Regular pickup will take place for the borough’s garbage collection, which includes garbage and recycling collection, the week of Christmas Dec. 23 and the week of the New Year holiday Dec. 30.

Borough businesses and residents are reminded leaf collection in the borough has ended. Leaves to be discarded should be put in garbage bags and placed with the regular trash collection.

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The North Catasauqua Borough office, 1066 Fourth St., will be closed on the following days because of the upcoming holidays: Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1, 2025.

The office will close noon Dec. 31.

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St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church, 1239 Third St., has announced the 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 9:30 a.m. Dec. 25.

A New Year’s Eve Mass is set for 4 p.m. Dec. 31, and the New Year’s Day Mass will be 9:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.

If you have any questions, contact the parish office at 610-264-1972.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, will be holding Christmas Eve worship events Dec. 24 with light literature 4 p.m. and a candlelight and communion service starting 7 p.m.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, has announced its holiday services.

On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, Masses will be held 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, there will be a Mass 10 a.m.

There will be a Solemnity of Mary vigil Mass 4 p.m. Dec. 31, and a Solemnity Mass is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.

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The annual 2024 Deck Your Halls Holiday Home Decorating Awards will take place again this year. The awards are for first-place large residence, first-place small residence, second place, third place and judge’s honorable mention.

Also, the 2024 North Catasauqua small Town USA Holiday Lights Self-Tour Route to see the Christmas lights and displays returns. The tour travels throughout North Catasauqua and showcases displays of the residents, as well as the borough holiday displays. More than 150 snowflakes on the street poles help to guide the way through the night. The self-tour route will be available on the North Catasauqua Facebook page.

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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.

The thrift shop is happy to accept donations of good used clean clothing and household items and toys during regular store hours. Proceeds are returned to the community through contributions that support youth and adult programs and services.

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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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Hokendauqua Trout Unlimited is holding a fly-tying course beginning Jan. 4, 2025, and running for eight consecutive Saturdays at Northampton Area Middle School, 1617 Laubach Ave., Northampton.

All materials and tools will be provided. The course is free and open to the public.

For more information and registration, contact Dale Ott at 610-262-7598 or visit hokendauqua.tu.org/hokendauqua/fly-tying-course.

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The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 2025, in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

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

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Christmas oplatki is available for purchase at St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church. The Christmas oplatki, a blessed wafter to be shared with those at the Christmas Eve meal, is a Slovak and Eastern European tradition.

An explanation of the custom and a prayer service used at the meal is included. A $3 donation for a pack of four is suggested.

For more information, contact the church office at 610-264-1972.

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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 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. There will be weekly games, karaoke and puzzle nights 6-8 p.m.

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 here, 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.

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.

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Enjoy the holiday season.