BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

Upper Macungie Township is partnering with Lauren Smurda to offer a new low-impact exercise class for residents 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays from Oct. 3-31 at the township building, 8330 Schantz Road.

Each class will help participants improve their balance, decrease stress, sharpen their ability to focus, and enhance their overall well-being and health.

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The township has also partnered with St. Luke’s and the Parkland School District to bring participants a free chair strength and mobility class 9-9:45 a.m. Wednesdays Oct. 4-Nov. 10 at St. Luke’s Fitness and Sports Performance Center, West End, 501 Cetronia Road.

This is a low-impact chair-based strength and flexibility exercise program for adults of all activity levels working on balance, coordination, agility and functional strength.

Spots are on a first come, first-served basis, so register early.

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The township and Parkland School District will be offering a low impact aqua aerobics class conducted in shallow water and specifically geared to seniors from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 4-Nov. 8 in the high school pool, 2700 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., South Whitehall.

The class, led by instructor Kaye Fried, focuses on the use of all muscles and limbs, breathing and stretching.

Water shoes or old, clean sneakers are suggested for safety.

Swim noodles are provided at the pool.

Swimmers should arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the class and enter through the lower entrance at the back of the athletic wing to allow time to change in the locker room.

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The township’s new indoor yoga class for beginners and advanced participants will take place from 6-7 p.m. Thursdays Oct. 5 through Nov. 16 at Veterans Elementary School, 250 Twin Ponds Road.

There will be no class on Oct. 19.

Participants will need to bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

For more information or to register for any of these events, go to uppermac.recdesk.com.

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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 8227 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown, is offering a basket social from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23.

The social will include refreshments, bake sale and entertainment.

There will be an outdoor band concert by the Municipal Band of Allentown at 1 p.m., so bring a chair and enjoy the music before and after basket shopping.

More than 150 baskets to choose from, six special items and a variety of kids’ baskets and many gift cards from local restaurants and retail stores will be available.

Kids age 10 and younger will receive free tickets for bidding on these baskets, with a purchased parent ticket.

There will be a large paper products basket.

Everyone who brings a donated food item will receive a ticket toward winning the paper products basket.

There will also be a 50/50 drawing.

To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, contact Anita at 484-221-0445 or email anita.eisenhard@yahoo.com.

The church will also have a pet blessing 1 p.m. on Oct. 1.

There will be a dog and cat basket raffle, and a PetSmart gift card and Giant gift card raffle.

Participants do not need to be present to win.

There will be food, beverages, and baked goods for sale. All pets are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Sanctuary of Haafsville.

For more information, call the church office at 610-398-7000.

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Ziegels Union Church, 9990 Ziegels Church Road, Breinigsville, will be packing military goodie boxes for U.S. Servicemen and Servicewomen who serve outside the United States 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15.

They will be accepting donations for the goodie boxes until Oct. 8.

Donation wish list includes snack bars, cheese crackers, candy (no chocolate) plastic jars of peanut butter and more.

For a complete list, go to ziegelschurch.org.

For more information, call the church office at 610-285-6157.

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St. John’s UCC, 1027 Church St., Fogelsville, will have a fall craft show 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 21.

There will also be a basket raffle and bake sale.

For information, call 610-398-7015 or go to stjohnsuccfogelsville.com.