Upper Milford Youth Association summer soccer sessions are back. UMYA will hold its second annual summer soccer session beginning July 8 and 11 and ending July 29 and Aug. 1. Rain dates will be the week of Aug. 3. Many Emmaus boys and girls soccer team members will be training the kids again.

The training and sessions will be run by Mike Gable, former Emmaus boys soccer assistant coach and Matt Skekel, current Swain School soccer head coach and UMYA soccer coordinator.

Gable will run the training Wednesday nights at Jasper Park starting July 8 for the U10 and U12 age groups (boys and girls) and Skekel will run the training Saturday mornings at Lenape Park for U7 and U8 age groups. There will be four to five high school players at each clinic to keep the trainer to player ratio low and manageable. This year, there is a cost for the clinics to pay for the shirts and the high school player trainers. If you plan on playing in the fall, come out and get prepared for the fall season.

Register now at www. umya.org. Space is limited. For questions, contact Skekel at mskekel@ gmail.com.

The UMYA volleyball program runs four weeks 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday July 14 through Aug. 6 at Lenape Park. The program is designed for both new players and players who want to enhance their skills.

Registration and more information can be found at www.umya.org.

UMYA has had a difficult couple of months with the tragic loss of two members of the UMYA family. President Matt Skekel, in his letter to UMYA members and friends, thanked everyone who rallied and supported the families and teams affected by these tragedies, saying, "I am so very proud to be a part of an organization that truly understands the true meaning of youth sports and community....you all show it on and off the field. Thank you all for your support for the families during these difficult times."

On a more positive note, Skekel reported UMYA was able to purchase a scoreboard for the lower field at Lenape Park. With help from the township, they were able to get the scoreboard up and also added a solar kit, compliments of Upper Milford Township, to power the scoreboard.

Upper Milford Township superintendents Chairman George DeVault's memoir, "Fire Call!" recounting the highs and lows of his 30 years as a volunteer firefighter, was recently awarded the Bronze Medal for Best Regional (Mid-Atlantic) Nonfiction in the 19th annual Independent Publisher Book Awards.

"Fire Call!" was also named a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Award in the Current Events/Social Change category. The subtitle of "Fire Call!" is "sounding the alarm to save our vanishing volunteers." Both awards were presented May 27 in New York City.

St. Peter's Union Church, 7863 St. Peter's Road, Macungie, will hold a community picnic 3 to 9 p.m. July 18 on the church grounds. The event will include food, a raffle and music 6 to 9 p.m. by the Majestics and Lester Miller Schusslers. Bring chairs or a blanket.

A donation of money or a non-perishable food item for the Zionsville Food Pantry will be requested for parking.

For information, contact the church at 610-966-3030 or email stpeters@ ptd.net.

St. Peter's is holding worship services outdoors (weather permitting) Sundays July 5 and Aug. 9. Dress is casual on those Sundays.

The next Sunday breakfast at Upper Milford Western District Fire Company will be 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 2. There are senior, adult and children's admission prices. For information, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902. The Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. July 7 at the firehouse. New members are always welcome.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. July 2 and 16 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will hold its annual picnic meeting 6 p.m. July 30 at Jasper Park. For information, call Neil Moser, president, at 610-966-4376.

Upper Milford supervisors will meet July 2 and 16, with a workshop 7 p.m. and the regular meeting 7:30 p.m.

The Upper Milford Recreation Commission meets July 20.

The Emmaus-Upper Milford Joint Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. July 27 in Upper Milford.

If you are a resident of Lower Milford Township and would you like to help your community and your library, volunteer to represent Lower Milford as a member of the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board. Contact Township Manager Ellen Koplin for more information at 610-967-4949, ext. 101.

Following is the schedule of Lower Milford July meetings. All meetings are 7:30 p.m. in the township building unless otherwise noted: planning commission, July 6; recreation and open space, July 8; supervisors: regular meeting, July 16; historical commission, July 14.

A number of programs and services are held at Milford Park, Routes 29 and 100, Zionsville. To view the entire summer schedule, visit www.milfordpark.org or call 610-966-4240.

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