Buzz
A new week is upon us, and we're here to help you start it off with a smile. This list features some of the most uplifting stories from the past few days. If you're also interested in quirky and unusual events, be sure to check out the offbeat list right here.
This week, we share some inspiring stories, including a fearless hoverboard rider, a talented young hiker, a cyclist breaking new ground, and an actor eager to give back to those in need. Additionally, we highlight heartwarming friendships, like that between a boy and a garbage man, as well as the love between a baby stork and its adopted family.
10. A Perfect Pair
For some time, it seemed like Scooter the dog might never find a loving home due to having only three legs. However, the dog now has a new best friend after being adopted by a military veteran who also lost a leg.
Just last week, Joshua Ferguson visited the Humane Society in Dickson, Tennessee, and left with the three-legged Scooter. Ferguson shares that the dog is always cheerful, and being around him makes it 'impossible to not smile.'
Ferguson lost his leg when the truck he was riding in drove over an improvised explosive device. While it's unclear how the dog was injured, fishermen found him in a forested area with a severely damaged leg, which had to be amputated.
The bond between the two best friends, who share similar conditions, helps Ferguson remember that 'it’s still a beautiful day' despite the challenges they both face.
9. No Longer The Worst Team In Britain
Everyone loves a good underdog story, and perhaps no team embodies that more than Fort William FC, a club once known as 'Britain’s worst football team.' After an 840-day winless streak, the team finally broke through with a triumphant 5-2 victory over Nairn County last Wednesday in the North of Scotland Cup.
The previous season had been especially disastrous for Fort William. Competing in the Highland League, they finished last with no wins and a staggering -224 goal difference. The entire board resigned, and the team was forced to recruit several teenagers to fill the roster.
The team's poor performance became so infamous that BBC Scotland filmed a documentary about them, which happened to air last week, coinciding with Fort William's long-awaited victory.
The reaction to the win has been overwhelmingly positive, with manager Russell McMorran describing the week as 'nothing short of phenomenal.' However, he's determined to keep his players humble, ensuring they don't become complacent.
8. A Boy and His Garbage Man
A sanitation worker decided to thank his number one fan for his loyalty and friendship by gifting him a toy garbage truck of his very own.
Aaron Mitchell works as a trash collector for American Waste Control in Jenks, Oklahoma. On his route lives three-year-old Myles Henrichs, who looks forward to watching the crew and their big truck every week. Every Thursday morning, Myles eagerly greets them, sometimes offering snacks or drinks.
Over the months, their friendship has blossomed from a wave and smile to a warm hug each time they meet. On their most recent encounter, Mitchell surprised Myles with a gift to show his appreciation—a toy recycling truck.
7. Hovering Across The Channel
A French daredevil and inventor made history by becoming the first person to successfully cross the English Channel on a hoverboard.
Franky Zapata first captivated audiences with his Flyboard Air on Bastille Day, when he took off and soared above a military parade in Paris. He then set his sights on a new challenge—crossing the Channel on the hoverboard he created.
Zapata's first attempt in July ended in failure after he was knocked off the board during a refueling stop. However, on August 4, he achieved his goal, completing the 35-kilometer (22 mi) journey in just 22 minutes.
Zapata’s hoverboard features a platform that lifts off the ground using five small jet engines powered by kerosene from the rider’s backpack. According to the daredevil, his device reached speeds of 160–170 kilometers per hour (100–105 mph) during his journey across the Channel.
The only issue? He needed to refuel midway, which meant swapping out his backpack. This posed a challenge during his first attempt. However, for his successful second try, Zapata used a larger boat and platform, ensuring a safer and smoother landing.
6. Screen Villain Turns Real-Life Hero
Known for playing villains on-screen, Danny Trejo proved he’s a real-life hero when he rushed to help a baby trapped in a wrecked car. The 75-year-old actor was an eyewitness to a car accident and immediately jumped into action.
The accident took place in Los Angeles when two vehicles collided, causing one to flip over. Inside the overturned vehicle was a baby, strapped upside down in its car seat. Trejo crawled through a shattered window and, with help from bystander Monica Jackson, managed to free the child and safely remove them from the car. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, three people were taken to the hospital, but fortunately, none had serious injuries.
In a post-rescue interview, Trejo shared some wise words, explaining that everything positive in his life has come as a result of helping others. He concluded with a public service announcement for parents, urging them to use child car seats, which were the key factor in saving that baby’s life.
5. Redemption For Ketchup Thief
After feeling guilty for stealing a ketchup bottle from a New Jersey restaurant, a thief returned to the scene of the crime, leaving a note and two new bottles of ketchup as an apology.
Maria DiLeo, the owner of Perkins Restaurant, probably didn’t realize at first that one of her ketchup bottles had gone missing. The culprit, a customer who thought it would be amusing to take it, had second thoughts and returned the stolen items with a note, likely regretting the impulsive decision.
