Today is a busy one for almost everyone. Last minute shopping. Wrapping gifts.  Tidying up the house for tomorrow’s dinner. Preparing for that dinner. And the final touches will be put in place for tonight’s church services. Upper Milford Township is home to several churches celebrating the birth of Jesus tonight. Some will hold the annual Christmas pageant acted out by the children of the various churches. After weeks and weeks of rehearsals and learning songs, they are ready to tell the story of Christ’s birth to their family, friends and congregation members. Children dressed as angels, …

A couple weeks ago it was predicted that we were to receive one to three inches of snow in the Allentown area. No big deal. Right? Of course, up here on top of the mountain in Old Zionsville, it is not unusual to receive more—or less—snow than Allentown. (We once shoveled nine inches of the white powder off the driveway, when Allentown received only a dusting!) With the prediction of the snow and slippery conditions, members of the Upper Milford Township road crew busied themselves by preparing the roadways. The road in front of my house went from solid black to black with grayish stripes. I …

My husband and I have lived in the countryside most of our lives, with only two exceptions. After we were married, we rented an apartment near center city Allentown. Two years later, we moved into a townhouse in Lower Macungie Township. We stayed there for 10 years, then moved to our current home in Old Zionsville and back to our country roots. After 12 years away from the rural atmosphere, it didn’t take very long to re-acquaint ourselves to the smell of freshly cut grass, the cleaner air, the smell of burning leaves in fall, skunks, apples rotting on the ground, horse manure spread on the …

We have all heard smoking is a bad habit and not good for you. Children are taught in elementary school to not even begin smoking. And those who do smoke are encouraged to stop and lead a healthier lifestyle. I remember that when I was about 15, I tried smoking. It was awful…horrible. I still do not understand why people smoke and what makes them start such a bad habit in the first place, especially young children. It tastes and smells terrible. And whoever thought of taking a bunch of dried leaves, crushing them, rolling them into some paper, lighting it and puffing away on it? An Upper …

Editor's Note: This week's Under the Butternut Tree was written long before anyone had ever heard of a little storm called Sandy. Enjoy it as a glimpse into what "was" before the beauty of fall was so rudely taken away from us all. Reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. These beautifully colored leaves that bridge summer into winter look as if an artist splashed paint on lawns, streets, walkways and parking lots.  This is one of my favorite times of the year. The rainbow colors of leaves are a beautiful sight, especially when driving through Upper Milford Township along the country roads. Just …

In two weeks it will be the one year anniversary of the October 29 snowstorm—the Halloween Snowstorm, as it is often called. I am positive that no one has forgotten their harrowing experiences of those few days. Trick-or-Treat Night was canceled…unless you were fortunate enough to live in a community that scheduled the annual candy quest before Oct. 29. Halloween parties and get-togethers were also canceled. The Masquerade Ball benefitting MS was one of the events canceled in Upper Milford. My costume still hangs in the closet. But children—and adults—rejoice. With no predictions of snow as …

Twenty-two years ago we started planting sticks in our front yard. This was at a time when schools (including the East Penn School District), churches, businesses, farm shows and other organizations gave them to children and adults in recognition of Arbor Day.  Over a seven-year period, we ended up with seven of those sticks, consisting of the seedlings of three blue spruce and four douglas fir trees. They were about one- to two-feet high with no branches and they looked like…sticks.  We planted each and every tree that our sons brought home. The douglas fir and blue spruce trees joined an …

Many beautiful and colorful birds call Upper Milford Township their home. They can be seen in most any tree or perched atop the electrical wires that wind throughout the area. And, even if you do not see them, they will surely catch your ear while singing beautiful music during the day. Last month, while removing bagworms from one of our trees, my husband discovered a bird sitting on a nest of two eggs. Most birds will abandon their nest if they feel threatened, leaving their eggs or hatchlings. But this bird never left the nest. It never moved. We probably could have reached into the spruce …

There are lots and lots of charities and organizations in need of funds these days. Some call on the phone asking for dollars—something everyone looks forward to. Some stand on street corners and others have a dinner or activity connected to it. One of the charities we support is that of multiple sclerosis. Our daughter-in-law, Lynette, was diagnosed with the disease a few years ago while still in her 20s.  When she wakes up in the morning, she never knows if the disease has taken her eyesight or the ability to walk as she lay sleeping soundly in her bed. It would be devastating, especially …

On my journeys throughout Upper Milford Township, I can’t help but see the different varieties of coniferous trees. There are various shades of green, different lengths of needles, and some even have cones hanging down. But at this time of year those brown bags begin to appear on some of them.  And as time goes on, those beautiful pines and spruces can become brown and completely defoliated. This year, our front trees were “chosen.” We have four Douglas fir, four blue spruce and four arborvitae. Nearly all have been “decorated” with the brown bags.  We realized we were infested and needed …

