The Town Beautification Committee held a holiday decorating contest for borough residences in December 2014. The winners were Bob and Cindy Bogert of Church Street, Macungie. Committee members appreciated the Bogerts' use of white and red lights and the decorations on the front, side and back of their home. In addition to a "WINNERS" sign placed in their yard, the Bogerts also received a gift certificate and mug from Edible Arrangements.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold its Fourth annual chili cook-off 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 25 in the fellowship hall. Voting will be held 3:15 p.m. Cooks and tasters are needed; the public is welcome. Following the cook-off there will be a talent show and newlywed game in the church sanctuary. For more information, call the church office at 610-965-3265.

An SAT and ACT cram course will be offered by Christianson Tutorials beginning Jan. 17 at the Macungie Institute. For more information, go to www.tutortestprep.com or call 610-457-5288.

Stampin' Up Classes will be offered 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 10 and 26 at the Macungie Institute. For more information, go to www.lizkuhns.stampinup.net or call 610-791-3654.

Concordia Lutheran Preschool will open registration for the 2015-2016 school year Jan. 19. The preschool is located at Concordia Lutheran Church, Brookside Road. Call 610-965-3265 to register.

The Lower Lehigh Lions meet 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 27 at the Macungie Fire Company.

The Lower Lehigh Lioness Club meets 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13 in Kalmbach Park. Macungie Fire Company meets 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at its social quarters.

The Macungie Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Feb. 3.

Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at the post home, Lehigh Street.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at the post home.

Macungie Rod and Gun Club Board meets 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the club.

Macungie Borough Council meets 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 at the Macungie Institute.

Macungie Veterans Association meets 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the post home.

The Macungie Business Revitalization Steering Committee meets 7 p.m. at the Macungie Institute. Call 610-966-2503 for the meeting date.

Macungie Senior Citizens meet 1 p.m. Jan. 7 and 21 and Feb. 4 at the Macungie Fire Company social hall. There will be guest speakers and bingo. New members are always welcome.

The board of directors meeting for Macungie Memorial Park will be held downstairs 7 p.m. Jan. 27. The public is welcome.

Bingo is held 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.

Over the winter break, we took a day trip to Menlo Park in New Jersey. This was the site of one of Thomas Edison's laboratories. When we arrived at the destination given by Mapquest, the only thing really distinguishing the site was a tower with a lightbulb on top. We had trouble believing the small building next to it was the museum they recommended we allow at least an hour to see. Appearances can be deceiving, though. We had a guided tour that did indeed take about an hour and learned some interesting facts about Thomas Edison. For example, he was homeschooled; he worked as a telegrapher as he traveled around the country and he held 1,093 patents. Even the grumbling kids conceded a grudging thumbs up for the day.

The next column will be published Feb. 4; copy deadline is Jan. 29.