date. If you have any questions, call 717-642-6009.

Do you have the proper house number lettering on your mailbox, so the fire company, ambulance, and/or the police department can find you. In an emergency, seconds count. It is so essential that it is addressed in the Carroll Valley Borough Ordinance §27-706. The ordinance states all improved property within the Borough must post the official street address in three (3) inch numbers that are luminous (reflective). The numbers shall be easily read from 20 feet day or night. If there is no mailbox at a residence or does not identify the house, the reflective street address numbers shall be placed on the house's front.

If the home sits back off the road or is not visible due to trees or bushes, a sign shall be erected displaying the proper address. Does your house meet the code? If not, you can buy a reflective mailbox sign for just $8.00 from the Police Department. These signs are 6" x 18" aluminum and covered in green reflective vinyl with white reflective vinyl numbers attached on both sides. They have the same highly visible qualities as PennDOT directional signs. If you are interested in one of these signs, call the Borough Police Department at 717-642-8269 and ask about ordering. You can also contact the Police Department Administrative Assistant at pdadmin@carrollvalley.org.

The Borough Office remains closed. However, if you need to conduct business with the Borough or have questions, please call 717-642-8269. Check the Carroll Valley Borough website for the most up-to-date committee meeting dates and whether they will be held via zoom. If you have questions for the Mayor, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net or by cell at 301-606-2021. Keep your eyes on your speed when driving on the trails.