Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here are some fun tips you may or may not know about St. Patty’s Day.

1. THERE’S A REASON FOR THE SHAMROCKS

How did the shamrock become associated with Saint Patrick? According to Irish legend, the saint used the three-leafed plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland.

2. SAINT PATRICK WAS BRITISH

Although he made his mark by introducing Christianity to Ireland in the year 432, Patrick wasn’t Irish himself. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century.

3. THERE ARE NO FEMALE LEPRECHAUNS

Don’t be fooled by any holiday decorations showing lady leprechauns. In traditional Irish folk tales, there are no female leprechauns, only nattily attired little guys.

4. St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York in the 1760s.

5. Green waters flow in Chicago.

It’s easy being green on St. Patrick’s Day, particularly in Chicago where the city dyes its river that color in honor of the holiday.

Approximately 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed worldwide on St. Patrick’s Day, according to WalletHub, which released a St. Patrick’s Day by the Numbers report this week.

Looking for something fun to do:

~ A Frozen Heart Ballet will be performed by Goldsboro Ballet March 17 to March 19 at the Paramount Theater. 919-583-8432

~ PNC presents Wayne County Jazz Showcase will be held 7 to 9:30pm at the Arts Council of Wayne County March 17th 919-732-3300

~ Leaping Leprechauns programs for ages 12 and younger will take place at the Wayne County Library March 17th 919-735-1824

~ Canoe the Neuse at the Cliffs of Neuse March 18th at 11am. They will provide the canoes.  919-778-6234

~ Lets Go Fly a Kite program will be held at Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace from noon to 3 March 18th. 919-242-5581

~ March 22nd is the 2017 Liberty Festival at 7 pm in Southern Bank Auditorium at the University of Mt. Olive. 919-658-7846

~ Poetry Slam: Student Contest will take place at 4pm at Deacon Jones Coffee Shop. Free. 919-658-7846

Try this amazing Irish recipe from the cookie rookie.com

SLOW COOKER GUINNESS BEEF STEW
Ingredients

• 10 small red potatoes, quartered
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can sliced carrots
• 2 full stalks celery, chopped
• 3 lbs stew meat, cubed
• 1/2 cup flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups diced onion
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 10 ounces beef broth (about 1/3 of a large box)
• 1 (13 g) envelope Onion Soup Mix
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 12 ounces (1 bottle) Guinness Stout

Instructions

1. Put potato, carrot, and celery chunks in the bottom of crock pot on low heat. Pour in beer, beef broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper, soup mix, and basil. Stir to combine.
2. Season beef lightly with salt and pepper and then coat in the flour.
3. Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Cook the beef until almost browned, and then add in the onion. Continue turning and browning until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add meat and onions to the slow cooker.
5. Stir in the tomato sauce and cover, heating on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Low is best, but if you don’t have the time, high will work!
6. Serve with lots of bread and more Guinness! Enjoy!