NASA Has Discovered an Object 10 Million Times Brighter Than the Sun, Defying Physics

Astronomers have discovered ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs), objects in outer space that emit about 10 million times more energy than the sun, breaking the physical law known as the Eddington limit. The law determines how bright an object of a given size can be. However, ULXs regularly exceed this limit by 100 to 500 times, leaving scientists puzzled. The study suggests that the intense magnetic field changes the shape of its atoms, allowing the star to stick together even as it gets brighter and brighter.

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A Small Canadian Town is Aiming To Become The Next Hallmark Movie Destination

In Sylvan Lake, Alberta, romance doesn’t need a script — it just happens. The town of 15,000, about 160 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, has all the makings of a Hallmark classic: snowy streets, community charm, and stories of love that seem pulled from a movie. Now, Mayor Megan Hanson wants to take it one step further and make it official — by inviting Hallmark to film one of its beloved holiday movies there. "It's just a place where those kinds of romantic things happen," Hanson said. And she’s not alone in thinking so. Resident Sean McIntyre agrees: “Sylvan Lake is the authentic version of so many Hallmark storylines. This is the place where people from the city come.” From skating under twinkle lights on the frozen lake to small-town events like the Gulls’ baseball games and a pumpkin trail stretching for blocks, Sylvan Lake already looks and feels like a movie set. Now, town officials are hoping Hallmark agrees. A dream born in a bakery The idea was sparked by former town councillor Teresa Rilling, a self-professed Hallmark devotee whose ultimate dream is to appear in a film — as the local bakery lady. “I would meet with film groups to see what needed to be done to bring it to Sylvan Lake,” she said. “I’ve been passionate about it for a long time.” Rilling's research found that Sylvan Lake checked several important boxes for production crews: scenic diversity, four-season filming potential, and — just as crucial — a community that already lives the Hallmark lifestyle. After many chats with Rilling, Hanson decided it was time to act. “What would it hurt to write a letter?” she said. “I write letters in support of things all the time. What is one more? And this one, I think, is really neat.” Real love stories, not just on screen The town is full of unscripted love stories that could easily make the jump to TV. Mayor Hanson’s own proposal came at the top of the local lighthouse, where her now-husband had written “Will you marry me?” on the frozen lake below. “He somehow got the keys to the lighthouse from the mayor of the day,” she said. “We also had our wedding photos taken right by the same lighthouse.” McIntyre proposed to his high school sweetheart on the beach during a New Year’s Eve fireworks show. “It was magical,” he said. Barista Mycah Feijen says it’s not just the setting that’s charming — it’s the people. “They’ll actually start a conversation with you,” she said. “They’re all interested in who you are.” That sense of community is what helped resident Elisha Hojnocki meet her husband. “We met on the beach, basically. And then 20 years ago, we got married right here on the beach.” Communications officer Jared Waldo met his partner at the town’s hockey camp, and proposed to her on centre ice. “When you're here, you just feel connected to the people and places,” he said. “It’s not something that you can really explain or describe, but it is something you can definitely feel. It’s magic.” Preparing for a close-up While the town waits for a reply from Hallmark, they’re quietly doing the behind-the-scenes work to be ready when — not if — the call comes. “We are doing the background work, and it's not as flashy as writing a letter and sharing it on social media and sending it to Hallmark headquarters,” Hanson said. The town’s culture department is working to make sure film-friendly policies are in place. Hanson sees it not just as a fun idea, but a meaningful one — with potential economic benefits for local businesses, tourism, and long-term visibility. It wouldn’t be Sylvan Lake’s first on-screen appearance. A 1990s romantic film, Sylvan Lake Summer, was shot there, and the town has a budding theatre scene. “When they do call,” Hanson said, “we’ll be ready. But I hope it’s soon.”

