Cherish peace and goodwill
Vol. 4, Issue 47
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” --President Calvin Coolidge
THE GOOD NEWS
Celebrating a century of holiday magic
The Radio City Rockettes, the dazzling high-kicking dance troupe that rings in the holiday season each year, will turn 100 in 2025.
Choreographer Russell Markert founded the Missouri Rockets in St. Louis in 1925. At the time, the all-female dance company comprised just 16 members.
After the Rockets moved to New York City, impresario S.L. (Roxy) Rothafel gave the girls a featured spot at the Roxy Theater and renamed them the Roxyettes.
The talented dancers joined Radio City Music Hall for its inaugural season in 1932 and became known as The Rockettes. A year later, they performed in Radio City’s very first Christmas Spectacular.
Since then, The Rockettes have grown to 84 performers and become the longest-running precision dance company in America. In the weeks leading up to the holiday season, they practice for six hours a day, six days a week, to perfect the precise choreography that has wowed audiences for a century.
“The sisterhood is what keeps us going,” Maya Addie, who’s been a Rockette since 2021, said.
To honor The Rockettes’ impressive milestone, New York City officially renamed the stretch of Sixth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets “Rockettes Way.” Dozens of current and former Rockettes celebrated the occasion by performing their world-famous kickline to the tune “New York, New York.” Until Jan. 5, the Museum of Broadway also plans to host an exhibit titled: “The Rockettes 100th Anniversary: A Century of Sisterhood.”
FMI: Click here.
Bootsy is back!
Hurricane Helene slammed into western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, leaving death and destruction in its wake. One family, whose house was flooded by the storm, also lost their beloved cat, Bootsy.
But more than a year later, the silver cat came back.
Jackie and Stuart Pacheo recently returned to their property in Fairview, N.C. They were sitting in their outside shed, listening to music, when they heard a familiar meow.
The couple followed the sound and saw Bootsy running across the driveway. Although they don’t know how the cat survived on her own for more than 400 days, they’re so grateful she did.
“Her coming back is really, we feel like it’s a sign of hope,” Jackie Pacheo told CBS News.
FMI: Click here.
Time to walk the Snoopy Trail
SUPPORT A BIT OF GOOD NEWS
A Bit of Good News is a reader-supported newsletter featuring positive news. Subscriptions are free. But, if you want to aid my efforts — and can afford to do so — paid subscriptions are only $5/month, or $50/year. Everyone who purchases a subscription will receive the newsletter, gain full access to the archives and be automatically entered into a monthly giveaway for books, gift certificates and other prizes.
Know someone else who might enjoy A Bit of Good News? Feel free to forward a copy to them. Or, give them a gift subscription for the holidays!
THIS WEEK’S POLL
If you chose “other,” let me know which holiday song puts you in the spirit of the season.
PREVIOUS POLL
THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On December 3, 1947, Tennessee Williams’ play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Jessica Tandy and Marlon Brando, opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City.
On December 4, 2018, the French couture house Chanel stopped using fur and exotic skins in its clothing.
On December 5, 2006, New York became the first U.S. city to ban trans fats in restaurants.
On December 6, 1884, the Washington Monument was completed.
On December 7, 1842, the New York Philharmonic performed its first concert.
On December 8, 1966, the U.S. and the former U.S.S.R. signed a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons in outer space.
On December 9, 1907, Christmas seals went on sale for the first time. The proceeds were used to fight tuberculosis.
On December 10, 1901, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded.
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
December 3 is National Green Bean Casserole Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, Candy Day, Coats and Toys for Kids Day and Let’s Hug Day
December 4 is Global Fat Bike Day, International Cheetah Day, World Wildlife Conservation Day, National Cookie Day, National Dice Day, National Sock Day, Cabernet Franc Day, Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day, Santa’s List Day, Tree Dressing Day and Wear Brown Shoes Day
December 5 is International Volunteer Day, World Soil Day, National Blue Jeans Day, Bathtub Party Day, Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, Krampusnacht, Light up a Life Day, Sacher-Torte Day and Walt Disney Day
December 6 is World Trick Shot Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Microwave Oven Day, National Miner’s Day, Mitten Tree Day and Put on Your Own Shoes Day
December 7 is International Civil Aviation Day, National Cotton Candy Day, National Letter Writing Day and National Slime Day
December 8 is National Blue Collar Day, National Brownie Day, National Crossword Solvers Day, National Lard Day, National Salesperson Day, Christmas Jumper (Sweater) Day and Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day
December 9 is International Day of Veterinary Medicine, National Llama Day, National Opal Apples Day, National Pastry Day, Christmas Card Day, Lost and Found Day, Lutefisk Day, Techno Day and Weary Willie Day
December 10 is International Animal Rights Day, Worldwide Candle Lighting Day, National Lager Day, Dewey Decimal System Day and Human Rights Day
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Ring in the new year with Make-A-Wish!: The Holiday Wish Line is open. From now until December 31, call the hotline at (480) 914-9474 (WISH) to hear messages from wish kids.
FMI: Click here.
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Bake some treats for your coworkers.
* Visiting someone’s house for the holidays? Bring a small gift of appreciation.
* Take part in a Secret Santa exchange.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Ben White, Unsplash, The Rockettes, The New York Times, the New York Theatre Guide, Mental Floss, YouTube, NPR, Maya Addie, Instagram, the Museum of Broadway, Nice News, CBS Mornings, CBS News, ABC13 News, Kiddo Adventures, Fleet Street Quarter, Wild in Art, Jen King, The Moonlight Reader Society, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, Kira Design, Johnny Briggs, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Art of Resilient Living, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
Also, congratulations to Jeff C.! His name was randomly selected in our monthly giveaway for paid subscribers. The December prize: A gift card for AMC Theatres.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Love our newsletter? Click the heart button and urge others to subscribe! Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Or have an inspiring quote to share? Let us know.
Bing Crosby's White Christmas!