School's back in session for Grafton. So, parents, things are probably getting busier for you. Here are some dates you may want to put on your calendar for the month of September: 1. Yes, school just started: but a long weekend is coming. The kids are off Sept. 3 for Labor Day.  2. An open house for Grafton High will be held Sept. 11. 3. An open house for Grafton Middle School will be held Sept. 12. 4. Elementary school open houses will be held on the following days: North Street/Millbury Street grades 2-3, Sept. 13; North Street/Millbury Street, grades 4-5, Sept. 19; North/South pre-K-1, …

Our weekday column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, is a quick list of news, helpful reminders, and other information that may interest Shrewsbury and Grafton residents. Have something you'd like to see highlighted in this space? Email danielle.horn@patch.com. 1. Last year at this time, Hurricane Irene (later downgraded to Tropical Storm Irene) caused quite a mess in the area and left thousands without power in Shrewsbury, Grafton and beyond. Mother Nature is scheduled to remind us today of last year's rain, but not as ferociously: the forecast calls for rainful between a quarter and half …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders which can help you plan your day. 1. Today is the first day of school in town for students in kindergarten through grade 9. Pre-kindergarten students as well as students in grades 10 through 12 start school tomorrow. For more information, visit the Grafton Public Schools website by clicking here. 2. The dedication of Grafton High School will be held at 6 p.m. today in front of the school. Public tours will also be offered. 3. The Grafton Cultural Council meets at 6:45 p.m. …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. You can bring your dog for a swim at Silver Lake Beach Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the town's Hot Dippity Dog program. Baggies will be provided, but owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. Donations of pet supplies toys, bedding, food, newspapers for a local shelter will be accepted. 2. Sunday is also National Dog Day and Patch invites you to post photos of your pet to our gallery and/or tell us in the comment …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Summer Concert on the Common series concludes today with the Claflin Hill Summer Wind Ensemble at 6 p.m. These concerts are free to the public and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Concerts are sponsored in part by the Grafton Recreation Commission, Grafton Local Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In the case of rain, the concert will be held in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center Gym, 30 …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Board of Selectmen meets at 7 p.m. today in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Community Preservation Committee will also meet at 7 p.m. in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. View the agenda by clicking here. 3. The Conservation Commission meets at 7 p.m. at the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. That agenda can be viewed by clicking here. 4. The Grafton Public Library will have an Adult …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Grafton School Committee meets at 7 p.m. today in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 30 Providence Rd. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Town House Oversight Committee also meets at 7 p.m. in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. View the agenda by clicking here. 3. The Recreation Commission meets at 7 p.m. in the Recreation Office. Click here to view the agenda. 4. The DPW Facility Building Committee meets at 7 p.m. in the …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. Today is the last day to register for the state primary. The Town Clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to register voters or to change your party enrollment. For more information, click here. 2. Today is also the last day to vote for the Readers' Choice categories we've selected for Grafton. You've probably noticed on our homepage a story that shows you all of the categories for which we're seeking votes. Cast your vote and …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Fisherville and Farnumsville Streetscape Committee meets at 5 p.m. today at the South Grafton Community House. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Grafton Farmers Market is open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. today on the Common. Today is the market's Art in the Park event. 3. The Grafton Thrift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. 4. The Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional District School …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Agricultural Commission meets at 7 p.m. today in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Grafton School Building Committee also meets at 7 p.m. in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. The agenda can be viewed by clicking here. 3. The Summer Concert on the Common series continues today with Jumpin’ Juba at 6 p.m. These concerts are free to the public and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Super Park Committee meets at 7 p.m. today in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Grafton Public Library will hold part two of an Intro to Hand Embroidery program for Tweens and Teens from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today. This workshop is limited to 12 participants. Register by calling 508-839-4649 or emailing switham@cwmars.org. 3. On this day in history in 1953, the wiffle ball was invented by David …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Planning Boad will be seeking input on proposed zoning bylaw changes. According to the town's website, the board reviewed draft zoning by-law language specific to Changeable Variable Message Signs (CEVMS) on July 23, and is seeking input on the draft language. Those interested are invited to attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. today in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. The input will guide the board as it plans to prepare final …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Grafton High School Student Council is holding a car wash on Sat., Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Savers Bank. The car wash is donation-based and all the money raised will go toward events that the student council puts on throughout the year.  2. The West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitoes in neighboring Westborough for the first time in three years. About two weeks ago, the state Department of Health announced that the EEE …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Council on Aging will meet at 1 p.m. today at the Grafton Senior Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Grafton Farmers Market is open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. today on the Common. 3. According to a Single Family Home Report, zillow.com saw 23 homes sold in Grafton in July, with an average sale price of $410,000. 4. The Grafton High School Pep Band starts summer rehearsals today from 9 a.m. to noon in the school's band room. This …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Summer Concert on the Common series continues today with Smokin’ Pidgeon at 6 p.m. These concerts are free to the public and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Concerts are sponsored in part by the Grafton Recreation Commission, Grafton Local Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In the case of rain, the concert will be held in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center Gym, 30 Providence Rd. 2. The …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Grafton Police Department is hosting its seventh annual “National Night Out Block Party,” next to the Grafton Police Station, from 5 to 8 p.m. today. According to the police department's website, thousands of communities nationwide are participating in the 29th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. There will be free amusements as well as games and prizes for children and adults and literature on crime prevention, …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Board of Sewer Commissioners meets at 7 p.m. today in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. It's Read to a Dog Day again at the Grafton Public Library. Bring a book or choose one of the library's to read to a PAWSing to R.E.A.D. therapy dogs. Sign up for a ten-minute slot by calling the Library Children's Room at 508-839-4649. The event will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in either the Children's Room or on…

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. Apple Tree Arts presents "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr." at 7 p.m. today at Northbridge Middle School, 171 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville. This show is for children in grades 3 through 6 and is directed by Lisa Scarlett, theatre arts director, and Laurie Baker, theatre arts and early childhood faculty member. Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children 4 and…

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Grafton Historic District Commission meets at 7:30 p.m. today at the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Zoning Board of Appeals also meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center. To view that agenda, click here. 3. The Grafton Farmers' Market is open from 2 to 6:30 p.m. today on the Common. 4. It's Read to a Dog Day at the Grafton Public Library. Bring a book or choose one of the …

Each morning, Grafton Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, and reminders that can help you plan your day. 1. The Summer Concert on the Common series continues today with The Obsession Band at 6 p.m. These concerts are free to the public and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Concerts are sponsored in part by the Grafton Recreation Commission, Grafton Local Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In the case of rain, the concert will be held in the Grafton Memorial Municipal Center Gym, 30 Providence Rd. 2. The …