4 Good Things That Happened This Week

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Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 24, 2020

The Therapeutic Power of Art

This bit of sunshine comes from SB reader Tiffany Bigham out of Murfreesboro, TN:

“I wanted to share with you some photos I took in my Murfreesboro neighborhood. As my family was taking a walk and enjoying the brief appearance of sunshine yesterday, we started noticing sidewalk chalk artwork on the street in front of each mailbox in a cul de sac. As we stopped to look at each unique message and take photos, two elementary school aged girls came out of their yard and identified themselves as the artists. They said they, with the help of their mom, had created the artwork to encourage their neighbors. I thought it was a sweet way for that family to provide happiness to those around them AND occupy a few hours. Now the rain has returned and washed away those precious drawings, but I hope on the next clear day those girls and their mom will use their time and talents to spread more joy around our neighborhood.”

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Break Out the Albums

This fantastic suggestion comes from SB reader Varina Bunton:

“This morning I had an email from the grown son of some of our close friends who live in another city but with whom we spend summers in Michigan. Attached to the email were four hilarious pictures of us from years past at such gatherings as “Christmas in July”, a ridiculous “Hat Party” and all of us dressed as flamingos for a “Cabaret”. I looked at them several times during the day and each time belly laughed out loud. Let’s dig out our scrapbooks and send pictures to our loved ones. Laughter is indeed the best medicine!”

Bored? Go on a Bear Hunt

As we all try to find ways to navigate our new normal, creative activities are popping up all over. Case in point: The #BartlettBearHunt. Bartlett, TN Mayor Keith McDonald spearheaded this idea as a positive distraction for families who are hunkering down at home. The idea is simple: Bartlett residents are asked to put teddy bears in their windows, and families can drive around and hunt for the bears. We love this fun idea! Well done, Bartlett! Read the complete story HERE.

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A Song of Encouragement

As Middle Tennessee State University students returned to classes this week — albeit virtually — they were met with a song of encouragement from the MTSU School of Music. Check out this video they created and shared on Facebook, which features various members of the faculty and staff. Brighter days to come, for sure!

What the World Needs Now

Meanwhile, up in Boston, Shelbie Rassler, a student at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, is spreading the love via song as well, with this virtual rendition of “What the World Needs Now is Love.” The video showcases students singing or playing instruments — all recorded remotely and brought together in one, beautiful (potentially tear-inducing) performance. Check out the complete story HERE.

Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 23, 2020

Have Opera, Will Travel

While theaters may be dark during the pandemic, Opera Memphis brought their sounds to the masses via a trailer. Opera Memphis artists performed for residents, who emerged and enjoyed the live show from their front porches. Watch the show for yourself HERE, and brava and bravo, Opera Memphis!

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Spreading Joy Through Art

Retired teacher turned local artist, Rita Woodward brought joy to locals through her art. She had some leftover wood pieces from her husband’s projects, so she painted some “pretty little happies” to give away. On her Facebook page, she wrote: “If you’d like a happy little wood chunky, go to my Woodward Arts page on Facebook. All you have to do is type “Want” under the post. I’ll write STOP when these are all claimed.” Approximately 40 pieces were picked up from her porch, and the rest she’s sending with her son Doug, who is an ER nurse at Baptist. “I’d like him to pass them out to some of the other hospital workers in the emergency room. They are on the front lines and I’m sure could use a little painted happiness!”

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We Love This Wedding Parade

We spotted this heartwarming experience on the Instagram account of The Scribbler, a Birmingham business, where they shared a wedding parade that took place this weekend. Because friends and family members couldn’t join in the fun in an up-close and personal way, loved ones celebrated the couple with a festive car parade. The newlyweds got to see each of their loved ones drive past and waved from a distance. Lindsay, the bride, posted on the Instagram post, “The Lord’s love and kindness in the most amazing display yesterday and we are filled with joy!! Hope this spreads joy and light in darker times!” Congrats to the newlyweds!

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Ride This Out – for FREE

While we’re all hunkering down, Explore Bike Share is offering free rentals through April 19. Each user can ride for free for up to one hour (find out more HERE), and proper safety precautions are mapped out HERE.

