It's the day after the day after Christmas, and that means many of us are back to work for a few days before we officially ring in 2023.
We know we said 5 Things was taking a holiday break, but if you're going to power through the rest of the week, we're right there with you.
1. According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., today will see a high of 34 degrees under clear and sunny skies. It's our first day with high temperatures back above freezing since before the holiday weekend. But while we have a warming trend on the way, it's looking like it might be a soggy New Year's Eve.
2. It might be cold, but flowers are coming. Our own Mariella Miller will have a story today on flower CSAs and how you can reserve your order now for fragrant blooms coming up from local farms in the spring and summer.
3. Speaking of New Year's Eve, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms will team up with the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to drop a 1,000-pound hockey puck. It's being fabricated as we speak (or as I type) and I'll get the chance to see the inner workings of the construction later this morning. Check back later for a story on that.
4. Did you know today is National Fruitcake Day? Traditionally made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts, spices and more, fruitcake has been a holiday gift-giving tradition for many, many years. According to the National Day Calendar, the tradition dates back to ancient Rome.
5. And Monday marked the beginning of Kwanzaa, the seven-night celebration honoring African American culture and traditions. It teaches more than five things. In fact, it teaches the seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
