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An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.

<p>An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.An elementary school's mascot turned out to be more than just a character. Sgt. Perry Chronister, concealed beneath the costume, delivered an emotional surprise to his son Eli on his first day of second grade. The heartwarming scene unfolded at DeWitt Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, where staff orchestrated the touching reunion that marked the end of Sgt. Chronister's year-long overseas deployment.</p>

This Soldier Returned Home And Gave His Son an Incredible Surprise at School

People

A simple TikTok has grown into something far bigger: a global letter-writing project that connects dads with people searching for a father figure.

The Dad Letters Project launched in July, sparked by Rosie Paulik’s video asking if anyone might want a letter from her dad, Buz Ecker. At the time, Ecker had just finished a doctorate but was feeling “aimless” and low, she told ABC News and The Washington Post. Knowing his lifelong love of writing letters — he had sent her thousands throughout her life — Paulik suggested he share that gift with strangers.

The response was overwhelming. What started with one dad is now a team of four “Dad Staff Writers” who mail handwritten notes to people around the world. Each letter is different — some offer advice, others encouragement or simply a joke.

“Sometimes, you just need a dad to remind you that you’re doing great, to offer unsolicited life advice, or to tell you a joke so bad you have no choice but to laugh. It’s like a hug, but on paper,” the project’s website says.

Ecker said he now writes to people who have lost their fathers, never had one, or feel estranged from their families. “It’s very gratifying to be people’s fathers who don’t have one,” he told the Post. “And it’s very gratifying to write a letter to people who have never gotten a letter from a father.”

Demand has been so high that the project has extended beyond the summer. “People wanted to hear from a dad. They wanted to hear from a father figure,” Paulik told ABC News.

For many, the charm lies in the tangible act of receiving mail. “So many people don’t receive anything in the mailbox besides maybe coupons and bills,” Paulik said. “They are coming up with words to say for you, they’re putting the address on the envelope, putting a stamp on it and sending it out. It’s so authentic and special.”

What began as one daughter’s way of lifting her dad’s spirits is now filling mailboxes with comfort, and in some cases, giving people the fatherly words they’ve been missing all their lives.

Strangers Embrace Letters: One Dad Becomes a Father Figure to Thousands

Gout Gout may only be 17, but the young sprinter is already making waves on the international athletics scene. The Australian teenager has captured global attention with his blistering speed and is now set to compete in the 200-meter event at this year's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The competition's first heats are scheduled for Wednesday, and Gout is eager to make his mark. "I've earned my place to be here," he told reporters on Monday, according to Reuters. "Obviously, these athletes are stronger, bigger, older, more experienced, but I know that I have the ability to go out there and do my thing. At the end of the day, we're all running 200 meters, and regardless of how old you are, when you stop on that line, it's all about who's fastest."

Gout burst onto the track scene in 2022 with a remarkable 10.57-second finish in the 100 meters at just 14 years old. He later drew even more notice by completing a 200-meter race in 20.60 seconds at last year’s World Athletics U20 Championships. This time was notably quicker than a young Usain Bolt's performance as a 15-year-old in 2002.

More recently, Gout broke his own Australian record for the 200 meters by clocking in at 20.02 seconds during his first senior race abroad in June. Despite these achievements, he's focused on achieving a new personal best and has ambitions of breaking the elusive sub-20-second barrier for the distance. Although he recorded a time of 19.98 seconds earlier this year, it wasn't recognized as an official record due to wind conditions that favored runners.

"I definitely think PB-ing (personal best) regardless of where I come is definitely a big success," Gout shared with reporters in Tokyo. "And hopefully if I can make it at the semi that's even greater. And then if I make it into the final, that's a big success."

As one of the fastest teenagers globally, Gout has had to adjust to life under the spotlight. Comparisons to Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt have become common; Bolt himself praised Gout's performances so far. Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo also believes that Gout has significant potential.

"It's definitely crazy," Gout remarked about his newfound fame. "I’ve had people with their grandparents come up to me wanting photos … I’ve had a baby; her mother wanted me to sign her forehead." Despite these sometimes unusual fan requests, he finds joy in inspiring others through his journey from obscurity to prominence.

With anticipation building around his performance in Tokyo, all eyes are now on Gout as he lines up against some of athletics' most seasoned competitors. a true test for this rising star aiming for greatness on one of sport's grandest stages.

