11 Good News Stories: He Ate How Many Pancakes? Plus, Dog Days.

ACROSS AMERICA — No one’s saying Abhi Shah would’ve been better off calculating the odds he’d have to pay off on a bet in his fantasy football league by spending 24 hours in a pancake joint.

But it’s a thought that may have occurred to him. Bring on the stacks. He’d hedged the bet some: For every two pancakes he ate, he could shave an hour off the time he had to spend in the Parsippany, New Jersey, IHOP.

Shah told Patch that after he’d eaten 15 of them, he felt like he was going to die. He cut off enough time that he only had to eat 22. It was a struggle, but friends stopped by with encouragement.

“The butter's pretty thick. It's been a struggle," Shah said, sitting at a table with visiting friends. "Luckily, I've had some people come by. It was kind of lonely for the first four hours, but we're going." » By Josh Bakan for Parsippany, New Jersey, Patch

What Would You Do With $100?

A few Sundays ago during worship services, every adult member and Sunday school child at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Palos Heights, Illinois, received $100 and a letter asking that the money be used to share God's love in whatever way the recipient chose. The money came from a gift the church received from St. Philip in Blue Island prior to its closure. Several unexpected in-kind gifts were also received from families and estates with strong ties to Good Shepherd. Pastor Chris Buresh thought it would be a creative way to get church members involved in having a meaningful impact on someone's life. What church members didn't count on were the unexpected gifts they received in return. » By Lorraine Swanson for Palos, Illinois, Patch

For Uncle Tom

Morgan Crackel, a special education teacher in Plainfield, Illinois, is planning what is shaping up to be Coffee with Character based on years of inspiration by her uncle, Tom, who had Down syndrome. More like a brother than an uncle, “he taught me what it meant to be patient," she said. "I think at a young age, walking around with someone with Down syndrome who looks different can be intimidating as a child, right? So learning that his differences were something to be proud of rather than something to be nervous about is something I'm so grateful that I was raised with.” That lesson is at the essence of the Coffee with Character project, which employs disabled young adults to staff a coffee truck at football games — and customers will learn a little about Uncle Tom when they read the inscriptions on the cups. » By Emily Rosca for Plainfield, Illinois, Patch

Tip Was NFL Game Tickets

Kensia Thelumsa heard rookie New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was in the Ritz Diner in Livingston, New Jersey, while she worked her shift as a server. She dropped by Wilson’s table to tell him her son Scott is a big fan, and he surprised her with two tickets to a Jets game — which caused her to literally jump for joy, as seen on a video posted to social media. » By Caren Lissner for Livingston, New Jersey, Patch

65 Years Separate Them; They Graduate Together

Rene Neira has been trying to get his bachelor's degree since the 1950s, but love and life got in the way for the now-88-year-old Texan. He began pursuing it in earnest when his granddaughter Melanie Salazar, now 23, enrolled in community college. They got their associate's degrees together, then enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His health and the pandemic got in the way, but Salazar wheeled her grandfather to the stage earlier this month to get a degree of recognition on the same day her bachelor of arts degree was conferred. » By Beth Dalbey for Across America Patch

If You Build It, They Will Come

The Disney lights display Ryan Basile put together (top photo) is no “Field of Dreams,” but as in the movie, a seemingly endless horizon of cars has streamed through the Hazlet, New Jersey, neighborhood to experience the 20-minute interactive display. Like the book and later “Field of Dreams” movie about dreams, redemption and perseverance, the display seems to be something people need this year. “It was just it was amazing," he told Patch of the hundreds of visitors who drove in from other spots in New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania, New York and even Florida and Africa. “The word for it is amazing, to see what a Christmas show can do to people. It's a meeting that reaches so many people from all over the place, and it really hits all of their emotions." » By Catarina Moura for Holmdel-Hazlet, New Jersey, Patch

Encore: See Food Network’s Youngest Baker

The season premiere of the Food Network’s “Kid Baking Championship” will air again Monday featuring Benjamin Steinhauser, the 8-year-old culinary wunderkind from Hillsborough, New Jersey, who is the show’s youngest ever competitor. Benjamin, who has been cooking since he was 2, and the other 11 contestants are tested in difficult themed challenges » By Alexis Tarrazi for Hillsborough, New Jersey, Patch

Something To Tug At, Besides Girls’ Hearts

The dogs at a local animal shelter tugged so at the hearts of Brownies in Chatham Troop 9752 that the girls decided to give them something to tug on — toys. They braided colorful toys for the dog from inexpensive T-shirts they bought at a craft store, and donated 50 toys. “Anyone who can braid can make dog toys,” said Riley Kelly, whose mom says she is “obsessed” with animals of all kinds. “It’s so fun and easy. Everyone should do it.” » By Jennifer Jean Miller for Chatham, New Jersey, Patch

‘He Knew’: Dog’s Best Christmas

Judy Lilien doesn’t understand how Bandit, a 7-year-old Labrador shepherd mix, remained in a New Jersey animal shelter for more than a year before someone adopted him. “He’s so nice,” she said. “He’s a beautiful dog.” Bandit came home to her the day after Christmas after the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter worked with Patch to find her a forever home. Bandit came to her right away and ran to the car. “He knew,” she said, adding that since Bandit has been home, he’s been a “Velcro dog” reluctant to leave her side. » By Alexis Tarrazi for Bridgewater, New Jersey, Patch

Princess Loo And The Good Life

A 22-pound Corgi mix found taped inside a box in a Porta Potty finally is living the good life. Princess Loo, as she was named after she was rescued and placed for adoption by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is now living in a quiet home in the western part of the state. » By Annie Sandoli for Brookline, Massachusetts, Patch

She Made It Home For Christmas

A dog named Willow made it home for Christmas after getting lost in heavy fog and rain. Massachusetts State Trooper David Phan caught a glimpse of the dog standing in the middle of the road as he was about the end his shift in Duxbury on Christmas afternoon. He stopped traffic, scooped Willow into his cruiser, called the number on the nametag and then delivered the pooch to her anxious family in Pembroke. » By Haley Cornell for Plymouth, Massachusetts, Patch

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