Author: Lisa Mungovan

A paddleboarder in Argentina, must have looked like a new toy, to a whale. A drone captured video of a huge southern right whale swimming around a paddleboard, then giving it a push with its fin. The rider got the best whale-watching experience ever, and the whale got to make a new friend.

Kimberly Wybenga knows that sometimes, people need a kind word to cheer them up, especially during the pandemic. She bought little jars, wrote compliments on pieces of paper, and stuck them in the jars. She’s delivered her small packages of hope to 1,750 people. Make a jar of compliments today, for someone you know.

A plumber installing a bathroom in England, finished the job with a record deal. Kev Crane would sing along with the radio while working on the remodeling project. The owner of the house, Paul Conneally, also owns New Reality Records. After hearing Kev’s singing, Paul offered him a recording contract.

Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. On the Hebrew calendar, it’s the year 5782! The celebration started at sundown on September 6th, and lasts for 2 days. It’s traditional to blow a ram’s horn, or shofar, in the morning, as well as to eat pomegranates, challah bread, and apples dipped in honey.

Did you grow any squash in your garden this summer? Today is Acorn Squash Day, so bake one for dinner. Don’t forget to save some seeds for next year. It’s also Superhuman Day, which celebrates all the people who have disabilities, and the challenges they face in daily life. They’re an inspiration for everyone!

Researchers have been studying piles of earth in Poverty Point Louisiana. 3700 years ago, Native Americans built the huge mounds within weeks, by moving and layering millions of cubic feet, of different types of soil. The ancient Indigenous community’s remarkable feat of engineering, created a nearly indestructible structure. Modern engineers still can’t do that!

When NASA sent the Perseverance rover to Mars, the Ingenuity helicopter went along with it. Scientists were overjoyed, when the drone flew successfully on the planet. They were hopeful that it could fly 5 times, but Ingenuity has surprised everyone by making 12 flights so far. The tiny helicopter scouts the way, for Perseverance.

When Autumn arrives, so does Pumpkin Spice-flavored everything. Some of those foods are already hitting the grocery stores. Pumpkin Spice Spam, a canned meat, is already sold out, but Pumpkin Spice Cup Noodles will be coming soon. What’s the wackiest pumpkin spice thing you’ve seen? I think I’ll stick to pumpkin spice lattes!

Do you have a book you’ve been meaning to read, but never get around to it? Today’s the perfect day to get started. It’s Read A Book Day and Fight Procrastination Day! Do all the things you’ve been putting off, as long as one of those things includes reading.

In the United States and Canada, the first Monday in September is the holiday called Labor Day. It was first created by trade unions to celebrate workers. Labor Day is also the unofficial end of summer, as most public pools close after this weekend. They’ll see you again next May!