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Joy Returning to Maui: Walmart and Salvation Army Bring Holiday Cheer, Surprising Thousands of Kids with Toys

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School holiday gifts giveaway in Lahaina
Toy giveaway in Maui by Walmart and Salvation

It’s been a difficult year for Hawaiians in Maui since wildfires destroyed the community in August, but with the holidays approaching so is the kindness, with Walmart and the Salvation Army stepping up with tens of thousands of free toys and gifts.

The organizations wanted to give back to the children affected in the community with a holiday celebration and surprise toy giveaway.

Walmart donated 35,000 toys to the children brightening their holiday spirits through two events.

They held a Christmas party for two elementary schools: King Kamehameha III was destroyed beyond repair in the fire, and their students and staff were relocated to Princess Nahi’ena’ena’s campus, where the Salvation Army decorated their large gymnasium with festive scenes for the big reveal.

Not only did the 800 children receive thousands of toys, Walmart showed the staff appreciation with Walmart gift cards to use during holidays.

School holiday gifts giveaway in Lahaina

“Held exactly three months after the devastating wildfires, this heartwarming event aimed to bring joy to the families impacted by the Lahaina wildfires and create a Winter Wonderland filled with surprises and delights,” said a Walmart spokesperson.

Child holds bag, ready to choose her gifts at the toy giveaway by Salvation Army and Walmart

“One of the most heartwarming moments of the day was when large gift bags filled with toys were distributed to each child present at the event, which was kept under wraps, for it to be a complete surprise to the children.”

CHECK OUT: Walmart Announces Plan to Pay 100% of College Tuition Plus Books For Its Workers

In a second event, a Winter Wonderland Toy Shopping Spree was held last week at a local Walmart store where more than 1,800 Maui children and their families were able to shop for multiple toys, free of charge.

“The smiles and excitement on their faces were a testament to the love and care shared by the Lahaina community, Walmart and The Salvation Army.”

Each child got a big bag to fill with toys at Maui Walmart

RELATED: Oprah And Dwayne Johnson Giving $1,200 Per Month To Maui Wildfire Survivors

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The Comedy Wildlife Photo Winners Are Here–And They’re Absolutely Adorable

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The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Jacek Stankiewicz Jacek Stankiewicz Kraków Poland Title: Dispute Description: I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. Young greenfinch was still fed by parents. However, from time to time birds looked like having argument. My friends interpret this scene in two ways. 1 A young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. 2. One kid is reporting to the parent that its brother did something wrong: look he has broken the glass in the window. Animal: Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) Location of shot: Bialowieza forest
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Jason Moore

The funniest photography competition in the world announced their winners and the grand prize winner was a kangaroo playing air guitar.

Up against 5,300 entries from 85 countries, Jason Moore from Australia with his ‘Air Guitar Roo’ prevailed in the closest voting ever.

Taken in the outer suburbs of Perth, Jason visited a yellow field of wildflowers where a “mob” of adult kangaroos and joeys were playing and feeding—and apparently listening to music.

“When I saw this Roo striking the air guitar pose, it immediately brought a smile to my face, and I knew that I had captured something really special. “

As the Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year champion, Jason won a safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya, and other prizes.

The competition was founded in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, both professional photographers and conservationists to create a fun and free-to-enter photography competition unlike any other.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Jacek Stankiewicz

6 Category Winners included the Junior Category, won by 16-year-old Jacek Stankiewicz with his image of two greenfinches in Poland called ‘Dispute’, which also took home this year’s People’s Choice Award.

“I caught this scene in the Bialowieza Forest while watching birds that looked like they were having argument,” said the young Polish man. “My friends interpret this scene, (saying) ‘One kid is reporting to the parent that its brother did something wrong.”

White grouse – The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Jacques Poulard

There were also 10 Highly Commended Winners, including the entry above from France called Snowball. “Taken in Spitzberg during a very cold winter, the white grouse is coming to me and looked like a snowball with eyes,” recalled Jacques Poulard.

‘The Rainforest Dandy’ was taken in a monkey forest in Ubud, Bali by Delphine Casimir.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Delphine Casimir

“This place is a crazy place where monkeys are king! sometimes they give a show, sometimes, they climb on you to look for fleas or steal the piece of biscuit you are trying to eat,” she said. “Their kingdom has three hindu temples. Maybe our dandy is the reicarnation of a divinity?”

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Tzahi finkelstein

‘The Happy Turtle Dragonfly’ was shot in the Jezreel Valley in Israel by Tzahi Finkelstein who mused, “The swamp turtle is surprised and smiles at the dragonfly resting on its nose.”

Comedy Wildlife Winners 2023 / ©Lara Mathews

Taken at Westerfolds Park—a surprisingly wild pocket of land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia—a mob of kangaroo was enjoying some morning sunshine when this joey decided to get silly and try his hand at boxing.

Gannet family along the North Sea in the UK – Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 / ©Zoe Ashdown

And finally, this gannet family was a touching winner from the UK. Each year between March and October, around half a million seabirds use the Bempton chalk cliffs towering above the North Sea to nest and raise a family.

Gannets mate for life and they return to the same nest year after year to raise their young. Zoe Ashdown described how she got the winning shot:

COMEDY WINNERS FROM 2022: The Funniest Wildlife Photos of 2022 Win Big Laughs in Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

“Lying safely at the top of the cliff face I was able to observe the affection shown between the gannets each time one returned to the nest.

“They have a greeting ritual: they rub beaks and entwine their necks; it’s how they strengthen their bond. But it’s also a brilliant opportunity to catch them in various poses.

CHECK OUT THE 2021 WINNERS: From Cheeky Bears to Goofy Gophers, See the Fun Finalists of the Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards

“As soon as I saw (this capture) I laughed out loud! They look like proud parents, posing with their baby – definitely one for the family album!”

