Author: Lisa Mungovan

Winter storms can leave unpredictable conditions, as many motorists found out Monday. Motorists on Interstate 95 in Virginia, were stranded overnight after rain washed away the road de-icers, slushy snow fell faster than plows could remove it, then everything froze. Be sure your car has emergency supplies, blankets, and some snacks!

Today is Bird Day. There are around 18,000 different bird species! The largest non-flying bird is the ostrich, the kori bustard is the heaviest bird that can fly, and the wandering albatross has the largest wingspan, at up to 11 feet! The bee hummingbird is smallest at 2 1/4 inches long. The Australian lyrebird sounds like R2-D2!

Pie and hot chocolate are even better, with a tower of whipped cream sprayed on top! For Whipped Cream Day, try making your own. Simply put some heavy whipping cream in a jar, and shake it for a few minutes! Just don’t shake it too long, or it will turn into butter.

Coconut crabs, also called robber crabs, are the largest land crabs on Earth. They grow 3 feet wide, and like to take things. A coconut crab on Christmas Island, stole a golf club. The golfer tried to grab it back, so the crab cut the club in half with his claw, and left it.

A pair of twins avoided having to share their birthday, by being born 15 minutes apart on New Year’s Eve. They were not only born on different days, but also different months, and different years! Big brother Alfredo was born December 31st, 20 21, and his sister Aylin, was born January 1st, 20 22!

Dong Jianyi is a geologist, who started a new career as a farmer. His Fresh Pal Farms greenhouse, operates throughout the winter in Alberta Canada, without artificial heat. Instead, a clay wall absorbs the Sun’s heat, and a huge blanket pulled over the greenhouse traps it. The tomatoes don’t realize, it’s -31° Fahrenheit outside.

Today is World Braille Day. The Braille alphabet is a pattern of raised dots, so blind people can read by feeling the letters. Did you know LEGO makes Braille Bricks? The bricks also have the letter printed on each piece, so everyone can learn to read by touch. The LEGOs connect to regular sets.

Name 3 things celebrated on January 4th. Give up? One answer is Hypnotism Day, Spaghetti Day, and Trivia Day! Make up your own trivia questions and play with your family, while eating a spaghetti dinner. Then try to hypnotize someone and tell them to act like a chicken! You’re getting very, very, sleepy.

Doorbell cameras, are always catching unexpected action. A family in Florida was notified by their camera, that someone was at the door. Luckily, they saw who it was before opening it, because a mama bear and her cub, were trying to get inside! They probably smelled the delicious dinner in the oven.

As kids start back to school, COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing. Everyone aged 5 and up can get vaccinated, and people over 16 can also get a booster shot. Once people are vaccinated, they’re much safer from serious illness, and less likely, to infect others. Wearing your mask and washing your hands is also important.