First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St., will hold its annual chili cook-off contest 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 27. The event is free and open to the community.

There will be a chili dinner, with salad and bread, plus a contest. A judge’s panel will award tiered prizes and a People’s Choice Award.

The church is looking for chili cook contestants and judges. Email mmiller020451@gmail.com if interested.

To reserve your seat for dinner, email or call the church at church.secretary@hokeypres.org or 610-264-9693 by Jan. 18. Leave your name and contact information. The church will accept reservations until it reaches the maximum capacity.

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Hokey Park and Playground has announced registration is open for the baseball and softball 2026 season. HPPA will be hosting teams for boys, K-19, and girls, K-18U.

Baseball will be T-ball and Grasshoppers for 4.5-8 years old; Biddy for 8-10 years old; Midget for 11-12 years old; Knee-Hi for 13-14 years old; and Majors for 14-18 years old. Softball will be coed T-ball or 8U, 10U, 12, 14U and 19U.

Registration is open at hokeypark.com.

For questions about the baseball and softball programs and coaching opportunities, email baseballcommissioner@hokeypark.com or softballcommissioner@hokeypark.com.

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In continuation of its Bob Warke-Dale Horn Scholarship program, Hokendauqua Park and Playground Association will again be awarding two $1,000 scholarships.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be a Class of 2026 high school-eligible graduate; be continuing your education in the fall of 2026; have participated in HPPA’s baseball, softball or basketball youth programs; and completed the scholarship application form and returned it to the HPPA before Feb. 28. Additional requirements are listed on the application at hokeypark.com.

The organization will review the applications and select one girl and one boy to receive a scholarship at the March/April meetings.

To download the application, visit HPPA’s website or email Bill Sabol at secretary@hokeypark.com. You can also direct your questions to Sabol.

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Applications for the 2026 Whitehall Hometown Heroes banner program will be accepted through March 13. This is the fifth year Whitehall has conducted the program.

According to the township, “The program serves as a tribute to recognize servicemen and women native to Whitehall Township who have served or are serving our country in a branch of the military. [Each banner] will include his or her picture, branch of service and era of service.

There is a cost for the banner, which is 30 inches wide by 60 inches tall.

For an application, visit the township website at whitehalltownship.org/rec-events or stop by the municipal building. Mail your application to the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, 18052, with attention to Michele K. Dragovits, administrative coordinator.

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The spring session of aqua aerobics will run Tuesdays and Thursdays March 10-May 5 in the natatorium at Whitehall High School, 3800 Mechanicsville Road. There will be no class April 2.

There is a cost for residents and nonresidents.

For more information, contact the township recreation bureau at 610-437-5524, ext. 1135, or bhibbler@whitehalltownship.com. The registration form can be found at whitehalltownship.org.

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There will be indoor public swims, a free program for Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough residents only, in the natatorium at WHS 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 18-May 13. Photo ID proving residency is required.

Note: According to the township website, “There will be no swimming when school is closed for a holiday, teacher in-service or when there is inclement weather. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian. Any child in need of a flotation device must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while in the pool.”

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If you have news or events to share with the community, email me at skoch@tnonline.com by Jan. 23 to meet the deadline for the next column.