13 Good News Stories: Baby ‘Healthy, Here’; 500 Years Of Wisdom

ACROSS AMERICA — A Long Island baby who touched hearts when she was born 12 weeks early reached a powerful milestone this month, turning 1 year old as her parents reflected on 365 days filled with uncertainty, faith and love.

Nova Rae Schott was born on August 31, 2020. What followed was a long road for her parents, Jess Dunne and Christian Schott. Born at 28 weeks, Nova weighed just over a pound and was only 9 inches long, making her a micro-preemie, Dunne said.

Now, Dunne and Schott said their baby's birthday could be a beacon of hope for other parents spending long days and nights in neonatal intensive care units, where every hour is filled with unknowns.

"It's definitely crazy that a year has gone by," Schott said. "I'm happy that a year later she is healthy — and she is here." By Lisa Finn for North Fork, New York, Patch

Helping Them Find Home

As the United States pulled its last remaining troops from Afghanistan, Alex Plitsas found himself unable to eat. At night, he averaged about two hours of sleep. Now, Plitsas is sleeping soundly knowing that 40 United States citizens, Green Card holders and Afghan allies — including four children left stranded in Afghanistan in the waning days of a 20-year war — are safe in the U.S. thanks to his efforts. By Anna Bybee-Schier for Fairfield, Connecticut, Patch

A Grateful Reunion

Also, the owner of an Afghan restaurant in Hell's Kitchen is full of gratitude and disbelief after his wife and children were successfully evacuated from Kabul — thanks in part to a New York congressman and a global network of do-gooders. Two weeks after he first made his plea, Wali was finally reunited with his wife and children. "They hugged me for one hour — each child, my wife and everybody," Wali said of the reunion. "Still I did not believe that they are here." By Nick Garber for Midtown-Hell’s Kitchen Patch

A Life Saved

In his 23 years with a Pennsylvania fire company, Chief Eamon Brazunas has helped with countless water rescues. Still, it was a dramatic rushing water rescue amid the worst of Hurricane Ida's flooding rainfall that proved to be his greatest mental challenge yet. Alongside 10 different agencies, Brazunas and other firefighters worked together to save a life from the deadly floodwaters. By Marlene Lang for Tredyffrin-Easttown, Pennsylvania, Patch

Snapshots Of Hope

Eighteen years ago, Vietnam veteran Rick Olsen suffered a stroke that caused him to lose his vision. What he did next defied all odds. Olsen became a photographer, and it wasn’t until then that he truly started living. Nearly two decades later, Olsen’s hobby led him to enter his very first photography contest. By Yasmeen Sheikah for Homewood-Flossmoor, Illinois, Patch

Shelter From The Storm

Hundreds of dogs and cats found safe havens in Virginia and Florida after they were evacuated from shelters in the path of Hurricane Ida. "We were happy to step up this time," said Chelsea Jones, senior communications specialist with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. "We had room for them. We were excited to help out." By Michael O’Connell for Arlington, Virginia, Patch and D’Ann Lawrence White for Land O’ Lakes, Florida, Patch

Success On Film

While many businesses have struggled during the pandemic, a Florida film company hasn't slowed down, attracting clients such as the rock group AC/DC, Fortune 500 companies, NBC and other well-known names. What’s their secret? "We love having those local relationships, but also being able to service those clients that are bigger," the owner of Litewave Media told Patch. By Skyla Luckey for St. Petersburg, Florida, Patch

Centuries Of Wisdom

Five New Jersey women with half a millennium between them celebrated their birthdays this week as friends, family and caregivers gathered for a birthday party honoring the centenarians. "You've all done so much for this, so much work. It's very beautiful. I'd like to thank everyone," said Madeline Allen, who was marking her 104th birthday. By Josh Bakan for Morristown, New Jersey, Patch

‘A Dolphin’s Tale’ Remembered

It’s been a decade since Winter the dolphin’s inspiring story was chronicled in the 2011 Warner Bros. film, “Dolphin’s Tale.” Now, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the film by bringing back movie memories, film props and special screenings of the movie. Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found entangled in a crab trap line in 2005. She lost her tail as a result, leading veterinarians, marine biologists and others to develop a first-of-its-kind prosthetic tail for Winter so she could swim again. By D’Ann Lawrence White for Cleawater, Florida, Patch

Handcrafted Opportunity

Illinois resident Belinda Garcia is yet another example of the good things that can come from a global pandemic. For Garcia, her time in quarantine gave her the time to pick up a new hobby-turned-business. Drawing on knowledge from her woodshop class in middle school, and with a little help from YouTube videos, the 36-year-old found herself making handcrafted wood signs and home decor, first for herself and later for her business, The Blue Bee. By Emily Rosca for Bolingbrook, Illinois, Patch

Beating All Odds

In March, Jaden Thompson suffered severe head trauma after he was in an accident while out with friends. As the teenager clung to life, doctors placed Thompson Into a coma to preserve his brain function. He was not expected to survive. Thompson, however, beat all odds. After regaining his speech and starting physical therapy, he returned home nearly five months later. By Mary Ellen Gambon for Dedham, Massachusetts, Patch

A Tradition Returns

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will march through the streets of New York City once again this year in yet another sign of a slow return to normality amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be the 95th time the balloons, floats and marching bands will stream through the city in what is considered a national holiday tradition. By Adam Nichols for New York City Patch

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