Special to The Press

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 Dec. 24, 25 and 27 for winter holiday. The library will close 2 p.m. Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve. The library now offers auto renewals on eligible items. The book drop is open 24/7.

The library is hosting a Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt through Dec. 31. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the library. 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.

“Craft-Down” to the New Year Grab & Go Craft Kits for kids continues. 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 Jan. 5, 2022 is “The Baker’s Secret” by Stephen P. Kiernan. The book for Feb. 2, 2022 is “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. The book club meets virtually.

For more information on library events, go to their website 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 610-966-4343 or email info@lowermac.com for information.

Ancient Oaks will hold a holiday house decorating contest with prizes. Judging starts 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. The Ancient Oaks Women’s Organization wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Lower Macungie Fire Department will hold its annual Santa Run Dec. 18. The rain date is Dec. 19. The schedule is posted on their website at www.lowermacungie.org.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold a tree lighting and carol sing 7 p.m. Dec. 22.

Concordia Lutheran Church will hold Christmas Eve services 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 24. There will be a Christmas Day service 10 a.m. Dec. 25.

Christmas trees will be picked up the weeks of Jan. 3, 10 and 17, 2022 on your regular trash collection day. Remove all decorations and do not bind with rope or string or place in plastic bag. Trees can also be dropped off at the yard waste recycling center at 5536 Indian Creek Road.

The Lower Macungie Township Senior Citizens have resumed meetings at the community center. The next meetings are noon Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 and 18, 2022.

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

Concordia Lutheran Preschool will have a registration day open house to enroll students for the 2022-2023 school year 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 17, 2022. Virtual registration will open to the public 9 a.m. Jan. 14, 2022. The staff will give tours and accept registration for the 2022-2023 school year. For more information, call 610-965-3265.

The Lower Macungie Community Center is 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 multisport skills.

A Safe@Home program will be offered 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2022 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.

Yard waste center hours for December are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hours for January and February, 2022 are noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Yard waste permits are required for drop-off. The center is located at 5536 Indian Creek Road, Macungie.

We recently went on a hike with the Boy Scouts. This was Matt’s first hike since he broke his wrist at Philmont. When we got there, one Scout leader said to Matt, “Now don’t break anything.” I guess it will be a while before he lives that down.

The next township column will be published Jan. 19, 2022; copy deadline is Jan. 13, 2022.