Author: Lisa Mungovan

Last week, residents of Dublin Ohio, created the world’s largest human shamrock. 1,050 people dressed in green gathered after the Saint Patrick’s Day parade, and formed a giant shamrock shape. Since Dublin is named after the capital of Ireland, it was a fun way to celebrate the city’s Irish spirit.

Customers in an airport shop in Tasmania, were delighted to find a real possum, nestled among the plush animals. The possum was relaxing on a shelf with stuffed kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas, but calmly climbed down after being discovered. He took a tour of the airport, and was safely escorted out of the building.

Have you ever seen a swarm of bees, just hanging out in a big clump? They were probably looking for a new home. When a hive gets too many bees, they make another queen, and create a second colony. If you see a bee swarm, call a beekeeper. They’ll happily give them a home!

Did you know, bottled water has an expiration date? Water can actually go bad, depending on the type of bottle and where it’s stored. All plastics release chemicals over time, and it gets worse in the heat. A bottle of water sitting in a hot car for months, could taste stale.

Raisinets have been around since 1927. Every hour, more than 1,000,000 of the chocolate-coated raisins are produced. How many do you think you could eat in an hour? Today is Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, so indulge yourself! You can pretend they’re a healthy snack. After all, they are full of fruit!

Today is World Bear Day. Kodiak and grizzlies are types of brown bears. Kodiaks are over 10 feet tall when they stand on their hind legs! Polar bears can reach 7-8 feet. There are also Asiatic and American black bears, sun bears, spectacled bears, sloth bears, and panda bears. Which one is your favorite?

Here’s a fun project, to celebrate Chip And Dip Day. Survey your family and friends, about their favorite chips and dips. Then have a party, with a chip-and-dip buffet! Tortilla chips with guacamole, potato chips with sour cream and onion dip, or sweet potato chips with hummus, are some common combos.

Woof woof! Get ready for cuteness, because it’s Puppy Day! Hopefully all you people with adorable wiggly puppies will take them for walks, to share them with the rest of us. Just to make things fair, it’s also Cuddly Kitten Day. Shelters are full of adoptable kittens, if you need a playful new pal!

Today is Chia Day. Tiny chia seeds are full of nutrients, so you can add them to anything for a healthy boost. Plant them on clay shapes, and grow your own Chia-Pet! It’s also Tamale Day. Cornmeal dough, called masa, is stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, wrapped in leaves, and steamed. They’re delicious!

New Zealand has given the title of Fish of the Year, to the Northland mudfish. The freshwater mudfish beat out species like longfin eels, big-bellied seahorses, great white sharks, and last year’s winner, the blobfish. Despite the mudfish’s tendency to bury itself in the mud, it now gets its moment in the sun.