Don't forget what happened in late October the past two years!

Two years ago there was a freak snowstorm, and last year, Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast. Both incidents caused lengthy power outages in the Upper and Lower Milford area, so residents are reminded to be prepared as fall and winter weather arrive.

If you own a generator, make sure it's working. Check that you have other emergency supplies on hand, such as flashlights with working batteries, candles, transistor radios, firewood, etc.

Put the following Halloween events on your calendar: The Vera Cruz Community Association is accepting registrations for the 2013 Vera Cruz Halloween parade, to be held 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The route is Main Road East, Main Road West and Vera Cruz roads. The parade stages at Mystic Chain Park, 6 p.m. Highlights will include the Emmaus High School Marching Band and the Geryville Hobo Band. The Vera Cruz Community Association will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, baked goods and drinks at the intersection of Main and Vera Cruz roads.

Cash prizes are awarded for individual marchers, groups and floats. Pre-registration is encouraged for groups and floats. Call Chris Barebo at 610-967-1666 or email cvbii@ptd.net. The rain date is Oct. 17.

A Light in the Night Safe Zone block party is scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Upper Milford Township building, sponsored by Upper Milford Mennonite Church. This is a safe and fun environment for township children to celebrate Halloween.

The Haunted Woods 2013 is open for spooky fun and free candy again in Zionsville. Each year volunteers get together to offer holiday fun, with the nominal entry fee benefiting Bethlehem Special Olympics. The Haunted Woods is open 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 26.

The Haunted Woods is located at 7125 Carls Hill Road, Zionsville. Follow the signs from Route 29/100 at Powder Valley Road or Kings Highway South. Directions are available at the website www.hauntedwoodszionsville.com. For information, call 610-966-9688 or e-mail Thepack1648@ yahoo.com.

The Vera Cruz Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary is hosting its annual fall craft and vendor event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12. A visit from "Smokey Bear" is in the works, as well as giveaways to kids (hats and/or coloring books, etc.). For more information look for a link on the fire company website, go to VeraCruzLadiesAux@ gmail.com or call 610-972-6573.

Enjoy a dinner out and help the Upper Milford Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary at Friendly's, 6894 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8; a portion of all proceeds will benefit the auxiliary.

Don't miss the Harvest Fest 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Salem United Methodist Church, 6440 Powder Valley Road, Zionsville. The event includes a bake sale, flea market items, painted pumpkins and a light lunch featuring homemade soups. For information, call 610-965-6796.

St. Peter's Union Church has two fun fundraisers in October. Oct. 15 is Family Fun Night at Friendly's, 6894 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown 5 to 8 p.m. where a portion of all sales will benefit St. Peter's.

The St. Peter's fifth annual Baskets (and more!) event will be held Oct. 20. Doors open 11:30 a.m. and bingo games begin 1 p.m. There will be 20 games of bingo featuring items from Longaberger, Pampered Chef and more. There is a discount on tickets purchased in advance and tickets purchased by Oct. 15 will be entered in a special early bird drawing. To purchase or reserve tickets, contact Joy Weida at 610-845-9822 or jndweida@ptd.net, Eleanor Kline at 610-845-2855 or the church office at 610-966-3030.

This month at the Lower Milford Fire Company, 1601 Limeport Pike, there will be a pork and sauerkraut dinner Oct. 7, and a spaghetti dinner Oct. 31. Both dinners run 4:30 to 7 p.m. or until sold out. Take out or eat in.

Upper Milford Fire Company, Routes 100 and 29, Old Zionsville, serves breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6. There are senior, adult and children's prices. The November breakfast is Nov. 3. For information, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Western District Fire Co. #1 Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the firehouse. They are always looking for new members.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit Celebration of Music concert series will feature the following events: Mozart's Requiem, 4 p.m. Nov. 3; Madrigal Feast, 6 p.m. Dec. 28; Fasnacht Coffeehouse 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, 2014; Singing Boys of Pennsylvania/Keystone Girls Choir, 3 p.m. April 6, 2014.

The annual blessing of the animals at Holy Spirit will take place 2 p.m. Oct. 12 in the upper parking lot. A free will offering will be collected and benefit Furry Feet Rescue Shelter in Walnutport.

Vera Cruz senior citizens will meet Oct. 3 and 17.

Upper Milford Township supervisors meet Oct. 3 and 17. A 7 p.m. workshop precedes the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.

The Upper Milford Recreation Commission meets 7:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month.

The Emmaus-Upper Milford Joint Advisory Council will meet 7:30 p.m. in Emmaus Oct. 28.

The Upper Milford Historical Society meets 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Upper Milford municipal building. For information, call vice president Neil Moser at 610-966-4376.

The Lower Milford Historical Society meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Lower Milford Township building. For more information, go to their website, LowerMilfordHistory.org.

Chestnut Hill Church, 6870 Chestnut Hill Church Road, Coopersburg will hold its annual yard/bake sale and electronics recycling program 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5. For additional information go to www.chestnuthillchurch.org.

Following is the October meeting schedule for Lower Milford Township. All meetings begin 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: The board of supervisors will meet Oct. 3 and 17. The Historical Commission will meet Oct. 8. The Planning Commission meets Oct. 7 and 21. The Recreation and Open Space Board meets Oct. 9.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce. swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to publication.