In a note of apology sent last week, the thief confessed to experiencing a wave of bad luck since committing the ‘atrocious’ deed, including being involved in a car accident.
The remorseful culprit admitted that the guilt had become unbearable, calling themselves ‘as square as they come’ and referring to the theft as the worst thing they had ever done. In an effort to make amends, the thief not only apologized but also left two fresh bottles of ketchup to replace the stolen one.
DiLeo shared a photo of the apology note online, telling the anonymous thief that they had been forgiven. As a result of the ‘good ketchup karma,’ Heinz stepped in, offering to cover the thief’s car repair costs if they reached out to the company. They also assured the thief’s identity would remain secret.
4. Look What The Stork Brought In
Once abandoned by its biological family, a young stork is now living the good life in Poland, being pampered by its new adoptive human parents.
Jan and Alicia Czesnick discovered the chick earlier this year. They suspect the stork's real parents rejected it because it was the weakest among the flock. However, the Czesnicks decided to take the little one in and care for it.
Since then, the stork has been living a life of luxury, spending its days splashing around in bird baths or relaxing with its adoptive parents. When it’s mealtime, the bird enjoys a feast of chicken and fish. The Czesnicks believe the stork will fly away next spring, so they’re making the most of the time they have together, ensuring it’s filled with happiness.
There’s only one small dilemma the couple can't seem to settle: what to name their adopted stork. Alicia prefers ‘Friday,’ inspired by the day they rescued the bird, while Jan insists on ‘Krzysztof Piatek,’ after one of his favorite footballers from AC Milan.
3. The Youngest Member Of The 46-ers Club
At just four years old, Maebh Nesbitt from Queensbury, New York, made history as the youngest person ever to conquer all the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains.
She completed the entire challenge in roughly a year, finishing in July just two days before her fifth birthday. Maebh inherited her passion for hiking from her mom, Siobhan Carney-Nesbitt, who had dreamed of sharing the experience with her daughter ever since she was pregnant.
Siobhan and her husband, Lee, are both members of the 46-ers club, a group for those who’ve climbed all 46 peaks in the Adirondacks. Inspired by the desire to earn a club sticker like her parents, Maebh set out to climb the mountains. When she finally reached her last peak, Siobhan recalled that Maebh was ‘beaming’ and maintained that joyful expression all the way down.
The previous record was set in 1999 by two five-year-old twins.
2. On The Road Again
A grandmother and her grandson have set out on an exciting adventure to explore all 61 US national parks.
At the age of 85, Joy Ryan began reflecting on all the experiences she had missed out on in life. Having spent most of her years in Duncan Falls, Ohio, and occasionally traveling to Okatibbee Lake in Florida, Joy had never seen the ocean or a mountain, except on TV. She had never witnessed ‘sand dunes, a cactus, a major river, or pueblo ruins.’
Everything changed in 2015 when her grandson Brad decided to surprise her with a spontaneous three-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While there, they met several other visitors who expressed regret for not having done more with their grandparents while they still had the chance.
This experience motivated Brad to continue traveling the country with Joy, but finances were a challenge. Luckily, a fundraiser called 'Grandma Joy’s Road Trip' was a success. The two embarked on a month-long journey that included visits to 21 US national parks.
Now, at 89 years old, Joy has seen the ocean, mountains, and a variety of wildlife. Together, she and Brad have explored 29 national parks and are determined to visit all 61. Their next destinations: Hawaii and Alaska.
1. First Woman To Win The TCR
Fiona Kolbinger, a 24-year-old German cancer researcher, made history by becoming the first woman to win the Transcontinental Race (TCR), an ultra-distance cycling event renowned as one of the most grueling races in the world.
The TCR is an individual time trial across Europe with no predetermined stages. This means that the clock runs continuously from the start to the finish, so cyclists must manage their rest periods wisely and decide how much time they’re willing to sacrifice for rest.
The race is also entirely self-supported. Participants are not permitted to draft off other riders or receive assistance from anyone, including friends or other racers. They are also responsible for their own repairs and accommodations.
The route changes every year. The inaugural race was 3,200 kilometers (1,990 miles) long, stretching from London to Istanbul. This year's event spanned 4,000 kilometers (2,490 miles), starting in Bulgaria and finishing in France. There are mandatory checkpoints, but other than that, cyclists can create their own routes.
The first TCR, held in 2013, had only 30 riders. Since then, the race has grown, with hundreds of cyclists participating each year, though two-thirds of them don’t manage to finish.
This year, Kolbinger surpassed over 260 cyclists, finishing in 10 days, two hours, and 48 minutes. She biked for 15–17 hours each day, sleeping just four hours per night, often in a sleeping bag by the side of the road. Her relentless effort paid off as she completed the race more than 10 hours ahead of second place.
