Author: Lisa Mungovan

The Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester New York, inducts toys into its Toy Hall of Fame each year. Some of this year’s finalists include Battleship, Connect 4, Slime, Cornhole, Spirograph, Catan, Furbies, scooters, and snow. You can vote for your favorite on the Player’s Choice Ballot, at MuseumOfPlay.org.

Today is World Bamboo Day. The favorite food of adorable giant pandas, is also used to make everything from furniture, to paper, to socks. It’s the fastest growing plant in the world. Some types grow 36 inches per day! The evergreen bamboo makes a great garden hedge, if you plant the non-invasive kind.

Have you ever tried a pawpaw? It’s the largest edible fruit in North America, and grows in forests. Some people call it the Hillbilly Mango, or the Kentucky Banana, because it has a tropical taste. The custard-like fruit has a hint of pineapple, banana, and mango flavor. Try one today for Pawpaw Day!

Today is Reed An Ebook Day. Check out a library e-book, from home. New York Public Libraries offer their Books For All collection, to anyone in the country, on a free e-reading app, called Simply-E. The Brooklyn Public Library is also offering free library cards to young adults, through Books Unbanned.

Today is Hug A Greeting Card Writer Day. It might be hard to find a writer, so maybe just show your appreciation, by sending someone a greeting card instead. It’s also Rice Krispies Treats Day. You only need crisp rice cereal, marshmallows, and butter, to make these delicious treats. Save one for me!

There was a bit of a scandal, at the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland. According to the Toss Master, stones must be collected on the island of Easdale, where the competition takes place. Several competitors were disqualified, after it was found they used a machine to smooth and notch their stones.

Every year, Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska has a “fattest bear” competition. Fat Bear Week features different bears each day, and you can see the contestants at explore.org. The chubby cubby appetizer, Fat Bear Junior, starts tomorrow. Brown bears are stuffing themselves, before they start their winter hibernation.

Today is World Manta Day. Manta rays are fish, with flexible cartilage instead of hard bone for skeletons, just like sharks. Their pectoral fins resemble wings, so they look like they’re flying instead of swimming. Mantas can grow 23 feet long, and give birth to babies called pups. They are friendly, so wave hello!

Today is Apple Dumpling Day! Peeled and cored apples filled with butter, cinnamon and sugar, are wrapped in dough. After they bake in the oven, they’re like balls of delicious apple pie! While your treats are baking, celebrate Country Music Day, by listening to Ring of Fire, by Johnny Cash.