As usual, the buzzards arrived back in Marion County shortly after the first of the month of March. The high winds that toppled trees and created mayhem for a while around the state, pushed the buzzards our way. Hinckley Ridge will have their usual celebration of the return of the buzzards on March 15.

The peep frogs have not been heard as of the tenth of March. It takes a few days with over fifty degrees to bring them out full force. Temperatures receded somewhat after a few warm days at the beginning of the month.

Birds are nesting which is normal. I built a birdhouse to attract a Carolina Wren that has been nesting in an old outbuilding of ours. No sooner had I put the house at the right height and the right location, than a pair of sparrows took over. I guess it will be back in the old outbuilding for another year for the wrens.

It is nice to know that there will be traffic improvements made to Mt Vernon Avenue and the Marion Mt Gilead Rd.  Eliminating left turns would be an improvement although I am sure it would cause some problems for business owners. I cringe sometimes when I see a motorist attempting to turn left, crossing four lanes of traffic. Most cities in the U.S. have the same problem.

Seeing executive jets buzzing out of the Marion Municipal airport reminds us that Marion is no small town. We are fortunate to have so many new industries in our city. Much of Ohio is grasping for business enterprises.

Gasoline prices may restrict travel for some people this summer. Fortunately I have a car that averages over thirty miles a gallon. Maybe prices will come down before the month is over. The experts in the oil business claim that there is a shortage of refinery production. It makes you wonder if we are building new refineries or just limping along with what we have. Is there enough profit in gasoline to spur the building of new refineries?