11 Good News Stories: A 'King' Or A 'Star'; Walkabout Around The World

ACROSS AMERICA — Brody Kuenzler could not fairly determine whether or not he felt extra like a “king” or a “star” as he stepped onto the ice at Madison Square Garden final week

“Fantastic,” mentioned the 12-year-old, from Holbrook, New York, to explain his emotions after being chosen to ring the bell and drop the primary greenback forward of the NHL match between Rangers and Devils.

The Raiders’ Hockey Fights Cancer program chosen Brody for this honor as a result of he has been cancer-free for 3 years.

Brody was chosen for the dignity of recognizing three years of cancer-free dwelling. In late 2018, after he started having ache in his legs and commenced limping, medical doctors identified him with a uncommon type of bone most cancers. Now that he is been cancer-free for 3 years, “it was time to celebrate,” his mom mentioned.

It was time to ring that bell and sign the tip of his and my worry of most cancers. I imply, each time we needed to go for repeat scans, my coronary heart was in my mouth till I knew he was going to be okay.” » By Peggy Spellman Hoey for Sachem (New York) Patch

One foot ahead of the other

Tom Sullivan has every right to boast, but he won’t. The 87-year-old Mokena, Illinois resident has walked the equivalent of a round-the-world trip in two decades. He began the 25,000-mile trek in 2000 to herald the millennium. He didn’t expect to make the first 5,000 miles, or even 1,000 of them. He succeeded in the latter prematurely, which gave him the determination to keep running until he surpassed his goal, which happened more than a month ago. “I do not need to sit round and decide my nostril,” Sullivan told Patch. “It appears to me that lots of people get to an outdated age and simply sit round and watch for demise. It’s not very interesting to me. When I stroll, I need to stroll in my footwear.” » By Jeff Arnold for Mokena (Illinois) Patch

“A man tries to help”

Darlene Morace says she’s simply “a person trying to help someone else in a difficult situation.” Their neighbors in Patchogue, New York are thought-about the latter. The household’s eldest son was significantly injured in a hearth that destroyed their residence and killed their canine. They misplaced virtually every thing, so Morace began a crowdfunding marketing campaign. “I just thought, ‘This is the best way I can help — donate to them so they can get the things they need at the time that’s most convenient for them because they don’t have a home.'” , Morace mentioned . » By Peggy Spellman Hoey for Patchogue (New York) Patch

“We’re just doing our job”

Their Thanksgiving Day shift on the East Harlem subway station was something however what cops Brunel Victor and Taufique Bokth anticipated—it was routine. Instead, they had been hailed as heroes on the finish of the day after a 40-year-old man was dramatically rescued from turning into dizzy and falling onto the tracks. A Good Samaritan was already attempting to elevate the person again onto the platform because the prepare approached when the officer arrived and supplied help simply earlier than the prepare arrived. “We were just doing our jobs like we do every day,” Victor mentioned. » By Nick Garber for Harlem (New York) Patch

Also simply do their job

Police officers in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, had been concerned in a special sort of Thanksgiving Day rescue. Gazelle, a Chihuahua, had run away from her residence that morning solely to finish up in freezing water for “who knows how long,” native police mentioned on Facebook. Gazelle’s household owed lots on Thanksgiving Eve. » By Karen Wall for Toms River (New Jersey) Patch

(Photo courtesy of Seaside Heights Police Department)

It’s your flip, sister

Sister Kathleen Coll, 87, wished to drive on to her convent in Newark, New Jersey, from Long Valley, the place she had vacationed to go to household. It was a chilly November night time and she or he had a flat tire however wasn’t certain the place she was so nobody knew precisely the place to choose her up. A collection of issues that should not have occurred culminated within the Newark Police Department rescuing the nun. “My aunt gives so much service and heart and soul to her community… tonight it was her turn to receive some much needed help,” mentioned her niece. » By Eric Kiefer for Newark (New Jersey) Patch

style of residence

When Maria Avila and her family members determined to open their very first espresso store, there was no query which space they’d select: the Upper East Side, the place she and her husband have lived their lives. “We’re a family that grew up in the neighborhood, we continue to live in the neighborhood, and our vision is to bring Latin culture here to the Upper East Side,” mentioned Avila, who runs the Cositas together with her husband Nick owns espresso store. her mom and his mother and father. Maria’s mother and father are from Honduras and El Salvador, whereas her husband’s are from Colombia and Ecuador. The menu at the moment focuses on Colombian delicacies, however I hope to increase to incorporate different Latin flavors because the restaurant grows. » By Nick Garber for Upper East Side (New York) Patch

Pop-up is their area of interest

Ellen Lunay has discovered her area of interest at a time when brick-and-mortar shops are struggling to compete. The Arnold, Maryland, businesswoman runs pop-ups after signing short-term leases on vacant storefronts—a profitable settlement for each landlords and companies. “I’ve such an enormous following now as a result of [it] creates a way of urgency whenever you’re a pop-up store,” Lunay, 51, told Patch. “We rely a lot on our popularity and our common prospects that now we have to come back wherever we’re.” She sells Christmas items in her newest pop-up undertaking. » By Jacob Baumgart for Annapolis (Maryland) Patch

(Jakob Baumgart/Patch)

Penguin the hen is at residence

With Caps Lock on and extra punctuation than wanted, the panic was evident within the prose of the message posted on the neighboring Crown Heights Patch submit board: “MISSING!!! CHICKEN!!” Lovetta Taillor, 37, sex counselor for chickens, mom and couples, was told she honestly lost her mind after her chicken, Penguin, “went on an journey.” After an epic journey through Brooklyn that took place in the started last spring, she is now back home. » By Peter Senzamic for Prospect Heights-Crown Heights (New York) Patch

Fritz’s open grin

Stop what you’re doing and look at these stinky cute pics of Fritz, the little brother of Cincinnati Zoo’s celebrated hippo Fiona, who steals the show with his big grin. Fritz, who was born on August 3, is teething and Twitter users just can’t get enough of his big smile. “I’d danger my life for Fritz,” tweeted one user. “Not dramatically,” said another user, “however I’d die for Fritz.” » By Beth Dalbey for Cincinnati (Ohio) Patch

farewell shot

Fishtopher isn’t smiling — in fact, the rescued cat in Camden County, New Jersey appears to be the original sour hangover. His moody facial expression was a huge hit online and won hearts around the world, including a Baltimore woman who adopted him. He hardly looks like the same cat in the photos his new persona posted on Instagram. » By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson for Gloucester Township (New Jersey) Patch