×
×
homepage logo

Montgomery Locals 3.25.2020

By Staff | Mar 25, 2020

Many businesses, offices, churches, and all K-12 schools and libraries across Pennsylvania have been mandated to close temporarily in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants are offering carry-out or delivery options as dine-in service isn’t allowed right now. Due to the closures, many “non-life sustaining” businesses are altering their operations by having their employees work from home or file for unemployment. The situation changes day-by-day, so I won’t be posting specific dates of re-openings in this edition because they may change between my deadline and publication.

While this COVID-19 situation is odd and unlike anything we’ve ever had to deal with, let’s all do our part to abide by the recommendations to keep each other safe. The sooner we can stop the spread of the virus, the sooner we can return to our normal lives.

“Social distancing” is a new term that has come out of this global pandemic, the idea that people should avoid coming within six feet of each other. While public gatherings aren’t happening, going for walks is considered a safe activity as long people from different households maintain social distance. It’s recommended that children don’t have playdates while school is out of session.

Across the nation, neighborhoods are having “bear hunts” for children, and people in Montgomery are participating. The idea is based on the best-selling children’s book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen. If you want to help kids have something fun to do while they are so limited on their activities, put a teddy bear in your window. Families can go on walks together and “hunt” for the bears.

If you aren’t familiar with the book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” you can go to YouTube and watch a video of author Michael Rosen performing it as a song while the illustrations are shown in the background.

THOT “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

March 25 was the birthday of the late Dorothy Harman, my beloved grandmother, who was the first Montgomery Locals columnist. She wrote this column from 1986 until 2004, stopping a few weeks before she passed away.

Happy birthday to Karman Crispell, who will be celebrating her special day on March 29.

The Montgomery Area Public Library will not fine patrons for materials that are due during the mandated closure.

The Community Garden will be open on Friday, May 1. Plot rentals are open to anyone who lives within the Montgomery Area School District. Applications are available by e-mailing Susan Andrews at

sandrews@montgomeryborough.org. Paper applications will be available at the Borough Office after it re-opens to the public.

Do you have an opinion about how the Clinton Township Park could be improved? If so, please go the Clinton Township website at www.clintontwp.org/main-page and click on the Park Improvement

Survey link. It will be up until March 25. An Open House to show a proposal of the changes is scheduled for March 30 from 6-7:30 p.m., but be advised that may change. The Township Office number is 547-1466 so if you have any questions please contact them between 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Hometown Hero Banner order forms are eligible for a 15 percent early bird discount if they are placed by April 3. If you have any questions, contact Fae Herb at (570) 506-9892 or e-mail her at fherb@montgomeryborough.org.

The Montgomery Emergency Management Agency Facebook page has timely weather warnings and emergency instructions specific to our town. Please follow them to stay informed. If you would like to volunteer to become a member of the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, contact Dennis Gruver at (570) 547-6777.

Our local fire companies need volunteers to serve as emergency responders as well as in non-emergency support roles. Please call either the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company at (570) 547-1380 or the

Clinton Township Fire Department at (570) 547-1000.

The Montgomery Lions Club is welcoming new members. To join, call Roger McRae at (570) 971-2825.