Dec. 12, 2023
Christmas Stories: Lego Wonders and Layaway Angels
Who knew Lego could bring such holiday warmth? Join 5 Good News Stories as we dive into a heartwarming tale of a couple who transformed their living room into a seasonal Lego wonderland. Their love for the tiny interlocking bricks took a decidedly...
Who knew Lego could bring such holiday warmth? Join 5 Good News Stories as we dive into a heartwarming tale of a couple who transformed their living room into a seasonal Lego wonderland. Their love for the tiny interlocking bricks took a decidedly festive turn, and they even discovered an unexpected benefit - staying toasty in the winter chill just from the physical exertion of constructing their Lego masterpiece. But the cheer doesn't stop there, folks! We're also bringing you stories of kindness straight from Michigan, where a surplus Christmas tree sparked a chain of generosity that brightened the season for many. Then, brace yourselves as we follow the footsteps of a young aspiring paleontologist whose Christmas morning expedition turned into an extraordinary find. Our festive journey also takes us to a local Walmart, where an anonymous benefactor brought joy to shoppers by clearing all outstanding layaway balances. Finally, gear up for a gripping tale of a perilous journey home during a snowstorm, the stranger who came to the rescue, and the power of belief. It's all about embracing the spirit of Christmas and the incredible power of human kindness. So, are you ready to feel your hearts warming up a notch?
This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5747537/advertisement
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:11.080
Calarugashawk Media. Hey, I'm Johnny
Mack and now through Christmas, twice a
2
00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:15.759
week we're doing bonus episodes. These
are five good News Christmas stories. Here's
3
00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:22.800
Astor, Ireland. A couple with
a passion for Lego has crafted a wave
4
00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:28.960
of yule Tide spirit by constructing a
wall, fireplace and Christmas tree entirely from
5
00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:33.520
Lego bricks in their living room.
For nearly thirty years, Mike Addis and
6
00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:39.119
Katherine Weightman have been delighting in the
tradition of creating impressive Lego structures each holiday
7
00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:44.920
season. Their past masterpieces include a
towering twenty one foot model of London Bridge
8
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:50.799
and a meticulous twelve foot replica of
Ely Cathedral. This year, the ongoing
9
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:55.560
extension work on their Cambridgeshire home sparked
the inspiration to adorn a living room wall
10
00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:00.920
with a Lego facade embellished with a
Christmas tree, seasonal adornment, and even
11
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.560
a fireplace complete with a whimsical display
of Santa's feet dangling down. Amongst the
12
00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:11.680
Lego decor, one can discover tiny
mince pies, a match box and candles
13
00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:15.599
with the illusion of flickering flames,
all fashioned from the iconic interlocking blocks.
14
00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:22.319
Beyond the creative challenge, this project
has an unexpected benefit. It's been an
15
00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:26.840
economical heat saver thanks to the physical
exertion involved in their nightly bricklaying sessions.
16
00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:33.439
Adis revealed that they dedicated two to
four hours each evening for two months to
17
00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:38.280
bring their vision to life. It's
quite a social thing and it keeps us
18
00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:42.319
warm too. Adis remarked, you
can't believe building lego, which doesn't involve
19
00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:46.920
a lot of movement, would but
you could actually switch the heating off.
20
00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:53.480
The tactile activity of constantly reaching for
pieces and assembling them kept them surprisingly warm,
21
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.000
even negating the need for their wood
burner in the chill. For their
22
00:01:57.079 --> 00:02:02.840
grand creation, the couple estimated a
use of four hundred thousand lego pieces,
23
00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:08.039
with a significant amount dedicated to ensuring
the structural integrity of the brick wall.
24
00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:15.479
Despite their history of elaborate constructs,
it was the lego Christmas Tree that posed
25
00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:20.439
the greatest challenge for Mike this year. Imagine trying to create the shape of
26
00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:24.919
a tree in square blocks, said
the retired economics professor. In order to
27
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:29.840
stand it upright, we had to
build it into the wall. The wall
28
00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:34.400
itself is quite heavy and is tied
to our curtain rod. Their lego journey
29
00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:38.000
began when they crafted sculptures with their
children, who, now grown, have
30
00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:44.039
moved beyond their lego playing days.
Yet Mike and Catherine continue to build,
31
00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:50.599
keeping the family tradition alive in a
grand, block by block fashion. In
32
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:54.240
Michigan, a simple act of kindness
transformed the holiday season for many families.
33
00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:00.599
Chad Rose, finding himself with an
extra Christmas tree, decide I'd to post
34
00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:05.680
a free giveaway on Craigslist. The
tree, originally a festive prop for a
35
00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:10.840
parade float, became a symbol of
generosity as stories poured in revealing the financial
36
00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:16.599
struggles faced by many during the holidays. Moved by their plight, Rose acquired
37
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:22.240
an additional forty trees, determined to
ensure that no family would go without.