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“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget.” – William Arthur Ward

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Quote of the Day: “Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget.” – William Arthur Ward

Photo by: Markus Spiske

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Cup Found in Garage Turns Out to be Chinese Treasure Worth Thousands

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Charles Hanson with the antique Chinese cup from the Qing Dynasty – Hansons Auctioneers / SWNS
Charles Hanson with the antique Chinese cup from the Qing Dynasty – Hansons Auctioneers / SWNS

A couple were left stunned after a cup tucked away in their garage turned out to be an antique Chinese treasure from the Qing Dynasty worth thousands.

The rare, centuries-old libation cup was identified by an antiques expert called to the home in England to assess items for potential consignment.

It turned out to be a mystical Chinese antique made of rhinoceros horn believed to detect poison and hold aphrodisiac qualities for users 350 years ago.

The couple in the Cotswolds are now placing the ornate late 17th-century mug up for auction on November 30.

Charles Hansons, the star of TV’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, said he had completed his visit and was sitting in his car, about to drive off with a wave, when the couple asked if they could show him one more thing.

“They disappeared into the garage. What was placed into my hands was a magical find. I instantly recognized it as a rare Chinese object dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century.

Hansons Auctioneers / SWNS

“It was beautifully carved out of rhinoceros horn and displayed intricate detail.”

REMEMBER THIS: Mom Bought Rare Steiff Teddy Bear at Yard Sale That’s Set to be Sold For $6,000

The handle features sinuous Chilong dragons, one peering over the interior rim.

“Another playful  dragon is carved on the opposing lip.

“Rhinoceros horn libation cups were used for communal drinking at important ceremonial occasions in Chinese scholarly circles.

“They were considered magical objects. In ancient China, Daoists believed the horn would change colors to alert a drinker to the presence of poison.”

This cup was inherited by the client’s grandfather.

AMAZING: 400-Year-old Ming Dynasty Table Worth $80k Inherited From Relative Who Loved Anything Asian

Hansons Auctioneers / SWNS

Charles said rhinoceros horn was considered one of ‘Eight Precious’ symbols representing good luck and prosperity in Chinese mythology.

“By the Tang dynasty (AD 618-806) it was being carved into drinking containers used at ceremonies honoring ancestors and given to scholars who were successful in examinations.

The trade and transportation of rhinoceros horn carvings that are antiques is regulated by law, however, they are permitted to be sold if for purely artistic intentions.

LOOK: Man Was Told His Rare Gold Coin Was Fake – Now He’s Set to Become a Millionaire

Chinese law states that any item sold for over $100 per gram is automatically granted work-of-art status and therefore be allowed to return to China if buyers wish to repatriate it back to its home country.

SO COOL: Box of Stained Glass Bought at Auction Solves 80-year Mystery of Church Windows Gone Missing During WWII

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Police Give Motorists a Thanksgiving Surprise–Handing Out Free Turkeys Instead of Tickets

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Summerville Police Department officers hand out turkeys instead of tickets in heartwarming Thanksgiving program – SWNS
Summerville Police Department officers hand out turkeys instead of tickets in heartwarming Thanksgiving program – SWNS

Motorists in South Carolina who were pulled over for violations got a Thanksgiving surprise, as officers handed them a free turkey instead of tickets or fines.

Every turkey day for the past five years the Summerville Police Department has spread seasonal cheer with the program.

A video captures drivers being pulled over and bursting into laughter and relief when handed a turkey instead.

The department turns the annual, week-long event called ‘Turkey, no Ticket’, into a teaching experience for drivers.

They stop motorists who might normally have been issued written warnings or tickets for infractions like driving with an obstructed mirror, or minor speeding.

This year, Motorcycle Officers Bryan Young and T.J. Thomas gave out 12 turkeys donated by a local Harris Teeter supermarket.

Summerville Police officers hand out turkeys instead of tickets in heartwarming Thanksgiving program – SWNS

Police Chief Douglas Wright said that the project is also intended to foster goodwill between police and the community.

WATCH: Cop Saves Unconscious Driver From Burning Truck, ‘I’m either going to die here with him or get him out’

“We feel that it is essential to utilize every unique idea to help break down the walls between the community and law enforcement.

“The holidays can be challenging for many reasons, so giving back to the community is another way to brighten the season for those who are struggling.”

He also said that his officers are always excited to take part in the project.

“Each year, the officers who are selected to participate absolutely love doing this particular outreach.

WATCH: When Boy Asks Strangers for Yard Work to Save up for New Game Console, Cops Are Called–And They Buy Him a New PS5

“This small act of kindness makes everyone smile when they watch the video because we are defying expectations and making people happy.”

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Pipe Dreams Comes True For Top Tradesmen at the First National Plumbing Championship

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On a mission to elevate the profile of plumbers, the first-ever Plumbing National Championship attracted the crème de la crème of American tradespeople to compete for cash and prizes last month.

One of the plumbers taking the plunge made a savvy move that would pay off big, when Craig Childress, a Boston tradesman, made the strategic decision to check extra luggage before jetting off to Florida for the Elite Trades Championship Series—which also judges the top Auto Technicians, Electricians, and HVAC techs.

Childress’s foresight was spot on. Not only did he clinch the title of top plumber, but he also emerged as the winner in the HVAC Championship—a crossover first in the event’s history.

His twin triumphs saw Childress hauling in $50,000 in prize money and a pair of weighty trophies. In the aftermath, with his wife Rachel by his side, the elated plumber reflected on his whirlwind double win.

“Professionally, this is the most absurdly wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s been an unbelievable journey.”

