Buzz
If you're feeling down this week, this collection might help lift your mood. We’ve gathered a selection of positive, motivating, and entertaining stories from recent headlines and compiled them into one list. It pairs perfectly with a touch of quirky charm.
Music takes center stage in this week’s roundup. We discover the story of the 'Singing Doctor' who serenaded every baby he delivered, along with a man who gave an impromptu saxophone concert to a herd of cows.
We also have a heartwarming story of romance between two centenarian lovebirds, a beautiful friendship between two travel companions, and a hopeful breakthrough in medical science that could help quadriplegics regain hand movement.
10. The Singing Doctor
The city of Pittsburgh has officially designated May 16 as 'Dr. Carey Andrew-Jaja Day' to honor the 'Singing Doctor' who retired after 40 years of service in the medical field. Dr. Andrew-Jaja became famous for serenading every newborn he cared for with some of his favorite tunes.
During his tenure at Pittsburgh's UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, the 'Singing Doctor' delivered roughly 8,000 babies, singing to each one. He credits his musical tradition to a senior OB-GYN who sang to the children, advising Andrew-Jaja to continue the practice. When the older doctor retired, Andrew-Jaja took it as a symbolic passing of the torch.
Dr. Andrew-Jaja is particularly fond of two songs: 'Happy Birthday' and 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong. He sees the first as a symbol of the miracle of life, while the latter reminds him of the beautiful world these children have just entered.
9. Bigger and Better
Earlier this year, we shared the story of 11-year-old Ruby Chitsey, who became a hero to the elderly in Arkansas. While working with her mother at a nursing home, Ruby realized she could significantly improve the lives of residents with simple gifts like fresh fruit, books, or even new shoes.
With her mother’s assistance, Ruby launched a fundraising campaign. The funds allowed her to fulfill the wishes of residents in five different nursing homes across the state.
Since then, Ruby’s initiative has continued to thrive. She founded a charity called Three Wishes for Ruby’s Residents. Ruby now visits elder care facilities, making the rounds to collect everyone’s wish lists. A few days later, she returns with bags and wheelchairs filled with thoughtful gifts.
Ruby’s simple but impactful idea has inspired the creation of additional charity chapters in other states. She has even delivered speeches advocating for the elderly, though her true passion lies in personally delivering joy to those she serves through her home visits and thoughtful gestures.
8. Sax-Obsessed Cows
With over a million shares and likes on social media, Rick Herrmann’s debut concert was a huge hit. The videos featuring the Lafayette, Oregon man went viral after his daughter posted a clip of him using his newly learned saxophone skills to entertain a herd of cows.
Last week, Rick and his wife were driving by a field of cows. Curious by nature, Rick wondered how they would respond to his saxophone playing. The only way to find out was to stop, so the couple pulled over and approached the fence.
Though Herrmann had been playing for only seven months, his performance was enough to leave a lasting impression on the herd. As soon as he played the first notes of 'Isn’t She Lovely,' the cows stopped grazing and looked up at him. They slowly made their way toward him, and by the time he switched to 'Careless Whisper,' he had an audience of dozens of bovine.
For an encore, Herrmann performed 'Tequila.' At that point, even a neighbor from the farm joined in on the fun, lending their vocal talents to the performance.
7. A Love Story for the Ages
Kensington Residence, an assisted living facility in Sylvania, Ohio, hosted a centenarian wedding last week. One hundred-year-old John Cook married his sweetheart, 102-year-old Phyllis, after a year of dating.
These lovebirds are eager to prove that it’s never too late for love. While they admit their relationship might sound 'a little bit far-fetched' for people their age, they fell for each other after discovering their compatibility and enjoying one another’s company.
The Cooks exchanged vows on Wednesday and celebrated their union the following day at their retirement home. They enjoy sharing meals and basking in the sun together. However, they’ve decided to keep their own apartments as well, valuing the importance of personal space.
6. Granny on Demand
In 2019, Italian brewery Birra Moretti introduced a unique service that brings people together around the dinner table: 'Deliver-a-Nonna.' This service sends a real Italian grandmother to your home to cook a meal for you.
The nonna arrives in a special Moretti car, bringing all the ingredients needed to prepare a lavish three-course feast. As she cooks, she’ll generously share her cooking wisdom, tips, and family recipes, helping aspiring chefs learn the secrets of Italian cuisine so they can recreate these dishes for their own guests in the future.
The service is complimentary but exclusively available to London residents. The nonna will make house calls from July 22 to 27, so those wishing to receive a visit from one of these grandmothers will need to book soon.
5. Goodbye, Frida!
Last week, the Mexican Navy said an emotional goodbye to Frida, the rescue dog, as she retired after nearly a decade of dedicated service.
Frida first gained international fame in 2017 when a powerful earthquake struck Mexico. Her courageous efforts, donning protective goggles and boots while scouring debris for survivors, inspired hope and strength in the hearts of many. Frida became a symbol of resilience for Mexico during its darkest days and has since been immortalized in murals and even a statue.
