Adults Hilariously Recreate College Acceptance Reactions, Proving Celebration Knows No Age

TikTok trend of spoofing college acceptance reaction videos has taken a heartwarming turn. Families now gather to celebrate mundane positive news, like a local restaurant being open on Christmas Eve or a Domino's pizza in the oven. Adults are creating joyous moments for themselves, bringing laughter and happiness to social media. The trend reminds us to find excitement in everyday life and cherish the small victories. Watch these videos for a good laugh and some inspiration!

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"Please Don’t Die": British Powerlifter Ray Bowring Becomes Youngest Ever to Squat 500kg

At just 23 years old, Ray Bowring has entered one of the most exclusive clubs in powerlifting history — and he did it with a simple mantra running through his mind: “Please don’t die.” The powerlifter from Gosport, Hampshire, became the first Briton to squat 500 kilograms in an International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) competition, an eye-watering weight equivalent to a small car or fully grown horse. The feat helped secure his sixth British title at the British Equipped Championships last month. “I just didn’t think about anything,” Bowring said, recalling the moment. “I just thought about my steps for my setup, because I knew that I was strong enough. It’s all about the walkout for me. Then as soon as I’m in that position, my body takes over. It’s muscle memory at that point.” He added, with a laugh, “That’s about what I thought, really, just that and, God, please don’t die!” Standing 6ft tall and weighing 155kg, Bowring is now one of only two people in the world known to have completed a 500kg squat in IPF competition — and the youngest to do so. It’s the latest milestone in a remarkable rise for the former “fat kid” who once struggled to find his place in mainstream sports. “I was too heavy for football and my conditioning was never good enough for rugby,” he said. “If it wasn’t for powerlifting and the boys at the gym and my dad saying ‘you should definitely go for this,’ that’s that path I probably would have edged down — that darker path.” His full lift stats at the British Equipped Championships were as jaw-dropping as the squat itself: 500kg squat, 350kg bench press, and 372.5kg deadlift — for a combined total of 1222.5kg. Bowring credits much of his success to his father Dean, himself a powerlifting legend and 2009 world open champion, who now serves as his coach. “I think a lot of people were like, 'you know, big shoes to fill,’” Ray said. “I’m pretty sure he’s got to fill my shoes now, if I’m honest.” That father-son dynamic runs deep. Dean introduced Ray to powerlifting in his early teens, steering him away from what Ray described as “gelling” with kids heading down the wrong road. The gym became his anchor. “The boys that I train with — they make me do the extra reps, they push me, so it’s a really good dynamic,” he said. His breakthrough moment didn’t happen overnight. Bowring recently completed a sports scholarship at Midland University in Nebraska, where he says his bench technique “improved dramatically.” Now, he juggles training for international titles with his full-time day job at the NHS. “The secret to my success?” he said. “Never quitting.” He also sticks to a tight routine: good sleep, good food, and relentless training. “A routine is really helpful,” he said. “I’ve got to give credit to the boys that I train with.” As for what’s next, Bowring has his sights set on more titles abroad. But for now, he’s happy reflecting on what it took to reach the 500kg mark — and grateful he’s still standing. “It was just a good feeling,” he said. “It’s a pinnacle number.”

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Messi Sends Jersey to Afghan Boy, Chef Saves Veteran, and Foxes Freed: Here's Your Roundup of Good News

Messi's Gesture Lights Up a Village Five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi captured the internet's heart when a photo of him wearing a homemade Lionel Messi jersey — fashioned from a striped plastic bag — went viral. Living in a rural Afghan village and unable to afford a real jersey, Murtaza’s story quickly spread across the globe. The story reached Messi himself, who responded by sending the boy a signed Argentina jersey and a soccer ball. The moment Murtaza received it? Pure joy. Daily Routine Saves a Life in Florida Charlie Hicks, a 78-year-old Air Force veteran, has ordered the same meal — gumbo with rice — every day for ten years at the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola. When he didn’t show up one day, staff grew concerned. One of the chefs, trusting his gut, checked in and discovered Hicks was in medical distress. The chef’s quick thinking may have saved his life. A Home, at Last Tony Mutabazi’s childhood had already been difficult — adopted from foster care at age 4, then abandoned again at 11 in a hospital. But his story took a hopeful turn when single dad Peter Mutabazi stepped in and adopted him, giving Tony not just a home, but a father who refuses to walk away. Back from the Brink The Galápagos rail, a flightless bird last seen on Floreana Island by Charles Darwin in 1835, has officially returned. Conservation efforts helped reintroduce the species to the island after nearly two centuries, offering a rare win for endangered wildlife. A Fur Farm Rescue in Ohio In one of the largest operations of its kind, more than 250 foxes were rescued from horrific conditions at the Grand River Fur Exchange. The animals were found in wire cages, covered in filth. They’re now safe and headed for sanctuaries.

