March is just on the horizon, and I am looking forward to spring weather that will stick around for a while! 

We can’t wait to get back in the garden, and this year we are starting to raise chickens. My daughter wants chickens for her birthday this year, so that really means Mom is getting a new hobby too.

One good thing is that she has agreed to name these chickens after country singers, so my picks would be Dolly, Loretta, Trisha and Tammy. 

I think she will be choosing a younger generation of singers, like Lainey and Carrie!

If anyone has good tips about keeping chickens, I would love to hear them.

Congratulations to the Lake Huntington Fire Department for holding onto second place in the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge.  Keep up the good work!

There is a fulfilling and enriching way to support the arts in our community. The Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVO) has a wonderful idea for you: become a Housing Host for the 2023 opera season. Get to know interesting and friendly people, while making a much-needed and appreciated contribution to this season’s productions.

Their priority is quality, so much of the budget is spent on artistic talent. To afford high-quality productions, the DVO relies on the support of its neighbors in the community for housing.

Each host receives a letter from DVO for taxes, thanking and acknowledging the in-kind donation of housing equal to the room rates of local B&Bs or hotels.

There are three productions this season that need housing hosts:

 “The Three Bears”—an opera for children. Performance dates are Saturday morning, June 24, and Sunday afternoon June 25.
The hosting period lasts a total of nine days. The artists arrive on Sunday, June 18 and depart on Monday, June 26.

“La Boheme”—performances are on Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, and on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23.
The host period lasts a total of 19 days. The artists arrive Thursday, July 6, and depart Monday, July 24.

“The Audition”—a spoof on the opera audition. Performances are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 18, 19 and 20.
The hosting period lasts a total of 10 days. The artists arrive on Saturday, August 12, and depart on Monday, August 21. 

If you have an extra room, please consider supporting the DVO by being a host. And if you know someone who might be interested, please pass along information about this opportunity.

To learn more, email info@delawarevalleyopera.org.

If you have a local business that you would like to have spotlighted in an upcoming column, get in touch. Email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events and happenings.