🏆 80-Year-Old Sets Record on Appalachian Trail

We hope you had a great weekend. An 80-year-old retired teacher conquers the Appalachian Trail, proving that dreams have no age limit. Meanwhile, an abandoned dog leads 19 Buddhist monks on a cross-country peace walk, inspiring kindness and unity along the way.

In Times Square, thousands of handwritten wishes and positive messages rained down with the New Year’s confetti, uniting people around the world in hope.

And in England, the return of young Atlantic salmon to three rivers signals a remarkable environmental comeback.

👉 P.S. Start your weekdays with more good news, grounding moments, and perspective. Upgrade to premium for $5 per month or $45 per year.

—Stephanie S

At 80, retired teacher Betty Kellenberger became the oldest woman to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,200-mile journey spanning 14 states. Inspired as a child, Betty faced decades of delays, health setbacks, and even a knee replacement before finally achieving her dream.

Her first attempts were halted by injury, illness, and the loss of her hiking partner. Undeterred, she trained on hospital stairs and returned to the trail, overcoming obstacles like hurricanes and treacherous terrain.

Betty credits her perseverance to lessons learned from each setback and encouragement from fellow hikers. She finished the trail in September, six years older than the previous record holder.

Her story is a testament to setting big goals and never letting age or adversity define your limits. Betty reminds us that the first step is often the hardest, but it can lead to incredible achievements.

A once-abandoned dog named Aloka is now leading 19 Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile peace walk from Texas to Washington, D.C. Their journey aims to spread unity and compassion across 10 states.

Aloka joined the monks during a previous walk in India, overcoming illness and injury to stay by their side. His resilience has inspired many along the way.

Communities have welcomed the group with kindness, and Aloka continues to be a symbol of hope and determination.

As the New Year arrived in Times Square, thousands of handwritten wishes from people around the world floated down with the confetti. These messages, collected through the Times Square Wishing Wall, included hopes for love, kindness, and brighter days.

Participants shared dreams both big and small, from personal goals to wishes for global peace. Even those unable to visit in person contributed online.

This uplifting tradition reminds us that hope and unity can fill the air, one wish at a time.

For the first time in a decade, young Atlantic salmon have been spotted in the Mersey, Goyt, and Bollin rivers in England. This marks a hopeful sign for a species considered critically endangered in Britain.

The return of salmon highlights a remarkable environmental recovery, as these rivers were once biologically dead. Now, they support thriving ecosystems and diverse wildlife.

Environmental authorities are launching studies to learn more about the salmon’s comeback and how to support their continued return.

🌳 New York: Brooklyn's Bonsai Museum celebrated its 100th anniversary with its largest-ever exhibition, showcasing over 400 miniature trees, including centuries-old specimens, and special events for visitors.

🐦 UK/Brazil: Conservationists from Chester Zoo helped hatch three critically endangered blue-eyed ground doves in Brazil, doubling the insurance population of a species with only 11 left in the wild.

🏇 New Zealand: After being dragged by her runaway horse, jockey Crystal Hackett held on to the reins to protect everyone, then astonishingly won the very next race.

🤖 UK: Tiny robots called Pipebots are being developed to find and fix underground leaky water pipes.

🚤 New Jersey: A parasail operator in Sea Isle City heroically rescued a kayaker and her two dogs after a sudden storm capsized their kayak on the bay.

73 years ago today, Waiting for Godot premiered in France. Written by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett and composed initially in French as En attendant Godot, the tragicomedy is regarded as one of the most enigmatic and influential works of modern literature. The play follows two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait endlessly for the mysterious Godot, who never arrives. Notably sparse, the production consists of a single act and minimal stage direction.

Beckett deliberately avoided explaining the characters or the meaning of the play, revealing only that he “heard their voices” and knew they wore bowler hats. Its stripped-down structure invited countless social, political, and religious interpretations, which initially frustrated Beckett but ultimately contributed to its lasting legacy. Today, Waiting for Godot is considered a cornerstone of absurdist theatre and a defining work of the 20th century.

Other notable January 5 events:

1896: The discovery of radiation, later known as X-rays, was first reported.

1925: Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first female governor of the United States.

1940: The FCC heard the first long-distance FM radio transmission.

1944: The Daily Mail became the first transoceanic newspaper.

— Virgil Thomson

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🌦️ Weather AI: AI-powered weather apps are giving farmers precise planting and harvest windows.

🌞 Reef Safe Sunscreen: Ocean-friendly sunscreens are protecting reefs by avoiding harmful chemicals.

🐟 Vertical Aquaculture: Vertical fish farms are producing seafood sustainably with minimal ocean impact.

🚲 Repair Stations: Public bike repair stations are encouraging cycling by making maintenance easy and free.

💨 Local Wind: Community-owned wind turbines are generating local revenue while providing clean energy.

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