The Board of Commissioners and staff are holding the eighth annual Troop Support Program to collect donated items to send to township residents in the military who will not be home for the holidays. To register a loved one in the holiday program, call 610-966-6924 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations of food, toiletry items, batteries, magazines and phone cards will be accepted at the community center 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 to noon Saturday through Nov. 10. A list of acceptable donations is available at the community center. Over the last seven years, 649 boxes of donated items were sent to 87 soldiers.

The township is also collecting old cell phones to be recycled in exchange for prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas. The community center is an official drop-off point for "Cell Phones for Soldiers" until Oct. 31.

The Macungie and Lower Macungie Historical Societies will sponsor "The Allentown-Emaus-Macungie Trolley" presented by Douglas E. Peters 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Macungie Institute. Peters is the author of "Lehigh Valley Transit in Color" and has new photos and information to share in his presentation.

The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society will host an evening of ghost stories 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Log House in Wescosville on Hamilton Boulevard. Master Storyteller Charles Kiernan will tell tales that will make people look under their beds before going to sleep. Refreshments will be provided.

There will be a Father-Daughter Dance 1950s Sock Hop for girls enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Lower Macungie Community Center. To register, go to the community center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 610-966-6924.

Curbside collection of yard waste will take place the week of Oct. 14 through 18. Containers/bundles should be placed separately at the curb on the regular collection day. Grass clippings are not included. A maximum of four bundles or containers per household will be collected. For more information, visit www.lowermac.org.

There will be a breakfast with everyone's favorite mouse couple 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2 at the community center. Ticket price will include breakfast, photo opportunities and a prize. Registration is limited to 100 people.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club will meet 10:30 a.m. Oct. 2 to discuss "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern" by Stephen Greenbalt. The book for Nov. 6 is "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt.

Lower Macungie Library has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor to present a 12-week program of films, lectures and live music called, "America's Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway." ArtsQuest has partnered with Lower Macungie Library to facilitate the events. All events are free and open to the public. For information, call the library at 610-966-6864.

Free digital magazines are now available through Zinio at the library.

There will be a Daddy and Me storytime for children ages two through six years 10 a.m. Sept. 21.

There will be a children's program "Charlie and the Hershey's Chocolate Factory" 10 a.m. Sept. 28 for children in grades kindergarten through fifth. There will be stories, candy bingo and a craft. Advance registration is required.

For more information on these classes or storytimes, call the library at 610-966-6864 or go to the library website www.lowermaclib.org.

The Friends of the Lower Macungie Library will meet 10 a.m. Oct. 12 in the library. The next book sale will be held in the library 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23 with a bag sale 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Member preview night will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. Proceeds will benefit the library.

The last day for book donations will be Oct. 11. Fine sorting of books will be 8 to 10 a.m. the week of Oct. 22. Help is welcome.

Volunteer applications are always accepted for any Lower Macungie Township board or commission. Any questions can be directed to Township Secretary Renea Flexer at 610-966-4343, ext. 113.

Crafters are needed for Concordia Lutheran Church's second annual holiday bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. For more information, call Corin at 610-530-9588.

The fourth annual craft/vendor fair will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at the community center.

The Lower Macungie Senior Citizens Club meets noon Oct. 1 and 15 at the community center. After a business meeting, members play bingo or card games. On Oct. 15, the games are followed by special entertainment.

Pickleball will be coming soon to Rodale Park. Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines badminton, tennis and table tennis with a perforated plastic ball.

The Lower Macungie Township Community Center offers a number of activities including Walkercise, yoga, pilates and Zumba. Upcoming classes include art classes, Couch to 5K, self-defense, interior design, home staging, and karate lessons for ages 13 and older. Fall children's programs include Kindermusik, painting and holiday art classes. Note: some classes are held at the Wescosville Recreation Center and the Hills at Lockridge Community Center.

For more information or to register, visit the community center 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 610-966-6924.

The township offers discounted movie tickets for Regal Entertainment as well as discounted tickets for Camelbeach, Dorney Park, Hersheypark, Philadelphia Zoo and Six Flags.

Family Open Gym time is 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for ages infant through 10 years with a parent. Proof of residency is required.

Yard waste site hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. The site is closed on Tuesday and Thursday. Be prepared to show your photo identification as proof of residency.

The next township column will be published Oct. 16; copy deadline is Oct. 10.