'Moana 2' Makes Waves: Highest-Grossing Thanksgiving Weekend Ever!

This Thanksgiving weekend, moviegoers flocked to theaters in record numbers, pushing box office earnings to a historic high of $420 million. Hits like "Moana II," "Wicked," and "Gladiator II" led the charge, surpassing previous records set in 2018. The success of these films has exceeded all expectations and created a new standard for holiday movie releases. Families across North America have embraced these cinematic adventures with enthusiasm, setting the stage for a strong finish to the year at the box office.

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Cree Fashion Designer Inspires Indigenous Youth By Turning Pain Into Power

Stephanie Gamble’s journey from foster care to international fashion shows hasn’t just been about clothing — it’s been about healing, transformation, and creating something bigger than herself. Gamble, a Plains Cree woman from Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, grew up surrounded by addiction, trauma, and instability. After surviving foster care and the devastating loss of her brother to an overdose, she knew she needed to rewrite her story — not just for herself, but for her children and community. “I basically turned my pain into power,” she said during a recent trip to Saskatoon, where she was designing for a youth empowerment fashion show. Her path into fashion started with a simple gift: a sewing machine and a bucket of fabric. She stitched together her first dress and watched her mom model it proudly. That moment stuck with her. “This is what I need to do for women who went through so much in their life,” Gamble said. “To give them that empowerment and that transformation and that inspiration.” From that first creation in Saskatoon, her designs have since walked runways in New York, Italy, and France. She now lives in Calgary, having moved there to give her children a better life away from the grief and trauma that haunted her past. Her Cree name, Piyesiwok-Kitow Piyesiw Iskew, means Thundering Thunderbird Woman — a name that reflects both strength and movement. And Gamble has done plenty of both. She’s a mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, and mentor to Indigenous youth and two-spirit people. Her work is as much about community as it is about couture. “You're breaking cycles,” she said. “You're just showing them that life is worth living. And there's so many opportunities bigger than your backyard out there.” She brings youth with her to shows around the world — some of whom have never left their home province, let alone boarded a plane. Her niece, Heaven Angus, modelled in New York and said the experience changed her. “I used to be really shy, but now I can speak up. I can be confident,” Angus said. “It’s been a really amazing journey.” Gamble’s approach has also inspired other Indigenous designers, like Heather Boucher, who’s also from Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation. Boucher, a residential school survivor, said working in fashion has helped her reclaim her voice. “I come from a lot of trauma, but I’m taking all of that with me and using it as a tool,” she said. “There’s something in just kind of harnessing your own creativity in any way you can.” Next year, Gamble will open her first storefront in Calgary — a space that will house her one-of-a-kind designs but also double as a hub for youth empowerment. She plans to host sewing workshops, regalia-making classes, and other programs that help Indigenous youth tap into their creativity and culture. For Gamble, success isn’t just about runways or recognition. It’s about impact. “I just want young people to believe in themselves,” she said. “There’s so much possibility out there. It’s already in your reach.”

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Amateur Gardener Sets World Record With Towering Artichoke

A gardener in Essex has claimed a spot in the record books — with a 10.6-foot-tall artichoke growing in his front yard. Paul Garnett, 49, from Rayleigh, was officially awarded the Guinness World Record for the tallest artichoke thistle after judges fast-tracked the assessment this summer. At 3.22 metres tall, the plant towered over his front garden and even blocked sunlight from entering his family’s living room. “It was surreal,” Garnett said. “Once we knew for sure [it was a record], it was a really, really good feeling.” He named the towering plant Audrey, after the singing, people-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors. While Audrey has since been trimmed back for the season, Garnett said she’ll grow back “with gusto” in 2026 — and he’s already planning for a rematch against any challengers. “I’m hoping that this one may be taller again next year, so we’ve got a race on our hands,” he told BBC Essex. “I’ve got quite a few [artichokes], some have self-seeded in the garden at the back, so I’ve got some baby Audreys out there — so bring it on!” Garnett has even started offering Audrey’s seeds to others, collecting donations for Havens Hospices in return. The hospice, based in Southend-on-Sea, supports people with complex or incurable conditions. The record-breaking plant, officially identified as a cynara cardunculus (also known as a cardoon or artichoke thistle), was verified by horticulturist Simon Corlick, who praised its condition. “The plant was not only huge but was also in perfect health with no signs of disease,” said Corlick. “It’ll be interesting to see if other gardeners will attempt to grow larger specimens next year!” According to Guinness World Records, this was the first time they had ever verified a plant of this species — a “genuine first of its kind.” Garnett credited his giant artichoke’s growth to one simple trick: “a bit of horse manure.” But the real magic may have been his persistence. While the plant started out as an “annoyance” to his family, once its growth began making headlines, they got on board. “My wife’s even made a blue plaque for me,” he said. Reactions from the community have been mixed. The local postman was a fan. One councillor called it a “monstrosity.” Still, Garnett sees it as a natural extension of the family legacy. “My dad was a fruit farmer,” he said. “So maybe it’s a family thing.”

