ELECTION POLICY: As we approach the Nov. 4 municipal election, the Northwestern Press, in the interest of fairness, has halted the publication of columns by local government officials. Our election preview will appear in the Oct. 23 edition. A list of candidates, as they appear on the ballot, for local races will be printed.

We invite all listed candidates in contested races to send a 150-word response to this question:

What do you believe to be the No. 1 issue for your voters?

Your response could help voters decide which candidates fully understand both the job and the community they hope to represent.

Email responses to gtaylor@tnonline.com. Responses will be included in the candidates list.

The deadline for candidates’ responses is 5 p.m. Oct. 19. Late responses will not be accepted because of our publication deadline. Responses that exceed the maximum length will be cut at 150 words.

Letters to the editor, written by members of the community in support of a candidate, need to be received no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 17.

Rebuttal letters need to be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

HALLOWEEN EVENT: Ziegels Church, 9990 Ziegels Church Road, Breinigsville, will be hosting a Trunk or Treat night 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the church parking lot. There will be crafts, games, prizes for best decorated cars and free refreshments. Donations of new pajamas and canned food items will be taken for those in need. For more information, call the church office at 610-285-6157.

WRITER’S GROUP: Greater Lehigh Valley Writers’ Group will hold its monthly meeting from 10 a.m. – noon on Oct. 25.

The meeting is offered in a hybrid format—in-person at the Palmer Branch of the Easton Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer and online via Zoom.

Membership business will be conducted from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Author Juilene Osborne-McKnight will present “Goal, Motivation, and Conflict” from 11 a.m. to noon.

Using familiar literary and film examples, this discussion will differentiate goal from motivation and will look at how conflict arises from each.

A group workshop exercise that will focus on creating conflict out of goals and/or motivations will follow.

Osborne-McKnight will continue the deep dive into “Goal, Motivation, and Conflict,” in an afternoon workshop scheduled for 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Using familiar literary and film examples, this workshop will differentiate goal from motivation and will look at how conflict arises from each.

Registration is required for the afternoon workshop.

The afternoon workshop is free for members.

There is a cost for nonmembers payable via AccuPay.

Email glvwg.vebmeister@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.

For more information or to register for the events, go to greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org; “GLVWG Events.”

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. There 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.

CLASS REUNION: The Northwestern Lehigh HS Class of 2005 will hold its 20-Year class reunion from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 29 at Madeline’s, 1250 Turnstone Drive, Fogelsville. There will be food, a cash bar, and you’re welcome to bring a guest. Details on the cover charge and payment, how to RSVP, and more are to come! Contact Dan Metzger at dmetz571@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

BUS TRIP: The Northwestern Elementary Scholarship Committee is hosting a bus trip to New York City on May 9, 2026. The bus will leave Northwestern Elementary at 7:30 a.m. and depart New York City at 7:30 p.m. Price is $55 per seat. Contact Tracy Smoyer at smoyert@nwlehighsd for more information.

HAWK MOUNTAIN

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

CELEBRATE BIRDABILITY: Come celebrate Birdability Week at the Sanctuary 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Oct. 25. Open to all ages, abilities, and experience levels, this event is part of a nationwide effort to promote accessibility in outdoor recreation, ensuring that birding is truly for everybody. Visitors with special needs can enjoy a variety of inclusive experiences and programs, plus ASL interpreters will be available during select programs. There is a trail fee for nonmembers.

AUTUMN LECTURE: Dan Arcadia will discuss the broader and local impacts of forest fragmentation on wildlife, plus a summary of research conducted at Hawk Mountain and across southeastern PA on forest wildlife at his lecture “Conservation and Landscape Fragmentation: The View from Hawk Mountain and Southeastern PA” from 5-6 p.m. on Oct. 25.

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. For more information or to register for any of these programs, 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.

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.

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.