Feelings of hope and joy
Vol. 4, Issue 13
THE GOOD NEWS
Every little bit helps
In memory of her sister who died in a car crash, a Pennsylvania high school teacher conducts a "kindness challenge" twice a year.
Kristina Ulmer assigns the 1953 book, "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, about a future dystopian society that lacks empathy, destroys books and is completely distracted by screens. Then, Ulmer gives each student a $20 bill and an assignment: Use the money to perform an act of kindness and record a video to reflect on what you’ve learned:
Since Ulmer started the challenge in 2018, her students have performed over 350 acts of kindness.
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Hello, grasshopper
A flightless grasshopper that was once thought to be extinct has been spotted in Virginia.
According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the last time anyone saw the Appalachian grasshopper (Appalachia hebardi) in the state was in 1946.
Andrew Rapp, a field zoologist with the department’s Natural Heritage Program, went looking for the small insect in Augusta County, near the border with West Virginia. While walking along the side of the road, he managed to spot and capture the grasshopper in his net. After conducting several measurements, Rapp determined it was the real deal.
Only about an inch to an inch-and-a-half long, the Appalachian grasshopper has coloring that allows it to remain well hidden amidst shrubs and long grasses. Since the insect typically lives in forests, loss of habitat and the use of insecticides may have contributed to its nearly 80-year disappearance from the area.
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Making charitable noise
Hank Green, author and co-star of the Vlogbrothers on YouTube, was recently in Ireland visiting Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park. While standing before the beautiful natural landmark and admiring the roar of the water, Green recalled how he would often listen to videos of white noise sounds on YouTube to help him fall asleep while traveling. So, he decided to make a high-quality, 12-hour recording of the waterfall, post it online and donate all of the revenue to charity -- in this case, Partners in Health:
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On April 2, 1917, Jeannette Pickering Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, assumed her office as a representative from Montana.
On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper, an employee of Motorola, made the first handheld mobile telephone call. He called AT&T's Bell Laboratories.
On April 4, 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, N.M.
On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps. This federally funded organization, which was known as "Roosevelt’s Tree Army," put thousands of young men to work during the Great Depression fighting forest fires, planting trees, farming, building wildlife refuges and establishing animal shelters.
On April 6, 1980, 3M began selling Post-it Notes for the first time.
On April 7, 1948, the World Health Organization was established.
On April 8, 2002, Suzan-Lori Parks became the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama for her play "Topdog/Underdog."
On April 9, 1962, Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno became the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar for playing Anita in "West Side Story."
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
April 2 is International Children's Book Day, National Ferret Day and National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 is World Party Day, National Chocolate Mousse Day, National Film Score Day, National Find a Rainbow Day, National Inspiring Joy Day, National Tweed Day, National Walking Day, Independent Artist Day, Day of Hope and Fan Dance Day
April 4 is International Carrot Day, World Rat Day, National Burrito Day, National Cordon Bleu Day, National School Librarian Day, Ramen Noodle Day and Vitamin C Day
April 5 is National Caramel Day, National Dandelion Day, National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Peeps Day, National Raisin and Spice Bar Day, National Read a Roadmap Day, National Self-Care Day and First Contact Day
April 6 is National Acai Bowl Day, National Caramel Popcorn Day, National Carbonara Day, National Library Day, National Pajama Day, National Siamese Cat Day, National Tartan Day, National Twinkie Day, Fresh Tomato Day and Play Outside Day
April 7 is International Beaver Day, World Health Day, National Beer Day, National Coffee Cake Day, National No Housework Day, Geologist Day and Public Television Day
April 8 is National Empanada Day, National Zoo Lovers Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day and Pygmy Hippo Day
April 9 is National Cherish an Antique Day, National Chinese Almond Cookie Day, National Name Yourself Day and National Unicorn Day
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HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Smile at the people who serve you. Light knows they probably deal with a lot of demanding customers.
* Open doors for everyone. Even if the act is unacknowledged, it will be noticed.
* Hold a closet swap with your friends — everyone gets a new wardrobe for free.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?" --Edward Giobbi
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Joshua Hoehne, Unsplash, Kristina Ulmer, the Hatboro-Horsham School District, YouTube, The Washington Post, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Instagram, WMRA Public Radio, Smithsonian magazine, VlogBrothers, Partners in Health, the American Library Association, The End Files, 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, Food Network, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Everything Is Amazing, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
Also, congratulations to Stephanie S.! Her name was randomly selected in our monthly giveaway for paid subscribers. The April prize: a copy of the book "I Dare Me: How I Rebooted and Recharged My Life by Doing Something New Every Day" by Gretchen Rubin.
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?
Mrs. Ulmer’s $20 Challenge was an amazing story; and video! Inspiring and should be copied in every school. Thank you for sharing the Good News. ♥
I wish I had a teacher like Mrs. Ulmer when I grew up. It's so inspiring ❤️.
I also love the closet swap idea with friends