Dec. 5, 2023
Christmas Stories: Secret Santa's Fortune, Playful Kittens, and Light-Loving Squirrels
We kick off the episode by highlighting an anonymous businessman from Kansas City who has made it his mission to spread Christmas cheer by donating between $100,000 and $200,000 each year to those most in need. We then share a charming story about...
We kick off the episode by highlighting an anonymous businessman from Kansas City who has made it his mission to spread Christmas cheer by donating between $100,000 and $200,000 each year to those most in need. We then share a charming story about five kittens who turned a Christmas tree into their personal playground, a poignant memory from 1958 about a young teacher's car breaking down on his way to Christmas and the kindness he experienced, and an innovative business idea from Yorkshire where Christmas trees are rented out and then replanted to prevent flooding.
Our episode wouldn't be complete without some lighthearted fun, so we also discuss the squirrels at the Cincinnati Zoo who have a surprising taste for Christmas lights, costing the zoo around $5,000 annually. Each of these stories underscores the magical spirit of Christmas and the kindness, creativity, and joy it can inspire.
Join us as we traverse from Kansas City to Yorkshire, from a 1951 Hudson stranded in Fillmore, Utah, to a festive Cincinnati Zoo, all while discovering the unique ways Christmas cheer is shared. With Aster Ireland's delightful commentary adding to the mix, this is an episode that will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
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 --> 00:00:10.640
Calarugashock Media. Hey, I'm Johnny
maccannon. So Christmas, We're going to
2
00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:16.719
do two extra bonus episodes every week, five good news Christmas Stories. Here's
3
00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:22.160
Aster Ireland. Imagine the surprise and
delight akin to discovering a forgotten bill in
4
00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:27.800
a winter coat, only to find
this experience profoundly magnified. In Kansas City,
5
00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:33.320
a businessman of substantial means has anonymously
dedicated himself to spreading festive cheer for
6
00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:38.719
over a decade. Each year,
accompanied by local officers, he visits various
7
00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:44.079
cities, delivering a financial windfall between
one hundred thousand dollars to two hundred thousand
8
00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:49.320
dollars, all in crisp one hundred
dollar bills. His target those burdened with
9
00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:53.240
the weight of the world on their
shoulders, individuals where a glimmer of hope
10
00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:58.320
seems distant. His charitable acts serve
as a beacon of kindness and ethos he
11
00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:03.359
believes should be the cornerstone of Humansanity's
mission. His identity remains a guarded secret,
12
00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:07.239
but his impact is unmistakably felt,
leaving a trail of joy and speculation
13
00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:12.280
on where he might appear next.
During the holiday season, even amidst their
14
00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:17.959
mischievous antics, our furry friends managed
to elicit joy and chuckles from us.
15
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.799
Palika recalls a particularly endearing episode that
occurred after she took in five kittens post
16
00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:29.480
Thanksgiving, not yet eight weeks old. They were delicate and shy, in
17
00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:34.959
dire need of nurturing care. Pealika
had optimistically placed a live Christmas tree in
18
00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.040
her living room, not expecting the
little ones to stir up any trouble due
19
00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:42.879
to their tender age. With the
tree partially adorned, a phone call drew
20
00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:47.920
her out of the room. Upon
her return, she found her trio of
21
00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.920
dogs positioned before the tree, gazing
intently at it. Taking a moment to
22
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.599
observe, Palika soon realized the branches
were rustling with activity. Despite their initial
23
00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.560
apprehension and slender friend James, the
kittens reveled in their adventure among the branches.
24
00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:07.719
As Polka fondly recalls, they scaled
and explored the tree's interior, with
25
00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:13.360
the occasional appearance of a tiny black
face framed by bright eyes peeking out from
26
00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:19.199
the foliage. While acknowledging the inherent
risks of kittens frolicking in a Christmas tree
27
00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:23.599
such as potential falls, the temptation
of chewing on electrical wires or the ingestion
28
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:30.520
of ornaments or tinsel pollica insured their
play was monitored. This playful escapade provided
29
00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:37.400
not only amusement for the kittens,
but also immense happiness to Polika. That
30
00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:43.800
was my Christmas gift to them,
she fondly remarks. Back in nineteen fifty
31
00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.400
eight, a young high school teacher
from Bating, Nevada, embarked on a
32
00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:51.960
journey to Idaho in a nineteen fifty
one Hudson, eager to celebrate Christmas with
33
00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:57.680
family. Nearing Fillmore, Utah,
disaster struck, a radiator hose gave way
34
00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.759
and the car began to overheat.
This teacher, determined not to be deterred,
35
00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:07.919
hitchhiked to Fillmore, where a helpful
Chevron station owner named Dan Brinkerhoff dispatched
36
00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:13.879
a tow truck to rescue the beleaguered
Hudson. Upon inspection, it became clear
37
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:20.000
that the overheating had caused significant damage. The engine head had warped without hesitation.