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Over a Million Lights are Transforming Golden Gate Park Into a Dazzling Holiday Wonderland

Golden Gate Park has a new nighttime glow — and it’s lighting up faces just as much as the trees. A mile-long illuminated trail has taken over San Francisco’s Botanical Garden this holiday season, featuring more than a million twinkling lights, synchronized music, and fantastical art installations. Called Lightscape, the immersive display has drawn more than 100,000 visitors since it opened, delighting families, couples, and wide-eyed kids along the way. “There are towering peonies, fields of lights, water lilies, giant dragonflies,” said Sarah Marsh of Gardens of Golden Gate Park, which operates the Botanical Garden. “One of my favorites is a Canary Island strawberry tree that’s been transformed into a glowing neon tree.” This is the first year Lightscape has come to San Francisco. The nighttime holiday trail is already popular in other sister gardens in Chicago, Brooklyn, and London. It’s a collaboration between UK-based Sony Music and production company Culture Creative, with each show designed specifically for the host garden. Sellout crowds have packed the Golden Gate Park trail since it opened, with some guests returning during the day to see the real-life plants they admired under the lights. “What we hope to do is inspire curiosity,” Marsh said. “Some of my favorite comments have been from kids — just hearing how it makes them feel, and the happiness and joy. And to be honest, it’s the expressions on their faces as they see the lights and experience the trail itself.” The San Francisco Lightscape runs until January 4.

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A Women’s Sports Group in India Is Changing Lives — One Sweaty Sunday at a Time

At a sports ground in Bandra, Mumbai, the thud of footballs and the sound of laughter ring out across the Wings Sports Centre. It’s a Sunday morning, and for dozens of women, this is where friendships are forged, sweat is celebrated, and judgement is left at the gate. Among the players is 49-year-old Dawn Almeida, a former Dubai resident who moved to Mumbai in 2020 and found herself isolated and lonely during the pandemic. Then she discovered Sisters in Sweat — a women-only sports community — and everything changed. “I had an inhibition joining a new group, [even] though it's all women,” Almeida says. “I'm not young, so I was [wondering] if there was going to be all these teenagers and youngsters, and if I really wanted to go. But right from the first day, I felt like I fit in.” That first session ended with breakfast. It became a ritual — and so did the friendships that followed. Now, Almeida’s social life revolves around her SiS sessions. She plays football multiple times a week, has coached beginner sessions, and credits the group with giving her more than just exercise. “It’s freedom without judgement,” she says. “Everyone just cheers you on.” What began as one casual game exploded into a nationwide movement Sisters in Sweat didn’t start as a business or a fitness brand. It started with a simple question. In 2017, Bengaluru-based fitness trainer Swetha Subbiah had a friend named Shonali who wanted to learn to play football. Subbiah called up Tanvie Hans — a former professional footballer who had played in the UK — and asked if she could lead a session. “I expected maybe three or four of my friends to show up,” Subbiah recalls. “But 17 showed up that morning on Sunday.” The session was a hit. They added warm-up drills, technical coaching, and a friendly match. Then breakfast. A WhatsApp group followed. And soon, it became their Sunday ritual. By the end of 2019, women they’d never met were showing up. Word had spread. “That’s when I realised this had become something bigger than anything we’d imagined,” Subbiah says. An amateur league offered to sponsor a tournament. Subbiah and Hans quit their jobs and went all in. They needed a name. The inspiration came, fittingly, from a WhatsApp chat. “One day someone said: ‘My brother asked if I was going to the sweaty sisters session.’ Another replied, ‘Tell him we're Sisters in Sweat!’ It just came out of nowhere. But it stuck.” Now in four cities, and aiming higher Today, Sisters in Sweat has nearly 15,000 members across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi. The group offers sessions in football, basketball, badminton, cricket, pickleball, yoga, dance, and even touch rugby. Every session is pay-per-play, ranging from 200 to 600 rupees — affordable for urban women, but still out of reach for many in rural or underprivileged areas. That’s something Subbiah and Hans are now working to change. “We’ve seen the impact that this community has had on women in urban India,” says Subbiah. “Now we want to bring this to underprivileged communities where the impact could be so much bigger.” They also hope to reach girls earlier, knowing that participation in sport often correlates with long-term leadership and success. “Ninety-four percent of women in C-suite roles played sport at some point,” Subbiah says, citing a study by Ernst & Young. “Can we bring that to girls earlier, set them up for success? That’s the dream.” Where sport becomes sisterhood The SiS community has become a lifeline for women from all backgrounds. Some are athletes looking to stay sharp. Others are total beginners, there to move, laugh, and find community. One woman joined after losing her husband, trying to stay connected to his love for football and find comfort in a group of peers. Another, who’d never played football growing up in rural India, fell in love with the sport at her very first session. And then there’s the story of Shonali’s son — the child who unknowingly launched SiS. Years later, watching Hans play a match, he asked his mom, “Mama, do boys play football as well?” Men are cheering from the sidelines — and helping from home While SiS is women-only, men have been allies from the start. Subbiah points out that for many women to make it to a session, they need support at home — especially those with young children. That support inspired a spinoff group, Sisters and Misters, where men and women play together in selected sports. SiS also includes male coaches across many sessions, helping to balance technical training with fun. In 2023, the community even caught international attention. Manchester City, the Premier League football club, collaborated with SiS to highlight its work as part of its Same Goals campaign — the first time the club had partnered with an Indian sporting group. 'We're not going to play in the World Cup tomorrow — but we’re playing’ For Almeida, the transformation is personal. She’s found a home in the SiS community — and a platform to help others find theirs. “On Saturdays, it’s people already in love with football, trying to get better,” she says. “I tell them that we’re not going to play in the World Cup tomorrow, but we’re running, learning, pushing ourselves. On Sundays, it’s girls who are just exercising or curious. Our job is to make them fall in love with the game.” It’s not just about movement. It’s about friendship, self-worth, and rediscovering joy. “I’ve always been overweight, but I’ve always been active,” Almeida says. “I’m not a gym person or a runner. I like movement. What I love about SiS is that I can choose. Football one day, pickleball another, yoga or dance the next.” “It’s perfect.”