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Florida Mom Loses Home Days Before Giving Birth, But Community Steps In to Help

Just two days before she gave birth, Brianna Motz watched her home burn to the ground. The Panama City, Florida mom was nine months pregnant on Jan. 20 when she saw flames engulfing her house. She had been visiting a neighbor when she noticed the fire. “I was next door, and then I ran over, and the house was just completely engulfed in flames,” Motz told WJHG. “It literally felt like 60 seconds, and it was completely gone.” Inside the house at the time were her boyfriend, DJ, and his father. All three tried to put out the fire, but it was too late. The blaze destroyed everything they owned — including all the baby supplies they had carefully prepared. Then, just 48 hours later, Motz went into labor. While the newborn girl arrived safely, the family now faces a heartbreaking situation: caring for a newborn with no home, no clothing, and no belongings. In response, friends and neighbors have stepped in. A family friend, Robyn Howell, started a GoFundMe to help the couple recover and meet their baby’s immediate needs. The campaign aims to raise $15,000. “Thankfully, both Brianna and the baby are okay,” Howell wrote, “but they emerged into a reality with no home, no belongings, and immediate needs for baby supplies and basic necessities.” The GoFundMe describes this moment as a “dark chapter” and urges people to help. “Let’s show them that they’re not alone,” Howell added. “Together, we can help them rebuild a brighter future for their family.” The couple has expressed gratitude for the support as they try to start over with their newborn daughter.

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From Tragedy to Touchdown: Puppy Bowl Star Button Gets a Boost From Buffalo Bills' Khalil Shakir

She may not be chasing a Super Bowl ring, but a Buffalo-connected puppy named Button is still heading to the big game spotlight. Button, a seven-month-old Boston terrier and beagle mix, will compete in Puppy Bowl XXII on Super Bowl Sunday, airing on Animal Planet at 2 p.m. ET. Representing Team Ruff, she’ll join 149 other rescue pups in a tail-wagging contest that has become a fan-favorite pre-game tradition. Button’s journey to the Puppy Bowl is anything but ordinary. She was originally rescued by Valley River Humane Society in Marble, North Carolina, after a heartbreaking call: her mother had been shot and was found struggling in a ditch, trying to crawl back to her newborn puppies. Though the mother didn’t survive, the puppies — only two or three days old — were saved. Too small to bottle-feed, they had to be fed every few hours around the clock by shelter staff, who took turns to keep them alive. “It’s a very rural, under-resourced area, but the team there worked tirelessly,” said Alyssa Johnson from Nickel City Canine Rescue, the Buffalo-area nonprofit that later stepped in to care for Button and helped arrange her adoption. “They truly are little miracles, and we like to think their mom is looking down, proud of how far Button has come.” That journey eventually brought Button to Buffalo, where she became part of an adoption event hosted by Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir and his wife, Sayler. The couple has worked closely with Nickel City Canine Rescue through the Shakir Family Foundation, helping rescue dogs find homes and raising awareness about adoption. Button has since been adopted but caught Shakir’s eye for another reason: he chose her for a special Puppy Bowl feature and gave her a VIP visit to Highmark Stadium. “She’s smart, spirited, and always ready to make a big play,” her Puppy Bowl bio says, adding that she brings “natural talent and eager energy” — the same qualities fans love in a wide receiver. Shakir, who’s known for his work both on and off the field, has made helping rescue dogs a personal mission. Button’s story, he said, is a reminder of the resilience and love these animals have to offer. While the Bills didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, Button’s appearance in the Puppy Bowl is giving Buffalo fans another underdog to root for.

