HI NEIGHBORS: First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, is offering a free Monday speakers program featuring local presenters on topics including music, history, travel and technology. Programs begin with social time at 9:30 a.m., followed by presentations at 10 a.m. No registration is required.

For the Sept. 28 program, Chef Domenico Lombardo, Director of Northampton Community College’s Culinary Arts, will take attendees on a world tour of “Pierogies and Other Hand-Held Delights.”

For more information: info@fpc-bethlehem.org.

SISTER CITY: The free second annual Bethlehem and Patillas, Puerto Rico, Sister City Celebration will be held from 1:30 – 6 p. m. Sept. 26 at the Levitt Pavillion site. There will be a parade at 1:30 p.m. at Steel Ice, 711 First St. It will be followed by a flag-raising ceremony at 2 p.m. on the Levitt Stage, ArtsQuest. The festival is from from 1:45 – 6 p.m. at SteelStacks.

Live music, dance, cultural showcases, authentic Puerto Rican food, artisan vendors, and family activities will highlightithe shared heritage of Puerto Rican culture while honoring Bethlehem’s rich diversity. Visit artsquest.org for more information.

LATINO ROOTS: Northampton Community College will launch its Latino Roots of Bethlehem project during a luncheon Sept. 25 at the NCC Fowler Family Southside Center in Bethlehem. The initiative documents people, organizations and milestones that have shaped Bethlehem’s Latino community and its impact on the Lehigh Valley.

The event will feature a panel discussion with Latino community leaders, audience Q&A, and remarks from NCC officials. Spanish-English interpretation will be available.

Organizers said the project was created to preserve and share stories of Latino leaders and key moments in the region’s history.

WRITERS’ GROUP: Greater Lehigh Valley Writers’ Group will hold its monthly meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 in a hybrid format at the Palmer Branch of the Easton Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer, and online via Zoom.

Membership business will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Journalist Molly Bilinski will present “Behind the Byline: The Trade and Craft of Nonfiction” from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., discussing her newspaper experience in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, her MFA in Creative Writing, and the role of literary citizenship in a writing career.

Registration is required for the afternoon program. The program is free for GLVWG members; non-members must pay through AccuPay. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at any GLVWG event.

For more information or to register, visit greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org and select “GLVWG Events.”

VALLEY DAY: The Valley Day Festival will return to Riverside Park in Easton from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, featuring live music, food trucks, vendors, family activities and community programming. The free event will include performances by Fuego Base, Pro Dillinger, JJackpot, TGT Brazy, L.A. Gellis and other artists, with amphitheater performances beginning at 4 p.m. Organizers said the festival also aims to raise funds for a new community center in Easton’s West Ward and promote mental health awareness and wellness resources.

WASTE EVENT: Residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste during a Saturday, Oct. 3, collection event hosted by Hanover Township, Northampton County. Registration is required and available through Northampton County at norcopa.gov. Township officials encouraged residents to take advantage of the event to properly dispose of hazardous materials and help protect the environment. For information, contact Hanover Township at 610-866-1140 or hanover@hanovertwp-nc.org.

CROP WALK: The annual Bethlehem CROP Walk will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Central Moravian Church’s Christian Education parking lot on New Street in Bethlehem. Organizers said the approximately three-mile walk will include a stop at the Hispanic Center of the Southside, which operates a food pantry and other community programs.

Twenty-five percent of funds raised will support local feeding ministries, while the remainder will benefit global hunger relief efforts through Church World Service. Last year’s event drew nearly 100 participants. For information, contact Donna Mackaravitz at 610-762-4213.

EXHIBIT DEBUT: The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society will host a members-only opening reception for the exhibition Aquí Vivimos: The Hispanic Community in Northampton County from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sigal Museum in Easton. Remarks are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The exhibition features personal photographs, family artifacts, oral histories, archival materials and interactive displays highlighting the histories and experiences of Northampton County’s Hispanic and Latino communities. Admission is free for members, and registration is requested.

HAUNTED HOUSE: The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Production Arts Department presents its HAUNTED HOUSE on Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. Enjoy some spine-tingling fun at this showcase of imagination, artistry and skill that’s packed with fun frights and clever scares. From sound and lighting to props, costumes and set design every chilling detail is crafted by the school’s production arts students. Tickets are online at CharterArts.org or at the door.