It turns out that Frida, the Golden Labrador, has had a remarkable career as a rescue dog, dating back to the 2010 earthquake that ravaged Haiti. At her retirement ceremony, she was praised for being involved in 53 rescue missions across four countries, saving the lives of 12 people.
Deputy Naval Minister Eduardo Redondo shared that Frida consistently provided comfort “during times of pain and uncertainty.” During her farewell ceremony, Frida received a standing ovation and was gifted a new chew toy.
4. The Travel Companions
This week's heartwarming story highlights a stranger's unexpected act of kindness toward the young boy seated next to him on an airplane.
Alexa Bjornson felt a wave of anxiety as her seven-year-old son, Landon, boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Portland to visit his father. Landon, who has autism, was flying solo for the first time.
Worried that Landon might exhaust his seatmate by constantly asking, “Are we there yet?” Alexa included a note explaining her son's condition and attached a $10 bill as a gesture of thanks for helping make Landon feel at ease on the flight.
As it turned out, no thanks were necessary. Landon and his seatmate, Ben Pedraza, hit it off perfectly. Pedraza described Landon as a wonderful “travel companion” and even sent a picture of them together to reassure Alexa and calm her nerves.
In fact, it was Pedraza who was starting to wear out Landon, as he kept telling “dad jokes.” Pedraza chose to donate the $10 to an autism charity in Landon’s honor.
3. Nerve Transfer Breakthrough for Quadriplegics
A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet reveals the remarkable success of a research team based in Melbourne, who used nerve transfer surgery to restore movement in hands previously paralyzed by spinal injury.
This groundbreaking procedure works by “rewiring” the nervous system in quadriplegic patients who have sustained spinal damage. The surgeons cut and reconnect nerves to other functional nerves controlling different muscle groups. For instance, if the nerves responsible for turning the palm up are still functional, they can be redirected to help extend and bring together the fingers of the hand.
For this procedure to succeed, it is essential that patients have some remaining upper arm movement prior to surgery. As a result, it is not suitable for all quadriplegics and cannot restore fine motor skills.
However, it can significantly improve patients' quality of life, enabling them to grasp and hold objects. This newfound ability helps with daily tasks like handling money, applying makeup, or using a computer.
The Melbourne team conducted 59 nerve transfers across 16 patients. While the procedure had four failures, two patients even experienced a loss of sensation in their arms. The timing of the surgery is crucial, with the highest success rate occurring 6–12 months after the initial injury.
Despite its limitations, the procedure has been hailed by experts as a monumental breakthrough, with recipients describing it as a “life-changing” experience.
2. The Roar of the Lion of Mosul Returns
Using a combination of 3-D printing and crowdsourced imagery, Google Arts & Culture succeeded in recreating one of the most historically significant artifacts destroyed by ISIS in Mosul: the 3,000-year-old Lion of Mosul.
After Iraqi forces succeeded in driving out the terrorist group from Mosul, officials discovered that the colossal Assyrian lion statue, which had once stood at the entrance to the Temple of Ishtar, had been reduced to rubble by sledgehammers.
While the original lion is lost, a meticulously recreated version now exists, thanks to Google Arts & Culture. This branch of the tech giant typically focuses on digitizing and creating 3-D models of iconic artworks, enabling them to be appreciated by those who may not have access to the physical locations where the originals are housed.
In an unprecedented move, Google Arts & Culture went beyond the digital space. Using an incredibly detailed 3-D model of the Lion of Mosul, they printed a tangible copy of the statue, which now resides at London’s Imperial War Museum. The project is part of the exhibit Culture Under Attack, a new season that highlights the impact of war on cultural heritage.
1. The Boy and the Frog
Two-year-old Brody Moreland has gained mobility on par with other children his age, thanks to a device called “The Frog,” a groundbreaking invention by his father.
Brody suffers from spina bifida, a condition in which his spine did not develop properly in the womb. Despite undergoing several surgeries and physical therapy, his mobility has not improved, leaving him essentially paralyzed from the waist down. While he has enough strength in his arms to push himself up when lying on the floor, crawling is impossible for him.
His parents experimented with various devices in an attempt to help Brody move around more easily. They first tried a baby wheelchair, but it made it difficult for the toddler to reach his toys. They then placed him on a scooter board, but Brody would often get his hands trapped beneath it.
Eventually, Taylor, his father, decided to design something specifically for Brody's needs. The result was “The Frog,” a custom-built device made from foam core plastic with wheels salvaged from one of Brody’s toys.
Taylor says it took Brody a while to adjust to his new device, but once he did, there was no stopping him. “The Frog” has not only enhanced Brody’s mobility but also provided him with greater independence and a stronger sense of self.
Since then, Taylor has built additional “Frogs” for other children in Brody's physical therapy class. He has turned his invention into a business and is currently awaiting its patent approval. The device costs $300, but the Morelands have launched an online campaign to provide “Frogs” for free to families who can't afford them.