The CBS Sports Network will broadcast The Elite Trades Championship Series in December. Founded in 2015, it’s a showcase of finesse and knowledge among the nation’s elite apprentices and seasoned pros, all vying for a slice of the $300,000 prize pool.

CHECK OUT: “Kindest Plumber” Hailed as Modern-Day-Hero for Charity Work that Has Helped Over 52,000 Families

The sponsored event framed pipework as a competitive sport, a showdown aimed to flush away old stereotypes and draw a new generation into the field.

“Plumbing is not just a job—it’s a vocation that pays well, but demands smarts, skill, and a steady hand,” said a spokesperson for the event sponsor, SharkBite Plumbing Solutions, in a press release.

“Plumbing may not spark viral hashtags or trend on TikTok, but the Plumbing National Championship is changing the conversation around this foundational trade.”

In the Olympics of pipe wrenches, plumbing pros from across the nation locked horns, diving into a gauntlet of real-world challenges, turning the spotlight on the unsung skills that keep our faucets flowing and toilets flushing.

PLUMBING GOOD SAMARITAN: New Jersey Plumber Drives 22 Hours With Equipment to Help the Overwhelmed Texans Whose Pipes Burst

David Shanor from Virginia and Joe Jaspers from Ohio nabbed the second and third spots in plumbing, with Dagner Espinoza and Lee Morris Jr. rounding out the HVAC podium.

However, for Childress, his moment of victory was as personal as it was professional. After both championship wins, he shared the moment with his 12-year-old daughter via video chat. Her pride in her dad was the cherry on top of an already sweet victory, and moved dad to the brink of tears.

WOW: Plumber Has Landed Record Deal After Music Mogul Heard Him Singing –While He Fitted His Bathroom

According an Instagram post, CBS Sports Network will broadcast the 2023 Plumbing National Championship on December 29, at 8:00 PM ET, allowing viewers nationwide to witness the drama of Childress’s remarkable pipe dream come true. The HVAC National Championship will air on December 15.

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Your Weekly Horoscope: A ‘Free Will Astrology’ From Rob Brezsny

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Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of November 25, 2023
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Have you located any of your soul twins? If not, is that an interesting prospect for you? Please note that soul twins are not necessarily the same as dream lovers. They may simply be people with whom you share deep values and perspectives. They might aspire to influence the world in ways similar to you. With a soul twin, you feel at home in the world and extra happy to be yourself. I bring these meditations to your attention, Scorpio, because the coming months will be an especially likely time for you to encounter and engage with soul twins. Be on the alert!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was charismatic and forceful, but also hot-tempered and prone to rude behavior. The writer Goethe, his contemporary, said “his talent amazed me,” and described him as an “utterly untamed personality.” Beethoven seldom lived in one home for very long and loved to sing at the top of his lungs as he washed himself. Although he played piano with exquisite skill, he was quite clumsy as he moved through the world. Can you guess what astrological sign he was? Same as you! Sagittarius! I’m not saying you are exactly like this wild, unruly genius, but you do have tendencies in that direction. And in the coming weeks, I expect you’ll be inclined to be more Beethoven-esque than usual. Please work on emphasizing the winsome aspects.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
I hope you have developed good boundaries, Capricorn. I hope you are so skilled at taking care of yourself that you steadfastly refuse to let people manipulate you or hurt you. Just to make sure your discernment is working at peak levels, though, I will offer you a tip. In the English language, we have the idiom “to rub salt in a wound,” which refers to the fact that daubing salt in an open gash in the skin makes the pain even worse. But did you know that smearing sugar in a wound is equally distressing? The metaphorical lesson is that you should be vigilant for seemingly nice, sweet people who might also violate your boundaries to hurt or manipulate you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
I estimate this horoscope is worth $22,225. It has been made possible by my many years of disciplined meditations, extensive reading of holy texts, and an ever-growing devotion to astrology and my readers. But here’s the fun part: You can read these words for free! No cost at all! I will, however, ask you to do something for me in return. First, give your gifts joyously and generously in the coming weeks, holding nothing back. Second, don’t be in the least concerned about whether you will receive benefits in return for your gifts. Find the sweet spot where you love bestowing blessings for no other reason except this one: You are expressing your gratitude for the miraculous life you have been given.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Do you possess gambits, tactics, and knacks that we might refer to as your “bag of tricks”? I hope so, because such an asset will be extra valuable during the coming weeks. You will be wise to employ every cagey move you can imagine and call on every favor that’s owed to you and cash in on every advantage you have accrued. I don’t want you to engage in outright cheating, but I encourage you to use ploys and stratagems that have full integrity. Be on the lookout for secret shortcuts, magic cookies, and wild cards.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
When we experience authentic awe, our humility deepens. This in turn tends to make us kinder, smarter, and more positive. So how can we stimulate awe? Among the many possible ways are gazing at magnificent art, hiking in a natural wonderland, or being in the presence of a beautiful human soul. In accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you go in quest of awe and related feelings like reverence, amazement, adoration, and veneration. Your mental, physical, and spiritual health will flourish in response.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
It’s the Season for Cherishing and Smoking Out Secrets. So let’s talk about the subject. 1. Some secrets are sad, haunting, even risky—and worth keeping secret. 2. Other secrets can be beautiful, healing, and potentially life-changing if they are revealed gracefully. 3. Some secrets are buried so deeply that only very persistent seekers dig them up. 4. Some secrets are “hidden” in plain view, and only visible to people who are clear and brave enough to identify them. I suspect you Tauruses will have a special knack for managing all types of secrets in the coming weeks, including those I mentioned.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
I hope you won’t fill yourself up with appetizers and hors d’oeuvres in the coming weeks, Gemini. My soul will be at peace if I see you save your hunger for the main courses. Your motto should be “Feasts, not snacks!” or “The Real Deal, not the pretenders!” or “The jubilee, not the distractions!” If you ever find yourself feeling halfhearted or inattentive, you’re probably not in the right situation. Here’s an affirmation to go with your mottoes: “I am liberating my divine appetite!”

