【推荐1】Of the many safety measures that Disney Parks had to set up to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic, requiring guests to keep a six-foot distance from the costumed characters must have been one of the hardest.

For kids or kids at heart, running into the waiting arms of Mickey Mouse and other beloved characters had been such a fascinating and essential part of the experience, which makes hanging back terribly tough.

But finally, hugs are back on the horizon at US Disney sites.

As early as April 18, “Disney will start reintroducing traditional character greetings at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as aboard Disney Cruise Line and at Aulani Resort in Hawaii,” according to a new post on the official Disney Parks blog. Getting autographs, shooting photos close up and sharing a laugh face-to-face with characters such as Mulan, Goofy, and Donald Duck will all be back on the table.

“During the past two years, we’ve taken a very gradual, intentional approach to health and safety protocols,” wrote Shawn Slater, senior communications manager for Disney Live Entertainment, in the blog. “Recent trends and guidance have provided opportunities for us to bring back some of our most beloved magic, like character greetings and dining experiences. While not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate reopening in stages throughout the spring and early summer.”

It’s not just character interactions that will be returning later this spring. At Disneyland in California, guests can look forward to the return of several nighttime spectaculars, including fireworks and Main Street Parade.

However, Disney still isn’t 100% back in some ways. Take face masks, for instance. Disney asks that visitors who are not fully vaccinated (接种疫苗) continue wearing face masks in all indoor locations. You can click here for their latest safety updates.

【推荐3】An Yu, a young visually impaired girl born after 2000, recently performed her original song “She” in the music competition and variety show “Youth π Plan”, which greatly impressed the audience. Even Zheng Jun, a well-known rock musician, praised her performance, stating that he had become her fan.

An Yu developed a severe disease which damaged her sight when she was 4 years old. At 7, she began learning the piano and found a medium for self-expression through music. By the age of ten and a half, she started experimenting with composition. At the age of 11, she held a solo concert showing her vocal music pieces. Since 2014, she has composed about 120 pieces of original music.

An Yu’s participation in “Youth π Plan” marked a significant step in her life. She compared it to moving from a limited space into nature and into a world teaming with other forms of life, describing it as a turning point in her life. She expressed her hope that her music would inspire others and bring fresh life into the current music world.

Beyond music, An Yu is also passionate about literature and art. She enjoys writing poetry and creating art. She is a lover of languages as well, having learned seven languages including English, French, Japanese, and Italian.

Following her appearance on “Youth π Plan”, An Yu received overwhelming support and adoration from the audience. The viewers were fascinated not only by her inspirational energy but also by the professionalism and originality of her music. Some online comments emphasized that An Yu’s life itself is an uplifting song, with one netizen stating, “She doesn’t need to be healed. On the contrary, she has healed us!”

【推荐1】Animal Control Officer Bob McGrath was patrolling(巡逻)Cable Beach in Rye on Saturday when he encountered a woman named Olivia Ireland, who was metal detecting along the beach. “I saw the lady near the water with a metal detector, on a busy beach day and thought it was a little strange,“ Bob explained to The Portsmouth Herald. ”I went and asked if she was having any luck.”

Through his conversation with Olivia, Bob learned that she was attempting to find her lost engagement ring, which recently fell off her finger in the water.“ It was the day of the company party. I just came back from rowing. When I was in the water up to my knees with my colleagues for some fun, I felt it fell off,” Olivia recalled. “I saw it fall but then couldn’t find it. I was there with some coworkers and we tried for several hours to find it.”

After hearing her story, Bob who has been metal detecting since he was 14, knew he had to help. Around 9:30 p.m., the animal control officer returned to the beach when it was at low tide (浪潮)and began checking the area with his metal detector. It only took about an hour before Bob was successful in his efforts and found the lost ring, which was buried under about six inches of sand.

Because it was late at the time of his discovery, Bob waited until Sunday morning to deliver the good news to Olivia. “I could hear her voice shaking,“ Bob recalled. “She said she never knew there were so many caring people willing to help until this happened. She never thought, in this vast ocean, that it would be found.”

Rye Police Chief Kevin Walsh later praised Bob for his actions: “Bob is definitely the superstar of this story. He is a police chief’s dream. He goes he extra mile for people because he cares about them and he shows the trust we want in our officers.”

