The Lower Macungie Library is now open by appointment only; no walk-ins are permitted. A mask is required per the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Contactless pickup service is available. Computer services by appointment are available. The book drop will be open 24/7 for book returns; returns must be made through the book drop. The library will be fine free through Sept. 8. Staff will be available by email and phone.

The library will be closed Sept. 5 and 7 in observation of Labor Day.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club is meeting virtually. The discussion for “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood will be held 10:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 2. Register online by Sept. 1.

There will be fall virtual programs.

There will not be a November book sale.

Library patrons can still access digital services including Overdrive. Other digital resources are available for free during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, go to library website www.lowermaclib.org or call 610-966-6864.

The Lower Macungie Township building is closed due to flooding. Offices including the tax office have been located to the rear of the Lower Macungie Community Center. Staff is available by phone at 610-966-4343 or email info@lowermac.com for information.

Orchard Road between Alburtis Road and Scenic View Drive has been permanently closed.

Lower Macungie Township will hold a concert with Island Time (summer music/Jimmy Buffet style) 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at The Hills at Lockridge Park.

Regular trash and recycling collection continue as scheduled. Waste Management has resumed bulk collection services.

Curbside yard waste collection continues. The next collection weeks are Aug. 17-21; Sept. 7-11 and Sept. 21-25. The calendar is available at www.lowermac.com.

Lower Macungie Township is holding several fun and unusual contests. If your pet has a special talent, send in a video to rec@lowermac.com by Aug. 31.

Ribbon prizes will be awarded for the Most Unusual, Much Too Big and Much Too Small Vegetables Contest. Entries can be submitted Sept. 1-3 at the community center.

The tie dye contest will give prizes for Most Original, Most Colorful and Most Patriotic. Photos must be submitted by Sept. 15.

The winner of the Smash-a-Thon Contest for the most lantern flies smashed will have their photo posted on the township’s Facebook page and in the next township newsletter. Entries are due by Oct. 6. For rules and more information, go to www.lowermac.com/programs.

The Lower Macungie Township Annual Father-Daughter Dance will be held 7-9 p.m. Oct. 3 for girls ages 4-12 years. Admission includes dancing to music by a local DJ, drinks, snacks and a special gift. Register early!

The community center is now open to the general public while following CDC guidelines. The center will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Public restrooms will not be available. There will be facility rentals, gym rentals and Tuesday morning “Walk and Talk” for adults 8 to 10 a.m. Class participants and renters will be contacted with more information.

The following classes for adults will be offered this fall: baking, belly dance, card-making, fiction writing, Latin partner dance and meal prep. Adult fitness classes include barre, metabolic conditioning, Pilates, tai chi and yoga.

Fall classes for children include cooking, Kindermusik, multisport skills, pre-ballet, toddlers and tutus and soccer. There will be a safesitter class noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 19. Staff will be available by phone 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 610-966-6924. Updates will also be posted on Facebook and www.lowermac.com.

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

I would like to say that I hope everyone survived Tropical Storm Isaias without damage but, based on the news reports, I know that’s not the case. I had the bad fortune to be out driving in some of the worst of the storm. I left my mother’s house in Macungie and stopped to drop off something at a friend’s house. When she asked if I was OK to get home, I said with confidence, “Sure. I’ll just take Sauerkraut Lane to Brookside Road.” About half a mile down Sauerkraut Lane, the road was flooded and I had to turn around. So I mentally rerouted: Route 100 to Church Lane. Church Lane was flooded. Reroute: Hamilton Boulevard to Brookside Road.

At this point, my husband called to tell me I couldn’t get into our driveway. He suggested that I go back to my mother’s house which I couldn’t have done if I had tried! So I crept along the flooded sections of Hamilton Boulevard, praying that the increasing wind wouldn’t drop a tree on the car.

Despite my husband’s warning, I was not prepared for the foot of water in our cul-de-sac. As my husband told me later: “It was a shock to see the recycling bin floating in the street.” Just as amazing was how quickly all the water disappeared as soon as the storm ended.

The next township column will be published Sept. 16; copy deadline is Sept. 10.