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America's Oldest Serving US Park Ranger is Being Remembered For Her Greatest Contribution

Betty Reid Soskin, who made history as the oldest serving park ranger in the United States, is being remembered for her legacy spanning activism, music, storytelling and an unwavering commitment to preserving truth in American history. Soskin passed away at age 104 this week, four years after retiring from the National Park Service at age 100. Her legacy spans activism, music, storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to preserving truth in American history. At age 85, Soskin joined the National Park Service and became a ranger at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California — a site she helped shape years earlier. There, she gave tours, consulted on educational materials, and brought forward the often-overlooked perspectives of Black women and other marginalized groups during the war. “If we go back and revisit that era, in truth, as it was lived by those of us who lived it, only then can we get a baseline against which to measure how far we've come,” she said during a speech at the park’s visitor center. “If we don't know where we started, we have no conception of where we are or how we got here.” She viewed the park as more than a tribute to wartime women; it was a vehicle for honesty, reflection, and growth. Soskin advocated for telling the full, often painful truth about U.S. history — what she called the “heroic places, the contemplative places, the scenic wonders, the shameful places, and the painful places.” Born in 1921, Soskin lived through nearly every major chapter of 20th and 21st century America. Her life began during the Jim Crow era, spanned the civil rights movement, and stretched into the digital age. She witnessed and participated in some of the most important cultural shifts in U.S. history. In 1945, she and her first husband opened Reid’s Records, one of the first Black-owned record stores in the California Bay Area. She went on to become an accomplished songwriter and community organizer, fundraising alongside the Black Panthers and participating in countless civil rights initiatives. In 2015, President Barack Obama honored her with a presidential coin at the National Christmas Tree Lighting. Her 2018 memoir, Sign My Name to Freedom, chronicled her life and activism — and has since inspired a documentary and stage musical currently in development. When she spoke with Good Good Good in 2022, she reflected on the wisdom passed down from generations before her. “My great-grandmother was born into slavery in 1846 and freed at 19. I knew her because our lives connected,” she said. “The three of us have bridged lots and lots of history.” She added that legacy wasn’t something to be tied up neatly. “Concentrate on the questions, rather than the answers. Because the questions always change.” Despite her many accomplishments, Soskin often said her most meaningful legacy was her family. “I think that my children are probably my greatest attribute,” she said. “They are so much a part of me, and I'm so aware of it. I'm so aware that I'm leaving behind a part of myself.” In her century-spanning life, Soskin lived as an artist, a trailblazer, and a truth-teller. She pushed institutions to tell fuller stories and encouraged younger generations to keep asking better questions. And through it all, she never stopped making a difference.