Sprint Sensation Gout Gout, 17, Set To Shine At World Athletics Championships

Reasons to be Cheerful

A few months after wildfire tore across May Ranch in Lamar, Colorado, Dallas May spotted the first signs of recovery: thin shoots of grass poking through blackened soil.

“It was a moonscape,” May said of the aftermath. “Everything was charred and gone.”

The 2022 fire, driven by winds up to 113 km/h, killed livestock, burned 42 miles (68 km) of fencing, and wiped out vegetation along the creek. But soon, the land revealed its resilience. Needle-and-thread grass, a species May had barely noticed before, began to sprout. Over time, other grasses emerged from seeds stored in the soil.

“We had an entire natural seed bank,” he said.

For decades, May and his family have managed their ranch to allow native habitat to thrive alongside cattle. That balance is increasingly rare on the Great Plains, one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Less than 40 percent of the region’s 550 million acres of historical grasslands remain, and about two million acres vanish each year to cropland or development.

Ranching, when managed carefully, can help preserve what is left. Grazing cattle suppress woody plants and invasives, and mimic the ecological role bison once played. “Grazing is probably one of the most essential functions that you need to appropriately manage grassland,” said Rich Schultheis of Playa Lakes Joint Venture, a bird conservation group. Without ranchers, he added, “we would be in such a worse place.”

The loss of prairie has been devastating for wildlife. Populations of grassland birds have plunged by 53 percent since 1970, a decline of 700 million birds. With only 21 percent of Great Plains grasslands never disturbed, protecting intact habitat is critical.

Unlike farming, ranching typically leaves native vegetation untouched. That suits the grasses, which evolved with regular disturbance from fire and grazing.

May’s family runs about 600 mother cows — roughly half the number the land could support. The smaller herd means less pressure on the grass, and more left over for wildlife. “If you allow the cattle to be part of the ecology, rather than dominating it, they are a benefit to it,” May said.

But raising fewer cattle cuts into profits. May has filled the gap through conservation partnerships. He placed a conservation easement on the ranch, giving up rights to future development in exchange for tax credits. The decision, once controversial among ranchers, gave the family long-term security. “When the solution comes from a community, the solution is more durable,” said Maggie Hanna, who leads the Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative.

The ranch also participates in Ducks Unlimited’s carbon credit program and is certified bird-friendly by the National Audubon Society, which puts its label on beef from participating ranches. “We need to be able to keep ranchers ranching, and the only way to do that is through their finances,” said Audubon program manager Dusty Downey.

Evidence suggests these approaches pay off. Grazed land retains more moisture, making it more drought resilient, Downey noted. Botanists have documented 248 plant species on May Ranch, including 50 types of grasses. Endangered black-footed ferrets have begun breeding there, and rare birds like the eastern black rail migrate through its wetlands.

Still, challenges remain. May has worked on reintroducing lesser prairie chickens, but broader habitat loss has stymied success. And recovery from the fire has been difficult. The loss of fencing disrupted his breeding program for pure-bred Limousin cattle, costing the ranch income.

Even so, signs of renewal encourage him. Beavers that vanished after the fire returned to rebuild dams once water flowed again. Grass now carpets fields that were once ash.

“To me, that is the key to sustainability,” May said. “Keeping things there where they can recover on their own.”

How Prairie Farmers are Saving Our Most Threatened Ecosystem

Eating like a Mediterranean might be your ticket to healthier gums and, in turn, a healthier life. A new study has found that following the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of gum disease, which is linked with inflammation and could lead to chronic diseases such as dementia.

Dr. Andrew Freeman from National Jewish Health in Denver explains the connection: "Periodontal or gum health is associated with cardiovascular disease; they're interconnected." Inflammation plays a big role here. It can lead to vascular diseases where blood vessels narrow or get blocked, affecting organs like the brain, kidneys, and heart. Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of cognitive decline after Alzheimer's disease.

The Mediterranean diet helps keep inflammation down, says Freeman. But he cautions against adopting an Americanized version laden with lamb and feta cheese. Instead, it should be plant-heavy, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, and olive oil.

