Hope this edition finds everyone having a great summer.

There is so much to do and see and the weather has been fairly cooperative.

The Great Allentown Fair will be held Sept. 1 to 7 at the Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N. 17th St., Allentown. They are currently looking for "blue ribbon" contestants. Amateur crafters, collectors, cooks, photographers and others with creative talents have the opportunity to compete as well as area farmers and gardeners.

All entries in these competittive exhibit categoires will be displayed fair week inside Agri-Plex, the fair's main exhibit hall, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network.

There are two separate guideline booklets one for Agri-Plex entries and one for livestock entries.

The final deadline for registering livestock is July 18 and the final deadline for Agri-Plex entries is 6 p.m. Aug. 8. For more information on registering, entry forms or information about the fair, visit www.allentownfairpa.org.

The township playground program continues to run through July 24 at several township parks, including Laubach Park, here on the east side. This program is for township children who have completed kindergarten through age 12 and runs 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Registration forms are available at the parks.

The Allentown Public Library book van will visit Laubach Park 11 to 11:30 a.m. July 17.

The Salisbury Township Playground Day will be July 22 with a rain date of July 23 at Lindberg Park. There will be games, hot dogs, prizes and more. Additional information is available at the township Parks.

The Allentown Public Theatre, 417 N. 7th St., Allentown, will present "Charlotte's Web" 6 to 7:15 p.m. July 24. This is a free event for children 12 and under and all others can pay as able for the performance. More information is available at www.allentownpublictheatre.com or by calling 888-895-5645.

Salisbury Township will host a bus trip to New York City Sept. 19. The cost includes admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a visit to Bryant Park for lunch and shopping time on your own. The registration deadline is Aug. 10 at the municipal building. More information is available by calling 610-797-4000.

The Franko Farm yard waste drop off site will be open for yard waste 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25 and 28.

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby