Jade Heasley

Thanksgiving is upon us, and it’s a time to feel gratitude and reflect on our many blessings.

I’m thankful for the good things that I get to enjoy in life. But one thing I’m especially grateful for is you. Thank you, dear readers, for giving me a few minutes of your time each week by reading this column.

I absolutely love writing for The Luminary, and you make it possible for me to do so with your continued interest.

Thank you for blessing me with a job that I truly love and enjoy. We live in a wonderful community, and it’s an honor and privilege for me to share upcoming events and record the things that have happened here.

So on this Thanksgiving, please know that you make a positive difference in my life every time you pick up this paper and read it. I thank you for that.

I’ve been happily writing this column for almost nine years, and I’m planning to continue writing it for at least another 90 years or more.

Thank you again, and I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Announcements and Events

Lots of Happy Birthday wishes go out to Christen LeVan, who is celebrating on November 30.

The Montgomery Area Public Library will be closed Thursday, November 28 – Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Montgomery Water Authority and Borough offices will be closed Thursday, November 29 – Monday, December 2 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Montgomery Christmas Committee list will open on Friday, November 29. The committee provides Christmas Dinner Boxes as well as toys for children to households in the Montgomery Area School District who need a bit of extra help to make Christmas a happy one. Sign-ups can be done by phone at 570-854-4807 or email at montgomerychristmasbox@gmail.com.

Please include the following information when you sign up: The name of the adult or caregiver, phone number, address, the number of people in the household and whether they are children or adults, as well as the gender and age of each child and teen in need of gifts.

The committee cannot provide gifts for nieces, nephews, or grandchildren except in cases where the adult is the child’s legal guardian.

Please consider making a donation to the Montgomery Christmas Committee if you are able to. The committee is entirely run by volunteers so there are no administrative costs. They accept monetary donations for the groceries that go into the Christmas Dinner Boxes.

To contribute, please send a check to one of the following: Jennifer Oiler Gruver, Attn: Montgomery Christmas Committee, 531 Cemetery Hill Road, Montgomery, PA, 17752, or Virginia Hill, Attn: Montgomery Christmas Committee, 133 Hills Lane, Montgomery, PA 17752. The committee has a new Facebook page that can be found by searching Montgomery Christmas Committee and will use it to thank those who send in monetary donations, unless the giver requests to remain anonymous. If you wish to stay anonymous, contact the committee by calling 570-854-4807, or 570-547-1254 or by email at montgomerychristmasbox@gmail.com. The committee is also in need of donations of children’s toys, teen gifts, wrapping paper, tape, and batteries. They are especially in need of gifts for ages 12-16. Items can be placed in a Toys for Tots box in these Montgomery-area places: Amazon, American Legion Post #251, Clinton Township Office, Construction Specialties, Dollar General, Hulsizer Chevrolet, Jersey Shore Bank, Journey Bank, Kopper’s, Milly’s, The Montgomery Area Historical Society, Montgomery Borough Office, Montgomery Post Office, Springs Window Fashions, Station House, Surplus Outlet, Thad’s Place, VT Hackney, and Valley Rehabilitation. December 12 is the deadline for item donations so the committee has time to sort, wrap, and label the gifts.

Wednesday, November 27 – The library will have Book Buddies for small children at 10:30 am. The activities include a story and a craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, November 28 – The Montgomery Lions Club’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be held in the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall from 11 am – 2 pm. Pre-orders are appreciated, but not required. To pre-order, call (570) 547-2478. Walk-in guests are always welcome. Guests may eat in or carry out.

Saturday, November 30 – The Montgomery Area Historical Society will open the Adam Room Museum from 10 am – 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and learn about local history in this free admission museum.

Monday, December 2 – The Footprints of Montgomery Food Pantry will be open to receive donations from 10 am – 1 pm. The pantry is in need of pancake mix, syrup, and spaghetti sauce, but any and all types of food donations are appreciated.

Saturday, December 7 – The Adam Room Museum will be open from 10 am – 1 pm. * The Christmas Parade will begin at 1 pm and conclude at the park. Floats, cars, and walkers are welcome to participate. Please call Margie Mathis at (570) 435-9407 if you would like to be in the parade. Santa Claus will be available for photos in the park afterwards.

THOT – “Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” – Randy Pausch