Did you get your copy of the Upper Milford Township fall/winter newsletter? They were mailed out a couple of weeks ago.

There is information from the Red Cross about emergency preparedness for winter storms, as well as information on the township's open burning law, a guide to home composting, an index of township officials and much more.

If you did not get one in the mail, you can pick it up at the township office.

The Christmas season means a full schedule for area churches, as they gather to celebrate the birth of Christ. Upper Milford Mennonite members will go Christmas caroling Dec. 15 to visit members and friends who are unable to attend church on Sunday. Lunch will be provided for the carolers after the Sunday service and before they leave on their rounds.

As in years past, Zion's Lutheran Church members will visit the Lutheran Home at Topton to set up for the Christmas Sharing Dec. 6. Lunch will be provided. Meet to carpool at the church 8:30 a.m. or meet the group at Topton 9 a.m. Anyone wanting to carpool may contact Connie Schmaldinst at 610-966-5782. Anyone is welcome to come and assist in this ministry of Zion's.

St. Peter's Union Church will have a non-alcoholic New Year's Eve party 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31 for all ages.

In keeping with the true spirit of the season, St. Peter's is asking members to be "elves for the shelves" of the Zionsville Food Pantry, by making an extra effort to bring in canned items during December.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit will have a Christmas Madrigal Feast 6 p.m. Dec. 28. Seating is limited, so you are asked to RSVP on the sign-up sheet.

Also, Holy Spirit's Celebration of Music concert series will feature the following events: Fasnacht Coffeehouse 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, 2014; Singing Boys of Pennsylvania/ Keystone Girls Choir 3 p.m. April 6, 2014.

To find out how your church is celebrating Christmas, check your church bulletin or our listings on the church page in our Focus section.

UMYA 2014 basketball registration is now open but ends Dec. 15. If you have questions, email Jason Boulrice at jjboulrice@gmail.com.

Upper Milford Fire Company, Route 100, Old Zionsville, serves breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the first Sunday of every month. There are senior, adult and children's prices. The next breakfast will be Jan. 5, 2014. For information, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Western District Fire Co. #1 Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Jan. 7, 2014 at the firehouse. New members are always needed.

Lower Milford Fire Company, 1601 Limeport Pike, will hold a breakfast 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 8. This is the first of regular 'Second Sunday' breakfasts the fire company is planning. That afternoon, Santa pays a visit to the fire company 2 to 4 p.m.

The fire company's pork and sauerkraut dinner will be held 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 or until sold out, so get there early!

Upper Milford Township supervisors meet Dec. 5. A 7 p.m. workshop precedes the regular 7:30 p.m. meeting. There is a possibility the meeting scheduled for Dec. 19 will be canceled, but there will be a year-end meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at which time the budget for 2014 will be adopted.

A tentative budget, with no tax increase, was approved at the supervisors' last meeting, and will be advertised for review by residents until Dec. 17.

The Upper Milford Recreation Commission meets 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will not meet in December. For information, call vice president Neil Moser at 610-966-4376.

The Lower Milford Historical Society will meet 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Lower Milford Township building. For more information, go to their website, LowerMilfordHistory.org.

Following is the December meeting schedule for Lower Milford Township. All meetings begin 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted: The board of supervisors will meet Dec. 5. The Zoning Hearing Board meets 7 p.m. Dec. 4. The Historical Commission will meet Dec. 10. The Planning Commission will meet Dec. 16. The Recreation and Open Space Board will meet Dec. 11.

Several appointed board and commission terms in Lower Milford expire Dec. 31. If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Recreation and Open Space Committee, Historical Commission or Vacancy Board, send a letter of interest to the board of supervisors by Dec 12.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to publication.