I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. Now that the Christmas season is upon us in earnest, pay attention to changes in the scheduling of meetings.

Upper Milford supervisors, for instance, held their regular meeting Dec. 1, the regularly scheduled date. But as of now, their Dec. 15 meeting is canceled. Instead the supervisors will hold a year-end meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29.

Their re-organization meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3, 2017.

The Upper Milford Planning Commission will meet 7:30 p.m., Dec. 27 and the Environmental Advisory Council has canceled its Dec. 26 meeting.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will not meet in December.

Most local churches will have special services celebrating the Christmas season. Look for more information in the church news column in this paper every week.

St. Peter’s Union Church, in cooperation with Zion’s Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church, Macungie, is presenting mid-week Advent services 7 p.m. The Dec. 7 service will be held at St. Peter’s and there will be a service at Grace Church Dec.14.

Now that hunting season has started, please remember there is no hunting, trapping or taking of wildlife permitted in any Upper Milford Township park areas.

Hunting in Lower Milford Township is permitted only on land with permission from the owner and in compliance with any and all hunting laws of the county, state or other organization. Discharge of a weapon while hunting is prohibited within 150 yards (400 feet) of any occupied building.

Hunting is prohibited on all Lower Milford Township property.

Violations of hunting ordinances and laws should be reported to State Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Upper Milford Youth Association has a few volunteer opportunities available for the 2017 calendar year and beyond. Here is a list of the needs and a brief description of the responsibilities: 1. Treasurer: Executive Board member position; basic bookkeeping duties – write checks, receive and pay invoices; update board with spending activity and account balances. 2. Registrar/ insurance coordinator: monitor incoming registrations and payments; assist with registration questions and issues; make sure every participant has the appropriate insurance levels; work with sport coordinators on getting registrations set up correctly. 3. Softball Coordinator: set up softball teams in appropriate leagues; attend league meetings and report back to UMYA board with updates/changes; assign coaches to teams. 4. Board member-at-large (three positions available): attend board meetings and provide input on issues and items UMYA addresses and vote on UMYA items. Sit on subcommittees as needed.

If you are interested in any of these positions or have questions, contact Matt Skekel at mskekel@gmail.com or attend any UMYA board meeting.

Upper Milford Western District Fire Company is planning a pancake and sausage supper Jan. 14, 2017. Look for more details in next month’s column.

For information on the breakfasts, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Fire Company’s ladies auxiliary meets the first Monday of the month, 7 p.m. New members are always welcome.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

The Upper Milford Open Space Committee meets 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. On Nov. 8, the majority of Upper Milford voters (approximately 59 percent) voted in favor of imposing an additional Earned Income Tax at the rate of 0.1385 percent on an annual basis to preserve open space in the township, so committee members will be discussing how that vote will determine what their next steps will be.

The Upper Milford Planning Commission meets 7:30 p.m. the Monday prior to the first Thursday of every month unless that is a holiday.

The Recreation Commission will not meet in December.

Lower Milford Township board of supervisors regular meetings now are held the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. in the township building. This month’s regular meeting is Dec. 21.

Following is the schedule of other Lower Milford meetings in December, although as of press time, we have no information on any potential changes. All meetings are 7:30 p.m. in the township building unless otherwise noted: zoning hearing board, 7 p.m. Dec. 8; historical commission, Dec. 13; recreation and open space committee, Dec. 14.

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.