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Letting Hedges Grow Wild Has Sparked a Butterfly Boom in Wales

A rare butterfly is making a comeback in South Wales after years of decline, thanks to a simple change: letting hedgerows grow. Volunteers in Carmarthenshire have recorded record numbers of Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs this winter, a turnaround credited to two local land managers who stopped cutting back their hedgerows so often. The species lays its eggs exclusively on the young shoots of blackthorn bushes, which are typically destroyed during regular “flailing” — a common hedge management technique. “After a decade of heartache for Brown Hairstreaks in Carmarthenshire’s Tywi valley, there is at last signs of an upturn,” said Richard Smith, a volunteer with Butterfly Conservation for over 30 years. Once common throughout the UK, Brown Hairstreaks had nearly vanished from this part of Wales by 2010. When a remnant population was rediscovered near Llandeilo in 2021, Butterfly Conservation began working with two partners — the National Trust team at Dinefwr and the South Wales Trunk Road Agency — to plant more blackthorn and protect it from annual hedge trimming. “Results have been improving year on year, and this winter has seen 50% increases on such protected land,” said Smith. The gains didn’t happen overnight. For years, volunteers searched hedgerows each winter, magnifying glasses in hand, to count the tiny white eggs left by the butterflies. Those slow, careful efforts are finally paying off. Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery at Butterfly Conservation, said the project shows how small land management changes can yield big benefits. “We don’t want to stop anyone managing their hedgerows, but we would love more landowners to try cutting back on their cutting back,” he said. “If hedgerows are only trimmed once every two years, or even every three years, it could make an enormous difference to the survival of the Brown Hairstreak and help many other species as well. The lovely Brown Hairstreak is an indicator of getting that balance right.” This isn’t the only recent success story for threatened butterflies. Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico have seen a major rebound, doubling the forest acreage they occupy compared to last year. In another case, efforts to save the endangered Blue Butterfly in California have quadrupled its population — and incidentally rescued a rare lupine plant from extinction. For conservationists in Wales, the success in Carmarthenshire is a reminder that giving nature a little breathing room can go a long way.

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This Olympic Skier is Celebrating a Legacy Of His Gold Medal-Winning Mom Barbara Cochran

Ryan Cochran-Siegle isn’t just heading to his third Olympics this February — he’s continuing one of the most storied legacies in American alpine skiing. Born into the legendary “Skiing Cochrans” family of Vermont, Ryan is the son of Olympic gold medallist Barbara Cochran, who triumphed in women’s slalom at the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. His mother grew up training on trails carved by her father on the family’s Richmond farm — now the non-profit Cochran’s Ski Area. That same slope shaped generations of Cochrans and remains a local hub for junior ski training and affordable access to the sport. Ryan’s connection to that legacy is deep. He was raised in Starksboro, just down the road from the family hill, where Barbara taught skiing for 40 years. Ryan began skiing at age two and says Vermont instilled in him values like humility, hard work, and respect. Barbara wasn’t the only Olympian in the family. Her siblings — Marilyn, Bobby, and Lindy — all raced for Team USA. Their children, including four of Ryan’s cousins, have competed as well. But Ryan says his family’s success never felt like a burden. “My family has always just said they’re proud of me,” he told NBC in 2022. “For me, it’s been motivating.” Barbara and her ex-husband, Drew Cochran, raised two children together — Cate and Ryan — before divorcing in 1993. Ryan also has a sister, Melanie. Cate, now a mom of two, has watched Ryan become the next chapter in a legacy that started with backyard ski trails and Olympic dreams. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Ryan became the only American Alpine skier to win a medal, earning silver in the men’s super-G. It was a comeback few saw coming, following a near career-ending crash in 2021 that left him with a broken neck. He underwent spinal fusion surgery but returned stronger — a recovery he credits largely to his mother’s support. “She taught me that a positive mindset can carry you through the toughest moments,” Ryan said in a 2025 Team USA profile. “That joy is where the magic begins — and that’s how I found my own Olympic path.” Now, as Ryan heads to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, his parents remain his biggest supporters. Barbara, unable to attend his Beijing podium moment in person, watched with nerves and pride from afar. “I was nervous. I was excited. I was trembling. I was crying. It was just like everything all packed in together,” she told PEOPLE in 2022. “I knew he could do it… but when it did, it was unbelievable.” Meanwhile, Drew sent a quiet message of encouragement just before the race: “You're in my heart all the time and now is your time to fly down this hill.” Now 31, Ryan Cochran-Siegle will step onto the Olympic stage once again — not to match his family’s past, but to continue carving his own line down the mountain.