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Thousands Gather At Stonehenge For Winter Solstice Celebration

Thousands of people braved the cold and darkness to gather at Stonehenge early Sunday morning, marking the winter solstice with a shared sense of awe, ritual, and tradition. The event drew revellers from around the world, including pagans, druids, spiritual seekers, and curious tourists. Many wore traditional clothing, while others came simply to witness the sunrise on the shortest day of the year. At Stonehenge, the sun aligns perfectly with parts of the ancient structure as it rises through the south-eastern arches and the great trilithon, a reminder of the site’s astronomical and cultural significance. “There’s just such a fantastic atmosphere here,” said Win Scutt, a curator with English Heritage who helps oversee the site. “So many different people, different kinds of people as well, many pagans, druids, all sorts of people. It’s got that power, hasn’t it, this incredible sight, that it draws people from all different walks of life.” The winter solstice, which typically falls on 20, 21 or 22 December, marks the point in the year when the sun reaches its lowest arc in the sky. In much of Britain, that translates to around seven hours of daylight. But for some parts of the country, like Shetland in the far north, sunlight lasts just five and a half hours. In Cornwall, it’s a bit longer — a little over eight. At Stonehenge, though, what mattered most wasn’t the length of daylight but the moment it began. For some, like Bradley O’Neill, the experience was a lifelong dream fulfilled. He had travelled all the way from Australia to be there. “I just like old mysteries,” he told the BBC. “The world is full of questions and I’m not going to get many answers either, but I’m sure going to see something special.” He added, “Today we get to touch the stones and feel the energy. The presence they have, it’s actually fantastic. I feel special, in my heart.” Others brought with them deep cultural traditions. Golnar Pooya, a Persian Zoroastrian living in the United States, made the journey to Stonehenge with her family for the first time this year. Zoroastrians have marked the solstice for more than 2,500 years. “We stay up all night, we have a lot of pomegranates – which symbolise birth, rebirth and life – and we gather with family, we read poetry until the sun rises,” she said. “The celebration is that the darkness is now over.” “For us it’s not a religious event, it’s more a tradition,” Pooya explained. “It’s spectacular to see so many people from so many different cultures coming together, from so many different regions, just to see the sun rise and light come back to Earth.” As the sun finally appeared over the Salisbury plain, cheers broke out among the crowd. For a few quiet minutes, people stood still, bathed in golden light — a reminder that even in the darkest part of the year, the light always returns.

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Local UPS Driver Reveals Surprising Reason for Hiding Packages Before Holidays

