Good News Monday — A Message on a Windshield

Mar 18, 2013 | Good News

I must admit that since I started Good News Monday as a
feature in this blog, I am constantly looking for items worth featuring. I see
a quite a few nice stories that are worthy, but rarely does something like this
come along that makes me immediately and without hesitation say, “that’s what Good
News Monday was created for.”

I saw this on Facebook because a friend was one of the 847,000 (and climbing fast) who “liked” it. This is a very moving gesture from one veteran to another
veteran and spouse. It’s a great story for so many reasons. First, it’s spontaneous
on behalf of the giver and totally unexpected on behalf of the receiver.
Second, few things are as powerful as a hand-written note that includes the
words “thank you.” Third, and perhaps most importantly, this underscores a
recurring point of Good News Monday. It doesn’t take a lot of money or dramatic
action to make a difference. It’s not the amount of cash that makes
this gesture so special. The emotion in the recipient’s Facebook post says it
all. 

Good News Monday — The guy who made ski season more fun

Mar 11, 2013 | Good News, Skiing

I like interesting people. I enjoy reading biographies and watching documentaries that chronicle the lives of people who have influenced history or cultutre. Sometimes the subjects are infamous or controversial. Then again, sometimes they are fun and inspiring — and that is what we celebrate on Good News Monday.

Today I want to introduce you to someone who has made every winter of my life more fun. His name is Warren Miller and he spent his life making movies about skiing. If the only thing we knew about him was his portfolio of work, he would still belong in Good News Monday, but there is much more to his story.
He’s a pioneer — a leader and not a follower. He had no example to follow in his career because he paved the way. He is considered the father of adventure sports cinematography. No one knew that a decent living could be made making ski movies because no one had ever tried it, but he followed his dream and lived in a trailer in the parking lot at Sun Valley, Idaho, in his early years. He’s more than a movie maker, he’s a gifted writer and philosopher who speaks about the feeling of freedom encountered on the slopes. He’s also very funny. His unique wit and distinctive voice are showcased in many of his movies. Until recently he was a columnist for SKI Magazine where he shared tales
of his ski adventures around the world. Whenever I read his words I hear them in his voice and it makes me smile. When I see silly things on the slopes, I again hear his voice and wonder how he’d describe the scene.

He is a legend in the ski industry and is rightfully in the Ski Hall of Fame. But wait, there’s more. Now that Mr. Miller is in the 80s and retired from making films, he started a non-profit foundation to help young people gain the skills they need to be successful entrepreneurs. Also, I heard recently that he was writing his autobiography. His only problem – in his words — is that he doesn’t know how it ends. Take your time, Warren. I look forward to the audio version.

Good News Monday — The best two-point shot you’ll ever see

Mar 4, 2013 | Good News

Every once in a while we’ll see a story about a sports
team that goes the distance in support of a disabled student. One famous and
viral story is about a high school basketball team whose autistic equipment
manager suited up for the final game of the season and scored 18 points. It has
had over 5 million views on YouTube. Today’s story has a slightly different
twist. Watch this brief video to the end and you will not believe your eyes.

I don’t know about you, but I never get tired of stories
like this.  These acts of sportsmanship and human decency demonstrate a couple
of important truths about our society.

a.  Students
with developmental disabilities deserve respect. They just want to fit in and
live a happy life. They don't expect sympathy but it sure is nice if they can catch a break once in a while.

b.  Values
are instilled in young people from a very early age. They learn from the examples
set by parents, siblings and others in society (like coaches). They can learn
to be selfish, disrespectful and intolerant or they turn out to be supportive, kind and
selfless like the teammates in this story and especially the opposing player
who, in my opinion, is the true star.

Seeing young people publicly demonstrate their values has to give us hope for the future. I'll be happy when scenes like this occur regularly in every town in America.

Good News Monday – Dinner and a locomotive

Feb 18, 2013 | Good News, Tourism

It’s always a pleasure to read the Roanoke Star Sentinel newspaper. Not only does it publish the news you need to know, it also tries hard to cover some good and uplifting news from the Roanoke Valley. We certainly appreciate their effort to inform the public of what’s right in addition to what’s wrong.

For example, this article caught my eye last week. It’s about an increase in attendance at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in downtown Roanoke. Overall visitation increased by 32.6% in 2012, a figure that includes both locals and out-of-town visitors. It’s those out-of-town guests that we love the most. They are staying in our hotels and inns, shopping in our stores, dining in our restaurants and most likely visiting other attractions and museums. Let's hope this trend continues in 2013.

The museum has had its ups and downs over the years. I have always enjoyed taking visiting family and friends there. Seeing the museum thrive is certainly good news. Congratulations to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Good News Monday — A Courageous Waiter Takes a Stand for Disabled Boy

Jan 21, 2013 | Good News

I had planned to make a simple, one-sentence post for Good News Monday: Hockey is back!

Then I saw this story and realized this is why I started
Good News Monday. To shine a spotlight on what is good in this world. The good
seems so much better when it’s lined up side-by-side with glaring ignorance.

In Houston, Texas, a waiter was happily serving some repeat customers
— a family that happens to include a child with Down syndrome. According to the
article, the boy was not misbehaving or causing a scene, yet a family at an
adjacent table was uncomfortable just being nearby. They moved to another
table, which apparently wasn’t enough. They continued saying hurtful things
about the child and that just pushed the waiter as far as he could go. At the
risk of losing his job, he refused to serve the party of idiots.

When I first read this story it made me mad (as I’m sure
many of you are right now). I would have enjoyed being the restaurant manager so
I could support the waiter and throw those fools right out the door. After a
little more thought, I didn’t feel mad any longer. I just felt sorry for them. Perhaps
they have never had a developmentally challenged child in their family. If some
day that changed, perhaps there would be an epiphany and they would realize
that all children bring joy to their family in one way or another. Then again,
maybe they wouldn’t. Maybe they’re simply cold-hearted.

One paragraph is already too much space allotted to those losers. Let’s recognize that the good news in this story is a person
who truly cares about others. He understands that all people have dignity. Most
importantly, he’s willing to turn his principles into actions.

Good News Monday — Encouraging Outlook for Travel in 2013

Jan 14, 2013 | Current Affairs, Good News, Tourism, Travel

Predictions are generally mixed on the economy for 2013. Some
predict another recession caused by the combination of increased taxes, the
not-yet-completely-known costs of healthcare overhaul and the inability of
politicians to agree of major issues like the debt ceiling and deficit
reduction. Others predict modest but steady growth, urging us to heed the
lesson of the tortoise and the hare. So, when good news emerges, it’s worth a
moment to examine and savor it.

Recently, Travel Weekly, a well respected travel industry
source published its outlook for 2013. The industry appears to be poised for a
good year. Hotels, cruise lines and airlines have been shoring up the bottom line and
trying to match supply with demand. Let’s hope Travel Weekly is correct. The
impact of a healthy travel and tourism industry reaches into every part of the
American economy. Profits for the afore mentioned airlines, hotels and cruise
lines are just the tip of the iceberg (if you’ll excuse the cruise line pun).
Local inns, restaurants, attractions, retail shops and everyone who works for
or supplies these industries benefits. Travelers leave behind many millions
of dollars in local lodging and sales taxes, which means everyone benefits even
if they are not employed in what is typically considered a travel or tourism
job.

Thanks, Travel Weekly for the good news. Let's hope that 12 months from now when we do our "Year in Review" that it also makes this Good News Monday blog.

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