You may notice that the events section of my column is relatively light this week. That’s due to the many precautions that are being taken in response to the Coronavirus. In an attempt to keep the illness from spreading, many gatherings and events in public places are being canceled.

As of my deadline, the events that are listed are still scheduled, but pleased be advised that some may be canceled by the time this week’s Luminary is published.

Additionally, some of the events that were listed in last week’s column are now canceled so they don’t appear in this week’s edition.

The Governor declared that K-12 schools will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. Montgomery students will be learning from home with online lessons.

Virtuoso’s spring musical, “West Side Story” that was originally scheduled for April 17-19 is now being postponed until May 7-9 at 7 p.m. The plan to honor the school’s original cast from the 1975 production will take place on Saturday, May 9.

The Montgomery Area Public Library announced on Saturday, March 14 that after they closed that day they would stay closed until Monday, March 30. This is the result of a decision to close all Pennsylvania public libraries that was made by The Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Patrons will not be fined for items that were due between March 16-March 29.

THOT “Blessed is this day. It is the only one I’ve got. May I use it wisely for the things that truly matter.” Anonymous

Maddie Solano-LaForme recently won first place for her essay “Life Imitates Art” that she wrote for Penn State University’s START Conference. The competition was for all undergraduate students in the Penn State system. Maddie is a 2018 graduate of Montgomery Area High School where she was very active in Virtuoso and band. Winning a writing contest of that level is quite the distinguished achievement. Congratulations, Maddie! You continue to make your hometown proud!

Clinton Township wants to improve their park and would like feedback from the community. They are requesting that people take a few minutes and fill out an online survey to give them an idea of what kind of changes people would most like to see. Please go to www.clintontwp.org/main-page and click on the Park Improvement Survey link. The survey will be available until March 25. The Township will have an Open House to show sketches of the proposed changes and discuss it on March 30 from 6:00-7:30.

Montgomery Borough has announced that the Community Garden will reopen on Friday, May 1. Any resident of the Montgomery Area School District is eligible to rent a garden plot. Applications are available at the Borough Office or by e-mailing Susan Andrews at sandrews@montgomeryborough.org.

The 15 percent early bird discount for Hometown Hero Banners is available until April 3.

The Montgomery Emergency Management Agency is looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please call Dennis Gruver at (570) 547-6777.

Follow the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency page to receive updates about emergency warnings that directly affect the town.

Volunteers are needed to serve with our local fire companies in a variety of roles, both as emergency responders and in non-emergency support roles. To learn more, call either the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company at (570) 547-1380 or the Clinton Township Fire Department at (570) 547-1000.

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