Boy things are happening faster than I can keep up with them, now that nice weather is finally upon us. Farming and gardening are taking a priority followed by the primary election, student awards and alumni events.

A few of the Muncy Garden Club members took a trip to the Lycoming County Fairgrounds last week. Buildings have opened up and the seasonal RVs stored for the winter have been removed. New benches for seniors were painted by Cali Moore and sponsored by Buck Lumber. Look for the new blue ones in July!

Meanwhile the garden club will be doing some community plantings on Saturday, May 19. Also on that day Master Gardeners will be at the Farmers Market in Williamsport. And this Friday they will be having their annual perennial sale at Bruce Henry Park behind St. Ann’s Church in Loyalsock Township. On Saturday morning you can visit their gardens at the County Farm from 10 to 11 and they will be able to show you what is growing for the season. You can bring questions, and they will help identify what it is. I see things popping up now that I think might be a flower, but my husband says it is a weed. In protest, I told him I learned from a presentation at the Muncy Garden Club by Cindy Koons, that just about everything growing in our yard has some value, including those yellow dandelions we see just about everywhere now. I think the fields of yellow are breathtaking!

Health is also important this week. From May 6th through May 12 National Nurses Week is celebrated and National Hospital Week. Why this week? Because Florence Nightingale, who is the founder of nursing, was born on May 12, 1820. In other words, she established professional nursing as a career and opened a school in London. New nurses now take a pledge in her honor, and this Saturday is International Nurses Day celebrated all over the world for the work they do in health care. And speaking of health care, how about that new acute health care center that is going to be built by Geisinger in Muncy Township right behind Wolf Run Veterinary Clinic off Rt. 220. Hearsay has it that they may be building a heliport, as the one on main campus in Danville isn’t accommodating enough.

The county has announced it is organizing an ‘Economic Development Task Force’ comprised of local professionals to help improve the economy here. They say their first undertaking will be to find solutions to re-use the empty space at the Lycoming Mall. Meanwhile, there are still properties in Muncy that need bought out for flood control. I wonder which project they will do first.

Congratulations to Nathan Paisley, a senior at Muncy High School who is one of ten students receiving the Carl E. Stotz Little League Baseball scholarship. It was established in 1993, and a special luncheon will be held at the Little League complex on May 17.

Beware of the construction sites and slow down for the bicycles.

I’m so happy for May! April was way too cold, the tenth worst in history, they say.

Muncy Events

Fri. May 11 Donate blood on from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the recreation room at Muncy Valley Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Center located at 215 Water Street. All signed in donors will receive a chance to win a kayak package consisting of two kayaks, two paddles and a $100 gift card.

Fri. May 11 Toddler Tales at 10 a.m. for children age 1-3. Join Miss Monica for a fun-filled hour of stories, songs, and activities designed with your active toddler in mind. Siblings are always welcome and registration is preferred. Call the Muncy Public library at 570-546-5014 to register.

Mon. May 14 Muncy Rotary program with member Angelique Labadie-Cihanowyz who will discuss the realm of human trafficking in Pennsylvania. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. at Orlando’s Restaurant in Muncy. Parents of school age children, school personnel and law officials are encouraged to come.

Mon. May 14 Slime Time at 6:30 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Create galaxy slime and other fun activities. Registration required. Call Muncy Public Library at 570-546-5014 to sign up.

Weds. May 16 Pre-school Storytime at 10 a.m. for children age 3-5 at the Muncy Public Library. Join Miss Monica for a fun-filled hour of stories, games and crafts all designed to prepare your child for kindergarten. Registration preferred and siblings are always welcome!

May 16 & 17 Son-Light House food distribution days, 130 Carpenter St., Muncy. Weds. 9 a.m. to noon & Thurs. 5-7:30 p.m. Donations are taken Monday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, 7-10 a.m.

Thurs. May 17 Unwind and Design at 6 p.m. Join Crystal for a step-by-step painting class. There is a small fee to cover cost of supplies that are provided. Registration required.Call the Muncy Public library at 546-5014 to sign up.

Sat. May 19 Take a walk with seniors. Grow stronger together at the ELYMCA. Starting at 9 a.m. a senior walk is scheduled on the indoor track. Medals awarded to those who walk the most laps, and for every lap completed, entries will be made towards a drawing to win a big prize pack from the Y. Bring friends and neighbors. There is no fee for this event.

Sat. May 19 Community plantings by Muncy Garden Club. Meet 9 a.m. at the Muncy Pool.

Sat. May 19 Healthy Kids Day at the ELYMCA from 9 to noon. A free day for kids with a free bike giveaway. There will be a bounce house, games, crafts, snacks and more. Pool, gym and wellness center will be open to the entire community.

Sun. May 20 Muncy High School Class of 2018 Baccalaureate Service, 2 p.m. Church of Resurrection, Muncy. “Facing the Unkknown through Faith.” Public welcome.

Mon. May 21 If you are a veteran or a family member of one, take advantage of free assistance. Dan Falls, department service officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion, will be available at Penn Hills Plaza, Suite 1, 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 570-546-2084.