KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY: The university has been named a “Best Regional University” for 2026 in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking of U.S. colleges and universities. U.S. News lists KU as No. 112 in the first tier of the Best Regional Universities for the northern region, three spots higher than last year. KU has been ranked in the first tier since 2011.

Additionally, KU remained No. 42 among Top Public Schools for Regional Universities in the North. KU was one of seven institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education that were ranked in the first tier as regional universities. U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with helpful data and information on factors such as graduation rates, social mobility and graduate indebtedness. Learn more at https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges.

GOLF TOURNAMENT: Spots are still available for golfers to register for the 40th annual KidsPeace Golf Classic, taking place Oct. 6, at the beautiful Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville.

Golfers will enjoy their round on Woodstone’s scenic course, followed by the event’s signature classic seafood dinner - a Golf Classic tradition that participants eagerly anticipate each year.

The Golf Classic is a fundraising effort of the Lehigh Valley KidsPeace Board of Associates, and proceeds are used for vital projects that directly aid children and families engaged in KidsPeace programming. These initiatives provide critical resources and services to those who need them most.

Join KidsPeace in celebrating 40 years of making a difference — one swing at a time! Interested participants, sponsors, or donors can learn more and sign up by visiting kidspeace.harssgiving.org/events/2879.

FLU VACCINES: The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center, 4350 Broadway, Allentown, is hosting its third annual flu shot clinic 2-6 p.m. Oct. 16. They will be giving flu vaccines for children six months and older and adults. They will also be offering tours of the Forensic Center. Hot dogs and light refreshments will be served.

COMMUNITY MEAL: Shared Abundance Community Meal, 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 9, New Jerusalem Zion UCC, 1456 Krumsville Road, (Route 737, across from Greenwich Elementary School), Krumsville.

This free meal is open to everyone in the community to share in the bounty of God’s blessings. Hosted by the Local Shared Outreach group. For more information, call 610-756-6892.

CHICKEN BARBECUE: Morgenland Church, 3120 Weidasville Road, Orefield, will be taking orders for Kauffman Chicken Barbecue dinners until Oct. 6. The dinners will include a half chicken, baked potato, applesauce and roll with the dinner. Pickup will be from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 11. To place an order for chicken only, call Cindy at 610-554-0510.

Also available are apple dumplings cooked fresh by church members with or without brown sugar syrup.

Your apple dumpling order can be picked up together with your chicken order. Apple dumpling orders without the chicken dinner can be picked up from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 10.

To place an order for apple dumplings, call Lisa at 610-984-7770.

JOB FAIR: Job seekers in the Tamaqua and Allentown areas are invited to Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Fall 2025 Job Fairs at its sites:

LCCC Tamaqua at the Morgan Center, 234 High Street – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 15, lobby area.

LCCC Allentown at the Donley Center, 718 West Hamilton Street – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 23, lower level student lounge.

Both fairs are free and open to the public and will provide students, alumni and surrounding community members with opportunities to network and apply for various open positions with registered employers.

LCCC’s Career Development Center helps to bridge the gap between employers and prospective applicants. Remember to bring multiple copies of your resume and be prepared to network.

For more information, call the LCCC Career Development Center at 610-799-1090 or email careerservices@LCCC.edu.

HAWK MOUNTAIN

AUTUMN HAWKWATCH: Counters and interpreters will tally migrant raptors daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 15.

MOON NIGHT HIKE: Enjoy a spooky Friday night atop Hawk Mountain with an educator to meet a live owl and set out on a hike in the dark of night 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Meet at the Visitor Center. Keep a keen ear out for the sounds of the wilds that come alive at night. Sturdy footwear required. Flashlights optional. There is a registration fee.

PENGUIN ADVENTURE: Join Shawn Carey, the past president and current vice president of Eastern Mass Hawk Watch, to learn about an unforgettable adventure to the remote Falkland Islands, home to spectacular wildlife including multiple species of penguins, black-browed albatross, and massive southern elephant seals 5:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Visitor Center. This program will guide you through the best wildlife hot spots, insider travel trips, and stunning photography opportunities to help you plan your own ultimate Falklands expedition. This event is free.

THE BIG SIT: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oct. 11. Assist Hawk Mountain naturalists by tallying raptors at one or more of their three count circles for the Big Sit on the Mountain. Trail fee applies for nonmembers.

AUTUMN LECTURE: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11. Pete Dunne, renowned naturalist and award-winning author, will discuss his book “The Courage of Birds: And the Often Surprising Ways They Survive Winter.” Participants will be exploring avian adaptations, migration patterns, climate impacts, and personal anecdotes with expert insight. Book signing to follow this free lecture.

