The Emmaus Historical Society and Museum, 218 Main St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Stop by for a visit and learn more about this history-filled community. The museum will be closed for the holidays Dec. 30.

Also, due to renovations, the museum will be closed starting the third week in January through February, 2024. Please call the office at 610-966-6591 to schedule a time to drop off any memorabilia or yard sale donations.

There will be no program/membership meeting in January 2024, but save the date for the Feb. 15, 2024 program at St. John’s Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 501 Chestnut St. on historic local barns presented by Greg Huber titled “Old Barns of Emmaus and Surrounding Areas.” Programs are free and members and nonmembers are welcome to attend.

The historical society’s fundraising committee is busy planning events for 2024. Lucky Bucks Bingo is back. Save the date for March 10, 2024. Tickets go on sale Jan. 8, 2024 online at lehighvalleychamber.org/events or at Emmaus Jewel Shop, David’s Electric and the Emmaus Historical Society.

Bus trips are scheduled. Call Nancy at 610-967-5715 for more information and to sign up. The bus trips are: Milk & Honey; Honey Express Train Ride, Hershey Gardens & Butterfly Conservatory – May 9, 2024, Daniel at Sight & Sound – Aug. 22, 2024, Magic and Wonder Dinner Theater for the Jukebox Jive Show – Oct. 15 and Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for White Christmas – Nov. 8. Call for more information and to learn about volunteer opportunities. Stay informed about all Emmaus Historical Society happenings by visiting their website emmaushistoricalsociety.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Emmaus Public Library’s daytime book club will meet 2-3 p.m. Jan. 2, 2024. The book club welcomes all adults and this will be a “free month” so all attendees may bring the novels they are currently reading or share a list of their favorite stories. Sign up by emailing eplcollection@cliu.org, calling 610-965-9284 or stopping by the front desk. The next meeting 2 p.m. Feb. 6, 2024 will showcase Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air.” There are some copies available to borrow when you sign up.

Can’t make it to the daytime book club? Come join the evening book club 6:45-7:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2024 where members will discuss Kip Wilson’s “White Rose,” which tells the story of fictional German college student Sophie Scholl, who confronts the Nazis through her work with the nonviolent resistance group White Rose. Please sign up if interested.

The library will host an American Sign Language workshop 6-7 p.m. Jan. 15, 2024 for adults. Local Deaf interpreter Margie Kavchok will introduce some beginner signs and speak about Deaf history and culture. Roughly 500,000 Americans use American Sign Language, which employs unique syntax and grammar and is not simply a signed version of English. If interested, please RSVP using one of the methods mentioned above.

Jan. 8, 2024 will feature a clay pot snowman Pinterest party at the library 6-7 p.m. and all adults and families may drop in to participate. Participants will create a fun snowman craft using paint and other materials. The library will supply materials for the first 25 participants on a first come, first served basis. Adults must supervise their children at all times during the event.

The library will be closed Jan. 1, 2024 for the New Year’s holiday.

The zoning hearing board meeting scheduled for Dec. 27 is canceled. They will meet again 6 p.m. Jan. 24, 2024 at Emmaus Borough Hall.

Emmaus Borough Council will meet 6-7 p.m. Jan. 2, 2024 also at Emmaus Borough Hall. You may find the Zoom information for borough meetings by visiting emmauspa.gov/Calendar.aspx.

Borough offices will be closed Jan. 1, 2024.

The Emmaus Veterans Committee encourages all honorably discharged veterans to become members and participate in the honor guard. The committee meets 2 p.m. every second Wednesday during January, March, May, September, November, and December, 2024 at Citizen’s Fire Co. #2, 1017 Pennsylvania Ave., Emmaus. Please direct any questions or interest to Joe Kavchok by emailing kavchok@gmail.com.

The Emmaus Public Works Department will pick up Christmas trees Jan. 5 through Jan. 12, 2024. Please put your tree at your curb, free from bags, ornaments, tinsel or garland, lights or tree stands. No artificial trees will be taken. The borough’s refuse collection company Whitetail Disposal does not dispose of Christmas trees, so please adhere to the designated time frame if you would like your tree picked up. After Jan. 12, 2024, residents must transport their tree to the compost site, open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 15-19, 2024 for Christmas tree disposal.

The Emmaus Youth Association will open spring baseball and softball registration online Jan. 1, 2024. Register early to receive an early bird discount. The EYA teaches children sportsmanship in a fun atmosphere through numerous sports and activities. Follow the EYA on Facebook and Instagram for news regarding events and sports registration.

Lower Lehigh AARP will meet noon Jan. 4, 2024 in the lower level of Macungie Memorial Park Hall. For more information, contact Dot at 610-967-3284.

The Emmaus Farmers Market will continue to operate rain or shine under modified winter hours, 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Sundays through April. Check their social media pages for updates regarding bonus farmers market Sundays.

The community room at Ridge Manor 1, 333 Ridge St., Emmaus, serves hot and cold nutritious lunches 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Ridge Manor invites all community members 60 years and over to have lunch and interact with fellow seniors. The lunches regularly include activities like crafts, movies, musical performances, exercises and speakers. Contact manager Rachel Cubellis at 610-965-2171 for more information or to place a reservation.

Please email caparay@gmail.com with any information about Emmaus news or upcoming events. I wish everyone best wishes for a happy and healthy 2024.