Upon graduation from high school and/or college, our lives can change dramatically. We are suddenly thrust from the care of our parents to the hustle and bustle of caring for ourselves. Beer pong and other games are set aside for a job, rent or mortgage, groceries, a spouse and children. It is a part of growing up. However, as children and grandchildren enter our lives, we may return, at times, to childhood. Recently, my husband and I took a trip to Massachusetts to visit our nearly 25-year-old son. Our grandson went along with us. It has been quite a while since we have viewed the world …

Last summer, we had four babies that would us visit every day, usually twice a day — just to be fed. They were four fawns, born in the spring of 2010. Last summer they still had their white spots. By mid-August, mama was no longer wandering with them as often, but she would be watching — somewhere. If we looked, just right, she could barely be seen standing among the brush in front of the tree line. This year, though, we don’t see the fawns as often. When we do, they are either wandering by themselves or with another deer, maybe a sibling or a friend. And no more white spots or mama.  We …

The value of something is usually measured by its age. The older an object, the more valuable it becomes — provided it is properly taken care of. People, too, become more valuable as they celebrate birthday after birthday.  Wisdom and knowledge gained throughout life make them more and more valuable each day. Jennie Williams is likely the most valuable person in Emmaus. She may even be considered priceless by her family and friends. Two weeks ago, June 24, she celebrated her 100th birthday at a party with family and friends. Is there a special person in your life celebrating a landmark …

Father’s Day has come and gone. Too often dads are not given the recognition they so richly deserve. While most fathers work outside the home in a variety of occupations, an increasing number choose to either work at home or stay at home to care for their children. There are many who are very involved in raising their children. What have you done recently to show your dad how much you appreciate him? Tell us in the comments. Those at-home dads do most, or all, the typical daily household chores, change diapers, go shopping, take the children to school and doctor appointments, cook meals, and …

Residents of Powder Valley are usually prepared for the annual pottery festival sponsored by the Stahl’s Pottery Preservation Society (SPPS) held the third Saturday in June (this year June 16). But, this year was a little different. The day before the event — June 15 — beautiful music could be heard on the warm, humid evening. More cars than usual traveled up and down the hillside leading to Stahl’s Pottery.  It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime party for most. A gala to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of SPPS and its summer festivals was held on the grounds of the pottery site…

Most of us purchase our produce at the grocery store, especially in the winter months. But now that summer is almost here, we can visit the roadside stands throughout Upper Milford Township and the neighboring communities as they slowly begin to pop up.  We can also check out the farmer’s markets in the area. Upper Milford Farmers' Market is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the township building. The Emmaus Farmers' Market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the KNBT parking lot. And the Macungie Farmer’s Market is open 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Macungie …

As mothers arise form their beds today, the aroma of flowers wafts through the air in many homes. Cards wishing them a “Happy Mother’s Day” may greet them as they wander about. Yesterday, mothers throughout the country, including Upper Milford Township, were honored for…simply being a mom. Some may have been treated to breakfast in bed, a delicious lunch or a scrumptious dinner. Others received flowers, a greeting card or maybe a phone call or visit from a son and/or daughter. Mothers are one of God’s most precious creations. He made them in all different shapes, sizes, ages and colors. But …

The temperatures are finally beginning to stay on the warmer side. Some days we can even open the windows and smell the wonderful aroma of springtime.  It’s also the time to rid the house of unwanted clutter and dirt that seems to creep in during the winter months. As I drive through Upper Milford Township on weekends, I am starting to see the fruits of people’s labors—yard sales, garage sales, and barn sales.  Sometimes it is one family. Other times it is a group of neighbors selling their “treasures” to those seeking good deals. And then there is the person selling no items…just some hot …

Tomorrow some residents of Upper Milford Township will frantically be racing to finalize their income taxes for Uncle Sam. While some of us have already received a refund or sent a check for what is owed, others will be scurrying about to find receipts and other papers, calculate numbers and fill out the tax forms. How did all this tax stuff start anyway? Money was needed to fund the American Civil War, so the U.S. government introduced the income tax on August 5, 1861. The Revenue Act of 1861 imposed a 3 percent tax on incomes from $600 to $10,000 per year; and those with incomes of more …

Remember those salesmen who would come to your door to sell magazines, vacuum cleaners, dishes, household items…just about anything you could think of?  When I was in the fifth or sixth grade, my parents bought us kids a set of encyclopedias from one of these door-to-door salesmen. After the books arrived, we paged through each volume, looking at the pictures and reading some of the incredible facts found throughout the set. It wasn’t long before the neighbors discovered they didn’t have to buy a set of encyclopedias for their own children—just send them over to borrow ours! And if our books …