Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is Native American Day, so take some time today to honor the first settlers of America. With Thanksgiving coming up in November, it would be great time to donate to the Worcester County Food Bank or even take some books out of the library about American Indians. 2. On this day in 1846, the German Astronomer Johann Golle discovered the planet Neptune. Want to learn more about the planets? The closest planetarium …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is Business Women's Day, so take a moment to honor those women who started careers in World War II to help business who lost men going off to war. Even though at the time, women were asked to return to their homes and become housewives again, many fought it and today women continue to have it all—a family, a career and success in business. Hats off to you! 2. On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Give peace a chance and say thanks today because it's International Peace Day as well as World Gratitude Day. So take a moment today to give thanks to the United Nations, this day honors those who do something outstanding in a global way. And the United Nations also created International Peace Day to encourage nonviolence and ceasefire. Take some time today to give peace a chance—volunteer, thank someone for all that …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is National Punch Day, so if you love boxing, stop by your favorite local gym and get in a good workout. But if you are more apt to enjoy the juice-like punch, than stop by Price Chopper or Stop & Shop and pick up a bottle of Hawaiian Punch. No matter the kind of punch, take a minute to enjoy the day your way. And if you love craft punches, pick one up at Michael's or Jo-Ann's. 2. In one of the first battles of …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Grab your parrot, eye patch and sword because today is Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you're looking for a great pirate costume, stop by iParty. And don't forget to drop a few, "Argggh!" or "Shiver Me Timbers." 2. Want to learn more about your child's school? Come to Curriculum Night at Beal School. 3. Looking to bring music to your family? Come to the Free Singalong with Apple Country Music Together at 10 a.m. at the …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is all about families since it's Step Family Day as well as Working Parents Day. So take a moment to buy some flowers at Danielson Flowers for your family—nothing says appreciate like flowers. 2. On this day in 1620, the Mayflower sets sail from England for the Americas. The passengers were escaping religious persecution, but who knew they'd start a whole new country? 3. St. Mary's Annual Family Festival starts …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Stop by Michaels or Jo-Ann's today and pick up some craft supplies because it's Make a Hat Day. Take a photo and email it to Jennifer.Lucarelli@patch.com and you could win Patch swag. 2. Learn to walk the plank and talk like a pirate at Pirate Day at the Children's Discovery Museum, 10 a.m., at 177 Main St., Acton. 3. Want to learn about becoming a girl scout? Stop by the Shrewsbury Girl Scout Information Night, 7 p.m…

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Stop by Dunkin' Donuts and pick up a Boston Creme donut because it's National Cream-Filled Donut Day. 2. Grab a copy of Make Way for Duckling today at the Shrewsbury Public Library. On this day in 1914, Robert McCloskey was born in 1914. The children's classic book is a well-loved in Massachusetts because there are bronze statues of the mother and duckling on the Boston Common. 3. Looking for a great story hour for …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Do you love words? Come to the Drop-in Scrabble at the Library at 10 a.m. 2. Have you posted an event or an announcement? It's easy. Just click sign up on our homepage and once you're a user you can add events to the calendar or post an announcement. 3. Want to compete for prizes? Come to the Hunger Games Trivia Night for Teens at the library, 5:30 p.m. 4. No negative thoughts are allowed today because it's Positive …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Stop by Friendly's today because it's National Milk Shake Day. 2. Have you lost a loved one? Come to the Bereavement Support Group Meeting at 10 a.m. at the Shrewsbury Senior Center. 3. Looking for a story time for your child? Come to the Shrewsbury Public Library at 10:30 a.m. for the Spanish/English Story Time. 4. On this day in 1953, Jackie Bouvier marries John F. Kennedy in a ceremony in Newport, RI. Looking to …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. When I was a kid, I had the softest teddy bear that I slept with for years. Did you have a favorite stuffed animal? Today is Teddy Bear Day, so take a moment to reminisce about your first "friend" even if was imaginary, and if you want to buy one, stuffed animals are sold at the Paper Store, though may seem a little smaller than the one you had as a child or maybe you've gotten a little bigger? 2. There ain't nothing …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is International Literacy Day thanks to the United Nations' commitment to promoting literacy throughout the world. Books can open your world and imagination. What is your favorite book? Share it with us in the comments - I just finished Left Neglected and it was very inspiring. 2. Today is also Pardon Day. Not only is it a good day for using your good manners, but it is also the day (in 1974) when President Ford …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Ten years ago, our nation changed forever. Plans are in the works for a 9/11 candlelight vigil on Sunday from 8 to 9 p.m. at the town center. At Shrewsbury Patch, we want to hear your stories. How did this day affect your family, your life, your experience. Contact Editor Jennifer Lucarelli at jennifer.lucarelli@patch.com and visit Patch's Facebook Page honoring those who have fallen in and around our communities. 2. …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is a great day to take action as it is Fight Procrastination Day. Many suffer from procrastination (just think about how many days the laundry piles up or sinks are left with dishes). But if you have been waiting for a reason to change this delaying habit, there is no time like today. Make a plan and then do it. Less worry and frustration could be right around the corner. 2. And if you would like to start reading…

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. While Labor Day marks the end of summer, it was originally created in 1882 in New York City to honor workers. No matter your job, if you work inside or outside the home, part-time or full-time, today is your day. The holiday became so successful that it became a national holiday in 1894. Take a moment to relax, enjoy your time off and appreciate the job you have. Happy Labor Day. 2. What's open on Labor Day: retail …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Japan surrenders on this day in 1942. Well, actually the official signing of the surrender that was announced two weeks earlier became history on this day, ending the war of all wars, World War II. Months before Italy and Germany conceded the war and the Cold War officially began. 2. Watch out for sharp objects today because it is National Beheading Day. Though beheadings did not take place in America, many were …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Hello? Can you hear me? Today is Emma M. Nutt Day, a day that honors the first telephone operator, who took the job on this day in 1878. While her career spanned 33 years, operators today have vastly been replaced by computers. Who doesn't miss the rotary dial phone and hearing a voice when you call customer service or the operator? 2. Safety first. On this day in 1998, airbags became mandatory in all cars. As a safety…

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. What a great day to get outside and take a hike. And bring your favorite trail mix because today is National Trail Mix Day. Where can you pick some up? Trader Joe's and Price Chopper sell some, or you can make your own. 2. Let the sunshine. On this day in 1955 William Cobb shows off the first solar-powered car. 3. Lights, camera, action. Also on this day in 1897, Thomas Edison patents his version of the movie camera …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. It's the first day of school in town, so be careful out there. There are a lot of buses on the road and a lot of kids walking to and from school. Be safe and have a great year! 2. As summer comes to a close, it is a great time to celebrate National Marshmallow Toasting Day. Take out those fire pits and make one last batch of s'mores to honor the day. Pick up the supplies at Price Chopper or Stop & Shop and have some …

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. With Hurricane Irene behind us, it's time to clean up the town. Take a moment and clean some branches from the road or a park near your town. Also take a moment to thank all the crews that worked so hard yesterday keeping us safe. 2. On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King made the famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington as 250,000 people listen in person and millions more on television. Want to see …