The Biery House Holiday Shoppe, 8 Race St., Catasauqua, has returned with a unique and memorable holiday shopping experience, hosted by Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association and Mrs. Nothstein’s Helping Hands. The shop will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 8.

The holiday shop offers handmade gifts, home decor and food items by more than 50 vendors. Shoppers can browse for holiday gifts in HCPA’s beautifully decorated historic Biery House, summer kitchen and mule barn. As a bonus, stop and have a complimentary photo taken in the Victorian carriage.

Family groups and pets are welcome. Photos with Santa will be available on select days.

A selection of takeout food will be available for purchase. Offerings will include pierogies, bread and potato filling, halupkies, halushki, apple dumplings, soup and homemade baked goods. Check HCPA’s Facebook page for weekly selections.

For parking, shoppers must enter the parking lot behind the shop via Union Street. There is no access from Race Street. From Race Street, turn onto Front Street and take the first left onto Union Street. For GPS directions, enter 5 W. Union St., Catasauqua.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, will hold Christmas cash bingo Dec. 8 in the parish center. The doors and kitchen open 11:30 a.m., with bingo beginning 1 p.m.

There is a cost to play bingo, which includes 15 games, six specials and one jackpot round. No outside food or drinks are permitted. The kitchen will be selling your St. Mary’s favorites. Bring your daubers but no hardboards.

Reservations are encouraged by emailing kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or calling 610-264-0332.

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The zoning hearing board will meet 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 to discuss the approvals of an accessory apartment at 1342 Third St. The meeting will take place at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, will be holding a braised beef wine dinner Dec. 14. There are four seating times — 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The menu consists of braised beef in wine, creme fraiche mashed potatoes, carrots, garden salad, roll and butter and chocolate mousse. Coffee, tea, iced tea and water will also be available.

The reservation deadline is Dec. 8, and only 100 seatings are available. This is for dine-in only.

Contact Lynn at 610-264-2026 to reserve. Cost is by donation and all proceeds benefit Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.

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The North Catasauqua and Catasauqua fire departments’ joint Operation Secret Santa 2024 returns Dec. 15 for residents in both boroughs. Visits start 10 a.m. and will continue until finished.

Santa’s helpers will make sure the gift you provide will be given to your child, family member or friend during their visit with Santa, who will remain outside during each visit. Have each gift securely wrapped and labeled with the recipient’s name and address.

Registration forms and gifts can be dropped off 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 13 at the Catasauqua fire station, 90 Bridge St.

If you have any questions, call 610-264-1504.

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St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 1239 Third St., will have a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 15. A social will take place after the 10:30 a.m. Mass with doughnuts and beverages.

There will also be a special 50/50 raffle with a cost. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase after both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

The raffle winners will be picked after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. You do not need to be present to win.

All are welcome!

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The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall. This meeting is subject to cancellation, so check the borough website at northcatasauqua.org for any changes.

The meeting will be a hybrid, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northcatasauqua.org for the access code to view the meeting virtually.

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The North Catasauqua Police Department has partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve this holiday season with the Toys for Toys campaign to provide toys for children who are less fortunate. If you would like to support this cause and community initiative, drop off new unwrapped toys at borough hall.

The toy drop box is located inside the lobby and will be accepting donations until Dec. 16.

Call 610-264-1504 with any questions.

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St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 1229 Third St., announced its 2024 Christmas schedule.

Christmas Eve Masses will take place 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 24, and Christmas Day Mass will take place starting 9:30 a.m. Dec. 25. A New Year’s Eve Mass will take place 4 p.m. Dec. 31, and the New Year’s Day Mass is 9:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.

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Looking for a unique gift item or perhaps a good deal this Christmas, stop by Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St.

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

The shop will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 1, 2025, and will reopen Jan. 2, 2025.

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Regular collection will take place for the borough’s garbage collection, which includes garbage and recycling collection, Dec. 23, the week of Christmas.

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With the holiday season here, consider contributing to Catasauqua Area Food Bank, 527 Front St., which is accepting donations.

Items that are especially in need include jelly and jam, shelf-stable milk, granola bars, canned soup, rice or noodle side dishes, canned fruits, cereals, toiletries and canned vegetables. Monetary donations are also accepted.

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

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Take some time this holiday season and visit North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, 701 Grove St., to view the holiday light displays. New decorations were added this year.

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The borough is hiring a part-time office assistant. This person will perform diversified duties such as customer service, payables, filing, answering the phone, coordination of the rental, home sale inspection processes and various office duties.

Qualified candidates must be able to adapt and learn new tasks quickly. Candidates will need a high school diploma, excellent written and verbal skills, strong attention to detail, computer and internet skills and the ability to use a variety of office equipment. The pay rate is $18 an hour.

The borough office is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and this position will be up to 20-25 hours per week. There is availability within office hours to choose your own schedule, although flexibility is required to cover as needed.

Applications can be picked up and submitted to the borough office.

Contact the office at 610-264-1504 with any questions.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church offers a biweekly grief support gathering. This is a nondenominational gathering that offers conversation and support for those who have lost their spouse.

The group will next meet 10 a.m. every other week.

To become a part of the next gathering, email the parish office at kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or call 610-264-0332. All group participation is confidential.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, will be holding Warm Up Wednesdays each Wednesday. This is a free soup night, and everyone in the Catasauqua area is welcome.

This is a way for the community to get together to share a meal and friendly word and is a nontraditional worship gather experience.

For more information, contact the church at 610-264-2641.

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Join Scouting America with a program that promotes youth leadership, community service, environmental conservation, good citizenship and an appreciation of the outdoors. Scouting America Troop 94 welcomes boys and girls ages 12 and above.

Meetings are held 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St.

For more information, email cattytroop94@yahoo.com.

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With the holidays approaching, consider purchasing a North Catasauqua Hometown Heroes banner. The banners make a great Christmas gift and are available to purchase to be hung around small Town USA.

The banners are a great way to honor or remember a relative or anyone who served in any branch of the military. A photo of the individual to be put on the banner will be needed, with the name of the individual on the back of the photo.

The banners will be installed and hung on various streets in the borough. Banner application forms are available at borough hall during regular business hours.

For more information, cost or any questions, call borough hall at 610-264-1504, ext. 4.

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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.

The holiday season is here, so take the time to celebrate and enjoy it! Have a great week ahead.