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Playwright Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) is regarded as one of history’s great writers. That does not mean everything he said was wise, useful, or worthy of our attention. For example, he was once asked to give his opinion about ballet. “During the intermissions, the ballerinas stink like horses,” he replied. I hesitate to bring up such a vulgar reference, but I wanted to make a vivid point. In the coming weeks, I hope you will ignore the advice of people who don’t know what they are talking about, no matter how smart or charismatic they may be. I hope you will not attribute expertise to those who have no such expertise. I hope that as much as possible, you will rely on first-hand information, rigorous research, and reliable influences.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Researchers have determined that there are two basic dispositions among tigers. One is what they call “majesty.” Creatures with this orientation tend to be dignified, imposing, and agile. The other type of tiger personality revolves around “steadiness.” This is the opposite of neuroticism, and includes the qualities of being affable, easy to get along with, and well-adjusted. I know many astrologers associate lions with you Leos, but I prefer to link you with tigers. If you agree with me, here’s my prediction: You are beginning a phase when you will be more majestic than steady—but with plenty of steadiness also available if you want it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
“It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your life,” wrote author Randall Jarrell. That’s decent advice, though I will add a caveat. If you entertain an idea for a while and it turns out that you love it, and you also love the beneficent effect it has on you, you may be smart to take it home to live with you. I’m guessing you Virgos are at a pivotal point in this regard. Not yet, but soon, you will know whether it will be wise to get cozier with certain influences you have been flirting with—or else decide they are not ones you want to keep.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
If I could give an award for Most Curious Genius in the World, it would be to Libran author and naturalist Diane Ackerman. She would also get my prize for Most Voracious Learner and Best Questioner and Most Exuberant Seeker and Searcher. “To hear the melody,” she writes, “we must hear all the notes.” In response to the question, “What is life?” she offers this answer: “corsages and dust mites and alligator skin and tree-frog serenades and foreskins and blue hydrangeas and banana slugs and war dances and cedar chips and bombardier beetles.” In accordance with current astrological omens, I encourage you to be like Diane Ackerman in the coming weeks.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

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“It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your life.” – Randall Jarrell 

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Quote of the Day: “It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your life.” – Randall Jarrell 

Photo by: Carla Quario

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Garbage Man Saves Kitten from Being Crushed, Now Adopted and Healthy in Time for Christmas

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Andy Corbley
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Tiny Tim with Laura Morris, his new owner. Credit Blue Cross Animal Hospital
Tiny Tim with Laura Morris, his new owner – Credit Blue Cross Animal Hospital

Seconds away from being crushed in a garbage truck, a snow-white kitten has found a new home in time for Christmas after being saved by the driver.

The two-day-old feline was found weighing just 93 grams, less than a tangerine, when a quick-thinking garbageman heard his tiny mews and fished him out of the trash that was being dumped and compacted in his truck.

Arriving at Blue Cross Animal Hospital, his coloration and his birth so near the most wonderful time of the year earned him the name Tiny Tim.

Tiny Tim needed to be hand-fed every two hours and, with his eyes not yet open as a newborn, he was kept in an incubator for warmth.

Following his brush with death, Tiny Tim was able to find a loving new home with another Blue Cross rescue kitten named Oskie, the sole survivor from his litter.

“I’m so glad I brought him to Blue Cross, what an amazing job the team has done,” said the refuse collector who came to Tiny Tim’s rescue. “I’m glad to see him so well.”

MORE FELINE RESCUES: Chicago Marathon Runner Rescues Stray Kitten During the Race–Bystander Gives it a Home

Three-legged Oskie had his hind leg amputated after an infection. The best friends were both adopted by Laura Morris, who works for the Blue Cross.

Tiny Tim when he arrived – Credit Blue Cross Animal Hospital

“I couldn’t believe he had been put in the bin, he’s so cute and lovely,” she said. “Tiny Tim’s so inquisitive, confident, and happy. It’s incredibly rewarding to see him as he is now, compared to when he first came to us.”

THIS KITTEN WAS FOUND IN AN ATM: Firefighters Save Kitten Stuck in an ATM – And His New Name is Cash

Learning from another cat is incredibly valuable for Tiny Tim as he grows, giving him more chances to experience feline behavior firsthand, adds Laura.

“We are so happy he is now in a loving home where he is happy, healthy, and fed, which is all pets want for Christmas,” said Morris’ colleague Amanda Rumball, London animal welfare officer at Blue Cross.

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Thousands of Years Ago, a Woman Underwent Two Surgeries to Her Head–and Survived Both Procedures

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Andy Corbley
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A Copper Age women underwent two separate surgical procedures that left two overlapping holes in her skull. (Image credit Sonia Díaz-Navarro et al)
A Copper Age woman underwent two separate surgical procedures that left two overlapping holes in her skull. (Image credit Sonia Díaz-Navarro et al. via Live Science)

Researchers don’t know why, but a late-Neolithic, early-Copper Age woman underwent two cranial surgeries throughout her adult life—newly found archaeological remains from Spain have revealed.

Imagine for a moment everything that a successful surgery requires: orderlies, razor-sharp implements, anesthetic, disinfectant, and anatomical knowledge of the affected are the bare necessities for a procedure, none of which are common finds among Stone Age habitations

Yet in a burial site at Camino del Molino, located in Caravaca de la Cruz in Southeastern Spain, the skull of a 35 to 40-year-old woman was found with expertly made trepanations, or surgical entries into the cranium.

