We are officially at the beginning of winter blues season. It’s cold. It’s dark. People all over are sick. It’s generally pretty icky.

The best way to stave off the winter dull drums is to get out of the house. There are always a ton of things going on locally so get out and enjoy them!

It always amazes me the number of free or low-cost community dinners happening in the area on a regular basis.

For example: on the 17th there is a lasagna dinner at Trinity Episcopal in Williamsport for just $9.75 for adults. On the 18th there is a free community dinner at St. Paul-Calvary in Williamsport. On the 20th there is a chicken & biscuit dinner ($9.00) at Bethany Evangelical in Montoursville and a free hot lunch at Clinton Baptist in Montgomery. You can get all the specifics on our Community Calendar page on pages 22 and 23.

There is also a spaghetti dinner at the Son’s of Italy on East Third St. in Williamsport on the 23rd. Cost is $7.75 and runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and is open to the public that evening.

This is a great way to have an inexpensive dinner with your family and support your local community at the same time.

Musically, Williamsport and the surrounding area is always a hotbed of activity.

On Thursday the 18th, you can check out “A Night with Janis Joplin” at the Community Arts Center. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. The 18th also brings former “American Idol” contestant Aaron Kelly to Christian Light Books & Gift for an exclusive concert at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday also brings music to The Brickyard downtown. You can check out Nugget Nectar First Squeeze at 5:00 p.m.

On Friday the 19th, you can check out Qwister at Barrel 135 from 9-11 p.m. Also, from 10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. you check out Reggae Night at Morrone’s Pub.

The Bar on Market has music Wednesday-Saturday, including Sean Farley, Levi’s House Band, Clark McLane Band and the Keystone Ska Exchange. Music starts at 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. each night.
On Saturday the 20th, head to the Lock Haven Elks Lodge #182 for the Smoked Country Jam Winter Show With The Hillbilly Gypsies from 7-10 p.m. Also on Saturday, check out Mum’s the Word at the Genetti Taphouse at 9:00 p.m. Zen Again digs deep into its Led Zeppelin pocket to bring you all the best on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. at the Stonehouse, downtown in Pine Square. LIXX is playing at the Jersey Shore Elks at 9:00 p.m. And finally, though this list barely scrapes the top of what is going on this weekend, Telectro with Jeff Wisor at the Bullfrog at 9:00 p.m.

If art is more your thing, be sure to check out the opening reception of “Books Undone” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Gallery at Penn College. This will be a national, juried show of altered books with prizes awarded at 5:30 p.m.

If you prefer to create art, there are a ton of opportunities to do so at places like Centered Earth in Montoursville, or Wine & Design downtown, or Whitesel Stained Glass in Cogan Station.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in the area around here this weekend. And, remember, this is just this weekend! This is also just the ‘artsy’ type stuff. This doesn’t include the hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor opportunities that the Valley offers.

One other way you can get out of the house and help those in need is to donate blood. The Red Cross is still in urgent need of blood donations. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, mudslides, arctic temperatures, all result in depleted blood reserves. So if you are able, eligible and healthy, please donate. Several donation opportunities are coming up in the next week including:

Penn College – Jan 17th from noon-6:00 p.m., Duboistown Fire Dept. – Jan 18th from 1:00-6:00 p.m. and St. Ann’s Catholic Church – Jan. 23rd from 1:00-6:00 p.m.

The Red Cross makes donating super simple these days. You can fill out your questionnaire online before your appointment and use the app to get your ‘fast pass’ so you are in and out as quickly as possible.

As always, remember that your one donation can save up to three lives. More if you are eligible to make a Power Red donation.

There are plenty of opportunities to get out of the house and enjoy the area. You just have to be willing to do a little digging. Get out and enjoy all that Lycoming County and the surrounding area have to offer!