Catty Seniors Plus will meet Jan. 24 at Slovak Center Social Club, 1223 Fifth St. The doors open noon, and the meeting starts 1 p.m.

Note: If there is a two-hour school delay, there will be a meeting; if school is canceled, no meeting will be held.

The meeting will feature a speaker, followed by coffee and dessert. If anyone would like to bring a dessert, it would be appreciated. Bingo will also be played, and dues will be collected.

If you have any questions, call Dorothy Vassa at 610-264-2853.

***

The next North Catasauqua Police Department Community Crime Watch meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St. Use the side entrance.

This is a great opportunity to meet North Catasauqua police officers and to voice some of your concerns. Chief Chris Wolfer will share crime statistics, trends and patterns.

Cpl. Santiago will provide the attendees with an overview on the Project Lifesaver International program, which will include a demonstration on how an officer would locate a person who has wandered off, is lost or missing and has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, autism, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

All of the department’s police officers have been trained to use this lifesaving equipment. North Catasauqua is one of the few police departments in Northampton County to have this capability. The police department has also been given the authority to assist our mutual aid partners - Northampton, Catasauqua and Coplay boroughs and Whitehall and South Whitehall townships.

If you plan on attending, RSVP by contacting Officer Hazim at nhazim@ncatapd.org or Cpl. Santiago at ssantiago@ncatapd.org or call 610-264-1504.

***

State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, would like to make residents aware veterans assistance is available Feb. 1.

Openings are available for the Feb. 1 session at the Northampton Borough district office, 2030 Center St. Call the district office at 610-502-2701 to schedule an appointment.

During the special hours, a service officer from the American Legion is available to meet with local veterans and assist them with issues in accessing benefits and services from the U.S. Veterans Affairs.

***

The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

***

Catasauqua Garden Club will have a charter bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show, set for March 7.

The bus will leave Catasauqua 10 a.m. and depart the show in Philadelphia 5:30 p.m.

There is a cost.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Cathy at 610-657-1437 and/or send a check to B. Verba at 5170 McKinley Ave., Whitehall, 18052. Be sure to include your contact information.

Catasauqua Garden Club is welcoming new members, especially those with a love of flowers. The club usually meets 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Slovak Center Social Club, 1233 Fifth St., and has been in existence for 64 years.

For more information or details on joining the club, email debmellish@gmail.com.

***

North Catasauqua Police Department is wrapping up its annual winter coat drive.

As the weather is now cold, 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 at the police department, 1066 Fourth St., during regular business hours.

The point of contact for this outreach initiative is Hazim, who can be reached at nhazim@ncatapd.org or 610-437-5252.

***

The North Catasauqua Borough office would like to make residents aware the borough fee schedule has been updated.

To view any changes and increases, visit the borough website at northcatasauqua.org.

***

Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., is looking for donations. Thrift shop staff are happy to accept donations of good, used, clean clothing, household items and toys during regular store hours. Proceeds from the shop are returned to the community through contributions that support youth and adult programs and services.

The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

***

The health coverage enrollment deadline was extended to Jan. 19.

The deadline to enroll in 2024 health coverage through Pennie, the commonwealth’s official health insurance marketplace, has been extended, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Anyone who misses the deadline will need to wait until next November to enroll unless there is a qualifying life event like losing other health coverage or moving. Pennie is the only place where Pennsylvanians can get financial savings to reduce the cost of coverage and care.

Currently, nine in 10 enrollees qualify and save more than $500 a month on average. Health plans and prices change every year, so anyone needing coverage should review their options even if they have looked before.

All health plans offered through Pennie provide comprehensive coverage, including care for pre-existing conditions and many free preventive screenings and vaccines. Current Pennie customers should update their account, including family size, income and contact information, and see if they still have the best plan for their needs.

The monthly cost for health coverage through Pennie is based on income. Individuals making less will pay less, sometimes less than $1 a month. Those with higher incomes will pay a higher share of the health insurance premiums, and no one will pay more than 8.5% of their household income.

Pennsylvanians interested in shopping for and purchasing health coverage through Pennie can visit pennie.com or call Pennie customer service at 1-844-844-8040. Individuals in need of assistance navigating coverage options, can go to pennie.com/connect to find help.

***

January is National Radon Action Month. An estimated 40% of Pennsylvania homes reportedly have higher levels of radon than national safety standards, due to Pennsylvania’s geology.

A homeowner can perform a simple test to detect this gas, which is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and enters homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings.

High levels of radon tend to be found in basements, but the gas can be found anywhere in the home. Winter is a good time to test for radon, because doors and windows are generally closed, providing more accurate results.

Simple radon test kits are inexpensive and available at home improvement and hardware stores.

***

If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, 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.

Winter is definitely here. Stay warm, and be safe. Have a great week!