Fall has arrived, and with it comes some great foods, especially apple-themed treats such as apple crisp, apple dumplings, and apple cider. Today we can thank John Chapman for that, who is better known as Johnny Appleseed. Born as a British Colonist on September 26, 1774 in Leominster, Massachusettes, he became an American legend during his lifetime. He has been celebrated for his contributions to American agriculture by spreading apple trees throughout the northeastern United States and the frontier, covering an area about one thousand miles and he traveled by foot and often slept outdoors! While the typical myths about Johnny Appleseed suggest he randomly scattered apple seeds as he walked, he actually planted nurseries which he carefully tended for a year or two before leaving them in the care of someone else before moving on. He died on March 18, 1845 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was lovingly remembered as both a tree planter and a missionary. His legacy has been celebrated with an American postage stamp, a Disney cartoon, two museums, and multiple annual festivals in several states. Some festivals are held on his birthday, others on the anniversary of his death.

Johnny Appleseed is a good reminder that a good deed can have far more reach than we can imagine, and that one person can truly make a difference.

THOT “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

Happy birthday to Keith Harman, who will be commemorating another trip around the sun on September 28th.

Happy anniversary to Phil and Glenda Heasley who will be marking thirty-nine years of marriage on September 29th.

Happy birthday to Jill Ulrich, who will be celebrating her special day on September 30th.

If you are interested in joining the Montgomery Lions Club, please contact Roger McRae at (570) 971-2825.

If you would like a birthday, anniversary, or special event recognized in this column, please leave a message at The Luminary Office at 570-584-0111 or e-mail it to news@muncyluminary.com. Please specify that it belongs in the Montgomery column.

Montgomery Events

Fri. Sept. 28 The Girls Varsity Tennis Team will have a 3 p.m. match against South Williamsport.

Sat. Sept. 29 Vendors who would like to be a part of the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company’s Fall Festival can get an early bird discount if they register via e-mail at MVFC13@gmail.com. The Fall Festival will be on Saturday, October 13th.

Sat. Sept. 29 The Girls Varsity Soccer Team will have a home game against Williamson at 11 a.m.

Sun. Sept. 30 The Girls Varsity Tennis Team will have a home match against St. John Neumann at 11:00 a.m.

Mon. Oct. 1 Baby Story Time will be held at the library at 10:30 for little ones ages birth to eighteen months and their caregivers. This group is designed to help develop early literacy and social skills to infants.

Sat. Oct. 6 There will be a pig roast and benefit for Allen Horn at noon at the Montgomery Legion. The menu includes pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Sat. Oct 6 The Varsity Golf Team will play in the District IV Championship at the Williamsport Country Club at 9 a.m.