(4/2017) We made it through all the winter wind. Looking forward to the warmer weather, oh yes! Oh no – taxes are due. Well, this year we have a couple of extra days for the procrastinators. The filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns is Tuesday, April 18, rather than the traditional April 15 date. In 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday. And on Monday, the District of Columbia celebrates Emancipation Day, which is normally April 16, but that's a Sunday. Emancipation Day affects taxes the same way federal holidays do. Therefore, the tax deadline is pushed out to the following Tuesday, April 18, giving taxpayers three extra days to file their returns. Check it out at www.irs.gov. Don’t fall for scams. Remember the IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue.

Harrisburg Community College (HACC), Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is hosting a Spring Community Education Day on April 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. HACC will offer 15 informative, educational sessions on topics such as the realities and myths associated with the Vietnam War and its aftermath; tips on getting started locating and reading census records and other public documents; evaluating the accuracy of genealogy information; and organizing large amounts of information and a pictorial journey tracing Andrea Palladio’s, an Italian Renaissance architect known as the Father of American Architecture, route from Italy to England to America. You will also learn where you can find traces of Palladio in Adams County. You can choose the three sessions that most interest you. A continental breakfast and lunch is also included in the $49 registration fee. For a complete listing of class sessions and to register, you go to www.hacc.edu/Gettysburgcommunity or call 717-337-3855, ext. 119903.

Our local area library located in the new Carroll Valley Educational & Community Complex building is offering four events in April. National Library week will be observed April 9-15 with the theme, "Libraries Transform". Time to celebrate the contributions of Adams County libraries and librarians that promote library use and support. A "Coloring Party" will be held on Monday, April 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. so you can color your heart out. "Movie Night" will be held on Thursday, April 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. Watch a movie with a friend and some popcorn. "The Indifferent Stars Above" book discussion will be held on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m.

Other activities that you and your family may be interested in attending are: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday April 15th from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Fairfield Fire & EMS banquet hall; Carroll Valley Easter Hunt on Saturday April 15th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Hunt starts at 11 a.m. The age groups are: 2 years and younger, 3-4 years old, 5-7 year old and 8-10 year old.

Be sure to get there early so to get at the starting line at 11 a.m. It’s been 5 years since the last Fishing Derby was held in Carroll Valley. Well, the Carroll Valley Trout Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday April 22nd. Sign in is 7:30 a.m. Fish stocking begins at 8 a.m. Derby starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. It is free for children between the ages 14 and younger. Huge thank you goes to the Adams County Trout Unlimited and the McSherrytown Fish and Game Association for donating the trout for this event. If you have any questions about the event please contact; Bruce Carr 308-289-0594, Tom Fitzsimmons 717-642-6888 or Gayle Marthers 717-642-8269 Ext. 103.

At the March Carroll Valley Borough Council meeting, I had the privilege to swear in David Lillard as a new council member. Also, I proclaimed Friday, April 21st to be PowerTalk 21 Day in Carroll Valley. It is a day for all parents and caregivers to embrace their important role in influencing our youth and their decisions about drinking alcohol. I urge you to review the online information about the PowerTalk program. Google PowerTalk21.

I Had the pleasure to formally recognize two individuals: Jennifer Jarrell for her management of the very successful the Daddy Daughter dance raising money for July 4th celebration and Chief Richard Hileman for authoring a grant submission that helped Adams County law enforcement agencies receive an award $149,998 from PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Bryne Justice Assistance Program .

On Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Carroll Valley Educational & Community Complex, the Carroll Valley Borough Police and Liberty Township Police Departments host will partner with Collaborating For Youth to carry out the ninth Adams County "Take Back" medicine collection. This medicine collection provides an opportunity for Adams County residents to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications safely and free of charge. Pills, liquids, creams, and pill bubble-packs will be accepted. No needles or sharps will be accepted. Seventy percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers get them (take) from family and friends. In fact, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana. Adams County’s medication collection and disposal is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with local and State Police, local fire departments, Collaborating For Youth, and the Adams County Department of Environmental Services. For more information regarding the Adams County Take Back, please contact Eileen Grenell, 717-338-0300 x 24, or drugfree@cfygettysburg.com.

The Borough meetings in April are: Planning Commission (April 3rd); Council Meeting (April 11th); and Parks/Recreation Committee (April 26th). If you have any questions, please contact me by calling me at 301-606-2021. Keep dry!