38
00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:29.039
Meanwhile, Ann Poisson's offer to provide
ornaments and trimmings for these trees exemplified the
39
00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:35.240
spirit of community and shared kindness,
showcasing how one person's thoughtful gesture can inspire
40
00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:38.080
others to contribute to a cause that
brings joy and warmth to many during the
41
00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:44.520
festive season. Last year, on
Christmas morning, The air was filled with
42
00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:49.360
excitement as nine year old Molly couldnt
contain her happiness after unwrapping her gifts,
43
00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.360
a pair of insulated waiters and a
sifting basket. Little did she know that
44
00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:59.120
these gifts would soon lead her to
a remarkable discovery. Her wish list was
45
00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:04.199
practical because it supported her aspiration to
one day become a palaeontologist. She had
46
00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:10.800
been fostering this dream through numerous fossil
hunting expeditions with her father along the fossil
47
00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:15.919
rich Calvert Cliffs of Chesapeake Bay,
Maryland. Mollie, along with her sister
48
00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:20.199
Natalie, and their father Bruce,
were unfazed by the chilly ten degrees fahrenheit
49
00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:26.040
weather that Christmas morning. At nine
thirty a m. With the enthusiasm only
50
00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:30.519
a child on Christmas can muster,
Mollie declared her intent to find a Megalodon
51
00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.279
tooth, a declaration that felt like
a promise. The low tide was an
52
00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:39.879
invitation to venture further into the water, and it wasn't long before Mollie spotted
53
00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:44.360
what she had been searching for.
Approaching her find, she couldn't help but
54
00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:48.319
think in awe of its size.
With a combination of excitement and disbelief.
55
00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:54.439
She retrieved the tooth, her joyous
shrieks, confirming the significance of her discovery.
56
00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:59.800
A megalodon tooth, a vestige of
a colossal prehistoric shark from fifteen million
57
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:10.519
yuar years ago, now cradled in
the hands of a young and aspiring scientist.
58
00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:17.120
Shoppers at a local Walmart were greeted
with an unexpected holiday miracle when they
59
00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:23.879
returned to the store. In a
remarkable act of generosity, an anonymous benefactor
60
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:30.160
had stealthily visited the East Marlborough Walmart
and settled every single outstanding Christmas layaway balance.
61
00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:35.639
Customers ready to make payments or pick
up their on hold items were astounded
62
00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:40.519
to learn that twenty nine thousand dollars
worth of goods had been paid for during
63
00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:45.800
their absence. The spirit of Christmas
was palpable as words spread through the store.
64
00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:50.079
Staff and shoppers alike were buzzing with
excitement and disbelief over the secret Santa's
65
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:55.920
deed. The generous individual had hoped
to slip away unnoticed, but fate had
66
00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:00.959
a different plan. In a serendipitous
encounter, he crossed paths with a woman
67
00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:05.800
who had directly benefited from his kindness. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she inquired about
68
00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:11.560
the name of her benefactor. Maintaining
the festive guise, he replied with a
69
00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:15.480
twinkle in his eye, Chris Kringle, before disappearing, leaving behind a trail
70
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:24.120
of joy and holiday cheer. Ice
and snow lashed against the office windows as
71
00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:29.439
an employee inside contemplated the perilous journey
home. The route stretched twelve miles,
72
00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:33.639
marked by steep hills and dangerous bends, through a landscape now hostile with winter's
73
00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:39.519
touch. A silent prayer for safety
was cast into the howling wind. Their
74
00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:44.439
trusty old green blazer, usually dependable, now fought against the ice encrusted road,
75
00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:48.120
bravely dodging the snow drifts. Yet
on one of the steepest climbs,
76
00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:54.839
the vehicle struggled, its tires losing
their battle against the slick ascent. It
77
00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:59.199
was then that the decision was made
to engage the four wheel drive, following
78
00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:03.240
the instructions given by a spouse for
just such an emergency. The tires found
79
00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.480
their grip once more, and the
peak of the hill seemed within reach.
80
00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.959
At the summit, however, the
vehicle faltered and came to a halt.
