Last weekend’s heat wave was vicious, wasn’t it? Temperatures in Montgomery reached over 100 degrees in the shade. The stifling humidity that was about 93 percent made it much more miserable.

I think in times like these it’s important to remember someone who, in my opinion, is one of the greatest unsung American heroes: Willis Carrier. He is the great humanitarian who invented air conditioning. The process to develop it was a Herculean task that would eventually require him to secure more than eighty different patents. The former school teacher and Ivy League graduate was known for his tenacity and hard work, and the entire globe owes him a debt of gratitude.

Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s People of the Century, they reported that air conditioning not only keeps people comfortable, but has allowed for the climate-controlled conditions that are needed for the long-term preservation of the world’s great works of art and rare books, as well as the manufacturing conditions necessary for producing sensitive high-tech computer parts.

Before Carrier, other vague and ineffective measures attempted to create cooler temperatures had emerged in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but none proved to be any comparison to the methods that Carrier would develop. His first successful device for removing humidity from the air was developed in 1902 when he was just twenty-six years old. He made improvements over time and developed new ways to control the climates of closed spaces and filed a patent for an “Apparatus for Treating Air” in 1906. He was also the one who invented the large scale air-conditioning system for sky scrapers in 1939.

The question is, why haven’t more people heard of him? I think we should put his face on a postage stamp, declare his birthday a national holiday (November 26), commemorate his life in song and fine art, place his picture in every air conditioned building, and erect a statue of him in every zip code in America.

THOT “What dreadful hot weather we are having. It leaves me in a state of inelegance.” Jane Austin

Happy birthday wishes go to Kelly Solano, who will be celebrating her special day on July 27.

Montgomery Area High School students Emily Snyder and Morgen Tupper will be playing on the 2019 All-State Softball team. Congratulations, ladies!

The first day of school for Montgomery will be Monday, August 26.

Please consider volunteering as an emergency responder or a behind-the-scenes support person with one of our local fire companies. Contact the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company at 547-1380 or the Clinton Township Fire Company at 547-1000.

One of the best ways to keep informed about emergency weather information for Montgomery is to follow the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency Facebook page.

The deadline for Hometown Hero Banner orders is September 6. Order forms are available at the Montgomery Borough Office and Montgomery Weis. Banners must be paid in full at the time of order.

Montgomery Events

Thurs. Jul. 25 The Montgomery Community Development Corps will meet in the Adam Room at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Fri. July 26-Sun. July 28 Elimsport Community Yard Sales will begin at 8 a.m. There will be more than sixty yard sales and maps will be available.

Sat. Jul. 28 The Larry Cott Memorial Chicken BBQ will be held at the Montgomery Legion. The event begins at noon and runs until they are sold out. The menu includes BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, sweet corn, and a roll. Eat in or take out.

Weds. Jul. 31 The Montgomery Public library will have Toddler Tales for children ages 1-6 from 11a.m. to noon. Children will enjoy a story, snack, and craft. Please preregister at 547-6212 and plan to accompany your child.