News to Make You Happy!

 

Take a break now from all of the bad news you hear on TV. Here is some good news:

 

—This morning the sun came up! The moon stayed on course. 330 million Americans were not murdered or hit by a car. No atomic bomb was detonated anywhere on the planet. Life is good!

 

—A wonderful park is developing nicely in South Boston’s Riverdale section, which is prone to flooding. It includes a new boat ramp.

 

—About 96% of all of the world’s children make it to adulthood now, according to the New York Times. For centuries, only half of survived. And the share of the world’s people living in extreme poverty has plunged from 38% in 1990 to about 8% now.

 

—Ernie’s restaurant, which closed during the pandemic, is going to come back in the form of a food trailer. And, could a Spanish tapas restaurant be in the future for downtown?

 

—A 12-year-old boy in Michigan took the wheel of his school bus after the driver became unconscious. As he drove the bus to the shoulder, the seventh grader was credited with keeping the 60 children safe from injury.

 

—Evan Snead, who grew up as a child of the Prizery, is coming back from Orlando to be the prince in the August show, The Little Mermaid. Welcome home, Evan!

 

—The Diamond Hill Cemetery, dedicated last year, has been added to the African-American HeritageTrail. Teenage members of Young Life recently planted flowers and fixed up the trails going to Berry Hill resort.

 

—A class has been added and attendance doubled since Rona Collins began teaching the YMCA Silver Sneakers fitness class in September. Good going, Rona!

 

—The  Healthy Harvest Community Garden in Halifax grows and distribute produce for those who otherwise may not have access to affordable, nutritious food. No pesticides are used on the plants. Says Carol Nelson: “We teach our interns and volunteers about good bugs and bad bugs.  They learn to spot pests and pick them off to squish, stomp on or drop into a bucket of soapy water.”

 

—The new Caesars Virginia temporary casino in Danville took in $12 million in revenue in its first 15 days. Other businesses are benefiting. Two sets of guests at our bed & breakfast came to gamble and  ate at South Boston restaurants.

 

—Halifax County’s own Andrew Abbott is tearing up the National League with his first few games as a pitcher for  Cincinnati. Yesterday he struck out 10 batters. Go Andrew!

 

—I am taking a brief summer break from this column. See you soon!

 

Editor’s Note: In real life, the author is not always as upbeat and cheerful as his article implies!