81
00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:16.959
Despite efforts to engage the gears,
the suv remained immobile, besieged by the
82
00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:21.720
relentless storm. In the grip of
this dire predicament, the hope for a
83
00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:28.639
good Samaritan to pass by was silently
summoned. Miraculously, an old pickup truck
84
00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:32.480
appeared, driven by a young man
whose presence in the small rural community had
85
00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:39.000
never been noted before. With a
smile, he offered assistance braving the icy
86
00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:44.120
onslaught to fix the four wheel drive
mechanism. His quick actions had the Blazer
87
00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.680
back on its path home in no
time. Gratitude was expressed, and when
88
00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:51.839
asked if he was a local,
the stranger simply replied with a vague oh
89
00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:58.040
over yonder left with a sense of
wonder, the employee now had a profound
90
00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:01.879
belief in the existence of guardian angels. That's our Christmas feel good round up
91
00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.000
five stories to warm your heart.
Hats off to Johnny Mack for this guest
92
00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:11.399
spot. I'm Astor, Ireland,
hoping you carry the spirit of these tales
93
00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:16.839
with you today.
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:11.080
Calarugashawk Media. Hey, I'm Johnny
Mack and now through Christmas, twice a
2
00:00:11.119 --> 00:00:15.759
week we're doing bonus episodes. These
are five good News Christmas stories. Here's
3
00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:22.800
Astor, Ireland. A couple with
a passion for Lego has crafted a wave
4
00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:28.960
of yule Tide spirit by constructing a
wall, fireplace and Christmas tree entirely from
5
00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:33.520
Lego bricks in their living room.
For nearly thirty years, Mike Addis and
6
00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:39.119
Katherine Weightman have been delighting in the
tradition of creating impressive Lego structures each holiday
7
00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:44.920
season. Their past masterpieces include a
towering twenty one foot model of London Bridge
8
00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:50.799
and a meticulous twelve foot replica of
Ely Cathedral. This year, the ongoing
9
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:55.560
extension work on their Cambridgeshire home sparked
the inspiration to adorn a living room wall
10
00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:00.920
with a Lego facade embellished with a
Christmas tree, seasonal adornment, and even
11
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.560
a fireplace complete with a whimsical display
of Santa's feet dangling down. Amongst the
12
00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:11.680
Lego decor, one can discover tiny
mince pies, a match box and candles
13
00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:15.599
with the illusion of flickering flames,
all fashioned from the iconic interlocking blocks.
14
00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:22.319
Beyond the creative challenge, this project
has an unexpected benefit. It's been an
15
00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:26.840
economical heat saver thanks to the physical
exertion involved in their nightly bricklaying sessions.
16
00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:33.439
Adis revealed that they dedicated two to
four hours each evening for two months to
17
00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:38.280
bring their vision to life. It's
quite a social thing and it keeps us
18
00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:42.319
warm too. Adis remarked, you
can't believe building lego, which doesn't involve
19
00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:46.920
a lot of movement, would but
you could actually switch the heating off.
20
00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:53.480
The tactile activity of constantly reaching for
pieces and assembling them kept them surprisingly warm,
21
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.000
even negating the need for their wood
burner in the chill. For their
22
00:01:57.079 --> 00:02:02.840
grand creation, the couple estimated a
use of four hundred thousand lego pieces,
23
00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:08.039
with a significant amount dedicated to ensuring
the structural integrity of the brick wall.
24
00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:15.479
Despite their history of elaborate constructs,
it was the lego Christmas Tree that posed
25
00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:20.439
the greatest challenge for Mike this year. Imagine trying to create the shape of
26
00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:24.919
a tree in square blocks, said
the retired economics professor. In order to
27
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:29.840
stand it upright, we had to
build it into the wall. The wall
28
00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:34.400
itself is quite heavy and is tied
to our curtain rod. Their lego journey
29
00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:38.000
began when they crafted sculptures with their
children, who, now grown, have
30
00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:44.039
moved beyond their lego playing days.
Yet Mike and Catherine continue to build,
31
00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:50.599
keeping the family tradition alive in a
grand, block by block fashion. In
32
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:54.240
Michigan, a simple act of kindness
transformed the holiday season for many families.
33
00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:00.599
Chad Rose, finding himself with an
extra Christmas tree, decide I'd to post
34
00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:05.680
a free giveaway on Craigslist. The
tree, originally a festive prop for a
35
00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:10.840
parade float, became a symbol of
generosity as stories poured in revealing the financial
36
00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:16.599
struggles faced by many during the holidays. Moved by their plight, Rose acquired
37
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:22.240
an additional forty trees, determined to
ensure that no family would go without.
