The start of Summer Alive is rapidly approaching and this year the program is featuring new opportunities for students to have fun and learn more skills than ever before. Tina Tickle is the Art and Music Coordinator, and the schedule is packed full of so many fun-filled activities that every adult in town will wish they were a kid again. For the first time ever, Montgomery children ages 8 through 18 can get free music and art lessons.

The program begins on Monday, June 12 and runs Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A music lesson will be given at 9 a.m. each day, and each week will feature lessons in different types of art. Children ages 8 and up can take bass guitar and ukulele lessons, and children ages 12 and up can take guitar and keyboard lessons. As the summer progresses, art lessons will include instruction in different mediums including pencil drawing, painting, and pastels.

Originally the Summer Alive program was created to provide breakfast and lunch and some structured activities for children. It has grown every year since. When asked why she thinks the arts are important for children, Tina said, “I created the Summer Alive art and music program so the older children have something uniquely for them. This at-risk age group can gain confidence being good at something other than math or reading. The art or music you create is uniquely yours, it’s not wrong or right, it’s art.”

The program is free but registration is required. Parents can register their children in advance by filling out a form on the website at www.summeralive.org. There will be a limited number of musical instruments available for children who don’t have their own, so please register as soon as possible. A full listing of activities and more information are available on the website. For questions about the Art and Music program, please call Tina Tickle at 547-6007.

THOT “The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln

Birthday wishes are sent to Tasha Rider who celebrates on May 12th.

Happy birthday to my mom, Glenda Heasley, who will be another year younger on May 13th.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms on May 14th, but especially to mine. I love you, Mom!

Montgomery events

Sat. May 20 Montgomery town-wide yard sales will be held. There’s no registration fee, but please contact Fae Herb by May 18 to be included on the map (fh5260@aol.com or send her a Facebook message).

Sat. May 20 The Annual Black Hole Creek Fishin’ Derby will begin at 10 a.m. The event will be held at Riverside Campground at the Bower Street Bridge.