Winter is upon us and I am delighted that Christmas is only a few days away. That helps to get through the cold temperatures that are now upon us, and I do not welcome them with much anticipation. This can lead to a lesser form of seasonal mood changes that is experienced by more than twenty percent of people in the United States according to Dr. Margaret-Mary Hylton, a licensed psychologist with UPMC Susquehanna’s Behavioral Health Services. If you find yourself suffering from bouts of “winter blues”, she recomends some self treatment options to get through it.

The first thing you want to do after getting out of bed, is to get dressed right away, fixing hair and makeup, have an activity to do outside the home each day such as going to the store or having coffee with a friend. Stay involved and active, eat healthy foods and avoid alcohol, which is a depressant, she adds.

Personally, I like to give myself something to look forward such as a weekend trip, and I keep telling myself the days are getting longer nowAnd speaking of trips, surprisingly enough a survey from a Toronto based company (SQM) revealed that 60 percent of 1,000 respondents said that they would choose a destination here in the U.S. such as Hawaii or Disney World to travel to for their next destination. Many also said they would like to be somewhere close to home.

Congratulations goes to Christopher D. Gramling of Muncy with a major in manufacturing technology who was recently presented the Alfred L. Hauser Sr. Memorial Award at Penn College. Another congratulations goes to Mary Harvey for passing an employee milestone (15 years) at the Susquehanna Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncy.

Keep your cool when it comes to all the delicious pastries and temptations this time of year, and have a very Merry Christmas!

Muncy events

Thurs. Dec. 22 Adult Color Therapy at the Muncy Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Escape the stress of the holidays and color the night away.

Weds. Dec. 27 the Bookmobile comes to the YMCA, Hallson Square in Pennsdale, the Fun Academy, Park Place apts., Renn Elementary, Ben Franklin, Muncy Valley Hospital, Ferrell Elementary and Wolf Run Village.

Weds. Dec. 28 Preschool Block Party for ages 3-5 at the Muncy Public Library from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Preschoolers will use their imaginations and engineering skills to build with blocks. This is an open play group that allows the children to explore at their own pace. Siblings welcome.

Fri. Dec. 30 Evening card party with sauerkraut and hotdogs at the Meck Senior Center starting at 10 a.m.

Weds. Jan. 11 Good n Plenty supper at First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market St., Muncy. All you can eat from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Jan. 11 & 12 distribution days for eligible seniors at Son Light House, 130 Carpenter St., Muncy. Weds. 10-noon and Thurs. 6-7:30 p.m.