Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., is holding a half-price sale on all clothing now through Dec. 16. The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Shop volunteers are happy to accept donations of good, used, clean clothing and household items and toys during store hours. Proceeds from the shop are returned to the community through contributions that support youth and adult programs and services.

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North Catasauqua Fire Department’s Secret Santa program returns again this holiday season. The fire department will escort Santa around town as he delivers gifts Dec. 17. Visits start 10 a.m. Santa will remain outside while visiting.

Registration forms and gifts may be dropped off 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8 and 13 and 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 9 at the Catasauqua fire station, 90 Bridge St. Gifts may also be dropped off during regular business hours at borough hall.

Have each gift securely wrapped and labeled with the recipient’s name and address.

If you are not home Dec. 17, your gift will be held at the fire department for you to pick up. Contact the fire department to make arrangements.

If you have any questions, call 610-264-1504 or email at charotinsecretsanta@yahoo.com.

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Mrs. Nothstein’s Helping Hands Fund group asks residents to support Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association’s Biery House holiday shoppe, as many crafters who have participated in the homemade holiday craft sale event will have their items available for sale.

HCPA is hosting the holiday shoppe at the historic Biery House, 8 Race St. The shoppe will be open 4-8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17.

Items will be on display in the mule barn, summer kitchen and six rooms in the house, all beautifully decorated in a Victorian theme.

Parking is located off Union Street in the Deily Coal Yard. From Race Street, turn onto Front Street and left on Union Street. From Pine Street, turn right on Front Street and right on Union Street.

HCPA is also looking for donations of baked goods. Email historiccatasauqua@gmail.com if you would like to contribute items for the bake sale.

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Members of North Catasauqua Police Association will once again team up with the Marine Corps Reserve to collect and distribute as many toys as possible for children who are less fortunate. The Toys for Tots donation box has been placed in the lobby of borough hall.

The donation box is easily accessible during normal business hours. After hours, you may contact a member of the police department by calling the Lehigh County Communications Center nonemergency phone number at 610-437-5252 and you will be met by a police officer, who will assist you.

Consider donating a new, unopened and unwrapped toy to support this significant and heartfelt cause. The donated toys will be picked up Dec. 17 from borough hall by the members of the Marine Corps Reserve.

If you have questions, contact Officer Hazim at 610-437-5252 or nhazim@ncatapd.org.

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The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

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North Catasauqua Police Department will be holding its annual winter coat drive. As the weather turns colder, many in our community are in need of warm coats to stay safe and comfortable. The police department is collecting gently used and new coats of all sizes to donate to those in need.

Help the department make a difference and spread warmth this winter. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the police department, 1066 Fourth St. The point of contact for this community outreach initiative is Hazim.

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Catty Seniors Plus will meet Dec. 20 at Slovak Center Social Club, 1223 Fifth St. Doors open noon, with Christmas carols 1 p.m.

Note: This meeting is a week early because of the Christmas holiday. If you would like to attend the meeting, a reservation must be made by Dec. 13 by calling Dorothy Vassa at 610-264-2853.

If you plan on attending the meeting, you are asked to bring a dozen Christmas cookies for the dessert table. Christmas carols will be sung with Mark Church and Pastor Robert Gudikuntz before the start of dinner. After dinner, bingo will played.

For more information or any questions, call Dorothy Vassa at 610-264-2853.

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Because Christmas falls on a Monday, which is a regular garbage and recycling collection day, garbage and recycling will instead be collected Dec. 26.

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Catasauqua Community Food Bank, 527 Front St., is always looking for donations, especially with the holidays approaching. Items that are especially in need include jelly/jam, shelf-stable milk, canned soup, rice/noodle side dishes and canned fruits and vegetables.

If you have questions, call 610-264-8366.

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Do you need a holiday gift for an angler? You can purchase a 2024 fishing license for yourself or someone you know from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. For the new year, an annual license for a Pennsylvania resident will cost $26, and senior resident annual licenses go for $12.50.

Visit huntfish.pa.gov to make a purchase and check out the full list of license options.

Mark your calendar for the statewide opening day of trout season April 1.

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If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, please submit it to me at least two weeks in advance, especially if a certain date is involved with your submission. I can be reached by email at ncatacentennial@aol.com.

Take the time to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season. Have a great week ahead.