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Going Offline Is the New Cool: Why Gen Z is Logging Off, Buying Vinyl and Reclaiming Their Time

Matt Richards had used a smartphone since he was 11. Like most of Gen Z, the 23-year-old account manager grew up swiping through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. But last year, he deleted every social media app from his phone — and hasn’t looked back. “I think people back then used to take a break from the real world by going on their phone, but now people are taking a break from their phone to spend time in the real world,” Richards told CNBC Make It. The shift wasn’t just personal. Richards started noticing that more and more of his friends were logging off too. They reported the same benefits: stronger real-world connections, better focus, and less anxiety from comparing their lives to filtered highlight reels. What began as a personal decision is now a growing movement. Going offline — even if only partially — is suddenly catching on with Gen Z and millennials. There’s been a spike in TikTok posts about deleting social apps, switching to flip phones, and picking up hobbies like knitting, journaling, or collecting vinyl. Even that irony isn’t lost on the people posting about it. A recent LinkedIn post asking for stories about social media detoxes drew nearly 100 replies from young people, many eager to talk about their burnout. Some said they’d swapped smartphones for brick phones. Others talked about reconnecting with friends over lunch dates and handwritten letters. All of them shared the sense that life felt more grounded once they stepped back from their screens. Data backs it up. A 2025 Deloitte survey found that nearly a quarter of all British consumers had deleted a social media app in the past year. Among Gen Z, that number jumped to nearly a third. Global time spent on social platforms peaked in 2022 and has declined since, according to a joint analysis by the Financial Times and digital research firm GWI. By the end of 2024, adults over 16 were spending an average of two hours and 20 minutes per day on social media — down almost 10 percent. Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, says younger generations are increasingly turned off by the chaos and commercialization of their feeds. “We’re seeing that a group of Gen Z [and millennials] is choosing to leave social media entirely, and probably a larger group that’s choosing just to limit social media as they sort of regain more of what they’re trying to find: balance and security and safety in their life,” he told CNBC Make It. For Richards, social media had become less about fun and more about pressure. “I feel like social media is now more like a pressure platform … you’re being sold everything, everywhere,” he said. He often felt like he hadn’t done enough with his life — that he wasn’t successful enough, stylish enough, or social enough. Richards added that being offline now comes with a certain mystique. “We’re definitely seeing a trend where people that are offline, unreachable, have a sort of cool factor around them,” he said. “This person doesn’t need validation from how many likes or followers they have.” Lucy Stace, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, felt something similar. Even though social media was important for her business, she found it draining. “We are just inundated all of the time with so much information … our brains aren’t capable of handling that much information,” she said. “We’re actually diminishing our brain’s capacity to be able to look inward and listen to ourselves.” That sensory overload isn’t accidental. Dorsey points to the pressure tech giants face to monetize every inch of user attention. “Gen Z, who are already sensitive to being advertised to — they are the most advertised-to generation in the history of the world — now they’re getting advertised to even more and their feeds feel just commercial after commercial,” he said. Even the cultural cachet of social media is wearing off. Julianna Salguero, a 31-year-old social media manager, said things started to shift when politicians and corporate brands flooded the platforms. “The more that we see brands and government officials and everybody being as online as you are, as a casual user, the more you’re going to want to pull back and switch it,” she said. In a Substack post titled “How to have an analog fall,” Salguero offered a roadmap for living offline: write letters, buy physical newspapers, go on in-person lunch dates. “The going analog of it all isn’t necessarily throwing my phone into the ocean,” she said. “It’s more about ‘how do I reset my relationship with it?’” For Stace and her boyfriend, that reset includes building a vinyl record collection. For Richards, it’s led to something more drastic — he’s now considering buying a brick phone, too. Still, not everyone sees the trend as permanent. GWI analyst Chris Beer says it may just be a “post-pandemic correction” rather than a full-on rejection of digital life. “Social media is still very integrated into people’s lives in areas including shopping, news and education,” he noted. But for people like Richards, the difference is real and lasting. Logging off helped him reclaim time, energy, and confidence — without the need for an algorithm to tell him what to want. “I just feel better,” he said. “Like I’ve got my time back.”

