Welcome December 2017! Much excitement is presenting itself in Muncy. Santa arrived at the Post Office on Saturday welcoming close to sixty children. The Muncy Kiwanis organizes a festive event and all kids get a special bag from Santa with toys, books and crayons.

Before visiting Santa, I visited the Fort Muncy Garden Center where Santa was getting his picture taken by my good friend and photographer Rick Mason. The place was aglow with red, pink and some ivory white poinsettias while pets were getting their photos taken as a fundraiser for the new pet pantry. It was a challenge keeping the doggies settled as nearby the Newberry Lioness Club was selling treats and baked goods. It was great fun watching, and I couldn’t help leaving with some gorgeous pointsettias. They last almost all year.

The next stop after Santa was the craft show at the Muncy United Methodist Church. I picked up a gift for my Secret Santa, a present to exchange at the Muncy Garden Club dinner, and my granddaughter found a necklace for her sister. I even found some soap made of pure goat’s milk from a local farm. All of the vendors were local and it was worth the visit.

We ended the day at the Community Arts Center to see the Nutcracker Ballet with live performances from the Lycoming Youth Choir, Lycoming College Orchestra, and the St. John’s School of the Arts Dance Ensemble. There were 108 students on that stage ranging from ages 3 to 18 and they were all so wonderful, adding to the appeal of this magical story that has been around for the last 125 years. The props and the costumes were first class!

There are many service projects in the area – Resurrection Church is collecting used winter coats for children to be distributed in area schools. Son-Light House is also accepting donations for food and cleaning supplies, and help is needed to handle boxes for delivery of food from the Central Food Bank. The Touch-A-Heart at Christmas ministry program is continuing to supply Christmas gifts for children up to age 17. Names are gathered through the Son-Light House and the school districts. This can be done up until Dec. 17. They also have names for the elderly who are in need. If interested in participating, call Ken Frey at the Son-Light House at 546-3585

And our Shopper/Luminary office is accepting gifts for seniors such as hygiene products, puzzles, and any supplies for the shut-ins. We will be distributing these through the Office of Aging and Meals on Wheels.

On Thursday the Muncy Professional Business Association will be having their holiday party at Orlando’s and with complimentary tickets, members and guests are invited by bringing an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection.

Muncy Events

Thurs. Dec. 7 Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village will hold a holiday “parade of homes” at 1 p.m. at the senior living community off Fairground Road in Lewisburg. Participants will be transported around the campus by bus and view residents’ homes, decorated for the holidays, and also gather cookies to take home at the end of ride. In addition, phase two of construction of independent living homes, including one- or two-car garages, is currently underway on the campus. For more information or to RSVP, people contact Gretchen Nash at 570-523-4285.

Mon. Dec. 11 Slime Time Ornaments for ages 6 and up at the Muncy Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Make some ooey-gooey non-toxic slime to give to your friends for the holidays. We will be making ornaments too! Space is limited so please register by calling the library at 570-546-5014.

Tues. Dec. 12 Friends of the Muncy Library fundraiser at the library from 3 to 6 p.m. Lots of titles available for holiday gift giving. Some free books are available in the lobby.

Weds. Dec. 13 Preschool Storytime ages 3-5 at Muncy Public Library, 10 a.m. Join Miss Monica for a fun-filled hour of stories, activities, and Christmas themed crafts designed for your preschool age child. Space is limited call 546-5014. Siblings welcome!

Thurs. Dec. 14 Kick Back and Craft Christmas Ornaments at Muncy Public Library at 6 p.m. Make some hand painted rustic tree ornaments for holiday decorating. All supplies will be provided. Call to register.

Fri. Dec. 15 Toddler Tales ages 1-3 at Muncy Public Library,10 a.m. Join Miss Monica for a fun filled hour of stories, games and Christmas themed crafts.

Sun. Dec. 17 Service of the Nativity at Huntersville United Methodist Church, 6 p.m., 5263 Rabbittown Rd., Muncy.

Sun. Dec. 17 Christmas Cantata, “The Song Heard ‘Round the World”, First United Methodist Church, Muncy, 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. Accompanied by a 25 piece orchestra. For more information call 546-8030.

Mon. Dec. 18 History Buffs meet at Brass Pelican, 9 a.m. for program by Mark Fritz “Homefront Propaganda World War I.