On Friday, April 17, the Montgomery Area School District made a public gesture of support to their graduating seniors who have had to miss a significant portion of their senior year. They symbolically lit up the stadium and scoreboard as part of the “Be the Light” campaign that schools across America took part in.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, the event was closed to the public. The school posted pictures and a video on their Facebook page. In the video, the Class of 2020 was honored and thanked for their contributions to the school over the years, and appreciation was

expressed for all of the first responders who are managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of us have been to the stadium when it was packed with hundreds of screaming Red Raider fans cheering for the football team, while the band and cheerleaders added to the excitement with music and youthful enthusiasm. But to see the video of the stadium empty and silent with the snow falling before the message was shared was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It was a powerful reminder of the times we are living in, but to me, it was also a show of hope that things will eventually go back to normal.

My heart really goes out the town’s seniors who left school for the last time in March without knowing they would never walk the halls again. They stepped off the sports fields last spring as juniors without realizing that they would never again put on their Red Raider uniforms. The Class of 2020 has lost out on some irreplaceable moments in their lives. Let’s do everything in our power to stay safe and bring this virus to an end as soon as possible.

THOT “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay in invincible summer.” Albert Camus

Happy birthday to Euvi Solano, who will be celebrating another year on April 28.

If you are looking for fun and interesting ways to keep your kids entertained at home while giving them a sense of connection of the community, be sure to follow Miss Nicole’s MAPL Moments Facebook page. Library Director Nicole Loffredo posts videos and photos of stories, crafts, and activities that kids can enjoy at home.

We are living in unprecedented times, and the Montgomery Area Historical Society would like to keep a record of it for future generations. They are asking people in the community to keep a journal of their experiences and donate it to be placed a time capsule that will be sealed for 50 years. The journal collection will be announced at a later date when public gatherings are permitted again.

The Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company is requesting that all donations to Community Aid please be held until further notice. Donations

won’t be collected until after the restrictions are lifted.

If you would like to order a Hometown Hero Banner, contact Fae Herb at fherb@montgomeryborough.org or (570) 506-9892.

The Community Garden will be open on Friday, May 1. Anyone in the Montgomery Area School District is eligible to rent a plot. Contact

Susan Andrews for an application at sandrews@montgomeryborough.org.

Please follow the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency Facebook page to be alerted of weather warnings and emergency instructions. If you would like to volunteer with the Agency please call Dennis Gruver at (570) 547-6777.

Our local fire companies are recruiting volunteers to serve as emergency responders and in a wide variety of non-emergency support roles.

Contact either the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company at (570) 547-1380 or the Clinton Township Fire Department at (570) 547-1000 to learn more.

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