Montgomery residents got quite a shock on July 17th when lightning hit a transformer and left much of the town and surrounding area without power for nearly seven hours. The bolt struck about six p.m. and the power progressively came back on in a different section of town, with the last residents having power restored at about a quarter to one in the morning.

Thankfully we had some warning of an incoming storm with a severe thunderstorm warning being issued in a timely manner.

Maybe it’s just me, but this weather pattern the last few weeks has been miserable. Nearly every day that it hasn’t rained, the air has been like a hot, wet sponge. And on the days that it does rain, it doesn’t really seem to be able to break the muggy humidity.

Thank God we live in an era with air conditioning. Although the earliest accounts at attempts of controlling the summer heat are rather amusing.

In the days of vaudeville it was standard that performers worked forty weeks a year with summers off. Theatres were often too hot for people to sit in at a time when they were dressed from head-to-toe year round. Even with open doors, the breeze was too inadequate to keep people comfortable.

When silent films became popular, the early movie theaters had no choice but to shut down in summer. Because movies required a dark theater, open doors would allow light to come in and interfere with picture quality. One movie theater owner thought he could show films on the summer by bringing in huge fans with large blocks of ice positioned in front of them. The audience was delighted at the effect at first. As the heat began to melt the ice, ticket holders found themselves getting pelted with drops of water. Needless to say, the practice didn’t catch on.

THOT “Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

The Montgomery Area School District has announced that the first day of school will be September 5th.

Summer Alive continues to run Monday through Thursday mornings at Montgomery Park. The program provides breakfast and lunch and a chance for kids to have fun without electronics. Registration is available online.

If you would like to serve the community by joining the Montgomery Lions Club, please contact Roger McRae at (570) 971-2825.

Hometown Hero banner orders are due on August 31st. Forms are available at Montgomery Weis, Montgomery Borough Building, The Brady Township Building, and the Clinton Township Municipal Building.

Lots of birthday wishes go to Kelly Solano, who will be celebrating her day on July 27th. Enjoy your day, Kelly!

Montgomery Events

Wed. July 26 the Preschool through 8th grade children are welcome to attend the Summer Reading program at the Montgomery Area Public Library at 2 p.m. Each participant will have the opportunity to build a bird house.

Fri-Sat. July 28 & 29 the Elimsport Community yard sales, rain or shine, begin at 8 a.m. Free maps will be available.

Sat. July 29 There will be a pancake breakfast at Washington Township Fire Hall in Elimsport from 7-11 a.m. The Montgomery Area High School cheerleaders will host the event as a fundraiser to purchase new uniforms.

Sun. July 30 The Montgomery Area Independent Football League will hold a fundraiser at Muncy Wendy’s from 5 to 8 p.m. Ten percent of proceeds during that time will be donated to the program.

Wed. Aug. 2 local author Dana Evans will hold “Make a Better Community” at the Summer Reading program at the library. The event starts at 2 p.m.

Sun. Aug. 6 The Oak Grove Community Center in Elimsport will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 8-11 a.m. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, eggs, sausage gravy, biscuits, fried potatoes, fruit, toast, and beverages.