Trepanations mean the surgeon was trying to access the dura mater, the outermost layer of tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and forensic analysis showed it was neither a wound of violence, nor some form of ritual cannibalism, because the areas around the trepanations were clean; without fractures, and the woman lived months after the second of the two procedures was finished.

It’s a stunning demonstration of medical knowledge and acumen for a people who had only just barely worked out the smithing of copper tools.

It also demonstrates the value that these primitive societies placed on the lives of loved ones, as this woman might already have been a grandmother and near the end of her life, yet was operated on twice in her twilight years, which would have included a substantial period of recovery during which she contributed no food or labor to the community while still consuming food collected by others.

The funerary site of Camino del Molino contains 1,348 individuals, and this woman who had lived a full life for a Neolithic/Copper Age human, lived months after the second of two surgeries in the same part of the brain was concluded. She eventually died during the period of the funerary pit’s second use phase which stretched from 2566 to 2239 BCE.

The Copper Age woman’s skeleton as seen at the burial site. (Image credit: Sonia Díaz-Navarro et al. via Live Science)

“This is a cranial region rarely documented in prehistoric trepanations, as it contains the temporalis muscles and important blood vessels,” the authors write in their paper on the discovery in the International Journal of Paleopathology.

One of the authors spoke to Live Science about their discovery, describing the full extent of the procedure and what it must have required in a Paleolithic environment.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 24,000-Year-Old Cave Art Suddenly Found in Well-Known Paleolithic Cave Shelter in Spain

“This [trepanation] involves rubbing a rough-surfaced lithic [stone] instrument against the cranial vault, gradually eroding it along all its edges to create the hole,” said Sonia Díaz-Navarro, corresponding author on the paper from the Department of Prehistory, Archaeology, and Anthropology at the University of Valladolid.

“To perform this surgery, the affected individual likely had to be strongly immobilized by other members of the community or previously treated with a psychoactive substance that would alleviate pain or render them unconscious,” she said, adding that plants with natural antibacterial properties must have been used to prevent the obvious and serious risk of infection

Two overlapping holes were discovered between the woman’s temple and the top of her ear. The first was 2.1 inches wide by 1.2 inches long, and the second was smaller, at 1.3 by 0.47 inches, created into the already-healed bone tissue of the first trepanation.

ANOTHER CASE OF PREHISTORIC SURGERY: Evidence of Amputation in Prehistoric Times Shows Patient Surviving for a Decade–Proves Medical Expertise Existed

The authors determined that it must have been this rubbing or scraping technique that was used, rather than drilling, as it was safer and presented a lower risk of bleeding out. Despite the obvious difficulty in the act, the authors note that the whole literature of ancient or prehistoric surgery has demonstrated little detectable error in the use of the bladed stones.

While holes in her head were not the result of a wound inflicted by another human or animal, the authors can’t rule out the possibility that the surgery was performed as the result of a wound or injury, as other skeletons in the Camino de Molino bear signs of trauma.

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Wendy’s Worker Saves Customer’s Life: ‘I was like, ‘Girl, you know how to do CPR; get over there’

By
Andy Corbley
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Alexandria Cowheard. WKYT - fair use
Alexandria Cowheard. WKYT – fair use

A Wendy’s worker was given the impromptu opportunity to have a break from work; normally a delightful surprise, but it wasn’t for R&R.

At a franchise location on Richmond Road in Lexington, Kentucky, a man had collapsed in the parking lot. Alexandria Cowheard was on shift and alerted to the situation by her coworker.

She had already called 911 by the time she arrived at the man’s unconscious body, but the color of his face told of the need for immediate action.

“I didn’t panic visibly, but in the back of my mind, I was like, what do I do,” Cowheard said. “I kind of short-circuited a little bit before I was like, ‘Girl, you know how to do CPR; get over here and do these chest compressions.’”

The 22-year-old Alexandria learned CPR in her senior year of high school, and after a short time doing chest compressions, he “did that snoring thing again,” and gasped for air.

The whole thing took just a few minutes, but to the adrenaline-soaked mind of Alexandria, it seemed a long while.

MORE CPR SAVES: 12-Year-Old Saves Man Who Passed Out Underwater, Credits CPR Learned from ‘Stranger Things’

The young woman is working at Wendy’s while going to school at BCTC to become a certified nursing assistant, according to WKYT, and the future medical professional wants to work in the NICU when she finishes school.

At that moment though, she put her future career aside and went right back to work.

WATCH the story below from WKYT…

SHARE This Young Woman’s Confidant Heroics On Social Media… 

Mom Channeled Her Terminal Cancer into Debt Relief Fundraiser–Wiping Out $65 Million in Medical Debt

By
Andy Corbley
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Andrew and Casey - released Andrew Gregory
Andrew and Casey – released Andrew Gregory

A wife and mother turned her last month on Earth into a fundraiser to wipe out medical debt burdens of families and individuals in need.

Passing away 12 days ago at the age of 38, Casey McIntyre’s death and the humble request at its onset has raised $650,000, which has the likely potential to pay off $65 million in privately-shouldered medical debt.

A mother of one and a publicist at Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Casey is survived by her husband of 8 years Andrew Gregory and her daughter Grace. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019. A long battle resulted in a transfer to hospice care for her final 6 months.

On November 12th, a post appeared on her social media accounts that announced her passing, saying “I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved.”

On her obituary page, it’s written that “she was a consummate New Yorker who always knew which bodegas had the best magazine selections, whether to take the B or the Q, what restaurants were best to spot celebrities, and [who] gave every new New Yorker the same advice: make sure you buy a coat that covers your butt, because that’s where you lose a lot of warmth.”

Casey decided to host a “debt jubilee” a term of growing popularity used to describe fundraising for debt purchases. As GNN has reported several times, America is so loaded up with debt, and many creditors like hospitals and universities provide so much service on credit that the chance for a cash payout is more attractive than a long, slow, perhaps uncertain collection of debt.