【推荐2】Within 30 minutes of finding out a little boy named Bodie needed a kidney transplant (肾移植)，Taylor Pikkarainen signed up to try and be his donor(捐献者).

Bodie Hall, from St. Michael, Minnesota, was born with a rare kidney disorder. Neither of his parents could donate their kidney to him and he needed a kidney transplant badly. “It’s like, how do you ask somebody to donate a kidney?” Bodie’s mom Gloria Hall said.

Dad, Brandon Hall, wasn’t a match, and Gloria had already donated a kidney to Bodie’ s older sister who had the same condition. “This was outside of our control,” Brandon said. He was placed on a kidney transplant list, but doctors advised them to go on social media to spread the word to find a donor.

Nurse Taylor Pikkarainen, is a friend of a friend. She said, “It’s definitely part of my calling, helping people. Even just reading his story and seeing his picture on the Facebook page made me think he was the cutest thing ever.” Pikkarainen, a traveling nurse from Minnesota, was working with COVID-19 patients in New Jersey when she heard about Bodie. She filled out the paperwork right then.

Doctors say it is hard to find a well-matched donor, but physicians at M Health Fairview concluded that Pikkarainen was the best match for Bodie out of several possible kidney donors.

The transplant happened on July 9, which was Pikkarainen’s birthday as well. “There’s no way to express how grateful we are, really,” Bodie’s mom said.

“We just told her ‘Thank you’,” his dad said. “We just couldn’t believe that she was willing to do something like that for us.”

Bodie is taking anti-rejection (抗排异药）medication, which will last for the rest of his life. Fortunately, the two of them have recovered and are doing well. In fact, Bodie’s mom said he looks healthier than ever - and even took his first steps not long after the operation!

【推荐3】Jerral Hancock was badly injured in Irag. He was paralyzed (瘫痪的) from the chest down and lost his left arm. When he returned home from war, Jerral struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (创伤后应激障碍), a brain injury, and limited use of his right arm. His mother and stepfather lived across the street from him and stepped up to help. His wife had left him and their two small children.

“Life has to go on,” Jerral said.

Jamie and her students heard about his situation. The kids had a great idea: They would raise money to build a disabled-friendly house. With their teacher’s help, the students launched Operation All the Way Home, or OAWH the next month. To raise money, they ran fund raisers, hosted bake sales, and conducted yard sales. As word spread about OAWH, donations poured in from other military veterans (老兵) and the public.

Later, OAWH got a surprise call from actor Gary Sinise, who is well known for his generosity, offering to donate $60,000.

Jerral’s new home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and automatic (自动的) doors, lights that he can control with an iPad. It was large enough for Jerral and his family.

The students opened the finished house in a 300-person ceremony on May 29, Jerral’s 29th birthday. Jerral wheeled pasta long line of OAWH student members welcoming him to his new house.

“I was so happy that we met our goal,” said Kimberly Castano, 19, a former OAWH member, “but more excited that Jerral could move in.”

On the eighth anniversary of his injuries, Jerral was finally home. “I am honored that so many people came together to make it possible,” he said.

【推荐2】Founded in 1934, the Academy of American Poets supports American poets and improves the appreciation of contemporary poetry by producing a wide range of programs.

National Poetry Month

Started in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. The signature education project, Dear Poe, helps teachers and students engage with the art of poetry.

Poem-a-Day

Poem-a-Day is the daily digital poetry series featuring previously unpublished poems by today’s talented poets each year. On weekdays, poems are accompanied by commentary by the poets. The series highlights classic poems on weekends. Launched in 2006, Poem-a-Day is now distributed via email and social media to 350, 000+ readers free of charge.

National Poem in Your Pocket Day

In 2002, the Office of the Mayor, in partnership with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education, initiated Poem in Your Pocket Day, a time for New York City residents to select a poem, carry it with them, and share it with others throughout the day. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative national, encouraging individuals around the country to join in and channel their inner poet.

Poetry & the Creative Mind

Poetry & the Creative Mind program features legendary actors, artists, and public figures sharing their favorite poems. This year, the 19th annual Poetry & the Creative Mind will be presented online, making it accessible to poetry lovers everywhere.