Halloween, DST and an election - oh my!
Halloween, DST and an election - oh my!
Vol. 3, Issue 40
THE GOOD NEWS
A terrifying TikTok
Elizabeth Kidd is the social media manager for the city of Boise, Idaho. A fan of Halloween, Kidd tried to think of a scary costume to wear for the city’s first official TikTok video. And, like the pro she is, Kidd came up with something perfect.
She dressed up as a fatberg.
What is a fatberg, you ask? It is the rock-hard, horrific mass that forms when oil or grease is poured into a drain and then congeals with the non-biodegradable solids and wipes that have been flushed down the toilet. Such monstrous creations can wreak havoc on water renewal systems. Fatbergs can also scare the bejeezus out of at least one city worker:
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The thriving Hoyles
Ask a doctor about the secret to longevity and he or she will likely say healthy habits, like getting enough sleep, exercise and nutritious food. However, genetics can play a factor, as well.
The Hoyle family falls into the "lucked out in the genes" department. Harold Hoyle of Ankeny, Iowa, turned 98 earlier this month and his "little brothers and sisters" -- Gayle Brietske, 92; Lowell Hoyle, 93; Lyle Hoyle, 95; and Genevieve Sherman, 97 -- showed up for his birthday party. The nonagenarians even wore custom T-shirts highlighting their ages:
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Bear necessities
A bit of a break
Although I’m sure that we will all need “A Bit of Good News" next week, I'm afraid I won't be available to provide it. Instead, I'll be working my day job, covering the election for Apple News.
If you are in the U.S., I strongly encourage you to take the time to study the candidates and issues and then vote. Vote with your mind, your heart, your gut and your conscience. Vote with an understanding of the past and the hope that a bright future is possible.
SUPPORT A BIT OF GOOD NEWS
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On October 30, 2020, a study of DNA showed that dogs were human's first domesticated animal. They became man's best friend 11,000 years ago.
On October 31, 1913, the Lincoln Highway, America's first paved coast-to-coast highway, was dedicated.
On November 1, 1945, the first issue of Ebony magazine was published.
On November 2, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to create Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
On November 3, 1956, the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" was televised for the first time.
On November 4, 1984, Prince launched his "Purple Rain" tour.
On November 5, 1935, Parker Brothers began marketing the board game Monopoly.
On November 6, 1879, Canada celebrated its first Thanksgiving Day.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS
October 30: President John Adams, rock singer Grace Slick and actor/author Henry Winkler
October 31: author Neal Stephenson, New Zealand film director Peter Jackson and actress Piper Perabo
November 1: Irish brewer Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, journalist Stephen Crane and Australian actress Toni Collette
November 2: frontiersman/explorer Daniel Boone, French Queen Marie Antoinette and actor/director David Schwimmer
November 3: actress Kathy Kinney, broadcaster/author Ben Fogle and football player Colin Kaepernick
November 4: humorist/actor Will Rogers, pilot Evelyn Johnson and journalist Walter Cronkite
November 5: British actress Tilda Swinton, football player Jason Kelce and singer Kevin Jonas
November 6: Belgian musician/saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax, actor/director/screenwriter Ethan Hawke and Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
October 30 is National Candy Corn Day, National Publicist Day, National Treat Your Pet Day, National Wicked Day, Create a Great Funeral Day, Devil's Night, Haunted Refrigerator Night and Mischief Night
October 31 is World Cities Day, World Savings Day, National Caramel Apple Day, National Doorbell Day, National Knock Knock Day, National Magic Day, Books For Treats Day, Girl Scout Founder's Day, Halloween and Samhain
November 1 is International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day, World Vegan Day, National Author's Day, National Biologic Coordinators Day, National Brush Day, National Calzone Day, National Cinnamon Day, National Cook For Your Pets Day, National Deep-Fried Clams Day, National Family Literacy Day, National Fountain Pen Day, National Jersey Day, National Vinegar Day, Day of the Dead, Extra Mile Day, Love Your Lawyer Day, Prime Meridian Day and Scented Candle Day
November 2 is World Ballet Day, World Numbat Day, National Bison Day, National Deviled Egg Day, Be the Impact Day, Broadcast Traffic Professionals Day and Look for Circles Day
November 3 is National Homemaker Day, National Sandwich Day, Cliche Day, Daylight Saving Time Ends, Give Someone a Dollar Day, Jellyfish Day, Smart Home Day and Zero Tasking Day
November 4 is National Candy Day, National Day of Community Service, National Easy-Bake Oven Day, Roast Dinner Day and Traffic Directors Day
November 5 is National Chinese Takeout Day, National Donut Day, National Love Your Red Hair Day and American Football Day
November 6 is National Basketball Day, National Ladies Learning Code Day, National Nachos Day, National Nonfiction Day, National Saxophone Day and National Team Manager Day
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
* Make quesadilla jack o'lanterns
* Create banana ghosts
* Bake witch's fingers
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Agree to take a bunch of neighborhood kids trick-or-treating
* Decorate your front lawn like a graveyard
* Give away full-sized candy bars
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." --L.M. Montgomery
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to LinkedIn, Boise, Idaho, TikTok, The New York Times, the "Today" show, USA Today, the New York Post, Eric Hanson, KCCI 8 News, Apple News, That Good News Girl, YouTube, Vote411, the World Wildlife Fund, James Barker, Unsplash, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, Famous Birthdays, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, WFAA-TV, Bat Conservation International, One Little Project, Flo & Grace, Somewhat Simple, The End Files, Poor Man's Feast, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
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