In the wake of the Occupy Wall Street protests, a pair of hedge fund managers created RIP Medical Debt, which has so far wiped out billions in private medical debt for pennies on the dollar.

MORE POSTHUMOUS GIVING: New Hampshire Man Had No Car and No Furniture, But Died with a Big Secret, Leaving His Town Millions

It was for this organization that Casey decided to raise money. Staying a long time in hospital, she received a great level of service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, but recognized that this wasn’t possible for everyone.

On the Sunday following Casey’s death, $220,000 had been raised, which “stunned” Andrew.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: Debt Activists Cancel $10 Million in Student Loan Debt After Buying it All for a Penny on the Dollar

“We’re overwhelmed, and it’s been really powerful to see the response to people wanting to eliminate strangers’ medical debt.”

That amount has increased nearly 3x after the story was published in the New York Times.

SHARE This Truly Stunning Gesture And Tearjerking Success Story On Social Media…

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward

By
Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward

Photo by: Joanna Kosinska

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Hero Truck Driver Saves Choking Woman Who Showed Up at a Construction Site

By
Andy Corbley
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- credit Inside Edition, screengrab
– credit Inside Edition, screengrab

An Illinois woman has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving; a pair of healthy children, the keys to a German-made SUV, and the fact that when her life depended on it, she parked in front of a hero in waiting.

Jeff Hanus was calmly sitting on the side of the road in his cement truck at the Ozinga job site near Bolingbrook at I-55 and Route 53, listening to classical Chinese violin on the sound system in his coat, hat, and gloves.

All of a sudden, his working day became very unusual, as a woman pulled up in front of his truck, got out, and gave the international symbol that her airways were blocked: two hands on the neck.

Hanus, a former Army infantryman, jumped into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver, three thrusts up and in from under the ribcage, which dislodged the piece of food that was choking her.

“I was in the right place at the right time, and I did what, in my opinion, most people would have done,” he told Inside Edition with all the composure of a classical violinist.

But that wasn’t the end of this font of silent charisma, who had some more words to say when he spoke to Fox 32, when he reflected on accusations of being hero.

ANOTHER HEIMLICH HERO: Hero Bus Driver Saves Boy From Choking on Coin, Rushing Him to Safety–WATCH

“There’s a Native American saying: it is not the path that we walk, it is how many lives we touch along the way,” said Hanus.

The Chicago Bulls reached out to Hanus and gave him free courtside tickets for his heroism.

WATCH the story below from Inside Edition… 

SHARE This Man’s Right Place Right Time Rescue With Your Friends… 

Seven Swimmers Owe Their Lives to Australian Teens on Boogie Boards–2 Rescues in One Week

By
Andy Corbley
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Braith, Max, George, Harrison, Alex, and Zach rescued this family and two other girls from a flash rip tide – Supplied by Kiama SLSC
Braith, Max, George, Harrison, Alex, and Zach rescued this family and two other girls from a flash rip tide – Supplied by Kiama SLSC

Unrelated teenage surfers rescued swimmers from drowning off the south coast of Australia on two separate occasions last week, proving that while the stereotype of young surfers is one of laxness, it isn’t all a bad thing.

It was November 18th that six friends aged between 12 and 15 were boogie boarding on Kiama Beach in the Australian state of New South Wales, when just 20 minutes after rescue personnel finished their shift and went home for the day, they became aware via screaming that 6 people had been swept hundreds of meters out to sea in a rip current.

A mom with her three young daughters, and two young women were all caught in the violent water, leaving buddies Max Laird, Braith Davidson, George Griffin, Harrison Smee, Alex Norris, and Zach Marsden as the only entity on the beach able to affect a rescue.

Luckily, these strapping young lads are all members of the Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, and Harrison, the oldest of the crew at 15, led them back to dry land on their boards to save some lives.

George described the event as “shocking,” but told ABC News Australia that “we just had to do what we could.”

“I got to an 8, 9-year-old kid called Matt, and by the time I got to him he was completely underwater, just his hand above the surface of the water, so I was pretty worried,” said George.

MORE SURFER STORIES: Sydney Resident Watches with Joy as Surfer Paddles out to Save Drowning Magpie

Harrison, George, and their comrades rescued all 6 girls, just nights after another group of surfers on another beach rescued another person—this time a distressed teenage boy swimming alone after safety patrol hours.

Rescue on Jones Beach – supplied to ABC by Lucas Mak

This rescue, which took place on Jones Beach about 2 miles north of Kiama Beach, was carried out by high schoolers Lucas Mak, George Kalajzich, and Dax Cairncross who used a surfboard to reach the drowning fellow who had also been caught in a “rip” as they call it Down Under.

MORE AUSTRALIAN RESCUES: Woman Lost 8 Days in the Australian Bush Survives to See Her 4 Children Again ‘It is miraculous’

Lucas and his friends – supplied to ABC by Lucas Mak

“We met the guy out in the rip and started paddling back to the shore slowly. He couldn’t really walk so his mates picked him up,” Lucas said.

A spokesman for the Surf Life Saving Club said that the rescues were a testament to the awareness, bravery, and focus that can be shown even by young people when given the right training, as the youngest rescuer involved was just 12 years old.

SHARE These Tubular Teens And Their Life-Saving Skills On Social Media… 

New Hampshire Man Had No Car and No Furniture, But Died with a Big Secret, Leaving His Town Millions

By
Andy Corbley
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credit - Geoffery Holt Trust
credit – Geoffery Holt Trust

In the small town of Hinsdale, Geoffery Holt lived a slightly eccentric, but mostly quiet life working contentedly as the groundskeeper of a mobile home park.