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Chewing Gum Made from Beans Could Help Stop the Spread of Flu and Herpes, Study Suggests

A new study suggests that an antiviral chewing gum made from beans could significantly reduce the spread of viruses like the flu and herpes — and possibly even help control bird flu. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, in collaboration with researchers in Finland, tested a clinical-grade chewing gum made from lablab beans (also known as hyacinth beans). The gum contains a naturally occurring antiviral protein called FRIL, which traps and neutralizes viruses in the mouth. According to the study, published in Molecular Therapy, the gum was able to reduce viral loads of two herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) by more than 95%. That figure mirrors results from the team’s earlier COVID-19 research, where a similar gum formulation reduced SARS-CoV-2 in patient saliva and swab samples by a similar margin. Those findings are currently undergoing clinical trials. Flu viruses and herpes are known to spread more efficiently through the mouth than the nose. By focusing on the oral cavity, researchers believe they’ve found a promising new tool to reduce transmission at the source — especially for viruses that don’t have widely effective vaccines. “Controlling transmission of viruses continues to be a major global challenge,” said lead researcher Henry Daniell, a professor at Penn Dental Medicine. “A broad spectrum antiviral protein present in a natural food product to neutralize not only human flu viruses but also avian flu is a timely innovation to prevent their infection and transmission.” Flu epidemics occur annually, and HSV-1 infects more than two-thirds of the world’s population. While HSV-1 is often associated with cold sores, it is also the leading cause of infectious blindness in Western countries. HSV-2, meanwhile, causes genital herpes. Despite the widespread impact of both, no vaccine currently exists for herpes, and flu vaccination rates remain inconsistent. The study highlights the need for approaches that don’t rely solely on vaccination, especially in low-resource settings or during outbreaks. By reducing the amount of virus in the mouth — a key site of transmission — the researchers say they can help prevent people from spreading infections to others. Each two-gram gum tablet used in the study contained just 40 milligrams of bean-derived FRIL, which was enough to produce a significant antiviral effect. The gum was prepared as a clinical-grade drug product and met regulatory standards for safety and consistency. “The formulation allowed for effective and consistent release of FRIL at sites of viral infection,” the researchers wrote. Now, the team is exploring other uses for lablab bean powder — including as an ingredient in bird feed to help curb the spread of avian flu. Prior lab tests have shown the bean compound is effective against H5N1 and H7N9, two influenza A strains known to cause bird flu in humans and animals. “Using the powder in bird feed could help control the virus in birds before it spreads to humans,” Daniell said. Whether delivered through gum or feed, the bean-based antiviral could offer a low-cost, natural way to fight viral transmission — and researchers are already planning further human studies.