38
00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:29.039
Meanwhile, Ann Poisson's offer to provide
ornaments and trimmings for these trees exemplified the
39
00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:35.240
spirit of community and shared kindness,
showcasing how one person's thoughtful gesture can inspire
40
00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:38.080
others to contribute to a cause that
brings joy and warmth to many during the
41
00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:44.520
festive season. Last year, on
Christmas morning, The air was filled with
42
00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:49.360
excitement as nine year old Molly couldnt
contain her happiness after unwrapping her gifts,
43
00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.360
a pair of insulated waiters and a
sifting basket. Little did she know that
44
00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:59.120
these gifts would soon lead her to
a remarkable discovery. Her wish list was
45
00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:04.199
practical because it supported her aspiration to
one day become a palaeontologist. She had
46
00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:10.800
been fostering this dream through numerous fossil
hunting expeditions with her father along the fossil
47
00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:15.919
rich Calvert Cliffs of Chesapeake Bay,
Maryland. Mollie, along with her sister
48
00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:20.199
Natalie, and their father Bruce,
were unfazed by the chilly ten degrees fahrenheit
49
00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:26.040
weather that Christmas morning. At nine
thirty a m. With the enthusiasm only
50
00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:30.519
a child on Christmas can muster,
Mollie declared her intent to find a Megalodon
51
00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.279
tooth, a declaration that felt like
a promise. The low tide was an
52
00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:39.879
invitation to venture further into the water, and it wasn't long before Mollie spotted
53
00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:44.360
what she had been searching for.
Approaching her find, she couldn't help but
54
00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:48.319
think in awe of its size.
With a combination of excitement and disbelief.
55
00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:54.439
She retrieved the tooth, her joyous
shrieks, confirming the significance of her discovery.
56
00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:59.800
A megalodon tooth, a vestige of
a colossal prehistoric shark from fifteen million
57
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:10.519
yuar years ago, now cradled in
the hands of a young and aspiring scientist.
58
00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:17.120
Shoppers at a local Walmart were greeted
with an unexpected holiday miracle when they
59
00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:23.879
returned to the store. In a
remarkable act of generosity, an anonymous benefactor
60
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:30.160
had stealthily visited the East Marlborough Walmart
and settled every single outstanding Christmas layaway balance.
61
00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:35.639
Customers ready to make payments or pick
up their on hold items were astounded
62
00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:40.519
to learn that twenty nine thousand dollars
worth of goods had been paid for during
63
00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:45.800
their absence. The spirit of Christmas
was palpable as words spread through the store.
64
00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:50.079
Staff and shoppers alike were buzzing with
excitement and disbelief over the secret Santa's
65
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:55.920
deed. The generous individual had hoped
to slip away unnoticed, but fate had
66
00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:00.959
a different plan. In a serendipitous
encounter, he crossed paths with a woman
67
00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:05.800
who had directly benefited from his kindness. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she inquired about
68
00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:11.560
the name of her benefactor. Maintaining
the festive guise, he replied with a
69
00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:15.480
twinkle in his eye, Chris Kringle, before disappearing, leaving behind a trail
70
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:24.120
of joy and holiday cheer. Ice
and snow lashed against the office windows as
71
00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:29.439
an employee inside contemplated the perilous journey
home. The route stretched twelve miles,
72
00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:33.639
marked by steep hills and dangerous bends, through a landscape now hostile with winter's
73
00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:39.519
touch. A silent prayer for safety
was cast into the howling wind. Their
74
00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:44.439
trusty old green blazer, usually dependable, now fought against the ice encrusted road,
75
00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:48.120
bravely dodging the snow drifts. Yet
on one of the steepest climbs,
76
00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:54.839
the vehicle struggled, its tires losing
their battle against the slick ascent. It
77
00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:59.199
was then that the decision was made
to engage the four wheel drive, following
78
00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:03.240
the instructions given by a spouse for
just such an emergency. The tires found
79
00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.480
their grip once more, and the
peak of the hill seemed within reach.
80
00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.959
At the summit, however, the
vehicle faltered and came to a halt.
81
00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:16.959
Despite efforts to engage the gears,
the suv remained immobile, besieged by the
82
00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:21.720
relentless storm. In the grip of
this dire predicament, the hope for a
83
00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:28.639
good Samaritan to pass by was silently
summoned. Miraculously, an old pickup truck
84
00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:32.480
appeared, driven by a young man
whose presence in the small rural community had
85
00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:39.000
never been noted before. With a
smile, he offered assistance braving the icy
86
00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:44.120
onslaught to fix the four wheel drive
mechanism. His quick actions had the Blazer
87
00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:47.680
back on its path home in no
time. Gratitude was expressed, and when
88
00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:51.839
asked if he was a local,
the stranger simply replied with a vague oh
89
00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:58.040
over yonder left with a sense of
wonder, the employee now had a profound
90
00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:01.879
belief in the existence of guardian angels. That's our Christmas feel good round up
91
00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:07.000
five stories to warm your heart.
Hats off to Johnny Mack for this guest
92
00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:11.399
spot. I'm Astor, Ireland,
hoping you carry the spirit of these tales
93
00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:16.839
with you today.