It's hard to believe it is time to say farewell to 2014 and welcome 2015. Looking back, time always seems to pass so fast.

As I reflect personally on 2014, memorable will be my youngest daughter's wedding at Bear Creek in August.

On a local level, 2014 will be memorable again for the recognition Emmaus borough garnered. We learned what many of us know; Emmaus is a safe place to live. Emmaus was listed on Movoto Real Estate's blog as the fifth safest place to live in Pennsylvania among places to live with populations of 10,000 or more. Also, notable was the 300th birthday celebration of one of Emmaus's founding fathers, Sebastian Knauss, in August.

Among the new faces in the borough were a director and a children's librarian at Emmaus Public Library. We also welcomed a new East Penn School District superintendent and board secretary.

A nice place to visit during the wintery weather is the Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St. A block party for school age children will be held 10 a.m. Dec. 30. Registration is not required to attend. The library will close 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1, 2015 for the holiday. The library is always closed on Friday. It will reopen Jan. 3, 2015.

The library's story-times in January are Suns Story-time for two-year-old toddlers accompanied by an adult 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2015 and Stars Story-time for pre-schoolers, 3, 4 and 5 years old, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2015.

Literary Lunch Jr. for fourth and fifth graders will discuss "A Long Way from Chicago" noon Jan. 19, 2015. Literary Lunch for sixth, seventh and eighth graders will discuss "Mister Monday" noon Jan. 17, 2015. Twilight Readers for kindergarten and first graders is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26, 2015. Registration is required for Suns, Stars, Literary lunches and Twilight readers.

The read aloud to the Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs program will be 6:45 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22, 2015. Fun Family Films will be held 6 p.m. Jan. 15, 2015.

Starting in January the library is adding additional children's programming Thursday evenings. For information or to register, visit www.emmauspl.org or call 610-965-9284.

The library staff will offer programs for you to learn about some of the electronic tools and databases available through the library website and Pennsylvania's PowerLibrary. Highlights include historic photo and document collections, online newspaper archives (great for genealogy) and research tools related to health, auto repair and business. The same program will be held at two different times: 10:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. Jan. 28, 2015.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health will be at the library for blood pressure screenings the last Monday of every month. Appointments may be scheduled through the Department of Health at 610-821-6770 but are not required. The next screening will be 10 a.m. to noon. Jan. 26, 2015.

Each month, the library will show a movie matinee for adults selected either for its classic appeal or popularity. Due to licensing restrictions, the titles of the movies can't be publicized, but call or visit for each month's selection. The next showing is 1 p.m. Jan. 14, 2015.

The Emmaus Winter Farmers' Market will take place 10 a.m. to noon every other Sunday until the regular market starts up again in May 2015. The first market is Jan. 4, 2015. The Winter Market will be held at the KNBT parking lot, 235 Main St. The vendors will vary but many of the regular vendors have agreed to be present at least for some of the dates. For information, visit www.emmausmarket.com.

Another nice place to visit during winter is the Emmaus Historical Society museum, 563 Chestnut St. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. You are sure to see something in the display cases which will bring back memories. For information, visit emmaushist@ptd.net.

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. Fridays. Upcoming programs include: Jan. 2, 2015 - musician David Marchetti; Jan. 9, 2015 - musician Glenn Pritchard; Jan. 16, 2015 - a film; Jan. 23, 2015 - musician Fred Arnold, and Jan. 30, 2015 - game day. For information, call 610-966-4273.

Emmaus Borough Council will meet 7 p.m. in council chambers, 28 S. Fourth St., Jan. 5 and 19, 2015. For information, visit borough.emmaus. pa.us or call 610-965-9292.

The borough offices are closed Jan. 1, 2015.

Christmas tree collection will begin Dec. 29 and continue through Jan. 16, 2015. The compost site will be open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19 to 24, 2015 for additional disposal of Christmas trees.

The winners in the Emmaus Arts Commission photo contest, which was held Dec. 6, were Bill Basta with his photo of "Raking Leaves," Jill Cramer with her "Winter Scene" and Dan Williams with his photo "The Emmaus Theatre." The photos were displayed in the Emmaus Arts Commission photo gallery on the second floor of borough hall during the Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration.

When I reflect on the passing year, I am always impressed by the number of events held in Emmaus, too numerous to mention in this column. However, the events would not be possible without the generous contributions of volunteers. To all the volunteers and civic organizations, I say thank you for your efforts toward making Emmaus a great place to call home.

Mark your calendar for Feb. 6 and 7, 2015 to celebrate Emmaus Art Commission's SnowBlast Festival.

Please send notices of upcoming events to 213 Little Lehigh Dr., Durdock@aol.com or call 610-967-2661 before Jan. 16, 2015.