March 19, the first official day of spring, came and went quietly in the Sentinel’s coverage area.
School remains closed at least through the end of this week – and with it, all the activities at this time of year – the start of a spring sports season, musical productions, field trips and other organized activities.
Outside of school, church services, fundraising dinners, meetings and other events that normally would involve gatherings of dozens (if not more) people have been called off at the urging of government directives to practice ‘‘social distancing.’’ That same directive has also forced many businesses to suspend or restrict operations at the present time.
All on account of COVID-19, a virus outbreak that began thousands of miles away late last year – and has since upended life throughout the world – and in this region – as we knew it as little as two weeks ago. As of press time
SEE SPRING • PAGE A3
Daffodils bloom near ‘‘The Swinging Bridge’’ connecting Millersburg’s Riverfront and MYO parks. (Sentinel photo by Mandi Trawitz)