A UPS worker in Delaware is going viral again — not for speed or efficiency, but for kindness. Aubrie Whitford, 27, has spent the past three holiday seasons delivering packages for UPS. But recently, she’s become known for going a step further: wrapping children's presents in her own yard before dropping them off, just to preserve the magic of Christmas. The moment that put her on the internet’s radar came last year, when a TikTok clip showed her wrapping a child’s very obviously packaged gift. The video struck a chord, earning more than 1.7 million views. Since then, she’s made it a regular part of her December routine. “I think everyone can relate that doing something good just makes you feel that warm and fuzzy feeling,” she told People. Whitford doesn’t get paid extra for the extra time and effort. She just cares — about the families she delivers to, the kids who believe in Santa, and the surprise that comes with a gift on Christmas morning. “I’m a Christmas lover through and through,” she said. “Just knowing my job is related to Christmas time brings me so much happiness.” That love came from her great-grandmother, who taught her to do good for others whenever she could. Now, Whitford says her job lets her live that out in real time. Because she knows her route well, she’s learned which homes belong to grandparents, which ones have kids who get off the bus at 3 p.m., and when to time her drop-offs so gifts aren’t accidentally spoiled. “I don’t want a child, or even an adult’s, Christmas surprise ruined,” she said. As the big day gets closer, Whitford says she ends up wrapping about one or two gifts a day. The boxes are usually delivered to her home, so she keeps supplies — wrapping paper, tape, trash bags — ready to go in her garage. Then, once the package is camouflaged, she gets it back in the car and onto the doorstep, always on time. “My deliveries always make it to their destination on time or even early,” she said. “That efficiency gives me the flexibility to take five minutes to conceal a package.” The gesture may seem small, but for Whitford, it’s about something bigger: helping parents, especially single ones, keep the holiday magic alive for their kids. “There’s a common misconception that people order online because they are lazy,” she said. “But the reality is, so many single [parents] are working overtime and don’t have time to go to the physical stores.” She sees her job as a way to bridge that gap — to be part of the village that helps make Christmas possible. “Concealing their hard-earned Christmas gift for their children means the world to me,” she said.

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New Tool Helps Parents Keep Christmas Magic Alive With Proof of Santa's Visit

Parents are getting creative to keep the magic of Santa Claus alive — and this year, some are turning to tech for help. Using Snapchat’s new Imagine Lens, families are creating surprisingly realistic images and videos of Santa making a pit stop in their very own homes. Whether it’s the jolly man dropping off gifts under the tree, sneaking out of the fireplace, or taking a break to nibble on milk and cookies, the tool gives parents an easy way to craft “proof” that Santa came and went. Charmaine Walker, a mom of two, said the feature helped bring the magic back after her daughter started questioning things a little too early. “When my oldest daughter Nola went to school telling her classmates that ‘Santa isn’t real,’ I realized I might have taken that magic away too soon,” she said. “Using Snapchat’s Imagine Lens brought that joy back into our home.” Snapchat’s Imagine Lens is part of the platform’s AI-powered tools. After opening the app, users can search “Imagine” and select from prompts like “Santa sitting here” or “Santa coming out of the fireplace.” Within seconds, the tool generates a believable image of Santa in your living room, which parents can then show to their kids as part of the holiday experience. And it’s not just images — some families are using the tool to create entire scenes. “They are so into their elves and this really took it to a whole new level,” said mom Althea T., who used the tool with her two kids, aged 3 and 9. “I’m now getting asked regularly if Santa visited the night prior!” The reactions have been more than just holiday fun — some parents say the AI-generated scenes are turning into core memories. “Being able to show them Santa in our house was priceless,” said Wesly H. “They spent 10 minutes searching for the gift he was putting under the tree in the image. I know this will definitely be a new tradition for our family.” While some parents have mixed feelings about the Santa story, many say the tool strikes the right balance between fun and fantasy — especially in an age when kids are quicker than ever to Google the truth. “We always leaned toward being honest,” Charmaine said. “But watching my kids believe Santa had ‘stopped by’ reminded me how special childhood magic really is.” With just a few taps on their phones, parents are finding new ways to extend that magic a little longer — and maybe even start some holiday traditions of their own.

