PHOTO PROVIDED   Montgomery Area High School's theatre ensemble Virtuoso is presenting two performances of "Shakespeare in Love" in the high school auditorium on Dec. 4 and 5.  The story follows the life of William Shakespeare as he writes "Romeo and Juliet."  The emotionally-charged show features love, comedy, drama, and sword fighting. Pictured are seniors Dylan Ring and Laura Ulrich. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door.

I hope that you have a really wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I wish safe travels to everyone who will be leaving or coming into town. Eat some fantastic food, reflect on your blessings, and as we enter the Christmas season please consider helping to make sure everyone in Montgomery has a great Christmas.

Virginia Hill is now the Chairwoman of the Montgomery Christmas Committee, stepping into the role that was filled by the late Nancy Gruver for over 40 years. Anyone in Montgomery that needs help or knows of someone who needs help this Christmas may call her at (570) 547-1254. The committee provides a box filled with food for Christmas dinner, and households with children will receive toys for each child. If you able to help, monetary donations are needed for dinner boxes and new toys are needed. Donations towards dinner boxes can be sent to Virginia Hill at 133 Hill’s Lane, Montgomery, PA 17752. Checks can be made out to the Montgomery Christmas Committee. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be placed in any Toys for Tots box in the Montgomery Area School District and they will be given to children in the Montgomery Area School District. Toys are needed for children of all ages, but there is a particular need for gifts for children ages 10 and up. The official Toys for Tots website suggests some ideas: board games, purses, sports equipment and bags, skateboards with helmets, books, and watch and wallet gift sets. You could also ask a young person you know for suggestions.

Please keep your eye out on this column in the next few weeks as Virginia will be announcing the most urgent needs of the committee as they are subject to change as donations are made. If you are able to make any donations, please do. Let’s make sure that Christmas of 2019 is a spectacular one for everyone in Montgomery. Virginia would like to express her appreciation to Toys for Tots, who she says is wonderful about providing gifts for town children.

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

Birthday wishes go to Lindsay Dalrymple, who will be celebrating her special day on November 27.

Happy birthday to Christen LeVan, who will be commemorating another trip around the sun on Nov. 30.

Montgomery Events

Thursday, Nov. 28-Happy Thanksgiving, readers!

Thursday, Nov. 28-The Montgomery Lions Club will host their traditional Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lions Club Hall on Main Street. Eat in or take out.

Saturday, Nov. 30-Christmas Tree sale fundraiser for Summer Alive at the park from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event will be held in the yellow pavilion. Hot dogs, sticky buns, and hot chocolate will also be sold. There will also be a “Take a Selfie with an Elfie” photo opportunity. Summer Alive provides over 3,000 free meals Montgomery youth during the summer months.

Sunday, Dec. 1-The Oak Grove Community Center in Elimsport will have an All-You-Can-Eat breakfast from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. The menu includes French toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, sausage gravy, biscuits, eggs, fried potatoes, toast, and beverages.

Monday, Dec. 2-A Christmas Parade Meeting will be held at the Lions Club Hall at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 4-Thursday, Dec. 5Virtuoso will present their winter play “Shakespeare in Love” in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. The show follows William Shakespeare as he wrote “Romeo and Juliet.” The show is a mix of love, drama, comedy, suspense, and sword fighting. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Saturday, Dec. 7-The Montgomery Christmas Parade steps off at 1 p.m. and will go down Main Street and end in the park. Anyone wanting to enter a float or group in the parade should contact George Nash at (570) 244-6715 for information. There will be a special division of veterans in the parade, and each may choose to walk or ride when registering with George. American Idol finalist Aaron Kelly and Santa Claus will be featured. Free hot dogs and coffee will be served after the parade.

Saturday, Dec. 7-American Idol finalist Aaron Kelly will be appearing in concert at the former Christ Lutheran Church (50 East Houston Avenue) at 2 pm. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. Parking is available in the lot behind the church.