What Gadget did you get for Christmas?

Take our poll: Did Santa bring gadgets this year, or was it low-tech?

OK, assuming you were not naughty but nice this year, you probably got some kind of electonic doodad for Hanukkah or Christmas. Let us know what you got because we'd like to know if these gadgets are making us more connected, or less so. And in a shameless plug to keep us more connected, make sure you uplaod the free Patch App for your new phone. We want to hear from you.

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Layaway Angels Continue to Spread Generosity

More anonymous donors have been paying off layaway orders for strangers since Patch first reported on the trend.

Across the country, anonymous benefactors have been dropping into local Kmarts and paying off layaway balances for families with children. It’s difficult to tell where this trend of generosity started – you can see reports from Patch sites across the country above – but it’s clear that where “layaway angels” tread, tears of joy follow. Since we first reported about layaway angels, 14 more people appeared at the Kmart in Palmer Township and paid off 20 contracts, according to store manager Rich Riddell. One angel, he said, read the article on Patch and went to the store  because she thought it was a wonderful idea. "One customer thought it was a hoax ... until she came in," Riddell said. "She broke down into tears when we brought out her …

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Where in the World is Santa Claus?

Follow Santa's trek on Christmas Eve with space technology from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight. According to NORAD, it uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets. Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. On December 24th, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole. The moment that radar indicates Santa has lifted off, satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit pick up his trail. Satellites are able to detect infrared heat. Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature. The third tracking system is the Santa cam network. NORAD began using…

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Families Are 'Touched By an Angel' At Kmart on Tilghman

From California to Pennsylvania, anonymous benefactors are heading to Kmart stores, picking families at random and paying off their layaway balances.

The wave of generosity started about five days ago. Anonymous benefactors began stopping into the Kmart on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall and paying off the layaway balances of families picked at random, said Nichol Drozd, the store's assistant manager. On Monday, a woman paid off four layaways at the store, for a total of $600, Drozd said. The woman was among at least 10 people who paid off store layaways that included children's winter boots, games and children's clothing, putting down at least $1,500. More than 10 families have been helped.  "It is very touching," said Drozd, who then had the joy of calling the familes who had been "touched by an angel."  The response? "First, they're in shock," she said. "Then they end up in tears…

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Parkland Winter Concert Celebrates 'Season of Giving'

Proceeds from sales of the high school's CD for charity, "Parkland: A Season of Giving," will benefit the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Patch was on hand Thursday night for the Parkland High School Band & Chorus Winter Concert. Jason Lerew directed the Concert Band and Symphonic Band, and Frank Anonia directed the Mixed Chorus through the performance of a variety of seasonal hymns, folk tunes, and traditional Christmas carols. Gary Millspaugh, executive director of the Allentown Rescue Mission, greeted the audience and encouraged the purchase the school's holiday CD, "Parkland: A Season for Giving." This year's proceeds support the Allentown Rescue Mission. Millspaugh shared stories of the men who have been helped by the mission's work.

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'App'y Holidays

These iPhone and Android apps will be your favorite holiday helpers.

The holidays are here and, no matter how you celebrate, it's a busy time of year for most Americans, and a stressful one, too. So if you're one of the millions of people who gets overwhelmed just thinking about presents, pies and parties, fear not. We've compiled a list of smartphone applications that will help you ease the stress of the holidays and stay organized. ShopAdvisor: Black Friday is by far the most notorious shopping day of the year, and most people are willing to forego a post-Thanksgiving nap and leftovers to snag a deal on the items on their Christmas lists. But, thanks to ShopAdvisor, you won’t have to battle any coupon crazy shoppers to get the best deals. The app allows you to build a detailed list of all the gifts on …

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Cheap Trips

Cheap Trips: Revolutionary History, Victorian Christmas, Holiday Lights and Nature

Find four local attractions you can visit on one tank of gas.

Want to get out of town and go for a trip, but looking to save money? Try one of these four trips you can enjoy on just one tank of gas: Lights in the Parkway in Allentown, Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia, Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington and Victorian Christmas in Malvern. Address: 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia How Far From Upper Macungie Patch?: 52.8 miles Admission: Free Hours: Summary: Valley Forge National Historical Park is among the most famous and significant landmarks of the American Revolution. Valley Forge is where Gen. George Washington and his Continental Army, made up of shopkeepers, citizen soldiers and men from all over the colonies, weathered the brutal winter of 1777-78. …

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Your Guide to Holiday Snail Mail

Mailing deadlines for making sure your holiday packages arrive in time.

  You still can’t send a package through the internet, so as of next week all the major carriers will have Santa’s helpers in place to handle the huge volume of packages that go to and fro for the holidays. Below is a list of the holidays under consideration and a chart showing the United States Postal Service drop-dead mailing dates to make sure your packages, boxes, or bags (and cards, too) arrive at their destination in time. Domestic Mail Class Deadline FIRST CLASS MAIL® DEC. 20 PRIORITY MAIL® DEC. 21 EXPRESS MAIL® DEC. 22 (Check your local Post Office) PARCEL POST® DEC. 15   Military Mail Addressed To Express Mail® Military Service First-Class Mail® Letters/Cards Priority Mail® Parcel Airlift Mail APO / FPO / DPO AE (Iraq and …

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