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Helping Others Slows Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, Study Finds

Helping others may be one of the simplest ways to keep your brain sharp as you age. A new study spanning two decades and more than 30,000 adults in the U.S. found that regularly helping people outside your household — whether through formal volunteering or informal acts of support — can significantly slow cognitive decline. Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Massachusetts Boston say people who helped others consistently experienced up to 20% slower cognitive aging than those who didn’t. Published in Social Science & Medicine, the study highlights a strong link between moderate, sustained engagement in helping behaviors and better brain health in middle-aged and older adults. The strongest benefits were seen among those who spent about two to four hours per week helping others. “Everyday acts of support — whether organized or personal — can have lasting cognitive impact,” said lead author Sae Hwang Han, assistant professor of human development and family sciences at UT Austin. “What stood out to me was that the cognitive benefits of helping others weren’t just short-term boosts but cumulative over time with sustained engagement.” Formal or informal, it all counts The study is one of the first to directly compare the impact of formal volunteering with informal helping, like watching a friend’s kids, giving a neighbor a ride, or helping a relative with household tasks. While about one in three older Americans participate in scheduled volunteering, more than half regularly provide informal help to others. “It was a pleasant surprise to find that [informal helping] provides cognitive benefits comparable to formal volunteering,” said Han. He noted that informal helping is often overlooked in health research, possibly because it lacks public recognition. But the data suggest it plays an equally important role in supporting brain health. A robust dataset over 20 years Researchers used the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative dataset tracking Americans over age 51 since 1998. This allowed them to observe how helping behaviors and cognitive performance changed over time. They controlled for variables like wealth, education, mental and physical health, and still found that people who engaged in helping others saw a slower rate of decline. More importantly, those who maintained the habit year after year seemed to gain the most. Conversely, withdrawing from helping behaviors was linked with sharper cognitive decline — a pattern the researchers say emphasizes the importance of ongoing engagement, particularly in later life. A possible buffer against stress and inflammation The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that helping others supports brain health in multiple ways. In a related study, Han found that volunteering may buffer the effects of chronic stress on inflammation — a biological process associated with dementia and other age-related cognitive impairments. The benefit was especially strong in people already experiencing high levels of inflammation. In both studies, social connection appears to play a key role. Helping others may reduce stress, increase a sense of purpose, and build bonds that offer emotional and psychological support — all factors known to influence brain health. Implications for public health and aging The researchers say the results support making helping behaviors a public health priority. In an aging society where loneliness, isolation, and dementia rates are rising, offering older adults opportunities to contribute — even in small, informal ways — could have meaningful health benefits. “Many older adults in suboptimal health often continue to make valuable contributions to those around them,” Han said. “And they also may be the ones to especially benefit from being provided with opportunities to help.” The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Co-authors included Shiyang Zhang, a former postdoctoral researcher at UT, and Jeffrey Burr of the University of Massachusetts Boston.

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Pensioner Cherishes 69-Year-Old Christmas Lights That Have Never Needed a Bulb Change

At 79 years old, John King has a set of Christmas lights that have outlasted nearly everything else in his house — and he’s never even had to change a bulb. The colorful string of 12 fairy lights, a gift from his mother Elsie in 1956, has been lighting up King’s holidays for nearly seven decades. Made by Philips and bought for 18 shillings (around 90p today) at a local Halfords store in Scunthorpe, the lights have somehow defied time, technology, and wear. “I was just 10 years old when we got them — they were for the family tree initially,” said King, a retired school caretaker. “They’ve never once had a bulb change, which is extraordinary.” Now kept safely in retirement — much like their owner — the vintage lights are no longer in regular use, but King still checks on them each year to make sure they still work. And every time, they do. “I don’t know why they still work,” he said. “They were a Philips product, which says something about the brand’s reliability.” He keeps the original box, too, which he estimates is now worth more in nostalgia than in currency. “They were quite expensive back then. The average wage was about £2 and 10 shillings a week, so it was a real treat,” he said. Though modern LEDs have taken over his current Christmas setup, King says the old lights still hold a special place in his heart. “It surprises me that they still work at all,” he added. “It looks as if they’re going to last forever at the minute.” For King, those 12 bulbs are more than decorations — they’re a glowing reminder of family, childhood, and the kind of craftsmanship that really can stand the test of time.

