The 11th annual Barktoberfest Pet Fair will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Macungie Memorial Park. Rev. Werner M. Koch of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Bethlehem will conduct a blessing of the animals 12:30 p.m. There will be dog and cat rescue groups, dog training demos and vendors selling pet related items. For more information, visit the website www.barktoberfestpetfair.com.

The Macungie Farmers Market is open 4-7 p.m. every Thursday through October. There will be pumpkin decorating Oct. 17 and trick or treat Oct. 31. Parking is available at the park parking lot and along North Walnut Street.

The Autumn Mineralfest will be held 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Macungie Memorial Park, rain or shine. There will be dealers and tables of minerals, fossils, gems, geodes, crystals and more. There will also be hands-on lessons in gold panning and sluicing. Breakfast and lunch will be available. For more information, call 610-966-4289 or go to www.mineralfest.com.

Grace Lutheran Church will hold its first Apple Harvest Festival 1-4 p.m. Oct. 5. There will be a blessing of animals 4 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church will host a free community meal 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11.

Grace Lutheran Church will hold Harvest Home services 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Oct. 13 to give thanks. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the area food bank program. The church is located at 28 W. Main St., Macungie.

The Parkland Art League will meet 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 6667 Lower Macungie Road, Trexlertown. Artist Hilary Peirce will be the guest presenter. For more information, go to google.com.site/parklandartleague/ or parklandart@gmail.com.

The East Penn Chamber of Commerce presents Rocktoberfest 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Macungie Memorial Park, 50 Poplar St. Moondogs and Sunshine Symphony will perform. There will also be food, entertainment and vendors. The rain date is Oct. 13.

There will be a Wheels of Time Cruise Night 3 p.m. until dark Oct. 19 at Macungie Memorial Park. Cars can start arriving 3 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

The Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Quarry Road in Alburtis, will host a fall craft show 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19. There will be crafts, antique treasures, a basket auction, a bake sale and food.

There will be a trick or treat with the Vendors Fair 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at Macungie Memorial Park.

The Macungie Town Beautification committee will hold a fall soup night 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Macungie Institute. For more information or tickets, contact Roseann at 610-393-1122.

The fourth annual Macungie Halloween 2 mile Fun Run Monster Dash will be held 6:45 p.m. Oct. 26 (prior to the Macungie Halloween Parade) starting at Buttonwood and Main streets in Macungie. Same day registration will be held 6-6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to run in costume. A prize will be awarded for best costume. The flyer for registration is available at macungie.pa.us.

The Lower Lehigh Lions Club will sponsor the annual Macungie Halloween Parade starting 7:15 p.m. Oct. 26 at Main and Buttonwood streets and ending at Macungie Memorial Park.

The Macungie Minstrelaires will present “The ABCs of Broadway” at Lower Macungie Middle School, 6299 Lower Macungie Road. Show times are 8 p.m. Oct. 25, 26 and Nov. 1 and 2. Matinees are 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Part of this year’s proceeds will benefit The Lehigh Chapter of Blue Star Mothers. For tickets and information, visit www.macungie-minstrelaires.org/tickets or call 610-504-4687.

There will be an electronics recycling event 9 a.m. to noon (or until the trucks are full) Nov. 9 at Macungie Memorial Park. This event is only for the residents of Macungie and Alburtis boroughs. Photo identification may be required.

The Allentown Dog Training Club meets for training 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Macungie Memorial Park. For more information, call 610-439-2800.

The next bus trips to Mohegan Sun Pocono are scheduled for Oct. 21 and Nov. 18. Call the park at 610-966-4289 to reserve a seat.

Educational programs are offered through Kalmbach Institute. More information is available at kalmbachpark.com.

The Lower Lehigh Lions will meet 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and 22 at the Macungie Institute.

Macungie Fire Company meets 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at its social quarters.

Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the post home on Lehigh Street.

The VFW Auxiliary of Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the post home.

The Macungie Rod and Gun Club Board meets 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the club.

Macungie Borough Council meets 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 and 21 and Nov. 4 at borough hall, 21 Locust St., Macungie.

The Macungie Park Board of Directors meeting will be held downstairs 7 p.m. Oct. 29. The public is welcome.

Bingo is held weekly Saturday evenings at Macungie Memorial Park. Doors open 4:30 p.m. and games begin 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 610-966-4289.

At the dinner table this past week, Ben said, “Mom, not to dis on the lunch you packed…” Caroline cut him off at this point with “Ben, you’re skating on thin ice.” Ben ignored the hint and continued, “I’m not criticizing; I just didn’t like the crackers…” I stopped him at this point and said, “You’re more than welcome to get up at 6:30 and fix your own lunch.” Ben replied, “What? No! I just didn’t like the crackers.” Shaking her head, Caroline chimed in with “Ben, just shut up.” At this point, Ben realized he was fighting a losing battle and backed down. So for now, I’m still packing lunch.

The copy deadline for the Nov. 6 column will be Oct. 31.