Father’s Day is celebrated June 21 this year. Father’s Day means something different to everyone. For some, it’s a day of celebration and gratitude. For others, it brings memories or reflection.

Fathers and father figures often shape our lives in quiet ways through sacrifice, guidance, humor, patience and being there when it mattered most. Even after they are gone, their lessons and love remain with us.

This Father’s Day, celebrate the good men in your life. Remember those you miss, and don’t miss the chance to say “thank you” while you still can. Wishing all the dads and father figures a joyful and happy Father’s Day.

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Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, 210 Pine St., will hold Vacation Bible School 9 a.m.-noon June 22-26. Children from 3 years old and potty trained to fifth-grade students are welcome to participate.

The church is looking for volunteers. Teacher assistants, musicians, activities leaders and helpers are needed.

Call Vicki Beer at 610-390-5361.

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The summer concert series in the park returns with the first concert set for 6:30-9 p.m. June 24 at North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, 701 Grove St. The T&T band will perform, and the concert is free of charge.

For more information, call the borough office at 610-264-1504.

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The annual St. Mary’s Church block party is set for June 25-27 at the church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua.

Come out and enjoy children’s games, bingo, basket raffles, a bake sale and other food options.

The event will feature entertainment by deejay Dan Wade with DH Productions 6-9 p.m. June 25 and 26 and Sons of Izzy 5-9 p.m. June 27.

Contact the parish office at 610-264-0332 or email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com with questions.

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Catasauqua Garden Club meets July 1 for a workshop on the art of Kokedama — a moss ball hanging planter popular in Japan.

The meeting will take place at Slovak Center Social Club, 1233 Fifth St. Doors open 12:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning 1 p.m.

Workshop materials will be provided, and visitors are welcome.

If interested in joining or for more information, email at debmellish@gmail.com.

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The Catasauqua and North Catasauqua J4 patriotic celebration is set for July 4 at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St. The rain date will be July 5.

The celebration will begin with the reading of the Declaration of Independence noon at the George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua. The opening ceremony is set for 1 p.m. at the park. The event will include food trucks, music, craft tables, flea market vendors, a dunk tank, a cornhole tournament and children’s games hosted by the YMCA.

There will be a mega Catasauqua High School class reunion, bringing together graduates from every class, teachers and staff.

The evening will conclude with Flirtin’ with the Mob 7-9 p.m. and a fireworks display.

The event will also include a cornhole tournament. Participants are limited to the first 20 paid teams.

Volunteers are needed. If interested, email cattyareaJ4@gmail.com. The next committee meeting is 6:30 p.m. July 1 at the park.

Visit the J4 website at cattytest.my.canva.site/catasauquaj4committee for all of the latest information.

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The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will host a fish for free day July 4 to allow anyone to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply.

The day is set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors. Try your luck here in North Catasauqua at the Lehigh River.

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North Catasauqua Borough Council will next meet 7 p.m. July 6 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St. Check the borough website at northcatasauqua.org for the agenda.

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A Catasauqua-area summer pub crawl will take place 5 p.m.-midnight July 11. The event includes drink specials at every stop and great fun with giveaways.

Establishments in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua will be participating. You must be 21 years of age and older to participate. Passports for a chance to win prizes can be picked up at participating locations.

For more information, visit the Catasauqua Pub Crawl Facebook page.

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The sixth annual Jess Fin Fest will take place 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11 at the park. The main attraction of the event is the coed volleyball tournament and cornhole tournaments.

Other activities include a basket raffle, deejays Johnzy and PK from KJ Lehigh, tournament shirts and Jess Fin Foundation apparel for sale, food, Lehigh Valley Homebrew craft beer and the Inside Scoop ice cream. Kids can enjoy the playground.

The Jess Fin Fest proceeds fund brain tumor research and grants for local individuals diagnosed with brain cancer. It is in memory of Jess Finlayson, a Northampton volleyball coach and eighth-grade math teacher who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2021.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church PREP is holding Vacation Bible School — Putting on the Armor of God — 9 a.m.-noon Monday to Friday July 13-17.

VBS is open to all children grades K-8. There is a cost.

To register, email Amelia Gamble at prep.stmarys122@gmail.com or call the parish office at 610-264-0332 no later than July 1.

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North Catasauqua’s summer park program — Pop Up and Play — is run by the YMCA at the park. The program runs 9:30 a.m.-noon Mondays through Fridays through July 31 for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. There will be weekly themes, field trips, lunch provided daily and games.

There will be no sessions July 2 and 3 due to the holiday.

Contact the YMCA directly at cmesser@ymcarivercrossing.org.

Teen mentorship opportunities are available for Pop Up and Play as well. Opportunities are available for Catasauqua Area School District students entering grades 7-12. Interested teens should email cmesser@ymcarivercrossing.org.

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The summer programs for North Catasauqua and Catasauqua children have started June 15. Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church will prepare and serve lunches at both North Catasauqua and Catasauqua parks Mondays to Fridays.

Volunteers are needed for food preparation and to hand out lunches. Child abuse and state criminal clearances are needed, and the church can offer assistance.

For more details, call the church office at 610-264-2641.

The church is also looking for donations to help replenish the food supplies. Individually packed salty snacks, such as Doritos, Takis, potato chips and cheese curls, can be dropped off at the church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua. You can also make a monetary donation, and volunteers will take care of the shopping.

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The North Catasauqua and Catasauqua fire departments remind residents that when an elevated fire danger alert is posted in our area, precautions should be taken to avoid the risk of fires. The fire danger alert exists when weather conditions include low humidity, dry fuels and increased winds.

Precautions include avoiding outdoor burning of any kind, disposing of cigarettes properly, avoiding parking on dry grass and reporting smoke or fire immediately to 911.

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If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, submit it to me at least two weeks in advance, especially if a certain date is involved with your submission. I can be reached by email at ncatacentennial@aol.com.

Have a great week!