The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will host a fish for free day May 25 to allow anyone to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply.

This is the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day — July 4.

This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors.

More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available at fishandboat.com.

***

The Memorial Day holiday is May 26. This Memorial Day, we hold our loved ones close in our hearts and honor their legacy. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who gave their lives for our country.

May we never forget their sacrifice. Their sacrifice lives on in our hearts and reminds us of the true meaning of bravery.

***

The snack stand at North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, 701 Grove St., opens May 27 for the season. Remember, the snack stand is cash only during the season. Stop by and get a snack or a cool drink while visiting the park.

***

The annual North Catasauqua Police Association Community Day is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. May 30 at the park. The event is an opportunity to share fun and excitement between the police department and residents.

There will be a deejay; food trucks; bounce houses; kid’s games and activities, such as rock climbing, a magic show, balloon animals and face painting; police, fire and military displays; a basket raffle; craft vendors; outreach organizations; and more.

For more information, contact the borough office at 610-264-1504 or email Office@NorthCatasauqua.org.

***

St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church, 1229 Third St., will hold a basket social 4-7 p.m. May 30, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. May 31 and 9:30 a.m.-noon June 1. The drawing will be noon June 1, and you do not need to be present to win.

Complimentary baked goods will be available to enjoy while you place your stubs for your selected baskets and door prizes.

Ticket presales will be available after the 4 p.m. Mass May 24 and after the Masses 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. May 25.

In preparation for the upcoming basket social, the church is looking for donations of either completed baskets or items to be included in baskets and/or monetary donations.

Monetary donations can be placed in the collection basket, in an envelope with basket social donation noted. Basket items can be dropped off on the table in the church basement. Suggestions for baskets are listed in fliers placed at both entrances of the church.

For more information, call Connie Molchany at 610-554-2857 or Peg McCarty at 610-762-0250.

***

Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church will hold its 18th annual junior Victorian tea and basket raffle 2-4 p.m. June 1. Doors will open 1:30 p.m. for the raffle.

There will be kid-friendly beverages, desserts, door prizes and activities. Adults must be accompanied by a child. Dads, sons and grandsons are welcome.

The event is hosted by the Holy Trinity youth, and proceeds from the event will be used to sponsor a child in Lesotho through World Vision and related causes.

For tickets, call or text Diane at 610-739-6006.

***

The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will tentatively be held 7 p.m. June 2 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St. Summer borough council meetings are subject to change or cancellation for the months of June and July.

The meeting will be a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northcatasauqua.org for the access code to view the meeting virtually.

***

In-person registration for the summer cornhole league will be held 6-8 p.m. June 10 at the park. Come throw some bags and sign up for the league. Weekly cornhole matches will take place at the park June 17-Aug. 19.

Online registration is open at forms.gle/xxrfuTFgN5Az2Yjn6. Register as an individual or as team.

There will be prize money for first, second and third places. There will be one midseason tournament where first place and second places win a cash prize.

The same boards will be used as last year.

For more information or questions, contact league organizers Adam Landis or Jason Bashaw at ncattycornhole@gmail.com or North Catasauqua Recreation Committee Treasurer Adriane Armbruster at adrianearmbruster@gmail.com or 206-569-8845.

***

The 19th annual North Catasauqua small Town USA carnival returns June 11-14 to the park.

***

The zoning hearing board will hold a meeting 5:30 p.m. June 12 for a special exception hearing and a request for variances at the property located at 1001-1003 Second St. The intended improvement will propose a 20-resident sober living facility.

Additionally, 1134 Howertown Road will be discussed regarding a proposed business change.

Hearings are held in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall. The meeting is open to the public.

***

Suburban North YMCA will run the borough Pop Up and Play summer program again this year. The program is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade and is set for 9:30 a.m.-noon Mondays to Fridays from June 16 to Aug. 1. Wiffle ball is planned in the afternoon.

The program is open to 40 children, with sign ups for North Catasauqua residents first and then Catasauqua residents if space is available June 1.

For questions about the program, contact the borough office at 610-264-1504.

***

It’s festival time! St. Mary’s Catholic Church will hold its annual block party 6-10 p.m. June 19 and 20 and then 5-10 p.m. June 21.

Come out and enjoy children’s games, bingo in the air-conditioned parish hall, basket raffles and a bake sale.

Your favorite foods will be available, as well such as steak/cheese steak sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, turkey barbecue, cabbage and noodles, potato pancakes, funnel cake and more.

D.H. Productions will entertain Thursday and Friday. Sons of Izzy will be there all evening Saturday.

This event is rain or shine. Feel free to bring your own chair and find a spot in the grass lot.

For more information, call the parish office at 610-264-0332, email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or visit annunciationbvm.net.

***

Visit the North Catasauqua Little Free Library book-exchange box located at borough hall in the front entrance area. New books and coloring and activity pages for children have been added, as well as new books for adults.

The Little Free Library is available anytime and has books available for all ages. The vision of the Little Free Library is to offer a book for every reader in the community and to offer the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book that is not limited by time, space or privilege.

Visit the library and borrow a book or feel free to add books.

***

State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, would like to remind residents to “Call Before You Dig.” It is important to call 8-1-1 before digging to ensure the safety of excavation projects.

Every time an underground utility line is hit, there is a risk to the contractors or homeowners who are doing the digging, to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized to deal with the damage and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.

State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days before excavation, triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their lines are located.

Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776. Learn more at PA1call.com.

***

Due to the popularity of this North Catasauqua column, it will appear in the Catasauqua Press every week starting June 1.

I thank everyone for their support. Keep those news and event tips coming!

***

If you would like something to be included in the this column, submit it to me at least two weeks in advance at ncatacentennial@aol.com.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!