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These are spiced sweet buns, typically studded with raisins or currants and marked with a cross on top. Their origins trace to pre-Christian pagan traditions, where ancient peoples (including Saxons honoring the goddess Eostre) baked crossed buns for spring festivals symbolizing rebirth and the moon’s quarters. In Christian tradition, an English monk at St. Albans Abbey is credited with baking spiced buns marked with a cross on Good Friday in 1361, distributing them to the poor.
The cross represents Jesus’ crucifixion, while spices evoke the embalming spices used on his body. Buns became linked to breaking the Lenten fast. In Tudor England, their sale was restricted except on Good Friday, Christmas, and funerals. Today, they are enjoyed worldwide during Easter as a symbol of faith, renewal, and the end of Lent.
ICE Alum Meredith Hayden Goes from Viral TikTok Chef to Cookbook Queen
The 2019 alum has amassed a major social media following — and turned her life as a private chef into food media stardom. Read more here: https://t.co/XHysOVuLHX pic.twitter.com/BK0XpThB78
— Institute of Culinary Education – NY & LA (@iceculinary) November 5, 2025
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Standards Ohio
Dining options available for Passover https://t.co/U2l5xxJwSv
— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) April 2, 2026
“Europe today has little desire to reproduce itself,
fight for itself or even take its own side in a argument.
By the end of the lifespans of most people currently alive,
Europe will not be Europe and the peoples of Europe
will have lost the only place in the world we had to call home”
– Douglas Murry (“The Strange Death of Europe”)
Large European universities such as Rijksuniversiteit Groningen are integrated into the fabric of the surrounding city. There are several ways in which this integration takes place:
Physical location: Many European universities are located in the heart of the city, often in historic buildings that have been repurposed for educational use. This central location means that the university is easily accessible to students and the general public, and that it is often surrounded by other cultural institutions, such as museums, theaters, and libraries.
Student life: The presence of a large student population can have a significant impact on the city’s culture and economy. Many European cities have developed a vibrant student culture, with cafes, bars, and other venues catering to the needs and interests of young people. This can help to create a sense of community between the university and the city, and can also bring economic benefits to local businesses.
Research and innovation: Large European universities are often at the forefront of research and innovation, and they can be important drivers of economic growth in the surrounding region. Many universities work closely with local businesses and industries, and they may also collaborate with other universities and research institutions in the area.
Cultural exchange: Universities can be important centers of cultural exchange, both for international students and for local residents. Many European universities offer language classes and other cultural programs that are open to the public, and they may also host lectures, concerts, and other events that are designed to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Overall, the integration of large European universities into the city is a complex and multifaceted process that can have a significant impact on the social, cultural, and economic life of the surrounding region.
The origin of brown cafés can be traced back to the 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age. At that time, the Netherlands was a prosperous and influential trading nation, and Amsterdam was a bustling city with a thriving port. Sailors, merchants, and locals needed places to socialize, relax, and conduct business, leading to the emergence of taverns and pubs.
The term “brown café” is believed to have originated from the brownish stains that formed on the walls and ceilings due to tobacco smoke, candle soot, and other atmospheric elements. These stains gave the cafés a distinct, cozy ambiance and a sense of history.
Brown cafés became an integral part of Dutch culture, serving as communal gathering spots for people of all walks of life. They were places where locals would meet friends, engage in conversations, enjoy a drink, and sometimes play board games like chess or backgammon. Over time, brown cafés became associated with an authentic, unpretentious, and relaxed atmosphere, attracting both locals and tourists.
The unique charm of brown cafés lies in their preserved historical interiors, with old wooden furniture, dim lighting, and a wide selection of local beers and spirits. Many brown cafés still retain their original character, transporting visitors back in time and providing a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
While the concept of brown cafés originated in the Netherlands, similar types of establishments can also be found in other European countries, such as Belgium and parts of Germany. However, the term “brown café” is primarily associated with the Dutch tradition of cozy, atmospheric, and convivial drinking establishments.
Of Beauty and Consolation: Roger Scruton
These beautiful Dutch will not be around if they keep on importing Muslims pic.twitter.com/YsRYQp1YgD
— Evil Feynman (@evilfeynman) March 22, 2026
Studenten van @RSMErasmus passen het vak #standaardisatie toe in de praktijk. Komende maand helpen zij vijf ondernemers van @TheGrnVillage met #normalisatie vraagstukken rondom hun #innovatie.
Wij zijn benieuwd naar de resultaten.#learningcommunity #praktijkonderwijs pic.twitter.com/OIpPXQpGsf
— NEN (@NEN_nl) February 13, 2023
Culture and Cuisine Recipe of the Week
Hamburg’s Master Plan for Education for Sustainable Development 2030
“With this weekly post we want to introduce you into the culinary range of the English speaking world. Each week we present you an iconic dish and give you information around its origin, preparation and eating habits. This week we are visiting the Big Apple – New York. Bagels can be regarded as a true American melting-pot meal.” — von Nadja Wostiera (Language graduate and blog author)
Standards Michigan: Food/Kitchen/Farm/Agriculture
Standards New Jersey | Montclair State University Net Position: $404.5M
New Jersey College Faculty Pensions
Saxbys Coffee at Montclair State University is a fully student-run experiential learning cafe located on the first floor of the Feliciano School of Business. Launched in April 2024 as part of Saxbys’ Experiential Learning Platform (ELP), it is designed for students, by students.Students handle every aspect of operations: baristas, food service, inventory, marketing, and daily management.
Each semester, a student serves as the Student Cafe Executive Officer (SCEO), gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience while earning academic credit and wages. This hands-on model supplements classroom learning, builds leadership skills, and boosts post-graduation success rates.
The cafe creates a vibrant campus hub with student-friendly pricing, all-day breakfast, and specialty drinks. It fosters community and practical business training in a supportive environment.
The Early Swedes in New Jersey
Alumni Network
This is….BCMSU 🐻❤️🏠
What a beauty 😍 pic.twitter.com/oaTmX4P0ni— Bloomfield College of Montclair State University (@montclair_bc) June 24, 2024
Red Lion Cafe | College Avenue | Financial Position 2024 | $2.914B
Institutional Planning & Operations
Proud of who we are and excited for our future. We’re thrilled to welcome our newest Scarlet Knights! #upstreamredteam
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.#NationalSigningDay #NSD #ScarletKnights #RutgersRowing #ncaarowing #bigtenrowing #bigten pic.twitter.com/CyXhRdpEV7— RutgersWomensRowing (@RutgersWRowing) November 14, 2024
Standards Indiana | Indiana University Total Net Position: $5.223B
Evie Mendelsohn: Campus Symphony – The Art and Architecture of Indiana University
“Beau Soir” 1878 Claude Debussy
Abhik Mazuimder & Bryson Karrer
Indiana University @IUJSoM
print(“Evensong”)https://t.co/vgfbVyudWM pic.twitter.com/fznFUJZHMK— Standards Michigan (@StandardsMich) September 26, 2022
I taught these boys (grown men!) when they were just 6 and now they are graduating from college 😮 pic.twitter.com/eNmVf6HiXy
— Sarah Oberle (@S_Oberle) May 21, 2024
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwB pic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
— USPTO (@uspto) July 13, 2023
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