HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is difficult to believe that another year has passed and 2014 is upon us. If you are anything like me, you will continue writing 2013 for at least a few more months.

Santa came to the McNear house. It was great to see my son open his gifts and even better to hear him say, “thank you”. Our family gift is a dog sledding trip in late January. We are looking forward to checking this new adventure off our life’s “to do” list.

The beginning of the new year brings with it the tradition of resolutions. My main goal each January is to make a resolution that I actually keep more than one week. This year, I am resolving to better prioritize my life. It is so easy to get caught up in the stresses of work and family calendars. I think we all need to slow down once in awhile and renew ourselves as well as the time we have with those we care about the most.

Back to work and back to school. Winter sports are well underway in our schools, so please take the opportunity to support your local athletes. This week, many local singers are taking part in the 2014 District Chorus festival held in Canton. There are representatives from all Lycoming County schools involved in the event. The culminating concert will be held on Saturday, January 11.

Special thanks goes to Beverly Rupert, Branch Manager of Jersey Shore State Bank in Montgomery for her many years of volunteer service for United Way as community chair for both the Montgomery Business and Residential campaigns.

Contact me at cmcnear@montasd.org with any information you would like posted in this column.

Montgomery events

Montgomery Borough Council will be meeting Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The Montgomery Performance Arts Boosters will be holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school band room.