August already? I’m going to have to pay closer attention to either the clock or a calendar, as this summer has gone by faster than any I can remember. Keeping busy and having fun will have that effect on your time, as I seem to misplace an hour or two every day.

Despite the summer slipping away, we still have plenty of opportunities to enjoy our parks, pool and other venues around town, starting with our borough’s newest attraction — movies in the park. Located at the Municipal Park bandshell, this family-friendly event kicks off every Friday evening, weather permitting, into October. Beginning 7:30 p.m. with a variety of pre-movie entertainment, the movie itself starts 8:30 p.m.

For your convenience, there will also be a concession stand selling hot dogs, popcorn and drinks, among other treats. With a sizable, 18-foot screen and plenty of space to set up your chairs or blankets, this is the perfect outdoor venue to spend a night with family and friends under the stars, watching what will be an entertaining assortment of films.

On tap for this Friday’s feature is “Despicable Me 4,” so come on over to the park and join in the fun.

Before time slips away and he slips away to college, I want to recognize a special member of our borough council for the past two years — recently graduated Junior Councilman Mason Smolenak.

I was first introduced to Mason when he became the borough’s junior councilman in 2023. From our first council meeting, I immediately noticed his strong character and warm personality, just from the way he carried himself around those much older than him. Always polite and well mannered, obviously from his strong family ties and upbringing, he quickly gained the respect and admiration of borough council.

As I was then looking for assistance with one of my pet projects as mayor — the creation of Facebook and Instagram pages to complement my Hometown Heroes banner project — I turned to Mason. He, thankfully, readily agreed to assist me.

With his leadership and initiative, he formulated a plan, bringing together a 16-person volunteer group of Northampton Area High School students to assist in the project. As chairman of that group, Mason’s outstanding organizational skills provided the structure this project needed to succeed on levels far beyond my expectations. The task involved the students’ contacting relatives of the featured Hometown Hero and gathering slice-of-life stories of the hero, beyond their military experience. That information, along with a photo of the banner and an inset map as to the banner’s location in the borough, was then posted on a one-page template on the social media sites.

From my point-of-view as an adviser, I had no doubt his strong, yet quiet, leadership, detailed organization and ability to manage change made all the difference, as he had the total respect and command of the volunteers.

For your edification, just go see for yourself. Search Northampton Hometown Heroes on Facebook or Instagram, and see the high level of detail and creativity Mason’s hands-on input provided. He was also an integral part of other borough initiatives, for sure, surpassing all expectations of a junior councilman in those areas.

With that said, and with all I’ve also learned throughout our time together, I will miss Mason as he will undoubtedly go on to excel in whatever endeavor he undertakes, starting with his entry into Wilkes College this fall.

For all your achievements and the respect you’ve certainly earned from all of us here at borough hall, I wish you the best of everything, Mason!

Mark your calendar for Sept. 13 as our Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the 36th annual Uptown Northampton Street Fair. With an ever-expanding variety of foods, a plethora of vendors and plenty of musical entertainment, it will certainly be an enjoyable day for you and your family on Main Street.

If you are interested in becoming a food or merchandise vendor for this year’s fair, there’s still time to get an application. Just contact Caitlin Hamlin at 610-739-1520 or email her at caitlinh@lehighvalleychamber.org, and she’ll take it from there.

As these days keep getting shorter, let’s make the best use of the time and enjoy Northampton’s great outdoors while these warm days are still at hand. Take care of each other, my friends!