38
00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:24.360
Dan contacted a salvage yard and found
the necessary part. The teacher traveled
39
00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:30.120
by greyhound bus to acquire it,
and then returned to fillmore. Though it
40
00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:34.680
was now well into the evening and
the station had closed. Dan worked tirelessly
41
00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:38.599
into the night repairing the car while
the teacher caught some sleep in the back
42
00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:43.960
seat. After several hours, Dan
nudged the teacher awake with the good news
43
00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:49.039
the car was ready. When the
time came to discuss payment, Dan simply
44
00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.560
waved it off, asking for nothing
for his labor or the part. Due
45
00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:57.719
to Dan's selflessness, the teacher made
it home for the holidays, a journey
46
00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.400
made memorable by an act of kindness
that would resonate for years to come.
47
00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:10.879
In a clever response to the challenge
of flooding, a woman in Yorkshire harnessed
48
00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:15.520
the potential of surplus Christmas trees.
She set up a business that offers a
49
00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:20.519
sustainable solution, renting out potted Christmas
trees of various species. After the holiday
50
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:25.560
season, her company collects the trees
and gives them a new lease on life,
51
00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.439
growing them on until they become too
large for home use. These mature
52
00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:35.439
trees are then strategically planted on valley
slopes to act as natural barriers against floodwaters.
53
00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:41.439
The initiative has caught the attention of
the local community, particularly in areas
54
00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:46.279
prone to flooding, where the impact
of such natural defenses can be most beneficial.
55
00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:50.800
Sarah Tompkins, the founder, began
with a modest plantation of Christmas trees.
56
00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:56.600
As the trees reach heights unsuitable for
the average living room, they are
57
00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:00.680
relocated to the upper reaches of the
valley. Not only prevents flooding, but
58
00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:06.399
also offers an eco friendly twist to
the traditional Christmas tree cycle. The concept
59
00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:13.759
quickly evolved from an eco conscious project
to a successful business model as residents saw
60
00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:19.399
the dual benefits of their festive purchases
in waste reduction and flood prevention. Tompkins
61
00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:25.199
shares that customers grow fond of their
trees, often requesting the same one each
62
00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:30.240
year, likening it to watching a
member of the family grow. It seems
63
00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:33.959
that Christmas lights have an unexpected appeal
as a snack, at least for the
64
00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:40.319
squirrels. At the Cincinnati Zoo and
Botanical Garden. These furry residents were spotted
65
00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:46.199
nibbling on the wires of Christmas lights. This penchant for wire chewing is a
66
00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.959
constant challenge, and the Zoo's groundskeepers
have been employing a variety of inventive strategies
67
00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:57.920
to deter the persistent squirrels. Among
these attempts was the application of hot sauce
68
00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:03.279
to the wires, which unfortunately did
not dissuade the determined creatures. The squirrel's
69
00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:09.240
taste for decoration has led to an
annual expense of about five thousand dollars for
70
00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:15.800
the zoo. Those were your five
heart warming narratives of Christmas spirit for the
71
00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:19.680
day. Thanks to Johnny Mack for
sharing the spotlight. I'm Astor, Ireland,
72
00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:23.639
wishing you a day filled with joy
and peace.
1
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:10.640
Calarugashock Media. Hey, I'm Johnny
maccannon. So Christmas, We're going to
2
00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:16.719
do two extra bonus episodes every week, five good news Christmas Stories. Here's
3
00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:22.160
Aster Ireland. Imagine the surprise and
delight akin to discovering a forgotten bill in
4
00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:27.800
a winter coat, only to find
this experience profoundly magnified. In Kansas City,
5
00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:33.320
a businessman of substantial means has anonymously
dedicated himself to spreading festive cheer for
6
00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:38.719
over a decade. Each year,
accompanied by local officers, he visits various
7
00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:44.079
cities, delivering a financial windfall between
one hundred thousand dollars to two hundred thousand
8
00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:49.320
dollars, all in crisp one hundred
dollar bills. His target those burdened with
9
00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:53.240
the weight of the world on their
shoulders, individuals where a glimmer of hope
10
00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:58.320
seems distant. His charitable acts serve
as a beacon of kindness and ethos he
11
00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:03.359
believes should be the cornerstone of Humansanity's
mission. His identity remains a guarded secret,
12
00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:07.239
but his impact is unmistakably felt,
leaving a trail of joy and speculation
13
00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:12.280
on where he might appear next.
During the holiday season, even amidst their
14
00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:17.959
mischievous antics, our furry friends managed
to elicit joy and chuckles from us.
15
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.799
Palika recalls a particularly endearing episode that
occurred after she took in five kittens post
16
00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:29.480
Thanksgiving, not yet eight weeks old. They were delicate and shy, in
17
00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:34.959
dire need of nurturing care. Pealika
had optimistically placed a live Christmas tree in
18
00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:38.040
her living room, not expecting the
little ones to stir up any trouble due
19
00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:42.879
to their tender age. With the
tree partially adorned, a phone call drew
20
00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:47.920
her out of the room. Upon
her return, she found her trio of
21
00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.920
dogs positioned before the tree, gazing
intently at it. Taking a moment to
22
00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.599
observe, Palika soon realized the branches
were rustling with activity. Despite their initial
23
00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.560
apprehension and slender friend James, the
kittens reveled in their adventure among the branches.
