Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. Framingham High boys varsity hockey team takes to the ice tonight at Loring Arena against Dedham. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

2. Framingham Baseball is hosting its 9th Annual Toy Drive for kids in need. Bring an unwrapped toy for a boy or a girl, and the toys collected will be delivered to needy children by the Framingham Fire Department and Timothy's Toy Box. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at O'Connell's Pub, 700 Worcester Rd. Cash bar.

3. Boy Scouts of America Knox Trail Council Executive Director Dennis Prefontaine will retire on Dec. 31, after four decades working with Scouts. The Knox Trail Council will host a retirement party in honor of Prefontaine on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, Natick. All of Prefontaine's family, friends and supporters are invited to attend. To be included in the festivities, please contact Scott Harvey at Knox Trail Council at  508-872-6551.

4. Framingham Patch blogger Deborah Strafuss discusses a time for mourning and a time for change following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Click here to read her thoughts.

5. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s Milton residence is on the market. The 6,880-square-foot colonial at 75 Hinckley Rd. is currently listed for $1.5 Million. Click here to check out photos.