The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 20 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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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, 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 11 a.m. Jan. 21. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments are provided.

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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North Catasauqua Police Department would like to make residents aware that enrollment for the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Camp Cadet program begins Feb. 1. Participants learn about forensics, SWAT capabilities, medical services, police response, firefighter capabilities, fish and game commission, armed forces, bomb squad, PSP aviation, PSP mounted unit, PSP motor patrol unit, Secret Service and more.

Many participants who have completed this program in the past have become firefighters, municipal police officers, state troopers, emergency medical technicians or have joined the armed forces.

More information can be found at troopmcampcadet.org.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church will hold its cold cash bingo Feb. 16 in the parish center. The doors and the kitchen open 11:30 a.m., with bingo beginning 1 p.m.

There is a cost for bingo which includes 15 games, six specials and one jackpot round. Bring your own daubers but no hardboards.

No outside food or drinks are permitted. The kitchen will be selling your favorites.

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

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The Willowbrook Road bridge construction project has been completed, and Willowbrook Road has reopened with no more detours.

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The borough would like to inform residents of a new snow emergency policy. When a winter storm is predicted, the mayor or his designated representative may declare a snow emergency. This shall be published any time within right hours before the predicted start of the winter weather.

At this time, the mayor or his representative would notify the local news stations, police department, fire department, emergency management, road crew supervisor and the borough office. It would then be posted on the borough website.

Some snow removal suggestions include not piling snow close to intersections or in handicap ramps, not parking cars close to intersections and tucking in mirrors on wider vehicles if possible. The road crew will try to plow curb to curb, but this cannot always be done due to parked vehicles or the amount of snow.

For a list of borough snow emergency routes, visit the borough website at northcatasauqua.org. The snow emergency routes are streets marked with permanent signs stating parking is prohibited during a snow emergency. All vehicles not removed will be towed at the expense of the vehicle owner.

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During the past holiday season, members of the North Catasauqua Police Department visited the Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg, and donated $750 in gift cards.

The funds for the gift cards were donated by the members of the police department during “No Shave” November and December. The North Catasauqua Recreation Committee also contributed funds toward the special cause.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, is once again holding its Warm-up Wednesdays initiative.

Every Wednesday through March, there will be free soup 4-6 p.m. for the church family and community, merged with weekly games, karaoke and puzzle nights 6-8 p.m.

Come out for a very enjoyable evening!

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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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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 Memorial Lutheran Church.

For more information, email cattytroop94@yahoo.com.

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Looking for a unique item or a bargain? Stop by Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St. The 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.

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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The Catasauqua and North Catasauqua J4 Committee is looking for new members and volunteers to help organize the community celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary, which will occur in 2026. Any North Catasauqua resident interested in helping plan the celebration or volunteer is asked to email the committee at cattyareaJ4@gmail.com and provide your contact information.

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Join the Girl Scouts. Make new friends, develop leadership skills, build confidence, enjoy outdoor fun and get a sense of family connection.

To start a new adventure in the Girl Scouts, visit GSEP.org/join. For more information, email Katey at KLandry-Johnston@gsep.org.

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North Catasauqua Hometown Heroes 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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Visit the North Catasauqua Little Free Library book-exchange box at borough hall. The Little Free Library is available anytime and has books available for all ages. New books for children have been added, as well as coloring and activity pages.

The vision of the Little Free Library is to offer a book for every reader in the community and to offer the opportunity to discover a relevant book to read that is not limited by time, space or privilege. Visit the library and borrow a book or feel free to add books.

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Goodwill Keystone Area is providing free electronics recycling at each of its donation centers seven days a week.

Items accepted include computers, televisions, gaming systems, vacuums, toasters, cell phones and other pluggable items. The program is hoped to reduce waste, reuse items that are still good and recycle ones that are not.

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State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, would like to remind residents that the deadline for enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act is fast approaching. As of May 7, you will have to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door.

Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card or a military ID.

While all Pennsylvanians must comply with the new law, obtaining a state-issued REAL ID is not mandatory. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs.

To learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one, visit penndot.gov/REALID.

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The Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima statue of St. John Fisher Church is dedicated to all the parishioners to foster the worship of the Trinity through a devotion to the Blessed Lady. The statue travels into any homes that wish to host it for a time and is treasured there by a family or group of friends who pray the rosary together.

There have been several such traveling statues in the area over the years, dating back to the 1960s, which have been blessed by different pastors. If you wish to participate and would like to open your home to Our Lady, contact the church office at 610-264-1972.

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Winter is definitely here. Stay warm!

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.

Have a great week!