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Doctors Just Made History With a Groundbreaking Double Organ Transplant For an 11-Year-Old

Children’s Hospital Colorado has achieved a historic medical milestone: its first-ever dual heart and liver transplant. The complex, 16-hour procedure marks a major step forward in pediatric transplant care for the region — and has given 11-year-old Gracie Greenlaw a new chance at life. Only 38 children across the U.S. have ever received both a heart and liver transplant, making Gracie’s case extraordinarily rare. Her surgery was made possible by years of behind-the-scenes preparation, a carefully orchestrated network of specialists, and a deep commitment to treating children with the most complex medical needs. “Performing Children’s Colorado’s first-ever heart and liver dual organ transplant is an amazing accomplishment for our Pediatric Transplant Program,” said Dr. Megan Adams, surgical director of the Pediatric Liver and Kidney Transplant Programs. “Thanks to years of dedication and a team committed to being the trusted leaders in pediatric transplant across our seven-state region, we’re grateful to provide this level of care to even more kids.” A Long Journey With a Rare Condition Gracie was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital condition in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. By the time she turned three, she had already undergone the three major surgeries that make up the standard treatment pathway for HLHS: the Norwood, the Glenn, and the Fontan. While these surgeries have extended survival for many children into adulthood, they also increase the risk of long-term complications, especially liver damage. In 2016, Children’s Colorado created the Fontan Multidisciplinary Clinic to help address those complications. Through this program, Gracie was monitored by specialists in both cardiology and hepatology, including Dr. Kathleen Simpson and Dr. Dania Brigham, who closely tracked her health over the years. “The Fontan is a lifesaving surgery, but the longer someone lives after the procedure, the increased chance of developing comorbidities,” said Dr. Simpson. “Our care team worked to keep her healthy and living a typical day-to-day life as long as possible before we determined a dual organ transplant would give her the best long-term quality of life.” Over time, Gracie developed plastic bronchitis — a condition where thick, rubbery plugs form in the airways — and began showing signs of liver failure. In April 2023, her care team placed her on the transplant waitlist. A Carefully Coordinated 16-Hour Operation It took less than a month for compatible donor organs to become available. Because a donor heart must be transplanted within a very short window, the surgical team began with the heart. Led by Dr. Matthew Stone and Dr. Emily Downs, the nine-hour operation was followed immediately by a seven-hour liver transplant led by Dr. Adams and Dr. Kendra Conzen. While the heart surgery was underway, the donor liver was kept viable using a TransMedics Organ Care System — a device that simulates the conditions of a functioning human liver, buying the surgical team extra time. Behind the scenes, more than 25 multidisciplinary teams were involved, managing everything from fluid balance to anesthesia to post-op recovery. The coordination, according to hospital leaders, is what made the success possible. Life After Transplant Gracie’s recovery has been steady. A little over a month after surgery, she left the cardiac care unit. Now, seven months later, she’s back at school and at home with her family — including her beloved dogs. Her liver transplant is expected to last a lifetime. Her new heart, like all pediatric heart transplants, will eventually need to be replaced in the future. “This procedure showcases the expertise, talent, and level of care Children’s Colorado provides to our patients,” said Dr. Duncan Wilcox, Surgeon in Chief. “As the top-ranked pediatric hospital in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, we are proud of our leading-edge transplant care and look forward to supporting more patients who need dual organ transplants in the future.” For Gracie and her family, that care has already made all the difference.

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Flin Flon Launches Construction Of Snow Lodge To Host Winter Events