FREE COSTUMES: The Costume Project will host a free community event from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 3 at the Bethlehem YMCA, providing children in need with Halloween costumes and books. Organizers have collected about 600 new and gently used costumes and nearly 1,000 books for distribution. Children attending will be able to select a costume, receive books, play carnival games and enter prize drawings at no cost. The event is the first of its kind for the organization, which was inspired by founder Alyson Haskins’ belief that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween. [good news ... nity event | Outlook]

ANNUAL CHILIFEST: The SouthSide Arts District will celebrate the 30th anniversary of ChiliFest with a day of food, music and competition in South Bethlehem. Festivalgoers can purchase a $35 passport to sample chili from contestants at venues throughout the South Side and vote for the People’s Choice Champion. The event also will feature live music by The Billy Bauer Duo, Melody Cruz, Seth Witcher and Dear Anna. Commemorative 30th anniversary merchandise, including T-shirts, also is available for preorder.

CHARGING INCENTIVE: PPL Electric Utilities is offering residential electric vehicle owners incentives of up to $120 a year through voluntary programs that encourage charging during off-peak hours. Customers can choose an automated charging program with rewards of up to $120 annually or a self-managed option offering up to $60 a year. The utility said the programs help reduce demand on the electric grid during peak-use periods. Contact: PPL Electric Utilities, news@pplweb.com.

GRANDPARENTING SUMMIT: Grace Church Bethlehem, 4301 Hecktown Road, will host a Christian Grandparenting Summit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The “A Heart for Eternity” simulcast will feature nationally known speakers and resources for grandparents seeking to strengthen their families’ spiritual legacy. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.; coffee, lunch and snacks will be provided. Register at gracechurchcb.org/events under Grandparenting Summit 2026. For information, contact Cathy Perna at 610-844-3935 or cathy.perna@gmail.com, or Deb Klepeiss at 610-349-9449 or abbey4942@msn.com.

SUN INN: The Sun Inn Preservation Association and The Bachmann Players will present Edge of Revolution, an interactive historical theater production, on Nov. 5 and Nov. 7 at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem.

The production blends drama, humor, history and audience participation as guests experience a divided colonial community grappling with loyalty, conscience and independence during the American Revolution.

An evening dinner-and-show performance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, followed by a lunch-and-show matinee at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Reservations are required by Oct. 29. The event is hosted by the Sun Inn Preservation Association, 564 Main St., Bethlehem

YOUTH COUNCIL: The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is seeking high school students to join its 2026-27 Youth Volunteer Council. The program offers volunteer opportunities, leadership development, service hours and networking with students from across the Lehigh Valley. There is no fee to participate, and members are eligible to apply for $1,000 scholarships. For information, email youth@volunteerlv.org or call 610-807-0336.

BIKE TOUR: Community members and families can learn about the people, places and industries that shaped the Lehigh River corridor during a guided bike tour Sept. 27.

The approximately 22-mile round-trip ride will follow a casual pace. Participants must provide their own bicycles and helmets. Lunch will be provided.

Space is limited and registration is required by Sept. 25. The fee is $15. More information and registration are available through Penn State Extension.

HALLOWEEN EVENT: The Northeast Community Center will host a Trunk or Treat and Resource Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at 1161 Fritz Drive, Bethlehem. The event is free and open to Bethlehem families.

The event will feature food, resources and candy, along with a costume contest for children ages 0-18. Partner organizations are invited to participate in a trunk-decorating contest.

The rain date is Oct. 29.

For more information, call the Northeast Community Center at 610-691-3355 or email info@neccbethlehem.org.

FITNESS TOGETHER: Penn State Extension is offering Lifelong Improvements through Fitness Together, or LIFT, classes for adults 40 and older who want to improve strength, flexibility and overall fitness.

The eight- or 12-week programs meet twice weekly for one-hour sessions and include strength exercises, warm-ups, cool-downs and basic nutrition information. Classes are offered at various locations through mid-December.

Some insurance plans may provide reimbursement for participants with at least 80 percent attendance.

Registration dates vary by location. For information and registration, visit the Penn State Extension website and search for LIFT.

FIBER FESTIVAL: The ninth annual Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allentown Agri-Plex.

The festival will feature more than artists and makers offering hand-dyed yarns, raw fleece, finished fiber work, tools, jewelry and other handcrafted goods. Artists and vendors are coming from throughout the region and as far away as Wisconsin.

The event also will include a Fleece Sale, Stash Bash and Make a Square project benefiting the Allentown Rescue Mission and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.

The first 30 customers each day will receive early-bird gift bags featuring mini-skeins hand-dyed by Cape May Fiber.

For more information, visit lvfiberfest.org.

BLOOM BENEFIT: Bloom has announced its fourth annual Freedom Benefit Dinner will be held 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Lehigh University’s Iacocca Conference Center.

