The Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners and staff are holding the 14th annual Troop Support Program to collect donated items to send to township residents in the armed services who won’t be home for the holidays. To register a loved one in the holiday program, call 610-966-6924 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations of food, toiletry items, batteries, magazines and phone cards will be accepted at the Lower Macungie Community Center 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and 8-10 a.m. Sunday through Nov. 30. A list of acceptable donations is available at the community center.

The community center will be collecting children’s new pajamas and books during the fall and holiday season. Items will be donated to local area children. A large receptacle is located in the lobby through Dec. 23.

Curbside leaf collection begins the week of Oct. 21 and continues through Dec. 2. Leaves must be out for collection by Dec. 2.

There will be a Mother-Son Halloween Party for boys ages four to 12 years 7-9 p.m. Oct. 18 at the community center. Call 610-966-6924 to see if any spots are left.

The Lower Macungie Garden Club will hold its last meeting of the year 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at the community center. Scott White of Bucks County Bonsai will have a demonstration and exhibit on Bonsai. Guests are always welcome.

The Lower Macungie Senior Citizens Club meets noon Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 and 18 at the community center. After a business meeting, members play bingo or card games.

The Ancient Oaks Womens Organization will meet 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at St. Paul’s UCC, 1249 S. Route 100, Trexleertown. There will be a guest speaker. New members are welcome.

Ancient Oaks will have a hoagie sale in November. Profits will benefit the scholarship fund.

There will be a chili cook-off to benefit Mandee’s Lunchbox noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 in the parking lot at The Pub on Main in Macungie. Mandee’s Lunchbox is a nonprofit supplying food gift cards to adults fighting cancer. For more information, go to www.mandeeslunchbox.com.

The Lower Macungie Historical Society will host a program “The Mills of Lower Macungie” 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Jeff Donat will speak about the history of gristmills and the change in technology.

State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, will hold a Senior Expo 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the community center. There will be exhibitors from local, state and federal agencies as well as senior focused organizations. There will also be free health screenings, a light lunch and door prizes. For more information, contact Mackenzie’s office at 610-965-9933.

The Macungie Minstrelaires will present “The ABCs of Broadway” at Lower Macungie Middle School. 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, order online at www.macungie-minstrelaires.org/tickets or call 610-504-4687.

Trick or treating in Lower Macungie Township will be held 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Some homeowner’s associations may have set alternate dates for their neighborhoods.

There will be a “Frozen Adventure” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 2 with your favorite ice queen and her sister and special guests for ages infant through 12 years with a parent or caregiver at the community center. Advanced registration is suggested and attendance is limited.

There will be a Stuff the Truck Event 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 at the community center. Habitat Lehigh Valley ReStore will accept donations of unwanted new or gently used furniture, appliances and building supplies.

The 11th annual Craft/Vendor Fair will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at the community center. Over 100 crafters and vendors will be participating. Brookside Deli will offer lunch 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A free shuttle from the parking lot to the door is provided by Corporate Limousine.

The community center offers a number of activities. Adult classes include belly dancing, card making, baking and Latin partner dance. Youth classes include cooking, Kindermusik, Minecraft, multi-sport skills, parent’s morning out, robotics, soccer and cooking. For more information, contact the community center at 610-966-6924.

The summer yard waste hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. Winter hours are noon-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting Nov. 1. Yard waste permits are required for drop-off.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club will meet 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6 to discuss “The Girl with Seven Names” by Hyeonseo Lee. The book for Dec. 4 is “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover.

Creation Station for ages two years and up will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 18. There is a different project every month.

The Teen Advisory Board for grades six to 12 will meet 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 18 to discuss setting goals and staying organized. A snack will be provided. The teens will meet 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15 to celebrate friends-giving. Bring a snack; craft projects and games will be available

There will be a Poetry Coffee House 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Local published poets and professors from area colleges will read their poems. The winners of the library poetry contest will be announced. Prizes will be awarded and there will be light refreshments. Aspiring poets will have the opportunity to ask a panel of poets about publishing, the writing process and general advice.

CONCERN will present a community information night 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 23. A foster parent will discuss foster care, adoption and behavioral health services.

Businesses and individuals can compete for the title of “Lower Macungie Library’s Best Soup” at the fourth annual Taste of Soup noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. There is an entry fee for competitors and an admission fee for tasters who will receive tickets to vote. Proceeds benefit the library. For more information, contact the circulation desk.

There will be a Halloween storytime 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 with stories, songs, rhymes and a craft. Come in costume.

Many programs have limited registration and require advance registration. Children’s storytimes are ongoing. For more information, call the library at 610-966-6864 or visit the library website www.lowermaclib.org.

The fall book sale will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23. Member preview night is 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The bag sale begins 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Memberships are available at the door. All proceeds will benefit the library.

Happy 30th Anniversary to my wonderful husband. We’ve been so blessed!

Final observation of the week: Slamming your right thumb in a car door and wearing a splint does not facilitate typing!

The next township column will be published Nov. 20; copy deadline is Nov. 14.