Macungie Holiday will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Local businesses, the Historical Society and Macungie Memorial Park participate in this borough-wide event. The activities include a scavenger hunt for all ages with participating businesses and community organizations; pictures with Santa at the Macungie Institute; free holiday trolley rides throughout the borough; and holiday crafters at Macungie Memorial Park. The winners of the 10th annual gingerbread competition will also be on display during Macungie Holiday. For more information, call Macungie Institute at 610-966-7830.

The Town Beautification Committee is sponsoring a holiday decorating contest for borough residences. Judging will take place Dec. 10 through 12 with cash prizes being awarded. For more information, call Karen at 610-966-7830.

Curbside leaf collection continues. Leaves should be at the curb by 7 a.m. Monday. Leaves and other yard waste can also be dropped off at the Emmaus Yard Waste Site or at the Macungie Borough garage on Spruce Street. Call Borough Hall at 610-966-2503 for more information.

There will be a Listen Live Music Open Mic Night 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Doors open 7 p.m. For more information, call 610-966-6419 or email info@listenlivemusic.org. There will be a Listen Live Music Holiday Concert 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at Macungie Institute featuring Tony Trischka with Zepp Family Band. Doors open 7:30 p.m. For information, call 610-966-6419 or email info@listenlivemusic.org.

The Poodle Club of the Lehigh Valley will hold a Poodle Club Show Dec. 14 and 15 at Macungie Memorial Park. For more information, go to poodleclubofthelehighvalley.com.

There will be a Family Fun Day 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 12, 2013 at the Macungie Institute. For information, call 610-966-7830.

There are several committee vacancies: zoning hearing board, planning commission, Macungie Institute board of trustees and the civil service commission. If interested, submit a letter of interest to the Macungie Borough office.

Various classes offered at the Macungie Institute include Valley Music Together, Angie's Way Wellness Workshop, Sahaja Yoga Meditation and Community Music School piano instruction. For more information about programs offered at the Macungie Institute, call 610-966-7830.

The Lower Lehigh Lions will meet 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Macungie Fire Company.

Macungie Fire Company meets 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at social quarters.

Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the post home on Lehigh Street.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 1 p.m. Dec. 20 at the post home.

Macungie Rod and Gun Club Board meets 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the club.

Borough Council meets 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and Jan. 7, 2013 at the Macungie Institute.

Macungie Veterans Association meets 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at the post home.

Macungie Senior Citizens meet 1 p.m. Dec. 19 and Jan. 2, 2013 at the Macungie Fire Company.

Bingo is held weekly on Saturday evenings at Macungie Memorial Park. Doors open 5 p.m. and games begin 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 610-966-4289.

Benjamin has spent the last month circling what he wants for Christmas in all the toy catalogs. Every time he picks up a catalog, he circles a few more items. At this point just about every page without pink or purple on it is completely circled. I finally banned any more markings in catalogs because they were too hard to read.

Last Saturday Benjamin went to see Santa Claus. When Santa asked him what he wanted, he couldn't think of anything, despite his month of list making. Fortunately Santa knows what little boys like and suggested Legos and Nerf.

The next township column will be published Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013; copy deadline is Thursday, Dec. 27.