This eating style has been praised for reducing risks associated with diabetes, high cholesterol, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. It's less about strict restrictions and more about a lifestyle change that includes social eating experiences and exercise.

The study published in the Journal of Periodontology examined 200 participants in the UK. Researchers conducted dental exams and took blood samples while participants completed dietary questionnaires. Dr. Luigi Nibali from King’s College London noted that those who consumed more red meat had more severe periodontal disease due to higher levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Nibali pointed out that people consuming more vegetables and legumes had lower levels of CRP. Additionally, chewing foods such as green leafy vegetables can contribute to healthy teeth by improving bacterial health in the mouth.

Freeman emphasizes this point: “It’s certainly a good reminder to pay attention to your teeth.” By aligning your diet with overall body health through Mediterranean principles, you not only benefit your teeth but potentially every part of your body.

How the Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk of Gum Disease and Dementia

BBC News

Japan just hit a milestone in longevity, announcing that the number of people aged 100 or older has reached nearly 100,000. As of September, there are 99,763 centenarians living in Japan, marking the 55th consecutive year this record has been set. Women make up an overwhelming 88 percent of this group.

Japan is known for having the longest life expectancy globally and frequently hosts the world's oldest living individuals. Currently, Shigeko Kagawa from Yamatokoriyama holds the title of Japan’s oldest person at 114 years old. Meanwhile, Kiyotaka Mizuno is recognized as the oldest man at age 111.

Health Minister Takamaro Fukoka acknowledged these centenarians for their contributions to society over many years. "Gratitude for their many years of contributions to the development of society" was expressed by Fukoka during this announcement.

This information comes just before Japan celebrates Elderly Day on September 15, a national holiday where new centenarians receive a congratulatory letter and silver cup from the prime minister. This year, 52,310 individuals are eligible for these honors.

Back in the 1960s, Japan had the lowest proportion of people aged over 100 among G7 countries. That landscape has drastically changed over decades. In 1963, only 153 Japanese citizens were recorded as being aged 100 or older when government surveys began. By 1981, that number increased to 1,000 and surged to 10,000 by 1998.

Experts attribute this impressive longevity primarily to lower rates of heart disease and common cancers like breast and prostate cancer. The traditional Japanese diet plays a significant role here; it’s low in red meat but rich in fish and vegetables. Obesity rates are particularly low among women in Japan compared to other nations.

While sugar and salt consumption rose worldwide over recent decades, Japan moved in another direction thanks to successful public health campaigns encouraging reduced salt intake.

But it isn’t all about diet; staying active also contributes significantly to longer lives in Japan. Older adults often walk more and use public transport more than their counterparts elsewhere. A cultural staple since 1928 is Radio Taiso—a daily three-minute group exercise routine broadcast nationwide—that helps keep people moving while fostering community spirit.

Japan Celebrates Record-Breaking 100,000 Centenarians

When Mateo Niclas set out for a fishing trip in Alaska, catching a stranded beluga whale wasn't on his agenda. But that's exactly what he found along the edge of Turnagain Arm, a notorious spot near Anchorage known for fast tides and treacherous mudflats. A large white shape caught his eye, half-buried in the muck. It was a beluga whale, stuck in glacial silt as the tide receded.

The situation was dire. Belugas don't fare well when stranded; their massive bodies press down on their lungs and dehydration becomes an immediate threat. This particular whale weighed over 1,360 kilograms and was sinking deeper into the mud with each passing minute.

Without waiting for help, Mateo and another kayaker paddled over to the animal. They knew time was not on their side. Armed with buckets and whatever gear they had on hand, they began pouring water over the whale to keep it cool, while trying not to scare it.

Within about ten minutes, more kayakers and fishermen arrived to assist. Before long, eight men were gathered around the beleaguered beluga. They fashioned a small rope around its tail to help reposition it—careful not to cause harm—and coordinated their efforts to push and pull the whale toward safety. Slowly but surely, they managed to inch the animal forward until it started moving under its own power.

Suddenly, as if sensing freedom within reach, the rope slipped off just as the water became deep enough for the beluga to swim away. In an instant, it disappeared into deeper waters without looking back.

While this story ended well, experts later advised against attempting such rescues without professional guidance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries in Alaska stressed that stranded marine mammals require trained care. Wildlife officials recommend reporting strandings immediately rather than intervening personally.