Relying on either a bicycle or a lawnmower as his mode of transport, his friends remembered him as an articulate fellow, and his obituary page describes him as “fundamentally modest and demure,”— “intellectually curious, humorous, and somewhat eccentric.”

He was a person “who made friends easily” and “an authority on automobiles and an aficionado of diecast metal cars as well as model railroading.”

The next line hints at the surprise that the 4,200 residents of Hinsdale received along with the news of his death—that he had a knack for market economics and amassed a $4.2 million fortune through investing in mutual funds which he left in its entirety to advance education, health services, recreation and culture in the town.

The story, broke first by the Associated Press, records the shock of several residents in the New Hampshire town who would often see him riding his sit-down lawnmower to the convenience store, or sitting on it in the trailer park reading a newspaper in threadbare clothes watching the cars go by.

Hinsdale has abundant fishing and hiking opportunities, and nearly the whole local economy is small businesses. The money was left to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, which believes it could transform the town, but the town administrator on the other hand said the money would be used just as Mr. Holt used it—frugally.

OTHER STORIES LIKE THIS: Alabama Town Shocked to Learn Farmer had Secretly Paid People’s Pharmacy Bills for a Decade

Interest payments from the Foundation’s trusts, which have now increased to around $150,000 a year, will be used to fund various grants that institutions or organizations can apply for.

In a statement to CNN, Kristen Oliveri, a spokesperson with the Foundation, said Holt’s “generosity has the potential to be transformational for a small community like Hinsdale.”

“The Charitable Foundation is honored to help put such generosity into action, and we look forward to helping distribute these funds in the years to come,” she said.

The first order of business though is to get a set of electronic ballot machines, since Holt was an avid voter and a supervisor of the hand counting of ballots during elections.

MORE HIDDEN FORTUNES: Billionaire Reaches His Goal Of Giving Away His Entire Fortune After 38 Years Of Secret Donations

An online obituary page is attracting heartfelt well wishes from those who’ve heard of the story, with a woman from the Midwest named Dee saying “hope to invest as well as Mr. Holt did. Kudos to him and his lifestyle – may it live on!”

“TY Geoffrey for giving us all a reason to smile and feel optimistic about society in the future especially now at the Holiday season. May the road rise to meet you. RIP,” read another.

WATCH the story below from AP… 

CELEBRATE Geoffery’s Memory And Generosity Share This Story On Social Media…

Scientists Discovered More Than 100,000 Ancient Coins at an Excavation Site in Japan

By
Andy Corbley
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released by Maebashi city government
released by Maebashi city government

In the Kanto region of Central Japan, a trove of 100,000 ancient coins has been uncovered by city archaeologists, some of which date back 2,000 years.

Stacked like cordwood in the Sojamachi district under a site where a company was planning to build a factory, many were minted in China, some as far back as the Western Han Dynasty (220 BCE – 9 CE).

According to the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, 334 of the coins have so far been examined. 44 types have been identified, ranging from the time of Emperor Wendi (175 BCE) of the Western Han to ones as recent as the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).

The paper didn’t say what the materials were, but given the mint and the burial method, they’re probably all copper or bronze.

An innovation of the Chinese, the bronze and copper coins were minted with a hole in the middle. Along with saving material, it allowed for easy transport, storage, and counting as the coins could be slid down a rope made from straw or reeds and carried like a keychain.

It was in this state that the coins were found, stacked and buried—perhaps hastily, according to Asahi Shimbun, whose report mentioned that they were found in property that belonged to wealthy members of the medieval Japanese society of Maebashi.

OTHER JAPANESE HISTORY: Japanese Archaeologists Find Beautiful Bronze Mirror Buried With a 7-Foot-Long Sword

Each bundle contained about 100 coins and a total of 1,060 bundles were dug up, and traces of a straw mat suggests that they were bundled up before their burying.

MORE COIN HOARDS: Man Finds Surprise of a Life in His Field: 700 Coins from Civil War ‘The Great Kentucky Hoard’

The oldest coin is a Chinese ban liang, which may mean “half pair,” or “half bright”—from the first set of coins minted in a unified China.

Other relics have been found in the area, and it has given rise to the belief that it was the center of power of a long-gone province called Kozuke from the Kofun Period.

SHARE This Uncovered Fortune With Your Friends Who Love Eastern History…

“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days because it reminds us to count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are.” – Wilbur D. Nesbit

By
Good News Network
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Faith Goble, CC license

Quote of the Day: “Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days because it reminds us to count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are.” – Wilbur D. Nesbit

Photo by: Faith Goble (CC license)

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Faith Goble, CC license

Scan of 27 Million Compounds Identified a New One that Outperforms Pain Medications

By
Andy Corbley
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Predicting analgesic compounds based on a two amino acids peptide to treat chronic pain (image credit: Drs. Ulises Santiago and Samantha Perez-Miller)
Predicting analgesic compounds based on a two amino acids peptide to treat chronic pain (image credit: Drs. Ulises Santiago and Samantha Perez-Miller)

Scanning a library of 27 million different molecules, a bi-institutional team identified some that work more effectively than the existing pain medications gabapentin and pregabalin.

Prescribed to nearly 50 million Americans in 2020, gabapentin is used to treat pain and dysfunction related to restless leg syndrome, epilepsy, hot flashes, and neuropathy or nerve pain, while pregabalin is prescribed to nearly 10 million Americans, but has even harsher side effects that can lead to death.

Calcium channels play a central role in pain signaling, in part through the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and GABA—“the currency of the pain signal,” according to Rajesh Khanna, director of the NYU Pain Research Center.

The newly identified molecule binds to an inner region of a calcium channel to indirectly regulate it, outperforming gabapentin without troublesome side effects and providing a promising candidate for treating pain.