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Here's Some Good News You Might Have Missed This Week

Here’s a roundup of the most hopeful, inspiring and meaningful stories from across the globe. From climate wins to acts of solidarity and creativity, here’s the good that’s worth celebrating: 🌱 Planet Wins U.S. Forests Absorbing Record Carbon Levels A new study shows U.S. forests are absorbing 66 million metric tons more CO₂ annually than they did in 2005. Older, maturing forests are key — and the findings will help shape smarter conservation policy. Solar Panels Last Longer Than Expected Panels tested in Switzerland have been running since the 1980s and still produce over 80% of their original output. With only 0.25% performance loss per year, solar proves even more sustainable than previously thought. Germany Launches World’s First Floating Vertical Solar Plant The new plant, designed to catch sunlight from both sides throughout the day, floats on water and powers an entire gravel facility. The Hague Orders Dutch Government to Protect Island from Climate Change The court ruled the Netherlands must protect the Caribbean island of Bonaire from rising seas — a landmark win for climate justice. 🏳️‍🌈 Visibility & Progress UC Berkeley Students Make 300,000 Edits to Preserve LGBTQ+ History Students have quietly been editing and creating Wikipedia entries focused on queer and trans people of color, garnering 96 million views and preserving critical history in the process. 🐾 Animals & Nature Beagles Rescued from Euthanasia Find New Home on a Wyoming Farm A group of lucky pups now live beside pigs, goats, and sheep — a total transformation from the fate they narrowly escaped. Two Endangered Seal Pups Rescued Off the California Coast The Guadalupe fur seals are now recovering thanks to fast-acting conservationists. California Aquarium Doubles Capacity for Sea Turtle Rehab With a new 4,000-gallon tank, the Aquarium of the Pacific can now care for more injured sea turtles — and educate the public in real time. 🧵 Creative Action Kristen Stewart Buys LA Theater for the Community The actor plans to turn the historic movie theater into a space open to all, not just cinephiles. Sound Shirts Let Deaf Concertgoers Feel the Music A high-tech shirt equipped with 16 haptic sensors transforms sound into touch — making live music more inclusive than ever. 💪 Everyday Heroes Maryland Man Walks Shelter Dogs Daily — Even on Holidays Since 2018, Darren Genson has walked four to six dogs every morning before work, especially focusing on those considered “unadoptable.” 📈 Good News in Numbers Homicides in England & Wales Reach Lowest Rate Since Records Began Knife-related killings dropped by 23%, and London saw its lowest homicide count in over a decade. Middle-Class Mexicans Now Outnumber Those in Poverty The Mexican middle class grew by more than 12 percentage points between 2018 and 2024. More Than 170 Countries Agree to Phase Out Climate-Harming Gases Hydrofluorocarbons — potent greenhouse gases used in cooling — are on their way out. 🧊 Hockey & Heat Italian Olympic Hockey Player is Also a Climate Scientist Jacquie Pierri is using her platform to raise awareness of the environmental costs of indoor ice sports — and advocate for change through EcoAthletes. She says, " [There's] No Hockey on a Planet That Can’t Sustain It."

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New Toy Store Brings Whimsy and Community Spirit to Main Street Newmarket

