Columbus Day, a nationally recognized federal holiday, falls on Monday, Oct. 8 this year. While it is an opportunity for some to sleep in on a Monday, the holiday itself is also interesting, and a great time to celebrate and shop. Here are five things to know about Columbus Day: 1. Columbus Day remembers Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the “New World." The voyage was victorious when land was first spotted 519 years ago on Oct. 12, 1492. 2. The day is also considered a celebration of Italian heritage, as well as a huge shopping day in the U.S. 3…

Sacrilegious though it may be, we're going to set aside the solemn meaning of Easter for a moment and go with the candy. Did you know that: 1. A whopping 76 percent of Americans bite off the chocolate bunny's ears first, 5 percent eat the feet first and 4 percent go straight for the tail. 2. Americans prefer milk chocolate to dark chocolate by almost 3 to 1, and 85 percent of us would prefer a chocolate bunny to a real bunny.  3. Red jelly beans are the hands-down favorite, so much so that kids say they would do extra chores to get them. 4. Solid chocolate bunnies are preferred over hollow. …

On the surface, the feast of Passover or Pesach in Hebrew, is about freedom, family and food. It celebrates the Jews Exodus from Egypt in specifically ordered ways. For example: 1. Passover began last night, April 6, at sundown, and continues through April 14. 2. Matzah, an integral part of the Seder, is an unleavened bread used throughout the holiday to represent the Jews' rapid exile from Egypt. Their flight happened so quickly that they didn't have time to allow the dough to rise before baking. 3. The Seder supper is the beginning of the eight days of observance. According to Rabbi Brad …

Growing up with a very Irish mother, superstition was deeply woven into the tapestry of my childhood. Indeed, adhering to the admonitions of, say, five superstitions before breakfast was called Tuesday. It didn't have to be St. Patrick's Day or even Good Friday or All Soul's Day, the most foreboding days of a Catholic year. They're the only days printed in black on the calendar the church gives you. Check it out. But I digress... I'm also well aware, by the way, that superstition is not unique to the Irish, and that the practice enriches many other cultures. Some are even understandable: …

Check out any calendar and you’ll see that the third Monday in February is designated as Presidents Day, a holiday most commonly associated with two of the (arguably) most important presidents of our country, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. But really, only one of those is accurate. Read on to find out who -- and what -- we celebrate on Presidents Day, as well as some other fun facts: 1. Abraham Lincoln and George Washington share the same birth month. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, while Washington was born on February 22, 1732 -- only some 10 days and 77 years apart. But …

Every Feb. 14, men and women (but mostly men) are expected to express their affection for their significant other by “surprising” them with gifts of flowers, sweets, jewelry, dining and greeting cards in the annual love-fest known as Valentine’s Day. Although the exact roots of Valentine’s Day are unknown, historians speculate that once upon a time -- we’re talking third century AD here -- the Roman emperor forbade young soldiers to wed, believing that single men made better fighters. However, a rebel bishop named Valentine continued to wed young couples in secrecy. Eventually he was …

The superstitious don’t have to wait very long in 2012 for the unluckiest of days to arrive: The first Friday the 13th is here. In fact, this is just the first of three -- the most possible occurrences in a single year -- in 2012, since April and July also will have a Friday fall on the 13th. But where does the superstition come from? No one really knows the exact origins of Friday the 13th, but historians speculate that it has to do with the combination of two superstitions -- that Friday is an unlucky day, and 13 is an unlucky number. The combo-superstition is a fairly recent one, at least …

It never ceases to amaze me how the beginning of a new year can bring such a newfound sense of responsibility, renewed hope in lost endeavors, and pledges to change the way we think, act and feel. Of course, by mid-January those hopes and pledges usually dissolve into empty promises, leaving only a foggy memory of a really awesome New Year’s Eve party. That said, here are a few fun facts about celebrating a new year that might stay with you: 1. The first New Year’s Eve ball was made because of a ban on fireworks. In 1904, the owner of the New York Times threw a huge New Year’s Eve party with …

Lower Macungie: Giant This place has a bunch of goodies too – like awesome Halloween doughnuts.  They also have pumpkin cookies, bite-sized cupcakes, rice krispie treats, cut-out cookie platters, whole cakes, and more. Panera Bread In addition to pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cookies, Panera Bread is featuring their iced pumpkin cut-outs. Dunkin Donuts What else would you find here but Halloween doughnuts?  Try a Boston Scream, a Caramel Apple, or a Fall Harvest with sprinkles. La Dolce Vita Italian Bakery In addition to butter cookies with orange sprinkles, this little place has both giant and…

1. Wait. Don’t buy your textbook before class begins.  Instead, talk to the professor the first day of class to see if you’ll really need the textbook.  Some professors base their exams off of notes and class discussions, and if that’s the case, the library usually has a copy of the textbook that you can study from.  Just don’t wait until the last minute to use it. 2. Consider renting. Many textbooks are available for rent, which is a lot cheaper than buying the book and reselling it.  At www.textbookrevolt.com, you can have a rented book mailed to you (and you mail it back when the semester …

1. As a stain remover If you’ve got stains from grass, coffee, berries, or tea, soak the clothing in full-strength vinegar until the stain dissolves, then wash. 2. For a sore throat If you don’t mind the taste, gargle (and then swallow) 8 ounces of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar every hour to ease the pain. 3. To wash windows Add a quarter cup of vinegar to a quart of water and pour into a spray bottle.  Spray on windows and wipe clean.  They’ll sparkle more than you’d expect. 4. As a meat tenderizer If you’re boiling your meat, add a tablespoon to the water, and your meat with…

It's okay to stray from the Patch for a day or two -- or more -- before the leaves start to fall. Everybody needs to get enough ocean in the summer to carry them through 'til next year. We'll be here when you get back! 1. Stone Harbor Great for: relaxation Stone Harbor has a small-town charm that keeps packs of tourists away.  The beach is surrounded by a shopping district (check out 96th Street) and restaurants that are easily within walking distance.  Be sure to stop by Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream – it’s been a staple of Stone Harbor since the 1920s. 2. Ocean City Great for: its boardwalk…

Tank:  A person who can eat a lot of food in one sitting.Usage:  “Wow, Jimmy’s going up for thirds at the buffet table!  What a tank!” Wonky:  Messed up or gone wrong, especially when referring to technology.Usage:  “I wasn’t able to send that e-mail last night because my computer went all wonky.” The Rainbox:  The shower.  (Think about it)Usage:  “I just got done with work, so I’m going to jump in the rainbox, then I’ll come over.” Gank:  To steal or to borrow with no intention of giving back.Usage:  “Son of a B, my car died.  I wish I could just gank that nice Mercedes over there.” Copsicle…

1. Carmelized Grilled Salmon 1 large salmon fillet (around 1 1/2 pounds), skin on1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt2 teaspoons dried dill weed2-3 tablespoons brown sugar Score the skin of the salmon (make 3 diagonal cuts each way so that they form diamond shapes) so that it doesn't curl up when grilled. In a large pan, sprinkle the meat side of the fillet with the sea salt.  Sprinkle the dill on top of the sea salt, and cover lastly with the brown sugar.  Cover the pan and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, so that the salmon cures and absorbs the brown sugar. Grease the grill (try applying olive oil …