It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just three weeks away. I sometimes wish we celebrated Thanksgiving in October, like they do in Canada, so we would have a breather between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But knowing how things work in this country, that would just mean we’d start seeing Christmas advertising in September.

At any rate, you can find unusual and unique gifts at the bazaars and craft fairs being held by churches and community organizations during the next few weeks.

For instance, Old Zionsville UCC is holding its 21st annual bazaar and filled basket auction 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Wonderful, unique gifts will be available. Come browse through the many crafters and vendors. Check out the auction baskets and buy tickets to win your favorites. Enjoy lunch (chicken potpie, potato corn soup and more) and don’t forget the bake sale. For more information, call the church office at 610-966-3601.

Registrations are still open for Upper Milford Youth Association winter basketball, but team counts were due by Oct. 31, so if you still haven’t registered, you may be left out. There is a first and second grade program which meets at Victory Valley Saturday mornings. There are age groupings of third and fourth grades, fifth and sixth grades and seventh through ninth. Go to www.umya.org to register or for more information.

St. Peter’s Union Church will hold its fall bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Eat in or take out. A light lunch will be available. The day will also feature raffles, baked goods, craft and vendor tables and more. Vendors interested in renting a table may call Janet at 610-845-8070.

The Vera Cruz Community Association meets 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9. All are welcome. For information, contact Betsy Eltz at 610-965-8627.

The Western District Fire Company on Route 100 usually serves breakfast the first Sunday of the month, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All you care to eat. The November breakfast will be Nov. 5. The December breakfast will be Dec. 3. For information on the breakfasts, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Upper Milford Fire Company’s ladies auxiliary meets 7 p.m. Nov. 6. New members are always welcome.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Citizens Fire Company of Vera Cruz meets 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Vera Cruz Fire Department Social Hall. New members are welcome. For information, call Emily at 610-972-6573 or email VeraCruzLadiesAux@VCFD28.com.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. Nov. 2 and 16 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

The Upper Milford Historical Society doesn’t meet in November or December due to the holidays. The next meeting is Jan. 25, 2018.

Upper Milford Township is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees: Open Space Committee Resident at Large and Zoning Hearing Board (alternates). There are three alternate positions which need to be filled. If you would be interested in filling one of these vacancies, fill out the volunteer application which can be found online and return it to the township office. If you have any questions, feel free to call and inquire at 610-966-3223.

Lower Milford Township supervisors meet 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 for a workshop and Nov. 16 for a regular business meeting. Action may be taken at both meetings.

Other Lower Milford meetings are as follows; unless otherwise noted, they will begin 7:30 p.m.: the planning commission usually meets the first Monday of the month; recreation and open space board, Nov. 8; historical commission meets the second Tuesday of the month, as needed. Check with the township office to find out if they will meet this month.

Upper Milford supervisors will meet 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 16.

The Upper Milford Recreation Commission meets 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. The Upper Milford Open Space Committee meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, but only when there is action to be taken. Check with the township office to find out if they are meeting.

The Upper Milford Planning Commission meets 7:30 p.m. the Monday prior to the first Thursday of every month unless that is a holiday.

The Joint Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. Nov. 27 in Upper Milford.

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