When Diana and David Whitfield first dreamed of working with children, they imagined teaching. Instead, they’re about to open a toy store. The couple, both self-described “kids at heart,” are launching Tommy’s Toys and Treasures in Newmarket later this month — a new business built on the bones of a beloved one. The shop, located at 226 Main Street South, opens February 20 and will serve as a spiritual successor to Little Rae Goods, which closed in December. “We always thought of doing something in that line of work one day,” Diana said. “When this opportunity arose, it just felt like the universe being, 'Are you sure you want it? Well, here it is. Are you gonna do it?' We couldn’t pass it up.” For years, the Whitfields had been regulars at Little Rae Goods, visiting with their young son — and sometimes just for themselves. Diana described it as “magical” and “peaceful,” the kind of place they’d quietly dreamed of running. So when news broke around Christmas that the shop was closing, they saw their chance. The former owner, Sherry Paynani, had decided to step away as her family prepared for a move to Costa Rica. “I could no longer spend enough time at the store to ensure continued success and a high level of customer service,” she said. “Rather than compromise the experience or the quality of service, I felt it was the right moment to step back.” Paynani has since been working closely with the Whitfields to help them transition into the space. “I was genuinely thrilled, as Newmarket truly benefits from having a thoughtfully curated, high-quality toy store,” she said. For Diana, it meant leaving her job as an engineer to go all-in on the new business. That leap has come with a steep learning curve — and a lot of unboxing. “This is like Christmas, opening up all these toys,” she said. “It’s really exciting. I can’t wait to see people come in and then chat with families and build relationships.” The vision for Tommy’s Toys and Treasures goes beyond just selling toys. The Whitfields plan to offer a selection of open-ended, thoughtfully chosen items — things that spark creativity and keep kids engaged. But they also want the store to become a community hub, with future plans for playdates, storytimes, crafts, and even STEM camps in partnership with Life Gears Academy. “It’s just starting as a toy store,” Diana said, “but really working to be a community hub.” Early support from the community has already poured in through social media, and the couple plans to open during the Ice Lounge weekend on Main Street. The store, Diana says, will have something for everyone — not just kids. “The experience is what people come for,” she said. “I look forward to getting to know people and seeing familiar faces come through the door.”

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Canadian Startup Curates Unique Maple Syrup Experiences In A Box

For most people, maple syrup is something you pick up at the store, pour on pancakes, and forget about. But for Josh Ponton, it’s become something much bigger — a passion, a business, and a mission to show Canadians there’s more to maple than meets the eye. Launched just months ago by Ponton and co-founder Hannah Pegg, Maple Monthly is a subscription box that delivers carefully curated maple products from Canadian producers to your door. Customers can choose from monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly deliveries, each featuring syrups and treats sourced from different maple farms across the country. “I was on a maple syrup tasting experience in Quebec,” said Ponton, who now lives in Ottawa. “Honestly, it was a mind-blowing experience because my whole life syrup was just something you found at the grocery store and poured on your pancakes.” That tasting changed everything. “There was no complexity or diversity to it,” he said of grocery store syrup. “But after this tasting, and hearing how they spoke about these syrups, it reminded me a lot of wine tasting. There are so many layers and complexities depending on the forest it came from, the region, how they harvest, and other factors.” From that lightbulb moment, Maple Monthly was born. And while Ponton has a background in tech, he’s now fully immersed in the sweet world of syrup. The idea is simple but smart: shine a spotlight on Canada’s 6,000-plus maple producers — many of whom are too small to get national attention — and help Canadians discover the richness of their own backyard. Recently, Maple Monthly partnered with Maple Orchard Farm in Bracebridge, and Ponton says he’ll be visiting the region this spring to scout more products. “Behind every bottle of maple syrup is a producer who knows their forest by heart,” reads the company’s website. “We partner directly with Canadian maple farmers who have spent generations perfecting their craft, tapping trees with care and turning sap into something truly special.” The boxes, priced between $50 and $60, include syrup and other maple treats, including rare and regionally unique offerings. Subscribers get access to producers and products they wouldn’t find on store shelves. Not every farmer has been quick to jump in. Ponton admits some were hesitant to associate their brand with a new venture. But as the word spreads, that’s changing. “We’re lucky we found some really amazing ones who have worked with us, allowed us to come in and learn their story, and learn about their products,” he said. “And with time, we’re getting more attention and feedback from other producers.” For Ponton — who spent much of his early life in Barbados before moving back to Canada for university in Calgary — the company is also about building connections: between people, between regions, and between traditions. “Our goal is to cover every area of the map,” he said. “This is a really good platform for these producers as they get to share their products with subscribers across Canada instead of just within their region.” With Maple Monthly, the syrup isn’t just sweet — it tells a story. And if Ponton has his way, more Canadians will be tasting the difference.

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