The summer food drive at Emmaus Public Library continues through Aug. 30 where food and item donations are collected for Groceries Plus in Emmaus. They are looking specifically for quick and easy food items for children. Below is a list of needs, but anything you can think of that would be good for kids this summer, feel free to give. Drop your donations at the library in the bin by the front door. Items requested include: grape jelly in plastic jars, canned pineapple, cookies, kid-friendly cereal, granola bars, kid’s toothpaste and tooth brushes and neatly-folded brown-paper grocery bags.

The crochet club meets 6-7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the library, 11 E. Main St., Emmaus.

Creative play at the library happens 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 11. For children 1-3 years, their siblings and caretakers, the Margaret Knoll Gardner Lecture Room is turned into one big play space where everyone can interact and meet with local resources to discuss childcare and development. Drop ins are welcome. Music therapist Jacqueline Labenberg will present movement and music Aug. 28 and Brett Lesavoy, pediatric dentist will be featured Sept. 4.

Notary service is available at the library 4-6 p.m. Aug. 28. Books and Barks is scheduled 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28.

The Emmaus Public Library will host a Block Party 11 a.m. to noon Sept. 6 where all the toys come out for a creative play event in the children’s wing.

Help support local food pantries with your donation of extra produce from your garden or grocery purchases. Drop off clean produce in the coolers near the bike rack outside the library entrance after 7 p.m. Sunday evenings or by 10 a.m. Monday mornings.

The teen writers group meets 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the library. The writing group welcomes teens in middle and high school. Bring your creativity to write and discuss the writing process. Sharing your writing is optional but not required.

STEM story time will be held 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the library. The topic is Animal Adventures. Join Miss Sue for stories about amazing and interesting animals. This is a nonfiction story time for second, third and fourth grade students. Sign up at emmauspl.org/calendar.

Join the monthly caregiver support group to learn more about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and expand your network of support at the library 10:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 9. Call 610-530-8089 or email candice.leone@genesishcc.com for more information.

The library movie group will meet 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 to discuss “Ratatouille.” Ideas and open discussion are encouraged. Refreshments will be provided.

Call 610-965-9284 to sign up for a 30-minute session for assistance with uncovering your family tree and using Ancestry.com 5-7 p.m. Sept. 17.

Do you have concerns about falling? In conjunction with Allentown Health Bureau, the library is offering A Matter of Balance program which helps older adults reduce their fears of falling by learning to view falls as controllable. A Matter of Balance will also set goals for increasing activity levels, encourage small changes to reduce fall risks at home and ways to exercise to increase strength and balance. This program consists of 2-hour sessions every Thursday morning for eight weeks in the library’s meeting room. Limited to 12 participants. Registration begins Sept. 1; sessions begin 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 18. Participants must attend all eight sessions.

“The Sound of Music” Concert will be held at the library 1-2:15 p.m. Sept. 27. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of “The Sound of Music,” there will be a concert and talk featuring live music by pianist Patrick Kerssen. Registration opens Sept. 1; all participants must sign up at emmauspl.org/calendar.

Mark your calendars for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 for Community Heroes Day at the library. Everyone, all ages, can drop by the library to meet the first responder heroes in the community. Try on firefighter gear and see what it is like to sit behind the wheel of a hook and ladder truck from the Emmaus firefighters or Vera Cruz Fire Company. Check out the ambulance and chat with the Emmaus Ambulance Corps. Ask the Emmaus police questions about their jobs and check out their vehicles. And don’t forget to check out a library book on your favorite community heroes. Community Heroes Day takes place in the library parking lot which will close 5:30 p.m. to get ready for the event.

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 experience the beautiful displays that provide a glimpse into many facets of past community life.

The historical society’s next program and membership meeting is Sept. 17 titled “The Silk Mills of Emmaus, Their History and Heritage.” This program will be presented by Jeanne Harakal. Programs are free and members and nonmembers are welcome to attend.

Also, mark your calendars for Sept. 20 for the Emmaus Heritage Festival which is held on the grounds of the Emmaus Historical Society. This is also in conjunction with Emmaus Main Street Partners Farewell to Summer on the Triangle.

The society’s museum committee appreciates all donations of memorabilia that came from, was used or enjoyed by those in Emaus/Emmaus. Also, don’t throw out those old photos if the people or places are from Emmaus. Call the office at 610-966-6591 to inquire whether what you have is what they want.

The Emmaus Historical Society is a great organization for those in the community interested in learning about and preserving the history of Emmaus. Please consider becoming a member and a volunteer. 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 Lower Lehigh AARP will meet noon Sept. 4 in the lower level of the Macungie Memorial Park Hall. New members are welcome. The next meeting will be Oct. 9. For more information, call Dot at 610-967-3284.

The Emmaus Rotary Club is looking for golfers and sponsors for its annual golf tournament Oct. 6 at Brookside Country Club, Macungie. Each sponsorship and/or donation directly fuels programs that feed, educate and uplift the community.

This is their largest fundraiser of the year; one of their most vital efforts is the food program which provides over 21,000 bags of food each year to food-insecure school-age children in the community. With more than 40% of students in the East Penn area qualifying for free or subsidized meals, the need is urgent and funding is critical. Contact the Emmaus Rotary Club for more information by texting Mario at 610-597-4885 or email mcozzubbo@crycpas.com or text Rick at 484-357-5780 or email richardzayaitz@gmail.com.

The Emmaus Community Yard Sale will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6. No permits are needed for yard sales on this date.

The Farewell to Summer Festival will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Triangle Park, 399 Main St., Emmaus. The event, sponsored by The Emmaus Main Street Partners, includes entertainment, kids activities, over 50 craft vendors food and drinks. For more information, visit https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/emmausfarewelltosummer.html.

Emmaus borough offices are closed Sept. 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Emmaus Borough Council will meet 6 p.m. Sept. 2 and Sept. 15.

The Emmaus pool will be open through Labor Day. Check the borough website for hours.

In observance of Labor Day, all refuse and recycling will be picked up Sept. 5. Place materials curbside the night before your service day so Whitetail Disposal can guarantee collection.

Residents can drop off E-waste at the E-waste dumpster beside the Public Works Department garage on Kline’s Lane. The site will be open noon until the dumpster is full on the second Monday of the month, Sept. 8, Oct. 13 and Nov. 10. The site will be closed December through February 2026.

Students in the East Penn School District are back in school. At Emmaus High School, picture day is Sept. 3. Parents can prepay at christmascitystudio.com/vieworder. Use the school code EMMAUSHSHS25. Prepay expires midnight on picture day; orders placed after prepay expires may incur shipping fees.

Mark your calendars for the EHS Theater Department’s presentation of “The Diary of Anne Frank” 7 p.m. Nov. 6-8 at the high school. Tickets can be reserved online via the EHS website beginning Sept. 16. Tickets will also be sold at the door if available. Senior citizen gold card holders may present gold cards in the EHS main office or at the door to receive a complimentary ticket to any performance.

Editor’s Note: We would like to welcome Tabitha Schade as our new Emmaus columnist. Her first column will appear Sept. 24. If you have news for the Emmaus column, please email her at tschadewrites@gmail.com.