The Ancient Oaks Womens Organization will meet 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at St. Paul’s UCC in Trexlertown. They are celebrating their 50th anniversary and will be looking at how they want to proceed going forward. They hope the Ancient Oaks community had an enjoyable summer and would love to see new faces at their meetings.

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.

The Lower Macungie Township fall craft/vendor show set for November has been canceled.

The Lower Macungie Township building is open for business. Masks and social distancing are required. Staff is available by phone at 610-966-4343 or email info@lowermac.com for information.

The Lower Lehigh AARP will hold its monthly meeting noon Nov. 4 in the lower level of Macungie Memorial Hall in Macungie. For more information, contact Dot at 610-967-3284.

The Lower Macungie Garden Club will meet 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center with a presentation by Leesa Wimmer on her knowledge and stories of White House Christmas decorations.

There will be a free document shredding event sponsored by state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th and the township 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Lower Macungie Township parking lot.

There will be a “Stuff the Truck” event 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 6 at the community center parking lot. Habitat LV ReStore will be collecting kitchen/bathroom cabinets, newer working appliances, furniture, lighting fixtures, hardware, windows, plumbing supplies and more.

The Lower Macungie Township Senior Citizens have resumed meetings at the community center. The next meetings are noon Nov. 2 and 16 and Dec. 7.

The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society has tentatively scheduled the annual Veterans Day program for Nov. 14 at the community center. Check their website https://www.lmthistory.org/ or their Facebook page for more information as the date nears.

The board of commissioners and staff are holding the 16th 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 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. 24. 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. 31.

Lower Macungie Township offers many programs for adults and children. For more information, go to http://www.lowermac.com/recreation/activities-programs/. Upcoming classes include “A Matter of Balance” for senior citizens, chair yoga, baking, card making, Pilates, tai chi, photography and Latin partner dance. Children’s classes include photography, Toddlers and Tutus, pre-ballet, cooking, Kindermusik and multisport skills.

A Safe@Home program will be offered 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 or Feb. 8, 2022 for children ages nine to 11 years old at the community center. The program is designed to prepare students in grades four to six to be safe when home alone. Registration is limited.

The community center is open to the public while following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The center will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no free open gym at this time. Public restrooms are not available. 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.

Weekly curbside leaf collection begins the week of Oct. 18. Leaves should be at the curb before 7 a.m. Monday.

The summer yard waste center hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. Hours for November and December are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Yard waste permits are required for dropoff.

Lower Macungie Library is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed Nov. 2 for Election Day. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. The library now offers auto renewals on eligible items. The book drop is open 24/7.

Sunny Day Storytimes will meet 10-10:30 a.m. Oct. 27 and 28; Nov. 3 and 4; Nov. 10 and 11 and Nov. 17 and 18 on the library’s front lawn. There will be stories, songs and rhymes geared for ages 3-5 years old. In the case of inclement weather, the event is canceled and will be posted by 9 a.m. on the library’s Facebook page. The same stories are read on the Wednesday and Thursday of each week.

There will be a presentation “Redistricting Reform: Why It Matters” 6:30-8 p.m. at the Weeping Willow Pavilion at Macungie Memorial Park. Terry Schettini, a Fair Districts PA volunteer, will speak about the process for setting legislative districts in Pennsylvania and how Fair Districts is working to change that process. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held via Zoom.

Grab and Go Crafts for Kids are available beginning Nov. 8 for DINOVEMBER.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club book for 10:30 to noon Nov. 3 is “The Splendid and the Vile” by Erik Larson. The book for Dec. 1 is “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. The book club meets virtually.

For more information on library events, go to their website www.lowermaclib.org or call 610-966-6864.

It’s funny how our mind plays tricks on us. Many years ago we were on our way to visit Matt’s parents when Matt stopped on a road near their house. I said, “Why did you stop here?” He replied, “I stopped for the red light.” Pointing 50 feet up the road, I said, “But the traffic light is up there.” Looking around, confused, Matt said, “But the light used to be here.” Matt asked his mom later about it and she confirmed the light had indeed been moved.

Matt had a similar experience last month in Bethlehem when giving directions to a couple with a stroller. He was used to the stairway coming up from the colonial industrial quarter to Main Street. They wanted to go down to the fairground at Celtic Fest so, remembering the steep stairway, he directed them the other way. After they left, he turned around and realized the stairway had been replaced by a ramp. He told me later, “They must have thought I was nuts!”

The next township column will be published Nov. 17; the copy deadline is Nov. 11.