As Christmas draws closer it’s easy to remember the many pieces of wisdom that have been shared about the holiday. This time of year is about peace on earth and good will toward men, a time to remember that it’s more blessed to give than receive.

If you want to make this Christmas a merry one for fellow Montgomery residents who might be having a tough time making ends meet, please consider making a donation to the Montgomery Christmas Committee. This decades old organization is dedicated to providing presents for our young ones from birth to the age of eighteen, and for providing all of the necessary grocery items to cook a complete Christmas dinner.

Toys can be donated by placing them in any Toys for Tots bin in Montgomery and Clinton Township. All donations made to any bin in the Montgomery Area School District will go to a child that lives in the school district. According to Nancy Gruver, the greatest need for toys right now are for children ages 4-9. Toys need to be received by December 20.

Monetary donations for the Christmas dinners can be made at the Montgomery Borough Office. Any questions can be directed to Nancy Gruver, who serves as head of the Montgomery Christmas Committee. She can be reached at 547-6777.

THOT “‘Business!’ cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. ‘Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!'” from “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

This year’s new Hometown Hero Banners have arrived and have been hung, and banners from the previous year have been cleaned and re-hung. Many thanks to Fae Herb for volunteering to run Montgomery’s Hometown Hero Banner project. What a beautiful way to honor our veterans!

Be sure to visit the library and check out a book. Not only will you get smarter, you’ll get a ticket to win one of two brand new scooters. The scooters were donated by Craig and Shirley Gallagher. The drawing will be held on December 18th and the winners will be announced on the library’s Facebook page.

The Footprints of Montgomery food bank is accepting donations for their December 13th distribution (the final one before Christmas). Please consider donating groceries, kitchen items, or personal hygiene products. Information about the food bank can be found at www.footprintsofmontgomery.com.

The Montgomery Lions Club is accepting new members. Please contact Roger McRae at 570-971-2825.

If you would be interested in volunteering at one of our local fire companies, please call their non-emergency numbers to find out how you can help. Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company’s number is 547-1380 and the Clinton Township Fire Company’s number is 547-1000.

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.

Montgomery Events

Thurs. Dec. 6 Fri. Dec. 7 Virtuoso will be presenting their winter play at 7 pm in the high school auditorium. This year’s show is Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” Tickets will be sold at the door.

Sat. Dec. 8 The Montgomery Christmas parade will step off from Weis at 1 p.m. The guest of honor will be Santa Claus, who will ride on a fire truck in the parade to his house down by the Post Office.

Mon. Dec. 10 The Clinton Township Supervisors will meet at the Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m.

Tues. Dec. 11 The Montgomery Borough Council will meet in the Borough Building at 6:30 p.m.

Tues. Dec. 11 The Montgomery library will have Family Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. Popcorn will be provided.

Weds. Dec. 12 Toddler Tales will be held at the library from 11-noon for children ages 1-5. Please preregister and plan to accompany your child.

Fri. Dec. 14 The library will host Teen and Tween Cupcake Wars at 5 p.m. Cupcakes and decorations will be provided. The judging will evaluate taste and design.

Sat. Dec. 15 There will be a free Community Lunch at the Clinton Baptist Church from 12-2 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Sat. Dec. 15 The Montgomery Area Historical Society will be having its annual Christmas Service at the Stone Church on the grounds of the Allenwood Prison at 2 p.m. The Stone Church is the only surviving building from the land confiscation during World War II that took over a lot of White Deer Valley, including the villages of Alvira, Somerset, and Deckertown. Please use the Route 15 entrance by the golf course and follow the signs.