Grassroots Group: Lunches for ICU

A grassroots effort took form in Denver late last week in an effort to bring love — and sustenance — to doctors, nurses and clinicians who are working around the clock. Lunches for ICU is designed to keep local restaurants in business while providing meals to healthcare professionals. While this one is in Denver (You can join the Lunches For ICU Facebook Group HERE), this model could easily be replicated anywhere as restaurants nationwide are forced to close their dining rooms. To support Lunches for ICU, check out their GoFundMe page HERE, and if you want to partner with the group, email [email protected].

2 Funny Finds

Here are two funny posts we spotted on social platforms. Enjoy!

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 21, 2020

Paid Forward With Flowers

Memphis bride Erin Drake postponed her wedding earlier in the week due to coronavirus, but it was too late to cancel her flowers as they had already been ordered and shipped. Her florist told her about 901 POP (POP stands for Petals of Purpose), a local group that repurposes wedding flowers after the wedding — using them to brighten others’ days. Erin partnered with the group, and a couple of 901 POP volunteers arranged Erin’s flowers into bouquets — first a large arrangement for the bride (they dropped it off on her front porch) and then they created 15 other arrangements for the women and staff at a safe house to enjoy. The flowers were left by their front door — as a volunteer delivered, she exchanged smiles and waves through the glass.

901 POP’s mission is to share joy and inspire kindness through repurposed flowers and personal experiences, and we’d say they did just that!

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A Photographic Tulip Tour

While you may not be able to see the more than 70 varieties of tulips now in bloom at the Dixon, we are happy to share a snapshot. Hang in there, Memphis! Brighter days are coming!

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Spreading Kindness to Senior Citizens

Nursing homes have put restrictions on nearly all visitors, and they have also had to cancel group activities and communal meals. But VOICES, Inc., in Evansville, Indiana, a nonprofit that works to protect the rights of residents of long-term care facilities, has launched an initiative to lift the spirits of elderly nursing home patients. People are invited to send cards and letters to VOICES, and they will be distributed to nursing homes. This article quotes Michelle Motta, executive director and long-term care ombudsman for VOICES, Inc., as saying, “No matter the content, elders love receiving fun mail — especially from children.” So grab some paper and markers and get to work. Cards and letters can be mailed to VOICES, Inc., 2425 Hwy 41 North, Suite 405, Evansville, IN, 47711, and emails can be sent to [email protected]. Read the complete story HERE.

Birthday Cards: A Global Effort

Mona Helgeland is a single mother of two whose children both had birthdays coming up – one on March 26 and one on April 6. She had planned celebrations, which have been canceled due to coronavirus. In an effort to still help them celebrate, the Norwegian woman reached out to various Facebook groups and asked if people would send her children birthday cards … and they did — from all over. “Blown away by the kindness,” Mona found beauty in the kindness of strangers. Read the complete story HERE.

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First Responder Love

Tupelo offices of Renasant Bank and Mossy Oak Properties purchased more than $2,000 in local restaurant gift cards this week and delivered them to first responders and healthcare workers. They are challenging other real estate offices in town to do the same. Well done, Tupelo!

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Funny Instagram Finds:

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Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 20, 2020

Service Shift Creates Extra Support

This good thing comes from Memphis resident and frequent StyleBlueprint contributor Gaye Swan, who says, “One of my favorite restaurants in Memphis of course closed their dining room, to be responsible and take the CDC and federal government guidelines seriously. Like many restaurants, they are adding curbside pickup and delivery options from their full menu, but they’ve gone just a step further. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza is now Tamboli’s Mobile Deli. They’ve partnered with local farmers and artisan food producers, and they will deliver items from them as well. With grocery stores under so much pressure, this is a great way to help customers AND local farmers. Plus they are donating 10% of their profits to the Mid-South Food Bank.

A Free Food Gesture

Hayes and Amy McPherson, owners of local favorite Comeback Coffee, spent all of yesterday morning giving out free breakfast sandwiches and pastries. They went to U of M Law School, Medical District with UT Residents and Le Bonheur, and then the pair hit up Mud Island and Harbor Town residents for the last stop. The gesture, as shown by the below image, was much appreciated!

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It’s OK.

In response to our article suggesting we all put up Christmas lights to bring some cheer, SB reader Perry Del Favero, who lives in Nashville’s Sylvan Heights neighborhood, wrote in with a beautiful alternative. “We’re terrible at hanging holiday lights, but i brought this banner outside today. Hoping it helps,” she wrote. It does, Perry. It totally does.