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Bride Sees Rainbow Land on Late Mother's Chair During Wedding: "She Had the Best Seat in the House"

Five months before her wedding in the Tuscan countryside, Allyson Beedy lost her mother, Mary Tjaden, to cancer. But on the day Allyson said “I do,” her mom found a way to show up anyway. As guests gathered for the October 22 ceremony at a wine farm in southern Tuscany, the weather had been touch-and-go. Severe storm warnings had loomed in the days before. But when it mattered most, the skies cleared. Then something unexpected happened: a rainbow appeared — and ended right where Mary’s chair sat. “My mom wanted to make her presence known,” Allyson told PEOPLE. “When I saw the rainbow lining up perfectly with mom's chair and then even splitting into two rainbows, I was undoubtedly in shock.” The chair, which had been set aside in Mary’s honor, sat on the grass with a canvas sign that read, “We see you in every sunrise, sunset, & within all the stars. You’re watching from the best seat in the house. I love you mom.” What made the moment even more striking was that the venue staff hadn’t been told to leave the chair outside during the transition from ceremony to cocktail hour — it simply remained, as if by fate. “It was a rare moment of supernatural timing, love, hope and a hug from the heavens all at once,” said wedding videographer Nina Calderaro, who captured the moment and shared it with the newlyweds. “Probably the most meaningful moment that I will ever capture in my career.” Mary had passed away unexpectedly in May at age 66. For Allyson, navigating the joy of her wedding alongside that grief wasn’t easy. “It has been so difficult going through celebrating the best time of my life, [while] grieving someone who was such a big part of my life,” she said. But the rainbow changed something. “This moment brought me peace that my mom is safe and is always watching over me,” Allyson said. “I think the rainbow symbolized the beauty after the storm.” Even now, she says watching the video of that moment brings her to tears. “I really tried to keep myself composed for our wedding because I was worried if I started crying, I would not stop,” she said. “I am so happy I had Nina there to capture the moment that I will forever hold close to my heart.” To Allyson, the message couldn’t have been clearer. “The rainbow was my mom telling me she was there,” she said. “She did indeed have the best seat in the house.”

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Want to Bond With a Cat? Science Says: Blink Slowly

If you’ve ever wondered why a cat seems standoffish — or why some people seem to attract feline affection instantly — science may have the answer. And it’s simpler than you think: blink slower. Not in a “I’m sleepy” way. But in a “cat smile” way. A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports confirmed what many cat owners have long suspected: slow blinking at cats makes them more likely to trust and approach you. It’s a behavior cats use among themselves — and apparently, it works with humans too. The trick? Narrow your eyes gently, as if you’re smiling, then slowly close your eyes for a second or two. In cat language, this is a sign of friendliness and relaxation. It’s basically the feline version of a smile. Researchers from the University of Sussex ran two experiments to test this. In the first, 21 cats from 14 households were observed as their owners sat about a meter away and slow-blinked at them. The cats were significantly more likely to blink back when their humans initiated it. In the second experiment, 24 cats were approached by researchers they’d never met. Again, the scientists slow-blinked — and added a hand outstretched in greeting. Compared to a control group where the humans didn’t blink, the slow-blinkers saw more blinking back and more cats approaching them. “This is something many cat owners had already suspected, so it’s exciting to have found evidence for it,” said psychologist Karen McComb, who led the study. You’ve probably seen your own cat do it — that soft, half-closed eyes look, often followed by a slow blink. It tends to happen when they’re relaxed and content. Now, thanks to this research, you can mirror that signal to let them know you’re a friend. “And it is something you can try yourself with your own cat at home or with cats you meet in the street,” McComb said. “Try narrowing your eyes at them as you would in a relaxed smile, followed by closing your eyes for a couple of seconds. You’ll find they respond in the same way themselves, and you can start a sort of conversation.” The finding is part of a growing body of research that’s reshaping how we understand cats. While they’ve long had a reputation for being aloof, recent studies show that cats are far more socially attuned than many people give them credit for. They recognize their names. They echo the personality traits of their humans. They respond to people who are receptive to them — and might ignore people who aren’t. As psychologist Tasmin Humphrey put it, “Understanding positive ways in which cats and humans interact can enhance public understanding of cats, improve feline welfare, and tell us more about the socio-cognitive abilities of this understudied species.” It could even make things easier in places like veterinary clinics or animal shelters, where stress runs high for cats and humans alike. So if you’ve ever felt like a cat is judging you from across the room, maybe they’re just waiting for you to say hello — in their language. Try the slow blink. They might just blink back.

