This is a good time to hold family reunions. School has yet to be in session and family members who have to travel can make plans to do so during the month of August. The Luminary likes to get notices for the reunions, especially if you are from the Muncy area and we will publish them for you. Each year we try to cover a different story on a family reunion. Some of them are quite extensive, offering gifts to oldest members, and prizes for games. As a child I looked forward to our family reunion every year. The Crouse reunion is held in Balls Mills always on the Sunday before Labor Day. We like to celebrate my father’s birthday which falls on the last day of August. This year he will be 91. He is in pretty good health, lives alone, is an officer at the Riverwalk Senior Center and much to my dismay, still drives. Our family likes to celebrate good health and good home grown and homemade food with no alcohol. In the old days our food came directly from Uncle Ralph’s family farm, and one of the Crouse boys even started a catering business.

Which brings me to August as a celebration for ‘Pennsylvania’s Produce Month.’ We are encouraged to make the best of what’s in season and fill our plates with fruits and vegetables grown in the Commonwealth of PA. Last night I cut up some peppers and tomatoes from our yard and put them on top of a homemade pizza (crust came from Lycoming Bakery) and covered them with last year’s crop of tomato sauce and grated Italian cheese. If you go to this website – PAVeggies.org – you will find some creative recipes and advice from 4 top chefs who dish on the summer produce. Or for those of you who have mobile smart phones and want updates, Like PA Veggies on Facebook and follow PAProduce on Twitter.

The Symphony in Muncy was wonderful on Saturday night. The Poulton property is a lovely place to have the outdoor concert and so far we have been fortunate to be blessed with ideal weather offering outstanding sunsets over the adjoining cornfield. There was plenty of parking, but I wished the attendant would have allowed me to park in the handicap part, as I don’t sit during the concert. I do a lot of walking so I can take lots of photos. Having been on my feet all day helping my daughter move, I would have welcomed the shorter distance to my car afterwards. Although I am an avid walker, I can start to feel my body slow down.

Speaking of walking, I am grateful the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is working on developing pedestrian and bicycle paths for the middle Susquehanna area which includes Lycoming County. The existing trails are now being compiled into one master document which will be a starting point to make connections and develop additional trails. Funding is coming from PennDot and PA DCNR. These trails are pretty level and don’t forget our walking path at Muncy’s Heritage Park.

Muncy Events

Sat. Aug. 12 Muncy Township Volunteer Fire Companys 3rd annual car show from noon to 4 p.m. Registration from 9 to noon and voting from noon to 1 p.m. Trophies will be awarded to the best 30. Serving lunch at 11 a.m., 261 Village Road, Pennsdale.

Aug. 16 & 17 Son Light House food distribution days, 130 Carpenter Street, Muncy. Weds. 9 to noon & Thurs. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 15 & 16 Camp Out at First UM Church in Muncy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Getting SMore of Jesus. Snack provided. Bring lunch and for more information call the church at 570-546-8030.

Thurs. Aug. 17 the Muncy Garden Club will meet for a picnic at the Heritage Park in Muncy at 6 p.m.

Mon. Aug. 21 Special veterans assistance hours from 9:30 to 2:30 Dan Falls, department service officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion, will be available by appointment at Rep. Garth Everett’s office, Penn Hills Plaza, Suite 1, Muncy. If you are a veteran or a family member of one, he can help with issues such as compensation, pension, death benefits, education, health care and general veterans benefits. Veterans do not need to be a member of the legion to participate. To schedule an appointment, call my district office at 570- 546-2084.