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That’s a BIG Tipper!

A couple stopped in for an early dinner at Irma’s Southwest in Houston on Monday, and when it came time to pay, the husband wrote on the bill, “Hold tip to pay your guys over the next few weeks.” He left $1,900 in cash and put $7,500 on his card. Read the full story HERE, and then give this generous human a virtual high five!

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Sharing Presents, Not Presence

This bit of good news comes in from SB reader Dolly Kelly from Franklin, TN:

“Bella Brothers just turned 11 this week, and like many, her birthday party was cancelled due to COVID-19. Her mom, Kimberly, just posted to our community’s Facebook page that Bella is giving away little party bags and unopened, new gifts on her porch for neighbors to enjoy. She said Bella is wanting to ‘share with all’ including my daughter, Maryn, who turned 5 on Monday. We had to cancel her party too. So Bella and Kimberly are wrapping a gift specifically for Maryn as a curbside birthday gift later. In response, another mom neighbor posted under Kimberly’s message the following:

‘I just took my seven year old on an “adventure walk” and she picked out the unicorn lamp! Thank you SO much! It’s tough to fill long days and y’alls kindness is making it easier.’”

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Bonus Funny Finds:

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From SB reader Kitsie Hayles: “My husband sent this [Instagram post] to me and it made me laugh:

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Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 19, 2020

Companies Helping Companies

When Dr. Peter Swarr, a physician in Franklin, TN, asked a friend who owns a woodworking business if they had any extra N95 masks, it was out of desperation. “I asked him if there was anything I could to help,” says Dave Puncochar, owner of Good Wood Nashville. “He surprised me when he asked if any of our woodworking masks were N95 masks. They couldn’t find any, and they were looking at having to close their practice if they couldn’t protect their nurses on the front line — especially caring for people with respiratory issues.” Unfortunately, Dave’s company didn’t have any, but he reached out to another wood-industry friend, Roger Gramm of Just Plane Wood. “I told him the situation,” explains Dave, “and he told me that he could donate eight.” Dr. Swarr sent someone up to grab the masks, and now his doors can remain open thanks to the kindness and thoughtfulness of Dave and Roger.

I Spy — Neighborhood Edition

We’re hearing reports of neighborhood-wide “I Spy” games taking place in neighborhoods, each day with a different theme. For example “hearts” is the theme, and neighbors walk around the neighborhood to find the hearts placed about, taped in windows, etc. What if “I Spy” went nationwide?!

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A Touching Toilet Paper Story

Louisville resident and frequent StyleBlueprint writer Julie Englehardt wrote to share a tale from her morning trip to Kroger. “Our Kroger opened at 7 a.m., and I got there at about 7:20, and all the toilet paper was gone,” Julie shares. “Later, as I was walking through the produce section, I passed a shopper with two packs of TP. I’m not one to shy away from talking to strangers, so I said to her (not negatively), “You must have gotten here early.” She looked me straight in the eye as she pointed to a pack and told me to take it. It was a true gift — not the paper itself, but her generosity.”

Free Flowers

This feel-good story comes out of the Netherlands, where Fred and Henk Magendans, two flower wholesalers, had purchased two trucks full of flowers to sell at markets, but shortly after they picked up their flowers, all markets were closed leaving the pair with an over-abundance of flowers and nowhere to sell them. Instead of letting them go to waste, they shared a bit of joy with the staff at two local hospitals. According to this article, “On Monday morning a truck with 500 bunches of flowers went out to the Elkerliek Hospital in Helmond. That same afternoon, people at Catharina Hospital was surprised with 800 bouquets.” And while Fred and Henk couldn’t personally deliver them, they saw many gracious faces through the windows, where the staff received the deliveries and distributed them throughout the hospital.

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Special Shopping Hours for the Elderly

In an effort to protect the elderly population from having to move among the masses, several grocery store chains have committed to allotting special hours for that particular age group. According to CBS News, grocery chains like H.E.B., Dollar General, Whole Foods, and Food Town among others are establishing “Senior Hours” on specific days and times. For more information, check out the story HERE.

And a bonus item because it made us laugh:

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 18, 2020

Food Industry Folks: Help is Available

In times of uncertainty, few things warm our hearts like seeing people band together in support of one another. When we spotted a post on Facebook offering assistance for Memphis food industry workers, our eyes got a little misty. (We’re not crying, YOU’RE crying!) For those in the food industry who could use a little help, here’s a resource worth checking into. #MemphisStrong

She’s Engaged!