The keynote speaker will be Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tenn. The event, hosted by Olav and Gina Sandnes, raises funds to support Bloom’s programs serving survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Bloom provides safe exit strategies, trauma-informed residential services, workforce development and other support to help survivors build independent futures. The annual fundraiser has generated more than $100,000 each year to support the organization’s mission.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, contact Vickie Nisbet, Bloom’s director of development, at 610-866-5755 or vickie.nisbet@bloomforwomen.org

VETERANS: Office of Veterans Affairs: staffed with VA-accredited Veteran Service Officers: Northampton County: 610-829-4875, orcopa.gov/veterans-affairs; Lehigh: 610-782-3295, veteransaffairs@lehighcounty.org.

Veterans Support: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.- usually third Monday of the month, State Rep. McNeil’s district office, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall. Information on education, health care and death benefits. For appointments with an American Legion Service Office representative, call 610-266-1273.

STEWARDS NEEDED: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is launching a new Colonial Industrial Quarter Stewards Program and is seeking volunteers and team leaders to help maintain paths, walkways and grounds at the historic site. The program comes ahead of the opening of the Overlook on History this fall. Volunteers interested in serving as Trail Tenders or team leaders can learn more and sign up at historicbethlehem.org.

ZUG EXHIBIT: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is presenting Jeanette Barres Zug: A Life in Service to Moravian Bethlehem at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St. The exhibit highlights the life and contributions of Zug, a longtime volunteer, educator and preservation leader who helped shape the museum and train generations of tour guides. Through photographs, archival materials and personal artifacts, the exhibition explores her lasting impact on preserving Bethlehem’s Moravian history.

More information is available at historicbethlehem.org.

HELLER REUNION: Hellertown, PA – The Hellertown Historical Society (HHS) will host a Heller Family Reunion for descendants of Hellertown’s founder – Johann Christian Heller – at its annual Heritage Day celebration May 15, 2027.

Heller descendants across the United States with genealogical ties to Johann Christian are invited to attend the reunion, which is being organized by the HHS and Heller family members living in eastern Pennsylvania.

Heller descendants interested in learning more about the reunion are asked to contact the historical society at info@hhstours.org. Responses already have been received from descendants in states from Maine to Washington and Florida to the Southwest.

NORTHAMPTON AWARDS: Northampton County will hold its 2026 annual Awards Ceremony Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at the Northampton County Courthouse.

Northampton County will present awards to residents in the categories of Volunteer, Youth, Business, Veteran, Samaritan, and Emergency Personnel.

Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organizations using the form on the DCED website at norcopa.gov/dced. To submit a nomination, please contact Dawn Tomaino at dtomaino@norcopa.gov.

Nominations for Outstanding City and Municipal Employees will be submitted directly by their municipalities.

The event is free and open to the public.

NORTHAMPTON HABITAT: After more than three years of hard work, perseverance, and adaptations, “Homes at Forks,”– a collaborative project being undertaken by Northampton County and Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley – has received final approval from Forks Township board of supervisors. The 12-acre development is located off Kesslersville Road near the Two T’s Family Entertainment Center and Braden Airpark in Forks Township.

KILIMANJARO FUNDRAISER: Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem board member Dylan Stroup will take his support for local youth to new heights this summer as he climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the Club’s programs.

Stroup, who joined the Club’s board of directors in 2024, is leading the “Climb for Kids” campaign with a goal of raising $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, which has served local children and teens since 1930. Today, more than 650 Club members take part in programs focused on education, recreation and character development.

His climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, is scheduled to begin in early August. Donations to the campaign will help support Club kids and teens as they build confidence, overcome challenges and prepare for bright futures in the Bethlehem community.

To support the effort: Contributions may be made to Dylan Stroup’s Climb for Kids campaign benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem.

This project will provide attainable housing for 25 families in need, a step forward in our goal of providing affordable housing options in the Lehigh Valley. In true Habitat for Humanity fashion, each future homeowner will contribute 250 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home – a testament to the dedication and investment these families bring to their community.

10TH ANNIVERSARY: The National Museum of Industrial History will host a cocktail reception Nov. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The gala will highlight a decade of public engagement and invites community participation through attendance, program advertising and donations for a silent auction. [10th Anniv ... la at NMIH | Outlook]

Additional details are available through the museum’s website.

LITTER CONTEST: The Pennsylvania Resources Council is accepting entries for its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31.

Open to amateur photographers, the contest invites participants to submit photos highlighting litter in Pennsylvania communities. Categories include students, adults, and new Before & After divisions recognizing cleanup efforts. First-place winners in each category will receive $500.

For contest rules and entry information, visit prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest or email lensonlitter@prc.org.