It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week 2017 has flown by in a hurry! It’s scary how fast time goes, and it just seems to keep going by faster and faster with every passing year.

As Thanksgiving comes and we are able to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for, it’s human nature to want to be a blessing to someone else. Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you want to help ensure that children in Montgomery have a good Christmas, please consider making a donation to the Montgomery Christmas Committee. The Committee has been around for over 40 years and is currently headed up by Nancy Gruver. The organization exists to provide Christmas toys for children living in the Montgomery Area School District from newborn to age 13, as well as to provide Christmas dinners for families in the district.

All toys put into Toys for Tots donation boxes in Montgomery stay within the school district. There is currently a box in the Montgomery Borough Office, and boxes will soon be all over town and in Clinton Township. The boxes will be placed in The Clinton Township Office, Dollar General, Thad’s, The Clinton Township Fire Hall, Montgomery Pharmacy, Valley Rehabilitation, Station House, Tickle’s Music, Jersey Shore State Bank, and the Post Office. Last year 297 children received toys from the Committee, and this year the number is expected to be over 300, according to Nancy Gruver.

The Christmas Committee also provides families with a large box that has everything they need to cook a complete Christmas dinner, including meat, vegetables, cookies, and candy. Monetary donations are accepted to help pay for the cost of the dinner boxes, which last year cost over $7,000 to feed 227 families. Checks can be made out to the Montgomery Christmas Committee and dropped off at the Borough Building.

If you know of someone who would benefit from the Montgomery Christmas Committee, referrals are accepted beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving. If you have any questions or would like to make a referral please contact Nancy Gruver at 547-6777 beginning on November 24th.

THOT “It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” from ‘Anne of the Island’ by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Many congratulations to the Red Raider Varsity Football Team for playing in the district championship game last Friday night. You had a season to be proud of!

Montgomery Area High School’s Virtuoso has rescheduled their presentation of “12 Angry Jurors” for December 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.

The Montgomery Lions Club has many opportunities to serve the community in practical ways. If you would like to join, please contact Roger McRae at 570-971-2825.

If you would like a birthday, anniversary, or special event recognized in this column, please send info to news@muncyluminary.com.

Montgomery Events

Thurs. Nov 16 Career Link’s mobile office will be available from 10-3 in front of the library. “The Link” offers ADA-accessible computers and assistance with job placement services.

Thurs. Nov 16 Larry Stout will give a presentation about Michael Sechler in the Adam Room at 6:30 pm. Sechler was a soldier in the American Revolution and served as a bodyguard to George Washington. The event is held by the Montgomery Area Historical Society and an open house will follow the talk.

Mon. Nov 20 The leaf pick-up truck will make its way through the Borough. This will be the last leaf collection of the year.

Tues. Nov 21 The Teen Advisory Group (TAG) will meet at the Montgomery Area Public Library at 6 p.m.