If you missed the Montgomery Area High School Donkey Basketball game last Thursday, you have my pity. This wacky and hilariously entertaining tradition has been going on for decades. The event was held in the field house at the Athletic Complex and I can’t remember a school function that involved so much cheering and laughter. The games consisted of two ten-minute halves, and in between games kids ages 12 and under could take donkey rides.

The first game was between the junior class and a team made up of community volunteers. Representing the juniors were: Jenna Lutz, Kelly Kratzer, Maura Galanti, Kaitlyn Bittenbender, Gabbi Shreck, Hannah Bryson, David Bryson, Jackson Stryker, Cam St. James, and Jenn Klobe. Representing the community were: Zach Shadle, Brad Feaster, Viking Deitrich, Cam McHenry, Jared McHenry, Tiffany Hetner, Lori Klotz, Becky Bower, Tommy Hamm, and Shannon Melia. The game winning shot was scored by Kelly Kratzer, ending in a 10-8 victory for the junior class.

The second game was between the senior class and the faculty. In a touching tribute, seniors wore matching shirts in memory of Dionna Satteson, a member of their class who passed away in a traffic accident last year. The shirts featured her name as well as her jersey number from her time with the Lady Raiders Basketball Team. The senior team consisted of: Isaac Dietrich, Alyssa Bashista, Hannah Werner, Gabby Winder, Trevor Diggan, Kaitlyn Ross, Cameran Erb, Amy Winder, Josh Glover, Jeff Lowmaster, Josh Sabins, Lexi McHenry, Nichole Knouse, Sammi Harer, and Bailey Everetts. The faculty team consisted of Superintendent Daphne Bowers, Mr. Stoudt, Peter Ruhl, Kaelie Good, Kelly Kurtz, Michael Snyder, Christopher Ulrich, Kevin Rank, Mr. Mowrey, Connor Hunter, and Larry Ryan. The faculty won 6-0.

THOT – “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson

Montgomery events:

Hometown Hero Banner order forms are available at Montgomery Weis and area township and borough buildings.

Sign-ups for the Montgomery Area Independent Football League will be held at the Brady Township Hall on May 4 from 6-8 and May 15 from 2-4. Sign-ups are for football, flag football, and cheerleading.

A Hoffner’s Sub fundraiser is currently being held by the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company. See any member to place your order. Subs will be available on April 22.

Montgomery Area High School’s Virtuoso is performing the musical Beauty and Beast on April 22&23 at 7pm and April 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door two hours before the show, but reserved seating is advised. Advance tickets are available through the district website and at www.showtix4u.com.

The “Great Black Hole Clean Up” will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. Volunteers will meet at Hulsizer’s Chevrolet and be provided with gloves and trash bags. Lunch will be provided to volunteers at noon at the Bower Street Bridge.

Montgomery Art & Music in the Park will officially kick off on Thursday, April 28. Two free workshops will be provided for kids, beginning with an art workshop at 6 p.m. followed by a percussion workshop at 7:15 where kids can make a shaker to play along with the live music. Williamsport’s Uptown Music Collective will be performing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Montgomery Art and Music in the Park is sponsored by PPL and the Montgomery Lions Club, and will take place in Montgomery Park every third Thursday of the month between April and August.

St. John’s (Brick) Lutheran Church will host the Bloodmobile on April 29 from 1 to 6 p.m.