What started with a chance encounter on a Winnipeg sidewalk is now taking shape in the snow-covered woods of northern Manitoba — and it just might turn into one of Canada’s coolest winter traditions. In Flin Flon, construction is underway on a “snow lodge,” an event space built almost entirely from freshly fallen snow and ice pulled from a nearby pond. Organizers hope it could become a yearly winter destination, combining art, architecture, and community — and maybe, one day, rival the famed ice hotel in Sweden. The project is being led by a mix of architects, artists, local builders, and volunteers. Winnipeg-based architect Peter Hargraves, known for his work on the annual warming huts on the Red River, is helping steer the design. He’s no stranger to large-scale ice projects — and this one has him excited. “It gets cold here, and when it gets cold, you can do things like this that you can’t do in other places in the world,” said Hargraves. The inspiration for the project dates back to 2023, when Hargraves was showcasing ice sculptures in Winnipeg’s True North Square using blocks harvested from the Red River. A passerby struck up a conversation and insisted he connect with Crystal Kolt in Flin Flon — a longtime arts council leader known for making big ideas happen. Kolt, now working with the City of Flin Flon, took the idea and ran with it. She secured grants, sponsorships, contractors, and pulled together a team of local volunteers. “We are super excited and we think the community is really excited about it,” she said. The lodge is being built inside a campground that’s closed for the season. Nearby is the Rotary Wheel, an indoor community space that’s open year-round. But the real magic is taking shape outdoors: volunteers are cutting thick blocks of pond ice with chainsaws, hauling them up with hooks, and stacking them into place using heavy machinery. Metal forms and wooden platforms are helping shape the lodge’s structure, which will be insulated by the snow itself. “It’s going to be beautiful,” said Dave Koop, one of the builders. “I think it’ll be the Taj Mahal of the north here, absolutely.” When completed in late January, the lodge will feature a spacious main hall — what Kolt described as a “very large, elegant, sophisticated quonset” made almost entirely from ice and snow. And while the outside temperatures may plunge well below freezing, the interior is expected to stay relatively stable at around –2°C. Surrounding the lodge will be snowshoe and ski trails, illuminated for nighttime use, and a skating rink on the same pond the ice was harvested from. But it’s not just about architecture or tourism — it’s about events, art, and culture. Local restaurant owner Ainslie McIntosh-Stallard is helping plan the programming, which could include concerts, dinners, art exhibits, and cultural workshops. “We’re collaborating with local organizations like snowshoe clubs, the skiing club. We have lots of people who want to come do cultural teachings,” she said. Construction hasn’t been easy. While colder weather helps freeze materials quickly and provides a steady supply of snow and ice, it also makes working conditions more difficult for crews. Still, organizers say the effort is worth it. If this winter’s snow lodge proves successful, the dream is to scale up — not just in Flin Flon, but across northern and western Manitoba. The long-term vision includes turning the lodge into a full-scale seasonal hotel, inspired by Sweden’s Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, where rooms, bars, and sculptures are all built from ice each year. “The idea is to populate the whole of western and northern Manitoba with these unbelievable winter engagement projects where tourism can prosper and thrive,” said Hargraves. “I’m a hard believer that it’ll outstrip summer if we do it right.” For now, the Flin Flon snow lodge is still a work in progress. But for everyone involved, it’s already proving something important — that when temperatures drop, creativity doesn’t have to hibernate.

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Amazon Driver Finds Lost Cash Outside Home, Response Goes Viral

A small act of honesty is getting big attention in Cottonwood, Arizona, thanks to an Amazon driver who quietly did the right thing — and didn’t think twice about it. Connor Drake was out making deliveries last week when he spotted a $20 bill lying on the front lawn of a home. Instead of ignoring it or pocketing it, he picked it up and tucked it safely under the package he was about to leave at the doorstep. Later that day, the homeowner, Monica Luiz, reviewed her doorbell camera footage and realized what had happened. The cash had slipped out of her pocket earlier without her noticing. Watching the footage back, she was struck by the driver’s small but thoughtful gesture. She shared the video on social media, writing: “If anyone sees this Amazon driver, please send him to contact me so I can THANK him personally for picking up $20 I dropped on my walkway and putting it under my package! His honesty and integrity didn’t go unnoticed!” It didn’t take long for the local community to recognize Drake. Luiz reached out to Amazon’s local office, and the next day, Drake returned — this time not to drop off a package, but to receive one. Luiz gave him a personal thank-you gift, the details of which Drake chose to keep private. But for her, the gesture meant more than just recovering the lost money. “I just wanted to thank him for reminding me that people like him do exist,” she said. “His honest integrity was so innocent and natural. It couldn’t have been a more authentic interaction.” What could’ve been an overlooked moment has now become a quiet reminder: integrity doesn’t always make headlines, but it still matters — even on an ordinary delivery route.

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