It’s hard to believe it’s time to say farewell to 2019 and welcome 2020. Hope 2019 was filled with memories galore for you.

Weather played an important role in our lives in 2019. Remember the snow emergency conditions caused by freezing temperatures Jan. 19, 20 and 21? There was a snow squall Jan. 30 (subfreezing weather, polar vortex). Schools closed Feb. 13 due to icy conditions. On Feb. 20, we had two to three inches of snow.

On March 3, we had seven inches of snow. May 29 will long be remembered when we had a hailstorm. We are seeing many new roofs as a result of the hail damage. It was the second wettest May in more than 100 years. In June we had frequent rainstorms for five straight days and that was followed by a heat wave of 90 degree days in July. It was the hottest July on record. And, in case you have a short memory, we had frigid weather Nov. 12 and 13.

Emmaus debuted a new celebration, Founders Day, in May. Also the borough hosted two very successful Dumpster Days in October. Plans are to make Founders Day and the Dumpster Days annual events.

The Friends of the 1803 House will celebrate Joe Zeller Day each year on Sept. 19 as a tribute to Zeller, who was a longtime friend of the 1803 House and who was an elected official of the borough serving as mayor and a member of council as well as a member of the Pa. House of Representatives.

In 2020, Emmaus can look forward to more news about the Emmaus Creative Arts & Innovation Center to be developed in a vacant Rodale property on South Tenth Street.

Here’s looking forward to 2020.

Art is coming to the library. The Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St., has received a grant from the PA Partners in the Arts to fund a series of art workshops, lectures and exhibits in partnership with the Lehigh Art Alliance.

The grant will fund displays for exhibits, class supplies and instructor fees. All events will be free and open to the public, with advance registration required for workshops. As part of the Art@EPL program, Marianne Knipe will speak about historic uses and modern painters in pastel 3 p.m. Jan. 11, 2020. A collection of Knipe’s work will be displayed. Knipe will conduct a pastel workshop 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20, 2020. RSVP for these free workshops to Lauri at 610-965-9284, ext. 210, epicollection@cliu.org or at the front desk.

Emmaus Borough Council meets 7 p.m. Jan. 6 and 20, 2020 in borough hall, 28 S. Fourth St. The budget and finance committee meets one-half hour before the council meeting. The borough offices are closed for the holiday Jan. 1, 2020.

The borough will collect Christmas trees Jan. 3 and 10, 2020. Place the tree at the curb without a bag. After Jan. 10, 2020, residents must take their trees to the compost site for disposal. The site will be open daily 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 to 17, 2020.

Zumba is held 9 a.m. every Saturday at Faith Presbyterian Church, N. Second and Cherokee streets. For information, visit borough.emmaus.pa.us.

The Woman’s Club of Emmaus will hold a get-together meeting 4 p.m. Jan. 20, 2020 at the Superior Restaurant in Emmaus, 102 E. Main St. This is an opportunity to learn more about the club.

Mark your calendars and call Nancy at 610-967-5715 to reserve your seat for the upcoming bus trips hosted by the Emmaus Historical Society: “Sherlock Holmes Returns” at Hunterdon, April 7, 2020 and “Queen Esther” at Sight and Sound, June 30, 2020. Another fundraiser for the society is Amazon Smile when you order through Amazon.

The Emmaus Historical Society museum, 218 Main St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Among the exhibits, the putz will be on display through January, 2020 and during the SnowBlast celebration. For information, visit https//www.emmaushistorc-pa.org, call 610-966-6591 or see them on Facebook.

The Emmaus Senior Citizens group will meet 1 p.m. Jan 3 and 10, 2020 at St. Matthew’s E.C. Church, Fifth and Ridge streets. Keith Sell will entertain Jan. 3, 2020 and Jan 10, 2020 is bingo. All local senior citizens are welcome. For information, call 610-966-4273.

The Emmaus Farmers Winter Market is held 10 a.m. to noon the second and fourth Sundays (Jan. 12 and 26, 2020). The Emmaus Farmers Market is held on the Triangle in Emmaus. For information, visit www.EmmausMarket.com or INFO@emmausmarket.com.

The Emmaus Public Library has many interesting programs scheduled for January, 2020. For a list of regularly scheduled story times, book groups, clubs and movie showings, visit www.emmauspl.org or the library’s Facebook.

SAT Prep will be held 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18, 2020. Zack Cooperman will instruct attendees on how to prep for and take the test.

Family board games will be offered 1 p.m. Jan. 20, 2020. Schools are closed but the library is open. Bring canned goods or personal hygiene item for donation to a local food pantry as part of the day of service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Join the library staff monthly for the Emmaus Creative Connection program, 1 p.m. Jan. 9, 2020. Bring an active project with you. The group permits time for discussion, creation and alliances.

Get help tracing your lineage using the library’s resources 5 p.m. Jan 20, 2020. RSVP for a 30-minute appointment with Chris.

Join Melissa Draving, owner of Here for You Concierge, 7 p.m. Jan. 22, 2020, to learn strategies and tips to help you get organized in 2020. RSVP.

Get personal assistance with your job search from Bill Miner, employment interview/career counselor with PA CareerLink, 7 p.m. Jan. 27, 2020. Bring any relevant career documents with you. RSVP for your 30-minute appointment.

Adult program RSVPs should be directed to Lauri at 610-965-9284, ext. 210, epicollection@cliu.org or at the front desk.

Mark your calendar: The 14th annual SnowBlast Winter Arts Festival will be held noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 1, 2020 in Triangle Park. This festival provides a wonderful opportunity for the community to enjoy this beautiful time of the year. Activities take place in Triangle Park and various venues throughout Emmaus including stores and restaurants. For information, visit www.emmausarts.org or see Emmaus Arts on Facebook.

The deadline for including items for the February, 2020 column is Jan. 14, 2020. Please send to durdock@aol.com, 913 Little Lehigh Dr. or call 610-967-2661.