The Incredible Story of How Two Kayakers Rescued a Stranded Beluga Whale

Good News Network

What started as a way to bring joy during the pandemic has turned into something much bigger and much more lasting for Asher Rosenfeld and the children he reads with every week.

In the fall of 2020, at just 12 years old, Asher launched Audibles with Asher, a weekly reading program over Zoom for children and young adults with special needs. He wanted to offer them routine, connection, and something to look forward to during the uncertainty of COVID lockdowns.

Five years later, the now 17-year-old Upper West Side teen is still showing up — reading books, building friendships, and reminding everyone what consistency and kindness can do.

“The same kids I started reading with at the start of seventh grade I am reading with again at the start of my senior year,” Asher said. “We grew up together and have developed incredibly meaningful relationships with each other throughout these years.”

And while the sessions began with storybooks, it’s clear the real magic lies between the pages.

“Over time, I’ve realized it’s not actually about the books,” he said. “It’s about the connection that happens while we’re reading and hanging out. That’s the part that’s stuck and the part that matters most to me.”

Audibles with Asher is fully virtual, making it accessible to every participant — no matter their mobility, health condition, or location. Asher reads one-on-one to each child, then ships them their own copy of the book. Titles like I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems are particular favorites.

Parents say the sessions have been nothing short of life-changing.

“Asher is so kind and reads beautifully to my girls,” said one mom, Karen. “[They] ask if they can do it all the time!”

This year, Asher partnered with the nonprofit Friendship Circle, which works to foster greater inclusion and awareness for individuals with special needs. The collaboration is helping expand the reach of the program and inspire more teens to get involved.

“Reading brings the imagination to life; it takes us beyond our everyday world and brings us into someone else’s — which is so special and so cool,” Asher said. “I love to read and I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion reading one-on-one and connecting over stories that we can enjoy together.”

For the kids he reads with, Asher is more than a reading buddy. He’s a friend who’s been there week after week, year after year. And for Asher, the experience has been a masterclass in empathy, connection, and what it means to show up for others.

“It’s not just a project anymore,” he said. “It’s part of my life — and theirs.”

This Teen is Marking 5 Years of Reading to Kids with Disabilities

Two years, 3,714 miles, and countless steps later, Dickie Mackness has completed a monumental journey around the UK — all in memory of a young girl he never met.

Mackness, from Lower Swell near Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire, crossed the finish line of The Big Coastal Walk in Hythe, Kent on 6 September, marking the end of an epic 5,977-kilometre trek that began in 2021. The walk raised more than £15,000 for The Evie Dove Foundation, a charity created in honour of 13-year-old Evie Dove, who died in 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“This journey has been about so much more than miles – it’s been about courage, kindness, and community,” said Mackness. “Walking in Evie’s name has been an honour, and I’m so proud to have played a part in helping the foundation continue its vital work.”

His route included the length of Hadrian’s Wall, the south coast of England, and remote stretches of Wales. Along the way, he received donations from strangers and through an online fundraising page — but the experience was far from easy.

Wearing pink every day — Evie’s favourite colour — Mackness walked through storms and setbacks. At one point, he suffered a serious fall that left him concussed on a cliff edge. He also got stranded on the Isle of Skye and battled an Achilles tendon injury that nearly ended the trek.

“I just said, ‘I’m going to complete this, even if it’s on my mother-in-law’s mobility scooter,’” he joked.

The Evie Dove Foundation, which aims to improve outcomes for children with serious or long-term illnesses, said Mackness’s efforts will fund specialist training for children’s healthcare professionals across the UK.

“His determination and resilience have been nothing short of inspiring,” said Kelly Terranova, the foundation’s marketing manager. “His efforts have made a huge difference to the foundation.”

Since its launch, the charity has supported more than 180 healthcare workers. Now, thanks to one man’s long walk and one young girl’s legacy, that number is set to grow.

He Completed an Epic 3,700-Mile UK Walk for Charity, Raising Over £15,000 — Here's Why

Hundreds gathered in the village of Ramsbottom, Bury, to witness one of Britain’s most unusual sporting events: the Black Pudding Throwing World Championships.