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After Losing His Dog, He Adopted 40 Senior Pets — And Helped Spark a New Field in Animal Care

When Steve Greig lost his 12-year-old dog Wolfgang in 2012, the grief was overwhelming. The Denver-based accountant had always loved animals, but the sudden loss left a hole he didn’t know how to fill. Months later, still deep in mourning, he went to a local shelter and asked for the oldest dog they had — the one least likely to be adopted. That day, he brought home a senior dog with cloudy eyes and stiff joints. It changed his life. Over the next decade, Greig transformed his grief into a purpose. He adopted dozens of senior dogs — nearly 40 in total — along with a few farmyard friends like Bikini the pig, Betty the chicken, and a turkey named Cranberry. Most of the animals were in the final years of their lives. Greig focused on making sure those twilight years were filled with care, attention, and dignity. “I did it originally because I was in pain from a dog that had passed away,” Greig told Good Morning America. “So I did it to kind of relieve that pain and to give the dog that had passed away … a meaning.” Greig’s story isn’t unique in its heartbreak. Roughly 86 million Americans have pets, and for many, they’re more than just companions — they’re family. The loss of a pet can hit as hard as the death of a loved one, especially when that pet has been a steady presence through major life changes. According to Healthline, people grieving a pet are up to three times more likely to experience symptoms of depression. The mourning is real, and it’s widespread. Now, a new role is emerging to support those going through it: veterinary social workers. These professionals, often trained with backgrounds in counseling and animal care, work inside clinics and animal hospitals to support clients facing some of the most difficult decisions of their lives — from emergency procedures to euthanasia. They sit beside families in waiting rooms. They offer a hand to hold. And they follow up, helping people navigate the confusing, heavy weeks after a loss. “I used to go home and genuinely wonder what happened to a client,” said Dr. Amy Heuberger, head of MedVet’s Chicago emergency department, in an interview with The New York Times. “[Now] I can take care of more animals in a shift, because I know that the clients are still getting taken care of.” The field is growing. Over 175 people have now earned veterinary social work certifications from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the only program of its kind in the U.S. According to IndeVets, about 200 veterinary social workers are currently employed across the country. It’s a response to something that was always there — a gap between animal medicine and human grief — and it's making a difference. For many, healing comes slowly. Some pet owners, like Greig, eventually find comfort in giving another animal a home. Others might never be ready. But regardless of what comes next, the pain of that final day lingers. Under the harsh lights of a veterinary clinic, when someone is whispering one last “good boy” or “good girl” into the ear of a beloved pet, that moment can feel impossibly hard. Thanks to this new wave of professionals, more and more people will have someone there with them — to support, to listen, and to remind them they’re not alone.

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After Losing All Four Limbs, This 20-Year-Old Takes Her First Steps Again

