Good-News Story—Third-Grade Students Help Save Local Barnes & Noble

A belated Happy New Year to everyone! My resolution this year is to focus on the good and positive, to be optimistic.  The idea began with my first Facebook post of the year on January 1^st:

        2017 was a difficult year for me, as constant attacks on things I value made

        me worry about the future of our country. So I'm determined to face this 

        new year with hope and optimism, a belief that things will get better.

I decided to look for and post a positive/optimistic quote every Monday to keep me inspired. Sometimes we need to see what's good in the world—especially with so many negative and hurtful things being said and done today. I also decided I’d make my first blogpost of 2018 a positive one, too. So here's a heartwarming story.

Last fall, I heard that our Daytona Beach Barnes & Noble had lost its lease and was going to close. I was terribly disappointed because every trip my husband and I take to Daytona ends with a stop at the book store. But it never occurred to me that I could do anything about it.

Fortunately, it did occur to a group of third graders and their teacher, Shaina Belsky, at Tomoka Elementary School in Ormond Beach. As reported in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, they decided to write to Barnes & Noble CEO Demos Parneros:

“We are very sorry to hear [about the lease] and very upset that we won’t be able to visit and shop and browse and learn new things. Some of us love your sale items (using math).  Some like to study there and even eat there.  . . . Please don’t leave us without our favorite book store!”

           

Encouraged by Belsky, they even found alternative sites and suggested Paneros come see them. As an added enticement, they offered, “If you come, we will take you to the beach with us and teach you how to surf!”

Their appeal resonated with the CEO, and the company came to an agreement with its landlord on a lease extension. In addition, the vice-president of retail operations, Frank Morabito, was sent to visit with the students. He shook hands with each student and gave out $25 B&N gift certificates. He also said how moved Barnes & Noble staffers were to be able to share the “really great story.”

It was a great lesson to the students that they can make a difference. “They just have to try,” their teacher said. “They can make positive change for themselves and their community, and they just have to try.”

That’s a reminder to all of us. Sometimes we think that our letters to senators, congressmen, and business leaders fall into a black hole, but you never know when your message just might hit the right chord with someone and make a difference. I’m going to think of these kids the next time I’m ready to say, “What difference can my letter make?”

[The information and quotes in this story come from the December 9, 2017 edition of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. I applaud the editors for focusing on the good that kids can do—and for  placing the story on the front page!]

Hallmark Channel—We All Need Feel-Good Stories

I’ve always been a sucker for romantic movies with happy endings.  That’s why I periodically check out the Hallmark Channel to find a movie I can record, where I can relax because I know the guy will get the girl (or vice-versa). Whether it's Valentine's Day lovers or June brides, all obstacles can be surmounted. 

And don’t let me forget the Christmas season, when every night is filled with movies about the Christmas spirit and family and love—with a guarantee that good will prevail. Christmas will not be ruined by the evil developer or greedy mayor or nasty landlord, and the romantic leads will declare their love just as the snow begins to fall or the Christmas lights come on. What more can you want?

I’ve just discovered that I’m not alone. According to an article in the Washington Post, ratings are going up for the Hallmark Channel—significantly. Here’s what the article said,

“It’s feel-good TV. . . The main characters do the right thing. The problems get worked out.  The guy and girl, whatever their age or grumpiness level at the start, always end up together. This kind of TV has always drawn in older women, but Hallmark’s appeal isn’t limited to them anymore. Ratings are growing fast among 18-49-year-old women, and a growing number of men are tuning in as well.”

The question is, why? Some culture magazines say it’s because the movies are better made with better acting, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Post quotes Bill Abbott, Chief Executive of Crown Media, which owns Hallmark Channel. Abbott says that with so much divisiveness and hostility today in both families and the news, “We are a place you can go to feel good.”

There’s good reason to believe he’s right. According to the Post article, ratings were rising for years, but started going up dramatically in 2015, when the election season started. The week of the election, Hallmark was actually number four in primetime viewership!  During last year’s Christmas season, they averaged 1.1 million viewers during prime time. With the constant turmoil in our country and the world, they’ll probably do even better this year.

Yes, sometimes we need to sit down with a glass of wine or bowl of ice cream (or both?) and escape to a happier world. Like a vacation day, it recharges us. So . . . how many days until the Christmas movies begin?