The Shelter House Society plans various events throughout 2013 in celebration of its 60th anniversary. The society was formed to preserve and maintain the historic Shelter House which was built circa 1734. The Shelter House is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited structure in the Lehigh Valley and the oldest building in Emmaus.

The society will hold its annual Patriot's Day dinner April 27 at Fellowship Hall in Emmaus Moravian Church. The program this year features a talk by Dean Bortz, the society's resident curator, who will give a chronological survey of families who have lived in the Shelter House over the years. The program begins with opening remarks 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and then the program. Special at this year's event will be a selection of historic photos recently given to the Shelter House. Deadline for reservations is April 23. The society welcomes all new members. All members receive a free copy of The Hearthstone, the society's annual publication and free admission to all the society's social events. For membership information and/or to make a dinner reservation, contact Ruth Grohol at 610-570-1481.

All senior citizens over the age of 55 are invited to the Emmaus Senior Citizens meetings at St. Matthew's E.C. Church, Ridge and Fifth streets. The group meets 1 p.m. every Friday. The April programs are April 5: members' Easter Parade, musician Ken Purcell entertains; April 12: a speaker from the Lehigh Valley Historical Society; April 19: member auction and April 26 is game day. For information, call 610-966-4273.

Emmaus Borough Council will meet 7 p.m. April 1 and 15 in council chambers, 28 S. Fourth St. The offices will be closed March 29 for the Good Friday holiday. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us or call 610-965-9292.

Registrations for the 2013 Summer Parks Program are now being accepted at borough hall, 28 S. Fourth St. Due to the increase in interest and demand, all registrations must be completed prior to a child participating in the program. Registration must be completed by June 1 and will not be accepted after that date. Photo identification is required at the time of registration. The program will be held at the Emmaus Community Park 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, June 24 to Aug. 2. Residents between the ages of five and 12 years old are encouraged to attend. There is a cost to attend. For information, contact Kathy in the borough offices at 610-965-0701.

The borough is accepting applications for lifeguards, cashiers and workers at the concession stand for the Emmaus Community Pool and for counselors for the Summer Parks Program. Applications can be obtained between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the borough manager's office at town hall. For information, call 610-965-9292.

Emmaus and Upper Milford Township will host its Earth Day clean-up event April 20 at Emmaus Community Park. Registration begins 8 a.m. This year's event features a free electronics recycling day 9 a.m. to noon. For a list of items that can be recycled free of charge and to register for the clean-up event, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The Emmaus Historical Society museum, 563 Chestnut St., will be closed for renovations March 17 and will reopen April 6. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The museum will also be open 4 to 9 p.m. April 10 and 24. For information, visit emmaushist@ptd.net or call 610-966-6591.

The society's April meeting program, "Knauss Homestead," is 7 p.m. April 17 at St. John's Lutheran Church parish hall, 5th and Chestnut streets. The presentation will be on the history of one of the first families to settle in the Emmaus area. The society members are taking orders for shoo-fly pies. Deadline to order is April 5. Pies are to be picked up at the April 17 meeting. For cost information or to order a pie, call 610-966-6591.

The Emmaus Winter Farmers Market will take place 10 a.m. to noon every other Sunday in 2013 until the regular market starts up again in May. The winter market dates in April are April 7 and 21. The Winter Market is held at the KNBT parking lot, 235 Main St. For information, visit www.emmausmarket.com.

The Emmaus Kiwanis Club will host its Walter C. Stoudt Memorial Prayer Breakfast 7:30 a.m. March 29 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut St. Seating is limited so call 610-395-4818 for information and tickets. The club is hosting its 61st annual Easter Egg Hunt at Emmaus Community Park March 30. The hunt begins promptly 1 p.m. so plan to be there prior to that time because the hunt lasts only a few minutes.

If you are interested in ordering a brick at the Remembrance Garden for Memorial Day installation, the deadline for orders is April 5. The garden, which has become a lovely inspirational site, is located on the grounds near the Knauss Homestead.

The Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St. lists some special programs in April along with its continuing children and youth programs. Author Bryan Svencer will visit 1:30 p.m. April 6; there is an adult book discussion group meeting 7 p.m. April 9 and a Brief Introduction to Genealogy program 7 p.m. April 24.

The Friends of the Library's annual book sale will be held in the Lower Macungie Middle School Library April 27. For information, visit www.emmauspl.org or call 610-965-9284.

The Emmaus Main Street Partners is sponsoring "Bags & White Ice Bingo" April 14 at St. John's UCC, 139 N. Fourth St. Doors open noon; the event is set for 1 to 4 p.m. For tickets and information, call Donna at 610-965-2174.

The Friends of the 1803 House has begun planning for its fundraiser, A Very Merrie Halloween festival, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 on the grounds of the 1803 House, 55 S. Keystone Ave. The group is seeking crafters and sponsors for the event. For information, call 610-965-5037.

The Business and Community Alliance and Emmaus resident (and outreach coordinator for this cause) Sue Zacharda, have established an account at National Penn Bank (formerly KNBT) to defray the cost of services for the four victims of the March 17 fire. Checks should be made payable to EFVFF (Emmaus Fire Victims Funeral Fund) and mailed to: P.O. Box 193, Emmaus, 18049 or via Paypal. Monetary donations will be accepted until April 15. For more information, contact Zacharda at slz2980@ gmail.com or the Business and Community Alliance at info@bandcalliance.com.

The Emmaus Arts Commission is gearing up for its third annual Rain Barrel Art Silent Auction. The commission invites artists to apply to paint one of the rain barrels. The deadline to submit an application to participate in this fun community project is April 5. For information, visit www.emmausarts. org.

Be aware April 1 so you aren't fooled on April Fools' Day. Happy spring to everyone.

The deadline for the next Emmaus column is April 17. Send submissions to Corrine Durdock, 913 Little Lehigh Dr., Emmaus or Durdock@ aol.com.