The Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) held their “125 Years of Service” celebration this past weekend and the list of events had something for everybody. Festivities included food, music, an open house, a parade, a car show, and fireworks.

At the open house on Saturday morning, the MFVC had two fire engines and an ambulance out for display on the pavement in front of the station on Montgomery Street. While it was intriguing to see the equipment up close, the most entertaining part was watching small children get to climb into the driver’s seat. Some smiled at the experience and enjoyed getting the rare opportunity to get their hands on the wheel. Some were total concentration as they seemed to be acting out exciting little dramas in their heads (and I’m not entirely convinced they were tall enough to see out the windshield).

When the children weren’t in the engine, fire company members explained all of the various valves and dials on the side of the truck, which the children watched with great interest. I’m sure I wasn’t the only adult there wondering if I was seeing the next generation of “The Fighting Thirteen” becoming inspired to join the ranks.

The open house also served doughnuts and coffee, and a display table held a plaque from the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company to congratulate the MVFC on 125 years. The MVFC also had applications for membership for both the fire company as well as the Junior Firefighters.

The three day celebration ended with a bang literally – around 10 p.m. on Saturday night. The National Anthem was played and the sky lit up with a celebratory fireworks show that rivaled the one in July.

I couldn’t help but be struck by the irony that even though the celebration was intended to honor the fire company, it involved a lot of work on the part of the fire department to plan activities that everyone could enjoy. We are so incredibly fortunate as a town to have the MVFC who took their celebration and used it as yet another way to benefit the community.

THOT “We have trained them [men] to think of the future as a promised land which favoured heroes can attain not as something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” C.S. Lewis

Are you interested in joining The Montgomery Lions Club? If so please call Roger McRae at 570-971-2825.

Many warm wishes for a happy birthday go to Kate Bashista, who will be celebrating on August 26th. Have a wonderful year, Kate! Brenda Harman will be celebrating her birthday on August 27th. Many happy returns of the day, Brenda!

Montgomery events

Mon. Aug. 28 The Clinton Township Supervisors will meet in the Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m.

Thurs. Aug. 31 Hometown Hero Banner orders and payment are due. Order forms are available at Montgomery Weis Market, Montgomery Borough Building, the Clinton Township Municipal Building, and the Brady Township Building.

Thurs. Aug. 31 The Bloodmobile will be a St. John’s Lutheran “Brick” Church from 1-6 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 9 The Montgomery Area Historical Society will have the Adam Room open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Adam Room is on W. Houston Avenue beneath the library in the former Adam Print Shop. The event is free and open to the public.

Sun. Sept. 10 The Oak Grove Community Center in Elimsport will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8-11 a.m. The buffet-style meal will feature French toast, pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, sausage gravy, biscuits, fried potatoes, toast, fruit, and beverages.