Outside The Oak pub in Greater Manchester, competitors from across the UK — and as far as Japan — took aim at a 20-foot-high ledge, attempting to knock down Yorkshire puddings using traditional black puddings.

The rules are simple: throw three blood sausages, and see how many puds you can knock off. The results? Often hilarious, sometimes impressive, always messy.

The event taps into a centuries-old Lancashire vs. Yorkshire rivalry, with roots stretching back to the 15th century. According to local legend, during the War of the Roses in 1455, rival soldiers who ran out of ammunition resorted to flinging food — notably black pudding and Yorkshire puddings — at one another.

The modern-day contest has been running for over a century and was revived in the 1980s. It’s now a staple of the town’s calendar, drawing big crowds and even bigger throws.

Among those hoping to defend their title this year was 19-year-old Harry Ogden of Salford, who won last year's competition by knocking down six Yorkshire puddings.

“I’m hoping to retain my crown,” Ogden said.

With sausage-lobbing precision and local pride on the line, Ramsbottom once again proved that when it comes to strange British traditions, it’s hard to top black pudding warfare.

Black Pudding vs. Yorkshire: This World Championship Throwdown Ignites a Centuries-Old Rivalry

Stephen Curry has always been known for his shooting — the quick release, the deep range, the calm under pressure. But in his new photo book, Shot Ready, the four-time NBA champion offers something different: a quiet, personal look at the moments that shaped him.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Golden State Warriors star flips through old photos, many of them never seen by the public, and talks through the stories they carry — from his early college days at Davidson to draft night, championship runs, and quiet moments off the court.

Some of the pictures make his kids laugh. “Oh Daddy, were you in high school here?” they tease, pointing to his baby-faced photos from college. At 37, with multiple MVP awards, Olympic gold, and a reputation as one of the greatest shooters of all time, the nickname “Baby-Faced Assassin” feels like a time capsule.

But Shot Ready isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a window into the mindset that helped carry Curry through early-career injuries, championship pressure, and moments of deep doubt.

“One hurdle early in my career was ankle injuries,” Curry recalls. “Back then, I didn’t really know the right strategy. I wasn’t healthy. I didn’t know if I’d even get another real chance to prove myself.”

That stretch taught him something he still leans on: patience. “You can’t compare your journey to anyone else’s,” he says. “When something’s taken away, you realize how much it meant.”

One photo shows Curry during pregame warmups with longtime trainer Bruce “Q” Frazier. It’s a routine they’ve shared for over a decade, but the image strikes a deeper chord. “We’re smiling like it’s our first time,” Curry says. “That’s the energy we’ve always brought.”

Another captures him alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — the trio that would go on to anchor the Warriors dynasty. Curry remembers the birth of the “Splash Bros” nickname, crediting broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald and then-coach Mark Jackson.

“Coach Jackson called us the best shooting backcourt in the league. That was a big statement back then, because we hadn’t done much yet. But hearing that gave us real confidence — and I know Klay felt the same way,” he says.

Not all memories are triumphant. Some, like the time his father Dell Curry told the Warriors not to draft him, are more complex — and now, a source of family jokes.

“They asked him, ‘What do you think about drafting your son?’ And he said, ‘Don’t. You want the honest truth? Don’t,’” Curry recalls, laughing. “We joke about it because, honestly, you make decisions based on what you know at the time… But once they drafted me, there was no hesitation. I was all in on making the Bay my home.”

Curry says the book is about more than basketball. It’s about the preparation, the setbacks, the people — and staying ready.

“We say it all the time: ‘Do your work early,’” he says. “Be ready before the moment hits — even if you’re not the one with the ball. It’s not just about taking a shot on the court. It’s about facing whatever’s next — the challenge, the change, the opportunity. It’s about trusting the process, no matter the outcome.”

Even as he begins to think, however vaguely, about life after basketball, that mindset remains.

“I know at first I’m gonna be sad — whenever that point comes — because of how much I’ve poured into the game,” he says. “But I’ll also be glad, eventually, to create space to spend more time with my family and do the things I love off the court. I’ll get there down the road.”

Until then, Curry’s staying focused — and, as always, Shot Ready.

“I never imagined I’d be here when those pictures were taken,” he says. “But they tell the whole story — not just the basketball journey, but the life journey. And I hope they speak to anyone going through something of their own.”

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