24
00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:07.719
As Polka fondly recalls, they scaled
and explored the tree's interior, with
25
00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:13.360
the occasional appearance of a tiny black
face framed by bright eyes peeking out from
26
00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:19.199
the foliage. While acknowledging the inherent
risks of kittens frolicking in a Christmas tree
27
00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:23.599
such as potential falls, the temptation
of chewing on electrical wires or the ingestion
28
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:30.520
of ornaments or tinsel pollica insured their
play was monitored. This playful escapade provided
29
00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:37.400
not only amusement for the kittens,
but also immense happiness to Polika. That
30
00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:43.800
was my Christmas gift to them,
she fondly remarks. Back in nineteen fifty
31
00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.400
eight, a young high school teacher
from Bating, Nevada, embarked on a
32
00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:51.960
journey to Idaho in a nineteen fifty
one Hudson, eager to celebrate Christmas with
33
00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:57.680
family. Nearing Fillmore, Utah,
disaster struck, a radiator hose gave way
34
00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:01.759
and the car began to overheat.
This teacher, determined not to be deterred,
35
00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:07.919
hitchhiked to Fillmore, where a helpful
Chevron station owner named Dan Brinkerhoff dispatched
36
00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:13.879
a tow truck to rescue the beleaguered
Hudson. Upon inspection, it became clear
37
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:20.000
that the overheating had caused significant damage. The engine head had warped without hesitation.
38
00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:24.360
Dan contacted a salvage yard and found
the necessary part. The teacher traveled
39
00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:30.120
by greyhound bus to acquire it,
and then returned to fillmore. Though it
40
00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:34.680
was now well into the evening and
the station had closed. Dan worked tirelessly
41
00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:38.599
into the night repairing the car while
the teacher caught some sleep in the back
42
00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:43.960
seat. After several hours, Dan
nudged the teacher awake with the good news
43
00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:49.039
the car was ready. When the
time came to discuss payment, Dan simply
44
00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:53.560
waved it off, asking for nothing
for his labor or the part. Due
45
00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:57.719
to Dan's selflessness, the teacher made
it home for the holidays, a journey
46
00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.400
made memorable by an act of kindness
that would resonate for years to come.
47
00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:10.879
In a clever response to the challenge
of flooding, a woman in Yorkshire harnessed
48
00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:15.520
the potential of surplus Christmas trees.
She set up a business that offers a
49
00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:20.519
sustainable solution, renting out potted Christmas
trees of various species. After the holiday
50
00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:25.560
season, her company collects the trees
and gives them a new lease on life,
51
00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:30.439
growing them on until they become too
large for home use. These mature
52
00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:35.439
trees are then strategically planted on valley
slopes to act as natural barriers against floodwaters.
53
00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:41.439
The initiative has caught the attention of
the local community, particularly in areas
54
00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:46.279
prone to flooding, where the impact
of such natural defenses can be most beneficial.
55
00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:50.800
Sarah Tompkins, the founder, began
with a modest plantation of Christmas trees.
56
00:04:51.480 --> 00:04:56.600
As the trees reach heights unsuitable for
the average living room, they are
57
00:04:56.639 --> 00:05:00.680
relocated to the upper reaches of the
valley. Not only prevents flooding, but
58
00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:06.399
also offers an eco friendly twist to
the traditional Christmas tree cycle. The concept
59
00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:13.759
quickly evolved from an eco conscious project
to a successful business model as residents saw
60
00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:19.399
the dual benefits of their festive purchases
in waste reduction and flood prevention. Tompkins
61
00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:25.199
shares that customers grow fond of their
trees, often requesting the same one each
62
00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:30.240
year, likening it to watching a
member of the family grow. It seems
63
00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:33.959
that Christmas lights have an unexpected appeal
as a snack, at least for the
64
00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:40.319
squirrels. At the Cincinnati Zoo and
Botanical Garden. These furry residents were spotted
65
00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:46.199
nibbling on the wires of Christmas lights. This penchant for wire chewing is a
66
00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:50.959
constant challenge, and the Zoo's groundskeepers
have been employing a variety of inventive strategies
67
00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:57.920
to deter the persistent squirrels. Among
these attempts was the application of hot sauce
68
00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:03.279
to the wires, which unfortunately did
not dissuade the determined creatures. The squirrel's
69
00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:09.240
taste for decoration has led to an
annual expense of about five thousand dollars for
70
00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:15.800
the zoo. Those were your five
heart warming narratives of Christmas spirit for the
71
00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:19.680
day. Thanks to Johnny Mack for
sharing the spotlight. I'm Astor, Ireland,
72
00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:23.639
wishing you a day filled with joy
and peace.