Three years ago, Natalya Manhertz was a high school student in Atlanta, playing tennis and walking through hallways without giving it a second thought. Then, a sudden and severe strep infection nearly took her life — and cost her all four limbs. Now 20, Natalya is standing tall again, this time on prosthetic legs, reclaiming her independence one determined step at a time. At 17, what began as a routine illness quickly escalated into organ failure. Doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta were forced to amputate both her arms and legs to save her life. Her recovery has been anything but quick. After surgery, Natalya spent months in the ICU, followed by a grueling rehabilitation process. Sitting up alone took eight months. “I remember in the hospital I was stiff, I could not get up,” she said in an interview with 11Alive. “It took me 8 months to sit up.” Physical therapist Debbie Bridgeman, who works closely with Natalya, said the process of learning to move again with four amputations presents a unique set of challenges. “We are working with 4 amputations and that makes a huge difference in making sure she knows where her body is in space,” Bridgeman said. “She is relying on an extreme amount of core strength.” From sitting at the edge of a mat to standing with support, Natalya’s progress has come in small but significant steps. Each milestone has been hard-earned, but she celebrates them all — especially the first time she stood on her new prosthetic legs. “I didn’t feel short. It felt good to look up and smell the air above,” she said. “I felt a little bit normal. Like this is where I’m supposed to be.” Tasks that used to be automatic — eating, getting dressed, even wiping away tears — now require effort and adaptation. But giving up isn’t in her vocabulary. “For it to be difficult to do is frustrating because I am very independent,” she said. That independence is slowly coming back. Natalya now uses forearm crutches to move around, and while full autonomy is still a goal, her drive is clear. She’s surrounded by support from her family, friends, and medical team — and grounded in her own sense of purpose. “It’s not OK to just give up,” she said. “You have to think about the positive. You are still alive and here today, and even though life might suck ass, you’ll get through it.” Through pain, exhaustion, and setbacks, Natalya keeps moving forward — one small victory at a time.

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A Custodian Just Transformed This School Into a Winter Wonderland For Students

At West Central Area South Elementary in Kensington, Minnesota, the school’s brightest light isn’t hanging from the ceiling — he’s the one putting them up. For the past decade, custodian Mark Olson has spent every Thanksgiving break transforming the school into a dazzling winter wonderland. While students are home for the holidays, Olson is stringing lights, hanging garlands, and turning the halls into something out of a Christmas movie. “When this starts, I don’t see him,” said his wife, Lisa Olson-Toms. “We don’t have Thanksgiving because this is more important.” She’s not exaggerating. For five straight days, Olson works up to 12 hours a day decorating the school. He starts prepping weeks earlier, testing bulbs in his garage and stockpiling supplies. And nearly everything — from lights to ornaments — is paid for out of his own pocket. “Everything here has been purchased by us,” said Lisa. “We can't go to Menards without getting lights or something for the school.” The idea was born out of a moment Olson never forgot. Years ago, he wished two young sisters a happy Thanksgiving as they left school. Their reply stunned him. “They told me their family didn’t do anything for Thanksgiving,” he recalled. “I said, ‘How about Christmas?’ and they said, ‘We don’t have Christmas.’” He decided then to bring Christmas to them. “I thought, well, I’m going to decorate the halls for them and give them somewhat of a Christmas,” he said. “And they walked in the door, they looked around, and they started to cry.” He’s been lighting up the school ever since — thinking of those girls every time he starts. This year’s display includes garlands that, if stretched end to end, would span three football fields. There are lights down every hallway and ornaments tucked into nearly every corner. It's enough to leave even adults speechless. “When I first heard about it, I was expecting a few lights and maybe a Christmas tree,” said Principal Caitlin Hendricks. “But this was beyond what I had anticipated. When I walked in, I stopped dead in my tracks.” It’s not just about the lights. Olson is a fixture at the school year-round, known to the kids not just as the guy who cleans the halls, but someone who cares. On the morning they returned from break, one student forgot his shoes. Olson was already digging through the bin to find a spare pair. “He puts these lights up for us,” said second-grader Ian Pasche. “Yes,” added third-grader Mayson Trinka. “He loves all the kids.” And the feeling is mutual. “You’re welcome!” Olson calls out to a student who runs past shouting thanks. Another gives him a hug. “When I get started every year, I keep thinking about those two girls,” Olson said. “I don’t have any kids. This way, every year, I have 100-some kids of my own.” This year, he had a little help from two fellow custodians, after undergoing bicep surgery over the summer. But he was determined to return in time to pull it all off. As the sun rises and the buses unload, hallway after hallway fills with wide eyes, gasps, and laughter. For some of these students, it might be the only Christmas magic they get. For Olson, it’s the reason he started — and the reason he’ll keep going. “I just wanted to give them something,” he said. And he has. Not just lights, but joy.

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