Be fun and daring and dance to the music! That is what this week’s cosmic forecast says – perhaps this is the only way to get through this cold spell. The days and nights have been chilling, giving record lows for the state.

And since it’s been so cold this past week, especially over the weekend and with just getting over the holidays, not much was happening, so the Luminary decided to take a look at our past this week. With ice skating once a favorite past time here, and also thoughts directed at staying well for 2018, some resources and ideas are shared this week for the winter season. Favorite recipes are given and comfort food is certainly a craving when it’s this cold, making January a good time to eat out or call in an order for delivery.

The music is at the YMCA with classes, foot stepping music, and weight machines for every skill level. If you are over 65, and mobility is a challenge, you may want to try Silver Sneakers, free with Medicare.

It’s good to know that the nearby Lycoming Mall in Muncy Township is on good ground and will continue to be a major shopping venue for awhile. Kohan Retail Investment Group bought it for a reported $26.35 million in 2016 from PA Real Estate Investment Trust. To dispel all rumors, it is not going to be a casino, an Amazon site, or a Geisinger medical facility. So that means it is still good walking ground for indoor activity.

Our community has many volunteer opportunities in case you want to get out more this winter. The Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) is a national volunteer program for federal and military prisoners. Some local members through the Church of Resurrection visit prisoners at the Federal Correctional Complex in Allenwood and the security prison in Lewisburg. Many prisoners do not receive visitors from family and friends, so the organization is recruiting volunteer visitors for support. To join or for more information you can call Dan Doyle at 570-546-2385.

Family Promise is another outreach program based on volunteers to reach out to the homeless and help empower them to become more self sufficient. If interested in this, call Pat Merrifield at 570-279-1019.

Congratulations to Rebecca Dgien of Muncy for her 4-H accomplishment. She won the Sweepstakes award for her market steer project. She is a junior at Muncy High School.

Muncy Events

Thurs. Jan. 11- Sun. Jan. 14 Home & Garden Show at Lycoming Mall.

Fri. Jan. 12 community blood bank, 11 a.m. -4 p.m. at Muncy Valley Hospital, 215 E. Water Street Muncy.

Mon. Jan. 15 Garden planning session at the Muncy Public Library, 6 p.m. Start planning your garden now with seed catalogs and warm thoughts of greener landscapes. Info available on crop rotation and companion plantings.

Weds. Jan. 17 an “Afternoon Retreat” to shake the winter blues at Church of Resurrection, 75 Musser Lane, Muncy, 1 p.m. Light refreshments and program on connecting relationships. Great for retirees and those who do not like to be out at night, or just want some fellowship.

Weds. Jan. 17 Preschool storytime for ages 3-5 at Muncy Public Library, 10 a.m. with Miss Monica and an hour of stories, games and activities aimed at preparing your child for kindergarten. Siblings welcome. Please register by calling 546-5014.

Thurs. Jan.18 Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village will hold its annual Relay for Life chili cook-off from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the village, 189 Tressler Blvd., Lewisburg. “Come taste and vote for your favorite chili,” says Gretchen Nash of the village staff, “and then bring some home for dinner.” Proceeds benefit the local Relay for Life program. Those interested in submitting a chili to the competition should contact Nash at (570) 523-4285.

Fri. Jan. 19 Toddler Tales for ages 1-3 at Muncy Public Library, 10 a.m. Join Miss Monica for a fun filled hour of stories, songs and activities for your active toddler. Siblings welcome. Please register.? Mon. Jan. 22 special veterans assistance hours at Penn Hills Plaza, Suite 1, Muncy. Dan Falls, department service officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion, will be available by appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to 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 Garth Everett’s district office at 570-546-2084.