YOGA ON THE MOUNTAIN: Hawk Mountain is partnering with local studio YOGA-B-YOGA to bring you yoga with an inspirational view that has to be seen to be believed 9-10 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Acopian Center. Additional dates are Nov. 30 and Dec. 28. Come and clear your mind and open up your senses to nature with this wonderful packaged get away! All levels are welcome — no yoga experience necessary. Classes are limited to 15 participants. For more information or to register for either the Moon Night Hike or Yoga on the Mountain, go to https://www.hawkmountain.org.

LEHIGH GAP

SENIORS GROUP: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, has formed a new group for nature-minded seniors. They seek to bring together LGNC members for fellowship and conversations about nature, conservation, and other topics. Each session will include coffee/tea, refreshments, and a time for socializing. This will be followed by a brief presentation about a topic of interest and an open forum discussion among the group members. The sessions will be held in the Great Hall at the Osprey House on the second Monday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m. This month’s topic on Oct. 13 is “Enjoying Nature Nearby.” If you have any questions regarding this new event, email Dan Kunkle at dkunkle@ptd.net.

BIRD WALK: LGNC Director Chad Schwartz will be hosting a guided autumn bird walk through the Lehigh Gap Refuge 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 7. Binoculars will be provided to those who do not have them. The walk is free for members. There is a per person fee for nonmembers.

GAME NIGHT: Join LGNC staff for an evening of nature-themed board games at the Osprey House 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 8. There will be a selection of board and card games at varying levels, from casual party games to longer-format strategy games. There will be games for participants ages 6 and older. Light snacks and beverages will be available. Walk-ins welcome all evening. LGNC members play for free. There is a small fee per person for nonmembers.

For more information about these programs or to register, go to lgnc.org or call 610-760-8889.

TRAIL RUN: The 14th running of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center “More or Less 10K Trail Run and 2-Mile Scamper” will take place on Oct. 11. Two-mile scamper at 9 a.m. and 10K trail run at 9:30 a.m. See www.lgnc10k.com for more information and to register.

ECOLOGY CLUB: LGNC’s Ecology Club is back for the 2025-2026 school year! Children ages 9 and older are invited to meet from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Osprey House on the first Wednesday of every month until June 3 for fun, hands-on nature adventures. Participation is free to all LGNC members and their families, and no registration is required. Email riley.davenport@lgnc.org if you have any questions.

MINI-GOLF TOURNAMENT: Chip Rohrbach Foundation, a children’s Theatre Fund, will be holding a Chip ’n’ Putt mini golf tournament 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at Putt U Miniature Golf, 5201 Route 309, Center Valley. For more information, go to www.chiprohrbachfoundation.org.

WOMEN’S 5K CLASSIC: The 33rd Women’s 5K Classic Race, Walk will take place on Oct. 4 at Little Lehigh Parkway, Allentown. Program start is 9:15 a.m. The Run, Walk and Pink Ribbon Loop start time is 10 a.m. Packet pickup is Oct. 3 or Oct. 4. Online registration ends midnight on Oct. 2. There is a registration fee. For more information, go to https://womens5kclassic.org/.

GOTR EVENTS: Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono will be hosting a Cheers to Strong Girls Bingo Night 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Stone Farm Cellars and Vineyard, 5831 Vera Cruz Road, Center Valley. Participants must be 21 and older. For more information on Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono, visit http://www.gotrlehighpocono.org.

SAUERKRAUT DINNER: Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner, 4 to 7 p.m., Oct. 18, Mt Zion Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Rd, Kutztown. Call 610-756-6210. Take-out is available.

CROP WALK: The Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Oct. 19. Event day registration begins 1 p.m. at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown. The walk begins 1:30 p.m. Walkers may choose either a 10K route or a “Golden Mile” route. Walkers who raise $150 or more by Oct. 19 earn a free T-shirt. T-shirts also will be available for purchase on the day of the event. The CROP Hunger Walk is an intergenerational fellowship and service event that benefits those who are struggling in the aftermath of floods, fires, droughts and other disasters throughout the United States and the world. For details and to register, visit the website www.crophungerwalk.org/allentownpa.

HAZARDOUS WASTE: Lehigh County will be holding a household hazardous waste collection event Nov. 1 in the Coca-Cola stadium parking lot. This county-wide event is for residential use only, no commercial entities will be accepted. There is a mandatory preregistration form residents must fill out if they wish to participate in the collection event. The link for preregistration is available on the home page of Lehigh County’s website, at lehighcounty.org. All pertinent information, including acceptable materials, directions on safely transporting materials, and appointment times will be included on the website.

SPAGHETTI DINNER: Morgenland Church, 3120 Weidasville Road, Orefield, will be holding its legendary all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatball dinner 4-7 p.m. Nov. 1. The meal includes two huge homemade meatballs, a salad, drink and homemade dessert. Take out is also available. Tickets are available at the door. The is a cost for adults and children 5-12 years old. Children under 4 are free. Handicap accessible if needed at end of church, lower level. They will also be having a basket raffle. For more information, call the church at 610-395-0067.