Author: Lisa Mungovan

Last week, world-record-breaker David Rush broke another record, with his friend Jonathan Hannon. They alternated blowing party horns, 108 times in 1 minute. The paper horns had to fully extend, and be placed on the table between toots. They blew so hard, that they made holes in all their horns!

Hurricane Sally caused damaging floods last week in Florida and Alabama. It also gave alligators a chance to explore. Tina Bennett, of Gulf Shores Alabama, was shocked to see a 10-foot-long alligator, swimming through her flooded backyard! She said the floodwaters also brought out poisonous snakes. I bet she’ll be staying inside!

The devastating fires in the Western United States, make at least one animal happy. The black-backed woodpecker finds its favorite food, black fire beetle larvae, in fire-damaged forests. The beetles lay eggs in trees that are still warm from fires. Other creatures nest in holes made by woodpeckers, and drop seeds to regrow forests.

Today is the International Day of Peace. The United Nations picks a theme each year, and this year it’s Shaping Peace Together. The U N encourages people to celebrate, by “spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic.” Start with peace in your own family, by not fighting with your siblings!

It’s Miniature Golf Day. Many beach towns have mini golf courses with dinosaurs! After getting a hole-in-one, have a snack to celebrate Pecan Cookie Day, and Chai Day. Since it’s also World Gratitude Day, sharing spiced tea and pecan cookies is a great way, to thank whoever took you golfing.

An Ohio man and his 6-year-old daughter, figured out a way to make Halloween safe, even during the pandemic. Andrew Beattie made a candy chute! A tube attached to the railing, will deliver wrapped candy from the top of the steps, straight into trick-or-treater’s bags. What’s your social distance plan for Halloween?

Oops! A street sign in North Carolina for Autumn Oaks Lane, forgot about the silent “N.” It also changed the Lane to Drive. Spellcheck must not work, on street signs! The sign had recently been replaced, after being hit by a car. Always proofread your work, especially when the whole world will see it!

There are some extraordinary trees growing, on the Israeli-Jordanian border. 2 date palms, named Methuselah and Hannah, were sprouted from 2000-year-old seeds. This spring, Methuselah pollinated Hannah, and she produced 111 delicious dates! The project brought Jewish and Arab scientists together, in an area of political conflict. Trees don’t care about man-made borders!

Today is Pepperoni Pizza Day. If you want to look fancy for your pizza feast, use the Glamlite Pizza Palette. It’s a pizza-shaped makeup kit, but the pepperonis are different colored powders! You can have hot sauce and red onion eyes, or use black olive, green pepper, and mushroom for a camouflage look!

Today is Punch Day. No, you don’t get to punch somebody! It’s a sweet, fruity drink. Mix your own fruit punch! Make some fried rice to go with it, because it’s also Fried Rice Day. Take day-old rice, and fry it in a pan combined with diced vegetables, ginger, and soy sauce. It’s delicious!