“Developing effective pain management with minimal side effects is crucial, but creating new therapies has been challenging,” said Khanna, the senior author of the PNAS study which recorded his discovery. “Rather than directly going after known targets for pain relief, our lab is focused on indirectly targeting proteins that are involved in pain.”

In particular, this research centered around a protein called CRMP2, a key regulator of the calcium channel and which binds to it from the inside. He and his colleagues previously discovered a peptide (a small region of amino acids) derived from CRMP2 that could uncouple CRMP2 from the calcium channel.

When this peptide—dubbed the calcium channel‐binding domain 3, or CBD3 (not to be confused with a cannabidiol)—was delivered to cells, it acted as a decoy, blocking CRMP2 from binding to the inside of the calcium channel.

This resulted in less calcium entering the calcium channel and less neurotransmitter release, which translated to less pain in animal studies.

NEW DRUG DISCOVERIES: African Psychedelic Plant Medicine Inspires Two New Drugs to Treat Addiction and Depression

Peptides are difficult to synthesize as drugs because they are short-acting and easily degrade in the stomach, so the researchers sought to create a small molecule drug based on CBD3.

Starting with the 15 amino acids that make up the CBD3 peptide, they honed in on two amino acids that studies showed were responsible for inhibiting calcium influx and mitigating pain.

“At that point, we realized that these two amino acids could be the building blocks for designing a small molecule,” Khanna told NYU press.

In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh, the researchers ran a computer simulation that screened a library of 27 million compounds to look for a small molecule that would “match” the CBD3 amino acids.

The simulation narrowed the library down to 77 compounds, which the researchers experimentally tested to see if they lessened the amount of calcium influx. One compound, which the researchers named CBD3063, emerged as the most promising candidate for treating pain.

MORE NEWS LIKE THIS: UPDATE—World’s First Drug to Regrow Teeth Enters Clinical Trials

Khanna’s lab then tested CBD3063 with mouse models for pain related to injury. The compound was effective in alleviating pain in both male and female mice. Notably, in a head-to-head test with the drug gabapentin, the researchers needed to use far less CBD3063 (1 to 10 mg) than gabapentin (30 mg) to reduce pain.

To explore whether CBD3063 helped with different types of chronic pain, Khanna partnered with researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University, Michigan State University, and Rutgers University. Collaborators ran similar studies administering CBD3063 to treat animal models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, inflammatory pain, and trigeminal nerve pain—all successfully reversing pain, similar to gabapentin.

But unlike gabapentin, the use of CBD3063 did not come with side effects, including sedation, changes to cognition such as memory and learning, or changes to heart rate and breathing.

GOOD PHARMA NEWS: Life-Saving Overdose Drug Narcan Approved by FDA for Over-the-Counter and Online Sale

In the long term, they hope to bring a CBD3063-derived drug to clinical trials in an effort to offer new options for safe and effective pain relief.

“Identifying this first-in-class small molecule has been the culmination of more than 15 years of research. Though our research journey continues, we aspire to present a superior successor to gabapentin for the effective management of chronic pain,” said Khanna.

SHARE This Researcher’s Success In Seeking Safer, More Effective Drugs… 

College Project Sparks Student to Start Orphanages for Homeless Kids in Philippines: ‘Why haven’t I started this?’

By
Andy Corbley
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Joanna Maniti visits her orphanage for the first time.
credit – Joanna Maniti, released to the Daily Trojan.

Inspired by two mission trips to the Phillippines, Joanna Maniti was standing in front of her Univ. of Southern California class explaining her idea for a hypothetical non-profit to help homeless children and orphans she had met when she had a ‘lightbulb moment’.

Rather than hypothesize about a non-profit that would help the archipelago’s orphans, she decided to go ahead and start one herself, and so was born Cherish Hearts International.

“I had this reflection of, ‘Why haven’t I actually started this during my time at USC?’” Maniti told the Daily Trojan. “Right after the class, I just sent out a bunch of emails to old contacts of mine in the Philippines, and the first person who responded ended up being our first partnership within Cherish.”

In 2016 and 2018, Maniti visited the island of Mindanao, and was devastated to see the conditions of the unhoused and orphaned children living on the streets. She volunteered at a children’s ministry, but eventually her trip had to end and she returned to the US.

She decided to major in business, and in the fall of 2020 took a class at USC on how to design and run a non-profit, which she turned into Cherish Hearts International, which acts as a liaison to international business stakeholders to uncover areas of opportunity for the building of schools and shelters, the first of which opened in the summer of 2022 on Mindanao.

Consisting of four classrooms, two washrooms, and a kitchen, the orphanage was built with the help of All the World Outreach and other donors.

STEPPING UP TO SOLVE PROBLEMS: Tree Growing Nonprofit is Sprouting Entrepreneurs With Unique Training and Lots of Trees for Madagascar

Despite all this effort, Maniti was not able to set foot in the orphanage, meet the children there, or see how the classes were going, until a full three years after the project was started due to heavy government lockdowns and travel restrictions.

“We’ve been trying to take a trip there for the past three years, so being able to go this past year was a milestone for Cherish,” Maniti said. “[The trip] just further showed the need of this project. There are a ton of street children out there who just don’t have homes to go to or family members. It was a lot of emotions at once.”

MORE NON-PROFIT NEWS: Historic Homes Being Turned into Heritage Building Materials by These Awesome Savannah Women

Interviewing Maniti for the USC newspaper, Ava Satterfield at the New Trojan heard from Maniti that she wished she had got into non-profit work at the level of undergraduate, and suggested that anyone interested should get involved as early as possible.

Anyone looking to get in touch about donations or collaborations can visit the website here, or message Maniti on her LinkedIn.

SHARE This Inspired Young Woman And Her Important Mission In The Phillippines…

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