This is a well known month for celebrating family, heritage and Thanksgiving. Almost everyone has the day off to spend quiet time with family and friends to enjoy fowl and fun. Did you know the first Thanksgiving was in 1621? 90 Wampanoag Indians celebrated with 50 pilgrims and it lasted for three days. They ate mostly venison, ducks and geese rather than the turkey and gravy.

It wasn’t until 200 years later when Thanksgiving became a national holiday. History reveals that a remarkable woman wrote letters for 17 years to make it a national holiday and finally she convinced President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Her name was Sarah Jospha Hale and she also wrote the song, “Mary Had A Little Lamb.”

The annual Lights of Love will be this Sunday. All names honored will be listed inside the Muncy hospital’s entrance and the Skilled Nursing & Rehabilition Center. Carolers are welcome during December but need to call in advance at 546-4168 to make arrangements for a visit.

After Thanksgiving is over, there are some weekend holiday experiences to plan and enjoy together. There are train rides in Sunbury, the Polar Express in Williamsport, the Christkindl Market in Mifflinburg, a TreeFest in Bloomsburg and Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro, just to name a few.

It’s not too late to start thinking about the Pennsylvania Farm Show which runs from January 7-14. The state’s Department of Agriculture is accepting online registrations now for the 2017 PA Farm Show competition featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibits.

Our state must be growing. Last month the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission notified a new area phone code designation will take place by the third quarter of 2017. The new code number will be 223 from an overlay of the 717 area code. Their supply of phone numbers for 717 area code is projected to run out by then.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Muncy events

Fri. Nov. 25 Toddler Tales 10-10:45 a.m. (ages 1-3) join Miss Amber for fun stories, songs and activities! Please register by calling 570-546-6739. Siblings are welcome.

Nov. 25-27 TreeFest 2016, presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Make and take home a craft, free entertainment and crafters. Kids 12 and under free admission.

Sat. Nov. 26 Cookie decorating for all ages 1-2 p.m. at the Muncy Public Library for cookie decorating fun for the family. Please register by calling 570-546-5014

Mon. Nov. 28 Katy’s Church, Madison Township, Columbia County will be holding its annual Soup Fundraiser from 10-3. Proceeds benefit ongoing security and restoration. For more information, food or gift basket donation please contact May at 570-764-2412.

Weds. Nov. 30 Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5) 10:30-11:15 a.m. Join Miss Amber for stories and crafts at the Muncy Public Library! Siblings are welcome. Please register by calling 570-546-5014

Sat. Dec. 3 the SVQG will have a table at the Muncy Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar with items available from the quilt show.

Sun. Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. Come one–Come all!! The Muncy Presbyterian Church will have a Bluegrass Worship service featuring the bluegrass group “Raven Creek” from Benton who will provide gospel music for that day’s service. The church is located at 10 Penn Street in Muncy. For more information contact Bill Foresman at 584 3509.