Lower Macungie Township and Country Meadows Retirement Center have partnered to offer the holiday decorating contest.

Lower Macungie Township homes must have their decorations visible from the roadway and lit up 5-8 p.m. Dec. 13-17. Residents of Country Meadows will be driven to view and judge entries.

Gift certificates will be awarded to the winners and winners will be posted on the township’s Facebook page and website. To nominate a home for judging, email rec@lowermac.com by Dec. 6. Prior winners are not eligible.

The Lower Lehigh AARP will hold its next monthly meeting noon Jan. 6, 2022 in the lower level of Macungie Memorial Hall in Macungie. For more information, contact Dot at 610-967-3284.

The Lower Macungie Township 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 to noon Saturday and 8-10 a.m. Sunday through Nov. 24.

A list of acceptable donations is available at the Lower Macungie 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 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 multi-sport skills.

A Safe@Home program will be offered 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 for children ages 9-11 years at the community center. The program is designed to prepare students in grades 4-6 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 continues through the week of Nov. 29. Leaves should be out for collection before 7 a.m. Nov. 29 to ensure collection.

Yard waste center hours for November and December are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yard waste permits are required for drop-off. The center is located at 5536 Indian Creek Road, Macungie.

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 will be closed Nov. 25-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday. 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. Nov. 17 and 18 on the library’s front lawn. There will be stories, songs and rhymes geared for ages 3-5 years. 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.

Tiny art show kits for ages 5 through adult are available starting Nov. 16. Create a tiny artwork and return it to the library by Dec. 15 to be included in the Tiny Art Show. Pieces will be on display in the library in January 2022. Online reservation begins Nov. 15.

Build a pinball game in the Grab & Go Family STEM Challenge starting Nov. 22. Kits are available for pickup in the children’s library.

The library is hosting a Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt Nov. 22 through Dec. 31. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the library starting Nov. 22. Participants will answer each clue for different businesses who will each have a #ShopSmallLML sign. Bonus points are awarded for interacting with the business. Prizes will be awarded. Entries are due by Dec. 31.

A Voice for All is a new program where participants will discuss equity, diversity and inclusion in the local area. The discussion for 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 22 will focus on education topics. Everyone is encouraged to research topics and share their findings. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link.

“Craft-Down” to the New Year Grab & Go Craft Kits for kids begins Nov. 29. Each Monday through Dec. 28 (the library is closed Dec. 27) a different kit will be available in the children’s library. Supplies are limited.

The Lower Macungie Library Book Club book for 10:30 to noon Dec. 1 is “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. The book for Jan. 5, 2022 is “The Baker’s Secret” by Stephen P. Kiernan. The book club meets virtually.

For more information on library events, visit www.lowermaclib.org or call 610-966-6864.

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.

Concordia Lutheran Church will have a Thanksgiving Eve Service 7 p.m. Nov. 24. Local food bank offerings will be collected during the service. There will be a pie fest immediately following the service.

The Lower Macungie Township Senior Citizens have resumed meetings at the community center. The next meetings are noon Dec. 7 and 21 and Jan. 4, 2022.

The Ancient Oak Womens Organization invites the women of Ancient Oaks to come to a social hour 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. Pauls UCC in Trexlertown for hospitality, socializing, snacks and holiday celebration.

There will be a holiday tree lighting ceremony 6-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Lower Macungie Fire Station, 6229 Sauerkraut Lane. There will be a drawing to determine the “Switch Flipper.”

Elsa, Anna and Olaf will be at the ceremony to greet families. Prizes for the holiday ornament contest will also be awarded at the event.

Lower Macungie Township resident children ages 2-12 can pick up an ornament to decorate at the community center and return the decorated ornament by Nov. 30. Winners will be announced at the tree lighting.

The next township column will be published Dec. 15; copy deadline is Dec. 9.