Even in times of social distancing, there are always ways of sharing joy — here’s proof! When Premier Living & Rehab Center in Lake Waccamaw, NC, posted these photos on their Facebook page, hearts everywhere melted. One of the residents had a granddaughter stop by and share her good news — she’s engaged. Pass the Kleenex!

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Love Thy Neighbor: The Musical

This story of two Ohio children — ages 6 and 9 — playing a 30-minute concert for their 78-year-old neighbor reinstills hope in humanity. The siblings kept plenty of space between themselves and their neighbor, Helena Schlam, as they played their cellos for her in an effort to help her not feel quite so isolated. See the complete story HERE, but for now, enjoy the video:

Musicians “at Your Service”

A big shout out to Coldplay’s Chris Martin for his inaugural #TogetherAtHome performance. He and his bandmates are each stuck in different countries, so rather than keep all of his talent to himself, he took to Facebook, where he was “at your service for the next 20 minutes” sharing his thoughts and some music for fans. As if he wasn’t cute enough, he admitted he was a little nervous having never live-streamed before. Swoon! He finally launched into song — and the colorful hearts began flowing. Watch it for yourself HERE.

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Businesses Adapting

You may not be able to gather with more than nine others right now, but you can still embrace life — and many businesses and industries are ensuring that we have the opportunity to do just that. From virtual farm tours to livestreamed operas, here are 10 virtual events you can “attend” while self-distancing. Click HERE!

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Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

And click HERE to find out how to support Memphis businesses during the pandemic.

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5 HAPPY THINGS FOUND ON MARCH 17, 2020

Love Thy (New) Neighbor

When Nashvillian Joyce Claassen had new neighbors move in next door, her desire was to welcome them to the neighborhood — it’s kind of what Southerners like to do. And yet, in light of the current situation, she realized it may not be prudent to show up and mingle in light of social distancing recommendations. Instead, she dropped off a pack of TP – a hot commodity — along with a welcome note. “I felt like I was running books across the border in Germany or something,” she says. “I’m being over-dramatic, but I’ve read too many books!” Her note reads: “Hi! Welcome to the neighborhood. Sorry you moved during a pandemic & we are all hiding behind doors. Here is some prized TP & just text if you need anything.”

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The Tale of a $2,500 Tip

As many restaurants are bearing the brunt of social distancing — either limiting the number of customers they can allow, limiting hours or closing their doors altogether — one dedicated patron of Coaches Bar and Grill in Columbus, OH, did their part to lift the spirits of and provide a little financial comfort to the staff. On a bill of just $29.75, the customer left a tip of $2,500 to be split evenly among the staff. From the Coaches Twitter account: “When the going gets tough, the tough stay loyal. This loyal, amazing patron of Coaches on Bethel left the staff a $2500 tip to help lighten the losses during this required closing of Restaurants & Bars in Ohio.” See more HERE.

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Birmingham Students Breaking Records

Spring Valley School in Birmingham, AL, is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school whose mission is to provide excellence in education for bright students with learning differences. The students of Spring Valley recently embarked on a 7-week marathon of reading, and they rose above their learning challenges to claim a first-place title in the 2020 Great Reading Games among more than 2,900 participating U.S. schools. Congrats to those participants!

Lunch Doodles With Mo Willems

During this time when schools are out and everyone’s at home, wildly popular — and uber-talented — children’s author and illustrator Mo Willems gets the hero of the year award for launching “Lunch Doodle” for kids — a daily doodle session offered free of charge each day at 12 p.m. CST. Learn to draw, doodle and learn new ways of writing with Mo, who streams live from his virtual studio. Learn more about the free video series and livestream events HERE.

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Love Knows No Boundaries

When coronavirus required Bob Shellard to socially distance himself from his wife of 67 years, Nancy, on their anniversary — she’s in a nursing home that is limiting visitors — he stood outside her window holding a sign that said, “I’ve loved you 67 years and still do. Happy Anniversary.” She greeted his sign of affection with blown kisses. Could there be a sweeter love story?! Read more about this sweet couple HERE.

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Have some good news you want to share? Email [email protected], Subject line: Good news. 

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Click HERE to find out how to support Memphis businesses during the pandemic.